Day 11 started act 3 off with a bang. Two new kachi-koshi, three new make-koshi, and what looks like a Darwin funnel starting to form. The race for the cup is more or less down to 3 now, and we have set up some great matches for the final 4 days. We have to wonder what kind of switch was thrown in Oho and Nishikigi, as these guys are winning matches now rather than eating dirt.

Highlight Matches

Daishoho defeats Mitoryu – Many times, the battles of the mega-fauna unfold in slow motion, and this was the case today. Both men tend to operate at a languid pace today, comfortable to battle hug and lean into each other for a time. The end was no more exciting than the start, with Daishoho walking forward slowly for the yorikiri. Daishoho advances (slowly) to 5-6.

Kagayaki defeats Takarafuji – Takarafuji has no defense today, and his brand of sumo is 80% defense. Thus Kagayaki easily got him on the move and send him back, then out. It’s truly sad to watch this if you like Takarafuji. Kagayaki picks up a much needed win and is 5-6, while Takarafuji is now make-koshi at 3-8.

Ryuden defeats Aoiyama – Ryuden endures Aoiyama’s surprisingly limp thrusting attacks, latching onto Big Dan’s mawashi and getting him on the move. Aoiyama makes a half hearted (quarter hearted?) pulling attempt then goes soft and steps out. This is the look of a man who is hurt and has no intention of taking a fall to compound the issue. Both end the day at 4-7 and are ripe for make-koshi on day 12.

Onosho defeats Myogiryu – This match was low on tactical intrigue, but high on forward pressure. For a time Myogiryu battled back, but could not hold power against Onosho’s front push. He also goes soft and steps out to Onosho’s oshidashi. They both end the day at 6-5.

Takanosho defeats Chiyoshoma – Kind of a surprise finish on this one, as Chiyoshoma had all of the offense in this match. He used a number of push/pull combos to break Takanosho’s balance, but on the final pull down, was out before Takanosho landed. The gyoji looked a bit lost, but eventually pointed the gumbai at Takanosho. I expected a monoii on that alone, but it stood as called. Takanosho improves to 4-7.

Oho defeats Sadanoumi – There has been some sort of evolution in Oho, he has now won 6 of the last 7 matches. He could have lost today, had Sadanoumi kept closer contact. A couple of time Oho was off balance and out of position, just waiting for a slap down, but Sadanoumi was too far away. Oho eventually gets a body hold on Sadanoumi, and heaves him out for a yorikiri, improving to 7-4. Hard to think through that this cupcake could be kachi-koshi tomorrow.

Tamawashi defeats Ichiyamamoto – Tamawashi’s body may be too sore for him to pour on the power right now, but he still has the moves. I love how he captures Ichiyamamoto, turns him and then flings him out. That was loss #8 for Ichiyamamoto and he is make-koshi. Tamawashi improves to 5-6.

Tsurugisho defeats Mitakeumi – This was about as straightforward of a match as you could ask for. They grapple at the tachiai, and Tsurugisho envelopes Mitakeumi with his big hold and wide stance. That is actually saying quite a bit, as Mitakeumi is himself a rather wide fellow. Tsurugisho then crab walks forward and the yorikiri is complete. Tsurugisho now kachi-koshi at 8-3.

Asanoyama defeats Meisei – Meisei shows us how much he wants to win this match by surprising Asanoyama by setting up morozashi and lifting the former Ozeki clear of the dohyo. He puts Asanoyama’s heels on the tawara and looks to be about to score an major win. But Asanoyama counters with a pivot and thrust, sending them both the the clay. Meisei looks around for a monoii, but the Asanoyama win stands. Asanoyama hits double digits at 10-1, and maintains his share of the lead.

Kotoeko defeats Kinbozan – This guy beat an Ozeki? Kotoeko packs, boxes, tags and ships Kinbozan like he works at FedEx. At the tachiai Kotoeko gets a commanding grip, and takes control of the match. Kinbozan tries to evade and escape, but finds no exit before Kotoeko takes him out of the ring. Kotoeko now 6-5.

