Heisei Hopefuls - prospect watch

[Asashosakari 19,760]

The lineups for Nagoya 2017:

Tier 1 (Q) - Can Kotokamatani achieve back-to-back KKs in makushita for the first time?

Tier 2 (Q) - Last basho's star performer Kiribayama received a smaller than expected promotion, but he does compete at a new career-high rank this time as he tries to advance further towards juryo. His fellow 6-1's Nakazono, Gokushindo and Hamayutaka did make sizable jumps and it'll be interesting to see how they cope.

Tier 3 (Q) - Hakuyozan and Masunosho have reached the promotion zone, the latter for the first time. Meanwhile, last basho's makushita tsukedashi pair Yago and Mitoryu will have their sophomore efforts following their rather divergent debut results, while the recent sandanme starters Murata and Wakatakakage have moved up to makushita.

Tier 4 (Q) - After two and a half years, Daiseido has exactly equalled his previous high rank of Ms3e. Will this push up the rankings be more successful for the former top prospect?

Edited June 27, 2017 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Slowly getting started here...

On ‎27‎.‎06‎.‎2017 at 22:43, Asashosakari said:

Tier 1 (Q) - Can Kotokamatani achieve back-to-back KKs in makushita for the first time?

And the answer is: Nope, not yet. It's always tricky to generalize from just one basho's matches, but rewatching his Nagoya bouts just now I was struck by the fact that his makushita-level opponents mostly seemed to manage to control him with superior strength. That seems hard to believe given his physique, even conceding that he's still just 19, so I wonder if he wasn't in top condition for this one.

Either way, Kotokamatani's going to yield the top spot here as two others produced kachikoshi records. Kirinoryu had a fine makushita debut and finished 4-3, while Shonannoumi bounced back convincingly from his Natsu 1-6 and picked up 6 wins this time. He should be the top-ranked Tier 1 rikishi in September, albeit without setting a new high rank mark for himself.

Yokuyusei was absent for the basho - anyone happen to hear what's up?
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Nagoya 2017 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Takagenji (1997/05/13, debut 2013.03, shin-juryo 2017.05)
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.09	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07
Kotokamatani	Sadogatake	1997/11/19 (3)	2015.11	Ms36	Ms59w 5-2	Ms43e 3-4	Ms50e 3-4	Sd3w 5-2	Ms46e 4-3	Ms36w 2-5
Kirinoryu	Michinoku	1997/06/13 (4)	2013.03	Ms60	Sd71w 4-3	Sd51w 4-3	Sd31w 3-4	Sd50e 5-2	Sd24e 5-2	Ms60e 4-3
Shonannoumi	Takadagawa	1998/04/08 (2)	2014.03	Ms40	Sd8w 4-3	Ms59e 4-3	Ms48w 4-3	Ms40e 3-4	Ms48e 1-6	Sd23e 6-1
Yokuyusei	Shibatayama	1998/09/10 (1)	2014.03	Ms58	Sd68e 3-4	Sd78w 5-2	Sd44w 5-2	Sd21w 5-2	Ms58e 2-5	Sd26w 0-0-7

No newcomers here for Aki basho, although it looks like we may be getting fresh blood soon: Sandanme yusho contender Ryuko looked like he's got what it takes to keep moving up further. With some banzuke luck he may only need 4 wins to secure his makushita debut next time, otherwise 5 will do it. Even younger talent Inoue will definitely be only a 4-3 away again.

Edited August 1, 2017 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Tier 2:

Not much in the way of good news to report here. Kiribayama started the basho off with a 3-1 record but then proceeded to fall to 3-4, and he wasn't particularly close to winning any of the three second-week bouts. Gokushindo and Hamayutaka had also made sizable jumps off 6-1's to reach new career-high positions and went makekoshi this time as well, while Nakazono was even forced to sit out completely with a meniscus injury.

All in all only three of the 13 makushita-ranked members of this section ended up with KK records, and only Oki was ranked high enough for it that it'll result in a new best-ever ranking for September.
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Nagoya 2017 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.09	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07
Kiribayama	Michinoku	1996/04/24 (13)	2015.05	Ms10	Sd11e 6-1	Ms35e 5-2	Ms20e 5-2	Ms12w 3-4	Ms18e 6-1	Ms10e 3-4
Nakazono	Nishonoseki	1996/05/18 (12)	2012.03	Ms11	Sd12e 2-5	Sd40e 5-2	Sd13e 4-3	Sd2w 6-1	Ms29e 6-1	Ms11w 0-0-7
Kotaro	Fujishima	1995/12/06 (16)	2014.01	Ms14	Ms28w 4-3	Ms23e 3-4	Ms29e 4-3	Ms25w 4-3	Ms19w 4-3	Ms15w 2-5
Gokushindo	Nishikido	1996/06/06 (11)	2012.03	Ms16	Ms57w 4-3	Ms51e 3-4	Ms58w 3-4	Sd13w 6-1	Ms38e 6-1	Ms16e 2-5
Hamayutaka	Tokitsukaze	1995/11/17 (17)	2011.05	Ms17	Sd22w 5-2	Ms59w 3-4	Sd11w 5-2	Ms48w 4-3	Ms40w 6-1	Ms17e 3-4
Takayoshitoshi	Takanohana	1997/05/13 (5)	2013.03	Ms11	Ms24w 2-5	Ms39e 4-3	Ms30w 6-1	Ms11e 2-5	Ms25e 4-3	Ms21e 4-3
Takakento	Takanohana	1996/02/10 (14)	2014.01	Ms26	Ms46w 4-3	Ms36e 2-5	Ms52e 3-4	Sd8e 4-3	Ms59e 5-2	Ms39e 3-4
Ohata	Tokitsukaze	1996/10/24 (7)	2014.11	Ms40	Sd52w 4-3	Sd34w 3-4	Sd48e 4-3	Sd32w 6-1	Ms49w 4-3	Ms40e 2-5
Kaito	Asakayama	1996/06/19 (9)	2012.05	Ms20	Ms58e 6-1	Ms27w 4-3	Ms22e 3-4	Ms32w 5-2	Ms20e 2-5	Ms42w 5-2
Oki	Shikoroyama	1996/06/12 (10)	2013.07	Ms42	Sd7w 2-5	Sd32e 6-1	Ms49e 4-3	Ms42w 3-4	Ms54w 4-3	Ms43w 4-3
Midorifuji	Isegahama	1996/08/30 (8)	2016.09	Ms46	Mz 3-0	Jk21w 7-0 D	Jd10w 7-0 D	Sd19w 5-2	Ms57w 4-3	Ms46w 3-4
Honda	Nishikido	1997/03/11 (6)	2012.03	Ms52	Sd57w 5-2	Sd28e 5-2	Sd3e 4-3	Ms52w 2-5	Sd17w 5-2	Ms54e 2-5
Tamakongo	Kataonami	1995/09/19 (19)	2014.03	Ms25	Sd27e 3-4	Sd46w 5-2	Sd16e 3-4	Sd35w 7-0 Y	Ms25w 0-7	Ms60w 1-6
Shuji	Kise	1995/10/24 (18)	2014.03	Ms54	Jd12e 7-0 Y	Sd20w 2-5	Sd41w 6-1	Ms54w 1-5-1	Sd23e 3-4	Sd46e 4-3
Onojo	Takadagawa	1996/01/31 (15)	2011.05	Ms60	Sd28w 4-3	Sd14w 4-3	Sd3w 0-7	Sd53w 5-2	Sd27e 3-4	Sd48e 3-4

Kiribayama may just barely hang on to a top 15 ranking and Takayoshitoshi might sneak in, otherwise we won't have any makushita-joi presence here next time.

One new entrant will be joining Tier 2 for Aki basho:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.09	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07
Yamatoarashi	Shikoroyama	1996/05/11	2012.03	Sd7	Sd30w 4-3	Sd18e 4-3	Sd7w 2-5	Sd33e 4-3	Sd18w 4-3	Sd7e 5-2

I actually vaguely remember Yamatoarashi (then still Fujita) from his starting days back in 2012 when we still enjoyed full-day video coverage - blessed physique with 190 cm in height and decent weight and strength, but very little innate sumo sense and consequently he didn't nearly have the level of early success one might expect from somebody with those physical attributes. Two and a half years into his career an injury put him out of action for six months and back to a restart in maezumo, and since then he has enjoyed slow but steady progress up the ranks, now culminating in his makushita debut. We only have video of two recent bouts, but based on those I'd still call his footwork pretty iffy, though he must obviously have enough control of it to enable his strongly tsuki-oshi focussed sumo to work at the upper sandanme level. (>70% wins with those technique groups, most of the rest being slapdowns.) 

Makushita-quality rikishi tend to be competent at holding their ground under attack, so it remains to be seen if Yamatoarashi will be able to push and thrust his way to further advancement, or if they'll manage to exploit the technical holes in his sumo. I'm a bit doubtful about his near-term progress for now.

Edited August 2, 2017 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Tier 3:

A bit of an unexpected promotion out of this tier thanks to Natsu basho's MsTd starter Yago who followed up on his 5-2 debut with the zensho yusho to clinch his ticket for juryo. Congrats!

As for our other high-ranking members:

Masunosho produced his third straight basho in which he went from 2-3 to 4-3, scoring his first kachikoshi in the top 5 ranks in the process, so September will be his first really major opportunity to earn promotion to the sekitori ranks; he should be ranked either Ms2 or Ms3 where another 4-win record might be good enough. Hakuyozan was back in the promotion zone for the first time in a year, but unfortunately fell to makekoshi early at 1-4 and had to salvage a 3-4 score in the end. Tsurubayashi and Takemasa held the two Ms8 spots in July, both reaching a new career-best mark with that, but suffered heavy losses and finished only 1-6 and 2-5. Our last top 15 ranker Wakamotoharu wasn't able to arrest his slide, picked up his 3rd consecutive 3-4 result, and will fall back further.

