Of the 700 men active in professional sumo less than 10 percent are foreign-born. Of the six divisions in which they compete, only one went the way of a Japanese rikishi at this year's Autumn Basho. The remaining five divisions were dominated by men from afar.
Foreign dominance at the very top — in the makunouchi division — was again an overwhelming factor in who eventually claimed the Emperor's Cup and, as was predicted here prior to the basho, the naturalized Japanese (Mongolian-born) maegashira Kyokutenho (12-3) of Oshima Beya pushed fellow Mongolian, yokozuna Hakuho (13-2), all the way with his Day 15 win over Tamakasuga in the early bouts of the final afternoon. Hakuho was left needing a win over ozeki Chiyotaikai to avoid a head-to-head play-off and was obliged to pick up his fourth top-flight championship to date, a victory that in terms of potential and proven ability already puts him ahead of fellow yokozuna Asashoryu at similar times in their respective makunouchi careers.
Just off the pace, young Goeido of Sakaigawa Beya impressed many in his first-ever top division basho and was in the running for the title up until the last few days. While he will have a tough time repeating his 11-4 record in November, he can at least revel in the moment and receiving a Fighting Spirit prize for his efforts.