rokudenashi

For what it’s worth, the papers are all reporting the name 琴桜, i.e. using the simplified kanji for sakura, not the 櫻 used by his grandfather. As standard, he’ll keep using Kotonowaka for the upcoming jungyō; the change will formally take place upon the release of the Natsu banzuke

70kg of mass too…

In my experience it’s common for Japanese articles to include “本名: <real name>” when writing about a rikishi. Usually as part of an addendum adding general information about the article’s subject. Example

The duality of man (‘s nipples)

In

Pure speculation so far from Nikkan on Takerufuji's kyūjō. I guess we'll hear shortly. In the meantime, here's Wakanohana's take on the situation. "The thing I'd like to stress to Takerufuji is this - you absolutely shouldn't mount the dohyō if you're clearly not in the condition to. Take my brother, or Kisenosato, as examples that trying to push through a catastrophic injury just to win a yūshō will have long-lasting impacts on the rest of your career. While a shin-nyūmaku yūshō would certainly be a monumental achievement, you are young and still have many years left [as a rikishi], so I don't want you to attempt the impossible just for the short-term acclaim. No matter what happens [if you win or or not], your efforts in this basho will not be ignored."

Yes pretty much. They also report calling Kasugano directly, first asking whether the rumours of Tochimusashi's bullying are true, to which he sternly replied "I have nothing to say about the matter". Then upon asking if he did indeed force Tochikamiyama to hand in his retirement papers, he slammed the phone down. While it's not a good look, I assume this is the standard reception that tabloids get; naturally they've chosen to emphasise his response or rather lack thereof in order to further paint him in a negative light

15. Midorifuji

14. Ōnosato

13. Takanoshō

12. Meisei

11. Meisei

10. Nishikigi

Reminder that Nishikigi started 1-6 then got 8 straight wins in May last year. Bet on it now- he’s going 9-6 and taking Daieishō’s sekiwake slot

9. Nishikigi

8. Nishikigi

Guess we might be waiting a while longer to witness Karino’s proper debut then - he’s still yet to step on the dohyō as a ranked wrestler since joining the stable in May last year

7.Wakamotoharu

6. Wakamotoharu

5. Kotonowaka

Oho Backup: Abi

4. Takakeisho

Funnily enough I was just searching the same thing. This article from late November is the most recent report I can find. They were supposed to move in October last year, but it got delayed - I guess the delays continue Edit: that’s the same article as you posted back then….

I vaguely remember that until the stock swap happened with ex-Chikubayama leaving his san’yo post early, there wasn’t much indication that Ishiura was going to stay with the NSK. Miyagino facilitated that whole deal by all reports, so I can imagine Magaki being seen as not fit to lead the stable simply based on his allegiance and a belief that he would be nothing more than a Medvedev to Miyagino’s Putin, if you will.

LOL