We're halfway through the 2005 New Year's Grand Sumo Tournament.  As has become the usual: Yokozuna Asashoryu leads the field with eight wins against no losses.  Behind him is a small pack tied at two losses apiece. Among the rikishi in the group with two losses is a young (19 year-old) Mongolian rikishi named Hakuho.

With less than a year in the top division, Hakuho finds himself ranked Komusubi (Junior Champion -Sumo's fourth-highest rank.)  It is very uncommon for a rikishi to ascend the ranks so quickly.

In the current tournament, Hakuho has been continuing his winning ways.  Besides the Yokozuna, he has been the most impressive performer thusfar.  In his match today, he was able to defeat Ozeki (and possibly eventual Yokozuna) aspirant Tochiazuma.

Over the next year, it will be interesting to see whether Hakuho or Tochiazuma will get close to becoming a second Yokozuna.  I have no idea which one has a better shot, but I am still leaning ever-so-slightly toward Tochiazuma being able to jump the final hurdle. 

Another rikishi who has impressed me this tournament has been the Georgian-born Kokkai.  Although his record isn't very good this time around, Kokkai has been exhibiting a very sound style of sumo.  His technique is such that he is beginning to resemble a Japanese rikishi inside the dohyo.  (He is less wild and more technically sound than before.  He also has shown improvement in his balance in the ring.) Although his record may not be so good now, adopting a more orthodox style of sumo will help him succeed in the long run.  I think that once Kokkai adjusts to this new style of sumo, he will once again continue to climb the ranks (although it may take him a couple of tournaments to do so.)

Komusubi Hakuho (from goo.sumo)