HenryK

So where will they place this fella for the next basho.

Just out of curiosity - did you also consider this a problem when Asashoryu was doing the same thing for three years? Asashoryu's dominance didn't do sumo very well. Hence I thought it was a good thing when Hakuho rose through the ranks and just appeared to be establishing a serious rivalry. This said, Asashoryu is the more interesting character than Hakuho. Sumo dominated by Hakuho will be even duller than sumo dominated by Asashoryu.

Thinking about it, the fact that a Yokozuna is being given a work visa with an expiration date is ridiculous enough. Trying to force him out of sumo because he forgot to renew this visa is not only ridiculous, it's shameless.

You wonder whether the sumo association can become any more ridiculous. They even talk about forcing Asashoryu to retire, if he can't get his work visa in time. Instead of picking up a phone and asking the Japanese foreign ministry to speed up procedures -- in the vital interest of Japan's national sport. I this and the previous basho have shown anything, it is: sumo god damn needs Asashoryu. Much more than Asashoryu needs sumo. Dull Hakuho runs away with every yusho, and no other serious competitor is in sight. The JSA is eagerly cutting off the branch on which it is sitting.

Who is gonna make it next? Ama, Asasekiryu, Goeido, Baruto, or someone else? My take: Ama.