Aki Basho Banzuke

[poza@gol.com (Tito Poza and Shari Custer-Poza)]

1995 Aki Basho Banzuke:

          E                       W

     Takanohana    Yokozuna    Akebono
    Musashimaru     Ozeki      Wakanohana
     Takanonami   Aux. Ozeki   --------
       Musoyama    Sekiwake    Kaio
     Kotonowaka    Komusubi    Kenko
       --------  Aux. Komusubi Kotonishiki
     Takatoriki  Maegashira 1  Kotoinazuma
     Minatofuji       M2       Hamanoshima
      Higonoumi       M3       Asanowaka
      Wakashoyo       M4       Misugisato
      Konishiki       M5       Kirishima
     Oginishiki       M6       Kotobeppu
    Asahiyutaka       M7       Akinoshima
      Tosanoumi       M8       Tochinowaka
      Mitoizumi       M9       Terao
         Daishi       M10      Daishoho
     Naminohana       M11      Mainoumi
  Kitakachidoki       M12      Takamisugi
       Asanosho       M13      Kasugafuji
     Kyokudozan       M14      Kiraiho
    Tokitsunada       M15      Tomonohana

Juryo:

       Aogiyama       J1       Shikishima
         Daizen       J2       Kushimaumi
     Tamakasuga       J3       Kotogaume
     Daishoyama       J4       Oginohana
     Wakahayato       J5       Toyonoumi
      Kanechika       J6       Kyokushuzan
          Rikio       J7       Ganyu
      Asahizato       J8       Kotoryu
       Daihisho       J9       Kotofuji
          Ryudo       J10      Kyokugozan
       Gokenzan       J11      Gojoro
    Chiyotaikai       J12      Hitachiryu
          Daiki       J13      Wakanojo (formerly Aka)

Makushita 1-10:

     Wakanoyama     Mak. 1     Mutetsuyama
         Dairyu     Mak. 2     Sentoryu
    Mutsuhokkai     Mak. 3     Takanonada
       Sunahama     Mak. 4     Yamato
     Kitazakura     Mak. 5     Kotokanyu
     Kusunosato     Mak. 6     ??????
          Nampu     Mak. 7     Akinoshu
       Wakakaze     Mak. 8     Hoshitango
       Daitengo     Mak. 9     Kotoarashi
    Kirinishiki     Mak. 10    Shigenoumi

Sorry, can't make out the kanji for Mak. 6W, but whoever he is, he was Mak.
20E last time, had a 6-1 score, and is 19 years old and from Nakamura Beya.
We'll find out when SW comes out, but judging from his age, I suspect
we'll be seeing him in Juryo pretty soon.

The sports paper from which I got this information had a small article on
Tomonohana, noting how he rose from M16 to M15 even though he was out of
action last time.  This is technically true, though of no real importance,
since overall he's still 40th (and last)-ranked in Makunouchi, just like he
was last time.

Another article speculates on Musoyama's chances for ozeki promotion (they
have to have _something_ to write about); the main thrust of the article
seemed to be that he'd have to win the yusho to do it.  The article quoted
Sadogatake Oyakata, who seemed to be "setting the bar" for Moose.  The
paper pointed out that Moose's last two basho records have been 11-4 and
10-5, a good setup for ozeki promotion, but the oyakata seemed to be noting
that the 11-4 doesn't really count, since it was achieved at a rank of M4,
and most ozeki-run scores are considered if the rikishi was at sanyaku
rank.  While this is technically true, I think it's bullshit, because in
that basho at M4 Musoyama played against the same quality of opposition he
would've if he was sekiwake, and against a better quality of opposition
than anybody in Futagoyama Beya.  I think, though, that they publicly set
the bar a little higher than what they'll really allow when it comes down
to it; I'd guess that if he wins 13 and knocks off a yokozuna or two,
they'll promote him even if he doesn't win the yusho.  If he wins 12, they
probably won't promote him, even though they should.

---Tito