The yusho race
As we all know and I won’t belabor, the yusho race is now, well, a race. Hakuho will need to regroup tomorrow against Mitakeumi in order to ensure his lead, with the added incentive of avenging the one blemish on his Nagoya yusho.
What would already have been a huge bout between 8-3 Takayasu, who just erased his kadoban status and is once again a full-fledged Ozeki, and 9-2 Hokutofuji takes on added importance. Hokutofuji will want to keep pace in the yusho race as well as strengthen his San’yaku bid (see below). He won in his only previous meeting with Takayasu.
The other 9-2 pursuer, M12 Okinoumi, takes on none other than Aminishiki in an intriguing and surprisingly important bout.
The battle for the upper ranks
After today, we know we will have two Ozeki for Hatsu, but Goeido still needs one win to avoid becoming kadoban. He takes on Ichinojo in a “who knows what’s going to happen?” match. Surprisingly, their career record is even at 5-5.
Today’s victories by both Mitakeumi and Yoshikaze made it more likely that they will continue as Sekiwake. Mitakeumi needs just one win in the final four days, and will have his first shot at kachi-koshi against Hakuho. Yoshikaze still needs two wins, but has the easier task tomorrow when he meets Chiyonokuni.
Onosho’s loss today left him no room for error—he needs to win out to defend his Komusubi rank. Tomorrow, he takes on Chiyotairyu, which has serious brawl potential.
In the race to join San’yaku, there are only 3 likely contenders. Tamawashi and Hokutofuji kept pace today, while Takakeisho did not. Tomorrow’s Tamawashi-Takakeisho bout looms large!
The battle for Makuuchi
While the battle for the upper ranks got clearer today, that for who will be in the top division got muddier. Among the demotion candidates in Makuuchi, Daimami, Kotoyuki, Asanoyama, and Takekaze won, while Nishikigi, Aoiyama, and Myogiryu lost. Aoiyama, Daiamami, and Nishikigi now need to win 3 out of 4, Takekaze and Myogiryu need 2 wins, and Kotoyuki and Asanoyama should be safe with another win (Daieisho and Daishomaru could each also use another win to be assured of staying in the top division).
Tomorrow’s matches that affect demotion chances are Aoiyama-Kotoyuki, Daiamami-Ikioi, Endo-Myogiryu, Takekaze-Chiyomaru, Chiyoshoma-Nishikigi, Asanoyama-Tochinoshin, Takarafuji-Daieisho, and Shohozan-Daishomaru.
Down in Juryo, Sokokurai won to go to 10-1, and is likely one win away from cementing his promotion. Ishiura, Yutakayama and Abi are next in line, and need two wins apiece. Ryuden and Kyokutaisei round out the list of those with a realistic shot at promotion. The big Juryo bouts between contenders tomorrow are Kyokutaisei-Ishiura and Sokokurai-Yutakayama.
Personally, I want to see less of Aoiyama and more of Kotoyuki. It’s nice to have someone to cheer for in as many matches as possible. That said, it’s going to be hard to pick a favourite out of Takayasu and Hokutofuji!
Go Sokokurai! I need to go watch some of his matches if he’s going to be appearing in Makuuchi soon. Ishiura was a huge disappointment last basho; I’m hoping he picks up some new tricks before returning, and not ones that involve untying someone’s mawashi.
There you go: Sokokurai vs. Takagenji:
https://youtu.be/IbhMFL_odaU
Previous day vs. Hidenoumi (sweet!)
https://youtu.be/g-6IbQzLSzk
And Ishiura vs. Abi:
https://youtu.be/f7n3w1Ke1Sk
Awesome, thank you! I haven’t found a reliable source of Juryo videos for this basho…
Yeah, I just found that Youtube channel, and it’s a real jewel.
Found this synchronized diving gem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T65OeDGCBI
Yeah, I am worried that if he gets too many followers they will shut him down.
I’m so happy to see Sokokurai on a tear! I had high hopes for him after Hatsu — Jason once said that he’d never be an ozeki and I can’t dispute it but I’d like him to make up to sanyaku before the end of his career.
I’m not sure what problems Sokokurai has had this but he went getting jun-yusho in January to being relegated in July. I was expecting him to wipe the floor with the opposition in September but he was mediocre but time around he could easily wrap up the title with a couple of days to spare. I’ll be glad to see him back as he has the best back story, being expelled from the sport for refusing to apologise for something he didnt to. Heck I can almost hear the voiceover for the film trailer.
It would be good to see Sokokurai back again, I wish him luck!
I’m just the opposite, I’d rather see Abi or Ryuden make it up there, instead of old Mr. not-really a cheater. He’s down at the bottom of my favorite gaijin list with Gagamaru. (Yes, I’d root for Francis or Masutoo over them any time)
His sumo has certainly been outstanding this basho, the 10-1 record isn’t a fluke at all. I’m rooting for 14-1 at this point. :)
For those who enjoyed having a “flying monkey” (Tobizaru) in the juryo ranks a couple of basho ago, his potential return is also on the line tomorrow as he’s up in juryo trying to convert his 3-3 record into kachikoshi.
The greatest shikona.
I enjoyed watching Abi at Nagoya, he seems like a popular rikishi!
Also really want to see Mitoryu and Enho get their kesho mawashi asap!