Nishikigi defeats Hokutofuji – A thousand years from now, the world’s stop scientists will try to figure out what happened to Nishikigi that he went from limp to potent like this. He has now won 4 in a row. Granted he was up against a man who prides himself on a vigorous make-koshi, and that tachiai was a terrible choice. Once Nishikigi takes hold, there was nothing Hokutofuji could do but try to wait for an opening. No opening was available, so Hokutofuji took the yorikiri instead. Nishikigi now 5-6.

Ura defeats Nishikifuji – Are fans getting tired of Ura’s celebration recovery moves? I know I am not, but I am a western barbarian from the anglosphere. I think this one was worth a bit of a celebration too. Nishikifuji was genuinely putting for a big effort to best Ura, and had him stalemated for most of the match. Ura did manage to break contact, and Nishikifuji went in for the win. Big gamble with Ura, who accepted Nishikifuji’s offer of a kinetic finish, and applied a tottari to send Nishikifuji hurtling past for a loss. Ura now 5-6.

Takayasu defeats Abi – Welcome back Takayasu! Abi goes for the big forward power thrusting attack, finds Takayasu is far too heavy today to really more, and gets a volley of blows to the back of his outstretched head. Down goes Abi by hatakikomi, and Takayasu gets his first win to be 1-10.

Shodai defeats Tobizaru – Tobizaru should have had that match, but there was a bit too “monkey” in his sumo today. Shodai lunged forward for a finishing move, mostly missed and was teetering at the edge of the ring. Sadly Tobizaru could not do anything with it, and caught Shodai’s follow up strike. Both end the day 5-6, and are headed for Darwin in my estimation.

Kotonowaka defeats Midorifuji – Midorifuji was horribly off balance from the start, and only his thrashing about kept Kotonowaka from dropping him to the clay any sooner. That’s loss 8 for Midorifuji, and he is make-koshi, while Kotonowaka improves to 5-6.

Kiribayama defeats Hiradoumi – Kiribayama looked very good today, strong, in control and shutting down all of Hiradoumi’s probing attacks. On the topic of Hiradoumi – this guy really gave the Ozeki hopeful a tough fight. He continues to impress me. But it seems Kiribayama is a man on a mission right now, with the skill to see it done. He waits out Hiradoumi, and then brutes him out by yorikiri. Kiribayama now 9-2, and faces kadoban Ozeki Takakeisho on day 12.

Wakamotoharu defeats Hokuseiho – What amazes me is that there is no chance to use an ottsuke against this guy. He just reaches over you and grabs your mawashi from the back. Wakamotoharu knows he is fighting an uphill battle, but really pours on the power against Hakuho’s giant. There is a lengthy chest to chest stalemate where Wakamotoharu seems to be testing how long Hokuseiho can maintain the pressure. The answer is – a long time. Wakamotoharu attacks first, and is shut down. Hokuseiho decides time is up, and moves for the yorikiri, but then Wakamotoharu gets one last roll of the dice. As Hokuseiho presses forward, Wakamotoharu moves for an utchari. Keep in mind, Wakamotoharu is rotating with giant in his grip, but manages to complete the arc, bringing Hokuseiho to the clay a moment before he touches down himself. Brilliant move. Wakamotoharu secures kachi-koshi at 8-3.

Takakeisho defeats Daieisho – What would you do if your friend was hurt and defending a hard-won rank that you yourself hope to achieve? That’s right, you make it look good. I am not saying Daieisho threw this match. But it did turn out the “right” way, did it not. Daieisho, you are a hero in my book. Both end the day 7-4, and Takakeisho can clear kadoban tomorrow.

