Shonichi is here! In just a few hours the familiar sound of hyoshigi will signal the start of action in Nagoya. This is scheduled to be the final tournament in the intimate, spicy-hot Dolphins Arena, built in the 1960s. From next summer they will move a few blocks to the new, larger IG Arena, on the other side of moat in front of Nagoya Castle. The new venue has an advertised capacity of 17,000 so we hope tickets will be cheaper and easier to come by from 2025.

Pivoting to Ngoya 2024, we have two sekitori who are kyujo from Day 1: Chiyoshoma and Takerufuji. Takerufuji is still nursing a ligament injury in his right ankle, suffered during his historic championship run earlier this year. He has fallen to the second rung on the Juryo ladder while Chiyoshoma has just earned a promotion back to Makuuchi. It is quite possible that one or both men will participate later in the tournament. News out of Isegahama states that Takerufuji has not been practicing with sekitori yet, still working with lower-ranked wresters. But he likely only needs one or two wins to secure his own sekitori status for Aki.

Day 1 Bouts

Top Division action will open with bottom-ranked Nishikifuji facing Tokihayate, visiting from Juryo. Kagayaki and Bushozan face off next, followed by Roga versus Endo. Wakatakakage should breeze past Takarafuji as he seeks to rejoin his brother at the top of the division.

Then, Hokutofuji will face Churanoumi and Asanoyama will fight Nishikigi. Hokutofuji and Asanoyama are ranked much lower than their abilities and could clean up down here. The difficult bit is that really seems to be the case for loads of guys. The next three bouts, for example, feature a mix of maegashira mainstays, former champions, and up-and-comers in Ichiyamamoto vs Midorifuji, Shodai vs Tamawashi, and Oshoma vs Kinbozan. I really hope both Shodai and Tamawashi are up to it this basho.

After those heated battles, we’ll have Ryuden vs Sadanoumi, which is a bout most people will sleep on. But on Day 1 these two belt-specialists could give us a real highlight. Next, Kotoshoho and Oho are still trying to find their way. Let’s hope Oho’s way is not stuck in reverse. Takanosho and Shonannoumi follow with Onosho battling crowd-favorite, Ura. The final rank-and-filer match features Tobizaru, who has yet to find an answer for Gonoyama.

Sanyaku

If Kirishima is to get his quest for 10 wins off to a good start, he will have his work cut out for him against fellow former Ozeki, Takayasu. Onosato is also eyeing Ozeki rank, and the Kyokai have put another former Ozeki as the first challenge on that path. Kirishima AND Onosato need wins.

Abi versus Wakamotoharu will be a firecracker bout…while I am eager to see what condition Takakeisho is in for his fight with Meisei. We’ll close out the night with three interesting pairings: Atamifuji vs Hoshoryu, Kotozakura vs Daieisho, and finally Yokozuna Terunofuji will face Hiradoumi in the musubi-no-ichiban.

Frankly, it will all come down to who is in relatively good condition and which wrestlers are still fighting with significant injuries. Shonichi will bring it all into focus. We could very well have a raft of upsets tonight with another free-for-all yusho race.

Lower Division Action

Enho will not begin his comeback tonight. He will be in action on Day 2. We will see Kotomotomura-kun fight his first professional bout against Isegahama’s Miyafuji. From next tournament, Kotomotomura will be fighting under Kotoshogiku’s banner in a newly-opened heya. Up in Makushita we will see both tsukedashi fighters in action. For more background on the men themselves, check out Justin’s introduction. Kawabuchi II will fight against Daishoki, under the shikona Kazuma. Ishizaki II will fight Daihisho. We’ll also be watching the Hakuoho – Kayo bout with rapt attention.

Let’s go, Miyagino Beya! Gambare!