Who will be our next Yokozuna? (Mid '24 Sumo Rankings: The Dohyo: E151)

Welcome back to The Dohyo, where the coffee is strong, the music is loud, and the topic is always Sumo, Sumo, SUMO!!!
We are back, updating our Semi-Annual Sumo Rankings, continuing with out “Who will be our next yokozuna?” rankings!
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[@qbreezy2417]

Onosato easy #1 for me, and his dominance will make it tough for anyone to join him. I like Hoshoryu's chances to improve and make it eventually more than Kotozakura's.

[@JakeLayman-md4fw]

Ono and that young rookie who cleaned up in his first match. BOTH these guys will be Yokozuna

[@congra5580]

salt fumble made me chuckle lol

[@OliverClothesofff]

I concur ! Thanks for the great content! I can't wait for the July basho!1

[@joannaedwards6325]

Perfect Sat morn = coffee and MrJWags. Just waiting on July 14🤔🤔. Thanks for keeping our sumo juices flowing😄.

[@ToadOzumo]

Before I even watch, I'm gonna say going into this video my opinion is it's basically a dead heat between Onosato and Kotonowaka for the most likely spot, with Hoshoryu right behind

[@apollosiebert8456]

*kotozakura ( I agree 100%, though I'm personally a Hoshoryu fan)

[@ToadOzumo]

@@apollosiebert8456 oof, not used to it yet

[@njp4321]

The run for next Yokozuna is definitely between Kotozakura and Onosato. I personally don't care which of them gets it, they're both fantastic. Admittedly part of the reason why I don't care which of them it is, is that I'm still too far into my own feelings over the ongoing and inevitable decline of Takakeisho. I love the combat wombat more than is at all reasonable, and I just hope he can hold on and maintain Ozeki as long as his health allows. But all the signs are there that his career is not destined to endure much longer. _Cue Boyz 2 Men's "It's so Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday."_

[@TheDohyo]

I do love the New Jack Swing...

[@dalexis21]

Onosato is something special - his raw talent and ability will carry him straight to yokozuna and nobody will stop him. And he'll get even better from there, gaining experience and maturity.

[@SpodyOdy]

Got some strong Jack Black vibes.

[@rainerzufall9881]

Totally agree on your list.

[@TheDohyo]

(high five)

[@erw108]

Kotozakura is already acting like he is more than Ozeki. Takakeisho had the same attitude and we all know how things worked out for him. My bet would be on Onosato as he seems to be coached better.

[@BiggestFanOfTakakeisho]

74th橫綱貴景勝 74th Yokozuna Takakeisho Takanobu

[@TheDohyo]

Oh, I wish...

[@BiggestFanOfTakakeisho]

@@TheDohyo I truly believe he will tho GO GO GO GO GO TAKAKEISHOOOOO!!!!!

[@ktswandering]

Onosato is an amazing rikishi! I hope he and Abe can go further.....

[@4partharmony208]

The thing about Kotozakura is that he's really putting in the work to improve his footwork. He still looks like he's moving through quicksand sometimes, but mobile rikishi like Hoshoryu aren't outmaneuvering him nearly as easily as they used to, and his records show it

[@Lancorian]

I also go with Kotozakura as next Yokozuna. He's now at a point where he doesn't get outmaneuvered by lighter and weaker opponents. Those who are dangerous to him are those with similar weight and strength as Onosato and a healthy Terunofuji. But there is no healthy Terunofuji anymore so he should be able to make it to Yokozuna soon.

[@clifflowton1912]

Kotozakura, but not this year, perhaps 2025. He has the Yokozuna DNA.

[@DemoTheViking]

Absolutely Kotozakura. Dude leveled up with his name change and he's been showing such POWER. Very excited for his continued sumo.