Other records of interest were provided by the other makushita tsukedashi Mitoryu who bounced back from his debut MK with 5 wins this time, still-fresh Mongolian talent Asahiryu who appears to have found his level in the middle of the division for now and went 3-4, and the recent SdTd's Murata and Wakatakakage who successfully followed up on their May 7-0's with strong records in mid-makushita, with the former going 5-2 and the latter even 6-1. Another 6-1 score was achieved by Kotokuzan who will be returning to near his career-high ranking for Aki basho (possibly even setting a new mark).
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Nagoya 2017 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.09	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07
Hakuyozan	Takadagawa	1995/04/13 (22)	2011.05	Ms1	Ms27e 4-3	Ms20w 4-3	Ms14e 4-3	Ms11w 5-2	Ms7w 5-2	Ms4e 3-4
Masunosho	Chiganoura	1994/11/14 (27)	2010.03	Ms5	Ms13w 5-2	Ms6e 2-5	Ms15e 5-2	Ms8e 4-3	Ms6w 4-3	Ms5e 4-3
Tsurubayashi	Kise	1993/12/31 (44)	2009.03	Ms8	Ms39w 5-2	Ms28e 5-2	Ms18e 4-3	Ms14w 4-3	Ms12e 5-2	Ms8e 1-6
Takemasa	Onomatsu	1993/10/22 (46)	2016.03	Ms8	Sd92e 6-1	Sd33w 4-3	Sd16w 7-0 Y	Ms13e 4-3	Ms10w 4-3	Ms8w 2-5
Yago	Oguruma	1994/07/08 (34)	2017.05	Ms11					Ms15Td 5-2	Ms11e 7-0 Y
Wakamotoharu	Arashio	1993/10/05 (47)	2011.11	Ms5	Ms16w 4-3	Ms12w 4-3	Ms8e 4-3	Ms5w 3-4	Ms9w 3-4	Ms14e 3-4
Mitoryu	Nishikido	1994/04/25 (38)	2017.05	Ms15					Ms15Td 3-4	Ms23w 5-2
Asahiryu	Asahiyama	1995/04/22 (21)	2016.05	Ms23	Jd45e 6-1	Sd79w 7-0 D	Ms51e 6-1	Ms23e 3-4	Ms31w 4-3	Ms24e 3-4
Murata	Takasago	1994/08/08 (32)	2017.03	Ms27				Sd100Td 6-1	Sd39e 7-0 D	Ms27e 5-2
Rikito	Tokitsukaze	1993/09/21 (48)	2011.09	Ms19	Ms19e 2-5	Ms32e 3-4	Ms38w 4-3	Ms34w 2-5	Sd1e 6-1	Ms30e 0-7
Hokutokawa	Hakkaku	1994/08/15 (31)	2013.03	Ms31	Sd5e 3-4	Sd19w 5-2	Ms55e 5-2	Ms39e 3-4	Ms46w 5-2	Ms31e 3-4
Tochiseiryu	Kasugano	1995/04/26 (20)	2014.03	Ms33	Ms54w 4-3	Ms47e 2-5	Sd4w 3-4	Sd24w 4-3	Sd11e 6-1	Ms35e 4-3
Wakatakakage	Arashio	1994/12/06 (25)	2017.03	Ms38				Sd100Td 5-2	Sd63w 7-0 Y	Ms38w 6-1
Hatooka	Kise	1994/02/23 (42)	2016.03	Ms30	Sd70w 6-1	Sd15e 5-2	Ms50w 5-2	Ms36e 4-3	Ms30e 3-4	Ms41w 4-3
Ichiki	Tamanoi	1993/11/13 (45)	2016.01	Ms16	Sd14e 5-2	Ms53w 6-1	Ms24w 5-2	Ms16w 3-4	Ms23w 2-5	Ms44e 2-5
Yutakasho	Sakaigawa	1994/11/19 (26)	2013.03	Ms49	Sd20w 0-0-7	Sd81e 6-1	Sd23w 4-3	Sd12w 3-4	Sd32w 6-1	Ms49w 2-5
Nishiyama	Onoe	1994/04/27 (37)	2010.03	Ms22	Sd14w 5-2	Ms54e 3-4	Sd2e 3-4	Sd17w 4-3	Ms60w 4-3	Ms50e 3-4
Hokutoshu	Hakkaku	1994/01/14 (43)	2012.03	Ms50	Sd31w 5-2	Sd5w 4-3	Ms55w 2-5	Sd16e 4-3	Sd4w 4-3	Ms54w 4-3
Kaiseio	Asakayama	1995/01/28 (23)	2013.03	Ms18	Ms18w 2-5	Ms31e 0-7	Sd6w 5-2	Ms46w 5-2	Ms35w 2-5	Ms55w 5-2
Kotohayato	Sadogatake	1994/04/18 (39)	2010.03	Ms48	Sd11w 4-3	Ms60w 3-4	Sd12w 3-4	Sd31w 6-1	Ms48w 3-4	Ms58e 3-4
Kotokuzan	Arashio	1994/03/11 (41)	2009.09	Ms28	Sd9e 6-1	Ms34w 4-3	Ms28w 2-5	Ms50e 5-2	Ms37w 2-5	Ms59e 6-1
Fukamiyama	Onoe	1994/11/12 (28)	2010.03	Ms47	Sd4e 5-2	Ms49e 3-4	Ms56w 4-3	Ms47e 2-5	Sd12e 4-3	Sd1w 3-4
Kaizen	Asakayama	1993/07/29 (51)	2016.01	Ms57	Sd36w 2-5	Sd62e 6-1	Sd8e 4-3	Ms57e 3-4	Sd12w 4-3	Sd2e 4-3
Tochinobori	Kasugano	1993/09/01 (49)	2009.03	Ms12	Ms41w 4-3	Ms31w 4-3	Ms26e 4-3	Ms22e 3-4	Ms31e 0-2-5	Sd6w 4-3
Shinohara	Onomatsu	1993/08/21 (50)	2012.01	Ms28	Ms53e 2-5	Sd16e 3-4	Sd30e 5-2	Sd6e 2-5	Sd34e 5-2	Sd8e 4-3
Kotonoshu	Sadogatake	1994/07/01 (35)	2010.03	Ms53	Sd16w 3-4	Sd31e 4-3	Sd14w 4-3	Sd4e 1-5-1	Sd40w 5-2	Sd15e 3-1-3
Kirinofuji	Michinoku	1994/07/28 (33)	2011.01	Ms52	Sd1w 2-5	Sd24e 5-2	Ms59e 3-4	Sd14w 2-5	Sd44e 5-2	Sd17e 3-4
Musashikuni	Musashigawa	1994/12/17 (24)	2013.07	Ms26	Ms26e 2-5	Ms43w 2-5	Ms59w 5-2	Ms41w 3-4	Ms53e 2-5	Sd21w 4-3
Itadaki	Isenoumi	1994/09/05 (30)	2010.03	Ms56	Sd64w 4-3	Sd46e 4-3	Sd29w 4-3	Sd16w 5-2	Ms56w 2-5	Sd23w 5-2
Aomihama	Dewanoumi	1994/10/27 (29)	2010.03	Ms49	Sd31e 3-4	Sd50w 3-4	Sd61e 6-1	Sd7e 4-3	Ms57e 2-5	Sd24w 5-2
Chiyonokatsu	Kokonoe	1994/04/13 (40)	2013.03	Ms57	Sd28e 3-4	Sd48e 6-1	Ms57e 2-5	Sd22w 4-3	Sd8w 2-5	Sd38e 5-2
Baraki	Shikihide	1994/05/10 (36)	2013.01	Ms58	Sd63e 4-3	Sd44e 4-3	Sd25e 3-4	Sd45e 3-4	Sd65w 3-4	Sd84w 5-2

The 24th birthday has beckoned for Kaizen and Shinohara which means they have exhausted their eligibility for Tier 3. Kaizen is still relatively new on the scene, but his struggling just to post 4 wins in upper sandanme is not a great sign, while Shinohara has already spent more than a dozen tournaments in makushita but has yet to KK above Ms48 and has been mired in sandanme for the last year. I would be surprised if either will be seen above Ms15 in the next couple of years to requalify for Tier 4, let alone wear a kesho-mawashi in the future.

One new face will be joining us:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.09	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07
Ichiyamamoto	Nishonoseki	1993/10/01	2017.01	Sd49			Mz 3-0	Jk15e 7-0 Y	Jd10e 6-1	Sd49e 6-1

And here's the problem (as far as this thread goes) with rikishi who are eligible for professional sumo under the new rules allowing over-22's to join: They're just not very prospect-worthy unless they immediately race through to the top of makushita. Chuo university product Ichiyamamoto already turns 24 after Aki basho and short of a 7-0 debut in makushita it'll mean his time in Tier 3 will be over after just that one tournament. Will he be good enough to re-appear in Tier 4 as a makushita-joi later on? I honestly have no idea, though last 16 at the student national championships (as a senior-year student in 2015) plus last 16 at last year's Kokutai (representing Hokkaido prefecture) seems a little bit short of can't-miss qualifications. As usual, the 19-2 career-starting record alone doesn't mean much. There's no video of him from Nagoya basho, but if you're so inclined you can watch quite a bit of coverage by One And Only from Haru and Natsu.

Edited August 3, 2017 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Tier 4:

What a difference six months can make. Back after his January 3-4 it looked like Daiseido's latest revival might end up as just the next part of the ups and downs that have characterized his career for the last five years. 16 wins and 5 losses later he's going to juryo. Well done! It remains to be seen if the 24-year-old can truly establish himself as a sekitori or if he'll just continue to bounce around at a higher level than before, but even after half a decade in makushita he's certainly still young enough for a lengthy sekitori career.

Two others may have laid the groundwork to follow him soon. Kizaki ran his KK streak to 8 basho with a 5-2 and he will be making his first appearance in the promotion zone next time. And so will Kotodaigo who's on a 5-KK streak of his own after his 6-1 Nagoya score as it looks like he's finally back to the promising form he showed more than two years ago before getting injured.

The rest of this section produced entirely unspectacular results with Tochimaru's 5-2 from a fairly low rank the biggest highlight in the lot, and again none of them will be ranked inside the makushita-joi for Aki basho.
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Nagoya 2017 - Tier 4: Last Chance Saloon - Ms15+ Age 25 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.09	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07
Daiseido	Kise	1992/12/30 (56)	2011.05	Ms3	Ms28e 4-3	Ms22e 5-2	Ms11w 3-4	Ms18e 5-2	Ms11e 6-1	Ms3e 5-2
Kizaki	Kise	1993/05/06 (53)	2016.03	Ms7	Sd39w 7-0 Y	Ms26e 4-3	Ms21e 5-2	Ms13w 5-2	Ms9e 4-3	Ms7e 5-2
Kotodaigo	Sadogatake	1993/01/14 (54)	2011.05	Ms8	Ms48w 2-5	Sd10w 6-1	Ms34e 5-2	Ms21w 4-3	Ms16w 4-3	Ms13w 6-1
Shiba	Kise	1991/12/24 (63)	2014.03	Ms3	Ms11e 4-3	Ms8w 5-2	Ms5e 3-4	Ms8w 1-6	Ms28e 5-2	Ms19e 3-4
Chiyonoumi	Kokonoe	1993/01/11 (55)	2015.05	Ms13	Sd94e 6-1	Sd36e 5-2	Sd7e 6-1	Ms32e 4-3	Ms26w 4-3	Ms22e 2-5
Irodori	Shikoroyama	1992/03/10 (61)	2007.03	Ms8	Ms14w 5-2	Ms8e 3-4	Ms12e 3-4	Ms18w 5-2	Ms12w 2-5	Ms29e 3-4
Tamaki	Takasago	1993/05/29 (52)	2016.01	Ms10	Ms41e 6-1	Ms17e 4-3	Ms10w 3-4	Ms15e 3-4	Ms20w 3-4	Ms30w 4-3
Akinohana	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (57)	2008.03	Ms6	Ms16e 4-3	Ms10w 1-6	Ms31w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3	Ms37e 4-3	Ms31w 4-3
Tochimaru	Kasugano	1992/08/26 (58)	2011.05	Ms3	Ms9w 5-2	Ms4w 4-3	Ms3w 3-4	Ms7e 2-5	Ms16e 2-5	Ms32e 5-2
Wakatakamoto	Arashio	1991/12/29 (62)	2009.11	Ms11	Ms11w 1-2-4	Ms30w 0-0-7	Sd10w 5-2	Ms48e 4-3	Ms39e 3-4	Ms49e 4-3
Ayanoumi	Yamahibiki	1992/03/23 (60)	2007.03	Ms14	Ms44w 3-4	Ms55e 5-2	Ms37e 4-3	Ms33w 1-6	Sd5w 4-3	Ms56e 3-4
Wakayama	Onomatsu	1992/04/26 (59)	2011.07	Ms15	Jk25e 0-0-7	Mz 3-0	Jk16w 6-1 Y	Jd32e 7-0 Y	Sd32e 4-3	Sd16e 3-4

No upcoming new entrants here.

Edited August 3, 2017 by Asashosakari

[Bumpkin 438]

Question: Why is Takayoshitoshi in Tier 2 instead of Tier 1? Is it because he is the "older" twin?

[Asashosakari 19,760]

On 3.8.2017 at 22:44, Bumpkin said:

Question: Why is Takayoshitoshi in Tier 2 instead of Tier 1? Is it because he is the "older" twin?

Yes.
 

The lineups for Aki 2017:

Tier 1 (Q) - Shonannoumi is the top-ranked Tier 1 rikishi for the first time in his 6th appearance, but he's coming off a big 6-1 jump after earlier setbacks - can he maintain the momentum against higher-grade opposition?

Tier 2 (Q) - No immediate contenders for promotion here, as has become the norm in Tier 2 of late. (We haven't had anybody ranked higher than Ms10 since Kyushu.) Kiribayama remains the arguably biggest prospect, despite last basho's unfortunate 3-4 finish from 3-1, and it'll be interesting to see if he can bounce back strongly. Also worth watching this time: Oki, who's at a career-high rank and has had 4 KK in his last 5 tournaments, and makushita newcomer Yamatoarashi.

