Who can win the yusho

[Naganoyama 6,024]

In response to Yubiquitoyama-zeki's comment that there are others that can win the Yusho, I have prepared some stats to try and show who these rikishi might be.

November 2003 Makuuchi Rikishi History shows, for all the rikishi on the Makuuchi banzuke for November 2003, what their ranks and scores have been over the last 2 years.

(It probably only shows what most of you know already, but it might be helpful to have a snapshot)

The Yusho is rarely won with a score worse than 12-3.

Facts:

Scores of 12-3 or better have been achieved in Makuuchi, in this period, as follows:

15-0 -

14-1 Asashoryu (2), Chiyotaikai (1)

13-2 Asashoryu (2), Musashimaru (3), Chiyotaikai (1), Tochiazuma (2)

12-3 Asashoryu (2), Chiyotaikai (1), Kaio (3), Kotomitsuki (2)

Also, scores of 11-4 have been achieved in Makuuchi, in this period, as follows:

11-4 Asashoryu (2), Chiyotaikai (3), Kaio (2), Wakanosato (3), Iwakiyama (1), Tochinonada (1), Kotomitsuki (1), Aminishiki (1), Tamanoshima (1), Tokitsuumi (1), Hokutoriki (1), Buyuzan (1), Takanowaka (2), Dejima (2).

Yusho have been won in this period by the following:

Asashoryu (4)

Musashimaru (3)

Chiyotaikai (2)

Tochiazuma (2)

Kaio (1)

Speculation:

I suppose someone trying to use these figures to assess the odds for the next basho would order the rikishi as follows (I will leave out Musashimaru as he is retired):

Asashoryu

Chiyotaikai/Tochiazuma

Kaio

Kotomitsuki

Wakanosato

Dejima

Takanowaka

So there it is

(Sigh...)