Behind The Curtain - January 2016

The first basho of 2016 is a special event for a pair of rikishi, stepping out in front of the curtain for the first time in their careers.  While another pair of rikishi make at return visit to the paid ranks.  Shogatsu basho is always special, with some women coming to Kokugikan wearing traditional kimonos.  It is a wonderful basho to bring in the New Year!

Tsurugisho, formerly known as Abiko, notched a very nice 5-2 record in the Fukaoka basho, from the top of Makushita, Ms1e.  He is a rikishi from Oitekaze beya  Tsurugisho performed his mae sumo at the same basho two years ago.  It must be nice coming back here the 3rd time as a sekitori.

Chiyoshoma did outstanding last basho, recording a 6-1 result from Ms3w.  He hails from the Kokonoe beya, which will give him an edge, since there are several Kokonoe rikishi in Juryo, who he will not have to face.  He is a native of Mongolia who started sumo over 5 years, finally reaching the paid ranks.

Dewahayate squeezed by with a 4-3 record sitting at Ms4e.  As the first kanji in his shikona poitns out, he is from Dewanoumi beya.  Dewahayate’s hometown is town of Okazaki, in Aichi prefecture.  He is another long time rikishi, and making his 3rd visit to Juryo in the last 2 years.  

Some of the sumo pundits have commented that Shotenro should have been promoted instead of Dewahayate.  Shotenro posted 6-1 at Ms6w.  You could factor in the win by Shotenro against Juryo rikishi is worth more that a win in the Makushita division.  One does not know exactly what was doing through the mind of the Japan Sumo Association’s mind, when awarding the promotions from Makushita.

Chiyonokuni posted a respectable 5-2 score from Ms4w at the Fukaoka basho.  He is yet another rikishi from Kokonoe beya.  During the match-fixing scandal in 2011, he got a helpful bump up to the paid ranks.  He did great there, working his way all the way to Makuuchi for Shogatsu basho 2014.  Later, in 2014, he started slipping down the banzuke, till falling behind the curtain after the Aki basho in 2014.  This basho is his returned to the paid ranks, after falling as far as Sandanme.

For the record, Shiba Ms31w defeated Ura Ms54w in a Makushita yusho playoff.  Unfortunately neither rikishi was ranked Ms15 or above, otherwise, they would have been given automatic promotion to Juryo. 

Behind the Curtain - September 2015

For our Aki basho in Tokyo this September, it has been reported by Nikkansports website that there will 4 promotions to Juryo division.  The first rikishi will be a first timer in front of the curtain, whereas the remaining 3 rikishi will be returnees to the paid ranks.

Juryo debut: 

ms1e Shodai

This is a man that has really earned the right to debut at Juryo.  His journey started at Maezumo last year at Osaka, 2-1, then it was only winning records every tourney.  At the Natsu basho is scored 7-0 for the Jonokuchi Yusho.  At the Shogatsu basho again he posted 7-0, winning the Makushita Yusho, although automatically promoted to Juryo, since he was too far down on the banzuke at Makushita 37 West.  In July, he easily punch his ticket for in front of the curtain, with a 5-2 record from Makushita 1 East.

Returnees:

ms2e Daishomaru

Here’s an individual with a superior record in the amateur / college ranks, he was given the privilege of starting way up on the banzuke, at Makushita 15 TD.  A perfect record from this point, would have launch him directly in front of the curtain.  That feat is very rare.  Instead he took 7 basho to be promoted to Juryo 12 west.  He was only capable of a 6-9 outcome, falling behind the curtain again.  This tournament is make a clear statement, a perfect 7-0 records for the Makushita Yusho, and an automatic promotion to Juryo.

ms3w Kizenryu

He has had 3 losing visited to the paid ranks, his debut at the Natsu 2013 basho (4-11), his return for Nagayo 2014 (4-11) and Osaka 2015 (6-9).  The 3 brief stops behind the curtain, once a year.  This basho, notching a respectable 4-3, he breaks that run, since this will his 2nd time in 2015 to make the paid ranks.  Him making this a longer stay is not certain, though is height and weight (194 cm & 149.3 kg) state he has the “volume” to be a sekitori.

ms4e Kyokutaisei 5-2

His last tourney in Juryo was at Nagoya 2014, having to fight for 5 basho behind the curtain to finally regain his silk mawashi for the Aki basho this September.  His first Juryo debut was the Natsu basho 2014.  This visited to the paid ranks should last longer than 2 basho, as long as he can stay healthy.  He will be wearing silk mawashi in the Aki basho, due to his 5-2 record at Nagayo in July.