The to It took a while for me to summon the mental state to write the day 7 highlights, as frankly my initial reactions to the corpus of day 7 Makuuchi was a blend of disappointment, disbelief and disappointment, and that’s no way to write about sumo. Transitional periods like the one we have been in for a while are chaotic and disorienting, regardless of the field of endeavor. In a sport like sumo, where its individuals rather than teams, the chaos can be more pronounced.
Day 7 featured a lot of sub-par sumo in my opinion. The higher up the torikumi, the worse the problem was. Cheap, sloppy and not quite what fans have been used to for the past 10 years. I can say that I was (and maybe others) were spoiled by the high level of sumo that has been our bi-monthly staple for a good long time. With the old guard winding down, and the new champions finding their way, there are going to be periods where it all looks like hell.
I think it’s emblematic of the period, and level of sumo, that Okinoumi remains undefeated and the sole yusho leader. Not to subtract anything against a solid, journeyman rikishi. He has had a few prior hot streaks in the past, my favorite being Kyushu 2017, where he picked up his 3rd Jun-Yusho and his 3rd Kanto-sho. But the fact that a rikishi whose hatsu-dohyo was in January 2005 tells me quite a bit about just how broken and battered the top division is right now.
On to the matches.
Highlight Matches
Azumaryu defeats Chiyoshoma – Chiyoshoma up from Juryo, he made a good show of it at first, until Azumaryu shrugged of the face slaps, grabbed Chiyoshoma’s mawashi and gave him a reason to go put on his yukata.
Ishiura defeats Yutakayama – Yutakayama opened strong, throwing a lot of tsuppari against Ishiura, who used a fascinating tactic – absorb and shift. This kept Yutakayama constantly working for a firm stance, and prevented any durable offensive theme from emerging. As the seconds tick by, Yutakayama is becoming more frantic – Ishiura is draining him of energy, and it works! Yutakayama’s balance gets sloppy and he goes to grapple Ishiura. Once that happens, he’s easy meat for Ishiura, who takes the exhausted Yutakayama out in a rush. There was a long stretch of time when I though Ishiura was a lost cause, but he has shown some solid sumo, and some strategic thinking this basho.
Daishoho defeats Takagenji – It was bound to happen some time, and I am glad that Daishoho racked his first win at last. Daishoho did a masterful job of containing Takagenji and preventing him from really mounting a credible threat.
Shohozan defeats Tochiozan – I swear these two are fighting at half of their original speed. The skill is still there, but the lightning fast attacks are nowhere to be found. The two battled for some kind of grip, and fought back and forth for control of the inside position, and wore each other down. It ended when Tochiozan appeared to have run out of stamina, and Shohozan went for a Yorikiri.
Tsurugisho defeats Enho – Enho could not work his magic today, as Tsurugisho bracketed him and kept quite low at the end of the match. Like most of the tall rikishi, Tsurugisho struggled to figure out what to do with his grip all the way around the back of Enho’s mawashi. Many time Enho uses this awkward position to great advantage, and in fact Tsurugisho had to spend some time thinking it through.
Meisei defeats Kagayaki – Meisei pulled out a rescue move at the tawara, with Kagayaki advancing strongly for the win. A couple of the shimpan looked like they thought a monoii was in order, but the call stood, and Meisei holds on to his 1 loss record to stay just behind Okinoumi.
Sadanoumi defeats Nishikigi – Sadanoumi wrapped up Nishikigi, and kept him from doing any defensive work. With Sadanoumi firmly in control, he quickly moved to yorikiri and put the match away. A sound tactic given Nishikigi’s habit of stalemating his opponents and using his stamina to gain advantage.
Kotoyuki defeats Toyonoshima – There are days when Kotoyuki looks dead serious, and days when he looks like he’s just out for some fun. Today was serious, and the serious Kotoyuki and deliver some winning sumo.
Takarafuji defeats Onosho – Onosho never really had a handle on this match, and was frankly trying anything he could muster against the pillar of stability that Takarafuji can sometimes become. If you want to see someone really execute a deflect defense, go watch Takarafuji in this match. Each time Onosho drives power to the inside, Takarafuji routes it away. It’s fitting that the match ends with Takarafuji routes a vigorous Onosho thrusting attack leftward and down to the clay.
Kotoshogiku defeats Terutsuyoshi – Terutsuyoshi attempted a henka, but Kotoshogiku does not tachiai quite like he used to, and easily rolls to attack the leaping Terutsuyoshi. Both men went down in a heap, but the win went to Kotoshogiku after the judges figure out that Terutsuyoshi was simply ballast at the point that Kotoshogiku touched out.
