Haru Hoshitori Time!!

[Riley@hachi.hi-tech.ac.jp (Totoro)]

Hi there, sumo fans!  Time once more to crank out those brain cells to 
see if you can pick the 10 best rikishi in Osaka.

Below are the rules and explanations.

***Entries (one per person) due to me by March 11, the Saturday
before the beginning of the Haru Basho in Osaka.

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+                           Hoshitori Rules:                                +
+                           ----------------                                +
+                                                                           +
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1) Pick 10 makuuchi rikishi that you think will do well.  They must be
   in order, as the top guy gets 10 points for each win, the next man will
   get 9 points, and so on.  The winner is the one whose rikishi total
   the highest number of points at the end, including the extra bonus
   points listed in #5 below.  For the higher point levels, try to pick
   the rikishi who should get 10 or more wins, as they will boost your
   total the most, obviously.  Some of the Maegashira who really sucked
   in the prior basho and dropped way down will also be likely to get a
   decent record this time, are are often good picks.  For the point
   levels of around 1-4 points, you can take shots at rikishi who may be
   overdue for the occasional 10-11 win basho.  Be objective, and don't
   pick just the ones you like the most.

***For your convenience, a form is included at the end of the message.
***You can type your entries into it, cut and paste and it's done!

2) In the event of one rikishi leaving the basho, include a substitute
   sumotori.  The sub will assume the same point level for all torikumi
   on days when the injured/sick rikishi is not called by the yobidashi.
   The affected rikishi IS responsible for his loss by fusensho (forfeit),
   though, and the sub cannot replace him on that day.  If more than one
   rikishi pulls out, the substitute will count only for the first to exit.
   If a rikishi goes out and then returns, the sub's performance will
   still count for the days after fusensho and up until the return
   of the main rikishi.

3) As a tie-breaker, pick the winner of the Outstanding Performance
   Prize (Kanto-sho) for this basho.

4) Make up a shikona (sumo name) to use as your title.  Results will
   be posted by shikona as often as I can.

5) Extra points:

        a. Triple points for kin-boshi (Example:  if a rikishi should
           get 5 points, he would get 15 for beating Akebono)

        b. Double points for gin-boshi (beating an Ozeki)

        c. 10 points for any of the 3 Sansho prizes

  **NOTE**  This area is not quite in line with sumo realities, but
            hoshitori rules have Sekiwake and below eligible for
            kin/gin-boshi.   Just to clarify a bit...

6) Game fees:  15 Sumo bucks (I'm trying to get a new machine...)

7) Winner's (highest point total) prize:  As the weather is warming
   up, it seems like a good time to toss down sushi this round.  So,
   it's off to the mawaru-zushi restaurant.  You can sit and enjoy
   cold beers and pick your sushi as it slowly cruises past your eyes!
   You can finish up with icy sherbet frozen inside a pineapple.  Yum!
   

8) One entry per person, e-mailed to me by March 11 (Saturday).

9) Claiming your prizes:  You are welcome to your prize, but you gotta
   come to my house to get it.  I can pick you up at Hachinohe-eki,
   which is on the Tohoku-sen, about 75 minutes north from Morioka,
   which is the end of the Tohoku Shinkansen.  You can stay at my house
   since we have an extra room.  Hopefully the kids will let you sleep!

Any further questions, comments and nice things can be e-mailed to
me directly.  I'll post current standings from time to time through
the basho.  Good luck everyone!!

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                           HOSHITORI ENTRY!!

*****************************************************************************

My shikona:
           --------------------


Points:  |   Rikishi Name:
---------|-------------------------
10       |
---------|-------------------------
 9       |
---------|-------------------------
 8       |
---------|-------------------------
 7       |
---------|-------------------------
 6       |
---------|-------------------------
 5       |
---------|-------------------------
 4       |
---------|-------------------------
 3       |
---------|-------------------------
 2       |
---------|-------------------------
 1       | 
---------|-------------------------


Substitute Rikishi name:
                        -----------------------

Winner of Outstanding Performance Prize:
                                        -----------------------

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Sore ja...

David
riley@hachi.hi-tech.ac.jp
Hachinohe Institute of Technology