[@karunverma1]

I agree with your top 3

[@PapaBear816]

Taka - He made his last bid for Yokozuna. He can't stay healthy long enough to mount a run, his body doesn't lend it to him doing so and he's moved away from his typical Wave action pushing to more traditional pushing which doesn't work well for him as he lacks the upper body strength to make it work. He needs his full body weight to do so. Combine that with his inability to really belt fight and he really will likely just bee fighting to keep his rank.. he's had a hell of a run at OZeki, he might pull 1 more basho ( and likely not from the Ozeki rank ) but He's not going to cross that final line. Hosho - He needs to find another gear. He relies to much on rope throws.. and being reactionary. Even Kakuryu knew when to go on the attack and go for a Yori or Oshi. ( I know he's not Big Ks Nephew but their sumo is similar ) He's lacking a level of aggression a yokozuna needs. If he can learn to attack more and rely on throws less and even more so rely less on getting backed to the ropes to make said throw, He'll move forward, until then if ever he's stuck at his peak. Koto - He's missing... it. Maybe it's just time, maybe it's something he's still learning but there is something in him that is just..... not there yet. He has the skill, he can throw, he can push he can thrust.. Just something is holding him back. I wish I could say what but honestly I don't know. Maybe it's something lacking in his teaching? Something in maybe lacking strong stable mates to practice against? Just he's there and not at the same time and it's almost infuriating to watch, but if he finds " It " He'll start to really dominate others. Onosato - As impressive as he is, I want to see him fight a Healthy roster. One benefit he's had to some extent is taking on injured guys. Yea he defeated Kaiju but well, he's not been in fighting shape since his last Yusho. Takakeisho hurt, Kirishima hurt and let's not forget Takerufuji wasn't even fighting, the man who defeated him to take a historic Yusho. He's a big body with a lot of power and explosive tachiai. However that's also his weakness which is why Hosho is dominating him. He falls prey to throws and maneuvers from smaller guys. He needs to learn to anticipate a counter attack and be ready to block it. He learns that and I don't see anyone else who can really overwhelm him. Typical at this point in his time in the Top ranks is when people start to " Figure them out " So we'll see in the telling July heat where he really stand right now. I'd be interested to see him deal with a henka or 2, just to see if he can handle it, or if he goes full Kotoshogiku.

[@TheDohyo]

You make some great points! I would argue that there is NEVER a time in sumo when top rikishi aren't injured...

[@PapaBear816]

@@TheDohyo Sadly to true, you know what Riled me up recently? The older retired Coaches and what not complaining about how so many pull out all the time unlike they were... well DUH!!! You guys had protections and abused them! That's why they don't have them now!

[@TheDohyo]

@@PapaBear816 Preach!

[@hamoodidxb]

I believe Onosato will make Y before everybody. Then Koto he needs to win one first, and the same for Hoshoryu. I feel like Kiri will start his Shodai-esque downfall. Just FYI, Onosato's win over Terunofuji was not a Kinboshi, as the Big O Train was Komusubi and a SanYaaku boy... I don't think Onosato will ever get a Kinboshi because he won't leave SanYaaku😅

[@canerdem6273]

If hoshoryu gains 10kg i think he can get it

[@canerdem6273]

Even tho he is not doing well lately, i think kirishima still has a chance.

[@conradk]

He needs some luck for sure. So sorry about his demotion due to injuries.

[@aarniaittokoski]

Love your content, keep it up brother 👍

[@TheDohyo]

Will do!

[@tammydove8182]

Kotozakura! 🎉

[@andrewharris4268]

Recency bias points to Onosato but we need to see how he reacts when or if wear and tear injuries affect him. Hoshoryu exhibits the swagger but he has too much gap between his best and less. Koto is a good Ozeki threatening to take the next step…but we were saying that about Kirishima a few basho ago. All three could, even should, become Yokozuna but none have the required dominating dismissiveness yet. I suspect injuries or the avoidance of same will eventually determine who will be first. But maybe not for a while.

[@TheDohyo]

I'm wondering how the joi/SY respond to Onosato. He's not gonna stay undefeated against the lower SY for long.

[@paleosapien3468]

Hoshoryu has fallen behind a bit, but I still think he has a very high ceiling. I think the big factor at this point is will he ever put on the extra muscle and weight? His lack of strength is the big reason that he drops those random matches, he’s a technical wrestler and when he makes a mistake he just doesn’t have the power to cover it up. He needs another 10-20 kilos, and a lot of that needs to be muscle. If he can do that then he’s a Yokozuna and maybe even a Dai Yokozuna IMO.

[@JoJO-rr9cj]

You can see the improvement in Kotozakura in mental and physical strength but I still believe his legs need to be built up. Onosato has everything.

[@papalovegood7323]

I agree with your analysis, though I'll probably change my opinion if Onosato wins the next basho.

