TORCHBEARER 2020: the picks, torch match notices, results

[shimodahito 336]

Good day all,
  I'm way late on this post, distracted by life stuff and travel. 
Thanks to everyone who entered. We are up to 100 players: 45 returnee updates, 41 carry-overs, and a big welcome to 14 new players.

...The rikishi picks for TORCHBEARER 2020:  For the second straight year, Ura had the most picks.

Abi (Ayagawa)
Akiseyama (Nantonoyama)
Akua (Munjeezy)
Asahisho (Fatakiyama)
Asagyokusei (Pitinosato)
Azumaryu (itchyknee)
Chiyonoo (Cydrome)
Daiamami (Aled-ap-Tomos & Ganzohnesushi & Jesinofuji)
Daiseido (shimodahito)
Dewanoryu (kuroimori & Oshirokita & Wamahada)
Enho (kedevash & Takanorappa)
Fujiazuma (ryafuji)
Fukamiyama (Johnofuji)
Kainoshima/Fukuyama (Yubinaad)
Gagamaru (Daughter of Sukubidubidu)
Hakuyozan (Pandaazuma)
Hattorizakura (Mutsu’ohideki)
Hokutenkai (Kintamayama & Saruyama & Unkonoyama)
Hokutoryu (teo_heel)
Hoshoryu (Akōgyokuseki)
Irodori (Domichi)
Jokoryu (dingo)
Kaisho (Kitanoedo)
Kirinofuji (Kintaro)
Kirinoryu (Andreas21)
Kitanowaka (charliki/Gibuten & Hakuhonofan & Naganoyama)
Kotokuzan (Itachi)
Kyokutaisei (Sukubidubidu)
Masunoyama (Terarno)
Midorifuji (Toratorii)
Mitozakura (Nekonishiki)
Miyakojima (Athenayama)
Oshoryu/Motobayashi (Achiyama & Amamaniac & Benihana)
Murata (Haidouzo & Kaito & Profomisakari & Sakura)
Nakazono (ronnie/Gawasukotto)
Narutaki (Jason & Shokikogi)
Naya (MumboJumbo & Suwihuto)
Nishikigi (Jejima)
Obayama (Tsukiko)
Oisato (Tsubame)
Oki (Tsuchinoninjin)
Onosho (Hoshihitomi)
Roga (Chisaiyama & Houmanumi)
Ryuden (Kofuji-ICAN & Umigame)
Sadanohikari (Screeching Owl)
Sagatsukasa (Bugman)
Shiraishi (Rocks/Gansekiiwa)
Shonannoumi (Gurowake & Senkoho & Yukiarashi)
Taiga (wildcard)
Takakeisho (Derek)
Tanahashi (Wakatake)
Tanakayama (Sagi)
Terao (Ajisen & Getayukata)
Terunofuji (Fujisan & umbriel2)
Tobizaru (Obana)
Tochiseiryu (hitotsubushi)
Tokisakae (Shatsume)
Tokushoryu (Shio-kago)
Tomokaze (Akinomaki & Chankomafuji & code_number3 & Mmikasazuma)
Tsukahara (chishafuwaku & furanohana)
Tsurugisho (Shitamachi)
Ura (Andonishiki & ChickyStarr & Churaumi & Kaioshoryu & kotoshikona & orandashoho & Tenshinhan)
Wakaichiro (inhashi & Kosimazaki(PhorCillic))
Wakahiroto (Konrad/Konizan)
Wakamotoharu (Ryoshishokunin)
Wakatakakage (Uinseann)
Yago (Taikoubana)
Yoshoyama (McBugger)
Yutakanami (Yoohoo(Torideyama))

…The rank picks for TORCHBEARER 2019:  And for the second straight year, Juryo 11 East had the most picks.

