Day 15 results, yusho and sansho

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

Chiyotaikai made very strong tsuppari attacks on Asashoryu

and successful slapped the Yokozuna out of the dohyo before

he could get a belt grip. A strong bout from the Ozeki and

a deserved yusho for him. Ozeki Kaio lost his own yusho

chances prior to this bout with a VERY weak loss against

Kotomitsuki.

Kyokushuzan finished 10-5 winning against Tochinonada with

the very rare harimanage kimarite. He didn't earn himself

a gino-sho this basho, which went to Takamisakari who showed

strong belt-sumo throughout the basho. Takamisakari lost

today to Tamanoshima, ironically with rather weak belt-sumo.

The loss probably didn't affect Takamiskari's chances of a

promotion to Komusubi as Tosanoumi and Kyokutenho (who got

the kanto-sho) shouldn't be Komusubi next basho after strong

wins today against Dejima and Takanonami. Dejima' loss reduced

his final score to a mere 8-7 but he still should be Sekiwake

along with Wakanosato as I can't see better records than his

for the second slot.

Akinoshima won his bout today and should JUST stay in Makuuchi

as Takekaze, Tochinohana, Kasuganishiki and Kinkaiyama get

demoted ahead of him. Asanowaka, Yotsukasa, Otsukasa and

Aogiyama probably will take the four free Makuuchi places.

Aogiyama lost the close Juryo yusho today, first losing to

Akinoshima and then losing the tomoe-sen to Tochisakae who

made quick work of Asanowaka, Hamanishiki and Aogiyama today.

There will be some demotions to Makushita with Hidenokuni,

Kotonomine, Wakatenro, Tomikaze, Juzan and Kitazakura having

too few wins to stay without banzuke luck. Fortunately for

the Kyokai there are quite some Makushita rikishi with good

records: Nakao, Uchida, Kokkai, Toyozakura, Sumanofuji, Tanaka

and Masutsuyoshi.

--

Doitsuzama

[pre]

Makuuchi yusho arasoi

Three losses  Four losses   Five losses   Six losses    Seven losses

------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

Chiyotaikai

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

J9w    Dewanofuji (7-8)    oshidashi      J13w   Hidenokuni (5-10)

A senshuarku win not enough to secure KK for my fav juryo of the moment, Dewanofuji.  He will stay in juryo, but nonetheless I expected a lot more.  Live and learn  :-D

[QttP 0]

Kaio... what's with this guy? He can be so damn strong and convincing against the real guys, only to be humiliated by the lesser opponents (not to insult anyone who beat him). Not beating Mickey on Senshuraku, after handling both Taikai and Shoryu with such authority... So disappointing.

Chiyotaikai is another story. Have you realized that this guy has negative records against ALL of the Ozeki/Yokozuna? And yet, he's won more yusho than Musoyama, Tochiazuma and Asashoryu, and he's tied with Kaio now. His style often seems so damn convincing and invincible against the little guys, but the big guns usually have the antidote. His future seems unclear to me, and it seems he still lacks some stability to become the 69th.

This basho... it all went well from the start, and even the loss to Tamanoshima, first ever, could be forgiven, but then came the bout with Wakanosato, where he clearly demonstrated how to fight against Sato if you want to lose... And then comes Kaio, and suddenly he's tied at 10-3 with Asashoryu. Now, be honest, who didn't think he's gonna collapse again?

But the last two days were a real pleasure for Taikai fans. He was somewhat hesitant against Miyabiyama (maybe fearing to rush forward and lose like he did against Kaio), but managed to survive a couple of tough situations and emerged victorious.

And against Asashoryu... probably his best bout in a long time. He dominated it from the first moment, and all Asashoryu could do was resist for a while. This one victory raises the quality of his overall average 12-3 basho (when was the last time 12-3 won yusho?)

Asashoryu... not a bad basho overall. He recovered from three early losses, and stayed in the race till the last day. Was he somewhat injured? Hopefully he'll be OK in May.

What are your opinions on this basho?

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

This one victory raises the quality of his overall average 12-3 basho (when was the last time 12-3 won yusho?)

Musoyama won his first (and to this day only) yusho with a 12-3 score in January 2000. That was preceded by two 12-3 yushos by Musashimaru.

Chijanofuji-zeki has one of the many yusho lists on the web.

Noteworthy is the time since the last zensho (15-0) yusho. Six years and counting since Takanohana's 15th yusho in September 1996. This is the longest period ever between two makuuchi zensho yushos.

