Sekitori-Quadrumvirate-Banzuke Natsu-Basho 2008

[Heikotoriki]

http://www.anasuya.com/4/banzuke.html

After the extremely high scoring in March, the new Quad banzuke is very sekiwake-heavy for the first time in quite a while. Three komusubi earned well-deserved promotions with double-digit records, as well as yusho winner Gonzaburow from a high maegashira rank (making her sanyaku debut). Taka is the other new face in sanyaku, also making his debut. As in Toto, the top ranks were expanded by one spot.

And it was dearly needed, too, as the middle maegashira ranks from M6 to M11 turned out to be very tricky even with the one-slot updraft. As already threatened in the basho summary, all 8-7 players in the area did not earn any promotions, and going make-koshi was a similarly bad idea as it was in Seki-Toto's joi ranks.

We have four makuuchi promotions, with Shiyonofuji returning and Meyeryu, Leonishiki and Watase making their top-division debuts. Mmikasazuma unfortunately had to miss out narrowly despite a 9-6 at J3e due to lack of free spots.

The juryo division starts out with a bit of a crunch resulting in some relatively large 7-8 demotions in the top five ranks, but normalizes further down. Five promotions here, with a return for Chiisabuke and debuts by Fatakiyama, Mabunkiyo, Damagowaka and Koukai.