Despite our fears of numerous kyujo resulting from yesterday’s bruising action, only Asanoyama is officially out of the tournament due to his knee injury. It sounds like we will not see him again until he falls into Sandanme. According to Kyodo, that would be a March return. Takasago Oyakata thinks it would take that considerable time to return to the dohyo.
Chiyoshoma will return from kyujo tomorrow.
In the second division, Nabatame showed up and hit Hakuoho with a solid tachiai but Hakuoho slapped him down.
NHK videos here. Juryo Part I and Part II. Makuuchi Part I and Part II.
Day 5 Makuuchi Action
Bushozan (3-2) defeated Daiamami (0-5). Bushozan’s attack is to hit the opponent with a body blast and hold that right arm nodowa. Daiamami tried to put an end to it by bear hugging him. A buttered Bushozan slipped to the side and Daiamami tumbled to the floor. Tsukiotoshi.
Nishikifuji (3-2) defeated Endo (1-4). Endo hit out hard at the tachiai but everyone in the stadium knew he would start moving backwards. Nishikifuji let him back out and even offered a kind hand to stop him from falling into the crowd. Endo, how did you get back to Makuuchi? Oshidashi.
Endo will fight Bushozan on Day 6.
Roga (3-2) defeated Takarafuji (2-3). Takarafuji fought hard to get a two-handed grip on Roga’s belt and it paid off. He had Roga on the ropes. But both hands were over-arm. This meant Roga had a firm morozashi. “Oh, no, I can’t give up a morozashi. Forget all that hard work and this great position, I gotta makikae.” Takarafuji released with his left hand to work it inside. That’s when Roga drove forward and crushed Takarafuji to the ground. Yoritaoshi.
Roga will take on Juryo-visitor, Kitanowaka, on the ‘morrow. Takarafuji will face Chiyoshoma
Hokutofuji (2-3) defeated Kagayaki (2-3). Hokutofuji is an Oshi-/Tsuki- man. Imagine his confusion when he has a firm double inside hold of Kagayaki. “What’s this? So, this is the morozashi everyone talks about. It’s nice. I could get used to this. I can move him at will. Let’s go to the bales. Oh, wait, he’s getting all sweaty. Time to let go and press forward with my head as usual. There, that’s better.” Oshidashi.
Hokutofuji will face Nishikifuji.
Wakatakakage (4-1) defeated Churanoumi (3-2). Lightning tachiai from WTK. Churanoumi tried to keep Wakatakakage at bay but the man just kept coming. As he advanced, he wrapped up Churanoumi and walked him out. Yorikiri.
Wakatakakage will battle the bullet train, Kagayaki, on Day 6.
Midorifuji (3-2) default win over Asanoyama (3-1-11). Insert teary-eyed emoji here.
Shodai (3-2) defeated Nishikigi (0-5). Shodai quickly walked Nishikigi back and out. At this point, Nishikigi is looking at a 0-15 performance. I am not sure why he is not kyujo. Yorikiri.
Nishikigi will have another tough day against Midorifuji tomorrow.
Tamawashi (4-1) defeated Ichiyamamoto (3-2). Wily Tamawashi did not henka Ichiyamamoto but his inashi attack was just as hilariously effective. He met him firmly at the tachiai. Immediately after the tachiai, he slipped to the side and Ichiyamamoto ran right past, clear off the dohyo. As Ichiyamamoto climbed back to the dohyo, Tamawashi gave him this look, “What you in such a hurry for, kid?” Tsukiotoshi.
Ichiyamamoto will fight Churanoumi.
Oshoma (4-1) defeated Kotoshoho (3-2). Oshoma used the “inashi” strategy, as well. Kotoshoho charged forward and Oshoma slipped to the side. Kotoshoho was slow to react to the change in direction and Oshoma immediately followed up with a quick shove to blast Kotoshoho off the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Oshoma will fight Shodai and Kotoshoho will fight good old Tom O’Washi.
Oho (3-2) defeated Kinbozan (0-5). Kinbozan pulled after the tachiai. Oho adjusted and pursued, slamming into Kinbozan, time and time again as Kinbozan retreated along the tawara. Oho was leading with his head to Kinbozan’s face each time he attacked. Kinbozan seemed rather irritated as he glared at Oho before turning and walking down the hanamichi. Oshidashi.
Halftime
Takanosho (3-2) defeated Ryuden (1-4). Takanosho steadily advanced and drove Ryuden from the dohyo. Ryuden tried one weak pull which Takanosho ignored. Oshidashi.
Ryuden versus Oho might be a good time to go get some more tea.
