Diminutive journeyman Midorifuji leads the Emperor¡¯s Cup race as the 2023 spring meet moves into its final act.

Although ranked 19 (out of 42) in sumo¡¯s top tier, Midorifuji reached double digits unbeaten in Osaka, before finally falling to Wakamotoharu on Day 11.

The fact that just one other wrestler among the sport¡¯s 20 highest rankers is within a bout of the front-runner only highlights the current lack of quality in sumo¡¯s upper echelons.