Mitakeumi is not on the kyujo list but we will be watching his performance today for signs that he might go. With 6 wins already, he is in no danger of demotion.
Links to the NHK videos are here:
Makuuchi Part 1 – Makuuchi Part 2
The Action
Churanoumi (6-3) defeated Takarafuji (7-2). Churanoumi pulled on Takarafuji’s arm and yanked him over to the bales. Takarafuji spun and tried to retreat but Churanoumi pursued well and shoved him out. Oshitaoshi
Mitoryu (2-7) defeated Tsurugisho (3-6). Mitoryu walked Tsurugisho quickly back and out. He was much too large of an opponent for Tsurugisho to be able to lift or swing him out of the dohyo with his upper body alone. Yorikiri.
Tokihayate (4-5) defeated Nishikifuji (3-6). Nishikifuji made great early progress, blasting Tokihayate toward the bales but Tokihayate timed his counter attack beautifully. Just as Nishikfuji hit him with the right, Tokihayate shifted to his left and knocked Nishikifuji to the side. This threw Nishikifuji completely off balance and Tokihayate was able to follow up with some quick shoves to force Nishikifuji out. Oshidashi.
Oshoma (6-3) defeated Ichiyamamoto (4-5). Oshoma slipped to the side and pulled Ichiyamamoto forward. Hatakikomi.
Ryuden (6-3) defeated Hokutofuji (5-4). Ryuden did well and kept Hokutofuji in front of him, allowing him to make a mistake. Hokutofuji’s tsuppari shifted to slapdown attempts and Ryuden struck. Here, Ryuden slipped it to reach for the belt and Hokutofuji fell forward. Uwatedashinage.
Sadanoumi (5-4) defeated Tomokaze (1-8). Once Sadanoumi slipped in and got a hold of Tomokaze’s belt, Tomokaze was toast. Tomokaze is makekoshi.
Shonannoumi (7-2) defeated Roga (3-6). Shonannoumi fought hard to keep Roga’s right arm from locking onto his belt. The two had worked themselves into a bit of a stalemate at the center of the ring. Shonannoumi began to press forward. A well timed tug at the edge from Roga nearly sent Shonannoumi out but Shonannoumi kept his balance and shoved Roga backwards and out. Oshidashi.
Mitakeumi (7-2) defeated Kinbozan (5-4) Henka! Very well executed dodge from Mitakeumi. He reached over to Kinbozan’s belt and pulled him forward to finish him off.
Kotoshoho (6-3) defeated Nishikigi (3-6). Nishikigi pressed forward and as the pair approached the edge Kotoshoho stepped to the side and allowed Nishikigi’s momentum to carry him forward and out. Tsukiotoshi.
Halftime
Midorifuji (4-5) defeated Shodai (3-6). Shodai was very wary of Midorifuji today, possibly too wary. Instead of launching much of an attack, Shodai appeared defensive. He pressed forward early but Midorifuji resisted. Perhaps Shodai tired quickly. But he clearly did not want to get caught pitched too far forward. Midorifuji cleverly and patiently worked the big man back toward the edge. As Shodai neared the tawara, Midorifuji intensified his pressure and shoved Shodai out. Oshidashi.
Meisei (6-3) defeated Tamawashi (2-7) Meisei was too strong today for Tamawashi. Meisei resisted a strong initial charge from Tamawashi. Meisei used pivot after pivot to throw Tamawashi off balance. Then he launched out and hit Tamawashi square, driving him completely off the surface of the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Takanosho (3-6) defeated Ura (6-3). Takanosho had great fundamentals today. Ura drove Takanosho back toward the edge of the ring. Then, as Ura back-pedaled, Takanosho helped Ura reverse himself out of the ring with a bit of a shove. Oshitaoshi.
Gonoyama (4-5) defeated Tobizaru (4-4) Tobizaru tried a poorly executed (or well anticipated) pull. Gonoyama pressed Tobizaru back and over the edge. Oshidashi.
Atamifuji (3-6) defeated Daieisho (6-3). Daieisho does not know how to move backwards. But it shows that Atamifuji has a reputation and Daieisho was trying to take advantage of it. Unfortunately for Daieisho, he ran out of space before Atamifuji fell forward. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Hiradoumi (4-5) defeated Onosato (7-2). Hiradoumi had patrons reaching for their zabuton but remembering they’ve still got a few bouts to go yet. This was just a komusubi. What an upset, though! Very aggressive sumo from Hiradoumi as he launched at the heir-apparent, kept his balance when Onosato tried to slap him down, and plowed forward. Oshidashi.
