Heisei Hopefuls - prospect watch

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Poor Ikioi.... OK, maybe he lucked out at making it to Komusubi, but that was no reason to send him back to makushita ;-) . Kintamayama will be furious.

Oops! Thanks for noticing that. At least you didn't notice the other error I actually came here to fix just now... ;-)

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Tier 3:

It's becoming the norm in this section that the highest-ranking rikishi picks up a big makekoshi and Kotokobai was no exception, although that also wasn't a big surprise for his first appearance in the single-digit ranks. His stablemate Kotoeko did surprise with a 4-3 kachikoshi - still uncompetitive in the middle of the division just half a year ago the once-lanky pusher looks a bit more built now and has really turned things up of late. Competent but unspectacular collegiate entrant Kawabata also scored 4 wins in his second pro appearance - he'll probably be in juryo before too long, but I still don't have a handle on his upside. Right now he looks like the quintessential mid-juryo rikishi to me (think Homarefuji on his average days).

More upside can probably be expected from Kokonoe favourite Chiyoshoma who's the same age but still unfinished physique-wise; he too finished with 4 wins in Natsu, for his 4th straight kachikoshi. The 4-3 trio will be joined in the high ranks for July by Kawanari who scored another 6-1, again losing only to Tochinoshin. He'll be back around the rank he was at before he missed the January tournament due to injury.

Further down the ranks an unexpected performance was put together by heavy Akua who streaked to 6 straight wins and was only stopped by Tochinoshin in the Day 13 yusho decider. I've been a fan of his for a while now (for reasons that aren't fully clear even to myself...), but I'll be honest, I have no idea what to make of this result. I don't see him suddenly be competitive around Ms20, but maybe this was a breakout performance, not just a fluke.

And down in sandanme Daishoiwa even went one better and completed the 7-0 zensho record, albeit then losing the yusho playoff. He's a guy who looked very strong for exactly two tournaments some two years ago (the basho before his makushita debut and the debut basho itself, both of which were 5-2's), but promptly went back into the wilderness again and hasn't really done much of anything since then. Until now, that is. When he's "on", he's a hard-to-stop yotsu machine, but when he's not his sumo suffers from bad footwork and an apparent lack of strategy. I suspect next basho will be rather painful for him around Ms15.

Last not least a quick mention of small Onami's 4-3 at his career-high rank - I still don't expect him to make juryo, but there's something to be said for holding one's own in mid-makushita at barely 100 kg, and he does still have some years left to develop.

Heisei Hopefuls for Natsu 2014 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.07	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05
Kotokobai	Sadogatake	1991/03/31 (45)	2006.03	Ms7	Ms28e 4-3	Ms23e 4-3	Ms17w 2-5	Ms33w 5-2	Ms17w 6-1	Ms7e 2-5
Kotoeko	Sadogatake	1991/11/20 (37)	2007.03	Ms8	Ms42w 5-2	Ms26w 3-4	Ms33e 2-5	Ms46w 6-1	Ms19w 6-1	Ms8e 4-3
Kawabata	Oitekaze	1991/07/10 (41)	2014.03	Ms8	[/td2]			Ms15Td 5-2	Ms8w 4-3
Chiyoshoma	Kokonoe	1991/07/20 (39)	2009.05	Ms10	Ms25e 3-4	Ms33w 3-4	Ms40e 5-2	Ms25e 4-3	Ms18w 5-2	Ms10e 4-3
Masunoumi	Chiganoura	1991/11/12 (38)	2010.01	Ms9	Ms28w 3-4	Ms37e 5-2	Ms21w 6-1	Ms9e 2-5	Ms21e 4-3	Ms14w 3-4
Kawanari	Oguruma	1991/07/07 (42)	2007.03	Ms1	Ms9e 4-3	Ms8e 5-2	Ms3e 3-4	Ms6e 0-0-7	Ms46w 6-1	Ms20w 6-1
Nishikigi	Isenoumi	1990/08/25 (51)	2006.03	Ms3	Ms8w 3-4	Ms15e 4-3	Ms10e 3-4	Ms16e 4-3	Ms10w 2-5	Ms22w 4-3
Onami	Arashio	1991/12/29 (33)	2009.11	Ms23	Sd18e 5-2	Ms57e 5-2	Ms36w 4-3	Ms28e 3-4	Ms37w 5-2	Ms23w 4-3
Chiyosakae	Kokonoe	1990/07/12 (53)	2009.01	Ms18	Ms32e 3-4	Ms42e 4-3	Ms32e 4-3	Ms24w 4-3	Ms18e 3-4	Ms26e 2-5
Sasakiyama	Kise	1991/06/12 (44)	2010.01	Ms19	Ms30e 5-2	Ms19w 3-4	Ms26e 4-3	Ms22w 3-4	Ms30e 4-3	Ms26w 3-4
Koba	Kise	1991/03/12 (46)	2013.03	Ms25	Jd26w 6-1	Sd64w 6-1	Sd11w 6-1	Ms31e 4-3	Ms25e 3-4	Ms33e 4-3
Matsumoto	Shikoroyama	1992/03/10 (31)	2007.03	Ms16	Ms16w 2-5	Ms30w 2-5	Ms47e 4-3	Ms40w 5-2	Ms25w 3-4	Ms34e 5-2
Komanokuni	Shibatayama	1990/06/29 (54)	2006.03	Ms26	Ms38e 3-4	Ms48e 5-2	Ms30e 3-4	Ms41e 5-2	Ms26e 3-4	Ms35e 3-4
Hakunishiki	Kasugayama	1992/01/13 (32)	2007.03	Ms35	Ms39w 2-5	Sd2w 3-4	Sd13e 5-2	Ms50e 4-3	Ms42w 4-3	Ms35w 3-4
Matsubayama	Kasugayama	1991/06/13 (43)	2007.03	Ms40	Ms54e 3-4	Sd7e 5-2	Ms46e 4-3	Ms40e 2-5	Sd1e 5-2	Ms45w 4-3
Kotokensei	Sadogatake	1991/01/06 (47)	2006.03	Ms43	Sd73w 4-3	Sd55w 4-3	Sd37e 4-3	Sd27e 5-2	Sd4e 5-2	Ms47w 4-3
Akua	Tatsunami	1990/11/06 (48)	2010.11	Ms28	Ms51w 5-2	Ms34w 3-4	Ms41w 4-3	Ms34w 4-3	Ms28w 2-5	Ms48e 6-1
Yoshifuji	Isegahama	1991/12/25 (34)	2010.01	Ms52	Sd74e 4-3	Sd57w 3-4	Sd72w 4-3	Sd55w 4-3	Sd37e 6-1	Ms52w 3-4
Daishonada	Oitekaze	1991/12/08 (36)	2010.03	Ms53	Sd71e 5-2	Sd45w 3-4	Sd60w 4-3	Sd48e 6-1	Ms60w 4-3	Ms53w 1-6
Kotofukuju	Sadogatake	1991/12/14 (35)	2007.03	Ms17	Ms50e 0-0-7	Sd32w 5-2	Sd8w 4-3	Ms58w 3-4	Sd13w 5-2	Ms54w 2-5
Nogami	Oguruma	1990/08/15 (52)	2009.01	Ms15	Ms15w 1-6	Ms44w 4-3	Ms35w 4-3	Ms27e 3-4	Ms35w 2-5	Ms55e 2-5
Tomisakae	Isegahama	1992/04/11 (29)	2008.03	Ms50	Ms56w 4-3	Ms50w 3-4	Sd4w 2-5	Sd25w 4-3	Sd13e 4-3	Sd3w 4-3
Oazuma	Tamanoi	1990/05/10 (55)	2006.05	Ms53	Sd3w 4-3	Ms54e 3-4	Sd8e 3-4	Sd21e 3-4	Sd34w 5-2	Sd9e 4-3
Aiyama	Kitanoumi	1992/03/23 (30)	2007.03	Ms52	Sd11e 4-3	Ms60e 4-3	Ms52e 1-6	Sd16w 5-2	Ms56w 3-4	Sd11w 4-3
Daishoiwa	Oitekaze	1990/10/29 (49)	2006.03	Ms36	Sd16w 4-3	Sd6e 5-2	Ms44w 3-4	Ms51e 3-4	Sd2e 3-4	Sd20e 7-0 D
Tsurunoumi	Takadagawa	1990/10/13 (50)	2006.03	Ms54	Sd29w 4-3	Sd17w 5-2	Ms54e 1-6	Sd20w 3-4	Sd33e 4-3	Sd23e 3-4
Wakayama	Onomatsu	1992/04/26 (28)	2011.07	Ms56	Sd42e 6-1	Ms56w 1-6	Sd32e 4-3	Sd23e 4-3	Sd10w 3-4	Sd28e 5-2
Daijo	Takadagawa	1991/07/19 (40)	2007.03	Ms53	Sd21e 3-4	Sd37e 2-5	Sd64w 3-4	Sd83e 4-3	Sd63w 4-3	Sd51e 5-2

Super-heavyweight Komanokuni (too large for his own good IMHO) and often injured Oazuma have reached the Tier 3 age cutoff and will be leaving us. I doubt we'll be seeing them again before they're also too old for a Tier 4 extension.

Joining Hokutowaka (see above) on the way in is the following guy:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.07	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05
Aoi	Shikoroyama	1992/04/02	2008.03	Sd9	Sd69w 3-4	Sd89e 3-3-1	Jd7w 6-1	Sd47e 3-4	Sd60w 5-2	Sd32w 6-1

Speaking of injury-prone rikishi, Aoi's another one who has already missed sizable dohyo time; 37 basho into his career he has only completed 28 of them. That makes it hard to say just how good he is, although I feel pretty safe in saying "probably not makushita quality just yet". He did turn 22 only two months ago so he'll be getting nearly the full two years here to prove himself. In any case, he's got the distinction of winning more than two-thirds of his bouts via yorikiri/taoshi without looking all that competent on the mawashi. Basically, he seems to like going into close combat and then overwhelming his opponent through sheer power. Normally I'd say his physique is makushita-worthy, but I suspect he's not big enough to make that particular fighting style work against the more skilled and more powerful opponents he's going to meet now.

Edited May 31, 2014 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Tier 4:

Ishiura's unorthodox fighting style was finally stopped in decisive fashion, leaving him with just 2 wins to his name in Natsu. I suspect he'll have to make some adjustments now as the surprise factor is gone and things aren't going to get any easier for him in upper makushita. Kyokutaisei managed to shine brightly, however, and clinched the juryo debut with an all-around strong basho. His history including his judo background has been well-discussed in other threads so I probably don't need to add anything here. He does look strong enough now while still maintaining his unpredictableness that he should have a fighting chance of kachikoshi next time.

Dewahayate performed very strongly as well and deservedly finished with a 5-2 record. That score is probably just enough to get him back into the promotion zone where he'll hopefully do better than he did last September.

Other than that there's not much to write home about here. Iwasaki's own promotion zone debut ended in a 3-4, while stablemate Higoarashi wasn't able to turn things around and added another 3-win record to the one from last basho. I won't go so far as to say his 7-0 from January was a fluke, but it also hasn't turned out to be a game-changer for the heavy Kise deshi.

Heisei Hopefuls for Natsu 2014 - Tier 4: Last Chance Saloon - Ms15+ Age 25 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.07	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05
Ishiura	Miyagino	1990/01/10 (60)	2013.01	Ms2	Sd17w 6-1	Ms41e 5-2	Ms25w 6-1	Ms11w 5-2	Ms5e 4-3	Ms2w 2-5
Kyokutaisei	Tomozuna	1989/10/18 (61)	2008.01	Ms3	Ms24e 6-1	Ms11w 3-4	Ms16w 3-4	Ms23e 5-2	Ms11e 6-1	Ms3w 5-2
Iwasaki	Kise	1989/06/11 (68)	2012.05	Ms5	Ms26e 4-3	Ms20w 4-3	Ms15w 4-3	Ms12w 4-3	Ms8w 4-3	Ms5e 3-4
Higoarashi	Kise	1989/08/20 (63)	2006.05	Ms2	Ms5w 2-5	Ms18e 3-4	Ms24e 4-3	Ms21e 7-0 Y	Ms2e 3-4	Ms5w 3-4
Dewahayate	Dewanoumi	1989/01/31 (69)	2004.03	Ms5	Ms7w 4-3	Ms5e 2-5	Ms14w 4-3	Ms10w 3-4	Ms15w 4-3	Ms11w 5-2
Takatoshi	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (56)	2009.01	Ms10	Ms10w 3-4	Ms17e 4-3	Ms13e 3-4	Ms20e 3-4	Ms27w 5-2	Ms15e 3-4
Mankajo	Kasugayama	1990/02/10 (59)	2005.03	Ms6	Ms18e 3-4	Ms25e 5-2	Ms15e 4-3	Ms12e 5-2	Ms6e 2-5	Ms16w 3-4
Kairyu	Dewanoumi	1990/03/01 (58)	2005.03	Ms3	Ms15e 6-1	Ms3w 3-4	Ms7e 1-6	Ms26e 6-1	Ms8e 2-5	Ms19w 3-4
Tochinosato	Kasugano	1989/07/07 (66)	2008.03	Ms4	Sd5w 6-1	Ms32e 4-3	Ms25e 4-3	Ms21w 4-3	Ms16e 3-4	Ms23e 1-6
Irie	Tamanoi	1988/07/15 (72)	2011.05	Ms3	Ms12e 5-2	Ms6e 4-3	Ms3w 3-4	Ms6w 2-5	Ms16w 2-5	Ms30w 5-2
Hokaho	Miyagino	1989/06/21 (67)	2007.03	Ms11	Ms32w 4-3	Ms26e 3-4	Ms32w 2-5	Ms46e 5-2	Ms29e 3-4	Ms38e 5-2
Kansei	Sakaigawa	1989/08/25 (62)	2008.03	Ms3	Ms22w 5-2	Ms14w 4-3	Ms9e 5-2	Ms3e 3-4	Ms6w 0-3-4	Ms41w 0-0-7
Byakko	Azumazeki	1989/07/11 (64)	2005.03	Ms13	Ms23w 4-3	Ms18w 1-6	Ms41e 3-4	Ms48w 4-3	Ms40w 2-5	Sd4w 5-2
Karatsuumi	Tamanoi	1988/08/03 (71)	2004.03	Ms12	Ms55w 1-6	Sd28w 1-6	Sd65w 6-1	Sd10e 1-6	Sd45e 5-2	Sd19e 4-3
Takageppo	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (56)	2009.01	Ms14	Ms38w 4-3	Ms31e 3-2-2	Ms37w 4-3	Ms29e 1-6	Ms56e 1-6	Sd33e 0-0-7
Takamai	Takanohana	1988/09/29 (70)	2011.05	Ms7	Sd32w 4-3	Sd18w 0-4-3	Sd69e 0-0-7	Jd30e 3-4	Jd51w 4-3	Jd26w 4-3
Hamaguchi	Kise	1989/07/11 (64)	2012.05	Ms4	Ms4w 2-3-2	Ms16w 0-0-7	Ms56w 0-0-7	Sd37e 0-0-7	Sd98e 0-0-7	Jd58w 0-0-7

One half of the older Taka twins has decided to call it quits, so we say goodbye to Takageppo. He is replaced by an old face:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.07	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05
Daishoryu	Oitekaze	1989/12/29	2005.09	Ms18	Ms53e 5-2	Ms37w 4-3	Ms29e 3-4	Ms39e 4-3	Ms31e 5-2	Ms18w 5-2

When he turned 24 after Kyushu basho I wrote that Daishoryu "might be back briefly as a Tier 4 rikishi later". Courtesy of three straight KK since then he has proved me wrong, as he's now going to get another year and a half under our prospect supervision. There's actually not much wrong with Daishoryu's sumo as far as I can see, and he might just lack a bit more horsepower to thrive in high makushita. However, he is fairly large already so it could be more a matter of improving his conditioning than just adding more weight. Overall he's a poor man's Toyonoshima right now, which admittedly isn't the worst basis to build upon.

