Heisei Hopefuls - prospect watch

[Pikenoyama 27]

And lastly, Tier 3

This time "not so shining" Tier 3 consisted of both Makushita (Asahisho) and Sandanme (Karatsuumi) Yusho winners with Asahisho moving to sekitorihood. Well done (In a state of confusion...) .

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Getting this back towards the present time...

Aki results for Tier 1:

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2011 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Chiyoarashi (1991/07/12, debut 2007.03, shin-juryo 2011.09)
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2010.09	2010.11	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09
Chiyootori	Kokonoe	1992/10/11 (3)	2008.05	Ms12	Sd35w 5-2	Sd8w 6-1	Ms32e 3-4	Ms39w 6-1	Ms12e 3-4	Ms15e 5-2
Saishin	Chiganoura	1991/11/12 (8)	2010.01	Ms33	Sd34e 6-1	Ms50e 2-5	Sd15e 6-1	Ms36w 0-0-7	Sd11e 6-1	Ms33e 4-3
Matsumoto	Shikoroyama	1992/03/10 (4)	2007.03	Ms36	Sd22w 4-3	Sd10w 4-3	Ms59w 4-3	Ms49w 3-4	Ms52e 5-2	Ms36e 4-3
Hakunishiki	Kasugayama	1992/01/13 (5)	2007.03	Ms38	Sd73w 4-3	Sd55e 4-3	Sd36w 4-3	Sd20w 5-2	Ms47e 4-3	Ms38w 2-5
Kotofukuju	Sadogatake	1991/12/14 (6)	2007.03	Ms46	Sd2w 3-4	Sd15w 3-4	Sd30e 2-5	Sd58e 6-1	Ms55e 4-3	Ms46e 2-5
Tatsu	Takadagawa	1994/06/01 (1)	2010.03	Ms53	Sd84e 6-1	Sd25e 4-3	Sd11w 2-5	Sd37e 4-3	Sd12e 5-2	Ms53e 4-3
Kotoeko	Sadogatake	1991/11/20 (7)	2007.03	Ms54	Sd27e 3-4	Sd40w 3-4	Sd61e 4-3	Sd45w 5-2	Sd5w 4-3	Ms54w 2-5
Chiyoshoma	Kokonoe	1991/07/20 (9)	2009.05	Ms56	Sd80e 2-5	Jd6e 5-2	Sd72w 4-3	Sd55e 5-2	Sd13e 5-2	Ms56e 3-4
Akinokawa	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (2)	2008.03	Ms55	Sd16e 3-4	Sd30e 5-2	Sd5w 4-3	Ms55w 3-4	Ms58e 3-4	Sd8w 3-4

Very nice result by Chiyootori who didn't take long to get acclimated at the makushita-joi level. Tatsu's KK in his makushita debut was also nice to see.

[shumitto 418]

Thank you for updating this very good topic. With the late "heat the wall" bringing us only so far, it is good to have some other way to follow young talents.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

The U-21 section...

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2011 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2010.09	2010.11	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09
Ryuden	Takadagawa	1990/11/10 (16)	2006.03	Ms9	Ms39e 3-4	Ms46e 5-2	Ms33e 4-3	Ms27e 4-3	Ms14w 3-4	Ms17w 5-2
Chiyomaru	Kokonoe	1991/04/17 (13)	2007.05	Ms21	Sd15w 5-2	Ms54e 3-4	Sd7w 4-3	Ms57e 5-2	Ms28e 4-3	Ms21e 5-2
Kawanari	Oguruma	1991/07/07 (10)	2007.03	Ms23	Ms51e 4-3	Ms42e 3-4	Ms51e 3-4	Ms59w 4-3	Ms38e 5-2	Ms23e 2-5
Takageppo	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (21)	2009.01	Ms27	Ms58e 3-4	Sd11w 6-1	Ms35e 1-6	Sd1e 4-3	Ms40e 5-2	Ms27w 5-2
Kei	Onomatsu	1990/03/10 (24)	2008.01	Ms16	Sd5e 5-2	Ms44e 5-2	Ms30w 3-4	Ms37w 5-2	Ms16e 2-5	Ms28e 4-3
Kumagai	Isenoumi	1990/08/25 (18)	2006.03	Ms14	Ms31w 3-4	Ms37e 6-1 D	Ms14w 3-4	Ms22w 3-4	Ms22w 2-5	Ms35w 4-3
Chiyoo	Kokonoe	1991/05/29 (12)	2010.03	Ms36	Jd40w 5-2	Jd3e 5-2	Sd66w 3-4	Sd82e 6-1	Sd14e 6-1	Ms36w 5-2
Kairyu	Tagonoura	1990/03/01 (25)	2005.03	Ms29	Sd15e 5-2	Ms53w 4-3	Ms45w 3-4	Ms53w 4-3	Ms33e 3-4	Ms39e 5-2
Takatoshi	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (21)	2009.01	Ms23	Ms23e 2-5	Ms33e 3-4	Ms39w 2-5	Ms55e 3-4	Ms57w 5-2	Ms40e 5-2
Mankajo	Kasugayama	1990/02/10 (27)	2005.03	Ms34	Ms37e 1-6	Sd7e 2-5	Sd31w 5-2	Sd5w 5-2	Ms34w 3-4	Ms41w 3-4
Sasakiyama	Kitanoumi	1991/06/12 (11)	2010.01	Ms42	Sd11w 4-3	Ms60w 5-2	Ms46w 1-6	Sd13w 4-3	Ms50w 4-3	Ms42e 4-3
Kotokobai	Sadogatake	1991/03/31 (14)	2006.03	Ms51	Sd19e 4-3	Sd6w 3-4	Sd23e 3-4	Sd40e 5-2	Sd2w 4-3	Ms51e 4-3
Amatsu	Onomatsu	1990/04/03 (23)	2009.01	Ms37	Sd42e 6-1	Ms54w 3-4	Sd9w 4-3	Ms58w 4-3	Ms37e 2-5	Ms55e 4-3
Hokuoryu	Nakamura	1990/08/21 (19)	2006.03	Ms46	Sd12e 3-4	Sd27e 6-1	Ms46e 2-5	Sd3w 2-5	Sd11w 4-3	Ms58w 1-6
Komanokuni	Shibatayama	1990/06/29 (20)	2006.03	Ms56	Sd64e 6-1	Sd9w 1-6	Sd47e 5-2	Sd18w 4-3	Ms56e 3-4	Sd5w 3-4
Kyokutaisei	Oshima	1989/10/18 (28)	2008.01	Ms54	Ms54w 1-6	Sd24e 3-4	Sd41w 4-3	Sd27w 5-2	Ms55w 2-5	Sd17w 4-3
Masumiura	Mihogaseki	1990/10/25 (17)	2006.03	Ms46	Sd59w 4-3	Sd43e 5-2	Sd21w 4-3	Sd8w 4-3	Ms46w 0-7	Sd19w 4-3
Takanoiwa	Takanohana	1990/02/26 (26)	2008.11	Ms13	Ms19e 3-4	Ms24w 4-3	Ms21e 3-4	Ms30w 1-2-4	Ms44w 0-0-7	Sd22w 6-1
Kotokensei	Sadogatake	1991/01/06 (15)	2006.03	Ms50	Sd26e 3-4	Sd40e 0-0-7	Jd1e 6-1	Sd39e 5-2	Sd2e 1-6	Sd33e 5-2

An extremely successful basho here in the middle tier with 15 out of 19 rikishi finishing kachikoshi, foremost the 5-2's by Chiyomaru, Takageppo and Chiyoo at their career-high ranks, but also notable are the career-high 4-3 by Sasakiyama and Kotokobai, the latter in his shin-makushita basho.

This tier sees one departure and one new arrival - Kyokutaisei turned 22 after Aki basho and gets moved down to Tier 3, while Sakaigawa heavyweight Isamizuki sneaks just barely into makushita to make his debut:

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2011 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2010.09	2010.11	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09
Isamizuki	Sakaigawa	1990/02/07	2008.03	Sd35	Sd87w 3-4	Jd5w 5-2	Sd70w 1-6	Jd6w 6-1	Sd35e 3-4	Sd48e 6-1

[Asashosakari 18,786]

And the third tier where, as Pikenoyama noted about one moon ago, the most decisive action of Aki basho was to be found:

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2011 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2010.09	2010.11	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09
Asahisho	Oshima	1989/07/21 (30)	2005.03	Ms10	Ms32e 3-4	Ms37w 5-2	Ms24w 4-3	Ms21e 4-3	Ms10w 3-4	Ms12w 7-0Y
Tochiyashiki	Kasugano	1989/07/07 (33)	2008.03	Ms9	Ms32w 6-1	Ms12e 3-4	Ms18e 5-2	Ms9w 3-4	Ms11e 3-4	Ms13w 4-3
Ryuonami	Tatsunami	1987/09/12 (52)	2010.03	Ms15	Sd25e 5-2	Ms59w 3-4	Sd14e 5-2	Ms50w 5-2	Ms21w 4-3	Ms15w 3-4
Higoarashi	Kise	1989/08/20 (29)	2006.05	Ms16	Sd29w 4-3	Sd17e 5-2	Ms55e 4-3	Ms47w 4-3	Ms29e 5-2	Ms16e 3-4
Dewahayate	Dewanoumi	1989/01/31 (36)	2004.03	Ms19	Ms50w 3-4	Sd1e 3-4	Sd17w 4-3	Sd4w 5-2	Ms33w 5-2	Ms19w 3-4
Byakko	Nakamura	1989/07/11 (31)	2005.03	Ms13	Ms59e 4-3	Ms49e 2-5	Sd13w 7-0 Y	Ms13e 2-5	Ms17e 3-4	Ms21w 3-4
Seiro	Shikoroyama	1988/08/18 (41)	2005.07	Ms22	Ms46w 5-2	Ms30w 4-3	Ms25e 3-4	Ms33w 2-5	Ms37w 5-2	Ms22e 3-4
Nankairiki	Kitanoumi	1987/10/16 (51)	2003.03	Ms23	Ms56e 5-2	Ms36e 2-5	Ms58e 4-3	Ms49e 4-3	Ms31e 4-3	Ms23w 4-3
Fukugoriki	Arashio	1988/03/02 (46)	2005.11	Ms22	Ms49w 4-3	Ms39w 3-4	Ms47e 4-3	Ms41e 4-3	Ms22e 3-4	Ms27e 2-5
Tochinohama	Kasugano	1989/01/29 (37)	2007.03	Ms30	Ms47w 4-3	Ms38e 1-6	Sd12w 4-3	Ms60e 4-3	Ms39e 4-3	Ms30w 3-4
Migikataagari	Otake	1988/06/08 (44)	2004.03	Ms31	Sd10e 4-3	Ms59e 5-2	Ms44w 4-3	Ms38e 3-4	Ms39w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4
Kagamio	Kagamiyama	1988/02/09 (48)	2003.07	Ms9	Ms25e 4-3	Ms18e 5-2	Ms9w 1-6	Ms28w 3-4	Ms28w 2-5	Ms42w 6-1
Rendaiyama	Kitanoumi	1988/01/12 (50)	2006.03	Ms36	Sd5w 1-6	Sd38e 4-3	Sd24w 4-3	Sd11e 5-2	Ms36w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3
Mugendai	Musashigawa	1989/01/21 (38)	2004.05	Ms35	Ms35w 2-5	Ms52e 3-4	Sd4w 2-5	Sd26e 4-3	Sd3e 5-2	Ms45e 5-2
Daiseiho	Shibatayama	1988/11/27 (39)	2008.01	Ms56	Sd36e 5-2	Sd11e 1-6	Sd48w 4-3	Sd34e 4-3	Sd7w 4-3	Ms56w 3-4
Tokizakura	Nakamura	1989/07/10 (32)	2005.03	Ms35	Ms51w 3-4	Sd3e 4-3	Ms54e 2-5	Sd12w 3-4	Sd12w 4-3	Ms59e 4-3
Okinofuji	Hakkaku	1988/01/26 (49)	2006.03	Ms51	Sd26w 4-3	Sd14w 2-5	Sd40e 3-4	Sd57w 6-1	Ms54w 3-4	Sd2w 4-3
Asabenkei	Takasago	1989/02/12 (35)	2007.03	Ms40	Sd21w 6-1	Ms40e 1-6	Sd16w 5-2	Ms54e 0-1-6	Sd29e 5-2	Sd3w 4-3
Tamadaiki	Kataonami	1988/11/02 (40)	2007.03	Ms24	Ms48e 2-5	Sd9e 5-2	Ms50e 2-5	Sd7w 0-0-7	Sd62e 6-1	Sd5e 4-3
Genkaiho	Otake	1988/04/15 (45)	2004.03	Ms58	Sd50w 4-3	Sd35e 5-2	Sd10w 2-5	Sd36e 5-2	Ms58w 3-4	Sd10w 4-3
Karatsuumi	Tamanoi	1988/08/03 (42)	2004.03	Ms31	Ms41w 2-5	Sd2w 2-5	Sd28e 1-6	Sd67e 4-3	Sd39w 5-2	Sd11w 7-0Y
Otakayama	Takadagawa	1988/07/04 (43)	2004.03	Ms56	Sd33w 2-5	Sd58e 2-5	Sd87e 6-1	Sd30w 5-2	Ms56w 2-5	Sd18w 5-2
Kaorufuji	Mihogaseki	1988/02/28 (47)	2003.03	Ms59	Sd70e 5-2	Sd41e 4-3	Sd25w 5-2	Ms59e 1-6	Sd15e 3-4	Sd26w 3-4
Daikamifusa	Asahiyama	1989/05/30 (34)	2005.03	Ms46	Sd23e 3-4	Sd38w 6-1	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 0-0-7	Sd21e 2-5	Sd47e 4-3

Belated congratulations are in order to Asahisho for securing his juryo promotion in style with the makushita yusho. Not bad for somebody who still went 3-4 in mid-makushita only a year before. Beyond him the higher-ranked members of this section didn't fare too well, with nearly everyone down to Ms31 finishing with just three wins. That's going to catapult Kagamio way up the list with his 6-1 thanks to so many others moving the opposite direction. But even his next rank will be exceeded by sandanme yusho winner Karatsuumi - an interesting conclusion to five basho in the sandanme wilderness for the former Ms31.

