Wakamotoharu will return from his toe injury for Day 11. Takayasu came back looking great so I hope Wakamotoharu’s rest was as effective. Frankly, there are several guys who need a rest, like Mitakeumi, Tomokaze, and Tsurugisho.
Once again, NHK videos are available for the Juryo and Makuuchi divisions. You will be able to watch Endo charge full steam ahead to 10-0 over Shimazuumi. Who knew the fountain of youth was hiding in Juryo?
The Action
Oshoma (7-3) defeated Ryuden (6-4). Oshoma enticed Ryuden into a pushing/thrusting attack. When Ryuden’s weight was extended too far forward, Oshoma shifted to his left and slapped Ryuden down. Hatakikomi.
Roga (4-6) defeated Mitoryu (2-8). Mitoryu fought hard to keep Roga off his belt. But when Roga finally quit trying to reach in for that grip and settled for a pushing/thrusting attack, he quickly shoved Mitoryu over the edge. Oshidashi.
Churanoumi (7-3) defeated Tomokaze (1-9). An aggressive Tomokaze led Churanoumi backwards by his head with a brutal oshi attack. Churanoumi locked his feet at the tawara and suddenly twisted Tomokaze down with his two-handed grip on Tomokaze’s belt. Shitatedashinage.
Takarafuji (8-2) defeated Ichiyamamoto (4-6). Takarafuji outlasted Ichiyamamoto’s thrusting attack. He patiently waited until Ichiyamamoto wore himself out and gently ushered him over the straw bales. Yorikiri.
Nishikifuji (4-6) defeated Tsurugisho (3-7). Nishikifuji’s tsuppari attack kept Tsurugisho off his belt and walked him back and out. Tsukidashi.
Tamawashi (3-7) defeated Tokihayate (4-6). Tokihayate quickly drove Tamawashi to the edge but Tamawashi might have needed the stability of the bales to get his own charge started. He wrapped up Tokihayate and drove him across the ring and out. Oshidashi.
Shodai (4-6) defeated Hokutofuji (5-5). Shodai used a similar strategy to bait Hokutofuji to the edge. Then Shodai slipped to the side and shoved Hokutofuji to the bales. “Am I going to have to walk over there and push you out?” “Na, I’ll step over.” Tsukiotoshi.
Takanosho (4-6) defeated Sadanoumi (5-5). Takanosho met Sadanoumi head-on at the tachiai. But when Sadanoumi got those legs churning, Takanosho pulled to the side and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Kinbozan (6-4) defeated Nishikigi (3-7). Kinbozan withstood several attacks from Nishikigi and when Nishikigi finally shoved him to the edge, Kinbozan moved laterally to drag Nishikigi to the floor. Shitatenage.
Halftime
Kotoshoho (7-3) defeated Mitakeumi (7-3). Mitakeumi pressed forward as best he could. Kotoshoho retreated to the right, forcing Mitakeumi to move laterally. When Kotoshoho reached the bales, he shifted to the left. This forced Mitakeumi to put his weight back on the left foot and down he went. Oshidashi.
Shimanoumi (8-2) defeated Midorifuji (4-6). Solid Shonannoumi kept Midorifuji centered and when Midorifuji pulled, Shonannoumi blasted him from the fighting surface. Oshidashi.
Meisei (7-3) defeated Hiradoumi (4-6). Hiradoumi charged forward out of control. Meisei just let him go by. Hatakikomi.
Atamifuji (4-6) defeated Tobizaru (4-6). Atamifuji took his time and let Tobizaru hop around the dohyo. Tobizaru attempted an ill-advised kick because it left him over-extended and he stumbled backwards. Atamifuji pursued quickly and shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (7-3) defeated Oho (4-6). Daieisho adjusted his usual attack by slipping to the side with a slapdown attempt and re-engaging on Oho’s left side to shove Oho out. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Onosato (8-2) defeated Gonoyama (4-6). Onosato stronk. All business today, he shoved Gonoyama backwards and cast him from the dohyo. Oshitaoshi.
Abi (6-4) defeated Ura (6-4). Abi assaulted Ura with his devastating tsuppari. Abi got his hands under Ura’s chin and tried to shove him out. Ura slipped desperately to the side but Abi followed well and forced the retreating Ura to roll away. Hard to believe Ura was leading this thing. Oshitaoshi.
Hoshoryu (6-4) defeated Onosho (4-6). Hoshoryu quickly shifted to the side and pulled Onosho down. Uwatedashinage.
Takayasu (4-5-1) defeated Kotozakura (7-3). Takayasu was aggressive today while Kotozakura was reactive and defensive. Takayasu forced the action and pressed Kotozakura around the ring. Kotozakura kept up with the pace but Takayasu used his powerful left hand grip to rotate and pull Kotozakura down. Fantastic sumo from Takayasu. Ozeki sumo from Takayasu. But why oh why does Takayasu’s color of power have to be Dook Blue? Uwatenage.
