Day 3 was a day of firsts and saw many first-time meetings between rikishi in the top division. Day 3 also marked the first official bouts (maezumo) of a brand new crop of rikishi making their professional debuts. Included in this group were legendary Yokozuna Taiho’s grandson Naya and the former Yokozuna Asashoryu’s nephew Houshouryu. While their careers may have just started, these two have very bright futures ahead of them. If they can channel the spirit of their forebearers, they may one day become stars of the sport! With Day 3 in the books, let’s move on to Day 4, which has just as many exciting bouts on the undercard!

Daiamami vs. Myogiryu

Day 4 starts off with Myogiryu making a return to our TV screens for the first time since he pulled out of the Kyushu Basho in November. He will take on Daiamami, who I imagine is still trying to recover from being henka’d out of his mawashi by Ishiura yesterday. Daiamami has the size and strength to be a real threat, but he needs to get his sumo up to Makuuchi levels if he wants to stay in the division come March. These two have met three times prior, with Myogiryu leading 2-1.

Ishiura vs. Nishikigi

It looks like a stint in Juryo was just what Ishiura needed to get his sumo back on track! With three straight wins, he finds himself at the top of the leaderboard and one win ahead of his stablemate Yokozuna Hakuho. His Day 4 opponent is Nishikigi, who has only one win after three days. Nishikigi has spent the last three Basho straddling the line between Makuuchi and Juryo, and will need to start posting wins or he’ll be back in the second division before he knows it. Ishiura has dominated their rivalry 7-2.

Abi vs. Ryuden

It’s the face-off of the Makuuchi rookies! Neither Abi or Ryuden have had a great start this Basho, and both come into Day 4 with matching 1-2 records. After two days of over-committing on his thrusting attacks, Abi managed to get his tsuppari going against Grampa Bullfrog Takekaze to pick up his first win. Ryuden, on the other hand, started strong but has been out-muscled in his last two matches. This meeting should be an interesting one, as both fighters use very different styles. Abi and Ryuden have faced off only once before, in a bout won by Abi.

Asanoyama vs. Yutakayama

Don’t worry, you’re not seeing double! Asanoyama takes on his perfect twin Yutakayama, complete with matching oichomage, on Day 4. Asanoyama has been hot as of late and is looking like the confident young rikishi who won our hearts at Aki. With three straight wins, he has a share of the leaderboard going into Wednesday. His doppelganger Yutakayama, however, is struggling much like the last time he entered Makuuchi. Tomorrow marks the fourth time these look-alikes have clashed, and Yutakayama will be trying to even their series to 2-2.

Takekaze vs. Daieisho

Tadpole Daieisho will get a glimpse into his future when he meets Grampa Bullfrog on the dohyo tomorrow. Takekaze has not found much success in the new year and comes into Day 4 winless. Takekaze is the second oldest active rikishi in Makuuchi after Aminishiki, and as such, the possibility of retirement grows every Basho. But like Aminishiki, Grandpa Bullfrog still has a few tricks in the bag, and we may see them if his winless streak continues. Better stay on your toes Daieisho!

Shohozan vs. Aminishiki

Shohozan, you better not play too rough tomorrow! If you break Uncle Sumo, I don’t know if I’ll forgive you. After a terrible tournament in November, it looks like Shohozan has remembered that he’s one of the toughest S.O.B.’s on the dohyo, and he’s been brutalizing almost everyone he’s faced so far. Enter Aminishiki, who seemed a bit lost and confused today in his bout with Sokokurai. He will need to be focused tomorrow, or Shohozan may lay a beat down on him. Luckily for Uncle Sumo, the numbers are on his size, and he has an overwhelming 11-4 lead over Shohozan. Shohozan has lost the last nine times he’s faced the wily veteran, will tomorrow be the day the streak ends?