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The story
On Day 4 of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament (November 11, Fukuoka International Center), yokozuna Hoshoryu was pushed out and defeated by Ura, suffering a shocking second straight loss that sent the arena into an uproar. For Ura, it was his first “kinboshi” (gold star upset win over a yokozuna) in four years. The same day, Fujiryoga beat Anseikin to complete a sweep over one yokozuna and two ozeki, while Atamifuji stayed the sole unbeaten leader with his fourth straight win. On the thread, posters repeatedly voiced concern over the state of Hoshoryu’s knee, debating whether he’d forced himself to compete and when he should withdraw or retire — while opinions also split over whether yokozuna should even have a demotion system in the first place.
Daily Sports, 11.11
“Grand Sumo Kyushu Tournament, Day 4” (November 11, Fukuoka International Center)
Yokozuna Hoshoryu lost to Ura by oshidashi (force-out), suffering his second straight defeat. The arena erupted in commotion. For Ura, it was his first kinboshi in four years.
Source: daily.co.jp / Original article here
What people said
During the bout his knee was wobbling and his lower leg was twisting in a weird direction.
There's no way guys around 150kg can slam into each other head-on 90 times a year with zero protective gear and come out fine.
You normally can't manage it unless you take planned breaks like Hakuho did in his later years.
Though he might end up withdrawing starting tomorrow anyway.
This tournament, he can't withdraw unless his limbs are literally torn off.
Withdrawing = retirement, no other option.
Tomorrow, if he loses. Three losses this early is checkmate.
Even fully healed, he's still weak anyway.
The calendar's as brutal as the old All Japan or New Japan pro wrestling circuits.
When you talk about sumo, it just doesn't feel complete without a yokozuna.
But it's hard to tell, at the moment someone looks strongest, whether they truly have real yokozuna-caliber strength.
Especially now that it's no longer an era where everyone goes full contact every single time.
And if going full contact is the only option, you end up with nothing but injuries.
It really is a tough problem.
No need for a daily sumo thread.
Flood-posting trolls, stay out.
His match against Onosato was close too, and he's beaten every other ozeki and yokozuna he's faced.
Wish they could've matched him against prime Takakeisho.
Similar build and fighting style — that would've been a great bout.
At this rate he's basically dropped below ozeki level.
Though with his knee giving out like that both yesterday and today, the injury is clearly a huge factor too.
Everyone loses their drive the second they're promoted to yokozuna, like they've already "arrived."
That can't be done.
The whole point of the yokozuna rank is that it's treated as a god-like, untouchable status.
Tearing that down would mean tearing down sumo itself.
so why is his relative this bad?
(self-reply)
Just watched it.
What happened to Hoshoryu?
He came out even though his knee injury hasn't healed.
He'll probably withdraw now that he's turning into a "kinboshi machine" (a yokozuna who keeps handing lower-ranked wrestlers their upset win).
Blame Kisenosato.
Onosato had a weak mentality but he's bounced back now.
Hoshoryu's properly strong when his knee is in good shape.
You lost too, though.
Background and Key Points of This Debate
In sumo, there’s no “demotion” system for yokozuna even if their results decline — whether to retire is left entirely up to the wrestler or the Sumo Association. There have been cases, like Kisenosato, of wrestlers racking up withdrawals before eventually retiring, but there’s no written rule for when a withdrawal should turn into a retirement. A kinboshi (“gold star”) is the honor awarded to a lower-ranked wrestler who beats a yokozuna in an official bout, and it factors into a wrestler’s rankings and pay. The thread’s disagreement centers on whether Hoshoryu’s injury stems from competing when he shouldn’t have, and whether the current system should let him keep his rank regardless. It’s worth noting that there’s been no official statement yet from Hoshoryu or the Association about his knee — most of the comments are just speculation based on how he looked in the ring.
*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geisoku/Entertainment & Sports News+) thread “[Sumo Day 4] Hoshoryu shocks arena with second straight loss; Ura scores first kinboshi in 4 years; Fujiryoga sweeps 1 yokozuna + 2 ozeki; Atamifuji stays sole unbeaten leader with 4th win.”
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