Hatsu Basho Banzuke

[Totoro <riley@hachi.hi-tech.ac.jp>]

Here's the latest and greatest. In the parenthesis are the rank and
record from the prior basho. Great to see Asahiyutaka up in the
Sanyaku club (first time for him) and the return of Kotonowaka, who
departed from the bachelor ranks last week as he married the daughter
of his oyakata. Musoyama is an Ozeki candidate now, so everyone will
be watching his every move. I haven't heard anything about Akebono;
how about you? Let us know if you see something. If he passes up
this basho, I'm sure he'll have to retire. If he fights, I would
doubt that he could get better than 9-6, due to lack of dohyo time
for the last several months. Hopefully he can get going on a new
comeback and give Futagoyama some fits. Konishiki finds himself
on the launching pad out of Makuuchi if he doesn't get kachikoshi
this time. Tomonohana is now at Juryo 12W, following his injury
in Osaka. 

East:                                West:

Y  Takanohana    (Y, 14-1, Yusho)    Akebono      (Y, 0-0, Injury)
O  Wakanohana    (O, 12-3)           Takanonami   (O, 11-4)
O  Musashimaru   (O, 9-6)
S  Musoyama      (S, 12-3)           Kaio         (S, 9-6)
S  Kotonishiki   (S, 8-7)            Takatoriki   (S, 8-7)
K  Kotonowaka    (M4, 11-4)          Asahiyutaka  (M6, 9-6)

Maegashira Ranks:

1  Misugisato    (M4, 8-7)           Tosanoumi    (K, 6-9)
2  Akinoshima    (K, 6-9)            Minatofuji   (M9, 9-6)
3  Terao         (M11, 9-6)          Naminohana   (M1, 6-9)
4  Kitakachidoki (M12, 9-6)          Daishoho     (M10, 8-7)
5  Asanosho      (M11, 8-7)          Kenko        (M1, 5-10)
6  Tamakasuga    (M5, 7-8)           Kotoinazuma  (M13, 9-6)
7  Kotobeppu     (M12, 8-7)          Aogiyama     (M2, 4-11)
8  Ganyu         (M15, 9-6)          Hamanoshima  (M13, 8-7)
9  Higonoumi     (M3, 4-11)          Mainoumi     (M6, 6-9)
10 Mitoizumi     (M8, 7-8)           Kasugafuji   (M14, 8-7)
11 Daishi        (M7, 6-9)           Oginohana    (M2, 3-12)
12 Asanowaka     (M5, 4-11)          Tochinowaka  (M8, 6-9)
13 Oginishiki    (M3, 2-13)          Kyokudozan   (M7, 5-10)
14 Konishiki     (M9, 6-9)           Wakashoyo    (M10, 6-9)
15 Shikishima    (J1, 10-5)

Nokotta Nokotta!!

Totoro

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David Riley
Hachinohe Institute of Technology
88-1, Myo, Ohbiraki
Hachinohe-shi  031
Japan
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