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March 19, 2006
Sumo - day 8
2 man race?
At "the turn", halfway through the tournament, and it's looking like a 2-man race between Yokozuna Asashoryu and Sekiwake (soon-to-be Ozeki) Hakuho. Both won yesterday to go to 8-0 -- Asashoryu over Georgian Kokkai and Hakuho over the Ozeki Chiyotaikai. For Hakuho, it's his first time going 8-0; for Asashoryu, the 15th time he's done it. Because there are 3 Ozeki's that Asashoryu will have to face on the last 3 days, the big Asashoryu-Hakuho match should be coming up in a few days. Look for them both to go undefeated until then.
In other news, Ozeki Tochiazuma took a 2nd loss on Saturday, putting severe pressure on his attempt at Yokozuna promotion. (Will probably have to win the rest of his matches, including Koto'oshu, Hakuho, and Asashoryu.)
Kaio staves off retirement for another day, evening his record at 4-4. Needs to go 4-3 from now on to stay at Ozeki. And Chiyotaikai has lost 3 in a row after winning his first 5, so he needs to go 3-4 to avoid demotion.
Koto'oshu and Kotomitsuki, at 6-2, are staying alive in the race in case Asashoryu and Hakuho get upset.
Standings:
8-0 Asashoryu, Hakuho
7-1 Wakanosato (the proverbial 'scrub', ranked Maegashira #11)
6-2 Tochiazuma, Koto'oshu, Kotomitsuki
5-3 Chiyotaikai, Takamisakari
4-4 Kaio
Match of the day: Hakuho vs. Koto'oshu
Posted by JoshHornik at March 19, 2006 12:46 PM