Kaio, Chiyo present no challenge to Asashoryu. The gap between leader Asashoryu and the closest competitor has widened to the point that the title race is no longer interesting, so the focus is on how individuals are faring. The main culprits here are the ozeki and their collective collapse. The greatest disappointment is Kaio, who pulled out after Day 9 with a shoulder injury.
He went in as a contender for promotion to yokozuna, but came up short once more. He lost again to rival Kotomitsuki, who beat him on the first day of the previous tournament, and again on Day 7 this time out. It is as though he has lost his will to fight. The fact that the fourth loss squelched his hopes of promotion also was a factor. He became more aware of his injured left shoulder, which seemed to grow more painful. Against Kokkai, he showed no desire to win.
His stablemaster had to accept his decision to quit and Kaio finishes with a losing record, dropping from possible promotion to potential demotion. At 32, it is hard to imagine Kaio making the grade now. Kotozakura became a yokozuna at age 33, but he had far more desire than Kaio.