It seems that a pillar of the sumo world, Kintamayama, has suffered a computer failure, and will for now not be producing his daily digests. These things happen with computers, but if you are a fan as I am, please consider donating to buying him parts for repair, or a new system. His PayPal can be found at

http://paypal.me/motisumo

I have given him a fair sum today to help defray the costs, thank you to those of you who do as well.

For today’s matches, I have to say that Wakamotoharu vs Meisei was one for the highlight reels, and shows the potential that Wakamotoharu has for great sumo. I would also say that Hoshoryu continues to impress me, as his form, power and confidence are off the charts right now.

Highlight Matches

Mitoryu defeats Takarafuji – Takarafuji finally picks up his first loss of the basho. He repulsed Mitoryu opening attack, but turned his body to an angle, which gave Mitoryu an opening to push him out. Mitoryu improves to 2-2.

Azumaryu defeats Chiyomaru – Chiyomaru can’t buy a win, even when it looks like things are going his way. Yet again today, Chiyomaru starts out strong, but can’t quite finish the match and win. That banged right foot tells the story, but I compliment him on putting as much into it today as he did. Azumaryu now 3-1.

Kotoeko defeats Tsurugisho – Kotoeko gets both hands around Tsurugisho’s bulbous mid-section, which triggers a response by Tsurugisho to clamp down on his arms. Now trapped against Tsurugisho, Kotoeko tries a number of moves to improve his position, while Tsurugisho holds on. But the match came down to determination and leg power, as Kotoeko kept pushing forward against the much broader Tsurugisho, leaving him no chance to dodge out of the way. Both end the day 2-2.

Ichiyamamoto defeats Okinoumi – Okinoumi take a full bast of double arm thrust to the neck, and then tries to disrupt Ichiyamamoto’s second volley. It’s partially successful, but leaves him unbalanced for Ichiyamamoto to slap him down. Ichiyamamoto improves to 2-2.

Kotoshoho defeats Tochinoshin – Kotoshoho’s first ever win over Tochinoshin in 6 attempts. Tochinoshin tries a double arm thrust at the tachiai it Kotoshoho’s neck. I am fairly certain it surprised him as much as it did the fans. But it left Tochinoshin without his left hand outside grip, and standing upright. Kotoshoho went to work at once, backing Tochinoshin to the bales and lifting. I applaud Tochinoshin for trying something different, sadly it did not work well. Kotoshoho remains unbeaten at 4-0.

Aoiyama defeats Kagayaki – Aoiyama decides that if Kagayaki wants to exchange blows to the face and neck, he is happy to participate. I think Aoiyama has people hit him for 20 minutes each morning just so he can learn to endure it. All the while Aoiyama is carefully backing up in between Kagayaki’s forward steps, timing it out until he is ready to deliver the hikiotoshi. Kagayaki gets a quick visit to the front row fans, and Aoiyama advances to 4-0.

Hiradoumi defeats Chiyoshoma – I am quite certain Chiyoshoma has to be immensely frustrated at this point. He takes the fight to Hiradoumi, attempting a pull down at the second step. When it fails, he attacks again, only to end up on his face in the clay as Hiradoumi is able to get out of the way. Hiradoumi now 2-2, Chiyoshoma 0-4.

Onosho defeats Endo – I have to complement Endo. He attacked from underneath, he did not try to pull, he had a couple of good combos. But then Onosho just turned up the tadpole power and froaked Endo out of the pond, with Ura receiving a rump first visit from sumo’s former golden boy. Onosho up to 4-0, and remains part of the unbeaten group.

Takanosho defeats Oho – I am happy to see the “Good” version of Takanosho back in action today. He gets Oho turned around as Oho tries to escape from Takanosho’s close range thrusting attack. Takanosho presses the advantage, pushing Oho out from behind, improving to 2-2.

Ryuden defeats Ura – That tachiai looked like it should have been a matta, and it almost seemed that bot contestants expected it all to be called back. But the fight was on, and soon enough Ryuden achieved a right hand outside grip that Ura could not shake. Ura defended very well for a time, but Ryuden’s right hand grip stayed strong. Out of options, Ura tried a moment of “grab and tug” only to collapse and lose the match. Both end the day 2-2.

