On Twitter and Instagram I have noticed a lot of great pictures of the kimono worn by the top division wrestlers so I am collecting those that I can find (which importantly show front and back) and am posting polls to see which wrestler wins the fashion yusho. The first heat is here:
Wearing these kimono is a special privilege of top division wrestlers during the three “summertime” tournaments. They have fantastic designs and feature the shikona of the wrestler. It’s called somenuki (染抜き) after the technique of removing dye for what are often white shikona. Sometimes you will see gold and so I don’t think all of them use the somenuki technique.
I plan to have the second heat posted later today. I am just wondering if in the future, I should move the polls to the website rather than on Twitter itself. If there are a lot of readers who are not on Twitter, and who are interested in these fashionable kimono, I’ll move it here.
In Juryo, the schedulers have done something very interesting. Wakatakakage is in the lead with Onokatsu and Endo one win behind. All three have already faced each other. So, the Kyokai are pairing all of the leaders with guys who are 7-7 and thus fighting for kachi-koshi. Brutal.
The Action
Sadanoumi (9-5) defeated Roga (6-8). Both men battled on the belt, right-hand inside. Sadanoumi won the position battle, driving Roga backwards. Roga would not go out, however, so Sadanoumi rotated from his left and threw Roga down. Uwatenage.
Tokihayate (6-8) defeated Hokutofuji (6-8). Hokutofuji popped Tokihayate at the tachiai. Both locked in for a grapple which was probably not wise for Hokutofuji. Tokihayate dragged him to the edge of the ring and tried to throw him but Hokutofuji hung on. Tokihayate then back peddled and dragged Hokutofuji down. Tsukiotoshi.
Tamawashi (7-7) defeated Churanoumi (8-6). Tamawashi deflected Churanoumi’s arms and drove forward, blasting him from the dohyo in grand Tamawashi style. Unfortunately, Churanoumi was slow to get up and seemed to be favoring his left hip. Oshidashi.
Shodai (6-8) defeated Tsurugisho (3-11). Shodai locked in with his right hand, ottsuke with the left to block Tsurugisho from holding on with his right. From there, Shodai ushered Tsurugisho over the bales. Yorikiri.
Takanosho (7-7) defeated Ichiyamamoto (7-7). Ichiyamamoto tried a slapdown but failed. Takanosho kept his balance and drove Ichiyamamoto to the ground. Oshidashi.
Takarafuji (9-5) defeated Kotoshoho (8-6). Strong tsuppari and forward motion from Kotoshoho but Takarafuji deflected and rotated back through the center. As Kotoshoho launched forward again, Takarafuji slipped to the right and got behind Kotoshoho. He then shoved Kotoshoho from the back. Okuridashi.
Nishikifuji (5-9) defeated Nishikigi (4-10). Nishikifuji pulled and slapped Nishikigi down. Gunbai to Nishikifuji. Nishikifuji was going out so the shimpan gathered for a mono-ii. Who was “dead” first? Nishikigi who was propelled forward, or Nishikifuji who was jumping out? Answer…neither. We get a redo. In the redo, Nishikigi backed to the bales and tried to twist Nishikifuji over it but Nishikifuji plowed forward for the yoritaoshi win.
Ryuden (9-5) defeated Mitakeumi (8-6). Ryuden locked up Mitakeumi quickly and walked him back and out. Yorikiri. Why is Mitakeumi here?
Onosho (6-8) defeated Tomokaze (2-12). Onosho hit Tomokaze hard and used a forceful nodowa to finish him off. Oshidashi.
Halftime
Meisei (9-5) defeated Kinbozan (8-6). Kinbozan sure hit Meisei hard but Meisei was able to shift to the side and Kinbozan could not adjust quickly. Meisei kept rotating and shoved Kinbozan out. Oshidashi.
Hiradoumi (8-6) defeated Tobizaru (5-9). Hiradoumi hit Tobizaru hard and drove him through the back of the dohyo. Oshitaoshi.