Terunofuji defeats Hoshoryu – That’s nine matches that Hoshoryu has fought against Terunofuji, and not a single win. This guy gets worried about the kaiju and leaves the last 10% of his sumo in the akeni. Double inside grip against Terunofuji? You should know where that one goes. A quick kimedashi. Terunofuji evens up with Asanoyama at 10-1.

Welcome sumo fans to the opening day of act 3 of the 2023 Natsu basho. We enter the final five days of the tournament, where we sort everyone into kachi-koshi and make-koshi, and someone takes hope the Emperor’s Cup. Along the way there will plenty of twists and turns, and we will get to see much larger rank differences between competitors in head to head match ups. I am going to assume that the opening salvo in this barrage of awesome match ups is today’s Hokuseiho vs Wakamotoharu. Were I blessed to be in the Kokugikan for day 11, it would merit it’s own can of beer for this match alone.

Asanoyama continues to have the easier route to the yusho, but I expect that to change soon as well. He is more than up to the challenge of facing any of the san’yaku, though it is a bit unorthodox to put a M14 up against the named ranks. We all know its high time it happened. But to be fair, for every win he gets against these guys, it should juice his boost for Nagoya.

Natsu Leaderboard

With Meisei out of the leaders group, he’s going to hope that someone puts dirt on both Asanoyama and Terunofuji. He gets a big say in that today as he faces Asanoyama head to head in the middle of today’s fight card. Terunofuji starts his tour of the named ranks, and we get to see just how much his body can take for the final 5 days. I must compliment him on getting to 9-1 at the start of act 3, he’s one tough competitor. But can he brute his way through the pain for 5 more days?

Leaders: Terunofuji, Asanoyama
Chasers: Kiribayama, Meisei, Hokuseiho
Hunt Group: Hoshoryu, Daieisho, Wakamotoharu, Hiradoumi, Tsurugisho

5 Matches Remain

What We Are Watching Day 11

Mitoryu (4-6) vs Daishoho (4-6) – Daishoho has won 3 of their last 4 matches, including the one match earlier this year. Given that they have matching 4-6 records, the bias will be toward Daishoho winning again.

Kagayaki (4-6) vs Takarafuji (3-7) – Takarafuji will try to stave off make-koshi against the hapless Kagayaki. I am not sure where Kagayaki’s sumo has gone, but he’s been pretty miserable for a while now. Takarafuji is currently no better, but does bring a 13-6 career advantage into today’s match.

Ryuden (3-7) vs Aoiyama (4-6) – Ryuden likewise working to hold of on his 8th loss, against Big Dan Aoiyama today. Aoiyama has a 7-5 career advantage, and I think Ryuden has re-injured himself. Since day 6 he has lost 5 in a row, and cannot seem to handle movement well. He suffers from a chronic hip injury.

Onosho (5-5) vs Myogiryu (6-4) – The last two days have seen Onosho launch into chest to chest grappling contests within the first two steps, and each time it turns out poorly for him. Perhaps today we will see him return to his oshi-zumo form that tends to win matches for him. Or it could be the case that he has some injury or limitation that is causing him to not use “his brand of sumo” right now. He has a 13-3 career record against Myogiryu.

Chiyoshoma (6-4) vs Takanosho (3-7) – I expect Takanosho to lose this match today, and that will be make-koshi for him. He has lost 3 of the last 4, and both moving poorly, and not able to hold ground. By contrast Chiyoshoma is showing us some of the best sumo from him in the past year.

Sadanoumi (5-5) vs Oho (6-4) – I like this contest, as it puts to the test not just an 8 rank banzuke grip, but the question about wether Oho has actually gotten is sumo in line. I do hope we don’t see Sadanoumi sling himself at breakneck speed directly into Oho’s broad, pasty body. With any luck he will stay mobile and give Oho a lot of complexity to work through today.

Ichiyamamoto (3-7) vs Tamawashi (4-6) – Tamawashi has not lost to Ichiyamamoto in 2 prior attempts. But Tamawashi is a pale shade of his normal combative self, and I don’t know if he will be able to win this one today. Ichiyamamoto has lost five of the last six matches, and a loss today would be make-koshi for him.

