We all got a bit of a rough start yesterday, especially our Ozeki and Yokozuna. There were sloppy bouts up-and-down the torikumi, though. So, the desire today is for some good, clean sumo. I would like to take today’s successful voyage of the Takarabune as a good omen. Patience paid off and Takarafuji picked up his first white star of the tournament. 13 more to go!

Makuuchi Highlights

Takerufuji (2-0) defeated Endo (0-2). Josh saw the writing on the wall. Takerufuji was the better wrestler today but Endo put in quite the effort. He was overpowered from the start, however. Once he forced Endo to the edge, Takerufuji kept up the pressure until he blasted Endo into the crowd for some fansa. Yorikiri.

Myogiryu (2-0) defeated Daiamami (0-2). Another Josh call, here. Daiamami is out of his depth against a wily veteran like Myogiryu. He gave a great effort but Myogiryu quickly twisted and rolled Daiamami along the floor. Makiotoshi.

Myogiryu will battle Endo on Day 3.

Roga (2-0) defeated Kitanowaka (0-2). These two had a great belt battle. As they seemed to settle, Roga quickly launched his attack and threw Kitanowaka (and himself) to the clay. Gunbai to Roga. Shitatenage.

Roga will face Takerufuji tomorrow.

Ryuden (2-0) defeated Nishikifuji (0-2). Plenty of desire from Ryuden today. Nishikifuji’s just happy Ryuden didn’t leave any on the silk. Nishikifuji kept Ryuden off of his belt for the first 20-30 seconds with a rumbling oshi-brawl. It’s difficult to keep that pace, however, and Ryuden eventually locked in on Nishikifuji’s belt. In a thrilling back-and-forth yotsu battle, Ryuden was able to lurch Nishikifuji toward the bales and nearly threw him before finally working him over the tawara. Yorikiri.

Nishikifuji will take on Daiamami and Ryuden draws Kitanowaka.

Shonannoumi (1-1) defeated Churanoumi (1-1). Shonannoumi immobilized Churanoumi’s left arm by locking it up at the shoulder. He then pressed forward and forced Churanoumi out. Yorikiri.

Sadanoumi (2-0) defeated Shimazuumi (0-2). Shimazuumi had the start but Sadanoumi had the finish. Shimazuumi launched into Sadanoumi at the tachiai. Sadanoumi, though, was able to lock Shimazuumi up and drive forward and over the bales. Yorikiri.

Shimazuumi will face Churanoumi on Day 3.

Ichiyamamoto (1-1) defeated Shodai (1-1). Ichiyamamoto sumo at its finest. Shodai was not very good at all today as Ichiyamamoto waylaid him. Tsukidashi.

Ichiyamamoto should be a favorite against Shonannoumi.

Kotoshoho (1-1) defeated Mitakeumi (1-1). Kotoshoho brought it today, data be damned. Mitakeumi still loses on Day 2 and he lost quickly, today. Yorikiri.

So much for “Day 1-2-3” Mitakeumi! With Day 3 left, if there’s an upset in the cards, maybe Mitakeumi winning against the solid and undefeated Sadanoumi?

Onosho (2-0) defeated Hokutofuji (0-2). Hokutofuji caught out on the false start. Yorikiri.

Hokutofuji will face Shodai. My hands in the air on that one. These guys can win or lose in spectacular – or not so spectacular – fashion. Shodai owns the rivalry, 12-4 but it’s rare to think of him as such a heavy favorite.

Takayasu (2-0) defeated Tamawashi (0-2). Neither really budged with the oshi-battle, the pair worked to a stalemate at the center of the ring. Takayasu had more tools up his sleeve than Tamawashi, and twisted him down. Uwatenage.

Takayasu will take on Kotoshoho on Day 3.

Tsurugisho (1-1) defeated Kinbozan (1-1). One swift lift and twist. And suddenly, Kinbozan found himself standing outside the ring. Impressive strength and planning from Tsurugisho. Yorikiri.

Kinbozan will face Onosho tomorrow in an interesting bout.

Halftime

Onosato (2-0) defeated Gonoyama (0-2). Dominance. Yorikiri.

Gonoyama will face Tamawashi. One of these guys will get his first win.