Y1E (Mutsu’ohideki)
J1E (rhyen & Terarno)
J2E (Profomisakari)
J2W (Aled ap Tomos & Nekonishiki)
J3E (Suwihuto)
J3W (inhashi)
J4E (Umigame & Kosimazaki(PhorCillic))
J4W (ChickyStarr)
J5E (Chankomafuji & Jesinofuji & MumboJumbo)
J6W (Chisaiyama & Domichi & Oshirokita & Pitinosato & Shitamachi & Yubinhaad)
J7E (Haidouzo & Jejima)
J7W (chishafuwaku & Cydrome)
J8E (Akōgyokuseki & Kitanoedo & Naganoyama & Obana & Takanorappa)
J8W (itchyknee)
J9E (Fatakiyama)
J9W (Kintamayama & Senkoho & Taikoubana & Yoohoo)
J10E (Athenayama & dingo & Houmanumi & Sukubidubidu)
J10W (hitotsubushi & Shio-kago)
J11E (Amamaniac & Fujisan & furanohana & Ganzohnesushi & Hakuhonofan & Jason & kotoshikona & orandashoho & Munjeezy & Sakura & yorikiried by fate)
J11W (Unkonoyama)
J12E (code_number3 & Shokikogi)
J12W (Churaumi & Holleshoryu & McBugger & Mmikasazuma & Rocks/Gansekiiwa & Saruyama & Tsuchinoninjin & Toratorii)
J13E (Achiyama & Andreas21 & Getayukata & Shatsume)
J13W (Gurowake & umbriel2)
J14E (Benihana & charliki/Gibuten & Yukiarashi)
J14W (Kintaro)
Ms1E (Kaioshoryu & kuroimori)
Ms1W (Wamahada)
Ms3E (Daughter of Sukubidubidu)
Ms3W (Ronnie/Gawasukotto & Ryoshishokunin & Tenshinhan)
Ms4E (Konrad/Konizan)
Ms4W (Bugman & ryafuji)
Ms5E (Akinomaki)
Ms6E (kedevash & Sagi)
Ms7E (Ayagawa)
Ms7W (Pandaazuma & Taiga)
Ms8E (Itachi & Uinseann)
Ms9W (Hoshihitomi)
Ms10E (Bumpkin)
Ms10W (Nantonoyama)
Ms11W (Andonishiki)
Ms14W (Kaito)
Ms16E (Kiritsubaki)
Ms20W (Screeching Owl)
Ms21E (Tsubame)
Ms26E (Tsukiko)
Ms28E (Derek)
Ms36E (Ajisen)
Ms53W (Johnofuji)
Ms56E (shimodahito)
Ms56W (Wakatake)
Sd44E (Kofuji-ICAN)
Sd48E (teo_heel)
Jk28E (wildcard)

If there are any corrections/misspellings or I forgot someone, let me know. Good Luck.

Hatsu results coming tomorrow.  Thank you!
-shimodahito

Edited September 9, 2020 by shimodahito

[Jakusotsu 6,395]

Will passing the torch be allowed this basho after all?

[kuroimori 1,634]

5 hours ago, Jakusotsu said:

Will passing the torch be allowed this basho after all?

Only with face mask and after hands have been thoroughly washed... 

[Torideyama 33]

I was just wondering what effect cancelling the basho midway through (in the case of a rikishi contacting the coronavirus) would have, not only on this game and others, but on the sumo itself (banzuke based on results to that point, or throw out the whole basho as if it never started.

For this game, I would think that cancelling one basho would have a great effect on the results, as 7 less lower division bouts this early means that the torch has a much lower chance of reaching the paid ranks.  

Just wondering.

[shimodahito 336]

From the bottom of the banzuke, the TORCH started here:
Start of 2020 Rikishi: TAIGA
Start-of-2020 Rank: JONOKUCHI 28 EAST

I didn’t have much faith with Taiga being the first TORCHBEARER of the year.  Although he was once ranked as “high” as Sandanme 86, he 1) had been banzuke-gai TWICE; 2) had not won since Nagoya 2018; 3) since Aki 2018 had a record of 0 wins, 6 losses, and 30 absences.  Then Hatsu 2020 started and when day 12 rolled around and Taiga was 0-0-6 and I suspected he may go banzuke-gai again OR intai….coronavirus was not involved. 

