Late-breaking news from the infirmary is that Takakeisho is kyujo. Eagle-eyed readers had noticed Takakeisho favored his arm after yesterday’s bout, and winced a bit. Kirishima will thank his lucky stars and savor this fusen victory.
A raft of folks are up for kachi-koshi or make-koshi today. But all eyes are on Takerufuji because he can lock up the yusho today. If Takerufuji beats Asanoyama, he wins the yusho. If he loses but Hoshoryu and Onosato both lose, he wins the yusho.
Makuuchi Action
Myogiryu (6-8) defeated Tokihayate (Juryo 7-7) in what may have been an exchange bout. Myogiryu has likely defended his position in the top division with the victory. Tokihayate fought on the retreat today, skirting the tawara. Myogiryu corralled him and brought him down. Tokihayate will need to win tomorrow to earn promotion.Uwatenage.
Endo (5-9) defeated Sadanoumi (7-7) Endo in reverse here. He jumped back while he slapped Sadanoumi down at the tawara. Both men fell out. Gunbai Endo. No mono-ii. I think Sadanoumi’s own leap did him in here. Sadanoumi was in the “Superman” position while Endo’s foot was still in the ring. If you thought Endo was dead when he pulled Sadanoumi down, I think Sadanoumi was dead when he tried to shove Endo out. Hatakikomi.
Shonannoumi (9-5) defeated Shodai (7-7) It’s a bitter pill to swallow when Shodai is moving forward and loses. Shodai was the aggressor here and charged forward into Shonannoumi. Shonannoumi fought Shodai-zumo better than Shodai as he brought Shodai down while in retreat. Kotenage.
Mitakeumi (8-7) defeated Ryuden (6-8). Mitakeumi executed a hit-and-shift at the tachiai. Ryuden did not adjust well to Mitakeumi’s shift to his right, so Mitakeumi was able to push him down with ease. The Kyokai seem to favor these types of bouts: where kachi-koshi is a factor for both participants. Though it’s not a senshuraku “Darwin bout,” it seems to get the best action and motivation for both men over the course of the tournament. Tsukiotoshi.
Hokutofuji (5-9) defeated Daiamami (7-7). Hokutofuji pressed forward and forced Daiamami down. Tsukiotoshi.
Kotoshoho (7-7) defeated Churanoumi (7-8). In a makekoshi “decider” bout, Kotoshoho kept his shot at a winning record alive while Churanoumi earned his makekoshi. Hatakikomi.
Takayasu (10-4) defeated Roga (7-7). Takayasu used his shoulder blast effectively against Roga today and forced him out. Oshidashi.
Tamawashi (6-8) defeated Kitanowaka (3-11). Both men are already make-koshi here. Kitanowaka is likely already going down to Juryo. But they had an intense brawl here with lots of tsuppari. Tamawashi finally got the better of Kitanowaka and forced him out. Oshidashi.
Gonoyama (10-4) defeated Nishikifuji (8-6). Special prizes were probably on the line in this bout. Gonoyama picked up that important 10th win. His slapdown did not force Nishikigi down immediately but it caught him off-balance. As Nishikifuji stumbled forward, Gonoyama came in behind to finish the job. Nishikifuji likely lost any hope of a prize of his own. Okuridashi.
Onosho (8-6) defeated Midorifuji (7-7). Onosho beat Midorifuji to kachi-koshi. Onosho’s tsuppari kept Midorifuji back. As Midorifuji snuck inside, Onosho drove forward and pressed Midorifuji out. Oshidashi.
Halftime
Tobizaru (8-6) defeated Kinbozan (6-6-2). Tobizaru earned his kachi koshi with a remarkable escape on the edge. Kinbozan drove forward but Tobizaru slipped out of his grasp and threw him from behind. Okurinage.
Meisei (5-9) defeated Ichiyamamoto (7-7). Ichiyamamoto pressed forward with his tsuppari but Meisei slipped to his right. Meisei got a grip of Ichiyamamoto’s belt and back as Ichi tried to catch himself. So Meisei helped him fall forward. Hatakikomi.
Hiradoumi (8-6) defeated Ura (7-8). During the live action, it looked like Ura clearly threw Hiradoumi. Suddenly, the judges rise. Mono-ii. The call was reversed because Ura had a hair-pull?!?! Oh, that’s gut-wrenching. It was such a beautiful throw but the eagle-eyed judges saw that Ura had a grip of Hiradoumi’s hair. Hansoku. Oof. What a way to go makekoshi. Hiradoumi kachi-koshi.