Gonoyama (6-8) defeated Midorifuji (5-9). Similar result from the opposite side here. Gonoyama overpowered Midorifuji but was a bit more gentle and even extended a hand to keep Midorifuji from going over the edge. Oshidashi.
Atamifuji (7-7) defeated Ura (6-8). It is always amazing that Ura can hang with guys as big as Atamufuji, going head-to-head, big boi-zumo here. Atamifuji was able to work Ura toward the edge and as Ura resisted Atamifuji adjusted his grip first to try a kimidashi. But when that didn’t work he let go with his right, pivoted, and pulled Ura down from the left…while shoving his head to the ground with his right…just for good measure. Brutal. Kotenage.
Daieisho (10-4) defeated Takayasu (6-3-5). Takayasu had the tsuppari going here but Daieisho was able to pick a few key moments to thrust Takayasu backwards. He seemed to target those times that Takayasu’s right shoulder were exposed. This way, Daieisho drove Takayasu back and out. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Onosato (11-3) defeated Shonannoumi (9-5). Shonannoumi is a big dude but Onosato is a future Yokozuna. Onosato made this look easy as he forced Shonannoumi out. Oshidashi.
Oho (5-9) defeated Wakamotoharu (4-7-3). That’s it! Move forward, kid! So satisfying to watch this one. I don’t think the NHK lets me directly link to their videos so they play from this site, so please find this bout in their videos. Oho pressed forward and drove Wakamotoharu through the ring and over the bales. Yorikiri.
Hoshoryu (10-4) defeated Oshoma (9-5). Hoshoryu shifted to his right (henka?) at the tachiai and reached in for Oshoma’s belt. With that grip he continued to rotate and dragged Oshoma over the bales. Yorikiri.
Abi (10-4) defeated Kotozakura (10-4). Kotozakura drove into Abi’s tsuppari, driving him back. At the edge, Abi shifted to the side and yanked hard on Kotozakura’s arm. This turned the tables completely on the Ozeki, who was now up against the edge and facing a full-fronted assault from Abi. Kotozakura stepped out. Oshidashi.
Wrap-up
Well, Abi blew a massive hole into Kotozakura’s plans for his first yusho. It would have been a nice story to take on the shikona of his grandfather and then win the title. But now, as it is in sumo, he is going to need help from Abi. He is going to need Abi to defeat Onosato tomorrow to try to set up a play-off at 11-4. There are now some conflicting interests here. I am sure there are fans who would love to see a play-off but then there are a lot of fans who do not like the idea of an 11-4 yusho.
Onosato can win his first yusho tomorrow with a victory over Abi and a 12-3 record. If Abi wins, there will be a playoff. There could be three combatants, Abi, Onosato, and the winner of Hoshoryu/Kotozakura…or even four if Daieisho beats Kotoshoho.
Does Kotoshoho seem an odd opponent to anyone else? I would have thought Gonoyama. Goeido’s understudy is makekoshi, however, as is Onosho at M5E, Midorifuji at M6E and Nishikigi at M7E. Mitakeumi would be an easy win…possibly even fusen. Takanosho is fighting for kachi-koshi against the other M1, Atamifuji, in a Darwin bout. So I like the call…it is just odd and would not have happened if there weren’t so many sanyaku kyujo.
I’d love to read your thoughts on this crazy basho!
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Sorry Nishikifuji — you cannot win by jumping backward out of the ring. The shimpan will never, ever, ever allow rikishi to put up a shiroboshi with the maneuver.
U‘re right of course, Andy, it‘s a crazy basho.
But surprisingly not for Onosato. He will have fought the Yokozuna, three of the four Ozeki and both Sekiwake (before Wakamotoharu‘s incident).
Therefore he really would deserve that yusho and therefore, though a playoff foursome would be fun, I hope he will beat Abi tomorrow.
I agree, hoping for Onosato win, because he deserves it. If a playoff, I’m cheering for Hoshoryu!
