The Haru Basho gets under way in Osaka today, with ozeki Tochiazuma and Chiyotaikai aiming for yokozuna promotion, while sekiwake Kotomitsuki sets his sights on ozeki.
If Tochiazuma, the winner of the January tournament in Tokyo, and Chiyotaikai both fare exceptionally well, it is conceivable that the Sumo Association could decide to promote both men simultaneously. There have been three joint promotions in the last century: Kitanofuji and Tamanoumi in 1970, Akinoumi and Terukuni in 1942, and Hitachiyama and Umegatani II in 1903.
Further, Kotomitsuki has a strong chance to gain promotion to ozeki. Undoubtedly, these potential promotions will add interest to the Osaka Basho and help compensate for the absence of yokozuna Takanohana and the likely mediocre performance of the other yokozuna, Musashimaru.