[sumo] [Spoiler] Things are happening

[Barbara]

   Ok, it does not take an especially long term of sumo fandom to see
that at least 2 things are happening which are not as expected. First,
Kotooushuu has won FIVE days in a row.  He is undefeated and of course,
therefore tied for the lead.  In his bouts, he looks sober and
chastened.  Someone has been giving him a talking-to, I imagine -
though, being kadoban (on probation at ozeki rank due to poor
performance) he likely has been soliciting advice.  It isn't hard to
imagine what that advice would be: "No Henkas.  No sideways movement.
Use your superior arm length.  Keep your knees bent at all times and do
not allow yourself to rise up when hit." All of these based on his bad
habits stubbornly retained up to this point. This young man seems to
finally be listening to whatever advice he's been getting.  I'm sorry
that he had to suffer such difficult disappointments up to this point,
but he's got to learn his lessons somehow.
   Who else?  Baruto of course.  He is at M1, and uninjured.  Here is
his chance to move up to the Sanyaku (the named ranks).  The giant
Estonian, whose strength is so overwhelming that he has been referred to
as "the monster", would seem to be perfectly placed to shuffle up a rank
or two with a 8-7 or 9-6 record, but he is WINLESS.  Why?  Well, it
looks like his opponents have watched him enough and figured out that
his attack is a fairly simple matter.  He will clearly be desperate to
get a grip, and that moment of desperation is a moment of opportunity
for his opponents. So if he does get a grip, it may be too late or
possibly at the cost of allowing the opponent an even better grip.
"Strong but slow and predictable" may be good enough to reach Makunouchi
but once there, the game changes.  The more losses, the more desperate,
the more vulnerable. A downward spiral he seems helpless to halt.
   And tonight, these two meet.  I can't wait to see what happens.

Barbara Murasakihana