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.
Discover more from Tachiai (立合い)
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I sincerely hope Teru channels Hak when he draws Kirishima and slaps the stupid grin off his face.
Kiri is fine but not rope worthy yet.
I agree on the Daieisho assessment when he’s on and keeps that forward momentum in check he’s close to unbeatable. If he had more of a Tamawashi stick and move approach he’d be truly great.
Wild kimarite today.
Nice to see Wakatakakage and Hakuoho coming back up both will add their flavors to the joi and then san’yaku.
Thank you for the write up, it’s appreciated especially the wrap up comments.
When would Kirishima be “rope-worthy,” in your opinion? What is it that you are looking for?
If Kiri wins the tournament and beats both Terunofuji and the other ozeki, while being ozeki himself and having won the previous basho, there’s really no more “being ready” humanly possible than that. The fact that he beat hoshoryu, who if I recall had given him problems in previous tournaments, is what sealed the deal for me. Kirishima is going for all the marbles and won’t make it easy for Teru.
That’s a very fair question – I think it’s his bearing for me. He doesn’t have that focus or mental toughness I feel from Teru or even, though he’s one dimensional, Keisho. The Hamster gets it done in the clutch.
Kiri is very talented just don’t feel he’s quite ready and with the push around Kaiju’s pending intai it’s just not there for me he’s as apt to throw a 13-2 tournament as he is to drop random matches to guys he really shouldn’t.
It’s just an opinion (yes, admittedly from a Hoshoryu fan and no I don’t think he crushed him in today’s meeting by any means).
I could be surprised. Maybe we need a Yokozuna with a more amiable feel like what Kiri would bring to the position.
Ultimately I see risk with some of the rising talent – would he consistently beat Asanoyama? The brothers Waka?
Midori? A genki Shodai?
Just not feeling the dominance and don’t want to see him go up before his time and have a rough run. I do like the guy he’s fun to watch and has a unique approach and personality.
I also don’t see him taking this yusho, two solid tests left and luck may not be in for both days.
Two days may not be enough. Playoff win could certainly be required for this yusho. I understand your concerns but I have the same whenever I see Terunofuji or Takakeisho or really any of the current crop. None are prime Hakuho. Terunofuji has had head scratcher losses this basho. He often looks a bit vulnerable. It’s just that for me, if Kirishima wins this title, he has proved all he needs to prove, IMHO.
And we have to toss away the idea of Hakuho as a model for what a yokozuna should be. Better to think of someone like Kakuryu, who wasn’t going to overpower everyone but could still get it done from time to time..
I hear you both Hak was special but so were Asa and Haruma who both really got railroaded out and we never got to see what that could have turned into.
Kakuryu and Kisenosato were great also but injury robbed us of time with them similar to Teru now.
It’s tough I’m more on the fence and leaning toward no one is worthy yet, we don’t need a Yokozuna posting 11-4 or 10-5.
That said there’s a lot more talent now and a better feel than even 2 years ago. The old guard was painful to let go (Tochi, Kaisei, other mainstays of the upper Maegashira if not San’yaku.
Even losing Ichinojo sucked though that was clearly a troubled exit he was stalwart for so long and always a threat.
If only Shodai would get his mind right…Genki Shodai beats everyone. Just not so genki these days.
The Harumafuji whose most frequent tournament score as a yokozuna was 11-4?
One thing Kirishima is definitely missing is a win over Yokozuna. He has 0 wins against any Yokozuna and 0 wins against Terunofuji including the time before he was promoted to Yokozuna. Has any previous Yokozuna had 0 wins against any Yokozuna before being promoted to Yokozuna themselves?
I’m not sure if that has more to say about Kirishima or Terunofuji’s absence. Terunofuji only finished one tournament last year. We will see how Kirishima does but it must be hard to prepare or train to fight a Yokozuna who isn’t in multiple tournaments, Jungyo, etc.
The reactions of both Kotonowaka and Hoshoryu definitely tell us a bunch about them. Kotonowaka might make ozeki, but he definitely needs more experience fighting talented fighters. Dude didn’t have a plan B and absolutely isn’t used to playing defense. Hoshoryu, on the other hand, is driven and wants to succeed. He knew he got caught and was upset with himself about it. I suspect he won’t make that mistake again often if ever.
I feel bad for Mitakeumi and Endo. I suspect both are injured, but Mitakeumi might just be out of gas. It would be really sad to lose both Takakeisho and Mitakeumi so quickly. But, sumo is not merciful.
Kirishima winning both tomorrow and Sunday is definitely a tall order. But, the same can be said for Terunofuji. It should be quite a weekend and end to the basho.
Quite right. Shodai was robbed. It’s quite obvious in the NHK Grand Sumo Highlights replay.
Shodai gets robbed often.
Most often by himself.
But yes I didn’t like the call either.
I agree Kirishima does throw random matches. The 2 bashos he won he had to go undefeated in the second half because he lost 3 and then 2 matches respectively early in the first 8. I would like to see him become Yokozuna though but I feel he made need to focus more in the opening rounds and maybe need to gain some weight and strength !! Hoshoryu as well ! Teri probably will retire this year so we need Yokozuna candidates to step up !