Late edit: A qualifier I overlooked at the time:

Heisei Hopefuls for Natsu 2014 - Tier 4: Last Chance Saloon - Ms15+ Age 25 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.07	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05
Asabenkei	Takasago	1989/02/12	2007.03	Ms20	Ms41w 4-3	Ms34e 4-3	Ms27e 3-4	Ms35e 5-2	Ms20e 3-4	Ms27w 5-2

Edited September 24, 2014 by Asashosakari

[yorikiried by fate 1,868]

This is such an amazing thread!

(Bow...)

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Nagoya 2014, Tier 1:

Daieisho takes over as the new sekitori yardstick, but the countdown to the Onosho era is already on, I suspect. Also on the shortlist to watch this basho: Horikiri and Kaito and Baraki.

Heisei Hopefuls for Nagoya 2014 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Daieisho (1993/11/10, debut 2012.01, shin-juryo 2014.07)
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07
● 0	Tatsu	Takadagawa	1994/06/01 (10)	2010.03	Ms7	Ms38e 4-3	Ms29w 5-2	Ms19e 4-3	Ms13e 4-3	Ms9w 4-3	Ms7e
▲ 1	Onosho	Onomatsu	1996/07/04 (1)	2013.01	Ms10	Sd3w 4-3	Ms54w 5-2	Ms34e 4-3	Ms28e 5-2	Ms16e 5-2	Ms10e
▲ 1	Horikiri	Shikoroyama	1994/05/04 (12)	2013.05	Ms11	Jd33w 7-0 Y	Sd34e 4-3	Sd23w 7-0 Y	Ms13w 3-4	Ms18e 5-2	Ms11w
▲ 2	Terutsuyoshi	Isegahama	1995/01/17 (6)	2010.03	Ms11	Ms35w 5-2	Ms19e 5-2	Ms11e 2-5	Ms24e 3-4	Ms32e 5-2	Ms22e
● 0	Daishoho	Oitekaze	1994/08/28 (8)	2013.03	Ms24	Sd33w 2-5	Sd58e 6-1	Sd5e 5-2	Ms44w 5-2	Ms31w 4-3	Ms24w
▼ 4	Tsurubayashi	Kise	1993/12/31 (14)	2009.03	Ms12	Ms60w 3-4	Sd12e 6-1	Ms32e 5-2	Ms17e 4-3	Ms12w 2-5	Ms27e
▲ 4	Kaito	Asakayama	1996/06/19 (2)	2012.05	Ms28	Sd64e 6-1	Sd11e 2-5	Sd34e 4-3	Sd21e 5-2	Ms59e 6-1	Ms28w
● 0	Hakuyozan	Takadagawa	1995/04/13 (5)	2011.05	Ms34	Sd19e 5-2	Ms56e 4-3	Ms47e 3-4	Ms57e 5-2	Ms43e 4-3	Ms34w
▲ 6	Meisei	Tatsunami	1995/07/24 (4)	2011.05	Ms38	Sd11w 4-3	Ms60w 3-4	Sd8e 4-3	Ms58w 3-4	Sd14e 6-1	Ms38e
▼ 1	Masunosho	Chiganoura	1994/11/14 (7)	2010.03	Ms18	Ms40e 3-4	Ms46w 2-5	Sd1e 4-3	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 4-3	Ms38w
▼ 4	Ohara	Shikoroyama	1993/12/14 (16)	2009.03	Ms41	Sd21e 4-3	Sd9e 4-3	Ms59e 2-5	Sd21w 6-1	Ms41e 3-4	Ms49e
New	Rikishin	Tatsunami	1995/10/07 (3)	2011.05	Ms50	Sd8e 0-0-7	Sd68w 4-3	Sd52e 3-4	Sd65w 6-1	Sd11e 5-2	Ms50e
New	Nishiyama	Onoe	1994/04/27 (13)	2010.03	Ms59	Sd16w 3-4	Sd31e 4-3	Sd21w 3-3-1	Sd35e 5-2	Sd10e 4-3	Ms59e
▼ 4	Daichi	Shikoroyama	1994/07/15 (9)	2010.03	Ms57	Sd67e 4-3	Sd48e 5-2	Sd22w 2-5	Sd44w 6-1	Ms57e 3-4	Sd9w
▼ 3	Chiyokiryu	Kokonoe	1993/12/27 (15)	2012.03	Ms50	Sd44e 5-2	Sd16e 3-4	Sd30w 6-1	Ms50w 3-4	Sd4e 1-6	Sd36w
● 0	Baraki	Shikihide	1994/05/10 (11)	2013.01	Ms58	Jd10e 4-3	Sd90w 7-0 D	Ms58e 0-7	Sd34e 3-4	Sd51w 1-6	Sd83w

Nagoya 2014, Tier 2:

For the first time in a year there's a Tier 2 rikishi in the promotion zone, though Sasanoyama probably needs some more seasoning before a serious challenge.

Heisei Hopefuls for Nagoya 2014 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07
▲ 1	Sasanoyama	Kise	1992/12/30 (24)	2011.05	Ms12	Ms24e 1-6	Ms50e 5-2	Ms29w 4-3	Ms23w 4-3	Ms17w 4-3	Ms13w
▲ 5	Akinokawa	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (25)	2008.03	Ms17	Ms53e 6-1	Ms26w 2-5	Ms42w 3-4	Ms50e 4-3	Ms42e 6-1	Ms17e
▲ 2	Akinoyama	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (25)	2008.03	Ms27	Sd30w 5-2	Sd6e 3-4	Sd18w 6-1	Ms39e 4-3	Ms33w 4-3	Ms27w
▲ 2	Goshi	Arashio	1993/10/05 (17)	2011.11	Ms7	Ms7e 2-5	Ms19w 2-5	Ms36w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3	Ms37e 4-3	Ms29w
▼ 4	Mitoyutaka	Nishikido	1993/04/08 (21)	2009.03	Ms16	Ms28e 4-3	Ms21e 4-3	Ms16w 3-4	Ms23e 4-3	Ms17e 2-5	Ms31w
▼ 2	Kotodaigo	Sadogatake	1993/01/14 (23)	2011.05	Ms27	Sd54e 6-1	Sd3w 3-4	Sd13w 6-1	Ms36w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4	Ms39e
▲ 2	Ikeru	Onomatsu	1992/11/26 (27)	2010.11	Ms44	Jd14w 5-2	Sd80e 6-1	Sd24w 4-3	Sd12e 5-2	Ms53e 4-3	Ms44e
▼ 5	Takakasuga	Kasugayama	1993/03/06 (22)	2011.07	Ms30	Sd11e 4-3	Ms60e 2-5	Sd20e 2-5	Sd42w 7-0 D	Ms30e 2-5	Ms45e
▲ 2	Tochimaru	Kasugano	1992/08/26 (28)	2011.05	Ms23	Ms36w 2-5	Ms52w 6-1	Ms23w 1-6	Ms48w 3-4	Sd3e 4-2-1	Ms53w
▲ 2	Haguroho	Tatsunami	1993/07/08 (19)	2009.03	Ms20	Ms27w 3-4	Ms34e 0-7	Sd9w 2-5	Sd31w 4-3	Sd17w 5-2	Ms55w
▼ 3	Shinohara	Onomatsu	1993/08/21 (18)	2012.01	Ms41	Sd22w 4-3	Sd10e 4-3	Ms59w 5-2	Ms41e 3-4	Ms49e 3-4	Ms58e
▼ 2	Aonosho	Dewanoumi	1993/06/03 (20)	2009.03	Ms38	Sd31w 5-2	Sd7e 4-3	Ms56w 5-2	Ms38e 2-5	Sd1e 2-5	Sd26w

Tochimaru will drop down to Tier 3 after the basho.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Nagoya 2014, Tier 3:

That's quite an intriguing quartet in the single-digit ranks, and I can't even begin to predict which one of them we'll see in juryo first.

Heisei Hopefuls for Nagoya 2014 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07
▲ 1	Kotoeko	Sadogatake	1991/11/20 (40)	2007.03	Ms5	Ms26w 3-4	Ms33e 2-5	Ms46w 6-1	Ms19w 6-1	Ms8e 4-3	Ms5e
▲ 1	Kawabata	Oitekaze	1991/07/10 (44)	2014.03	Ms6	[/td2]

Ms15Td 5-2Ms8w 4-3Ms6e▲ 3KawanariOguruma1991/07/07 (45)2007.03Ms1Ms8e 5-2Ms3e 3-4Ms6e 0-0-7Ms46w 6-1Ms20w 6-1Ms7w● 0ChiyoshomaKokonoe1991/07/20 (42)2009.05Ms8Ms33w 3-4Ms40e 5-2Ms25e 4-3Ms18w 5-2Ms10e 4-3Ms8e▲ 19DaishoiwaOitekaze1990/10/29 (52)2006.03Ms14Sd6e 5-2Ms44w 3-4Ms51e 3-4Sd2e 3-4Sd20e 7-0 DMs14e▼ 5KotokobaiSadogatake1991/03/31 (48)2006.03Ms7Ms23e 4-3Ms17w 2-5Ms33w 5-2Ms17w 6-1Ms7e 2-5Ms18e● 0NishikigiIsenoumi1990/08/25 (54)2006.03Ms3Ms15e 4-3Ms10e 3-4Ms16e 4-3Ms10w 2-5Ms22w 4-3Ms18w● 0OnamiArashio1991/12/29 (36)2009.11Ms20Ms57e 5-2Ms36w 4-3Ms28e 3-4Ms37w 5-2Ms23w 4-3Ms20e▲ 7AkuaTatsunami1990/11/06 (51)2010.11Ms20Ms34w 3-4Ms41w 4-3Ms34w 4-3Ms28w 2-5Ms48e 6-1Ms20w▼ 5MasunoumiChiganoura1991/11/12 (41)2010.01Ms9Ms37e 5-2Ms21w 6-1Ms9e 2-5Ms21e 4-3Ms14w 3-4Ms21e▲ 1MatsumotoShikoroyama1992/03/10 (34)2007.03Ms16Ms30w 2-5Ms47e 4-3Ms40w 5-2Ms25w 3-4Ms34e 5-2Ms23w▼ 1KobaKise1991/03/12 (49)2013.03Ms25Sd64w 6-1Sd11w 6-1Ms31e 4-3Ms25e 3-4Ms33e 4-3Ms25w▼ 3SasakiyamaKise1991/06/12 (47)2010.01Ms19Ms19w 3-4Ms26e 4-3Ms22w 3-4Ms30e 4-3Ms26w 3-4Ms35e● 0MatsubayamaKasugayama1991/06/13 (46)2007.03Ms36Sd7e 5-2Ms46e 4-3Ms40e 2-5Sd1e 5-2Ms45w 4-3Ms36w● 0KotokenseiSadogatake1991/01/06 (50)2006.03Ms40Sd55w 4-3Sd37e 4-3Sd27e 5-2Sd4e 5-2Ms47w 4-3Ms40e▼ 7ChiyosakaeKokonoe1990/07/12 (56)2009.01Ms18Ms42e 4-3Ms32e 4-3Ms24w 4-3Ms18e 3-4Ms26e 2-5Ms41w▼ 4HakunishikiKasugayama1992/01/13 (35)2007.03Ms35Sd2w 3-4Sd13e 5-2Ms50e 4-3Ms42w 4-3Ms35w 3-4Ms43wNewAoiShikoroyama1992/04/02 (32)2008.03Ms49Sd89e 3-3-1Jd7w 6-1Sd47e 3-4Sd60w 5-2Sd32w 6-1Ms49wNewHokutowakaHakkaku1992/06/20 (29)2008.03Ms53Sd48e 2-5Sd77w 4-3Sd59w 4-3Sd40w 5-2Sd13w 5-2Ms53e▲ 1TomisakaeIsegahama1992/04/11 (31)2008.03Ms50Ms50w 3-4Sd4w 2-5Sd25w 4-3Sd13e 4-3Sd3w 4-3Ms54e▲ 1AiyamaKitanoumi1992/03/23 (33)2007.03Ms52Ms60e 4-3Ms52e 1-6Sd16w 5-2Ms56w 3-4Sd11w 4-3Ms60w▼ 5YoshifujiIsegahama1991/12/25 (37)2010.01Ms52Sd57w 3-4Sd72w 4-3Sd55w 4-3Sd37e 6-1Ms52w 3-4Sd3w▲ 3WakayamaOnomatsu1992/04/26 (30)2011.07Ms56Ms56w 1-6Sd32e 4-3Sd23e 4-3Sd10w 3-4Sd28e 5-2Sd4e▼ 5KotofukujuSadogatake1991/12/14 (38)2007.03Ms17Sd32w 5-2Sd8w 4-3Ms58w 3-4Sd13w 5-2Ms54w 2-5Sd15e▼ 5NogamiOguruma1990/08/15 (55)2009.01Ms15Ms44w 4-3Ms35w 4-3Ms27e 3-4Ms35w 2-5Ms55e 2-5Sd16e▼ 8DaishonadaOitekaze1991/12/08 (39)2010.03Ms53Sd45w 3-4Sd60w 4-3Sd48e 6-1Ms60w 4-3Ms53w 1-6Sd23w▲ 1DaijoTakadagawa1991/07/19 (43)2007.03Ms53Sd37e 2-5Sd64w 3-4Sd83e 4-3Sd63w 4-3Sd51e 5-2Sd27w▼ 3TsurunoumiTakadagawa1990/10/13 (53)2006.03Ms54Sd17w 5-2Ms54e 1-6Sd20w 3-4Sd33e 4-3Sd23e 3-4Sd38e

Nishikigi and Nogami turn 24 and get to continue as Tier 4 prospects, although the latter seems to have lost the plot over the past year. Chiyosakae will have his birthday as well and depart the thread as he has no Ms15+ experience, but will probably be back at a later date.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Nagoya 2014, Tier 4:

Go Dewahayate!

