I love the NHK shots of the two Nagoya stadiums. You have the 1960s Sweatbox Dolphin’s Arena on one side and the modern design of IG Arena on the other. Back away a little to add in the sleek, ancient Nagoya Castle for quite the contrast. I look forward to what I presume will be the demolition of the old building.

In lower division action, Enho did win his Day 3 matchup and will get tomorrow off.

NHK posts the video footage here. Day Three coverage of Juryo Part I and Part II. Makuuchi Part I and Part II.

Day Three Highlights

Nishikifuji (2-1) defeated Kagayaki (1-2). Kagayaki was in attack mode after the tachiai. Nishikifuji transformed the bout when he was able to get inside Kagayaki’s oshi attack and get a belt grip. Nishikifuji thend drove Kagayaki out. Yorikiri.

Bushozan (2-1) defeated Roga (1-2). Solid sumo from Bushozan today. He kept Roga in front of him and steadily cornered Roga at the edge with excellent footwork and constant tsuppari. He then shoved Roga over the edge. Oshidashi.

Roga will fight Nishikifuji on Day Four.

Wakatakakage (2-1) defeated Endo (1-2). Wakatakakage just overpowered Endo from the tachiai. Endo tried a slapdown as Wakatakakage drove him toward the edge. But Wakatakakage shrugged it off and drove Endo over the tawara. Oshidashi.

Wakatakakage will target Bushozan tomorrow. Endo will face Kagayaki.

Takarafuji (2-1) defeated the shadow of Hokutofuji (0-3). Hokutofuji pressed forward with his usual oshi attack. A nodowa drove Takarafuji back to the tawara. Hokutofuji then tried a slapdown but Takarafuji kept his balance and launched his counter attack. He quickly forced Hokutofuji to the edge and shoved him over. Yorikiri.

Asanoyama (3-0) defeated Churanoumi (2-1). Churanoumi immediately went for the maemitsu but Asanoyama batted his hands away. Asanoyama then fought hard to establish a right-hand inside position on Churanoumi’s belt. Once he locked in on the belt with both hands, he advanced quickly and drove Churanoumi over the edge.

Churanoumi will take on Takarafuji tomorrow.

Bizzaro-yamamoto (2-1) defeated Nishikigi (0-3). What the hell was Ichiyamamoto doing on the belt? Well, it sure worked. He fought to establish a hold of Nishikigi’s belt and drove his straight back and out. Remember back when Nishikigi was in sanyaku? He’s on his way to Juryo now. They must have beaten him up. Yorikiri.

Ichiyamamoto will not want anything to do with Asanoyama’s belt tomorrow. I can assure you of that. The shadow of Nishikigi will fight the shadow of Hokutofuji.

Shodai (1-2) defeated Midorifuji (1-2). No silliness from Shodai today. All business against Midorifuji as he patiently worked for a solid yotsu attack. The two-handed belt grip over Midorifuji’s back wasn’t getting Shodai anywhere. He released with his right and used his left-hand grip to spin Midorifuji around and out. Uwatenage.

Oshoma (3-0) defeated Tamawashi (2-1). As Tamawashi charged forward, Oshoma slapped him down. Hikiotoshi.

Oshoma will fight Midorifuji tomorrow.

Ryuden (1-2) defeated Kinbozan (0-3). Ryuden locked in. Two handed belt grip, head firmly in Kinbozan’s chest. Kinbozan did not seem to get much power from his own belt hold. Ryuden closed quickly and forced him to the edge. Ryuden patiently waited out his counter attack, maintained his own forward pressure and walked him over the edge. Yorikiri.

Ryuden will take on Shodai. Kinbozan will face Tamawashi.

Kotoshoho (2-1) destroyed Sadanoumi (2-1). Wow. Fierce tachiai, followed with firm tsuppari. Once he had Sadanoumi on the edge he blasted him into the third row. The kid must’ve eaten his Wheaties this morning. Tsukidashi with extreme prejudice. The highlight bout of the first half of action.

