Persistence Watch - 2012 edition

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Lineup for Hatsu - new arrival Makino opens the new year as Chibahibiki, and oft-absent Tajima is on the shonichi kyujo list. All in all we start 2012 with an even dozen club rikishi. Sunaga will try to avoid becoming the fourth concurrent member in double digits. Oh, and Takaora has somehow hung on to his jonidan rank for the fourth straight basho. Who needs KKs?

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	Last Basho
Takachihonomine	Shikoroyama	Haru 2008	21	Jonokuchi 8 East	Jonidan 104	48-99	0.327	2-5
Azumahikari	Tamanoi	Aki 2009	12	Jonokuchi 9 West	Jonidan 105	22-62	0.262	2-5
Takaora	Takanohana	Hatsu 2010	10	Jonidan 101 West	Jonidan 101	22-48	0.314	3-4
Sunaga	Naruto	Haru 2010	9	Jonokuchi 1 West	Jonidan 102	18-45	0.286	3-4
Azumayama	Tamanoi	Natsu 2010	8	Jonokuchi 16 West	Jonidan 106	9-47	0.161	0-7
Oshio	Shikihide	Aki 2010	6	Jonokuchi 2 East	Jonidan 101	16-26	0.381	3-4
Haruyutaka	Kasugayama	Kyushu 2010	5	Jonokuchi 1 East	Jonidan 107	13-22	0.371	3-4
Tajima	Matsugane	Haru 2010	5	Jonokuchi 10 East	Jonidan 108	4-17-28	0.190	2-5
Chibahibiki	Shikihide	Natsu 2011	3	Jonokuchi 3 East	Jonokuchi 3	9-12	0.429	3-4
Daishohama	Oitekaze	Natsu 2011	3	Jonokuchi 5 West	Jonokuchi 5	7-14	0.333	3-4
Issei	Shikoroyama	Natsu 2011	3	Jonokuchi 10 West	Jonokuchi 10	3-18	0.143	2-5
Okino	Hakkaku	Natsu 2011	3	Jonokuchi 12 West	Jonokuchi 12	2-19	0.095	1-6

Edited September 1, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Through Day 8:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	Last Basho	This Basho
Takachihonomine	Shikoroyama	Haru 2008	21	Jonokuchi 8 East	Jonidan 104	50-101	0.331	2-5	2-2
Azumahikari	Tamanoi	Aki 2009	12	Jonokuchi 9 West	Jonidan 105	23-65	0.261	2-5	1-3
Takaora	Takanohana	Hatsu 2010	10	Jonidan 101 West	Jonidan 101	24-50	0.324	3-4	2-2
Sunaga	Naruto	Haru 2010	9	Jonokuchi 1 West	Jonidan 102	19-48	0.284	3-4	1-3
Azumayama	Tamanoi	Natsu 2010	8	Jonokuchi 16 West	Jonidan 106	10-50	0.167	0-7	1-3
Oshio	Shikihide	Aki 2010	6	Jonokuchi 2 East	Jonidan 101	18-28	0.391	3-4	2-2
Haruyutaka	Kasugayama	Kyushu 2010	5	Jonokuchi 1 East	Jonidan 107	15-24	0.385	3-4	2-2
Tajima	Matsugane	Haru 2010	5	Jonokuchi 10 East	Jonidan 108	4-17-32	0.190	2-5	0-0-4
Chibahibiki	Shikihide	Natsu 2011	3	Jonokuchi 3 East	Jonokuchi 3	11-14	0.440	3-4	2-2
Daishohama	Oitekaze	Natsu 2011	4	Jonokuchi 5 West	Jonokuchi 5	7-18	0.280	3-4	0-4
Issei	Shikoroyama	Natsu 2011	3	Jonokuchi 10 West	Jonokuchi 10	5-20	0.200	2-5	2-2
Okino	Hakkaku	Natsu 2011	3	Jonokuchi 12 West	Jonokuchi 12	3-22	0.120	1-6	1-3

Not a terribly successful basho so far... At least tomorrow's Haruyutaka-Chibahibiki bout means that at least one rikishi will definitely have KK clincher bouts.

