bettega 427 Posted March 16, 2023 Who'll be the next Ozeki? Or maybe NO ONE? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yarimotsu 522 Posted March 17, 2023 I selected Kotonowaka just on the strength of recent performances and the idea that we don't yet know his ceiling. But really it's so up-in-the-air at the moment. I don't think Shodai is any more likely to storm back to Ozeki than Takayasu is, and certainly the Wall of Daikon has been showing his usual timid behaviour the last couple days. Hoshoryu depends a lot on how well he gets over the current injury that is still hampering him. Wakatakakage and Kiribayama would have to find another gear I'm not sure either can sustain - Daieisho similarly but slightly more likely. Hokuseiho is the most interesting outlier on the list for me - already looks to be rapidly becoming a more capable, larger, more energetic Ichinojo - but there's a lot of question marks in between now and that future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
just_some_guy 256 Posted March 17, 2023 Wild that you've got Tobizaru (who in my opinion has zero risk of becoming Ozeki) on the list but not Abi (who in my opinion has a nonzero chance). I chose Hoshoryu just because I think he's the safest bet, but I don't think anyone is a lock to get there. Tumultuous times. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bettega 427 Posted March 17, 2023 9 hours ago, just_some_guy said: Wild that you've got Tobizaru (who in my opinion has zero risk of becoming Ozeki) on the list but not Abi (who in my opinion has a nonzero chance). I chose Hoshoryu just because I think he's the safest bet, but I don't think anyone is a lock to get there. Tumultuous times. I get mostly the sanyaku and forget Abi (Tobizaru was kind of a joke - I like the guy ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gurowake 3,915 Posted March 18, 2023 (edited) The only people on the list that I think have a good chance at making Ozeki ever are Hoshoryu and Hokuseiho. They're the only ones who have actually made it or are on track to making it to me generic cut off of making the joi by the time they're 23. And Hoshoryu is definitely closer to the goal. Kinbozan I don't have enough information on to evaluate fully yet since he had no chance at making the joi by 23, but I expect that he's going to fall into the Mitakeumi to Tochiozan range. The 5-2 in the bottom of Makushita and the 8-7 in Juryo are not great signs for someone his age. The rest are just the usual joi regulars who might be able to get a 10 win joi tournament now and then, but stringing enough wins together for Ozeki will require a heap of luck. Edited March 18, 2023 by Gurowake Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ganzohnesushi 506 Posted March 18, 2023 Asanoyama. Ganzohnesushi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hankegami 412 Posted March 19, 2023 (edited) As the Haru 2023 basho is going on, the closest rikishi ATM are Kiribayama and Daieisho. Kiribayama's sumo drastically changed this Hatsu, and I am personally convinced that his ceiling is now that 11-4 he posted last basho. Daieisho has a 10-5 (M1w) and is currently 7-1 with very good prospects to get 10+ and be promoted to Sekiwake. Both of them have the potential to get there after Natsu. Hoshoryu is on his last window to capitalize his 11-4 from Kyushu 2022, but he's currently 5-3 and cannot get anywhere near to his required 14-1 or similar result this Haru. This means that in Natsu he will start back with his 8-7 from Hatsu and whatever he gets now. Considering that he's returning from an injury, I expect him to get the rank eventually. Kotonowaka is having a good basho this Haru, but he didn't post a 10+ result since he joined the joy-jin. He's at a lower san'yaku level ATM. Same goes for the WakaBros, both at their momentary lower san'yaku plateau. All them must first get 10+ and show constancy. And that's all for the joy-jin of today, the guys in pole position to get the second highest rank of sumo. Edited March 19, 2023 by Hankegami Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seiyashi 4,071 Posted March 20, 2023 Answering the question in terms of who's closest, it has to be Kiribayama. Daieishō unfortunately doesn't have the consistency required IMO, whereas Kiribayama's sumo has been going through a series of step changes over the past year. Who I think actually gets there? Hōshōryū, although that means a promotion nearer the end of the year, and that's a long time to wait with both Terunofuji and Takakeishō exceedingly doubtful. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kashunowaka 300 Posted March 21, 2023 Making this poll in the middle of a basho is perhaps not the best idea, as the chances for each rikishi change daily. I agree that Kiribayama looks best on paper, followed by Hoshoryu. But that could be completely different in just a few days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakusotsu 5,806 Posted March 21, 2023 35 minutes ago, Kashunowaka said: But that could be completely different in just a few days months. fixed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oshirokita 173 Posted March 21, 2023 I don't know who will be next (I voted for Kiribayama), but the second next will probably be Takakeisho with a 10 win return. His one basho absence will be when either Kiribayama or Hoshoryu get given Takakeisho's spot. Asanoyama will be third next (too many basho needed to get there before Takakeisho falls out). If Terunofuji retires then Hoshoryu will get a quick promotion I'd bet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kashunowaka 300 Posted March 22, 2023 22 hours ago, Jakusotsu said: fixed I mean days. In the last 4 days, one rikishi could go 4-0 while another goes 0-4 and that completely changes their ozeki prospects. 8-7 Kiribayama is a long shot for ozeki promotion after next basho, 12-3 Kiribayama has a very good chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seiyashi 4,071 Posted March 23, 2023 (edited) And suddenly Daieisho is 20/33, although he has never got more than 2x double-digit kachi koshi in a row. Edited March 23, 2023 by Seiyashi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Churaumi 728 Posted March 28, 2023 Coming late to the party but right now Kiribayama is my first pick, followed by Daieisho. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakusotsu 5,806 Posted March 28, 2023 As we all know, Akiseyama is bound to be next Yokozuna, so it's only proper he will be next Ozeki as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 44,346 Posted May 31, 2023 (edited) Well, most of us got that one right.. But note that Wakamotoharu didn't get even one vote.. Edited May 31, 2023 by Kintamayama Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seiyashi 4,071 Posted May 31, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, Kintamayama said: Well, most of us got that one right.. But note that Wakamotoharu didn't get even one vote.. Not surprising considering most of us thought he lucked into sanyaku. He's had a very smooth ride through the joi for someone who was that under the radar, especially now at a time where the sanyaku are once again stacked. EDIT: I looked again at his record and it's even more impressive than I thought. He's only had one makekoshi in makuuchi, his first basho ranked at M4e, and he's otherwise gone 9-6 or better in every makuuchi appearance. Better still, he's gone double digits in 4 of the last 5 basho in the joi. If ever there's a testament to the benefit of degeiko, surely Wakamotoharu is it. Edited May 31, 2023 by Seiyashi 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Churaumi 728 Posted May 31, 2023 I think Wakamotoharu's rise got overshadowed by his brother, and know that he's out of the spotlight for a while Wakamotoharu can shine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakusotsu 5,806 Posted May 31, 2023 13 hours ago, Kintamayama said: Well, most of us got that one right. I don't see a single vote for Kirishima! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
