Kotonishiki's performance

[Ken IKEDA <keike@cc.nagano-nct.ac.jp>]

Gunnar,

I would like to defend myself regarding your statement that Kotonishiki "got
kachikoshi at east maegashira 1 and it would have been cruel and unusual
punishment not to promote him at all..."

I guess I meant that he got it "barely" simply because of his 8-7 record.  In
the past I've seen him do it (promotion to sanyaku) with flying colors.  But
his record may indicate that the competition these days is much better, and
maybe only a "Moose" can really lay claim to become an ozeki in the near
future.  Ok, I'll give it to him credit.

Furthermore, Kotonishiki's career winning percentage as a rikishi without
yokozuna or ozeki experience is remarkably high (don't quote me on it, it may
be as high as .575.)  Who else out there, if there is an all-time list, has
a higher winning average than him?  Does anyone know (I'm laying out new
names different from my earlier posting) how Tsurugamine (the former Izutsu
oyakata), Kirinji, or Fujizakura have fared?

Perhaps Kotonishiki will surprise us all and become a "late bloomer" ozeki 
like Kirishima (but he won't set any endurance records.  His style is very
much Hokutoumi's - bulldog tactics - so I predict he'll retire by 31.)

--Ken Ikeda (still searching for a shikona)