What a great day today, and what a fantastic finish to the Aki Basho (Autumn Tournament). Ozeki Harumafuji has achieved the greatest level capable in the sport of sumo- he has met the great requirements to be promoted to Grand Champion (Yokozuna). Harumafuji, formerly known as Ama, received his new ring name when he was promoted to the second highest level of Junior Grand Champion (ozeki) in January of 2009 and has since won 2 tournaments. In the summer tournament 2 months ago, he won his first zensho-yusho (perfect record tournament win), beating all the other ozeki and the current Grand Champion, Hakuho. This was his career third tournament win. Today, he beat Hakuho again, finishing a second straight perfect tournament and, having satisfied the basic requirement for promotion to Yokozuna of winning 2 tournaments in a row, should be promoted to Yokozuna for the next tournament in November. If you saw today’s sumo bouts, you witnessed a little bit of history, if you didn’t see them, check ’em out on You Tube (link below). Congratulations to Harumafuji on his great achievement. I’m looking forward to renewed intensity to be expected when there are 2 Yokozuna, which we haven’t seen since Asashoryu’s retirement a few years back.
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