2020 Haru Basho banzuke released.

[Swami]

Asanoyama in position to fill ozeki vacancy
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Written by Kyodo
Published: 24 February 2020
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For the first time in over 38 years, the Japan Sumo Association's rankings have only one wrestler at the sport's second-highest ranking of ozeki, but if sekiwake Asanoyama has his way, that situation will soon be remedied.

After going 10-5 in January and 11-4 in November, 12 wins at the March 8 to 22 Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Edion Arena Osaka should be enough to earn him a bump up to ozeki. Asanoyama, who turns 26 on Sunday, leads the sekiwake pair from the more prestigious east side of the rankings table.

"There is another spot available for ozeki. I want to make the most of this opportunity," Asanoyama told a press conference on Monday. "I'm aiming for not just 12 wins but more."

In January, both yokozuna were forced out due to injury, opening the door once more for less heralded wrestlers to shine and for the tournament's lowest-ranked wrestler, west No. 17 maegashira Tokushoryu to win.

Although yokozuna Hakuho has not been at peak strength since breaking his right little finger last year, he has been training. Named to lead the rankings table from the east side, the Mongolian-born master will turn 35 on March 11. He is going for his first championship since November, which would extend his record career haul to 44.

Kakuryu sits opposite in the west yokozuna slot. The Mongolian grand champion, however, was troubled by a bad left ankle in January and has not completed a grand tournament since he went 14-1 to win in Nagoya last July.

Swami

 

[Swami]

2020 March Grand Sumo Tournament Banzuke Topics
OzekiTakakeisho

• For the first time since the January tournament of 1982 there is only one Ozeki listed. The previous single Ozeki had been Kotokaze.

SekiwakeAsanoyama

• Asanoyama holds the Sekiwake-rank for 2 consecutive tournaments and is in Sanyaku for 3.

Sekiwake ReturnShodai

• Shodai returns to the Sekiwake-rank after 19 tournaments. He previously held the rank in January 2017. Returning to Sanyaku, it took him 18 tournaments. He previously held a rank here in March 2017.

Komusubi ReturnHokutofuji

• Hokutofuji is back in the Komusubi-rank after two tournaments.

Komusubi ReturnEndo

• Endo returns to the Komusubi-rank after two tournaments.

Makuuchi DebutKotonowaka

• Kotonowaka is the first Rikishi from Sadogatake Beya to reach Makuuchi since Kotoeko who had been promoted in the July tournament 2018.
• He is the 23rd Rikishi post WWII from Chiba Prefecture to achieve this, following Takanosho who was promoted in September 2018.
• Moreover, former Sekiwake Kotonowaka (current Sadogatake Oyakata) is his father. This is the 9th parent-child Makuuchi Debut in history. The previous one had been finalized by the promotion of Sadanoumi in May 2014, who also followed in his father’s footsteps.

Makuuchi ReturnNishikigi

• Nishikigi has returned to Makuuchi after 2 tournaments.

Makuuchi ReturnDaiamami

• Daiamami has returned to Makuuchi after 7 tournaments. He previously held a rank here in January last year.

* The last time there had been a Maegashira 18 happened to be in the September tournament 1959.

Juryo DebutMidorifuji

• Midorifuji is the first Rikishi from Isegahama Beya to reach Juryo since Terutsuyoshi who had been promoted in January 2017.
• He is the 11th Rikishi post WWII from Shizuoka Prefecture, following Tochihiryu who was promoted in March 2013.
• Additionally, he is the 13th graduate of Kindai University to achieve this. The previous one had been Asagyokusei, promoted in the September tournament last year.

Juryo ReturnWakamotoharu

• Wakamotoharu has returned to Juryo after 2 tournaments.

Juryo ReturnHakuyozan

• Hakuyozan has returned to Juryo after 5 tournaments. He previously held a rank here in May last year.

Juryo ReturnChiyonoumi

• Chiyonoumi has returned to Juryo after 3 tournaments. He previously held a rank here in September last year.

Juryo ReturnAkiseyama

• Akiseyama has returned to Juryo after 2 tournaments.

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

Let's see if Asanoyama can get enough wins for an ozeki advancement. Good to see Shodai back a sekiwake.

I see Kotoshogiku holds in at Maegashira #13. Terunofuji stays in Juryo at #3. Ichinojo at Juryo #8, ouch!

 

[Swami]

Sumo descends on Osaka for spring tourney with face masks, anti-viral measures
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Written by Mainichi
Published: 25 February 2020
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Around 180 sumo wrestlers and referees, many of whom were wearing face masks, alighted at JR Shin-Osaka Station in this western Japan city on Feb. 23 ahead of the Osaka Grand Sumo Tournament set to begin on March 8.

The group, who arrived on a shinkansen bullet train referred to as the "sumo train," have been taking extra measures to avoid the new coronavirus. The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) has also called for greater vigilance to prevent its spread.

A post on the sporting body's official website stated that preparations for the Osaka tournament, which will be held at Edion Arena Osaka, are going ahead and that it would be held as planned. The JSA has asked those attending the venue to wash their hands and gargle, to make use of hand sanitizers that will be made available on-site, and to cover the mouth and nose with a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing, among other measures.

The rankings for the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament will be announced on Feb. 24, and training at each stable's lodgings will begin in earnest.

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

Indeed, I read an article today about possibly cancelling the basho due to the coronavirus.

https://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0006379354

 

[Swami]

I think they are starting to over-react, but time will tell.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Sports Agency asks JSA to adjust spring tourney
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Written by Kyodo
Published: 27 February 2020
Hits: 35

The Japan Sports Agency has asked the Japan Sumo Association to make changes to its March grand tournament amid the current coronavirus outbreak, a source with knowledge of the matter.

The JSA's board of directors will meet Sunday in an extraordinary session to consider three alternatives for the March 8 to 22 Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Edion Arena Osaka -- closing the tourney to fans, postponing it or canceling it.

"It would be very difficult (to operate in the usual fashion)," one JSA director said. "We have to consider the worst case when we make our decision."

An association official said, "We need to consider public welfare. We are a public interest foundation (overseen by the government)."

The association's communications director, sumo elder Shibatayama, said, "There is nothing to tell you at the present time."

The March 7 ring ceremony at the venue will take place without wrestlers and will be closed to the general public, while two other pre-tournament events have been canceled.

Japan's sports leagues have this week begun announcing drastic measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus. On Tuesday, Japan's professional soccer establishment, the J-League, suspended all its games until March 15.

On Wednesday the Japan Rugby Top League postponed 16 games over the next two weekends, while Nippon Professional Baseball will play all 72 of its remaining preseason games behind closed doors.

Swami