[Flohru 178]

I just wanted to say that at least one person (I'm sure there are more) actually does miss the updates! ;-) Takachihonomine is still lacking his first career-kk and might become a real threat to Morikawa's alltime record (though I doubt it as he is somehow able to score 2-3 wins consistently so it should really only be a matter of time)...

Edited July 24, 2012 by Flohru

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Back by popular demand...but with less blahblah in the future, in order to actually get something posted in a timely fashion.

Hatsu 2012 final results:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	Last Basho	This Basho
Takachihonomine	Shikoroyama	Haru 2008	22	Jonokuchi 8 East	Jonidan 104	51-103	0.331	2-5	3-4
Azumahikari	Tamanoi	Aki 2009	13	Jonokuchi 9 West	Jonidan 105	25-66	0.275	2-5	3-4
Takaora	Takanohana	Hatsu 2010	10	Jonidan 101 West	Jonidan 101	26-51	0.338	3-4	4-3
Sunaga	Naruto	Haru 2010	10	Jonokuchi 1 West	Jonidan 102	19-51	0.271	3-4	1-6
Azumayama	Tamanoi	Natsu 2010	9	Jonokuchi 16 West	Jonidan 106	11-52	0.175	0-7	2-5
Oshio	Shikihide	Aki 2010	6	Jonokuchi 2 East	Jonidan 101	20-29	0.408	3-4	4-3
Haruyutaka	Kasugayama	Kyushu 2010	6	Jonokuchi 1 East	Jonidan 107	16-26	0.381	3-4	3-4
Tajima	Matsugane	Haru 2010	5	Jonokuchi 10 East	Jonidan 108	4-17-35	0.190	2-5	0-0-7
Chibahibiki	Shikihide	Natsu 2011	4	Jonokuchi 3 East	Jonokuchi 3	11-17	0.393	3-4	2-5
Daishohama	Oitekaze	Natsu 2011	4	Jonokuchi 5 West	Jonokuchi 5	10-18	0.357	3-4	3-4
Issei	Shikoroyama	Natsu 2011	4	Jonokuchi 10 West	Jonokuchi 10	5-23	0.179	2-5	2-5
Okino	Hakkaku	Natsu 2011	4	Jonokuchi 12 West	Jonokuchi 12	3-25	0.107	1-6	1-6

Graduation honours for Takaora and pint-sized Oshio, both achieving KK in their final bout of the basho. Of course, Takaora apparently departed in acrimonious fashion right afterwards...

Azumahikari had his second shot at KK in his career (following one bout in Hatsu 2011), but ran into Oshio in the decider. Those two basho also constitute his only 3-4 records so far. Haruyutaka even had two opportunities (now five total), falling from 3-2 to another makekoshi. And Sunaga joined the dai-persistence club with makekoshi #10. Meanwhile, club leader Takachihonomine collected both his 50th win and his 100th loss.

All four newcomers managed to "defend" their spots. Last not least, we had a third departure as Tajima called it quits after a KK-free career in which he was kyujo more often than he was on the dohyo.

Edited September 1, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Haru 2012 final results:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	Last Basho	This Basho
Takachihonomine	Shikoroyama	Haru 2008	23	Jonokuchi 5 West	Jonidan 104	54-107	0.335	3-4	3-4
Azumahikari	Tamanoi	Aki 2009	14	Jonokuchi 6 West	Jonidan 105	28-70	0.286	3-4	3-4
Sunaga	Naruto	Haru 2010	11	Jonokuchi 11 East	Jonidan 102	22-55	0.286	1-6	3-4
Azumayama	Tamanoi	Natsu 2010	10	Jonokuchi 10 West	Jonidan 106	13-57	0.186	2-5	2-5
Haruyutaka	Kasugayama	Kyushu 2010	7	Jonokuchi 2 East	Jonidan 107	18-31	0.367	3-4	2-5
Daishohama	Oitekaze	Natsu 2011	5	Jonokuchi 4 East	Jonokuchi 5	11-25	0.306	3-4	1-7
Chibahibiki	Shikihide	Natsu 2011	5	Jonokuchi 8 East	Jonokuchi 3	14-21	0.400	2-5	3-4
Issei	Shikoroyama	Natsu 2011	5	Jonokuchi 9 East	Jonokuchi 9	7-28	0.200	2-5	2-5
Okino	Hakkaku	Natsu 2011	5	Jonokuchi 11 West	Jonokuchi 11	3-32	0.086	1-6	0-7

No success stories in the March tournament. Azumahikari went one better than in Hatsu and got two KK chances, but again failed to escape our grasp. Chibahibiki managed to produce the most frustrating basho possible for a persister, starting off 3-0 only to lose his next four bouts. And even Takachihonomine got into the act with a losing effort in a KK decider (career #5).

