In the early action, Nishikikuni won the Jonidan playoff and Kinbozan defeated Aonishiki to win the Juryo yusho. We will certainly see Kinbozan back in the top division next tournament. Meanwhile, Aonishiki had one heck of a debut tournament, finishing 10-5. He will jump up the banzuke. Hakuoho also finished on 10-5 and should make his much awaited return to the top division. Oshomi even came back today, beat Hidenoumi and earned his 10th win, too.
NHK Video Links: Juryo Part I and Part II, Makuuchi Part I and Part II
Special Prize Announcement
We received our Bi-monthly proof of life from the Kyokai. “Yes, we have your champion. He is here and he is alive.” And we put him to work today to show you the special prizes.
Since the Twitter embeds seem to be broken (shocker), here’s a screenshot. Abi earned the Outstanding Performance Prize, unconditionally. Takanosho must beat Wakatakakage today to earn the Fighting Spirit Prize. Wakatakakage, however, earned his own unconditional Technique Prize.
Makuuchi Action
Bushozan (3-8-4) defeated Ryuden (4-11). Bushozan pressed forward into Ryuden and faced little resistance. He tried a slapdown but Ryuden did not fall for it. So, Bushozan charged ahead and shoved Ryuden out. Oshidashi.
Asakoryu (6-9) defeated Meisei (8-7). Meisei spent the first part of this bout trying to hold Asakoryu at arm’s length. Eventually, Meisei charged forward and Asakoryu slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Takerufuji (10-5) defeated Tamawashi (8-7). Tamawashi charged forward into Takerufuji. This allowed Takerufuji to wrap up Tamawashi. Once he did, he spun the Iron Man around, putting him close to the bales. Tamawashi resisted so Takerufuji pulled and thrust the old man down.Tsukiotoshi.
Shishi (5-10) defeated Takarafuji (8-7). Takarafuji made a mistake by reaching in and grabbing Shishi’s belt. Shishi immediately worked his right hand inside, pulling Takarafuji’s left off. Shishi kept pressing forward and forced Takarafuji back and out. Yorikiri.
Ichiyamamoto (8-7) defeated Sadanoumi (4-11). Ichiyamamoto used his tsuppari effectively, shoved Sadanoumi back and forced him down at the bales. Not a good tournament for Sadanoumi. Tsukitaoshi.
Hokutofuji (7-8) defeated Takayasu (8-7). Hokutofuji pressed Takayasu back to the bales with his hazu-oshi. When Takayasu reached the bales, Hokutofuji pulled and thrust Takayasu down to the ground. An exasperated Takayasu seemed upset with himself that he fell for that. Tsukiotoshi.
Midorifuji (7-8) defeated Onokatsu (9-6). Onokatsu did well to force Midorifuji back. Midorifuji used the bales to brace and make his own charge forward. Midorifuji spun Onokatsu around and Onokatsu lost his ring presence for a moment, a fatal mistake. He thought he was further away from the bales so when Midorifuji pressed forward, Onokatsu slid backwards, right over the bales and out. It seemed like Onokatsu had wanted the brace against the bales but was closer than he thought. Yorikiri.
Roga (7-8) defeated Tokihayate (6-9). Roga wrapped up Tokihayate and dispatched him rather easily. Roga charged forward and walked Tokihayate over the bales. Yorikiri.
Endo (7-8) defeated Nishikifuji (6-9). Endo weathered Nishikifuji’s tsuppari and earned himself a lefthand inside belt grip. That settled Nishikifuji’s tsuppari attack. Endo charged forward and forced Nishikifuji over the bales, in spite of Nishikifuji’s super loose belt. Yorikiri.
Tobizaru (9-6) defeated Shonannoumi (8-7). Tobizaru started this bout trying to stay arm’s length from Shonannoumi. Shonannoumi would push forward enough to pull and try a slapdown. Tobizaru defeated this attack every time so he gained confidence to move in closer to Shonannoumi. Tobizaru quickly put Shonannoumi into a headlock and tried to trip him, but that failed. Tobizaru steadily pressed in closer and eventually worked Shonannoumi to the edge and simply shoved him over the bales. Oshidashi.
Halftime
Atamifuji (8-7) defeated Mitakeumi (7-8). In our sole Darwin bout, Atamifuji grabbed Mitakeumi and used gaburi-zumo, the hip pumping action made famous by Kotoshogiku, to force Mitakeumi back and over the edge. Yorikiri.
Gonoyama (11-4) defeated Abi (11-4). Abi tried to pull, right after the tachiai. Fatal mistake as Gonoyama was ready, charged forward and chased Abi out. Oshidashi.
Chiyoshoma (11-4) defeated Ura (5-10). At the tachiai, Chiyoshoma tried to grab Ura’s belt but missed. As Ura charged ahead, Chiyoshoma grabbed Ura’s shoulder, and pulled Ura to the ground. Katasukashi.
