So the Aki basho has started as of today! I can honestly say that for me there has been very little buildup, though this is in no way the fault of sumo. Since I will be traveling soon, it has just been a busy few weeks littered with planning, packing, and a few heavy hangovers.
Anyways, with all the business going on, I warmly welcome sumo's familiar face back into my life beginning today. Obviously the biggest thing to note for this tournament is Hakuho's amazing win streak. If he continues winning through this tournament, he will smash Chiyonofuji's second place streak and be poised to conquer Futabayama's seemingly insurmountable 69 bout winning record in Kyushu (where I will be watching!).
Aside from Hakuho's amazing run, the other unique thing about this basho is how many juryo mainstay rikishi have made their way up to makuuchi due to the large falls down the banzuke of the baseball gamblers. Some big names who have dropped include former ozeki Miyabiyama, as well as young Japanese rikishi Goeido and Toyonoshima. While this should make for some big numbers and competition in the juryo ranks amongst these makuuchi mainstays, it has created a bizarre makuuchi banzuke. The plus of all this is veteran Tosanoumi's return to the top division at an impressive 38 years old. Let's hope he can still keep up with those around him, as most are his fellow juryo rikishi anyways. The guy is so damn likeable that it is impossible not to cheer for him.
Anyways, hope you all enjoy the Aki basho. Sadly, I'll be missing out on much of the action due to my travel plans, but I'll be back for the end for sure!
Cheers!
