In Juryo, Wakaikari fell to Shishi after another henka. Shishi got some good slaps in their little brawl before smothering Wakaikari and driving him from the ring. Aonishiki ran Asakoryu out of the Kokugikan once he got that right hand at the back of Asakoryu’s belt. The big Shishi/Aonishiki bout is set for tomorrow. The two Ukrainains will duke it out for the first time, with the title race on the line.
The makuuchi yusho race has begun to take shape and it is a wild one. Kinbozan remains in the lead despite his Day Ten loss to Abi. Chiyoshoma stumbled as well, reopening the door for Oho and Takerufuji. This also gives Hoshoryu, Onosato, and Kirishima a whiff as they sit two wins back.
The schedulers are trying to end these Maegashira title hopes by moving them up to face sanyaku opponents now. Oho and Kirishima have already faced the meat of their schedule, so they likely have the advantage in these closing days. They will face each other tomorrow. The Ozeki will take turns fighting each other in the final three days.
Your NHK videos are here: Juryo Part I & Part II, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.
Makuuchi Action
Shonannoumi (6-5) defeated Kotoshoho (2-9). Kotoshoho started early. Reset. Kotoshoho sidestep but Shonannoumi recovered well and chased Kotoshoho. Kotoshoho blasted Shonannoumi toward the edge and followed up with another charge but Shonannoumi slipped to the side. As Kotoshoho put on the brakes, Shonannoumi followed up with a shove and finished Kotoshoho off. Oshidashi.
Midorifuji (4-7) defeated Tokihayate (5-6). Midorifuji forced Tokihayate to the edge with his double-inside grip but Tokihayate resisted and forced the action back to the center. Midorifuji finished Tokihayate off with a dramatic throw in the middle of the ring. Shitatenage.
Meisei (4-7) defeated Kagayaki (3-8). Solid tachiai. Meisei retreated and pivoted several times as he drew Kagayaki closer to the edge. As Kagayaki drew close to the tawara, Meisei stepped toward the inside to corner Kagayaki. Kagayaki tried an inexplicable pull and Meisei easily shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Nishikifuji (6-5) defeated Oshoma (5-6). Oshoma baited Nishikifuji toward the edge but tripped over his own feet as he tried to execute a pull. At the same time Nishikifuji drove into Oshoma and effectively blasted Oshoma backward and off the ring. Oshitaoshi.
Tamashoho (4-7) defeated Churanoumi (4-7). For the first time this basho, Tamashoho’s tsuppari seemed to have an effect on someone as Tamashoho plugged away at Churanoumi’s face, steadily forcing Churanoumi closer to the edge. Tamashoho kept up the pressure and Churanoumi could not manage an escape. Oshidashi.
Hiradoumi (6-5) defeated Nishikigi (5-6). Hiradoumi jumped early. Reset. Hiradoumi hit Nishikigi and drove him to the edge. Nishikigi pivoted and tried to pull Hiradoumi by his shoulder but Hiradoumi resisted the throw, turned, and steamed ahead. Yorikiri.
Ura (6-5) defeated Mitakeumi (2-9). Ura pulled toward the edge, then circled around and charged into Mitakeumi. As Mitakeumi tried to slap Ura down, Ura charged ahead and forced Mitakeumi from the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Endo (6-5) defeated Shodai (5-6). A good old-fashioned grapple here. Endo tried an early pull but Shodai kept his balance and moved back to the middle of the ring. Shodai even tried charging forward! (Gasp!) But Endo held steady. Endo grabbed at Shodai’s belt getting both hands up front, maemitsu. This allowed him to hoist Shodai a bit and drive him backwards over the bales. Yorikiri.
Oho (9-2) defeated Onokatsu (6-5). Both men locked in with left-hand inside grips, resulting in a good long grapple as both men tried to force the other to the edge. Onokatsu drove Oho perilously close but Oho persevered and did not give in to those demons telling him to pull. He continued to charge forward and try to get that right hand inside. Instead, Onokatsu tried to pull as Oho worked to loosen his grip. Oho kept Onokatsu in front of him, charged forward and shoved Onokatsu out. Oshidashi.
Gonoyama (6-5) defeated Takarafuji (4-7). Gonoyama blasted away with his tsuppari and offered no openings to the leaky Takarabune. Tsukidashi.
Halftime
Hakuoho (7-4) defeated Tobizaru (5-6). Hakuoho’s tsuppari game seemed to improve during the bout. He tried everything, even kubinage a couple of times but could not finish Tobizaru. Tobizaru stayed centered and his own tsuppari worked to drive Hakuoho close to the edge during their long back and forth. As loose as Tobizaru’s shimekomi was tied, oshi-tsuki was probably the most efficient way to win. Hakuoho let go of Tobizaru’s belt with the right hand, instead tucking in underneath Tobizaru’s armpit. Hakuoho finally got some leverage and managed to drive Tobizaru to the edge and slam him, hard into the clay. Sukuinage.
