We have have a third tournament this year (out of only 5) where a Maegashira 17 is challenging for the yusho late into week 2. Chalk it up to an odd year, or just the relative strength of the entire Makuuchi cohort, but it’s odd to see this play out time and again.
The yusho race is still between Takakeisho and Shimanoumi, with Terunofuji only rikishi still in position to challenge should both leader take a loss. While I was hoping for a day 13 Takakeisho-Terunofuji match, we will get Takakeisho-Shimanoumi instead. At minimum, there will be a special prize or two in Shimanoumi’s immediate future. For those not familiar with Shimanoumi, he had a back to back pair of Juryo yusho at the start of last year, and earned the kanto-sho (fighting spirit) prize in his top division debut.
In a match with Takakeisho, it has been a long 4 years since the two had their only prior fight, and a lot has changed since then. Sato became Takakeisho, put on about 100 kilos, changed stables, and became an Ozeki. Takakeisho is dialed into his sumo right now, so as long as he can keep Shimanoumi from setting up any kind of mawashi grip, he should be able to control the match. Whomever wins this match, I expect them to face Terunofuji on day 14 to complete the 3 way mini round-robin.
Highlight Matches
Kotonowaka defeats Chiyonoo – Juryo visitor Chiyonoo did not present too much challenge for Kotonowaka. A fine example of keeping your cool, even when your opponent can get both hands inside. Kotonowaka improves to 7-5.
Ichinojo defeats Enho – Points to Enho for blasting off the shikiri-sen into the wall of flesh that is Ichinojo. I don’t think I have seen that level of intensity out Ichinojo in some time. But it’s all for naught as Enho gets buffeted about and heaved out with arms and legs traveling in random directions. Enho down to 2-10 now, and in real danger of dropping out of the top division.
Shimanoumi defeats Ryuden – Co-leader Shimanoumi keeps up the pace, now at 11 wins. Shimanoumi certainly had better body position, and was able to stay lower than Ryuden throughout the match. That closing through, magic stuff. The schedulers have had enough of this, Shimanoumi faces Takakeisho tomorrow.
Meisei defeats Chiyoshoma – Two matta, and then a quick loss for Chiyoshoma as he stepped out less than 4 seconds into the match. One of the matta was in fact a flying henka attempt, so I am a bit sad that we did not really get to see that one play out. Meisei up to 7-5.
Tokushoryu defeats Chiyotairyu – Tokushoryu hirate? Ok, fine. Then both of them chest to chest? Err… right. Not sure where this match came from, but it was as unexpected from start to finish. Both end the day at 7-5.
Kaisei defeats Kotoeko – Kaisei used his size advantage to contain and expel Kotoeko before he could generate any offense, or get in motion. Both end the day at 6-6.
Yutakayama defeats Aoiyama – Yutakayama delivers Big Dan Aoiyama a steaming hot fresh bowl of make-koshi. Aoiyama thrusting attack is not even close to its normal power level, so I hope he comes back in January in better condition. Both end the day at 4-8.
Hoshoryu defeats Terutsuyoshi – Terutsuyoshi put all of his hopes in a big nodowa, and it was a mistake. While it raised Hoshoryu up, he was able to advance against Terutsuyoshi, and force him out with a belly flop. Hoshoryu improves to 7-5.
Akua defeats Endo – Where has this version of Akua been? He completely dominated Endo today. After a shaky 1-4 start, he seems to have gotten his sumo together, improving to 7-5 and surprising Endo.
Chiyonokuni defeats Myogiryu – Chiyonokuni retaliates against Myogiryu’s strong opening combo to quickly pick up his 8th win. While I would rather see him win fighting forward, it’s still kachi-koshi for the grumpy badger. Welcome back to the Makuuchi sir! Looks like you may be staying a while.