We just might be gearing up for an NSK/JSA Mongolian optics nightmare.
Day 14
Hoshoryu beats Terunofuji – both 11-3
Kirishima beats Kotonowaka – Kiri 12-2, Koto 11-3
Day 15
Hoshoryu beats Kotonowaka – Hosh 12-3, Koto 11-4
Terunofuji beats Kirishima – both 12-3
No Ozeki promotion for Kotonowaka AND a 3-way playoff amongst the Mongolians. A true nightmare ending to the basho for the NSK/JSA and a Heaven sent scenario for me.
I think that anything having to do with Mongolian vs Japanese is overplayed.
Don’t rob people like him of their most cherished fake narrative.
I would take your scenario and the next Mongolian dynasty gladly!
How I love the Kirishima-Hōshoryu rivalry. They truly bring out the best of each other.
They have to make themselves stop in practice otherwise they go on forever, apparently.
I chose to support Kirishima when I started watching sumo two years ago. Initially I was more drawn to Hōrshoryu’s fire dragon style, but Kirishima’s dynamic, versatile, multi-style sumo, and his warmer personality, drew me over.
It’s very strange to now see him on the edge of becoming a yokozuna. Back then I don’t even know what maegashira was.
It’s nervy supporting him as he gets closer to the top, because, yes, he doesn’t come out and sweep the field in a don’t f with me style, like an Onosato bowling ball knocking down the pins.
He drops seemingly easier matches against lower wrestlers from time to time.
But he wins. And keeps on winning. He’s very consistent from basho to basho. He must be less neurotic than me for sure, and has a reasonably simple “head game”.
He tends to get better as a basho goes on, as his consistency comes through.
He can win in so many ways. I find that unpredictable and exciting.
But yes, be needs to (finally) beat the yokozuna to become one.
But first Kotonowaka.
Whenever Kirishima wrestles I say: win or lose, I’m still supporting you! You have nothing to lose!
Would love to see him and Hoshoryu make Yokozuna and battle it out for years to come.
Oh yes, I totally agree. I think it would suit them too.
Hoshoryu looked like he was fighting back tears. His heart is always in it.
That sounds a lot like me :) I also started watching sumo two years ago and took a liking to Kiri. I felt “why isn’t anybody talking about this guy, he’s GOOD!” He could win in so many ways and his losses were usually not easily given. And he was so visibly pleased whenever he won :) It’s been very satisfying watching him rise and seeing everyone else wake up to him. I don’t know whether he’s quite dominant enough yet, but he’s my main man and I really hope he makes it.
Hoshoryu I didn’t like at first because of his attitude, but his sumo was always exciting and seeing his smiley face on tours made me warm to him. I positively enjoy his swagger now he has the results to back it up.
The funny thing is that Nicola has pictures of him when he was still in the lower divisions. It’s great to go through old pictures.
Kotonowaka was a disappointment today… sure wish Asanoyama hadn’t suffered that ankle injury, he would have given Terunofuji one hell of a match
Asanoyama has never beaten Terunofuji in six attempts.
Kotonowaka has never beaten Terunofuji in seven attempts after today.
Hoshoryu has never beaten Terunofuji in nine attempts.
Kirishima has never beaten Terunofuji in ten attempts.
Now, you may not like his attitude, or his style, or his injuries, or for when he henka’d Kotoshogiku that time but you absolutely cannot argue with Terunofuji’s ability to win on the dohyo.
I simply see better, smarter sumo from Asanoyama as opposed to Kotonowaka this basho.
You are correct I don’t like Terunofuji’s attitude and his style. That is because it has injured his opponents and he is the example that all of the upcoming rikishi will follow for “how a Yokozuna is supposed to act”. We can talk all we want about retired rikishi, but none of them will make as large of an impact as an active participant that other rikishi literally will put their hands on. Especially since Terunofuji has had less criticism leveled at him versus any of the previous Yokozuna from the past couple of years including Hakuho.
Terunofuji has earned his spot as yokozuna, so, as expected, he has a winning record against almost everyone except other yokozuna. The people he’s had the most trouble with through his career, and especially in part 2 of his career, are oshi specialists.
Tamawashi is 9 for 20 against Terunofuji
Tobizaru is 3 for 7 against Terunofuji
Daieisho is 5 for 13 against Terunofuji (not counting fusensho)
Takakeisho is 4 for 10 against Terunofuji
Kirishima, Hoshoryu, and Kotonowaka all have styles that play to Terunofuji’s strength. As long as he’s fit (enough) I don’t see any of them being a real challenge to him. His primary challengers will be people with other flaws to their sumo that prevent them from taking out the yusho.
Daieisho – footwork
Tobizaru – size
Abi – one trick
Takakeisho – injury
Until someone has both the right style and consistency, I think he’s the odds-on favorite. In the mean time he’ll just be a yusho winning kinboshi machine. He gives up 1 for every 8 opportunities largely due to where good oshi specialists tend to end up on the banzuke.
