Takakeisho Intai. The former Ozeki will retire. Yeah, that caught me off guard, too. Right after the day’s action, NHK news sprung that on me.
News from the infirmary. Shirokuma kyujo. Takarafuji picks up the default win and Shirokuma will surely drop to Juryo.
Speaking of Juryo, Takerufuji defeated Shishi, who does not want to earn that Makuuchi promotion. “Let Nishikifuji have it. Those guys fight hard up there.”
NHK videos for today: Juryo and Makuuchi Part I and Part II.
Makuuchi Action
Takarafuji (9-4) forfeit win over Shirokuma (4-9). “Takeru/Takara, Potato/Potato.”
Onokatsu (5-8) defeated Tamashoho (5-8). Both men traded tsuppari but Tamashoho retreated…and retreated his way out of the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Ryuden (7-6) defeated Bushozan (4-9). Bushozan forced an oshi brawl, keeping Ryuden off of his belt…until the last second. Bushozan worked Ryuden toward the edge where Ryuden finally secured a left-hand inside grip and lay Bushozan down, slow and gentle. Uwatedashinage.
Sadanoumi (7-6) defeated Kinbozan (4-9). Migi-yotsu. Sadanoumi pulled Kinbozan down with a beautiful throw. Uwatenage.
Midorifuji (6-7) defeated Kagayaki (1-12). Midorifuji got that right hand inside Kagayaki’s left armpit and pulled him down. Patented Katasukashi.
Endo (8-5) defeated Nishikifuji (6-7). Endo pressed forward with his left-hand inside and his right hand still seeking an uwate grip. Once he landed that uwate, he forced Nishikifuji over the bales. Yorikiri.
Churanoumi (8-5) defeated Kitanowaka (5-8). Kitanowaka slammed into Churanoumi repeatedly but could not force him to the edge. Churanoumi tried a short pull but seemed to rear back to get a running start, slamming into Kitanowaka. This drove Kitanowaka backward. When Kitanowaka’s feet found the tawara, Churanoumi pulled and slapped Kitanowaka down. Hatakikomi.
Wakatakakage (10-3) defeated Oshoma (8-5). Oshoma seriously doesn’t seem to show up now that he has his eighth win. One quick blast from Wakatakakage at the tachiai and a simple pull brought Oshoma forward to the clay. Hikiotoshi.
Gonoyama (5-8) defeated Roga (6-7). Gonoyama pressed forward with oshi-zumo to start but then landed a morozashi, double-inside grip and forced Roga over the bales. Yorikiri.
Meisei (4-9) defeated Tamawashi (6-7). Powerful tsuppari from both men but Meisei got the better of the quick brawl by yanking on Tamawashi’s right arm and pulling him toward the bales. Another blast and Meisei drove Tamawashi over the bales. Oshidashi.
Halftime. Get up, stretch, grab some tea…
Ichiyamamoto (7-6) defeated Shonannoumi (3-10). Ichiyamamoto-zumo. He drove Shonannoumi back and out. Oshidashi.
We had that whole time for half-time but they choose now (4:04) for the news break. Sometimes the NHK decisions produce 404 errors in my head. “Let’s slip it in between bouts. They’ll never notice.”
Wakamotoharu (9-4) defeated Oho (8-5). Oho did well to drive WMH to the bales but he gave up a solid belt-grip and Wakamotoharu resisted. Oho then rotated and tried to pull Wakamotoharu toward center. Unfortunately, he did exactly that and gave Wakamotoharu superior position at the center and his own back to the bales. Oho seemed to try one more powerful blast to shove Wakamotoharu back but he shoved himself over the bales as his feet splayed out below him. Yoritaoshi.
Mitakeumi (4-9) defeated Atamifuji (5-8). Oh, dear. Atamifuji. Mitakeumi shifted left at the tachiai and Atamifuji stumbled forward but caught himself. Then right at the bales Mitakeumi shifted again and Atamifuji fell for it, again, stumbling forward and out. Atamifuji makekoshi. Tsukiotoshi.
Ura (9-4) defeated Tobizaru (4-9). Ura pressed forward from the tawara and gave himself space for a quick pull and slapdown. Down goes Tobizaru. Hatakikomi.
