Kaio, Chiyo present no challenge to Asashoryu.

The gap between leader Asashoryu and the closest competitor has widened to the point that the title race is no longer interesting, so the focus is on how individuals are faring.

The main culprits here are the ozeki and their collective collapse. The greatest disappointment is Kaio, who pulled out after Day 9 with a shoulder injury.

He went in as a contender for promotion to yokozuna, but came up short once more.

He lost again to rival Kotomitsuki, who beat him on the first day of the previous tournament, and again on Day 7 this time out. It is as though he has lost his will to fight.

The fact that the fourth loss squelched his hopes of promotion also was a factor. He became more aware of his injured left shoulder, which seemed to grow more painful. Against Kokkai, he showed no desire to win.

His stablemaster had to accept his decision to quit and Kaio finishes with a losing record, dropping from possible promotion to potential demotion. At 32, it is hard to imagine Kaio making the grade now. Kotozakura became a yokozuna at age 33, but he had far more desire than Kaio.

Chiyotaikai had been nursing an elbow injury and hasn't been able to train properly. He is putting all his strength into his bouts, but his opening thrusts are everything. If they don't do the trick, he is quickly on the defensive, and with his feel for the ring rusty, he ends up looking pretty sad. He got a boost from Kaio's withdrawal, but he still has to face the likes of Wakanosato and Asashoryu and will be challenged to keep his rank.

Hakuho had been thought to be weak against opponents who thrust at the start, but he seems to have overcome that problem.

He notched impressive wins over Miyabiyama, Tochiazuma, Chiyotaikai and Tosanoumi. He did so using great footwork, leaving his victims saying that he was too flexible for their thrusts to have much impact. He's like a tripod that can stand firm on any kind of terrain. He has a natural gift for finding a way to counterattack and this is why the new komusubi can stand up even to Asashoryu.

Kotooshu won his first bout against an ozeki and demonstrated his promise for the future. His successful use of the belt to bottle up Chiyotaikai was brilliant. He has long arms and a hard-to-reach belt, but he also showed his growing strength and skill. He is following right behind Hakuho in the rising star department.

Though he started off in less than top condition, Asashoryu has found his groove. His win over Kyokutenho was a good example. The technique he used was without a doubt an ad lib. Kyokutenho has a tendency to keep his legs apart. Asashoryu has a problem getting off to a quick attack, but he saw Kyokutenho's opening and rushed right at it, driving him to his knee in just three seconds. On the seventh day of the tournament, Asashoryu apparently hurt his elbow while pushing Kotooshu out, and he is feeling pain from his upper arm to his neck.

Even so, he keeps on winning.(IHT/Asahi: January 21,2005)