Hokutofuji defeats Tochinoshin – It was fun (to me anyhow) to see Tochinoshin open with a nodowa against Hokutofuji. Frequently that is Hokutofuji’s go-to weapon. But lookie there, Hokutofuji took all of that to set up a position where he could block Tochinoshin’s left hand outside grip. Tochinoshin put so much effort into getting that left hand grip that he was unprepared for Hokutofuji’s counter-attack. You don’t see Hokutofuji go chest to chest too frequently, but maybe he should resort to it more often. That’s kachi-koshi for Hokutofuji.
Kotoshoho defeats Okinoumi – Kotoshoho collapsed his tachiai, leaving Okinoumi too far forward. A simple hand shift to the back of Okinoumi’s neck, and push. Kotoshoho improves to 7-5.
Kagayaki defeats Onosho – Kagayaki’s defensive foot placement and initial arm-pit attack carried this match. He’s not a flashy fighter, but once he is dialed into his sumo, he can be tough to overcome. Both end the day at 5-7.
Kiribayama defeats Sadanoumi – Kiribayama picks up a much needed win. Nice attempt at a leg hook throw (kakenage?) by Kiribayama. Sadanoumi attempted to counter with a belt throw, but he was out as he started the pivot. 2-10 for the struggling Kiribayama.
Wakatakakage defeats Tobizaru – Tobizaru was completely overwhelmed by Wakatakakage, and rapidly found himself tossed out of the match. That’s loss 8 for the flying monkey, and he’s make-koshi for November.
Takayasu defeats Daieisho – More wild, chaotic sumo from Takayasu today. It brought him a 7th win of the tournament, but each time I see him go on a rampage like this, I just think about how poorly he moves. Thankfully for him, the rikishi who exploit that aspect of his sumo are all sitting this one out. He improves to 7-5.
Terunofuji defeats Mitakeumi – Low speed tachiai from Terunofuji, and straight into his power stance. Mitakeumi took just a moment to defeat, and seems to have only offered token resistance. The look on Mitakeumi’s face as the gumbai when to Terunofuji was along the lines of “What…?”. Terunofuji now 10-2.
Takanosho defeats Tamawashi – Tamawashi decided he was going to try to pull following the opening combo. It’s clear that Takanosho was ready for it, and blasted forward against Tamawashi’s chest for the win. Both end the day at 6-6.
Takakeisho defeats Takarafuji – Takarafuji was completely disrupted at the tachiai, could not set up any kind of defense, and was out before he could take a second step under his own authority. Takakeisho maintains his share of the lead at 11-1.
That foot stomp by Hokutofuji… That was magical. Hokutofuji, summoning his kami, to blow Tochinoshin off the far side of the dohyo!
In a similar way, Hokutofuji always closes his eyes, tilts his head back and raises his fist to his forehead in the corner before the match. It always looks like a prayer to me, but maybe someone more conversant with Japanese gesture language can “enlighten” us. At least we do know the answer to “What is the sound of one foot stamping?”
I don’t see how They can set things up that way… why not have Terunofuji face Shimanoumi then go for Terunofuji Vs Takakeisho? To me that sounds like WAY better tension for the Yusho. ugh……
I said it once and I’ll say it again… Tochi is so set on his left hand grip.. it’s what is hurting him.. I swear, if he went to pushing, thrusting he’d do so much better. He’s tall, Powerful and pushing will put less demand on knee.
Takakeisho still looking like a Mob Boss up there. He dispatches his foe and calmly walks back to his side looking bored. This is his Yusho to lose. He looks like a man ready to take the place of Hakuho and Kakuryu to make sure we still have a yokozuna when they eventually leave.
I’m honestly upset at Ryuden… only because he’s doing so good xD No, I’m not trying to be mean he’s just hurting my picks! LOL. On the real side though, I hope they let him keep doing what he’s doing, it’s so much fun to watch and awesome to see him coming back strong.
Tokushoryu – Can I say just how much I love this guy? IF I could this would be the Rikishi I would support. I’d be one of those guys who’d pay into supporting him through donations and whatever or however it’s done. Just because there is something about this Massive giant that is just so endearing.
