kosho yes? kosho no? :::the solution

[shimodahito 336]

good day all,

it seems we have two extremes. an 0-0-15 record WITH kosho will allow a rikishi to maintain rank, while an 0-0-15 record WITHOUT kosho can drop a rikishi by as many as 15 spots. this is my suggested rules if i were rijicho for a day.

rule 1A. any rikishi from the rank of maegashira all the way down to jonokuchi that sits out a tournament will automatically be demoted 3 ranks on the next banzuke. they will not be allowed to retain their rank as the current rules allow.

rule 1B. if the rikishi is absent for a 2nd consecutive tournament, he will be demoted 6 more ranks on the next banzuke. a 3rd consecutive tournament equals a demotion of 12 positions. 4th equals 24. 5th equals 48. this will continue to double until the rikishi is in the last position on the banzuke.

rule 2A: any rikishi ranked komusubi or sekiwake that sits out a tournament will automatically be demoted 1 rank on the next banzuke.

rule 2B: if a rikishi was demoted to maegashira #1 from komusubi because he sat out a tournament and decides to sit out another tournament, rule 1A and 1B will take effect.

rule 3A: any rikishi ranked ozeki that sits out a tournament will automatically be demoted to sekiwake on the next banzuke.

rule 3Ai: 10 wins during the next basho will promote him back to ozeki.

rule 3Aii: if he his absent the next basho, rule 2A and 2B will take effect.

rule 3Aiii: 8 or 9 wins will keep him at sekiwake indefinitely until 10 wins can be achieved.

rule 3Aiv: a make-koshi will leave him at the mercy of the banzuke committee.

rule 4A: rules for yokuzuna rikishi will not change.

benefits of the above rules:

** knowing that you will be demoted, there is incentive not to sit out a tournament. this is especially true if you're on the bubble.....sitting out = juryo.

** eliminates doctors who may be inclined to declare inaccurate healing times for injuries.

** eliminates stupid doctors that might say an legitimate injury did not happen during a basho (takonowaka comes to mind), resulting in an 0-15, non kosho record.

** it is somewhat of a compromise of the current options for rikishi who sit out. currently, if they get kosho there is no punishment. if they don't get kosho, they could drop up to 15 positions. this is absurdly biased. a guy with no kosho status that sits is probably really hurting! and a guy with kosho status is possibly well enough to compete. that's crazy!

** allows rikishi to sit out a tournament for a non-injury reason without getting hit too hard. i personally don't care why a rikishi sits out. maybe for injury. maybe to grieve for a death in the family. maybe to take the wife on vacation. i don't care....because whatever the reason, they WILL be demoted. it's a decision each rikishi (and oyakata) will have to make.

the banzuke committee (and doctors) will hate my rules because it takes power away from them. the number of positions a rikishi drops due to absence is now standardized. to counter their resistance i would remind them that they have great responsibility in deciding the ranking of a rikishi who misses a portion of a basho. where do you place someone who finishes 6-2-7? or 7-0-8? or 7-6-2? or 7-7-1? 5-0-10? this is where the wisdom and integrity of the committee is greatly valued.

that's it. tear it up, praise it, agree, disagree, change it, blast it, or quietly slip it into rijicho's pocket.

does all the discussion and debate about kadoban/kyujo/kosho stimulate interest and attract new fans? or is the debate a frustrating irritant (like mawashi rash) that loses sumo fans off?

-shimodahito

[Fujisan 533]

Hi Shimo,welcome aboard.

I dont think its right to punish any Rikishi who has a genuine reason for abscence through injury within reason-I think the simple solution is stricter medical checks on the condition of the injured-Just to make sure the injuries are genuine.