JME.tv coverage was pre-empted. The Japanese Diet is voting for Prime Minister. Oh, boy, this could be a while. Time to fire up the VPN! Let’s see what’s on Abema.
Oh, Shohozan doing the commentary! Did I mention that I met him? Yes? Well, you’re going to hear that tale again because it was absolutely the highlight of my latest trip to Japan. Shohozan has a restaurant just outside Tokyo. I dragged my son out to Funabashi to try Shohozan’s yakiniku. Shohozan’s meat is great, by the way.
The thing is, he doesn’t just own the place, Shohozan works there. He quickly had me pegged as a sumo fan and challenged me to rock-paper-scissors for a round of drinks, which I won! I am UNDEFEATED against Shohozan! I think I got a lemon hi-ball while my son got a Calpis soda. The meat was great and my son and I had a great time.
We hung around and chatted with Shohozan a bit and checked out the memorabilia he has on display. While leaving, he signed a couple of coasters for my son and I…and then we bumped into Tochinoshin while getting out of the elevator! Bottom line, Funabashi is a quick train ride from downtown Tokyo on the Sobu line and Shohozan’s restaurant is very close to the train station. Go check him out!
The NHK links for today’s bouts are here:
Juryo Part I and Part II, Makuuchi Part I and Part II
Makuuchi Action
Kinbozan (2-0) defeated Asakoryu (0-2). Kinbozan used his size advantage well. He kept Asakoryu in front of him and blasted him with his tsuppari. Asakoryu tried to deflection and misdirection but eventually had to turn his back and Kinbozan shoved him gently over the bales. Okuridashi.
Shishi (2-0) defeated Bushozan (0-2). Shishi dodged Bushozan’s second charge and that seemed to completely eliminate all of Bushozan’s offensive power. Shishi locked him up and walked him out. Yorikiri.
Tokihayate (2-0) defeated Takerufuji (1-1). Tokihayate got inside with both arms. Takerufuji was able to get his left hand on Tokihayate’s belt but missed with the right. Tokihayate took advantage and pivoted Takerufuji toward the bales and drove him out. Yorikiri.
Onokatsu (2-0) defeated Chiyoshoma (1-1). Chiyoshoma did well to start. He took the initiative and tried a katasukashi but Onokatsu resisted. Chiyoshoma had a good left hand grip but Onokatsu worked his right hand inside while at the same knocking Chiyoshoma away. From there, Onokatsu was able to walk Chiyoshoma out. Yorikiri.
Shonannoumi (1-1) defeated Nishikifuji (0-2). Shonannoumi pulled and caught Nishikifuji unprepared. He knocked Nishikifuji off-balance, then followed up and shoved Nishikifuji over the bales. Oshidashi.
Ryuden (1-1) defeated Hokutofuij (1-1). Hokutofuji tried a slapdown but Ryuden maintained his balance and drove an exhausted Hokutofuji back and out. Yorikiri.
Meisei (1-1) defeated Sadanoumi (1-1). Meisei shifted to the side after the tachiai. His inashi caught Sadanoumi off guard. He re-engaged, wrapped up Sadanoumi and drove him over the edge. Yorikiri.
Ichiyamamoto (2-0) destroyed Tamawashi (1-1). Ichiyamamoto drove straight into the Iron Man, who Tsukidashi.
Takayasu (1-1) defeated Takarafuji (0-2). Takayasu blasted Takarafuji at the tachiai. He followed with a pull, yanking on that wounded left arm while pushing Takarafuji’s head down. Oshidashi.
FINALLY!!! The NHK wisely switched back from the Diet vote over to sumo in time for Midorifuji vs Roga. Sorry, Shohozan, switching over.
Roga (1-1) defeated Midorifuji (1-1). Once Roga got Midorifuji moving backwards, the bout was over. Roga followed through by running over Midorifuji at the edge. Yoritaoshi.
Gonoyama (1-1) defeated Mitakeumi (1-1). The bout started with strong tsuppari from both men. Gonoyama charged back inside and forced a yotsu bout. He quickly overwhelmed Mitakeumi and drove him backwards and out. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Takanosho (2-0) defeated Endo (1-1). Takanosho’s forceful blasts overwhelmed Endo. Endo tried to retreat and deflect but Takanosho kept pace and cast Endo from the ring. Oshidashi.
