For Christ sake, sit him out! He lost to Endo today, convincingly. He had a few chances for a throw but couldn’t manage. At this point, he doesn’t have a choice between his health and his rank. If there’s any integrity in this sport, there is no way he can save his rank with two losses already and he hasn’t yet fought any sanyaku opponents! He’ll face Okinoumi tomorrow if his mom doesn’t wisen up and pull him off the dohyo by his ear. It’s painful to watch him on the dohyo. At this point, I wouldn’t care if you need to chain him down…because you don’t! He couldn’t muster the strength to get out of bed if you laid a bicycle lock on his legs! Does he like owe some yakuza debt or something? WTF?!?!?!
I’m done. I’m not covering Terunofuji again until he’s healthy. This is sad to watch.
It’s heartbreaking to see him go from his early rise, with such strength, dominance and dexterity to his limping along now. There is, sadly, a whole slate of rikishi that are possibly too hurt to really delivery solid sumo, but because of the sumo rules, there is no chance for them to recover or heal.
I am also beginning to suspect that Hakuho is well below 100%, as we have had two matches from him that were “non-events”. It may be that the sumo kyokai may be worried that their star talent is all in rough shape, and it could harm sumo at the very time it is once again gaining prominence.
I agree, Terunofuji – please just go kyujo before someone really hurts you. Your sumo as gone almost pure defense, and it’s no fun for you, or for the fans. We all want you healthy and ready to win.