[sumo] Hypothetical GOAT debate

[Jan de Veen]

Hakuho indeed had a significant advantage in his direct matches with 
Asashoryu towards the end of the latter's career.  He was simply 
physically stronger that Asashoryu. In the 7-basho period from January 
2009 through January 2010 (Asashoryu's last basho), Hakuho beat 
Asashoryu 7 of the 9 times they faced each other. Both of Asashoryu's 
wins were in a yusho playoff, he lost all "regular" bouts.

Not only that - by 2009 Hakuho was already dominating in the overall 
results as well.  In the period I mentioned above Hakuho won 3 yusho and 
4 jun-yusho, all but one with a record of 14-1 or better (14-1, 15-0, 
14-1, 14-1, 14-1, 15-0, 12-3). In that same period Asashoryu won 3 yusho 
and 1 jun-yusho but finished below the runner-up position in the 3 other 
basho (14-1, 11-4, 12-3, 10-5, 14-1, 11-4, 13-2)

Sadly, we'll never know how long Asashoryu would have lasted and how 
well he would have done, nor how it would have affected Hakuho's record. 
Asa was 29 when he was thrown out of Sumo. Hakuho turned 25 a month 
after Asashoryu's untimely exit and had just begun to  really dominate - 
he had his 63-bout unbeaten streak from Kyusho 2009 day 13 through 
Kyushu 2010 day 1. It stands to reason Asashoryu would probably have 
stopped Hakuho from winning at least a couple of yusho before retiring 
in a regular manner. How many would he have taken from the GOAT? I'd say 
anywhere between 2 and 6 or 7, but that's just a gut feeling.

Kind regards,

Chijanofuji

On 28-7-2021 at 02:29 R. Brown wrote:
>
> Hakuho had a significant head to head advantage against Asa and 
> probably would have maintained it.  He might have a few less basho, 
> but still at least 40.  My opinion: Asa's continued presence could 
> have delayed Haramafuji's and Kisenosato's promotions.
>
> Kodaiyama
>
> On Tue, Jul 27, 2021 at 8:10 PM Joe Klemmer <klemmerj at webtrek.com 
> <mailto:klemmerj at webtrek.com>> wrote:
>
>     (Oops!  Sent from wrong address)
>
>     Just to stir up trouble...
>
>     Do you think Hakuho would have the record he has if Asashoryu
>     could have kept his head together?  Hakuho made Yokozuna due to
>     Asashoryu being out two Basho.
>
>     K-jo, the trouble maker
>
>     /-- /
>
>


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