   But there he was on Day 13 for our first TORCH match facing last year’s first TORCHBEARER:

RIKISHI
TAIGA vs HATTORIZAKURA
RANK
JONOKUCHI 28 EAST vs JONOKUCHI 27 WEST

Player(s) up for points:
Mutsu’ohideki’s rikishi pick is HATTORIZAKURA
a loss = 1 point, but a win = 3 points and an opportunity for more points in the next torch match

And Taiga won.  So we ended where we started.

End-of-Hatsu Rikishi: TAIGA
End-of-Hatsu Rank: JONOKUCHI 28 EAST

standings: 
1 point Mutsu’odeki
no points for the 99 others.

=== === === === ===

And now the new banzuke is out:

Start-of-Haru Rikishi: TAIGA
Start-of-Haru Rank: JONOKUCHI 18 WEST

=== === === === ===

Some commentary:

• We have been here before ~ starting Haru still in Jonokuchi…no panic.
• If a basho is cancelled or suspended midway through, the TORCHBEARER simply keeps the TORCH until their next match when wrestling resumes.
• In this game, the TORCH does not always reach the paid ranks.  The lowest final TORCH position was Makushita 58 East [the tally is 6 Makushita finishes, with 2 years never touching Juryo].  As long as the TORCH is still around in November, there will be a winner.  Results change, but the game rules don’t change.
• IF IF IF and only IF for some reason the TORCHBEARER goes intai before November with the TORCH, there is a backup plan.  I’ll post IF IF IF an only IF that ever happens.

Good Luck

[shimodahito 336]

Good day all,

  Although we want to stop the Wuhan Virus from infecting rikishi and ranks, our beloved TORCH is alive and well and working its way through the rikishi and ranks as it should be doing.  Here’s a summary of the Haru fun:

DAY 2: Jonokuchi 18 West Taiga (0-0) defeats Jonokuchi 18 East Kyokushoriki (0-0)
DAY 3: Jonokuchi 18 West Taiga (1-0) defeats Jonokuchi 20 West Kyonosato (1-0)
DAY 6: Jonokuchi 18 West Taiga (2-0) defeats Jonokuchi 17 East Daishiryu (2-0)
DAY 8: Jonokuchi 18 West Taiga (3-0) passes the TORCH to Jonokuchi 22 West Shinohara (3-0)
DAY 9: Jonokuchi 22 West Shinohara (4-0) defeats Jonokuchi 10 West Shoryudo (3-1)
DAY 11: Jonokuchi 22 West Shinohara (5-0) defeats Jonokuchi 6 West Yatabe (5-0)
DAY 13: Jonokuchi 22 West Shinohara (6-0) defeats Jonidan 107 West Ishihara (5-1)

End-of-Haru Rikishi: SHINOHARA
End-of-Haru: Rank: JONOKUCHI 22 WEST
Natsu cancelled….new banzuke posted.
 

Start-of-Nagoya Rikishi: SHINOHARA
Start-of-Nagoya Rank: JONIDAN 16 EAST

Standings:
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
99 other players – zero

Good luck

 

[shimodahito 336]

Good day all
   The TORCH is making up for the lost basho very nicely thanks to the higher division match on Day 13.  And with the new banzuke, the TORCH burned through Sandanme!  Here’s the summary of TORCH’s Nagoya fun:

DAY 1: Jonidan 16 East Shinohara (0-0) defeats Jonidan 15 West Asanotosa (0-0)
DAY 4: Jonidan 16 East Shinohara (1-0) defeats Jonidan 14 West Kotomanabe (1-0)
DAY 5: Jonidan 16 East Shinohara (2-0) passes the TORCH to Jonidan 14 East Oba (2-0)
DAY 8: Jonidan 14 East Oba (3-0) passes the TORCH to Jonidan 19 West Tochihayate (3-0)
DAY 9: Jonidan 19 West Tochihayate (4-0) passes to TORCH to Jonidan 28 East Daihisho (4-0)
DAY 11: Jonidan 28 East Daihisho (5-0) defeats Jonidan 46 East Imafuku (5-0)
DAY 13: Jonidan 28 East Daihisho (6-0) passes the TORCH to Sandanme 84 West Mudoho (6-0)
KETTEI-SAN: Sandanme 84 West Mudoho (7-0) passes the TORCH to Sandanme 67 East Fukai (7-0)