Shodai (9-4) defeated Takanosho (3-10). Shodai plowed through Takanosho’s nodowa and drove him to the edge. Shodai tried to land a morozashi but Takanosho shoved himself backwards…at the edge…which basically meant he was standing on the bales. Takanosho let up but he wasn’t out so Shodai gave him a good blast to make sure. “Dude, don’t get mad. Are you in or out?” “I don’t know, man. Being heyagashira will carry so much responsibility. I’m not sure if I want it.” Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Nishikigi (10-3) defeated Hiradoumi (6-7). Hiradoumi was very eager for this bout. A couple of matta later, Nishikigi hit him at the tachiai but slipped to the left and pulled Hiradoumi forward with his right arm, and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Daieisho (8-5) defeated Takayasu (10-3). Seeing Takayasu lick the salt made me wonder how many guys do that. I’ve seen a few of them do it. Takayasu tried blasting into Daieisho’s face after the tachiai but seemed to tire. Daieisho turned on his tsuppari and drove Takayasu back and out. Dreams of Papayasu Yusho fade, yet again. Oshidashi.
Abi (4-9) defeated Kotoshoho (6-7). Abi-zumo can still beat some guys. Kotoshoho is one of those guys. Oshidashi.
Hoshoryu (7-6) defeated Kirishima (10-3). Hoshoryu latched on to Kirishima’s belt as if he wanted nothing more in the entire world. He was desperate for it. As they tussled, Hoshoryu’s right leg slipped behind Kirishima’s. Then Hoshoryu executed an uwatenage, aided by the trip. OMG, that slam was BEAUTIFUL. Kirishima checked his left arm as he walked down the hanamichi. That had to hurt. It was probably more physically painful than being yeeted by Terunofuji. But I think the emotional scars of that yeet still linger. Absolutely MUST watch. Right-click the link and copy the URL text into your browser and it should work. Kirikaeshi.
Musubi-no-Ichiban: This was a wild, back and forth battle. Kotozakura forced Onosato to the edge and over but Kotozakura stepped out. Gunbai Kotozakura! Mono-ii. Video replay was really inconclusive. Did Onosato’s hand brush the surface? Was his toe over the bales? “Too close to call, boyz. DO IT AGAIN!!!”
Onosato (12-1) defeated Kotozakura (7-6). Onosato drove an exhausted Kotozakura straight back and over the bales.
Wrap up
NHK breaks to the news immediately after the bout. Lead story: “Takakeisho to retire.” Woah. The Tachiai News Room goes quiet…then bananas.
You could have announced that at your 4:04 news break! You do this while I’m doing my wrap-up? I was just joking with that bit about Takanosho being heyagashira. It’s official? Do I re-write it? Wow. I think we all knew this was coming. It is probably a good idea to do it now before Yusho news eclipses it. I’ll put a note at the top before the infirmary news and try to get a proper write-up later today or over the weekend.
But back to the current tournament…
It will take a spectacular collapse for Onosato to lose this title now. He’s on 12-wins with two days to go. Kirishima, Wakatakakage, Nishikigi and Takayasu are all two back. Kirishima will fight Takayasu tomorrow. Wakatakakage gets Daieisho and Nishikigi gets…Oho? That’s an interesting decision.
Onosato will fight Hoshoryu tomorrow. Clearly, the Onosato bouts are the highlights, reserved for the musubi-no-ichiban on both days as he cycles through the Ozeki. The NHK thinks the Kyokai will match Onosato against Takayasu on senshuraku. With Takayasu’s loss today, I’m not so sure.
I think Ura would be next on the list for Onosato if we’re looking at rank and I think that would be a better match-up. Ura’s 9-4 and having a great tournament. Takayasu did not look up to snuff today against Daieisho, that’s for sure. Which do you want your new Ozeki to fight on senshuraku, Maegashira 15 – or Maegashira 5? But if he beats Hoshoryu tomorrow, the title is his, anyway, and the Senshuraku bout will just be a cherry on top.
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Suggestion for followers: If you bookmark the following url, you could have access to all bouts in Makuuchi and Juryo divisions around the clock. NHK uploads each clip (on the relevant date’s page) as soon as the bout is finished, so you don’t have to wait until the end of the daily schedule; refresh the page to see new uploads. You’ll notice that the clips of the last three tournaments are available as well. Online translators would help to overcome the language barrier, the layout is simple anyway.
https://www.nhk.jp/p/ts/Z8WRRJ9K96/blog/bl/p781bLebx4/list
Thanks for including clips!
Agree that the Nishikigi vs. Oho is a strange decision, but their head to head record is 1-4. If Onosato loses tomorrow he’ll likely get Takayasu or Nishikigi (if they win). If they lose, I agree that Ura would be the best match up – especially if he’s also 10-4.
Sad news about Takakeisho. We all saw it coming, but sad to see his career cut short by injury. I owe him a lot of my infatuation with sumo: his first yusho in 2018 was the first basho I ‘properly’ followed, and also when I discovered Tachai! Looking forward to your write-up about him.
