[sumo] Re: (sumo) Yaocho Story

[Earle Jones]

On Feb 7, 2007, at 1:55 PM, Nashinokawa wrote:

> I remember all the discussions about 7-7 vs 8-6 last day bouts and  
> the fact that the 7-7 won more than would be statistically  
> expected.  I suspect that the majority of "yacho" if it occurs at  
> all may be due to rikishi "helping" each other out to not fall to  
> juryo if they are borderline at the end of a tournament.... This  
> seems to me much more likely that Asashoryu buying his victories
>
> nashikawa

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I would agree with Nashikawa-san.

According to Levitt in "Freakonomics", the big non-linearity occurs  
at the break between finishing a basho at 7-8 or 8-7 -- kachikoshi vs  
makekoshi.

This is where the pressure would fall.  A rikishi on day 15 who  
stands 7-7 has the most to win or lose.

What's the difference whether Asashoryu finishes 13-2 or 14-1 or even  
15-0?

Yosakoiboi

(earle)
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