In the day 12 preview, I made reference to an attempt to funnel as many rikishi as possible toward a 7-7 record at the end of day 14, to set up a series of “Darwin Matches”. To get there, the scheduling committee sometimes works to pair rikishi with middling records against each other, in hopes of steering as many of them as possible to that 7-7 outcome. If that had been going on, it was blown up today as many who needed a win lost, and many who needed a loss won. Does that mean no 7-7 “Darwin” matches on Sunday? Not at all. But I think the active effort to herd rikishi to that score fell apart today.
The two leaders, Asanoyama and Terunofuji, split their matches today, with Asanoyama losing to Daieisho, and Terunofuji beating Wakamotoharu. This gives Terunofuji sole possession of the yusho lead. But you will note when you watch the video of today’s senshuraku, Terunofuji had to leap from the dohyo at the end of his match, and you can see the pain written over his body. We just hope his knees hold out for another 3 days.
Highlight Matches
Ichiyamamoto defeats Chiyoshoma – Ichiyamamoto picks up a very welcome win in an even match that was lost when Chiyoshoma lost his stance and dropped to the clay. There was at least two Ichiyamamoto pull attempts in there too, and it was a chaotic mess of a match. Ichiyamamoto now 4-8.
Myogiryu defeats Daishoho – It took a few matta to get them started, I don’t know if Daishoho was trying to throw Myogiryu off, or if Daishoho chugged a dozen coffees before mounting the dohyo. It did not help Daishoho at all, and he was quickly out by yorikiri. Myogiryu now 7-5 and could reach kachi-koshi tomorrow.
Takarafuji defeats Mitoryu – I know that Takarafuji has struggled with maintaining forward pressure for most of Natsu, but he was able to stave off Mitoryu for a fair amount of time. After they were both tired enough, Mitoryu charged ahead, Takarafuji escaped and they both stepped out. A monoii declared a rematch. In the second attempt, we got to see the spectacle of Mitoryu attempting an henka. He actually caught a surprising amount of air in that leap. It failed and Takarafuji never let Mitoryu get balance back or place his feet. Mitoryu now make-koshi as both end the day 4-8.
Oho defeats Onosho – Oho has now won 7 of the last 8, and 4 in a row. Like many of his matches, he let Onosho do most of the work. But superb timing counts for quite a bit more than power forward at times. Onosho is convinced he is about to drive Oho out, but Oho steps aside and applies the hatakikomi to get his 8th win. He is now kachi-koshi for Natsu.
Tsurugisho defeats Hiradoumi – I feel for Hiradoumi, who has lost 3 days in a row trying to get his 8th. Hiradoumi finds his left hand blocked by an ottsuke, and can never quite get a working grip. Plus there is quite a lot of Tsurugisho to try and overcome. Tsurugisho finds his hold, and just powers through Hiradoumi’s defenses for a yorikiri to improve to 9-3.
Kotoeko defeats Sadanoumi – A funnel match that went on the rocks, Sadanoumi showed us some speed today, but perhaps more than he should have employed. He was all forward power when Kotoeko pivoted at the bales and sent him into the salt basket for a loss by tsukiotoshi. Kotoeko now 7-5.
Hokutofuji defeats Ryuden – Hokutofuji not ready to accept his obligatory make-koshi just yet. Ryuden had a few good combo attacks, but Hokutofuji took control at the tachiai and kept the pressure on. Ryuden ended the match falling sideways off of the dohyo by oshitaoshi, and Hokutofuji improves to 5-7.
Tamawashi defeats Aoiyama – In this battle of the grizzled veterans, it’s clear that Aoiyama is a bit more banged up than Tamawashi. Tamawashi is able to power through what passes for defense this month from Aoiyama, and the moment it is clear he is at the bales, Aoiyama goes soft and steps out. This is sumo from an injured man. Tamawashi takes the much needed win and is now 6-6, Aoiyama earns his 8th loss and is now make-koshi.
Mitakeumi defeats Kagayaki – Happy to say that Mitakeumi is not yet so far gone that he can be beaten by Kagayaki. Kagayaki gave it a good effort at the tachiai, but once Mitakeumi had him to his chest, he was all forward power to walk Kagayaki out. Mitakeumi now 7-5.
Ura defeats Tobizaru – These two are very inventive rikishi, and so it was surprising to see them throw more or less the same combos at each other time and again for the duration of this lengthy match. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good fight and the crowd loved it. But I was looking for more nonsense than we got – at least at first. That ending exchange – you have Tobizaru off axis pushing into an unbalanced Ura, who plants his feet, ducks down and head rams a charging Tobizaru. Tobizaru grabs Ura’s head, and Ura lifts with his back and pivots. Down goes Tobizaru and Ura crumples to the clay, with his knees clearly a concern. Kimarite is listed as zubuneri – a head pivot throw, which was last seen in the top division in 1998 when Asahiyutaka used it to defeat Terao on day 5 in Osaka. Ura now 6-6.
Nishikifuji defeats Takanosho – When you are fighting as poorly as Nishikifuji has been this month, winning in reverse gear is “good enough” to be sure. He lets Takanosho supply the energy to power the uwatenage that wins the match, sealing Takanosho’s make-koshi at 4-8, while Nishikifuji advances to 3-9.
Abi defeats Meisei – Abi’s henka catches Meisei at the right time, and sets up the oshitaoshi one step later that wins the match. Meisei looks a bit hurt, or just knocked about and is slow to get up. Abi now 6-6.
Midorifuji defeats Takayasu – The powerful Takayasu of yesterday is nowhere to be seen today, as Midorifuji gets underneath and drives Takayasu out at a gallop. Midorifuji now 4-8.
Nishikigi defeats Kotonowaka – That’s 5 wins in a row for Nishikigi – what on earth? Nishikigi gets his preferred arm bar hold early, and Kotonowaka swaps to defense. With Kotonowaka moving back, Nishikigi keeps up the pressure and finds center mass. The results are an oshidashi that improves his score to 6-6.
Shodai defeats Kinbozan – The version of Shodai with some level of sumo skill mounted the dohyo today. Kinbozan had a good opening attack, but found Shodai reverse his position and grapple in for a quick yorikiri. Shodai now 6-6, and I wish I could buy that man some consistency.
Daieisho defeats Asanoyama – Daieisho takes Asanoyama out of his tie for the lead with a quick mega-thrust win. This is the sumo I expected from Daieisho I expected yesterday against Takakeisho, but good enough here. Because Asanoyama had the easier route to double digits, I wonder if maybe he is not quite ready to fight the san’yaku again just yet. The give away was that pull attempt that opened the door for Daieisho’s oshidashi. I am sure he will improve his sumo a bit more for Nagoya. Daieisho kachi-koshi at 8-4.
Hoshoryu defeats Hokuseiho – I did enjoy watching Hoshoryu come to grips with the size difference in real time. His body and his movements communicated “wow, what the hell is going on?” at least twice. To his credit he kept trying things until he found one that worked, and forced it to his advantage. The attempt at shitatenage fell apart, but broke Hokuseiho grip, and set up the okuridashi. Both end the day 8-4.
Hoshoryu: 8-4
Kiribayama defeats Takakeisho – As soon as Kiribayama got that right hand belt grip, it was two quick steps to the yorkikiri, and double digits for Kiribayama. Will it be enough for him to reach Ozeki for July? I think we will find out shortly after the tournament ends. He is now 10-2.
Terunofuji defeats Wakamotoharu – Wakamotoharu boldly goes chest to chest with the Yokozuna, and does an admirable job of keeping Terunofuji away from his belt. With a working hold Wakamotoharu surges forward toward the bales, but catches a pivot from Terunofuji and drops as he is placed out for Terunofuji’s 11th win. But the Yokozuna is badly off balanced, and hops down from the dohyo. He looks shocked with pain, and I have to wonder if maybe he did not just end his efforts for May. Terunofuji is 11-1 by yoritaoshi.
