Kakuryu: Hoshoryu Can't Afford a Halfway Return; Kirishima Leads Wins Race
With the Day 1–2 cards set — Hoshoryu vs Churanoumi then Asanoyama — Otowayama Oyakata (former yokozuna Kakuryu) put the return in blunt terms: \"You absolutely cannot do this halfway. Sitting out again is unthinkable.\" He expects pressure on a yokozuna still without a title at the rank, and said the room will look for at least double-digit wins, not a mere kachi-koshi escape the way a kadoban ozeki might.
Hoshoryu resumed bout work mid-aki jungyo and has been stacking degeiko in Fukuoka, including sessions with Hiradoumi. Separately, the annual win race heading into Kyushu has Ozeki Kirishima out front at 55 wins, with sekiwake Atamifuji next at 50.
Source: Yahoo! Japan Sports