News from the infirmary. Tsurugisho is checking out and will fight on Day 13. I’m not sure that complies with his physician’s wishes.

Takerufuji defeated Chiyoshoma in their head-to-head match and now has some separation from the field at 11-1. Chiyoshoma is now two back at 9-3. No henka, Chiyoshoma went toe-to-toe but got destroyed. Takerufuji dispatched him with the calm ease we have grown accustomed to.

Both Kayo and Tomokaze lost, so they fall back with Asakoryu and Tokihayate to 8-4. Unfortunately, Hakuoho fell to Tamashoho. The glass cannon ball is 5-7.

NHK Videos are available here: Juryo (ONLY ONE PART); Makuuchi Part I and Part II

Makuuchi Action

Takarafuji (8-4) defeated Shishi (7-5). Shishi displayed just about zero offensive power in this bout. After a long, impotent lean, Takarafuji got some forward movement and Shishi stumbled over the bales. Yoritaoshi.

Nishikifuji (6-6) defeated Sadanoumi (6-6). Nishikifuji blasted away at Sadanoumi, not letting him anywhere near his belt. Sadanoumi ducked to the side on his first contact with the bales but Nishikifuji pursued well and thrust him out the other side. Tsukidashi.

Tamawashi (6-6) defeated Onokatsu (4-8). Tamawashi’s thrusting attack was too much for Onokatsu. Oshidashi.

Roga (7-5) defeated Shirokuma (4-8). Any match-up between a bear and a Russian favors the Russian, right? After a long, back and forth, migi-yotsu grapple Roga drove the tired bear over the edge. Yorikiri.

Ichiyamamoto (6-6) defeated Kitanowaka (5-7). Kitanowaka tried an inashi sidestep at the edge and Ichiyamamoto took exception. Ichiyamamoto thrust Kitanowaka from the ring and into the pricey seats. Tsukitaoshi.

Midorifuji (5-7) defeated Ryuden (6-6). Ryuden knew that he had to keep Midorifuji away, so he tried oshi-zumo today. Weird tsuppari ensued. Ryuden could not generate enough offense to pressure Midorifuji to the bales. Eventually Midorifuji snuck inside and dragged Ryuden down. You can’t fault Ryuden for trying, this time. Katasukashi.

Churanoumi (7-5) defeated Bushozan (4-8). Churanoumi worked Bushozan to the edge but when Bushozan resisted, Churanoumi threw him back toward the middle of the dohyo. Tsukiotoshi.

Meisei (3-9) defeated Kagayaki (1-11). Kagayaki moved forward and forced Meisei to the edge. But Kagayaki is no shinkansen anymore. He’s a rusted old heap. No speed. No agility. When Meisei moved laterally, Kagayaki was lost. Meisei quickly shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Gonoyama (4-8) defeated Oshoma (8-4). Gonoyama drove forward and shoved Oshoma out. Oshoma already kachi-koshi, he can take bouts off, apparently. Don’t tell that to his former stablemates. Tsukidashi.

Ura (8-4) defeated Endo (7-5). Endo pulled, and pulled, and pulled. Ura kept pace and drove Endo down into the crowd for some fansa. Yorikiri.

Halftime

Shonannoumi (3-9) defeated Kinbozan (4-8). Kinbozan drove Shonannoumi to the edge but Shonannoumi resisted, established his left-hand inside belt grip and drove Kinbozan over the bales. Yorikiri.

Kotoshoho (6-6) defeated Mitakeumi (3-9). Mitakeumi henka and Kotoshoho made him pay. Kotoshoho dragged Mitakeumi to the edge by the belt and then trapped his left arm and threw him to the ground. Kotenage.

Oho (8-4) defeated Atamifuji (5-7). Oho pressed forward into Atamifuji but Atamifuji did not want to go backwards. Atamifuji charged forward into Oho and drove him back to the bales. At the tawara, Oho twisted and yanked Atamifuji down by his shoulder. Katasukashi.

Wakamotoharu (8-4) defeated Takanosho (3-9). Takanosho’s second nodowa forced Wakamotoharu back to the bales. But Wakamotoharu got low and seized Takanosho’s belt, at the front and the back. He then drove forward and forced Takanosho from the dohyo. Yorikiri.

Shodai (8-4) defeated Tobizaru (4-8). Tobizaru pulled and Shodai went with it and shoved Tobizaru from the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Daieisho (7-5) defeated Nishikigi (9-3). Daeisho’s thrusts were too much for Nishikigi. Nishikigi could not get inside and couldn’t get any of his own offense going. Tsukidashi.

Takayasu (10-2) defeated Hiradoumi (6-6). Bar fight. Both men blasted one another with repeated volleys of tsuppari. An ill-conceived pull from Hiradoumi resulted in Takayasu showing him the exit. Tsukidashi.

Wakatakakage (9-3) defeated Onosato (11-1). I’m sorry, y’all. I forgot to bring out my Onosato support towel. I just realized it’s sitting there, neatly folded with my Shodai towel. Thus, Onosato would not be crowned today. Onosato, in cruise control, drove Wakatakakage backward. WTK resisted Onosato at the edge and obtained a deadly, double-inside grip. Onosato remained calm and tried a slapdown but again, Wakatakakage resisted. To me, resisting that slapdown was the most impressive. Onosato was trying to crush him but WTK stayed upright. Onosato went back to the oshi and shoved Wakatakakage back to the edge. Wakatakakage countered with his morozashi and heaved Onosato around to the edge and shoved him out. Onosato was too focused on offense and displayed no defense. He just allowed Wakatakakage, twice, to wrap him up with a morozashi. The dude is stronk, too stronk to just let him inside like that. Yorikiri.

Kirishima (10-2) defeated Kotozakura (7-5). Which one of these guys is the Ozeki? After trading tsuppari briefly, the bout settled into a migi-yotsu grapple, right-hand inside. The initiative and first heave was Kotozakura’s. He dragged Kirishima to the edge but could not get him over the tawara. Kirishima resisted and forced the action back toward center. Kirishima then worked Kotozakura to the bales, rotated, and threw him on the tawara. Kirishima is back! It’s just like three tournaments late! Uwatenage.

Abi (3-9) defeated Hoshoryu (6-6). Henka! Hoshoryu fell for it and blasted forward, finally stopping in front of the bales. When Hoshoryu stopped and turned around, Abi was all over him and finished him off. Yoritaoshi.

Wrap-up

Here we are, ready for Day 13. Onosato will fight Kotozakura. Onosato will try to recover from his first loss and reach that 33-in-3 benchmark. Meanwhile, the Ozeki will fight for his kachi-koshi for the third time, having lost to Daieisho and Kirishima on consecutive days.

Speaking of Kirishima, he remains one-loss behind Onosato because of his spectacular upset. He will fight Hoshoryu, who is now in real trouble and must win two bouts in the next three days to avoid kadoban. With Kirishima, Onosato, and Kotozakura left on his fight card, that is a heavy load, indeed.