Here too we have some changes, beyond Asahisho's graduation; Ryuonami and Nankairiki have turned 24, moving out of this thread's purview, although both don't have the worst chances to still make juryo at some point. One new entrant reinforces the ranks:

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2011 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2010.09	2010.11	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09
Hokudozan	Hakkaku	1988/10/24	2007.03	Sd37	Jd5e 4-3	Sd87w 5-2	Sd53e 4-3	Sd37w 1-1-5	Sd61e 4-3	Sd42w 6-1

[Asashosakari 18,786]

And with that out of the way here are the Aki lineups. The top tier...no major positional movements, including an unchanged top 3. Chiyootori steadily moves towards the promotion zone:

Heisei Hopefuls for Kyushu 2011 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Chiyoarashi (1991/07/12, debut 2007.03, shin-juryo 2011.09)
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2010.11	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11
● 0	Chiyootori	Kokonoe	1992/10/11 (3)	2008.05	Ms7	Sd8w 6-1	Ms32e 3-4	Ms39w 6-1	Ms12e 3-4	Ms15e 5-2	Ms7w
● 0	Saishin	Chiganoura	1991/11/12 (8)	2010.01	Ms29	Ms50e 2-5	Sd15e 6-1	Ms36w 0-0-7	Sd11e 6-1	Ms33e 4-3	Ms29e
● 0	Matsumoto	Shikoroyama	1992/03/10 (4)	2007.03	Ms32	Sd10w 4-3	Ms59w 4-3	Ms49w 3-4	Ms52e 5-2	Ms36e 4-3	Ms32e
▲ 2	Tatsu	Takadagawa	1994/06/01 (1)	2010.03	Ms46	Sd25e 4-3	Sd11w 2-5	Sd37e 4-3	Sd12e 5-2	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e
▼ 1	Hakunishiki	Kasugayama	1992/01/13 (5)	2007.03	Ms38	Sd55e 4-3	Sd36w 4-3	Sd20w 5-2	Ms47e 4-3	Ms38w 2-5	Ms52e
▲ 2	Chiyoshoma	Kokonoe	1991/07/20 (9)	2009.05	Ms56	Jd6e 5-2	Sd72w 4-3	Sd55e 5-2	Sd13e 5-2	Ms56e 3-4	Sd8w
▼ 2	Kotofukuju	Sadogatake	1991/12/14 (6)	2007.03	Ms46	Sd15w 3-4	Sd30e 2-5	Sd58e 6-1	Ms55e 4-3	Ms46e 2-5	Sd9e
▼ 1	Kotoeko	Sadogatake	1991/11/20 (7)	2007.03	Ms54	Sd40w 3-4	Sd61e 4-3	Sd45w 5-2	Sd5w 4-3	Ms54w 2-5	Sd19w
● 0	Akinokawa	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (2)	2008.03	Ms55	Sd30e 5-2	Sd5w 4-3	Ms55w 3-4	Ms58e 3-4	Sd8w 3-4	Sd25e

---

Tier 2, also without a whole lot of changes in the upper half. Derailed former

Edited December 13, 2011 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Time to get back on track...Kyushu results for Tier 1:

Heisei Hopefuls for Kyushu 2011 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Chiyoarashi (1991/07/12, debut 2007.03, shin-juryo 2011.09)
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2010.11	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11
Chiyootori	Kokonoe	1992/10/11 (3)	2008.05	Ms7	Sd8w 6-1	Ms32e 3-4	Ms39w 6-1	Ms12e 3-4	Ms15e 5-2	Ms7w 6-1 D
Saishin	Chiganoura	1991/11/12 (8)	2010.01	Ms29	Ms50e 2-5	Sd15e 6-1	Ms36w 0-0-7	Sd11e 6-1	Ms33e 4-3	Ms29e 5-2
Matsumoto	Shikoroyama	1992/03/10 (4)	2007.03	Ms32	Sd10w 4-3	Ms59w 4-3	Ms49w 3-4	Ms52e 5-2	Ms36e 4-3	Ms32e 4-3
Tatsu	Takadagawa	1994/06/01 (1)	2010.03	Ms46	Sd25e 4-3	Sd11w 2-5	Sd37e 4-3	Sd12e 5-2	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 4-3
Hakunishiki	Kasugayama	1992/01/13 (5)	2007.03	Ms38	Sd55e 4-3	Sd36w 4-3	Sd20w 5-2	Ms47e 4-3	Ms38w 2-5	Ms52e 3-4
Chiyoshoma	Kokonoe	1991/07/20 (9)	2009.05	Ms56	Jd6e 5-2	Sd72w 4-3	Sd55e 5-2	Sd13e 5-2	Ms56e 3-4	Sd8w 3-4
Kotofukuju	Sadogatake	1991/12/14 (6)	2007.03	Ms46	Sd15w 3-4	Sd30e 2-5	Sd58e 6-1	Ms55e 4-3	Ms46e 2-5	Sd9e 6-1
Kotoeko	Sadogatake	1991/11/20 (7)	2007.03	Ms54	Sd40w 3-4	Sd61e 4-3	Sd45w 5-2	Sd5w 4-3	Ms54w 2-5	Sd19w 3-4
Akinokawa	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (2)	2008.03	Ms55	Sd30e 5-2	Sd5w 4-3	Ms55w 3-4	Ms58e 3-4	Sd8w 3-4	Sd25e 5-2

Great results for the most promising youngsters in Ozumo with nobody scoring worse than 3-4, and the top 4 even finishing KK at career-high ranks. After graduating Chiyoarashi and Kotoyuki to the sekitori ranks earlier this year (and losing a few promising rikishi to Tier 2 due to the changed yardstick) we're still a bit barebones for upper-makushita talent here, with the notable exception of Chiyootori of course - and if he earns himself a kesho in January, this tier could soon become the Tatsu Show as there won't be many younger rikishi left.

We do get to welcome one very young shin-makushita for Hatsu, along with a rather notable recent foreign entrant:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2010.11	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11
Tsurubayashi	Kitanoumi	1993/12/31	2009.03	Sd27	Sd67e 4-3	Sd50e 2-5	Sd77w 5-2	Sd32w 2-5	Sd57e 5-2	Sd27w 6-1
Wakamisho	Magaki	1991/11/29	2011.01	Sd93			Mz 2-0	Jk3e 5-2	Jd59w 6-1	Sd93e 7-0 D

Tsurubayashi hasn't burned up the rankings on his way up, but he's notable for avoiding back-to-back MK so far, so he has yet to spend significant time stuck in any banzuke region. The 6-1 in Kyushu was the first six-win record of his career.

Wakamisho probably doesn't need much introduction at this point, thanks to Nishinoshima. :-) Should be interesting to see how he copes with the much stiffer competition in low makushita compared to low sandanme.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Kyushu results Tier 2:

Heisei Hopefuls for Kyushu 2011 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2010.11	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11
Ryuden	Takadagawa	1990/11/10 (16)	2006.03	Ms8	Ms46e 5-2	Ms33e 4-3	Ms27e 4-3	Ms14w 3-4	Ms17w 5-2	Ms8w 4-3
Chiyomaru	Kokonoe	1991/04/17 (13)	2007.05	Ms13	Ms54e 3-4	Sd7w 4-3	Ms57e 5-2	Ms28e 4-3	Ms21e 5-2	Ms13e 2-5
Takageppo	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (21)	2009.01	Ms17	Sd11w 6-1	Ms35e 1-6	Sd1e 4-3	Ms40e 5-2	Ms27w 5-2	Ms17w 2-4-1
Kei	Onomatsu	1990/03/10 (24)	2008.01	Ms16	Ms44e 5-2	Ms30w 3-4	Ms37w 5-2	Ms16e 2-5	Ms28e 4-3	Ms22w 5-2
Chiyoo	Kokonoe	1991/05/29 (12)	2010.03	Ms25	Jd3e 5-2	Sd66w 3-4	Sd82e 6-1	Sd14e 6-1	Ms36w 5-2	Ms25e 3-4
Kairyu	Tagonoura	1990/03/01 (25)	2005.03	Ms29	Ms53w 4-3	Ms45w 3-4	Ms53w 4-3	Ms33e 3-4	Ms39e 5-2	Ms30e 3-4
Kumagai	Isenoumi	1990/08/25 (18)	2006.03	Ms14	Ms37e 6-1 D	Ms14w 3-4	Ms22w 3-4	Ms22w 2-5	Ms35w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4
Takatoshi	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (21)	2009.01	Ms23	Ms33e 3-4	Ms39w 2-5	Ms55e 3-4	Ms57w 5-2	Ms40e 5-2	Ms31w 2-5
Kawanari	Oguruma	1991/07/07 (10)	2007.03	Ms23	Ms42e 3-4	Ms51e 3-4	Ms59w 4-3	Ms38e 5-2	Ms23e 2-5	Ms33w 4-3
Sasakiyama	Kitanoumi	1991/06/12 (11)	2010.01	Ms36	Ms60w 5-2	Ms46w 1-6	Sd13w 4-3	Ms50w 4-3	Ms42e 4-3	Ms36w 4-3
Takanoiwa	Takanohana	1990/02/26 (26)	2008.11	Ms13	Ms24w 4-3	Ms21e 3-4	Ms30w 1-2-4	Ms44w 0-0-7	Sd22w 6-1	Ms42e 6-1 D
Kotokobai	Sadogatake	1991/03/31 (14)	2006.03	Ms42	Sd6w 3-4	Sd23e 3-4	Sd40e 5-2	Sd2w 4-3	Ms51e 4-3	Ms42w 5-2
Mankajo	Kasugayama	1990/02/10 (27)	2005.03	Ms34	Sd7e 2-5	Sd31w 5-2	Sd5w 5-2	Ms34w 3-4	Ms41w 3-4	Ms48w 5-2
Amatsu	Onomatsu	1990/04/03 (23)	2009.01	Ms37	Ms54w 3-4	Sd9w 4-3	Ms58w 4-3	Ms37e 2-5	Ms55e 4-3	Ms49e 4-3
Isamizuki	Sakaigawa	1990/02/07 (28)	2008.03	Ms58	Jd5w 5-2	Sd70w 1-6	Jd6w 6-1	Sd35e 3-4	Sd48e 6-1	Ms58w 2-5
Masumiura	Mihogaseki	1990/10/25 (17)	2006.03	Ms46	Sd43e 5-2	Sd21w 4-3	Sd8w 4-3	Ms46w 0-7	Sd19w 4-3	Sd6e 4-3
Kotokensei	Sadogatake	1991/01/06 (15)	2006.03	Ms50	Sd40e 0-0-7	Jd1e 6-1	Sd39e 5-2	Sd2e 1-6	Sd33e 5-2	Sd10e 2-5
Komanokuni	Shibatayama	1990/06/29 (20)	2006.03	Ms56	Sd9w 1-6	Sd47e 5-2	Sd18w 4-3	Ms56e 3-4	Sd5w 3-4	Sd20w 4-3
Hokuoryu	Nakamura	1990/08/21 (19)	2006.03	Ms46	Sd27e 6-1	Ms46e 2-5	Sd3w 2-5	Sd11w 4-3	Ms58w 1-6	Sd32w 4-3

A good end to Ryuden's year, and perhaps 2012 will finally be his breakout year after 2011 was spent mostly reversing the effects of his injury-marred 2010. Not so good Kyushu results for the rest of the upper-rankers, except for Onomatsu deshi Kei who himself has been no stranger to injuries.

