Juryo drama ended without need of a playoff. Hakuoho defeated Shishi with a beautiful utchari reversal on the edge. That meant that if Shirakuma won, he would take the yusho outright. If Tokihayate won, there would be a three-way playoff for the title. Shirakuma overpowered Tokihayate and walked him out. Yorikiri yusho.
So, all lower-division yusho decided in outright fashion. As we turn to the Top Division and the Psycho Yusho race (Andy, your puns are getting worse), we get our reminder that Miyagino-oyakata still exists. He and Otowayama present the sansho winners:
Does it help to post the links to the NHK videos, or y’all know where they are by now? This main page stays the same. Unfortunately, I’m still trying to figure out how to get working links to the individual videos. I want to link to those in the bout summaries but the direct links get blocked for some reason. Anyway, videos are here for the folks who do not want to scroll through Social Media craziness.
Makuuchi Action
Nishikifuji (6-9) defeated Chiyoshoma (5-5-5). Henka! Hisashiburi, ne… It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Chiyoshoma henka but Nishikifuji was prepared. It took a bit of patience but Nishikifuji corralled the bucking bronco, steadily worked him toward the edge and put him in his pen. Yorikiri.
Wakatakakage (11-4) defeated Hokutofuji (6-9). Hokutofuji pulled and pulled but Wakatakakage kept up the pressure and eventually put an end to Hokutofuji’s retreating ways by wrapping his leg up and driving him over the bales. Watashikomi.
Kagayaki (9-6) defeated Churanoumi (10-5). The Shinkansen glided forward along a circuitous path through the dohyo, guided along by the retreating Churanoumi. Churanoumi ran out of room to maneuver at the edge and Kagayaki brought him to the end of the line. Yorikiri.
Roga (9-6) defeated Nishikigi (5-10).When Nishikigi reached forward with his left hand, Roga rolled with the shift in motion and threw Nishikigi with a slick uwatenage.
Endo (10-5) defeated Midorifuji (8-7). Endo pressed ahead at the tachiai. Midorifuji tried a quick slaptdown at the edge but got run out. Oshidashi.
Shodai (9-6) defeated Bushozan (8-7). defeated Bushozan. Bushozan drove forward with his tsuppari and Shodai reversed to the edge. At the edge, Shodai slipped to his left and the fully extended Bushozan stumbled forward. Tsukiotoshi.
Ichiyamamoto (8-7) defeated Oshoma (7-8). I’m not sure what Oshoma was going to try to do at the edge but instead of moving laterally along the tawara, he turned a bit. Maybe he turned to run instead of just shuffling to the left. But Ichiyamamoto seized on that to get behind Oshoma. He quit his tsuppari and locked in on Oshoma’s belt to walk him out. Ichiyamamoto kachikoshi. Oshoma makekoshi. Okuridashi.
Ura (6-9) defeated Takarafuji (5-10). The pair had reached a bit of a stalemate in the center of the ring. Ura needed to try something. Takarafuji was using his left arm to keep Ura’s right arm away so Ura latched onto the arm with both arms. Takarafuji freaked out and tried to get away. Ura pursued with tsuppari and used Takarafuji’s momentum to drive him out. Oshidashi.
Mitakeumi (7-8) defeated Kinbozan (4-11). Mitakeumi hit Kinbozan high with tsuppari, battering him about the face. Kinbozan pressed forward awkwardly through the tsuppari with his eyes closed. Mitakeumi slipped to the side, grabbed his belt and yanked him forward. Kinbozan fell forward. Uwatenage.
Wakamotoharu (6-9) defeated Ryuden (3-12). However terrible Wakamotoharu’s basho has been, it’s not been as terrible as Ryuden’s. Wakamotoharu locked on to Ryuden’s belt with his right hand. Ryuden tried to squeeze Wakamotoharu’s left arm to keep it away but failed. WMH latched on with both hands and drove Ryuden back and out. Yorikiri.
Halftime.
Atamifuji (7-8) defeated Sadanoumi (5-10). Head-to-head migi-yotsu bout here. Atamifuji was just too powerful and steadily worked Sadanoumi to the edge and then used some gaburi hip-pumping to work him over the tawara. Yorikiri.