Who should Onosato fight on day 15?
for me it all depends on if he wins the yusho on day 14; if he loses and there is still a chance for the contenders, then the best contender: either Papayasu or Nishikigi
If not then, I like the idea of having Ura
and I definitively don’t want to see Abi
If the yusho is decided, they’ll probably just do Onosato-Abi. Putting Ura in there might look like the crowd-pleasing option, but beyond that there’s very little justification for pairing up a promotion-seeking Ura with someone that has nothing left to win in the tournament, especially when there are so many other komusubi candidates (Ura in particular has faced neither Hiradoumi nor Oho nor Wakamotoharu yet).
If U think Nishikigi vs. Oho a strange decision, then what about taking Wakatakakage back to the rank and filers and feeding him with Oshoma? WTK had Onosato as an opponent plus two of the lowest joi. His fight card looks a lot like that of Abi when the clown was gifted his basho.
Sad to hear the news about Takakeisho. Just a shame he was a win or two away from yokozuna, just like Kirishima. Amazing how close they both came in the last couple years only to fall off, though it’s good to see Kirishima regaining his form this basho. Guess he’s in the ozeki hunt again if he can keep it going.
I’ve always liked Takakeisho, but this is a relief. He’s not looked well for a long time. Remember that time when he had a weird shaking fit when he’d fallen on the tawara a few years back?
Thanks for the memories, but get yourself well.
It’s always wild to me when Hoshoryu in the last quarter of a basho remembers “oh right, my heritage is CHUCKING PEOPLE.”
Kotozakura had that match.
Onosato doesn’t deserve this. Where’s a prime Tochi or Ichinojo or Hak or Asa to humble him. Try your freight train tachiai against Tochi’s forearm shiver and see how it feels.
He’s gotten lucky with exactly the timeframe he came in at – changing of the guard.
He’ll get his once he takes an injury or two. Hopefully Hoshoryu keeps his brain working and tosses him tomorrow to set up something exciting.
Love to see the katusakashi from Midori, always a highlight
You could argue that there was an element of luck in two of Onosato’s wins. And WTK showed how to beat him. But he can only fight whoever’s in front of them, so I disagree, he does deserve it. If you mean it’s too soon to go overboard on his future prospects, I do agree, but let’s enjoy the moment.
What a biased comment. Of course Onosato deserves it all.
To come back like this after his first relatively weak basho (a 9 to 6 in Sanyaku!) is impressive.
For a great rikishi the timeframe to come in is always perfect.
And even U seem to know nothing else to stop him than „an injury or two“. What a great mindset to wish injuries for a wrestler…
As to the elbow of Hakuho, IMO that’s a defensive move. It could probably stop Onosato, but at the cost of leaving the mawashi to the youngster, which would be very dangerous.
Wow, talk about being bitter.
This comment is just overall gross. “He’ll get his once he takes an injury…”
I fail to understand the Onosato hate. He has buckets of power and skill enough to make it stick with very good consistency. What more does a rikishi have to do to deserve a yusho?
I loved Hoshoryu’s throw. I’ll definitely differ with you about Onosato. He has been the most dominant, best rikishi — consistently — during this tournament.
Prime Tochinoshin, Ichinojo, Hakuho, Asashoryu? You’d need a time machine because they’re not here. They’re old and broken… clearly long beyond their best. In short, they’re completely irrelevant to the conversation of this basho. I don’t think it’s luck, at all. He came into sumo as a developed wrestler. Hakuho spent two basho in Jonokuchi.
“He’ll get his?”, kind of a mean thing to say, IMHO. Yes, perhaps the field of competitors is not as strong as it might have been during the days when there was was a full slate of yokozuma and ozeki, still, no one handed him those wins.
I realize this is sports and, in sport, hating the opposing team is a tradition.
But I choose only to cheer for my favorites, not cheer (?) against their opponents.
He’s 2-1 vs. Terunofuji, including beating him when Terunofuji won the basho. The kid’s earning it against whoever they put him up against. Not sure what more he can do, but no one else is taking it to people consistently in such a “changing of the guard.” Sure looks like he’s the next guard in line to me.
I think that Kirishima haters were much more impressed with the Yokozuna Yeet than Kiri himself – and the true fan doesn‘t give a shit. Sure it was a bad milestone, but if you walk the line it‘s just another milestone.
Today‘s match up was complicated. I think they both hated to have their friend lose this one. But Hoshoryu still had an open bill with Kirishima for hooking the bad knee during the back-to-back Yusho Challenge. So the result today was going equal for that in a way. Yes, it looked spectacular – and beautiful, too! The fine thing is, that Hoshoryu now got a boost on his invitation to flatten Onosato, what would be in Kirishima‘s benefit. Tricky puzzle solved well.