Halftime

Takanosho (1-2) defeated Oho (1-2). You can pinpoint the moment Takanosho won this bout. It’s the moment Oho pulled and tried that pathetic slapdown. Before that, it was a great, well contested battle. Oho was trying to advance and was looking good. As soon as he put the gear into reverse, however, he was toast. Oshidashi.

Sadanoumi will dust himself off and face Oho.

Shonannoumi (3-0) defeated Onosho (0-3). Onosho was super-charged and eager to slam into Shonannoumi at the tachiai. Shonannoumi shifted right and pulled the eager beaver onto his belly. Uwatedashinage.

Shonannoumi will fight Kotoshoho and hopefully one of the No-show’s will show up.

Tobizaru (2-1) defeated Ura (2-1). More like, Ura lost this one. The two locked horns early. Tobizaru steadily cornered Ura so Ura lashed out and blasted Tobizaru backward. From there, Ura tried a slapdown but Tobizaru was unfazed, pursued Ura and shoved him backwards. Ura lost his balance and fell hard on his butt. Oshitaoshi.

Sanyaku

Onosato (1-2) defeated Daieisho (1-2) Onosato read the brief. He withstood some powerful thrusts then shifted to the side and slapped Daieisho down onto his belly. It pays to prepare for a bout. Hatakikomi.

Hiradoumi (1-2) defeated Abi (1-2). Hiradoumi’s Abi-zumo was stronger than Abi’s. Oshidashi.

Kirishima (3-0) defeated Gonoyama (1-2). Gonoyama timed his charge simultaneous with Kirishima’s ill-advised pull. This forced Kirishima back to the edge quickly and I’m sure we all thought the same thing, “Oh, crap.” But Kirishima regrouped at the bales, locked in on Gonoyama’s belt and forced the action back to the center of the dohyo. After a brief tussle for belt grips. Gonoyama heaved the pair toward the edge where he tried a throw but Kirishima countered with one of his own and stayed up on his feet and in bounds a beat longer as Gonoyama flopped to his belly. Uwatenage.

Hoshoryu (2-1) defeated Mitakeumi (1-2). Mitakeumi’s strength does seem to be coming back. He wrapped up Hoshoryu and tried to power him backwards. He is just too high, though, in his attack. Hoshoryu quickly turned the tables by turning Mitakeumi. He spun him back to the edge, and walked him out. Yorikiri.

Kotozakura (2-1) defeated Meisei (1-2). Meisei pulled and Kotozakura followed, quickly ushering Meisei over the edge.

Atamifuji (2-1) defeated Takakeisho (1-2). Takakeisho tried a quick slapdown which caught Atamifuji by surprise; he stumbled forward but did not panic. He regained his balance, backed up and re-engaged with the Ozeki. Atamifuji hit the Ozeki from the side, grabbed his belt and forced him ingloriously to the ground. Yoritaoshi.

Terunofuji (3-0) defeated Wakamotoharu (2-1). Dominant. Terunofuji hit Wakamotoharu hard at the tachiai and did not stop until Wakamotoharu was falling from the dohyo.

Wrap-up

Terunofuji leads the charge. This is great to see. He has been powerful and dominant so far. He is not trying to overwhelm with the kimedashi strategy from earlier tournaments. Instead, he’s staying low and charging ahead with overwhelming force.

Atamifuji gets a bit of a reprieve after facing the three Ozeki. He will face Ura tomorrow. We shall see if Kirishima can keep his streak alive against Daieisho. Hiradoumi will need to dig deep against Onosato and Abi will fight Meisei. Tobizaru is being thrown to Takakeisho while Hoshoryu will face Gonoyama and Kotozakura will fight what’s left of Wakamotoharu. Terunofuji will fight Mitakeumi. I would not sleep on that musubi. Mitakeumi has a way of shaking things up…or being a Beard Papa cream puff. Let’s hope for the former, shall we?