/kc/ - Krautchan

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Welp, they kicked out Hokuseiho (for serial bullying – stealing money was also mentioned by tabloids but this was not included in the charges) and penalized Hakuho (for doing nothing about it – Chris mentioned he has been absent, not living with the guys ever since they're in the temporary building, so he probably didn't even know it's been continuing since 2022 when he was only just taking over)
Feels like a bit of a hook on Hakuho to keep him in line, tbh. But Hokuseiho didn't look like he's going anywhere from where he got by now anyway. And apparently he was also actually lazy, not just looking like that in the dohyo. Bummer.
Someone else will temporarily take over the stable to get things "in proper order". I hope Hakuoho won't be affected by the drama.
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/02/89fd0e352fa7-sumo-former-yokozuna-hakuho-penalized-over-proteges-violence.html

 >>/51684/
No more slow dancing. Oh well.
Perhaps I watched one too many yak movies, but everything around sumo makes me think some monkey business in the play. Like know I think whatever happened Hakuho knew about it, that temporary building thing is an excuse, and that Hokuseiho is a fall guy taking the blame.
> Hokuseiho didn't look like he's going anywhere from where he got by now anyway.
Part of the reason it was him who drew the ace.

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Spring basho starts on Sunday!

Terunofuji did a good job, and perhaps kept himself from re-injury. At least it seemes he was still okay at the end. I'm worried he will have to withdraw in mid-tournament due to relapse. But I hope he won't.
Kotonowaka is an ozeki now, and he is in a good form for quite a while now. But as all the current ozekis (Hoshoryu, Kirishima, Takakeisho) he also fails in seemingly random matches, and in some non-random, against opponents who have good track record against them, those simply fight in a style that they just can't handle.  I think this is the difference, that Teru has at least the size and the strength to counter those rikishis who can cause trouble to him. At least when he is healthy.
Hopefully Hoshoryu is healthy again, just like Takakeisho.
Kirishima is after a good tournament, but a failure to won the championship. I think his stable master is retiring and the fate of his heya is unsure. 
Asanoyama is at maegeshira #1 waiting to enter the sanyaku ranks. He had to miss 3 bouts to health related issues.
Atamifuji is at M#2. His last score was only 6-9 but he had to face the top guys, and it seems he has a little bit of stage-fright against them. He is young (22) and has time to mature. He can be one of the top guys easily.
Oho jumped to M#3. He is yoyoing up and down. He is strong for the guys in the back, but not skillful enough for the rikishis at the front.
Climbing of Onosato continued, at M#5. Perhaps won't stop now.
New addition to makuuchi is Takerufuji, with stellar form. It goes well with Isegahama-beya these years it seems. Many talents there.
Unlike Miyagino. Ofc Hokuseiho is booted  >>/51684/ and Hakuho did not prove to be a great master there. For now, he could be better in the future. There is a new caretaker, called Tamagaki.

Wakatakakage is climbed up to juryo, just as Hakuoho. Both recovering from health issues. Not sure what's interesting there. Hokuseiho is listed in juryo. Curious.

Today is Day 7 of Haru Basho and yesterday we entertained the thought who will be the champion. We missed one guy: Atamifuji.
At the moment I'd give a good chance for him to win. His at 4-2 from 6 bouts (I dunno what he wrestled today yet, so...) and this is his results of the past 6 days:
- lost vs Kotonowaka, 0-1
- won vs Kirishima, 1-1
- lost vs Hoshoryu, 1-2
- won vs Tobizaru, 2-2
- won vs Takakeisho, 3-2
- won vs Asanoyama, 4-2
He faced all four ozekis already, beat 2 of them, and beat two other difficult opponents.
He doesn't have to face Terunofuji, since they are in the same heya. So possible opponents are from the top ranks:
- Daiesho
- Wakamotoharu
- Abi
- Nishikigi
- Ura
- Meisei
- Oho
- Takanosho
- Hiradoumi
Ofc this all depends on how all they do, and one more rikishi have to be listed who do very well now:
- Onosato
Takerufuji is doing well too, but he is in Isegahama as well.
I think Onosato is absolutely one of the rikishis he'll have to face, with his 6-0 record at the moment.
With the exception of Oho, and perhaps Takanosho who is past his prime, all of these can mean a serious challenge.
However Nishikigi, Takanosho, Oho, Meisei, Hiradoumi, Ura, and Daieisho aren't in their best forms, and might not rise in the list enough to be worthy to pitted against him.
And there are rikishis from the back of the banzuke who have good results, but they are lesser threats.
Anyway at the moment I think Atamifuji has a good chance.

