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Oliver Bateman Does the Work's avatar

Fascinating stuff. Many plotlines but I’m interested to see if Shishi can hang on (decent day 1 50/50 win), if Takerufuji can rebound thanks to a lower rank, and how the debuting Kusano does (2 titles in a row after all!)

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Tim Bissell's avatar

I think Shishi might struggle. The basement of the maegashira ranks is a little more stacked than usual. I also think Takerufuji will put up a big number, but not really challenge for the title. Kusano has incredible size and athleticism, that should be good enough to keep him in maegashira. I think he's got enough talent to get him beyond that, though.

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Dj sto's avatar

I loved the bouts, it was really good to see Takanosho and Tamawashi come through on day one

Disappointed that Atamifuji lost his bout, I feel he really hasn’t looked confident since Yokozuna Terunofuji retired, I think by now you all know I have a soft spot for him and want to see him rise!

All eyes I feel are on Aonishiki he is going to blast up the board this time round.

Onosato and Kusano I think will either rise very quickly this tournament or plummet, I don’t think we will see middle ground with them.

Thank goodness both Yokozuna came through, though I thought Onosato looked rocky at start of his bout !

Lastly can anyone shed any light on what’s going on with Kotozakura?

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Tim Bissell's avatar

Kotozakura has been carrying a knee injury for much of the year. He keeps fighting hurt, likely preventing it to heal. Tabloids in Japan claim that his father/stablemaster refuses to let him pull out of tournaments.

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Dj sto's avatar

Strangely at first I wasn’t keen on Kotozakura

But he’s grown on me and I won’t to see him rise

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Tim Bissell's avatar

You're not the first person I've heard say that. I think it's easy to fall in love with the most athletic looking wrestlers. Guys with more rotund physiques sometimes take some time, before you begin to notice how technically great they are.

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Dj sto's avatar

No no, not like that lol

He’s just got a very pleasant pleasing nature, and so you just want him to pick up and do well

I feel he’s plummeting and I feel like he just didn’t see Terunofuji retirement coming, and with that all that it in tailed, he among other things was his sword bearer so a lot of contact between them

Let’s hope now Terunofuji is the boss, he puts his boot behind him, but also I think the other new Yokozuna need to be pulling all the rikishi into place

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Oliver Bateman Does the Work's avatar

Yeah, I’d like to see Kusano join the ranks of occasional cup winners/spoilers

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David Mankoff's avatar

Woo day 1

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Tim Bissell's avatar

Just like Christmas, every time.

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Andrew Young's avatar

Lots of great storylines, pity we lost Daieisho. I think Aonishiki is who I'll be watching most closely.

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Tim Bissell's avatar

Aonishiki is such a fascinating wrestler to watch. He's so creative and unpredictable. I wonder if Onosato is going to try and blast through him tonight or if he'll go for the slap down off the tachiai...

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Dj sto's avatar

Yes he’s unreadable, that makes him dangerous, just when you think you know what he’s going for, he does a complete opposite!

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