Glad to hear many of you like the idea of the somenuki yusho. That will give me something to do during June, after the big haircuts. Yesterday, I had posted Heat 2 and I was rather surprised at the outcome. I knew it would be tight but I expected Mitakeumi to claim this one, maybe with Shodai in second. I liked Tsurugisho’s simple kimono which featured his first name, Momotaro. But Shonannoumi’s tiger claimed the heat.
Don’t worry, after the first round heats, I will bring these onto the site directly for the final poll, rather than on Elmo’s “Free Spam, I mean, Free Speech” platform. It was a spur of the moment thing the other day but I can do this properly in the future.
Videos of the Makuuchi and Juryo Action are here. Makuuchi Part I & Part II, Juryo Part I & Part II.
That was a bit more important today since NHK allowed the Tokyo Derby to pre-empt the first several bouts of Makuuchi. I am sure folks fired up their VPNs and did not miss any action. Although, if you blinked at the wrong time, you would have missed Wakatakakage’s henka to secure the Juryo yusho.
Special Prize Announcements:
Fighting spirit prizes for Oshoma and Shonannoumi are conditional on each wrestler winning today. Onosato won the technique prize, unconditionally. He, Abi, and Daieisho are also contending for Outstanding Performance prizes, conditional upon winning the yusho. No prize consideration for the Ozeki. They’re expected to be in contention (and occasionally win these things…ahem!!!).
The Action
Roga (7-8) defeated Tokihayate (6-9). Roga just enveloped Tokihayate and drove him to the ground. Oshitaoshi.
Hokutofuji (7-8) defeated Takarafuji (9-6). Hokutofuji’s tsuppari was too much for Takarafuji today. Oshidashi.
Ryuden (10-5) defeated Sadanoumi (9-6). Positional victory for Ryuden as he worked Sadanoumi over the bales. Both had established solid belt grips and this is a great yotsu battle. But it is one where Ryuden’s footwork and strength won the day. Yorikiri.
Oshoma (10-5) defeated Kinbozan (8-7). Oshoma shoved a soft Kinbozan over the bales. Maybe Oshoma’s fighting spirit was enough for both of them today. Yorikiri.
Shodai (7-8) defeated Tomokaze (2-13). Tomokaze could barely put weight on his right leg. Easy win for Shodai as he pressed forward and shoved Tomokaze over the bales. Oshidashi
Ichiyamamoto (8-7) defeated Tamawashi (7-8). One of two Darwin bouts today. Tamawashi’s thrusts overpowered Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari but Ichiyamamoto slipped to his right as he reached the straw bales and the misdirection was enough to see Tamawashi flop to his belly. Tsukiotoshi.
Nishikigi (5-10) defeated Tsurugisho (3-12). The obvious outcome occurred. Tsurugisho will get some much needed rest and may be able to drink from the fountain of youth in Juryo. Results may vary, however. Myogiryu and Kotoeko were not as energized as Endo and Takarafuji have been. Yorikiri.
Meisei (10-5) defeated Shonannoumi (9-6). Meisei overpowered Shonannoumi and did not succumb to Shonannoumi’s kotenage attempt. Denied of his special prize, Shonannoumi walked into Meisei after the bell. Meisei seemed nonplussed. I would not be surprised if Meisei is waiting for Shonannoumi in the parking lot afterwards. Yorikiri.
Onosho (7-8) defeated Nishikifuji (5-10). Poorly timed and executed pull from Nishikifuji. Onosho kept pace in pursuit and drove Nishikifuji over the bales. Yorikiri.
Halftime.
Oho (6-9) defeated Midorifuji (5-10). No pull from Oho today. Instead, Midorifuji attempted the slapdown but Oho kept his balance and finished Midorifuji off with a final thrust. Tsukidashi.
Tobizaru (6-9) defeated Churanoumi (8-7). Quick slapdown after the tachiai. Tobizaru caught Churanoumi on the arm and thrust him to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.
Takayasu (7-3-5) defeated Gonoyama (6-9). Takayasu absorbed Gonoyama’s attack and then waited him out in the center of the ring with a left-hand over-arm belt grip. Uwatedashinage.
Hiradoumi (9-6) defeated Mitakeumi (8-7). Mitakeumi hit Hiradoumi hard at the tachiai. I was a bit surprised by his forward progress. Hiradoumi quickly wrapped up his belt and from his low position was able to turn Mitakeumi and drive him back through the dohyo and over the bales. Yorikiri.
Daieisho (11-4) defeated Kotoshoho (8-7). Daieisho’s thrusting, brawling brand of sumo was on full display here. It was like he could smell yusho. Kotoshoho did his best and nearly got Daieisho with a bit of misdirection but Daieisho locked on and beat Kotoshoho down. Depending on the outcome of Onosato/Abi, Daieisho may have earned a spot in a playoff. Tsukiotoshi.
