We had news that Kirishima and Wakamotoharu checked themselves into the infirmary today. This brings us close to my eight kyujo prediction before the tournament. We’ve got seven guys watching from the couch at home: Takerufuji, Asanoyama, Takakeisho, Terunofuji, Takayasu, Wakamotoharu, Kirishima.
With the exception of Takayasu and Takerufuji, the rest of these guys are in sanyaku meaning the ranks are not just depleted, they’re obliterated. But, it is better that they are on the couch than on the dohyo. Frankly, Kirishima should have been at home since Osaka. I should not dwell on the “I told you so,” but I think Takakeisho’s example of his initial demotion provides a path that more should have followed. From Terunofuji’s initial Ozeki-ship to Kirishima and Mitakeumi…that strategy might have prolonged their reigns.
So, where are we? Ura leads, undefeated. He will face his first sanyaku opponent today in Kotozakura. There are only four of these guys left so it could possibly be a quick trip through sanyaku before he faces rank and filers again. He had not fared well against sanyaku in recent tournaments so this could be a major stumbling block. That is why I still consider this yusho wide open.
The NHK is offering much more content in a more timely fashion lately. Now they have these videos posted within minutes of the bouts at this site. They split the videos into two halves for both Juryo and Makuuchi. You no longer have to put up with the political posts of that Zeal guy because if you want to watch, their videos are here:
Makuuchi Part 1 – Makuuchi Part 2
Let’s get to the action.
Highlights
Daishoho (Juryo 3-4) defeated Roga (3-4). Roga was manhandled. Daishoho drove him back and out. Kyujo in 5, 4, 3, 2… Yorikiri.
Tokihayate (3-4) defeated Ryuden (5-2). Tokihayate got the jump at the tachiai, dragged Ryuden around the ring, and threw him into the shimpan. Rather satisfying to watch that. Uwatenage.
Churanoumi (5-2) defeated Tsurugisho (2-5). Tsurugisho had the energy for a few pulldown attempts but got walked out quickly and easily. Kyujo in…5, 4, 3… Yorikiri.
Takarafuji (6-1) defeated Mitoryu (1-6). Mitoryu hit Takarafuji with a solid nodowa. Just as he cornered Takarafuji at the edge of the ring, his ankle gave way and he fell. Kyujo in 5, 4, 3…Koshikudake.
Tomokaze (1-6) defeated Ichiyamamoto (3-4). Tomokaze shifted to the side and Ichiyamamoto flopped forward. Hikiotoshi.
Hokutofuji (4-3) defeated Oshoma (5-2). Hokutofuji hit Oshoma hard and shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Nishikifuji (2-5) defeated Sadanoumi (3-4). A well-executed change of direction and slapdown. Hatakikomi.
Shonannoumi (6-1) defeated Kinbozan (4-3). Kinbozan had an inside left-hand grip and tried hard to get his right hand inside as well. It’s a great bout to see Shonannoumi’s otsuke. The way he squeezed Kinbozan to keep his arm from going inside was great technique. Shonannoumi then used that right arm to throw Kinbozan. Uwatenage.
Shodai (3-4) defeated Mitakeumi (5-2). Shodai hit Mitakeumi well at the tachiai and walked him back and over the bales. Yorikiri.
Nishikigi (2-5) defeated Tamawashi (2-5). Tamawashi started out with some fire but that engine sputtered. After the initial shove, Nishikigi corralled him, drove him back and out. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Kotoshoho (4-3) defeated Midorifuji (2-5). Kotoshoho battered Midorifuji with tsuppari and when Midorifuji moved in to end the abuse, Kotoshoho used his size advantage to hoist Midorifuji over the bales. Yorikiri.
Meisei (5-2) defeated Takanosho (2-5). Meisei hit Takanosho hard at the tachiai and drove forward. Takanosho began mounting a counter attack near the edge and it appeared he wanted to use the tawara for leverage but his foot went over the bales and touched out. Yorikiri.
Onosho (4-3) defeated Gonoyama (3-4). Gonoyama pulled and attempted to slap Onosho down but Onosho drove Gonoyama out. This bout seems relevant to my ever-evolving understanding of the applicability of the dead body rule. If you find yourself confused by it, check out this lengthy Twitter thread where Herouth, Leonid, and Tim patiently explain to me how Tobizaru was not robbed of anything the other night. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (6-1) defeated Hiradoumi (2-5). Carbon copy of the previous bout. Hiradoumi tried to slap Daieisho down but Hiradoumi went out. Oshidashi.
Onosato (6-1) defeated Atamifuji (2-5). Atamifuji pressed forward, forcing Onosato toward the bales. Onosato used the bales to help him shift to the side and Atamifuji flopped on his belly. Uwatedashinage.
Abi default win. Wakamotoharu kyujo.
Tobizaru default win. Kirishima kyujo.
Kotozakura (5-2) defeated Ura (6-1). Ura drove Kotozakura to the bales after the tachiai. Ura attempted a pull but Kotozakura was ready for it and let Ura fall out the opposite side of the ring. Oshitaoshi.
Oho (3-4) defeated Hoshoryu (4-3). Oho shoved Hoshoryu hard. Hoshoryu seemed to over-compensate while trying to keep his balance. The Ozeki pitched himself forward and stumbled toward the center of the ring. Oho won with an easy slapdown. Oho has struggled with this style of his but he got the power and timing right today. He was also able to pivot well, his ring awareness meant he was never in danger of stepping out or being pushed out. Hikiotoshi.
