20 November 2021 - Kyushu day 7

We are at day 7 of the Kyushu Basho already. I have had a bit of a 
strange response to this one. I have not been feeling it but it is not 
for the quality of the sumo. This is the first basho since Hakuho 
retired. He is still there but as security. By day 6, we have 3 
rikishi who are undefeated. Takakeisho and Terunofuji are expected. 
The third is Abi, on his first return to Makuuchi since his 
punishment. Well this was until he met Hokutofuji today. Hokutofuji 
managed to win with seeming ease. Takayasu has been changing things up 
with some very long bouts. He seems to hope to tire out the opponent 
constantly. There have been some interesting changes of tactics with 
various rikishi as a whole. It is hard to not read this as due to 
Hakuho retiring. 

By the end of day 7, we have:

7 wins - Terunofuji and Takakeisho
6 wins - Mitakeumi, Tamawashi and Abi

and for the losers...

6 losses - Kiribayama and Shohozan
7 losses - Kotoeko

Tomorrow marks the half way point and rikishi start earning 
kachi-koshi or make-koshis. It seems Kotoeko is set for a make-koshi. 
Poor Kotoeko. Evidently struggling for some reason. Lets hope there 
are some wins to ensure he does not fall too far down the banzuke.