Asanoyama (9-5) defeated Takerufuji (12-2). Asanoyama met Takerufuji with a solid tachiai. During the charge, Takerufuji may have rolled his ankle. The bout proceeded fine as he pressed forward. But the former Ozeki wrapped him up and forced Takerufuji from the dohyo. Takerufuji was slow to climb back to the dohyo. Worse, Takerufuji limped to the kuruma-isu (wheel chair). Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Onosato (11-3) defeated Abi (8-6). Abi flopped. After initial nodowa, Abi charged forward. Onosato did his homework. He slipped to the side and slapped Abi down. Hatakikomi.
Oho (6-8) defeated the shell of Nishikigi (2-12). Oho pressed forward then shifted left and pulled Nishikigi down. Kotenage.
Daieisho (6-8) defeated Takanosho (5-9) Daieisho-zumo. Tsukiotoshi.
Kirishima (4-10) default win over Takakiesho (8-6).
Wakamotoharu (8-6) defeated Atamifuji (8-6). Solid tachiai from Wakamotoharu, followed by a solid shove and Wakamotoharu plowed through Atamifuji and forced him from the dohyo. Yorikiri.
Kotonowaka (10-4) defeated Hoshoryu (10-4). Hoshoryu tried the hit-and-shift tachiai. Kotonowaka knew what was up and recovered well. As Hoshoryu attempted to spin Kotonowaka and throw him down, Kotonowaka churned his legs forward and forced Hoshoryu down. Yoritaoshi.
Wrap-up
What a rollercoaster of emotion. Hashtag blew out his ankle during his big bout with Asanoyama. You can see his ankle pivot and turn awkwardly, then immediately release as he moved backward. This literally happened right after Ura had his beautiful throw overturned because of a hairpull. I swear, this sport kills me.
Either way, we have another hiramaku yusho. If Takerufuji cannot compete, he will win the yusho with a loss from Onosato. Onosato would likely win a playoff between the two, given Takerufuji’s injury. As of this writing, the torikumi-hyo (bout list) has not been published yet. But it would make sense if Hoshoryu is the planned opponent for Onosato. Takerufuji can take the fusen and if Hoshoryu beats Onosato, I really don’t want to think of alternatives at this point, so I’m not going to.
Ankles are funny. Sometimes I’m fine after rest with some ice. Other times, I can’t walk for a week. Either way, throw some salt and do more keiko and it will be fine tomorrow, I swear. Get some Tussin in there, spread it around real good. He’ll be fine. I’m a freaking wreck but he’ll be fine, I hope.
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Ura’s decision was heartbreaking, after such a beautiful throw.
Also sad with Takerufuji injury, hopefully he will be fine by tomorrow.
If he is kyujo tomorrow and Onosato loses, then it will be the first time I am seeing a Yusho winner with kyujo, that will be funny.
Kotonowaka’s escape from the half henka of Hoshoryu was impressive, never seen someone escape from that quick half henka before.
It would be my first kyujo yusho, too. I think for many people.
Sad for Takerufuji. I found his bio somewhere, don’t remember the source. I was thinking, that is a lot of injury to his lower body – ankles, knees – in his amatuer career.
Also thinking, small wonder he is now in Teru’s a stable. Teru, a man who successfully managed similar issues. Though Teru told Takeru not to overtrain his upper body I read. Would love Takeru to win the yushou, even if he is kyujo. So here’s fingers crossed for Hoshoryu who has Onosato, Takerufuji has Gonoyama. Tomorrow’s torikumi just published.
I saw NHK World’s live coverage of the last 50 minutes and, man, that was a rough ride. I won’t be going kyujo, but I do feel kind of beaten up.
I admit (brace yourselves) the shimpan-iin know more about this stuff than I do, but Ura’s hand seemed to be firmly gripping Hiradoumi around the hairline at the nape of the neck, well clear of the gingko. I’ll have another look when they show the highlights, but it’s a shame to see a sweet throw like that mono-ii’ed out of existence, not to mention Ura getting torpedoed into makekoshi.
Such emotional whiplash with Takerufuji-Asanoyama. I cheered when Asanoyama’s (former) ozeki pride kicked in and he prevailed with power, but then my heart sank when I saw Takerufuji suffered more than a loss. Raja initially thought he hurt the foot sliding down the dohyo, but while I agree with Andy it happened during the bout, I’m not so sure it’s a rolled ankle. Murray Johnson has pointed out that, while Takerufuji is a mass of muscle in his upper body, he’s kind of spindly below the knees; I fear something may have given down there. Hope I’m wrong, and all he needs is some ice and lying down time.
