We Start With Chaos

The first day of the Nagoya basho started crazy, with a massive display of strength from the up and coming rikishi. If you fear spoilers for the NHK World broadcast, best to stop reading now.

To start – none of the Ozeki won on opening day, and half of the Yokozuna lost their opening match. It was not that anyone looked unprepared or weak, more it was that the young hard charging newcomers seemed to be ready to show the old guard that sumo demands they defend their lofty rank, every single time.

As we stated in the preview, every single match today had some level of interest, and this will certainly be a good Sunday to take in every match available on Jason’s All Sumo Channel on Youtube.

Results From Day One

Onosho defeats Takanoiwa – It was Onosho from the start with a strong tachiai. Takanoiwa never really seemed to get set up for any kind of offese, as Onosho kept moving forward.

Tochiozan defeats Ichinojo – An impressive show of strength and ring sense by Tochiozan, he was able to lock up the big Mongolian early and dance him around the dohyo.

Ura defeats Endo – Endo was sporting a new stunning gold mawashi, but it was no help for his bout with Ura, who looked impressively stable. Ura did a fantastic job of disrupting Endo’s attacks and bided his time. As Endo went for a mawashi grip, he was ever so slightly off balance and Ura took immediate advantage to shove him out.

Hokotofuji defeats Takayasu – Takayasu was too high in the tachiai, and Hokotofuji never let him recover. Hokotofuji had Takayasu struggling for balance and moved forward strongly. While Takayasu tried to give ground and return the attack, it was all over before the shin Ozeki could find his mark. Impressive win for Hokotofuji.

Tochinoshin defeats Goeido – Goeido let it become a match of strength, had Goeido made it about speed it could have been his match. Interestingly enough, Tochinoshin actually won by stepping out last, rather than any definable kimarite.

Takakeisho defeats Terunofuji – Convincingly I might add. This match was all Takakeisho! There was a stalemate at the tachiai as each rikishi shoved each other back for a few moments, but then Takakeisho pressed a coordinated attack and sent the Kaiju out smartly.

Mitakeumi defeats Kisenosato – With sincere apologies to all the Japanese fans, but I worry that half a Kisenosato is never going to work as a Yokozuna. Despite all of the stories in the press about Mitakeumi’s inadequate preparation, this match was one sided. Nice new mawashi on the shin-Sekiwake too!

Yoshikaze defeats Harumafuji – Possibly the best match of what was already a wild day, the Berserker managed to get the Yokozuna turned around. I was very impressed with how close Harumafuji came to recovering from that fatal mistake, but it was Yoshikaze’s match. I am sure the Yokozuna is glad that the veteran was not able to execute one of the dramatic reverse throws that tend to be a fixture of the highlight reels for years.

Hakuho defeats Kotoshogiku – Well of course he did. I have been a solid Kotoshogiku fan for some time, but his day is past now, and it makes me sad to watch him struggle. Hakuho takes another step closer to the all time win record, and looks excellent doing it.