An oft-repeated question these days, and one not necessarily confined to sports media, is whether 29-year-old wrestler Kisenosato will make it to sumo's highest rank. Or is he destined to remain a perennial bridesmaid?
Clearly at the peak of his career, the ozeki (champion) and Ibaraki Prefecture native finished the previous tournament in March in Osaka as runner-up, with a strong 13-2 record. A tournament victory would have guaranteed his promotion to yokozuna (grand champion).
It matters to many fans, because sumo, the quintessential Japanese sport, hasn't had a native-born grand champion since Takanohana retired in 2003. The last five to be promoted to the top rank — one born in American Samoa; all others, Mongolia — were Musashimaru (promoted in 1999), Asashoryu (2003), Hakuho (2007), Harumafuji (2012), and Kakuryu (2014). The latter three are still active.