Kirishima (8-3) defeated Tamawashi (6-5). Kirishima cycled around the ring in retreat but shifted back to the center of the ring. He pulled on Tamawashi’s arm and drew the veteran closer to the edge before driving in and forcing him from the dohyo. Yoritaoshi.
Takanosho (4-7) defeated Atamifuji (2-9). Takanosho won The Futility Bowl and staved off makekoshi for at least another day. Atamifuji had the early edge as he forced Takanosho back after the tachiai. But Takanosho worked both arms inside Atamifuji’s armpits and steamrolled through the ring. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Abi (7-4) defeated Ichiyamamoto (6-5). Abi pulled and danced along the bales as he tried to shove Ichiyamamoto over. Abi shoved Ichiyamamoto from the edge. Mono-ii? Did someone step out? Hair pull? Video review showed Abi’s tawara dance coming very close to touching…but not close enough. The shimpan even checked the janome for signs of disturbed clay. No evidence to overrule the decision on the field. Abi won. Tsukidashi.
Daieisho (7-4) defeated Takerufuji (8-3). Takerufuji blasted into Daieisho, forcing him to the edge. When he faced resistance, he tried a disastrous pull and Daieisho ran him out the other side and into Ajigawa’s lap. Oshidashi.
Takayasu (7-4) defeated Wakamotoharu (3-8). Some tachiai games here as Wakamotoharu did not want to put his hands down before Takayasu. Takayasu waited, “I’m Former Ozeki. You’re Never Will Be Ozeki. Get your hands down.” Wakamotoharu obliged, to his detriment. At the tachiai, Takayasu’s bear paws became intimately familiar with the lines in Wakamotoharu’s face as Takayasu mauled WMH and drove him over the edge. With the makekoshi, Wakamotoharu will drop from Sekiwake rank and needs to work hard to stay in sanyaku. Tsukidashi.
Kotozakura (5-6) defeated Wakatakakage (5-6). Kotozakura charged forward into Wakatakakage and drove him to the edge. Wakatakakage tried to slip away along the edge. As Kotozakura chased Wakatakakage around the ring, suddenly Inosuke stopped the fight and the gunbai went to Kotozakura. Wakatakakage had stepped out. Oshidashi.
Kinbozan (10-1) defeated Onosato (7-4). If Kinbozan wants a yusho, he will have to earn it by defeating Ozeki. First up, Onosato. Onosato hopped backward in retreat as Kinbozan chugged forward with that brutal nodowa threat. Onosato tried a slapdown, didn’t work. Onosato tried to pull Kinbozan’s arm at the edge, didn’t work. Onosato tried to levitate in the air, didn’t work. Kinbozan remained standing, firmly in the ring while Onosato crashed down into the crowd. Now, Onosato gets to sit there and watch the musubi-no-ichiban. “Think about what you’ve done.” At least Nishonoseki isn’t on shimpan duty. That would be awkward. Tsukitaoshi.
NHK showed highlights of past Hoshoryu/Chiyoshoma bouts. There are only four, one was a nice Kekaeshi win by Hoshoryu. It was interesting to see the crowds of the past, the pandemic years. Contrasted with today’s normalcy.
Hoshoryu (8-3) defeated Chiyoshoma (8-3). Chiyoshoma was out-classed. Hoshoryu locked on with his right hand outside and yanked hard on Chiyoshoma’s belt. Chiyoshoma resisted at the edge and kept his balance through Hoshoryu’s first throw attempt but he could not get an opportunity to counter. Hoshoryu immediately pulled back to through the dohyo and dragged Chiyoshoma to the opposite side and forced him roughly over the tawara. Yoritaoshi.
Wrap-up
Kinbozan retains his hold on the lead as Onosato literally tumbled from the yusho race. Yes, Kinbozan is a strong opponent. Yes, he is fighting at a rank below his true capabilities. But Onosato is Ozeki and there is no getting around the fact that his strategy today was to run away from Kinbozan’s thrusting attack.
As with Wakatakakage’s careless footwork, both Onosato and WTK demonstrated that attacking in retreat is fraught with risk. Oho remains one step behind Kinbozan precisely because he pressed forward when Onokatsu pulled. For Takerufuji, it was the same thing, he pulled and Daieisho stuck to his fundamentals and drove him out of the ring.
The Ozeki should be getting a bit of a reprieve here, facing these hot-shot maegashira instead of a Yokozuna or other sanyaku opponents. Tomorrow Kinbozan will fight Hoshoryu, Takerufuji will take on Kotozakura, and Chiyoshoma will face Onosato. Oho will face Kirishima, as I mentioned in the opening. Chiyoshoma is the real outlier here. Takerufuji and Kinbozan will likely be mainstays in the joi or even in sanyaku.
