Today is when the top four guys finally start to face off with the yusho on the line! Everyone else is fighting for pride and a few still have a shot at special prizes, notably Nishonoseki’s big protégé, Onosato. There was also some excitement earlier in the day when Wakatakakage claimed the Makushita yusho. Ajigawa-beya celebrated the Jonokuchi yusho as Anhibiki went undefeated. And Fujiseiun battled back from injury to take the Sandanme crown. Congratulations, men! Jonidan will be decided in a playoff between Aonishiki and Chiyotaiko.

Makuuchi Action

Tohakuryu (7-6) defeated Takarafuji (5-8). The Takarabune attempted to set sail today but a fierce dragon tore at her mast with its powerful talons, and dashed the broken vessel along the rocks. Tsukidashi.

Onosato (9-4) defeated Takanosho (8-5). Onosato kept his head down and shoved Takanosho out. Oshidashi.

Sadanoumi (6-7) defeated Tomokaze (4-9). Sadanoumi outlasted Tomokaze’s tsuppari and blasted the come-back kid with some of his own. Oshidashi.

Tamawashi (8-5) defeated Churanoumi (5-8). A bit of back and forth to start as Churanoumi forced Tamawashi back. Once Tamawashi turned it on, though, he charged forward with powerful blasts and nodowa, and sent Churanoumi flying back. Oshitaoshi.

Meisei (8-5) defeated Kotonosho (8-5). Fierceful tsuppari here. Fantastic slapfest. Kotonowaka tried to slip out of the way of Meisei but Meisei recovered and re-engaged. More tsuppari ensued before Meisei deftly slipped to the side and pushed Kotoshoho down by the shoulder. Tsukiotoshi.

Shimazuumi (9-4) defeated Mitakeumi (5-8). Shimazuumi charged forward and forced Mitakeumi to the bales. Mitakeumi resisted twice, trying to throw Shimazuumi. But Shimazuumi got in behind Mitakeumi and forced him out from the back. Okuridashi.

Oho (8-5) defeated Hiradoumi (6-7). Great back-and-forth before Oho really got Hiradoumi in trouble. Hiradoumi retreated but Oho pursued quickly. Alert leg sweep combined with a hearty shove. Oshitaoshi.

Shonannoumi (3-10) defeated Bushozan (4-9). Shonannoumi’s core strategy has been figured out. Bushozan was wise to the pull and did not fall for it. Tsukiotoshi.

Endo (4-9) defeated Ryuden (3-10). Endo charged forward and pushed Ryuden to the bales. Rather than continue to press forward, Endo grabbed Ryuden and executed a twisting throw. Sukuinage.

Tsurugisho (7-6) defeated Shodai (4-9). The pair of wrestlers settled into a lean. Shodai shifted and baited Tsurugisho into driving forward. Shodai twisted at the edge, and forced Tsurugisho down. Gunbai Shodai. Mono-ii. Shimpan were not satisfied that Shodai had won so they demanded a Torinaoshi (re-do). In the rematch, Tsurugisho pushed Shodai back and then slapped him down. Satisfied that Shodai had lost, the shimpan stayed silent. Someone, call the keisatsu; Shodai was robbed. I demand an investigation. “Hatakikomi.”

Halftime.

Asanoyama (8-2-3) defeated Gonoyama (4-9) Asanoyama charged forward early. The pair reset. Asanoyama charged forward early again? Henka incoming? No. Great, satisfying initial charge. Gonoyama came at Asanoyama with fierce tsuppari that pushed Asanoyama back. But Asanoyama grabbed Gonoyama’s left arm at the edge and twisted Gonoyama down. Asanoyama earned his kachi-koshi. It took a while for the final kimarite call, kotenage.

Abi (7-8) defeated Ichiyamamoto (5-8). Abi pressed forward as Ichi pulled. Abi stayed in the ring as Ichiyamamoto jumped out and Ichi’s slapdown attempt came to nothing. Tsukidashi.

Midorifuji (4-9) defeated Myogiryu (4-9). Myogiryu tried to wrap Midorifuji up with a kimedashi. But this gave Midorifuji a morozashi. Midorifuji used his firm hold around Myogiryu’s trunk and spun Myogiryu down. Makiotoshi.

Atamifuji (6-7) defeated Kinbozan (6-7). Kinbozan is hurt, as lushi888 mentioned in the comments. Kinbozan tried a henka but Atamifuji caught him and shoved him out. When he got caught, Kinbozan capitulated. He knew he was done. Oshidashi.

Wakamotoharu (9-4) defeated Onosho (8-5). Onosho attempted to pull Wakamotoharu down but Wakamotoharu was wise to it. WMH just pressed forward and shoved Onosho out. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Ura defeated Tobizaru. Ura charged forward as Tobizaru threw him. Ura was upside-down in the air while Tobizaru stepped out. Gunbai went to Tobizaru, which I tend to agree with here. But I could easily see a reversal or torinaoshi called. The shimpan obliged and reversed the gyoji’s decision, much to Tobizaru’s disbelief. He did step out before Ura fell. And somehow Ura was not dead. Force out while inverted and airborne. Yorikiri. (I swear, someone has been hitting the sake hard today with these kimarite calls.)

Nishikigi (7-6) defeated Daieisho (7-6). Daieisho fell to his weakness. He charged forward, blasting away, when suddenly Nishikigi was no longer there and Daieisho fell to the ground. Hikiotoshi.

Kirishima (11-2) defeated Hoshoryu (10-3). That was a great bout. Kirishima got the left-hand inside. Hoshoryu’s eyes got big as he charged forward with a strong lefthand inside, right-hand outside. However, Kirishima tripped him and dragged him down with his own left-hand grip. What a beautiful move. Nimaigeri.

Terunofuji (11-2) defeated Kotonowaka (11-2). Terunofuji wrapped up Kotonowaka’s right arm at the tachiai. He had nearly taken the left arm, too. But Kotonowaka had just pulled that back. Panic seemed to set in Kotonowaka’s eyes. He tried to press forward and grasp Terunofuji’s belt but that allowed Terunofuji to wrap up Kotonowaka’s trunk with the right arm, too. So, Kotonowaka tried to pull but the Yokozuna accepted the opportunity to charge forward, released Kotowaka’s arm in favor of the belt, and forced Kotonowaka out. Yorikiri.

Wrap-up

If Daieisho figures out how to do his sumo without falling for the slapdowns and changes of direction, forget Ozeki, he will be Yokozuna. But he keeps falling flat on his face.

Well, while the Kyokai hit the izakaya to figure out the bouts for tomorrow, I am going to make some coffee and post this account of today’s action. I’ll follow up tonight with a brief look at tomorrow’s bouts.