No new kyujo announcements have come in to the infirmary. This means Kirishima will try to tough it out for at least today. We shall see whether that was a wise decision. If he is injured as many people speculate, he should be able to get a doctors’ certificate to go kyujo. Regardless, he has not been fighting well and will not be much competition for the two high-flying hiramaku contenders. Both of them will fight other Ozeki today but whom will they face tomorrow?

To take them out of yusho contention, Onosato needs to lose twice and Takerufuji will need to lose three times in these closing days so they need healthy, strong sanyaku fighters, capable of getting dirt on these kids. Abi didn’t. Nishikigi won’t. Kirishima and Takakeisho are doubtful.

Makuuchi Action

Bushozan (6-6) defeated Churanoumi (5-7). Bushozan hit Churanoumi hard enough at the tachiai to keep Churanoumi from grabbing his belt. Then, he drove forward and shoved Churanoumi out. Oshidashi.

Kitanowaka (3-9) defeated Ichiyamamoto (6-6). Kitanowaka moved well enough to avoid being caught by Ichiyamamoto’s pulls. Kitanowaka just kept chasing along the tawara until Ichiyamamoto tripped and fell. Tsukiotoshi.

Sadanoumi (7-5) defeated Daiamami (6-6). Daiamami pressed forward and both men fell from the ring. Gunbai Sadanoumi. The naked eye could not tell who fell first so the shimpan called a mono-ii, judges’ conference. They determined both men fell at the same time and a rematch, torinaoshi, was necessary. In the rematch, Sadanoumi took the initiative. Daiamami seemed a bit gassed but used his girth well to avoid being thrown by Sadanoumi. However, Sadanoumi pressed forward a second time and forced Daiamami over the bales. Yoritaoshi.

Shodai (6-6) defeated Ryuden (5-7). Shodai was motivated today. He wrapped up Ryuden and pressed forward, forcing Ryuden over the bales. Yorikiri.

Hokutofuji (4-8) defeated Roga (6-6). Hokutofuji squared up to Roga and slapped him down. Tsukiotoshi.

Endo (3-9) defeated Kotoshoho (5-7). Kotoshoho did well to keep Endo off of his belt but Endo slipped to the right and slapped Kotoshoho down for his third win. Hatakikomi.

Onosho (7-5) defeated Mitakeumi (7-5). Onosho controlled the action once Mitakeumi gave up a morozashi, double-inside grip. He pulled up and drove forward. Mitakeumi was able to force one hand back inside but Onosho had the momentum. He kept up the pressure as Mitakeumi was forced into retreat. Eventually he was able to force Mitakeumi out. Yorikiri.

Kinbozan (5-5-2) defeated Myogiryu (5-7). Kinbozan was too strong and dominant. He forced himself inside and pressed forward until Myogiryu stepped out. Yorikiri.

Nishikifuji (7-5) defeated Tamawashi (5-7). Tamawashi charged forward but after the tachiai, Nishikifuji slipped left and tried a slapdown. The slapdown failed but he kept up the attack and drove forward into Tamawashi and shoved Tamawashi out. Oshidashi.

Shonannoumi (8-4) defeated Tobizaru (6-6). Shonannoumi kept Tobizaru in front of him and wanted to avoid any tricks. Tobizaru didn’t really attack with any, though. Shonannoumi kept trying to slap him down. Shonannoumi eventually forced Tobizaru forward and down. Hatakikomi.

Halftime.

Hiradoumi (7-5) defeated Oho (4-8). Oho did not seem prepared for Hiradoumi to hit him that hard at the tachiai. Hiradoumi kept up the pressure and shoved Oho out. Oshidashi.

Ura (6-6) defeated Meisei (4-8). Ura used the tawara to brace himself and resist Meisei’s forward motion. As Meisei pressed forward, Ura slipped to the right. Meisei’s momentum brought him to the edge of the dohyo but not out. However, Ura was in position to get behind and shove Meisei out. The crowd erupted in cheers. Okuritaoshi.

Asanoyama (7-5) defeated Takanosho (4-8). Takanosho fought well and had a few opportunities but Asanoyama was too strong. After fighting to a stalemate, Asanoyama dug deep and drove Takanosho to the bales and hoisted him over. Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Abi (8-4) defeated Takayasu (8-4). Takayasu had the early advantage and should have driven Abi out but he did not pursue quick enough. Abi resisted at the bales and went back in for the attack. He pressed Takayasu across the ring and over the bales. Oshidashi.

Atamifuji (7-5) defeated Nishikigi (1-11). Atamifuji waited for Nishikigi to press forward. When he did, Atamifuji pulled left and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Gonoyama (9-3) defeated Daieisho (5-7). Daieisho used his tsuppari to press forward but Gonoyama slipped to the right and shoved him down. Daieisho is on the ropes and must win out to preserve his Sekiwake rank. Hatakikomi.

Wakamotoharu (7-5) defeated Takakeisho (7-5). Wakamotoharu hit Takakeisho and pressed forward. Takakeisho had nothing. Yorikiri.

Hoshoryu (9-3) defeated Takerufuji (11-1)! Takerufuji pressed forward and Hoshoryu tried to reach around and grab his belt but couldn’t. Instead, he wrapped up Takerufuji’s left shoulder. As Takerufuji continued to charge forward, Hoshoryu spun around at the bales and used his arm bar to throw Takerufuji to his first loss. Kotenage.

Midorifuji (7-5) defeated Kirishima (3-9). This seemed like a great opportunity for Kirishima to turn things around. He controlled the pace for much of the bout and avoided Midorifuji’s usual katasukashi, shoulder pull. Instead, it looked like Kirishima was trying to set up one of his own. After a long lean, where the two jostled for position, Kirishima adjusted his grip but this left him standing a bit too high. Midorifuji seized the opportunity and drove forward, forcing the Ozeki from the dohyo. At least he didn’t get pushed out as quickly as Takakeisho (who’s still kadoban) but Midorifuji should be a piece of cake for an Ozeki. Yorikiri.

Kotonowaka (9-3) defeated Onosato (9-3). Kotonowaka reached around for Onosato’s belt. Onosato did not want to give that up so he pivoted and drove forward. Kotonowaka used that left arm to wrap up Onosato’s right arm while simultaneously slipping to the left again. Kotenage.

Wrap-up

Both youngsters fell to kotenage today. The Day 13 torikumi is not available as of this writing but both men are still clearly in the yusho race and need to continue to fight sanyaku opponents. Takerufuji’s lead is still two wins. Onosato has fallen back into a group of four guys who still have a hope here: Hoshoryu, Kotonowaka, Onosato, and Gonoyama.

I would not be surprised if Onosato and Gonoyama square off tomorrow to at least eliminate one from the race. The biggest question, however, is who should face Takerufuji. If they pit him against Takakeisho or Kirishima, they’re handing him the yusho. Maybe Wakamotoharu? Takakeisho has his kachi-koshi still on the line here, so they might set him up against Takerufuji and see how Takerufuji can handle the henka? The schedulers have their task. I’m eager to see how they set this up. Maybe Gonoyama vs Takerufuji? This is a tough decision.