Atamifuji got crushed by Oho quite surprisingly. Oh, well.

Hey, can we start stream a bit earlier today? Let's say 17:30. I'll be going out afterwards.

 >>/51812/
Sure, just finished uploading.

Yusho interview:
https://rutube.ru/video/7a9e3b500428d36fdc1c179ac2783ac1/
https://videopress.com/v/ADIi4vm2

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This was a basho with full of surprises.
Firstly in juryo the two favourites, neither Wakatakakage nor Hakuoho did managed to get near to winning the championship. It was Mitoryu who secured his first place with a 12-3.
In makuuchi Kirishima fared extremely bad. Especially considering his previous forms. Still - again - surprisingly he managed to beat fellow ozeki Kotonowaka in the ultimate match. Terunofuji's withdrawal was kinda expected, I hoped differently but we all know he isn't doing good. All those injuries, operations, recoveries. Sad.
But the greatest surprise was the freshest newbie in makuuchi, the Maegeshira #17 Takerufuji. He is from the same stable as Teru, from Isegahama. This was his first tournament in makuuchi, and he fought his way up to the very top, and became the champion with an impressive 13-2, beating some top rikishis not Hoshoryu tho.
On day 14 Takerufuji suffered his second loss, against Asanoyama, a former ozeki, and while falling out of the dohyo he hurt his right leg, had to limp out, and from the news we know ambulance took him away. Despite this today he showed up and beat Gonoyama with noticeable pain. But this win cemented his yusho. He also got all but one prizes. He'll probably jump up to the sanyaku ranks - from the last place of the division.

Great basho all around were many good bouts, exciting and fun. Zuper awesome.

Next morning interview. The automatic translation does quite a decent job.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=u97NMLWLtlA

I'm reading a bit more info on where Takerufuji came from on wikipedia. He had knee injuries in high school, 2nd year of university, and then the future Onosato (who just kept winning everything) eclipsed him, which is why he was never the winner before.

 >>/51817/
Ah thanks for context. No wonder his legs look thin and weaker than the rest. He is young still so hopefully his injuries won't leave much of an impact. Sadly chances are he could be prone to injury. That would suck balls, this helluva splash he did proves he is very capable.
> Onosato eclipsed him
Even if Takerufuji don't accomplish anything more - perhaps for recurring injuries, or because facing all the top ranks will be a harder challange, or whatever else, fate knows -, and Onosato grows into the next yokozuna, I think Takerufuji proved that he is more than a match.

 >>/51817/
Still haven't watched that. I really should.

Here's an article about the fate of Miyagino stable n wrestlers. They are now housing in with Isegahama, apparently Teru doing some mentoring.
https://hochi.news/articles/20240331-OHT1T51144.html?page=1

 >>/51843/
Well well well
I wonder what the reasoning behind this decision was. One thing is, Isegahama-beya has a yokozuna and four more in makuuchi (or five? is Takarafuji promoted back now?), and they need assigned attendants. But, Isegahama-oyakata will be retiring in July next year, after reaching maximum age of 65. What happens then? Can Miyagino-beya branch out again?
In the meanwhile, it is mostly disappointing that now Hakuoho and Atamifuji won't be able to face each other – not good for rivalry development.

In other news, Kirishima has now joined ex-Kakuryu's Otowayama, as his stablemaster is retiring. His poor performance was due to neck and elbow broblems. Hope he can recover.

 >>/51849/
I read Miyagino was or is a branch of Isegahama or something.
> What happens then? Can Miyagino-beya branch out again?
I assume this is temporary.
> Hakuoho and Atamifuji won't be able to face each other – not good for rivalry development.
Not to mention the third rising star Takerufuji. And with Onosato we're starting to run out of promising new talents. Hoshoryu is veteran at this point (heh Takerufuji is same age). Gonoyama is new but I'm not sure of hist capabilities. Sometimes his fights are impressive. Oho isn't good, although if he could muscle up, he could counter skill with strength.

 >>/51850/
I like Kirishima so I do hope it will work out. Luckily at least one other rikishi, and personnel are transferred, so not entirely new situation.
> Hope he can recover.
Indeed.
Heh on Natto's discord there is a couple of users who are vocal Kirishima opposers. They see attitude problems with him, he smirks a lot apparently. He does do that but it doesn't seem haughty to me. So basically they just find him antipathetic. Happens.

