There are some great matches in store for day 3, and I am eager to see how the top division rikishi end the day. One thing that I have heard from sumo fans is a level of concern that the lone Yokozuna, Terunofuji, got in trouble two days in a row. Welcome to the post Hakuho era dear readers. Terunofuji is the most dangerous man on the dohyo for the foreseeable future, but he may never dominate at the level of “The Boss”. Personally, it’s a hell of a lot more thrilling to see a contender really take the fight to the top man, and see him (for the last two days) reach in and win with overwhelming force.

I myself got a bit spoiled with Hakuho and to some extent Harumafuji. These guys were just so blasted good that nobody had a chance against them if they were on top of their sumo. We may see a Yokozuna like that again in the next several years, but I think that the “flat” landscape that Tachiai contributor Josh talks about is here to stay. From the top to the bottom, the level of skill and fighting potential is closer than what we had enjoyed for some time in the world of sumo. To me that means that on any given day, you can see upsets and surprises.

What We Are Watching Day 3

Kaisei vs Wakamotoharu – I really thought that Wakamotoharu was going to be in the top division by now. But at Juryo 1 west, all he needs to do is hit kachi-koshi and he is likely in. With a 1-1 start, he is not yet making a strong case to join his brother Wakatakakage. He has never faced Kaisei, and that’s going to count for quite a bit. I think everyone who fights Kaisei for the first time remembers it. Kind of like the first time you tried cow tipping. Cows don’t tip. And they are really large. And they don’t like to be woken up in the middle of the night.

Shohozan vs Abi – Its clear to me that Shohozan is not quite the brawler he was a few years ago, but its great to see him in the top division in front of his home town crowd. He has a 7=2 career deficit against Abi, so I think we may see Mr long-arms rack up win #3 today.

Chiyomaru vs Sadanoumi – Time to put some dirt on speedy Sadanoumi. Out of the 17 career matches against the bulbous Chiyomaru, he has only won 3. Although Sadanoumi is quick, there are just very few grab points on the dyson sphere that is Chiyomaru. Yes, it’s true, there is a whole civilization inside of him. And a star too. Don’t question it!

Akua vs Chiyonokuni – I kind of hate that Akua comes to the top division and gets the tar beaten out of him every single time. But I guess with sumo being a “win or else” sport, you take what happens as fact. Today the grumpy badger that is Chiyonokuni gets to have a go with Akua, who has a 0-3 career crater against Chiyonokuni.

Kagayaki vs Hokutofuji – Oh, how I would love to see Kagayaki go all fundamentals and just haul Hokutofuji around for a bit and then rocket him over the bales. But in reality, Kagayaki may defeat Hokutofuji’s upper body in the first 5 seconds, and still lose to his lower body, who is perfectly happy to fight on without the rest of him. In fact, word from Hakkaku hey is that long after the top half of Hokutofuji is soaking the the tub, the lower half is doing butsgari with the youngsters. Grim tidings for Kagayaki.

Ishiura vs Yutakayama – Ishiura has a 7-4 career advantage over Yutakayama, and he best put that advantage to use today. Suffering a 0-2 opening to Kyushu, he needs wins in a big way. That day 2 match was border line ridiculous, and I know that Ishiura has some potent sumo to deliver. Get on with it sir!

Chiyotairyu vs Terutsuyoshi – If Terutsuyoshi is going to employ a side step or a leg pick this basho, this is a good day to use it. Chiyotairyu has one forward gear, one reverse gear, and almost no lateral sumo to speak of. It’s perfect for a high agility opponent.

Kotonowaka vs Hidenoumi – Man, Hidenoumi has really started cold. Zero and two, with very little offensive sumo in the first two days. I know he has the skill, the strength and the guts to fight at this level. So hopefully whatever has him doing poorly is resolved from today. On the other hand, I am surprised that Kotonowaka is at M11, and at 1-1. I think that if he is healthy he is better than this.