Takanosho (11-4) defeated Wakatakakage (10-5). Wakatakakage tried to slap Takanosho down but Takanosho retaliated by slapping Wakatakakage down, winning the bout and the Fighting Spirit Prize. Hatakikomi.
Hiradoumi (4-11) defeated Churanoumi (4-11). Hiradoumi wrapped up Churanoumi and used a rather hyper-active gaburi-zumo technique to force Churanoumi over the edge. Yorikiri.
Oho (6-9) defeated Nishikigi (5-10). Oho charged forward but Nishikigi twisted and nearly pulled Oho down. Oho recovered and pulled but Nishikigi was ready and charged forward, forcing Oho to the bales. Oho put on the brakes and decided he needed to get aggressive. So, Oho slammed his way forward with a hefty headbutt and drove Nishikigi over the bales. Oshidashi.
Oshoma (4-11) defeated Shodai (4-11). Oshoma’s early pull and slapdown failed. But Oshoma was unafraid of Shodai. Why should he be, frankly? So, he pressed forward, gave Shodai a nodowa to start moving him back, and shoved Shodai over the bales. Oshidashi.
Kore Yori Sanyaku
Wakamotoharu (10-5) defeated Daieisho (8-7). Wakamotoharu met Daieisho head on but moved laterally, quickly and slapped Daieisho down. Tsukiotoshi.
Onosato (9-6) defeated Kirishima (6-9). Kirishima reached inside, grabbed at Onosato’s belt and spun the Ozeki around. Kirishima slapped Onosato but that only served to anger him. Onosato charged forward and shoved Kirishima out. Oshidashi.
Kotozakura (14-1) defeated Hoshoryu (13-2). Hoshoryu took his attack to Kotozakura. Nodowa, Nodowa. Hoshoryu shoved forward and saw an opening for Kotozakura’s belt. He reached over, seized Kotozakura’s belt and dragged him around. Kotozakura hopped around to maintain his balance. Kotozakura reacted almost reflexively, casually to slap Hoshoryu down with his right hand. Hatakikomi.
Wrap-up
Welp. It’s over. Kotozakura won his first yusho in spectacular fashion. He was certainly challenged by Hoshoryu. Hoshoryu likely tasted victory as he yanked Kotozakura around by his belt. The taste was fleeting however, and quickly replaced with a face full of dirt.
It was Kotozakura’s first yusho, so he was understandably unsure of where to go and what to do…but it felt like it was Hakkaku’s first yusho, too. Like he and the other oyakata forgot what to do and where to stand. We have to wait until January for more? Well, let’s let these guys dust themselves off, heal up, and get ready for Hatsu!
What of our other Ozeki? You know, Mr. Hype Machine turned Major Disappointment, Onosato. Well, I think the hype is still intact. He finished this, quote-unquote, “disappointing” tournament with a 9-6 record! He has yet to do worse than 9-6 in any tournament so far. Yeah, that’s not Ozeki Kachi-koshi and he lost to both of his peers, but shoot…the kid just got the rank. Let’s see what happens in January.
Add to that, we have Hoshoryu and Kotozakura with dominant performances, Takerufuji on the rise, Wakatakakage in sanyaku with Wakamotoharu. Hakuoho ready for his return…I think it’s fair to say the new era is upon us. I am very excited to see what happens.
Thanks to you all for enjoying this action with me. It was an awesome tournament, made even better since I got to share it with y’all.
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First of all, I am somewhat devastated at the result this morning. I almost thought, from the angle NHK camera had, that Hoshoryu slipped. He was certainly bringing it to Kotozakura, I thought Hoshoryu had Kotozakura on the run, but such is the fickle way of salt (to borrow from Ash Warren’s book) Kotozakura won. Well done to Kotozakura, his first Emperor’s Cup (and all the other prizes!). Kotozakura was nervous before that bout, and rightly so, and so was Hoshoryu. I just hope this doesn’t cause any issues for Hoshoryu. In January Hoshoryu, next time.
Secondly, but no less importantly, a massive thank you to you Andy, and all the others who comment and post on here. You all enliven each basho, and provide insights on the riskishi, the matches, Japan and the sumo world and things related to it, that I would never otherwise hear of.
Now to see the banzuke in due course. All the ups and downs and technical analysis (coupled with a measure of crystal ball-gazing too I think!)
I’ve got to see if I can catch the Jungyo tour somewhere, somehow. I need my sumo fix LOL!
Thank you one and all!
“…….we have Hoshoryu and Kotozakura with dominant performances, Takerufuji on the rise, Wakatakakage in sanyaku with Wakamotoharu. Hakuoho ready for his return…I think it’s fair to say the new era is upon us. I am very excited to see what happens…… ”
I think we all are Andy. it’s so exciting! It feels as if a new energy is really coming in!