End-of-Nagoya Rikishi: FUKAI
End-of-Nagoya Rank: SANDANME 67 EAST

And now with the release of the Banzuke:

   Start-of-Aki Rikishi: FUKAI
   Start-of-Aki Rank: MAKUSHITA 41 WEST

Standings:
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
99 other players – zero

 

[shimodahito 336]

good day all,

  On Day 1, the TORCH holder Makushita 41 West Fukai defeated Makushita 40 West Nankairiki and retained the TORCH.

  We get some early action for a game entrant with Fatakiyama ready to join the standings in the TORCH MATCH on Day 4:

RIKISHI
FUKAI vs ASAHISHO
RANK
MAKUSHITA 41 WEST vs MAKUSHITA 41 EAST

Player(s) up for points:
Fatakiyama’s rikishi pick is ASAHISHO
a loss = 1 point, but a win = 3 points and an opportunity for more points in the next torch match

Standings:
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
 

[shimodahito 336]

good day all,

  We have our first 3 point winner this year and another TORCH MATCH on Day 6:

RIKISHI
ASAHISHO vs TERASAWA
RANK
MAKUSHITA 41 EAST vs MAKUSHITA 42 EAST

Player(s) up for points:
Fatakiyama’s rikishi pick is ASAHISHO
a loss = 1 point, but a win = 3 points and an opportunity for more points in the next torch match

Standings:
3 points – Fatakiyama
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
 

[shimodahito 336]

good day all,

  Here’s how the TORCH has progressed up our Day 9 TORCH MATCH:
DAY 1: Makushita 41 West Fukai (0-0) defeats Makushita 40 West Nankairiki (0-0)
DAY 4: Makushita 41 West Fukai (1-0) passes the TORCH to Makushita 41 East Asahisho (1-0) [3 points Fatakiyama]
DAY 6: Makushita 41 East Asashio (2-0) passes the TORCH to Makushita 42 East Terasawa (2-0) [ 1 point Fatakiyama]
DAY 8: Makushita 42 East Terasawa (3-0) defeats Makushita 33 West Tochikodai (3-0)
DAY 9:

RIKISHI
TERAWASA vs NARUTAKI
RANK
MAKUSHITA 42 EAST vs MAKUSHITA 52 WEST

Player(s) up for points:
Jason’s rikishi pick is NARUTAKI
Shokikogi’s rikishi pick I NARUTAKI
a loss = 1 point, but a win = 3 points and an opportunity for more points in the next torch match

Standings:
4 points – Fatakiyama
1 point – Mutsu’odeki

[shimodahito 336]

good day all,

  Here’s a quick recap:
DAY 1: Makushita 41 West Fukai (0-0) defeats Makushita 40 West Nankairiki (0-0)
DAY 4: Makushita 41 West Fukai (1-0) passes the TORCH to Makushita 41 East Asahisho (1-0) [3 points Fatakiyama]
DAY 6: Makushita 41 East Asashio (2-0) passes the TORCH to Makushita 42 East Terasawa (2-0) [ 1 point Fatakiyama]
DAY 8: Makushita 42 East Terasawa (3-0) defeats Makushita 33 West Tochikodai (3-0)
DAY 9: Makushita 42 East Terasawa (4-0) defeats Makushita 52 West Narutaki (4-0) [1 point Jason & Shokikogi]
DAY 11: Makushita 42 East Terasawa (5-0) defeats Sandanme 7 West Tamakongo (5-0)

  And now another player gets a shot at some points in the Day 13 TORCH MATCH:

RIKISHI
TERAWASA vs TOCHISEIRYU
RANK
MAKUSHITA 42 EAST vs MAKUSHITA 28 WEST

Player(s) up for points:
Hitotsubushi’s rikishi pick is TOCHISEIRYU
a loss = 1 point, but a win = 3 points and an opportunity for more points in the next torch match

Standings:
4 points – Fatakiyama
1 point – Jason
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
1 point – Shokikogi
 

[shimodahito 336]

An Aki recap:

Start-of-Aki Rikishi: FUKAI
Start-of-Aki Rank: MAKUSHITA 41 WEST

DAY 1: Makushita 41 West Fukai (0-0) defeats Makushita 40 West Nankairiki (0-0)
DAY 4: Makushita 41 West Fukai (1-0) passes the TORCH to Makushita 41 East Asahisho (1-0) [3 points Fatakiyama]
DAY 6: Makushita 41 East Asashio (2-0) passes the TORCH to Makushita 42 East Terasawa (2-0) [ 1 point Fatakiyama]
DAY 8: Makushita 42 East Terasawa (3-0) defeats Makushita 33 West Tochikodai (3-0)
DAY 9: Makushita 42 East Terasawa (4-0) defeats Makushita 52 West Narutaki (4-0) [1 point Jason & Shokikogi]
DAY 11: Makushita 42 East Terasawa (5-0) defeats Sandanme 7 West Tamakongo (5-0)
DAY 13: Makushita 42 East Terasawa (6-0) defeats Makushita 28 West Tochiseiryu (6-0) [1 point Hitotsubushi]

End-of-Aki Rikishi: TERASAWA
End-of-Aki Rank: MAKUSHITA 42 EAST

Start-of-Kyushu Rikishi: TERASAWA
Start-of-Kyushu Rikishi: MAKUSHITA 4 WEST

Standings:
4 points – Fatakiyama
1 point – Hitotsubushi
1 point – Jason
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
1 point – Shokikogi

Good luck to all.

 

[shimodahito 336]

good day all,

  A lot of entrees are in the upper Makushita range, and it will be interesting to see if the TORCH makes it into the Juryo range during this last basho of the TORCHBEARER 2020 season.

  Our first TORCH MATCH of the basho is on Day 2:

RIKISHI
TERAWASA vs BUSHOZAN
RANK
MAKUSHITA 4 WEST vs MAKUSHITA 4 EAST

Player(s) up for points:
Konrad’s rank pick is MAKUSHITA 4 EAST
Bugman’s rank pick is MAKUSHITA 4 WEST
Ryafuji’s rank pick is MAKUSHITA 4 WEST
a loss = 1 point, but a win = 3 points and an opportunity for more points in the next torch match

Standings:
4 points – Fatakiyama
1 point – Hitotsubushi
1 point – Jason
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
1 point – Shokikogi

 

[shimodahito 336]

Some points were available in the TORCH MATCH on Day 3:

RIKISHI
BUSHOZAN vs KITAHARIMA
RANK
MAKUSHITA 4 EAST vs MAKUSHITA 3 EAST

Player(s) up for points:
Konrad’s rank pick is MAKUSHITA 4 EAST
Daughter of Sukubidubidu’s rank pick is MAKUSHITA 3 EAST
a loss = 1 point, but a win = 3 points and an opportunity for more points in the next torch match

Standings:
4 points – Fatakiyama
3 points – Konrad
1 point – Bugman
1 point – Hitotsubushi
1 point – Jason
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
1 point – Ryafuji
1 point – Shokikogi

 

[shimodahito 336]

good day all,

  Some more points were available in the TORCH MATCH on Day 5:

RIKISHI
KITAHARIMA vs TAKAKENTO
RANK
MAKUSHITA 3 EAST vs MAKUSHITA 6 EAST

Player(s) up for points:
kedevash’s rank pick is MAKUSHITA 6 EAST
Sagi’s rank pick is MAKUSHITA 6 EAST
Daughter of Sukubidubidu’s rank pick is MAKUSHITA 3 EAST
a loss = 1 point, but a win = 3 points and an opportunity for more points in the next torch match