[Kaikitsune Makoto 205]

What are your opinions on this basho?

Well as I have written a rather long Haru column I might as well publish it here too. Partly this is repetition of what I always refer to as it was meant for people who aren't yet familiar with my fixations or so :-) However it contains my views on this basho and of many rikishi's performances. Any comments would be welcomed and other opinions on basho very welcomed!

Haru basho was completed with one breath-taking display of tsuki-sumo by

ozeki Chiyotaikai. Mongolian marvel Asashoryu who has already been

worshipped as nearly divine invincible rikishi and whose fans predict him

even 30+ yusho was very mortal in Haru basho. To his defense it must be

said that many fresh yokozuna of past have also performed in less than

optimal manner in their first yokozuna basho. Asashoryu showed his

versatility and adaption abilities by simplifying his approach to more

straightforward oshi-based sumo on the second week after three losses to

maegashira and komusubi.

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

Whew, what a long message  :-0   But certainly interesting enough for me to read all of it!  Thank you.

he had everything in his own hands on senshuraku. He took the challenge

and annihilated the yokozuna with stunning Taikai-style.

I found this extra impressive: the pressure is on, you have to beat a tough yokozuna, and he does it in convincing fashion.  Very nice.  Big points to chyiotaikai in my book.  (Thumbs up...)

[QttP 0]

That's a very good report, Kaikitsune-zeki. With your permission, I'll comment on some of it.

Taikai's tsuki is naturally awesome and when it works from the start his foes have little chance. What is promising is his tolerance in yotsu-sumo nowadays! He is far from ozeki level in yotsu-sumo but he is not helpless either.

I agree. While Chiyotaikai probably never be as good in yotsu-zumo as Kaio or Wakanosato, if he raises the level a bit more, it will allow him to have belt-sumo as an alternate technique, to be used in case his slaps and thrusts fail to work. It's always good to have an extra weapon in the arsenal.

Also on day 1 he started with oshi but continued the momentum by positioning himself in yotsu against Kyokutenho and won.

There is a certain paranormality here. Stats show that Chiyotaikai has 7 wins against Kyokutenho, and 4 of them were with Yorikiri, which is quite rare for Taikai. Somehow he feels that he can beat Tenho with that.

He took the challenge and annihilated the yokozuna with stunning Taikai-style.  That truly was trademark sumo and what would feel better than winning with one's own style in a crucial bout!

How often do you see Asashoryu so helpless, as he was in that bout, desperately trying to stay alive? It's bouts like that one which make Taikai-sumo so pleasant to watch. He needs more of those and less oshi-didn't-work-hiki-didn't-work-I'm-outta-here fights, like he had with Tamanoshima.

Wakanosato (9-6) is rapidly gaining reputation being a bit of on-off rikishi. Something is missing in his sumo but pointing a finger at it is beyond me.

Sid Hoare from Eurosport has this one thing which he keeps on saying about Sato: "he tends to rely on his strength too much and doesn't develop technique". It could be that. Or it could be what Oyakata Naruto said in an interview to the Russian sumo site (forgive the terrible translation): "I think that Wakanosato may be seeing life in too bright colors. He should be more responsible and harder on himself from the professional point of view."

Kyokushuzan managed to win 10 bouts for some odd reason and out of these 10 bouts 8(!) were slap/pulldown based hatakikomi, hikiotoshi, harimanage, okuridashi or the weirdest uwatedashinage on day 2. Surely it is a skill to execute powerful pulldowns against experienced rikishi and evidently that is why Shuzan survives in makuuchi but his style is far from powerful sumo (20kg lighter Aminishiki's sumo is much stronger for example).

My dad dislikes Kyokushuzan because his entire sumo seems to be based on "walk away, walk away, walk away". And that's the man they call "Supermarket of techniques".

1 yokozuna and 2 ozeki sounds too little and especially since only 1 sekiwake was in shape. 2 yokozuna and 3 ozeki in Natsu could bring a lot of extra tension on each day especially since the early day challengers consist of resurgent Dejima, permanent upsetters Tochinonada, Tosanoumi and Takanonami and now also Takamisakari whose present development curve looks great and he is vital for adding more interesting personalities in the meat grinder ranks.

There should be 4 ozeki in Natsu. As far as I know, Musoyama was denied Kosho status and will have to participate to avoid losing his Ozeki status.

