As reported by Herouth, Takayasu was injured in some san-ban with Tochinoshin during Jungyo. He wants to continue through the last bit of the tour. I hope the issue does not hamper his ability to compete in May. The longer he gamberizes with the unease in his back the worse the odds of any magic next month with, especially with Hakuho likely back.
Takayasu unexpectedly excused from his bout with Goeido in today's Jungyo event, suffering a lower back injury. The issue started in practice with Tochinoshin in the morning and during dohyo-iri he felt an "electric shock" pain that forced him out.https://t.co/IYZWsbhyKV
— ヘルット (@SumoFollower) April 22, 2018
As some have noted, with the Jun-Yusho there are whispers of a Yokozuna run if he wins the next tournament. Those whispers will likely be shushed now. Ultimately, such a decision would be up to the Yokozuna Deliberation Council but it is certainly premature given his nagging health issues since his ozeki promotion. Yes, he did get a jun-yusho…which he shared with Kaisei, and with Hakuho and Kisenosato watching from their respective couches. And despite the jun-yusho, he was never actually in contention for the yusho as he lost his first two bouts to Endo and Ichinojo, then Day 12 versus Chiyomaru. Kakuryu’s jun-yusho was a 14-1 playoff loss to Hakuho, after beating him once on sen-shuraku to force the playoff.
I, too, on occasion suffer that ”electric shock” pain in my lower back. I guess many of us have endured that sort of discomfort. With me, it’s merely back spasms and I am fine after a couple days rest. I hope it’s the same ailment that Pooh Bear is dealing with. If so, he will be fine for May.
He was in contention until day 13 (when Kakuryu defeated Goeido).Yokozuna promotions with less than 14 jun-yusho and a yusho (Kagamisato) are not something unprecedented.
Back injuries are a funny thing. If it’s basically just a muscle spasm, he could be back to 100% in a couple of days. Here’s hoping.
Given how Kisenosanto has “worked out” as a Yokuzuna, would the fact that Takayasu is from the same stable be considered, for good or for ill? Is there any reservation, traditionally, about having consecutive Yokuzuna from the same stable?
Not surprised the injury happened with Tochinoshin, though; if Tochinoshin really is on an “Ozeki run,” he probably very much sees Takayasu as someone to beat and might not have held back one whit just because it wasn’t a “real” competition.
Hope the Ozeki recovers soon!
That’s an interesting question, Janet. I’m still pretty new to sumo fandom (about three years) so I’d be curious to know if there’s ever been a time when there were two Yokozuna from the same stable.
As Herouth pointed out on Twitter, Takanohana and Wakanohana were from the same stable. Their reigns overlap briefly. It is an interesting situation since they can’t compete against each other unless there is a playoff.
Onishiki / Tochigiyama, Dewanoumi-beya, 1918-1923
Tochigiyama / Tsunenohana, Dewanoumi-beya, 1924-1925
Maedayama / Azumafuji, Takasago-beya, 1949
Chiyonofuji / Hokutoumi, Kokonoe-beya, 1987-1991
Takanohana / Wakanohana, Futagoyama-beya, 1998-2000
In addition Tatsunami-beya produced both Futabayama and Haguroyama concurrently, but Futabayama had moved out of the stable to run his own and self-train by the time Haguroyama was promoted to yokozuna in 1941. They never competed against each other anyway as the scheduling rules were different back then.
Every time I see the name Futabyama, I can’t help but think “The Great Futabayama”.
I didn’t realize Chiyonofuji and Hokutoumi were stablemates, only fighting once. http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Query_bout.aspx?show_form=0&shikona1=Chiyonofuji&shikona2=Hokutoumi
Their training sessions were legendary. Think Kisenosato and Takayasu, and then ratchet up the intensity and the talent level another 5 notches.
So it does happen, and looking at those intervals, it may be time for it to happen again ;p
Hakuho forever! May will be Yusho #41.
Hakuho is a monste, but I hope Tochinoshin comes in strong to possibly take the May tournament.
It’s in his hands – he just has to be prepared to produce Yokozuna level sumo until the end of his days.