Love the Sumo fashion, summer yukata, and Japanese textiles in general. Please move to website. I vote on this round for D. Takanosho….fantastic dragon!
Yes please fashion yusho! Having it here on the site would be awesome. It’s close for me as to which is best in this first heat, I dig Onosato’s simple and nautical design but I’m going to give it to Ryuden. Lovely colors, beautiful artwork and he wears it very well.
As for the basho, I’m a relative newcomer and have only watched the last three full tournaments so this recent trend of free-for-alls has been entertaining at least, though this second half of seeing sanyaku show why they’re sanyaku has been a real treat! I’m hoping Onosato can bring it home, but honestly just seeing the bouts and the determination from rookies and veterans alike has been wonderful.
Well it’s a monoii between Ryuden and Takanosho for me. Those sumptuous reds – I can’t get enough of that colour. Taka with the plain front and the surprise reveal when he’s walked past you and you see the dragon winding up his spine. Matching slippers too. Ryuden, appropriately perhaps, with the demon rising from the sandy clay at his feet. Gumbai goes to ….
Is threatening to take sumo content to twitter a ploy to increase reader engagement? well… hello everyone, よろしくおねがいします。
I like how Hokutofuji’s kimono suggests a Yakuza-style full-spread dragon tattoo, but Mark M is right about those sumptuous reds. Gumbai to Ryuden.
As for the yusho- Onosato will have clearly earned it, but I just ~like~ Hoshoryu’s dynamism. May the best man win!
The real story of this basho for me continues to be Hōshoryu paring the protruding face pout.
Fans of Hōshoryu may wonder, even quietly hope, this ushers in an age of more centred, non-brattish sumo.
As a fan of Hoshoryu, I agree. I’d like to see him calm down a bit. He’s got the skills, he doesn’t need the antics.
I would be happy to see Onosato win, or Hoshoryu or Kotozakura.
Glad to see Endo and the Takarabune doing so well again!
I am not on Twitter and would love to see the fashion here on site. I don’t like Ryuden, but I do like his kimono, for that nifty demon as well as the color, so he can win this fashion bout for me.
Fantastic, fantastic… Oho didn’t pull today and won. Obviously Wakamotoharu’s approach is questionable, keeping Oho so under pressure that there was just no opportunity for a pull …😉
Takayasu unfortunately lost today going makekoshi. On the bright side, if there is a playoff, Daieisho will likely be part of it now. Kotoshoho after a short mid basho spike fell back to mediocrity and should be no problem tomorrow.
Kotozakura had that one coming for quite some time. There were a number of bouts where he just narrowly escaped and today he didn’t. After the showings of the last days I would have favoured Hoshoryu for tomorrow anyways.
Sumo wise there weren’t really matches standing out. Most matches were one sided. Ura lasting more than 3s was a step in the right direction, although losing like that didn’t look healthy.
There are still 5 rikishi in the Yusho race. A Kotozakura win and a Daieisho loss could have narrowed that down to 3, but that didn’t happen.
The race for the Komusubi slot saw Takayasu drop out, who was the least likely anyways, but Atamifuji, Hiradoumi and Meisei are still in it.
Roga lost, while Tokihayate and Nishikifuji won, so all 3 are still neither saved nor demoted. In Juryo only Daiamami and Onokatsu lost of the promotion candidates. So we still have Endo, Wakatakakage and Chiyoshoma, who have their promotion secured. Kagayaki is in the pole position for the 4th spot with 10w at J5, but would drop behind Bushozan, if he wins his last fight against 5-9 Shishi tomorrow. A Kagayaki win against Tochitaikai should secure his promotion and if Bushozan wins as well that could mean that even a win by Roga isn’t enough. Onokatsu needs to win and hope that all demotion candidates lose. Even then the might just put him at J1.
Hakuoho lost today and is fighting Akua tomorrow in what Abi think is an exchange bout. Kazekeno is likewise fighting Nabatame and Oshoma, who is already going down could further bolster Kiryuko’s score, but I don’t think that matters.