Tsurugisho (7-3) vs Mitakeumi (6-4) – What would a day of sumo be without a battle of the mega-fauna? Mitakeumi is not nearly as bulbous as he was only recently, and it does seem to have improved his sumo somewhat. Is it enough to let him handle a nearly 200kg rampaging Tsurugisho? They have one prior match, during Natsu of 2015 when both were in Makushita. Wow!

Meisei (8-2) vs Asanoyama (9-1) – A big match that many of us are looking forward to. We get to see if Meisei can take the stuffing out of former Ozeki and yusho hopeful Asanoyama. Meisei lost his share of the lead when Hakuho’s giant, Hokuseiho, upended Meisei on day 10. He can do his part to claw his way back in the lead by putting Asanoyama on the deck. He will have his hands full, as Asanoyama has won 5 of their 7 prior matches, and continues to fight quite well.

Kinbozan (4-6) vs Kotoeko (5-5) – Fresh from dropping injured Ozeki Takakeisho, Kinbozan comes back down the ranks to tangle with Kotoeko. Both are near the make-koshi/kachi-koshi center line, and may be steering toward day 15 7-7 records. I agree, it’s time to start grooming the Darwin candidates.

Hokutofuji (4-6) vs Nishikigi (4-6) – Another Darwin grooming match, with both rikishi coming in at 4-6. They have 9 prior matches, and are just about evenly split. Nishikigi is on a bit of a tear as of late, having won 3 in a row including against Takakeisho and Wakamotoharu.

Ura (4-6) vs Nishikifuji (2-8) – Nishikifuji is already make-koshi, so perhaps this is him donating a win to keep Ura afloat. I think Ura is a good candidate for yet another Darwin match, which seem to be a recurring theme for him. He has won all 3 of their prior matches, including two prior this year.

Abi (5-5) vs Takayasu (0-1-9) – Look who is back! By back, I mean a broad, rather hairy back indeed. It’s Takayasu rejoining the competition for reasons nobody can explain. Maybe he wants a win or two to cushion his fall down the banzuke. Fair enough. Here, enjoy a fight with Abi.

Shodai (4-6) vs Tobizaru (5-5) – I think this is another Darwin grooming match. Tobizaru has also made it a habit as of late to end day 14 at 7-7, so he is a likely candidate given his score to start act 3. I don’t think they can nursemaid Shodai up to 7-7 except by using a stand in. His sumo the past few days has been pretty sour. He does hold a 6-2 career advantage against Tobizaru. Maybe he can rally today.

Kotonowaka (4-6) vs Midorifuji (3-7) – The expectation here seems to be that Kotonowaka will pick up his 5th win to keep him in the Darwin group, while rendering Midorifuji make-koshi with his 8th loss. All signs point to this as the most likely outcome, given that Kotonowaka holds a 5-1 career advantage.

Kiribayama (8-2) vs Hiradoumi (7-3) – Time for a bit of fun. Nagasaki upstart Hiradoumi can earn his kachi-koshi today by beating Ozeki hopeful Kiribayama. Not too tough a day on the job, right? They have ever fought before, and there is about a 10 rank banzuke different between them.

Hokuseiho (8-2) vs Wakamotoharu (7-3) – Ah, but we can do it the other way, too! Yotsu-zumo master practitioner Wakamotoharu can reach kachi-koshi today if he can just defeat the human apartment block in single combat. They have never matched before, and I do believe that Wakamotoharu will be trying something new and challenging today. Hopefully he coaxes Hokuseiho into an energetic fight.

Daieisho (7-3) vs Takakeisho (6-4) – Why stop there? Lets make a pair of friends fight! One of them is a kadoban OZeki and really needs the wins. The other would love to be Ozeki one day, but really needs to reach double digits. Normally these fights go to Takakeisho by a ratio of 16-6, but Takakeisho’s body is breaking down a bit more each day. A Daieisho win today would be kachi-koshi.