With Azumayama there's a new dai-persistence member for the third basho in a row. Having never achieved even 3 wins it could be a while longer for him.

Everybody except winless Okino was promoted to jonidan after this basho.

Edited September 1, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Natsu 2012 final results:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	Last Basho	This Basho
Takachihonomine	Shikoroyama	Haru 2008	24	Jonidan 98 West	Jonidan 98	57-111	0.339	3-4	3-4
Azumahikari	Tamanoi	Aki 2009	14	Jonidan 99 East	Jonidan 99	32-73	0.305	3-4	4-3
Sunaga	Naruto	Haru 2010	12	Jonidan 101 East	Jonidan 101	23-61	0.274	3-4	1-6
Azumayama	Tamanoi	Natsu 2010	11	Jonidan 105 West	Jonidan 105	13-64	0.169	2-5	0-7
Haruyutaka	Kasugayama	Kyushu 2010	8	Jonidan 103 West	Jonidan 103	21-35	0.375	2-5	3-4
Chibahibiki	Shikihide	Natsu 2011	6	Jonidan 99 West	Jonidan 99	17-25	0.405	3-4	3-4
Issei	Shikoroyama	Natsu 2011	6	Jonidan 105 East	Jonidan 105	9-33	0.214	2-5	2-5
Daishohama	Oitekaze	Natsu 2011	6	Jonidan 106 West	Jonidan 106	13-30	0.302	1-7	2-5
Okino	Hakkaku	Natsu 2011	6	Jonokuchi 20 East	Jonokuchi 11	5-37	0.119	0-7	2-5

Azumahikari went one better yet again with a 3-1 start to his basho, but he ended up needing all three KK chances before he was able to celebrate.

Haruyutaka (from 3-2) and Chibahibiki (from 3-3) had their shots as well, but weren't able to follow Azumahikari down the graduation path. Okino didn't get anywhere close to a kachikoshi, but at least managed to secure his first 2-5 record in his 6th basho.

We also get to extend an invitation to a newcomer:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	2012.01	2012.03	2012.05
Tsurufuji	Isegahama	Kyushu 2011	3	Jonidan 100 East	Jonidan 100	6-15	0.286	2-5	3-4	1-6

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Nagoya 2012 final results:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	Last Basho	This Basho
Takachihonomine	Shikoroyama	Haru 2008	25	Jonidan 103 East	Jonidan 98	59-116	0.337	3-4	2-5
Sunaga	Naruto	Haru 2010	12	Jonokuchi 7 West	Jonidan 101	27-64	0.297	1-6	4-3
Azumayama	Tamanoi	Natsu 2010	12	Jonokuchi 15 West	Jonidan 105	16-68	0.190	0-7	3-4
Haruyutaka	Kasugayama	Kyushu 2010	8	Jonidan 106 East	Jonidan 103	21-35-7	0.375	3-4	0-0-7
Chibahibiki	Shikihide	Natsu 2011	7	Jonidan 103 West	Jonidan 99	19-30	0.388	3-4	2-5
Issei	Shikoroyama	Natsu 2011	6	Jonokuchi 5 East	Jonidan 105	13-36	0.265	2-5	4-3
Daishohama	Oitekaze	Natsu 2011	7	Jonokuchi 6 East	Jonidan 106	16-35	0.314	2-5	3-5
Okino	Hakkaku	Natsu 2011	7	Jonokuchi 13 East	Jonokuchi 11	7-42	0.143	2-5	2-5
Tsurufuji	Isegahama	Kyushu 2011	3	Jonokuchi 7 East	Jonidan 100	6-15-7	0.286	1-6	0-0-7

Another dai-persister finally achieves graduation, and in true fashion Sunaga took the decision to his final bout despite starting off 3-1. Issei only needed 6 bouts (and one decider), and somehow has managed to exit the club without ever posting a 3-4 record. Coming in with a 9-33 career record, it has to rate as quite a surprise that he managed to leave at the first-ever opportunity. Incidentally, both Issei and Sunaga collected their KKs against the same opponent, Kotoomura (who we may still get to see in the club; his results so far are a pair of 3-4's).

