Re: yusho + runner-up = yokozuna

[Masumi Abe <abe@accesscom.com>]

As many said, the Japanese words "yusho ni junzuru seiseki" used to be
interpreted as "a runner-up", but recently it has been interpreted as
"two consecutive yusho or equivalent records". 

Again the issue is how to interpret this wording. 

In Takanonami's case, the yusho in last basho was legitimate one, even
though Akebono was not active. So, he is in yokozuna hunt in
Hatsu-basho.

In my personal guessing, if he does not get yusho, the only ways he
could be promoted will be either losing to the yusho winner in
championship match with the same win-loss record, or going 14-1 when the
yusho winner is 15-0.

If the winner is 14-1 and Takanonami is 13-2, it is very difficult for
me to see him getting promoted to Yokozuna rank. The reasons of this
difficulty are his sumo style and Futagoyama effect.

Even if he is 13-2 runner-up to 14-1 yusho winner, Sumo Kyokai may
recommend him to be considered yokozuna promotion to Yokozuna Shingi
Iinkai. But if that is the case, I think Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai will say
that it is too early to promote him to yokozuna. Just like the time
Takanohana needed to wait for one more basho after he won zensho yuzho
(15-0).

-Toshiyori Masumiriki

Dale Carlson wrote:
> 
> Thanks, Bob. That answers the question I
> almost asked- What's changed? :)
> 
> At 07:42 AM 12/9/97 -0500, Brown, Robert LTC wrote:
> >Since the flap concerning Konishiki's non-promotion after 2 wins in 3
> >basho, the Sumo committee has had to stick closer to the guideline of 2
> >consecutive yusho and less toward "a record of comparable worth."

-- 
<abe@accesscom.com> Masumi Abe <abe@sentius.com>
San Francisco Bay Area / Silicon Valley / Palo Alto
URL: http://www.accesscom.com/~abe/ --- under construction
JUSTIN URL: http://www.dosanko.co.jp/spoton/abe/index.html