« Sumo Update - Day 10 | Main | Sumo - 2 days to go »
March 22, 2006
Advantage HAKUHO
In the battle of 10-0 wrestlers, Hakuho beat Asashoryu and took the tournament lead. He also assured promotion to Ozeki for next tournament.
So, one promotion will happen and one won't, as Tochiazuma lost to hanging-onto-Ozeki-by-his-fingernails Kaio to drop to 8-3. Tochiazuma won't get promoted to Yokozuna even if he wins the rest of his matches, but if he does manage that (which he won't), he'll be alive for Yokozuna promotion after the next tournament. Meanwhile, Kaio has decided he will stay in this tournament to the last day, even if he gets a losing record. It's unclear if he'll come back for the next tournament as a Sekiwake if he gets demoted, or if he'll retire.
With Tochiazuma losing, the only wrestler other than Hakuho and Asashoryu with a realistic chance is Wakanosato. Well, he's 9-2, anyway. I guess he could get lucky.
Standings:
11-0: Hakuho
10-1: Asashoryu
9-2: Wakanosato
8-3: Tochiazuma, Koto'oshu, Chiyotaikai, Kisenosato (next great Japanese hope)
6-5: Takamisakari
5-6: Kaio
Posted by JoshHornik at March 22, 2006 05:57 PM