LOL, imagine this scenario: Musoyama and Tochiazuma who are kadoban and haven't been displaying any good sumo lately both lose Ozeki status, Chiyotaikai takes another yusho and gets promoted to Yokozuna, and we are left with only one Ozeki - Kaio. Quite improbable, but hilarious.

So all that is left is a silent (but written in this column) wish that Musashimaru will return and 3 ozeki will be in shape in Natsu.

Musashimaru is needed back. It ain't the same without him.

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

Chiyotaikai takes another yusho and gets promoted to Yokozuna

If Chiyotaikai has a zensho yusho, absolutely smashing Asa, Musa, and Kaio, and beating the other sanyaku as well, then maybe.  But I don't think another 12-3 yusho without Musashimaru will get it done.

As far as I know, Musoyama was denied Kosho status and will have to participate to avoid losing his Ozeki status.

How do we know already that Musoyama was denied kosho status?  I thought this wasn't decided until right before the tournament?

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

I think a 13-2 yūshō will be enough for Chiyotaikai. A non-promotion after two consecutive yūshō would be unprecedented; two consecutive 12-3 yūshō are unprecedented too, so this could deny him the promotion, but 13-2 would be a bit like Taihō. I also think that the quality of the opponents is pretty much not a factor taken into serious consideration - until someone demonstrates a counter-example. An interesting table is here: http://www.sumoinfo.de/Trivia....ns.html

[Manekineko 200]

Re: Kosho

As far as I know, kosho status is awarded almost as soon as rikishi goes kyujo, is examined and found to have injured so-and-so, two-plus months to heal.

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

I think a 13-2 y

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

An interesting table is here: http://www.sumoinfo.de/Trivia....ns.html

That's an interesting table indeed - thanks for posting it.

Looking at the table, it seems that Kashiwado got promoted after 10-5, 11-4, 12-3 basho, none of them winning the yusho?  Wow.  

Besides him, there are several examples of 13-2 13-2 (with at least one yusho) over the last two bashos resulting in yokozuna promotion.

Wakanohana got it with 14-1(Y) and then 12-3(Y), but no one else did after 12-3.  So if Chiyotaikai goes 14-1(Y) next basho, that'll likely be good enough.

One other note is that no one on that list got promoted without participating in three basho in a row.  Since Chyiotaikai was absent all of hatsu, will this impact his chances negatively?

My saying of a zensho yusho requirement wasn't a formal kyokai requirement -- just what it would take to convince me  :-)

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

One other note is that no one on that list got promoted without participating in three basho in a row.

[QttP 0]

Yeah, I've also noticed that none of those Yokozunas was kyujo in any of the two preceding bashos.

I don't know about Chiyotaikai. His 12-3 result this basho is far from remarkable, but if everyone stays healthy and participates in Natsu, and if Maru comes, we will have two yokozuna, four ozeki and some good sekiwake/komusubi. If Chiyotaikai can win another yusho out of this pack, he should get the promotion, despite being kyujo in Hatsu.

If Chiyotaikai can go like 13-2 or 14-1 without winning, then it's questionable, but what are the odds of that happening?

The question now is when should the Kyokai announce whether Chiyotaikai would be even considered for promotion? Is it automatic after yusho? I don't think so.

[Kaikitsune Makoto 205]

There is a certain paranormality here. Stats show that Chiyotaikai has 7 wins against Kyokutenho, and 4 of them were with Yorikiri, which is quite rare for Taikai. Somehow he feels that he can beat Tenho with that.

Most if not all of Taikai's yorikiri wins over Tenho have been direct continuation of oshi-momentum. Paranormality yes but I doubt Taikai would have much chance against Tenho in static yotsu-sumo without the major momentum on his side. We can't forget the fact that Chiyotaikai has beaten Wakanosato TWICE from static yotsu. Once with kotenage and once with odd uwatenage. Taikai has some other yotsu-scalps too but not of ozeki/yokozuna caliber.

How often do you see Asashoryu so helpless, as he was in that bout, desperately trying to stay alive? ]

Exactly! There is excellent view on this particular Asashoryu's desperate situation and attempts to interfere with that constant tsuki-barrage on Dale's day 15 videos "NHK wrap-up". Big file (2.4mb or so) but well worth it just for that 10 second close-up and perfect angle of Taikai's devastating tsuki and Shoryu's counter moves!

Please find it! http://banzuke.com/sumomovies/haru2003/150303mov.html

My dad dislikes Kyokushuzan because his entire sumo seems to be based on "walk away, walk away, walk away". And that's the man they call "Supermarket of techniques".