Gonoyama (5-10) defeated Meisei (4-11). Solid oshi-zumo from Gonoyama today. He pressed forward and Meisei tried a couple of times to slip away but Gonoyama’s laser-guidance system was fully functional and locked on Meisei. At the bales, Meisei turned to slip away but Gonoyama grabbed him from behind and threw him down and out. Meisei may have tweaked his ankle as he was slow to get up and limped a bit walking down the hanamichi. Okuritaoshi.
Sanyaku
Hiradoumi (10-5) defeated Kotoshoho (8-7). As the two engaged at the center of the ring, Hiradoumi grabbed Kotoshoho’s left arm and yanked it with him as he rotated Kotoshoho clockwise. Hiradoumi won his first Technique Prize and probably bolstered the case with this slick win. Tottari.
Oho (9-6) defeated Daieisho (8-7). Daieisho slammed into Oho and drove him to the edge. Oho tried a slapdown and though it failed, Daieisho stumbled to the side. Oho rotated so that he could attack Daieisho from center and blasted him from the ring. Oshidashi.
Kirishima (8-7) defeated Tamawashi (7-8). Kirishima kachikoshi, Tamawashi makekoshi. Yorikiri.
Takanosho (12-3) defeated Onosato (9-5). Takanosho hit Onosato with that nodowa and drove him back. Onosato tried a slapdown but it failed and he fell out of the ring. Another sanyaku opponent down in Takanosho’s surprising run. Both men walk away with special prizes. Takanosho claims his third fighting spirit prize while Onosato was awarded his second Outstanding Performance prize. Takanosho has to win the whole thing to take home one of those.
Tobizaru (9-6) defeated Abi (8-7) and claimed the arrows. Abi tried to pull but Tobizaru rolled with it and drove Abi down and out. Abi fell a bit awkwardly at the edge and was slow to get up but seemed okay. Oshitaoshi.
Shonannoumi (7-8) defeated Takakeisho (5-10) OK, Power Hamster, how banged up are you? Let’s toss a big, makekoshi, beach bum at you and find out. Takakeisho charged straight ahead and Shonannoumi slipped right. Henka! Shonannoumi grabbed the back of the Ozeki’s belt and pulled him forward. Whatever happens in Takanosho’s yusho race, there will be a somber edge to Tokiwayama’s Senshuraku Party. Oof. Uwatenage.
Kotozakura (10-5) defeated Terunofuji (12-3)! We will have a PLAY-OFF! Terunofuji wrapped up Kotozakura’s arms, ready for an authoritative kimedashi. Kotozakura pulled, hard to extract his arms. This pulled the Yokozuna forward a bit. Kotozakura moved laterally and got at the Terunofuji’s belt. This pulled him forward and into the clay. Shocking. Uwatedashinage.
PLAY-OFF!!
Funny, all of the other yusho were decided outright. Only the top division needs Playoff.
Terunofuji defeated Takanosho. Takanosho nodowa. This did not have the same impact as yesterday. The Yokozuna withstood the attack and pressed forward. That gave him room for a pull but Takanosho did not go down. He took it to the Yokozuna. Terunofuji reached deep down into that well of strength to rotate and drive Takanosho to the edge. Yorikiri.
Terunofuji Yusho! Takanosho gave it everything. I wish he could bring home that yusho but he did a great job. His success should bring a bit of celebration to the senshuraku party.
I’m headed to Japan today and I hope to bring a few updates over the next two weeks from Kokugikan! I plan to update on the special prizes and other events come Wednesday or Thursday. But I’ll be seeing y’all soon!
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What a bizarre Basho, in many ways.
Great playoff! Red-hot Takanosho gave it his all, but the yokozuna, having lost two straight, dug deep and found the power, poise, and pride it took to prevail. Loved it.
At the start of 2022, Terunofuji said his ambition was to win four yusho that year, to attain the career total of ten. It ended up taking quite a bit longer, but champion that he is, he’s made it at last.
Thanks Andy, for all your hard work and have an enjoyable trip
That was exciting! There’s nothing quite like the suspense in the moments before a playoff. I hope we see more of this version of Takanosho, and he doesn’t just fade back, as he has in the past. He’s had the most powerful tachiai in sumo this basho, I don’t see why he shouldn’t be able to keep it going.
I expect he will give it the old college try at Aki. Whether he lasts the whole way is another story… which I am eager to cover!
