re: Musoyama and Kaio

[Ken Ikeda <keike@ge.nagano-nct.ac.jp>]

Totoro writes that Muso "needs 12 wins to make ozeki, and Kaio would need a big 13!"

I agree!  In fact I have my doubts about Kaio becoming an ozeki, despite his long 
string of being sekiwake.  To his credit he has kept his rank longer than Sakahoko, 
but only recently did he post a record (11-4) that indicated he might be a contender 
for higher rank.  But a 12-3 record is a milestone that few rikishi ever attain, and 
only the present ozeki and yokozuna have accomplished this more than once.  The only 
ones active I know who have posted 12-3 records and not made it to ozeki have been:  
Musoyama, Kotonishiki, Tochinowaka, Akinoshima, and Kushimaumi (I forget if 
Takatoriki belongs here.)  

In short, I wouldn't consider a legitimate ozeki candidate a rikishi who posted three 
11-4 consecutive records at sanyaku (unless he had beaten the champion who won with a 
12-3 record.)  Musoyama needs another 12-3 record to be promoted after this basho.  
IMHO, Kaio would only qualify for ozeki after this basho only if he finished as 
runner-up (like 13-2) and beat at least 1 yokozuna and 2 ozeki.  Otherwise, we'll be 
talking about him again in September.

Ken Ikeda