When we look at Hoshoryu’s schedule, he should still have bouts against both Ozeki on the final two days as well as Abi and Wakamotoharu. But now that we’ve snuck Chiyoshoma and Kinbozan in here, either the Abi or Wakamotoharu bout will not happen. For Onosato, that Wakamotoharu bout or an Ura bout got tossed for Chiyoshoma.
Kotozakura will still have little room for error if he hopes to avoid kadoban. A fight against Takerufuji will be a big challenge, even if that bout replaces Wakamotoharu or Daieisho, in his case. Frankly, I think I would rather fight either Wakamotoharu or Daieisho. Yes, they’re dangerous but they both have well established weaknesses. As a talented up-and-comer, Takerufuji could still be a bit of a puzzle.
There are a few other gems in the early bouts tomorrow. Tamawashi will fight Hakuoho and Onokatsu will fight Ichiyamamoto. Abi versus Shodai will either be LIT, as the kids say, or a hot mess. Do the kids even say lit, anymore? I feel like those kids are probably in their 20s and 30s now.
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Just after the picture a correction needed:
“Kinbozan remains in the lead despite his loss.”
Sorry, you are referring to previous day. I read it as referring to current day.
He lost yesterday. I wrote that bit before “the action” takes place. So, I was referring to his Day 10 stumble against Abi. I will clarify.
It is ok. After having watched the matches, I just have in my head the results and proceed from there and just read everything as meaning today even though the beginning text is the situation before the matches.
Your format is fine as it is. Readers will figure it out
What do you think the odds now are of a yokozuna being at the basho in London in October? Will anyone be giving this any thought?
I just realized that with Terunofuji’s retirement, the current heyagashira of the Isegahama mega-establishment is…. Atamifuji. Not for long though, the way the poor lad is doing now, he’ll be switching places with Takerufuji on the next banzuke.
Today, Hoshoryu’s movements reminded me strongly of aikido. I know he pulls from his bökh training, today just felt slightly different. Just a personal observation.
Kinbozan has definitely been eating his Weetabix/Wheaties. I had him down as one of those middle ranking maegashira who ebb and flow in the rank and file! Mind you, I never looked up his history so that’s on me!
I hope Hoshoryu has his plans A-F prepped for tomorrow.
Is it just me or are the kenso envelopes being distributed to more rikishi this basho? I feel like I’m seeing a lot more stacks being handed out at the end of matches.
I’ve read other people stating that Atamifuji might have a back injury. He’s definitely being caught higher than his opponents (a la Takayasu from previous bashos where he didn’t perform well), so it’s highly possible that he’s hurt.
Tamawashi was rather displeased at losing today. I don’t blame him, honestly.
No smiles and more aggressive sumo from Ura today. He might have had a switch flipped during yesterday’s match. I’m still fascinated that he doesn’t henka. Has he ever done one?
Oho is definitely working hard on leveling up his sumo. I don’t think he’s hit his ceiling yet.
My goodness what a statement match from Kinbozan. Wow! Get back to training, Onosato! No slacking off for you!
It seems like Hoshoryu has moved up a level mentally. Previously, he’d be shaky and more overtly aggressive after a loss. But, here he’s stayed calm and collected while executing his sumo. Kotozakura is getting back to that point mentally, but it’s a little too late for his record.
Herouth shares out data on kensho via Twitter and Blue Sky. I haven’t had time to clean and update my dashboards but Hatsu is usually better for kensho than other tournaments.
If Atamifuji is hurt, it doesn’t surprise me. It also doesn’t surprise me that he’s still in and gamberizing. I mean, Terunofuji did the same thing.
Regarding what Andy said about Takayasu vs. WMH, and who has to wait for whom with hands down:
I’ve always had the idea there was some status aspect to it, though not simply a matter of current rank (such as in this case). I’d be interested if anyone knows more about how this is determined. If it were just a matter of mind games and establishing dominance, then how would they ever get these things started?
Another observation.
As we all know, since ‘the yeet heard round the world’ last January, Kirishima has been, overall, on a downward
trajectory. Has anyone else noticed that Kirishima started to win consistently as Terenofuji went off sick after Day Four?
I realise Kirishima won on Day Four against Kotozakura, and
I realise that there’s probably no correlation whatsoever, but food for thought nonetheless 😀
It’s like a curse has been lifted. Kirishima had never beaten Terunofuji and now he never will, but at least he doesn’t have to try and fail any longer.
What a disappointment Onosato was today. Just when you cleared that nodowa, you pull? Well deserved loss.
Oho still scares me everytime he mounts the dojo, that he will do something stupid like Onosato, but damn has he matured. Or maybe Miraculix added some secret magic to Otake-beyas chanko nabe. His brother Mudoho is now 6-0 in Makushita.
