Takakeisho is kyujo. This is not a surprise and we are very curious about what direction he goes. I will bring news as soon as we hear. But for now, we anticipate he will show up for Kyushu as a rank-and-filer. Well, let’s get to the action.

Makuuchi Action

Kitanowaka defeated Nishikifuji. This bout seemed to be all about Nishikifuji’s right arm and Kitanowaka’s left. Kitanowaka initially set his left arm in Nishikifuji’s armpit to keep his arm at bay. He then knocked it away. As Nishikifuji stumbled forward, Kitanowaka was able to reach in deep for a belt grip and then drag Nishikifuji to the ground. Uwatenage.

Tokihayate defeated Shirokuma. Tokihayate locked in quickly on Shirokuma’s belt. Shirokuma tried to resist but he was effectively dragged across the ring as Tokihayate rotated. Shirokuma rolled to a stop in the first row of spectators. Uwatenage.

Onokatsu defeated Takayasu. Takayasu lashed out again with his tsuppari and drove Onokatsu back to the bales but he could not finish him off. The two settled into a yotsu-style grapple. Takayasu attempted an uwatenage but shortly afterwards just gave up and Onokatsu gingerly walked him over the bales. This is deeply concerning for Takayasu. Another withdrawal due to the back might be imminent. Juryo bound. If so, he may retire before Takakeisho. This is not what we wanted. Yorikiri.

Takarafuji defeated Ryuden. Another one-arm battle here. These two fought hard for control, Takarafuji locked in with a left-hand inside and Ryuden desperately trying to get his right hand outside. Takarafuji succeeded in blocking so Ryuden shifted his right-hand inside. But the shift seemed to give Takarafuji the momentum he needed as he drove forward and forced Ryuden to the ground. Ryuden’s right foot touched out before he was shoved down so it’s a yorikiri.

Hokutofuji defeated Kinbozan. Hokutofuji’s quick pull and slapdown failed so he…secured a left-hand outside belt grip and drove Kinbozan out. Wow. Andy, is that right? Yes, it is. It says it right there. Very interesting to see Hokutofuji develop this yotsu- game over the past few tournaments. Yorikiri.

Nishikigi defeated Bushozan. Nishikigi pressured Bushozan to the bales and then shifted to the side. Gravity provided an assist as Nishikigi pulled and Bushozan fell forward. Hatakikomi.

Sadanoumi defeated Roga. Sadanoumi charged forward with a firm hold of Roga. Roga attempted to twist and pitch Sadanoumi forward but Sadanoumi pressed into Roga, forcing Roga to the ground. Uwatenage.

Tamawashi defeated Kagayaki. Tamawashi claimed the outright Iron Man record today as he mounted the dohyo against Kagayaki. Kagayaki cycled around the dohyo and stepped out. A roar from the crowd as Tamawashi picked up his first win of the tournament. Oshidashi.

Midorifuji defeated Ichiyamamoto. Midorifuji knew the drill. He weathered Ichiyamamoto’s charge and storm of slaps and thrusts. When Ichiyamamoto pulled, Midorifuji just kept him centered and pushed him out. Oshidashi.

Endo defeated Oshoma. A street fight here. I think there was a hairpull here from Oshoma, the way he was grabbing at Endo’s head. They continued to brawl but Oshoma pitched forward too far and had to catch himself with his hand on the ground. Odd, but deserved, loss. Endo picked up a bit of a shiner under his right eye. I think that was from an Oshoma headbutt. As desperate and dirty as Oshoma fought, I was half expecting him to break a pool cue over his knee or pull a switchblade from his Oichomage. Endo stayed calm… “Like, dude, I just asked her for the time. I didn’t realize she was your girlfriend. I’m married, anyway.” Oshitaoshi.

Wakatakakage defeated Gonoyama. Wakatakakage showed how a pull is supposed to work. 1. Opponent charges forward. 2. Put your hand behind his head. 3. Step back and to the side a little. 4. Pull him down. Hatakikomi.

Halftime

Churanoumi defeated Meisei. Someone let two reams into the Kokugikan and we watched them rutt. As both men tumbled from the ring, Meisei fell first. Oshitaoshi.

Ura defeated Kotoshoho. Balance, Kotoshoho. Learn some balance. When Ura lost his balance and stumbled forward Kotoshoho tried to take advantage and slap him down. But somehow Kotoshoho ended up being the one on the floor. Hatakikomi.

Shodai defeated Shonannoumi. Shodai just drove forward and bullied Shonannoumi out of the ring. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Daieisho defeated Mitakeumi. Mitakeumi absorbed Daieisho’s thrusts and backed to the edge. At the edge, he shifted right and half-heartedly slapped at Daieisho to try to push him out. You need to put your whole heart in there because Daieisho did not fall out. He recovered and drove Mitakeumi clear across the ring and both men tumbled into Kotoshogiku’s lap. Yoritaoshi.

Onosato defeated Oho. Oho pulled. What a surprise. Onosato pursued well and kept the pressure on Oho as Oho cycled back around the edge of the dohyo. When Onosato caught up he forced Oho over the bales. Yorikiri.

Hiradoumi defeated Abi. Abi threw everything at Hiradoumi. I have to give him credit. He was aggressive and drove at Hiradoumi. Tried some misdirection but mostly Abi took it to Hiradoumi. Hiradoumi weathered the storm and as Abi teetered on the edge, he was able to drive forward and push him out. Oshidashi.

Kirishima defeated Takanosho. Takanosho had some forceful tsuppari to start but Kirishima grabbed his belt with his left hand and yanked him forward. Uwatedashinage.

Atamifuji defeated Hoshoryu. Power and patience. Wow. Atamifuji contained Hoshoryu then secured a left-hand overarm grip and drove him to the edge. Hoshoryu tried to resist but Atamifuji pressed him out, under the green tassel. Yorikiri.

Kotozakura defeated Tobizaru. Tobizaru was robbed. How was there no mono-ii here? Kotozakura fell forward before Tobizaru stumbled out. Tobizaru had jettisoned his henka and flying-monkey tactics, taking on the Ozeki, toe-to-toe. Tobizaru twisted and tried a spectacular throw but could not get Kotozakura going forward. So Kotozakura crushed him out. The only problem is, Kotozakura fell first. Oshidashi.

Wrap-up

These shimpan do not want to call mono-ii and it’s going to come back to haunt them. Yes, Kotozakura had the advantage and the winning attack but he fell first because Tobizaru forced him to the ground. Unfortunate for Tobizaru.

Otherwise, we might see a few kyujo after today. I think Takayasu is much more hurt than I knew. If he withdraws now and cannot come back, he will fall into Juryo. We know Takakeisho will plunge down the ranks. Now that Tamawashi has achieved his Iron Man record, he might also start thinking about what’s next (as in retirement). He seemed tired after the bout today and in the post-bout interview.

I would have liked Kotozakura to win more decisively today. He had the better, more dominant sumo. He just seemed impatient. He had Tobizaru but Shonosuke made the wrong call and maybe the shimpan don’t want to overrule him during his final tournament?

Tune in tomorrow as we watch Shodai charge to his second yusho!