Shonannoumi (4-1) defeated Sadanoumi (2-3). Shonannoumi shifted right after the tachiai and slapped Sadanoumi down. As Sadanoumi stumbled past, Shonannoumi pulled on Sadanoumi’s mawashi, effectively bowling him into the crowd. “Strike!” Uwatenage.
Shonannoumi will face a very frustrated Kinbozan. Sadanoumi will try to regroup against Takanosho.
Tobizaru (4-1) defeated Meisei (2-3). Tobizaru’s strategy is a two-step attack. The first step is to charge forward and blast the opponent. This is followed with a slapdown attempt as Tobizaru backs up. Rinse, repeat as necessary. He needed about five or six attacks before his charge was forceful enough to knock Meisei out. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Daieisho (3-2) defeated Hiradoumi (2-3). This bout was a bruising oshi-/tsuki- battle as the two competitors laid into each other. Daieisho ended it with a pull by slapping Hiradoumi down near the edge. The Ancient Lost Art of Hatakikomi.
Abi (2-3) defeated Atamifuji (2-3). Abi pulled and Atamifuji stumbled forward. When Atamifuji put on the brakes and stopped at the edge, Abi grabbed his mawashi from the back and slammed him down. Abi finally picked up his first non-fusen win of the tournament. Okurinage.
Onosato (2-3) defeated Kirishima (3-2). Calm, composed and collected. Onosato batted Kirishima’s arm away from his belt and used his right arm to keep Kirishima at bay. Meanwhile, he advanced driving Kirishima back and over the edge with his Oshi attack. Oshidashi.
Mitakeumi (2-3) defeated Kotozakura (3-2). Kotozakura pulled on Mitakeumi and pulled, trying to Uwatenage the former Ozeki. Mitakeumi fought back while balanced on one leg and pulled Kotozakura forward. Both men fell at the edge. Gunbai Mitakeumi? Mono-ii. Forensic review of the video replay showed Kotozakura landed a fraction of a second before Mitakeumi. Gunbai-dori. I thought this could easily be do-tai and we would get a torinaoshi (rematch). Mitakeumi seemed gassed and very thankful that we did not get bonus sumo. Shitatenage.
Takakeisho (2-3) defeated Ura (3-2). Takakeisho launched himself forward as Ura pulled, sending both clear of the dohyo. Ura clearly stepped out while in retreat. Yorikiri.
Hoshoryu (3-2) defeated Wakamotoharu (2-3). Wakamotoharu nearly locked in with both hands on Hoshoryu’s belt. As he reached to get his right hand grip back, Hoshoryu wrapped up his arm at the shoulder and twisted. This pulled Wakamotoharu to the bales. Hoshoryu finished him off with a shove. Oshitaoshi set up by Kotenage.
Terunofuji (5-0) defeated Gonoyama (2-3) Gonoyama tried. I’ll give him that. Terunofuji got a solid hold of his belt, a bit of gabburi-yotsu worked Gonoyama to the edge and a hard shove sent Gonoyama out. Oshidashi.
Wrap-up
Takakeisho got a much-needed win today. He is definitely vulnerable and will need to capitalize on his opponents’ mistakes, like today, to clear that kadoban. Terunofuji leads our crew, which is nice. But it does not appear any of the Ozeki will be challenging him at this point. It is still far too early to think about the yusho race but it is not too early to determine who is already out of it — and that means basically everyone who is or ever was or wants to be an Ozeki.
Onosato will fight Meisei tomorrow. That should be a lock if he wants to keep this Ozeki run going into Aki (note: we’re not talking about or thinking about promotion here anymore; that ship sailed). Abi will fight Daieisho. Kirishima will face Hiradoumi. Hoshoryu will fight Ura and Kotozakura will fight Gonoyama. Takakeisho will have a tough one against Wakamotoharu. Terunofuji will face Tobizaru.
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‘that means everyone who is or ever was or wants to be an ozeki..’
I can see the faces of agony, all of them. Thank you for the nice wrap up.
Thank you! It is painful to think of all of them.
it is actually a problem if the Yokozuna wins this tournament. Once he reaches 10 yushos, he is ready for retirement. And there is nobody even close to reach the rank
Endo injured maybe? That’s 100% true for Nishikigi as you said. There’s definitely an injury bug hanging out at the edge of the dohyo for this basho.
I think Terunofuji has realized that everyone else has to beat him, so he’ll just do what he’s good at and not worry about anything else. With the current crop of rikishi, that’s a solid strategy and it means that there’s less wear and tear on his body.
It seems like Atamifuji is heading for a humbling this basho. I hope he learns the lessons he’s being taught.
I have no idea what’s wrong with Abi, but there’s definitely something going on there. He’s completely inconsistent and he isn’t pulling any henkas. I literally called for one of those at the start of today’s match and was surprised when it didn’t happen.
