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.
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Takayasu’s yusho !
I’m sure a million fans just got more interested in this. Imagine Takayasu, Kisenosato’s buddy and sparring partner, spoiling the yusho for Nishonoseki’s protégé.
Exciting days ahead!
Only 3 left!!! I’m always amazed how quickly these tournaments fly by. But what a final weekend we have in store!
A PAPAYUSHO is still in the cards!
When an Ozeki wannabe fights a well rounded actual Ozeki we get the WTK win. Onosato is one dimensional we have seen this before. It won’t last especially once he gets figured out.
Abi is a clown. But we knew that.
The clown got an appreciative laugh out of me today. Beautiful henka.
I guess you’ve misremembered: Wakatakakage is also an ozeki wannabe. And I gotta say, anyone who can be a danger even when subjected to a deep, un-kimedashi-able moro-zashi is no one-trick pony.
Wakatakakage still has a little bit to go before he’s an Ozeki wannabe again. Insert crying emoji here.
Hoshoryu really should not have fallen for that henka. Abi has been doing so poorly this basho that it seemed self-evident that Abi would try it at some point.
True Hoshoryu should have done the Hakuho stand up and wait for whatever bs Abi would try in that situation.
Watching Endo get so thoroughly beaten ever since his egregious henka against an opponent with a worse record is just so satisfying. Never been an anti of his, but seeing karma in action is also entertaining. I have to focus on the little things, as those I root for are either hurt (Hokutofuji, Onosho), retired (Kotoeko, Ishiura, Tochiozan), or just not having the best basho (Atamifuji).
I predict Takayasu will get second place because he is Takayasu.
:)
The Voice of Reason has entered the chat
Waaah ! Takarafuji got his Kachikochi today. And Tamawashi is still on a fifty-fifty with his 6-6 record. The performance resilience and steadyness of those two long-time veteran leave me in awe. Look like we always have from generation to generation one or two iron man rikishi like that. Before that, we had Aminishiki and Kyokutenho.
Also, ours favorite little bubbly cheery pink rikishi Ura got his kachikochi today ! Hurrah !
\o/
I felt Ura relied too much on tricks but he had developed into a really good wrestler. Very smart, too. Unlike Tobizaru whose antics are silly and ineffective IMHO. Needs to learn how to actually wrestle. No reason for Hoshyoru to fall for a henka from the henka King! At this point, frankly, everyone should be on guard fighting anyone trying to make kasikoshi. But then, Kirishima went geechy for a few tournaments, perhaps it is now Hoshyru’s turn. Kinda glad Onosato lost, less pressure on him, I think. Don’t know why everyone seems to be so derisive of his skills. Seems to be doing alright. With no signature go-to weapons, he won’t be easy to figure out, I think.
We’re set up for quite a weekend, aren’t we?
Hoshoryu should have the word “sucker” stamped on his forehead after getting henkaed by Abi. Everyone has been waiting for him to do it, honestly.
I am really looking forward to having Watatakakage back in San’yaku. Amazing result!
We’re definitely in for a bunch of banzuke shuffling again after this basho. Good luck to those of you who make predictions!
I loved Wakatakakage’s body language and facial expression after today’s win, as if he was saying “Yup, Still got it”.
I’m definitely eager to see him back amin sanyaku.
👊WTK’s looking STRONG. The look on his face after picking up Onosato and showing him the seats was classic. To compound the pain oNO quickly scurried back to the bath to soothe his bruised ego. Buck up junior.
Hoshoryu at risk… I hope he recovers, we dont want him kadoban
I’m worried about him.
Me too. But I am hopeful that it’s minor.
Wow, what an absolutely fun day this was! Thanks to WTK for a great match and for making the final days more exciting. Now we just need Hoshoryu to do his thing against Onosato as he has in the past tournaments and everything is possible. Well, not everything of course, but a Kirishima yusho or a Takayasu yusho are both possibilities that I’m very glad to have on the table.
Like others, I’m surprised Hoshoryu fell for Abi’s henka today, because I’ve seen Abi do many henkas before but what I have not yet seen is Hoshoryu loose to a henka, no matter who tried it. But I loved his half amused “you got me, bro” expression afterwards. Some criticize Hoshoryu for being a sore loser, but if he’s super pissed after a loss, it’s usually with himself.
I think I see now how Midorifuji is so successful with katasukashi. He’s very strong for his size so much like his former stablemate Terutsuyoshi he can drive out full size rikishi if he gets an advantageous position. Thus if he’s able to get one underhook he will go for the other, forcing his opponent to defend low and away from the side where he’s secured his grip, upon which he will pull with his underhook while retreating and reaching over with his other hand to complete the katasukashi grip.
Meisei vs Kagayaki was a match of sadness, wasn’t it?
Ura vs Endo promised sparks — they’re both around the middle of the division, fighting for kachi-koshi, and have fought enough to be a little familiar with one other’s style without deep knowledge of each other’s tricks. But Endo lost the tachiai and immediately executed a bad pull. Boring.
But fortunately Oho(!) came through with some brilliant technical sumo — his game plan was clearly influenced by an appreciation for Midorifuji’s brand of sumo.
I think Endo has an injury. He was doing that escape rather frequently before he dropped to Juryo. He was looking so good at the beginning of the tournament but the run-out is back. I wonder if it’s a serious concussion.
Yes, Meisei vs Kagayaki is a bout that I don’t want to see until they’re in Makushita or Sandanme and healthy.
Oho has turned it on so much, I am starting to think he’ll be Yokozuna in 3 or 4 years. He’s been healthy and he is in that 190cm/170kg class that John Gunning was talking about regarding Onosato. He is clearly developing his sumo.
Does Shishi always just look straight down and bury his head in the opponent’s body? ‘Cause he was ripe for a slapdown most of that match and was actually made to look more competitive than he was for how long it went on.
Andy – I have my (home-made of course), WAKATAKAKAGE Rally towel out since his comeback basho! I agree with you – Waka resisting that slap-down attempt was so amazing!!! Most people who read this know I’m a HUGE WAKA FAN and have been ever since he entered Makuuchi. Waka managed to open up the Yusho race thank you- totally Awesome! I agree with Tigerboy66 about his body language and facial expression. In all fairness, I am an Onosanto fan since he was in Juryo.
I am personally hoping for a three way tie between Onosanto, WKT and Takayatsu!