Tier 3 (Q) - Masunosho managed to KK in his first appearance in the promotion zone, but 4 wins from Ms5 weren't quite enough to earn a ticket to the sekitori ranks.  Ranked Ms3e now, another kachikoshi could well be enough this time. This section isn't hurting for potential storylines, with perennial high-ranker Hakuyozan attempting to move closer to juryo again after his Nagoya 3-4, recent makushita tsukedashi Mitoryu still trying to prove himself, and the March sandanme tsukedashi entrants Wakatakakage and Murata finding themselves rejoined after half a year, this time at Ms16.

Tier 4 (Q) - The most credible promotion contenders for Aki may well be found down here. 2016 debutant Kizaki has reached the promotion zone after his uninterrupted 8-KK ride through the rankings, and talented Kotodaigo finally gets the opportunity as well after a two-year detour due to injury plus career rebuild.

Edited September 19, 2017 by Asashosakari

[Kaninoyama 1,818]

I recently had an up-and-close look at Midorifuji from Tier 2 over three days during the recent Isegahama-beya training camp in Yahiko. He was far and away the most skilled of the stable's non-sekitori rikishi. In fact his keiko performance was very reminiscent of Terutsuyoshi a year ago when he completely dominated his fellow lower-ranked stablemates at Maukushita-joi and later broke through into Juryo. However, Midorifuji is very light and may struggle in terms of size as he progresses up the ranks. Still a young rikishi to keep an eye on though. 

[Gurowake 4,111]

My man Shonannoumi had a senshuraku win to give him two straight 6-1s.  He should end up around the 1/3 mark of the division.

My other man Kirinoryu didn't do so well...a senshuraku loss put him to 1-6 :(

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Rounding up the Aki results belatedly...

Tier 1: 

Both Shonannoumi and Kotokamatani had largely been putting up results that marked them as "at home" in the bottom third of the makushita division, but their results ofAki basho diverged quite significantly. Whereas Kotokamatani posted yet another middling 4-3 score that won't be advancing him much, Shonannoumi raced out to 6 wins for his first big break in makushita. Kyushu will be stern test for him and as usual 2-5 should probably be considered par for the course while anything better would be a success.

The other pair of youngest talents unfortunately provided less good news, with Kirinoryu falling prey to the sophomore slump with a 1-6 in his second makushita outing, and Yokuyusei having to sit out the second straight basho.

 

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2017 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Takagenji (1997/05/13, debut 2013.03, shin-juryo 2017.05)
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09
Shonannoumi	Takadagawa	1998/04/08 (2)	2014.03	Ms40	Ms59e 4-3	Ms48w 4-3	Ms40e 3-4	Ms48e 1-6	Sd23e 6-1	Ms44w 6-1
Kirinoryu	Michinoku	1997/06/13 (4)	2013.03	Ms52	Sd51w 4-3	Sd31w 3-4	Sd50e 5-2	Sd24e 5-2	Ms60e 4-3	Ms52w 1-6
Kotokamatani	Sadogatake	1997/11/19 (3)	2015.11	Ms36	Ms43e 3-4	Ms50e 3-4	Sd3w 5-2	Ms46e 4-3	Ms36w 2-5	Ms53w 4-3
Yokuyusei	Shibatayama	1998/09/10 (1)	2014.03	Ms58	Sd78w 5-2	Sd44w 5-2	Sd21w 5-2	Ms58e 2-5	Sd26w 0-0-7	Sd86w 0-0-7

Another high-powered newcomer is joining us for the next tournament:
 

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09
Ryuko	Onoe	1998/06/23	2017.01	Sd11		Mz 3-0	Jk15w 6-1	Jd31e 6-1	Sd66w 6-1	Sd11w 5-2

It's not out-of-this-world great, but these are still very impressive early results for a high school grad. He's been mentioned around the forum before, so just to summarize: 19 years old, nephew of his shisho Onoe-oyakata, and the 2013 national middle school yokozuna, so definitely with some pedigree. He's of average build (for now anyway) at 180 cm / 126 kg, and while his kimarite profile indicates a heavy preference for push/trust techniques, from what I've seen so far it's not the frantic slap-slap-slap style favoured by many other guys of that size, but more the Akebono style forward strong-arming with mostly straight elbows. (For another comparison, think Tokushinho but without the throat grab as the endgame.) He does seem to be a bit vulnerable to opponents going low on him because of that, albeit less so than the aforementioned guys who were much taller, and that's something he'll have to work on, in addition to building up his physique. Dohyo sense-wise he seems okay but nothing special, although that's always hard to judge while a rikishi is not yet facing credible opposition in every bout.

Edited November 9, 2017 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Tier 2:

A very decent though mostly unspectacular set of results here among the remaining under-22's. Gokushindo, fresh off a 2-5 in July at his career-high rank, bounced back in a big way with a 6-1. It's his third six-spot in four tournaments and he'll now be making his debut in the promotion zone, signalling his arrival as a bonafide future sekitori prospect.

All in all only two makekoshi among the 9 makushita-ranked denizens of this tier - one came courtesy of top-ranked talent Kiribayama who seemed to enter the basho with a pre-existing injury and was forced to drop out after just one match, the other went to makushita debutant Yamatoarashi who can arguably be happy with his 3 wins anyway. Other than that, lots of 4-3's and 5-2's well below each individual rikishi's career-high marks, so rather more expected than impressive. The notable positive exception was provided by Shikoroyama-beya's Oki who posted 5 wins at his best-ever rank.
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2017 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09
Kiribayama	Michinoku	1996/04/24 (14)	2015.05	Ms10	Ms35e 5-2	Ms20e 5-2	Ms12w 3-4	Ms18e 6-1	Ms10e 3-4	Ms14w 0-1-6
Takayoshitoshi	Takanohana	1997/05/13 (5)	2013.03	Ms11	Ms39e 4-3	Ms30w 6-1	Ms11e 2-5	Ms25e 4-3	Ms21e 4-3	Ms15w 4-3
Hamayutaka	Tokitsukaze	1995/11/17 (18)	2011.05	Ms17	Ms59w 3-4	Sd11w 5-2	Ms48w 4-3	Ms40w 6-1	Ms17e 3-4	Ms25w 4-3
Kaito	Asakayama	1996/06/19 (9)	2012.05	Ms20	Ms27w 4-3	Ms22e 3-4	Ms32w 5-2	Ms20e 2-5	Ms42w 5-2	Ms27w 4-3
Kotaro	Fujishima	1995/12/06 (17)	2014.01	Ms14	Ms23e 3-4	Ms29e 4-3	Ms25w 4-3	Ms19w 4-3	Ms15w 2-5	Ms30e 4-3
Gokushindo	Nishikido	1996/06/06 (11)	2012.03	Ms16	Ms51e 3-4	Ms58w 3-4	Sd13w 6-1	Ms38e 6-1	Ms16e 2-5	Ms31w 6-1
Oki	Shikoroyama	1996/06/12 (10)	2013.07	Ms36	Sd32e 6-1	Ms49e 4-3	Ms42w 3-4	Ms54w 4-3	Ms43w 4-3	Ms36e 5-2
Takakento	Takanohana	1996/02/10 (15)	2014.01	Ms26	Ms36e 2-5	Ms52e 3-4	Sd8e 4-3	Ms59e 5-2	Ms39e 3-4	Ms48w 5-2
Yamatoarashi	Shikoroyama	1996/05/11 (13)	2012.03	Ms49	Sd18e 4-3	Sd7w 2-5	Sd33e 4-3	Sd18w 4-3	Sd7e 5-2	Ms49e 3-4
Nakazono	Nishonoseki	1996/05/18 (12)	2012.03	Ms11	Sd40e 5-2	Sd13e 4-3	Sd2w 6-1	Ms29e 6-1	Ms11w 0-0-7	Ms51w 4-3
Midorifuji	Isegahama	1996/08/30 (8)	2016.09	Ms46	Jk21w 7-0 D	Jd10w 7-0 D	Sd19w 5-2	Ms57w 4-3	Ms46w 3-4	Ms57e 4-3
Ohata	Tokitsukaze	1996/10/24 (7)	2014.11	Ms40	Sd34w 3-4	Sd48e 4-3	Sd32w 6-1	Ms49w 4-3	Ms40e 2-5	Sd1e 2-5
Honda	Nishikido	1997/03/11 (6)	2012.03	Ms52	Sd28e 5-2	Sd3e 4-3	Ms52w 2-5	Sd17w 5-2	Ms54e 2-5	Sd20w 6-1
Shuji	Kise	1995/10/24 (19)	2014.03	Ms54	Sd20w 2-5	Sd41w 6-1	Ms54w 1-5-1	Sd23e 3-4	Sd46e 4-3	Sd33w 3-4
Tamakongo	Kataonami	1995/09/19 (20)	2014.03	Ms25	Sd46w 5-2	Sd16e 3-4	Sd35w 7-0 Y	Ms25w 0-7	Ms60w 1-6	Sd39w 6-1
Onojo	Takadagawa	1996/01/31 (16)	2011.05	Ms60	Sd14w 4-3	Sd3w 0-7	Sd53w 5-2	Sd27e 3-4	Sd48e 3-4	Sd70e 4-3

Shuji and Tamakongo will be relocating to Tier 3 for Kyushu basho. Tamakongo has been bouncing around wildly since his sandanme yusho back in March, and it's hard to predict what the near future will hold for him. Shuji's recent scores look as though his makushita appearance was a fluke - always a strong possibility when somebody debuts with a 6-1 from way down the sandanme ranks - and he'll have to work just to get back up. All in all I suspect that neither guy will be making any major waves in his two Tier 3 years.

One new entrant will be added here for Kyushu:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09
Nishikifuji	Isegahama	1996/07/22	2016.09	Sd2	Jk21e 7-0 Y	Jd10e 7-0 Y	Sd19e 3-4	Sd38w 5-2	Sd13e 4-3	Sd2w 4-3

Another prime example of the limited usefulness of jonokuchi and jonidan scores for assessing experienced newcomers - Nishikifuji and fellow second-year collegiate dropout and Isegahama-beya joinee Midorifuji easily brought down the house in their first two tournaments, culminating in a pair of yusho playoffs that were both won by Nishikifuji. Both of them have found things a lot tougher since hitting high sandanme, and while Midorifuji at least moved into makushita immediately it's now taken Nishikifuji four largely unimpressive results to follow suit. I still expect that he'll be establishing himself in the third division, but it's likely to be a tough fight just as it has been for (the much smaller-sized) Midorifuji.

It does bear keeping in mind that they turned pro two and a half years earlier than typical university grads do, but to project big-time sekitori upside I'd still be looking for something a little more impressive from a 21-year-old than either of them has shown so far. For his part, the 180 cm / 134 kg Nishikifuji appears to have a pretty straight-forward yotsu-based repertoire, although a smattering of pushing and slapdown results indicates some plan B versatility as well.

Edited November 9, 2017 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Tier 3:

It's the 7th basho in a row in which one of our prospects successfully earned promotion to the juryo division, and this time it happened here. Congrats to Masunosho (by now Takanosho) who broke through with 6 wins to grab a promotion spot, which were hard to come by in Aki. Having made his debut in makushita at just 17 years of age in 2012 and gone as high as Ms18 within the first year, it nevertheless took him more than 5 years in the end. Of course, even now he's still only 22 - he turns 23 on Day 2 of the basho - so he's got plenty of time to progress further and make himself into a top division mainstay.

Next in line for promotion might be Mitoryu who seems to be fulfilling the expectations after all; his excellent 6-1 Aki record will be moving him up into the top 5 ranks. Not joining him for now is Hakuyozan who picked up his second straight 3-4 to drift further away from the promotable ranks.

