If Ishikawa Sho compete earlier

[katoshiho]

We still need a rookie that can reached Yusuke's level. Yoshiyuki is close, but he still tired on Salmon Ladder 15. Keitaro have weakness on Stage 2, Nakajima is still young, need about 5 years to get Kanzen.
Well, if Ishikawa Sho compete earlier, will he be a threat for Yusuke? For example, start from SASUKE 38.
PS: he never competed in real race. and PPS: Predict if his number will be 56 in SASUKE 38, 79 in SASUKE 39, and 69 in SASUKE 40. For this year, he can replace 75 because Okazawa is impossible to clear Stage 1. And PPPS: I watch his YouTube channel.

[dakohosu]

Depends.

He's clearly capable on the later stages, but for most of these guys who've been training for years and haven't managed to get on the show, the pressure of being a first time competitor tends to get to them. Just look at UnCli No. 4, Iwasaki, Kishimoto, etc. they all succumbed to mental pressure (and probably lack of Stage 1 training).

Assuming he was repeatedly invited back, he'd probably fail Stage 1 the first couple of times, then if he manages to clear at some point it's a different story. I don't think it's an immediate case of Stage 1 fail or reaching the Final, but making it deep into Stage 3 is definitely possible if he can clear without being disinvited. Though that is the elephant in the room, given that Inui tends to give competitors one or two shots max before he culls them.