Kotoshoho (1-1) defeated Nishikigi (0-2). Kotoshoho slammed into Nishikigi, drove him straight backward and over the bales. Oshidashi.
Tobizaru (2-0) defeated Churanoumi (0-2). This was a wild, back and forth brawl. Tobizaru timed a pull and slapdown well and deflected a hard-charging Churanoumi into the front row. Gunbai to Tobizaru. But we have a mono-ii. Tobizaru stayed in but was there a hair-pull? Replay showed no grip on the hair at all. Hatakikomi.
Atamifuji (2-0) defeated Oshoma (0-2). Atamifuji wrapped up Oshoma and pressed him back to the bales. Some gaburi hip-pump action forced Oshoma over the bales. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Abi (1-1) defeated Shodai (0-2). Abi-zumo dispatched Shodai quickly. His nodowa got Shodai moving backwards. Abi then followed with powerful tsuppari and thrust Shodai from the fighting surface. Tsukidashi.
Ura (1-1) defeated Kirishima (0-2). Kirishima started well, blasting Ura to the edge. He assaulted Ura at the edge but could not thrust him over the bales. He tried an ill-conceived pull, allowing Ura back to the center of the ring. This gave Ura a chance to shift and use his lateral mobility and attempt some misdirection. Ura shifted right and Kirishima stumbled forward. Tsukiotoshi.
Wakatakakage (2-0) defeated Daieisho (1-1). Daieisho’s thrusts kept WTK at bay but then Daieisho tried a pull. What a mistake! Wakatakakage moved quickly and maintained his balance as he drove forward into Daieisho, thrusting him from the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Kotozakura (2-0) defeated Hiradoumi (0-2). Hiradoumi hit Kotozakura hard and tried to twist Kotozakura out. Kotozakura had Hiradoumi wrapped up well. He kept Hiradoumi centered and pressed forward, forcing Hiradoumi out. Yorikiri.
Onosato (2-0) defeated Oho (0-2). Oho wrapped up Onosato’s shoulder and pulled. Onosato used good foot work to stay up and angrily dispatched Oho at the edge, throwing the big boy on his butt. Oshitaoshi.
Hoshoryu (2-0) defeated Wakamotoharu (0-2) Jesus. Hoshoryu destroyed Wakamotoharu. Powerful nodowa then a follow up by wrapping his shoulder. Hoshoryu yanked Wakamotoharu around the ring and shoved him into the cameraman under the black tassel. All that for an Oshidashi?
Wrap-up
I will get back on JME to see about that SLA. Frankly, the early action was not that exciting. Though, my opinion may be colored by Takerufuji’s disappointing loss. He was way too high and was trying to do too much with a one-handed grip. I just expected much better against Tokihayate. There just seemed to be a lot of broken guys, too. Bushozan, Chiyoshoma, Takarafuji, Sadanoumi, and Tamawashi did not quite seem ready for the pace of their opponents. Maybe they’re still acclimatizing to Fukuoka?
It was a completely different story at the other end of the torikumi. Our Ozeki shared a bottle of smelling salts down in the shitakubeya because they came out firing on all cylinders. Hoshoryu absolutely obliterated Wakamotoharu, as if to say, “do you really think you belong back in Sanyaku?” Wow.
Tomorrow, Onokatsu will take on Shishi in an interesting early bout. Both men have done well to start this tournament. I hope there is some good action between here and the Tobizaru/Takanosho bout but frankly, I think we coast all the way to Wakatakakage versus Churanoumi before Day 3 action gets hot.
Hiradoumi will get his crack at Hoshoryu, then Kotozakura will face Oho and Onosato will take on Shodai in the musubi-no-ichiban. That’s a clash of my rally towels and after today’s action, I think the Shodai towel goes in the wash. Let’s get some good mojo going on Day 3!
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Wakatakage has the look! Determination, resolve, whatever. Good to see him working his way up. If he can stay focused and healthy he’s poised for that long awaited Ozeki run next spring/summer.
As a side note who’s responsible for weighing in these men? Or did they take the year off? WTK 135 kilos, nope!
LOL. You’re not the only one questioning those official stats. I do wonder how often they update rikishi data on the website.
Hoshoryu‘s dramatic oshidashi on WMH was combined with a short glance to our shin-ozeki.
