I wake up this morning to start typing up results from day 5. I go to SumoDB, and look at what I see. This is why we can’t have nice things, people! To close out act 1 of the Nagoya basho, we have one man with an unbeaten record. Ichinojo?!?

The Boulder dropped Yokozuna Terunofuji by yorikiri, but prior to that we saw Ura throw Mitakeumi, and Wakamoto-friggen-haru man handle Shodai out. I am not sure how many times I have warned you people, this is how we all end up with bald tires, too many footnotes in high school text books, and the gum disease gingivitis.

Highlight Matches

Azumaryu defeats Daiamami – Daiamami comes back from kyujo… and loses. Azumaryu tosses him down like its practice time with the Jonidan guys back at the heya. He returns to Juryo to start act 2 with a 2-3 record.

Oho defeats Onosho – Onosho had his hips lower, was pushing forward well, and it did not really matter. Oho was able to move forward and walk the junior tadpole out without too fuss today. Not sure what is damaged on Onosho, but he’s in real danger of visiting Juryo if he ends up with a deep make-koshi this July.

Nishikifuji defeats Tsurugisho – Nishikifuji looked like he wanted a belt grip in the opening moments of this match, but encountered Tsurugisho’s thrusting barrage. Switching over to oshi-zumo, Nishikifuji found the inside route to Tsurugisho’s chest open, and proceeded to land blow after blow on the bigger man, forcing him off balance and out. Nishikifuji improves to 3-2.

Myogiryu defeats Chiyomaru – Chiyomaru’s open combo was a bit soft, and he allowed Myogiryu to get both hands inside and deep onto his mawashi. From there it was three steps to the bales, and a hearty final shove to give Myogiryu a win to improve to 3-2.

Chiyoshoma defeats Ichiyamamoto – Co-leader Ichiyamamoto picks up his first loss after falling under Chiyoshoma’s face slapping barrage. To me it looks like he connected a couple of solid right hand slaps, and that’s enough to make anyone say “oww”. Chiyoshoma improves to 3-2.

Terutsuyoshi defeats Yutakayama – Terutsuyoshi gets his first win of July. He was able to get an arm inside and around Yutakayama and nearly ran him out of the ring. Yutakayama was able to stop his retreat, but Terutsuyoshi had already set up the throw, and hurled Yutakayama to the clay to end the day 1-4.

Takarafuji defeats Kotoshoho – Much as I wanted Kotoshoho to win this one, that was some masterful sumo from Takarafuji today. Excellent defensive sumo on display as he contains Kotoshoho’s attempts to get any useful hand placement, wraps up Kotoshoho, and then bodily topples him from the dohyo. A much needed win for Takarafuji, and both men are 2-3.

Midorifuji defeats Chiyotairyu – Midorifuji brings a mini-henka to the tachiai, negating Chiyotairyu’s strongest element of any match. Chiyotairyu recovers a bit and gets in some quality thrusting, but then attempts to pull Midorifuji, and that was the end of the match. Midorifuji finishes the day 4-1.

Meisei defeats Shimanoumi – Shimanoumi spent most of this match on defenses, focusing his energy from blocking Meisei from getting any kind of mawashi grip. But it was ultimately ineffective as Meisei drove him back, and if you watch / listen closely, you can see and hear Meisei’s right shoulder make contact with Shimanoumi’s jaw right before he steps out. Damn, that probably hurt. Meisei now 3-2.

Tochinoshin defeats Nishikigi – Nishikigi held ground very well in the opening moments of this match, in spite of a big hit from Tochinoshin to start. But his attempt at a grip shift cost him territory he could not afford to lose, giving Tochinoshin the advantage, and handing Nishikigi his first loss. Tochinoshin improves to 3-2.

Hokutofuji defeats Kotoeko – Hokutofuji continues his absolute dominance over Kotoeko, with a career record of 5-0 now. That right hand “handshake tachiai” to the neck does fast work and leaves Hokutofuji’s opponents with no options if he can land it, and land it he did today. Both end the day at 2-3.

Tobizaru defeats Aoiyama – While Aoiyama was playing checkers, Tobizaru was playing rugby. Aoiyama works to bat Tobizaru’s head around like a wayward lime in a margarita factory, and Tobizaru is focusing center mass and getting his hands in position. Big Dan hits the clay with a commanding crash, and Tobizaru improves to 4-1.

Okinoumi defeats Sadanoumi – Sadanoumi thought he was doing well. A solid hand / grip, moving forward smartly… yes, all is going well. Oh wait, why am I looking at the ceiling? Okinoumi’s uwatenage was buttery smooth and Sadanoumi went down like a cold beer in a hot sumo stadium. Okinoumi improves to 2-3.

Kotonowaka defeats Endo – Having run out of Ozeki to play with, Kotonowaka had to work out his sumo frustrations on Endo today. Endo had one good hit, and then decided to try and pull. Kotonowaka was happy to respond with a surge of forward pressure, driving Endo out. Kotonowaka advances to 3-2.

Kiribayama defeats Takanosho – Kiribayama picks up a rare win against Takanosho, and does it by establishing and keeping that left hand latched on to Takanosho’s mawashi. Not sure why one time Sekiwake Takanosho is struggling so much right now, but I hope is subsides. We need strong sumo from Onigiri-kun. Kiribayama improves to 3-2.

Daieisho defeats Abi – Abi provides as much Abi-zumo as anyone could ask for, but Daieisho’s armpit attack is an effective “off” switch for that nonsense. He endures the double arm neck and face thrusts, continues to lift Abi by the armpits, and when he’s back on his heels, shoves Abi out for the win. Both end day 5 at 3-2.

Wakatakakage defeats Hoshoryu – Hoshoryu’s opening gambit was to set up a left hand outside grip. It missed and opened the door for Wakatakakage to get a right hand inside. The struggle for the left caused the two to break contact, with Hoshoryu circling away, and turning his back on Wakatakakage. A strong push from behind, and Wakatakakage took the match, improving to 2-3.

Takakeisho defeats Tamawashi – At least one Ozeki racked up a win today. After a matta, Takakeisho got Tamawashi deflected to the side, and was able to position himself behind Tamawashi. A strong shove from behind and Tamawashi was out. Both are now 3-2.

Wakamotoharu defeats Shodai – Shodai got a left hand inside grip early, and I though, “oh good, some sumo might break out”. But no, he could not set his feet, square his shoulders, or take any step in converting that hand placement into winning offense. Wakamotoharu kept trying to turn Shodai, and got him on one foot and sent that off balance mess across the bales. Wakamotoharu improves to 2-3.

Ura defeats Mitakeumi – Oh, Mitakeumi, what the hell was that? We love the original Tadpole, but you can’t do that stuff when you fight Ura, and you should know that. Mitakeumi leaves his right arm away from his body after an ill-considered pulling attempt, and it’s grab and tug time. This one turns into a pride obliterating tottari, and the Ozeki gets a face full of Nagoya clay. Ura improves to 3-2.

Ichinojo defeats Terunofuji – Ichinojo’s ninth kinboshi. I am not sure where this version if Ichinojo has been hiding, but did you see that he just kept grinding forward, just kept pushing through Terunofuji’s arm lock to improve his grip. He took the Yokozuna apart a piece at a time and then won the match. It’s more evidence the Terunofuji is gamberizing through an injury, but that takes nothing away from some quite outstanding sumo today from Ichinojo. He remains unbeaten at 5-0. AND SOMEONE THREW A CUSHION! Yes, my dear readers… sumo is trying to heal and go back to normal.