Saruwatari

1. Draw 2. Russia

1. Draw 2. Netherlands

1. Croatia 2. Poland

1. Draw 2. Switzerland

A. Russia B. Sweden

A. Draw B. Netherlands

A. Croatia B. Poland

A. Draw B. Draw

Outstanding Performance Prize entry 1. Russia 2. Switzerland 3. Croatia 4. Netherlands Fighting Spirit Prize entry 1. Arshavin (Russia) 2. Petric (Croatia) 3. Frei (Switzerland) 4. Koller (Czech) 5. van Nistelrooy (Netherlands)

Can't agree there. I like Kaio, really I do. But his performance in 2007 was soooo unworthy of the rank. Barely hanging onto it and routinely escaping kadoban via what we've collectively labeled sympathy wins (at best) is not what I'd call solid Ozeki material. Sure Kaio is performing below par for an Ozeki. But in the beginning of 2007 I never prognosed him to hang on to the rank this long. And he had 7 KK in his last 8 bashos, which is what I mean when I say he is performing steadily now.

I'm positively surprised by Kaio's performance. I expected him to either go into retirement or to drop to sekiwake, but he is performing steadily at Ozeki now.

I want that banzuke! 2222 pics

So what happened to the auto-picks on day 2?

Occasionaly Asashoryu can be defeated. He's just unlucky that it happened twice in a row. I think that's that and not much more. The injury doesn't seem bad enough to account for these losses imo. I expect him to finish the basho with 12 or 13 wins and still compete for the yusho.