The lower half of the table on the other hand put up a bunch of strong results, led by Takanoiwa's 6-1 playoff appearance. It has been two full years since he reached his career-high rank of Ms13 (after a 7-0 sandanme yusho), and getting back close to it for Hatsu perhaps he can now lead the attack on greater heights. Several of the youngest rikishi in this tier achieved a mid-ranked KK with heavyweight Kawanari, high school hope Sasakiyama and Sadogatake's Kotokobai (who has yet to go MK in makushita).

Tier 2 also sees a new entrant for 2012:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2010.11	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11
Daishoiwa	Oitekaze	1990/10/29	2006.03	Sd13	Sd43w 3-4	Sd63w 5-2	Sd34w 3-4	Sd38e 4-3	Sd24w 4-3	Sd13e 5-2

Not an overly prospecty career path for Daishoiwa so far - he had his sandanme debut shortly before his 18th birthday, and struggled with the level for the first year. After getting established he has now taken another two years to get through the division, which admittedly is a respectable speed, and stranger things have happened than a 21-year-old makushita debutant going on to sekitori status eventually. He is pretty much youngster-gashira for Oitekaze-beya; heya rikishi ahead of him include only the veteran trio of Kokkai, Hamanishiki and Takateru, the latter being the youngest at soon-to-be 28 years of age.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

And Tier 3's Kyushu exploits:

Heisei Hopefuls for Kyushu 2011 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2010.11	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11
Tochiyashiki	Kasugano	1989/07/07 (33)	2008.03	Ms9	Ms12e 3-4	Ms18e 5-2	Ms9w 3-4	Ms11e 3-4	Ms13w 4-3	Ms9w 4-3
Karatsuumi	Tamanoi	1988/08/03 (43)	2004.03	Ms12	Sd2w 2-5	Sd28e 1-6	Sd67e 4-3	Sd39w 5-2	Sd11w 7-0Y	Ms12w 3-4
Kagamio	Kagamiyama	1988/02/09 (49)	2003.07	Ms9	Ms18e 5-2	Ms9w 1-6	Ms28w 3-4	Ms28w 2-5	Ms42w 6-1	Ms17e 4-3
Higoarashi	Kise	1989/08/20 (30)	2006.05	Ms16	Sd17e 5-2	Ms55e 4-3	Ms47w 4-3	Ms29e 5-2	Ms16e 3-4	Ms22e 3-4
Dewahayate	Dewanoumi	1989/01/31 (36)	2004.03	Ms19	Sd1e 3-4	Sd17w 4-3	Sd4w 5-2	Ms33w 5-2	Ms19w 3-4	Ms24w 4-3
Byakko	Nakamura	1989/07/11 (31)	2005.03	Ms13	Ms49e 2-5	Sd13w 7-0 Y	Ms13e 2-5	Ms17e 3-4	Ms21w 3-4	Ms28e 3-4
Seiro	Shikoroyama	1988/08/18 (42)	2005.07	Ms22	Ms30w 4-3	Ms25e 3-4	Ms33w 2-5	Ms37w 5-2	Ms22e 3-4	Ms28w 3-4
Mugendai	Musashigawa	1989/01/21 (38)	2004.05	Ms35	Ms52e 3-4	Sd4w 2-5	Sd26e 4-3	Sd3e 5-2	Ms45e 5-2	Ms35e 1-6
Tochinohama	Kasugano	1989/01/29 (37)	2007.03	Ms30	Ms38e 1-6	Sd12w 4-3	Ms60e 4-3	Ms39e 4-3	Ms30w 3-4	Ms37e 5-2
Migikataagari	Otake	1988/06/08 (45)	2004.03	Ms31	Ms59e 5-2	Ms44w 4-3	Ms38e 3-4	Ms39w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4	Ms38e 3-4
Rendaiyama	Kitanoumi	1988/01/12 (51)	2006.03	Ms36	Sd38e 4-3	Sd24w 4-3	Sd11e 5-2	Ms36w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3	Ms38w 3-4
Fukugoriki	Arashio	1988/03/02 (47)	2005.11	Ms22	Ms39w 3-4	Ms47e 4-3	Ms41e 4-3	Ms22e 3-4	Ms27e 2-5	Ms41w 4-3
Tokizakura	Nakamura	1989/07/10 (32)	2005.03	Ms35	Sd3e 4-3	Ms54e 2-5	Sd12w 3-4	Sd12w 4-3	Ms59e 4-3	Ms50w 2-5
Okinofuji	Hakkaku	1988/01/26 (50)	2006.03	Ms51	Sd14w 2-5	Sd40e 3-4	Sd57w 6-1	Ms54w 3-4	Sd2w 4-3	Ms53w 6-1 D
Hokudozan	Hakkaku	1988/10/24 (41)	2007.03	Ms55	Sd87w 5-2	Sd53e 4-3	Sd37w 1-1-5	Sd61e 4-3	Sd42w 6-1	Ms55e 2-5
Asabenkei	Takasago	1989/02/12 (35)	2007.03	Ms40	Ms40e 1-6	Sd16w 5-2	Ms54e 0-1-6	Sd29e 5-2	Sd3w 4-3	Ms56e 4-3
Tamadaiki	Kataonami	1988/11/02 (40)	2007.03	Ms24	Sd9e 5-2	Ms50e 2-5	Sd7w 0-0-7	Sd62e 6-1	Sd5e 4-3	Ms57e 5-2
Otakayama	Takadagawa	1988/07/04 (44)	2004.03	Ms56	Sd58e 2-5	Sd87e 6-1	Sd30w 5-2	Ms56w 2-5	Sd18w 5-2	Ms58e 3-4
Genkaiho	Otake	1988/04/15 (46)	2004.03	Ms58	Sd35e 5-2	Sd10w 2-5	Sd36e 5-2	Ms58w 3-4	Sd10w 4-3	Ms60e 4-3
Kyokutaisei	Oshima	1989/10/18 (29)	2008.01	Ms54	Sd24e 3-4	Sd41w 4-3	Sd27w 5-2	Ms55w 2-5	Sd17w 4-3	Sd4w 5-2
Daiseiho	Shibatayama	1988/11/27 (39)	2008.01	Ms56	Sd11e 1-6	Sd48w 4-3	Sd34e 4-3	Sd7w 4-3	Ms56w 3-4	Sd10w 4-3
Daikamifusa	Asahiyama	1989/05/30 (34)	2005.03	Ms46	Sd38w 6-1	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 0-0-7	Sd21e 2-5	Sd47e 4-3	Sd31e 3-4
Kaorufuji	Mihogaseki	1988/02/28 (48)	2003.03	Ms59	Sd41e 4-3	Sd25w 5-2	Ms59e 1-6	Sd15e 3-4	Sd26w 3-4	Sd42e 4-3

Tochiyashiki makes it 3-for-3 in kachikoshi by our tier-leading members, and will have a good chance to break into the promotion zone with another KK in January. Karatsuumi wasn't quite able to follow up on his sandanme yusho with another KK, but the more important measure is of course whether he'll be able to establish himself at this level now, or just become another of those 7-0 guys who score 3-4, 2-5, 3-4 to go right back to the Ms/Sd border. Kagamio will take back second place in this tier (a position he already held in Hatsu 2011) courtesy of his 4-3; if he's fully over the injuries that derailed him earlier this year he may be able to make a serious push for juryodom in the coming year.

This tier also had a rikishi in the big Kyushu makushita playoff, and I somehow doubt that anybody would have tabbed Okinofuji for it, considering he was nearly at his career-high rank for the basho. Hatsu will be his last tournament as a member of our watch list as he's turning 24 in January, so here's hoping he can say goodbye on another high note. It's going to be a tough job, however, given the 6-1 jump in rank. The youngest member of this tier (and my adoptee), Kyokutaisei, scored a strong 5-2 in upper sandanme - including another chongake victory, of which he is the all-time DB leader, incidentally - and will get to take his third crack at makushita, hopefully with more success than he had in the previous two attempts (1-6 and 2-5).

And if you thought three new Hopefuls is already a lot for a single basho, Tier 3 brings us another trio:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2010.11	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11
Kansei	Sakaigawa	1989/08/25	2008.03	Sd2	Sd31e 2-5	Sd60w 6-1	Sd6e 2-5	Sd14w 3-4	Sd26e 5-2	Sd2w 5-2
Sakumayama	Kitanoumi	1988/08/07	2011.05	Sd21			Mz 2-0	Jk5w 7-0 Y	Jd12w 7-0 D	Sd21e 7-0 Y
Hokaho	Miyagino	1989/06/21	2007.03	Sd18	Sd33e 3-4	Sd51w 4-3	Sd36w 2-5	Sd48e 5-2	Sd18e 3-4	Sd34w 6-1

In case you've been wondering why I try to follow rikishi until they turn 24, Sakumayama is pretty much exhibit #1 for that policy. :-) This thread would be poorer if we didn't at least get a glimpse at the top collegiate stars. Assuming a year without basho cancellations he'll have four opportunities to get through makushita before his age will time him out of our purview.

Kansei is a high school grad who didn't take long to reach sandanme (5-2, 6-1, 5-2), exactly what's called for if an 18-year-old debutant wants to prove his mettle as a prospect, but he took unexpectedly much time getting through the lower half of the division so in the end it turned into a 3-year stint in the fourth division, which has taken a bit off the shine of his prospect status. Then again, being part of the Sakaigawa-beya talent factory there's still a good chance he'll turn into something.

And last not least, Miyagino-beya's Hokaho, on whom I should probably just turn the discussion over to Fay. :-) In short: Fairly quick move up to sandanme (3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1), followed by nearly two years bouncing between lower Sd and upper Jd, followed by another two years of relatively steady improvement through the Sd ranks, the worst back-to-back results having been just two 3-4's. Big jump from Sd34 now though, so that could be a bumpy ride for Hatsu.

Edited December 31, 2011 by Asashosakari

[Fay 1,677]

And last not least, Miyagino-beya's Hokaho, on whom I should probably just turn the discussion over to Fay. :-) In short: Fairly quick move up to sandanme (3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1), followed by nearly two years bouncing between lower Sd and upper Jd, followed by another two years of relatively steady improvement through the Sd ranks, the worst back-to-back results having been just two 3-4's. Big jump from Sd34 now though, so that could be a bumpy ride for Hatsu.

Thanks Asashosakari for the update.

Well Hokaho, former Hokazan, my adopted son ... one of the most amazing young men in the sumo circus in my opinion. He first caught my eye in Kyushu Basho 2007. He had a fabulous 6-1 result and an impressive kakenage. I decided to support him a bit from this moment on. We had a bit of a hard time in the following years. He struggled between Sandanme and Jonidan for 2 years and he sometimes was a bit desperate. He had the technical ability but not enough weight and what was more important he lacked mental strength and just was too nervous to win a lot of his bouts.

Since Kushu Basho 2009 he could stay in Sandanme, had his ups and downs, always tried different techniques, tried to find his own sumo style. Last year Natsu Basho - a crisis. He could not get more than a 2-5, was very disappointed and sad. We always take him out for dinner after the basho and this time he hesitated and said he doesn't deserve it cause he couldn't fulfill my expectations :-) . Fortunately we could convince him that we stand behind him in good times and bad times. Then Kyushu Basho 2011 - 6-1!!! He did great, won his bouts going straight to the mawashi, the best technique for him in my opinion. His result meant the makushita promotion! We met outside and he had tears in his eyes and so had my friend and I ... and we both are not the very emotional type of person :-)

He is very serious about his sumo and he reflects a lot on it. I'm sure he can make it to sekitori. He now has gained a lot more self-confidence but it will be difficult to achieve a Kachikoshi in Hatsu Basho. He does great in keiko and wins against makushita rikishi regularly. He just has to do the same in the basho ... easily said ... He has the chance to train with the Yokozuna but on the other side he has a lot of duties in the heya and hardly can find time to go to the gym.

Wakamisho told me lately that he went to Miyagino Beya and had 15 fights against Hokaho. Hokaho won 5 against much bigger Wakamisho. Of course that's not enough but he learns ever day and gets stronger every day.

Hokaho is well educated, intelligent and clever and, as a plus, a man who understands women ;-). From the very beginning he always brought a present for me, a nice cream, a lotion, a peeling and he always explained to me how to use it ;-). A drapery with my name stitched on it and in the right colour etc. really amazing. I like him a lot, wish him a great career and do my best to give him all my support and a lot mental strength.

Edit: Oh and I forgot the link to Olivia's fabulous morph of Hokaho:

Hokaho

Edited January 1, 2012 by Fay

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Lineups for Hatsu 2012...

Tier 1:

The top 7 rikishi in this section are all at career-high ranks, so expectations for the basho should probably be a bit tempered. Still, we might be only a 4-3 away from crowning a new youngest sekitori. If that happens, only three rikishi will be left in this tier, with everybody else dropping to the second level.

