To set up my coverage of the Makushita promotion and yusho races, I thought it would be helpful to take a brief and highly selective look at some of the players.
Promotion Zone
This part of the banzuke comprises the Ms1-Ms5 ranks, where a winning record can get a wrestler to Juryo depending on other results and space availability. Among the contenders here are the former sekitori, kakenage machine, salt thrower, and budding bow twirler Ms1w Akua, March champion Ms2e Oshoryu, Ms3e Otsuji, whose Juryo debut in March did not go well, Asakoryu’s little bro Ms4e Ishizaki, who’s come within a single win of promotion the past two basho, and Mongolian prospect Ms5e Kyokukaiyu.
Extended Promotion Zone
These are the Ms6-Ms15 ranks, where a 7-0 record means a near-automatic promotion, but anything less won’t do. The headline names here are fan favorite Ms10w Enho and former Ozeki Ms14w Asanoyama. If both stay undefeated through their first three bouts, they’re on course to meet on Day 7 or 8 (for the record, they’ve met 3 times, with Enho taking the first and Asanoyama the next two).
Other Yusho Contenders
We will have three Makushita 60 tsukedashi debutants, the most since 1999. They are Uruyama, Hanaoka, and Gyotoku, but don’t look for them on sumodb—they won’t show up on the banzuke until they mount the dohyo. We also have our two successful Ms60TD March debutants from Fujishima beya, Ms28e Goshima and Ms39w Fukuzaki. Another former sekitori, Ms16e Kawazoe, just missed out on a spot in the extended promotion zone. Asanoyama might have to go through him before he can meet Enho. And then there are promising division newcomers Ms45e Ikarigata (Wakaikari’s little bro) and Ms46e Goseizan.
Let’s see which of these rikishi feature in our 32-wrestler 2-0 yusho bracket after the first two rounds of bouts are completed. Who are you looking forward to following? Did I miss any of your favorites? Let me know in the comments.
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I am probably alone on this but I am not looking forward to an Enho/Asanoyama bout. I think Asanoyama will have the yusho and Enho just wants to make sekitori to get his kabu eligibility. Asanoyama will have a higher goal. Not Ozeki, I’m afraid but still quite a bit higher than Enhos.
No doubt Asanoyama would be heavily favored, but it’s still an intriguing matchup, should it come to pass.
Saturofuji, who after a 30-3 start in Sumo faltered already twice with attacks to Juryo (3-4 as Ms3, 2-5 as Ms1) is back at Ms7 and still only 20 years old. Maybe the third time will be the charm?
Bushozan and Shimazuumi fought in Makuuchi not so long ago and are now in danger of falling out of Makushita. I hope they are no longer injured.
Hokutomaru from Hakkaku at Ms10 with Enho. I met him last year and found him pleasant and with excellent knowledge of English language. I hope he will do well, Hakkaku stable does need some good news.
My eyes are still on Ishizaki! Although he seems to be the nervous type, he sure will collect enough wins to make his way. Good luck!
Asanoyama-Enho is what I wanted to happen and I‘m all for it! I prefer these ex-sekitori fighting each other more than having them set to destroy chances of young wrestlers who are labouring at their climb-up. It bites me when I see Akua producing three matta in an row on an innocent guy who‘s simply just on the road to success.
I’d say Ishizaki is pretty much a lock to make it with a 6-1, very likely with a 5-2, and iffy with a 4-3 (but that would put him in a good position for July)
I hope very much that Andy is well and will soon start commenting Natsu.
I believe he mentioned family commitments that have him kyujo for the first day or two.
Joining in and wishing all the best!