Once again, I need to give a huge “Thank you” to Herouth for the kensho data she has been sharing on Twitter. I have published a few visualizations that I hope you will enjoy. In November, with three Ozeki competing for almost the entire tournament, there were more envelopes up for grabs (a 20% bump). There were also fewer opportunities lost due to kyujo, since Takakeisho’s kyujo was the only one during the tournament. Almost all makuuchi bouts had kensho on senshuraku and there was a 33% payout increase over November’s final day…though the thrilling Takakeisho/Terunofuji playoff was certainly more exciting.

To prevent the visualization from loading for EVERYONE who visits, click through to read more and to see the visualization or click this link to go directly to the visualization. I apologize for the scrunched view, so I would advise scrolling to the bottom-right side of the visualization and clicking on the “Full Screen” icon.

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Sadly, the worrying news reel goes on. The sumo association released a statement that an unnamed rikishi has tested Covid positive. Fortunately, the wrestler does not have symptoms. We wish him a smooth recovery.

The rikishi belongs to the lower ranks. Few details have been released: he was last at the stable four days prior, and his stable mates are not considered close contacts.

 

The sumo association just released a list of newly retired rikishi. Always a sad list to watch.

＜引退力士＞
本日発表した引退力士は次の通りです→https://t.co/2GPvN9Gn1x#相撲 #一月場所

— 日本相撲協会公式 (@sumokyokai) January 27, 2021

Are concerned:

• In sandanme: Sd8e Tsukuyusa (from Otake), Sd21w Kotohayato (Sadogatake), Sd31w Joyuriki (Yamahibiki), Sd33e Munakata (Fujishima), Sd60w Kijuin (Kise), Sd68e Miryuzan (Otake)
• In jonidan: Jd18w Seito (Fujishima), Jd20e Kotokantetsu (Sadogatake), Jd33e Takamiryu (Azumazeki), Jd38w Kotoomura (Sadogatake), Jd46eTochisato (Kasugano), Jd59e Goshinryu (Shihikide), Jd68e Hokutoryu (Tamanoi) and Jd85w Shori (Tatsunami).

So, Sadogatake beya suffers the most from that wave, with three rikishi having departed.

Some concerned rikishi are retiring at quite a young age. Usually, rikishi retire due to age, injury, or lesser known personal reasons. Another potential issue this time is Covid fears: Kotokantestu’s case was made public right at the beginning of last basho:

Kotokantetsu, Jonidan rikishi from Sadogatake, is quitting. Reason: he was worried about going to Ryogoku to fight in the middle of COVID and asked to go Kyujo. The NSK said no, there is no such thing as kyujo due to fear of COVID. Either you show up or quit. So he quit. https://t.co/CvZPGxpj7e

— ヘルット (@SumoFollower) January 9, 2021

Among the others, Miryuzan is just 19 and already decided to abort his young career. He actually won his last ever two bouts. Here’s the very last one:

https://twitter.com/maruchandosukoi/status/1352836245299187712

The now former Kise beya resident, Kijuin, has retired at the venerable age of 35. He actually came close to becoming a sekitori, narrowly missing a kashi koshi ranked makushita 2, in September 2015.

We wish all these people a great new career!