Shuzan has some aikido-features. Circling..circling..circles :-)

And also using the power of his foes against them.

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

My dad dislikes Kyokushuzan because his entire sumo seems to be based on "walk away, walk away, walk away". And that's the man they call "Supermarket of techniques".

Shuzan has some aikido-features. Circling..circling..circles :-D

And also using the power of his foes against them.

Hehe. The kind of technique Musashimaru hates  :-)

[QttP 0]

Exactly! There is excellent view on this particular Asashoryu's desperate situation and attempts to interfere with that constant tsuki-barrage on Dale's day 15 videos "NHK wrap-up". Big file (2.4mb or so) but well worth it just for that 10 second close-up and perfect angle of Taikai's devastating tsuki and Shoryu's counter moves!

Please find it! http://banzuke.com/sumomovies/haru2003/150303mov.html

I've seen this video probably 20 times already, as it is always fun to see your rikishi win. That was a huge sign of relief on his face after the bout.

[Kintamayama 44,635]

Well, it's not like Taikai got promoted to Oozeki after fulfilling the 33 win criteria-he had 32 , but got the Yuusho(with one and a half Yokozuna, and two Oozeki, one was Takanonami with a 6-9).

Mickey didn't get the nod after 34 and a yusho (with 1 Yokozuna and one Oozeki participating, just like Chiyotaikai this basho..), one reason being he was Maegashira 2 when he got that yuusho. Rightly so, I may add, and not in hindsight..

Chiyotaikai needed 8 bashos as Oozeki to break the 11 point barrier.14 bashos to break the 12 win barrier.

He's been 5-5 as far as getting a KK in the last ten bashos, kyujos included of course,and including a shameful "clean" 7-8 no excuses Oozeki MK. Two yushos in the middle, but the first one was with one Yokozuna and no Oozeki after day 5, and this one, with 1 I'm- too -busy -partying -and -put -on- 5 kilos -in one week-when- I -visited- mommy -Yokozuna who had difficulties getting the dohyo-iri right and one recuperating Oozeki who whupped him good with his one good arm.

77-31-42. 77 wins out of 108  matches he managed to show up for.

I don't think he is even close to Yokozuna material at this point. I'd like to see him stay healthy for three straight Bashos for starters.. Now, if he wins the Yuushou next basho with Musa and a settled down angry Asashouryuu AND a half healthy Tochiazuma and KaioU (this, I'd like to see..) I will eat my words, but I say here and now - 10 wins tops, maybe less with the jitters he will have as everyone around him will be whispering the "Y" word..

He was at this particular junction not long ago,after his Nagoya Yusho. Everyone speculated how he needed a good Yusho, or maybe even a 13-2 would be enough. But he couldn't.

I keep reading how Asashouryuu got his promotion by fluke, because the other top-rankers were gone. I also have seen at least one member answer, with facts to fall back on, that ALL of the last Yokozunas, and most of them through history, have risen to Yokozuna when top rankers were missing.

Then, again, I read how it was a fluke, and on and on.

Chiyotaikai is not Yokozuna material, for the same reason Kaiou isn't- he's a choker, who either gets a 7-8 or gets injured when it really counts, AND, does it when "other top rankers are gone" as well..

Go Asashouryuu! These losers can just get so lucky..

But, as I always end my heated arguments with my esteemed colleague, KaikitsUne-

We shall see!!

[QttP 0]

While I basically agree with you, Moti, that Chiyotaikai is not Yokozuna material yet, and I too find it hard to believe he will be able to pull a yusho in May, you're being a bit unfair towards him.

Well, not really. What you say about him is 100% true, and these are problems he's gonna have to solve if he wants to a) get the top rank and b) maintain the top rank for more than 4 tourneys.

But all the hype around Asashoryu isn't quite justified, too. What makes Asashoryu more "yokozuna material" than Chiyotakai, other than his remarkable health (and God bless him to stay healthy for years to come)? When did Shoryu prove himself better than Taikai? By taking two consecutive yusho with 0 Yokozuna and 0 Ozeki in the run? Oh, wait, there were Ozeki... Tochiazuma, Musoyama, that's right. Strange how I forgot about them...