Speaking of 3-4's, Azumayama had his first-ever such record. He even was 3-3, but failed to convert. Daishohama was the lucky recipient of an 8th bout for the second time in three basho (also in Haru), and even managed to make use of it with a bonus win this time. And Haruyutaka unfortunately decided to retire, ending his career without a KK after going 0-7 in potentially clinching bouts. Newcomer Tsurufuji also missed the basho and drops to banzuke-gai status.

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention Takachihonomine's club silver anniversary. I could point out that we're entering the part of the year with the weakest overall jonokuchi quality so his KK chances will be improving for the next two or three basho, but of course that was true in previous years, too... His career results are actually pretty flabbergasting as he hasn't finished below 2 wins in the last 19 tournaments; with that base level of performance, one would have expected to see a fluke KK at some point already. Oh well.

Slightly making up for all the lost members is one new (tall and skinny) entrant:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	2012.01	2012.05	2012.07
Miyakojima	Minezaki	Hatsu 2012	3	Jonokuchi 6 West	Jonidan 107	5-16	0.238	1-6	2-5	2-5

I suspect we'll be having him around for a while.

Edited September 1, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Aki 2012 lineup:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	Last Basho	This Basho
Takachihonomine	Shikoroyama	Haru 2008	25	Jonokuchi 6 West	Jonidan 98	59-116	0.337	2-5	[/td]
Azumayama	Tamanoi	Natsu 2010	12	Jonokuchi 10 West	Jonidan 105	16-68	0.190	3-4
Chibahibiki	Shikihide	Natsu 2011	7	Jonokuchi 7 East	Jonidan 99	19-30	0.388	2-5
Daishohama	Oitekaze	Natsu 2011	7	Jonokuchi 7 West	Jonidan 106	16-35	0.314	3-5
Okino	Hakkaku	Natsu 2011	7	Jonokuchi 13 East	Jonokuchi 11	7-42	0.143	2-5
Miyakojima	Minezaki	Hatsu 2012	3	Jonokuchi 12 East	Jonidan 107	5-16	0.238	2-5
Tsurufuji	Isegahama	Kyushu 2011	3	Banzuke-gai	Jonidan 100	6-15-7	0.286	0-0-7

8 rikishi are trying to avoid becoming club expansion members, having picked up 2 career MK so far.

[yorikiried by fate 2,038]

edit

I mean well done.

You and the boys.

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Don't look now, but Takachihonomine has started off 2-0 for the third time in his career...the first one ended in a 2-5, the second in a 3-4. Can he go one better again?

[Fay 1,677]

OMG, my Takachihonomine is already 3-0, I bet he will get a kk this time, maybe another one saved from the persistence watch :-D

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Aki Day 8:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	Last Basho	This Basho
Takachihonomine	Shikoroyama	Haru 2008	25	Jonokuchi 6 West	Jonidan 98	62-117	0.346	2-5	3-1
Azumayama	Tamanoi	Natsu 2010	12	Jonokuchi 10 West	Jonidan 105	18-70	0.205	3-4	2-2
Chibahibiki	Shikihide	Natsu 2011	7	Jonokuchi 7 East	Jonidan 99	21-32	0.396	2-5	2-2
Daishohama	Oitekaze	Natsu 2011	7	Jonokuchi 7 West	Jonidan 106	18-37	0.327	3-5	2-2
Okino	Hakkaku	Natsu 2011	8	Jonokuchi 13 East	Jonokuchi 11	7-46	0.132	2-5	0-4
Miyakojima	Minezaki	Hatsu 2012	3	Jonokuchi 12 East	Jonidan 107	7-18	0.280	2-5	2-2
Tsurufuji	Isegahama	Kyushu 2011	3	Banzuke-gai	Jonidan 100	6-15-7	0.286	0-0-7	Mz

As expected, Takachihinomine's first KK attempt against Kasugasato ended up in a loss, although his sandanme-quality opponent even semi-henka'ed. Weirdest scene of the basho for me. Next up tomorrow is Takahashi, a shindeshi from this year who looks like low jonidan strength.