Heisei Hopefuls for Hatsu 2012 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Chiyoarashi (1991/07/12, debut 2007.03, shin-juryo 2011.09)
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01
● 0	Chiyootori	Kokonoe	1992/10/11 (4)	2008.05	Ms1	Ms32e 3-4	Ms39w 6-1	Ms12e 3-4	Ms15e 5-2	Ms7w 6-1 D	Ms1w
● 0	Saishin	Chiganoura	1991/11/12 (10)	2010.01	Ms19	Sd15e 6-1	Ms36w 0-0-7	Sd11e 6-1	Ms33e 4-3	Ms29e 5-2	Ms19w
● 0	Matsumoto	Shikoroyama	1992/03/10 (5)	2007.03	Ms25	Ms59w 4-3	Ms49w 3-4	Ms52e 5-2	Ms36e 4-3	Ms32e 4-3	Ms25w
▲ 3	Kotofukuju	Sadogatake	1991/12/14 (7)	2007.03	Ms33	Sd30e 2-5	Sd58e 6-1	Ms55e 4-3	Ms46e 2-5	Sd9e 6-1	Ms33w
▼ 1	Tatsu	Takadagawa	1994/06/01 (1)	2010.03	Ms40	Sd11w 2-5	Sd37e 4-3	Sd12e 5-2	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 4-3	Ms40e
New	Tsurubayashi	Kitanoumi	1993/12/31 (2)	2009.03	Ms46	Sd50e 2-5	Sd77w 5-2	Sd32w 2-5	Sd57e 5-2	Sd27w 6-1	Ms46e
New	Wakamisho	Magaki	1991/11/29 (8)	2011.01	Ms58		Mz 2-0	Jk3e 5-2	Jd59w 6-1	Sd93e 7-0 D	Ms58e
▲ 1	Akinokawa	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (3)	2008.03	Ms55	Sd5w 4-3	Ms55w 3-4	Ms58e 3-4	Sd8w 3-4	Sd25e 5-2	Ms60e
▼ 4	Hakunishiki	Kasugayama	1992/01/13 (6)	2007.03	Ms38	Sd36w 4-3	Sd20w 5-2	Ms47e 4-3	Ms38w 2-5	Ms52e 3-4	Sd7w
▼ 4	Chiyoshoma	Kokonoe	1991/07/20 (11)	2009.05	Ms56	Sd72w 4-3	Sd55e 5-2	Sd13e 5-2	Ms56e 3-4	Sd8w 3-4	Sd23e
▼ 3	Kotoeko	Sadogatake	1991/11/20 (9)	2007.03	Ms54	Sd61e 4-3	Sd45w 5-2	Sd5w 4-3	Ms54w 2-5	Sd19w 3-4	Sd35e

---

Tier 2:

Getting rather crowded here in the middle tier with 20 members now; however, three of them are set to age down to the third tier after Hatsu. Half the squad is ranked between Ms24 and Ms42 so we'll probably see a lot of positional changes after the basho. Ganbatte Ryuden!

Heisei Hopefuls for Hatsu 2012 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01
● 0	Ryuden	Takadagawa	1990/11/10 (18)	2006.03	Ms6	Ms33e 4-3	Ms27e 4-3	Ms14w 3-4	Ms17w 5-2	Ms8w 4-3	Ms6w
▲ 2	Kei	Onomatsu	1990/03/10 (27)	2008.01	Ms13	Ms30w 3-4	Ms37w 5-2	Ms16e 2-5	Ms28e 4-3	Ms22w 5-2	Ms13e
▲ 8	Takanoiwa	Takanohana	1990/02/26 (29)	2008.11	Ms13	Ms21e 3-4	Ms30w 1-2-4	Ms44w 0-0-7	Sd22w 6-1	Ms42e 6-1 D	Ms17e
▼ 2	Chiyomaru	Kokonoe	1991/04/17 (15)	2007.05	Ms13	Sd7w 4-3	Ms57e 5-2	Ms28e 4-3	Ms21e 5-2	Ms13e 2-5	Ms24e
▼ 2	Takageppo	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (24)	2009.01	Ms17	Ms35e 1-6	Sd1e 4-3	Ms40e 5-2	Ms27w 5-2	Ms17w 2-4-1	Ms26e
▲ 3	Kawanari	Oguruma	1991/07/07 (12)	2007.03	Ms23	Ms51e 3-4	Ms59w 4-3	Ms38e 5-2	Ms23e 2-5	Ms33w 4-3	Ms28w
▲ 3	Sasakiyama	Kitanoumi	1991/06/12 (13)	2010.01	Ms30	Ms46w 1-6	Sd13w 4-3	Ms50w 4-3	Ms42e 4-3	Ms36w 4-3	Ms30e
▲ 4	Kotokobai	Sadogatake	1991/03/31 (16)	2006.03	Ms31	Sd23e 3-4	Sd40e 5-2	Sd2w 4-3	Ms51e 4-3	Ms42w 5-2	Ms31w
▼ 4	Chiyoo	Kokonoe	1991/05/29 (14)	2010.03	Ms25	Sd66w 3-4	Sd82e 6-1	Sd14e 6-1	Ms36w 5-2	Ms25e 3-4	Ms33e
▼ 4	Kairyu	Tagonoura	1990/03/01 (28)	2005.03	Ms29	Ms45w 3-4	Ms53w 4-3	Ms33e 3-4	Ms39e 5-2	Ms30e 3-4	Ms37w
▲ 2	Mankajo	Kasugayama	1990/02/10 (30)	2005.03	Ms34	Sd31w 5-2	Sd5w 5-2	Ms34w 3-4	Ms41w 3-4	Ms48w 5-2	Ms39e
▼ 5	Kumagai	Isenoumi	1990/08/25 (21)	2006.03	Ms14	Ms14w 3-4	Ms22w 3-4	Ms22w 2-5	Ms35w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4	Ms39w
▲ 1	Amatsu	Onomatsu	1990/04/03 (26)	2009.01	Ms37	Sd9w 4-3	Ms58w 4-3	Ms37e 2-5	Ms55e 4-3	Ms49e 4-3	Ms42e
▼ 6	Takatoshi	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (24)	2009.01	Ms23	Ms39w 2-5	Ms55e 3-4	Ms57w 5-2	Ms40e 5-2	Ms31w 2-5	Ms45w
New	Daishoiwa	Oitekaze	1990/10/29 (19)	2006.03	Ms54	Sd63w 5-2	Sd34w 3-4	Sd38e 4-3	Sd24w 4-3	Sd13e 5-2	Ms54w
● 0	Masumiura	Mihogaseki	1990/10/25 (20)	2006.03	Ms46	Sd21w 4-3	Sd8w 4-3	Ms46w 0-7	Sd19w 4-3	Sd6e 4-3	Ms55w
▲ 2	Komanokuni	Shibatayama	1990/06/29 (23)	2006.03	Ms56	Sd47e 5-2	Sd18w 4-3	Ms56e 3-4	Sd5w 3-4	Sd20w 4-3	Sd12e
▲ 2	Hokuoryu	Nakamura	1990/08/21 (22)	2006.03	Ms46	Ms46e 2-5	Sd3w 2-5	Sd11w 4-3	Ms58w 1-6	Sd32w 4-3	Sd23w
▼ 4	Isamizuki	Sakaigawa	1990/02/07 (31)	2008.03	Ms58	Sd70w 1-6	Jd6w 6-1	Sd35e 3-4	Sd48e 6-1	Ms58w 2-5	Sd24e
▼ 3	Kotokensei	Sadogatake	1991/01/06 (17)	2006.03	Ms50	Jd1e 6-1	Sd39e 5-2	Sd2e 1-6	Sd33e 5-2	Sd10e 2-5	Sd34w

---

Tier 3:

And the 26 borderline prospects who have already seen their 22nd birthday come and go. Leader Tochiyashiki might even get to face Tier 2 leader Ryuden on shonichi if there's a sekitori kyujo somewhere. But of most interest here is Sakumayama, of course.

Not a lot of career-high marks in this tier, so perhaps a good basis for a KK-heavy set of performances. No less than four rikishi will turn 24 before Haru basho with Kagamio, Okinofuji, Rendaiyama and Kaorufuji, so this'll be their last opportunity to show their prospect mettle to us.

Heisei Hopefuls for Hatsu 2012 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01
● 0	Tochiyashiki	Kasugano	1989/07/07 (37)	2008.03	Ms7	Ms18e 5-2	Ms9w 3-4	Ms11e 3-4	Ms13w 4-3	Ms9w 4-3	Ms7e
▲ 1	Kagamio	Kagamiyama	1988/02/09 (55)	2003.07	Ms9	Ms9w 1-6	Ms28w 3-4	Ms28w 2-5	Ms42w 6-1	Ms17e 4-3	Ms12w
New	Sakumayama	Kitanoumi	1988/08/07 (48)	2011.05	Ms15		Mz 2-0	Jk5w 7-0 Y	Jd12w 7-0 D	Sd21e 7-0 Y	Ms15e
▼ 2	Karatsuumi	Tamanoi	1988/08/03 (49)	2004.03	Ms12	Sd28e 1-6	Sd67e 4-3	Sd39w 5-2	Sd11w 7-0Y	Ms12w 3-4	Ms18e
● 0	Dewahayate	Dewanoumi	1989/01/31 (41)	2004.03	Ms19	Sd17w 4-3	Sd4w 5-2	Ms33w 5-2	Ms19w 3-4	Ms24w 4-3	Ms20w
▲ 8	Okinofuji	Hakkaku	1988/01/26 (56)	2006.03	Ms23	Sd40e 3-4	Sd57w 6-1	Ms54w 3-4	Sd2w 4-3	Ms53w 6-1 D	Ms23w
▲ 2	Tochinohama	Kasugano	1989/01/29 (42)	2007.03	Ms26	Sd12w 4-3	Ms60e 4-3	Ms39e 4-3	Ms30w 3-4	Ms37e 5-2	Ms26w
▼ 4	Higoarashi	Kise	1989/08/20 (34)	2006.05	Ms16	Ms55e 4-3	Ms47w 4-3	Ms29e 5-2	Ms16e 3-4	Ms22e 3-4	Ms29e
▼ 3	Byakko	Nakamura	1989/07/11 (35)	2005.03	Ms13	Sd13w 7-0 Y	Ms13e 2-5	Ms17e 3-4	Ms21w 3-4	Ms28e 3-4	Ms34w
▼ 3	Seiro	Shikoroyama	1988/08/18 (47)	2005.07	Ms22	Ms25e 3-4	Ms33w 2-5	Ms37w 5-2	Ms22e 3-4	Ms28w 3-4	Ms36e
▲ 1	Fukugoriki	Arashio	1988/03/02 (53)	2005.11	Ms22	Ms47e 4-3	Ms41e 4-3	Ms22e 3-4	Ms27e 2-5	Ms41w 4-3	Ms36w
▲ 5	Tamadaiki	Kataonami	1988/11/02 (45)	2007.03	Ms24	Ms50e 2-5	Sd7w 0-0-7	Sd62e 6-1	Sd5e 4-3	Ms57e 5-2	Ms42w
▼ 3	Migikataagari	Otake	1988/06/08 (51)	2004.03	Ms31	Ms44w 4-3	Ms38e 3-4	Ms39w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4	Ms38e 3-4	Ms44e
▼ 3	Rendaiyama	Kitanoumi	1988/01/12 (57)	2006.03	Ms36	Sd24w 4-3	Sd11e 5-2	Ms36w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3	Ms38w 3-4	Ms45e
▲ 1	Asabenkei	Takasago	1989/02/12 (40)	2007.03	Ms40	Sd16w 5-2	Ms54e 0-1-6	Sd29e 5-2	Sd3w 4-3	Ms56e 4-3	Ms48e
New	Kansei	Sakaigawa	1989/08/25 (33)	2008.03	Ms48	Sd60w 6-1	Sd6e 2-5	Sd14w 3-4	Sd26e 5-2	Sd2w 5-2	Ms48w
New	Hokaho	Miyagino	1989/06/21 (38)	2007.03	Ms50	Sd51w 4-3	Sd36w 2-5	Sd48e 5-2	Sd18e 3-4	Sd34w 6-1	Ms50e
▲ 3	Kyokutaisei	Oshima	1989/10/18 (32)	2008.01	Ms51	Sd41w 4-3	Sd27w 5-2	Ms55w 2-5	Sd17w 4-3	Sd4w 5-2	Ms51e
● 0	Genkaiho	Otake	1988/04/15 (52)	2004.03	Ms51	Sd10w 2-5	Sd36e 5-2	Ms58w 3-4	Sd10w 4-3	Ms60e 4-3	Ms51w
▲ 2	Daiseiho	Shibatayama	1988/11/27 (44)	2008.01	Ms56	Sd48w 4-3	Sd34e 4-3	Sd7w 4-3	Ms56w 3-4	Sd10w 4-3	Ms59w
▼ 13	Mugendai	Musashigawa	1989/01/21 (43)	2004.05	Ms35	Sd4w 2-5	Sd26e 4-3	Sd3e 5-2	Ms45e 5-2	Ms35e 1-6	Sd7e
▼ 4	Otakayama	Takadagawa	1988/07/04 (50)	2004.03	Ms56	Sd87e 6-1	Sd30w 5-2	Ms56w 2-5	Sd18w 5-2	Ms58e 3-4	Sd14e
▼ 10	Tokizakura	Nakamura	1989/07/10 (36)	2005.03	Ms35	Ms54e 2-5	Sd12w 3-4	Sd12w 4-3	Ms59e 4-3	Ms50w 2-5	Sd15e
▼ 9	Hokudozan	Hakkaku	1988/10/24 (46)	2007.03	Ms55	Sd53e 4-3	Sd37w 1-1-5	Sd61e 4-3	Sd42w 6-1	Ms55e 2-5	Sd21w
▲ 1	Kaorufuji	Mihogaseki	1988/02/28 (54)	2003.03	Ms59	Sd25w 5-2	Ms59e 1-6	Sd15e 3-4	Sd26w 3-4	Sd42e 4-3	Sd32e
▼ 2	Daikamifusa	Asahiyama	1989/05/30 (39)	2005.03	Ms46	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 0-0-7	Sd21e 2-5	Sd47e 4-3	Sd31e 3-4	Sd47e

[Pikenoyama 27]

I simply love this topic. Thanks Asashosakari for the update. :-)

No less than four rikishi will turn 24 before Haru basho with Kagamio, Okinofuji, Rendaiyama and Kaorufuji, so this'll be their last opportunity to show their prospect mettle to us.

