As noted yesterday, this was the quarterfinal bracket:
Super-prospect Asahifuji had perhaps his toughest match yet against Fudoho, just prevailing at the edge by shitatenage to counter his oppenent’s uwatenage attempt. He will next face Omori “the handsome”, who nonchalantly swatted aside Tatsubayama after the latter engaged in a pre-bout stare-down worthy of Hoshoryu. Veteran Akua defeated Anhibiki and will next fight Tanji, who came out ahead in a spirited battle with Ikarigata. If Omori can stop Asahifuji, we’ll have a straightforward title decider on day 13 between him and the winner of Akua vs. Tanji. Otherwise, that winner will be matched with the best available 5-1 opponent, opening the door to a big playoff.
By remaining undefeated, Tanji also keeps alive his hopes of Juryo promotion should he finish 7-0 in the extended promotion zone. Here are how things stand in the regular promotion zone:
Takakento, Shimanoumi, and injured Wakanofuji are already out of the running, and no one else is exactly breaking down the door, though Arashifuji (formerly Matsui) is currently in pole position. We’ll have a better sense of the exchange picture after the next round of bouts.
Day Nine in Tokyo. No new kyujo in the top divisions.
Kazekeno picked up his first loss against Shonannoumi. At 8-1, he still holds a solo lead in the Juryo yusho race. Kazuma and Enho trail at 7-2. Enho defeated Nishikigi, a fading member of the old guard – and one of the larger members of the old guard. If I recall correctly, at one point he was the largest guy in Makuuchi. Enho still took him on head-on and managed to shove him out. No tricks.
Down in makushita, Omori slid out of the way of Tatsubayama to stay in the hunt for the third division title. Asahifuji survived a scare against Fudoho. The pair teetered at the edge with Asahifuji succeeding in pulling Fudoho down a fraction of a second before he went down. He’s still on the path to join the 21-win club but it’s obvious the competition will only get more difficult from here.
Takerufuji (6-3 Juryo) defeated Oshoumi (1-8). Oshoumi shifted to his left at the tachiai but Takerufuji still blanketed him and quickly blasted him from the ring. Yoritaoshi.
Wakanosho (5-4) defeated Roga (5-4). Roga attacked Wakanosho from the side and shoved him toward the bales. Wakanosho countered by shifting to the side and shoving Roga down. Tsukiotoshi.
Fujiryoga defeated Mitakeumi. Fujiryoga hit Mitakeumi with a solid tachiai and drove him back to the bales, attacking his face. Oshidashi.
Kotoeiho (7-2) defeated Tobizaru (7-2). Tobizaru allowed Kotoeiho to drive him back to the tawara, opting to use the bales to mount his counter attack. He shifted to the side but Kotoeiho adjusted well. Kotoeiho drove forward again and this time shoved Tobizaru clear from the ring. Oshidashi.
Shishi (3-6) defeated Tamawashi (0-9). Henka! Shishi jumped left and Tamawashi rolled to a stop at 0-9. Tsukiotoshi.
Kinbozan (5-4) defeated Ryuden (3-6). As Ryuden sought Kinbozan’s belt, Kinbozan rotated clockwise, eventually succeeding in making Ryuden dizzy and slapping him down. Hatakikomi.
Ura (6-3) defeated Tokihayate (3-6). Kokonoe-oyakata stopped the fight with the probably the most delayed “matta” call I’ve ever seen. People wondered if shinpan had the ability to stop a fight and he proved it today. The fight was well under way when he raised his hand. The gyoji saw it and stopped the fight. Everyone looked at the head shimpan. “What’s up?” Kokonoe-oyakata raised his fist. At first, I thought he was calling Ura for a forbidden closed fist strike. “Get your hands down!” “Okay. Yessir.” Extraordinary. So, everyone reset and went at it again. On the second tachiai, Ura had the clear upper hand, got behind Tokihayate and shoved him out from behind. Okuridashi.
Hakunofuji (6-3) defeated Abi (4-5). Abi seemed to have adopted Shodai’s “Stand-up” Tachiai. Regardless, Hakunofuji took advantage of Abi-zumo. He absorbed Abi’s tsuppari and moved forward when Abi retreated for his slapdown attempts. After a few hops, Abi was at the edge and Hakuoho – I mean, Hakunofuji – easily forced him out. Yorikiri.
Asanoyama (6-3) defeated Chiyoshoma (4-5). Asanoyama charged ahead and cast Chiyoshoma into the second row of spectators — under the watchful gaze of Lord Dark Helmet’s okamisan. (Oh dear, I might just have to do that fanfic. It would be brilliant. I’d have to write her as the not-so secret patron of the former Ozeki.) Oshidashi.