Okinoumi defeats Myogiryu – Apologies if I seemed to detract from Okinoumi unbroken winning streak in the opening commentary. The man has been executing some of the best sumo of the tournament each and every day. Myogiryu puts him to the test, and comes up short. Take a look at Okinoumi’s harmony between his upper body and his footwork. I swear that this guy must have studied ballet at some point, as he puts on a master class of controlling balance, force and stability in motion. In spite of Myogiryu getting a double inside grip, Okinoumi controls this match.
Kotoeko defeats Shimanoumi – Shimanoumi got a bit hasty trying to seal the win, and allowed Kotoeko to escape and set up to switch to offense. Good to see Kotoeko keep in the fight, even if it looks like he is about to hit the clay.
Asanoyama defeats Ryuden – Asanoyama’s tachiai keeps improving. Today he was able to land that left hand front grip that he has used with great effect so many times. Ryuden knows at once he’s in trouble, and struggles for any part of his opponent to hold on to. Asanoyama advances for a quick win.
Aoiyama defeats Hokutofuji – The second winless rikishi in the tournament picks up his first win. After a pull, we finally get to see some long-missing Aoiyama V-Twin attack. Where has that been hiding? See what it did to Hokutofuji? Now keep using that, please.
Abi defeats Endo – The risk of fighting Abi is that if he can bracket you in, it’s nearly impossible to recover from the relentless tsuppari torrent this guy unleashes. Endo probably had an excellent, well thought out plan for this match, but Abi trapped him in the avalanche and buried him under a rain of blows. Thought they went out together, Endo touched out first. Another close match that got no review. Fine…
Chiyotairyu defeats Takakeisho – One of the larger let downs of the day, Chiyotairyu decided to henka rather than fight.
Mitakeumi defeats Shodai – Was anyone else surprised and delighted when Shodai executed a pretty good tachiai, raising Mitakeumi up at the shikiri-sen? If anything it seems to have motivated Mitakeumi, what turned on the power and advanced. As is his custom, Shodai went evasive with great effect, but Mitakeumi stuck with him and kept him pinned down.
Daieisho defeats Tochinoshin – Tochinoshin’s got nothing left in that leg. Each day he moves less well, and fans have to wonder just how much more damage he is accumulating by continuing to compete.
Goeido defeats Tamawashi – The best chance to beat Tamawashi is to open strong and shut down any offense he might think he wants to try. Goeido executed this with great effect, including a bit of a spin that leaves Tochinoshin completely disrupted.
Tomokaze defeats Kakuryu – Three days, three kinboshi, and his second consecutive kinboshi to Tomokaze. Kakuryu is probably torn between healing whatever injury has put him into his “soft” mode and making sure the fans in Tokyo have at least one Yokozuna match in their sumo day. Tomokaze, leaving the dohyo, bursts into tears. I think the tumult in Oguruma may be at least partially to blame. In less than a year we have had Takakaze and Yoshikaze both go intai. For a young rikishi like Tomokaze, the realization that YOU are now the future of that stable can be rather a lot to take in.
Bruce, you looked at these bouts and found the glass half-empty. I found it (at least) half-full. Lots of terrific technique on display by folks like Ishiura, Tsurugisho, Takarafuji, Asanoyama, Mitakeumi, and Goeido, and valiant fighting by several others. While I hate to see this demoralized version of Kakuryu, there was much to cheer on Day 7.
Mitakeumi must be tasting the opportunity that lies before him.
Likely my encroaching cold has colored my outlook. Perhaps too much time working in Florida, going from cold to humid and hot.
Blech. I can understand that. I had to travel to Georgia for work and it was miserable. 89 degrees and raining and thunder and my glasses would fog up when I went outside. Get better my man.
Unlike in Texas, where you go from hot to hot and humid?
I keep my house about 78 to even things out. The customer kept their building at 68, and it seems to make a difference.
Hmm, you keep your house at 78 — definitely a sign of having lived in Japan!
I was cheering for Goeido! He was consistent, he would be a Yokuzuna.
I’m pretty half full on the current sumo situation (although being here certainly ramps up the excitement) — but I join you going half empty on Tochinoshin. With Mitakeumi, Takakeisho, and Goeido certainly to come (and maybe but probably not Kakuryu), I think today’s loss was the one that sealed his fate. Even at 3-4 I’d still be OK on his chances of 8 but he’s had most of his easier matches.
Kakuryu I don’t think drops out until he loses his 4th. Today was the first day that I actually thought his sumo was bad, the other two losses just seemed really poorly executed. Tomokaze – all four wins (and 5 of 7 matches decided in total) by hatakikomi. Not sustainable but he’s probably good value now to get 4 of 8 and keep the KK streak alive.
I think Mitakeumi or Asanoyama gets their second yusho at this point, but let’s go Ishiura and make it interesting… I wouldn’t say no to a (four way) playoff on senshuraku!!!
