The March Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka has begun, minus the Yokozuna, and with a continuing thin upper rank of wrestlers. It seems like only yesterday when there were three Yokozuna, a few Ozeki, and contenders aplenty for promotion. Instead we have an empty cupboard at the top, and a single rikishi who seems capable of holding onto the Ozeki rank. Strange times indeed.

Oddly enough, since writing that opening paragraph, I have learned that the sole Ozeki, Takakeisho, has withdrawn on Day 7 with an injury. This is the first time since 1926, in the Showa Era, that a tournament has been without a wrestler from the top two ranks, making it somewhat newsworthy. With so many rank and filers chasing the top prize expect a topsy-turvy tourney!