Kirishima vs. Ura went disappointing imho because Kiri left too much space between them. Did function well on their previous meeting, but Ura is a fast and effective learner.
Oh, is that who he was looking at….
I’m glad Hoshoryu is off to a good start but ouch, I like Wakamotoharu too, was it necessary to clobber him?
That was my question, too. But then it looked more like a result of the overall dynamic in the bout. I think Hoshoryu is heated up completely, and maybe we will see more of that in the following days. Hope they stay all safe!
Ok, well, guess we don’t get the answer on whether 13 wins would’ve been enough for Kirishima. It’s still technically possible I suppose, but I wouldn’t put money on him running the table from this point on. Better off spending that money at one of his Chanko Kirishima locations. I had my first taste of basashi at one earlier this year, and it wasn’t bad.
The Chanko Kirishima is not his. It’s his former stable master’s, the original Kirishima.
Hmm interesting. I assumed it was his when I saw his pictures all over the place (well, two locations, as I only saw the station location from the outside). They certainly aren’t shy about promoting the current Kirishima at least.
Yeah, I think that’s part of the reason Michinoku oyakata wanted Kiribayama to become Kirishima.
Oh, and basashi is my absolute favorite!
So cool you got to hang out with Shohozan, Andy! I always liked him, such a scrapper. He really seemed to relish a fight without carrying any grudges.
Tobizaru’s one legged spin at the edge was very fun. I am impressed with how some of them can balance and hop on one leg with the other way up in the air, shiko must help with that.
Yes, Tobizaru gets top points for that figuring skating camel spin move at edge of Tamara that kept him in….what a move, you could tell with that extra wry smile on his face, he really delighted himself in pulling it off! Well done flying monkey, or should we say, spinning monkey?
Tamara, sorry for typo….
Great Post Andy – Thanks! Loved the Pics and the story – did you take any pics of Tochi? Or are you saving that for another time?
As far as the rally towels go Definitely wash Shodai’s rally towel – he can use the help – I really thought he would win that bout! It brings up the question what do I do with mine when they are in opposition? Last time Wakatakakaga won in spectacular fashion! Maybe it will be Onasato’s turn this time? Looking forward to that bout!
Thanks again for the links – they work great!!!
I’d argue Kirishima outthought himself in the match vs. Ura. If he’d just focused on fundamentals, he’d not have fallen prey to Ura’s craftiness. Ura was doing the sumo version of Rope-A-Dope in that match.
Kirishima always fought his opponent’s sumo and still won most of them.
Now, he is still fighting his opponent’s sumo but is losing. Losing to WTT with his style was a beauty, but losing to Ura with Ura sumo? That’s ugly!
Now, I am losing track of what the REAL kirishima sumo looked like.
I always thought it was part of Kirishima‘s style to mirror his opponents actions or to ‚pay back’ in the same coin. But you are right, it should result in a win…
Thanks for the fun coverage of Shohozan, today’s action, and reminding me that I used to teach at Keio Hiyoshi too ( oh, 30ish years ago)– and that they beat Waseda. 😀
You taught at Hiyoshi? Were you a real teacher at Keio? Or a NOVA teacher like me? Hiyoshi was such an awesome little place.
I was a moon lighting part-timer at Keio; my main gig was at Aogaku Dai. Hiyoshi was really beautiful at cherry blossom time. I think I taught an English elective–the students were sharp! Hey– NOVA counts, too!! (but I know what you mean…).
So great to have found your site. Loving your posts and the ability to have a little English language interaction. I picked up the sumo habit from my couch during COVID (the first tourney I watched was the first with Tereunofuji as sole yokozuna).
So great to see Hoshoyru firing on all cylinders during the first week. Last basho was embarrassing with the two oseki unable to do anything about Onosato. Looking forward to seeing if he can stay locked in.
Wakatakakage is another favorite rikishi of mine and he is so focused, seems to be exactly at the same place he was in September, mentally.
But the real reason I’m posting here for the first time: WTH was that Nishikigi bout? No disrespect to Kotoshoho, but his opponent didn’t show up at all. I was so hopeful last basho that he re found his mojo after some disappointing tournaments, but maybe he just can’t string together two in a row?
Nishikigi has definitely seemed REALLY hurt for the past few months.