Heisei Hopefuls for Nagoya 2014 - Tier 4: Last Chance Saloon - Ms15+ Age 25 and under
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07
▲ 3	Dewahayate	Dewanoumi	1989/01/31 (70)	2004.03	Ms4	Ms5e 2-5	Ms14w 4-3	Ms10w 3-4	Ms15w 4-3	Ms11w 5-2	Ms4w
● 0	Iwasaki	Kise	1989/06/11 (68)	2012.05	Ms5	Ms20w 4-3	Ms15w 4-3	Ms12w 4-3	Ms8w 4-3	Ms5e 3-4	Ms9e
● 0	Higoarashi	Kise	1989/08/20 (63)	2006.05	Ms2	Ms18e 3-4	Ms24e 4-3	Ms21e 7-0 Y	Ms2e 3-4	Ms5w 3-4	Ms9w
▼ 3	Ishiura	Miyagino	1990/01/10 (60)	2013.01	Ms2	Ms41e 5-2	Ms25w 6-1	Ms11w 5-2	Ms5e 4-3	Ms2w 2-5	Ms11e
New	Daishoryu	Oitekaze	1989/12/29 (61)	2005.09	Ms12	Ms37w 4-3	Ms29e 3-4	Ms39e 4-3	Ms31e 5-2	Ms18w 5-2	Ms12w
New	Asabenkei	Takasago	1989/02/12 (69)	2007.03	Ms15	Ms34e 4-3	Ms27e 3-4	Ms35e 5-2	Ms20e 3-4	Ms27w 5-2	Ms15w
▲ 4	Irie	Tamanoi	1988/07/15 (73)	2011.05	Ms3	Ms6e 4-3	Ms3w 3-4	Ms6w 2-5	Ms16w 2-5	Ms30w 5-2	Ms19w
▼ 3	Takatoshi	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (57)	2009.01	Ms10	Ms17e 4-3	Ms13e 3-4	Ms20e 3-4	Ms27w 5-2	Ms15e 3-4	Ms22w
▼ 3	Mankajo	Kasugayama	1990/02/10 (59)	2005.03	Ms6	Ms25e 5-2	Ms15e 4-3	Ms12e 5-2	Ms6e 2-5	Ms16w 3-4	Ms24e
▼ 2	Kairyu	Dewanoumi	1990/03/01 (58)	2005.03	Ms3	Ms3w 3-4	Ms7e 1-6	Ms26e 6-1	Ms8e 2-5	Ms19w 3-4	Ms26e
▲ 1	Hokaho	Miyagino	1989/06/21 (67)	2007.03	Ms11	Ms26e 3-4	Ms32w 2-5	Ms46e 5-2	Ms29e 3-4	Ms38e 5-2	Ms26w
▲ 2	Byakko	Azumazeki	1989/07/11 (64)	2005.03	Ms13	Ms18w 1-6	Ms41e 3-4	Ms48w 4-3	Ms40w 2-5	Sd4w 5-2	Ms44w
▼ 4	Tochinosato	Kasugano	1989/07/07 (66)	2008.03	Ms4	Ms32e 4-3	Ms25e 4-3	Ms21w 4-3	Ms16e 3-4	Ms23e 1-6	Ms48e
▲ 1	Karatsuumi	Tamanoi	1988/08/03 (72)	2004.03	Ms12	Sd28w 1-6	Sd65w 6-1	Sd10e 1-6	Sd45e 5-2	Sd19e 4-3	Sd8w
▼ 2	Kansei	Sakaigawa	1989/08/25 (62)	2008.03	Ms3	Ms14w 4-3	Ms9e 5-2	Ms3e 3-4	Ms6w 0-3-4	Ms41w 0-0-7	Sd21w
● 0	Takamai	Takanohana	1988/09/29 (71)	2011.05	Ms7	Sd18w 0-4-3	Sd69e 0-0-7	Jd30e 3-4	Jd51w 4-3	Jd26w 4-3	Jd4e
● 0	Hamaguchi	Kise	1989/07/11 (64)	2012.05	Ms4	Ms16w 0-0-7	Ms56w 0-0-7	Sd37e 0-0-7	Sd98e 0-0-7	Jd58w 0-0-7	Jk18e

Last call for Irie and Karatsuumi, both of Tamanoi-beya. Irie might yet make it to juryo at some point (though I wouldn't bet on it), but Karatsuumi's knees are just too shot from carrying his big weight and he's probably closer to intai than to a Ms15 return.

Edited September 24, 2014 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Time for the Nagoya summaries...

Tier 1:

Top basho here by our highest-rated prospects, with the 16-strong squad producing 13 kachikoshi records. #1-ranked Tatsu may well have had his breakout performance - he's still lacking some horsepower and did have one brainfart (against juryo returnee Sakigake), but his posture looked much improved to me, less upright and thus much less of a liability than it's been before. If he can keep that up, juryo shouldn't be far from him now.

However, the most stunning result of the basho was of course makushita debutant Rikishin's 7-0 yusho. You may recall that my Natsu write-up about him was quite positive, though my conclusion ("I don't expect him to have the same immediate success in the third division as top talents Onosho and Kaito") has already turned out spectacularly wrong. Unlike many other zensho winners in makushita (regardless of their exact rank) he wasn't even in significant danger in any of his bouts, so it's not a particularly lucky performance either. As mentioned elsewhere he's the youngest makushita yusho winner since Kisenosato 10 years ago and the youngest debut winner since Takanohana back in 1989 - I'm not quite ready to anoint him the next Great Japanese Hope, but the 18-year-old has certainly made a name for himself this basho.

And these two won't be the only ones high up the next makushita rankings. It took him until his last bout, but Onosho did manage to post KK number 9 in a row, losing only to rikishi who finished 5-2 or better. One of those was Horikiri whose 5 wins will push him near the promotion zone for Aki as well. It took us two years between Chiyootori and Ichinojo, but suddenly the youngsters have gone into overdrive.

It's hard to find other rikishi to highlight since almost all of them did so well, so I'll just mention that four more scored a kachikoshi at their career-highs. Daishoho, Hakuyozan and Nishiyama did so with 4 wins, the latter in his makushita debut, and Meisei produced a stunning 6-1, which is even more amazing considering he'd just made a major jump off another 6-1. That one had ended a two-year stint as a borderline makushita/sandanme rikishi who wasn't scoring anything other than 4-3's and 3-4's, so that's quite a turnaround in just two tournaments.

Top prospect Kaito came off a similar 6-1 boost and didn't do so well, scoring only 2 wins, but a setback was probably to be expected there sooner or later. Last not least it looks like Baraki has finally found his feet again after going 4-17 previously, although it did take a full drop back to the same area of the rankings where he scored his zensho eight months ago. Time to regroup and re-approach makushita the hard way now.

Heisei Hopefuls for Nagoya 2014 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Daieisho (1993/11/10, debut 2012.01, shin-juryo 2014.07)
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07
Tatsu	Takadagawa	1994/06/01 (10)	2010.03	Ms7	Ms38e 4-3	Ms29w 5-2	Ms19e 4-3	Ms13e 4-3	Ms9w 4-3	Ms7e 5-2
Onosho	Onomatsu	1996/07/04 (1)	2013.01	Ms10	Sd3w 4-3	Ms54w 5-2	Ms34e 4-3	Ms28e 5-2	Ms16e 5-2	Ms10e 4-3
Horikiri	Shikoroyama	1994/05/04 (12)	2013.05	Ms11	Jd33w 7-0 Y	Sd34e 4-3	Sd23w 7-0 Y	Ms13w 3-4	Ms18e 5-2	Ms11w 5-2
Terutsuyoshi	Isegahama	1995/01/17 (6)	2010.03	Ms11	Ms35w 5-2	Ms19e 5-2	Ms11e 2-5	Ms24e 3-4	Ms32e 5-2	Ms22e 5-2
Daishoho	Oitekaze	1994/08/28 (8)	2013.03	Ms24	Sd33w 2-5	Sd58e 6-1	Sd5e 5-2	Ms44w 5-2	Ms31w 4-3	Ms24w 4-3
Tsurubayashi	Kise	1993/12/31 (14)	2009.03	Ms12	Ms60w 3-4	Sd12e 6-1	Ms32e 5-2	Ms17e 4-3	Ms12w 2-5	Ms27e 3-4
Kaito	Asakayama	1996/06/19 (2)	2012.05	Ms28	Sd64e 6-1	Sd11e 2-5	Sd34e 4-3	Sd21e 5-2	Ms59e 6-1	Ms28w 2-5
Hakuyozan	Takadagawa	1995/04/13 (5)	2011.05	Ms34	Sd19e 5-2	Ms56e 4-3	Ms47e 3-4	Ms57e 5-2	Ms43e 4-3	Ms34w 4-3
Meisei	Tatsunami	1995/07/24 (4)	2011.05	Ms38	Sd11w 4-3	Ms60w 3-4	Sd8e 4-3	Ms58w 3-4	Sd14e 6-1	Ms38e 6-1
Masunosho	Chiganoura	1994/11/14 (7)	2010.03	Ms18	Ms40e 3-4	Ms46w 2-5	Sd1e 4-3	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 4-3	Ms38w 3-4
Ohara	Shikoroyama	1993/12/14 (16)	2009.03	Ms41	Sd21e 4-3	Sd9e 4-3	Ms59e 2-5	Sd21w 6-1	Ms41e 3-4	Ms49e 4-3
Rikishin	Tatsunami	1995/10/07 (3)	2011.05	Ms50	Sd8e 0-0-7	Sd68w 4-3	Sd52e 3-4	Sd65w 6-1	Sd11e 5-2	Ms50e 7-0 Y
Nishiyama	Onoe	1994/04/27 (13)	2010.03	Ms59	Sd16w 3-4	Sd31e 4-3	Sd21w 3-3-1	Sd35e 5-2	Sd10e 4-3	Ms59e 4-3
Daichi	Shikoroyama	1994/07/15 (9)	2010.03	Ms57	Sd67e 4-3	Sd48e 5-2	Sd22w 2-5	Sd44w 6-1	Ms57e 3-4	Sd9w 4-3
Chiyokiryu	Kokonoe	1993/12/27 (15)	2012.03	Ms50	Sd44e 5-2	Sd16e 3-4	Sd30w 6-1	Ms50w 3-4	Sd4e 1-6	Sd36w 6-1
Baraki	Shikihide	1994/05/10 (11)	2013.01	Ms58	Jd10e 4-3	Sd90w 7-0 D	Ms58e 0-7	Sd34e 3-4	Sd51w 1-6	Sd83w 4-3

No newcomers up here for the first time in a year.

Edited September 10, 2014 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Should probably complete the Nagoya round-up here before the next basho begins. ;-)

Tier 2:

The red-headed stepchild section produced another unspectacular performance, with makekoshi for the two highest-ranked members, although Akinokawa's 3-4 (after 3-2, no less) at his career-high ranking is certainly his highest-quality result so far. Oddly enough, this was his third appearance in the upper half of the makushita division, and all three times came after a 6-1 score. Guess he's not one for steady growth and progression.

Akinokawa's twin Akinoyama was also at a career-best position, and he finished 4-3 to reach another high mark in Aki and move ahead of his smaller-sized brother again. Even smaller and also with a noteworthy result in Nagoya, Ikeru produced 5 wins to continue his string of KK performances.

Heisei Hopefuls for Nagoya 2014 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07
Sasanoyama	Kise	1992/12/30 (24)	2011.05	Ms12	Ms24e 1-6	Ms50e 5-2	Ms29w 4-3	Ms23w 4-3	Ms17w 4-3	Ms13w 2-5
Akinokawa	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (25)	2008.03	Ms17	Ms53e 6-1	Ms26w 2-5	Ms42w 3-4	Ms50e 4-3	Ms42e 6-1	Ms17e 3-4
Akinoyama	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (25)	2008.03	Ms27	Sd30w 5-2	Sd6e 3-4	Sd18w 6-1	Ms39e 4-3	Ms33w 4-3	Ms27w 4-3
Goshi	Arashio	1993/10/05 (17)	2011.11	Ms7	Ms7e 2-5	Ms19w 2-5	Ms36w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3	Ms37e 4-3	Ms29w 3-4
Mitoyutaka	Nishikido	1993/04/08 (21)	2009.03	Ms16	Ms28e 4-3	Ms21e 4-3	Ms16w 3-4	Ms23e 4-3	Ms17e 2-5	Ms31w 5-2
Kotodaigo	Sadogatake	1993/01/14 (23)	2011.05	Ms27	Sd54e 6-1	Sd3w 3-4	Sd13w 6-1	Ms36w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4	Ms39e 5-2
Ikeru	Onomatsu	1992/11/26 (27)	2010.11	Ms44	Jd14w 5-2	Sd80e 6-1	Sd24w 4-3	Sd12e 5-2	Ms53e 4-3	Ms44e 5-2
Takakasuga	Kasugayama	1993/03/06 (22)	2011.07	Ms30	Sd11e 4-3	Ms60e 2-5	Sd20e 2-5	Sd42w 7-0 D	Ms30e 2-5	Ms45e 3-4
Tochimaru	Kasugano	1992/08/26 (28)	2011.05	Ms23	Ms36w 2-5	Ms52w 6-1	Ms23w 1-6	Ms48w 3-4	Sd3e 4-2-1	Ms53w 3-4
Haguroho	Tatsunami	1993/07/08 (19)	2009.03	Ms20	Ms27w 3-4	Ms34e 0-7	Sd9w 2-5	Sd31w 4-3	Sd17w 5-2	Ms55w 6-1
Shinohara	Onomatsu	1993/08/21 (18)	2012.01	Ms41	Sd22w 4-3	Sd10e 4-3	Ms59w 5-2	Ms41e 3-4	Ms49e 3-4	Ms58e 2-5
Aonosho	Dewanoumi	1993/06/03 (20)	2009.03	Ms38	Sd31w 5-2	Sd7e 4-3	Ms56w 5-2	Ms38e 2-5	Sd1e 2-5	Sd26w 3-4

Tochimaru turned 22 after the basho and will have to continue in Tier 3. The once highly touted prospect seems quite derailed this year, so I can't exactly recommend him for increased attention.