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Great memes.

 >>/51907/
I laffed :DD

https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202404110000240.html
Akebono died at age of 54. Heart failure.
I saved some Terunofuji laughing pics, but I hold on to them to some other day.

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Basho of May is approaching.
Kotonowaka updated his shikona to Kotozakura.
Hoshoryu is the top ozeki at the moment. He's doing good, pulling 10+ points in the last three tournaments, can he win the yusho finally? Twice consequently perhaps? I'm sure Kotozakura will be there trying to prevent him doing that, and claim the title for himself.
I think Takakeisho is recovering still, and Kirishima is kadoban, has to pull shit together to remain ozeki.
Abi and Asanoyama are back in the sanyaku ranks. Onosato is now komusubi.
Takerufuji jumped to #6 maegeshira. I think there was speculation that he could enter sanyaku. A bit too optimist apparently.
Not much else interesting honestly. Fingers crossed for Teru not gettin injured again.

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Natsu Basho is here!
I gave notes about the banzuke above. Not much to add.
Instead here's a substack of sumo stats (like picrel #2) and other blogging activity:
https://sumostats.substack.com/
I thought Midori is the shortest but apparently he towers over Tobizaru by 1cm.

Ah, if everything goes well, we're gonna watch the stream each day from 18:00 CET.

Teru got hurt. Again.
https://twitter.com/kuru2obake/status/1789870742043037792
> 横綱照ノ富士、休場。
> 「左肋軟骨損傷、右変形性膝関節症で３週間の安静加療を要する見込み」との診断書。
> Yokozuna Terunofuji absent.
> Medical report: 'Left rib cartilage damage and right knee osteoarthritis, expected to require three weeks of rest and treatment.'

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Haven't written much about this tournament, but perhaps it's not too late. Heh.
So the makuuchi yusho was won by Onosato. He achieved this feat on his seventh (7th) tournament since he enrolled into pro-sumo. He took the place from Takerufuji, who did it on his 10th tournament in March. Considering the 3 tournament difference, it might not be possible much earlier. Perhaps on the 6th. Onosato could have won the previous. Maybe 5 bashos could be possible. 2 complete domination in makushita, then 2 in juryo, and then on first tournament in makuuchi - bam yusho.
Onosato's winning bout was against Abi. He successfully held against Abi's initial charge, then pushed on quick, herding Abi out with ease. Wasn't a sensational bout for the audience, but was a climactic for him and his family. His dad cried, just as Onosato when he went out and back to the changing room or wherever they go after the matches.
12-3 is a good start for an ozeki run. He had a bit of luck with almost everyone being injured, but I think he has the potential to get 21 points in the next to bashos (a 10 and an 11 should be enough). I'm kinda hyped.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240526/p2g/00m/0sp/023000c
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240527/p2g/00m/0sp/041000c

I hope Takerufuji returns soon too.
I'm sad that Teru's knees and back and spine and everything is fucked.

 >>/52022/
> I hope Takerufuji returns soon too.
Takerufuji is back.
He did an exhibition bout (w/ Meisei) at Ishiura's retirement event on Saturday.

 >>/52038/
Good.
In NattoSumo's discord they share bunch of articles and whatnot, but all in Japanese and I don't have time to translate and decide which of em is actually important (or interesting).

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240527/k10014462521000.html
Translation from Natto's shitcord:
Terunofuji
The Yokozuna has taken his leave mid-basho for the second time in a row. But given that he was absent for three basho, then got the yusho, then for four basho, then yusho again, the YDC decided to take a "wait and see" stance.

"It's a shame he had to leave in mid-basho, but we also value his effort to participate and his sense of responsibility".

They are saying they'll be watching the progress of his healing and return to the dohyo until after Nagoya, or possibly Aki, and then decide. "It's absolutely not a situation for one of our official decisions (encouragement, warning, recommendation to retire). Chairman Yamauchi declined to say what happens after Aki. "The situation will become clearer. We believe Terunofuji, who has a great sense of responsibility, will make his own judgments."

Onosato
About the 23 years old Komusubi winning the yusho within 7 basho from his hatsu-dohyo, he said "I think it's a sign that the World of Sumo is about to undergo a significant change. He is going to become Ozeki eventually, and I have hopes for the speed at which this takes place.

