(SPOILER) Re: [sumo] Day 6 spoiled!

[Lon Howard]

On Jul 14, 2007, at 5:56 PM, Jezz wrote:

> On 15/07/07, Lon Howard <itsulon at wavecable.com> wrote:
>>
>> On Jul 14, 2007, at 3:21 AM, Joshua Maciel wrote:
>> In the four basho before his injury, he was nominated for henka 6
>> times, but only one of those received a majority yes vote,
>>
>> In the following eight basho (not including the current one), he was
>> nominated 14 times, only a slightly higher ratio than before, but the
>> big difference is that 9 of those 14 were voted as henka.
>
> Very interesting.  Without looking at all of the bouts concerned,
> there may be another factor.  We (sumo fans) like to give the benefit
> of the doubt to a popular up-and-coming rikishi, but have higher
> expectations (and therefore are more critical) of rikishi who have
> reached the top, ie become an Ozeki.

I wouldn't discount this as being a factor, but the numbers are kind  
of overwhelming.  Also, some other major henka guys like Kyokushuzan,  
Jumonji and Roho all have henka to nomination rates of over 70%,  
without big-time expectations.  For me, the most telling thing about  
the Osh numbers is that he's won all matches where he received a  
nomination - till this basho.  So he's become accustomed to winning  
this way, and it's now too irresistible for him.

LH