Again, apologies for yesterday’s late and brief update.

The news that I had been waiting for from the infirmary never came. The Yokozuna is still in this. So, let’s get it on!

Makuuchi Highlights

Daiamami (2-4) defeated Takarafuji (3-3). Takarafuji hit Daiamami at the tachiai and forced him back a bit was not able to get a firm grip with his left hand. He could not move Daiamami deep toward the tawara. As the two tussled to block each other from getting onto each other’s belt, Daiamami began to churn forward. As he reached the bales, he turned back and forced Takarafuji down. Tsukiotoshi.

Nishikifuji (4-2) defeated Roga (3-3). Roga wrapped up Nishikifuji well. Nishikigi resisted Roga’s intial effort and managed to corral him to the center of the ring and lock him up with both hands inside. That was critical. Once he secured that firm grip, he was able to force Roga backwards and out of the ring. Yorikiri.

Myogiryu (3-3) defeated Ryuden (4-2). Eager beaver Ryuden jumped early. After they reset, Ryuden was not so genki anymore. Myogiryu drove straight forward and forced Ryuden from the ring. It was like Ryuden got his right arm grip around Myogiryu’s left shoulder but he could not lock up his right shoulder. Yorikiri.

Takerufuji (6-0) destroyed Churanoumi (3-3). Takerufuji blasted Churanoumi hard at the tachiai, so hard that it backed Churanoumi a few paces, keeping Churanoumi from locking in with a quick belt grip. Takerufuji then pressed forward and bulldozed Churanoumi from the dohyo. Yorikiri.

Shonannoumi (5-1) defeated Endo (2-4). Shonannoumi took no prisoners. He shoved Endo back hard. As he drove forward he locked up Endo left arm quickly and forced him back to the edge and out. Kimedashi.

Sadanoumi (4-2) defeated Kitanowaka (1-5). I think Sadanoumi was pissed off at Kitanowaka’s loose mawashi. He got a great belt grip but as it was so loose, he could not get the leverage he wanted. Undeterred, he adjusted and swung Kitanowaka around the ring and down to the ground. Impressive strength from a guy who is a pretty quiet mid-rank wrestler. Kitanowaka is likely on his way back to Juryo. Uwatenage.

Ichiyamamoto (3-3) defeated Hokutofuji (1-5) What the hell is going on here? Maybe Ichiyamamoto decided he needed to switch things up? Ichiyamamoto did not come out blasting with his trademark tsuppari. He pressed Hokutofuji deep into his end and then locked him up with a left-hand overarm grip. A great yotsu battle as the two tussled for position. Ichiyamamoto threw Hokutofuji and both fall…gunbai to Ichiayamamoto as Hokutofuji fell first. His idea to take Hokutofuji on the belt worked! Uwatenage.

Onosho (4-2) defeated Shodai (3-3). Onosho went right for Shodai’s neck at the tachiai. That may have disrupted Shodai quite a bit as he tried to press forward but Onosho wrapped him up and plowed forward. Yorikiri.

Mitakeumi (4-2) defeated Takayasu (4-2). Mitakeumi lashed out at Takayasu with forceful tsuppari right to the face. Takayasu was still able to get the forward momentum. Mitakeumi cycled around as the two former Ozeki gave us their best pusher-thruster brawl. Mitakeumi nearly caught Takayasu with the slapdown. Exhausted, they settled to a stalemate at the center of the ring. Takayasu may have decided he’s tired of this oshi stuff because he tried to lock up Mitakeumi’s belt. Mitakeumi has had a taste of the wide ranging brawl, and seemed to like it so he fought hard to keep Takayasu off. He finally manages to get the momentum going his way and pressed Takayasu out. Mitakeumi wins! Oshidashi.

Tamawashi (2-4) defeated Kotoshoho (2-4). Tamawashi had a plan. He spun Kotoshoho around and then thrust his arm into Kotoshoho’s chin, hard. This fierce nodowa forced Kotoshoho back, if he wanted to keep his head from getting ripped off. Sensibly, Kotoshoho decided to keep his head and backed out. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Gonoyama (4-2) defeated Midorifuji (2-4). Gonoyama hit out at Midorifuji immediately with blistering tsuppari. He quickly drove Midorifuji back and out. The Go-dozer in action. Oshidashi.

