The four rikishi of the…

Czech rikishi Takanoyama, Aki Basho, September 20, 2003, Ryogoku Kokugikan. Canon EOS Elan IIE, Kodak TMZ 3200.

For the first time since they’ve been keeping records of these things, 4 top-division rikishi (sumo wrestler) enter today, the 12th day of the current Haru Basho (Spring tournament) in Osaka, with undefeated 11-0 records: Yokozuna Asashoryu, Ozekis Chiyotaikai and Kaio, and Maegashira Asasekiryu. It won’t last any longer, however, as Kaio and Asasekiryu will face off later today.

This coming on the heels of Asashoryu’s 15-0 zensho yusho (undefeated championship) last Basho (the first time that had been done in 8 years), and 2004 is shaping up to be a great year for Sumo fans. Myself I haven’t yet missed a broadcast of NHK’s nightly “Sumo Digest” program which recaps all the top-division matches, and each night around 12:30 a.m. my heart starts to go doki doki (getting butterflies in my stomach) wondering if any of the leaders are going to lose. Especially my man Asashoryu, who is aiming for the first back-to-back zensho yusho in 10 years. He left arm appears to be ailing this basho, and he has been pushed to the brink of losing a couple of times, unlike the last basho when he steamrolled through everyone, impressing even the venerable Chiyonofuji, who remarked after Day 10 of that basho:

Even if we put three Chiyotaikais [current Ozeki and Chiyonofuji protege] up there against Asashoryu, that would not be enough right now. As far as sumo content is concerned, there isn’t anyone you can compare against. He is quick. He has skills and has power. There once was a rikishi like him…you know.

I realize all this Sumo talk might be Greek to some of you, especially if you’re outside Japan. If you’re interested, you can get daily recaps of the day’s matches at the indispensable Sumonow.net and you can watch Real Player movies of each top-division bout via the equally indispensable Sumo Movies. For the wider view, the two Nihon Sumo Kyokai sites (here and here) are very extensive. The Kyokai also video streams each day’s matches.