So many strange things. Asanoyama, a fine wrestler, out w/injury becoming a trademark. And it seems we’re not going to see Takerufuji, with all his apparent talent, for some time. Let’s hope he stays in the lower rungs of Juryo in Tokyo. New life for Endo, Shodai? Who in hell knows. The professor/Takarafuji – the end finally? But here comes Wakatakagake charging back full throttle. Onosato – the next….is he? But he’s young. And of course Takayasu? Your guess as good as mine. Hiradoumi – fresh face and a good one. Sekiwake in Tokyo no doubt.
So what was most of the Sanyaku doing during the first week? Visions of something other than Sumo dancing in their heads? Kirishima, still a young man has forgotten much. And where was the Kotozakura and Hoshoryu we know and love? And then there was Takakeisho. Always a strange one with his clodding style, but it produced 4 Yusho, tho nary the big promotion. These 2 weeks he looked like a refugee pleading for a home. Finished?
His two Ozeki mates not tending to business the first week, then wins, and then a Hoshoryu
critical injury. Koto did redeem himself.
But the stories were Takanosho, who will finally return to Sanyaku…and came thru clutch once, twice, 3 times, to include getting the better of the Yokozuna. But twice was a bit too much. Takarafuji had lost three critical matches near the end, but finally got things together in the playoff w/Takanosho. Strange indeed.
I think I would replace the word strange with wild, exciting, or unpredictable?
But Takanosho returning to sanyaku for Aki isn’t likely, right? No one is dropping out of the named ranks, while upper maegashira collapsed. I would think Takanosho will land at #1.
It’s an excellent question. Did Hiradoumi do enough to force a Sekiwake position? Or did he need one more?
The recent standard seems to be that he needs 11. Maybe sansho will salve the sting of banzuke luck. But also, he may have meant that Takanosho is on his way back to sanyaku…not necessarily by Aki.
Very unlikely. The magic number is 11wins at Komusubi for an extra slot.
I agree. Though Hiradoumi‘s achievement was really special.
He was only the 23rd man in history to get double digit wins as shin Komusubi! (Number 22 was a certain Onosato, last basho…)
What about 4 Sekiwake and 3 Komusubi?
Ain’t gonna happen. There is no record even remotely close to warranting an extra komusubi slot and Hiradoumi is one win shy of opening an extra Sekiwake slot. The track record is pretty clear on that over the last years. 10wins doesn’t open an extra slot, 11 always does.
Had Takanosho been M1 or maybe M2, he probably would have gotten an extra slot, but not so far down(from M1e recently 8 wins have been enough).
I was only sorry for the time pressure at the end. NHK didn’t have time for the usual brief recap montage of the tourney. I always like those: instant natsukashii and nostalgia. And did I miss it, or did the ceremony also cut out “See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes!”? Still, as long as that little cabinet secretary guy didn’t hurt himself hoisting the P.M.’s cup, all is good.
10 macarons in the bag, can Teru retire now? Go out with a bang, Hakuho-style.
I don’t see why he would. There was a clear change of the guard. Currently, I don’t know who will be the next Yokozuna and he can obviously still win titles.
He doesn’t seem to be in anything like as much pain as in previous bashos that’s for sure. But can he win the title without taking 2 out of 3 bashos off? If not I’d still rather see him retire now he’s got 10 yushos. He doesn’t need akabu for five years right?
I think someone needs to inherit the Isegahama kabu next summer.
So he could retire now without a kabu, use his own name (like Kakuryu did) for a year and then take over from Isegahama. Would be fun to see him as ex-Hakuho’s boss!
Thank you So Very Much Andy, Iksumo and All who contribute to Tachiai! Don’t forget to take my e-mail I use to post – I’m hoping to Zelle you the cash just in case – beer for you always included with my compliments and any of the other Team Tachiai that you meet up with!
Have a SAFE and WONDERFUL TRIP – can hardly wait for your posts!!!
I’m still undecided whether Iwanted Teru or Takanosho to win. Takanosho looked really great this basho, like back then when he blossomed after the departure of Takanohana.
There have been a lot of sad and injury stories this basho, but also some good ones. Teru looked the best in probably 2 years or so. Endo found a fountain of youth somewhere. Obviously Takanosho. Oho actually showed some very solid sumo and less pulling than normal. Hiradoumi stayed on a hot streak for another tournament. Churanoumi had a very good tournament. The same can’t be said about Wakatakakage, who isn’t back at Sanyaku level sumo, but overcame some more shaky bouts for an 11-4 record that should position him pretty high for Aki.
