Last December, when looking ahead to 2018, I wrote that this would be the year when a new generation of sumo talent would rise to glory.

It's a prediction that came true for the most part, with three rikishi winning their first Emperor's Cup during the past 12 months.

While no one can accuse Tochinoshin of being a young gun, Mitakeumi and Takakeisho are certainly at the vanguard of the new wave.