Naganoyama

Hakuho has already done something quite rare in top-level sumo. i.e. string together two superb performances in consecutive basho.

And presumably you will go all out for your eight (Laughing...)

align="center"> After day 15,July 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 15 0 - 14 0 - 13 1 Asashoryu 12 2 Miyabiyama, Toyozakura 11 4 Kaio, Hakuho, Asasekiryu, Tosanoumi 10 3 Chiyotaikai, Tochiazuma, Futeno 9 2 Shimotori, Tochinonada 8 9 Musoyama, Wakanosato, Kyokutenho, Kokkai,Takamisakari, Jumonji, Buyuzan, Takanowaka, Otsukasa 7 6 Kotomitsuki, Iwakiyama, Dejima, Kakizoe, Kaiho,Hayateumi 6 6 Tamanoshima, Takekaze, Tokitsuumi, Tochisakae,Toki, Tokitenku 5 0 - 4 4 Kotoryu, Aminishiki, Kinkaiyama, Kasugao 3 5 Hokutoriki, Kotonowaka, Kyokushuzan, Wakatoba,Harunoyama 2 0 - 1 0 - 0 0 - align="center"> After day 15,July 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 15 0 - 14 0 - 13 1 Kotooshu 12 0 - 11 3 Tamakasuga, Toyonoshima, Kitazakura 10 2 Roho, Kotoshogiku 9 2 Takanotsuru, Ama 8 5 Hagiwara, Kasuganishiki, Bushuyama, Katayama,Daishodai 7 7 Wakanoyama, Yotsukasa, Ushiomaru, Gojoro, Juzan,Sumanofuji, Kotonomine 6 2 Kaido, Wakakosho 5 5 Asanowaka, Kobo, Hamanishiki, Chiyotenzan,Ichinotani 4 0 - 3 1 Oikari 2 0 - 1 0 - 0 0 - <

cellspacing="0"> After day 14,July 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 14 0 - 13 0 - 12 1 Asashoryu 11 4 Kaio, Miyabiyama, Asasekiryu, Toyozakura 10 3 Tochiazuma, Hakuho, Tosanoumi 9 4 Chiyotaikai, Shimotori, Tochinonada, Futeno 8 3 Musoyama, Wakanosato, Kokkai 7 9 Kyokutenho, Dejima, Kakizoe, Takamisakari,Hayateumi, Jumonji, Buyuzan, Takanowaka, Otsukasa 6 7 Kotomitsuki, Iwakiyama, Takekaze, Tokitsuumi,Kaiho, Toki, Tokitenku 5 2 Tamanoshima, Tochisakae 4 2 Kinkaiyama, Kasugao 3 4 Kotonowaka, Kotoryu, Kyokushuzan, Wakatoba 2 2 Hokutoriki, Harunoyama 1 0 - 0 0 - cellspacing="0"> After day 14,July 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 14 0 - 13 0 - 12 1 Kotooshu 11 1 Kitazakura 10 3 Tamakasuga, Toyonoshima, Kotoshogiku 9 1 Roho 8 4 Takanotsuru, Ama, Katayama, Daishodai 7 8 Yotsukasa, Hagiwara, Kasuganishiki, Ushiomaru,Gojoro, Bushuyama, Sumanofuji, Kotonomine 6 4 Wakanoyama, Juzan, Kaido, Wakakosho 5 3 Asanowaka, Kobo, Hamanishiki 4 2 Chiyotenzan, Ichinotani 3 0 - 2 1 Oikari 1 0 - 0 0 - <

align="center"> After day 13,July 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 13 0 - 12 0 - 11 2 Asashoryu, Miyabiyama 10 4 Kaio, Hakuho, Asasekiryu, Toyozakura 9 6 Chiyotaikai, Tochiazuma, Shimotori, Tochinonada,Tosanoumi, Futeno 8 1 Musoyama 7 6 Wakanosato, Kokkai, Dejima, Kakizoe, Hayateumi,Buyuzan 6 8 Kotomitsuki, Kyokutenho, Takekaze, Takamisakari,Kaiho, Jumonji, Takanowaka, Otsukasa 5 5 Iwakiyama, Tokitsuumi, Tochisakae, Toki,Tokitenku 4 3 Tamanoshima, Kinkaiyama, Kasugao 3 2 Kotonowaka, Kotoryu 2 4 Hokutoriki, Kyokushuzan, Wakatoba, Harunoyama 1 0 - 0 0 - align="center"> After day 13,July 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 13 0 - 12 0 - 11 1 Kotooshu 10 1 Kitazakura 9 4 Roho, Tamakasuga, Toyonoshima, Kotoshogiku 8 3 Takanotsuru, Ama, Katayama 7 5 Yotsukasa, Hagiwara, Bushuyama, Kotonomine,Daishodai 6 6 Kasuganishiki, Ushiomaru, Gojoro, Juzan,Sumanofuji, Wakakosho 5 3 Wakanoyama, Kobo, Kaido 4 4 Asanowaka, Hamanishiki, Chiyotenzan, Ichinotani 3 0 - 2 1 Oikari 1 0 - 0 0 - <