The nascent careers of the former sandanme tsukedashi Wakatakakage and Murata reconverged at Ms16 for Aki basho, but they will be separating again after Wakatakakage achieved a 4-3 at this highest personal rank while Murata fell one win short of kachikoshi. Further down a 4-3 kachikoshi at a career-high position was also posted by Hokutoshu.
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2017 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09
Masunosho	Chiganoura	1994/11/14 (28)	2010.03	Ms3	Ms6e 2-5	Ms15e 5-2	Ms8e 4-3	Ms6w 4-3	Ms5e 4-3	Ms3e 6-1
Hakuyozan	Takadagawa	1995/04/13 (23)	2011.05	Ms1	Ms20w 4-3	Ms14e 4-3	Ms11w 5-2	Ms7w 5-2	Ms4e 3-4	Ms8e 3-4
Mitoryu	Nishikido	1994/04/25 (38)	2017.05	Ms14				Ms15Td 3-4	Ms23w 5-2	Ms14e 6-1
Wakatakakage	Arashio	1994/12/06 (26)	2017.03	Ms16			Sd100Td 5-2	Sd63w 7-0 Y	Ms38w 6-1	Ms16e 4-3
Murata	Takasago	1994/08/08 (33)	2017.03	Ms16			Sd100Td 6-1	Sd39e 7-0 D	Ms27e 5-2	Ms16w 3-4
Wakamotoharu	Arashio	1993/10/05 (47)	2011.11	Ms5	Ms12w 4-3	Ms8e 4-3	Ms5w 3-4	Ms9w 3-4	Ms14e 3-4	Ms18w 5-2
Takemasa	Onomatsu	1993/10/22 (46)	2016.03	Ms8	Sd33w 4-3	Sd16w 7-0 Y	Ms13e 4-3	Ms10w 4-3	Ms8w 2-5	Ms20w 2-5
Tsurubayashi	Kise	1993/12/31 (44)	2009.03	Ms8	Ms28e 5-2	Ms18e 4-3	Ms14w 4-3	Ms12e 5-2	Ms8e 1-6	Ms27e 5-2
Kotokuzan	Arashio	1994/03/11 (41)	2009.09	Ms28	Ms34w 4-3	Ms28w 2-5	Ms50e 5-2	Ms37w 2-5	Ms59e 6-1	Ms28e 3-4
Tochiseiryu	Kasugano	1995/04/26 (21)	2014.03	Ms28	Ms47e 2-5	Sd4w 3-4	Sd24w 4-3	Sd11e 6-1	Ms35e 4-3	Ms28w 3-4
Hatooka	Kise	1994/02/23 (42)	2016.03	Ms30	Sd15e 5-2	Ms50w 5-2	Ms36e 4-3	Ms30e 3-4	Ms41w 4-3	Ms33e 3-4
Asahiryu	Asahiyama	1995/04/22 (22)	2016.05	Ms23	Sd79w 7-0 D	Ms51e 6-1	Ms23e 3-4	Ms31w 4-3	Ms24e 3-4	Ms34e 5-2
Kaiseio	Asakayama	1995/01/28 (24)	2013.03	Ms18	Ms31e 0-7	Sd6w 5-2	Ms46w 5-2	Ms35w 2-5	Ms55w 5-2	Ms37e 2-5
Hokutokawa	Hakkaku	1994/08/15 (32)	2013.03	Ms31	Sd19w 5-2	Ms55e 5-2	Ms39e 3-4	Ms46w 5-2	Ms31e 3-4	Ms42w 2-5
Hokutoshu	Hakkaku	1994/01/14 (43)	2012.03	Ms47	Sd5w 4-3	Ms55w 2-5	Sd16e 4-3	Sd4w 4-3	Ms54w 4-3	Ms47w 4-3
Tochinobori	Kasugano	1993/09/01 (50)	2009.03	Ms12	Ms31w 4-3	Ms26e 4-3	Ms22e 3-4	Ms31e 0-2-5	Sd6w 4-3	Ms56w 5-2
Ichiyamamoto	Nishonoseki	1993/10/01 (48)	2017.01	Ms57		Mz 3-0	Jk15e 7-0 Y	Jd10e 6-1	Sd49e 6-1	Ms57w 6-1
Itadaki	Isenoumi	1994/09/05 (31)	2010.03	Ms56	Sd46e 4-3	Sd29w 4-3	Sd16w 5-2	Ms56w 2-5	Sd23w 5-2	Ms59e 3-4
Aomihama	Dewanoumi	1994/10/27 (30)	2010.03	Ms49	Sd50w 3-4	Sd61e 6-1	Sd7e 4-3	Ms57e 2-5	Sd24w 5-2	Ms59w 4-3
Nishiyama	Onoe	1994/04/27 (37)	2010.03	Ms22	Ms54e 3-4	Sd2e 3-4	Sd17w 4-3	Ms60w 4-3	Ms50e 3-4	Sd4w 3-4
Rikito	Tokitsukaze	1993/09/21 (49)	2011.09	Ms19	Ms32e 3-4	Ms38w 4-3	Ms34w 2-5	Sd1e 6-1	Ms30e 0-7	Sd5w 2-5
Ichiki	Tamanoi	1993/11/13 (45)	2016.01	Ms16	Ms53w 6-1	Ms24w 5-2	Ms16w 3-4	Ms23w 2-5	Ms44e 2-5	Sd6w 5-2
Musashikuni	Musashigawa	1994/12/17 (25)	2013.07	Ms26	Ms43w 2-5	Ms59w 5-2	Ms41w 3-4	Ms53e 2-5	Sd21w 4-3	Sd8e 4-3
Chiyonokatsu	Kokonoe	1994/04/13 (40)	2013.03	Ms57	Sd48e 6-1	Ms57e 2-5	Sd22w 4-3	Sd8w 2-5	Sd38e 5-2	Sd12w 3-4
Kotohayato	Sadogatake	1994/04/18 (39)	2010.03	Ms48	Ms60w 3-4	Sd12w 3-4	Sd31w 6-1	Ms48w 3-4	Ms58e 3-4	Sd14w 2-5
Yutakasho	Sakaigawa	1994/11/19 (27)	2013.03	Ms49	Sd81e 6-1	Sd23w 4-3	Sd12w 3-4	Sd32w 6-1	Ms49w 2-5	Sd15e 4-3
Fukamiyama	Onoe	1994/11/12 (29)	2010.03	Ms47	Ms49e 3-4	Ms56w 4-3	Ms47e 2-5	Sd12e 4-3	Sd1w 3-4	Sd19e 4-3
Kotonoshu	Sadogatake	1994/07/01 (35)	2010.03	Ms53	Sd31e 4-3	Sd14w 4-3	Sd4e 1-5-1	Sd40w 5-2	Sd15e 3-1-3	Sd35e 4-3
Kirinofuji	Michinoku	1994/07/28 (34)	2011.01	Ms52	Sd24e 5-2	Ms59e 3-4	Sd14w 2-5	Sd44e 5-2	Sd17e 3-4	Sd41e 4-3
Baraki	Shikihide	1994/05/10 (36)	2013.01	Ms58	Sd44e 4-3	Sd25e 3-4	Sd45e 3-4	Sd65w 3-4	Sd84w 5-2	Sd49w 4-3

Rookie Ichiyamamoto's first basho in Tier 3 was a successful one at 6-1, but for now we're saying goodbye to him as he turned 24 in October. We'll probably be seeing him again inside the top 15 ranks at some point for a Tier 4 entry. Also dropping off is Rikito, and for him I'm much less optimistic that he'll make a return to the prospect ranks. Meanwhile three others are moving over to Tier 4 rather than getting dismissed - Wakamotoharu, Takemasa and Tochinobori have prior experience in the top quarter of the division and thus get two more years to prove themselves.

And all the departures are swiftly replaced by this trio:
 

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09
Saidaiji	Irumagawa	1994/06/09	2013.01	Sd9	Sd60e 3-4	Sd68e 4-3	Sd49w 4-3	Sd33w 2-5	Sd64e 6-1	Sd9w 5-2
Enho	Miyagino	1994/10/18	2017.03	Sd18			Mz 2-0	Jk9e 7-0 Y	Jd10e 7-0 Y	Sd18w 7-0 Y
Matsuda	Minezaki	1994/09/19	2013.03	Sd64	Sd71w 3-4	Sd77w 3-4	Sd96e 3-4	Jd21e 4-3	Jd1w 4-3	Sd82e 7-0 D

I honestly don't have much to say about Saidaiji...taking nearly five years to reach makushita isn't overly impressive for a high schooler, especially one who came in built like him (180 cm / 177 kg), although it looks like he might not actually have had any significant sumo experience as he didn't get press attention at all on his debut. He had never KK'ed above Sd65 until four tournaments ago, so it's been a flurry of advancement after years of relative stagnation. As usual in these cases I expect that the improvement is largely for real but won't be extended much further for a while, so he'll probably morph into a makushita-sandanme elevator guy now. In any case: 50% yori, 30% oshi, 10% slapdowns, so his sumo is as basic and straight-forward as it gets.

Conversely, not much needs to be said about Enho. The 21-0 start largely speaks for itself, although he's had quite a few close calls during the streak due to his aggressive, take-no-prisoners style. Size-wise he's certainly not somebody one would have expected to do this well, even as a collegiate grad against lower-level opposition. Of course, the real tests only start now in makushita, where he'll be making a grand entrance right into the top 15 ranks.

Enho's Aki yusho playoff opponent Matsuda falls into the Omori bracket as far as career patterns go, also having taken nearly five years from an 18-year-old debut. However, he's done it on half the body size (179 cm / 89 kg on entry). He's still not much bigger now - 108 kg at the last Kyokai data update - and his jump to makushita is as fluky as it gets, as the 7-0 at Sd82 was actually his highest-ranking KK ever. Anything better than 1-6 would shock me, and I suspect that this will remain his only makushita appearance before he turns 24 next September and has to leave us again.

(On a sidenote, it's actually fairly rare to see two guys make their makushita debuts off a 7-0 in the same basho.)

Edited November 10, 2017 by Asashosakari

[Ack! 479]

16 hours ago, Asashosakari said:

One new entrant will be added here for Kyushu:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09
Nishikifuji	Isegahama	1996/07/22	2016.09	Sd2	Jk21e 7-0 Y	Jd10e 7-0 Y	Sd19e 3-4	Sd38w 5-2	Sd13e 4-3	Sd2w 4-3

Another prime example of the limited usefulness of jonokuchi and jonidan scores for assessing experienced newcomers - Nishikifuji and fellow second-year collegiate dropout and Isegahama-beya joinee Midorifuji easily brought down the house in their first two tournaments, culminating in a pair of yusho playoffs that were both won by Nishikifuji. Both of them have found things a lot tougher since hitting high sandanme, and while Midorifuji at least moved into makushita immediately it's now taken Nishikifuji four largely unimpressive results to follow suit. I still expect that he'll be establishing himself in the third division, but it's likely to be a tough fight just as it has been for (the much smaller-sized) Midorifuji.

It does bear keeping in mind that they turned pro two and a half years earlier than typical university grads do, but to project big-time sekitori upside I'd still be looking for something a little more impressive from a 21-year-old than either of them has shown so far. For his part, the 180 cm / 134 kg Nishikifuji appears to have a pretty straight-forward yotsu-based repertoire, although a smattering of pushing and slapdown results indicates some plan B versatility as well.

Thanks for the report on this local boy!  I have been "hopeful" for him for some time now.  It's exciting to have both a local sekitori (Daiseido) and a hopeful.

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Tier 4:

Kizaki and Kotodaigo were both making their debut in the top 5 makushita ranks in Aki basho. They both fell just short of kachikoshi, although in rather different ways - Kizaki found himself 3-1 after the first week and then failed to convert on his three KK opportunities, while Kotodaigo struggled early and later rallied from 1-4 to 3-4.

