For all of the sumo fans that were able to watch the lower division action on day 13 were treated to a prime example of why I consider the lower ranks, with specific focus on the Makushita joi, the most brutal part of sumo. Many rikishi are at 3-3, and will throw all caution to the win to get that 4th win and secure their kachi-koshi. We saw a lot more dives off the dohyo, and people coming back up looking pained than in all the prior days combined. That will continue day 14 as some of the last of our rikishi finish out their Haru matches.

In the yusho races, Both Terunofuji and Roga won their bouts, finishing the tournament with perfect 7-0 records. They will meet on day 15 for a tie-breaker match, which will decide the yusho. Naya lost his match against the higher ranked Churanoumi, but finished with a stellar 6-1. We will see him much higher on the banzuke for May. And just to make sure the universe still works as expected, Hattorizakura finished the basho with a flawless 0-7 record.

Terunofuji’s day 13 win, he throws Sadatsuyoshi like a sack of fertilizer.

Day 14 Matches

Hoshoryu vs Kaisho – One of the deadly 3-3 bracket matches, this pits fan favorite Hoshoryu against Makushita 4 Kaisho. This is a Darwin match, with the winner kachi-koshi, and the loser make-koshi. All stops will be off for this match, and I expect a throw-down of epic proportions

Midorifuji vs Hokaho – Another dreaded Darwin match, this time these two are also settling a 1-1 career record. Both of their prior matches featured them tossing each other about with vigor. Given their speed and mobility, it could get brutal.

Wakaichiro vs Hokutoshin – Our own favorite Texan, Wakaichiro, is in a Darwin match as well, against a hefty fellow from Hakkaku heya named Hokutoshin. Winner advances, loser probably ends up in Jonidan.