A short preview tonight, as I am flying back to Texas from the snow encrusted tundra of New Jersey where I have spent this week. A reminder the fans that Saturday night into Sunday AM, NHK World will once again be live streaming the final hour of Makuuchi. So if you are the kind of person who would stay up late to watch the most compelling individual sport on the planet, get ready for some intense action on the middle day of this completely unpredictable Kyushu basho.

What We Are Watching Day 7

Onosho vs Arawashi – This is just cruel, Arawashi has one working leg, and some kind of wooden simulation for the other. I think Onosho will find an easy 6th win here.

Chiyoshoma vs Endo – This will be a good test for Endo, he and Chiyoshoma have a 5-4 career split, and come in with matching 3-3 records. Endo is not looking especially genki right now, but then again neither is Chiyoshoma. Might we get a mighty, flying henka?

Sadanoumi vs Aoiyama – Another matching pair of records, this time with 4-2. Both are quite mobile, but Aoiyama has an amazing reach. Sadanoumi will probably try to use his mobility to get Aoiyama off balance and overcommitted. Otherwise I see Aoiyama’s superior ranged attack likely carrying the match.

Abi vs Daieisho – Both come into this match 5-1 (spotting a theme here?). Daieisho does not have much of a reach, so I am going to guess we get to see day #7 of Abi-zumo work its magic.

Ikioi vs Kagayaki – Both big, strong and mobile. This should be a match worth watching, though Kagayaki has never won a match from Ikioi in 5 attempts.

Shohozan vs Asanoyama – Asanoyama needs to bounce back after 4 straight losses, but Shohozan is no easy mark. His day 6 win over Kotoshogiku is the most intense and entertaining of the basho thus far.

Nishikigi vs Tamawashi – You think, “sure – Tamawashi in a walk over win”. But then again think of what Goeido thought, or what Tochiozan assumed. Nishikigi, like Shodai, may actually have been replaced not long ago by a doodle from Toon Town, and now operate via the laws of cartoon physics. As such he is quite dangerous and somebody will have to deal with him.

Tochiozan vs Hokutofuji – Both rikishi lost on day 6, and today might be more about who’s rhythm was more disrupted by that loss. Hokutofuji has the size and intensity, and Tochiozan the moves and technique.

Myogiryu vs Kaisei – I think Kaisei is too hurt right now for quality sumo, and Myogiryu has been executing some of his best sumo in years. I would expect the Brazilian in the orange mawashi will rack up loss #6.

Chiyotairyu vs Ichinojo – I am starting to feel sorry for Ichinojo, because I am assuming he is not physically up to par. Chiyotairyu on the other hand seems to have hit his stride with his brand of “smash and grab” sumo. He’s gotten 5 wins so far, and I fear number 6 will happen today.

Mitakeumi vs Takakeisho – Hey, Mitakeumi. You know that Sekiwake slot you have enjoyed? This guy says it’s time for you to turn it over to him. You know that Ozeki run? He says he’s going to show you how it’s done. Stand and deliver.

Yoshikaze vs Tochinoshin – A pair of 3-3 records, and a lot of unpredictability. Yoshikaze and and frequently does defeat anyone of any rank on any given day. This basho he has looked a shade less aggressive than September, but then again so has Tochinoshin.

Ryuden vs Takayasu – Ryuden won their only prior match, but Ryuden is looking highly disorganized this basho. I would think that Takayasu will get the job done without too much fuss today.

Goeido vs Shodai – Goeido needs to take this one quite seriously. Picking up a 4th loss on day 7 puts him in genuine mathematical risk of going kadoban again. Shodai on the other hand has all of toon town cheering him on, and a whole bag full of cartoon sumo tricks.