Kotoeko vs Aoiyama – The worst part about following Kotoeko’s sumo, he fights like champion but scores like a dud. Today he’s got Aoiyama, who seems to be well enough at the start (2-0), so I would expect some long-arm bludgeoning from Big Dan to start. Kotoeko will be working to close the gap, and get as close as he can to Big Dan in order to attack with some measure of safety. Tied at 3-3 over their career.

Tobizaru vs Chiyoshoma – As mentioned in the day 2 highlights, I am really impressed by Chiyoshoma’s sumo the last few tournaments. I know that he is 0-5 against Tobizaru, but I would not be at all surprised to see him uncork something goofy yet effective today against sumo’s flying monkey.

Shimanoumi vs Tamawashi – At some point in act 2, Shimanoumi is going to snap out of his cold start and rack his first win. I think there is a good chance today, if he can set aside the spanking he has gotten the last two. He will need to take great care at the tachiai, if Tamawashi gets his first hit inside, it’s going to be tough to recover.

Ura vs Hoshoryu – Oh what joyous times we live in, when we can see these two battle. On the east side, the master of WTF sumo… Ura! On the west side, a man who can take out your ankles and leave you guessing, the rock’n rolla from Mongolia… Hoshoryu! Don’t be surprised if Ura tries something like an ipponzeoi at the same moment that Hoshoryu tries a leg pick, and both of them become a fast spinning closed system of infinite quantum energy, rotating at hypersonic speed inches above the clay.

Takarafuji vs Endo – Like Kotoeko, but with more stability, I get bummed thinking about Takarafuji and his 0-2 start. He had Takayasu for 3 full minutes of battle hugging on day 2, and all he came home with was a painful rash in his bikini area. Now we are set to see Endo try to get a front grip, on that same area, and toss Takarafuji about the clay. Sure they have an even 9-10 record, but it’s got to hurt.

Takayasu vs Myogiryu – These two have a 23 match history that goes back to 2012. That’s a long way back. Myogiryu leads 13-10, but in the past couple of years it has been Takayasu dominating 5-2. So let’s see if the former Ozeki can keep his feet heavy, his opponent in front of him, and that left elbow clamped to his body.

Ichinojo vs Takanosho – This one is even all around. Both are 1-1, they have a 2-2 career record, and both have strong associations with popular food items. Will it be the ice cream, or the onigiri today? Personally I give Ichinojo a slight edge, mostly because he is huge. I am in that kind of mood today.

Okinoumi vs Meisei – Very little doubt about this match, in 7 attempts, Meisei has yet to beat Okinoumi even once. So I expect the veteran from rural Shimane to dispatch his smaller rival with a bit of wrap, tangle and slide. It will suck if Meisei finishes the day at 0-3. Maybe he can rally?

Mitakeumi vs Daieisho – Some sumo fans labeled Mitakeumi’s day 2 match as “lethargic”. I think of it as “heavy”. He had some kind of gravity amplifier going, and everything slowed down at his event horizon. Not sure that will work on Daieisho day 3, who is more likely to just rapidly smack Mitakeumi around like a fat pasta chef making ravioli. Bolognese, per favore!

Kiribayama vs Takakeisho – Two straight days of watching Takakeisho blast folks off the dohyo, and its never enough for fans like me. I am glad he has no signs of neurological trouble, and I hope it stays that way. Kiribayama has beaten him a couple of times over the past few years, but today I am looking for a good, old-fashioned double arm blast to the sternum.

Shodai vs Onosho – Oh man, what do we have here? The Wall of Daikon vs the Junior Tadpole. Shodai has a career lead against him, but right now 0-2 Onosho has to be pretty pissed off. Do I think he’s going to be able to win against the Ozeki? Not really, but I would like to see him get a few good hits in.

Terunofuji vs Wakatakakage – Wakatakakage has only beaten Terunofuji once on the clay, and that was March of 2020 in that weird “Silent Basho” in Osaka just as COVID was hitting Japan. Since then its been all manner of tossing, hitting, smashing, pushing, crushing and general violence from the Yokozuna toward the lead Onami brother. Is it time to see how much of that first aid training Hakuho actually retained?