Just a nitpick: from what you have posted it seems, that Fukugoriki makes it even five Tier 3 intais before Haru.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

I simply love this topic. Thanks Asashosakari for the update. (Sign of approval...)

No less than four rikishi will turn 24 before Haru basho with Kagamio, Okinofuji, Rendaiyama and Kaorufuji, so this'll be their last opportunity to show their prospect mettle to us.

Just a nitpick: from what you have posted it seems, that Fukugoriki makes it even five Tier 3 intais before Haru.

I just spoke too colloquially. :-) My cutoff is the last day of the preceding month, i.e. Feb 29 for Haru basho, so Fukugoriki will get to stay in for another basho. (And Kairyu [March 1] gets to stay in Tier 2.)

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Hatsu 2012 results for Tier 1:

It was an exceptional basho for our 11 youngest participants as they ended up taking 3 of the makushita playoff spots, plus a whole bunch of other kachikoshi including another 6-1 in sandanme. But the biggest news is that we'll be having a fresh yardstick rikishi for Haru basho thanks to Chiyootori securing his spot as the new latest-born sekitori. As he is currently the 4th-youngest in makushita and above he's sending most of the other Tier 1 members down to Tier 2, leaving just Tatsu, Tsurubayashi and Akinokawa up to challenge Chiyootori for yardstick honours in the future. Well, that's not exactly correct, but first the remarkably strong results of Hatsu basho in summary:

Heisei Hopefuls for Hatsu 2012 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Chiyoarashi (1991/07/12, debut 2007.03, shin-juryo 2011.09)
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01
Chiyootori	Kokonoe	1992/10/11 (4)	2008.05	Ms1	Ms32e 3-4	Ms39w 6-1	Ms12e 3-4	Ms15e 5-2	Ms7w 6-1 D	Ms1w 6-1 D
Saishin	Chiganoura	1991/11/12 (10)	2010.01	Ms19	Sd15e 6-1	Ms36w 0-0-7	Sd11e 6-1	Ms33e 4-3	Ms29e 5-2	Ms19w 5-2
Matsumoto	Shikoroyama	1992/03/10 (5)	2007.03	Ms25	Ms59w 4-3	Ms49w 3-4	Ms52e 5-2	Ms36e 4-3	Ms32e 4-3	Ms25w 3-4
Kotofukuju	Sadogatake	1991/12/14 (7)	2007.03	Ms33	Sd30e 2-5	Sd58e 6-1	Ms55e 4-3	Ms46e 2-5	Sd9e 6-1	Ms33w 4-3
Tatsu	Takadagawa	1994/06/01 (1)	2010.03	Ms40	Sd11w 2-5	Sd37e 4-3	Sd12e 5-2	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 4-3	Ms40e 6-1 D
Tsurubayashi	Kitanoumi	1993/12/31 (2)	2009.03	Ms46	Sd50e 2-5	Sd77w 5-2	Sd32w 2-5	Sd57e 5-2	Sd27w 6-1	Ms46e 2-5
Wakamisho	Magaki	1991/11/29 (8)	2011.01	Ms58		Mz 2-0	Jk3e 5-2	Jd59w 6-1	Sd93e 7-0 D	Ms58e 5-2
Akinokawa	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (3)	2008.03	Ms55	Sd5w 4-3	Ms55w 3-4	Ms58e 3-4	Sd8w 3-4	Sd25e 5-2	Ms60e 6-1 D
Hakunishiki	Kasugayama	1992/01/13 (6)	2007.03	Ms38	Sd36w 4-3	Sd20w 5-2	Ms47e 4-3	Ms38w 2-5	Ms52e 3-4	Sd7w 3-4
Chiyoshoma	Kokonoe	1991/07/20 (11)	2009.05	Ms56	Sd72w 4-3	Sd55e 5-2	Sd13e 5-2	Ms56e 3-4	Sd8w 3-4	Sd23e 6-1
Kotoeko	Sadogatake	1991/11/20 (9)	2007.03	Ms54	Sd61e 4-3	Sd45w 5-2	Sd5w 4-3	Ms54w 2-5	Sd19w 3-4	Sd35e 2-5

Based on Chiyoarashi as the old yardstick three youngsters newly qualify for inclusion based on their Hatsu basho results. And in fact, they're so young they will still qualify even under Chiyootori's reign, giving us a Tier 1 sixpack for Haru. Here are the newcomers who will be having their makushita debut next time:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01
Sasanoyama	Kitanoumi	1992/12/30	2011.05	Sd1		Mz 2-0	Jk6w 7-0 D	Jd14e 6-1	Sd51e 6-1	Sd1e 5-2
Terutsuyoshi	Isegahama	1995/01/17	2010.03	Sd6	Sd44e 3-4	Sd62w 3-4	Sd70e 6-1	Sd13w 3-4	Sd31w 5-2	Sd6e 5-2
Kotokawazu	Sadogatake	1993/01/14	2011.05	Sd43		Mz 2-0	Jk7e 4-3	Jd76e 6-1	Jd5e 6-1	Sd43w 7-0 Y

The delayed Natsu 2011 shindeshi class wasn't terribly large, but it's turning out some very high-quality talent so far. Sasanoyama already attracted attention for nearly keeping up with his much older and much more accomplished stablemate Sakumayama (although a 24-4 since hatsu-dohyo really speaks for itself with a high-school shindeshi), and Kotokawazu will surely gain some attention of his own now following his stunning sandanme yusho. In fact, after a deceptively mediocre 4-3 career start (involving losses to Sasanoyama and collegiate Shineiyama) he has really turned up the heat and gone 19-2 since. These two are joined by undersized 2010 rookie Terutsuyoshi who turned many heads with his strong early run last year, going 21-7 to reach mid-sandanme in time for just his 16th birthday. Since then he's gone makekoshi three times, but all of them just 3-4's, and the three KK performances were strong ones (a 6-1 and two 5-2), so having just turned 17 during Hatsu basho he'll now be in makushita already, becoming the youngest rikishi in the division ahead of Tatsu. (And they couldn't be more different physically...)

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Hmm, time to continue with the other tiers, huh. (Yusho winner...)

Tier 2:

Tier leader Ryuden struggled yet again upon reaching the single digit ranks, just like he did two years before in his first attempt, but the three promising rikishi next in line all did well and achieved kachikoshi records, in the case of Onomatsu youngster Kei even at a career-high rank. He probably won't be leading this section next time, however, due to Saishin coming down from Tier 1. Other noteworthy results here include high school standout Chiyoo whose KK will get him back into the upper half of makushita for Haru, and the strong 5-2 by Oitekaze's Daishoiwa in his makushita debut. He hasn't scored worse than 3-4 for 10 straight basho now, going from very low sandanme to mid-makushita in just under two years. Quite an interesting turnaround since the two years prior to that had seen him basically stuck at that low-sandanme level.

This tier will see some major reconfiguration for Haru basho as not only are 7 rikishi coming in from the higher section, three incumbents are aging down to Tier 3, these being Takanoiwa, Mankajo and Isamizuki. It's a nice early birthday present for the Mongolian Takanohana-beya rikishi especially as Takanoiwa's 5-2 kachikoshi is set to send him into the single-digit ranks for the first time. (My prone-to-errors banzuke prediction has him moving to Ms7w.) In a fairly unusual development no rikishi will be joining this tier by making his makushita debut on the next banzuke. Anyway, the full summary of Hatsu results:

Heisei Hopefuls for Hatsu 2012 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01
Ryuden	Takadagawa	1990/11/10 (18)	2006.03	Ms6	Ms33e 4-3	Ms27e 4-3	Ms14w 3-4	Ms17w 5-2	Ms8w 4-3	Ms6w 2-5
Kei	Onomatsu	1990/03/10 (27)	2008.01	Ms13	Ms30w 3-4	Ms37w 5-2	Ms16e 2-5	Ms28e 4-3	Ms22w 5-2	Ms13e 4-3
Takanoiwa	Takanohana	1990/02/26 (29)	2008.11	Ms13	Ms21e 3-4	Ms30w 1-2-4	Ms44w 0-0-7	Sd22w 6-1	Ms42e 6-1 D	Ms17e 5-2
Chiyomaru	Kokonoe	1991/04/17 (15)	2007.05	Ms13	Sd7w 4-3	Ms57e 5-2	Ms28e 4-3	Ms21e 5-2	Ms13e 2-5	Ms24e 5-2
Takageppo	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (24)	2009.01	Ms17	Ms35e 1-6	Sd1e 4-3	Ms40e 5-2	Ms27w 5-2	Ms17w 2-4-1	Ms26e 2-5
Kawanari	Oguruma	1991/07/07 (12)	2007.03	Ms23	Ms51e 3-4	Ms59w 4-3	Ms38e 5-2	Ms23e 2-5	Ms33w 4-3	Ms28w 3-4
Sasakiyama	Kitanoumi	1991/06/12 (13)	2010.01	Ms30	Ms46w 1-6	Sd13w 4-3	Ms50w 4-3	Ms42e 4-3	Ms36w 4-3	Ms30e 3-4
Kotokobai	Sadogatake	1991/03/31 (16)	2006.03	Ms31	Sd23e 3-4	Sd40e 5-2	Sd2w 4-3	Ms51e 4-3	Ms42w 5-2	Ms31w 1-5-1
Chiyoo	Kokonoe	1991/05/29 (14)	2010.03	Ms25	Sd66w 3-4	Sd82e 6-1	Sd14e 6-1	Ms36w 5-2	Ms25e 3-4	Ms33e 4-3
Kairyu	Tagonoura	1990/03/01 (28)	2005.03	Ms29	Ms45w 3-4	Ms53w 4-3	Ms33e 3-4	Ms39e 5-2	Ms30e 3-4	Ms37w 4-3
Mankajo	Kasugayama	1990/02/10 (30)	2005.03	Ms34	Sd31w 5-2	Sd5w 5-2	Ms34w 3-4	Ms41w 3-4	Ms48w 5-2	Ms39e 4-3
Kumagai	Isenoumi	1990/08/25 (21)	2006.03	Ms14	Ms14w 3-4	Ms22w 3-4	Ms22w 2-5	Ms35w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4	Ms39w 5-2
Amatsu	Onomatsu	1990/04/03 (26)	2009.01	Ms37	Sd9w 4-3	Ms58w 4-3	Ms37e 2-5	Ms55e 4-3	Ms49e 4-3	Ms42e 4-3
Takatoshi	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (24)	2009.01	Ms23	Ms39w 2-5	Ms55e 3-4	Ms57w 5-2	Ms40e 5-2	Ms31w 2-5	Ms45w 3-4
Daishoiwa	Oitekaze	1990/10/29 (19)	2006.03	Ms54	Sd63w 5-2	Sd34w 3-4	Sd38e 4-3	Sd24w 4-3	Sd13e 5-2	Ms54w 5-2
Masumiura	Mihogaseki	1990/10/25 (20)	2006.03	Ms46	Sd21w 4-3	Sd8w 4-3	Ms46w 0-7	Sd19w 4-3	Sd6e 4-3	Ms55w 2-5
Komanokuni	Shibatayama	1990/06/29 (23)	2006.03	Ms56	Sd47e 5-2	Sd18w 4-3	Ms56e 3-4	Sd5w 3-4	Sd20w 4-3	Sd12e 4-3
Hokuoryu	Nakamura	1990/08/21 (22)	2006.03	Ms46	Ms46e 2-5	Sd3w 2-5	Sd11w 4-3	Ms58w 1-6	Sd32w 4-3	Sd23w 3-4
Isamizuki	Sakaigawa	1990/02/07 (31)	2008.03	Ms58	Sd70w 1-6	Jd6w 6-1	Sd35e 3-4	Sd48e 6-1	Ms58w 2-5	Sd24e 2-5
Kotokensei	Sadogatake	1991/01/06 (17)	2006.03	Ms50	Jd1e 6-1	Sd39e 5-2	Sd2e 1-6	Sd33e 5-2	Sd10e 2-5	Sd34w 4-3

Edited January 27, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 18,786]

And lastly, Tier 3:

A pair of narrow 3-4 makekoshi by the two highest-ranked members of this group (Tochiyashiki and Kagamio) only serves to highlight the stunning achievement of Sakumayama who barely missed setting a new all-time record for fastest rise to sandanme juryo. He'll get to take aim again in March, most likely from either Ms3 or Ms4. He did get tested quite severely in most bouts against actual upper-makushita strength opponents, so I won't quite be issuing a guarantee that he's going to secure the promotion next time, but it's also not something to bet against. Either way, it's likely going to take 5 wins barring an unusually crowded or usually barren situation in lower juryo.