Wrap-up
Mitoryu joined Tomokaze with makekoshi records. Both men look set for a return to Juryo. Tsurugisho looks ready to purchase his ticket to Juryo mañana. Oddly, Hiradoumi is headed to a rather feisty makekoshi unless he can string together some wins in this final third of the tournament.
Takarafuji is safe and the first makuuchi man with kachi-koshi. Aside from the yusho race, any extra wins this week will obviously propel him further up the banzuke to give him breathing room. He certainly looks rejuvenated and healthy. Shonnanoumi joins him at kachi-koshi and the Kyokai are forcing them to fight each other tomorrow. The Kyokai want there to be only one dark horse in this yusho race. I would give the edge to Shonannoumi but Takarafuji has been fighting very well this tournament.
Takayasu picked off Kotozakura so Onosato is the lone sanyaku wrestler remaining in the leadership group. Onosato will face Hoshoryu tomorrow. Who knows where this yusho race will go?
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Takayasu snatching those huge kensho bricks courtesy of the musubino ichiban the last 2 days really made it fun to watch. Wonderful job!
Poor Wakamotoharu. He is coming back day 11 and will have to go 5-0 for kachikoshi and he still has to see Kotozakura, Hoshoryu and Onosato. But maybe he can benefit from the large leader and chaser group and skip onosato or Kotozakura.
So we have a leader group of 3 and 7 more rikishi at one loss behind. At least one rikishi will remain at 2 losses tomorrow, while Hoshoryu could involve half the banzuke in the Yusho race, if he beats Onosato.
Takayasu again very convincing today. It’s really a pity he had to sit out. Two Ozeki scalps, a Sekiwake and the Komusubi leading the race in the bouts he showed up.
Onosato also very convincing today. Ura’s week 2 is unfortunately even worse than what I expected. At this rate he will be happy with a kachikoshi. Was really hoping that he would beat Abi today.
Kinbozan really surprised me today. I thought once Nishikigi turns that into a belt fight, he has the edge, but that was a nice throw.
Meisei and Shonnanoumi still fighting well. Curious how Meisei will match up with Kotozakura tomorrow.
Wakamotoharu has Hiradoumi as a warm up. Not easy, but if his toe recovered, that shouldn’t be a bad matchup for him. I think it’s their first meeting ever.
Down in Juryo Endo is still flawless with Wakatakakage and Onokatsu one loss behind. Onokatsu beat Shimanoumi (8-2) in an interesting bout today. Chiyoshoma is also at 8-2. At the bottom Tochitaikai beat Kitaharima and is now 2wins away from a kachikoshi. Aoiyama had a brutal slap down on Tamashoho today, that reminded me of the Aoiyama of old.
Tomorrow we have Endo vs Wakatakakage, while Onokatsu keeps farming the bottom of Juryo.
Endo vs. Wakatakakage in Juryo tomorrow is a more interesting bout than much of Makuuchi action. Plus Aonishiki vs. Kusano in Makushita!
The other Makushita semifinal isn‘t too bad either.
Endo’s 10-0 in Juryo doesn’t mean he suddenly is Sekiwake material. Therefore I expect a rather easy win for Wakatakakage.
Wakatakakage isn’t Sekiwake material atm either. Maybe he can return to that form again. Endo has never won against Wakatakakage, so the bout probably still favours Waka.
As always I agree to practically everything U write in your daily summaries.
The exception today is that I foreclose the kyokai having Wakamotoharu fight Onosato a second time!
And Kotoshoho is not to be forgotten: after three losses at the beginning he has now won seven times in a row and is in the chase group.
I agree on both. Those vertical writings on my mobile device seem to help me overlook Onosato sometimes;-)
Kotoshoho didn’t have a real test yet though nd some of his wins have been a bit lucky, but if anything can remind him of the guy who enter Makuuchi in 2020 and was the safe bet for the next Ozeki… who knows what could happen.
How right you are, Andy, to raise the issue of mawashi colours. Some terrible decisions going on this yusho! Takayasu and Hoshoryu electingfor dork blue, and moving away from that sumptuous eastern red. Wakatakakage dropping his silver moon argent for – dork blue!
Shodai with the most Shodai win ever :)) Tobizaru was also a lot of fun today, even if he managed to trip himself instead of Atamifuji in the end. But how frustrating to see Takayasu this good, but once again, no chance at the title…
Is it just me or did Kotozakura look like he was almost asking the ring side judge for a mono-ii? No words but that look on his face as he stared at the judge was almost like “Come on judge, throw me a bone here and help me out”,
You could tell he was upset because after they bowed and he exited the dohyo he didn’t remove his half dragging sagari. Usually they don’t walk off the dohyo like that.
On the other hand, it was nice to see The Bear use good footwork and patience to get the job done today. Solid, smart, strategic sumo.
Let me help you erase the Dook blue association with Takayasu’s new-this basho mawashi color…. Think royal sapphire blue, that lux and alluring color of the precious gem of a wrestler that he is.