Earlier in the night the lower division yusho races concluded. We will have at least one playoff for the Jonidan title on senshuraku between Ryuo and Tochimaru. That will take place right before the Makuuchi dohyo-iri on the final day. Kazekeno won in Makushita, Nagamura defeated Aonishiki in Sandanme, and Chiyooga defeated his third Jonidan opponent for the clean sweep of the Jonokuchi yusho. Aonishiki’s defeat was noted, in particular, as he had been on a 20-bout win streak. This was his first loss after claiming both Jonokuchi and Jonidan titles in his debut.
Makuuchi Action
Daiamami (7-6) defeated Shirokuma (6-5-2). Shirokuma was barely dead weight and backed out quickly. Yorikiri.
Nishikifuji (8-5) defeated Shonannoumi (8-5). Shonannoumi’s sumo was the retreating brand of sumo today. He tried several slapdowns and changes of direction but Nishikifuji pursued well and shoved him out. Yorikiri.
Roga (7-6) defeated Ichiyamamoto (6-7). Ichiyamamoto abandoned his regular sumo quickly after some rather ineffective tsuppari, in favor of a yotsu battle. He very nearly forced Roga out but Roga resisted at the bales. Roga then threw Ichiyamamoto. Uwatenage.
Churanoumi (6-7) defeated Mitakeumi (7-6). Mitakeumi charged forward but could not get Churanoumi over the bales. Churanoumi pivoted and Mitakeumi tried to slip to the side but Churanoumi was wise to the shift and pushed Mitakeumi out. Oshidashi.
Shodai (7-6) defeated Sadanoumi (7-6). Both men locked each other up in a yotsu battle. Shodai quickly rolled Sadanoumi to the ground with a quick twist down. Makiotoshi.
Kotoshoho (6-7) defeated Myogiryu (5-8). Another yotsu battle. Myogiryu tried to twist and throw Kotoshoho down but Kotoshoho had excellent footwork and maneuvered Myogiryu over the bales. Myogiryu make-koshi. Yorikiri.
Ryuden (6-7) defeated Onosho (7-6). Ryuden with a couple of false starts. I don’t think he appreciated Onosho’s slow-roll tachiai, so Onosho started from a four-point stance. Ryuden pulled Onosho down from the shoulder. Katasukashi.
Endo (4-9) defeated Tamawashi (5-8). Endo henka! Tamawashi fell forward to his eighth loss, joining Endo among the makekoshi. Meanwhile, Endo picked up his fourth victory. Tsukiotoshi.
Takayasu (9-4) defeated Midorifuji (7-6). Takayasu’s tsuppari was very effective keeping Midorifuji just outside arms length, away from his regular shoulder pull-down range. Takayasu struck quickly and slapped Midorifuji down. Hatakikomi.
Takanosho (5-8) defeated Hokutofuji (4-9). Hokutofuji flopped onto his belly. Hatakikomi.
Halftime (Shimpan change, dohyo maintenance, coffee break)
Oho (5-8) defeated Kitanowaka (3-10). Oho drove Kitanowaka straight back and out. Oshidashi.
Atamifuji (8-5) defeated Hiradoumi (7-6). Both men fought hard for their kachi-koshi today. Excellent belt battle here. Atamifuji outlasted Hiradoumi and drove him over the bales. Really the first match of the day which was worth a watch. Yorikiri.
Tobizaru (7-6) defeated Ura (6-7). Both men, heads together, felt out each other for weaknesses. Tobizaru struck first and slapped Ura down. Hatakikomi.
Sanyaku
Nishikigi (2-11) defeated Meisei (4-9). Meisei tried to drive forward but Nishikigi would not budge. Instead, he reached in for a firm belt grip. Meisei continued to try to push forward but Nishikigi pulled up with his left hand and threw Meisei to the ground. Shitatenage.
Asanoyama (8-5) defeated Abi (8-5). The battle of Pandemic Bad Boy Yusho Winners — to distinguish them from Ryuden, who is merely a Pandemic Bad Boy. Abi blasted Asanoyama hard and kept up the pressure but Asanoyama took advantage of Abi’s weight imbalance – always pitched forward – and thrust him forward to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.
Takerufuji (12-1) defeated Wakamotoharu (7-6). Takerufuji controlled the pace of this bout. Takerufuji’s tachiai forced Wakamotoharu back. As Wakamotoharu reached for a belt grip with his left hand, Takerufuji whipped him around and plowed through the dohyo. Wakamotoharu tried to resist at the bales but Takerufuji can taste yusho. Yorikiri.