Edited September 10, 2014 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Tier 3:

The results - with the top 9 rikishi all going either 4-3 or 3-4 - may not look too stunning here either, but the protagonists are ranked much better than their Tier 2 compatriots so consequently it's also much more interesting from the "who might be making juryo soon?" point of view. Kotoeko and Kawabata are intending to provide the answer to that, and their 4-3's will be getting them a little bit closer to it. Last basho's sandanme zensho scorer Daishoiwa also surprised with 4 wins at Ms14, quite a stunning result for somebody who'd never achieved a KK above Ms54 prior to this (and not for lack of opportunities). Beware the sophomore curse though...

Heavyweight Kawanari and anything-but-heavyweight Chiyoshoma were also ranked in the extended promotion zone, but were unable to partake in the celebrations, both going 3-4.

Further down the division the good news were considerably sparse in Nagoya. Akua's 4-3 at his best-ever ranking (off a 6-1 jump) was good to see, and also Masunoumi's 6-1 record which only saw him lose to yusho winner Rikishin on Day 13, although the (former?) top prospect is making an uncomfortable habit of putting up strong results whenever he's ranked a bit lower and then bombing again as soon as he's approaching the single-digit ranks. It takes some digging to find other encouraging results, and I guess I'll just mention the 4-3's by debuting Hokutowaka at his top rank, and by Tomisakae near it. The other makushita debutant Aoi had a rude awakening with a 2-5, but that didn't come entirely unexpected as he was well out of his mid-sandanme comfort zone.

Heisei Hopefuls for Nagoya 2014 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07
Kotoeko	Sadogatake	1991/11/20 (40)	2007.03	Ms5	Ms26w 3-4	Ms33e 2-5	Ms46w 6-1	Ms19w 6-1	Ms8e 4-3	Ms5e 4-3
Kawabata	Oitekaze	1991/07/10 (44)	2014.03	Ms6	[/td2]			Ms15Td 5-2	Ms8w 4-3	Ms6e 4-3
Kawanari	Oguruma	1991/07/07 (45)	2007.03	Ms1	Ms8e 5-2	Ms3e 3-4	Ms6e 0-0-7	Ms46w 6-1	Ms20w 6-1	Ms7w 3-4
Chiyoshoma	Kokonoe	1991/07/20 (42)	2009.05	Ms8	Ms33w 3-4	Ms40e 5-2	Ms25e 4-3	Ms18w 5-2	Ms10e 4-3	Ms8e 3-4
Daishoiwa	Oitekaze	1990/10/29 (52)	2006.03	Ms14	Sd6e 5-2	Ms44w 3-4	Ms51e 3-4	Sd2e 3-4	Sd20e 7-0 D	Ms14e 4-3
Kotokobai	Sadogatake	1991/03/31 (48)	2006.03	Ms7	Ms23e 4-3	Ms17w 2-5	Ms33w 5-2	Ms17w 6-1	Ms7e 2-5	Ms18e 4-3
Nishikigi	Isenoumi	1990/08/25 (54)	2006.03	Ms3	Ms15e 4-3	Ms10e 3-4	Ms16e 4-3	Ms10w 2-5	Ms22w 4-3	Ms18w 3-4
Onami	Arashio	1991/12/29 (36)	2009.11	Ms20	Ms57e 5-2	Ms36w 4-3	Ms28e 3-4	Ms37w 5-2	Ms23w 4-3	Ms20e 3-4
Akua	Tatsunami	1990/11/06 (51)	2010.11	Ms20	Ms34w 3-4	Ms41w 4-3	Ms34w 4-3	Ms28w 2-5	Ms48e 6-1	Ms20w 4-3
Masunoumi	Chiganoura	1991/11/12 (41)	2010.01	Ms9	Ms37e 5-2	Ms21w 6-1	Ms9e 2-5	Ms21e 4-3	Ms14w 3-4	Ms21e 6-1
Matsumoto	Shikoroyama	1992/03/10 (34)	2007.03	Ms16	Ms30w 2-5	Ms47e 4-3	Ms40w 5-2	Ms25w 3-4	Ms34e 5-2	Ms23w 2-5
Koba	Kise	1991/03/12 (49)	2013.03	Ms25	Sd64w 6-1	Sd11w 6-1	Ms31e 4-3	Ms25e 3-4	Ms33e 4-3	Ms25w 2-5
Sasakiyama	Kise	1991/06/12 (47)	2010.01	Ms19	Ms19w 3-4	Ms26e 4-3	Ms22w 3-4	Ms30e 4-3	Ms26w 3-4	Ms35e 3-4
Matsubayama	Kasugayama	1991/06/13 (46)	2007.03	Ms36	Sd7e 5-2	Ms46e 4-3	Ms40e 2-5	Sd1e 5-2	Ms45w 4-3	Ms36w 1-6
Kotokensei	Sadogatake	1991/01/06 (50)	2006.03	Ms40	Sd55w 4-3	Sd37e 4-3	Sd27e 5-2	Sd4e 5-2	Ms47w 4-3	Ms40e 2-5
Chiyosakae	Kokonoe	1990/07/12 (56)	2009.01	Ms18	Ms42e 4-3	Ms32e 4-3	Ms24w 4-3	Ms18e 3-4	Ms26e 2-5	Ms41w 4-3
Hakunishiki	Kasugayama	1992/01/13 (35)	2007.03	Ms35	Sd2w 3-4	Sd13e 5-2	Ms50e 4-3	Ms42w 4-3	Ms35w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3
Aoi	Shikoroyama	1992/04/02 (32)	2008.03	Ms49	Sd89e 3-3-1	Jd7w 6-1	Sd47e 3-4	Sd60w 5-2	Sd32w 6-1	Ms49w 2-5
Hokutowaka	Hakkaku	1992/06/20 (29)	2008.03	Ms53	Sd48e 2-5	Sd77w 4-3	Sd59w 4-3	Sd40w 5-2	Sd13w 5-2	Ms53e 4-3
Tomisakae	Isegahama	1992/04/11 (31)	2008.03	Ms50	Ms50w 3-4	Sd4w 2-5	Sd25w 4-3	Sd13e 4-3	Sd3w 4-3	Ms54e 4-3
Aiyama	Kitanoumi	1992/03/23 (33)	2007.03	Ms52	Ms60e 4-3	Ms52e 1-6	Sd16w 5-2	Ms56w 3-4	Sd11w 4-3	Ms60w 3-4
Yoshifuji	Isegahama	1991/12/25 (37)	2010.01	Ms52	Sd57w 3-4	Sd72w 4-3	Sd55w 4-3	Sd37e 6-1	Ms52w 3-4	Sd3w 2-5
Wakayama	Onomatsu	1992/04/26 (30)	2011.07	Ms56	Ms56w 1-6	Sd32e 4-3	Sd23e 4-3	Sd10w 3-4	Sd28e 5-2	Sd4e 3-4
Kotofukuju	Sadogatake	1991/12/14 (38)	2007.03	Ms17	Sd32w 5-2	Sd8w 4-3	Ms58w 3-4	Sd13w 5-2	Ms54w 2-5	Sd15e 5-2
Nogami	Oguruma	1990/08/15 (55)	2009.01	Ms15	Ms44w 4-3	Ms35w 4-3	Ms27e 3-4	Ms35w 2-5	Ms55e 2-5	Sd16e 2-5
Daishonada	Oitekaze	1991/12/08 (39)	2010.03	Ms53	Sd45w 3-4	Sd60w 4-3	Sd48e 6-1	Ms60w 4-3	Ms53w 1-6	Sd23w 2-0-5
Daijo	Takadagawa	1991/07/19 (43)	2007.03	Ms53	Sd37e 2-5	Sd64w 3-4	Sd83e 4-3	Sd63w 4-3	Sd51e 5-2	Sd27w 4-3
Tsurunoumi	Takadagawa	1990/10/13 (53)	2006.03	Ms54	Sd17w 5-2	Ms54e 1-6	Sd20w 3-4	Sd33e 4-3	Sd23e 3-4	Sd38e 3-4

We're clearing the decks here a bit as three rikishi have become too old for his section now. Nishikigi and Nogami have reached the lofty heights of the promotion zone before so they'll get to stay on for Tier 4 (although I'm not sure I'm doing Nogami any favours with that), while Chiyosakae has only reached Ms18 so far and consequently has to leave us altogether. However, he's a good enough rikishi that he'll probably get back onto Tier 4 for a bit someday, as well.

In addition, Daishonada has decided to call it quits altogether, four months after reaching makushita (and with a 2-0 record in Nagoya, to boot). I'm still not sure what to make of that, seems one of the weirder intais in recent memory. Oh well.

Half the vacated lockers are immediately reclaimed by this enterprising duo:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07
Asakoki	Takasago	1990/12/19	2009.03	Sd15	Sd63e 3-4	Sd78e 2-5	Jd4e 7-0 D	Sd15e 3-4	Sd31w 4-3	Sd19w 6-1
Abiko	Oitekaze	1991/07/27	2014.01	Sd21		Mz 3-0	Jk12w 7-0 Y	Jd11w 7-0 Y	Sd21e 6-1

Abiko hasn't overly impressed me so far despite the shiny 20-1 record, winning several matches with a combination of raw power and a distinct lack of technique (and not the Osunaarashi-type "was never taught" lack of technique, rather the "can't be arsed" kind). He's making a pretty high entrance into makushita and I think he'll find himself challenged immediately, although I'd still be surprised if he doesn't KK in Aki.

Asakoki is another textbook case for the "you can't predict career paths" files - following two years as a low sandanme-high jonidan dweller he suddenly broke out with a zensho record half a year ago, surprisingly proved himself capable of the high sandanme level and has now already added another big score to rocket himself into makushita. He's another undersized-but-aggressive pusher-thruster, which at the very least is going to liven up the proceedings in the third division. I'll be honest, between 5-2 and 0-7 nothing would surprise me in his makushita debut. In any case, he likely won't be getting much time with us as he's already turning 24 in December.

Edited September 10, 2014 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Tier 4:

Our last stop for once-promising rikishi provided a couple of bright sparks in the high ranks as well. Dewahayate went 4-3 in his second go in the promotion zone and will likely need only the same record again in Aki basho to achieve his juryo dreams, while Iwasaki scored a 6-1 from a bit further down and will also jump into the hot zone. Ishiura recovered well from his big Natsu setback, scoring 5 wins. On the other hand, Higoarashi has now squandered the last remnants of his unexpected January yusho and I think we can stop wondering if he suddenly became juryo-worthy back then.

Lower down it was an excellent tournament for Takatoshi whose 6-1 will boost him back into the promotion zone, and Hamaguchi began his quest to return to more respectable heights after his one-year injury layoff, scoring the customary jonokuchi zensho yusho.

Heisei Hopefuls for Nagoya 2014 - Tier 4: Last Chance Saloon - Ms15+ Age 25 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.09	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07
Dewahayate	Dewanoumi	1989/01/31 (70)	2004.03	Ms4	Ms5e 2-5	Ms14w 4-3	Ms10w 3-4	Ms15w 4-3	Ms11w 5-2	Ms4w 4-3
Iwasaki	Kise	1989/06/11 (68)	2012.05	Ms5	Ms20w 4-3	Ms15w 4-3	Ms12w 4-3	Ms8w 4-3	Ms5e 3-4	Ms9e 6-1
Higoarashi	Kise	1989/08/20 (63)	2006.05	Ms2	Ms18e 3-4	Ms24e 4-3	Ms21e 7-0 Y	Ms2e 3-4	Ms5w 3-4	Ms9w 1-6
Ishiura	Miyagino	1990/01/10 (60)	2013.01	Ms2	Ms41e 5-2	Ms25w 6-1	Ms11w 5-2	Ms5e 4-3	Ms2w 2-5	Ms11e 5-2
Daishoryu	Oitekaze	1989/12/29 (61)	2005.09	Ms12	Ms37w 4-3	Ms29e 3-4	Ms39e 4-3	Ms31e 5-2	Ms18w 5-2	Ms12w 2-5
Asabenkei	Takasago	1989/02/12 (69)	2007.03	Ms15	Ms34e 4-3	Ms27e 3-4	Ms35e 5-2	Ms20e 3-4	Ms27w 5-2	Ms15w 3-4
Irie	Tamanoi	1988/07/15 (73)	2011.05	Ms3	Ms6e 4-3	Ms3w 3-4	Ms6w 2-5	Ms16w 2-5	Ms30w 5-2	Ms19w 4-3
Takatoshi	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (57)	2009.01	Ms10	Ms17e 4-3	Ms13e 3-4	Ms20e 3-4	Ms27w 5-2	Ms15e 3-4	Ms22w 6-1
Mankajo	Kasugayama	1990/02/10 (59)	2005.03	Ms6	Ms25e 5-2	Ms15e 4-3	Ms12e 5-2	Ms6e 2-5	Ms16w 3-4	Ms24e 3-4
Kairyu	Dewanoumi	1990/03/01 (58)	2005.03	Ms3	Ms3w 3-4	Ms7e 1-6	Ms26e 6-1	Ms8e 2-5	Ms19w 3-4	Ms26e 5-2
Hokaho	Miyagino	1989/06/21 (67)	2007.03	Ms11	Ms26e 3-4	Ms32w 2-5	Ms46e 5-2	Ms29e 3-4	Ms38e 5-2	Ms26w 4-3
Byakko	Azumazeki	1989/07/11 (64)	2005.03	Ms13	Ms18w 1-6	Ms41e 3-4	Ms48w 4-3	Ms40w 2-5	Sd4w 5-2	Ms44w 3-4
Tochinosato	Kasugano	1989/07/07 (66)	2008.03	Ms4	Ms32e 4-3	Ms25e 4-3	Ms21w 4-3	Ms16e 3-4	Ms23e 1-6	Ms48e 5-2
Karatsuumi	Tamanoi	1988/08/03 (72)	2004.03	Ms12	Sd28w 1-6	Sd65w 6-1	Sd10e 1-6	Sd45e 5-2	Sd19e 4-3	Sd8w 3-4
Kansei	Sakaigawa	1989/08/25 (62)	2008.03	Ms3	Ms14w 4-3	Ms9e 5-2	Ms3e 3-4	Ms6w 0-3-4	Ms41w 0-0-7	Sd21w 0-0-7
Takamai	Takanohana	1988/09/29 (71)	2011.05	Ms7	Sd18w 0-4-3	Sd69e 0-0-7	Jd30e 3-4	Jd51w 4-3	Jd26w 4-3	Jd4e 5-2
Hamaguchi	Kise	1989/07/11 (64)	2012.05	Ms4	Ms16w 0-0-7	Ms56w 0-0-7	Sd37e 0-0-7	Sd98e 0-0-7	Jd58w 0-0-7	Jk18e 7-0 Y

