After the release of the banzuke for the upcoming Haru 2021 basho, a great deal of attention has been paid (with good reason) to the goings-on atop the makuuchi division. But, that shouldn’t preclude you, dear reader, from gaining further knowledge of the lower depths of the banzuke. Come with me, as I guide you through the picturesque landscape of the juryo division.
The first thing you might notice is that Hatsu 2020 champion Tokushoryu finds himself back in juryo, only 14 months removed from his first top flight championship. A rather inauspicious accolade for the veteran, but I can’t say I’m surprised by his demotion. He’s only managed one winning record since lifting the Emperor’s Cup. However, if the 34-year-old from Kise-beya can score eight victories from J1E this month, the Kinki University alum will certainly find himself back up top come May.
The remainder of the top of juryo consists of several makuuchi mainstays who missed time due to COVID-19 as well as recent demotees: including Akua, Ishiura, Chiyomaru, Enho, and Sadanoumi. These five, along with Tokushoryu, will be itching to get back into the top division and perhaps claim a juryo yusho along the way.
All eyes will be on Ura as well, hanging out at J7E for this month’s tournament. The only person more excited to see Ura’s return to the top division than sumo fans is Ura himself. He put together a solid 10-5 outing in January, and has not had a make koshi since returning from injury in November of 2019. Our esteemed friend in the pink mawashi is doing good work on the comeback trail.
Speaking of comebacks, the Jokoryu Revenge Tour hit a snag last time out when the Joker posted a feeble 5-10 record, including seven straight losses to take him out of the yusho race for good after a not-entirely-horrific 5-3 start. Let’s all pray that Jokoryu is able to find the form that brought him to a komusubi debut back in 2014.
You’ll also notice that the widely discussed Oho juryo debut did not go particularly well. The 21 year old prospect has fallen out of the salaried ranks after going 5-10 and once again will have to spend a tournament in makushita. Fingers crossed we see him back up in juryo soon, and making his makuuchi debut shortly thereafter.
Finally, there are two juryo debutants this month. Both 25 years old, Takakento and Bushozan come into this basho without much fanfare. They have both Goeido’d their way to juryo, with each rikishi slapping together strings of 4 and 5 win scores to slowly but surely climb their way up. However, it is always nice to see new guys, and who knows? Maybe they can make some noise from the bottom of the division.
Got any thoughts on the outlook for March’s juryo field? Have we seen the last of Shohozan? Is Ichiyamamoto the best shikona in the division? Who do you miss having in juryo more — Ikioi or Kotoyuki? Let me know. I’m dying to hear from you.
I honestly think trying to pick juryo is even harder this time than usual. You could tell me any of these guys are going to go 10-5 and probably make a case if you tried hard enough. I foresee absolute chaos. Ura? Enho? Who knows, man. It should be great.
Enho put 6 Kg back on his body…now at 98Kg. Maybe that is a good sign of him getting somehow stronger and going back to the winning form
I will not miss Kotoyuki.
But Ikkioi, Hakkeyoi, Ozumo O!
The mass withdrawals and the poor form of Oho made January’s juryo a hugely disappointing affair, so I’m looking for something much better in March. It appears to be a typically wide-open field and the result I am hoping for is Enho v Ishiura in a Miyagino play-off.
I expect that our newcomers will dig in and fight for every inch of clay. As young veterans they have battled long and hard to get here and I don’t think either of them will be satisfied with a “cup of coffee” sekitori career.
I really miss Ikioi and hope that we see him again. I know he is not the youngest anymore and the last year or so was painful to see, but i dream that he has one last run to Makuuchi in him and then can quit on his terms.
but now to the most important topic. Nishikigi. he had a real bad basho and i don’t know what is the reason for the decline of the GOAT. But i hope to see him in good health and form again come basho.
Then i will root as always for Chiyomaru and i really want to see him back in Makuuchi where he belongs. Same goes for Sadanoumi.
Nishikifuji is back in juryo and im excited if he can establish himself here. i really liked his style the last time and maybe he now can get the results too. Yago is another one on the bottom half i really wanto to be successful and get closer to a combeack in makuuchi.
and all the best to the mini- goeidos. I mean who does not like Goeido?
Nishikigi and GOAT…I think my brain just shut off for the day.
nobody likes goeido.
Aw. He was starting to grow on me.
GOAT=Glasses Obligatory at All Times.