I think Abi has reverted somewhat to when his weakness was sloppy footwork. Work on your suri-ashi for Natsu, Abi!
I didn’t know about Takakeisho until I saw it. So sad. At least he has secured his rank.
The only real fun I had was Kotonowaka-Hoshoryu. I imagine Hoshoryu was feeling great as he was pulling, and Kotonowaka was falling – until he realized, “oh crap, he’s falling on me!”.
New sumo vocabulary I learned today: zanbara – loose hair not yet ready for the chonmage, like Onosato’s.
When I looked at Ura’s hand in clenched fist close to Hiradoumi’s hairline, I realized there would be no rational reason to do so unless he is grabbing the hair. It would be more effective to press the neck with open hand in this situation than with clenched fist. Therefore I concluded that Ura pulled hair and have no trouble with the verdict.
The only counter-argument I can think of for that was that Ura had a hold of folds of fatty neck skin, with only a graze of the hair near the top of the grip. But it seems clear the hair was being pulled, even if it wasn’t the top knot itself being touched. Gutted for Ura… and the yusho leader. I don’t want to see the stormy basho end in a cataclysm like this! Also, Wakamotoharu got away with a false start, even if one wasn’t called. The Association has to start cracking down on the both hands touching rule, because so many rikishi clearly flout it.
In Wakamotoharu’s loss to Abi his left hand is still on the way down when Abi launched, leaving him helpless to stop Abi’s charge. So I guess things even out.
You might be right about having hold of folds of fatty neck skin. Trouble is that Ura’s hand is partly on the hair. Personally I think the hand is too much in the side of hair, but it is impossible to be sure at least with the footage I have seen. Top knot itself was not pulled.
Yeah, seeing it again on Highlights, I can’t say the Ura hansoku was a wrong call, though maybe it wasn’t a necessary call with his hand where it was. So be it
Mind-boggling scenarios for tomorrow. I am assuming that if Takerufuji is kyujo and Onosato loses, Takerufuji wins the yusho. But if Onosato wins, does that set up a playoff that Takerufuji will lose by fusensho? Has that ever happened? Or is there some other way of doing this?
I have to think Takerufuji’s going to try to compete tomorrow. I could see him giving it his all in a short burst at the beginning against Gonoyama, and if that doesn’t work then limping out or putting a hand down.
Here’s the real question rule-wise – if he sits out against Gonoyama, would he be eligible to compete against Onosato in a playoff? I’m not sure if that would be considered very honorable so it might be off the table anyway, but I’m curious.
I would say that if Takerufuji can take only one match tomorrow, his decision should be based on which opponent does he think is easier to win Gonoyama or Onosato.
I have no idea what do the rules say about sitting out against Gonoyama and fighting Onosato in a playoff if that happens. Personally I would not consider it dishonorable given the circumstances i.e. having an injury. Normally I would find it stupid not to use all the available possibilities to win the championship, but an injury cause a situation where it might well be wiser to sit out the Gonoyama match.
Eventful day. Asanoyama was about the first rikishi this basho not immediately retreating from the tachiai against Takerufuji and apparently that’s a strategy worth consideration. Unfortunately Takerufuji limped away after the bout. I didn’t see clearly what happened. Since I didn’t see him roll an ankle, I worry it might be the knee or some muscle strain. In any case, Gonoyama this tournament is a dangerous opponent, more so, if you aren’t 100%.
Onosato disposed Abi kinda like I expected/hoped he would do. Now he has to go through Hoshoryu for a potential Yusho. I can see why people don’t want this to happen, but he would be equally deserving. Let’s hope that limping was just a fluke and it will be decided on the dohyo tomorrow. Guaranteed Jun-Yusho in your second Makuuchi tournament from the joi—in isn’t bad either.
Wakamotoharu defended his Sekiwake slot today, so that leaves Daieisho, Asanoyama and Onosato fighting for the two available Komusubi spots. I think everyone else is out of that race. A win by all 3 could open an extra slot, especially if onosato wins the Yusho.
Takayasu and Gonoyama got their 10th win today and I’m kinda rooting for 11 on both tomorrow. Hope that Takerufuji shows up healthy.
The promotion/demotion picture is very murky. Only Kitanowaka and Shimazuumi are safe to go down I think. Not sure about Tsurugisho, but I think he will go down too, if there are candidates.
In Juryo only Mitoryu and Oshoma have done enough for a promotion. Tokihayate can secure promotion, if he beats Shirokuma tomorrow. Both are 7-7. Takarafuji likely secures it with a win against Shiden tomorrow to go 8-7 from J1w. Tomokaze needs to beat Daishoho tomorrow and Daishoho could earn a promotion by winning and going 11-4 from J7, depending on other results. Anyone else is out of contention I think.
