News from the infirmary, as we discussed yesterday, Kotoeko is back today and picked up a wicked win against Yuma. The little man used a “big man” attack with the double-outside grip to neutralize Yuma in a way that Terunofuji usually tries. He then whipped Yuma around and brought him to the ground for an impressive Kimetaoshi win.

In the top division, Asanoyama will return and take on Gonoyama. A win between now and senshuraku will secure the all important kachi-koshi. Ankle sprains are funny. A few times, I’ve sprained my ankle and been fine the next day or after a couple of days. Then, there was the time I sprained it while trying to dig out the root ball from a massive, dead azalea bush. I took it easy and reaggravated it weeks later, just stepping off the porch onto a slightly uneven patch of dirt. Here, I am hoping that Asanoyama did not have one of those sprains.

Makuuchi Action

Shimazuumi (8-4) defeated Churanoumi (5-7). It looked like Shimazuumi was trying to get his left-hand inside but when it was not forthcoming, he just gave up and threw from the other side. Kotenage.

Oho (7-5) defeated Bushozan (4-8). Bushozan is no Sekiwake. Grateful to be back among the plebs, a few shoves and Oho showed Bushozan the exit. Oshidashi.

Sadanoumi (5-7) defeated Takarafuji (5-7). Today, the Takarabune set sail to the Sada Seas. However, he faced a powerful westerly headwind and was blown way off course. Yorikiri.

Tomokaze (4-8) defeated Mitakeumi (5-7). Long belt battle here where Mitakeumi seemed to be waiting to counter. Tomokaze took the initiative, pulled up hard, and bulldozed Mitakeumi over the edge. Yoritaoshi.

Myogiryu (4-8) defeated Meisei (7-5). Myogiryu forced Meisei to slip with a beautiful push down and side-step. Meisei tried to adjust but lost his footing. Hatakikomi.

Hiradoumi (6-6) defeated Endo (3-9). Hiradoumi overpowered Endo. Endo bent over after going over the bales, in either pain or exhaustion. I’m leaning toward pain and nagging injury but either way, not a good sign. Well, his performance this tournament has been a massive neon sign reading, “BAD NEWS HERE.” Yorikiri.

Tsurugisho (6-6) defeated Kinbozan (6-6). Kinbozan in a belt battle, so Tsurugisho just yanked him to the side. Kinbozan hopped a bit, favoring his right foot. We will watch that over the next few days. Yorikiri.

Tobizaru (7-5) defeated Ichiyamamoto (5-7). Ichiyamamoto tried his thing but got pushed out first. Gunbai to the guy moving forward. Oshidashi.

Shonannoumi (2-10) defeated Shodai (4-8). Shonannoumi was fixated on Shodai’s left arm from the tachiai. One surge of power at the edge and he forced Shodai to the ground. Kotenage.

Halftime (Shuffle, shuffle, sweep, sweep)

Abi (6-6) defeated Midorifuji (3-9). Abi tried out yotsu-zumo with the smaller Midorifuji. I am a little surprised he could not throw Midorifuji earlier. Instead, he did work him over the bales. Yorikiri.

Kotoshoho (8-4) defeated Wakamotoharu (8-4). Kotoshoho earned his kachi-koshi this tournament. He got thrown up to fight Wakamotoharu at M1 and took him, toe-to-toe. Both guys had strong left-hand inside position. While Kotoshoho was driving forward to the edge, Wakamotoharu tried to twist and throw…but Kotoshoho did not go. Instead, he crushed Wakamotoharu over the bales. Yoritaoshi.

Nishikigi (6-6) defeated Atamifuji (5-7). Atamifuji has been enjoying the edge work lately, let the opponent back you up and then dump him to the side. Atamifuji hit Nishikigi full on at the tachiai and then seemed to just wait. He waited for Nishikigi to bull forward. So, Nishikigi did. But he didn’t go over the side. He just drove Atamifuji out. This was the first time that I was truly disappointed in Atamifuji this tournament. I felt like he could have done something to show us some power and aggression, rather than passively losing.Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Ura (3-9) defeated Gonoyama (4-8). Ura baited Gonoyama into pitching himself too far forward and stepping to the side, inashi, so Gonoyama would fall forward. Hikiotoshi.

Kotonowaka (11-1) defeated Onosho (8-4). Onosho slipped. Hatakikomi.

Daieisho (7-5) defeated Ryuden (3-9). Ryuden was of one mind this entire bout, “I must get that belt.” He did not. Instead, Daieisho battered him with tsuppari and then slapped him down when he reached in too far. Hatakikomi.

Hoshoryu (10-2) defeated Takanosho (8-4). Hoshoryu said, “come here.” Takanosho obliged and drove forward. Hoshoryu found his belt and dumped Takanosho to the side. Cake Walk. Shitatenage.

Kirishima (10-2) defeated Tamawashi (7-5). Kirishima took on Tamawashi’s oshi-tsuki style and even attempted a kotenage before slapping the veteran down. Hatakikomi.

Terunofuji (10-2) defeated Onosato (8-4). Terunofuji took his time to acquire the grip he wanted and then yanked Onosato across the ring and over the edge. Uwatenage.

Wrap-up

The action heats up tomorrow as Terunofuji takes on the tournament leader, Kotonowaka, in the Musubi-no-ichiban. Before that, Kirishima will take on Hoshoryu. Oh, snap.

After these two bouts, there are two possible outcomes: we will either have three men at 11-2 or one at 12-1, one at 11-2, and two on 10-3. These final three days should work out, essentially, as a round robin with Kotonowaka having the edge. If he wins out, he wins the title and gets promoted.

Kotonowaka’s Ozeki promotion status sits at 31 wins over three tournaments. Some will point out that one of his wins during this tournament was a fusen/default victory and over the course of the last three days he has fought an M15, M14, and M11. With Takakeisho out, added with Takayasu, there are two top level vacancies in this schedule. He will have three tough matches here to close out the tournament. Two wins and he will hit 33 and it is likely a done deal. Three wins and it is a done deal. One win and there is still, certainly, a strong case that over the past four tournaments he has performed consistent, top-level sumo. If he loses all three, though, I cannot imagine this being enough.

Now, to Kirishima’s Yokozuna run. If he wins the next three matches, there is a possibility he will win the yusho outright or at least be in a playoff. If he wins the yusho outright, or in a playoff, the rope is his. If he wins three bouts and loses a playoff, well, I am not so sure. But my gut tells me that it’s more likely he earns promotion, even with a playoff loss. If he stumbles against any of his three opponents this weekend, there may still be a window for a yusho through a playoff. Again, a playoff loss may be enough.

So, yes…as Colby pointed out a few days ago, there is a possibility here that I am not saying out loud because I am not going to be the one to jinx it. Fingers and toes have been crossed for a few days now. I think I’m starting to lose circulation in my digits. It’s also very difficult to type. That’s what I am blaming the lateness of today’s update on.