Okino already picked up his club ticket for next basho with 4 straight losses against opponents who all haven't had a kachikoshi in their careers yet (Azumayama and Miyakojima from the club, Haruminato who's fighting against club inclusion at 2 MK, and Komatsu who debuted 3-4 last basho).

Speaking of the recruiting list, of the 8 rikishi who entered the basho with 2 MK, two are absent, three are 1-3, and another three are 2-2. Looks like some reinforcements are coming.

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Next up tomorrow is Takahashi, a shindeshi from this year who looks like low jonidan strength.

Fusensho kachikoshi for Takachihonomine. I'm speechless.

[Fay 1,677]

Takachihonomine kachi koshi!!!! Yeaaaaaah (Holiday feeling...) (Band playing...) (Cheers...)

Ok it was a win by fusen, but maybe he can win the next one too. And who asks in the end ...

[Asashosakari 20,218]

I forgot to mention that we have three club members at 3-3 going into the final round. Daishohama is up in a few minutes in a playoff for exactly one spot on the list - if he wins, he departs and his opponent Kotoomura becomes a new entrant. A Kotoomura victory on the other hand would save him but doom Daishohama to continued persistence.

Azumayama and Chibahibiki will get their shots as well, probably on Day 14. I think they too will face potential new club members (Chibahibiki-Nakano, Azumayama-Haruminato).

Edit: Kotoomura wins.

Edited September 21, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Alas, two more incumbents lost against would-be newcomers, so Azumayama and Chibahibiki will also continue to be part of this thread, Azumayama even becoming the new club-gashira with Takachihonomine's graduation.

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Aki 2012 results:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	Last Basho	This Basho
Takachihonomine	Shikoroyama	Haru 2008	25	Jonokuchi 6 West	Jonidan 98	63-119	0.346	2-5	4-3
Azumayama	Tamanoi	Natsu 2010	13	Jonokuchi 10 West	Jonidan 105	19-72	0.209	3-4	3-4
Chibahibiki	Shikihide	Natsu 2011	8	Jonokuchi 7 East	Jonidan 99	22-34	0.393	2-5	3-4
Daishohama	Oitekaze	Natsu 2011	8	Jonokuchi 7 West	Jonidan 106	19-39	0.328	3-5	3-4
Okino	Hakkaku	Natsu 2011	8	Jonokuchi 13 East	Jonokuchi 11	7-49	0.125	2-5	0-7
Miyakojima	Minezaki	Hatsu 2012	4	Jonokuchi 12 East	Jonidan 107	8-20	0.286	2-5	3-4
Tsurufuji	Isegahama	Kyushu 2011	3	Banzuke-gai	Jonidan 100	6-15-7	0.286	0-0-7	(Mz 3-1)

On the heels of his silver makekoshi anniversary Takachihonomine achieved his first winning record at last. That leaves Azumayama at the head of the club, himself already more than halfway to 25 basho. On the upside, after scoring his very first 3-4 record last time out he managed to repeat that performance. Miyakojima reached the 3-win mark for the first time this basho, and (in a change from my assessment before the basho) I think he might well be the next to exit this thread - technically he looks no worse than many lower jonidan rikishi to me, he just has to contend with being awfully skinny.

As noted above, Chibahibiki fell to 3-4 in his last bout. It's the 6th time in 8 basho that he has finished 3-4, and in all six basho he had opportunities to achieve KK; he's now 0-12 in potential clinchers. Daishohama on the other hand had his very first such bout, his other three 3-win records having come after dropping to MK early.