State of the sumo
Asked about the fact that for two basho in a row, newcomers have grabbed the silverware, he says "I wouldn't call it a collapse of the banzuke, but I can't deny that the banzuke has become fluid. If the top rungs don't stand up and block the way, the banzuke is only a ranking in name, not in reality."

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Nagoya basho starts on Sunday!

In juryo it's Onokatsu, who jumped from the 12th place to the 1st, and Takerufuji who is recovering from an injuri but did gigantic splash on his debut in makuuchi. If he has really recovered, we can expect good results from him. The third promising talent, Hakuoho struggled due to injury, had to sit out matches and now he is at #13 and I'm not sure about him being well enough either.

Makuuchi.
I dunno if Terunofuji is well enough either. He might enter the tournament again, and has to withdraw again. His joints and spine are fucked. No doubt about it.
Kirishima is relegated to sekiwake, Onosato elevated to the same rank. Both him and Abi are starting an ozeki run. Frankly Onosato has the better chance to get another 10+ wins.
Takakeisho is struggling this year on all the bashos. He is injured, in January he was out, in March he barely got an 8 together, had to sit out the last bout, then had to sit out almost all the last basho, and now he is kadoban, in danger of relegation. He is sitting on the ozeki laurels on a long long time. It would be an upset for sure if he'd had to leave.
Last time Atamifuji was a bit disappointing but close to the top of the banzuke, all opponents are tough. he managed to beat Hoshoryu last time - which is a feat in itself - , and Takakeisho before that. Will we see some good sumo from him?
Asanoyama drifted down after skipping the tournament of May. He surely can climb back, if he is okay.

I'm hoping it will be a good basho, but with so many talented rikishis struggling with health issues left and right it will be a surprise whatever we get.

Sumo today!

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It seems this is Terunofuji's basho now. He is going strong by 9-0 as of yesterday, and leading by two in front of ozeki Kotozakura and Churanoumi (M12).
Others don't fare this well. Hoshoryu has only 6-3, I'm fairly sure he'll reach 10 wins, perhaps even 11, but not 12. Onosato is kind of a disappointment with 5-4 and he'll be hard pressed to reach the 10+ wins if he wants to continue his ozeki run. Kirishima with 5-4 is okay, he won't be ozeki anytime soon, and 5-4 is a realistic score by him, just like Abi. But Atamifuji is only 4-5, just like Wakamotoharu! Takakeisho ditto and it is dubious if he'll make it to that 8th point that could save his laurels! Meisei at the back with 2-7???
The real shame is Takayasu getting injured. So he is out, he needs weeks to recover, no chance coming back early. But wait a minute! Is that... him playing that trumpet?!
Now something more cheerful.
Hiradoumi is a komusubi and has 5-4 I think this is pretty impressive by him - he always fights in good spirit but feels like an underdog and easy to overlook him when reading the banzuke, there are more "shiny and sparkling" talents there around the top. I think he's getting to become a favourite of mine. He's 24 years old, so he is fairly young, same age as Onosato. He might won't ever be an ozeki, but it's good to see his type of sumo.
Enho is also back, seems he is recovered, getting the wins.

Should note juryo. Takerufuji is back after he sat out 7 matches. He bagged 2 victories and needs to win all the remaining ones as well.
Hakuoho is a bit of a disappointment again. Perhaps he is not 100%, because we see very good stuff from him previously. I'm positive he'll get better.
Onokatsu is the other one not performing according to expectations, but perhaps we had higher ones than we should have.
Shishi is leading juryo now. 8-1. Good job!

We've seen a great basho. I'll keep my thoughts for now in case Slovborg visits, don't want to spoiler it for him.

In case Slovborg really reads this:
1. award ceremony is out, it wasn't ready yesterday yet;
2. I have dl'd a "Grand Sumo Tournament for charity", I think makuuchi rikishis doing a basho.
We should watch these sometimes.

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Well, Slovborg did not read that.

But, Aki basho is here, starting on Sunday! As usual, streaming at 18:00 CEST (16 UTC).
So let's take a look at the banzuke.