Oho (4-5) defeated Abi (5-4). Oho turned this bout around by grabbing Abi’s arm and yanking him forward. Abi reacted by moving backward but this left him no real estate to maneuver. Oho pursued and resisted Abi’s continued thrusts, eventually shoving Abi out. Honestly, I’m so impressed with that strategy, I hope it catches on. If I had to fight Abi, I would do it. Oshidashi.
Kotozakura (7-2) defeated Onosho (4-5). Kotozakura is such a tease. Onosho did well drive Kotozakura back to the bales. He probably started thinking, “I’m going to beat an Ozeki!” Just as Kotozakura reached the tawara he wrapped his arm around Onosho’s neck and threw him with a beautiful kubinage, following up with a powerful thrust to finish Onosho off. Tsukiotoshi.
Takayasu (3-1-5) defeated Hoshoryu (5-4) Takayasu came back from his convalescence in fine form. Hoshoryu helped out with some terrible footwork. Takayasu plowed into the Ozeki and as Hoshoryu hung on, his leg splayed way out to the tawara. The bear then twisted him down to the ground. Sukuinage.
Wrap-up
Kotozakura is providing some stability at the top of the banzuke and now has a share of the lead. He coolly dealt with Onosho today but will face the meat of his schedule this week. Well, what’s left of it, that is. He will be tested by Takayasu on Day 9. But there’s really just Abi and Hoshoryu, who they will leave for senshuraku. After the Takayasu bout, he will possibly fight Midorifuji, Meisei, Mitakeumi, and possibly even Nishikigi. All bouts he should dominate. With all of the absences, I guess this means the joi extends down to Maegashira 7-8?
Onosato is fighting like an Ozeki and by that I mean he has apparently started dropping bouts to Maegashira whom he should beat. That was a joke, he has actually been very solid this tournament, obviously. But he was far too complacent today, unprepared for the heat that Hiradoumi likes to deliver at the tachiai. He will face Gonoyama tomorrow. The odd wrinkle with his schedule is that since he already fought (and beat) many of the guys who are now kyujo, like Terunofuji, Wakamotoharu, and Kirishima, there are a lot of top Maegashira whom he still needs to fight. Along with the Hoshoryu and Abi fights that also await Kotozakura, he will need to fight Ura, Oho, and Onosho. When all is said and done, the soft part of his schedule may have been the first week. He really cannot start losing to these rank-and-filers.
Takarafuji dropped his bout today and viewers could see how disappointed he was. He is possibly already safe from demotion with his 7 wins, though. Tomokaze and Tsurugisho look ready for demotion and since Week 2 just started and neither man shows any kind of spark today, they could drop quite a bit. He also remains with a share of the lead since Onosato lost, as well. He will be challenged tomorrow by Ichiyamamoto. Shonannoumi has also been fighting very well but will face a difficult opponent in Midorifuji tomorrow. Mitakeumi will face Kotoshoho, who I hope will not fall for a henka.
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Wow! That was a fight between Hoshoryu and Takayasu. With all the theatrics and long staring from Hoshoryu (while Takayasu looked a little bored).
Takayasu really looks good this basho, it’s a pity that he lost his chance by going kyujo.
After the NHK pre-basho show did a interview with Hiradoumi I started to pay more attention to him. He seems to be intelligent rikishi.
Not sure what this was from Onosato today. Pulling down a smaller rikishi like that is setting him up with the perfect angle to push you out. As long as he learns from it …
I don’t know why Hoshoryu has to always overdoing with his starring contest. Especially against someone you are 1-8 now. Hoshoryu has all the tools to be a strong Ozeki and maybe even more, but he is now 5-4 in a basho where half of Sanyaku isn’t participating. This basho could still easily see an 11-4 Yusho, but it looks like a golden opportunity missed to start a Yokozuna run (and have his first Yusho as Ozeki).
Takayasu looked good again. I hope he can finish 5-1 now and get a kachikoshi. Really pleased with Oho. He didn’t fight bad against Kotozakura yesterday and today he beat Abi. Why on earth did he need to start the basho 0-4 looking like a guy accidentally pulled up from Sandanme.
Mitakeumi didn’t look too god walking off the dohyo, maybe that’s why he pulled a henka today. But he is 7-2 now and if he can shrug that off still someone with 3 Yusho, which should be at least two more than anyone else competing for the Yusho this basho ..
Daieisho proved today, why he isn’t an Ozeki. That was a very unnecessary loss against a rikishi who isn’t exactly red hot this basho.
