Former makuuchi Hochiyama (31) retired and became Kimigahama-oyakata in Sakaigawa-beya. At the riji-kai in November the requirement for becoming oyakata was lowered to 28 basho as sekitori, if the former holder of the myoseki and the shisho as guarantors hand in a written application and the riji-kai (was today) approves. (I missed that this new rule was established). Usually the requirement is 30 basho, Hochiyama has 29. http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2013122000938