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Sumo Association releases Hatsu basho banzuke

Dec. 24th - The Sumo Association released the 2014 Hatsu basho banzuke early in order to generate sufficient media coverage prior to the long year-end new-year holiday season in Japan. On the heels of his 6th career yusho, Harumafuji moves to the top spot in the East while Hakuho occupies the West Yokozuna slot for the 1st time in five basho. Kisenosato leads the way yet again in the Ozeki ranks while Kotoshogiku finds himself kadoban for the 2nd time in his career meaning he must win eight bouts in January or be demoted to Sekiwake. With former Ozeki Kotooshu's departure from the ranks, the Ozeki are whittled down to three rikishi for the 1st time since the 2011 Aki basho following Kaio's retirement.

Goeido occupies the Sekiwake rank for the 11th basho in a row, a mark good enough for second place all time while Kotooshu falls into the West slot after having served as an Ozeki for eight years. The Bulgarian can regain his Ozeki status with 10 wins in January. In the Komusubi slot, Myogiryu makes his return to the rank for the first time in nine basho although he served as Sekiwake as recently as two basho ago. Myogiryu is joined by Tochiohzan who was demoted from Sekiwake following the Kyushu basho but holds onto sanyaku status the third basho in a row.

In the Maegashira ranks, two rookies make their debut in M14 Kagamioh and M15 Takanoiwa while M12 Chiyootori and M16 Satoyama make their return to the division. Satoyama will fight in Makuuchi for the first time in over six years setting the dubious record of taking the most time to return to the division after being demoted. Click here to see the entire Makuuchi banzuke.

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