[@TheDohyo]

Same!

[@aqua_noodle]

If onosato CNA do it will depend on how he handles his first major setback. It is bound to happen and that's really the separator between the good and great

[@adamjamir2212]

Kirishima will be the next Yokozuna.......

[@TheDohyo]

But first, he will have to become our next ozeki (again).

[@adamjamir2212]

@@TheDohyo I agree. But I honestly think he is technically the most sound ex Ozeki & his demotion was a result of sitting out due to injury....🙏🙏

[@bisoh84]

Thanks J-wag. List makes sense. Sad to see Kirishima not making it in this list.

[@kkelly9424]

You might be missing the obvious. How is it that Takarufuji is not on the list, Mr J Wags? He was only one point from joining "The 21 Club", having taken the yusho in Jonokuchi and Jonidan, but missing it by a point in Sandanme with a 6-0. He went into Ms at 41, no Ms 15 for him. So he had to slog all the way through four basho in Ms, with respectable 6-1 records in three of them, and one disappointing 5-2. He then crashed through Juryo in one basho, taking the championship with a 13-2 sweep. And then from M17, he takes the yusho in his makuuchi debut. 110 years since anybody else ever did it. I got money that says that, for sure, he is gonna be a Yokozuna. The injury just slowed him down a little bit, but I think that Yokozuna is his final destiny.

[@TheDohyo]

(Assuming you mean May Champ Takerufuji?) I mentioned him in the "next ozeki" ep, in #5 - "'the field' below the joi!" As I mentioned in the intro, these rankings look ahead 9 basho, and I just don't see a path from high Juryo to a Yokozuna rope in that period of time. Assuming perfect health, a BIG "if," Takerufuji's absolute BEST-case to make yokozuna would be 8 basho. That's how long it took Terunofuji during his comeback. (3/20 - 7/21) If Takerufuji is on that kind of path, he will definitely be on the end-of-year yokozuna rankings! For right now, I need to see how he wrestles on that ankle before I can fully board the Takerufuji train.

[@jlim003]

My money is on Kirishima. He was the most consistent ozeki up until his injury... I still have a strong belief in the fact that all Mongolians who made it to ozeki, eventually make it yokozuna. Kakuryu and Harumafuji were both undersized and only hit their peak in their late 20s. And, given there's been 1 Japanese champ in 25 yrs, my money is on the Mongolians.

[@Thejoeb]

I still believe in him too.

[@JorgeDiaz-on6ht]

Been waiting for you to make this video JWags

[@TheDohyo]

And here we are!

[@Ganbarizer]

Takerufuji for the white rope! Lol. I wish. Maybe if his ankle heals properly and he stays relatively healthy, it might be in his future. He's a force to be reckoned with when he's in good health. Realistically as it stands, I think Onosato has the best chances. He's very fortunate to have size, strength, height and agility at his disposal. Those things have really helped him rocket up the banzuke. That being said, and this is just my 2 cents, I think he could benefit from widening his skillset. I agree with Musashimaru's assessment that he's very good at the fundamentals and has a strong tachiai but hasn't really shown us what he else he can do. He's mostly gotten by with bull rushing guys out the ring. Very meat and potatoes approach to sumo. And hey, if that works, why not? I just would like to see him mix things up some more. Sometimes he falls prey to the wily veterans at the top of the chain who know how to capitalize when he charges forward.

[@yannickcollin8542]

I agree, I'd even say Takarufugi is more likely to be Yokozuna in the future than Takakeisho. I've been a fan of his from the beginning. But it would seem Ichinojo destroyed his neck making it impossible to continue as before Alas.

[@TheDohyo]

Takerufuji or Takarafuji?

[@yannickcollin8542]

@@TheDohyo Takerufugi, He wons his first tournament in spectacular fashion. If he can recover from his injury I'm hopeful he can do great things. I love this sport, but it's so hard to see them get hurt. When Takakeisho got slammed by Ichinojo and Ichinojo had to physically support him as he was out, that broke my heart.

[@teslaturbinetime]

Most of the new hot things get decoded by the sanyaku. I'd wait a few tournaments before committing to Onosato. Where's Atamifuji now, where's Gonoyama? Back in their place.

[@TheDohyo]

I'd say it's not as simple as that. Atamifuji and Gonoyama have never gotten a KK in the Joi. Onosato just won a Yusho in his SY debut.