Standings:
4 points – Fatakiyama
4 points – Konrad
3 points – Daughter of Sukubidubidu
1 point – Bugman
1 point – Hitotsubushi
1 point – Jason
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
1 point – Ryafuji
1 point – Shokikogi
 

[shimodahito 336]

good day all,

  We have a definitive leader with the Daughter of Sukubidubidu’s points on Day 5.  Some more points available in the TORCH MATCH on Day 7:

RIKISHI
KITAHARIMA vs NAYA
RANK
MAKUSHITA 3 EAST vs MAKUSHITA 1 WEST

Player(s) up for points:
Wamahada’s rank pick is MAKUSHITA 1 WEST
Daughter of Sukubidubidu’s rank pick is MAKUSHITA 3 EAST
a loss = 1 point, but a win = 3 points and an opportunity for more points in the next torch match

Standings:
9 points – Daughter of Sukubidubidu
4 points – Fatakiyama
4 points – Konrad
1 point – Bugman
1 point – Hitotsubushi
1 point – Jason
1 point – kedevash
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
1 point – Ryafuji
1 point – Sagi
1 point – Shokikogi

 

[shimodahito 336]

good day all,

  Two more players will join the standings after our shortest shikona TORCH MATCH on Day 9:

RIKISHI
NAYA vs ROGA
RANK
MAKUSHITA 1 WEST vs MAKUSHITA 12 WEST

Player(s) up for points:
Wamahada’s rank pick is MAKUSHITA 1 WEST
Houmanumi’s rikishi pick is ROGA
Chisaiyama’s rikishi pick is ROGA
a loss = 1 point, but a win = 3 points and an opportunity for more points in the next torch match

Standings:
10 points – Daughter of Sukubidubidu
4 points – Fatakiyama
4 points – Konrad
3 points -- Wamahada
1 point – Bugman
1 point – Hitotsubushi
1 point – Jason
1 point – kedevash
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
1 point – Ryafuji
1 point – Sagi
1 point – Shokikogi
 

[shimodahito 336]

good day all,

  Any hope of the TORCH jumping to Juryo is likely gone… but we still have players shuffling in hopes they end up with the bullseye points.  Here is the TORCH MATCH for Day 9:

RIKISHI
ROGA vs RYUKO
RANK
MAKUSHITA 12 WEST vs MAKUSHITA 15 WEST

Player(s) up for points:
Houmanumi’s rikishi pick is ROGA
Chisaiyama’s rikishi pick is ROGA
a loss = 1 point, but a win = 3 points and an opportunity for more points in the next torch match

Standings:
10 points – Daughter of Sukubidubidu
4 points – Fatakiyama
4 points – Konrad
4 points – Wamahada
3 points – Chisaiyama
3 points -- Houmanumi
1 point – Bugman
1 point – Hitotsubushi
1 point – Jason
1 point – kedevash
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
1 point – Ryafuji
1 point – Sagi
1 point – Shokikogi

 

[shimodahito 336]

good day all,

Here’s what we know:
1) with no players in the final TORCH MATCH (the only day with no players), no one will be getting the bullseye 25 bonus TORCH points;
2) Daughter of Sukubidubidu has the lead going into the bonus TORCH round.;
3) the bonus TORCH point tally will be presented after the Basho;
4) the prize is ready to be sent to the winner!

Here is the final TORCH MATCH of TORCHBEARER 2020 ~ Day 13:

RIKISHI
RYUKO vs ITO
RANK
MAKUSHITA 15 WEST vs MAKUSHITA 35 WEST

Player(s) up for points:
NONE!!!
a loss = 1 point, but a win = 3 points and an opportunity for more points in the next torch match

Standings:
10 points – Daughter of Sukubidubidu
4 points – Chisaiyama
4 points – Fatakiyama
4 points -- Houmanumi
4 points – Konrad
4 points – Wamahada
1 point – Bugman
1 point – Hitotsubushi
1 point – Jason
1 point – kedevash
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
1 point – Ryafuji
1 point – Sagi
1 point – Shokikogi
 

[shimodahito 336]

good day all,
   The 2020 TORCH prize is ready to be sent out.   The leader is Daughter of Sukubidubidu  with only 10 points.  It’s now time to award the end-of-year FINAL TORCH POINTS.  To recap the rules for end-of-year TORCH POINTS, 25 points are awarded if you picked the FINAL TORCH position.  Additional points are awarded to the next 10 closest picks.  (10 points to the closest pick, down to 1 point for the 10^th closest pick).
  
