Flyric

I remember hearing there's a rule about how there needs to be two Ozeki at all time. What's the history behind it?

Haru Basho - Day 7 Jk18e Naya vs Jk13e Kotomiyakura Jd12e Nishiyama vs Jd5w Torakio Sd62w Asadaimon vs Sd60w Sazanami Takanohana The Kyokai was nice enough to hand deliver their warning that he must fulfill his duties Juryo Time Terutsuyoshi Enho vs Yago Tobizaru vs Takagenji Serio vs Takanoiwa Sad Takanoiwa for the 2nd day in a row Takanosho vs Homarefuji old man Aminishiki vs Meisei Takakaze vs Sadanoumi Kyokutaisei vs Tokushoryu Makuuchi Time Myogiryu Daishomaru vs Sokokurai Asanoyama vs Tochiozan Daiamami vs Chiyonokuni Chiyoshoma vs Kotoyuki Ryuden vs Ishiura Okinoumi vs Yutakayama Daieisho vs Hokutofuji Kaisei vs Kagayaki Chiyomaru vs Abi Shodai vs Toshikaze Kotoshogiku vs Endo Tamawashi vs Ichinojo Tochinoshin vs Arawashi Mitakeumi vs Chiyotairyu Goeido vs Takarafuji "Ow!" Takayasu vs Shohozan Kakuryu vs Takakeisho Did he step out? at least not in this picture...

Haru Basho - Day 6 Takanohana: "I'm just here so I don't get fined" Takanohana with his main sponsor, the leader of the Shinto-sect: Ryujinsogusha Isamufuji vs Asahashin Takayoshitoshi vs Terutsuyoshi Tochihiryu vs Takanoiwa Yago vs Tobizaru Homarefuji vs Gagamaru Kyokushuho vs Aminishiki Aoiyama vs Asanoyama Yutakayama vs Ryuden Kaisei vs Daieisho Ichinojo vs Chiyotairyu Takakeisho vs Mitakeumi Tochinoshin vs Endo Takayasu vs Takarafuji Goeido vs Shohozan Kakuryu vs Kotoshogiku

...so this thread isn't about defending Takanohana's fashion choices? Dang, I must have misread that first post

The dude's going rouge!

I do think a mentality shift is needed. Too many rikishi (and oyakata) think it's best to gambarize and tough it out when injured when they should rest and heal up. I bet culture is the big reason for why they think this way --- hopefully the examples of Tochinoshin and Ryuden help convince more people to prioritize their health over rank. That said, I agree with Gurowake and think the current system is too rigged against rikishi who decide not to compete. You drop so far with a 0-15 it's hard to blame guys who stick it out and try to get a few wins. I don't think a kosho / rank-preservation system is fair though, since it screws over the rikishi below them who earned a KK. A good compromise would be a reduced drop of rank once / year when injured. This lets (some of) the deserving rikishi rank up, but also gives injured rikishi incentive to stay out and rest. My crazy solution that'll never happen is to get rid of one of the bashos (eg Kyushu) and have an actual off season. I think it's insane they're training and competing year(s) round without any breaks, and I can't think of any other sports that have a similar schedule.

My thought was the Kyokai wants as many high-profile / popular names to not be kyujo, because it sells more tickets. It's the only reasonable reason I can think of for why the Kyokai got rid of the kosho system --- everyone was taking bashos off and people weren't buying tickets. That's my complete guess, though, so any insight of what was going on back in 2003 would be much appreciated.

Was there ever an official reason for why they abolished the kosho system? Was it really being abused, or was it just a play to sell more tickets?

I'd love to have the top one.

Agreed. I feel his heart was in the right place --- making sure there was a consequence for injuring his Rikishi --- but his execution was off. Taking a break form running things is probably a good idea.

Right you are --- thanks for the heads up!

Did the Juryo parts of the Banzuke already get figured out and published?

holy shit -- 32 years of sumo, and still going... that's insane!

Hatsu Basho - Day 9 Even snow couldn't stop a day of Sumo Waso / Kimono Day Stay warm with some Chanko Osunaarashi Kyujo: Abi vs Asanoyama Ishiura vs Daieisho Favorite picture of the day Takekaze vs Nishikigi Sokokurai vs Ryuden Daiamami vs Chiyomaru Shohozan vs Kagayaki Yutakayama vs Chiyonokuni Chiyoshoma vs Kotoyuki Daishomaru vs Ikioi Takarafuji vs Tochiozan Kaisei vs Endo Chiyotairyu vs Okinoumi Yoshikaze vs Kotoshogiku Ichinojo vs Onosho Takakeisho vs Hokutofuji Mitakeumi vs Tochinoshin Gyoji crouching down to get a good view A well deserved win Shodai vs Takayasu Goeido vs Tamawashi Kakuryu vs Arawashi a happy Tochinoshin on his way home

Any word on the severity?

Definitely was. A shame there was no Mono-ii. Super excited ---- feels like it'll be the battle for the jun-yusho :D

TIL there was a rikishi named U for a while. Too bad he changed, I would've loved to hear a gyoji yell his name before his bouts. Are there any other One letter / syllable rikishi out there?

Oh no, the name of Shikimori Inosuke really has been tarnished. He was right to retire..

I'm of the mind Giku's just farming a couple more Kinboshis to pad his retirement pay. He has to pay for his boat somehow!

Fair enough. Is this site more legit?

Support for Ryuden from the mascot of his hometown Kofu - the Yata-inu as Yokozuna Rikishi Arriving Hakuho Enho on door duty Takanohana working on his style Naya vs Hōshōryū Naya happy with 3 wins Hōshōryū not as happy Yago vs Terutsuyoshi Asanoyama v Kyokutaisei Ryuden vs Ishiura Shohozan vs Chiyomaru Chiyonokuni vs Aminishiki Endo vs Okinumi Onosho vs Takakeisho Mitakeumi vs Tamawashi Takayasuuu vs Hokutofuji Goeido vs Tochinoshin Kotoshogiku fusen win Kakuryu vs Chiyotairyu Yoshikaze vs Kisenosato Reporter's life flashing before his eyes Yoshikaze being a bro

Tachiai's reporting it as well.

haha, I honestly bet he knows nothing on purpose -- to be a voice for new sumo fans.

I'm not familiar with who the Hyogi-in are. From what I've gathered, I think they are the board of trustees and are comprised of 3 retired oyakata. Am I close?

Now you guys are being mean --- I'm starting to think there actually is some weird sock rule for Yokozuna.