Six rikishi made a bid to avoid joining us - four of them had previously gone 3-4, 3-4, and as it happens they all finished 4-3 this time to narrowly escape our clutches. The pair who debuted with worse records added another makekoshi in Aki and consequently see their names added for the Kyushu edition:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	2012.05	2012.07	2012.09
Kotouruga	Sadogatake	Haru 2012	3	Jonokuchi 9 East	Jonokuchi 9	6-15	0.286	1-6	3-4	2-5
Rikiyushi	Minezaki	Haru 2012	3	Jonokuchi 13 West	Jonokuchi 13	4-17	0.190	1-6	2-5	1-6

Edited September 23, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Lineup for Kyushu 2012...the large number of retirements after Aki combined with the Kyokai's desperation for 100 jonidan ranks to yield three surprise promotions:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	Last Basho
Azumayama	Tamanoi	Natsu 2010	13	Jonidan 100 West	Jonidan 100	19-72	0.209	3-4
Chibahibiki	Shikihide	Natsu 2011	8	Jonidan 99 West	Jonidan 99	22-34	0.393	3-4
Daishohama	Oitekaze	Natsu 2011	8	Jonidan 100 East	Jonidan 100	19-39	0.328	3-4
Okino	Hakkaku	Natsu 2011	8	Jonokuchi 17 East	Jonokuchi 11	7-49	0.125	0-7
Miyakojima	Minezaki	Hatsu 2012	4	Jonokuchi 1 West	Jonidan 107	8-20	0.286	3-4
Kotouruga	Sadogatake	Haru 2012	3	Jonokuchi 6 West	Jonokuchi 6	6-15	0.286	2-5
Rikiyushi	Minezaki	Haru 2012	3	Jonokuchi 9 East	Jonokuchi 9	4-17	0.190	1-6
Tsurufuji	Isegahama	Kyushu 2011	3	Jonokuchi 15 West	Jonidan 100	6-15-7	0.286	(Mz 3-1)

Freshly back from maezumo Tsurufuji has gone into AWOLness again, the rest are up for the last KK challenge of the year.

Edited November 14, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Kyushu 2012 Day 8:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	Last Basho	This Basho
Azumayama	Tamanoi	Natsu 2010	14	Jonidan 100 West	Jonidan 100	19-76	0.200	3-4	0-4
Chibahibiki	Shikihide	Natsu 2011	8	Jonidan 99 West	Jonidan 99	24-36	0.400	3-4	2-2
Daishohama	Oitekaze	Natsu 2011	8	Jonidan 100 East	Jonidan 100	20-42	0.323	3-4	1-3
Okino	Hakkaku	Natsu 2011	8	Jonokuchi 17 East	Jonokuchi 11	8-52	0.133	0-7	1-3
Miyakojima	Minezaki	Hatsu 2012	4	Jonokuchi 1 West	Jonidan 107	9-23	0.281	3-4	1-3
Kotouruga	Sadogatake	Haru 2012	3	Jonokuchi 6 West	Jonokuchi 6	7-18	0.280	2-5	1-3
Rikiyushi	Minezaki	Haru 2012	3	Jonokuchi 9 East	Jonokuchi 9	6-19	0.240	1-6	2-2
Tsurufuji	Isegahama	Kyushu 2011	3	Jonokuchi 15 West	Jonidan 100	6-15-11	0.286	(Mz 3-1)	0-0-4

Azumayama hasn't managed to capitalize on his back-to-back 3-4's and is the first to go makekoshi this basho. Not that the other results really engender that much more hope...well, maybe Chibahibiki can do something and improve on his six 3-4 records in eight basho.

Edited November 18, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Lots of new makekoshi in round five with Daishohama, Okino and Kotouruga falling to 1-4. Only Miyakojima avoided that fate for now, but it was inevitable that one club rikishi would as he faced Kotouruga...

Chibahibiki and Rikiyushi also dropped to 2-3, so no KK deciders in the next round.

Edited November 20, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Well, Chibahibiki did win his 6th bout to set up a potential KK decider for Day 14, but in the end it's a 3-4 finish for him. (Now 0-13 in KK opportunities.) Alas, that's already the best news of a basho best forgotten quickly:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	Last Basho	This Basho
Azumayama	Tamanoi	Natsu 2010	14	Jonidan 100 West	Jonidan 100	21-77	0.214	3-4	2-5
Chibahibiki	Shikihide	Natsu 2011	9	Jonidan 99 West	Jonidan 99	25-38	0.397	3-4	3-4
Daishohama	Oitekaze	Natsu 2011	9	Jonidan 100 East	Jonidan 100	21-44	0.323	3-4	2-5
Okino	Hakkaku	Natsu 2011	9	Jonokuchi 17 East	Jonokuchi 11	8-55	0.127	0-7	1-6
Miyakojima	Minezaki	Hatsu 2012	5	Jonokuchi 1 West	Jonidan 107	10-25	0.286	3-4	2-5
Kotouruga	Sadogatake	Haru 2012	4	Jonokuchi 6 West	Jonokuchi 6	8-20	0.286	2-5	2-5
Rikiyushi	Minezaki	Haru 2012	4	Jonokuchi 9 East	Jonokuchi 9	6-22	0.214	1-6	2-5
Tsurufuji	Isegahama	Kyushu 2011	3	Jonokuchi 15 West	Jonidan 100	6-15-14	0.286	Mz	0-0-7