Takakeisho was my favorite wrestler; I was thrilled when he made ozeki. In just his first tournament at ozeki he beat Mitakeumi chest-to-chest — an extremely impressive accomplishment in light of his preferred style that made me hope that he would round out his skillset and make the jump to yokozuna. But he had injured himself getting that win and went kyujo, then skipped the following basho and had to regain his rank from sekiwake. I held out hope for a rope run for a while but resigned myself to increasingly obvious truth that his body couldn’t take the stresses he was putting on it. Now that he’s retired I hope that he turns his attention to rehabilitating his body and finding a way to be healthy now that he no longer has to meet the demands of professional sumo. Here’s to you, Battle Hamster!
I picked up a lot of respect for Takakeisho and Chiganoura oyakata after that. I liked the philosophy of, “I’m hurt, I will take time to heal and come back.” It was such a departure from Terunofuji/Isegahama’s “ride ’em till the wheels fall off.” After the Ichinojo injury, though, it was just painful to see him try to come back.
Some exciting matches yesterday and today! Great sumo. Good to see Hoshoryu focus and show his skill, despite his sore hip! As for Onosato, who knows how he will develop in the years to come? Will we be speaking about him in the same breath as those currently considered ‘greats’? 🤔 time will tell. He can only fight the match/rikishi in front of him after all. He’s also learning, from every single match. What with Takerufuji storming back up the ranks, and Wakatakage likewise, and dothers like Oho finding some form, it’s all very interesting.
Being new to sumo, I just looked up Takakeisho’s record. 4 Emperor’s Cups, other division titles, and special prizes. Great career and Ozeki for several years! Impressive. I hope he is able to achieve his aim of being a stablemaster.
Just wondered, what are people’s thoughts on Atamafuji? Seems as if he’s just not taking in the lessons from each match or is he too reliant on his bulk (which is substantial on one so young), or is his training not hitting the mark, or, is he just not as good as everyone hoped….yet. 🤔 I have no idea, what do think?
Sanyaku and the joi are unforgiving. He’s got the the power and the size to get there. He needs to develop more skill to stay there and fight at that high level on a consistent basis.
Thanks Andy, yes, consistency and develop his skills further. He’s in the mix though during a most exciting time for sumo. I came into sumo on watching the makuuchi division, and it’s not until you watch juryo and the lower divisions that your realise the power, strength, technique and abilities of the makuuchi guys. If one of them even tapped me, I’d be halfway up the tiered seating if not further, utterly flattened 😁
Just for the challenge, I’ll be cheering for all the 7 loss guys to win out (unless of course they matchup with one of my favorites LOL).
OK I have a question – These “official” portraits of the rikishi shown on NHK just before the bout all look a bit old – more than a year old in most cases. How often are they actually refreshed?
Now a funny (to me) thought. Wouldn’t it be great that instead of official portraits to have a collection of pictures where each is showing their posed game faces to the corner camera just before the bout. Some those faces are quite hilarious (Kotozakura, Ryuden) while others are regal (Takayasu).
My impression is that the photos are updated on an ad-hoc basis because I have seen low-rankers with apparently rather old pictures because they’ve gained weight and gotten older. But I imagine the Kyokai probably gets updates when a wrestler with short hair can tie a chon mage, and then when a sekitori gets their Oicho-mage. Kiryuko and Daiseizan both have fresh pictures with oicho-mage.
Along with new or newer pictures I’d like see recent, more accurate weights. Wakatakage, my favorite, has been at 135kg ever since 03/23, but he’s definitely bigger and stronger in his upper body since returning from ACL surgery.Clearly he spent down time in the weight room.hitting the weights. Takakeisho (much respect) was always reported at 165kg, never bought that.
To Takakeisho : Thank You – Live Well, Live Long and Be Happy!!!
Andy: Did you bring out your Onosato Towel today?
I don’t know why they didn’t keep WTK fighting in the upper ranks?
I am really liking Nishikigi!!!
Sad news about Takakeisho, but most, if not all, of us were waiting for this to happen after the last time he was injured. I honestly hope he can lose weight so that he can exercise without gulping for air like a fish out of water. That always bothered me.
Onosato/Hoshoryu is going to be rather interesting, for sure. I wonder if Onosato will expect a trip or if he even knows how to defend against one. I’m hopeful that Tamawashi, Roga, and Nishikifuji can win out, but I don’t know how much gas Tamawashi has in the tank now that he has the iron man record. He might have to find another reason to mentally step onto the dohyo every day at this point.
Onward to the weekend!