Oshoumi and Chiyomaru are the only clear demotion cases and will exchange with Kayo and Yusho winner Fujiseiun. If Akua wins, he forces another promotion, which means that Hakuoho has to go down unless Kazekeno loses as well … but then Nabatame would have 5 wins at Ms2 and probably should go up to. The unlucky guy here is Kiryuko. I think he can only get promoted, if he wins and Shimazuumi loses and is demoted from J7 with 4wins (which last happened 2003).
I’m not sure I follow. How would Kiryuko be reliant on Shimazuumi finishing 4-11 when there would be the lower-ranked Hakuoho also finishing 4-11 in that scenario?
(Okay, not 4-11; 4-9-2 and 4-7-4 respectively.)
Ugh, never mind. Kiryuko, not Nabatame. That’s what I get for coming in with similar conversations from elsewhere already on my mind. Yeah, Kiryuko ain’t going up here unless somebody frees up another slot via retirement.
Since Nabatame and Akua have their own exchange bouts (although if both win it’s still a possibility that only Akua goes up for Kazekeno), the only scenario where Kiryuko goes up would be a retirement as you say or that the 4 wins by Shimazuumi are not deemed enough, which hasn’t happened since 2003. So because of the matchmaking there is no chance for him to hop on the promotion train. 5-2 (if he wins) at Ms3e would normally give you a good chance, but not this time.
He’d be the first 5-2 Ms3e to miss out since 1997, but them’s the breaks. A few 5-2 Ms2’s have missed out more recently (including Tobizaru in 2017), and even one 5-2 Ms1w! https://sumodb.sumogames.de/Query.aspx?show_form=0&form1_rank=ms1-ms3e&form1_wins=5&form1_year=1958-now&form2_ms=on
There’s been some impressive sumo from the old boys in this tournament. Of the three 35+ rikishi, Takarafuji won 8 of his first 10 before being sent up the banzuke, Sadanoumi has 9 wins including 6 of the last 7, and Tamawashi has recovered from a 2-7 start to win his last 5 and still have a shot at kachi koshi.
First the fashion show. Please keep it on the web site, as I am not on twitter. For me it’s a tie between the Elegant kimono of Onosanto and the Attention grabbing one of Takanosho! By the way, are these Kimonos or Yukatas?
As for the Yusho, I personally don’t want an 11-4 Yusho. I am going to repeat what a lot of people are thinking and posting. Onosanto beat the Yokozuna, 3 Ozeki and both Sekiwake. He’s proven himself to be worthy of the Yusho pure and simple.
Andy, I really appreciate it when you post here for all of us who are not on twitter. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again – Thank You!
May it end, the crazy basho…
Onosato yusho: no objections.
Kimono: ø Takanosho
No X account, I’d prefer it on 立会いWebsite
Thank you very much for reporting, dear Andy – and all discussion on important sumo things. Always pleasure to read!
Onosato deserves the yusho for sure, but as a Hoshoryu fan, I can’t help but hope that Abi will give my guy a chance. As long as it doesn’t turn into Abi actually taking the cup again, of course :) Though I have to give it to him, he was also very good this basho. So who says he’ll henka tomorrow? :)
I’d also like to see more of the kimonos over here, as I’m not on twitter. Or more of anything, for that matter. It would be great to have a bit more content to liven up the desert between basho.
Fashion yusho– I have to give this round to Ryuden’s red and gold.
I’m torn on these topsy-turvy bashos where anything can happen. They’re exciting, but on the other hand, it would be nice to see a dominant, consistent sanyaku.
abisolutely no way he beats Ono tomo
Hey Sumo Gods!, The dream for tonight is simple:
1) Onosato loses to Abi, both are 11-4
2) Daieisho beats Kotoshoho to go to 11-4
3) Hoshoryu beats Kotozakura to go to 11-4
4) Hoshoryu takes it all by winning the 4-way play-off