Yes, stats show that all rikishi who get promoted need some Banzuke luck, and that makes perfect sense: statistically it is hard to give 2 or 3 super tournaments when there are other good guys around. That means that we cannot say Asashoryu did not deserve his promotion: he saw his chance and grabbed it. That doesn't mean that if Taikai had been given the same chance, he wouldn't. After his Nagoya yusho, he had to prove himself against Musashimaru, Takanohana, Kaio and Asashoryu. He lost to all of them there, and went 10-1 against the others. The only difference between that and Asashoryu's two 14-1 yusho, is that in those tournaments there were only "others".

Stats also show that Asashoryu leads head-to-head against Chiyotaikai 5 to 4. He beat him 5 times, but not once in money time. When it was Taikai-Shoryu for the yusho, Shoryu lost on both occasions. So who chokes? The only rikishi Asashoryu managed to beat in money time was Wakanosato in Hatsu. Props to him. But he has a long way to go before _really_ deserving to share the same spot with Musashimaru.

And yes, you are right: We shall see. Looks like at least one of us is going to have to eat his words in two months time.

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

I agree with Moti on one thing. Up to now Chiyotaikai has been a choker a few times. But so has a lot of rikishi. In fact, pretty much all current and recent Ozeki and Sekiwake (and even yokozunas such as Musashimaru) have been chokers in that they seldom have accumulated two very good basho after one another. The reason is simple. They haven't really been good enough to do so. The same has been true for Chiyotaikai, but personally I think he has shown more consistency lately than ever (of course excluding all the kyujo basho). If he can stay healthy a year, I think he'll make Yokozuna. This is a big if, but probably needed for him to get enough matches under his belt.

As to Asashoryu, the main reason he's more yokozuna material than Chiyotaikai is the fact that he's yokozuna. It doesn't matter whether everone or no one was present, Asashoryu won his two yusho in a row. All these choking Ozeki have not followed up yusho with almost yusho. They have followed them up with complete and utter failure. Even WITH a stronger group of rikishi in the top, Asashoryu's 14-1 in his second basho would have been at the very least a 12-3 jun-yusho, which in itself shows he is on a level where he CAN get his two GOOD records in a row. Whenever Chiyotaikai or someone else has a yusho plus a 12-3 or better in a row, I will think they are strong enough to become Yokozuna anytime, whether the two basho are yusho or not. I think Chiyotaikai can do it, but I'll say as the others of you do: We shall see...

[QttP 0]

Even WITH a stronger group of rikishi in the top, Asashoryu's 14-1 in his second basho would have been at the very least a 12-3 jun-yusho, which in itself shows he is on a level where he CAN get his two GOOD records in a row.

That statement has no basis, considering that in the last 8 bouts against Musashimaru, Takanohana, Kaio and Chiyotaikai Asashoryu has won only twice, one of which was against Maru who was already out of the race. And in September he went the same 10-5 Chiyotaikai did, which I _wouldn't_ be calling "complete and utter failure".

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

Ok. I'll explain further what I mean, as usual:

My opinion:

10-5 is complete and utter failure for a yokozuna candidate, since it is hardly Ozeki quality. 12-3 and better is a good basho. 11-4 okay. 10-5 and worse choking.

There are only a limited amount of strong players that could have been present at Asashoryu's second basho. I counted 3 (but you are correct to include four) of which Asashoryu would have lost 2, which meant 2 less wins than now. Maybe I was wrong, but it's hardly "without any basis", especially as Asashoryu undoubtedly was in better form than ever before. Furthermore, BEFORE 2003.01 (you can't of course count 2003.03 since it's a shin-yokozuna basho, which always affects rikishi somewhat), counting 2002, Asashoryu had 8-7 against the rikishi you mention, pretty much evenly divided. I doubt, in the form of his life, he would do worse than 2-2 against the four of them. So I can't see the lack of basis for believing in a 12-3 record.

Ok. I'll now stay off this issue (or any issue for a couple of days I think) .

[QttP 0]

Yes, this topic is starting to exhaust itself pretty fast. My point is: There is no way to know what would have happened if those guys were present. Asashoryu could have beaten all of them, or he could have lost to some, which could have caused some other losses too. While "what ifs" are overall the stupidest thing in sports, fact is that: September - all the big guys are there, Asashoryu goes 10-5. November/January - none of them is there - Asashoryu goes 14-1,14-1. March - Kaio and Chiyotaikai (the chokers) are back, Asashoryu loses to both of them and goes 10-5. There could be as many reasons to that as you can find: coincidence, the pressure of first bashos as ozeki/yokozuna, luck, injuries, whatever. But so far he has not proven capable of beating the best of the best on his road to yusho. So hasn't Chiyotaikai? True, but that's why he's not yokozuna. Musashimaru took 3 titles last year, everytime battling most of the top level rikishi. And yet people voted for Asashoryu as sumotori of the year hands down. Please. So far, nothing convinced me that the "Y" next to Shoryu's shikona means anything other than the privilege of fighting in the closing bout of the day.

