Aki Basho 2021 - Discussion Thread (Spoilers!)

Asahi reported last week that the Aki basho will be held in the Kokugikan as usual, with a 50% capacity cap of 5,000 spectators. The basho will run from 12 September to 26th September. Publicity materials for ticket sales feature only Hakuho in the Shiranui stance so far, but the image for the Aki basho brochure has yet to be released on the NSK's Twitter (it's usually released by now after the preceding basho). Perhaps they're waiting for Terunofuji's dohyo-iri to be able to composite the image of two yokozuna. Priority ticket sales will run in two phases from 1 August to 4 August, then 7 August to 12 August. Normal sales will commence from 14 August, with phone reservations being available from 5 September until 24 September, two days before the conclusion of the basho. It has not yet been decided whether same-day ticket sales at the Kokugikan will take place.

Yikes. I see where I goofed in specifying losses rather than wins, forgetting that the DB distinguishes between losses and absences. Past performance no guarantee of future trends, naturally, but given three out of four retirements, I hope we don't see the end of Takakeisho here and now, although it's hard to tell what more he can do to adapt his fighting style if he seems unwilling to risk injury. Worth noting that Kirishima amongst the above four is an anomaly: he fought from the maegashira ranks only because he had difficulty in securing a kabu when his sponsor experienced the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, so his choice to continue was sort of forced. On the other hand, there are a number of Nishonoseki kabu that are freeing up soon, so Takakeisho should have no issue waiting for them with his 3-year jun-toshiyori privilege if he does indeed decide to retire.