Does anyone know the reason why Kitazakura and Toyozakura joined different heya? Other brothers I know of in sumo are in the same heya. Aminishiki/Asofuji, Tamanoshima/Tamanokuni and of course the Hanada brothers. It would seem unusual based on this (admittedly slight) evidence. Perhaps someone could enlighten me?

border="1"> After day 12,July 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 12 0 - 11 0 - 10 2 Asashoryu, Miyabiyama 9 7 Kaio, Chiyotaikai, Tochiazuma, Hakuho,Asasekiryu, Toyozakura, Futeno 8 4 Musoyama, Shimotori, Tochinonada, Tosanoumi 7 4 Wakanosato, Kokkai, Dejima, Buyuzan 6 5 Kakizoe, Takamisakari, Hayateumi, Jumonji,Otsukasa 5 8 Kotomitsuki, Kyokutenho, Iwakiyama, Takekaze,Tokitsuumi, Kaiho, Takanowaka, Toki 4 3 Tochisakae, Kinkaiyama, Tokitenku 3 4 Tamanoshima, Kotonowaka, Kotoryu, Kasugao 2 4 Hokutoriki, Kyokushuzan, Wakatoba, Harunoyama 1 0 - 0 0 - border="1"> After day 12,July 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 12 0 - 11 0 - 10 2 Kotooshu, Kitazakura 9 2 Toyonoshima, Kotoshogiku 8 3 Roho, Tamakasuga, Ama 7 4 Takanotsuru, Hagiwara, Bushuyama, Katayama 6 6 Yotsukasa, Kasuganishiki, Gojoro, Sumanofuji,Kotonomine, Daishodai 5 4 Ushiomaru, Juzan, Kaido, Wakakosho 4 4 Wakanoyama, Asanowaka, Kobo, Ichinotani 3 2 Hamanishiki, Chiyotenzan 2 1 Oikari 1 0 - 0 0 - <

border="1"> After day 11,July 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 11 0 - 10 1 Asashoryu 9 3 Chiyotaikai, Tochiazuma, Miyabiyama 8 6 Kaio, Musoyama, Hakuho, Asasekiryu, Toyozakura,Futeno 7 5 Shimotori, Dejima, Tochinonada, Tosanoumi,Buyuzan 6 5 Wakanosato, Kokkai, Takamisakari, Hayateumi,Otsukasa 5 5 Kotomitsuki, Kyokutenho, Kakizoe, Kaiho, Jumonji 4 9 Iwakiyama, Takekaze, Tokitsuumi, Aminishiki,Tochisakae, Kinkaiyama, Takanowaka, Toki, Tokitenku 3 4 Tamanoshima, Kotonowaka, Kotoryu, Kasugao 2 1 Wakatoba 1 3 Hokutoriki, Kyokushuzan, Harunoyama 0 0 - border="1"> After day 11,July 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 11 0 - 10 1 Kotooshu 9 2 Kitazakura, Kotoshogiku 8 3 Tamakasuga, Toyonoshima, Ama 7 2 Roho, Bushuyama 6 6 Takanotsuru, Yotsukasa, Hagiwara, Kasuganishiki,Katayama, Daishodai 5 6 Ushiomaru, Gojoro, Juzan, Sumanofuji,Kotonomine, Wakakosho 4 2 Kobo, Kaido 3 5 Wakanoyama, Asanowaka, Hamanishiki, Chiyotenzan,Ichinotani 2 0 - 1 1 Oikari 0 0 - <