Takanosho (8-7) defeated Atamifuji (7-8). Our second Darwin bout. Takanosho punished Atamifuji for his uninspired pull attempt and earned his kachi-koshi. Atamifuji will need to retool if he hopes to crack sanyaku. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Ura (7-8) defeated Wakamotoharu (4-8-3). Ura fought back, charged forward, and drove Wakamotoharu out. Yorikiri.
Onosato (12-3) defeated Abi (10-5) and won his first Top Division yusho. Abi came out blasting straight ahead with his tsuppari. Onosato had planned for this, however. He blasted Abi’s right shoulder as hard as he could from the left. This threw Abi off balance and Onosato followed up with blasts of his own. Abi fell from the dohyo and Onosato stood, victorious. Makuuchi Champion. Oshidashi.
Kotozakura (11-4) defeated Hoshoryu (10-5). Oh. You’re still here? It’s not over? Oh, that’s right, we have another bout left between the remaining Ozeki. At least there is a massive stack of cash awaiting the winner of this. Hoshoryu pressed forward into Kotozakura. Kotozakura released his left-hand belt grip and wrapped up Hoshoryu’s right arm, then dragged Hoshoryu down to the ground for an anti-climactic kotenage.
Wrap-up
Congratulations to Onosato on winning his first Top Division title! Onosato will lock up his Sekiwake promotion and may have kicked off his Ozeki run. Depending on how desperate the Kyokai is for a solid Ozeki, he might be two legs deep, already. Despite being M5 in Osaka, usually just outside the joi, he did face the sanyaku and even took down an Ozeki, two Sekiwake and a Komusubi on his way to a jun-yusho. With three Ozeki, though, I do not think the Kyokai will be chomping at the bit to promote too quickly. But two more double-digit performances and we could have a new Ozeki by Kyushu.
We will dive deeper into the implications and outcomes of Natsu soon. Along with his title, Onosato claimed two more special prizes. Oshoma also earned his Fighting Spirit prize.
Thank you to all Tachiai readers for riding this roller-coaster, yet again. June will be fairly quiet, event-wise. No Jungyo there are a few items to track early, including the retirement ceremonies for Ishiura (6/1), Akiseyama (6/2) and Chiyonokuni (6/8). I will also keep my eyes open for any reports from Isegahama Ichimon regarding updates to the status of Miyagino-beya and its hopeful re-opening. Fingers crossed!
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Clearly the Sumo Gods either didn’t hear me or they hate me.
Yesterday I posted:
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
I went 1-4 (Daieisho won), big time make-koshi for me.
Ayayayayaya, thx for the crisp daily updates, see you all in July.
This basho was really weird, lots of Kyujos, with depleted Sanyaku and Ozekis are doing Henka.
But Onosato really deserved the Yusho
Defeated the Yokozuna and few Sanyakus. Also he had Jun Yusho last time.
Kotozakura defeating Hoshoryu was expected as he had dominated him with 4-1 record, but didn’t expect him to throw him of so easily.
Sad about Ura and Takayasu Make koshi.
Next basho there will be 3 Sekiwake as Kiribayama will be demoted.
And there is a chance for Hiradoumi to reach Sanyaku as Komusubi.
well deserved Yusho for Onosato
How would Sanyaku end? I am not clear about Komosubi
Yokozuna – Terunofuji
Ozeki – Kotozakura, Hoshoryu, Takakeisho (kadoban)
Sekiwake – Abi, Onosato, Kirishima
Komosubi – Daieisho firm, but is it Hiradoumi or Wakamotoharu?
I think it should be Hiradoumi, but I don’t know if from Sekiwake you can go down directly to Maegashira
A 4-win basho at Sekiwake should definitely drop him to Maegashira. Daieisho had 6 wins last time and got bumped down to M1.
Sometimes the Kyokai values balance on the banzuke. I think Daieisho is a Sekiwake candidate now.
Would Daieisho be able to immediately go to back to Sekiwake though? Despite having 11 wins from M1w, Abi and Onosato are essentially locked as the two Sekiwake, and with Kirishima as an Ōzekiwake and Hiradoumi as the West Komusubi, I feel as though I can confidently state that Daieisho will be the East Komusubi in July. Would they really have 4 Sekiwake and then bring Meisei up to Komusubi?
If they have to have 3 Sekiwake, I think they would prefer 4. The one Yokozuna will be balanced by three Ozeki. Three Sekiwake would create unnecessary imbalance.
While not completely irrational, I believe that the number of San’yaku will remain the same, as I believe has been done in other Ōzekiwake situations.
However, I would like to see Abi, Onosato, Daieisho, and Kiribayama as the Sekiwake to have Hiradoumi and Meisei as the Komusubi!
Congrats to Onosato for winning the Yusho and doing it convincingly. The NHK commentators said that a shin-Komosubi had not won a tournament since Hatsu 1957, 67 years ago.
