News from the infirmary, Tobizaru is kyujo. Gonoyama will pick up the walk-over win.

Also at the start of lower-division action, we received some late-breaking “off-field” news regarding Tamawashi. He has secured Japanese nationality. As a Japanese citizen, he is now eligible for a kabu. As he is still quite successful in the top division, he is clearly not ready for retirement now. But he is making arrangements for his career after being an active sumo wrestler. Kataonami-beya is a bit of a puzzle to me, so I am not sure if ex-Tamaasuka hopes to hand things off early or not.

On the dohyo, tonight is the night that Onosato fights Takerufuji. I have not anticipated a match since Hakuho’s final zensho run when he faced Terunofuji on senshuraku, both 14-0. Both men are kachi-koshi, the only men to earn their winning records by this point in the tournament.

If Takerufuji stops Onosato, he earns a 2-win lead over the field and breathing room in the yusho race during a critical final period where he will surely be fighting “Top Guys.” If Onosato wins, he will make this yusho race a much wider contest with a bigger field. I have a feeling we will be watching this rivalry develop over the next few years into one of the greats.

Makuuchi Action

Kitanowaka (2-8) defeated Kagayaki (Juryo 3-7). Kitanowaka tried to press forward into Kagayaki but made no progress. As Kagayaki charged, he reached around for a tug at Kagayaki’s belt. This nearly brought Kagayaki out but Kagayaki stopped, recovered, and reengaged. Kitanowaka retreated again and slapped Kagayaki down. Hatakikomi.

Daiamami (6-4) defeated Ryuden (5-5). Ryuden gripped Daiamami’s belt, right hand inside. Daiamami locked in with the same grip. Why is Ryuden fighting Daiamami at his game? Daiamami backed Ryuden to the edge. Rather than step out, Ryuden forced Daiamami to smash him. Yoritaoshi.

Ichiyamamoto (5-5) defeated Nishikifuji (5-5). Ichiyamamoto chased Nishikifuji, hitting him with tsuppari until Nishikifuji fell out. Standard Ichi-zumo. Tsukidashi.

Shodai (5-5) defeated Roga (5-5). Roga grabbed Shodai’s mawashi at the front, maemitsu. Shodai stepped back to pull Roga off, then pressed forward. Roga pivoted but Shodai followed and shoved the retreating Roga from the ring. Oshidashi.

Myogiryu (5-5) defeated Hokutofuji (2-8). Hokutofuji could not generate forward movement against Myogiryu. Myogiryu secured a morozashi, double-inside grip on Hokutofuji’s trunk and pressed forward. Yorikiri.

Onosho (6-4) defeated Sadanoumi (6-4). Onosho was too powerful for Sadanoumi. Onosho blasted Sadanoumi and immediately tried a pulldown. That failed so the two men engaged in a bit of a brawl for position. Sadanoumi tried to grab Onosho’s belt but Onosho drove forward and wrapped up Sadanoumi, forcing him out. Yorikiri.

Takayasu (7-3) defeated Shonannoumi (7-3). Takayasu gave Shonannoumi that famous shoulder blast tachiai. I think Shonannoumi was temporarily stunned and that’s why he slipped. He may have just slipped there, with that right foot. Either way, Takayasu pressed him down to the ground for the win. Tsukiotoshi.

Kinbozan (3-5-2) defeated Endo (2-8). Endo put in his best effort but Kinbozan was too strong and forced Endo out of the ring. Kinbozan is usually an oshi-/tsuki- guy but Endo successfully forced Kinbozan into a yotsu battle. Endo was able to force Kinbozan to the edge but Kinbozan resisted, locked up Endo, and beat him at his game. Yorikiri. Impressive.

Tamawashi (4-6) defeated Churanoumi (5-5). Tamawashi attacked Churanoumi a bit different than usual. Rather than tsuppari and nodowa, Tamawashi locked up Churanoumi’s left arm and drove him backwards and out. Kimetaoshi.

Midorifuji (5-5) defeated Kotoshoho (4-6). After the tachiai, Midorifuji circled right and pulled Kotoshoho down. Katasukashi.

Halftime.

Takerufuji (10-0) defeated Onosato (8-2). Wow. In a display of strength and skill, Takerufuji forced Onosato into reverse. I think this is significant because Onosato has been able to charge forward into makuuchi wrestlers but he may have realized he would not be able to drive through Takerufuji. Onosato pulled and tried a slapdown but Takerufuji charged forward. Onosato then reached around for a belt grip to try to pull Takerufuji forward. But Takerufuji kept Onosato in front of him and shove him out first. Oshidashi.

Takerufuji will fight Shin-Ozeki Kotonowaka tomorrow. Onosato will get Takakeisho in the musubi-no-ichiban. If one of these two wins this title, the Kyokai are going to make them earn it.

Gonoyama (7-3) default win over Tobizaru (5-5).

Atamifuji (5-5) defeated Takanosho (3-7). Atamifuji has been moving backward a lot lately. Takanosho drove forward and Atamifuji slapped him down at the bales. Gunbai Atamifuji, mono-ii. Decision upheld as the video replay showed Atamifuji did not step out until Takanosho was on the ground. Hatakikomi.

Asanoyama (5-5) defeated Meisei (4-6). This was a great, dynamic yotsu battle as both men locked in on the belt and charged across the dohyo from side to side. In the end, Asanoayama was finally able to throw an exhausted Meisei. There was no lean-fest here. Uwatenage.

Sanyaku

Mitakeumi (7-3) defeated Abi (6-4) What’s Mitakeumi doing on Abi’s fight card? Abi’s henka attempt was read well by Mitakeumi. Mitakeumi chased well and yanked Abi down. Sukuinage.

Ura (5-5) defeated Nishikigi (1-9). The kimarite says oshidashi but this bout was about the ashitori. Ura reached in, immediately, at Nishikigi’s leg. As he locked in on the knee, his opponent freaked out and retreated. Ura pursued and pushed him out easily.

Hiradoumi (5-5) defeated Kirishima (3-7). Hiradoumi secured a double-inside grip and took this bout to the Ozeki. Kirishima hung on with a right-hand over arm grip, praying for an uwatenage that never came. The two finally toppled over with Kirishima landing first. Shitatenage.

Kotonowaka (8-2) defeated Oho (4-6). Oho shoved Kotonowaka at the initial charge but Kotonowaka immediately drove Oho to the edge. When Oho resisted, Kotonowaka tried a slapdown. Oho kept his balance and retreated but Kotonowaka pursued well and drove him from the dohyo. Yorikiri.

Daieisho (5-5) defeated Takakeisho (7-3). These two oshi-tsuki brawlers went at it. I liked seeing that Takakeisho was getting the advantage here, forcing Daieisho to the edge. As Takakeisho launched forward for the kill, Daieisho slipped to the side and shoved Takakeisho down. Tsukiotoshi.

Hoshoryu (7-3) defeated Wakamotoharu (5-5). Hoshoryu launched to the side while hitting Wakamotoharu with the left hand at the tachiai. Henka-non-henka flavor here. He got behind the Sekiwake in a flash, grabbed his belt, and threw him down. Uwatenage.

Wrap-up

Well, I think I want Takerufuji to win this because so many of the top wrestlers are fighting like crap. Kirishima! What are you doing handing a morozashi to Hiradoumi and letting him control the pace of the fight? Takakeisho! Stay on your feet, man! Kotonowaka! Keep doing what you’re doing, man. You’re the sanyaku’s only hope at maintaining some level of respect this tournament. You will need your best form tomorrow. Yeesh!