Onosato (10-3) defeated Daieisho (5-8). Onosato used his left hand at the tachiai to brace Daieisho, blocking some of the fierce tsuppari and also baiting Daieisho into pressing forward harder. Onosato then released and slipped right, propelling Daieisho into the crowd. Hatakikomi.
Takakeisho (8-6) defeated Kotonowaka (9-5). I’m speechless. Just watch. Okuridashi.
Kotonowaka quickly seized Takakeisho’s belt and pulled forward. I thought Takakeisho was done here. Instead, he resisted Kotonowaka’s throw, turned into him, and squared up! Takakeisho! It’s still kinda funny to see them tied up there in the middle of the ring because T-Rex can’t reach Kotonowaka’s mawashi, so he wrapped up on Kotonowaka’s left flank. Then, Takakeisho initiates the action, likely knowing that if this drags on he will tire quickly. He had to act now. So he pulled hard with the right arm and twisted, first for a kotenage. But as Kotonowaka resisted, Takakeisho turned into him and pushed Kotonowaka from the side, and then from behind.
Hoshoryu (10-3) defeated Gonoyama (9-4). Solid tachiai and a quick throw to eliminate Goeido’s protégé from the yusho race. What a thrilling bout to end the day. Sukuinage.
Wrap-up.
Well, we had some great action today.
It may be too early to hype Takerufuji and Daieisho as the next Ozeki or Yokozuna but they made quick, effective, and convincing work of both sekiwake. Takerufuji has at least claimed a spot in a yusho playoff but he can win the yusho outright tomorrow. Once again, as of this writing the match-makers have not published the list of bouts (torikumi-hyo) for tomorrow.
These two guys are displaying sanyaku quality, early in their professional careers. We have seen this before, though, so it is important to temper expectations. On occasion, a hotshot rises very quickly and they have a great tournament, and then either get figured out, dings quickly mount into nagging injuries, or both.
Today’s action has concrete impact already. Daieisho will lose the sekiwake rank that he has occupied for exactly one year. He earned the rank after winning a jun-yusho in Osaka last year at Komusubi. Last year’s Ozeki run is but a fading memory. And Takakeisho clears his kadoban in a thrilling and unexpected way. He will not be taking a Sekiwake slot and complicating the promotion picture.
Kotonowaka, soon to be Kotozakura, should have been more of a factor in this title race. Instead, he faded in a yotsu battle with Takakeisho?!?!?!?!?! I can’t overuse the interrobang. For many tournaments I have been eager to see Takakeisho fail because the situation became clearer and clearer. However, I’m happy that he cleared his kadoban with a bout like this. No henka, no tricks, just 110% effort. Way to go.
Oh, right…there’s another bout…stop yelling at me. Musubi-no-ichiban. You actually care what happens here? Yes? As if we don’t already know… But okay, okay. Stop twisting my arm.
Kinbozan (3-10) defeated Kirishima (6-5-2). At least Kinbozan didn’t henka Kirishima. I presume that could have been worse than completely dominating him. He had the better tachiai and drove the Ozeki to the edge. Kirishima put in a valiant effort at the edge to try to resist and spin Kinbozan down. But Kinbozan’s sumo was solid and he eventually forced Kirishima over the tawara. Yorikiri.
Wrap-up (cont.)
Kirishima resisted a lot with his left foot on the bales and his right foot in the air. It could have just been hanging up there, seeking contact with Kinbozan for a trip. He was trying to twist and turn Kinbozan down but I wonder if his right foot/ankle is the source of his issue this tournament. He never put the right foot on the bales to try to twist to his right. If he competes in this final weekend, I will watch for it. (I’m not going to pour over video from his recent bouts. That’s too much work to figure out what I already know. He’s underperforming and may be hiding an injury. Too many other bouts I’d rewatch before depressing myself with Kirishima’s poor outing. He’ll be back in May, with Kakuryu as master!)
In sum, let’s not anoint Takerufuji yet. He’s got a two match lead for the yusho in his top-division debut. He and Onosato are clearly fighting well, and deserving of sanyaku rank. Terunofuji jumped to M1 with his 13-2 yusho at M17. Ichinojo had the advantage of starting at M10, so he leapt all the way to Sekiwake after his stellar debut jun-yusho. Nishikigi will fall out of Sanyaku and Wakamotoharu still needs a win to keep his spot. Onosato will likely claim whatever position is available with Takerufuji rocketing up into the joi-jin.