cellspacing="0"> After day 10,July 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 10 1 Asashoryu 9 1 Miyabiyama 8 3 Chiyotaikai, Tochiazuma, Toyozakura 7 7 Kaio, Musoyama, Dejima, Hakuho, Asasekiryu,Tosanoumi, Futeno 6 4 Wakanosato, Shimotori, Tochinonada, Buyuzan 5 7 Kyokutenho, Kokkai, Takamisakari, Kaiho,Hayateumi, Jumonji, Otsukasa 4 8 Kotomitsuki, Iwakiyama, Takekaze, Kakizoe,Tokitsuumi, Aminishiki, Kinkaiyama, Takanowaka 3 5 Tamanoshima, Tochisakae, Kasugao, Toki,Tokitenku 2 3 Kotonowaka, Kotoryu, Wakatoba 1 3 Hokutoriki, Kyokushuzan, Harunoyama 0 0 - cellspacing="0"> After day 10,July 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 10 0 - 9 2 Kotooshu, Kitazakura 8 2 Toyonoshima, Kotoshogiku 7 3 Roho, Tamakasuga, Ama 6 4 Yotsukasa, Bushuyama, Katayama, Daishodai 5 6 Takanotsuru, Hagiwara, Kasuganishiki, Ushiomaru,Gojoro, Sumanofuji 4 4 Kobo, Juzan, Kotonomine, Wakakosho 3 5 Wakanoyama, Asanowaka, Hamanishiki, Chiyotenzan,Kaido 2 1 Ichinotani 1 0 - 0 1 Oikari <

That's a lie. Kotonowaka touched with his left hand before the gyoji pointed at him. It didn't seem to me that Kotonowaka was even facing the gyoji when the gunbai was pointed but I guess he could have seen the motion from the corner of his eye.

cellspacing="0"> After day 9,July 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 9 2 Asashoryu, Miyabiyama 8 1 Chiyotaikai 7 3 Tochiazuma, Toyozakura, Futeno 6 7 Kaio, Musoyama, Wakanosato, Dejima, Hakuho,Asasekiryu, Tosanoumi 5 8 Kyokutenho, Kokkai, Shimotori, Tochinonada,Takamisakari, Hayateumi, Jumonji, Buyuzan 4 7 Kotomitsuki, Iwakiyama, Takekaze, Tokitsuumi,Kaiho, Kinkaiyama, Otsukasa 3 6 Kakizoe, Aminishiki, Tochisakae, Takanowaka,Toki, Tokitenku 2 4 Tamanoshima, Kotoryu, Kasugao, Wakatoba 1 3 Kotonowaka, Kyokushuzan, Harunoyama 0 1 Hokutoriki cellspacing="0"> After day 9,July 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 9 1 Kitazakura 8 2 Kotooshu, Kotoshogiku 7 2 Toyonoshima, Ama 6 3 Roho, Tamakasuga, Bushuyama 5 6 Yotsukasa, Hagiwara, Kasuganishiki, Ushiomaru,Katayama, Daishodai 4 5 Takanotsuru, Kobo, Gojoro, Sumanofuji, Wakakosho 3 5 Wakanoyama, Asanowaka, Juzan, Kaido, Kotonomine 2 3 Hamanishiki, Chiyotenzan, Ichinotani 1 0 - 0 1 Oikari <

Well he is an Aichi man. Kotomitsuki is also up there but has only 3 wins so far of course.

cellspacing="0"> After day 8,July 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 8 2 Asashoryu, Miyabiyama 7 2 Chiyotaikai, Tochiazuma 6 5 Kaio, Hakuho, Asasekiryu, Toyozakura, Futeno 5 6 Musoyama, Wakanosato, Kokkai, Dejima,Takamisakari, Tosanoumi 4 9 Kyokutenho, Shimotori, Tokitsuumi, Tochinonada,Kaiho, Hayateumi, Jumonji, Buyuzan, Otsukasa 3 8 Kotomitsuki, Iwakiyama, Takekaze, Kakizoe,Tochisakae, Kinkaiyama, Takanowaka, Toki 2 6 Tamanoshima, Kotoryu, Aminishiki, Kasugao,Wakatoba, Tokitenku 1 3 Kotonowaka, Kyokushuzan, Harunoyama 0 1 Hokutoriki cellspacing="0"> After day 8,July 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 8 1 Kitazakura 7 2 Kotooshu, Kotoshogiku 6 2 Toyonoshima, Ama 5 7 Roho, Tamakasuga, Yotsukasa, Hagiwara,Kasuganishiki, Bushuyama, Katayama 4 7 Takanotsuru, Kobo, Ushiomaru, Gojoro,Sumanofuji, Daishodai, Wakakosho 3 2 Wakanoyama, Kotonomine 2 5 Asanowaka, Hamanishiki, Juzan, Kaido, Ichinotani 1 1 Chiyotenzan 0 1 Oikari <