Terunofuji (9-1) vs Hoshoryu (7-3) – Its the Yokozuna vs the Peacock. Terunofuji has never lost a match to this strutting dandy, but there is a reach chance he might today. He has managed to blast his way through the lower ranks, enough to get him safely past kachi-koshi, but now the ready fights begin. Will he successfully win the match before Hoshoryu ever steps on the clay?

Act 2 has drawn to a close, and we have a couple of rikishi kyujo announcements. First Kotoshoho went kyujo during day 10, giving Daieisho a fusensho win for day 10, increasing his score to 7-3. There is no word yet on what medical reason was given, but Kotoshoho had only won a single match so far at Natsu, and was clearly not doing well.

Just when it looked like we would once more get Juryo visitors to fill the banzuke gap, along comes word that Takayasu will re-enter competition on day 11. I have no idea why this would be the case, but sure, you big hairy beast, get back in here.

Along the way, poor Meisei got to find out what it’s like to fight an 8 story apartment block. It’s a simple fact that you can grip that building tightly, but maybe you just can’t throw it around. As a result, he has dropped out of the leader group as Hokuseiho showed him what big can do. For the san’yaku who may have been shaking your heads, suck it up boys, Hokuseiho fights Wakamotoharu on day 11.

Highlight Matches

Kagayaki defeats Myogiryu – Some genuinely sloppy sumo in the first match of the day. Kagayaki focuses on Myogiryu’s face, and Myogiryu tries to figure out which part of Kagayaki to attack. Myogiryu stays unfocused long enough, that Kagayaki actually scores a win by pushing out a frustrated Myogiryu. Kagayaki improves to 4-6.

Aoiyama defeats Mitoryu – Not the V-Twin, just plain oshi-zumo today from Aoiyama. It worked quite well as Mitoryu surrendered the inside attacking lane early, and Aoiyama kept the pressure on until he drove Mitoryu out. Both end the day 4-6.

Kotoeko defeats Ichiyamamoto – Ichiyamamoto gets the first hit, but cannot keep Kotoeko from closing the gap and shutting down his double arm thrusting attack. This results in Ichiyamamoto having an awkward left hand outside grip, and poor body position. Its only enough to keep Kotoeko from the yorikiri, but Kotoeko quickly figures that out, and set up the sukuinage which brings Ichiyamamoto to the clay. Kotoeko now 5-5.

Oho defeats Ryuden – Another day, another data point that Oho has gotten the handle on his sumo at last. Sadly this is also the 5th loss in a row for Ryuden, and he’s looking really iffy. Ryuden comes in low at the tachiai, Oho pushes him a bit lower, and finds that Ryuden is stuck. Oho takes control and shoves him out by oshidashi, improving to 6-4.

Chiyoshoma defeats Onosho – Onosho decides to go chest to chest against Chiyoshoma, and that does not work well. He moves Chiyoshoma back, but also powers the resulting throw that took him down. Poor tactical choice by Onosho today, as Chiyoshoma improves to 6-4.

Asanoyama defeats Hiradoumi – Asanoyama caps Hiradoumi’s winning streak a 4 in a lightning fast match. Hiradoumi attempted a reach in at the tachiai, and encounters more ottsuke than anyone should put up. Asanoyama moved to pull Hiradoumi forward and down, but over loaded the power setting, sending Hiradoumi stumbling for the bales. Asanoyama advances to 9-1.

Tsurugisho defeats Sadanoumi – Tsurugisho gets the better of the tachiai, and gets an immediate body hold on Sadanoumi. Again we see Sadanoumi’s agility and lateral movement taken out of a match, and it results in a loss. Tsurugisho runs forward at full buffalo stampede pace and takes Sadanoumi out of the ring by yorikiri. Tsurugisho now 7-3.