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Interesting bouts coming up tomorrow (as you said, after the article was published):
Takerufuji-Asanoyama
Onosato-Abi
Hoshoryu-Kotonowaka
Asanoyama’s been up and down the last few basho, so he’s a wild card at this point, but he could be smart enough to counter Takerufuji’s charge. Looking forward to that one.
As is custom, they’ll throw Hoshoryu his fellow ozeki to end the tournament, so he’ll have to earn it tomorrow at a minimum. Takakeisho looked like hell receiving his prize money after making kachi-koshi, so I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s out the rest of the way (lol I’ve said that before). Kirishima’s the other ozeki Hoshoryu has yet to face, so hopefully such a match doesn’t mean anything as he seems like he’d put up less resistance than an injured (or maybe just out of shape?) Takakeisho.
The schedulers continue to do the best they can, After throwing in the two Sekiwake today, Abi and Asanoyama were the warmest of the remaining warm bodies. They have both had some impressive bouts this basho and have skill sets that could derail the two less-experienced rikishi. And of course, Hoshoryu has to face Kotonowaka. Should be a good day!
Kind of disappointed to see Kotonowaka unable to put Takakeisho down, honestly. Kirishima is definitely out of sorts, and surely there’s some injury there that’s impeding his best effort. (so many people online talking about Kirishima lacking fighting spirit – such dumb takes make me crazy)
I was hoping the schedulers might put a stronger opponent in Endo’s path tomorrow given his pathetic henka against Tamawashi, in an effort to save his own butt from juryo demotion. Sadanoumi may prove difficult for Endo, but it would have fun to see him have to face someone with a bit more power like Onosho or Oho.
Seems Daieisho can save his place in sanyaku with a win tomorrow or Sunday – so just a single demotion from Sanyaku makes it interesting if Ura wins out, and it would be even more interesting if he, Asanoyama, and Atamifuji all win out. 8-7 Ura, 10-5 Asanoyama and Atamifuji in M1E, M1W, and M2E make it fun times in the banzuke meetings (especially if Daieisho wins out to go 7-8 at SE).
Daieisho needs to win tomorrow and Sunday or he’s maegashira in May—no 6-9 Sekiwake has gone to Komusubi in the modern era.
There’s the research I needed :) The way he’s wrestling, I’m doubtful that he’ll stay afloat – so that leaves a little wiggle room to promote 2 into sanyaku without any extra slots needed. Who makes it if indeed we see Ura at 8-7, and Atamifuji and Asanoyama both going 10-5? Would they open a third komusubi slot? (that would balance the sanyaku at 10 total so maybe they’d be willing? All three would deserve promotion)
That would be a tricky scenario. There’s precedent to leave M2e Ura at M1e with 10 wins, but not when an 8-7 M1e is promoted…
I am relieved that Taka has cleared his Kadoban, but will not be surprised, if he loses Ozeki rank soon.
Endo Henka! I am Surprised
Hoshoryu is the best technician available at present, in the Makuchi. I feel his techniques are better than Terunofuji.
Onosato really impressive.
Everyone who doubted my beloved blimpy boy can suck it. He may never be injury-resistant enough to get a tsuna but he’s a dreadnought-class ozeki.
Nothing decisive on the line for him, but a very important fight for Onosato (if Takerufuji loses against Asanoyama); what a great opportunity for Abi to show his Hyde persona: HenkAbi!
I feel it would be good experience for the new boys to experience an Abi henka. 😁
Kirishima is just painful to watch. Back injury, ankle injury, long covid? Whatever it is, I hope he recovers and comes back strong next time.
Well, against all hope we all knew that Wakamotoharu wasn’t up to the task of beating Takerufuji. Dude is barely hanging on to his Sekiwake rank at 7-6 right now, not the return to the rank he expected I’m sure.
Now we need Asanoyama to man up and beat Takerufuji and the Evil Nephew (Hoshoryu) needs to beat Kotonowaka. Then on Senshuraku, Takerufuji needs to lose again, Hoshoryu needs to with, and then we get a play-off and Hoshoryu takes it all.
Would really be excited and a Sumo dream come true to see Hoshoryu on a rope run in May.
Question is, assuming my dream plays out, would Terunofuji retire if Hoshoryu manages to complete a rope run in May?