Wrap-up
Wow, the second half of action was slow today with two kyujo and seven bouts. Hopefully the time-wasting won’t be as bad tomorrow. Endo will visit from Juryo. Still undefeated, he is the only sekitori with a shot at kachi-koshi on Nakabi. What a turnaround for he and the Takarabune!
Ura’s loss means that heading into Nakabi we have a larger leadership group of five guys with one loss: Onosato, Daieisho, Ura, Shonannoumi and Takarafuji. Onosato and Daieisho will face-off tomorrow. Ura will take on Hoshoryu, Shonannoumi will face Mitakeumi and Takarafuji will square up against Ryuden.
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It puzzles me that Oho kinda has Hoshoryu’s number. They entered sumo together. He is 4-2 vs. him and that includes 2-1 in Makuuchi, where Hoshoryu has been the huge favourite every time.
As I wrote yesterday, aura has the tougher part of his schedule still ahead and that came true today. Now we have 5 rikishi in the lead with 1 loss and another 6 chasing with 1 loss behind.
Oho can complete his sweep of the Ozeki ranks tomorrow, when he faces Kotozakura. If he doesn’t pull, there might at least be a fight.
Onosato vs Daieisho already looks like a pivotal match for the tournament, as those two are looking the strongest from the leader group now. Ura faces Hoshoryu tomorrow and can make the Ozeki’s tournament completely miserable, but I think Hoshoryu will hit back tomorrow and Ura will be drifting towards a 10-5/9-6 finish.
Shonannoumi is the dark hose of the leader group to me. At M10 he is fairly low on the banzuke and he is on no one’s radar. Takarafuji will do the Ura thing and gravitate towards a 10-5 I think. He faces Ryuden tomorrow, one from the chaser group, which could go either way.
In the chaser group there is Kotozakura, who better beats Oho to stay relevant tomorrow and Meisei, who faces Kotoshoho tomorrow. I don’t think any of the others will stay in the race for long (maybe Mitakeumi, but he didn’t look good today, so I favor Shonannoumi tomorrow), but Meisei could be the surprise here.
Hoshoryu is at 3 losses already and while a 12-3 Yusho isn’t that unlikely, it means he would have to win out. Abi with two fusen is 4-3 as well.
Juryo sees a lot of the old guard doing well with Endo, Wakatakakage, Chiyoshoma at 7-0 resp. 6-1 and Kagayaki at 5-2, barring a disastrous week 2, those 4 and Bushozan are in a good position to go up again.. Of course Onokatsu could make things interesting by going 14-1. Shimanoumi, who gets so much love on this site is 6-1 too btw.
Finally someone who takes notice of Shimanoumi‘s upcoming Makuuchi comeback!
A great comment from A to Y (only Wakatakakage doesn‘t belong to the old guard yet in my book). I‘m eagerly awaiting Onosato v Daieisho, Shonannoumi v Mitakeumi, Hoshoryu v Ura and, of course, Kazekeno v Shimanoumi. Speaking of Juryo, Onokatsu v Hakuoho sounded like a great matchup, too, but unfortunately the latter seems to be rather handicapped.
Shimanoumi same as Onokatsu probably would need a 14-1 Yusho to even have a shot at promotion. That is assuming that aside from Takerufuji we have 4 more demotions (which after week 1 showings seems not unlikely). The J1-J6 range has plenty of rikishi who could co 4-4 or 3-5 and in the case of Endo I think even 2-6 to clinch a return ticket. But yeah, I always had sympathy for late bloomer Shimanoumi. Onokatsu and Kazekeno are the two interesting new guys in Juryo atm, but I would say Kazekeno needs to protect his Sekitori rank first, while Onokatsu seems to be on a quick march to Makuuchi, not withstanding his loss to Kazekeno.
I hope Tochitaikai alias Tsukahara can stabilise in Juryo. He joined sumo together with Kotoshoho then Kototebakari one class ahead of Hoshoryu and Oho. He won the Jonokuchi Yusho in a playoff against Kotoshoho and followed with a 7-0 Yusho in Jonidan, marching quickly to the top of Makushita, before getting hard stuck there. After 4.5years, he is finally a Sekitori.
With so many wrestlers injured, and more disappearing each day, this basho is starting to resemble the zombie apocalypse: last one alive wins the cup.
I am worried for the health of Kirishima. Heard he will be hospitalized for 3-4 days so they can figure out what is going on with him. He seems not himself mentally more than anything, slower reaction/responses and dazed deer in the headlights look. I hope he does not have a post concussion syndrome. He and those supporting him must prioritize his long term health at this point above all else.
I really hope there‘s nothing wrong with him that couldn’t be repaired by a namechange back to Kiribayama!
If u see the replays, kimarites are different, but the move just before that are all nodowa to the neck. he must be ailing neck.
I like Oho (he looks so much like Taiho), but he’s been frustrating to follow because he doesn’t seem to know how to best use his physical gifts. IIRC he has no sekitori in his stable to practice with?
This basho is so strang – it is reminding me of the Covid Basho where every day at least one entire stable was eliminated! I hope the Yusho winner earns the title!