It’s high time to call out Takayasu for impressive performance this November. Even if for some reason he needs to withdraw later this basho, he’s been a solid performer for the first 6 days. Rather than worry about his score, he seems to be focusing on each day delivering the best sumo he can. This has allowed him to deflate the records of a wide variety of high ranking rikishi, including Wakatakakage (put a dent in his Ozeki bid), Takakeisho (knocked him out of the leader group), Tamawashi (what yusho was that?), and today he gave Mitakeumi another black mark on his run for 10 wins.

When this guy is in his sumo, he’s great to watch. After so many tournaments where he just seems to not quite be fighting well, it’s a joy to get to watch him take it to the upper ranks and come away with wins.

Highlight Matches

Kagayaki defeats Hiradoumi – We used to see excellent fundamental sumo from Kagayaki every match, and it makes me happy to see him in that form today. His sumo is simple in this match, but so very effective. Feet steady, hands inside and power into Hiradoumi’s chest. Hiradoumi can’t withstand the force, and gets ejected from the ring three steps later. Both end the day 3-3.

Mitoryu defeats Ichiyamamoto – Juryo visitor Mitoryu absorbs the double arm attack style of Ichiyamamoto, but is clearly on the path to defeat. But for reasons no one may be able to explain, grapples Mitoryu, and rushes forward to send him out. Suddenly, Mitoryu has an opening, and converts Ichiyamamoto’s forward rush into a kotenage, it works a treat, and Mitoryu snatches victory from Ichiyamamoto to improve to 3-3.

Okinoumi defeats Azumaryu – He may be hurt, he may be “too old for this stuff”, but Okinoumi has the sumo chops to come back from Azumaryu’s arm-bar hold taking him to the tawara a couple of times, and still muster the technique to steal the win by sukuinage. I am happy he got that win, improving him to 3-3.

Oho defeats Terutsuyoshi – Terutsuyoshi continues to be injured, and winless. I do admire that he put a lot of effort and cunning into this match, and withstood Oho trying to pop his head off like the cap from a coke bottle. But whatever inside throw he was attempting was read and shut down by Oho, who collapses him into a heap on the West side, he improves to 5-1.

Chiyotairyu defeats Atamifuji – This was their first ever match, so Atamifuji can be forgiven for not having Chiyotairyu countermeasures. I counted at least twice that Chiyotairyu his standard sequence of “stand him up, pull him down”. Chiyotairyu picks up a much needed win and is now 2-4.

Kotoeko defeats Aoiyama – Good for Kotoeko. He knew he was going to get pounded in the face quite a bit, but he stuck with it and kept driving to get inside, knowing that Aoiyama’s left leg is a wreck. He got his prize, a right hand inside grip, and took care of Big Dan two steps later. Kotoeko earns his pay today, and advances to 4-2.

Takanosho defeats Chiyoshoma – Hey, Takanosho – where have you been keeping that sumo? Please bring that kind of focused power and forward drive as frequently as you can, sir. He dispatches Chiyoshoma without too much fuss, robbing Chiyoshoma of any hand hold or any real offense as he plowed him out of the ring. Takanosho now 3-3.

Abi defeats Kotoshoho – Abi at this rank is like a white star factory. He just disrupts for a moment, then puts his opponents on the deck. Much as I like Kotoshoho, he’s not fighting to the extent of his potential at the moment, and that’s a shame as he is quite talented. Abi advances to 5-1.

Tochinoshin defeats Onosho – Tochinoshin borrows Chiyotairyu’s sumo today, blasting Onosho at the tachiai enough to get his balance back, then slaps him down with a hatakikomi. Quick, effective, and good enough to send Tochinoshin to join the rest of the crowd at 3-3.

Nishikigi defeats Takarafuji – With Takarafuji fighting Nishikigi, you could probably guess it was going to be yotsu-zumo from the start. For a brief moment, I had a ray of hope that Takarafuji might pick up his first (and maybe only?) win of the basho. But Nishikigi tried for a grip change that disrupted Takarafuji’s balance, and in this state he was easy to drive back and out. Nishikigi opts into the 3-3 club.

Hokutofuji defeats Endo – Hokutofuji shut down all attempts by Endo to get any sort of grip, and in true Hokutofuji form, while his upper body was playing patty-cake with Endo, his lower body was winning the match. When Hokutofuji is dialed into his sumo, he’s really a treat to watch. He stamps his ticket to the 3-3 club.