Midorifuji (1-1) defeated Tobizaru (1-1). Midorifuji won this at the tachiai, forcing the action into Tobizaru’s half of the dohyo. The two brawled for a bit before Tobizaru got the brilliant idea to try a pulldown from his half of the dohyo. With no space to reverse, Midorifuji just needed to stay on his feet and did just that. Oshidashi.

Midorifuji will face Tsurugisho. If Tsurugisho gets to use that strength and doesn’t have to chase much, he could pick up the win. Midorifuji has won five of their seven bouts, though.

Takanosho (1-1) defeated Hiradoumi (1-1). Hiradoumi yanked on Takanosho’s arm at the tachiai but Takanosho freed himself and then launched his own blistering tsuppari attack. Takanosho’s tsuppari kept Hiradoumi in reverse and shoved him over the bales. Oshidashi.

Hiradoumi will take on Onosato in their first-ever meeting. I wonder if Hiradoumi will amount to anything but a speed bump on Onosato’s way to the head of the leaderboard.

Sanyaku

Oho (1-1) defeated Daieisho (0-2). Daieisho laid into Oho from the tachiai. That’s no surprise. But the shock here is that Oho dished it back at him, drove him back across the fighting surface and out. Tsukidashi.

Oho will face Tobizaru.

Wakamotoharu (2-0) defeated Meisei (1-1). Wakamotoharu made it seven. Meisei tried to throw Wakamotoharu a couple of times and hefted WMH onto one leg each time. But each time WMH remained upright and then pressed forward until he pressed Meisei out. Yoritaoshi.

Wakamotoharu will face Takanosho on Day 3.

Atamifuji (1-1) defeated Kirishima (0-2). Nothing really special from Atamifuji here. He just pressed forward. Kirishima locked in with a right-hand belt grip but when he tried to pull Atamifuji down, he stood up to get the leverage. Atamifuji just bulled forward into the upright Ozeki. Yorikiri.

Asanoyama (1-1) defeated Kotonowaka (1-1). Asanoyama hit Kotonowaka with a powerful tachiai and forced the ozeki to the edge of the dohyo. From one foot inside the bales, Kotonowaka tries a hatakikomi? This was the same desperate mistake we saw from Tobizaru earlier but more egregious. The shin-Ozeki basically handed the bout to Asanoyama there. Oshidashi.

Abi (2-0) defeated Takakeisho (1-1). Abi launched into Takakeisho and forced the Ozeki back deep into his side of the ring. From here, Takakeisho resisted Abi’s blows and charged forward. But it was a feint. Abi cycled back along the tawara as Takakeisho toppled forward. Uwatenage. He did have his left hand on Takakeisho’s belt, pulling forward, so I guess that overrides the right hand pushing down from his head? Whether it’s a slapdown or a throw, it’s the same result: upset!

Abi will face Daieisho tomorrow. Circle that bout. Takakeisho will get Meisei.

Hoshoryu (1-1) defeated Nishikigi (1-1). Thank God, we’ve got an Ozeki who can win today. Nishikigi put in a hell of an effort. He reached deep and locked onto the back of Hoshoryu’s mawashi. But Hoshoryu would not allow him to get that right hand inside. Hoshoryu pressed forward as Nishikigi tried to circle backwards. Hoshoryu overpowered Nishikigi and forced him out. Yorikiri.

Hoshoryu will face Atamifuji while Nishikigi takes on Kotonowaka.

Terunofuji (1-1) defeated Ura (1-1). Ura reached for the Yokozuna’s jewels and the Yokozuna took exception. He also took Ura’s arm and did not relinquish said appendage until Ura was safely on his way out. Oshitaoshi.

Terunofuji gets Asanoyama. Though Terunofuji is undefeated against the former Ozeki, he has shown cracks in his form. Meanwhile, Ura will be an interesting and dangerous opponent for Kirishima. Kirishima already stands on a knife’s edge with two losses during the easy part of his schedule. Ura, whom he’s defeated seven times, should be a piece of cake. However, he has not looked good since Terunofuji banished him from the dohyo in January. He must turn things around.

Wrap-up

Today’s lesson: if you value your life, don’t go reach anywhere near Terunofuji’s junk. Also, do not attempt a pulldown or slapdown from your half of the dohyo. You need real estate for reverse. While you might be able to do something, like Abi, where you skirt the dohyogiwa, your angular momentum cannot be perpendicular to the tawara! It’s physics, folks!