In line with the fact that we're generally talking about somewhat less promising rikishi here than in the upper two tiers it's also more difficult to highlight outstanding - or at least strong - performances, so two 4-3's will have to do. One of them was scored by Okinofuji who followed up on his Kyushu 6-1 with a relatively surprising KK - that's not an extremely rare accomplishment, but the linked list does include quite a few subsequent sekitori. A 4-3 was also scored by Hokaho in his makushita debut, which I know made at least one person quite happy. Well, probably at least three as I'm guessing both Hokaho himself and Miyagino-oyakata weren't too heart-broken about it, either. ;-)

Heisei Hopefuls for Hatsu 2012 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01
Tochiyashiki	Kasugano	1989/07/07 (37)	2008.03	Ms7	Ms18e 5-2	Ms9w 3-4	Ms11e 3-4	Ms13w 4-3	Ms9w 4-3	Ms7e 3-4
Kagamio	Kagamiyama	1988/02/09 (55)	2003.07	Ms9	Ms9w 1-6	Ms28w 3-4	Ms28w 2-5	Ms42w 6-1	Ms17e 4-3	Ms12w 3-4
Sakumayama	Kitanoumi	1988/08/07 (48)	2011.05	Ms15		Mz 2-0	Jk5w 7-0 Y	Jd12w 7-0 D	Sd21e 7-0 Y	Ms15e 6-1 Y
Karatsuumi	Tamanoi	1988/08/03 (49)	2004.03	Ms12	Sd28e 1-6	Sd67e 4-3	Sd39w 5-2	Sd11w 7-0Y	Ms12w 3-4	Ms18e 3-4
Dewahayate	Dewanoumi	1989/01/31 (41)	2004.03	Ms19	Sd17w 4-3	Sd4w 5-2	Ms33w 5-2	Ms19w 3-4	Ms24w 4-3	Ms20w 2-4-1
Okinofuji	Hakkaku	1988/01/26 (56)	2006.03	Ms23	Sd40e 3-4	Sd57w 6-1	Ms54w 3-4	Sd2w 4-3	Ms53w 6-1 D	Ms23w 4-3
Tochinohama	Kasugano	1989/01/29 (42)	2007.03	Ms26	Sd12w 4-3	Ms60e 4-3	Ms39e 4-3	Ms30w 3-4	Ms37e 5-2	Ms26w 3-4
Higoarashi	Kise	1989/08/20 (34)	2006.05	Ms16	Ms55e 4-3	Ms47w 4-3	Ms29e 5-2	Ms16e 3-4	Ms22e 3-4	Ms29e 5-2
Byakko	Nakamura	1989/07/11 (35)	2005.03	Ms13	Sd13w 7-0 Y	Ms13e 2-5	Ms17e 3-4	Ms21w 3-4	Ms28e 3-4	Ms34w 1-4-2
Seiro	Shikoroyama	1988/08/18 (47)	2005.07	Ms22	Ms25e 3-4	Ms33w 2-5	Ms37w 5-2	Ms22e 3-4	Ms28w 3-4	Ms36e 5-2
Fukugoriki	Arashio	1988/03/02 (53)	2005.11	Ms22	Ms47e 4-3	Ms41e 4-3	Ms22e 3-4	Ms27e 2-5	Ms41w 4-3	Ms36w 3-4
Tamadaiki	Kataonami	1988/11/02 (45)	2007.03	Ms24	Ms50e 2-5	Sd7w 0-0-7	Sd62e 6-1	Sd5e 4-3	Ms57e 5-2	Ms42w 5-2
Migikataagari	Otake	1988/06/08 (51)	2004.03	Ms31	Ms44w 4-3	Ms38e 3-4	Ms39w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4	Ms38e 3-4	Ms44e 3-4
Rendaiyama	Kitanoumi	1988/01/12 (57)	2006.03	Ms36	Sd24w 4-3	Sd11e 5-2	Ms36w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3	Ms38w 3-4	Ms45e 5-2
Asabenkei	Takasago	1989/02/12 (40)	2007.03	Ms40	Sd16w 5-2	Ms54e 0-1-6	Sd29e 5-2	Sd3w 4-3	Ms56e 4-3	Ms48e 3-4
Kansei	Sakaigawa	1989/08/25 (33)	2008.03	Ms48	Sd60w 6-1	Sd6e 2-5	Sd14w 3-4	Sd26e 5-2	Sd2w 5-2	Ms48w 3-4
Hokaho	Miyagino	1989/06/21 (38)	2007.03	Ms50	Sd51w 4-3	Sd36w 2-5	Sd48e 5-2	Sd18e 3-4	Sd34w 6-1	Ms50e 4-3
Kyokutaisei	Oshima	1989/10/18 (32)	2008.01	Ms51	Sd41w 4-3	Sd27w 5-2	Ms55w 2-5	Sd17w 4-3	Sd4w 5-2	Ms51e 4-3
Genkaiho	Otake	1988/04/15 (52)	2004.03	Ms51	Sd10w 2-5	Sd36e 5-2	Ms58w 3-4	Sd10w 4-3	Ms60e 4-3	Ms51w 2-5
Daiseiho	Shibatayama	1988/11/27 (44)	2008.01	Ms56	Sd48w 4-3	Sd34e 4-3	Sd7w 4-3	Ms56w 3-4	Sd10w 4-3	Ms59w 3-4
Mugendai	Musashigawa	1989/01/21 (43)	2004.05	Ms35	Sd4w 2-5	Sd26e 4-3	Sd3e 5-2	Ms45e 5-2	Ms35e 1-6	Sd7e 5-2
Otakayama	Takadagawa	1988/07/04 (50)	2004.03	Ms56	Sd87e 6-1	Sd30w 5-2	Ms56w 2-5	Sd18w 5-2	Ms58e 3-4	Sd14e 3-4
Tokizakura	Nakamura	1989/07/10 (36)	2005.03	Ms35	Ms54e 2-5	Sd12w 3-4	Sd12w 4-3	Ms59e 4-3	Ms50w 2-5	Sd15e 4-3
Hokudozan	Hakkaku	1988/10/24 (46)	2007.03	Ms55	Sd53e 4-3	Sd37w 1-1-5	Sd61e 4-3	Sd42w 6-1	Ms55e 2-5	Sd21w 1-6
Kaorufuji	Mihogaseki	1988/02/28 (54)	2003.03	Ms59	Sd25w 5-2	Ms59e 1-6	Sd15e 3-4	Sd26w 3-4	Sd42e 4-3	Sd32e 3-4
Daikamifusa	Asahiyama	1989/05/30 (39)	2005.03	Ms46	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 0-0-7	Sd21e 2-5	Sd47e 4-3	Sd31e 3-4	Sd47e 4-3

Four sandanme rikishi did enough to join Tier 3:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.01	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01
Okoryu	Sakaigawa	1989/02/14	2007.03	Sd3	Sd27e 2-5	Sd54w 3-4	Sd62w 4-3	Sd44e 4-3	Sd28e 5-2	Sd3e 4-3
Kisenowaka	Kitanoumi	1988/08/31	2006.11	Sd8	Sd81e 6-1	Sd22e 2-5	Sd31w 3-4	Sd46w 5-2	Sd19e 4-3	Sd8w 4-3
Maeshinpu	Takadagawa	1988/02/23	2004.03	Sd12	Sd63e 2-5	Sd86e 5-2	Sd40e 5-2	Sd12w 3-4	Sd29w 4-3	Sd18e 5-2
Kenho	Tokitsukaze	1989/02/10	2011.05	Sd99		Mz 2-1	Jk10w 4-3	Jd79e 5-2	Jd35w 5-2	Sd99e 7-0 D

None of them are especially young, with even Okoryu, the youngest member of this quartet, already turning 23 between tournaments. In fact, Maeshinpu is enjoying only the dreaded virtual appearance in this thread as his 24th birthday is also coming up next month. And let's not be remiss in noting Kenho's surprising jump to makushita from nearly the lowest possible position in sandanme. Let's hope his apparent injury in the sandanme yusho playoff won't preclude his participation in Haru basho, although I do have to say I pencilled him in for an 0-7 even before I became aware of that potential injury... Maybe he'll surprise me and us all.

In addition to Maeshinpu four others are turning 24 and will have to say goodbye to their prospect status, at least as defined in this thread. These include Kagamio who may well become known to a few more people by making his juryo debut in the near future, fresh overachiever Okinofuji who can take solace in having put together a strong basis for his future development, Rendaiyama who has at least established himself well in the middle of makushita in the last four basho, and sandanme-stuck Kaorufuji who unfortunately doesn't exactly look like he's headed for stardom.

So much for Hatsu basho, back after the Haru banzuke announcement with fresh lineups for all three tiers. (Bye, bye...)

Edited January 28, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Yubinhaad 11,546]

A pair of narrow 3-4 makekoshi by the two highest-ranked members of this group (Tochiyashiki and Kagamio) only serves to highlight the stunning achievement of Sakumayama who barely missed setting a new all-time record for fastest rise to sandanme.

I was disappointed when he didn't make it in one basho too, but hey, nobody gets a free pass through Jonidan. ;-)

I did wonder whether Kenho would be another Mankajo, who has been unable to haul himself over that Makushita wall so far. But Kenho has risen quicker and is exactly a year younger, so maybe he's the hot prospect out of those two big fellows.

Thanks for this thread! (Bye, bye...)

[Fay 1,677]

A 4-3 was also scored by Hokaho in his makushita debut, which I know made at least one person quite happy. Well, probably at least three as I'm guessing both Hokaho himself and Miyagino-oyakata weren't too heart-broken about it, either. (Bye, bye...)

At least two, I guess, Miyagino Oyakata doesn't care enough for anyone else than Hakuho ...

