22nd January 2022 - Sumo Hatsu Day 14
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Written while listening to Publius' A Step Futher Out on Anonradio.

So we have reached the penultimate day of Hatsu 2022. It has been an 
exciting time for sure! There have been upsets, marvels and fun galore 
so far. 

At the bottom of the standings, we have Chiyonojuni who was heading 
for a 0-15 record. However, he managed to sneak it up to 3-11. 
Otherwise, we have some surprise make-koshis. Well... surprising to me 
at least. I was hoping for Terutsuyoshi and Tobizaru to have a 
kachi-koshi but both fell today. Poor salt chucker and flying monkey. 
Tobizaru has had a fun tournament though and managed some crazy sumo. 
Other notable make-koshi holders are Ozekis Shodai and Takakeisho as 
well as newbie Tsurugisho. Next tournament needs a winning record from 
the Ozeki or they will be kadoban yet again. Poor Kaisei is injured 
and rather likely to drop to Juryo. 

For the darwin matches, we have Ura, Ichinojo, Sadanoumi, Chiyomaru, 
Tochinoshin and Oho. I personally would love Ura, Ichinojo and Oho to 
get their kachi-koshi. Oho has been fighting well and I have a soft 
spot for Ura, with his cheeky grin, and Ichinojo. 

With winning records, we have the likes of Kotoeko (finally!), 
Aoiyama, Tamawashi, Ishiura and Hoshoryu. Some great bouts with these 
guys and some confusing injuries. Hoshoryu head butted the dohyo and 
learnt it is hard today against Shodai. This lead to a rematch which 
Hoshoryu won. 

For the contenders, we have Mitakeumi (12-2) being chased by 
Terunofuji, Abi and Kotonowaka at 11-3. It has been a 3 way race 
between Mitakeumi, Abi and Terunofuji for most of the basho but 
Kotonowaka snuck up to be a contender. There is an interesting 
question as to whether Mitakeumi will be promoted finally. I think a 
yusho will clinch it but who knows? With the state of the Ozeki, it 
would be good to add Mitakeumi there. I think he might end up yo-yoing 
into kadoban status but he might surprise me. 

Tomorrow will be an exciting set of bouts! Hakkeyoi!