Ozeki review (was Re: [sumo] New Banzuke)

[Kuramarujo]

On Mon, 2007-02-26 at 11:19 -0500, Tetsuonoumi wrote:

> It's interesting, when you step back and think about it, how 
> Chiyotaikai is the highest ranked ozeki.  In some ways, he gets the 
> least respect of the "Group of Five".

	Wow.  This is a very good analysis of the 5-O (as opposed to Hawaii
50).  And in a effort to further postpone doing anything productive
today, I will add my own comments to yours.

>          - Hakuho - supposed to be the rising star, but you 
> definitely feel like he has hit the "Asashoryu Wall" and seems less 
> likely to break through then one might have conjectured a year ago.

	There's still a possibility, though.  It's not uncommon for a Rikishi
to plateau for a while and then start progressing again.  I can't
remember who it was but some fairly recent Yokozuna did this.

>          - Kotooshu - so talented, but seems unable to maintain 
> health for 2 straight bashos, plus seems to be of questionable mental 
> toughness.

	I like Oosh but I have to agree that I don't think his head is on
straight.  Even without injuries I don't see him as being more than
Ozeki.

>          - Kaio - the closest thing to a shoulda-been yokozuna ever 
> (apologies to Kawika's Konishiki).  The window for this aging and 
> oft-injured ozeki has completely shut, in my opinion.  Just can't 
> imagine two straight yusho, even if lightning struck the yokozuna dead.

	I think you're dead-on with King Kaio.  You gotta love the guy for his
heart but even if he should somehow make Yokozuna I think his tenure
would be even shorter than Waka III.

>          - Tochiazuma - the mercurial one, he too fights on despite 
> injury and encroaching age.  I still hold out a glimmer of hope that 
> he could go on a tear for half a year, but I sure wouldn't bet on 
> it.  Of all the ozeki, he's the one who could take Asashoryu on Day 
> 15, I think.

	I don't quite see Zuma being consistent enough to really make that much
of an impact.  Hakuho is more likely to take Asa on day 15, I think.

>          - Chiyotaikai - until he can show he can beat Asashoryu, how 
> does he ever get to Yokozuna?  His inconsistency, plus a slapping 
> style that seems unreliable for 15 matches in a tournament.

	Doesn't Taikai kinda seem like the Sleepwalking Ozeki?  Sometimes?  He
always seems to do just enough to tread water.  I'm not knocking him,
though.  He's definitely much more solid than Dejima or Miyabiyama and I
think Oosh as well.

	And there you have the opinions and commentary from someone who talks a
lot but often doesn't say anything.

K-jo

-- 
Joe "Kuramarujo" Klemmer
http://www.webtrek.com/joe/sumo