I've finally stayed put in one place long enough to start catching up on the ongoing sumo tournament in Tokyo.  It's a good thing, too, because this basho is shaping up to be a doozy.  Yokozuna Asashoryu was widely reported to be on the ropes in the days leading up to the tournament, on the verge of retirement and personal collapse.  Yet here we are 12 days in and he remains the sole leader at 12-0.  What's more, the fire is back.  He looks mean again, staring down his opponents before matches, and he's doing his John McEnroe bad-boy routine again, as well.  He damn near tore off Kotooshu's arm yesterday.  

   Hakuho, the other yokozuna, is a step back at 11-1.  I hope he keeps pace so that it all comes down to the final match between him and Asashoryu on Sunday.   Flames should be shooting out Asashoryu's ears by that point. 

   Ama has been rechristened Harumafuji in his first appearance at ozeki, the second highest rank.  It seems the new name took some getting used to, as he lost his first four matches.  He's clawed his way back to a 6-6 record now and has looked pretty solid the last few days. 

  36-year-old ozeki Kaio, he of the gimpy lower back,  just keeps on ticking.  He's at 8-4 in his 93rd tournament in the top division, tying him for second place on the all-time list.  His sumo remains as soft as a sponge:  he absorbs everything his opponent throws against him and somehow turns it to his advantage.  If he can make it to year's end, he'll break Takamiyama's all-time record of 97 tournaments in the top division. 

  The other joy has been watching Yamamotoyama, a new arrival in the top division this tournament and at 248 kilograms (546 lbs.) the heaviest Japanese wrestler in history.  He's 6-6 so far.  Beyond his gargantuan size, the boy actually has some technique.  On two of the last three days, he's won with skillful throws.  If his knees don't give out under all that weight, he should have a bright future.