Nishikifuji defeats Myogiryu – Myogiryu lost this one by what looks like part hatakikomi, and part slippiotoshi. Either way, Nishikifuji benefits and is now 2-2.

Nishikigi defeats Sadanoumi – Sadanomumi’s epic speed did nothing more than hasten the moment when Nishikigi bulldozed him straight out of the ring. Wow. Nishikigi now 3-1.

Hokutofuji defeats Midorifuji – A solid match, we got to see Midorifuji wrap up Hokutofuji a bit at a timing. He carefully cultivated a chest to chest double inside position, and looked to be doing well until Hokutofuji locked down his arms and started to lift. Now little more than ballast, Midorifuji was helpless to stop Hokutofuji walking him out, and winning by kimedashi, improving to 3-1.

Kiribayama defeats Kotonowaka – I am surprised that Kotonowaka is 0-4. As will all first runs in San’yaku, its going to be tough. But just how tough it is for him this month is unexpected. At the tachiai, Kiribayama sets up a left hand nodowa, followed by a left hand outside grip. Kiribayama tried to set up the uwatenage, but had to settle for a sukuinage as Kotonowaka was able to disrupt the pivot. Kiribayama now 3-1.

Wakamotoharu defeats Meisei – Wakamotoharu gets his first (long overdue) win in a San’yaku rank. Meisei went left hand inside at the tachiai, and kept his grip solid while Wakamotoharu struggled to escape capture. He countered with a right hand outside, and the two settled in, chest to chest, near the center of the dohyo. A Meisei surge allowed him to consolidate is grip, adding a right hand outside. Wakamotoharu tried to wait him out, but a second Meisei urge sent them both out of the ring and into the West side crew. The gumbai went to Meisei, but a monoii decided that was such a fine bit of sumo, they would need to try it again. The second match was a rapid oshidashi, where Wakamotoharu caught Meisei in the chest, and blasted him out of the ring. Well done both, and Wakamotoharu is now 1-3.

Takayasu defeats Tobizaru – I really liked what I saw from Takayasu today. The wild man sumo is still there, but its less wild, and more accurate. He took a big tsuki-oshi attack to Tobizaru immediately at the tachiai, and kept him reacting the whole way. I think it was three steps from tachiai to the moment that Tobizaru hit the clay. Both end the day 1-3.

Hoshoryu defeats Tamawashi – Right now, Hoshoryu looks like he might be the man to beat for the cup. Another day of powerful, confident and focused sumo from him, this time taking out fellow undefeated rikishi Tamawashi. Tamawashi had him on defense for just a moment, but when Hoshoryu rallied, he immediately took Tamawashi off balance, and then propelled him off of the dohyo. 4-0 for Hoshoryu.

Daieisho defeats Wakatakakage – When Daieisho gets into this mode, you would be advised to make sure your fillings are securely cemented into their teeth. Wakatakakage had a great opening counter move, attacking Daieisho’s armpits to try and blunt the thrusting attack. But Daieisho broke that, and then the mega-thrust counter attack caught Wakatakakage full in the chest. With a right hand nodowa, and a left forearm against Wakatakakage’s chest, there was exactly nothing he could do expect go along for the ride as Daieisho blasted him out of the ring. Wow, Daieisho now 3-1.

Abi defeats Shodai – Since we first saw Abi-zumo’s awkward looking double arm attack, he has gotten so much better at making it work in a variety of situations. Today, Shodai was able to disrupt the initial volley, but Abi calmly put it back together and ran the former Ozeki out of the ring. A well earned 4-0 for Abi, and I am keen to see him fight Hoshoryu in the coming days.

Takakeisho defeats Mitakeumi – For the first time in a while, we saw a hint of the “wave action” attack mode. The first blast moved Mitakeumi back a bit, but the second and third were unstoppable. Takakeisho now 3-1.