Endo losing tomorrow (against kachikoshi Mitakeumi), would open up another spot. If he wins, Tsurugisho probably gets demoted first. I think Endo has to win and only one of Tokihayate, Takarafuji and Tomokaze win to stay in Makuuchi. If all 3 lose, I think there will be a coin flip between Daishoho and Tsurugisho.
There are also two direct exchange bouts in Juryo tomorrow with Chiyosakae vs Nabatame and Akua vs Tsukahara., although I’m not completely sure if Nabatame would take priority over Kayo, if he wins. The 3 spots from Hokuseiho, Kotoeko and Kitaharima should go Chiyomaru, Onokatsu and Yusho winner Kazekeno. I think Hakuyozan and Shimanoumi are safe even if they lose their last bout. So Tsukahara decides his own fate, while Nabatame has to ein and pray to the banzuke gods.
Lots on the line still. Looking forward to tomorrow.
Through the end of day 14 this has been a massive pile up on I95 South in northern Virginia basho for the Sanyaku. Somewhere between Springfield and Fredericksburg these guys, as a group, crashed the bus. I’m thinking the Sanyaku will be looking for the first bullet train out of Osaka as soon as day 15 ends.
Collectively they’re 58-61-7 as follows:
Yokozuna – 2-5-7
Ozeki – 32-24
Sekiwake – 14-14
Komusubi – 10-18
And the cherry on top of all of this weak Sumo is that we get either an M5 or M17 yusho. Really? That’s as good as it gets?
Our reward for this March Mess is that next basho:
1) Terunofuji may or may not grace us with his presence
2) Kirishima will be kadoban
3) Takakiesho will most likely be at deminished capacity due to his neck and latest other injury
4) Daieisho will no longer be a Sekiwake
5) Nishikigi will no longer be a Komusubi.
I know many of you will disagree but personally I’m disappointed with this basho and especially with the Sanyaku.
Okay, I’ll bite. I disagree. For one thing, I have no respect for the Banzuke. I don’t agree with the way it’s calibrated, but that’s another story. All I care about is good sumo. Takerufuji and Onosato have been a breath of fresh air. They have made sumo seem simple and straightforward. It’s sort of like the golfer in the Zone – “see ball. hit ball” In this case it’s “see opponent, hit opponent.” No anguish, no over-elaboration. Do I think they can keep it up? No. Especially after Takerufuji’s injury. But I’ve enjoyed it this basho, and that’s something special.
I agree that the young chargers are a breath of fresh air and challenge sanyaku to up it’s game. We saw some great responses from Hoshoryu and Asanoyama as a result, though the rest, for a variety of reasons, failed.
But I don’t want to see their “see ball hit ball” style of sumo win out. It’s too one dimensional, thus far.
I love that it was Hoshoryu who ruined Takerifujis party and now it’s Hoshoryu who can give him the Yusho if he wins. Nice matchmaking
Reports are that Take was taken by ambulance to a hospital and this is a recurrence of an old injury. So I don’t know how you can go from that to facing Cannonball-yama tomorrow.
To his credit, he has done the hard work already, amassed a large score, and that may we’ll win him the yusho.
It seems to me that we can now see both the incredible talent and the weak points of both these amazing young chargers – Takerufuji and Onosato. Presumably the coaches and rikishi will be better prepared less basho.
Ah, Hōshoryu, it worked against Onosato (last basho) and Take this time, but that great glutinous mochi ball just refused to get airborne and leave the dohyo! But you’ve at least rediscovered your fire. Forward!
So very true.
This is why Hoshoryu fans get frustrated and drink. A midget allergy producing 3 silly losses, some great wins especially that Takerufuji match, and then splat on day 14 when the yusho was still within reach.
Now where did I put that bottle of Gin?
Hoshoryu got impatient and went for the throw before he was properly set up. Kotonowaka’s underwhelming defense consisted of falling on Hoshoryu. Joining you in that drink.
For those asking, going kyujo is for the day, not for a bout, so sitting out against Gonoyama and coming back for a potential playoff bout isn’t an option for Takerufuji.
Thanks for that information!
I seem to have been the only person other than the shimpan to have seen Ura’s fist clenched in Hiradoumi’s hair during the first go-around at full speed. I was fully expecting the mono-ii and hansoku call.
A little late here, but does anyone know what kimarite would have been called for the Ura out?
Maybe a kubinage. https://www.sumo.or.jp/Kimarite/detail/15