[sumo] [SPOILER] Possible Intai?

[Jezz]

On 20/01/2008, Jeanne Hedge <jhedge at rcn.com> wrote:
> Whatever it is, I think this situation is another very good example
> of the bad things that have happened in the time since the kyujo rule
> was changed. From his quotes on the subject, he knew from the
> beginning that he stood very little chance of being competitive this
> time out. Were the old rules in place, I think he would have sat this
> one out. Under the current rules, he really had no choice but go out
> there and practically give away 8 wins. I don't think this sort of
> thing is what the guys in charge had in mind when they changed the rules.

If he were an ordinary Maegashira rikishi, I would agree.  But he is
not.  As an Ozeki, he has a one-basho 'grace' without losing his rank.
If, as you say, he knew from the beginning that an KK was unlikely
because of his injury, he should have sat this one out.   No matter if
he goes 7-8, 6-9, 5-10, 0-15 or 0-0-15, he would still be ranked as
Ozeki on the next banzuke, and he would still be kadoban.  Surely it
would be better not to risk further injury, and just sit this one out.
Or he could have competed for a couple of days, 'to test the waters',
and then withdrawn when it was clear that he was neither going to be
competitive, nor likely to get a KK.

However, if he were a lower-ranked rikishi (say Kakizoe - is he
injured?), then fighting every day hurt does make some sense, because
each win you might fluke cushions your fall down the banzuke a little.

Jejima