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

Yes, this topic is starting to exhaust itself pretty fast. My point is: There is no way to know what would have happened if those guys were present. Asashoryu could have beaten all of them, or he could have lost to some, which could have caused some other losses too. While "what ifs" are overall the stupidest thing in sports, fact is that: September - all the big guys are there, Asashoryu goes 10-5. November/January - none of them is there - Asashoryu goes 14-1,14-1. March - Kaio and Chiyotaikai (the chokers) are back, Asashoryu loses to both of them and goes 10-5. There could be as many reasons to that as you can find: coincidence, the pressure of first bashos as ozeki/yokozuna, luck, injuries, whatever. But so far he has not proven capable of beating the best of the best on his road to yusho. So hasn't Chiyotaikai? True, but that's why he's not yokozuna. Musashimaru took 3 titles last year, everytime battling most of the top level rikishi. And yet people voted for Asashoryu as sumotori of the year hands down. Please. So far, nothing convinced me that the "Y" next to Shoryu's shikona means anything other than the privilege of fighting in the closing bout of the day.

No, that's of course correct.

I therefore stand by what I said before:

The difference is that he IS yokozuna. And he became so by winning two consecutive yusho. That's the way it's done nowadays, and as long as Chiyotaikai doesn't do that, he isn't yokozuna, whatever the reason he didn't do it was. But when he does so, he'll become a yokozuna. And as soon as someone is yokozuna, he'll be treated differently in a lot of respects, for good and for bad.

But someone who consistently can get 12-3 records is more likely to at one point or another become yokozuna. I don't say Asashoryu did so. He didn't until his two 14-1 basho. But anyone who does would.

As a last point, I still can't recall Asashoryu being called the rikishi of the year hands down. He had the most wins of the year (he had, didn't he?), and I believe the rikishi who does that is automatically called rikishi of the year whatever the reason was noone else got more wins. And of course many underestimate Musashimaru (still! ) because of his stature, personality and type of Ozumo. But it was probably more the fact Asashoryu was the most winningest rikishi of the year that earned him that epitet. It's a constant fact that what happens late in the year is more in the minds of people than what happened earlier.

[Kaikitsune Makoto 205]

The term "choker" has poor value if every other rikishi shows signs resembling the target group of category "choker" at some point. Chiyotaikai being a choker is a bit far-fetched despite some evidence pointing to that. He simply has vulnerable sumo against high caliber opponents and the vulnerability comes forth when his tachi-ai lacks something. Also calling rikishi's bad performance a "choker's performance" when the rikishi withdraws due to injury is like calling a F1-driver a choker when he leads the race and the engine blows up.

When it comes to Taikai's yokozuna promotion chances I find it premature to give any figures or pre-requisites at this point that would be enough for promotion or on the other hand prevent it. No matter if we like it or not sumo lives scary times in terms of many high rank rikishi having problems with their career. The rikishi who has the main indirect influence in Taikai's promotion chances is clearly Musashimaru. If Musashimaru's career should become at the end now (which I don't believe nor hope) Chiyotaikai might have bigger chances for yokozuna promotion. But Kyokai has just promoted a durable yokozuna who is young and will be around for years and years and the first steps of his yokozuna career are under observation so it could well affect to Taikai's chances if Shoryu gets another so and so record in Natsu. Whereas Taikai has yokozuna power and domination often, he still has reasonably unprecendent one-sidedness in his sumo for a yokozuna and I can't believe Kyokai is ready to fully ignore the fact that they may get a yokozuna who is largely dependend on powerful tachi-ai against yokozuna/ozeki foes.

So if I'd be Kyokia Taikai would be given a chance to prove he is closing yokozuna level at Natsu basho but without early speculation of whether he has a chance or not. He goes all out to win the yusho anyway no matter if there is yokozuna promotion on the table and if he wins yusho and doesn't get promoted he can continue in Nagoya with jun-yusho and it should be rather clear then. I am sure Kyokai wants to see consistency from Taikai now and hence that odd Kitanoumi's comment that Taikai's yokozuna promotion would not be considered after next basho no matter what happens, could well reflect this logic (expressed with just slightly unnecessarily strict tone).