The sum total is only one win below what these rikishi did last basho, but the scarcity of 3-4 records is pretty glaring. I'm struggling to find anything noteworthy to write about amidst that sea of 2-5's, so let's move right along to welcoming a batch of newcomers from the Natsu 2012 class:

Shikona	Heya	Debut	MK	Current Rank	Highest Rank	Record	Win%	2012.07	2012.09	2012.11
Komatsu	Kise	Natsu 2012	3	Jonokuchi 1 East	Jonokuchi 1	9-12	0.429	3-4	3-4	3-4
Mihamaumi	Tamanoi	Natsu 2012	3	Jonokuchi 3 East	Jonokuchi 3	8-13	0.381	2-5	3-4	3-4
Sadaisamu	Sakaigawa	Natsu 2012	3	Jonokuchi 8 East	Jonokuchi 8	4-18	0.182	1-6	2-5	1-7

Both Komatsu and Miyakojima collected two wins at the expense of incumbent club members, but it wasn't enough to save them from inclusion. I'd like to say "at least their several near-misses indicate they probably won't stick around for long", but Chibahibiki also started with 3x 3-4 once upon a time. That Sadaisamu is going to stay for a while is without question, though. (Barring retirement, of course.)

[Asashosakari 20,218]

Apropos the Shikihide-beya handover - veteran http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi.aspx?r=673'>Shikinokawa is currently on a 10-MK streak; he has also had prior streaks of 13 and twice 8 basho. Remarkably, he wasn't a persister at the start of his career, although he didn't avoid it by much. (And even more remarkably, he hasn't had a record better than 4-3 since 1998!)

[Asashosakari 20,218]

To expand on the theme a bit - for all the mirth caused by Baraki's height-challengedness over in the shindeshi thread, if Yubinhaad's reports of upcoming Shikihide-beya retirements are correct, Baraki instantly becomes the best Japanese rikishi in the stable. Currently there are Mongolians Sensho and Taiga, and then there are these guys:

Shikinokawa - not much to say beyond what I already wrote above. 20 years in sumo, high rank Jd87, career record 273-487-18.
Itako - 19 years in sumo, former 9-basho persister, high rank Jd19, career record 340-431-7. Last KK'ed above Jd90 in Nagoya 2005, but astoundingly he has avoided falling back to jonokuchi for five years now, always collecting a timely KK with his back to the wall, or getting lucky with a Haru->Natsu shindeshi push.
Wakatoohashi - 7 years in sumo, made it to 20 MK before departing the Persistence Watch. 3 KK in 13 basho since then, high rank Jd64, career record 74-157.
Shuho - 5 years in sumo, no longer quite as tiny as when he joined (168/73 in the shindeshi kensa, 168/62 in his first year, 169/75 per the 2012 rikishi directory), but it hasn't helped his results much. Former 5-basho persister, altogether 5 KK in 30 basho, none better than 4-3. High rank Jd61, career record 74-135-1.
Oshio - the other tiny-on-join Shikihide rikishi. Right at the minimum of 167/67 back then, reported in the 2012 directory as 167/54.5 (!!!). Kimarite marvel and arguably the best Japanese rikishi after Baraki going forward, even without a pound-for-pound qualifier. 6 basho persistence, afterwards 3 KK in 6 basho (all 4-3). High rank Jd51, career record 36-48.
Chibahibiki - see tables above. Ongoing 9 basho persistence, high rank Jd97, career record 25-38.

Moto-Kitazakura has a lot of work to do.