The New Year's Grand Sumo Tournament began yesterday at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, minus the sole Yokozuna Terunofuji (knee surgery), and with a highly depleted top order. There is now only one Ozeki, Takakeisho, his fellow rikishi having been demoted emphatically at the end of last year.

It speaks to a kind of crisis at the top of the wrestling pyramid and while there are talented young men coming through, the sheer attrition in the two highest ranks will be hard to fill. One can only hope for good performances this basho from the likes of Hoshoryu and Wakatakakage. We might also pray for the success of Asanoyama in the juryo division and his quick return to the top league after a time in oblivion. Currently he is at 2-0.

News also that Ichinojo is out with a 'Covid Infraction' is also a blow to the tourney. Rumour has had it that the gigantic Mongolian had been involved in misbehaviour, though an investigation by the Sumo Association found the allegations were rather too historic, way back in 2015. Still, one wonders at the suspension - for not conforming to covid regulations - if that was really all it was about. I will be glad to see him back in spring though.