Two departures here as well as the Tamanoi pair of Irie and Karatsuumi had their prospect badges revoked for good when they turned 26. I like Irie's no-nonsense style and I'm hoping he can take a page out of stablemate Yoshiazuma and keep trucking towards an old-ish sekitori debut of his own, but Karatsuumi looks absolutely shot (bad knees, too much weight) and at this point I'm not even sure if he'll ever KK in makushita again, let alone go up further.

No newcomers, except the two that are coming in from Tier 3.

Edited September 24, 2014 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Aki 2014, Tier 1:

Can Tatsu reach juryo and provide us with the third yardstick reset of the year? Will Rikishin prove himself worthy of the big promotion? Tune in and find out. :-)

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2014 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Daieisho (1993/11/10, debut 2012.01, shin-juryo 2014.07)
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07	2014.09
● 0	Tatsu	Takadagawa	1994/06/01 (10)	2010.03	Ms3	Ms29w 5-2	Ms19e 4-3	Ms13e 4-3	Ms9w 4-3	Ms7e 5-2	Ms3w
▲ 10	Rikishin	Tatsunami	1995/10/07 (3)	2011.05	Ms6	Sd68w 4-3	Sd52e 3-4	Sd65w 6-1	Sd11e 5-2	Ms50e 7-0 Y	Ms6e
● 0	Horikiri	Shikoroyama	1994/05/04 (12)	2013.05	Ms7	Sd34e 4-3	Sd23w 7-0 Y	Ms13w 3-4	Ms18e 5-2	Ms11w 5-2	Ms7e
▼ 2	Onosho	Onomatsu	1996/07/04 (1)	2013.01	Ms8	Ms54w 5-2	Ms34e 4-3	Ms28e 5-2	Ms16e 5-2	Ms10e 4-3	Ms8e
▼ 1	Terutsuyoshi	Isegahama	1995/01/17 (6)	2010.03	Ms11	Ms19e 5-2	Ms11e 2-5	Ms24e 3-4	Ms32e 5-2	Ms22e 5-2	Ms15e
▲ 3	Meisei	Tatsunami	1995/07/24 (4)	2011.05	Ms16	Ms60w 3-4	Sd8e 4-3	Ms58w 3-4	Sd14e 6-1	Ms38e 6-1	Ms16e
▼ 2	Daishoho	Oitekaze	1994/08/28 (8)	2013.03	Ms18	Sd58e 6-1	Sd5e 5-2	Ms44w 5-2	Ms31w 4-3	Ms24w 4-3	Ms18w
● 0	Hakuyozan	Takadagawa	1995/04/13 (5)	2011.05	Ms27	Ms56e 4-3	Ms47e 3-4	Ms57e 5-2	Ms43e 4-3	Ms34w 4-3	Ms27e
▼ 3	Tsurubayashi	Kise	1993/12/31 (14)	2009.03	Ms12	Sd12e 6-1	Ms32e 5-2	Ms17e 4-3	Ms12w 2-5	Ms27e 3-4	Ms35w
▲ 1	Ohara	Shikoroyama	1993/12/14 (16)	2009.03	Ms41	Sd9e 4-3	Ms59e 2-5	Sd21w 6-1	Ms41e 3-4	Ms49e 4-3	Ms41e
▼ 4	Kaito	Asakayama	1996/06/19 (2)	2012.05	Ms28	Sd11e 2-5	Sd34e 4-3	Sd21e 5-2	Ms59e 6-1	Ms28w 2-5	Ms47e
▼ 2	Masunosho	Chiganoura	1994/11/14 (7)	2010.03	Ms18	Ms46w 2-5	Sd1e 4-3	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 4-3	Ms38w 3-4	Ms48e
● 0	Nishiyama	Onoe	1994/04/27 (13)	2010.03	Ms49	Sd31e 4-3	Sd21w 3-3-1	Sd35e 5-2	Sd10e 4-3	Ms59e 4-3	Ms49w
▲ 1	Chiyokiryu	Kokonoe	1993/12/27 (15)	2012.03	Ms50	Sd16e 3-4	Sd30w 6-1	Ms50w 3-4	Sd4e 1-6	Sd36w 6-1	Ms51w
▼ 1	Daichi	Shikoroyama	1994/07/15 (9)	2010.03	Ms57	Sd48e 5-2	Sd22w 2-5	Sd44w 6-1	Ms57e 3-4	Sd9w 4-3	Ms59w
● 0	Baraki	Shikihide	1994/05/10 (11)	2013.01	Ms58	Sd90w 7-0 D	Ms58e 0-7	Sd34e 3-4	Sd51w 1-6	Sd83w 4-3	Sd64e

Aki 2014, Tier 2:

Back to the customary "nobody above Ms15 in Tier 2", so I guess the most watch-worthy rikishi is Ikeru who remains without a real makekoshi in his career.

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2014 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07	2014.09
▲ 4	Mitoyutaka	Nishikido	1993/04/08 (21)	2009.03	Ms16	Ms21e 4-3	Ms16w 3-4	Ms23e 4-3	Ms17e 2-5	Ms31w 5-2	Ms19e
▲ 1	Akinoyama	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (25)	2008.03	Ms21	Sd6e 3-4	Sd18w 6-1	Ms39e 4-3	Ms33w 4-3	Ms27w 4-3	Ms21e
▼ 1	Akinokawa	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (25)	2008.03	Ms17	Ms26w 2-5	Ms42w 3-4	Ms50e 4-3	Ms42e 6-1	Ms17e 3-4	Ms23e
▲ 2	Kotodaigo	Sadogatake	1993/01/14 (23)	2011.05	Ms24	Sd3w 3-4	Sd13w 6-1	Ms36w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4	Ms39e 5-2	Ms24e
▲ 4	Haguroho	Tatsunami	1993/07/08 (19)	2009.03	Ms20	Ms34e 0-7	Sd9w 2-5	Sd31w 4-3	Sd17w 5-2	Ms55w 6-1	Ms25e
▲ 1	Ikeru	Onomatsu	1992/11/26 (27)	2010.11	Ms28	Sd80e 6-1	Sd24w 4-3	Sd12e 5-2	Ms53e 4-3	Ms44e 5-2	Ms28e
▼ 6	Sasanoyama	Kise	1992/12/30 (24)	2011.05	Ms12	Ms50e 5-2	Ms29w 4-3	Ms23w 4-3	Ms17w 4-3	Ms13w 2-5	Ms28w
▼ 4	Goshi	Arashio	1993/10/05 (17)	2011.11	Ms7	Ms19w 2-5	Ms36w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3	Ms37e 4-3	Ms29w 3-4	Ms37w
▼ 1	Takakasuga	Kasugayama	1993/03/06 (22)	2011.07	Ms30	Ms60e 2-5	Sd20e 2-5	Sd42w 7-0 D	Ms30e 2-5	Ms45e 3-4	Ms55e
● 0	Shinohara	Onomatsu	1993/08/21 (18)	2012.01	Ms41	Sd10e 4-3	Ms59w 5-2	Ms41e 3-4	Ms49e 3-4	Ms58e 2-5	Sd22e
● 0	Aonosho	Dewanoumi	1993/06/03 (20)	2009.03	Ms38	Sd7e 4-3	Ms56w 5-2	Ms38e 2-5	Sd1e 2-5	Sd26w 3-4	Sd40w

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Aki 2014, Tier 3:

No shortage of promotion zone rikishi here, should be another interesting basho.

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2014 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07	2014.09
● 0	Kotoeko	Sadogatake	1991/11/20 (39)	2007.03	Ms3	Ms33e 2-5	Ms46w 6-1	Ms19w 6-1	Ms8e 4-3	Ms5e 4-3	Ms3e
● 0	Kawabata	Oitekaze	1991/07/10 (44)	2014.03	Ms4	(xx 0-0)	(xx 0-0)	Ms15Td 5-2	Ms8w 4-3	Ms6e 4-3	Ms4e
▲ 6	Masunoumi	Chiganoura	1991/11/12 (40)	2010.01	Ms8	Ms21w 6-1	Ms9e 2-5	Ms21e 4-3	Ms14w 3-4	Ms21e 6-1	Ms8w
▲ 1	Daishoiwa	Oitekaze	1990/10/29 (53)	2006.03	Ms11	Ms44w 3-4	Ms51e 3-4	Sd2e 3-4	Sd20e 7-0 D	Ms14e 4-3	Ms11e
▼ 2	Kawanari	Oguruma	1991/07/07 (45)	2007.03	Ms1	Ms3e 3-4	Ms6e 0-0-7	Ms46w 6-1	Ms20w 6-1	Ms7w 3-4	Ms12e
▼ 2	Chiyoshoma	Kokonoe	1991/07/20 (42)	2009.05	Ms8	Ms40e 5-2	Ms25e 4-3	Ms18w 5-2	Ms10e 4-3	Ms8e 3-4	Ms13e
▼ 1	Kotokobai	Sadogatake	1991/03/31 (48)	2006.03	Ms7	Ms17w 2-5	Ms33w 5-2	Ms17w 6-1	Ms7e 2-5	Ms18e 4-3	Ms15w
● 0	Akua	Tatsunami	1990/11/06 (52)	2010.11	Ms17	Ms41w 4-3	Ms34w 4-3	Ms28w 2-5	Ms48e 6-1	Ms20w 4-3	Ms17w
▼ 2	Onami	Arashio	1991/12/29 (36)	2009.11	Ms20	Ms36w 4-3	Ms28e 3-4	Ms37w 5-2	Ms23w 4-3	Ms20e 3-4	Ms27w
▲ 5	Hakunishiki	Kasugayama	1992/01/13 (35)	2007.03	Ms35	Sd13e 5-2	Ms50e 4-3	Ms42w 4-3	Ms35w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3	Ms36w
▼ 1	Matsumoto	Shikoroyama	1992/03/10 (34)	2007.03	Ms16	Ms47e 4-3	Ms40w 5-2	Ms25w 3-4	Ms34e 5-2	Ms23w 2-5	Ms40w
New	Asakoki	Takasago	1990/12/19 (51)	2009.03	Ms41	Sd78e 2-5	Jd4e 7-0 D	Sd15e 3-4	Sd31w 4-3	Sd19w 6-1	Ms41w
New	Abiko	Oitekaze	1991/07/27 (41)	2014.01	Ms42	(xx 0-0)	Mz 3-0	Jk12w 7-0 Y	Jd11w 7-0 Y	Sd21e 6-1	Ms42e
▼ 3	Koba	Kise	1991/03/12 (49)	2013.03	Ms25	Sd11w 6-1	Ms31e 4-3	Ms25e 3-4	Ms33e 4-3	Ms25w 2-5	Ms42w
▼ 3	Sasakiyama	Kise	1991/06/12 (47)	2010.01	Ms19	Ms26e 4-3	Ms22w 3-4	Ms30e 4-3	Ms26w 3-4	Ms35e 3-4	Ms43e
▲ 1	Hokutowaka	Hakkaku	1992/06/20 (29)	2008.03	Ms44	Sd77w 4-3	Sd59w 4-3	Sd40w 5-2	Sd13w 5-2	Ms53e 4-3	Ms44e
▲ 2	Tomisakae	Isegahama	1992/04/11 (31)	2008.03	Ms46	Sd4w 2-5	Sd25w 4-3	Sd13e 4-3	Sd3w 4-3	Ms54e 4-3	Ms46w
▲ 5	Kotofukuju	Sadogatake	1991/12/14 (38)	2007.03	Ms17	Sd8w 4-3	Ms58w 3-4	Sd13w 5-2	Ms54w 2-5	Sd15e 5-2	Ms56w
▼ 5	Kotokensei	Sadogatake	1991/01/06 (50)	2006.03	Ms40	Sd37e 4-3	Sd27e 5-2	Sd4e 5-2	Ms47w 4-3	Ms40e 2-5	Sd1w
▼ 2	Tochimaru	Kasugano	1992/08/26 (28)	2011.05	Ms23	Ms52w 6-1	Ms23w 1-6	Ms48w 3-4	Sd3e 4-2-1	Ms53w 3-4	Sd3e
▼ 8	Matsubayama	Kasugayama	1991/06/13 (46)	2007.03	Ms36	Ms46e 4-3	Ms40e 2-5	Sd1e 5-2	Ms45w 4-3	Ms36w 1-6	Sd6e
▼ 6	Aoi	Shikoroyama	1992/04/02 (32)	2008.03	Ms49	Jd7w 6-1	Sd47e 3-4	Sd60w 5-2	Sd32w 6-1	Ms49w 2-5	Sd10e
▼ 3	Aiyama	Kitanoumi	1992/03/23 (33)	2007.03	Ms52	Ms52e 1-6	Sd16w 5-2	Ms56w 3-4	Sd11w 4-3	Ms60w 3-4	Sd14e
▲ 2	Daijo	Takadagawa	1991/07/19 (43)	2007.03	Ms53	Sd64w 3-4	Sd83e 4-3	Sd63w 4-3	Sd51e 5-2	Sd27w 4-3	Sd15w
▼ 3	Wakayama	Onomatsu	1992/04/26 (30)	2011.07	Ms56	Sd32e 4-3	Sd23e 4-3	Sd10w 3-4	Sd28e 5-2	Sd4e 3-4	Sd17w
▼ 5	Yoshifuji	Isegahama	1991/12/25 (37)	2010.01	Ms52	Sd72w 4-3	Sd55w 4-3	Sd37e 6-1	Ms52w 3-4	Sd3w 2-5	Sd29e
● 0	Tsurunoumi	Takadagawa	1990/10/13 (54)	2006.03	Ms54	Ms54e 1-6	Sd20w 3-4	Sd33e 4-3	Sd23e 3-4	Sd38e 3-4	Sd52e

Recent surprise contender Daishoiwa turns 24 before Kyushu basho and will have to continue in Tier 4, while lowest-ranked Tsurunoumi is saying goodbye.

