Shohozan Kinboshi, Kisenosato, Takayasu and Tochiozan Remain Undefeated
Shohozan had not won a single bout this tournament, but turned on the power in the final match of the day to win against Yokozuna Kakuryu.
Meanwhile, Kisenosato and Takayasu finished an exciting day of sumo undefeated. This is actually a remarkable achievement by two men who are executing a really solid form of sumo. It should be noted that both of them train their brains out daily, and for the last 6 months or so have totally devoted their lives to achieving greatness in the sport. Heading up to the half way point, they are the ones to beat
In my greatly anticipated match of the pocket warriors, Ura prevailed over Ishiura. Interesting to see both of them try to come in super low at the tachiai. Ura established an arm lock on Ishiura and scored a frontal push out win (oshidashi).
Tochiozan dispatched Sadanoumi to remain undefeated. I might add that Tochiozan is looking very solid, in control and executing well. He is not getting the attention that the Tagonoura Heya rikishi are, but his record is fairly impressive after several basho of of uninspiring performance.
In Okinoumi’s win over Ichinojo, Okinoumi was clearly in control the entire time. While Ichinojo has greatly improved as of late, he needs to develop more by matching against veterans like Okinoumi.
Chiyonokuni has also been fighting very well, currently at 4-2. He blasted Endo off the dohyo to score his latest win. Endo has his followers, but matches like this should give his fans pause. Also in the “fighting really well” category, Chiyoshoma. He went to 5-1 today with a win over Hokotofuji, who will likely have his first career make-koshi.
Would you believe that Kotoshogiku won again? Yes indeed! Mitakeumi gave it a lot of effort, but made the mistake of going chest-to-chest with Kotoshogiku. With the hard part done, Kotoshogiku began the hug-n-chug process, and Mitakeumi learned you should never open the door for him to do that.
The match of the day, Takayasu vs Terunofuji, turned out to follow the theme for this basho thus far. Terunofuji launched out of the tachiai with intensity and action, Takayasu focused on moving forward strongly and with purpose. It was over in seconds with Terunofuji picking up his first loss.
Takarafuji fared no better against Kisenosato, but he put in a more valiant effort and gave Kisenosato a good struggle. There is more than a week to go, but fans may want to begin to fantasize about a final day playoff between Kisenosato and Takayasu for the yusho. That, dear readers, would possibly be legendary.
The Harumfuji vs Yoshikaze match was in fact the street brawl their bouts typically are. Harumafuji picked up the win by what can best be described as a slippiotoshi, when Yoshikaze face-planted into the clay after losing his footing. Like in Kyushu, there have been a large number of traction control problems on the Osaka dohyo this basho. Perhaps it should be addressed.
And in the final match of the day, Shohozan surprised Kakuryu, in a nice convincing win. I am very happy that Shohozan picked up a kinboshi. It’s clear that Kakuryu was not in top form today.
A great weekend of sumo lies ahead, as we head to the half way point of the Osaka tournament.
It really is going to go down to the wire between Kisenosato and Takayasu isn’t it…both are looking absolutely phenomenal in the dohyo.
It is quite an unpredictable basho – who would have thought Kotoshogiku, Terunofuji, Takurafuji AND Tochiazan would ALL be doing so well at this stage (based on recent basho performances).
Really hope to see Kotoshogiku get those final 6 wins!
Yes: Day 6 forcefully advanced the overall plot with its pair of undefeated match-ups. Is it strange that I’ve developed absolute confidence in Kisenosato? It certainly feels strange to me – I did not even consider for a moment that Takarafuji might prevail. On the other hand, given Terunofuji’s brutal return to form, I could not have said the same for Takayasu – but hot god damn. I’m giddy at the seemingly logical prospect of a playoff between our Shin Yokozuna and his Sword-Bearer and apparent BFF.
Battle of the Uras was a mini mini delight. (Go, Go… Mini Mini, Go go go!)
I suspect Giku’s quest to regain his title is going to have me on pins and needles throughout the entirety of the basho. All aboard the tawara-bound Kotoshogiku express! (cue The Kinks’ “Last of the Steam-Powered Trains”.)
Ura vs Ishiura (Mew vs Mew2) was quite entertaining as they both stormed in with there heads down at knee height like no-one had thought to say “hey, he’s a little fella too,you don’t have to do that this time”.
My Kinks song for Kotoshogiku would be “(Thank you for the) Days”,
Well, I imagine it would have been a mistake for either to let the other get underneath. leaving both with the option to either “go lower” or “slap his [expectedly] low ass down”. We just happened to get the mutual limbo-charge.
“Days”? You’re making me a bit misty, here. er… there’s a um… something in my eye. I really wanted to credit Giku with a twofer for taking out the gyoji, too. (Those guys could not stay out of the way today.)
Yeah, that Gyoji take down was really something else, Never get behind a rikishi when ‘ku is doing the hug and chug.
Can’t they throw a flag for interference on that??
I would not have given Kotoshogiku or Terunofuji good odds before it all began, but they are really putting in a remarkable effort.
Terunofuji is definitely bringing the pain. It’s great to see. Terunofuji has been hampered the last year, by God knows what. Physically, as well as psychologically, maybe. I have been expected SO much from the Terror-fuji after he won the 2015 Natsu basho. At least two yushos by now…but…stranger things have been going on. Honest losses…or politically-minded game play behind the scenes. Hmmm? Okay, let me not stir the beehive, here. But good on Teru, so far!