(Aoiyama's championship hopes tumble)
juryo demotion
becomes extended remix
to oblivion
reaching makuuchi (top
level) defining moment
but maintaining good
win-loss record the only
key to survival
very simply, one will drop
or rise by wins and losses
thus, Nishikigi’s
rise to makuuchi was
challenged recently
three losing bashos in a
row saw him get demoted
at Natsu Basho
in May, back in juryo, he
had to start over
he ended up champion
at juryo level in May
thus, Nishikigi’s
back in makuuchi as
low maegashira
this means wins-losses very
important to maintain status
Nishikigi came
out strong, won five of first six,
then started struggling
day eleven, he
was even five-and-five, to
face Aoiyama
the big Bulgarian sat
one bout behind Hakuho
having easily
his best basho ever, stepped
in Aoiyama
as low-rank maegashira
Nishikigi needs more wins
makekoshi might
mean another demotion
back down to juryo
how many months spent struggling
to get back up? no one knows
some get demoted
and spend years attempting to
regain top status
some never get back, not just
old rikishi, young ones too
a very simple
merit-based formula
can be hard to crack
today, Aoiyama seems
poised to maintain his force
Nishikigi’s heels
being tested, resisting
Aoiyama’s girth
it looks to be another
Aoiyama victory
a loss meant trending
towards makekoshi for
poor Nishikigi
a loss meant demotion might
appear on the horizon
the last five days could
unravel into succession
of failure demons
five wins, ten losses would man
definite return below
that destiny teased
itself as reality
at dohyo’s far edge
inches between failure and
survivor’s perseverance
Nishikigi’s heels
pivoted, Aoiyama
chasing afterwards
for first time, Aoiyama
seems not in control of girth
Nishikigi pushed
big Aoiyama down, both
men falling closely
Nishikigi is declared
winner, surviving the day
each bout becoming
microscopic fault line
in his destiny
metaphysical maintenance
of position in sumo
(the full match, should you care)
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