Aki 2014, Tier 4:

At the risk of repeating myself: Go Dewahayate!

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2014 - Tier 4: Last Chance Saloon - Ms15+ Age 25 and under
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07	2014.09
● 0	Dewahayate	Dewanoumi	1989/01/31 (70)	2004.03	Ms2	Ms14w 4-3	Ms10w 3-4	Ms15w 4-3	Ms11w 5-2	Ms4w 4-3	Ms2e
● 0	Iwasaki	Kise	1989/06/11 (68)	2012.05	Ms2	Ms15w 4-3	Ms12w 4-3	Ms8w 4-3	Ms5e 3-4	Ms9e 6-1	Ms2w
▲ 1	Ishiura	Miyagino	1990/01/10 (60)	2013.01	Ms2	Ms25w 6-1	Ms11w 5-2	Ms5e 4-3	Ms2w 2-5	Ms11e 5-2	Ms6w
▲ 4	Takatoshi	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (57)	2009.01	Ms9	Ms13e 3-4	Ms20e 3-4	Ms27w 5-2	Ms15e 3-4	Ms22w 6-1	Ms9e
▲ 5	Kairyu	Dewanoumi	1990/03/01 (58)	2005.03	Ms3	Ms7e 1-6	Ms26e 6-1	Ms8e 2-5	Ms19w 3-4	Ms26e 5-2	Ms18e
▲ 5	Hokaho	Miyagino	1989/06/21 (67)	2007.03	Ms11	Ms32w 2-5	Ms46e 5-2	Ms29e 3-4	Ms38e 5-2	Ms26w 4-3	Ms20e
▼ 1	Asabenkei	Takasago	1989/02/12 (69)	2007.03	Ms15	Ms27e 3-4	Ms35e 5-2	Ms20e 3-4	Ms27w 5-2	Ms15w 3-4	Ms20w
▼ 1	Nishikigi	Isenoumi	1990/08/25 (55)	2006.03	Ms3	Ms10e 3-4	Ms16e 4-3	Ms10w 2-5	Ms22w 4-3	Ms18w 3-4	Ms24w
▼ 4	Daishoryu	Oitekaze	1989/12/29 (61)	2005.09	Ms12	Ms29e 3-4	Ms39e 4-3	Ms31e 5-2	Ms18w 5-2	Ms12w 2-5	Ms26w
▼ 7	Higoarashi	Kise	1989/08/20 (63)	2006.05	Ms2	Ms24e 4-3	Ms21e 7-0 Y	Ms2e 3-4	Ms5w 3-4	Ms9w 1-6	Ms30e
▲ 2	Tochinosato	Kasugano	1989/07/07 (66)	2008.03	Ms4	Ms25e 4-3	Ms21w 4-3	Ms16e 3-4	Ms23e 1-6	Ms48e 5-2	Ms32e
▼ 3	Mankajo	Kasugayama	1990/02/10 (59)	2005.03	Ms6	Ms15e 4-3	Ms12e 5-2	Ms6e 2-5	Ms16w 3-4	Ms24e 3-4	Ms33e
▼ 1	Byakko	Azumazeki	1989/07/11 (64)	2005.03	Ms13	Ms41e 3-4	Ms48w 4-3	Ms40w 2-5	Sd4w 5-2	Ms44w 3-4	Ms53w
● 0	Nogami	Oguruma	1990/08/15 (56)	2009.01	Ms15	Ms35w 4-3	Ms27e 3-4	Ms35w 2-5	Ms55e 2-5	Sd16e 2-5	Sd42e
▲ 1	Takamai	Takanohana	1988/09/29 (71)	2011.05	Ms7	Sd69e 0-0-7	Jd30e 3-4	Jd51w 4-3	Jd26w 4-3	Jd4e 5-2	Sd70e
▼ 1	Kansei	Sakaigawa	1989/08/25 (62)	2008.03	Ms3	Ms9e 5-2	Ms3e 3-4	Ms6w 0-3-4	Ms41w 0-0-7	Sd21w 0-0-7	Sd81w
● 0	Hamaguchi	Kise	1989/07/11 (64)	2012.05	Ms4	Ms56w 0-0-7	Sd37e 0-0-7	Sd98e 0-0-7	Jd58w 0-0-7	Jk18e 7-0 Y	Jd13e

Ill-fated Takamai turns 26 soon and will have to do without our attention - it remains to be seen if the once-promising collegiate rikishi will manage to turn his career around again.

Edited September 24, 2014 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 17,635]

My QA is evidently lacking - I missed that Asabenkei enjoyed a surprisingly big promotion after Natsu and narrowly qualified for Tier 4 status at the time. The Takasago heavyweight was previously part of Tier 3 until Hatsu 2013.

The tables above have been amended.

[krindel 671]

Seems like Tatsu managed to force Asashosakari to re-make the tables yet again this year ;-)

But don't worry, I am pretty sure Onosho will soon make them obsolete again :-)

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Getting in the Aki summaries before we're presented with the new banzuke...

Tier 1:

At last and having taken twice as long as his originally envisioned two years, once greatly heralded prospect Tatsu has secured his sekitori debut. And he did it in style, winning a make-or-break senshuraku bout against a juryo opponent. As I mentioned elsewhere a little while ago it looks to me as though he has finally refined his physique to juryo-worthy standards, so I'm hopeful that he'll be there to stay.

Tatsu's promotion sends 6 top prospects down into Tier 2 as they're older than him (marked with red cells in the table), but it looks like the rest will soon follow - our youngest member Onosho posted strong 5 wins and will move into the promotion zone, likely even high enough that a 4-3 will mean almost certain promotion.

We'll be having an undersized lead here in Tier 1 next time as Onosho will be joined in the single-digit ranks by even smaller Terutsuyoshi who also scored 5 wins to grab a new career-high rank. Tall Nagoya yusho winner Rikishin is going the opposite way after he found high makushita to be tough going and finished only 2-5. He and Meisei will be ranked around Ms15, the latter having made a much more successful 4-3 follow-up to his big 6-1 jump.

Horikiri suffered a small setback with a 3-4 record, but will occupy the top spot in the reorganized Tier 2. It remains to be seen if it's just a short blip on the way up or if he'll follow other recent top high schoolers into the upper makushita morass for a while.

Hakuyozan and Ohara posted 4-3's at their career high positions, and Chiyokiryu and Daichi did so at just a few ranks off, but none of them is high enough to get particularly excited yet.

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2014 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Daieisho (1993/11/10, debut 2012.01, shin-juryo 2014.07)
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07	2014.09
Tatsu	Takadagawa	1994/06/01 (10)	2010.03	Ms3	Ms29w 5-2	Ms19e 4-3	Ms13e 4-3	Ms9w 4-3	Ms7e 5-2	Ms3w 4-3
Rikishin	Tatsunami	1995/10/07 (3)	2011.05	Ms6	Sd68w 4-3	Sd52e 3-4	Sd65w 6-1	Sd11e 5-2	Ms50e 7-0 Y	Ms6e 2-5
Horikiri	Shikoroyama	1994/05/04 (12)	2013.05	Ms7	Sd34e 4-3	Sd23w 7-0 Y	Ms13w 3-4	Ms18e 5-2	Ms11w 5-2	Ms7e 3-4
Onosho	Onomatsu	1996/07/04 (1)	2013.01	Ms8	Ms54w 5-2	Ms34e 4-3	Ms28e 5-2	Ms16e 5-2	Ms10e 4-3	Ms8e 5-2
Terutsuyoshi	Isegahama	1995/01/17 (6)	2010.03	Ms11	Ms19e 5-2	Ms11e 2-5	Ms24e 3-4	Ms32e 5-2	Ms22e 5-2	Ms15e 5-2
Meisei	Tatsunami	1995/07/24 (4)	2011.05	Ms16	Ms60w 3-4	Sd8e 4-3	Ms58w 3-4	Sd14e 6-1	Ms38e 6-1	Ms16e 4-3
Daishoho	Oitekaze	1994/08/28 (8)	2013.03	Ms18	Sd58e 6-1	Sd5e 5-2	Ms44w 5-2	Ms31w 4-3	Ms24w 4-3	Ms18w 3-4
Hakuyozan	Takadagawa	1995/04/13 (5)	2011.05	Ms27	Ms56e 4-3	Ms47e 3-4	Ms57e 5-2	Ms43e 4-3	Ms34w 4-3	Ms27e 4-3
Tsurubayashi	Kise	1993/12/31 (14)	2009.03	Ms12	Sd12e 6-1	Ms32e 5-2	Ms17e 4-3	Ms12w 2-5	Ms27e 3-4	Ms35w 2-4-1
Ohara	Shikoroyama	1993/12/14 (16)	2009.03	Ms41	Sd9e 4-3	Ms59e 2-5	Sd21w 6-1	Ms41e 3-4	Ms49e 4-3	Ms41e 4-3
Kaito	Asakayama	1996/06/19 (2)	2012.05	Ms28	Sd11e 2-5	Sd34e 4-3	Sd21e 5-2	Ms59e 6-1	Ms28w 2-5	Ms47e 2-5
Masunosho	Chiganoura	1994/11/14 (7)	2010.03	Ms18	Ms46w 2-5	Sd1e 4-3	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 4-3	Ms38w 3-4	Ms48e 2-5
Nishiyama	Onoe	1994/04/27 (13)	2010.03	Ms49	Sd31e 4-3	Sd21w 3-3-1	Sd35e 5-2	Sd10e 4-3	Ms59e 4-3	Ms49w 3-4
Chiyokiryu	Kokonoe	1993/12/27 (15)	2012.03	Ms50	Sd16e 3-4	Sd30w 6-1	Ms50w 3-4	Sd4e 1-6	Sd36w 6-1	Ms51w 4-3
Daichi	Shikoroyama	1994/07/15 (9)	2010.03	Ms57	Sd48e 5-2	Sd22w 2-5	Sd44w 6-1	Ms57e 3-4	Sd9w 4-3	Ms59w 4-3
Baraki	Shikihide	1994/05/10 (11)	2013.01	Ms58	Sd90w 7-0 D	Ms58e 0-7	Sd34e 3-4	Sd51w 1-6	Sd83w 4-3	Sd64e 2-5

Three sandanme rikishi made successful applications for inclusion:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07	2014.09
Kotokuzan	Arashio	1994/03/11	2009.09	Sd6	Sd48w 5-2	Sd24e 2-5	Sd48e 4-3	Sd35e 4-3	Sd22w 4-3	Sd11w 5-2
Mizuta	Takanohana	1996/02/10	2014.01	Sd24	[/td2]	Mz 3-1	Jk13w 5-2	Jd52w 6-1	Sd83e 6-1	Sd24e 5-2
Kotaro	Fujishima	1995/12/06	2014.01	Sd27		Jk15w 6-1	Jd25e 5-2	Sd87e 6-1	Sd27w 6-1

I was beginning to think I'd never see the day when Kotokuzan makes it - since the start of 2013 he'd already competed in 6 bouts (in 4 different tournaments) where a win would have immediately secured his makushita debut, but he lost them all. This basho he got there right away with a 4-0 start, later adding another win that will give him a bit of a boost towards Ms50. The half-Filipino rikishi has grown quite big in his 5 years in Ozumo, and while he may not kachikoshi right away he should be good enough to get established in makushita before too long. His style is probably best described as "no-nonsense oshi", straight-forward pushing with a sprinkling of tsuki and pulldowns where needed. He'll be debuting in Tier 2 as he's also affected by the Tatsu yardstick shift.

Quite the opposite career path is presented by our other debuting duo as Mizuta and Kotaro are arriving in makushita with just 5 basho of pro experience; both are part of the most recent high school graduation class. Mizuta looks a bit like an Onosho clone with the same pushing-based fighting style, though somewhat less aggressive, and being a bit lighter for now. Kotaro features a broadly similar style, but clocks in at 7 cm less but 25 kg more, with the level of aggression correspondingly reduced further. Kotaro came in with the greater fanfare from their amasumo days, but based on what little we've seen so far I wouldn't be surprised to see Mizuta go further; Kotaro seems a bit too reliant on his already-sizeable weight to me (and will be limited by being just 170 cm), while Mizuta can still add some pounds and certainly seems to have the edge in the technique department.

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Tier 2:

A fairly decent basho by this group of prospects before they (probably) start getting overshadowed by the younger crew coming in from the top tier. Ikeru scored his 8th straight kachikoshi as he continues to elude the wall, while Sasanoyama posted 6 wins to start another assault on the promotion zone. Mitoyutaka and Haguroho turned in successful performances as well with 4-3's near their career highs. On the other hand it looks like Takakasuga has yet to find his level again after getting bumped to mid-makushita half a year ago, he's now on a three-MK streak with a combined 6-15 record.

