Re: Takanohana

[steveb@telco.com (Stephen Baker)]

> 
> Now INCLUDING the make-koshi, he is 106-29 over this period.  Only Akebono has
> a better record (110-25), and the next closest is Wakanohana with a 96-39
> record.
> 
> So, I don't think a promotion after this basho would be appropriate, but once
> he puts the make-koshi at least four basho's behind him, if he keeps it up like
> he has been and gets the 36+ wins "necessary" (he actually had 39 wins over
> three basho's last year), I think he would deserve it.
> 
> -yugo
> 
I've noticed that everyone keeps refering to "36 wins/3 previous basho"
as one of the benchmarks in determining what might constitute an
acceptable level of performance prior to promotion to the rank of
Yokozuna. And I'm sure that, historically speaking, statements like
that can be reasonably made and used as a guideline.

However, I have yet to hear any mention made of sumo's restrictions
concerning bouts with stablemates. Clearly, Takanohana and his
stablemates Wakanohana and Takanonami, enjoy a definite advantage in
any discussion that deals with wins in absolute terms.

For instance, although Akebono (as shown above) only has 4 more wins
than Takanohana over the same periond of time, in all liklihood Akebono
had as many as 18 (2X9bashos) more fights with san-yaku ranked rikishi.
I admit I'm only guessing here since I don't have any detailed
information (I even lost access to Japan Today last week through my
local cable channel, AAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!).

I guess my point pertaining to this discussion about Takanohana is
that, I don't think it unreasonable for one to expect him to win on the
order of 40 or more bouts in any three basho period prior to his
promotion to Yokozuna. And that any serious consideration of promoting
him at this time (ESPECIALLY with the make-koshi) is IMHO premature.

BTY, although I can't speak directly of the popularity of the current
'Ohana brothers, I was a big fan of their father (former Ozeki
Takanohana) and I do know that he was IMMENSELY popular back in the
early to mid 70's. And that there was similiar pressure back then to
promote him before his time.

-Steve-