Onosato (6-0) dispatched Meisei (2-4) with relative ease. Hard tachiai, Onosato tried to reach for Meisei’s belt but he did not really need a grip as he plowed forward. The upgraded Go-dozer is the Oo-dozer. I mean, Meisei is a more formidable opponent and he cut through like he was papier mâché. Oshidashi.

Atamifuji (4-2) defeated Asanoyama (2-4). Asanoyama had this! Gah! Asanoyama locked in with his righthand inside grip. He churned forward, and churned forward, forcing Atamifuji from edge to edge. Atamifuji’s ability to resist at the tawara was impressive but he was completely overpowered this entire match. Suddenly, as the reach the top edge of the dohyo, Atamifuji twisted, shifted left, and dropped Asanoyama to the clay. Uwatenage.

Sanyaku

Daieisho (3-3) outlasted Ura (3-3). Ura, dynamic as always, scurried around the ring picking and choosing when he would drive in to hit Daieisho. Daieisho chased and gave as good as he got. Ura was definitely trying to avoid the full force of Daieisho’s tsuppari. As he hopped around Daieisho and looped in to attack his leg, Ura’s foot touched outside of the ring. Oshidashi.

Wakamotoharu (4-2) defeated Nishikigi (1-5). Wakamotoharu hit Nishikigi with a solid tachiai. Nishikigi circled around the ring in retreat but Wakamotoharu pursued effectively and drove him from the ring. Yoritaoshi.

Kirishima (2-4) defeated Oho (2-4). Oho tried twice to pull Kirishima down. On his second attempt he lost his balance and rolled across the dohyo. Kirishima escaped because he could keep his balance today. Tsukiotoshi.

Kotonowaka (4-2) defeated Abi (5-1). Abi-zumo is powerful but it was not powerful enough to drive Kotonowaka from the ring. Abi kept pressing and kept pressing. Kotonowaka’s secret here was that he never launched himself at Abi. Instead, he focused on deflecting and resisting Abi’s thrusts. This meant Abi was never able to time a slapdown, his second stage attack, because Kotonowaka never drove forward. Instead, it was Kotonowaka who slipped to the side and thrust the over-extended Abi down to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.

Takakeisho (4-2) defeated Hiradoumi (3-3) Hiradoumi launched forward early. Matta. Nerves. Takakeisho hit Hiradoumi full force and drove him back. As Hiradoumi retreated along the tawara, his foot touched outside the ring in the same spot Ura’s had gone out earlier. A bit of a dud bout. A damp squib. Oshidashi.

Tobizaru (3-3) defeated Hoshoryu (4-2). Hoshoryu grabbed Tobizaru’s right shoulder and went after his right arm but Tobizaru immediately locked up with the morozashi. Hoshoryu realized his mistake and adjusted his grip to get Tobizaru to relinquish the two handed grip. They tussled in the center of the ring and again Hoshoryu gave up another morozashi to Tobizaru. Tobizaru drove forward and as Hoshoryu clung to the edge, Tobizaru’s gabburi-yotsu forced the Ozeki out. All of the Ozeki are now well off the yusho pace and will be playing catch-up.

Takanosho (2-4) defeated Terunofuji (2-4). Takanosho launched in at the Yokozuna and quickly grabbed him around the trunk like he was carrying a whiskey barrel. Terunofuji’s brand of sumo depends on locking up his opponents arms but he was unable to do so. Instead, Takanosho simply drove forward and earned a kinboshi.

Wrap-up

Terunofuji looks listless. I cannot image him competing tomorrow. The only wrestler who looks dominant during this first six days is Onosato. He is obliterating everyone. He will face Onosho tomorrow as the Kyokai likely prepares for a nakabi showdown between Onosato and Takerufuji. Takerufuji will face Shonannoumi tomorrow.