Play with the thought...

[Phelix]

Sumotalk.com launched an interesting idea. What if our ozekis where to retire after this basho - all three of them. What would then happen? Would Hakuho get a little fire in his belly? The kid does seem to need a bit of Asa's :-S. Would Osh get a little less (I dunno...). Would Futeno or Kisenosato take that last couple of steps forward?

All right folks, this is - I admit - more of a wish-list for Christmas than a playing with credible ideas. But nevertheless, what do you think?

[Kashunowaka]

I must admit that I don't quite understand the question ... If there are no ozeki (and just one yokozuna), someone else will easily get the needed wins and become ozeki instead.

[Fay]

Well Hakuho looked so guilty after his henka against Asashoryu, I will give him another chance. I will put some pepper in his ..... in January. I've no hope with Futeno in the moment but I think Kisenosato will make it. And of course little Kotomitsuki (my christmas wish :-) ) And Oshi? ? I can only cross my fingers, pray for him and light a candle in the cathedral of Cologne (Clapping wildly...)

But what am I saying.....I don't want Chiyotaikai to retire (A sekitori...)

[Mark Buckton]

Sumotalk.com launched an interesting idea. What if our ozekis where to retire after this basho - all three of them. What would then happen? Would Hakuho get a little fire in his belly? The kid does seem to need a bit of Asa's (Clapping wildly...). Would Osh get a little less (A sekitori...). Would Futeno or Kisenosato take that last couple of steps forward?

All right folks, this is - I admit - more of a wish-list for Christmas than a playing with credible ideas. But nevertheless, what do you think?

irrelevant - not because it won't happen - because it won't be ALLOWED to happen.

[Jonosuke]

Adachi san is exactly correct. The writer states "by March or May we have at least two new Ozekis.."

Well if all three retired right after the Kyushu, one (possibly two) will be promoted regardless. If only one is promoted, Asashoryu will assume a "Yokozuna-Ozeki" rank.

There has to be at least one Ozeki on each side to have a banzuke.

[Phelix]

All right, all right. I admit it's more of a christmas wish (and a complaint over current ozekis) than a realistic idea. So let's change the topic a bit. If Chiyo and Kaio were to retire, then who would be the first to step up? Who would be second?

[Asojima]

If Chiyo and Kaio were to retire, then who would be the first to step up?

Asashoryu would become a yokozuna-ozeki, if necessary, and he would eventually be replaced by the first sekiwake to gain enough double digit win, quality bashos to qualify for ozeki. At this stage, Kotooshu looks like the most likely candidate, but Kotomitsuki, Hakuho, and even Wakanosato, in time, look like reasonable possibilities. I have little doubt that at least three of those four will some day become ozekis. Within the next year, there will probably be a new young turk, similar to Asa and Hakuho, who will break away from the pack (Kisenosato?, Baruto?, Yoshikaze?).

Sumo needs four or five strong Ozekis/Yokozunas to get healthy again.

[AsaMoe]

Interesting point:

Sumo needs four or five strong Ozekis/Yokozunas to get healthy again.

1) Asashoryu

2) Chiyotaikai, if he continues as in his last two bashos

2.5) Tochiazuma (a half, because he is a worthy Ozeki, if he is healthy

3.5) Kotoosho - this will only be a matter of time

And then we have to wait until Hakuho gets old enough and we have our 4-5 Ozeki.

Kotokmitsuki und Wakanosato, imho will not become Ozeki, or at least will no play a strong role.

[Phelix]

Kotooshu and Hakuho -oh yes. Most definetly. But Wakanosato? Hmmm, not so sure there. Baruto? Maybe, I have no idea (but I do hope hope hope).

These are the names that always, more or less, get mentioned. Has anyone got a really wild guess - that might still actually happen?

[Shomishuu]

Kotokmitsuki und Wakanosato, imho will not become Ozeki,

Amen to that...Waka's starting over and even if Kotomitsuki won out this basho to 13-2 (think that'll happen?), he'll still need to follow that up with 11 wins next time. Pipe dream all the way. Whatever's inside these two guys that has caused them to fall short is still there and besides, guys older than them just don't get promoted to ozeki anymore (2 in the last 47 years). Sad really, because sumo needed them.

[Fujisan]

Kotooshu (Applauding...)

Hakuho (Applauding...)

Kisenosato (Applauding...)

Futeno (Applauding...) (Applauding...) (Laughing...)