Once upon a time, I used to do a feature on this site called “Ones to Watch” about all of the… well, ones to watch in an upcoming basho from lower down the divisions. While Osaka’s Haru basho has long been my favourite basho, this Japan-based correspondent will not be in attendance this time out. But I will pick out a few storylines of intrigue here from across the levels as we inch closer to the upcoming tournament:
Isegahama-beya scandal hangover: It has been reported (hat tip to Sumo Forum’s Yubinhaad) that Isegahama-oyakata is being investigated for violence towards a stable member (Hakunofuji-former-Hakuoho-former-Ochiai), having turned himself in. Some kind of verdict is due imminently. This isn’t a post about that, but I am curious to see if the fallout from that situation has any impact on the performance of the stable’s inflated sekitori ranks, and if the rumours of another potential impending move for the Hakuho-recruits from the “in custody” Miyagino-beya has an impact on the performance of those rikishi as well.
Aonishiki rope run: Having won the last tournament, Ozeki Aonishiki bids to go back-to-back and give us three Yokozuna atop the banzuke for the first time since Kisenosato’s retirement six years ago. He will turn 22 this month. The last 22 year old to be promoted to Yokozuna was Hakuho in 2007 (Aonishiki would be younger if it happens). There will doubtless be plenty of those kinds of stories if it happens.
Asahifuji II: No pressure then, with that shikona! Isegahama-beya’s talented Mongolian youngster made his long awaited debut last time out, absolutely demolishing the bottom tier en route to a yusho. He will be the overwhelming favourite to do so again from the fifth level.
Fujishima-beya makuuchi debutants: The heya has both of the new entrants to the top division this basho, arriving in slightly different circumstances. Fujiryoga has blasted his way to the top division in only seven tournaments, after a two basho stint in Juryo. Fujiseiun meanwhile had been a fast moving prospect whose upward ascent was blunted by a kyujo stint and a tough time coming to grips with Juryo. But after nearly two years at the penultimate level, he has now arrived.
Ura at home: The EDION Arena comes to life when hometown hero Ura mounts the dohyo, but he’s been surprisingly poor on the whole since his top division return, notching just one kachi-koshi in Osaka in the last several years. After a tough tournament in January that sees him fall lower on the banzuke than his ability would suggest, he could be primed for a strong record this time out.
Kirishima’s potential Ozeki return: I haven’t seen any hot goss about whether or not Kirishima’s on an Ozeki run because there have been frankly bigger stories. The only doubt is whether his 11 win Maegashira 2 performance from November would be allowed to count. I think it should: he’s done Ozeki sumo with Ozeki results against Ozeki opponents since his demotion from Ozeki, never with a back-to-back make-koshi in that time. His two 11 win results on the spin see him at the 22 win total, and needing 11 wins for the traditional number required for promotion. It would seem difficult to deny him promotion with a yusho-challenge and 11-plus wins this time out. But there will be stern competition, with Aonishiki pushing for the yusho that would seal his own promotion, and a pair of Yokozuna who may be determined to make amends for underwhelming showings in January.
The new joi-jin and Atamifuji: The top of the rank-and-file and the bottom of sanyaku has somewhat of an unfamiliar look. Atamifuji makes his sanyaku debut, but having never fought successfully above Maegashira 3 and with turmoil in the heya, a kachi-koshi here seems a tough ask. Meanwhile, Maegashira 2 pair Fujinokawa and Churanoumi, of differing styles, both find themselves in their career high rank amongst the joi. I’ve been impressed with Churanoumi’s steady rise ever since his makushita days, and his arrival to this level is the result of what feels to me like controlled sumo – he rarely seems to sell out in pursuit of a win and possesses solid fundamentals. Meanwhile, Fujinokawa is undoubtedly the more riveting watch, having developed a more high-octane style. He can yet go higher, but it will be curious to see if unlike other high-intensity rikishi like for example Hiradoumi and Meisei, he can also add consistency at this level.
Other lingering questions: Will Mitakeumi be able to stave off the drop for another tournament? Can evergreen Takayasu manage to stay fit enough to put together yet another kachi-koshi and extend his run, already the sixth highest man in the division at the age of 36? Will Enho rebound from the devastating final loss that put paid to his long-awaited Juryo re-promotion last time out and mount a strong enough campaign this time? Was Shishi‘s development for real in the last tournament, or was his late-basho collapse indicative of his real current level? Will Takasago’s green dragon Asasuiryu get promoted and join Asahakuryu and Asakoryu in assembling their heya’s Power Rangers in the top division – and will someone make their shimekomi please match their shikona?
Let’s bring on the basho!
