Here’s an abbreviated look at day 2 while I am traveling back to Dallas. After the thrill of live coverage on day 1, the spring clock shift, and the migration out of the path of the next Nor’Easter, your humble associate editor is bushed!

What We Are Watching Day 2

Daiamami vs Aoiyama – The Bulgarian Man-Mountain has never been able to defeat Daiamami, who holds a 3-0 career record advantage. Aoiyama looked confident and strong on day 1, perhaps today is the day he takes one from Daiamami?

Ikioi vs Myogiryu – Ikioi is still nursing injuries and is in real danger of dropping to Juryo for Natsu. Myogiryu opened Haru with a loss and is looking to bounce back. He holds a 7-4 career advantage.

Asanoyama vs Kotoyuki – Both men lost their opening day matches, and Kotoyuki holds a 2-0 advantage over Asanayama. I am looking for a wild session of slaps and nodowa in this one.

Tochiozan vs Chiyonokuni – Chiyonokuni is in dire need of a solid kachi-koshi this basho, and Tochiozan needs to recover from a very sloppy day 1 match. They are tied 3-3 in career matches.

Ryuden vs Daieisho – Ryuden looked every bit the “Real Deal” on day 1, strong, confident, and in command of his sumo. Daieisho won on the opening day as well, and they are tied 1-1 in their only two prior matches.

Kaisei vs Abi – A good test for Abi! Kaisei is a lot of mass to move around, and he seems to have re-connected to his sumo after some rough tournaments. Abi certainly looked very strong against Yoshikaze on day 1.

Yoshikaze vs Hokutofuji – Hokutofuji seems to have a distinct advantage over Yoshikaze, holding a 5-2 career advantage. Both are looking to be a fraction of their normal selves, and desperately need to re-connect with their sumo.

Shodai vs Takakeisho – I am looking for Takakeisho to bounce back. Look for his “Wave Action Tsuppari” if it lasts that long. I am going to assume a Takakeisho pulling attack at the tachiai.

Mitakeumi vs Takarafuji – The winds of change are blowing, Mitakeumi seems to know this. It’s time to go for double digits and push for the Ozeki tag. Takarafuji is, as always, solid but not quite San’yaku class.

Tamawashi vs Tochinoshin – The first of the really interesting matches – the power thruster vs the man of incredible strength. Tochinoshin will try to get that left-hand grip, and Tamawashi will work to pummel him into the clay. Tochinoshin holds a 14-6 career advantage.

Takayasu vs Ichinojo – Pooh-Bear vs The Boulder, once again Takayasu is not going to be very successful with that ridiculous and ultimately pointless shoulder blast against Ichinojo. Hopefully he applies solid fundamentals from his past sumo, which focused on low hips, deliberate and strong forward motion, and almost inhuman endurance.

Arawashi vs Goeido – Goeido had better win this one.

Kakuryu vs Endo – Going into Haru, I declared with some confidence “Watch Endo”. Yokozuna Kakuryu showed he is not as wounded as many may have assumed, and he is willing to endure the pain of aggravating his injuries to win. Endo will need a solid plan for the final match of day 2.