The scheduling team keeps up the entertainment factor, and there is a wide swath of interesting matches on the torikumi for day 3. I think the most interesting one is giving Terunofuji a match against Onosho. Onosho drove him bodily from the dohyo in September, and even beat him back in 2017 when Terunofuji was still an Ozeki. So lets welcome the middle day of act 1, and make sure the sake is cold and the curry is hot.

What We Are Watching Day 3

Midorifuji vs Akua – Midorifuji comes to the top division to fill the banzuke gap, and maybe today is the day that Akua picks up his first win in November. They are evenly matched, and it comes down to if Akua can get a grip in the first few seconds of the match.

Chiyoshoma vs Shimanoumi – Both have 2-0 records going into day 3, and I am going to hope we see something other than a henka from Chiyoshoma today. Now because it is Chiyoshoma, Shimanoumi needs to be ready for some level of nonsense in the opening moments of the match.

Chiyonokuni vs Kotonowaka – I have a high level of interest in this match. Both of them are fighting surprisingly well for the first act of a basho with limited join practice before hand. They have only had once prior match, which went to Chiyonokuni. Should be a lot of pushing, tugging and slapping around.

Chiyotairyu vs Ichinojo – The good news – one of these guys are going to pick up their first win today. The bad news is that both of them should be fighting better than they have been. Chiyotairyu seems to only be about 80% genki, and Ichinojo seems to have nothing more than “Plan A” on any given day. Ichinojo has a 8-3 career advantage in the series.

Yutakayama vs Kaisei – I can promise you that Kaisei will not face the same challenges today as he overcame day 2. Thought I would find it very amusing to see Yutakayama leap in an attempt to get behind the enormous Brazilian. In truth, I think that Yutakayama is still not quite right with his sumo following his most recent injuries, and I like Kaisei’s chances today.

Hoshoryu vs Enho – I like Enho’s chances today for the simple reason that the size and weight differential is not that large between Enho and Hoshoryu. Granted, Hoshoryu is looking extra badass right now, and Enho seems to have lost the plot. But it’s just a matter of time before Enho rallies.

Ryuden vs Meisei – This should be a good, scrappy match. Meisei is a bit of a brawler anyhow, and you can expect some unexpected sumo at times from Ryuden. I think they will settle into hitting each other around for a bit, before someone decides to throw. Meisei has a slight 8-6 career advantage.

Sadanoumi vs Kotoeko – This one may be “extra scrappy”, as Kotoeko has shown himself to be in a fighting mood this November, and his 2-0 record shows it. Sadanoumi is due for a win, and he is fight well in spite of his 0-2 start. These two are tied 5-5 over their career.

Aoiyama vs Terutsuyoshi – Well, one of them are going to get their first win. But will Big Dan finally fire up the V-Twin? Or is he going to eat his second henka on consecutive days? While I am not a fan of the henka, if Terutsuyoshi employs one today, it will give me a hearty chuckle.

Tokushoryu vs Endo – Tokushoryu has yet to find a way to beat Endo in 9 attempts. Endo is a master tactician and sumo mechanic, so I expect Tokushoryu to struggle today, and ultimately hit the clay.

Takarafuji vs Tamawashi – 23 matches between these two, and it’s 12-11 in favor of Takarafuji, a thin majority indeed. Tamawashi is coming off of a day 2 loss, and I think we will see him fired up to try and keep his score in positive territory.

Tochinoshin vs Kotoshoho – The running question in my head, will we get to see Tochinoshin find a moment to plant his feet and fire up the sky-crane? It’s obvious that his injured right knee is more or less shot, but maybe he can scrape together a couple “power sumo” wins. Otherwise, Kotoshoho is going to shove him around and send him out.

Myogiryu vs Tobizaru – Both come into the match 0-2, and both of them have started well. I think it’s just a matter of which day both of these rikishi will catch fire and start to win. I think Tobizaru will be battling his own demons for most of November, as he did so well at Aki, and now is getting spanked daily. This is a first time match for these two.

Hokutofuji vs Daieisho – Ok, another 2-0 elimination match, but I would say that given their 5-5 record, these two are going to beat on each other without mercy. Hokutofuji will go for big power moves, and Daieisho will bring focus and intensity.

Terunofuji vs Onosho – You might think, oh no – they have the Kaiju beating on the lesser tadpole for day 3! But it seems in their 2 prior meetings, Terunofuji has not found a way to beat Onosho. Now that could change on day 3, as Terunofuji looks like some kind of possessed man, and Onosho has given up his red “power” mawashi. Perhaps the kami that inhabits it needed a vacation and is currently visiting the mother tree in Shirakami Sanchi.

Okinoumi vs Takanosho – Their 2-3 career record shows how much these two can balance their sumo. I am looking for some solid Okinoumi action today, as he usually runs up the score in week 1, and fades quite a bit into week 2.

Mitakeumi vs Kagayaki – A hat tip to the commenter who has labeled what is going on with Kagayaki his “goth mode”, fitting. Well, his goth mode is working about as well as one might expect. I think he will continue to find gloom in his sumo on day 3, as Mitakeumi has already dropped a match he should have won, and needs to gamberize.

Wakatakakage vs Asanoyama – First time meeting, and I am eager to see if that day 2 loss to Terunofuji put a giant Mongolian shaped dent in Asanoyama’s fighting spirit. If Wakatakakage can give him a solid match, it’s going to be a dark day for my regrettable pre-basho prediction.

Takakeisho vs Kiribayama – Is it just me, or does Takakeisho look kind of bored? Maybe he’s just working on his hinkaku, but he seems to not really take too much trouble just yet. Kiribayama beat him once before, but I think the November Takakeisho is doing pretty well thus far.

Shodai vs Takayasu – Will we see the roaring, hairy beast again today? If so, I am betting there is something in the Acme bag of cartoon sumo that Shodai will produce at the last minute to squeeze out a win. Much as I am a Takayasu fan, and want to see him dominate, there is some kind of hex or spell going on with Shodai. Best not to test it out if it comes into play. Shodai holds a narrow 9-8 career lead.