With this news, Terunofuji will get an all-important default victory, essentially an automatic bye into “the finals” on senshuraku. The Kirishima-Kotonowaka bout will be the musubi-no-ichiban; they do not end a Match Day with a fusen.
So, let’s go through the implications. We already knew Terunofuji and Kirishima would fight on Senshuraku. If Kirishima wins tonight against Kotonowaka, the two will face each other in a spectacular Yokozuna-Ozeki title bout that we have not seen since the magical Hakuho vs Terunofuji bout in July 2021.
If Kotonowaka wins, things will get a little messy. If Terunofuji beats Kirishima, we will have a playoff if Kotonowaka defeats his opponent. But…who would he fight? Tobizaru? Asanoyama? If Terunofuji loses that senshuraku bout, and Kotonowaka win both nights, Kotonowaka wins the yusho outright, with 13-wins.
If Kirishima loses tonight but beats Terunofuji tomorrow AND Kotonowaka loses to his opponent, we will have an exciting three-way playoff for the yusho!
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I hope they give Asanoyama to Kotonowaka, like who else can they give him? Shodai has lost his last 6 bouts, Nishikigi and Tobizaru are too junior, their best rank had been Komosubi some time ago.
and I personally didn’t think Hoshoryu had a chance of winning tomorrow, so not too much of an upset IMO
7-7 Tobizaru is a good choice. He’ll fight for his Kashi-Koshi and won’t be tempted to hold back.
Kotozakura has entered the building!
I hope Teru takes this but giving Tobizaru to Koto______ whatever you want to call him now is a joke.
I completely agree Asanoyama would have been a great choice. Not a lot of hitters left past that given current performances.
Maybe they want more attitude correction for the monkey? He’s got a chip on his shoulder he can’t back up.
Kaiju for Yusho!