Shirokuma has taken over the lead in the Juryo yusho race, defeating Shishi. Shishi falls to 8-3 with Shimazuumi. A raft of guys lay in wait at 7-4.
Makuuchi Action
Kagayaki (7-4) defeated Tokihayate (Juryo 6-5). Tokihayate tripped as Kagayaki shoved him back. When he tripped, he stepped out. He tried to continue but the eagle-eyed shimpan called him out. Oshidashi.
Wakatakakage (8-3) defeated Chiyoshoma (3-3-5). Wakatakakage grabbed Chiyoshoma’s belt with his right hand and pulled Chiyoshoma forward. Chiyoshoma slid forward and extended his legs into a very uncomfortable split before twisting over and down to save himself from injury. Good thing these guys are flexible. Wakatakakage picked up his kachikoshi. Uwatedashinage.
Nishikigi (2-9) defeated Takarafuji (4-7). Nishikigi drove forward while Takarafuji was still fumbling for a belt grip. Once Nishikigi got momentum moving forward, Takarafuji he forced Takarafuji into the crowd. Yorikiri.
Midorifuji (7-4) defeated Bushozan (6-5). Midorifuji hit Bushozan from the side with his right hand. As Bushozan stumbled forward, Midorifuji snuck in behind and ushered him out. Okuridashi.
Oshoma (6-5) defeated Roga (5-6). After a long, thrilling yotsu battle, Oshoma twisted his body and threw a weary Roga to the ground.
Roga will take on Onokatsu from Juryo while Oshoma will fight Kagayaki. I wonder how often a Juryo wrestler fights in Makuuchi twice during the same basho.
Endo (7-4) defeated Kinbozan (3-8). Who the hell is this Endo guy? After escaping Kinbozan’s clutches earlier in the bout, Endo used his belt grip to drag Kinbozan across the ring. While being dragged, Kinbozan’s leg caught on Endo’s knee and he fell over. Where has this Endo been for the last ten years? Kinbozan isn’t exactly an Ozeki but he’s no Beard Papa crème puff just waiting to be dragged around the ring. Kirikaeshi.
Kinbozan will fight Chiyoshoma on Day 12.
Hokutofuji (5-6) defeated Ryuden (3-8). Ryuden slipped both of his hands inside, under Hokutofuji’s armpits. What a mistake. Hokutofuji clamped down hard. This kept Ryuden from moving his hands deeper and getting a belt grip. Hokutofuji then drove forward and blasted Ryuden into the crowd. Ryuden makekoshi. Kimedashi.
Yotsu-Hokutofuji will take on a rejuvenated Endo. Ryuden will fight Takarafuji.
Sadanoumi (4-7) defeated Nishikifuji (5-6). Nishikifuji lost his footing as he tried a pull. Oshitaoshi.
Sadanoumi will fight Nishikigi on Day 12.
Kotoshoho (6-5) defeated Ichiyamamoto (5-6). The pair traded tsuppari until they tired and locked into a grapple. Kotoshoho released his grip with one hand while the other was wrapped tightly onto Ichiyamamoto’s arm. Then he rotated and dragged him down. Kotenage.
Ichiyamamoto will fight Wakatakakage on Day 12.
Churanoumi (8-3) defeated Oho (6-5). Oho’s dreaded pull meant he obviously got shoved out by Churanoumi. MOVE FORWARD YOUNG MAN!
Churanoumi will battle Bushozan, Oho will fight Midorifuji.
Halftime.
Takanosho (8-3) defeated Shodai (7-4). This long-awaited highlight bout deservingly received a new set of shimpan and freshly swept dohyo. Shodai got pushed back and I am sure he was going to try some fancy escape at the edge but he stumbled backwards over the tawara and lost before he could manage any kind of offense. “Zzzzzzzzzzzz.” Takanosho kachikoshi. Oshidashi.
Shodai will fight Kotoshoho on Day 12.
Shonannoumi (6-5) defeated Tamawashi (5-6). I think Tamawashi’s ankle is hurt. Shonannoumi drove him back like a blocking sled. Yorikiri.
Tamawashi will fight Nishikifuji on Day 12.