We’ll start with the END-OF-YEAR TORCH POINTS for RANK.  Kiritsubaki missed the 25-point bullseye by only one position with the MAKUSHITA 16 EAST pick but gets 10 points for being the closest.  Kaito was close as well.  In all, 15 players earned FINAL TORCH RANK points!  Kudos to Sagi & kedevash as they were the only two players that had TORCH MATCH points during the year.

MAKUSHITA 6 EAST......(1 kedevash & Sagi)
MAKUSHITA 6 WEST......
MAKUSHITA 7 EAST......(2 points: Ayagawa)
MAKUSHITA 7 WEST......(3 points: Pandaazuma & Taiga)
MAKUSHITA 8 EAST......(4 points: Itachi & Uinseann)
MAKUSHITA 8 WEST......
MAKUSHITA 9 EAST......
MAKUSHITA 9 WEST......(5 points: Hoshihitomi)
MAKUSHITA 10 EAST.....(6 points: Bumpkin)
MAKUSHITA 10 WEST.....(7 points: Nantonoyama)
MAKUSHITA 11 EAST.....
MAKUSHITA 11 WEST.....(8 points: Andonishiki)
MAKUSHITA 12 EAST.....
MAKUSHITA 12 WEST.....
MAKUSHITA 13 EAST.....
MAKUSHITA 13 WEST.....
MAKUSHITA 14 EAST.....
MAKUSHITA 14 WEST.....(9 points: Kaito)
MAKUSHITA 14 EAST.....
FINAL TORCH RANK: MAKUSHITA 15 WEST...
MAKUSHITA 16 EAST.....(10 points: Kiritsubaki)
MAKUSHITA 16 WEST.....
MAKUSHITA 17 EAST.....
MAKUSHITA 17 WEST.....
MAKUSHITA 18 EAST.....
MAKUSHITA 18 WEST.....
MAKUSHITA 19 EAST.....
MAKUSHITA 19 WEST.....
MAKUSHITA 20 EAST.....
MAKUSHITA 20 WEST.....(7 points: Screeching Owl)
MAKUSHITA 21 EAST.....(6 points: Tsubame)
MAKUSHITA 21 WEST.....
MAKUSHITA 22 EAST.....
MAKUSHITA 22 WEST.....
MAKUSHITA 23 EAST.....
MAKUSHITA 23 WEST.....
MAKUSHITA 24 EAST.....
MAKUSHITA 24 WEST.....
MAKUSHITA 25 EAST.....

So at the end of the final RANK point distribution we have Daughter of Sukubidubidu & Kiritsubaki tied for first place with 10 points each.  FINAL TORCH RIKISHI points will be in the next post.

[shimodahito 336]

Next, the END-OF-YEAR TORCH POINTS for RIKISHI.  There was no 25-point awardee as no one picked the correct final TORCH RIKISHI, RYUKO.  In all, 25 players earned FINAL TORCH RIKISHI points with six players just one-off from the bullseye and earning 10 points each:  Achiyama, Amamaniac, Benihana, Kintamayama, Saruyama & Unkonoyama.  Six players don’t get this lucky, proving that TORCHBEARER is truly a game of skill.   Kudos to Chisaiyama & Hitotsubushi & Houmanumi who were the three on the list that also had TORCH MATCH points during the year.


