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I think we (they) closed a good basho, full of good fighting. The old veterans are rotating out, young champions of a new day rising. Kirishima won the championship, with a very good 13-2 balance. I would describe 14-1 is great and 15-0 is excellent. If he bags the next yusho in January, he'll be promoted to yokozuna! Mainichi writes this: > The head of the Japan Sumo Association's judges division, sumo elder Sadogatake, indicated the ozeki would be a candidate for promotion in January's grand tournament, where another championship or a record worthy of a title will likely see Kirishima ascend to sumo's highest rank. This means he might not have to win the yusho, just pull a "record worthy of a title". Problem is the champion then has to achieve and even better record to call Kirishimas "worthy of a title". Terunofuji has to retire I believe. His health seemed to deteriorate so much. All kinds of injuries, knees, hip, back, spine. He participated only on one basho. Kirishima could prove a good replacement. He is still young (27) and not too prone to injuries, which means he can be there on many tournaments, and good enough grappler to score well, and be at the top, and gain some yushos here and there. He isn't as strong as Teru, who can beat everyone if healthy and fit, and noone compares to Hakuho ofc, but Kirishima might be just good enough. I expect Hoshoryu joining him relatively soon that is if Kirishima can get into yokozuna rank.... Perhaps next year. I think he has more skill than Kirishima, perhaps stronger a bit too, but somehow he misses a bit more. What I don't like is his pre-tachi-ai staredown attitude. His fighting spirit is great, he is very competitive and agressive, forcing his will on the opponent, but just before the match he looks like a complete cunt. Okay, he is an ozeki, so there is an accomplishment to be proud of, but he's doing that since forever. The third candidate, Takekeisho is an ozeki for years now. He is solid. But he is a one trick pony. Sure if he can achive those two yushos, sure promote him yokozuna. The meteor of this and the last basho is Atamifuji. This tournament did not ended as exciting for him than the last one, but did very well, achieving a 11-4 balance. He is very young and very good. He will jump up a couple of places from Maegeshira #8. Good things are expected from him, needs more experience and more exposure to high pressure situations to get used to them, so he can keep his head clear and his mind set. Yesterday he got beaten by Kirishima, and today had the chance to win one, and if Kirishima had lost to Takakeisho, that would have led to playoffs. It isn't how it happened, he lost and that sealed the fate of the yusho. Then Kirishima won anyway. Kotonowaka beat him quick, which was disappointing. He'll do better in January.