Happy Friday!

Today is a bit of a quick hitter. I have looked at Makuuchi debuts since 1988 which was pretty interesting. There's a nice graph and you can see things like the low being only 2 debuts in 2021 and the high being 14 in 2011. There's also more data like the average debuts by year, median and standard deviation. Check it out.

https://preview.redd.it/xg96dtz5u1ud1.png?width=984&format=png&auto=webp&s=b05bf799a8464ae86366c06074ea6c298b9dfcc9

https://ozekianalytics.substack.com/p/modern-sumo-makuuchi-debuts-some

I'm actually pretty distracted right now with another project which is why my output has been lower lately, but sumo research is ongoing. Also, if you're interested in better understanding statistics (I think of part of this project as spreading statistical knowledge and how much of the thinking can be applied elsewhere without getting into nitty gritty math) I expect to have a piece up next week explaining some of the shortfalls of political polling. Don't worry, it's non-partisan but rather about some of the issues with polling and how we can overcome that. If you work with numbers and data there is probably something in there for you. Anyways, let me know if you can sense any trend there. I honestly can't, and have a great weekend!

I am currently vacationing in Japan and me and my girlfriend took a morning to go watch a sumo practice and then get chanko near Ryogoku Kokugikan then hit up the gift shop/ sumo museum. I jokingly said “it would be a prefect day if we actually saw a sumo wrestler just out and about” then BOOM standing all by themselves Shōnannoumi outside Ryogoku Kokugikan with his attendant waiting for a taxi. I asked in my best Japanese if I could get a picture with him, and the attendant said “oh not right now, but you can take one with me” so I just got a picture with him instead. Was it rude of me to ask? Or do they only do photos when they’re doing official media stuff, or maybe he just didn’t wanna take one? (which I totally understand, I was still happy just to see a top ranked wrestler!) Just curious if anyone knows the rules about that stuff, I don’t wanna make the same mistake if I happen in the situation again.

P.s Anyone know who this is? I’m not super familiar with anyone outside of makuuchi since i am a new fan (1.5 years).

I saw that Atamifuji (my favorite sumotori!) has been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in his hip. I've been dying to watch him become a title holder after bouncing between number 1 and 2 for so many bashos. Is this it for him? If he loses enough weight will it help? So sad to see the news that he got this diagnosis so young.

I'm looking for a photo of Big H that shows his "sumo business face" e.g. whilst performing the dohyo-iri, ideally a head-shot. I had a look at Getty images without success, and Google isn't much help.

Please let me know if you have a link to an image that might be suitable (or better ways of searching for what I want.)

Thanks,

What are everyone’s go to sumo podcast?

https://preview.redd.it/774ul1x6natd1.png?width=672&format=png&auto=webp&s=c694a9dd6fd820bd0b6a8ceb5e8170e729b84610

2025 Official Sumo Calendar

We are accepting pre orders for the 2025 official JSA sumo calendar.

We have a limited amount ordered and can’t restock once those are gone.

All ordering details are unchanged from the past few years.

The total price for the calendar plus shipping (flat between two layers of stiff cardboard) is 4,500 yen.

Payment is via PayPal to Kachikoshi@hotmail.com

Please put your full name and address (including country) and Reddit username in the notes section of the payment.

Calendars are normally sent from the printers the first week of November, with shipping abroad taking ten days to two weeks on average.

Photo one is the cover of the 2025 calendar

Thank you as always

Hello,

I've been listening to alot of podcast and interview on some rikishi right now, and about 2 years ago Konishiki was talking alot about a biography about him on the making, but can't find anything else then him mentioning it in older interview. Anybody know if this book have ever been done, or the project cancel ?

I find it so adorable when kids see Abi… they go crazy screaming his name. They keep calling him until he comes to them. I love when Abi smiles at them and makes his way over to the greet his little bosses!

I know that the rikishi are very good to the kids and elders. I love that about each one of them!

The last couple of videos I’ve seen I just hear kids calling Abi’s name! I love it!!!

Why did Aminishiki get a special prize in 2017 after only going 8-7?

Hello! To continue the Hawaiian Rikishi lineup, I attempted to draw the big man himself Konishiki.

Lately I've been watching some older basho footage from the 2010s, and it struck me that Hakuho seems to be using a different ruleset from everyone else.
He has an unorthodox style and shows more emotion than other Rikishi, but thats not what I'm referring to. To me at least it looks as though he's actively cheating and being a poor sport. For example:

• He routinely uses a closed fist to strike his opponents face and body.

• He routinely pushes opponents who are already out, and will even exit the ring to pursue a beaten opponent and push or hit them to ensure they fall badly. This looks on its face like he's trying to get revenge or injure serious competitors, as he seems kinder to people who offer little resistance.

-Sometimes he seems to wait for the moment an opponent relaxes when they both know the match is over, then lashes out when their guard is down to pitch them over or hit them as they fall. In one particularly shocking example Hakuho wins by frontal force out, helps a tangled opponent balance so they dont both get pulled down, and then when they release eachothers mowashi Hakuho punches him in the eye as they stand face to face. Everyone including the Judges seem shocked but it doesnt appear he was disciplined or had his win vacated.

• Hakuho also routinely yells, makes derogatory gestures at opponents when he wins, and seems to get pissy if he loses.

Normally I thoughy this was frowned upon for any Rikishi, but to recieve Yokozuna promotion while behaving that way? Am i missing something?

I just watched this compilation of his bouts at the Aki basho. He is very efficient but I never realized he's not very versatile. Yorikiri after another. I assume that other rikishi will learn to counter his technique and he'll have to learn new approcahes to keep winning.

Do you believe he'll rush his recovery to return in January?

As you may have seen from the title, many sumo wrestlers start training from junior high school or high school through university before becoming professional sumo wrestlers. However, one thing causes me doubts to this day: how does amateur sumo compare to professional sumo? How is the amateur sumo ranking compared to Banzuke in professional sumo? And which legendary sumo wrestlers were amateur sumo champions before becoming sumo wrestling legends?

Going to Japan for the first time, but I'll not be able to watch the november tournament because I will be in Tokyo. However, I'd like to know if it is possible to visit the Kokugikan while I'm there. I know there is a museum and a gift shop, but can I enter the arena or there is nothing there ot see outside of tournaments?