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January 11, 2006
Some Sumo, so sue me!
Oh, yeah! That time again.
After a truly dominant year 2005 by Yokozuna Asashoryu, it's time to start 2006 with the New Year's Tournament.
To recap the storylines:
Asashoryu has won 7 tournaments in a row. He won more matches (84 out of 90) in 2005 than any Sumo wrestler ever won in a single year.
He has been the only Yokozuna in Sumo for over 2 years now (a record). And of the Ozeki's (2nd highest rank), at least one has been in danger of losing his rank for 8 tournaments in a row. In other words, he has had no competition.
But we start 2006 with the possibility of some competition for Asashoryu:
1) Koto'oshu just got promoted to Ozeki. It was the fastest promotion ever (since the time he started in Sumo), and he's the first from Europe (Bulgaria, to be exact.)
2) Hakuho, who looked like the newest star of Sumo about 6 months ago, then got hurt, looks to be completely healed and ready to compete with the best again. He's currently a Sekiwake (the rank just under Ozeki).
3) With 4 Ozeki's now, someone will have to be able to hang with Asashoryu.
OK, we're through day 4 now and here's the big news:
- Koto'oshu lost on day 1. He did that last tournament, too. I think he was too nervous on his first day as Ozeki. He's won 3 in a row since then, though.
- Asashoryu lost on day 2. Just a great match by Georgian wrestler Kokkai. Asashoryu seemed pretty pissed. He's won all his other matches, but now the pressure is on if he wants to beat 84 wins this year.
- Hakuho definitely looks like he's back in health. He's undefeated.
- Of the other Ozeki's, Kaio is looking bad again at 1-3, Chiyotaikai looks OK but he lost one, and Tochiazuma, who is this tournament's Ozeki in danger of losing his rank (needs 8 wins or he's demoted), is undefeated.
Standings:
4-0 -- Tochiazuma, Hakuho, and 2 scrubs
3-1 -- Asashoryu, Chiyotaikai, Koto'oshu, Kotomitsuki, Roho
2-2 -- Takamisakari
1-3 -- Kaio
Posted by JoshHornik at January 11, 2006 06:46 PM