Gospodin

I fondly remember his early days, when he toyed with harite. Even against Asashoryu. Needless to say, the sole Yokozuna did not exactly like it.

Perhaps a Sumo Bosman case is brewing already ?

I kindly ask you to elaborate. To clarify my remark: at the time of his promotion. Thanks

It´s definitely simplified, who is who ?

It is safe to say that Kisenosato was better than the then crop of of Yokozuna, the otherworldly Hakuho being the exception. He was also remarkably injury-free until he fell so unlucky and denied surgery. I do not see why Kisenosato could not have been a fine Yokozuna for three to four years to come, with Hak and the other getting kyujo ever more. Consolation prize ? No, definitely not.

Not sure, but how they fare against the Yokozuna and Ozeki might make a difference, particularly for Kirishima, as he has already proven his ability.

I really did not remember Hakuho falling for that. Thankfully Geido had almost completely retired that "coin-toss" technique when he was Ozeki in his later years

He might also be a good dancer, as was suspected here for his shisho . Fun aside, his footwork bears the handwriting of former Kisenosato, although he is not there yet.

I cannot remember a bout where a healthy Yokozuna looked so helpless and clueless what to do like Hoshoryu today. No resistance, no...fighting spirit.

Puh, judging from the colour of Ura´s head it was about time to get out of Takayasu´s hold.

Kinboshi-related PTSD ? That would make great on a medical certificate. Kyujo with one week rest, to avoid the joi...

What would have been the winning technique if the call would´ve gone to Takerufuji ? Piledriver ?

OmG - the kubinage is back

Five years in Makuuchi without severe injuries.

What I was trying to say with "accounted for" perhaps in an unofficial way. Also nope ?

I have no idea, but perhaps this is accounted for regarding promotion/demotion ?

I wouldn´t compare one of the best technicians of his time to a junkball pitcher. Old finesse pitcher might be more fitting. And to stay with BB references, yes, Hokutofuji really left it all on the field.

If I had some money to waste, I´d put a wager on a 14-1 yusho. Onosato seems to be healthy and his strength is Asashoryu-like (I will remember how he shoved out Daieisho for a long time). He also seems to "have a cool head" (no idea how to properly translate that phrase from my language into English - it´s a mixture of seasoning, resilience and recovery in times of trouble).

Perhaps studying a sample of mugshots to change his niramiai from funny to threatening might also help

Tobizaru - Ura looked more like bokh than sumo.

Takayausu didn´t choke.Choking is a late string of unexpected losses. At the end he lost against a clearly superior opponent. No problem with that.

Puh, Oonosato´s thrusts were really scary. Such a win against a very good oshi wrestler - that sent a message.

Endo is obviously suffering from a serious concussion. His opponents are exploiting it already. Asakoryu hit him squarely in the side of his jaw, the favorite spot to KO somebody, and he is already too slow to avoid it. Endo´s entire behavior is exactly that from somebody being punch-drunk. If this were boxing or the NFL, he would not be allowed to enter the ring/field. He should be in a dark room in the hospital for two weeks, and not on the dohyo. My guess is he goes kyujo immediately after his 8th win.

It hints at superstition . The evidence that cupping has any curative effect on anything is zero.

The "crescent" that could be drawn from Bulgaria to Georgia has a very old and strong wrestling culture, along with weightlifting. It wouldn´t surprise me if we see more rikishi originating from that region, particularly with perhaps some remaining as oyakata.