There was something reassuring today about seeing sumo’s two yokozuna grand champions battle in the dohyo on day 15 for the Emperor’s Cup. Before the empty seats in the Osaka arena broke the nostalgia, it felt for a minute like we were back in the old normal before this new normal became normal.

Hakuho wins the yūshō. The greatest of all time. Everything was as it should be. At least for a fleeting moment.