I think we will see an improved Tomokaze now that he finally let the tears out and mourned Yoshikaze properly.
Agree fully Herouth, I was explaining to you partner why Tomokaze’s tears flowed, esp after watching the NHK interview on Twitter, next thing u know I’m reaching for the tissues. Think it’s time for me to mourn my hero too 💜💚
Me too! Off topic- can you settle a dispute between my husband and I? Which rikishi was it that was so cute when he won his first kensho? He’s one of your favorites and had a damaged ear.
Will have to think about that – watch this space when the light bulb 💡 moment happens and I actually remember 🤣🤣
He had just come up from Juryo, and I think his name started with K.
Just saw this after I posted- love your memory my friend
Light 💡 on – it was Kyokutaisei – he dissolved too, in memory of his mother he gave his entire first kensho envelope to his father in Asahikawa 🙏🏻🧡
YES!!!!!!!!!!! And I win! He said it was either Abi or Ryuden and I said absolutely not and you would know. Thanks for justifying my faith! If you loved here, I’d take you out for coffee with my winnings. 10 bucks doesn’t go far but I was right. ;)
☕️ virtual coffee accepted with thanks
I thought that was so touching, It seemed like he was motivated to win for Yoshikaze, and not only did it but it was a huge win. I am looking forward to see the kind of rikishi he trains!
Tsurugisho is immune to Pixie Magic. He’s 4-0 against Pixie-sama and it’s clear why. He looked like he knew exactly where the little guy was going, moved deliberately and on balance the whole time, and slowly sized him out of the dohyo.
The former Wakanohana was commentating today on Abema. He said that rikishi who get scared by smaller rikishi tend to stick out their backsides, which makes it easier for the small rikishi to maneuver. Tsurugisho, he said, was not scared, and kept his pelvis above his feet. At this point, the smaller rikishi can do nothing, no amount of hineri will work. A larger, balanced rikishi is immovable. “Feet”, said the former Yokozuna, “are what sumo is all about. Enho should beware. Everybody in Makuuchi is going to watch this video. He should add some tripping techniques to his arsenal, and quickly.”
I am an adherent to Wakanohana’s thinking, it’s why I tend to watch each match first to see the action, and a second time to watch the feet.
A side note, Wakaichiro’s sumo too a step change the moment he began to show better foot placement. I commend his studying
Yeah, no more standing on tiptoes.
When I look at the current state of the top 2 ranks the glass is of course half empty. But then I see how great Tomokaze, Asanoyama and even guys like Daieisho and Hokutofuji (despite his results) are developing. And then there are the long time top talent like Abi and Endo who are also doing great.
Takakeisho is still on his way back to Ozeki, no one said it would be an easy task. Tochinoshin on the other hand can only be saved by a miracle.
I am very very new to sumo, as this is just my third basho. I don’t have the perspective many of the readers here do. However, I find all the upheaval immensely exciting. Shocks and upsets at every turn, emotions running high, underdog newcomers having a chance against the gold Goliaths. Perhaps today’s performances were subpar but for me it only serves to intensify the operatic storyline.
This is my 18th basho, but I agree with you. I still started after the prime years of Hakuho, when he would win 4 times a year, on average. I suspect that watching sumo at the very highest level, 6 times a year for 10 years or so, must have been wonderful. What we are watching now is different, less quality but more drama, and I find it very enjoyable too.
That Onosho match was a true gem. Looked like an adult playing with a kid until he had enough. Don’t think Onosho will sleep well after this kind of loss.
Impressed today by Okinoumi, Asanoyama, Mitakeumi and also Goeido. Dissapointed by Endo, very dissapointed by Hokutofuji and at a total lack of words for Shimanoumi. Luckily the guy is not from Roga’s heya, cause from that public shaming he would probably never recover.
No idea what happened to Kakuryu, but I think his basho is over. That loss today could come costly for Takakeisho. Tomorrow he faces Mitakeumi and that has never been a good match for him. With 3 straight losses his quest for 10 could easily take a turn for the wrong direction.
Also very happy to see Ishiura return to do sumo. When he first came to makuuchi he wasn’t the henka machine, he later turned into. He has gone away a bit from the submarine style, he often used back then, but he is really fun to watch now.
If Asanoyama keeps this form, we could see the start of his Ozeki run. I think the only Sanyaku he has left on his card is Abi. Finishing with 12 wins or even 13 doesn’t sound that far fetched, but he will probably need at least 12, especially if Takakeisho doesn’t return to Ozeki.
I had to watch the bouts via the NSK app today and I literally handed my best friend my phone with the Chiyotairu/Takakeisho bout on and said, “This is what a cheap win looks like in sumo.”