SAKIGAKE.........
TOCHIMARU........
ICHIYAMAMOTO.....
NAKAZONO........(2 points: Gawasukotto)
KITANOWAKA......(3 points: Gibuten & Hakuhonofan & Naganoyama)
TOCHISEIRYU.....(4 points: hitotsubushi)
TAMASHOHO........
WAKAYAMA.........
SUZUKI...........
MURATA..........(5 points: Haidouzo & Kaito & Profomisakari & Sakura)
ROGA............(6 points: Chisaiyama & Houmanumi)
OKI.............(7 points: Tsuchinoninjin)
HIRADOUMI.......
SHONANNOUMI.....(8 points: Gurowake & Senkoho & Yukiarashi)
TSUKAHARA.......(9 points: chishafuwaku & furanohana)
HOKUTENKAI......(10 points: Kintamayama & Saruyama & Unkonoyama)
FINAL TORCH RIKSHI: RYUKO............
OSHORYU.........(10 points: Achiyama & Amamaniac & Benihana
DAISEIDO........(9 points: shimodahito)
KAINORYU........
OKINOFUJI.......
HOKUTOKI........
HOKAHO..........
OMOTO...........
TSURUBAYASHI....
KAMITO..........
AMAKAZE.........
TOYOHIBIKI......
TOCHINOBORI.....
GENKI...........
TSUSHIMANADA....
YUMA............
TOKISAKAE.......(1 points: Shatsume




With all the points added, our final standings:

14 points – Kaito
10 points – Achiyama
10 points – Amamaniac
10 points – Benihana
10 points – Chisaiyama
10 points – Daughter of Sukubidubidu
10 points – Houmanumi
10 points – Kintamayama
10 points – Kiritsubaki
10 points – Saruyama
10 points – Unkonoyama
9 points – chishafuwaku
9 points – furanohana
9 points – shimodahito
8 points – Andonishiki
8 points – Gurowake
8 points – Senkoho
8 points – Yukiarashi
7 points – Nantonoyama
7 points – Screeching Owl
7 points – Tsuninoninjin
6 points – Bumpkin
6 points – Tsubame
5 points – Haidouzo
5 points – Hitotsubushi
5 points – Hoshihitome
5 points – Profomisakari
5 points – Sakura
4 points – Fatakiyama
4 points – Itachi
4 points – Konrad
4 points – Uinseann
4 points – Wamahada
3 points – Gibuten
3 points – Hakuhonofan
3 points – Naganoyama
3 points – Pandaazuma
3 points – Taiga
2 points – Ayagawa
2 points – Gawasukotto
2 points – kedevash
2 points – Sagi
1 point – Bugman
1 point – Jason
1 point – Mutsu’odeki
1 point – Ryafuji
1 point – Shatsume
1 point – Shokikogi



   This could have been a 10 way tie for first place but Kaito – the only player to earn FINAL TORCH RANK and FINAL TORCH RIKISHI points edged the pack with his MAKUSHITA 14 WEST rank and MURATA rikishi picks.  Very impressive picking from the rookie.  Kaito is the TORCHBEARER 2020 winner and I’ll be corresponding to send the prize. 
   For those keeping tabs on how often the 25-point TORCH bullseye is achieved:
         2011 – 3
         2012 – 1
         2015 – 3
         2016 – 3
         2017 – 2
         2018 – 2
         2019 – 1
   Thanks for participating and I hope you all can update your pick or, if a new player, submit a pick for next year. You can send your TORCHBEARER 2021 picks to me now, or wait until the Hatsu banzuke is released.  An invite (with rules for new players) will be out soon.  Pick one rank and one rikishi where you think the TORCH will be at the end of the year.  I already have a couple of players who sent 2021 picks!  This sumo game has a prize.  New players are always welcome.

Again, thanks.
-shimodahito



 

[Kaito 327]

Sweet. I thought I'd missed my chance when neither Murata nor Tsukahara (ms14W) were able to stay perfect long enough to run into the torch in the last basho.

Ah yes, the torch ended in Makushita thanks to only 5 basho this year, which I obviously totally predicted. After observing this year, I'm curious about how the torch has managed to finish in Makushita so often in the past.

Anyway, thanks for hosting shimoda! It was fun tracking Murata's progress this year. I'll probably pick much differently next year and score a 0!