Makuuchi
Hopefully Terunofuji can stay healthy. "Healthy". Not get reinjured.
Sensation: Takakeisho is not an ozeki anymore. In fact only two ozekis now, Kotozakura and Hoshoryu, since Kirishima is also out. But Takakeisho is really unusual, he is an antique furniture as ozeki. But his time might be up. Or just unfortunate injuries and lacking proper recovery. We'll see if he can climb back, because his usual form is round the form of an ozeki.
So the two ex-ozekis share the rank sekiwake with Abi and Onosato. For Abi, this is a high rank. Will he be able to keep it? Onosato is capable to become ozeki, he start a run by getting 10+ preferrably 11+ score.
Unrealistic rank: Oho at Maegeshira #2. I don't expect him to get a positive balance now. If he can pull it, that would be nice, but unlikely.
Wakamotoharu is only at #3. Two bashos ago he had to sit out due to injury. I assume that was an issue. He is better otherwise. His bro, Wakatakakage, is at #7 returning from below, recovering from injury himself. Expecting another good tournament from him.
Takayasu is still in. He had to sit out almost all of the last basho. And before that he also had injury. I wonder if there's any news about his health.
Onokatsu's gonna have his debut in makuuchi. Will he be good as the other young talent that came recently?

Juryo
Onosho is down fucking here after injury. Looks sad. Asanoyama ditto. Hakuoho is still mud wrestling here, I think he'll done with it by the end of the tournament, expecting him to get a good score and get back to makuuchi.
Shishi is at #2, surprisingly. His last basho went pretty well. As Oho upstairs, he is not this good however.
One more rikishi to note: Takerufuji. Last time he wasn't recovered yet from his leg injury. Hopefully he is okay now.

That's about it I think.
Ozekis want to grab the yusho if they want the yokozuna title. Onosato wants an ozeki run, Kirishima and Takakeisho want to get back to ozeki too. There ought to be much pushing for all the points.

 >>/52382/
Henlo.

I'm extremely away until the 16th actually since I'm going on a multiple day hiking trip (Ararat).

Hope all is good & see you when I'm back

 >>/52385/
Okay. Have a great trip. Maek IWO.
Have you read this:  >>/52244/?

 >>/52387/
Yes. I will.

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 >>/52385/
Safe travels Slovberg. Hope u have a good time there.

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I think Takerufuji is based and in a bout vs Onosato I'd probably cheer for him. Perhaps he's gonna be another favourite of mine next to  >>/52231/ Hiradoumi.
He does very good this basho, and ofc that makuuchi yusho is impressive as fuck. He helped up Tsurugisho in this last bout too. Very honorabru.
This new keshomawashi also looks great, although with some white inlining it would be even better.

Holy fucking shit Onosato is unstoppable.

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Day 7, tomorrow we'll cross halfway, time for a bit of speculation.

Juryo has two probable champion: Takerufuji and Chiyoshoma, both unbeaten, showing great form. I'd bet on the former. There is Asakoryu with 6-1 but he isn't as good as the first two, and he is small.
That's about it. Shishi is commendable for getting 5 wins, keeping up with previous performance, although it's a bit painful to watch him fighting. He tries to go lower, but he just bends forward more, and not squatting as he should. Bend those legs!
Hakuoho got taped up, I assume his arm, perhaps his shoulder hurts. Only 4-3. I have no doubt he'll get another 4 wins, but that is slim for him.
Aoiyama is nearing to the end of his career.

Onosato makuuchi yusho. Ofc, he still can botch it up but I don't think it's likely. He can win this with 12-3 or even better. One fail is guaranteed. But he is very strong and quick. His mind is in it. But opponents only get harder. And of the sanyaku rikishis can stop him.
Kirishima is back in his form, doing good. He also needs an excellent result. For now according to the points, he is the sole contender who could snatch the yusho from Onosato. Unlikely.
And Kotozakura is also there, with 2 points minus, not too promising, but he'll finish with respectable score.
Wakatakakage is coming up like groundwater. Only 2 losses, but he is towards the back of the banzuke, he had to face relatively easy opponents.
Oho is a surprise, at M2 and pulled 4 wins. Beat both ozekis. Respect.
Talking about ozekis. Hoshoryu's performance is a bit of disappointment, 3-4. I have no doubt he'll pull it together, but an 8-7 isn't a shining result, and for now it does seem like he'll reach about that.

 >>/52385/
> see you when I'm back
Apparently he was kidnapped by Chechen and Kurdish terrorists. He did not show up, not Sunday, not yesterday. He has one more minute to show up today.

 >>/52418/
Hey. I was back on Monday but was tired and went straight to bed after unpacking in the evening. Yesterday I was showing photos to the family and such plus some other personal errands.
I can make it today...

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 >>/52420/
Yeah, yeah, yeah. You got nice hairy Churka gf in the Kavkaz and now making hairy babies together and you forgot about sumo.
There might not be juryo today, since they not released the video of that yet. But gonna check.

