
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Oct 14, 2020
Once-fearsome ozeki rank no longer sport's 'great barrier'
by John Gunning
Wrestlers in sumo's second-highest rank have struggled to emulate the success of their peers in previous generations.
Once-fearsome ozeki rank no longer sport's 'great barrier'
Wrestlers in sumo's second-highest rank have struggled to emulate the success of their peers in previous generations.
Sumo fans have plenty to look forward to in coming weeks
There are many aspects of Japan’s national sport that should give hope for the future.
Shodai beat rookie Tobizaru on the final day of the Autumn tournament to clinch his first makuuchi division title with a 13-2 record.
Shodai (12-2) battered Asanoyama (10-4) with an opening shoulder blast, then spun the powerfully built ozeki sideways before pushing him down at the edge.
Sumo experiencing extreme period of parity in final stages of Hakuho's legendary reign
With four former ozeki and an incredible ten wrestlers with championship experience still active in the top division, sumo is the very definition of parity right now.
Takakeisho, Shodai part of four-way tie for lead at Autumn Basho
With four days remaining in the 15-day tournament, the two upper-ranked wrestlers are even with a pair of up-and-comers.
Ozeki Takakeisho one of six wrestlers tied for lead at Autumn Basho
After relinquishing the sole lead a day earlier, Takakeisho fended off shoves from No. 5 maegashira Kiribayama.
Takakeisho is tied at the top of the standings with rank-and-filers Kotoshoho and Tobizaru.
Surprise contender Onosho takes sole possession of lead at Autumn Basho
Ozeki Takakeisho and sekiwake Shodai headline a group of seven wrestlers trailing the unanticipated leader by a win at 4-1
Are ozeki Asanoyama's struggles all in his head?
Called out by former yokozuna Asashoryu after a poor start to the Autumn Basho, the highly anticipated ozeki needs to clear his mind in order to reach sumo's top level.
Six wrestlers lead the field with unbeaten records, while July champion Terunofuji earned his first win of the tournament over Asanoyama.
The 26-year-old ozeki was dealt a huge blow by a rank-and-filer on Day 2.