Tobizaru (6-5) defeated Mitakeumi (4-7). Tobizaru stopped Mitakeumi’s forward progress and then lifted his dead weight over the bales. Yorikiri.
Meisei (3-8) defeated Ura (4-7). Meisei made Ura wait in a crouch for a good long time and then blasted him with a Juggernaut tachiai. Ura ran out of ideas and made a dreadful pull/slapdown attempt. Meisei blasted him and forced him awkwardly to the bales. He then followed up with another blast that sent Ura sprawling off the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Ura will fight Takanosho and Meisei will battle Shonannoumi tomorrow.
Sanyaku
Hiradoumi (7-4) defeated Atamifuji (4-7). Hiradoumi tried an uwatenage but Atamifuji stayed upright. Unfortunately for Atamifuji, this put him up against the bales and a bit off balance, so Hiradoumi followed up with a forceful shove to send Atamifuji out of the ring. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (7-4) defeated Wakamotoharu (4-7). Daieisho did Daieisho things. WMH was just along for the ride. Oshidashi.
Wakamotoharu will fight Tobizaru tomorrow. Daieisho gets a much deserved break and will be paired against Mitake-listless.
Kirishima (6-5) defeated Kotozakura (8-3). No words. This is becoming a runaway for Terunofuji. Kirishima locked on with his left hand and dragged the deadweight Ozeki over to the bales where he shoved him out. Yorikiri.
Kirishima will fight Atamifuji tomorrow.
Takakeisho (5-6) defeated Gonoyama (3-8). Gonoyama survived the first pull attempt, but not the second. Slapdown. Tsukiotoshi.
Gonoyama is paired up with Hiradoumi tomorrow.
Hoshoryu (8-3) defeated Abi (6-5). Abi-zumo took Hoshoryu to the edge and he looked legitimately in trouble of going down there. But Hoshoryu grabbed Abi’s right arm and pulled him forward and out. Sakatottari.
Hoshoryu will fight Kotozakura tomorrow.
Onosato (6-5) defeated Terunofuji (10-1). I have nothing to say about that one. Tsukiotoshi.
Terunofuji will fight Abi and Onosato will fight Takakeisho.
Wrap-up
Nagoya 2024 is turning into, The Yusho No One Wanted. Terunofuji still has a two-bout lead over the field. The best anyone else can do is 12-3. I don’t like it. It’s a terrible day for sumo when the best bout is the Endo bout. I’ll say it right now. Improbably, both Kirishima and Takakeisho will save their ranks, Terunofuji will win a 13-2 yusho and Onosato will be promoted on the strength of his 10-5 jun yusho and victory over the Yokozuna. It is thus written. All right, guys. Now prove me wrong on Day 12. PLZ.
It might be time to pay more attention to the Juryo yusho race.
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I thought Endo looked really strong at Aki last year, better actually than one might think just from his 9-6 record, with some good showings even when he lost. I was looking forward to seeing him do something in November. (I have a comment posted on this site from back then to that effect.)
Obviously I was drastically wrong, but whatever has gone wrong since, it was too sudden to just be age catching up with him, and therefore was at least theoretically reversible. So to that extent, I’m not quite as astonished as Andy that he has come to play this time. But I’m not making any more predictions about him.
It’s a sad state when the zabuton fly for a slip and cheap Sekiwake win.
Never liked Onosato there’s something off about his cocky grin (oh right, forcing guys to drink and getting away with it). Teru wasn’t beaten there and was obviously miffed after.
Kiri looked more like himself but I feel pudding cups needs to drop say 15 kilos. He’s slower and slower and feels more like Shodai with the rope gambles and plodding sumo.
If Hoshoryu would get his head right from day one he’d be Yokozuna he’s still finding it funny. Uncle needs to slap that out of him and get him focussed. (Yes, I’m a Golden Boy fan and have been since he came in).
Parity is being driven by injuries and injuries are sucking the life from the basho more than ever.
At least WTK is back.
I miss Papayasu.
Sekiwake is the honorable third highest rank in sumo, and everyone who holds it has worked very hard for it. Ok, the hardest work is mostly the cheapest in pay worldwide, but that’s another story.