Thanks for the thread again ;-) and fingers crossed for Hokaho and Kagamio.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

I was disappointed when he didn't make it in one basho too, but hey, nobody gets a free pass through Jonidan. ;-)

(Bye, bye...) Can't imagine where my mind was at that moment. I guess I was going for "sekitori". Fixed now, thanks.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Many thanks to Exil for providing a third way of colouring table cells. (I am not worthy...) Now that I've finally stopped sulking because my HTML toys were taken away, it's time to get this thread back on track. I've used the opportunity to "standardize" the colour scheme a bit - the pre-basho markers were already using green to denote rikishi moving up and red for rikishi falling down, so I've applied that to the two other marking bits now: The (red) frames for career-high ranks are no longer possible since they relied on HTML code, so high ranks will now be printed in green. And I've inverted the KK/MK displays; instead of highlighting kachikoshi, it'll now be makekoshi that get a different cell colouring, namely the new light-red boxes. I think that's going to work pretty well, but if anyone wants to disagree and offer another solution, by all means please do so. :-)

I'll skip the pre-basho Haru tables that would have gone up at the beginning of March without the tech issues - the up/down movements in the first two tiers wouldn't have made a lot of sense anyway, thanks to the reset by Chiyootori's juryo debut. As he moved up the yardstick date by no less than 15 months, suddenly we really don't have all that many contenders for the title of "Next Youngest Sekitori". In fact, only six deshi were left here at the top level for Haru basho, and half of them only due to a very timely makushita debut. Here's how they fared:

Heisei Hopefuls for Haru 2012 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Chiyootori (1992/10/11, debut 2008.05, shin-juryo 2012.03)
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01	2012.03
Tatsu	Takadagawa	1994/06/01 (2)	2010.03	Ms16	Sd37e 4-3	Sd12e 5-2	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 4-3	Ms40e 6-1 D	Ms16e 2-5
Kotokawazu	Sadogatake	1993/01/14 (4)	2011.05	Ms27	Mz 2-0	Jk7e 4-3	Jd76e 6-1	Jd5e 6-1	Sd43w 7-0 Y	Ms27w 3-4
Akinokawa	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (6)	2008.03	Ms28	Ms55w 3-4	Ms58e 3-4	Sd8w 3-4	Sd25e 5-2	Ms60e 6-1 D	Ms28e 3-4
Sasanoyama	Kitanoumi	1992/12/30 (5)	2011.05	Ms42	Mz 2-0	Jk6w 7-0 D	Jd14e 6-1	Sd51e 6-1	Sd1e 5-2	Ms42w 5-2
Terutsuyoshi	Isegahama	1995/01/17 (1)	2010.03	Ms49	Sd62w 3-4	Sd70e 6-1	Sd13w 3-4	Sd31w 5-2	Sd6e 5-2	Ms49e 3-4
Tsurubayashi	Kitanoumi	1993/12/31 (3)	2009.03	Ms46	Sd77w 5-2	Sd32w 2-5	Sd57e 5-2	Sd27w 6-1	Ms46e 2-5	Sd12e 4-3

The top three rikishi all made large jumps up the banzuke for Haru, so their MK finishes aren't a big surprise. Tatsu looked fairly overmatched to me and was pretty lucky to get away with two wins - even at 140-150 kg he just doesn't have much of an Ozumo body yet, and I think he'll find it difficult to progress further on skill and technique alone. We'll see, I guess. The 3-4 by Kotokawazu on the other hand has to be classed as a huge result, in my opinion; hopefully it wasn't just the makushita debut adrenaline and he'll avoid going on a MK slide now the way many other unexpected sandanme 7-0'ers do. Akinokawa's 3-4 has to judged a success as well, considering he'd spent the previous year bouncing around the Ms/Sd boundary.

The best result of the basho was produced by Sasanoyama who just can't seem to be stopped. With his 5-2 he'll be taking back the mantle of highest-ranked high schooler of the 2011.05 class from Kotokawazu. I wonder what it is they're doing at the big sumo club high schools lately - the level of talent is just astounding. (See also Saishin and Sasakiyama from the 2010 class in Tier 2.) Now that the collegiate dominance in Ozumo seems well and truly past us, and foreigners remain limited in their numbers, high school deshi may well be the next big thing.

Undersized talent Terutsuyoshi did pretty well in his makushita debut, too, challenging for KK until his final bout. With his narrow 3-4 he's set to drop back to sandanme for now, though. Conversely, our last tier member Tsurubayashi will probably just miss out on getting back to makushita and likely be Sd1e in May. Still, good to see he got right back to winning after his own makushita debut unsuccess.

Last not least I'm happy to report that Tier 1 is already increasing in size again, courtesy of the following two applicants:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01	2012.03
Masunosho	Chiganoura	1994/11/14	2010.03	Sd10	Jd26w 5-2	Sd75w 5-2	Sd45w 3-4	Sd62e 5-2	Sd36e 5-2	Sd10w 4-3
Aonosho	Dewanoumi	1993/06/03	2009.03	Sd68	Jd4e 4-3	Sd73e 1-6	Jd9e 4-3	Sd92e 3-4	Jd12w 4-3	Sd92w 7-0 D

Masunosho is relatively short (178 cm) for a promising rikishi, but looking at his DB picture he's pretty well built and shouldn't have too much trouble adding on to the 113 kg debuted with two years ago. Hasn't scored above 5-2 in any basho yet, but he has also gone MK just twice in 11 tournaments, which has now brought him into makushita at just 17 and a half years of age.

Aonosho is a year and a half older and prior to his surprise 7-0 he hadn't even been to the upper half of sandanme yet. Chances are he'll struggle significantly next basho, but who knows, perhaps he's found new motivation following the untimely death of his shisho Tagonoura last month.

I'll write up the other two tiers over the weekend, in the meantime feel free to leave feedback on the newish layout. Incidentally, more feedback is welcome altogether, just to roll over the thread pages more often to avoid breaking another thread with too many tables. ;-)

[Yubinhaad 11,546]

And let's not be remiss in noting Kenho's surprising jump to makushita from nearly the lowest possible position in sandanme. Let's hope his apparent injury in the sandanme yusho playoff won't preclude his participation in Haru basho, although I do have to say I pencilled him in for an 0-7 even before I became aware of that potential injury... Maybe he'll surprise me and us all.

Just a quick note on Kenho. I guess the 1-6 was a sort of surprise. ;-) Having just now reviewed all his bouts, I didn't see any obvious sign of an injury holding him back, so I think he was simply outclassed by the opposition after such a sudden jump up the ranks.

On the new table format, the green/red cell colourings don't look especially vivid on my laptop (everything else looks fine, so the colour etc. settings aren't set too low). Maybe some others can tell what it looks like on various monitors, since I have no other and it might just be the fact that I'm on a laptop. Anyway, I'm not sure it's totally necessary to mark out the KK/MK with colours anyway, since surely anyone would tell the difference by the numbers themselves. (Unless you want to go for the 'at-a-glance' type of thing, which is fair enough). Green text for high ranks is very nice, though!

Maybe the red cell colouring could be used to indicate which rikishi will be dropping to the next tier at the following basho, or dropping out altogether. Or perhaps you could use the old red down arrow to indicate that, unless that is still to be used for latest rank order. Anyway, just a few thoughts. Thanks very much for getting this going again! (I am not worthy...)

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Many thanks for the feedback!

(Unless you want to go for the 'at-a-glance' type of thing, which is fair enough).

That's pretty much it. It's not so much needed for the current Tier 1 since it doesn't take long to scan that small table, but for the 20+ lines in the other tiers I think it's helpful to have a "shortcut" of sorts to see who's had a particularly good or bad run of late.

I agree on the colour, but it's a bit of a predicament. I'd like more contrast because the patterns are so irregular and the MK cells stand out less than the KK cells used to, but I do agree with Exil's approach that the new td3 tags ought to have uses beyond this thread - and for instance, in your bout times thread the red columns seem to work very well. Using a more contrasting colour might well be very distracting when it's used in column form like that. (For similar reasons I'm still not using any bold font outside the header lines, e.g. for the high rank displays. It just dominates the table too much.)

Maybe the red cell colouring could be used to indicate which rikishi will be dropping to the next tier at the following basho, or dropping out altogether.

That's a pretty good idea; I'm actually doing that in my spreadsheet, so it makes sense here, too. Anything that helps people avoid reading my walls of text to get the necessary information is good. ;-)

Or perhaps you could use the old red down arrow to indicate that, unless that is still to be used for latest rank order.

Up/down arrows will be back for the pre-Natsu update. :-)

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Well, it's the weekend, just not the one I anticipated...let's get the lower two tiers written up before we all forget that such a thing as a Haru basho existed this year. ;-)

Heisei Hopefuls for Haru 2012 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01	2012.03
Kei	Onomatsu	1990/03/10 (29)	2008.01	Ms7	Ms37w 5-2	Ms16e 2-5	Ms28e 4-3	Ms22w 5-2	Ms13e 4-3	Ms7e 5-2
Saishin	Chiganoura	1991/11/12 (12)	2010.01	Ms9	Ms36w 0-0-7	Sd11e 6-1	Ms33e 4-3	Ms29e 5-2	Ms19w 5-2	Ms9w 3-4
Chiyomaru	Kokonoe	1991/04/17 (17)	2007.05	Ms13	Ms57e 5-2	Ms28e 4-3	Ms21e 5-2	Ms13e 2-5	Ms24e 5-2	Ms14e 4-3
Ryuden	Takadagawa	1990/11/10 (20)	2006.03	Ms6	Ms27e 4-3	Ms14w 3-4	Ms17w 5-2	Ms8w 4-3	Ms6w 2-5	Ms14w 6-1
Kumagai	Isenoumi	1990/08/25 (23)	2006.03	Ms14	Ms22w 3-4	Ms22w 2-5	Ms35w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4	Ms39w 5-2	Ms23e 4-3
Chiyoo	Kokonoe	1991/05/29 (16)	2010.03	Ms25	Sd82e 6-1	Sd14e 6-1	Ms36w 5-2	Ms25e 3-4	Ms33e 4-3	Ms26e 5-2
Kotofukuju	Sadogatake	1991/12/14 (9)	2007.03	Ms27	Sd58e 6-1	Ms55e 4-3	Ms46e 2-5	Sd9e 6-1	Ms33w 4-3	Ms27e 3-4
Kairyu	Dewanoumi	1990/03/01 (30)	2005.03	Ms29	Ms53w 4-3	Ms33e 3-4	Ms39e 5-2	Ms30e 3-4	Ms37w 4-3	Ms29w 7-0 Y
Matsumoto	Shikoroyama	1992/03/10 (7)	2007.03	Ms25	Ms49w 3-4	Ms52e 5-2	Ms36e 4-3	Ms32e 4-3	Ms25w 3-4	Ms33w 4-3
Amatsu	Onomatsu	1990/04/03 (28)	2009.01	Ms34	Ms58w 4-3	Ms37e 2-5	Ms55e 4-3	Ms49e 4-3	Ms42e 4-3	Ms34e 4-3
Daishoiwa	Oitekaze	1990/10/29 (21)	2006.03	Ms36	Sd34w 3-4	Sd38e 4-3	Sd24w 4-3	Sd13e 5-2	Ms54w 5-2	Ms36e 3-4
Kawanari	Oguruma	1991/07/07 (14)	2007.03	Ms23	Ms59w 4-3	Ms38e 5-2	Ms23e 2-5	Ms33w 4-3	Ms28w 3-4	Ms37e 3-4
Sasakiyama	Kitanoumi	1991/06/12 (15)	2010.01	Ms30	Sd13w 4-3	Ms50w 4-3	Ms42e 4-3	Ms36w 4-3	Ms30e 3-4	Ms38e 5-2
Wakamisho	Magaki	1991/11/29 (10)	2011.01	Ms39	Mz 2-0	Jk3e 5-2	Jd59w 6-1	Sd93e 7-0 D	Ms58e 5-2	Ms39w 5-2
Takageppo	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (26)	2009.01	Ms17	Sd1e 4-3	Ms40e 5-2	Ms27w 5-2	Ms17w 2-4-1	Ms26e 2-5	Ms40e 2-5
Chiyoshoma	Kokonoe	1991/07/20 (13)	2009.05	Ms44	Sd55e 5-2	Sd13e 5-2	Ms56e 3-4	Sd8w 3-4	Sd23e 6-1	Ms44w 2-5
Takatoshi	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (26)	2009.01	Ms23	Ms55e 3-4	Ms57w 5-2	Ms40e 5-2	Ms31w 2-5	Ms45w 3-4	Ms54e 4-3
Komanokuni	Shibatayama	1990/06/29 (25)	2006.03	Ms56	Sd18w 4-3	Ms56e 3-4	Sd5w 3-4	Sd20w 4-3	Sd12e 4-3	Sd3e 2-5
Kotokobai	Sadogatake	1991/03/31 (18)	2006.03	Ms31	Sd40e 5-2	Sd2w 4-3	Ms51e 4-3	Ms42w 5-2	Ms31w 1-5-1	Sd4e 5-2
Masumiura	Mihogaseki	1990/10/25 (22)	2006.03	Ms46	Sd8w 4-3	Ms46w 0-7	Sd19w 4-3	Sd6e 4-3	Ms55w 2-5	Sd19e 2-5
Kotokensei	Sadogatake	1991/01/06 (19)	2006.03	Ms50	Sd39e 5-2	Sd2e 1-6	Sd33e 5-2	Sd10e 2-5	Sd34w 4-3	Sd20e 6-1
Hakunishiki	Kasugayama	1992/01/13 (8)	2007.03	Ms38	Sd20w 5-2	Ms47e 4-3	Ms38w 2-5	Ms52e 3-4	Sd7w 3-4	Sd22e 3-4
Hokuoryu	Nakamura	1990/08/21 (24)	2006.03	Ms46	Sd3w 2-5	Sd11w 4-3	Ms58w 1-6	Sd32w 4-3	Sd23w 3-4	Sd38w 1-1-5
Kotoeko	Sadogatake	1991/11/20 (11)	2007.03	Ms54	Sd45w 5-2	Sd5w 4-3	Ms54w 2-5	Sd19w 3-4	Sd35e 2-5	Sd64e 6-1

Let's start with the 5 rikishi who are set to age down to Tier 3 (now helpfully coloured per Yubinhaad's suggestion): The top two of them, Kei and Kairyu, got themselves some nice belated birthdays presents and will both get their first shot at the promotion zone in May. I do have to say that, while Kei's advancement is arguably just part of his steady long-term improvement, Kairyu's yusho performance came somewhat out of leftfield - no less with him having lost his shisho just before the tournament.