Lots of strong records for the rest of the Tier 4 crowd, albeit all at ranks well below their individual levels of competence. The most impressive score is certainly Tochimaru's 6-1 with which he was even in the yusho race until picking up the loss to Mitoryu on Day 11. Following his three-basho slide in the first half of the year, the last couple of tournaments have been a fine return to form for the once highly touted Kasugano-beya rikishi (wampaku national champion in both 4th and 6th grade), and perhaps he can push on for another spring challenge now after his attempts to break into juryo in both early 2016 and early 2017 proved unsuccessful.
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2017 - Tier 4: Last Chance Saloon - Ms15+ Age 25 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2016.11	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09
Kizaki	Kise	1993/05/06 (52)	2016.03	Ms3	Ms26e 4-3	Ms21e 5-2	Ms13w 5-2	Ms9e 4-3	Ms7e 5-2	Ms3w 3-4
Kotodaigo	Sadogatake	1993/01/14 (53)	2011.05	Ms4	Sd10w 6-1	Ms34e 5-2	Ms21w 4-3	Ms16w 4-3	Ms13w 6-1	Ms4e 3-4
Tochimaru	Kasugano	1992/08/26 (56)	2011.05	Ms3	Ms4w 4-3	Ms3w 3-4	Ms7e 2-5	Ms16e 2-5	Ms32e 5-2	Ms20e 6-1
Tamaki	Takasago	1993/05/29 (51)	2016.01	Ms10	Ms17e 4-3	Ms10w 3-4	Ms15e 3-4	Ms20w 3-4	Ms30w 4-3	Ms23e 5-2
Akinohana	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (55)	2008.03	Ms6	Ms10w 1-6	Ms31w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3	Ms37e 4-3	Ms31w 4-3	Ms25e 5-2
Shiba	Kise	1991/12/24 (61)	2014.03	Ms3	Ms8w 5-2	Ms5e 3-4	Ms8w 1-6	Ms28e 5-2	Ms19e 3-4	Ms29e 5-2
Chiyonoumi	Kokonoe	1993/01/11 (54)	2015.05	Ms13	Sd36e 5-2	Sd7e 6-1	Ms32e 4-3	Ms26w 4-3	Ms22e 2-5	Ms39e 5-2
Irodori	Shikoroyama	1992/03/10 (59)	2007.03	Ms8	Ms8e 3-4	Ms12e 3-4	Ms18w 5-2	Ms12w 2-5	Ms29e 3-4	Ms39w 6-1
Wakatakamoto	Arashio	1991/12/29 (60)	2009.11	Ms11	Ms30w 0-0-7	Sd10w 5-2	Ms48e 4-3	Ms39e 3-4	Ms49e 4-3	Ms40w 1-1-5
Ayanoumi	Yamahibiki	1992/03/23 (58)	2007.03	Ms14	Ms55e 5-2	Ms37e 4-3	Ms33w 1-6	Sd5w 4-3	Ms56e 3-4	Sd11e 4-3
Wakayama	Onomatsu	1992/04/26 (57)	2011.07	Ms15	Mz 3-0	Jk16w 6-1 Y	Jd32e 7-0 Y	Sd32e 4-3	Sd16e 3-4	Sd36e 3-4

No departures or new arrivals here.

[Asashosakari 19,760]

The lineups for Kyushu 2017:

Tier 1 (Q) - A major challenge awaits Shonannoumi following his 6-1 boost up the rankings, and it would be big news if he does well here. Ryuko's makushita debut will be a second point of attention and a strong showing here would go a long way towards demontrating that he's got sekitori upside even in the short term.

Tier 2 (Q) - And we complete the year with zero appearances in the single-digit ranks from this group of rikishi. Gokushindo is arguably the biggest story here at the moment as he tries to capitalize on his recent upwards momentum. But the new #1-ranked rikishi is Takayoshitoshi who has had three straight 4-3's and surely hopes to catch up to twin brother Takagenji. Last basho's top-ranker Kiribayama will hopefully be back in action after missing most of Aki basho.

Tier 3 (Q) - Two-time amateur major winner Mitoryu has arrived in the promotion zone after three tournaments and it will be interesting how he gets on against the typically cut-throat level of competition in this area. Potential star in the making Enho is ranked Ms14 for the continuation of his winning streak, but suffered some sort of foot injury during the jungyo tour and may be in less than ideal condition for the honbasho. Wakatakakage and Hakuyozan join these two in the top 15 with theoretical promotion chances.

Tier 4 (Q) - Kizaki and Kotodaigo received relatively lenient treatment following their Aki 3-4's and could get back to the promotion zone with a simple kachikoshi. Tochimaru is also back to the single-digit ranks for another go at promotion.

[Joaoiyama 314]

Watching for Wakatakage and Enho, they will ptobably meet since they are at ms14 and ms12, in my view these are two of the most promising rikishi right now.

[Asashosakari 19,760]

The Kyushu roundups...

Tier 1 (with video!):

Shonannoumi received a major boost up the rankings following his Aki 6-1, and any doubts that he might be overmatched near the extended promotion zone were dispelled by Day 6 after he had raced out to a 3-0 start. He ultimately finished with 5 shiroboshi and has firmly announced himself as the main contender to be the next youngest sekitori.

Kotokamatani had a good turn on the dohyo as well and matched the frontrunner's 5-2 record. After a year of idling in low makushita he'll now get the opportunity to take a step forward as he's set to make his upper-half debut. Makushita rookie Ryuko, not to be outdone, also scored 5 wins to keep his career record free of makekoshi. Kirinoryu meanwhile had a minimum bounceback from last basho's 1-6 wake-up call, finishing 4-3 which will see him remain in sandanme for now.
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Kyushu 2017 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Takagenji (1997/05/13, debut 2013.03, shin-juryo 2017.05)
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09	2017.11
Shonannoumi	Takadagawa	1998/04/08 (3)	2014.03	Ms18	Ms48w 4-3	Ms40e 3-4	Ms48e 1-6	Sd23e 6-1	Ms44w 6-1	Ms18w 5-2
Kotokamatani	Sadogatake	1997/11/19 (4)	2015.11	Ms36	Ms50e 3-4	Sd3w 5-2	Ms46e 4-3	Ms36w 2-5	Ms53w 4-3	Ms45e 5-2
Ryuko	Onoe	1998/06/23 (2)	2017.01	Ms50	Mz 3-0	Jk15w 6-1	Jd31e 6-1	Sd66w 6-1	Sd11w 5-2	Ms50e 5-2
Kirinoryu	Michinoku	1997/06/13 (5)	2013.03	Ms52	Sd31w 3-4	Sd50e 5-2	Sd24e 5-2	Ms60e 4-3	Ms52w 1-6	Sd22w 4-3
Yokuyusei	Shibatayama	1998/09/10 (1)	2014.03	Ms58	Sd44w 5-2	Sd21w 5-2	Ms58e 2-5	Sd26w 0-0-7	Sd86w 0-0-7	Jd46w 0-0-7

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Tier 2:

A pretty average tournament for this group. Nobody above Ms30 finished better than 4-3, so no major expectations have been set for the new year. Though to be fair, one of the 4-3's was achieved by Takayoshitoshi at equal his career-high rank, so he has taken a small step towards following twin brother Takagenji into the hallowed sekitoriland.

Gokushindo made his promotion zone debut in Kyushu, and while he wasn't able to pull off a kachikoshi he did score respectable 3 wins and will hopefully continue to establish himself up there. Notable results elsewhere include Takakento's 5-2 which will be moving him up to a new career high mark, almost three years after the last one, and a pair of 6-1 records by Kiribayama and Nishikifuji, the former recovering from his missed Aki basho and the latter producing a stunning and quite unexpected makushita debut - my last update mused that Nishikifuji will need to be more impressive than he's been so far to announce himself as a bonafide prospect, and this result has certainly done that.
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Kyushu 2017 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09	2017.11
Takayoshitoshi	Takanohana	1997/05/13 (6)	2013.03	Ms11	Ms30w 6-1	Ms11e 2-5	Ms25e 4-3	Ms21e 4-3	Ms15w 4-3	Ms11w 4-3
Gokushindo	Nishikido	1996/06/06 (13)	2012.03	Ms12	Ms58w 3-4	Sd13w 6-1	Ms38e 6-1	Ms16e 2-5	Ms31w 6-1	Ms12w 3-4
Hamayutaka	Tokitsukaze	1995/11/17 (20)	2011.05	Ms17	Sd11w 5-2	Ms48w 4-3	Ms40w 6-1	Ms17e 3-4	Ms25w 4-3	Ms21e 2-5
Kaito	Asakayama	1996/06/19 (11)	2012.05	Ms20	Ms22e 3-4	Ms32w 5-2	Ms20e 2-5	Ms42w 5-2	Ms27w 4-3	Ms22e 2-5
Kotaro	Fujishima	1995/12/06 (19)	2014.01	Ms14	Ms29e 4-3	Ms25w 4-3	Ms19w 4-3	Ms15w 2-5	Ms30e 4-3	Ms24w 4-3
Oki	Shikoroyama	1996/06/12 (12)	2013.07	Ms25	Ms49e 4-3	Ms42w 3-4	Ms54w 4-3	Ms43w 4-3	Ms36e 5-2	Ms25e 3-4
Takakento	Takanohana	1996/02/10 (17)	2014.01	Ms26	Ms52e 3-4	Sd8e 4-3	Ms59e 5-2	Ms39e 3-4	Ms48w 5-2	Ms34w 5-2
Nakazono	Nishonoseki	1996/05/18 (14)	2012.03	Ms11	Sd13e 4-3	Sd2w 6-1	Ms29e 6-1	Ms11w 0-0-7	Ms51w 4-3	Ms41w 3-4
Honda	Nishikido	1997/03/11 (7)	2012.03	Ms42	Sd3e 4-3	Ms52w 2-5	Sd17w 5-2	Ms54e 2-5	Sd20w 6-1	Ms42e 3-4
Midorifuji	Isegahama	1996/08/30 (9)	2016.09	Ms46	Jd10w 7-0 D	Sd19w 5-2	Ms57w 4-3	Ms46w 3-4	Ms57e 4-3	Ms46e 4-3
Kiribayama	Michinoku	1996/04/24 (16)	2015.05	Ms10	Ms20e 5-2	Ms12w 3-4	Ms18e 6-1	Ms10e 3-4	Ms14w 0-1-6	Ms49w 6-1
Nishikifuji	Isegahama	1996/07/22 (10)	2016.09	Ms52	Jd10e 7-0 Y	Sd19e 3-4	Sd38w 5-2	Sd13e 4-3	Sd2w 4-3	Ms52w 6-1
Yamatoarashi	Shikoroyama	1996/05/11 (15)	2012.03	Ms49	Sd7w 2-5	Sd33e 4-3	Sd18w 4-3	Sd7e 5-2	Ms49e 3-4	Ms59w 2-5
Ohata	Tokitsukaze	1996/10/24 (8)	2014.11	Ms40	Sd48e 4-3	Sd32w 6-1	Ms49w 4-3	Ms40e 2-5	Sd1e 2-5	Sd24e 2-5
Onojo	Takadagawa	1996/01/31 (18)	2011.05	Ms60	Sd3w 0-7	Sd53w 5-2	Sd27e 3-4	Sd48e 3-4	Sd70e 4-3	Sd51e 5-2

Newly 22-year-olds Hamayutaka and Kotaro will have to continue their semi-promising prospect path-finding in Tier 3, while one newcomer is joining us here:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09	2017.11
Taichiyama	Chiganoura	1997/04/21	2013.03	Sd3	Jd17w 6-1	Sd55w 6-1	Sd3w 0-7	Sd53w 4-3	Sd35w 4-3	Sd24w 6-1

Taichiyama made his debut some five years ago and was drawing superficial comparisons to stablemate Masunoyama at the time (who was maegashira then and is now sadly ranked even behind the kid). He enjoyed a fairly smooth progression for three years, moving up to mid-sandanme, where an injury took him out of action for two tournaments (anybody have details?) and sent him down to mid-jonidan. The career reboot hit an 0-7 roadblock with makushita already in a sight a year later, which seems to have prompted the change to his current shikona.

The promotion-clinching result has come a bit out of left field now, and while I'd like to be skeptical about his readiness for makushita, it must be said that his Kyushu performance was quite impressive (as you're welcome to see for yourself) and impossible to consider a fluke. Being just 20 there's certainly sekitori upside here, especially as he should still have some room for growth in the weight department - the Kyokai has him at 157 kg, basically unchanged from his 2013 debut, so it looks like his advancement so far has been supported largely by general fitness improvements rather than simply packing on the pounds. Technique-wise he has stayed true to his hatsu-dohyo outlook, with a strong focus on pushing. However, it's close quarters full-body pushing rather than the arms outstretched pusher-thruster type, so he's also got a sizable number of yorikiri on his tally. The lack of other belt-related kimarite makes it clear though that he's not really a mawashi technician.

