No mention of Takaketsune, but an unusual complaint about Toyoshoryu… The chairman of the Yokogi Committee was also dismayed by the “heels” who betrayed the expectations of sumo fans.

On November 27, the Yokozuna Judging Committee, an advisory body of the Japan Sumo Association, held its regular meeting at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, followed by a press conference by Masayuki Yamauchi, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo.

The most notable wrestler was Takaketsugi, who won the September tournament and would have been promoted to yokozuna for the first time in six years (since Rarezasato (Nisshonoseki)) if he had won two consecutive Kyushu tournaments, but he failed to do so with a record of 9 wins and 6 losses. As for ozeki Kirishima, who won the Kyushu Grand Tournament for the second time since his promotion to ozeki, he said, “If he wins in a respectable manner, he will be able to win again,

He said, “If he wins in a respectable manner, I will take it positively.

He did not mention any mention of Kikagatsu, however.

In his press conference after the September tournament, Yamauchi defended Takakaketsugu, who was booed extensively throughout Japan after he won the championship match against Atami Fuji with a change of stance. He admitted his favoritism, saying, “If someone says I’m being too preferential, that could be interpreted that way,” and then added, “The important thing is whether or not I take the cup as the winner’s cup.

What is important is whether or not you get the cup, and the effort you put in toward it. In that sense, he must have been quite disappointed. I think he couldn’t find any words to say.

Even more disappointing to Mr. Yamauchi was another ozeki, Toyoshoryu. The nephew of former yokozuna Asashoryu, Toyoshoryu has been touted as a “future yokozuna candidate” since his debut.

During their standoff, he made no move for more than a minute against Gonoyama, who had made a move first. Yamauchi was not amused by this,

It is truly unfortunate that a rikishi who has the potential to be promoted to yokozuna in the future was seen to have a demeanor that was, to say the least, unsightly or lacking in common sense during the stand-off and other confrontations. There were strong calls for guidance from the association’s top officials and from the stablemasters.

You mean Toyoshoryu?　Yes, that’s right. I have been watching sumo since I was a child, and to my recollection, I have never seen a stand-up fight like that.”

He condemned the situation in very strong terms.

Terunofuji, who had been the lone yokozuna since the retirement of Hakuho (Miyagino Oyakata) in ’21, boasting four championships as the lone yokozuna, has missed five tournaments this year, and is not expected to be active in the upcoming tournament. In such a situation, the two ozeki who were expected to be “the closest to yokozuna” both failed to make the grade, and the 2023 Reiwa Grand Sumo Tournament came to an unceremonious end.

What will happen next year? Manga artist Yaku Mitsuru, a former member of the Sumo Association’s external committee, offers the following analysis. First, let’s look at Takakakatsu,

Takakakatsu often speaks of ‘yokozuna,’ but he is only saying it to motivate himself, and no one in the world thinks that he will become yokozuna.

The Kyushu tournament revealed that he is not good enough to be a yokozuna in the first place. His neck is not in good condition, and he cannot wrestle the way he used to. He will probably win a few championships, but he will probably end up as an ozeki.

He was not impressed. What about Toyoshoryu?

He should be able to use his flexibility and spring to his advantage, but he is still a little dangerous because he is so focused on throwing. Injury is always a concern. Moreover, he has come here and seems to be in the same rut as his uncle (Asashoryu).” He is not a “heel” but rather a bad character trait. I could see that he is going to get out from under his master’s control sooner or later.

Somehow he is now obsessed with ‘standing in his own timing. This is clearly due to Hakuho’s influence. In any case, it is impossible for the current Takakagesatsu and Toyoshoryu to challenge for Yokozuna. Even as heels, I have to say that they are not strong enough.

He was very harsh. Who, then, will lead Reiwa in 2024?

The most promising is Kotonowaka. In terms of weight, stance, and technical dexterity, I think Koto-no-waka is better than Kirishima. I think he will be on his way to the top of the ropes by the second half of Reiwa 2024. If you watch sumo with that expectation in mind, I think you will get excited.

Another young hope, Atamihofuji, who competed for two consecutive championships, said, “I think he will win the first tournament in January next year.

At the first tournament in January next year, the top ranks will be ranked in the same order for the first time, and that will be the first time we will be able to see how good he is. At the Kyushu tournament against Kirishima, he revealed his lack of technical ability. I also found out that he is surprisingly nervous.

He is still young. But even though he has such long legs, he always leans forward and never seems to have his hips stretched out. That’s amazing. There is nothing but room for growth.

If these two can transform themselves, they might be able to overtake Takaketsune and Toyoshoryu and end the long-running “Sengoku” period. We look forward to their arrival at the tournament with such expectations.