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2014 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07	2014.09
Mitoyutaka	Nishikido	1993/04/08 (21)	2009.03	Ms16	Ms21e 4-3	Ms16w 3-4	Ms23e 4-3	Ms17e 2-5	Ms31w 5-2	Ms19e 4-3
Akinoyama	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (25)	2008.03	Ms21	Sd6e 3-4	Sd18w 6-1	Ms39e 4-3	Ms33w 4-3	Ms27w 4-3	Ms21e 3-4
Akinokawa	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (25)	2008.03	Ms17	Ms26w 2-5	Ms42w 3-4	Ms50e 4-3	Ms42e 6-1	Ms17e 3-4	Ms23e 3-4
Kotodaigo	Sadogatake	1993/01/14 (23)	2011.05	Ms24	Sd3w 3-4	Sd13w 6-1	Ms36w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4	Ms39e 5-2	Ms24e 2-5
Haguroho	Tatsunami	1993/07/08 (19)	2009.03	Ms20	Ms34e 0-7	Sd9w 2-5	Sd31w 4-3	Sd17w 5-2	Ms55w 6-1	Ms25e 4-3
Ikeru	Onomatsu	1992/11/26 (27)	2010.11	Ms28	Sd80e 6-1	Sd24w 4-3	Sd12e 5-2	Ms53e 4-3	Ms44e 5-2	Ms28e 5-2
Sasanoyama	Kise	1992/12/30 (24)	2011.05	Ms12	Ms50e 5-2	Ms29w 4-3	Ms23w 4-3	Ms17w 4-3	Ms13w 2-5	Ms28w 6-1
Goshi	Arashio	1993/10/05 (17)	2011.11	Ms7	Ms19w 2-5	Ms36w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3	Ms37e 4-3	Ms29w 3-4	Ms37w 3-4
Takakasuga	Kasugayama	1993/03/06 (22)	2011.07	Ms30	Ms60e 2-5	Sd20e 2-5	Sd42w 7-0 D	Ms30e 2-5	Ms45e 3-4	Ms55e 1-6
Shinohara	Onomatsu	1993/08/21 (18)	2012.01	Ms41	Sd10e 4-3	Ms59w 5-2	Ms41e 3-4	Ms49e 3-4	Ms58e 2-5	Sd22e 3-4
Aonosho	Dewanoumi	1993/06/03 (20)	2009.03	Ms38	Sd7e 4-3	Ms56w 5-2	Ms38e 2-5	Sd1e 2-5	Sd26w 3-4	Sd40w 5-2

One newcomer joins in:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07	2014.09
Tochinobori	Kasugano	1993/09/01	2009.03	Sd7	Sd25e 4-3	Sd14e 3-4	Sd28e 3-4	Sd47w 4-3	Sd34e 5-2	Sd7w 5-2

Just your average-sized rikishi who does a little bit of everything as far as his kimarite are concerned. He's not somebody I've paid much attention to, so I really don't have anything substantive to offer here.

[Gurowake 3,730]

I think it's scary that Onosho has the potential to completely empty Tier 1. Takagenji with 4-3, Takayoshitoshi with 5-2, Fujihara maybe if lucky with 6-1, and Daishozen with 7-0 are the only ones that I see with a chance to full such a void.

I also wouldn't finalize Mizuta as being Tier 2 as I have him actually ending up at Sd1e. The possible choices of who else might end up at that spot are Shodai (6-1 from sd48), Asatenmai (4-3 from sd7), Komakiryu (2-5 from ms39), Rendaiyama (1-6 from ms30), and Okoryu (3-4 from ms45). I'll mention Takagi at 7-0 from sd54 as a formality; he's clearly going far higher. Everyone else has a better record or higher starting spot than someone already mentioned. Unless someone retired that I forgot to eliminate (Kazafuzan is definitely gone according to ctrl-f), one of those would have to be cut for Mizuta to make Makushita. Of course, their lower division banzuke consistency is rather lacking, so they certainly might demote one of those borderline Makushita MKs to make room.

[Asashosakari 17,635]

I also wouldn't finalize Mizuta as being Tier 2 as I have him actually ending up at Sd1e. (...) Of course, their lower division banzuke consistency is rather lacking, so they certainly might demote one of those borderline Makushita MKs to make room.

They're pretty consistent where that is concerned.

[Gurowake 3,730]

Ok, I was only looking at my averaged out figures, and looking at the whole of the data for folks with records like Komakiryu, it's reasonable to believe that they will demote one of those MK guys a bit further than normal in order to get the required promotion in. It's very startling to look at the difference in homogeneity of where the 5-2 sd24s end up compared to the 2-5 ms39s even though they go to roughly the same place on average. Almost all the former are ms57-60, with like one guy at ms55, while the latter are spread from ms54 to sd4 with multiple occurrences at each extreme. Some of that may be compression inherent in the ranking system as one goes higher, but it shouldn't be that big of a difference. Well, "should" given that the boundaries of the divisions don't matter nearly as much in the lower divisions as they do for the two sekitori boundaries, so I'd have thought there wasn't really much consideration into who exactly gets put in which division; it doesn't matter much which of two people you put at ms60w and sd1e when they have a good chance of meeting round one and will go on to have the same opponents regardless of which rank they were until possibly the last round (and even then it's rare to have it be considered). I suppose it matters to the rikishi in terms of status and presumably allowance, but I feel it's poor form to let such things influence official rankings. Well, the NSK can do whatever they want, and I obviously can't stop them.

[Asashosakari 17,635]

I suppose it matters to the rikishi in terms of status and presumably allowance, but I feel it's poor form to let such things influence official rankings.

FWIW, I don't see anything wrong with handing out "guaranteed" promotions and making the necessary adjustments only on the makekoshi side, exactly because the divisional assignments don't matter all that much down there - it's not like getting (over)demoted from makushita to sandanme will cause significant material damage to a rikishi (the way a demotion from juryo would). And it removes one bit of discretion from the banzuke makers, we won't see a nominally deserving rikishi not get promoted to the next division just because somebody on the committee doesn't like him.

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Tier 3:

After the unspectacular second tier we find our second promotee of the basho here in Kotoeko. Congrats to the speedy Sadogatake youngster, who I suspect won't need long to establish a fanbase if he can stick in the paid ranks.

Tsukedashi starter Kawabata won't be joining him on the way up for now after his slow march towards juryo was stopped with back-to-back losses at the end of the basho for a 3-4 finish. The tournament brought better news for Masunoumi whose 8th appearance in the extended promotion zone finally resulted in his first kachikoshi. He probably won't be the highest-ranked Tier 3 guy on the next banzuke, however - Abiko walked all over my "he's going to be tested this time" prediction and finished as the basho's makushita yusho winner in his division debut. I still don't find his sumo to be particularly convincing, though...

Not a whole lot else that's noteworthy, so I'll just highlight the strong 4-3 record by the other debutant Asakoki (ranked pretty high on his entry into makushita), and the career-high 5-2 by heavyweight pusher Akua. He's somebody who's been on my personal watch list since low sandanme, so I'm happy to see him advance.

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2014 - Tier 3: Still Worth Watching - Age 23 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07	2014.09
Kotoeko	Sadogatake	1991/11/20 (39)	2007.03	Ms3	Ms33e 2-5	Ms46w 6-1	Ms19w 6-1	Ms8e 4-3	Ms5e 4-3	Ms3e 5-2
Kawabata	Oitekaze	1991/07/10 (44)	2014.03	Ms4	[/td2]		Ms15Td 5-2	Ms8w 4-3	Ms6e 4-3	Ms4e 3-4
Masunoumi	Chiganoura	1991/11/12 (40)	2010.01	Ms8	Ms21w 6-1	Ms9e 2-5	Ms21e 4-3	Ms14w 3-4	Ms21e 6-1	Ms8w 4-3
Daishoiwa	Oitekaze	1990/10/29 (53)	2006.03	Ms11	Ms44w 3-4	Ms51e 3-4	Sd2e 3-4	Sd20e 7-0 D	Ms14e 4-3	Ms11e 1-6
Kawanari	Oguruma	1991/07/07 (45)	2007.03	Ms1	Ms3e 3-4	Ms6e 0-0-7	Ms46w 6-1	Ms20w 6-1	Ms7w 3-4	Ms12e 4-3
Chiyoshoma	Kokonoe	1991/07/20 (42)	2009.05	Ms8	Ms40e 5-2	Ms25e 4-3	Ms18w 5-2	Ms10e 4-3	Ms8e 3-4	Ms13e 4-3
Kotokobai	Sadogatake	1991/03/31 (48)	2006.03	Ms7	Ms17w 2-5	Ms33w 5-2	Ms17w 6-1	Ms7e 2-5	Ms18e 4-3	Ms15w 4-3
Akua	Tatsunami	1990/11/06 (52)	2010.11	Ms17	Ms41w 4-3	Ms34w 4-3	Ms28w 2-5	Ms48e 6-1	Ms20w 4-3	Ms17w 5-2
Onami	Arashio	1991/12/29 (36)	2009.11	Ms20	Ms36w 4-3	Ms28e 3-4	Ms37w 5-2	Ms23w 4-3	Ms20e 3-4	Ms27w 3-4
Hakunishiki	Kasugayama	1992/01/13 (35)	2007.03	Ms35	Sd13e 5-2	Ms50e 4-3	Ms42w 4-3	Ms35w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3	Ms36w 4-3
Matsumoto	Shikoroyama	1992/03/10 (34)	2007.03	Ms16	Ms47e 4-3	Ms40w 5-2	Ms25w 3-4	Ms34e 5-2	Ms23w 2-5	Ms40w 5-2
Asakoki	Takasago	1990/12/19 (51)	2009.03	Ms41	Sd78e 2-5	Jd4e 7-0 D	Sd15e 3-4	Sd31w 4-3	Sd19w 6-1	Ms41w 4-3
Abiko	Oitekaze	1991/07/27 (41)	2014.01	Ms42		Mz 3-0	Jk12w 7-0 Y	Jd11w 7-0 Y	Sd21e 6-1	Ms42e 7-0 Y
Koba	Kise	1991/03/12 (49)	2013.03	Ms25	Sd11w 6-1	Ms31e 4-3	Ms25e 3-4	Ms33e 4-3	Ms25w 2-5	Ms42w 4-3
Sasakiyama	Kise	1991/06/12 (47)	2010.01	Ms19	Ms26e 4-3	Ms22w 3-4	Ms30e 4-3	Ms26w 3-4	Ms35e 3-4	Ms43e 3-4
Hokutowaka	Hakkaku	1992/06/20 (29)	2008.03	Ms44	Sd77w 4-3	Sd59w 4-3	Sd40w 5-2	Sd13w 5-2	Ms53e 4-3	Ms44e 3-4
Tomisakae	Isegahama	1992/04/11 (31)	2008.03	Ms46	Sd4w 2-5	Sd25w 4-3	Sd13e 4-3	Sd3w 4-3	Ms54e 4-3	Ms46w 4-3
Kotofukuju	Sadogatake	1991/12/14 (38)	2007.03	Ms17	Sd8w 4-3	Ms58w 3-4	Sd13w 5-2	Ms54w 2-5	Sd15e 5-2	Ms56w 3-4
Kotokensei	Sadogatake	1991/01/06 (50)	2006.03	Ms40	Sd37e 4-3	Sd27e 5-2	Sd4e 5-2	Ms47w 4-3	Ms40e 2-5	Sd1w 2-5
Tochimaru	Kasugano	1992/08/26 (28)	2011.05	Ms23	Ms52w 6-1	Ms23w 1-6	Ms48w 3-4	Sd3e 4-2-1	Ms53w 3-4	Sd3e 5-2
Matsubayama	Kasugayama	1991/06/13 (46)	2007.03	Ms36	Ms46e 4-3	Ms40e 2-5	Sd1e 5-2	Ms45w 4-3	Ms36w 1-6	Sd6e 4-3
Aoi	Shikoroyama	1992/04/02 (32)	2008.03	Ms49	Jd7w 6-1	Sd47e 3-4	Sd60w 5-2	Sd32w 6-1	Ms49w 2-5	Sd10e 3-4
Aiyama	Kitanoumi	1992/03/23 (33)	2007.03	Ms52	Ms52e 1-6	Sd16w 5-2	Ms56w 3-4	Sd11w 4-3	Ms60w 3-4	Sd14e 2-5
Daijo	Takadagawa	1991/07/19 (43)	2007.03	Ms53	Sd64w 3-4	Sd83e 4-3	Sd63w 4-3	Sd51e 5-2	Sd27w 4-3	Sd15w 1-6
Wakayama	Onomatsu	1992/04/26 (30)	2011.07	Ms56	Sd32e 4-3	Sd23e 4-3	Sd10w 3-4	Sd28e 5-2	Sd4e 3-4	Sd17w 4-3
Yoshifuji	Isegahama	1991/12/25 (37)	2010.01	Ms52	Sd72w 4-3	Sd55w 4-3	Sd37e 6-1	Ms52w 3-4	Sd3w 2-5	Sd29e 4-3
Tsurunoumi	Takadagawa	1990/10/13 (54)	2006.03	Ms54	Ms54e 1-6	Sd20w 3-4	Sd33e 4-3	Sd23e 3-4	Sd38e 3-4	Sd52e 5-2

Daishoiwa advanced into the top 15 ranks with a surprise 7-0 back in May, and after his impressive 4-win performance in Aki basho he got hit by the sophomore jinx after all, finishing only 1-6 this time. As he turns 24 before the next tournament he'll be shifting over to Tier 4 now. Leaving us completely is Tsurunoumi who wasn't able to maintain the performance level that got him to makushita a year ago.

In turn we're joined by four newcomers:

Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07	2014.09
Kainoryu	Tomozuna	1991/09/03	2007.03	Sd4	Sd67e 4-3	Sd50w 5-2	Sd23e 3-4	Sd41e 5-2	Sd14e 4-3	Sd4w 4-3
Shiba	Kise	1991/12/24	2014.03	Sd29			Mz 2-0	Jk6w 6-1	Jd27w 7-0 Y	Sd29w 6-1
Shodai	Tokitsukaze	1991/11/05	2014.03	Sd48			Mz 2-1	Jk12w 7-0 Y	Jd10e 6-1	Sd48e 6-1
Takagi	Kise	1992/03/18	2014.03	Sd54		Mz 2-0	Jk5w 5-2	Jd53w 7-0 D	Sd54w 7-0 Y

Shiba, Shodai and Takagi are of course this year's accomplished collegiate trio, and as expected they haven't had much trouble in the lowest three divisions. As mentioned during the basho I rate Takagi as the least promising of them, but thanks to a very screwed-up sandanme yusho race he ended up as the last man standing, without having to face any other significant yusho contender. I'm not sure he'll be able to KK in the middle of makushita next time, while Shiba and Shodai should be well capable of it from their lower positions.