The bottom two birthday boys are Takanohana's pair of twins who both haven't had the most stellar performances in the displayed 6-basho window. For the first time in 6 basho Takatoshi will take over the higher ranking among the two again, cutting his deficit to 6-13 in basho count.

And in between these two pairs of deshi Amatsu, the 5th rikishi who turned 22, achieved a credible 4-3 at his career-high rank. In fact, besides Kei and Amatsu the list of second-tier rikishi who went KK at their highest rank is a short one; only top prospect Wakamisho joined them in achieving that. He maintains his streak of 5-2 or better results since debut, now totalling a record of 28-7.

However, by and large the performances of the other highest-rank-holders were quite creditable, too. Of particular note here IMHO is Saishin whose first foray into the makushita-joi saw the 20-year-old fit in just fine, and I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing him back at a single-digit rank before too long.

Last not least a look at the three 6-1's in the table - while Kotokensei and Kotoeko are pretty much just making up lost group, with Kotokensei set to reach a new high rank after three years, Ryuden may finally have had that breakout basho that's been expected of him for the last two years. He ought to be ranked somewhere between Ms4w and Ms6e on the upcoming banzuke, so he'll be getting right back into the promotional thick of things after his not so good 2-5 first attempt in January.

No rikishi is joining this tier for Natsu, so with the five departures it's going to get a bit less crowded here.

Edited May 2, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 18,786]

On the other hand, quite a bit more crowded will be Tier 3, but for now let's deal with the 28 current inhabitants:

Heisei Hopefuls for Haru 2012 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01	2012.03
Sakumayama	Kitanoumi	1988/08/07 (53)	2011.05	Ms4	Mz 2-0	Jk5w 7-0 Y	Jd12w 7-0 D	Sd21e 7-0 Y	Ms15e 6-1 Y	Ms4e 5-2
Takanoiwa	Takanohana	1990/02/26 (31)	2008.11	Ms6	Ms30w 1-2-4	Ms44w 0-0-7	Sd22w 6-1	Ms42e 6-1 D	Ms17e 5-2	Ms6w 5-2
Tochiyashiki	Kasugano	1989/07/07 (39)	2008.03	Ms7	Ms9w 3-4	Ms11e 3-4	Ms13w 4-3	Ms9w 4-3	Ms7e 3-4	Ms12w 4-3
Higoarashi	Kise	1989/08/20 (36)	2006.05	Ms15	Ms47w 4-3	Ms29e 5-2	Ms16e 3-4	Ms22e 3-4	Ms29e 5-2	Ms15w 1-6
Seiro	Shikoroyama	1988/08/18 (52)	2005.07	Ms21	Ms33w 2-5	Ms37w 5-2	Ms22e 3-4	Ms28w 3-4	Ms36e 5-2	Ms21e 4-3
Karatsuumi	Tamanoi	1988/08/03 (54)	2004.03	Ms12	Sd67e 4-3	Sd39w 5-2	Sd11w 7-0Y	Ms12w 3-4	Ms18e 3-4	Ms24e 2-5
Tamadaiki	Kataonami	1988/11/02 (49)	2007.03	Ms24	Sd7w 0-0-7	Sd62e 6-1	Sd5e 4-3	Ms57e 5-2	Ms42w 5-2	Ms25w 4-3
Mankajo	Kasugayama	1990/02/10 (32)	2005.03	Ms31	Sd5w 5-2	Ms34w 3-4	Ms41w 3-4	Ms48w 5-2	Ms39e 4-3	Ms31w 2-5
Dewahayate	Dewanoumi	1989/01/31 (45)	2004.03	Ms19	Sd4w 5-2	Ms33w 5-2	Ms19w 3-4	Ms24w 4-3	Ms20w 2-4-1	Ms34w 4-3
Tochinohama	Kasugano	1989/01/29 (46)	2007.03	Ms26	Ms60e 4-3	Ms39e 4-3	Ms30w 3-4	Ms37e 5-2	Ms26w 3-4	Ms35e 2-5
Hokaho	Miyagino	1989/06/21 (40)	2007.03	Ms41	Sd36w 2-5	Sd48e 5-2	Sd18e 3-4	Sd34w 6-1	Ms50e 4-3	Ms41e 4-3
Fukugoriki	Arashio	1988/03/02 (58)	2005.11	Ms22	Ms41e 4-3	Ms22e 3-4	Ms27e 2-5	Ms41w 4-3	Ms36w 3-4	Ms43e 3-4
Kyokutaisei	Oshima	1989/10/18 (34)	2008.01	Ms44	Sd27w 5-2	Ms55w 2-5	Sd17w 4-3	Sd4w 5-2	Ms51e 4-3	Ms44e 4-3
Mugendai	Musashigawa	1989/01/21 (47)	2004.05	Ms35	Sd26e 4-3	Sd3e 5-2	Ms45e 5-2	Ms35e 1-6	Sd7e 5-2	Ms51e 5-2
Migikataagari	Otake	1988/06/08 (56)	2004.03	Ms31	Ms38e 3-4	Ms39w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4	Ms38e 3-4	Ms44e 3-4	Ms52e 2-5
Okoryu	Sakaigawa	1989/02/14 (42)	2007.03	Ms54	Sd54w 3-4	Sd62w 4-3	Sd44e 4-3	Sd28e 5-2	Sd3e 4-3	Ms54w 3-4
Kisenowaka	Kitanoumi	1988/08/31 (51)	2006.11	Ms58	Sd22e 2-5	Sd31w 3-4	Sd46w 5-2	Sd19e 4-3	Sd8w 4-3	Ms58w 6-1
Kenho	Tokitsukaze	1989/02/10 (44)	2011.05	Ms59	Mz 2-1	Jk10w 4-3	Jd79e 5-2	Jd35w 5-2	Sd99e 7-0 D	Ms59e 1-6
Asabenkei	Takasago	1989/02/12 (43)	2007.03	Ms40	Ms54e 0-1-6	Sd29e 5-2	Sd3w 4-3	Ms56e 4-3	Ms48e 3-4	Ms60e 2-5
Kansei	Sakaigawa	1989/08/25 (35)	2008.03	Ms48	Sd6e 2-5	Sd14w 3-4	Sd26e 5-2	Sd2w 5-2	Ms48w 3-4	Ms60w 4-3
Tokizakura	Nakamura	1989/07/10 (38)	2005.03	Ms35	Sd12w 3-4	Sd12w 4-3	Ms59e 4-3	Ms50w 2-5	Sd15e 4-3	Sd8e 4-3
Byakko	Nakamura	1989/07/11 (37)	2005.03	Ms13	Ms13e 2-5	Ms17e 3-4	Ms21w 3-4	Ms28e 3-4	Ms34w 1-4-2	Sd8w 3-4
Daiseiho	Shibatayama	1988/11/27 (48)	2008.01	Ms56	Sd34e 4-3	Sd7w 4-3	Ms56w 3-4	Sd10w 4-3	Ms59w 3-4	Sd16w 3-4
Genkaiho	Otake	1988/04/15 (57)	2004.03	Ms51	Sd36e 5-2	Ms58w 3-4	Sd10w 4-3	Ms60e 4-3	Ms51w 2-5	Sd17w 4-3
Otakayama	Takadagawa	1988/07/04 (55)	2004.03	Ms56	Sd30w 5-2	Ms56w 2-5	Sd18w 5-2	Ms58e 3-4	Sd14e 3-4	Sd28e 2-5
Daikamifusa	Asahiyama	1989/05/30 (41)	2005.03	Ms46	Ms46e 0-0-7	Sd21e 2-5	Sd47e 4-3	Sd31e 3-4	Sd47e 4-3	Sd30w 2-5
Isamizuki	Sakaigawa	1990/02/07 (33)	2008.03	Ms58	Jd6w 6-1	Sd35e 3-4	Sd48e 6-1	Ms58w 2-5	Sd24e 2-5	Sd51w 3-4
Hokudozan	Hakkaku	1988/10/24 (50)	2007.03	Ms55	Sd37w 1-1-5	Sd61e 4-3	Sd42w 6-1	Ms55e 2-5	Sd21w 1-6	Sd60e 4-3

Let's start with the biggest news of the basho: Belated congrats to Sakumayama/Jokoryu on graduating to sekitori status! As has been well-publicized elsewhere he ties the fastest promotion record held by Itai and Tosayutaka.

Nearly earning promotion as well in Haru basho was Takanoiwa; it wasn't quite enough this time, but with his 5-2 record he'll likely be just one more kachikoshi away from the promised land in May. Third-ranked Tochiyashiki also pressed the up button on the banzuke elevator again, and maybe one of these days he'll break out of his series of 3-4 and 4-3 records to mount a real promotion challenge.

The sole 6-1 in this tier can be counted as a surprise, as it was achieved by a makushita debutant. Still in mid-sandanme just four basho ago Kisenowaka is now set to jump to mid-makushita. Seiro, Hokaho and Kyokutaisei joined him in KK'ing at career-high ranks, albeit just with 4-3's.

And perhaps also noteworthy is Tamadaiki's return to form. From his high rank of Ms24 two years ago he posted three straight MK to drop to sandanme, then a missed basho derailed him some more. With five consecutive KK and a combined record of 24-11 he's now going up to a new high rank.

A somewhat questionable performance in the opposite direction has been completed by Byakko - following a sandanme yusho from Sd13w in January last year he has now gone MK for a full year straight and will wind back up on a lower rank than during his yusho performance.

Sakumayama isn't the only one to depart this tier as Fukugoriki and Genkaiho have turned 24 and will no longer be tracked here. Their places are being taken by a trio of newcomers, two of them in fact very new:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.05	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01	2012.03
Irie	Tamanoi	1988/07/15	2011.05	Sd3	Mz 2-1	Jk8w 6-1	Jd32e 6-1	Sd68w 6-1	Sd12w 4-3	Sd3w 5-2
Watanabe	Takanohana	1988/09/29	2011.05	Sd16	Mz 2-1	Jk12e 5-2	Jd67e 7-0 Y	Sd68e 5-2	Sd40e 5-2	Sd16e 5-2
Notoazuma	Tamanoi	1988/09/27	2007.03	Sd16	Sd74w 5-2	Sd29w 4-3	Sd16e 2-5	Sd42w 4-3	Sd33e 4-3	Sd18e 6-1

Being born in 1988 neither will be around for long before they're hit by the age cutoff themselves. Should be interesting to see how far they'll manage to advance before the hammer drops.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Here are the lineups for Natsu 2012. Leading the way, Tier 1, where I'm a bit surprised that Tatsu was able to hang on to the top spot:

Heisei Hopefuls for Natsu 2012 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Chiyootori (1992/10/11, debut 2008.05, shin-juryo 2012.03)
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2011.07	2011.09	2011.11	2012.01	2012.03	2012.05
● 0	Tatsu	Takadagawa	1994/06/01 (3)	2010.03	Ms16	Sd12e 5-2	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 4-3	Ms40e 6-1 D	Ms16e 2-5	Ms31w
▲ 2	Sasanoyama	Kise	1992/12/30 (7)	2011.05	Ms32	Jk6w 7-0 D	Jd14e 6-1	Sd51e 6-1	Sd1e 5-2	Ms42w 5-2	Ms32w
▼ 1	Kotokawazu	Sadogatake	1993/01/14 (6)	2011.05	Ms27	Jk7e 4-3	Jd76e 6-1	Jd5e 6-1	Sd43w 7-0 Y	Ms27w 3-4	Ms37w
▼ 1	Akinokawa	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (8)	2008.03	Ms28	Ms58e 3-4	Sd8w 3-4	Sd25e 5-2	Ms60e 6-1 D	Ms28e 3-4	Ms38e
New	Aonosho	Dewanoumi	1993/06/03 (5)	2009.03	Ms57	Sd73e 1-6	Jd9e 4-3	Sd92e 3-4	Jd12w 4-3	Sd92w 7-0 D	Ms57w
New	Masunosho	Chiganoura	1994/11/14 (2)	2010.03	Ms60	Sd75w 5-2	Sd45w 3-4	Sd62e 5-2	Sd36e 5-2	Sd10w 4-3	Ms60e
● 0	Tsurubayashi	Kise	1993/12/31 (4)	2009.03	Ms46	Sd32w 2-5	Sd57e 5-2	Sd27w 6-1	Ms46e 2-5	Sd12e 4-3	Sd1w
▼ 3	Terutsuyoshi	Isegahama	1995/01/17 (1)	2010.03	Ms49	Sd70e 6-1	Sd13w 3-4	Sd31w 5-2	Sd6e 5-2	Ms49e 3-4	Sd4e