RE: Tochinoshin (Georgian Rikishi, Levan Gorgadze) is the Champion. Hatsu Basho 2018. So proud of him. Tochinoshin（グルジアのRikishi、Levan Gorgadze）はチャンピオンです。 Hatsu Basho 2018。彼を誇りに思う。
I am not from Georgia, but I have been following every basho for a few years now.
Tochinoshin has been considered one of the physically strongest wrestlers for quite some time now. Let him get both hands on your mawashi and you're pretty much assured to be lifted outside of the ring in the following seconds. He is also always very cheerful during the interviews, always very nice with fans asking for autographs or pictures etc, and you can tell he enjoys Sumo very much. For these reasons I have been cheering for him for quite some time.
That being said, to be honest I never thought he could win a basho.
But this time, he showed not only tremendous strength as usual, but also more fighting spirit, and more speed than he typically does. He really looked unbeatable, such a delight to look at. I am so happy for him, and hope he can keep up the same pace next basho, and maybe aim at an Ozeki promotion.
He will need to work hard for Ozeki rank. As far as I know, at least 33 wins in 3 consecutive Bashos are mandatory for that. In November Basho he had 9 wins. Needs 10 wins at least on the next Basho. Lets see and cheer for him :)
Glad you like him.
You are right @anakur. At least 33 wins, but this doesn't guarantee the Ozeki rank.
Source:https://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/sumo-rankings
If one day we see him with Yokozuna title ....
But we should also admit, that he got lucky with Kisenosato and Hakuho were injured and left the Basho unfinished.
But we also have to admit, that if he had lost to Kisenosato and Hakuho, He would still finish the Basho with 12-3. And who knows, maybe he could beat one or both Yokozunas. 13-2 or Same 14-1. :)