hypnoowl

I wonder why Kaishin, who's been in sumo for almost 9 years now, would suddenly have short hair this basho. Seeing that he missed last basho completely, it's reasonable to conclude he ran away and cut the hair himself, but was persuaded to return. Would cutting the hair be a reason for forced retirement? Surely this can't happen very often.

Ajigawa-beya members left to right: Anhibiki, Anzakura, Agora, Akenoyama, Azuma.

Thank you for pointing that out, both Kakuryu and even Dewanojo himself also found it highly amusing . Near the end it looked like poor Kazunofuji will soon collapse from exhaustion without any help from Dewanojo.

Ura never wears those at the jungyo because there's no need to stress the knees in somewhat scripted exhibition matches and they can't be comfortable to apply and wear unnecessarily.

I'm sure it looks and feels better in person because almost everything does, but it doesn't really work very well as a televised event. Endless replays of comical exaggerated tsuridashi were beyond ridiculous.

So this is just a glorified jungyo with a crowd of mostly clueless spectators who were falsely sold a Grand Tournament. Understandable, but still rather sad.

Daiamami will most likely stay too. Of the three Dewanoryu perhaps has the best claim on the remaining spot. As a side note Kamito's three 5-2 at ms10w/2-5 at ms4 records in a row are very amusing.

Kotozakura's right knee almost buckled while pushing Hoshoryu out and he flexed it immediately after the bout. I thought it didn't promise anything good.

Mitakeumi last November haven't missed a day after being stretchered out on day 6. Even managed two wins on one leg against some rather lethargic opponents.

@KintamayamaSince the heya channel came up, I've long been wondering if there was any drama around Kikuchi that I missed? Or what is the reason he's never interviewed anymore?

While his hands do look somewhat uncanny, compared to the other guys he seems almost disoriented. Perhaps it is his old stoic rikishi facade clashing with this new youthful appearance, because he does seem more happy and healthy when passionately talking about sumo. But in still photos like this he looks more worrying than healthy.

Hoshoryu just seems to be falling apart in training, for someone who only missed 4 bouts prior to promotion this is almost uncanny and very concerning.

Is there such thing as a yokozuna curse? And is it too early to talk about it?

Boo!

Fresh juryo yusho is missing for Mita. Also such a shame about Fujiizumi, will he go AWOL again?