Onosato promoted to ozeki. Ganbatte!

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 >>/52430/
He was indeed. I wrote a lot-ish on spartschan. I still want to post couple of thoughts about the basho here.
I could try to get this, it'll be released next month. Looks hilarious.

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I think this basho wasn't that great in the sense that only a few bouts were impressive. On the other hand a handful of them were really fucking impressive.
Tamawashi vs Kinbozan. Oldboy got a big fugging slap just behind his right ear. Down. Kinbozan had a godawful tournament, but this move was brutal.
And then this henka Abi pulled on Hoshoryu.
Lastly Wakatakakage's victory over Onosato. Wkage holding himself was masterful, and turning his sure loss into an epic win.

Now that we are at Onosato. He did an outstanding job. Great march, beating both ozekis. That two losses are the student fee he has to pay. I've no doubt he'll learn.
Down in juryo Takerufuji did excellent. BUT. Previously, couple of posts above I wrote him is getting to be a personal favourite and pick him over Onosato... nah, too... cocky, with similar primadonna attitude Hoshoryu had when he wasn't yet ozeki. Onosato while he isn't particularly humble, he looked moved after his successes and the following applause, rewards. Just the human moment from this talent which makes him more likeable. Also not Isegahama boy, who are everywhere.
Anyway Takerufuji might turn out a rival of Onosato. Considering that yusho of his in makuuchi last time.

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As our esteemed colleague noted  >>/52430/ Onosato made it to ozeki.
I've read this is the fastest ever ozeki promotion, he succeeded with only 9 tournaments under his belt.
His last three bashos had the results: 12-3, 9-6, 13-2 - gathering 34 points, allowing them to promote him. Also two yushos.
Here's the promotion ceremony:
https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=_s-ZMXeOJ0o
https://youtube.com/watch?v=_s-ZMXeOJ0o
And the press conference:
https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=Ok7ghNrwULM
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ok7ghNrwULM

Now these two eight-sevens... and the rest of the notables.
This is a problem with the current top line of rikishis, they are good. They just seem to underachieve randomly. Both ozekis barely got that kachi koshi. I have the growing doubt that Hoshoryu has it in him to make it to yakozuna. I hope both him and Kotozakura can pull it together and be as reliable ozeki as Takakeisho was for years.
Takakeisho hasn't recovered and had to sit out the tournament.
Kirishima, the other failed ozeki had a good tournament, and started another ozeki run. Question is if he can keep it up. He can bring in 11-4, 12-3 results, he proved it before, maybe he'll manage again.
Wakatakakage is returning with a bang. While he mostly faced lower ranking rikishis, that Onosato win was a banger.
Have to make note of Takayasu, who did not seem 100% healthy. He was fighting from the end of the banzuke, and 10 wins are 10 wins.
I'm sad for Hiradoumi. That komosubi ranking might be a bit high for him.

At the end, here's a fun leaderboard. Who does the most henka in 2024? Even the topmost ones don't try more than a couple per basho.

2024-kyushu-basho jpg
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Sumo starts on Sunday!
Gonna get those Natto videos as usual. I hope they share dl-able links, if not we are in trouble.

Lets blink at that banzuke.
Makuuchi
As we noted Onosato is now ozeki! Fuck yea.
However his greatest nemesis, Takerufuji is now in makuuchi, I assume he'll try and stop him getting the yusho, which he needs 2 (or some equal-ish exceptional achievement).
I really hope the other two ozekis will produce more convincing results form the previous, and make things more interesting.
Tho I'd like to see Kirishima continuing his last performance.
Oho is at #1 maegeshira, very surprising, perhaps he is growing up to the task. Or the last one was a fluke.
COME ON HIRADOUMI!!
Wakatakakage is close back to the top, I bet he is eager to get back to the sanyaku ranks.
Takayasu is only at #9, but he was dealing with injury, I think that last 10-5 was a good score from him like that. He shares the place with Midorifuji, who did not do good.
Shishi is in!

Juryo
Hakuoho is the main rikishi to watch here I think. And then perhaps Kinbozan who is better than this level.
Aonishiki is in! At #11 which is pretty high for a new guy. I assume many got relegated. He is the other Ukrainian, who perhaps has more talent than Shishi. We'll see how he performs. He has 7-0 and 6-1 scores all over. Will he run through juryo, or will it be a struggle?

Sumo at 18:00 CET.