Re: [some spoilers] Random thoughts

["Rowan Klein" <rowanchan@hotmail.com>]

From: John McTague <tableslam17@yahoo.com>
> - Could the Kyokai make a new Takanohana rule for
> Yokozuna demotion to ozeki? Too late? Oh, well.

Interesting that you should bring up this topic. I've been looking at the 
Japan Times (Nippon Times) in early 1950 and there was talk about demoting 
yokozuna when all three yokozuna (Haguroyama, Azumafuji and Terukuni pulled 
out mid basho).

I'm sure this has been discussed some time in the past, but I don't remember 
anything along these lines. It obviously didn't happen, but have only been 
through jan and feb 1950. The reporting of the facts is a little different 
regarding the history of yokozuna and that there had been one demotion some 
many years earlier.


Nippon Times, Saturday 21st January 1950

Sumo System Under Fire

   The present Grand Champion system governing sumo wrestling was placed 
under fire at an unofficial meeting of officers, excluding the managers, of 
the sumo association.
   Members agreed that the Grand Champion should be treated just as those 
in the Champion rank who lose their position if they withdraw or show a 
losing percentage in two consecutive tournaments.
   The matter has been taken to the managers who will moot the issue after 
the end of the current spring tourney.
   Under the present system, a wrestler once attaining the coveted Grand 
Championship cannot be demoted.
   Meanwhile, Champion Chiyonoyama continued to show his class by 
maintaining his unbeaten record.

Nippon Times, Sunday 22nd January 1950

To Change Sumo System

   Officers of the Sumo Association moved rapidly to carry out a 
revolutionary change in the Grand Champion system which has been in force 
since the feudal days of the Shogunate.
   Under the new system which will be enforced from the summer tournament 
in May, Grand Champions making a poor
showing or absenting themselves will be subject to demotion. Hitherto, 
wrestlers attaining the coveted rank of Grand Champion could not be dropped 
to a lower rank irrespective of his record.
   The historical decision came as a result of protests from fans and from 
the younger officers in the Sumo Association arising from the withdrawal of 
all three Grand Champions from the current spring tournament.
   Meanwhile, Champion Chiyonoyama suffered his first defeat on the seventh 
day of the current 15 day tournament.


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