Sanvean

I wonder what exactly was that "technical merit" that Oz has shown this basho, given his - as someone on this forum put it - rather simple (yet effective) sumo style. Still, I'm happy for him. :)

I must say I am surprised by Tochiozan's performance this basho - it's his sekiwake debut after all and he's already 7-2. I wonder if it's more about him becoming a more mature rikishi, or is it that up to this point he simply met rivals who are not really in shape this basho (maybe except Kakuryu).

Thanks for your translations, Jonosuke! :)

So, the word has finally been said. ;) Good to see Rikishi Talk back. :) I also would like to give my thanks to you, Jonosuke. :)

ilovesumo, Harry: And why do people want to break records? Even though he keeps saying otherwise, I believe it has some meaning for him. But then of course, I think this is not a thing that would decide the moment of his retirement. He will compete until he feels he is unable to. It might be next basho, it might be next year.

Well said, nirumaruyama. ;-)

I must say that these were my thoughts as well. :) He looks truly impressive, especially when compared with other shindeshi from that photo. Very well build and his face shows much self-confidence, composure and inner strengh... Gotta follow this one's career. ;) Anyway, great photos, ilovesumo!

I might be only a casual sumo fan, but it seems to me that Shibuya stopped there in mid-makushita and has some problems getting regular KK. What's up with that Tamanoi "wonder child"?

According to goo Sumo, Kisenosato was present today, and even achieved KK. The same is with Kotomitsuki and others...

Well, argument about loosing two in a row to Miyabiyama is not a good one IMO. Being former Ozeki and probably Sekiwake soon, he is a difficult opponent. Besides, Takanohana lost three in a row to Tosanoumi - so what? Of course, even tough I'm a big fan of Tochiazuma, I can see clearly that he is not going to be a great Yokozuna. But could he ever get the tsuna, it would make me extremely happy.

Great idea. (Showing respect...) Absolutely agree about laureates. (Holiday feeling...)

Tochiazuma - so close... Hopefully he will make it in the next basho. Shibuya - dissapointing performance. But I hope we will see him in juryo after two/three bashos. Tooyama - great basho with 5-2 record and going up in makushita. Kisenosato - good basho. But it's very hard to make any predictions about his future... Wakanosato - good to see him fighting well again.

Tochiazuma has shown that he can beat both Hakuho and Asashoryuu even when they are not injured and in good form. Thus I think the competition on the top is not his biggest problem. It is to avoid loosing to seemingly weaker opponents in the beginning and in the middle af a basho.

Interesting... Does anybody know what actually happened to this guy? He was kyujo during his last basho, so maybe some really bad injury?

But those horns... it looks like he has some kind of complex. Which is not so unusual for big boys, so they say.