No internet issues tonight. No debates or votes in the Diet. All is calm. We are ready for sumo.
I have not seen the nephews yet in maezumo. Instead, they’ve had a bunch of high schoolers and banzuke-gai pushing Higohikari around. Today, Higohikari had two bouts and in one he really stepped up and gave a great effort and nearly won. But no sign of the oi (Japanese for nephew). I’ll keep my eye out for good footage of their debuts and when it happens, I’ll point you to it.
Aonishiki is off to a great start. He worked his right hand inside on Daishoho’s belt and dragged him down to the clay, shitatenage. Hakuoho was finally able to tie his oicho-mage last night. He will start out our schedule tonight against Shishi, visiting from Juryo.
Your NHK links for today are here: Juryo Part I and Part II, Makuuchi Part I and Part II.
Makuuchi
Hakuoho (3-1) defeated Shishi (2-2). Hakuoho has Shishi’s number and continues his winning streak. Hakuoho secured a right-hand outside, left-hand inside grip. It took quite a bit of effort but Hakuoho worked Shishi to the edge and pitched him over with a great over-arm throw. Uwatenage.
Takerufuji (3-1) defeated Bushozan (0-4). Takerufuji obliterated Bushozan, driving him quickly to the edge and over. Oshidashi.
Asakoryu (2-2) defeated Tokihayate (2-2). Asakoryu jumped the gun at the tachiai. He hit Tokihayate hard at the tachiai and drove his opponent to the edge with some forceful tsuppari. Then Asakoryu pulled quickly and slapped Tokihayate down. Hatakikomi.
Chiyoshoma (3-1) defeated Nishikifuji (0-4). Chiyoshoma started the match in reverse. He cycled around the edge trying to pitch Nishikifuji over the edge. Nishikifuji pressed forward and looked strong with Chiyoshoma in retreat and worked Chiyoshoma’s back to the bales. Sensing danger, Chiyoshoma switched his strategy to forward-moving sumo and quickly wrapped up Nishikifuji, drove him back through the ring, and slammed Nishikifuji over the edge. Yoritaoshi.
Onokatsu (4-0) defeated Shonannoumi (2-2). Onokatsu dispatched Shonannoumi quickly. Shonannoumi tried his usual retreating sumo but Onokatsu stayed with him and pressed him over the bales. Yorikiri.
Sadanoumi (2-2) defeated Hokutofuji (1-3). Hokutofuji’s pull after the tachiai was ineffective. That gave Sadanoumi an huge opening and Sadanoumi took advantage. Sadanoumi grabbed Hokutofuji and drove him out. Yorikiri.
Meisei (2-2) defeated Ryuden (1-3). Forward-sumo is winning the day today. Ryuden drove forward and worked Meisei to the edge. At the edge, Meisei suddenly slipped to the side and tried to shove Ryuden over. Ryuden maintained his balance so Meisei drove into him hard. Ryuden tried his own pull while in reverse but Meisei took advantage by keeping Ryuden in front and drove Ryuden over the edge. Yorikiri.
Takarafuji (2-2) defeated Ichiyamamoto (3-1). An overeager Ichiyamamoto tried really hard to force Takarafuji over the edge. Suddenly, Takarafuji spun quickly on his heel and Ichiyamamoto flopped forward. Tsukiotoshi.
Takayasu (2-2) defeted Tamawashi (2-2). Solid tachiai. After trading tsuppari with Takayasu, Tamawashi put his head down and drove forward. That’s when Takayasu pulled and slapped Tamawashi down. Excellent timing by Takayasu. Hatakikomi.
Gonoyama (3-1) defeated Roga (1-3). Solid work from Gonoyama. He led with his head, slammed into Roga, moving his opponent backward. Gonoyama followed up with solid tsuppari to thrust Roga out. Tsukidashi.
Mitakeumi (3-1) defeated Midorifuji (1-3). Midorifuji was always on the watch for a katasukashi. Mitakeumi was set on forward-moving sumo today! He enveloped Midorifuji, grabbing him on the outside, locking up both arms and walked him over the edge. Kimedashi.
Halftime
Takanosho (4-0) defeated Nishikigi (0-4). Nishikigi looked strong to start but that might have been because Takanosho tried a pull. When that failed Takanosho drove forward and forced Nishikigi out.