[@Thejoeb]

I think leaving Kirishima off completely is a bit premature, I think if his neck is decent he will get back Ozeki in July then if his 2023 is any indication and he returns to form I dont think you can count out a guy who had 2 yusho and a jun yusho in a calendar year just one year ago. In 2023 I thought he was the 2-3 rd best riskishi against the field. And his results showed it, but his last 3 have been concerning, so i truly hope he returns to form and if so, I think hes as much a threat as anyone to win 2 in a row.

[@TheDohyo]

I had a section here on Kirishima that I cut, because it was essentially a repeat of what I said in the next ozeki vid. We are at a turning point for Kirishima. If he does not get 10 wins in Nagoya, I don't see him reclaiming the rank. BUT, a healthy Kirishima SHOULD get 10 wins... He will tell us.

[@evansnipes7473]

Combat wombat barely an Ozeki

[@richardaillas162]

Agreed. I never did fancy Kirishima for Yoko when all plundits seemed to be suggesting it was a done deal

[@bloomingtheatricals]

lol, almost drop the can there, mate?

[@TheDohyo]

Coulda been a LOT worse...

[@mehulian]

Hard decision, but I will maintain my position that Kirishima is the most possible to become the next Yokozuna. Hoshoryu is my second place to become a Yokozuna if he really wants to push his limit to the next level. Lastly Kotozakura, wich is developing his sumo every Basho, there's a great possibility of him starting his gears to push his limits to attain his first Yusho, and becoming a Yokozuna. I don't believe we will see a new Yokozuna till next year on the second half of the year. Hopefully they can have a BIG development on their sumo and no Injuries. Let us have a great July Basho.

[@D0NKY]

A little stumble because of a bad neck and Kirishima doesn't get anymore love? If he gets healthy again I put him at even odds with Kotozakura and Onosato.

[@TheDohyo]

*If* he gets 10 in the next basho...

[@heneverreturnasahorse9773]

Good analysis! It is a shame that Aoyama self-destructed, I do believe with the current crop of wrestlers he would have already made Yokozuna, but woulda, coulda, shoulda.

[@TheDohyo]

Aoiyama or Asanoyama?

[@SamWiseGamgee1]

Please send help, the cave trolls lied on the brochure

[@TheDohyo]

Oh no. Don't get the time-share! DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING.

[@SamWiseGamgee1]

@@TheDohyo I have bad news

[@Grnvolpe]

It has to be one of the young guys because the old guard (sanyaku guys) aren’t getting better or healthier

[@TheDohyo]

OK, but everytime *I* say that Terunofuji wins another yusho.

[@Grnvolpe]

@@TheDohyo Terunofuji excluded. We better pray these young guys come good or we’ll be seeing yuushos contested between 5 guys that are 10-4

[@Grnvolpe]

Actually that’s too generous. It’ll will be more like 6 guys that are 9-6

[@hobbobgob3236]

I’m not personally a fan of kirishima, but I would put his chances at Yokozuna better than Takakeisho. Of course the big thing is the neck, but he was on the cusp very recently.

[@TheDohyo]

Kirishima will be back as soon as he's an ozeki again...

[@weesky5222]

i think only Onosato can be Yokozuna in 9 basho, or no one.

[@quackkuryu4680]

BRUH no Kirishima and Hoshoryu is 3rd SMH.

[@TheDohyo]

I call 'em like i see 'em!

[@FERNweh101]

Hosh is too light. The others, to me, rely on weight, more than technique.

[@joshblf]

If Hoshoryu puts on more size and changes his tactics, he could do it. He has a more aggressive mindset.

[@markmurphy1058]

If healthy, and back to his best, it's Kirishima

[@js3217]

Oh come on Jwags! Takakeisho? He shouldn't even be on your list man. He's always been a one trick pony, and his weight and health problems should have made him a non-starter. He won't even be an Ozeki before this year is over.

[@icemanespoo2977]

Onosato has the possibility of making ozeki after next basho or post-September. He could then start planning a yokozuna-run. The trio Onosato, Kotozakura and Hoshoryu are easily the top3 currently. If Hoshoryu can stop losing to mid-M guys then ot will truly be a three horse race. I hope we get to see those three face each other for the basho on the final days.