I am not a huge fan of the oshi-zumo wrestling style of Takakeisho. For those interested, oshi-zumo, is a pushing-thrusting technique, which is executed exactly as it sounds. It is not lacking in skill or strength or application but can be somewhat repetitive to watch. Sure, the quick delivery of harite can be dramatic. Overall though, it lacks variety, or seems to, compared with yotsu-zumo, in which opponents grab each other's belts, or mawashi.
But for Takakeisho, it has brought him great success and the Ozeki (second highest rank) won yesterdays New Years Tournament in Tokyo, beating rank and filer Kotoshoho at the last. With a good record over the past three tourneys and now another title, he is certainly in line for promotion to yokozuna.
Many will baulk at this and I have read some of the forums where he is regarded as merely a 'one-trick pony.' It is funny how non-Japanese fans of the sport can become so partisan, not to mention expert in all aspects of sumo. Takakeisho clearly has more than thrusting out or slapping down in his repertoire, for he won yesterday with a beltless arm throw (sukuinage), confounding many of his critics.
Maybe, with the top division in sight, he wants to diversify. I wish him luck.
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