Endo (3-1) defeated Kotoshoho (1-3). I enjoy seeing Endo performing well in the second half of the Torikumi. I say that and he immediately sidesteps after the tachiai. Kotoshoho almost makes him pay by pushing him to the edge. With the entire dohyo behind him, Kotoshoho tried a pull. Endo pressed forward and forced Kotoshoho down. Kotoshoho’s legs went in completely different directions and his left knee buckled awkwardly. Endo checked in on him and helped him up because he knew that was weird. Kotoshoho said he’s fine and seemed to be okay. Good sportsmanship from Endo. Love to see it. Oshitaoshi.
Churanoumi (1-3) defeated Oshoma (1-3). Hard tachiai. Churanoumi locked in with his left hand inside. He released the belt and instead wrapped Oshoma up under the armpit and levered Oshoma over. Powerful throw tipped Oshoma over and Oshoma had to catch himself, putting his hands down. Sukuinage.
Atamifuji (4-0) defeated Tobizaru (2-2). Henka-proof tachiai. Atamifuji played a wait-and-see game with Tobizaru. At the bales, Atamifuji tried a slapdown but failed. From there he wrapped up Tobizaru at the shoulder and steadily drove him backward and over the edge.
Sanyaku
Shodai (1-3) defeated Hiradoumi (0-4). Rally towel out today and held aloft in the living room (rather than just on display behind me). That must have been the difference via some psychic connection around the globe because a hyper-charged Shodai came out blasting at Hiradoumi. It’s usually Hiradoumi with the hard-hitting tachiai but today it was Shodai? What the hell?!?! Shodai hit Hiradoumi hard and drove him back then gave him a finishing shove under the red tassel. I saw a proud, showboat-y glance over at Hiradoumi from the former Ozeki as Shodai claimed his bounty. Bringing the attitude today, too. Hmm…must’ve eaten his Wheaties this morning. Oshidashi.
Wakamotoharu (3-1) defeated Kirishima (0-4). Once Wakamotoharu pressed forward, Kirishima obliged by moving backward. Wakamotoharu wrapped up Kirishima’s left arm, drove him back to the edge and forced him over. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (2-2) defeated Oho (1-3). Oho pulled and Daieisho made him pay by driving his hand into Oho’s face. Daieisho followed through with the rest of his body shoving Oho out. Damn it. Move FORWARD! Oshidashi.
Abi (3-1) defeated Onosato (3-1). Abi blasted Onosato at the tachiai then backed away. Onosato pursued but over-committed. Abi shifted suddenly at the edge, grabbed Onosato under the armpit and hefted Onosato over. Sukuinage.
Hoshoryu (4-0) defeated Ura (1-3). Hoshoryu pressed forward, grabbed Ura’s belt with his right hand and dragged him down. Uwatenage.
Kotozakura (3-1) defeated Wakatakakage (3-1). Kotozakura absorbed WTK’s strong tachiai, pivoted, and walked him over the edge. Yorikiri.
Wrap-up
Shodai and Abi, Harbingers of Chaos, are saddled up and on the ride again. But we still had two of three Ozeki win in strong, authoritative fashion against strong opponents, which is an awesome sign. We had a lot of great action, up and down the banzuke. It started with Hakuoho’s great bout with Shishi and rolled all the way through Kotozakura’s dominant win over Wakatakakage.
Kirishima fans, of which I am one, are rightly concerned for the man as he cannot find a way to win. If you haven’t figured it out, I’m basically a fan of this entire field. It sure makes sumo fandom easy. “Oh, my favorite lost. But my other favorite won. And the Ozeki are doing well. It’s a good day.”
We’re still very early in the tournament but four guys lead the top division with perfect records: Hoshoryu, Atamifuji, Takanosho, and Onokatsu with eleven men on one loss.
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Not only Higohikari had two bouts today but also Takarafuji (and Takerufuji obviously had none)!
Damnit! I’ll fix it. Thank you.
‘We had a lot of great action, up and down the banzuke’. We certainly did, and yeah, I have particular favourites, but I want them all to do well. Sadly half of them will lose 😔 Glad your Internet is back up and running Andy, and thanks for the update 👍
Oh, forgot, thanks for the picture of Hoshoryu, how does he manage without glasses, in the dohyo? Does he wear contact lenses? 🤔
Contact lenses are not permitted in Sumo just like in most if not all contact sports.