Kotozakura playing a bit with fire today, but is in the leader group now and should be the favourite together with Onosato. Both still have Abi and Hoshoryu on their menu. Kotozakura has Takayasu and Onosato has Daieisho, so I guess the remaining schedules are fairly even as well.
Down in Juryo Endo is 9-0 now being chased by Wakatakakage, Onokatsu and Shimanoumi.
Fun fact, Shimanoumi during his career has been 8-1 after 9 days in Juryo exactly twice. January and march 2019. Both times he won the Yusho 13-2. In January from J11e ( his current rank) in march from J1e.
Great summary again, but Onosato already won against Daieisho on day 8.
I guess than he has the slightly advantageous schedule, however it’s only his 3rd basho in Makuuchi. He neither has met Ura nor Tobizaru before. So that could be a challenge.
I guess tomorrow Gonoyama will be a test, if he learned something from today’s match.
The thing is, he will have faced a harder schedule (by rank) than the pair of Ozeki. The Ozeki will likely fight guys at M7, no Yokozuna, one Ozeki, one Sekiwake.
Takayasu throw was superb, Hoshoryu is funny with those staring gimmicks. Previously it was looking like tense situation, now as it expected, it has become funny.
Midorifuji’s advantage is he is small with good stamina, if the bout goes for a long time, bigger rikishis get tired and he can take advantage of it.
Midorifuji is the smallest rikishi who doesn’t employ “small man sumo”, the type of things Enho and Ishiura used to do. He fights head to head, like a small dog who doesn’t know he’s small. Seeing him pushing out a much bigger opponent is very enjoyable. Of course, he does get obliterated sometimes, but does surprisingly well overall.
Midorifuji seems to win increasingly more bouts by not-katasukashi. Putting on a little more weight maybe brought an advantage, still keeping a well balanced body shape. Pleasure to watch!
midorifuzi is winning oshidashi against big guys, but there’s katasukashi behind all of these oshi’s. Big guys have to keep their weight lit’l behind to prevent frontal bottom out, but midori times that very monent to apply explosive push from the little body. Amazing!
I’m starting to just treat Hoshoryu’s antics as if it were just his pre-bout ritual.
That just seems like an apologist stance for a guy who’s earned the sport’s second-highest rank yet continually displays little of the decorum his position dictates. As long as Hoshoryu acts like an entitled little lord Fauntleroy, I will applaud each humbling he receives. If those losses do the job they should, Hoshoryu the Ozeki will be tempered into a new Yokozuna. But if this young gun with skill to spare keeps letting his attitude dictate his results, then he’s a rikishi who’s already plateaud far too soon.
Seeing as a henka was just about all a visibly limping Mitakeumi would have been capable of today, I’m surprised Kinbozan did not expect it.
As for Hoshoryu, he usually insists on the other guy having his hands down first. If the opponent does not oblige, awkward moments ensue. Some say he does it because he’s an a-hole – others say it’s because he’s near-sighted and it’s the only way he can time the start well. I like him, so I’ll go with the 2nd explanation – but Takayasu clearly doesn’t care either way :)
Hoshoryu is, in his uncle’s words, nothing like Asashoryu and “is a very good boy.” In interviews he also seems that way and he does indeed wear glasses. I’m inclined to believe Uncle Asashoryu, who has grown up a ton in his post sumo life and is very forthright. I think he gets himself good and pumped up during the salt toss and pre-tachiai and why wouldn’t he? Sumo is a brutal game to play.
I think what looks like scowling is really squinting. He seems very good-natured off the dohyo.
are we looking at the possibility that some rikishi with poor records (e.g. 6-9) will have to be promoted simply because they managed to finish while many others went kyujo and will default to deep demotions? I am wondering if this is why Takayasu returned…
That pretty much never happens, barring exceptional circumstances like a major scandal or changes in division size. Takayasu returned to protect his rank as much as possible: if he stayed out, he’d drop toward the bottom of the division, while even a couple of wins will keep him a lot higher, and he still has a chance to get to 8 wins and earn a promotion.
then what will happen is that any Rikishi with 8-7 could expect a big jump in ranks, right?
I mean, someone needs to get promoted with so many rikishi kyujo
exactly, like when Nishikigi went 8-7 at M5w in january and ended up at komusubi for march
No. That won’t happen. Takayasu seems to be fighting well. I hope he earns a place back in sanyaku.
Mitakeumi isn’t on the kyujo list but somehow he is on the leaders list lmao