Kyushu 2011 Best

The Power Ranking system reveals the top 11 performances in terms of strength of opponents defeated for Kyushu. Why 11? Because, to quote Nigel Tufnel, “Well, it’s one louder, isn’t it? It’s not ten.” Or maybe it’s because I care ten percent more: you decide.

                         Strength                                    W-L          Previous
     Rikishi             W-L          Win %                   Record     Ranking

1.   Hakuho              145-17          89.5%                        14-1               (1)

2.   Baruto                120-27          81.6%                        11-4               (4)

3.   Kotoshogiku        95-58           62.0%                        11-4              (2)

4.   Toyonoshima      89-74           54.6%                          9-6               (10)

5.   Kakuryu                86-79           52.1%                        10-5              (6)

6.   Kisenosato           85-80           51.5%                        10-5              (3)  

6.   Harumafuji          85-79           51.8%                          8-7               (8)

6.   Goeido                 85-83           50.5%                          7-8               (NR)  

9.   Kotooshu             70-84           45.4%                          9-6               (NR)  

10. Tochinowaka      64-97           39.7%                          7-8               (NR)

11. Okinoumi            58-115         33.5%                          7-8               (7)

There really aren’t a lot of comments needed. No one is close to Hakuho. Although Baruto and Kotoshogiku finished with the same won-loss record it makes a huge difference if you are beating the bottom end of the jo’i or the top end of the sanyaku.

There is basically a four-way tie for 5 through 8 (and a three way tie for most wins at 6). I guess the basic comment here is that Kisenosato did not turn in a performance worthy of ozeki promotion, but that’s beating a dead horse at this point.

The big break in the rankings occurs at 9, Kotooshu, as he beat the bottom dwellers (or, to use the oft employed phrase, “rank and filers”) and lost to most of the good rikishi. His win on day 15 over Harumafuji was necessary for him to have a winning record for the year: 32-31-12. It must be ozeki pride that helped him pull that one out.

Tochinowaka makes this list for the first time. Get used to it, because the kid is good.