I wish I could mash Kaisei and Ichinojo into a single force. I feel Ichinojo sometimes is just afraid to do what needs to be done in fear of hurting someone because of how big and powerful he is. I’ve seen him stonewall so many when he is on. Kaisei has the size, but not the skill and strength.. and his age I feel is catching up to him. Meanwhile he has the drive and desire to win, yet is also so gentle… he never pushes more then he has to and has made sure his opponent doesn’t fall off the dohyo. Take Ichi’s Size, Strength Skill and relative youth, combine it with Kaisei’s Desire to win, yet gentle nature at the end.. and we’d have a force to be reckoned with. I say this because I really liek both Rikishi.. and it’s hard to watch Kaisei Struggle and Ichi seemingly not care till he’s about to go Make.
Finally Hokutofuji looking good again.. I feel Tochi had him with the open collision and had he stayed pushing he would of defeated Fuji… however Fuji is looking good this basho and I wish more this was the Fuji that would show up EVERY time.
I think they want to nip this makujiri thing in the bud.
I absolutely agree with Andy here. Too many M17 yusho challengers recently. It’s put up or shut up time.
Also, they don’t want a makujiri yusho without facing at least an Ozeki, and they don’t want that match to be on senshuraku, because of tradition and people expecting the “top rikishi”. Though I think they might schedule him vs. Terunofuji on day 15 rather than 14, even if he wins, because frankly, who wants to see Takakeisho vs. Mitakeumi on senshuraku?
I am kind of in two minds about this. Ideally, they should put less emphasis on the yusho. At the end of the day, the rikishi are fighting for placement on the banzuke, these M17-O pairings aren’t fair to anyone.
On the other hand, if Shimanoumi were to go 14-1 entirely against bottom-of-the-banzuke and Juryo opposition, lobbing him up toward the top of the maegashira ranks isn’t exactly fair either, to him or to others.
Yes, you certainly have a point there but I’d argue that it’s the lesser or “more natural” evil of the two. It will level out over a few bashos. In theory, people would “find their place” if it weren’t for injuries, streaks, turnover, whatnot.
Kotoshoho learns fast. After showing some naivety yesterday in succumbing to a slap down having over-committed, today he gets a pretty effortless win with a pull as soon as his opponent over-commits. This kid looks like the truth to me.
I think they’re holding Takakeisho vs. Terunofuji for the musubi-no-ichiban on senshuraku. Whom else would the lone Ozeki fight? Mitakeumi at 6-6 is not exactly a credible opponent. I’m guessing it’ll be Terunofuji-Shimanoumi on Day 14.
I think only if Shimanoumi wins, don’t you? Terunofuji still hasn’t done Takanosho, and they could put Shimanoumi against Mitakeumi on day 14, since for Mitakeumi it will be a fight for the kachi-koshi.
I guess it depends on whether they wait until the day 13 bouts have concluded, and on how badly they want to eliminate Shimanoumi from contention.
Fair play to Shimanoumi who’s had an unexpectedly strong basho. But really they should have thrown him up the banzuke earlier, today’s the first day he’s faced someone outside the lower maegashira (or Juryo!).
I had thought Terunofuji would get Takanosho on Saturday, however given Shimanoumi is still in the yusho race even if he loses to Takakeisho, I reckon Terunofuji will get Shimanoumi on Saturday and Takakeisho on Sunday. They can then choose between Takanosho and Mitakeumi to face Takakeisho on Saturday (presumably Takanosho as Mitakeumi appears to have been infected with some kind of Goeido v3.0 glitch)
Takanosho is in the same stable, so it’s either Mitakeumi or a well-performing maegashira.
Very good point!
To be fair, there haven’t been a lot of rikishi performing well. He kicked off Chiyonoluni and Ryuden of the chaser group. When Tokushoryu got his yusho he had his first opponent from the upper maegashira on day 14 and met Takakeisho on day 15. In that regard Shimanoumi isn’t matched up late. It’s just the way matchmakig is done. They are rather proactive this time.
I’m digging the traffic jam for the Juryo yusho. Go, Ura!
19 of 26 (participating) rikishi are still mathematically in contention!