Daishoho defeats Takanosho – Daishoho was clearly in control of this match at the first step. He used his superior size and his working lower body to relentlessly move forward. Takanosho is not quite genki enough to respond to this kind of fight, and was quickly out by oshidashi. Daishoho improves to 4-6.

Tamawashi defeats Takarafuji – As a long running sumo fan, this match is a bit tough to watch. We get Tamawashi at maybe 40% power up against Takarafuji at maybe 40% power. It’s like someone is putting on a stage show of these two guys, and can’t quite get the moves right. It ends with Tamawashi getting up enough steam to brute Takarafuji out. Tamawashi now 4-6.

Hokuseiho defeats Meisei – Meisei loses his share of the lead, but not for lack of energetic sumo. But as we have seen since last Sunday, there is only so much you can do against a strong rikishi of that size. Meisei pours on the pressure, but once you hit a certain point and Hokuseiho is not moving, you are more or less done. Hokuseiho eventually works Meisei into position and finishes him with an uwatenage. Both end the day 8-2 and are 1 behind the leaders.

Ura defeats Hokutofuji – Ura continues his dominance over Hokutofuji, shutting down Hokutofuji’s lower body sumo, and taking control of the match. Hokutofuji knows he is in trouble, and tries to pull Ura down at least twice. The second attempt leaves him too far forward, and Ura slaps him down, improving to 4-6.

Nishikigi defeats Mitakeumi – Mitakeumi seems to be so focused on preventing Nishikigi from getting a hand hold that he loses track of where his feet should be. Nishikigi does eventually get a tenuous hold, and quickly converts it to an uwatedashinage, and finishes the day 4-8.

Tobizaru defeats Midorifuji – If you blink, you will miss it. Tobizaru reaches in with both hands, then pulls forward and down, catching Midorifuji with no defensive foot placement, and sending him to the clay. Tobizaru is still on track for a day 15 Darwin match at 5-5.

Abi defeats Shodai – Abi has been in sumo for 10 years, everyone knows what Abi is going to do at the tachiai. Everyone knows what Abi-zumo is. Except Shodai. No defense, no counter move, just a “howdy! oh, let me get out of here for you” from the former Ozeki. I was hoping for more than that, but Abi is now 5-5.

Kiribayama defeats Wakamotoharu – A battle of Ozeki hopefuls, there was a good amount of solid defense from Wakamotoharu. Double bonus points for fending off that attempted leg trip, but the match did not last long after that last counter from Wakamotoharu. Kiribayama, was able to position off-axis from Wakamotoharu, and hurled him forward with a kotenage to put Wakamotoharu on his head at the tawara. That’s kachi-koshi for Kiribayama at 8-2.

Hoshoryu defeats Nishikifuji – Nishikifuji attacks with great skill at the tachiai, immediately putting Hoshoryu at risk, and moving back. But Hoshoryu’s skill in any mode of travel is great, and he musters a match winning tsukiotoshi to bring Nishikifuji down as Hoshoryu dances along the tops of the bales. Nishikifuji now make-koshi at 2-8 while Hoshoryu advances to 7-3.

Kinbozan defeats Takakeisho – For a time it looked like Takakeisho was going to have a manageable run to 8 wins to clear kadoban. Now it’s looking increasingly worrisome. He has lost his last 2, and both days he looks a bit worse off than the day before. Today he has no ability to repel Kinbozan, and ends up taking the loss by oshidashi. Solid sumo from Kinbozan to pick up the win, he is now 4-6.

Terunofuji defeats Kotonowaka – Kotonowaka put up a good fight! He had Terunofuji’s heels on the tawara for a moment, and defended well against the Yokozuna. Nothing to be ashamed of here for him. But Terunofuji was able to crank up the sumo power and hoist Kotonowaka out for a yorikiri, improving to 9-1 and maintaining his lead with Asanoyama.