align="center"> After day 7,July 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 7 2 Asashoryu, Miyabiyama 6 3 Chiyotaikai, Tochiazuma, Toyozakura 5 6 Kaio, Wakanosato, Kokkai, Hakuho, Asasekiryu,Futeno 4 9 Musoyama, Dejima, Tochinonada, Takamisakari,Kaiho, Hayateumi, Tosanoumi, Jumonji, Otsukasa 3 9 Kyokutenho, Iwakiyama, Shimotori, Takekaze,Kakizoe, Tokitsuumi, Buyuzan, Kinkaiyama, Toki 2 6 Kotomitsuki, Tamanoshima, Kotoryu, Tochisakae,Takanowaka, Tokitenku 1 5 Kotonowaka, Kyokushuzan, Aminishiki, Wakatoba,Harunoyama 0 1 Hokutoriki align="center"> After day 7,July 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 7 1 Kitazakura 6 3 Kotooshu, Ama, Kotoshogiku 5 3 Roho, Toyonoshima, Hagiwara 4 10 Tamakasuga, Kobo, Yotsukasa, Kasuganishiki,Ushiomaru, Gojoro, Bushuyama, Sumanofuji, Katayama, Wakakosho 3 3 Takanotsuru, Kotonomine, Daishodai 2 4 Wakanoyama, Asanowaka, Hamanishiki, Juzan 1 3 Chiyotenzan, Kaido, Ichinotani 0 1 Oikari <

align="center"> After day 6,July 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 6 2 Asashoryu, Miyabiyama 5 5 Chiyotaikai, Tochiazuma, Kokkai, Hakuho,Toyozakura 4 9 Kaio, Wakanosato, Tochinonada, Kaiho, Hayateumi,Asasekiryu, Tosanoumi, Otsukasa, Futeno 3 7 Musoyama, Iwakiyama, Shimotori, Dejima,Takamisakari, Jumonji, Toki 2 11 Kotomitsuki, Tamanoshima, Kyokutenho, Kotoryu,Takekaze, Kakizoe, Tokitsuumi, Buyuzan, Kinkaiyama, Takanowaka, Tokitenku 1 6 Kotonowaka, Kyokushuzan, Aminishiki, Tochisakae,Wakatoba, Harunoyama 0 1 Hokutoriki align="center"> After day 6,July 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 6 1 Kitazakura 5 4 Kotooshu, Toyonoshima, Ama, Kotoshogiku 4 7 Roho, Kobo, Yotsukasa, Hagiwara, Kasuganishiki,Gojoro, Wakakosho 3 7 Tamakasuga, Ushiomaru, Bushuyama, Sumanofuji,Katayama, Kotonomine, Daishodai 2 3 Wakanoyama, Takanotsuru, Hamanishiki 1 5 Asanowaka, Chiyotenzan, Juzan, Kaido, Ichinotani 0 1 Oikari <

Perhaps he is trying to emphasise his whiteness as the first European in Makuuchi division. :-D

I can't say I was expecting Hokutoriki to be launching an ozeki challenge this basho, but I am surprised by quite how badly he is doing. Is it possible that, in the light of the heightened expectations on him, he has overtrained, perhaps done too much weight training, and is overtired?

As one would expect - both divisions developing as Normal distributions.