Edited January 3, 2018 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Tier 3:

Our sole promotee of the basho hails from here, as Mitoryu completed the three-basho KK turnaround from his surprise makekoshi debut last May. I for one don't find his sumo all that attractive, but you can't argue with its effectiveness and he should easily establish himself as a sekitori and presumably soon in makuuchi.

The new tier-gashira will be Enho, who didn't let a gimpy foot stop him from picking up 5 wins, although his 21-win streak came to its end right in the first bout. However, much like with fellow submariners Ura and Tobizaru, he seems headed towards having lots of bouts that are either one-sided losses or injuries waiting to happen, so one has to wonder about his long-term prospects. Optimistically he does seem a little smarter at picking his spots than Ura is, so perhaps that's an indication that he'll be able to moderate his style a bit as he continues to move up.

The rivalry by proxy between last year's sandanme tsukedashi duo Wakatakakage and Murata swung back in favour of the latter again, with Wakatakakage going 3-4 at his career-high, ending his debut KK streak at 4 basho, while Murata bounced back from his own MK with a strong 6-1 performance. Another impressive 6-win score was turned in by Kotokuzan near his career-best rank, and within half a year he has turned himself from a relative also-ran into an interesting sekitori candidate.

While Enho easily cleared the KK line things were much tougher for the other two makushita debutants, with Saidaiji going 2-5 and Matsuda even scoring the dreaded zenpai 0-7 to reverse his Aki result.
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Kyushu 2017 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09	2017.11
Mitoryu	Nishikido	1994/04/25 (42)	2017.05	Ms4			Ms15Td 3-4	Ms23w 5-2	Ms14e 6-1	Ms4e 6-1
Wakatakakage	Arashio	1994/12/06 (28)	2017.03	Ms12		Sd100Td 5-2	Sd63w 7-0 Y	Ms38w 6-1	Ms16e 4-3	Ms12e 3-4
Hakuyozan	Takadagawa	1995/04/13 (25)	2011.05	Ms1	Ms14e 4-3	Ms11w 5-2	Ms7w 5-2	Ms4e 3-4	Ms8e 3-4	Ms13e 4-3
Enho	Miyagino	1994/10/18 (32)	2017.03	Ms14		Mz 2-0	Jk9e 7-0 Y	Jd10e 7-0 Y	Sd18w 7-0 Y	Ms14w 5-2
Tsurubayashi	Kise	1993/12/31 (48)	2009.03	Ms8	Ms18e 4-3	Ms14w 4-3	Ms12e 5-2	Ms8e 1-6	Ms27e 5-2	Ms19e 4-3
Murata	Takasago	1994/08/08 (36)	2017.03	Ms16		Sd100Td 6-1	Sd39e 7-0 D	Ms27e 5-2	Ms16w 3-4	Ms22w 6-1
Asahiryu	Asahiyama	1995/04/22 (24)	2016.05	Ms23	Ms51e 6-1	Ms23e 3-4	Ms31w 4-3	Ms24e 3-4	Ms34e 5-2	Ms23e 3-4
Kotokuzan	Arashio	1994/03/11 (45)	2009.09	Ms28	Ms28w 2-5	Ms50e 5-2	Ms37w 2-5	Ms59e 6-1	Ms28e 3-4	Ms34e 6-1
Tochiseiryu	Kasugano	1995/04/26 (23)	2014.03	Ms28	Sd4w 3-4	Sd24w 4-3	Sd11e 6-1	Ms35e 4-3	Ms28w 3-4	Ms35w 3-4
Hokutoshu	Hakkaku	1994/01/14 (47)	2012.03	Ms38	Ms55w 2-5	Sd16e 4-3	Sd4w 4-3	Ms54w 4-3	Ms47w 4-3	Ms38w 2-5
Hatooka	Kise	1994/02/23 (46)	2016.03	Ms30	Ms50w 5-2	Ms36e 4-3	Ms30e 3-4	Ms41w 4-3	Ms33e 3-4	Ms41e 2-5
Ichiki	Tamanoi	1993/11/13 (49)	2016.01	Ms16	Ms24w 5-2	Ms16w 3-4	Ms23w 2-5	Ms44e 2-5	Sd6w 5-2	Ms43w 4-3
Saidaiji	Irumagawa	1994/06/09 (39)	2013.01	Ms47	Sd68e 4-3	Sd49w 4-3	Sd33w 2-5	Sd64e 6-1	Sd9w 5-2	Ms47w 2-5
Aomihama	Dewanoumi	1994/10/27 (31)	2010.03	Ms48	Sd61e 6-1	Sd7e 4-3	Ms57e 2-5	Sd24w 5-2	Ms59w 4-3	Ms48w 3-4
Tamakongo	Kataonami	1995/09/19 (22)	2014.03	Ms25	Sd16e 3-4	Sd35w 7-0 Y	Ms25w 0-7	Ms60w 1-6	Sd39w 6-1	Ms53e 3-4
Matsuda	Minezaki	1994/09/19 (33)	2013.03	Ms53	Sd77w 3-4	Sd96e 3-4	Jd21e 4-3	Jd1w 4-3	Sd82e 7-0 D	Ms53w 0-7
Kaiseio	Asakayama	1995/01/28 (26)	2013.03	Ms18	Sd6w 5-2	Ms46w 5-2	Ms35w 2-5	Ms55w 5-2	Ms37e 2-5	Ms56e 3-4
Musashikuni	Musashigawa	1994/12/17 (27)	2013.07	Ms26	Ms59w 5-2	Ms41w 3-4	Ms53e 2-5	Sd21w 4-3	Sd8e 4-3	Ms57e 4-3
Hokutokawa	Hakkaku	1994/08/15 (35)	2013.03	Ms31	Ms55e 5-2	Ms39e 3-4	Ms46w 5-2	Ms31e 3-4	Ms42w 2-5	Sd2w 5-2
Yutakasho	Sakaigawa	1994/11/19 (29)	2013.03	Ms49	Sd23w 4-3	Sd12w 3-4	Sd32w 6-1	Ms49w 2-5	Sd15e 4-3	Sd3e 2-5
Fukamiyama	Onoe	1994/11/12 (30)	2010.03	Ms47	Ms56w 4-3	Ms47e 2-5	Sd12e 4-3	Sd1w 3-4	Sd19e 4-3	Sd7e 2-5
Itadaki	Isenoumi	1994/09/05 (34)	2010.03	Ms56	Sd29w 4-3	Sd16w 5-2	Ms56w 2-5	Sd23w 5-2	Ms59e 3-4	Sd11w 4-3
Nishiyama	Onoe	1994/04/27 (41)	2010.03	Ms22	Sd2e 3-4	Sd17w 4-3	Ms60w 4-3	Ms50e 3-4	Sd4w 3-4	Sd14e 1-6
Kotonoshu	Sadogatake	1994/07/01 (38)	2010.03	Ms53	Sd14w 4-3	Sd4e 1-5-1	Sd40w 5-2	Sd15e 3-1-3	Sd35e 4-3	Sd23w 3-4
Chiyonokatsu	Kokonoe	1994/04/13 (44)	2013.03	Ms57	Ms57e 2-5	Sd22w 4-3	Sd8w 2-5	Sd38e 5-2	Sd12w 3-4	Sd26e 4-3
Kirinofuji	Michinoku	1994/07/28 (37)	2011.01	Ms52	Ms59e 3-4	Sd14w 2-5	Sd44e 5-2	Sd17e 3-4	Sd41e 4-3	Sd27e 6-1
Baraki	Shikihide	1994/05/10 (40)	2013.01	Ms58	Sd25e 3-4	Sd45e 3-4	Sd65w 3-4	Sd84w 5-2	Sd49w 4-3	Sd31w 2-5
Kotohayato	Sadogatake	1994/04/18 (43)	2010.03	Ms48	Sd12w 3-4	Sd31w 6-1	Ms48w 3-4	Ms58e 3-4	Sd14w 2-5	Sd39w 6-1
Shuji	Kise	1995/10/24 (21)	2014.03	Ms54	Sd41w 6-1	Ms54w 1-5-1	Sd23e 3-4	Sd46e 4-3	Sd33w 3-4	Sd47w 0-0-7

New Year's Eve birthday boy Tsurubayashi just can't seem to break through, but having been up in the Ms top 15 ranks as far back as 2014 he's easily qualified to receive two more prospect years in Tier 4. Undersized university grad Ichiki very nearly got there as well during his initial rise (first year 34-8!), but having fallen just short at Ms16 he's not eligible for the transfer - and his recent results also make it somewhat improbable that he's going to manage to rejoin within the two-year window.

Three's a crowd, but four's our number of debutants for Hatsu basho:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09	2017.11
Tanabe	Kise	1994/05/12	2017.03	Sd16		Mz 2-0	Jk6e 6-1	Jd35e 6-1	Sd71w 6-1	Sd16w 5-2
Kotoinagaki	Sadogatake	1994/05/14	2016.03	Sd9	Sd54w 4-3	Sd37e 5-2	Sd9e 2-5	Sd40w 2-5	Sd72w 6-1	Sd17w 5-2
Tomokaze	Oguruma	1994/12/02	2017.05	Sd53			Mz 3-0	Jk25e 7-0 Y	Jd15e 6-1	Sd53e 7-0 Y
Tsuyukusa	Otake	1994/12/06	2016.09	Sd35	Jd64w 3-4	Jd75w 5-2	Jd33e 7-0 D	Sd35w 3-4	Sd57w 2-5	Sd79w 7-0 D

Tanabe is part of the collegiate triumvirate alongside Enho and Fukuyama that has blitzed through the lower divisions since Haru 2017, although it's been clear that the pecking order is Enho > Tanabe > Fukuyama. (See head-to-heads linked on the arrows.) While Fukuyama fell a bit short with 4-3 from Sd13w, Tanabe has at least clinched the promotion to makushita now. His Kyushu bouts looked okay to me, but not like he was still ranked miles away from his personal wall. I'd guess there's still enough room left for a successful first makushita appearance, though.

Tomokaze has a very interesting private background for a sumotori, but sumo-wise I can't say I've been that impressed so far despite the 20-1 start. Nice enough pushing sumo, but a number of opponents have already managed to discombobulate him by not being sitting ducks for it, and I'm left to wonder just how much his upcoming makushita-level opponents will be able to counter it. But as always, it's nearly impossible to draw definitive conclusions about a collegiate guy from competition that's taken place no higher than mid-sandanme.

Kotoinagaki has the typical age and debut date of a university grad as well, but his competitive background was in Olympic wrestling, and quite successfully so. I'm hard-pressed to say if his relatively modest speed of advancement has been disappointing given his athletic tools, or if it's par for the course for someone who's had to learn sumo from nearly scratch. More than anyone, he's probably a prime exhibit for "the real work starts now in makushita". If he can keep improving I wouldn't bet against him making it to juryo. The question is how much room for improvement he truly still has, and I can't even begin to answer that. Somewhat surprising for somebody with wrestling skills his kimarite record thus far is dominated by pushing and evasive sumo.

And speaking of learning sumo from scratch, here's Polish-Japanese youngster Tsuyukusa who has earned himself a steak or two from Kintamayama by now. Still don't really know what to make of him, but his frantic take-no-prisoners style is fun to watch; largely thanks to One And Only's efforts we've got plenty of video to peruse if you want to review his efforts. Age is obviously not quite on his side, but he's probably already done better than anyone had a right to expect, so maybe there's more to come. Can't imagine he'll manage to KK in makushita for now, but I wouldn't be surprised if his aggressive approach will overwhelm an opponent or two this month.

Edited January 3, 2018 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Tier 4:

Not such a great basho for our last-chancers, with the only impressive win totals posted by those ranked well outside the top 15. Kizaki and Kotodaigo went makekoshi for the second time running and they'll now have to undergo quite a bit of rebuilding before they can challenge for promotion again. Tochimaru ran smack into the wall again, so his previous two good scores didn't herald a new era for him.

