From: tobac@ub-tky.UBSPD.CO.JP (Bach Frederic)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.japan
Subject: Sumo - Hatsu Basho (Comments)
Date: 25 Jan 93 10:00:25 GMT
Organization: UBS Phillips & Drew INT'L Ltd. TOKYO, JAPAN

Banzuke for Heisei 5 Hatsu Basho (Jan. 1993)

East            Rank    West
Akebono         13-2    Ozeki           Konishiki       10-5
Takahanada      11-3    Sekiwake        Kotonishiki     7-8
Musashimaru     10-5                    Kirishima       rest
Daishoho        4-11    Komusubi        Takamisugi      4-11
Akinoshima      9-6     1 Maegashira    Kushimaumi      7-8
Tomoefuji       6-9     2               Misugisato      7-8
Wakahanada      10-5    3               Wakashoyo       10-5
Daizen          5-10    4               Toyonoumi       7-8
Terao           6-9     5               Takatoriki      5-10
Tochinowaka     8-7     6               Kyokudozan      8-7
Takanonami      10-5    7               Kitakachidoki   7-8
Oginohana       8-7     8               Kotonowaka      6-9
Kototsubaki     rest    9               Kotobeppu       8-5-2
Tokitsunada     3-12    10              Mitoizumi       8-7
Kasugafuji      6-9     11              Kirinishiki     [rest]
Kotoinazuma     9-6     12              Tamakairiki     2-13
Tatsuhikari     2-13    13              Kiraiho         8-7
Naminohana      10-5    14              Daishoyama      12-3
Kotogaume       [rest?] 15              Kotofuji        9-6
Mainoumi        9-6     16              Kyokugozan      4-11

Tournament starts Jan. 10 at Tokyo Kokugikan.

Yusho           : Akebono
Jun Yusho       : Daishoyama
Kantosho        : Daishoyama
                  Wakashoyo
Ginosho         : Wakahanada

Obviously, the question is now whether Akebono will be promoted or not. As
I have said before, the two tournaments in a row is a criterion, but subjective
consideration come into play. On the one hand, Akebono has only five years of
sumo behind him, and even though he has accumulated a lot of experience
very fast, he might still seem a little "tender" for the sumo elders.
On the other hand, his sumo has improved dramatically in the last year :
he doesn't fall over as he used to, he fights on the sash, he has
gained in composure. Truly, there have been dramatic changes. From what I
read in the press today, even the "sources close to the Yokozuna promotion 
council" seem to indicate that he will be promoted. As for Takahanada, the only
thing against his promotion seems to be the bout he lost on the last day
against Akebono. His last three basho are : 14-1(yusho), 10-5, 11-4 as
sekiwake, no problem for ozeki. We would then have the first yokozuna-ozeki
promotion since May 1987 (Onokuni+Asahifuji). I had hoped for Akebono to
fail to win the yusho, just to give him a little more time. The reason is I
did not want him to slump, and then be forced to retire prematurely. But
considering his performance this tourney, I am confident we will see a 
yokozuna capable of collecting at least two tourneys a year.
-- 
    __  _    
** ||_ /_| **   Fred "I'll be" Bach   (kddlab!ubspd.co.jp!tobac@uunet.uu.net)
** || /__| **   [Je suis athee, Dieu merci.]          Tel. 813-3597-1595

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