While exhausted Takakeisho catches breath, may I conduct a little private investigation…
Chanced upon an Instagram account (@misaki0922m) of a young woman, owner or manager of some sort of private club. She is a frequent front row spectator at tournaments; regularly attends special events; could even be involved in administrative affairs at some stable. Abundance of selfies with active top-division wrestlers, elders, officials, referees. Where things get lost and confusing in translation, would anybody know if a) she is actually the wife of Hidenoumi (older brother of Tobizaru), b) she is actually the older sister of Ura?
I have found conflicting citations so I am not going to say whether she is or not. I have not seen her refer to either as her brother or husband…just by name: 宇良さん、宇良関、英乃海関. I have seen her wear their kimono patterns but also those of others. As far as I can tell she runs that club/karaoke room and promotes it.
Thank you. One might wonder about JSA’s stance on commercial/publicity stunts as such. However, since the person in question seems to have gained certain level of recognition from relevant authorities, I suppose there’s no point in asking further questions.
As regards your prediction about Onosato: Indeed, 10 wins in Nagoya would take him to the unofficial (?) promotion requirement of a total of 33 wins. To me, reaching Ozeki at this stage would do good neither Onosato, nor sumo. It looks like he’s got so much to learn and develop. The championship was partly due to other wrestlers’ underachievement and/or absence. While Kotozakura and Hoshoryu continue their relatively consistent performance, Onosato can bide his time by working harder. –So, I hope that Takakeisho is having a good night’s sleep and gathering all his strength.
I don’t understand the negativity to Onosato’s win over Terunofuji. Reading the comments before seeing the bout, I assumed there must have been a cheap Henka. Nothing of the sort! Onosato won with a beautiful side step and sideways push. Terunofuji let his guard down and deserved to lose.
I didn’t see a henka. I just saw a weak bout. Not sure if you follow Herouth on Twitter but she mentioned that with Terunofuji’s large lead, he is safe to give, “tactical losses” given his injuries. Basically, have an easy day to prevent injury. That leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth. Aside from that, I think there are some folks who just are not fans of Onosato.
I wouldn’t think Onosato would be where he would take a tactical loss, given Onosato’s current form. and still having to face Kotozakura and Hoshoryu. I thought the bout was legit. Just a bit of over-confidence by the Yokozuna,
It looked a strange win to me I’ll admit, even after multiple replays, but if you’re right Terunofuiji took a bit of a chance falling on his knees.
Or perhaps his knee surgery has been so successful he doesn’t need to worry about that any more.
Not that it matters, but Hoshoryu’s move was called a sakatottari. (New one to me.) And we need more zabuton tossing!
Not that it really matter, since ours opinions don’t have any real value on that subject, but after looking back at the replay in slow motion, i think the Kimarite concil went a bit over zealous on the kimarite attribution for that one. It was not really a Sakatottari in my opinion but just a regular Tottari.
Tottari is one of my favorite kimarite. (What do you want, i just looooove the sound and prononciation of that name !)
Tottari (Arm bare throw) is execute mainly by grabbing your opponent’s arm with your arm/hand and by yanking on it really hard, mostly toward you so to make your opponent fall on the ground or making him go outside the Dohyo.
Ura by the way is one of the most proficient current active rikishi at this technique. (He actually did a Tottari earlier this tournament.)
Sakatottari is a counter (saka) arm bare throw. Just like it name imply, the way it is setup at first is the same, your opponent is grabbing your arm with the intent of pulling a Tottari on you. BUT, instead of letting him after that YANK on it, you counter his move by using his own grab on your arm and your own superior brute force to yank him toward you toward down the ground or outside the dohyo. Hence the “Counter”.
Knowing that, if you look back at the replay of that match, Abi never actually really initiated a grab on Hoshoryu’s arm. :\
On the contrary, all Abi did, was attemting a Nodowa to the face of Hoshoryu with his left hand. At that moment, Hoshoryu took the opportunity to grab his arm who was in his face with his own two arm, step a bit back and yank him down the Dohyo. Since Hoshoryu is the one who initiated the arm grab, there was no way that could have been a Sakatottari.
This sumo Kimarite teaching video from NHK is a perfect example of what a true Sakatottari is:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TfPgrBgnGJQ
It has been a while since we saw some zabuton-tossing.
Good call! I will make the update.