Thought the same about Kaisei but he actually carved out a nice long career for himself, topping out at sekiwake, which is no mean feat.
I’ve also heard the same about the raised dohyo and also don’t believe it. I would say that most of falls result in no extra injury, but every now and then a bad fall occurs and results in a serious injury. I think there was a rikishi who fell, broke their neck, and later died a couple years ago. Probably doesn’t happen if the dohyo wasn’t raised.
I didn’t think Kaisei was a big enough deal to be able to get a coaching position, plus I wondered if the JSA would disapprove of a Brazilian running a stable. Pleasantly surprised to see otherwise.
I have seen people on reddit argue back and forth about whether the raised dohyo increases chances of injury, I don’t know enough to really have a strong opinion. It’s maybe a moot point because the JSA is about as likely to lower it as the NFL is to remove tackling from football.
Strictly based on his longevity and rank achieved, he has qualified to become an oyakata and remain in sumo, and I believe he owns a kabu that will enable him to open his own stable if he chooses to.
There are already foreign rikishi who own their own stables or soon will (a couple Mongolians, notably Hakuho, and before them Bulgarian ex-Ozeki Kotooshu and former Yokuzuna Hawaiian Musashimaru).
There are also Japanese stable owners who never made sanyaku like Kaisei did. So all things considered, there’s plenty of precedent for him to become a coach or even stable owner in his sumo afterlife.
Ura is elite
here;s the match for anyone who missed it
Does the JSA ever tell wrestlers to ease up on the slapping? Takakeisho on day 4 seemed a bit over the top.
It’s within the rules so what can they do?
It was frowned upon when Hakuho did it because harite slapping is considered by the sumo elite and many fans alike to be beneath the dignity of a Yokozuna.
Rumor has it that Takakeisho has a grudge against Kotonowaka, because he was more vicious against him than normal last basho too.
But until they change the rules, slap away.
Ozeki Ura is something I could definitely get on board with.
This basho has devolved to the point that the most likely scenario is now a second yusho by 37-year-old Tamawashi.
I’m only caught up to day 8 so far, I love how unpredictable the post-Hakuho era is.
The winner will be either Tamawashi (to become the oldest winner ever) or Takayasu (long overdue), and I don’t hate either outcome.
Goddamn, Takayasu has been in the top division as long as I’ve been watching sumo (about three years?). Don’t mind either of these dudes winning the cup. Ura deserves the technique prize and the fighting spirit prize. How does he manage to push Teru out of the ring head-on even with Teru’s busted knee?
Takayasu has been in the top division for 11 years. Tamawashi for 13.
Tuna.
Honestly can’t tell if serious or no.
Serious as a dead sea chicken.
Japanese is a profoundly stupid language in a lot of ways.
Probably came from here though:
