And so we come to the close of a most enjoyable tournament. It ends with a satisfying result, and with the Sekitori corps advancing well along the path. The Tadpole league took a body blow, with Onosho not starting, Takakeisho going kyujo, and Mitakeumi ending up make-koshi. The veterans had much to celebrate, with Ikioi and Kaisei racking up double digit wins, Endo clearly on the mend, and Tochinoshin still potent. The Freshmen are finding their footing now, and I expect some great challenges by the time we get to kyushu, with the first of that cohort looking to enter san’yaku for their introductory make-koshi.
The match preview is brief on this final day, as most questions have already been settled, but I am sure there will be some good sumo for all the fans.
Haru Leaderboard
Yokozuna Kakuryu Wins the Haru Yusho!
What We Are Watching Day 15
Aminishiki vs Myogiryu – The mind boggles! Uncle Sumo, who if he wins is kachi-koshi, and possibly headed back to Makuuchi for Natsu, faces off against Myogiryu, who is already make-koshi and probably headed to Juryo. Go Uncle Sumo!
Daiamami vs Yutakayama – I think it would be fun if Daiamami ended up with 10 wins, but he’s going up against a very genki Yutakayama. It’s a tough climb, but I think Daiamami has a good chance.
Asanoyama vs Ryuden – You would think that the Maegashira 9 Ryuden would be favored to pick up his final win, and his kachi-koshi, over a Maegashira 13 opponent. But Ryuden has never won against Asanoyama.
Kagayaki vs Ishiura – Can Ishiura henka another win? He just needs one. Kagayaki, can you spare a white star for a brother rikishi?
Abi vs Daishomaru – This battle of the 9-5 Freshmen has a lot of potential for good sumo. Its a challenge for Daishomaru to get inside Abi’s enormous reach, but it will be easiest at the tachiai.
Kaisei vs Ikioi – Both men 11-3, both of them must be genuinely proud of their performance this tournament. This match will probably decide a special prize, and a slice of the jun-yusho. Well deserved, both!
Daieisho vs Shodai – Tough to think that with all of the energetic beatings Shodai has suffered this basho that he still has a chance at kachi-koshi. I have a soft spot in my heart for the guy, and I do hope he picks up his win here.
Kotoyuki vs Takarafuji – Both men in the 10+ loss club. Maybe they should just spread out a checkered square of cloth between the shikiri-sen, and enjoy rice-balls and sake instead.
Endo vs Shohozan – Shohozan wants that 8th win, and he’s going to really have to work for it. Endo is kachi-koshi, but he’s keen for 10 wins at his highest ever rank, giving him a firm launch into San’yaku. Endo leads the series 5-2.
Ichinojo vs Tochinoshin – This has a lot of potential. As we say from Hatsu, Tochinoshin can actually lift Ichinojo, so what will the Boulder do? Who would not love to see an Ichinojo henka? It would be like seeing Mt. St.Helens sing opera.
Mitakeumi vs Goeido – History favors Goeido, but Mitakeumi showed some real painful sumo to Takayasu on Saturday. Hopefully Mitakeumi knows that Goeido is going to come out hard, fast and low.
Kakuryu vs Takayasu – Both of these guys are very chaotic in their sumo. I would expect Kakuryu to allow Takayasu to take the lead until he over-comits, and then it’s time for an Osaka clay norimaki.
Daishomaru is hardly a freshman—he’s been in Makuuchi for two years.
Some freshmen: Asanaoyama, Abi, Yutakayama, (maybe) Ryuden. I did take liberties with Daishomaru for the purpose of story-telling.
According to the database, the following rikishi made their Makuuchi debut in 2017-18: Takakeisho, Ura, Onosho, Yutakayama, Asanoyama, Daiamami, Abi, Ryuden. So I guess add Daiamami to your list of four?
It’s hard to get Takayasu to overcommit, though. That man usually has great footwork. This is going to be a nice dance, I think.
And Takarafuji deserved a chance to bowl Kotoyuki like everybody else. Choose your least favorite shimpan and go for it, Takara-tan!
Ichinojo henka? They call that “continental drift”, I believe. 😀
Once upon a time, makuuchi debutant Ichinojo in zanbara successfully deployed henkas against ozeki Kisenosato and yokozuna Kakuryu. In the following basho, sekiwake Ichinojo sans oicho-mage deployed an unsuccessful henka against Tochiozan and a successful one against ozeki Kotoshogiku.
That was, like, 25 kilos ago? 😁
Amazing that Uncle Sumo rallied to get to 7-7. Really hoping the grand old man has another victory left in him.
Although I’m a Takayasu man, I hope Kakuryu beats him so that we get the delightful symmetry of Tochinoshin being the only person to prevent the zenshoyusho, as big K was in January.
I would pay a bright shiny quarter to see Ichinojo pull a Henka successfully
What is that green giant macaroon? I don’t get to see the ceremonies, so… ew…
It’s symbolic of a gift of macarons the yusho winner receives. Something for the audience to look at during the awards presentation.