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He clearly isn't good enough to be a yokozuna.

He's there by default and favoritism.

pity position that he gained only to try and make sumo more popular with the domestic audience

The promotion standard is "two consecutive Yusho or equivalent performance as Ozeki." Kisenosato gained his Yokozuna rank by completing two consecutive bashos at Ozeki with a 12-3 record (taking the jun-yusho) followed by a 14-1 record (taking the yusho). That's the same record as Kagamisato in 1953 and Kitao in 1986, and they were both promoted to Yokozuna as a result of it. People have been promoted to Yokozuna with worse records - the first Wakanohana Kanji, for example, managed a 12-3 jun-yusho followed by a 13-2 yusho.

Say what you like about his current performance - and honestly, his sumo last basho was not up to Yokozuna standard; he barely looked like he should be in san'yaku at all - but his promotion to Yokozuna was completely legit. The YDC have made it quite clear that in his next attendance, he needs to turn out a record worthy of the rank or retire, and I completely agree with them.

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I grew quite tired of hearing the term “great Japanese hope” in reference to this guy...

I’m half 「ハーフ」and on one hand I understand if they want a native Japanese as Yokozuna, but I’m sick of the open Japanese disdain for the foreigners who quite honestly make the sport of sumo interesting and appealing enough for a global stage.

Ganbatte Japan! Open your collective minds!

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yes, I think Sumos should be able to

show case their talents across the globe.

it would certainly increase their popularity, and give a greater insight to the sport.

Australia , especially Melbourne, ( the sports capital of Oz) maybe the world..would embrace these sumo like no other country.

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Sumo champions should be allowed to visit overseas to show their game skills to their innumerable admirers who love to see their lively performance in different parts of the world.

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Kisenosato, Shohozan and Kagayaki are not Mongolian sumo wrestlers. Kisenosato is the first Japanese-born wrestler to become yokozuna in 19 years. I know it is hard, but hang in there.

That's a bit discriminatory, isn't it. We ALL know it's hard because Kisenosato is out of his league, way out.

Hang in there is all he can do, in his pity position that he gained only to try and make sumo more popular with the domestic audience- Oh,look at me, being all discriminatory.

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Kawa - totally agree. He's there by default and favoritism.

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Kisenosato is the first Japanese-born wrestler to become yokozuna in 19 years.

Yeah, but he really shouldn't be, should he? He clearly isn't good enough to be a yokozuna.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Kisenosato, Shohozan and Kagayaki are not Mongolian sumo wrestlers. Kisenosato is the first Japanese-born wrestler to become yokozuna in 19 years. I know it is hard, but hang in there.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

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