Abi had only one fusen win this basho, but that one saved his rank in the end.
The promotion/demotion picture is a mess. There are 6 demotable records, but only 2 promotable ones in Juryo. Takayasu is on the edge with his rank record combination, so he should be safe, but we have Onosho, Asanoyama, Takarafuji, Chiyoshoma and Nishikifuji. Demotion order is probably Nishikifuji, Asanoyama, Chiyoshoma, Onosho and Takarafuji.
Given that we have only j1w Onokatsu with 9wins and J8e Shirokuma with 12 as clear promotions, a lot of guys, including Onosho could end up very lucky. Next in line in Juryo would be J3w Kitanowaka with 8wins and J6w Tamashoho with 9.
Hakuoho finished with 11 wins and should be in promotion range next basho. Takerufuji did what was needed to save his rank. The Juryo/Makushita exchange seems pretty clear cut with Nabatame, Tsushimanada and Tochitaikai, who lost an exchange bout on senshuraku to Oshoumi, in exchange for Makushita champion Daiseizan, 6-1 Ms1w Kiryuko and said 5-2 Ms3w Oshoumi. Should be two fairly high entries.
I was definitely hoping for a Yokozuna yusho. Much as I like Takanosho, we didn’t need yet another NPC yusho, and he wasn’t promoted very aggressively until quite late—he didn’t face Kotozakura, Hoshoryu, Abi, Daieisho, or Hiradoumi.
I fully agree.
In a sumo world to my taste it would be impossible for anyone beneath the joi to win the top basho. Like in Juryo the middle and low Maegashira should have their own yusho.
That is because Teru was running away and then stumbled towards the finishing line and Takanosho picked up his losses early. He took down Teru as a rank and file as well as Onosato. In my book that would have been well deserved. He doesn’t need the same schedule as a Sanyaku rikishi. Had Teru one their first bout … ;–)
Dear Andy, thank you very much for your writing.
Your daily wrap ups were very informative
.
We are very thankful that you are making time for us readers.
Although this basho turned out to be good, somehow I missed the thrill on who will be the mystery Yusho winner.
As you had mentioned in one of your daily report, it seemed like nobody were interested in winning the Yusho.
Also feeling sad for Takakeisho, I don’t have hope that he will bounce back.
Thanks Andy! Have a great time in Japan!
I am happy for Dai Yokozuna Terunofuji.
Hoping my man Hoshoryu heals well and soon. Sorry that Takakeisho had to endure the indignity of a belly flop as he exits Ozeki status. Hoping Kirishima regroups.
Seems like so long since we heard much about Takanosho – didn’t Bruce used to call him Onigiri, in his early cheerful makushita days? Good to see him back in the flow.
I meant his early makuuchi days….
Yeah, he’s known for looking like a jolly 🍙
Many thanks to the Tachiai team and all the thoughtful, informative commenters.
I’m happy the Yokozuna won (though I secretly hoped Kirishima would sweep everyone and take the yusho). Feeling bad for Takakeisho, even though I’ve never been a fan of his brand of sumo, you can’t fault his work ethic. I hope everyone gets a chance to heal up.
You’re not alone in hoping for a miracle zensho yusho for Kirishima.
Thanks very much, Andy, and thanks to Team Tachiai. Teru is still large and in charge. May his reign continue!
I had to double-check I wasn’t hallucinating but Shodai was 10-5.
Yeah, a quiet but very successful tournament for Masayo.
Kinda like a faint echo of the Shodai that made it Ozeki.
Fun Basho, that’s my take away. Another great job of covering the event by Andy and the Tachiai team. Saw some great kimarite, Hoshoryu’s Soto-gake and Kubi nage, Tobizaru’s sweep of Oshoma, a couple of nice upsets by Takanosho and Kotozakura the last two days as well as the great bout between Ura and the Kaiju. But, alas the Kaiju/Yokozuna showed his poise and experience and took home his 10th Yusho. The Grand Tadpole will be demoted and Kirishima is back at Sekiwake and will have to start from scratch if he’s ever going to sniff the Champion ranks again.
Thank you so much, Andy – for your colorful and sophisticated reporting! It‘s a must-read on every basho day and enhances the sumo experience in a great way! Also many thanks to lksumo, the wider Team Tachiai and everyone writing!