As a fun side note, take the infamous henka out and he and Kotoshogiku were dead even with 8 wins each.
I feel Asanoyama out-skills everyone in the top division except Terunofuji. They are the only two rikishi who, in my mind, could perform Yokozuna-level sumo on a daily basis. Kirishima, Hoshoryu, Takakeisho, Kotonowaka, and many more, can display bouts of brilliance, but not on a consistent basis. Only the wounded Yokozuna and the demoted Ozeki have shown the chops to dominate the division. While I like Kirishima’s repertoire, Hoshoryu’s gumption, Takakeisho’s power, and Kotonowaka’s lineage, none of them have proven to be worthy of more than where they are currently at.
I want to see Kotonowaka promoted, though… but not Kirishima. Kotonowaka, at the Ozeki rank, would have to mentally buckle down each day to gird himself for the challenge thrown at him. The pressure cooker of expectations, I feel, would temper the potential of his into unbendable steel, Kirishima, conversely, has risen quite fast, and could use another basho or two to get comfortable at his current rank. Once he gets over the early basho jitters and actually steps up as an Ozeki from day one, then I will believe a Yokozuna run credible. Till then, I hope he is, at last, an Ozeki who consistently fights for a yusho each time out.
Also, Shodai and Tobizaru both got robbed. Ura’s hand touched down before Tobizaru’s foot, and Shodai’s original match should’ve never gone to a rematch.
Asanoyama’s head to head against Hoshoryu is 0-4, against Kirishima 3-4, against Daieisho 7-12. His best win total in a basho in the top-division is 12. Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan, and would love to see what he can do fully healthy, but even pre-suspension Ozeki Asanoyama wasn’t dominant. Consistent, solid, but not dominant. Maybe he would have gotten there, and maybe he still will; I certainly will be cheering him on.
The Japanese seem to be rooting for him since he has been exposed as a shameful liar and demoted. And though he has clearly been overtaken by Kotonowaka as the greatest Japanese hope on the dohyo right now.
Any idea why that might be so?
Hard to say why any particular athlete is popular. His extracurricular activities aside, he seems to be a likable guy, and he has the look and style of a yokozuna, just not (yet?) the results of one.
I think we are somewhat spoiled by experiencing sumo in the era of Hakuho and Asashoryu. That’s 2 of only 4 Yokozuna with 25 or more wins. Of the 73 Yokozuna only 18 ever reached at least 10 wins.
Kirishima, if he made it, might not be one to break that mark, but he has been very consistent this past year. If he wins this tournament, this would be his 3rd Yusho in one year.
He sometimes drops bouts he shouldn’t on paper, but he is one of the lighter rikishi and arguably has less room for error. Both Tobizaru and Midorifuji are difficult opponents for anyone.
Kirishima is 4-4 vs Asanoyama, one loss being a fusen and 4-1 in the last 5 matches. Hakuho was 44-8 vs Kakuryu, winning their first 20 matches.
Teru is a difficult matchup for anyone, but if he was regularly available, I’m sure both Hoshoryu and Kirishima would pick up their wins too.
Btw, Terunofuji is 3-13 vs Kisenosato, 1-10 as an Ozeki and that was pre-injury Teru. Sometimes you just have a bad matchup, even Yokozuna.
If Kirishima wins this basho I think a promotion will be well deserved. I also think Hoshoryu will get there too, if he doesn’t get injured. I feel his fighting style is putting his health a bit more at risk.
They better both get there, before Onosato makes a leap. I think he has the physique to turn into a very difficult matchup.
Great comment, thanks, Savaros.
Terunofuji‘s 2016 as an Ozeki was terrible as he had only 33 wins vs 48 losses.
But he went kyujo after the fifth match in January so maybe he wasn’t really pre-injury then?
And yes, Onosato‘s physique is very impressive. When he’s on it looks as if he wasn‘t even pushing his opponents but simply walking them out. A pity he was very off against Kotonowaka but against the Mongolians it was already him who moved them at the tachiai (though they both threw him to the dirt going backwards).
I love Ura even more than I love that Flying Monkey, which is saying a lot, but I think Ura’s finger touched the ring (and kicked up a little dust) while the rest of him was still airborne, so I thought Tobizaru won.
Several years ago The Ura floated in the air long enough for Takekeisho to go out and lose. Today Ura was able to lift his arm away from the ground while falling. It was amazing. He knows how to fall slowly.
I’m not sure why Takarafuji is a boat, but do hope he can find a way to win out and stay in the top division. It would be a shame to see his makuuchi consecutive bouts streak end at 990.
The Takarabune is a boat of good fortune. He needs it. I had a little blurb about it when it featured on a kesho mawashi. https://tachiai.org/2020/12/31/happy-new-year/
Hmmm…Kirishima defeated Hoshoryu with a trip…Hosh. Is NOT going to be a happy man. Bet he comes to the next match up with those little Piggy Eyes glowing Red, like some Angry Anime Robot character…
Exciting tomorrow – those final two matches! Guaranteed to have at least one rikishi with 2 losses, maybe two. Guaranteed to have at least one rikishi with 3 losses, maybe three.