On the flipside there are Wakamotoharu and Tamaki, both on successive KKs following earlier slides (back-to-back-to-back 3-4's for both of them). Of course, that does mean they've been busy making up lost ground rather than reaching new highs. The most notable positive performance of the basho came courtesy of Chiyonoumi, whose 6-1 record is now finally going to put him back where he was before his injury woes two years ago.
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Kyushu 2017 - Tier 4: Last Chance Saloon - Ms15+ Age 25 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2017.01	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09	2017.11
Kizaki	Kise	1993/05/06 (54)	2016.03	Ms3	Ms21e 5-2	Ms13w 5-2	Ms9e 4-3	Ms7e 5-2	Ms3w 3-4	Ms7e 3-4
Kotodaigo	Sadogatake	1993/01/14 (55)	2011.05	Ms4	Ms34e 5-2	Ms21w 4-3	Ms16w 4-3	Ms13w 6-1	Ms4e 3-4	Ms8e 2-5
Tochimaru	Kasugano	1992/08/26 (58)	2011.05	Ms3	Ms3w 3-4	Ms7e 2-5	Ms16e 2-5	Ms32e 5-2	Ms20e 6-1	Ms8w 2-5
Wakamotoharu	Arashio	1993/10/05 (51)	2011.11	Ms5	Ms8e 4-3	Ms5w 3-4	Ms9w 3-4	Ms14e 3-4	Ms18w 5-2	Ms11e 4-3
Tamaki	Takasago	1993/05/29 (53)	2016.01	Ms10	Ms10w 3-4	Ms15e 3-4	Ms20w 3-4	Ms30w 4-3	Ms23e 5-2	Ms15e 4-3
Irodori	Shikoroyama	1992/03/10 (61)	2007.03	Ms8	Ms12e 3-4	Ms18w 5-2	Ms12w 2-5	Ms29e 3-4	Ms39w 6-1	Ms16w 3-4
Akinohana	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (57)	2008.03	Ms6	Ms31w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3	Ms37e 4-3	Ms31w 4-3	Ms25e 5-2	Ms17e 4-3
Shiba	Kise	1991/12/24 (63)	2014.03	Ms3	Ms5e 3-4	Ms8w 1-6	Ms28e 5-2	Ms19e 3-4	Ms29e 5-2	Ms20w 5-2
Chiyonoumi	Kokonoe	1993/01/11 (56)	2015.05	Ms13	Sd7e 6-1	Ms32e 4-3	Ms26w 4-3	Ms22e 2-5	Ms39e 5-2	Ms27w 6-1
Takemasa	Onomatsu	1993/10/22 (50)	2016.03	Ms8	Sd16w 7-0 Y	Ms13e 4-3	Ms10w 4-3	Ms8w 2-5	Ms20w 2-5	Ms33e 4-3
Tochinobori	Kasugano	1993/09/01 (52)	2009.03	Ms12	Ms26e 4-3	Ms22e 3-4	Ms31e 0-2-5	Sd6w 4-3	Ms56w 5-2	Ms39w 3-4
Ayanoumi	Yamahibiki	1992/03/23 (60)	2007.03	Ms14	Ms37e 4-3	Ms33w 1-6	Sd5w 4-3	Ms56e 3-4	Sd11e 4-3	Ms60w 5-2
Wakatakamoto	Arashio	1991/12/29 (62)	2009.11	Ms11	Sd10w 5-2	Ms48e 4-3	Ms39e 3-4	Ms49e 4-3	Ms40w 1-1-5	Sd10w 6-1
Wakayama	Onomatsu	1992/04/26 (59)	2011.07	Ms15	Jk16w 6-1 Y	Jd32e 7-0 Y	Sd32e 4-3	Sd16e 3-4	Sd36e 3-4	Sd49e 5-2

Time to say goodbye to Shiba, who looks like a prime candidate for a cup of coffee in juryo some years down the line, as well as Wakatakamoto, the eldest brother in the Onami trio.

No newcomers here, but I'd like to use this spot to highlight one additional makushita debutant in Hatsu basho, namely the freshly renamed Asakishin, who some might still remember as that body-building guy. Not nearly in prospect territory with his age, but still a good story - it's been nice to see him stick with sumo until now.

[Yubinhaad 11,783]

On ‎03‎/‎01‎/‎2018 at 16:41, Asashosakari said:

Taichiyama made his debut some five years ago and was drawing superficial comparisons to stablemate Masunoyama at the time (who was maegashira then and is now sadly ranked even behind the kid). He enjoyed a fairly smooth progression for three years, moving up to mid-sandanme, where an injury took him out of action for two tournaments (anybody have details?) and sent him down to mid-jonidan.

Fractured right wrist if I remember correctly. He was still doing the basics in keiko (picture from June 2016) but obviously not full contact work and had to sit it out for a while.

Thanks for the excellent round-up as always.

Edited January 4, 2018 by Yubinhaad

[Asashosakari 19,760]

The lineups for Hatsu 2018:

Tier 1 (Q) - Following up on his impressive upper-makushita debut, Shonannoumi has now reached an area full of highly experienced rikishi. Will it be "only" a learning experience or can he keep moving up? Kotokamatani and Ryuko have both reached the middle of the division for the first time and should find themselves challenged as well.

Tier 2 (Q) - Takayoshitoshi is again the highest-ranked member of this section, but has yet to truly look like a promotion contender. Consequently the main attention will probably be back on Kiribayama whose 6-1 Kyushu record has still left him a bit short of his pre-injury area on the rankings, so another good record may be in the offing. Nishikifuji was the other standout performer of the previous tournament and he'll probably have his hands full this time.

Tier 3 (Q) - This may well be the most interesting group this time around, courtesy of Enho and Murata standing just outside the promotion zone and potentially only one small KK away from challenging for juryo spots in March. Perennial contender Hakuyozan is also back to single-digits yet again, hoping to finally break through. Last basho's sandanme playoff participants Tomokaze and Tsuyukusa both make their makushita debuts after receiving the usual sizable 7-0 boosts. Shikona change note: Kaiseio is now known as Kaisho.

Tier 4 (Q) - We've got no less than 6 rikishi in the top 15 ranks here, the most it's been since Aki 2016, with Wakamotoharu leading the way. At Ms6 he's unlikely to figure into the promotion race though, and all others would definitely need the zensho, so this should be a building block basho for our elder prospects. Once highly regarded collegiate prospect Chiyonoumi is second on the tier listing and at a career-best rank, and he'll be keen to continue to prove that his injury woes have not resulted in a loss of sekitori upside.

Edited March 5, 2018 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,760]

The Hatsu results round-up...

Tier 1:

With three of our top prospect at career-high positions, it was always going to be an uphill battle to kachikoshi this time. However, the actual path taken was rather surprising in the end, with both Shonannoumi and Kotokamatani picking up 4-bout losing streaks but still finishing with respectable 3-4 records. Shonannoumi looked pretty good opening up the basho with 3 straight wins, then just seemed to run into a bunch of opponents he's not quite equipped to handle yet, while Kotokamatani continued his pattern of looking physically overmatched against ríkishi he ought to be capable of dealing with.

In better news Hatsu basho was another strong tournament for Ryuko who easily cleared another KK record to run his debut streak to 6, and he'll now be passing Kotokamatani to become our official #2 prospect for the first time. Kirinoryu struggled to 3 wins in sandanme and looks like a Tier 2 guy in all but name by now, almost certainly unable to get into the conversation for the next youngest sekitori.
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Hatsu 2018 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Takagenji (1997/05/13, debut 2013.03, shin-juryo 2017.05)
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09	2017.11	2018.01
Shonannoumi	Takadagawa	1998/04/08 (3)	2014.03	Ms9	Ms40e 3-4	Ms48e 1-6	Sd23e 6-1	Ms44w 6-1	Ms18w 5-2	Ms9e 3-4
Kotokamatani	Sadogatake	1997/11/19 (4)	2015.11	Ms27	Sd3w 5-2	Ms46e 4-3	Ms36w 2-5	Ms53w 4-3	Ms45e 5-2	Ms27w 3-4
Ryuko	Onoe	1998/06/23 (2)	2017.01	Ms30	Jk15w 6-1	Jd31e 6-1	Sd66w 6-1	Sd11w 5-2	Ms50e 5-2	Ms30w 5-2
Kirinoryu	Michinoku	1997/06/13 (5)	2013.03	Ms52	Sd50e 5-2	Sd24e 5-2	Ms60e 4-3	Ms52w 1-6	Sd22w 4-3	Sd8e 3-4
Yokuyusei	Shibatayama	1998/09/10 (1)	2014.03	Ms58	Sd21w 5-2	Ms58e 2-5	Sd26w 0-0-7	Sd86w 0-0-7	Jd46w 0-0-7	Jk11w 0-0-7

Sadly, Yokuyusei decided to call it quits following (presumably) injury at just 19 years of age, so we've lost the currently youngest rikishi with makushita experience. However, a new age #1 has secured a surprising debut:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09	2017.11	2018.01
Tochikodai	Kasugano	1999/01/09	2017.03	Sd71	Mz 2-1	Jk12w 5-2	Jd70e 5-2	Jd27e 5-2	Sd90w 4-3	Sd71w 7-0 D

The lower half of sandanme has a habit of producing unexpected 7-0's, and like his predecessors Tochikodai will almost certainly also struggle in makushita. That said, the Hatsu bouts we have video for showed some remarkable patience for a new guy still in his first year as a pro, although it's clear that physically he's really not much more than a mid-sandanme rikishi at the moment, and I fear that his style of trying to outlast his opponents won't play very well after the jump up the rankings. In any case, while he's only 26 wins into his career so far and the usual caveats apply, it probably doesn't happen too often that somebody has okuridashi as his joint most frequent winning technique. All that aside, he has become the first 1999-born rikishi to reach makushita, beating out perennial contender Inoue who I actually had tabbed for those honours. 

Edited March 5, 2018 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Tier 2:

One of two surprise juryo promotions was secured in this section, courtesy of Takayoshitoshi grabbing one of the multitude of open slots available after Hatsu basho. He's now joining twin brother Takagenji up in the paid ranks, although it seems somewhat doubtful that he'll manage to stick. Still, congrats!

It was a rather middling tournament for our second-tier denizens altogether, with the highlight being Gokushindo's impressive 6-1 record, continuing his streak of alternating 6-win basho with makekoshi. I suppose any sort of continued advancement is good, although it definitely means he's constantly being challenged by opponents far beyond what he's experienced previously.