Nishikifuji (3-6) defeated Fujiseiun (5-4). I think Fujiseiun was a bit stunned by Nishikifuji’s head-first tachiai. Nishikifuji got his right arm under Fujiseiun’s left, rotated, and pulled Fujiseiun down. Kotenage.
Halftime
Churanoumi (6-3) defeated Oshoma (5-4). Churanoumi steadily beat Oshoma back with tsuppari. Tsukidashi.
Shodai (3-6) defeated Asahakuryu (3-6). It looked like Shodai was going to eat it there but he recovered, pressed forward and shoved Asahakuryu back to the bales. Some sloppy footwork from Asahakuryu and he stepped out instead of working his way along the tawara. Oshidashi.
Yoshinofuji (6-3) defeated Oho (3-6). Oho tried the double-outside arm hold. Unfortunately for him, Yoshinofuji was still able to use his arms. He put Oho in a bear hug, held him up and drove him to the bales and over. Yoshinofuji was glad to be free of Oho’s hold, stretching his elbow afterwards. Yorikiri.
Takanosho (4-5) defeated Hiradoumi (4-5). Takanosho shifted to his left and slapped Hiradoumi down. Hatakikomi.
Ichiyamamoto (4-5) defeated Fujinokawa (4-5). This was the best and most effective I have ever seen Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari game. The thrusts kept Fujinokawa at bay. The subtle shifts and slapdowns forced him off balance. Fujinokawa was left with no way in. So, he went out. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Kotoshoho (6-3) defeated Wakatakakage (7-2). After an initial flurry of tsuppari from both men, Wakatakakage made the mistake of pulling. Kotoshoho was all over him and easily pressed forward and forced him out. Yorikiri.
Atamifuji (5-4) defeated Daieisho (3-6). Daieisho used his tsuppari to no effect. Atamifuji batted some volleys away but focused on pressing forward, forcing Daieisho to the bales. As he lost ground, Daieisho shuffled clockwise around the ring but Atamifuji pursued well and shoved Daieisho from the fighting surface. Oshidashi.
Kirishima (8-1) defeated Wakamotoharu (2-7). Kirishima forced Wakamotoharu back to the edge. Wakamotoharu tried to shift to the side but Kirishima drove straight through him, crushing him backwards. Wakamotoharu fell back on his but while Kirishima dove headlong over the edge. Kirishima was bloodied, possibly from landing face first on the step leading up to the dohyo. He rolled into a few Chads at the side of the ring and came up with a forehead and nose covered in blood. The way he was touching his face afterwards makes me think he might need some new dental work. But at least he got his kachi-koshi! Yoritaoshi.
Gonoyama (7-2) defeated Kotozakura (2-7). Kotozakura charged forward while Gonoyama shifted right along the tawara. Kotozakura fell forward and Gonoyama stepped out. Gunbai Gonoyama. Mono-ii. The shimpan judged Kotozakura out first, confirming the ruling on the field. Hatakikomi.
Wrap-up
Kotozakura will, in all likelihood be officially kadoban in the coming days. Will he go kyujo? Will Kirishima go kyujo to get his grill looked at? I just think we were inches from a real medical emergency today and hopefully Kirishima heads straight to the hospital to get sorted.
That said, this yusho race is pulling in some really interesting names. Wakatakakage and Tobizaru fall into the chase group. Kirishima regains his position as sole leader with his winning record secured.
On the other end of the spectrum, we’re getting a bit more clarity with the Makuuchi/Juryo exchanges. I’m interested to hear your opinions on this. In my humble opinion, at the current pace we could be getting three to five promotion cases from the second division. Onokatsu, Daiseizan, Takerufuji and maybe Sadanoumi seem determined to put in a good word. Kyokukaiyu or maybe even Kazuma might be able to get in there with great finishes to the tournament but I’m thinking three is most likely the number.
If that’s the case, Tamawashi, Oshoumi and Ryuden appear closest to earning slots on “the barge.” Everyone else at the bottom of Makuuchi seem determined to avoid the drop. Shishi and Tokihayate would really need to fall apart this week to join the other three.
We close out “Act Two” tomorrow. Already? Geez this basho is going by quickly. Kirishima will face Shodai tomorrow. Maybe Shodai can point the Ozeki to a good reference for the dental work. Kotozakura will fight Wakamotoharu and one of them will be make-koshi. Gonoyama will fight Kotoshoho. Kotoshoho’s been looking quite solid and might be a dark horse. In the final sanyaku bout, Wakatakakage will fight Atamifuji.