border="1"> After day 5,July 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 5 2 Asashoryu, Miyabiyama 4 6 Chiyotaikai, Tochiazuma, Kokkai, Hakuho,Asasekiryu, Toyozakura 3 12 Kaio, Wakanosato, Iwakiyama, Shimotori,Tochinonada, Takamisakari, Kaiho, Hayateumi, Tosanoumi, Jumonji, Otsukasa, Futeno 2 12 Musoyama, Kotomitsuki, Tamanoshima, Kotoryu,Dejima, Takekaze, Kakizoe, Buyuzan, Kinkaiyama, Takanowaka, Toki, Tokitenku 1 8 Kyokutenho, Kotonowaka, Kyokushuzan, Tokitsuumi,Aminishiki, Tochisakae, Wakatoba, Harunoyama 0 1 Hokutoriki border="1"> After day 5,July 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 5 3 Kotooshu, Kitazakura, Kotoshogiku 4 3 Toyonoshima, Hagiwara, Ama 3 8 Roho, Kobo, Yotsukasa, Kasuganishiki, Gojoro,Bushuyama, Sumanofuji, Wakakosho 2 7 Tamakasuga, Takanotsuru, Hamanishiki, Ushiomaru,Katayama, Kotonomine, Daishodai 1 6 Wakanoyama, Asanowaka, Chiyotenzan, Juzan,Kaido, Ichinotani 0 1 Oikari <

I remember what happened when Hokutoriki tried to get involved with yotsu-zumo against Wakanosato. It wasn't very convincing. His bouts against the ozeki and yokozuna were, though. Would you really advise him to play to his weaknesses? Edit: remove trailing quote tag

Thanks for that information. With Asashosakari's information which placed the semi-final of the tennis on day 14 of the sumo, it is reasonable to assume that the press conference, of which I saw a part, happened on senshuraku, following the final of the tennis. As for who Serena faced or who won, I just don't remember. I still remember a profusion of American accents at the press conference though. :-)

I think mental and physical state both play a part. Consistency in the sense of physical form is difficult to maintain for most rikishi even at the rikishi's average level. He will sometimes do better and sometimes worse. If he has given an outstanding performance well above his average level, he is likely to show a dip at the next basho. If you add to that the stress and pressure on the rikishi due to people's expectations after he has produced 12/13 wins and won or almost won the yusho, then the likelihood of a top performance is drastically reduced. Even the best rikishi need a feeling of confidence and the ability to be relaxed on the dohyo. When we watch the ozeki who are the 'top guys' trying to duplicate a top performance to win the coveted yokozuna promotion, and we see them fail, time after time, against much the same opposition as they faced in the previous basho, why should we be surprised by a junior guy failing at the subsequent basho? He may even be facing drastically stronger opposition the second time round if he has climbed from M12, say, on the strength of his performance (although of course that is not true of Hokutoriki this time).

cellspacing="0"> After day 4,July 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 4 4 Asashoryu, Tochiazuma, Miyabiyama, Toyozakura 3 7 Chiyotaikai, Iwakiyama, Kokkai, Hakuho, Kaiho,Asasekiryu, Otsukasa 2 17 Kaio, Wakanosato, Kotomitsuki, Kotoryu,Shimotori, Dejima, Takekaze, Tochinonada, Takamisakari, Hayateumi, Tosanoumi, Jumonji, Kinkaiyama, Takanowaka, Futeno, Toki, Tokitenku 1 11 Musoyama, Tamanoshima, Kyokutenho, Kotonowaka,Kyokushuzan, Kakizoe, Tokitsuumi, Aminishiki, Tochisakae, Buyuzan, Harunoyama 0 2 Hokutoriki, Wakatoba cellspacing="0"> After day 4,July 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 4 4 Kotooshu, Toyonoshima, Kitazakura, Kotoshogiku 3 5 Hagiwara, Kasuganishiki, Gojoro, Ama, Sumanofuji 2 9 Roho, Tamakasuga, Takanotsuru, Kobo, Yotsukasa,Ushiomaru, Bushuyama, Kotonomine, Wakakosho 1 7 Asanowaka, Hamanishiki, Chiyotenzan, Kaido,Ichinotani, Katayama, Daishodai 0 3 Wakanoyama, Juzan, Oikari <

Are you sure this isn't an urban legend? (Or perhaps you've got the wrong tournament...) According to ESPN, the US Open that year finished on Sept 8th. The Taka-Maru bout wasn't until the 22nd... OK. I admit defeat on whether it was the US Open or just some other American tournament in the lead up to the Open. I actually saw coverage of the press conference, and as I remembered large numbers of US journalists and it was September, I thought that I remembered it being the US Open. Sorry, I was not trying to mislead you.

And of course Hakuho. (But I assume you omitted his name because you were not surprised that he should be there.) Do you think he will manage to string together two excellent performances in consecutive basho? Quite an impressive start to his makuuchi career so far. As for Tochiazuma, I still think of him as an ozeki. I suppose I will know soon enough whether I need to adjust my thinking.