I suspect we’re going to have to have a lot of churn in the top division again soon. Both Kirishima and Takakeisho are rolling dice for wins every single day at this point and everyone else is just as inconsistent except for the Yokozuna.
I think Endo’s been injured since he was (briefly) in sanyaku, maybe even before. I was kind of shocked he did so well in Juryo.
One rikishi who came close to becoming an Ozeki and still wants it badly is M14 Wakatakakage, who is lurking in the weeds, very much in contention for this yusho.
Asanoyama’s decision to undergo surgery sadly reminds me of Kisenosato’s disastrous decision to avoid the knife. He had just reached the rank at which he could take the time to properly address his pectoral injury without plummeting down the banzuke; he instead chose the hopeless rehab route which left him a shadow of his former self. What might his Yokozuna career have looked like if he had decided differently?
Wakatakakage never came close to Ozeki. He had two double digit tournaments in Sanyaku. One was a 12win Yusho and after two mediocre tournaments he got to 11 one more time. He was on a run, but lacked the consistency.
He is in a very good position this basho. Far down the banzuke with one loss already and an undefeated Yokozuna, he might keep an easy schedule deep into week 2.
Fell like there might be a lot of “ship” sailing throughout this basho.
The other day, it was Onosato’s possible Ozeki promotion after this basho (which in his case, might still just be doing a turn around the island before coming back to dock.)
And today, it was Asanoyama’s knee (and perhaps career). And this one was really a teary ship to see set sail. Look at it go….there it goes….on the horizon of that orange sunset….. (｡ó﹏ò)
roll the Titanic movie song
Abi made my day, surprisingly, by picking Atamifuji from the tawara and finishing him in the center of the plate. Nice idea, had a kind of je ne sais quoi.
Very mysterious was this Oho/Kinbozan fight. What the heck…? I didn‘t find any trigger in the replay.
Kirishimas feet seem weak again. Sad.
Not sure but it looked to me like yesterday’s bout irritated Kirishima’s neck injury. I hope he can shake it off, as only sumo do.
There’s something up with Hokutofuji and has been since his deep run a few basho back there’s been less headbutting more questions.
Asa was brutal to lose and in the way he went down just as he was getting back to it. They really did him an injustice with that suspension especially given other garbage that’s come to light since. He’s not the same man as he was before he went out there’s less fire (admittedly I’ve never been a fan of his).
WTK looks amazing, but we need the young Ozeki to clean up (looking at Hoshoryu and Kotozakura).
I have less concern for Kiri given who his stable master is (biggest brain in sumo the former Kakuryu).
Loving seeing Enho back. Some bright spots in Juryo.
The guard is changing painfully. Very, very painfully.
There is hope.
Poor Asanoyama, hoping desperately that doesn’t end his career. I’ve never been a fan of him but seeing him helped into the wheelchair nearly brought me to tears. I don’t know, maybe I’m just sentimental.
A little worried for some of the others too after yesterday: Hoshoryu’s pec? The Flying Monkey’s wrist? Some hard falls, too, but everyone seems OK. Hope that stays!
Just brutal from Little Taiho and Kinbozan today: stop headbutting the poor man, Oho! Gosh.
Asanoyama might not be done, but I think any idea of him running back to Ozeki is over now. If he really returns in march, he will likely be at the bottom of sandanme an need at least 3 tournaments to get back to juryo, another two to get back to makuuchi and that’s even everything goes perfect. He will be 32 when he possibly returns to upper half of Makuuchi, where he already didn’t bulldoze his way this time and that knee will surely not make him stronger.
I liked him when he rose through the ranks, as I like strong yotsu guys, but he will have wasted 3 years of his prime thanks to that kyabakura incident and now loses another two due to this injury. Really unfortunate. He was an element that’s currently lacking in makuuchi (with the very sporadic appearances of Teru).
His performance in Makuuchi had not been at Ozeki level, either…and whenever he got close to sanyaku he would get hurt.
Exactly. One could say there were glimmers of the Ozeki Asanoyama and there was a hope that it was just rust he needed to churn off, but now that return to form has become extremely unlikely. I just wish we can get some more strong belt guys. Kotozakura is too passive for my taste.
Asanoyama is done. I don’t know what he was like before as I only started watching sumo during his suspension, but since his comeback it’s been one injury after the other. So even if he could come back from this one, what would he be coming back to?
For some, sumo is their life. As former sanyaku and former Ozeki, he would be eligible to become an oyakata/coach. He might not be ready for that because he would have to acquire a kabu, and there are not many available and they’re pricey. Also, he may not be ready to find his next career. If he showed up at a Sumo and Sushi, I would hope the whole place would be sold out with Tachiai readers. I’m calling dibs on fight tickets, though. I think I could take him!