[sumo] Kyujo rules

[Marc Auslander]

(Caveat - I may be complete confused about the rules - if so please
correct me gently).

To reopen an old discussion.  It seems clear to me that forcing the
Rikishi to fight every other month continuously even when injured is
damaging to Sumo.

As I understand it, the elimination of the Kyujo reprieve was in
response to Rikishi who would become injured when in danger of
makekoshi.

IMHO, this should be modified to allow a Rikishi to go Kyujo before
the basho without loss of rank.  This eliminates the gaming the system
problem and allows a period of healing after an injury.  An Ozeki
could then choose to skip two basho and go kadoban - giving him half a
year to recover.  A limit of the number of exempt kyujo to one a year
might be a good idea to prevent older rikishi from just fighting every
other time.

I suspect if this rule were in force, Tochiazuma would be getting
better instead of maybe ending his career this week.

Anyone know if this has been discussed?
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