What is going on with Kokkai?

[Yagura]

Would somebody please explain what is going on with Kokkai? Has he forgotten how to make Sumo? Is he tired? Maybe he thinks it is still to soon to jump to Sanyaku and prefer to rest during the next basho as Maegashira 16?

He would rather start winning some bout soon, because otherwise he is asking for a demotion to Juryo.

Regards.

>:-(

Make the bird want to sing.

(Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Taiko)

[Kasugaran]

He has never known how to fight. He is like one of those big kids you have at school who uses his size to push everyone else around. Once they hit about 18, everyone else is the same size and he is nothing. Top level Makunouchi is exactly that, a bunch of 18 year olds...

[Otokonoyama]

Kokkai appears to have several defects in his sumo that make it difficult for him to stay ranked consistently above M5 or so, even with his size & strength.

For one, he seems to fight a bit high, making it easier for aite to get below his centre of gravity and control the match. Also, his deashi needs improvement, as does his suriashi - his footwork is too slow, and he tends to lift his feet too high off the dohyo each time he steps. Finally, when thrusting, he needs to establish a strong, unbroken rhythm, like Chiyotaikai had in his prime. The "one big push with both hands, wait a beat, try another big push..." tactic has not been effective at the mid to high maegashira ranks.