Four rikishi (aside from Takayoshitoshi) were at career-high ranks, and only Takakento managed to post a kachikoshi record. Midorifuji fell one win short, and his stablemate Nishikifuji was a victim of the flu going around Isegahama-beya and had to settle for a 1-win performance that included two missed matches. (He ought to be a good bet for a big Haru performance now.) Last not least, our makushita rookie Taichiyama who had a really tough time in his debut and ended up as the unfortunate sole 0-7 in the division. (In fact, it's his second 0-7 in the past year...) Time to regroup and stage a hopefully more successful second assault on division three.
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Hatsu 2018 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09	2017.11	2018.01
Takayoshitoshi	Takanohana	1997/05/13 (6)	2013.03	Ms7	Ms11e 2-5	Ms25e 4-3	Ms21e 4-3	Ms15w 4-3	Ms11w 4-3	Ms7e 5-2
Gokushindo	Nishikido	1996/06/06 (14)	2012.03	Ms12	Sd13w 6-1	Ms38e 6-1	Ms16e 2-5	Ms31w 6-1	Ms12w 3-4	Ms17w 6-1
Kiribayama	Michinoku	1996/04/24 (17)	2015.05	Ms10	Ms12w 3-4	Ms18e 6-1	Ms10e 3-4	Ms14w 0-1-6	Ms49w 6-1	Ms21w 4-3
Nishikifuji	Isegahama	1996/07/22 (11)	2016.09	Ms23	Sd19e 3-4	Sd38w 5-2	Sd13e 4-3	Sd2w 4-3	Ms52w 6-1	Ms23w 1-5-1
Takakento	Takanohana	1996/02/10 (18)	2014.01	Ms24	Sd8e 4-3	Ms59e 5-2	Ms39e 3-4	Ms48w 5-2	Ms34w 5-2	Ms24w 4-3
Oki	Shikoroyama	1996/06/12 (13)	2013.07	Ms25	Ms42w 3-4	Ms54w 4-3	Ms43w 4-3	Ms36e 5-2	Ms25e 3-4	Ms32w 2-5
Midorifuji	Isegahama	1996/08/30 (10)	2016.09	Ms39	Sd19w 5-2	Ms57w 4-3	Ms46w 3-4	Ms57e 4-3	Ms46e 4-3	Ms39e 3-4
Kaito	Asakayama	1996/06/19 (12)	2012.05	Ms20	Ms32w 5-2	Ms20e 2-5	Ms42w 5-2	Ms27w 4-3	Ms22e 2-5	Ms40e 4-3
Taichiyama	Chiganoura	1997/04/21 (7)	2013.03	Ms45	Sd55w 6-1	Sd3w 0-7	Sd53w 4-3	Sd35w 4-3	Sd24w 6-1	Ms45e 0-7
Nakazono	Nishonoseki	1996/05/18 (15)	2012.03	Ms11	Sd2w 6-1	Ms29e 6-1	Ms11w 0-0-7	Ms51w 4-3	Ms41w 3-4	Ms52w 4-3
Honda	Nishikido	1997/03/11 (8)	2012.03	Ms42	Ms52w 2-5	Sd17w 5-2	Ms54e 2-5	Sd20w 6-1	Ms42e 3-4	Ms54w 4-3
Onojo	Takadagawa	1996/01/31 (19)	2011.05	Ms60	Sd53w 5-2	Sd27e 3-4	Sd48e 3-4	Sd70e 4-3	Sd51e 5-2	Sd20w 4-3
Yamatoarashi	Shikoroyama	1996/05/11 (16)	2012.03	Ms49	Sd33e 4-3	Sd18w 4-3	Sd7e 5-2	Ms49e 3-4	Ms59w 2-5	Sd22w 4-3
Ohata	Tokitsukaze	1996/10/24 (9)	2014.11	Ms40	Sd32w 6-1	Ms49w 4-3	Ms40e 2-5	Sd1e 2-5	Sd24e 2-5	Sd50w 3-4

Takakento and Onojo have turned 22 and will have to continue in Tier 3. While Takakento looks like he may well be competing for juryo honours over the next two years, it would appear that the prospect shine has already come off Onojo.

No newcomers for Haru basho.

Edited March 5, 2018 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Tier 3:

The second unexpected juryo promotion was parcelled out among this group, and it turned out that there were actually three credible contenders based on the Hatsu results. In the end it was Enho who received the nod, leaving Hakuyozan and yusho winner Wakatakakage on the outside looking in.

The list of success stories beyond that trio wasn't overly long, unfortunately. The big news was arguably last basho's sandanme champion Tomokaze getting a very respectable 5-2 in mid-makushita, scoring much better than I thought he would. The road to juryo is still quite long, however, and I continue to have doubts about the viability of his sumo at higher ranks as it seriously has a "looks good only if his opponents let him get into it" vibe to it.

Fellow makushita debutant Kotoinagaki (he of the wrestling background) also had a decent basho and ended up rallying from 1-3 to kachikoshi during the second week, while more heralded ex-collegiate Tanabe had a rude 2-5 awakening and Polish-Japanese Tsuyukusa (Kyushu playoff runner-up to Tomokaze) struggled to a 1-5-1 record.

Former Ms18 Kaisho, freshly renamed from Kaiseio, has struggled over the last year and a bit and found himself back in sandanme for Hatsu, but took charge in the biggest way possible and collected the sandanme yusho. He'll now be returning to the area of his former top ranking position, hopefully to establish himself up there this time.

Tochiseiryu (6-1) and Aomihama (5-2) round out the list of good performances with scores that will send them to new career highs.
 

Heisei Hopefuls for Hatsu 2018 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09	2017.11	2018.01
Enho	Miyagino	1994/10/18 (35)	2017.03	Ms6	Mz 2-0	Jk9e 7-0 Y	Jd10e 7-0 Y	Sd18w 7-0 Y	Ms14w 5-2	Ms6e 4-3
Murata	Takasago	1994/08/08 (39)	2017.03	Ms8	Sd100Td 6-1	Sd39e 7-0 D	Ms27e 5-2	Ms16w 3-4	Ms22w 6-1	Ms8e 3-4
Hakuyozan	Takadagawa	1995/04/13 (26)	2011.05	Ms1	Ms11w 5-2	Ms7w 5-2	Ms4e 3-4	Ms8e 3-4	Ms13e 4-3	Ms8w 5-2
Kotokuzan	Arashio	1994/03/11 (49)	2009.09	Ms13	Ms50e 5-2	Ms37w 2-5	Ms59e 6-1	Ms28e 3-4	Ms34e 6-1	Ms13e 2-5
Wakatakakage	Arashio	1994/12/06 (29)	2017.03	Ms12	Sd100Td 5-2	Sd63w 7-0 Y	Ms38w 6-1	Ms16e 4-3	Ms12e 3-4	Ms17e 7-0 Y
Kotaro	Fujishima	1995/12/06 (20)	2014.01	Ms14	Ms25w 4-3	Ms19w 4-3	Ms15w 2-5	Ms30e 4-3	Ms24w 4-3	Ms19e 3-4
Asahiryu	Asahiyama	1995/04/22 (25)	2016.05	Ms23	Ms23e 3-4	Ms31w 4-3	Ms24e 3-4	Ms34e 5-2	Ms23e 3-4	Ms28e 3-4
Tomokaze	Oguruma	1994/12/02 (31)	2017.05	Ms31		Mz 3-0	Jk25e 7-0 Y	Jd15e 6-1	Sd53e 7-0 Y	Ms31e 5-2
Hamayutaka	Tokitsukaze	1995/11/17 (21)	2011.05	Ms17	Ms48w 4-3	Ms40w 6-1	Ms17e 3-4	Ms25w 4-3	Ms21e 2-5	Ms37w 4-3
Hokutokawa	Hakkaku	1994/08/15 (38)	2013.03	Ms31	Ms39e 3-4	Ms46w 5-2	Ms31e 3-4	Ms42w 2-5	Sd2w 5-2	Ms43w 2-5
Kirinofuji	Michinoku	1994/07/28 (40)	2011.01	Ms46	Sd14w 2-5	Sd44e 5-2	Sd17e 3-4	Sd41e 4-3	Sd27e 6-1	Ms46e 1-6
Tochiseiryu	Kasugano	1995/04/26 (24)	2014.03	Ms28	Sd24w 4-3	Sd11e 6-1	Ms35e 4-3	Ms28w 3-4	Ms35w 3-4	Ms47e 6-1
Musashikuni	Musashigawa	1994/12/17 (28)	2013.07	Ms26	Ms41w 3-4	Ms53e 2-5	Sd21w 4-3	Sd8e 4-3	Ms57e 4-3	Ms49e 3-4
Tsuyukusa	Otake	1994/12/06 (29)	2016.09	Ms51	Jd75w 5-2	Jd33e 7-0 D	Sd35w 3-4	Sd57w 2-5	Sd79w 7-0 D	Ms51e 1-5-1
Kotohayato	Sadogatake	1994/04/18 (47)	2010.03	Ms48	Sd31w 6-1	Ms48w 3-4	Ms58e 3-4	Sd14w 2-5	Sd39w 6-1	Ms53e 2-5
Tanabe	Kise	1994/05/12 (44)	2017.03	Ms55	Mz 2-0	Jk6e 6-1	Jd35e 6-1	Sd71w 6-1	Sd16w 5-2	Ms55e 2-5
Kotoinagaki	Sadogatake	1994/05/14 (43)	2016.03	Ms56	Sd37e 5-2	Sd9e 2-5	Sd40w 2-5	Sd72w 6-1	Sd17w 5-2	Ms56e 4-3
Hokutoshu	Hakkaku	1994/01/14 (51)	2012.03	Ms38	Sd16e 4-3	Sd4w 4-3	Ms54w 4-3	Ms47w 4-3	Ms38w 2-5	Ms59w 2-5
Aomihama	Dewanoumi	1994/10/27 (34)	2010.03	Ms48	Sd7e 4-3	Ms57e 2-5	Sd24w 5-2	Ms59w 4-3	Ms48w 3-4	Ms60e 5-2
Itadaki	Isenoumi	1994/09/05 (37)	2010.03	Ms56	Sd16w 5-2	Ms56w 2-5	Sd23w 5-2	Ms59e 3-4	Sd11w 4-3	Ms60w 3-4
Hatooka	Kise	1994/02/23 (50)	2016.03	Ms30	Ms36e 4-3	Ms30e 3-4	Ms41w 4-3	Ms33e 3-4	Ms41e 2-5	Sd3e 0-0-7
Tamakongo	Kataonami	1995/09/19 (23)	2014.03	Ms25	Sd35w 7-0 Y	Ms25w 0-7	Ms60w 1-6	Sd39w 6-1	Ms53e 3-4	Sd5w 2-5
Saidaiji	Irumagawa	1994/06/09 (42)	2013.01	Ms47	Sd49w 4-3	Sd33w 2-5	Sd64e 6-1	Sd9w 5-2	Ms47w 2-5	Sd7e 3-4
Kaisho	Asakayama	1995/01/28 (27)	2013.03	Ms18	Ms46w 5-2	Ms35w 2-5	Ms55w 5-2	Ms37e 2-5	Ms56e 3-4	Sd8w 7-0 Y
Chiyonokatsu	Kokonoe	1994/04/13 (48)	2013.03	Ms57	Sd22w 4-3	Sd8w 2-5	Sd38e 5-2	Sd12w 3-4	Sd26e 4-3	Sd10w 4-3
Matsuda	Minezaki	1994/09/19 (36)	2013.03	Ms53	Sd96e 3-4	Jd21e 4-3	Jd1w 4-3	Sd82e 7-0 D	Ms53w 0-7	Sd28w 4-3
Yutakasho	Sakaigawa	1994/11/19 (32)	2013.03	Ms49	Sd12w 3-4	Sd32w 6-1	Ms49w 2-5	Sd15e 4-3	Sd3e 2-5	Sd32w 3-4
Fukamiyama	Onoe	1994/11/12 (33)	2010.03	Ms47	Ms47e 2-5	Sd12e 4-3	Sd1w 3-4	Sd19e 4-3	Sd7e 2-5	Sd36w 6-1
Kotonoshu	Sadogatake	1994/07/01 (41)	2010.03	Ms53	Sd4e 1-5-1	Sd40w 5-2	Sd15e 3-1-3	Sd35e 4-3	Sd23w 3-4	Sd41w 6-1
Nishiyama	Onoe	1994/04/27 (46)	2010.03	Ms22	Sd17w 4-3	Ms60w 4-3	Ms50e 3-4	Sd4w 3-4	Sd14e 1-6	Sd51e 0-1-6
Baraki	Shikihide	1994/05/10 (45)	2013.01	Ms58	Sd45e 3-4	Sd65w 3-4	Sd84w 5-2	Sd49w 4-3	Sd31w 2-5	Sd62w 6-1
Shuji	Kise	1995/10/24 (22)	2014.03	Ms54	Ms54w 1-5-1	Sd23e 3-4	Sd46e 4-3	Sd33w 3-4	Sd47w 0-0-7	Jd8e 0-0-7

Hokutoshu and Hatooka have been dismissed from the prospect club, both having fallen far short of the Ms15 target that would have allowed them to continue on in Tier 4. It also looks rather doubtful that either will be able to get there during the next two years.

One new entrant is joining us:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2017.03	2017.05	2017.07	2017.09	2017.11	2018.01
Fukuyama	Fujishima	1995/03/23	2017.03	Sd2	Mz 2-0	Jk3w 6-1	Jd33e 6-1	Sd68w 6-1	Sd13e 4-3	Sd2w 4-3

Not much to say here - if you've been following the lower divisions over the past year, you've seen his name crop up frequently alongside those of fellow collegiate rookies Enho and Tanabe. Sized much like Enho but not quite blessed with the same talent, Fukuyama's always good for an entertaining bout but the wall has been calling his name during the last two tournaments, to be frank, so just making makushita at this point arguably counts as success.