Ah thank you The Old Man, I did not know that; though it makes sense when I think about it.
Hakuoho is definitely returning to the top division soon. My goodness.
I’d suspect an injury for Kirishima, but can’t figure out what it would be based on his sumo from the past couple of days. Something definitely isn’t right with him, though.
Apparently, Onosato hasn’t been given the memo on Abi-zumo yet. Go figure.
I was surprised that Kotozakura dispatched WTK that quickly. Maybe WTK has gone to the well once too often with his current strategy for observant opponents?
WTK’s under and up strategy hasn’t worked the last two days. He has been not been able to employ his left otsuke and has been stood up and easily walked out by one Ozeki and hurled onto his butt by the other. If he can be turned, he’s done. He’s in good condition but seems to be unwilling to change strategy very often and the top rankers are wise to it. Too bad. He’s been my favorite since I started following grand sumo 5 years ago but if he’s ever going to advance past his current rank he has to be willing to change up his Tachiai. Glad I didn’t start this with “I’ll be brief”
Rikishes with small top knots are doing great these days. They will occupy top part of the banzuke pretty soon.
Hakuoho vs Shishi was one of the best matches yesterday. Hey, I’ve never seen flag holders circling dohyo for a Juryo guy. Did Hakuoho take the envelops.. can he?
I believe this is the answer to your question:
Juryo rikishi can earn kensho money from bouts but don’t go to a maegashira salary.
Yes, Hakuoho got the kensho because he was fighting a Makuuchi bout.
Hi Andy! I enjoy reading your summaries every day from Norway and wanted to say thank you!
Thank you, Jan! I’m glad you enjoy it!
I do not want to jinx him but I get a new feeling about how Hoshoryu is facing bouts these days. He comes in with a plan and does not rush things. Am I allowed to hope for an Arumafuji turn?
I think you mean Atamifuji? Harumafuji is not coming back.
Or maybe the poster meant that Hoshoryu will turn to be more like Harumafuji? I like them both so much.
Hoshoryu is also about 5 kilos heavier and looks as if he’s concentrated on his upper body. Looks to be stronger in the upper arms, shoulders, etc. Last tournament he had problems trying to throw Onosato and several of the other huge younger fighters. With his judo background he’s gifted thrower, but that has its limits when he’s fighting the young 180+ kilo giants. Still at this point he’s looking strong and ready to challenge for his second emperors cup, and I haven’t seen the “attitude” this time around, More mature, more focused.
It sure was great to see another one of my favorites Hakuoho back – what a great bout! I like Onokatsu too – looks very promising. I agree with you regarding Endo’s sportsmanship – I always enjoy rikishi who exemplify good ring manners!
Shodai! Wow! Andy, I hope the secret is waving the rally towels – both of my towels were in the wash and both lost – and they aren’t matched up against each other yet!
Abi and Shodai sure make everthing even more interesting!
Great bouts today!
While enjoying the fiesta at bottom Makuuchi, there‘s reason to be concerned about Kirishima‘s state of body health again. It‘s quite unusual for him to collect more than three losses right from the start. When I saw him struggling and resisting at the bales with Wakatakakage on Day One I remembered his long lasting back problems instantly. ‚Why does he put it on the risk?‘ Of course he did not want to lose on shonichi, but then also fell hard onto the edge of the dohyo. In the Abi bout it was remarkable that Abi moved so much faster than Kirishima. This is not what we are used to see. Got to be patient…
Remembering back to his Ozeki run, his body was much more flexible; he could change body positions seemingly in the blink of an eye. It’s gotta be his back. He’s lost that ability and I hope he’s not doing long term damage. I’d hate to see another young fighter have to hang up his mawashi too soon
Today was fun as all have noted. Among all my smiles today the biggest were for Atamifuji looking solid and keeping up the pace, and the resolve and decisiveness of Hoshoryu. Not a single one of his one legged twisting throws so far this basho. His flexibility and strength are amazing, but I love seeing these well executed throws that leave both his feet connected to the clay.
I want them reserved for the Onosato match.. as usual. lol