Down in the rank-and-file, Tobizaru will fight Abi, Fujiryoga will fight Tokihayate and Kotoeiho will take on Ryuden. I would have thought they would move Fujiryoga and Kotoeiho up a bit but no. Feeding them some chum for now. Will see you back here tomorrow.
It’s day 8, which means the first 4 rounds of lower-division bouts have been completed. Here’s the day 9 bracket for the quarterfinals:
We get our first look at super-prospect Asahifuji, who visits from Sandanme to fill out the bracket. He fights Fudoho rather than lowest-ranked Omori in order to break up the Tokitsukaze pair of Fudoho and Tatsubayama. Asahifuji is the Isegahama Mongolian who trained in the heya for several years before his debut while he waited for ex-Terunofuji to retire and open up the foreigner slot. He was very highly touted, and hasn’t disappointed to this point, taking the Jonokuchi and Jonidan yusho and running his career record to 18-0 (not counting two playoff wins). His opponent debuted at Ms60TD in March with a 4-3 record.
Tatsubayama is another Mongolian who debuted last July, took the Jonokuchi yusho, and has a 27-3 record (with two absences). He’ll fight newcomer Omori, aka “the hunk.” The third bout pairs Anhibiki, who also took the Jonokuchi in his first basho, in January 2024, but has slowed down since, with former maegashira, salt thrower, and bow twirler Akua, the only grizzled veteran to make the quarterfinals. Finally, we get Tanji, who started 4 years ago but is still only 19, against Ikarigata, Fujinokawa’s more highly touted brother. It promises to be a good day of action tomorrow!
It is Nakabi in Tokyo which means Shinjo Shusse Hiro. These seven noobies are put on display in their master’s kesho mawashi because they have completed maezumo and will be in Jonokuchi for Nagoya. Kakizoe (Ikazuchi), Uza (Onoe), Ogawa (Tamanoi), Otsuna (Kokonoe), Tetsufuji (Isegahama), Ibata (Sakaigawa), and Haruto (Shikoroyama).
We talked about Chiyoshoma yesterday and Otsuna (far left front) is wearing one of his kesho mawashi. I imagine he might be Chiyoshoma’s recruit. Behind him, I think Haruto is wearing one of Abi’s. If that’s true, it should give you hints as to who is planning to join the ranks of the oyakata and who will likely inherit a stable or branch out on their own. Or I’m reading too much into things and they just grabbed one that was laying around.
In Juryo, Kazekeno shoved Toshinofuji from the dohyo to remain undefeated. With Daiseizan’s defeat at the hands of Kyokukaiyu, Kazekeno has opened a 2-bout lead over Daiseizan and Enho. For his part Enho beat Kayo, as expected. Nay, as we demanded.
Sadanoumi (4-4 Juryo) defeated Wakanosho (4-4) That was the fastest and most aggressive move I have seen from Sadanoumi. He might have been irritated at the kachi-age from Wakanosho at the tachiai but he blitzed the shin-nyumaku, grabbed the front of Wakanosho’s mawashi and charged toward the front edge of the dohyo. He worked that right hand inside and finished Wakanosho off and drove him into the crowd. Wakanosho was just along for the ride. Yorikiri.
Fujiryoga (6-2) defeated Kotoeiho (6-2). Fujiryoga pressed into Kotoeiho and Kotoeiho slid back to the tawara, expecting to use the bales as a backstop. Fujiryoga kept driving him back though, and crushed him out. Watashikomi.
Ryuden (3-5) defeated Tamawashi (0-8). Ryuden worked to get both hands inside on Tamawashi’s belt. To me, it looked like Ryuden twisted and pulled Tamawashi forward, so I was expected a shitatenage. Maybe with the sudden shift of weight, Tamawashi fell forward. Instead, they’re saying Tamawashi basically took a knee. Tsukihiza.
Tokihayate (3-5) defeated Oshoumi (1-7). Tokihayate grabbed Oshoumi quickly, pivoted and pressed him over the bales. Yorikiri.
Tobizaru (7-1) defeated Ura (5-3). Tobizaru and Ura shoved each other around the ring. At the decisive moment, Tobizaru pulled and Ura drove forward. Tobizaru fell out of the dohyo as Ura fell down. Gunbai Ura. Mono-ii. The shimpan decided on a Torinaoshi (rematch). In the rematch, Ura pulled and Tobizaru kept his footing as he pressed ahead and shoved him out of the ring. Oshidashi.
Roga (5-3) defeated Kinbozan (4-4). Henka! Kinbozan fell for it. Hatakikomi.
