Takayasu is not kyujo but Chiyosakae is, down in Juryo. Akua exposed Chiyosakae’s ankle as being not up-to-snuff yesterday. Chiyosakae had shifted at the tachiai and the two engaged in a tsuppari-filled brawl before Akua shifted and pulled Chiyosakae forward. You could tell something was wrong as soon as Chiyosakae’s weight shifted to that left foot. Winless and hurt, Chiyosakae will sit out.

NHK videos for Juryo are here: Part I and Part II. Makuuchi is here: Part I and Part II. And JME.tv is available for live Makuuchi action each night with full replays, four times daily via subscription. And as usual, NHK World has English language highlights of the Top Division for free.

Makuuchi Highlights

Takarafuji (3-1) defeated Kitanowaka (2-2). Kitanowaka got into a rhythm of slamming himself into Takarafuji and lobbing tsuppari. Takarafuiji took advantage of that rhythm by timing a pull and slapdown for the start of a new charge. Hatakikomi.

Nishikifuji (2-2) defeated Onokatsu (1-3). Another powerful win for Nishikifuji. It looked like his own mawashi was a bit loose so when Onokatsu grabbed, he was not able to lift easily. Nishikifuji took advantage and charged forward, driving Onokatsu from the ring. Yorikiri.

Shirokuma (2-2) defeated Hokutofuji (2-2). Hokutofuji had come out hard-charging with powerful tsuppari and drove Shirokuma to the edge. Once Shirokuma got his right arm inside Hokutofuji’s armpit and got a good hold, the outlook of the bout changed. Shirokuma launched forward and bulldozed Hokutofuji from the ring. Yorikiri.

Nishikigi (3-1) defeated Takayasu (2-2). Nishikigi grabbed Takayasu’s belt so Takayasu pulled to get him to release. Unfortunately, Takayasu pulled himself out of the ring before Nishikigi fell forward. Yorikiri.

Ryuden (2-2) defeated Kinbozan (0-4). Kinbozan charged forward and forced Ryuden to the edge but Ryuden resisted at the edge. He reached inside and established a firm right-hand inside grip and turned the tables on Kinbozan. He tried for his favorite uwatenage but Kinbozan used all of his might to stay centered. Ryuden then pressed forward and forced Kinbozan out. Yorikiri.

Bushozan (3-1) defeated Kagayaki (1-3). Bushozan was like a giant boulder in the way of the shinkansen. Except this boulder rolled forward and forced Kagayaki backwards until it derailed over the tawara. Yorikiri.

Ichiyamamoto (2-2) defeated Sadanoumi (3-1). Yorikiri Day continues as Ichiyamamoto, yes, you read that right, ICHIYAMAMOTO latched on to Sadanoumi’s belt, drove forward and forced him out. He didn’t even try with his usual tsuppari. Yorikiri.

Oshoma (2-2) defeated Roga (1-3). Oshoma took on Roga at an angle, completely disrupting any attack from Roga. Oshoma then followed drove into Roga from the side and shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Midorifuji (2-2) defeated Tamawashi (1-3). Tamawashi lashed out with a brutal nodowa but Midorifuji shifted to the side and pulled Tamawashi down under the red tassel. Gunbai Midorifuji. Mono-ii? The judges conference confirmed Tamawashi was down while Midorifuji was still on the straw bales. Of course, Katasukashi. Midorifuji does not observe Yorikiri Day.

Churanoumi (3-1) defeated Endo (3-1). I’ve not seen this kind of energy from Endo in a long time. Unfortunately, Churanoumi’s pull was effective at causing Endo to lose his balance and stumble forward. Endo stepped out before he was able to force Churanoumi over the bales. MORE OF THIS ENDO-SEKI!!! Hatakikomi.

Halftime

Wakatakakage (3-1) defeated Ura (2-2). Ura pulled down a hard charging Wakatakakage at the edge. Gunbai Ura. Mono-ii. Video replay revealed Ura had stepped out before bringing Wakatakakage down. Oshidashi.

Gonoyama (2-2) defeated Shonannoumi (0-4). Shonannoumi’s troubles continue. Gonoyama bulled forward and forced Shonnanoumi from the ring rather easily. Oshidashi.

Kotoshoho (2-2) defeated Meisei (1-3). Meisei brought his usual fiery, brawling style. Kotoshoho went toe-to-toe with him and nearly drove him out. He could not get inside for a belt grip. Desperate to end the assault, Kotoshoho grabbed and pulled Meisei forward. Hikiotoshi.

Shodai (4-0) defeated Wakamotoharu (2-2). Shodai hit Wakamotoharu hard at the tachiai and drove him back to the bales where Wakamotoharu found the resistance he needed. Wakamotoharu pressed forward but Shodai hooked his arm inside Wakamotoharu’s right shoulder and twisted him down to the ground. Sukuinage.

Sanyaku

Hiradoumi (3-1) defeated Oho (1-3). Oho is not moving forward this tournament so Hiradoumi slammed Oho to the clay for his transgressions. Oshitaoshi.

Kirishima (4-0) defeated Mitakeumi (1-3). Kirishima secured a left-hand inside quickly. Mitakeumi’s ottsuke was completely ineffective at keeping Kirishima’s right arm from locking on. Kirishima pressed forward and forced Mitakeumi out. Yorikiri.

Onosato (4-0) defeated Daieisho (1-3). Daieisho pulled back as Onosato drove forward but Daieisho ran out of room quickly. Onosato kept his balance long enough to drive Daieisho from the ring before falling. Oshidashi.

Abi (2-2) defeated Takanosho (1-3). Abi shifted to his left and pulled Takanosho down. Tsukiotoshi.

Kotozakura (4-0) defeated Atamifuji (1-3). Atamifuji had nothing in the tank and Kotozakura took advantage. Kotozakura charged forward and forced Atamifuji out under the black tassel. Yorikiri.

Tobizaru (2-2) defeated Hoshoryu (1-3). The tachiai of the future here as both men stood up. Hoshoryu grabbed Tobizaru’s arm and tried to pull him forward. Tobizaru, though, brought his arms down on Hoshoryu’s and knocked him off balance just enough to where Hoshoryu touched the clay with his hand. Tsukiotoshi.

Wrap-up

I remembered to post everyone’s records today. Sorry about that. I don’t do it on Shonichi because it doesn’t make sense. Everyone who won is 1-0; everyone who lost is 0-1. So, I forgot to do it on Day 2+3. I shouldn’t forget moving forward.

I was disappointed in the Atamifuji bout. I thought he’d get a better showing against Kotozakura but it seems he saves his best stuff for Hoshoryu. Hoshoryu slipped up today. I liked seeing that immediately after the bout, Hoshoryu went straight for the video monitor. He was just as eager to figure out, “What the hell happened?” as I was. I expect better from him in the coming days.

What am I looking forward to tomorrow? Well, not the Takayasu/Shirokuma bout. I just think Takayasu is hurt and Shirokuma will just need to wrap him up. Endo vs Tamawashi should be interesting but Midorifuji and Churanoumi will likely be the highlight from the first half of Day 5 action. In the second half, Kirishima and Hiradoumi will bring the fire. What are you looking forward to tomorrow?