“…….we have Hoshoryu and Kotozakura with dominant performances, Takerufuji on the rise, Wakatakakage in sanyaku with Wakamotoharu. Hakuoho ready for his return…I think it’s fair to say the new era is upon us. I am very excited to see what happens…… ”
I think we all are Andy. it’s so exciting! It feels as if a new energy is really coming in!
Two best rikishes fought a beautiful match. Best offensive power against Best defender. Kotozakura danced and took all the attacks from Hosh gracefully, like an wushu master, until Hoshoryu collapsed by himself.
Thank you Andy, for two weeks’ nice coverage of the basho. I enjoyed them all.
Congratulations to Kotozakura the kid, he won the yusho in decent fashion, focused and quite cool! Hoshoryu could have done it convincing as well, we all know. Hatsu will shed more light on the new generation.
I enjoyed spending Kyushu basho in your company, much to read and perceive many facets of everyone’s knowledge, esprit and sumo love! Thanks to Andy for the complete and passionate reporting work. Great as ever!
Wish you all will find some nice replacing activities ‘til it‘s going on again!
Four rikishi reached more than 60 wins in Makuuchi 2024. Hoshoryu 61, Wakatakakage 63, Onosato 65 and the winner is Kotozakura with 66. This shows that he really deserved his first yusho.
Sorry, Wakatakakage doesn’t belong here, 30 of his wins were in Juryo or even Makushita!
So, the three Ozeki had at least 10 wins more than every other Makuuchi rikishi in this year!
Kotozakura’s size, stance, fighting style, even facial expression remind me of late Akebono. Time will tell if he can show consistency as well.
I wish Wakamotoharu and Wakatakakage would do better. Somehow, it feels like they’ve reached a vast plateau and there is no way to go higher. Other than the brothers, there are several would-have-been’s spread across the plains. Well, that’s the way it goes.
Thanks Andy, for your great coverage of this exciting and possibly significant basho.
I say possibly because the hype that fastened on Onosato has now attached itself to Kotozakura and Hoshoryu. I think we all want to believe it. But at Aki they were both 8-7. As you point out Onosato didn’t do too badly at 9-6 in his first run as an Ozeki.
I really, really want to believe that the new era is here, but we do need to see what happens at Hatsu. We’ve been bitten before.
I’m right there with you. Completely agree. It’s really cool that they’re both being considered for Yokozuna, though. That increases the probability that Terunofuji will have some company in March. But as you said, “possibly.”
Thanks so much, Andy and team Tachiai, for the excellent insights and the congenial community you provide here! Congratulations to Kotozakura, and to Hoshoryu also for so many memorable and well-fought bouts. Wishing health to all.
Great basho!
I think Kotozakura earned it, it was not a fluke. As somebody mentioned it before, every basho he is making a steady progress. For me he is more similar to Kisenosato than to Akebono – yotsu rikishi, fat but not very powerfully built and focusing on stability.
And here are my anti-special prizes: anti fighting spirit price goes to Shonannoumi for his lack of any efforts. Anti technique prizes goes to Shodai for his remarkable technique during the fight with Churanoumi on day 14. And anti outstanding performance goes to Kirishima (conditionally, if he loses also to Onosato the last day).
Thanks to Andy for great commentary and site .. Kotozakura is a puzzle to solve .. He is not an easy belt throw .. WTK blew his knee out trying a belt throw of Kotozakura while balancing at the bales on that ill-fated knee ..
It was a good tournament overall, glad to see Wakatakakage back in san’yaku for January. I was impressed with how Kotozakura kept things together in the last few days of the tournament as that had been his Achilles’ heel in previous tournaments where he was in contention. I am not a big fan of him or his style but he definitely earned the cup.
Looking back on the records, it seems like Onosato performs best in Tokyo and has had his two worst outings when in Nagoya and Fukuoka. Will be interesting to see if that is a trend with him going into the next year.
Great Basho. Great coverage from Andy and the Tachiai Team! The Blazing Dragon has a tendency to slip, it was the case today as well, but Kotozakura aided with his girth and nimble feets. Congrats to Kotozakura on his first Yusho, props to The Blazing Dragon for shoring up his first week foibles and going 13-2. The Special Prize winners also deserve their flowers. Takanosho has really looked like a Sanyaku wrestler two of the past 3 Bahso, hope he keeps it up. Can’t wait until January, hopefully the Kaiju will participate and the Ozeki trio will continue to advance in their skills and poise and one or two of them can become the next High Priest(s) of Sumo.
This ended in the best possible way. On top of all the fun stuff happening next tournament we can add the possibility of kotosakura becoming a Yokozuna after winning his first basho. Imagine that.
Wonder if the powers that be would consider mixing anti-skid sand into the white-line paint.
Nah. Slippiotoshi is part of the tradition!