Mitakeumi (4-4) defeated Hakunofuji (5-3). Mitakeumi was all offense today. He charged into Hakunofuji with a nodowa and continued to press forward while grabbing Hakunofuji’s belt. Hakunofuji used the tawara to stop Mitakeumi’s advance. Undeterred, Mitakeumi pivoted and pulled Hakunofuji down by that inside belt grip. Shitatedashinage.
Nishikifuji (2-6) defeated Shishi (2-6). Nishikifuji rammed his head into Shishi and bulldozed ahead. Shishi tried to avoid that head butt and turned away. Nishikifuji kept charging ahead and shoved Shishi out from behind. Okuridashi.
Asanoyama (5-3) defeated Oshoma (5-3). Asanoyama waltzed around the ring with Oshoma for a while before pivoting and using his left-hand over-arm belt grip to throw Oshoma into the middle of the ring. Uwatenage.
Asahakuryu (3-5) defeated Chiyoshoma (4-4). Asahakuryu outlasted Chiyoshoma in this lengthy grapple. Both men had left-hand inside grips and tussled for advantage. Asahakuryu forced Chiyoshoma back and over the edge. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Abi (4-4) defeated Fujiseiun (5-3). Abi Henka! Abi leapt to the left, reached over Fujiseiun’s back for a grasp of his belt and pulled him forward. Uwatenage.
Hiradoumi (4-4) defeated Churanoumi (5-3). Hiradoumi blitzed Churanoumi and drove him to the edge. Churanoumi tried to find a way to counter at the bales but Hiradoumi put his head down and blasted his way forward, shoving Churanoumi out. Oshidashi.
Yoshinofuji (5-3) defeated Fujinokawa (4-4). Yoshinofuji did a great job of keeping Fujinokawa in front of him, though he earned a bloody nose for his efforts. As Fujinokawa flailed around, Yoshinofuji used his excellent balance and footwork to stay centered and steadily work Fujinokawa to the edge. Fujinokawa tried to trip him and change directions. Yoshinofuji eventually shoved him over the bales. Oshidashi.
Ichiyamamoto (3-5) defeated Takanosho (3-5). Ichiyamamoto grasped the big onigiri in both hands, like a minister holding up a wafer for communion, and then — exactly like a minister during communion — Ichiyamamoto shifted right and dumped Takanosho on the floor. Hikiotoshi.
Sanyaku
Wakatakakage (7-1) defeated Oho (3-5). Wakatakakage pulled Oho forward toward the edge, cycled along the tawara in order to regain an advantageous position while forcing Oho to the edge. While he couldn’t execute an uwatenage, he followed up by pressing forward into Oho and driving Oho over the bales. Yorikiri.
Atamifuji (4-4) defeated Shodai (2-6). Shodai’s ACME-brand gear shift was stuck in reverse. Atamifuji jumped all over him, grabbed the front of his belt with his left hand and shoved him over the bales. Oshidashi.
Kotoshoho (5-3) defeated Wakamotoharu (2-6). Wakamoto-henka jumped to the left. Kotoshoho adjusted and charged ahead, shoving Wakamotoharu from the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (3-5) defeated Kotozakura (2-6). Kotozakura didn’t have any offense today. Daieisho Dai-ei-Showed him to the exit with his tsuppari (as depleted as it has been the past few basho). Kotozakura is on a Path to Kadobanship. Oshidashi.
Gonoyama (6-2) defeated Kirishima (7-1). After Kirishima’s throw attempt failed, Kirishima seemed to just run out of ideas and strength. Gonoyama pressed forward and ushered the Ozeki over the bales. Oshidashi.
Wrap-up
Gonoyama denied Kirishima his kachi-koshi. Kirishima falls back into a share of the lead with Wakatakakage and Tobizaru, way down in the rank-and-file. On 6-2 we have Gonoyama, Kotoeiho, and Fujiryoga.
1-Loss: Kirishima, Wakatakakage, Tobizaru
2-Losses: Gonoyama, Kotoeiho, Fujiryoga
Kirishima will fight Wakamotoharu tomorrow. Wakamotoharu has looked completely lost this tournament but I’d expect him to be able to find focus against an Ozeki, especially one battling his brother for the title. Gonoyama will get a crack at Kotozakura, aka the lost Ozeki wandering around in the wilderness. Atamifuji will fight Daieisho and Kotoshoho will fight Wakatakakage. Tobizaru will fight Kotoeiho as the Kyokai begins to put an end to these rank-and-file yusho runs. Fujiryoga will fight Mitakeumi.
