Sekiwake Mitakeumi had a heck of a tournament, in part due to the absence of all the Yokozuna and one of the strong Ozeki. Mitakeumi has been in the Nihon Sumo Kyokai for a little more than 3 years coming right out of college into one of the Makushita slots reserved for college rikishi that do well. He is one of the Japanese hopefuls that will hopefully see a push to Ozeki next tournament. He is going to need another 13 or so wins next tournament for consideration for promotion to Ozeki. Here are a few Mitakeumi cards from the two 2018 BBM sets.
Maegasshira Yutakayama got the runner-up award with a fine record of 12 wins. Here is another Japanese hopeful that given some more time to season in the mid ranks, should be a strong contender for some of the top ranks. I was lucky enough to pick up this auto card in a box break I did a few months ago.
It is interesting to see how injury-related absences throw off results in combat sports. The same holds true in team sports, I guess, but maybe to a lesser degree. The games still go on as scheduled, but in the fighting/wrestling world, the match gets called off or rescheduled, and new contenders get a chance to rise up.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, people really enjoyed this tournament. Not-the-usual-suspect wrestler gets a chance at the championship. It'll be interesting to see how the injured wrestlers recover and compete next time. We are likely going to see a changing of the guard here soon.
DeleteIf Sekiwake Mitakeumi ends up moving up to Ozeki... how fast could he reach Yokozuna status? Does it typically take years? Decades? Or have people moved up quicker than that?
ReplyDeleteHe could make it in a few tournaments if he has two wins as an Ozeki. Or if he gets a win and a really strong runner-up finish. Some Ozeki languish for years before they promote. Others are born to be Yokozuna. Asashoryu was an Ozeki for only 3 tournaments. Kisenosato was an Ozeki for around 30 tournaments. Great question.
DeleteI should say two back-to-back wins as an Ozeki.
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