At the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo, a record 17 wrestlers (rikishi) are absent from the top two divisions. A combination of injuries and Covid-related matters are the culprits. Watching the Makunouchi daily, as I do, the attrition is obvious from the leader board. Sure, one of those wrestlers, Shodai, is an ozeki, but the feel at the top is distinctly spooky.

It is hard to know when we will see the two yokozuna again. Both are veterans who must have one eye on retirement. There is a pretty good crop of younger men coming through, though I cannot see a Hakuho amongst them. Granted, he is pretty special.

Day 14 will give a clearer picture of who will win the Emporer's Cup. Daieisho and Shodai are in the drivers seat, locked at 11-2 each. But if they both fall today, there is a chance that one of the pack may be able to come from behind on Day 15.

If you're interested in finding out about sumo, then NHK World online has lots of stuff, including previous tournaments and video of all the matches in the top division in the current winter tourney. Sumotalk com has a glossary of all the sumo related words that I might use and much more.