Nothing happened in the world to interrupt sumo today. That is a good thing and from now on that will be my gage on the state of affairs on this planet. If nothing gives NHK reason to interrupt my sumo, it’s a good day. There is also no new kyujo. That’s also another reason to say it’s a good day.

The Juryo race is down to Shishi and Shirakuma, with Hakuoho holding a distant hope of a playoff. Hakuoho, one loss back, will need to defeat Shishi tomorrow and he’ll need help. Shirakuma will face Tokihayate. Tokihayate will be fighting for kachikoshi and an immediate re-promotion to Makuuchi. Talk about incentives. But there’s high drama in Juryo, that’s for sure.

Makuuchi Action

Ichiyamamoto (7-7) defeated Chiyoshoma (5-4-5). Ichiyamamoto kept Chiyoshoma off his belt with tsuppari. When Chiyoshoma lunged forward to try to get inside Ichi slipped to the side, effectively getting behind Chiyoshoma. Ichiyamamoto kept up the tsuppari and shoved Chiyoshoma out. Oshidashi.

Shodai (9-5) defeated Takarafuji (5-9). Shodai got an inside grip with his left hand but Takarafuji kept his left arm tight to his body and did not allow Shodai in with his right. Instead Shodai used his right to shove Takarafuji straight back and out. Oshidashi.

Midorifuji (8-6) defeated Kagayaki (8-6). Midorifuji electrified the crowd by defeating Kagayaki head-on. Kagayaki was wary of the katasukashi and did his best to bat Midorifuji away when Midorifuji came inside to get his right arm up on Kagayaki’s shoulder. Kagayaki’s tsuppari forced Midorifuji to the bales but Midorifuji slipped inside one more time, charged forward and forced Kagayaki out. Oshidashi.

Tamawashi (7-7) defeated Endo (9-5). Tamawashi got inside Endo’s tsuppari, seized Endo’s belt with his right hand and drove him from the dohyo. Yorikiri.

Nishikigi (4-9) defeated Ryuden (3-10). Nishikigi used his lefthand inside grip to pull Ryuden over the bales. Ryuden was a little slow to get up so Nishikigi stepped down to offer help getting up. Ryuden is not healthy. Shitatenage.

Roga (8-6) defeated Kinbozan (4-10). Kinbozan was too high. Roga stayed low and this helped him keep his balance when Kinbozan tried to throw him to the side. Instead Roga continued to charge forward and drove Kinbozan to the edge and over. Yorikiri.

Kotoshoho (8-6) defeated Hokutofuji (6-8). All of that buildup and Hokutofuji fell to a quick sidestep and slapdown tachiai. Kotoshoho kachikoshi. Hokutofuji makekoshi. Hatakikomi.

Bushozan (8-6) defeated Sadanoumi (5-9). Bushozan got his left paw up on Sadanoumi’s shoulder and blasted him from the dohyo to seal his first kachikoshi in the top division. This is his fourth tournament fighting in makuuchi and the first time he does not earn an immediate demotion and return to Juryo. Oshidashi.

Wakatakakage (10-4) defeated Oho (8-6). Oho tried to pull Wakatakakage over the bales by wrapping up his arm. But Wakatakakage retaliated by shoving Oho hard. Oshidashi.

Tobizaru (8-6) defeated Oshoma (7-7). Oshoma spent his time trying to keep Tobizaru at bay but not advancing. He seemed keen to wait for slapdown attempts. He tried one but Tobizaru stayed away. Both guys had their arms up, playing patty-cake and keeping each other away. It made for a rather boring fight. That is until Tobizaru suddenly lashed out and kicked Oshoma’s lead right foot, bringing Oshoma down. Kekaeshi. Beautiful.

Halftime

Ura (5-9) defeated Nishikifuji (5-9). Nishikifuji pressured Ura backwards but pulled and tried to slap Ura down. Ura maintained his balance and used the opportunity to press forward and drive Nishikifuji from the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Wakamotoharu (5-9) defeated Meisei (4-10). Meisei blasted Wakamotoharu and it looked like WMH was headed for another painful exit but he was able to resist at the bales. Wakamotoharu countered with a firm hold of Meisei’s mawashi and drove him back through the ring. At the edge, Wakamotoharu used his firm right-hand outside grip to throw Meisei roughly to the clay. Uwatenage.

Atamifuji defeated Gonoyama. Atamifuji quickly latched on with a left-hand overarm grip. He needed that to stave off an early exit. A throw was not an easy option. Gonoyama resisted well. Instead it was down to good old gaburi yotsu as Atamifuji worked Gonoyama over the bales.

Sanyaku

Daieisho (8-6) defeated Shonannoumi (6-8) with a quick hit-and-shift at the tachiai. Daieisho kachikoshi, Shonannoumi makekoshi. Tsukiotoshi.

Hiradoumi (9-5) defeated Mitakeumi (6-8). Hiradoumi was too powerful and energetic for Mitakeumi. Mitakeumi makekoshi. Yorikiri.

Abi (8-6) defeated Kirishima (7-7) with Level One Abi-zumo: face-push-to-slapdown. Abi kachikoshi. Kirishima…not yet. Tsukiotoshi.

Onosato (9-5) defeated Churanoumi (10-4). Onosato’s dominance of Churanoumi today just pointed to him being on a different level. Solid footwork keeps that Ozeki run alive. < Thanks his lucky stars for the fusen > Oshidashi.

Kotozakura (9-5) defeated Takakeisho (5-9). Kotozakura employed solid oshi-zumo to force Takakeisho into reverse and drive him from the ring. Oshidashi.

Takanosho (11-3) defeated Terunofuji (12-2). A rough nodowa from Takanosho forced Terunofuji to rear back. Takanosho kept the pressure up and drove the Yokozuna over the bales. Yorikiri.

Wrap-up.

There is a contest for the Top Division yusho, after all. Takanosho has kicked open the door and forced his way into the hunt. If Terunofuji loses again tomorrow, Takanosho will force a play-off with a win. Terunofuji will face Kotozakura tomorrow in the musubi-no-ichiban. There were several sanyaku options available for Takanosho: from Onosato to Abi to Hiradoumi. The Kyokai chose Onosato. Wow.

Onosato probably needs that 10^th win to maintain hopes of an Ozeki run at Aki. Looking back at past Ozeki runs, Masayo had three tournaments at Sekiwake and the first tournament of his three tournament “run” included an 8-7. The ultimate deciders of this are working for the Kyokai and not Tachiai, so they can do what they want. So maybe 9 with a win over the Yokozuna will be enough but there’s that little fusen in there, too… Bottom line, he will come into this like Herm Edwards. “You play to win.” Takanosho will have his work cut out, he will need help from Kotozakura AND he will need to beat the Yokozuna again in order to get the all important macarons and the cow.

Come back tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion of the Nagoya Basho 2024.