Myogiryu defeats Nishikifuji – Its a good day of sumo when we get to see Myogiryu run on fast forward. It’s like normal sumo, but at 1.25x speed. The rapid pace of his strong attacks overwhelmed Nishikifuji, and Myogiryu was able to drive him out before Nishikifuji could rescue himself with a throw. Both ended up landing outside of the ring, and Myogiryu was a bit slow to get up. Hopefully both are ok. Both shows themselves a cut above by ending the day at 4-2.

Ryuden defeats Sadanoumi – What a battle! It was largely yotsu with a heavy emphasis on trying to throw, and the result was both men landing iron grips, swinging the other about in any attempt to disrupt their balance. It was Ryuden who converted first, landing a shitatedashinage, rolling Sadanoumi to the clay. He is now 4-2.

Wakamotoharu defeats Meisei – You could see Wakamotoharu’s frustration ramping higher as he tried everything to land a left hand inside grip. I give credit to Meisei for understand this was key to his match plan, and masterfully shutting every attempt down. Sadly for him, Wakamotoharu caught him too far forward, and a hatakikomi ended the match. Wakamotoharu joins the group at 4-2.

Kotonowaka defeats Tobizaru – After a strong start, Tobizaru has now lost the last 3 in a row. He got a right hand inside grip at the tachiai, but could not convert that into any sort of advantage. Kotonowaka works to disrupt Tobizaru’s defensive stance by turning him, then rotates back into a kotenage for the win. Both join the overflowing group at 3-3.

Kiribayama defeats Tamawashi – Tamawashi put a lot of power into this match, but it came down to Kiribayama being able to take the blows to the head, and continue to drive his hands agains Tamawashi’s chest. What Tamawashi was doing probably hurt more, but what Kiribayama was doing was more effective, and won the match. He advances to 4-2.

Hoshoryu defeats Daieisho – Looks like Daieisho decided to try the same tactic, power against Hoshoryu’s head, this time in the form of a nodowa. Meanwhile, Hoshoryu was focusing on fundamentals, and waited for a chance to step to the side, and keeping his feet. He did not have to wait long, and the counter attack from Hoshoryu was quick and effective. Hoshoryu stays in the leader group at 5-1.

Wakatakakage defeats Ichinojo – Big opening combo from Ichinojo. I can’t imagine what 200kg + on the move must be like to absorb. Faced with a rampaging monolith, Wakatakakage does what he can, he wraps up Ichinojo and stalemates him at the center of the dohyo. Wakatakakage is low, but Ichinojo has superior body position. It devolves into a stamina battle, and I was impressed that Ichinojo had the focus to wait him out. When Ichinojo made his move, Wakatakakage evaded just enough to load a throw, which put Ichinojo in the front row. Massive sumo from both me today, and a great fight. Wakatakakage improves to 4-2.

Takayasu defeats Mitakeumi – Takayasu is continuing his role as spoiler this basho. Like his sempai before him, he’s at his best when he’s disrupting someone else’s tournament. Today it was time to put a dent in Mitakeumi’s campaign for 10 wins. Excellent hybrid attacks form today for Takayasu, he starts with a few bashers, grabs the mawashi and gets to work. He grinds Mitakeumi back an inch at a time, and there is nothing Mitakeumi can do about it. Takayasu at 5-1. I am nominating Takayasu for a special prize after this one.

Takakeisho defeats Ura – Ura’s got nothing this basho, and he’s getting beaten handily each and every day right now. As a fan of Ura, it’s tough to watch, but he’s bold enough to continue to mount the dohyo and give battle to his opponents. Takakeisho rips through him with little trouble, sending him into the salt basket by oshidashi. Takakeisho improves to 4-2.

Shodai defeats Midorifuji – Shodai was all over the dohyo doing everything more or less at the same time. It was cartoon sumo on full display for us to enjoy for the first time in quite some time. With a 4th loss winding up to kick him in the mawashi, he deployed the Wall of Daikon” and suddenly Midorifuji found himself trapped against the bales, and crushed into the front row into Tamajiro’s lap. Shodai holds onto hope of clearing kadoban at 3-3.