Doubt it. People are really eager for Terunofuji to retire. I don’t see that happening for 2 years. As long as he’s winning titles, he’s not going anywhere.
That would be great, but, as WMH didn’t to his job today, it seems unlikely that Hoshoryu will get his chance. I just don’t see Asanoyama AND whoever they might throw at him on the last day beating Takerufuji. (Who is even left to try? Gonoyama? Or will they try some Ura or Tobi chaos on him? Or will they go for the ultimate chaos and call up Shodai? :)
probably Ura if he’s 7-7, else Gonoyama or Tobi?
Shodai :) Only hope is in your cartoon sumo.
Takakeisho looked like his arm was hurting there at the end, he was shaking it and wincing. He isn’t my favorite but I respect his doggedness.
Feel very uncomfortable about Double T-ts win …..one Ozeki helping another one out who is in a tight spot?! Today Hashtag vs Asonoyama – great match up! Evil nephew – DO NOT like him, but he is a strong fighter. Kirishima……I like him a lot but have no idea what is going on – maybe all in his head?
Kotonowaka’s loss was not yaocho.
Seems very unlikely Kotonowaka would take a dive when he was in contention for the yusho, especially since Takakeisho will be fighting Kirishima tomorrow and will probably win anyway.
Apparently Kirishima is saying he’s not injured and just hasn’t trained hard enough, but he maybe putting a braze Ozeki face on to cover up the sort of tweaky injury Andy may have spotted.
Hōshoryu continues to blaze. I would dearly love Take to lose tomorrow so we have even more drama in the final days.
He was training a lot and doing well in those training bouts just before the basho, so that doesn’t wash…
Speculation I’ve heard is basically that he’s injured but doesn’t want to go kyujo in the last Michinoku basho.
Oh if that’s true he’s in an awful, awful position.
Yeah, I thought that too….but it seems that Michinoku training schedules were quite interrupted, and the bouts against Kotonowaka et al he was rather walking in at the end when the others had done a lot of training and were tired.
I still don’t think ‘I haven’t trained hard enough’ quite cuts it. Look at Takakeisho.
My feeling about Endo is now at all time low. Causing Tamawashi to go makekoshi in that way is just unkind.
I too am very down on Endo’s henka. Does Endo have more than a ghost of a chance (or any chance at all) of dodging juryo with nine losses? And Tamawashi facing makekoshi! No one’s asking for charity, but give the iron man a match for goodness sake.
My two cents is it’s not an injury troubling Kirishima. Time will tell.
I don’t think I know the difference between Shodai’s makiotoshi today and sukuinage.
Tiny, tiny ghost of a chance, but yeah…
Really impressed with Takerufujis showing so far, but what was this dame-oshi today? Looking forward to his fight tomorrow. Asanoyama should have the tools to match up with his sumo, but a little something is just missing from his sumo atm.
I’m kinda pleasantly surprised by Oho this basho. M3 is his highest rank ever and his first time in joiin. I kinda expected a really tough basho for him, but he has been mostly fighting well.
I don’t get this hate on Endo. Ever since he tore his meniscus like 10 years ago, Oshi-rikishi are a very tough matchup for him. It’s not that surprising that he stepped to the side. Even if he goes down very likely, every win counts. It’s a huge difference if you fall to J1 or 2 or slip down past J5.
Takakeisho clearing kadoban on the belt against Kotonowaka… it’s not his first surprising win on the belt, but as an Ozeki Kotonowaka can’t lose that. Stay focused and finish the bout and you are still in the Yusho race.
Onosato was very solid again today. Also rooting for Daieisho, that was a tough fight for me. Tomorrow he fights Abi. I think he should match pretty well with him, but he also has this occasional lapses.
Takayasu and Gonoyama both looking for double digits tomorrow. Pretty exciting.
That Dame-oshi was harsh, it looked like he pushed it in the heat of the moment. So he did not leave immediately and was looking on for Wakamotoharu.
But still it is wrong and has to avoid it.
I’ve come to love Ura’s athleticism. Today, for the second time this basho, while losing the match and heading over the tawara, he did the graceful tumbleweed flip which children learn early in their tumbling classes. Then he always smiles, just like Tobizaru, when the match is over. I like Takayasu and I know he misses those big stacks of prize money he used to get to buy baby clothes, but he unnecessarily pummeled Midorifuji way too much today.