Takerufuji’s rookie-Makuuchi Yusho last tournament was the first time in 110 years that that had occurred.
We are witnessing a sea change in the ranks. There are some outstanding newcomers being developed by the stablemasters that will be fun to watch.
Wonderful job on the reporting Andy, and everyone else as well. Looking forward to Nagoya.
Thank you! I’m eager to see where this heads over the summer.
Congratulations Onosanto – Well Done and Well Deserved!!!
Congratulations Wakatakakage!!! I’m a huge fan (not so much a fan of henka), but who could imagine his comeback would be so quick!!! Absolutely Amazing!!! (wasn’t it Tickle Me Elmo that said “Waka Waka Waka”)?
This round of Fashion Show: Shonnanoumi – Beautiful Tiger!
Thanks Again for all of the Juryo Videos as well the Fashion Show and the lovely lessons on Japanese Culture, etc. Love how you are always improving the web site too! I can Always count on you, Andy, Iksumo and Team Tachiai for the Best and Most Accurate Web Site, along with humor and Japanese Cultural Learning, which I appreciate! Thank You All So Very Much!!! This basho was really interesting. Can’t wait for the next basho and Iksumo’s prognostications!!!
I thought it was Fozzie from the Muppets who said Waka, Waka, Waka. I will have to look that up.
Thanks! I’m curious too!
It was Fozzie Bear! Waka waka waka for sure.
The Onami brothers back together in the top division.
Well deserved yusho for our first (of many) time champ. The only man to beat the yokozuna this basho, by simple dint of being the only one to get the chance.
Abi would have been a terrible spoiler with two fusen wins counting towards his total.
Hoshoryu started weakly but improved as the basho went on.
Kotozakura never really brought his best stuff this basho and the final tally of 11-4 probably flatters him. He could easily have lost to both Wakamotoharu and Tobizaru. His movement seemed a little off and he was often excessively reactive and defensive. More than likely he wasn’t 100% physically but then again in this sport who is?
Gonoyama and Hiradoumi brought good fighting spirit to the upper maegashira ranks .
Thanks Andy and Tachiai for the great coverage! I also appreciate your “off-season” articles, looking forward to those.
Thank you Andy and Tachiai !
This basho was incredible ! Onosato absolutely deserved it.
I totaly loved also how the leaderboard changed so many time.
Can’t wait to read the special “crystal ball” Tachiai banzuke after that to see who will/might probably go down and go up.
Cheers !
Congratulations to Onosato! Stay healthy….
Thank you so much Andy and all of Team Tachiai, always wonderful and much appreciated. (Also best wishes to Bruce and family, you are not forgotten!)
I would have voted for Shodai’s somenuki, because that ???ox/cape/demon??? is so intriguing. (I love the bizarreness of many yokai.) I look forward to the fashion show continuing!
Thank you once again for the great coverage Andy.
I do like these links to the videos at the top.
I watched the second half live this morning for once (Amazed to find that NHK World is on Freeview in the UK!) and so really appreciated the match reports of the first half together with the highlights links.
Great point. I really want to make sure everyone knows, NHK World is a free stream they usually offer an hour of coverage on Days 1, 8, and 15. Just go to the NHK World website.
Well, this basho was a little unusual, to say the least! Although I still enjoyed the variety.
I do believe that Onosanto did deserve to win. Anything can happen when there is no Yokozuna and a missing Ozeki or two. I wonder what would the outcomes have been, if Terunofuji would have retired after his big come back a few tournaments ago and left healthy and on top, instead of hanging on and pushing himself like a wounded warrior.
Thanks Andy for your great insight and now for the fantastic Rikishi couture! I look forward to some goodies from you during June, anything is better than nothing while waiting for the next basho! And thanks to the terrific Tachiai participants who always inform and entertain me. Osu!
I am still disappointed Koto had such a lifeless loss to Abi on Day 14, I thought he could go all the way (at least to a 1v1 playoff with Onosato). Congratulations to the young fella, very well deserved Yusho. Thank you for all your insights and coverage Andy!
Thank you for reading!
Andy, thanks again for the perennially great and informative coverage. At least this time, NHK / Hiro got to show the championship bout (the broadcast hadn’t even started when Takerufuji won last time). My favorite part was Onosato’s father’s reactions. We need more of that in sumo!
Onosato’s dad was adorable. He looked more anxious than his son!
Hi, Heat 2 Fashion show vote, D. Mitakeumi. Love the Japanese flag on front and beach scene on back honoring the “umi” part of his Shikona, meaning sea. A special fabric design tailor made just for him! 😃
Ok, I am replying to my comment, that’s a first! Anyway just noticed the flag on the back of Mitakeumi’s Yukata. It is the flag of the Philippines, home country of his mother. Very special and thoughtful design! Love it even more!!