Last not least Kainoryu might be most notable so far for a somewhat fluky low jonidan yusho three years ago, but he did use that to springboard himself into the sandanme division and having steadily moved up he's now hitting makushita. At already 23 years of age he's not much of a prospect, but he's also not very large so some further physical development might just spur further progress.

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Still need to finish up here with Tier 4:

...where we saw another duo of successful promotees in Iwasaki and Dewahayate. Iwasaki has turned out to be what I expected on his debut, a capable collegiate deshi who'll eventually make it to juryo but without really dazzling in the process. He did look quite handy of late (you don't fluke a 12-2 record at this level) so he should be able to stick in juryo for a while, and with the currently rather depleted ranks in the second division I wouldn't be surprised to see him string together a few easy KK, too. Whether he'll be good enough to go up into makuuchi, the jury's still out on that.

Dewahayate is only half a year older, but as a middle school debutant he's needed a full 10 years to make it through. He's built like a slightly more stocky Kitaharima and fights a bit like him as well, and I suspect he'll also have similar troubles maintaining a juryo rank in the long run. Certainly a worthwhile addition to the paid ranks though for the time being, and I for one will be rooting for him (as I have for a while).

Elsewhere in the extended promotion zone it was a final-bout makekoshi for Ishiura, and a strong 5-2 for Takatoshi. Nothing else really sticks out, considering the guys in here all have Ms15 experience. Hamaguchi did go 7-0 in jonidan to continue his return from injury; high sandanme next basho should provide the first barometer for his current skill level after his year-long layoff.

Heisei Hopefuls for Aki 2014 - Tier 4: Last Chance Saloon - Ms15+ Age 25 and under
Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2013.11	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07	2014.09
Dewahayate	Dewanoumi	1989/01/31 (70)	2004.03	Ms2	Ms14w 4-3	Ms10w 3-4	Ms15w 4-3	Ms11w 5-2	Ms4w 4-3	Ms2e 4-3
Iwasaki	Kise	1989/06/11 (68)	2012.05	Ms2	Ms15w 4-3	Ms12w 4-3	Ms8w 4-3	Ms5e 3-4	Ms9e 6-1	Ms2w 6-1
Ishiura	Miyagino	1990/01/10 (60)	2013.01	Ms2	Ms25w 6-1	Ms11w 5-2	Ms5e 4-3	Ms2w 2-5	Ms11e 5-2	Ms6w 3-4
Takatoshi	Takanohana	1990/04/19 (57)	2009.01	Ms9	Ms13e 3-4	Ms20e 3-4	Ms27w 5-2	Ms15e 3-4	Ms22w 6-1	Ms9e 5-2
Kairyu	Dewanoumi	1990/03/01 (58)	2005.03	Ms3	Ms7e 1-6	Ms26e 6-1	Ms8e 2-5	Ms19w 3-4	Ms26e 5-2	Ms18e 5-2
Hokaho	Miyagino	1989/06/21 (67)	2007.03	Ms11	Ms32w 2-5	Ms46e 5-2	Ms29e 3-4	Ms38e 5-2	Ms26w 4-3	Ms20e 3-4
Asabenkei	Takasago	1989/02/12 (69)	2007.03	Ms15	Ms27e 3-4	Ms35e 5-2	Ms20e 3-4	Ms27w 5-2	Ms15w 3-4	Ms20w 4-3
Nishikigi	Isenoumi	1990/08/25 (55)	2006.03	Ms3	Ms10e 3-4	Ms16e 4-3	Ms10w 2-5	Ms22w 4-3	Ms18w 3-4	Ms24w 5-2
Daishoryu	Oitekaze	1989/12/29 (61)	2005.09	Ms12	Ms29e 3-4	Ms39e 4-3	Ms31e 5-2	Ms18w 5-2	Ms12w 2-5	Ms26w 4-3
Higoarashi	Kise	1989/08/20 (63)	2006.05	Ms2	Ms24e 4-3	Ms21e 7-0 Y	Ms2e 3-4	Ms5w 3-4	Ms9w 1-6	Ms30e 2-2-3
Tochinosato	Kasugano	1989/07/07 (66)	2008.03	Ms4	Ms25e 4-3	Ms21w 4-3	Ms16e 3-4	Ms23e 1-6	Ms48e 5-2	Ms32e 5-2
Mankajo	Kasugayama	1990/02/10 (59)	2005.03	Ms6	Ms15e 4-3	Ms12e 5-2	Ms6e 2-5	Ms16w 3-4	Ms24e 3-4	Ms33e 3-4
Byakko	Azumazeki	1989/07/11 (64)	2005.03	Ms13	Ms41e 3-4	Ms48w 4-3	Ms40w 2-5	Sd4w 5-2	Ms44w 3-4	Ms53w 2-5
Nogami	Oguruma	1990/08/15 (56)	2009.01	Ms15	Ms35w 4-3	Ms27e 3-4	Ms35w 2-5	Ms55e 2-5	Sd16e 2-5	Sd42e 5-2
Takamai	Takanohana	1988/09/29 (71)	2011.05	Ms7	Sd69e 0-0-7	Jd30e 3-4	Jd51w 4-3	Jd26w 4-3	Jd4e 5-2	Sd70e 4-3
Kansei	Sakaigawa	1989/08/25 (62)	2008.03	Ms3	Ms9e 5-2	Ms3e 3-4	Ms6w 0-3-4	Ms41w 0-0-7	Sd21w 0-0-7	Sd81w 0-0-7
Hamaguchi	Kise	1989/07/11 (64)	2012.05	Ms4	Ms56w 0-0-7	Sd37e 0-0-7	Sd98e 0-0-7	Jd58w 0-0-7	Jk18e 7-0 Y	Jd13e 7-0 Y

Ill-fated Takamai who once looked like a sure sekitori turned 26 last month and has to leave us now. After his inexplicable fall from grace I'm afraid it would have to be considered a success if he stages a return to makushita one day, let alone anything more.

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Kyushu 2014, Tier 1:

After Tatsu's promotion we're quite exclusive here again with just 11 top prospects. Will Onosho proceed to clear it out completely?

Heisei Hopefuls for Kyushu 2014 - Tier 1: Top Talents - current yardstick: Tatsu (1994/06/01, debut 2010.03, shin-juryo 2014.11)
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07	2014.09	2014.11
▲ 1	Onosho	Onomatsu	1996/07/04 (1)	2013.01	Ms3	Ms34e 4-3	Ms28e 5-2	Ms16e 5-2	Ms10e 4-3	Ms8e 5-2	Ms3e
▲ 1	Terutsuyoshi	Isegahama	1995/01/17 (8)	2010.03	Ms9	Ms11e 2-5	Ms24e 3-4	Ms32e 5-2	Ms22e 5-2	Ms15e 5-2	Ms9e
▲ 1	Meisei	Tatsunami	1995/07/24 (6)	2011.05	Ms13	Sd8e 4-3	Ms58w 3-4	Sd14e 6-1	Ms38e 6-1	Ms16e 4-3	Ms13w
▼ 3	Rikishin	Tatsunami	1995/10/07 (5)	2011.05	Ms6	Sd52e 3-4	Sd65w 6-1	Sd11e 5-2	Ms50e 7-0 Y	Ms6e 2-5	Ms16w
▲ 1	Hakuyozan	Takadagawa	1995/04/13 (7)	2011.05	Ms21	Ms47e 3-4	Ms57e 5-2	Ms43e 4-3	Ms34w 4-3	Ms27e 4-3	Ms21w
▼ 1	Daishoho	Oitekaze	1994/08/28 (10)	2013.03	Ms18	Sd5e 5-2	Ms44w 5-2	Ms31w 4-3	Ms24w 4-3	Ms18w 3-4	Ms23w
New	Kotaro	Fujishima	1995/12/06 (4)	2014.01	Ms45	Mz 3-2	Jk15w 6-1	Jd25e 5-2	Sd87e 6-1	Sd27w 6-1	Ms45w
▲ 1	Daichi	Shikoroyama	1994/07/15 (11)	2010.03	Ms51	Sd22w 2-5	Sd44w 6-1	Ms57e 3-4	Sd9w 4-3	Ms59w 4-3	Ms51w
New	Mizuta	Takanohana	1996/02/10 (3)	2014.01	Ms60	Mz 3-1	Jk13w 5-2	Jd52w 6-1	Sd83e 6-1	Sd24e 5-2	Ms60e
▼ 3	Kaito	Asakayama	1996/06/19 (2)	2012.05	Ms28	Sd34e 4-3	Sd21e 5-2	Ms59e 6-1	Ms28w 2-5	Ms47e 2-5	Sd9w
▼ 3	Masunosho	Chiganoura	1994/11/14 (9)	2010.03	Ms18	Sd1e 4-3	Ms53e 4-3	Ms46e 4-3	Ms38w 3-4	Ms48e 2-5	Sd11e

[Asashosakari 17,635]

Kyushu 2014, Tier 2:

Sasanoyama takes his third stab at the extended promotion zone (previously 2-5 and 2-5), in what will be his last Tier 2 appearance. Ikeru and the Aki twins are also turning 22 and will join him on the way to the next section.

Heisei Hopefuls for Kyushu 2014 - Tier 2: Promising Youngsters - Age 21 and under
+/-	Rikishi	Heya	DOB	Debut	HiRk	2014.01	2014.03	2014.05	2014.07	2014.09	2014.11
▲ 7	Sasanoyama	Kise	1992/12/30 (27)	2011.05	Ms10	Ms29w 4-3	Ms23w 4-3	Ms17w 4-3	Ms13w 2-5	Ms28w 6-1	Ms10w
▼ 1	Horikiri	Shikoroyama	1994/05/04 (13)	2013.05	Ms7	Sd23w 7-0 Y	Ms13w 3-4	Ms18e 5-2	Ms11w 5-2	Ms7e 3-4	Ms11e
▼ 1	Mitoyutaka	Nishikido	1993/04/08 (24)	2009.03	Ms16	Ms16w 3-4	Ms23e 4-3	Ms17e 2-5	Ms31w 5-2	Ms19e 4-3	Ms16e
▲ 3	Ikeru	Onomatsu	1992/11/26 (30)	2010.11	Ms18	Sd24w 4-3	Sd12e 5-2	Ms53e 4-3	Ms44e 5-2	Ms28e 5-2	Ms18w
▲ 1	Haguroho	Tatsunami	1993/07/08 (22)	2009.03	Ms20	Sd9w 2-5	Sd31w 4-3	Sd17w 5-2	Ms55w 6-1	Ms25e 4-3	Ms20e
▼ 3	Akinoyama	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (28)	2008.03	Ms21	Sd18w 6-1	Ms39e 4-3	Ms33w 4-3	Ms27w 4-3	Ms21e 3-4	Ms28e
▼ 3	Akinokawa	Takadagawa	1992/11/30 (28)	2008.03	Ms17	Ms42w 3-4	Ms50e 4-3	Ms42e 6-1	Ms17e 3-4	Ms23e 3-4	Ms30w
▲ 3	Ohara	Shikoroyama	1993/12/14 (18)	2009.03	Ms33	Ms59e 2-5	Sd21w 6-1	Ms41e 3-4	Ms49e 4-3	Ms41e 4-3	Ms33w
▼ 4	Kotodaigo	Sadogatake	1993/01/14 (26)	2011.05	Ms24	Sd13w 6-1	Ms36w 4-3	Ms31e 3-4	Ms39e 5-2	Ms24e 2-5	Ms41e
▲ 3	Chiyokiryu	Kokonoe	1993/12/27 (17)	2012.03	Ms44	Sd30w 6-1	Ms50w 3-4	Sd4e 1-6	Sd36w 6-1	Ms51w 4-3	Ms44e
▼ 1	Goshi	Arashio	1993/10/05 (19)	2011.11	Ms7	Ms36w 3-4	Ms43w 4-3	Ms37e 4-3	Ms29w 3-4	Ms37w 3-4	Ms46w
New	Tochinobori	Kasugano	1993/09/01 (20)	2009.03	Ms47	Sd14e 3-4	Sd28e 3-4	Sd47w 4-3	Sd34e 5-2	Sd7w 5-2	Ms47e
New	Kotokuzan	Arashio	1994/03/11 (15)	2009.09	Ms51	Sd24e 2-5	Sd48e 4-3	Sd35e 4-3	Sd22w 4-3	Sd11w 5-2	Ms51e
▼ 5	Tsurubayashi	Kise	1993/12/31 (16)	2009.03	Ms12	Ms32e 5-2	Ms17e 4-3	Ms12w 2-5	Ms27e 3-4	Ms35w 2-4-1	Ms53w
▼ 3	Nishiyama	Onoe	1994/04/27 (14)	2010.03	Ms49	Sd21w 3-3-1	Sd35e 5-2	Sd10e 4-3	Ms59e 4-3	Ms49w 3-4	Sd2w
▲ 2	Aonosho	Dewanoumi	1993/06/03 (23)	2009.03	Ms38	Ms56w 5-2	Ms38e 2-5	Sd1e 2-5	Sd26w 3-4	Sd40w 5-2	Sd14e
▼ 3	Takakasuga	Kasugayama	1993/03/06 (25)	2011.07	Ms30	Sd20e 2-5	Sd42w 7-0 D	Ms30e 2-5	Ms45e 3-4	Ms55e 1-6	Sd24e
▼ 1	Shinohara	Onomatsu	1993/08/21 (21)	2012.01	Ms41	Ms59w 5-2	Ms41e 3-4	Ms49e 3-4	Ms58e 2-5	Sd22e 3-4	Sd39e
● 0	Baraki	Shikihide	1994/05/10 (12)	2013.01	Ms58	Ms58e 0-7	Sd34e 3-4	Sd51w 1-6	Sd83w 4-3	Sd64e 2-5	Sd91w