In 1958, then yokozuna Wakanohana, uncle of the Wakanohana and Takanohana brothers of the 90s won the first July tournament in the modern era with a 13-2 record.

Almost half a century later, in Nagoya 2005, current yokozuna Asashoryu, mirrored the 13-2 on his way to claiming all six yusho in that calendar year. Having won the last two Nagoya tournaments, and eight of the last ten basho overall, it would normally be a brave man willing to bet against him taking the Nagoya yusho in 2006.

I say 'normally' for the Asashoryu you will see in Nagoya this year is not the same Asashoryu we saw last.