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September 09, 2005
Asahoryu seeks Asa-Slam
Sumo's back! The September tournament starts this Sunday in Tokyo.
Like Tiger Woods with the Tiger Slam and Serena Williams with the Serena Slam before him, Asashoryu goes for a sweep of one full year's worth of tournaments -- a win would give him 6 in a row.
The other contenders are all the familiar names. At Ozeki, there's Kaio, Tochiazuma, and Chiyotaikai. Chiyotaikai is in his 40th tournament at Ozeki (3rd most in history) -- that's a dubious honor, because it means he's never been good enough to make Yokozuna. He's also fighting for the rank, once again. He needs 10 wins to stay at Ozeki. It's his 8th time in this situation, which is another unfortunate record he now holds. To underscore the lack of competition for Asashoryu, this is the 6th tournament in a row where at least one of the Ozeki's has needed 10 wins to keep his rank.
Bulgarian wrestler Koto'oshu has been promoted to Sekiwake, his highest rank ever. He has made the 2nd-fastest rise to this rank in history (fatso Konishiki was the fastest). Wakanosato is the other Sekiwake.
At Komusubi are Kotomitsuki (demoted after going 7-8 last tournament) and major up-and-comer Futeno. Futeno (the Kevin McHale of Sumo -- I just love saying that) is the guy who beat Asashoryu in the high school Sumo championships, and he was also a college champion.
| In the Maegashira ranks, there's Hakuho at #1, who got dropped from the top ranks after getting injured last tournament. Expect him to come back strong with at least 10 wins. Kokkai is at #2 and Takamisakari is at #5.
Moving up the ranks and newly promoted to Sumo's 2nd level Juryo are Masatsukasa, who I mention only because I love that name, and Baruto (pictured), the first Sumo wrestler ever from Estonia. Let's hope it's a good tournament, though I wouldn't be surprised to see Asashoryu win it all by day 12. |  |
Posted by JoshHornik at September 9, 2005 11:21 AM