Takerufuji meets his first Sanyaku opponent and loses. So much for the next Yokozuna talk. He has some lessons to learn as well.
Despite his rope run being over for now, Hoshoryu is the only Sanyaku remaining in the yusho race. He can help himself by winning or step out of the way tomorrow and clear the road for probably somebody from the trio of Kinbozan, Oho or Kirishima.
Kirishima doesn’t get much recognition, but after an 0-3 start, he is 8-3 now. He fights Oho tomorrow and still has Kinbozan in his cards as well. If he loses tomorrow, he is out, but if he wins, there are probably a number of scenarios that lead to a 3-way playoff with Kinbozan and Oho. Still rooting for Oho;)
Takerufuji is probably going to win tomorrow, but if he does so, he will probably meet another Ozeki and drop out of the picture. He also can still meet Oho and Kirishima.
The big hype from before the basho is gone, but I’m happy with a decent showing by Hoshoryu and a breakout basho by Oho (however it may end). It saddens me a bit that Henkabi will likely get a kachikoshi and snag away the free Sekiwake slot. Both Waka brothers could end up dropping from Sanyaku ranks.
Wouldn’t mind a Chiyoshoma henka tomorrow. Is there still a scenario where he debuts alongside Oho in Sanyaku? Would probably require Kirishima somehow creating an extra Sekiwake slot.
Obviously I’m happy to see Kinbozan finally showing up for real.
Down the banzuke I wonder what is wrong with Kotoshoho. He has zero power. Hope he can regroup with his brother in Juryo next basho.
Really looking forward to the Shi Shi and Aonishiki bout – both are looking Genki!
Shodai showed up instead of the Shodozer today and Abi beat his clone! I think Wakamotoharu will be seeing stars for quite a while. WTK ‘s bad footwork returns.
Kinbozan is also looking pretty Genki – what a great win! Horshoryu was just playing with Chiyoshoma. He had a grip on his belt attempting a few throws, not his wrist and there is no way on the planet that looked anything like Akido. Hoshoryu gets his throws from judo – he and Kirishima have been in the same judo club since they were kids and Hoshoryu state that he was Krishima’s Sempai and I believe him! Kirishima stated after he lost his Ozeki rank that he couldn’t handle the pressure of being an Ozeki. Now that he’s back as a Maegashira he’s working out and doing much better. Terunofuji had nothing to do with it.
I also don‘t think that Kirishima‘s run has to do with Terunofuji’s retirement.
But your explanation doesn‘t seem very convincing either, because this is already his fourth basho since losing the Ozeki rank.
Here is my answer to the question and it comes from Chiyoshoma. When asked which were the reasons for his run he answered that it just was coincidence!
The words of I could not handle the pressure came directly from Kirishima himself who was severely reprimanded by his oyakata to start back training. Their words not mine.
I‘m certain he said that (though he had a yusho as Ozeki and one would rather have guessed that the Yokozuna run damaged him).
But my point is that also after having lost the rank his results were all over the place: 8-7, 12-3, 6-9. No trend their so far. Now at least kachikoshi and what next?
I don’t remember seeing an actual diagnosis of an injury – just a lot of speculation. But mentally, that’s when the fall started. I like others, were beginning to think that he might be considering quitting. Finally, just after the last basho, Kirishima’s statement about not handling the pressure and his oyakata admonishing him and telling him to start training again became public knowledge.
The off balance work (kuzushi) reminded me of aikido that’s all Zee. I didnt say it was aikido. Off balance work appears in many martial arts, aikido is just the one I know or, more accurately, used to know, it’s been a few years now. Don’t overthink my comment!
I think Betty was just making a friendly comment. I appreciate that comments on Tachiai are generally friendly. I hope we can keep them that way.
Agreed. Let’s keep thing civil.
Let’s keep things civil. This, “Are really on this web site to learn sumo?”, and this, “So you ignore and twist the facts,” go down the road of making things personal and I’m not going to accept that here. I don’t want to close the comments on this section or start dropping comments but consider this a warning. I’m fine with passionate disagreements but there are respectful ways of doing so and disrespectful ways. I will clamp down on insulting barbs like these.
Pre-bout stuff in the Chiyoshoma-Hoshoryu fight was exciting. They were extremely attentive to each other, and sure there was some mongolian family talk in the background. This time Hoshoryu did not insist on waiting for the opponent’s fists down, and yet they had a stunningly synchronized tachiai. Gyoji could have called them back, because not placing hands correctly, but let them go and didn’t spoil it. After all Hoshoryu really had the nerves to win this. Chapeau!
So yes, Zee, it could, and according to you is, from Judo. Good to know that about both Hoshoryu and Kirishima. Thank you.
Herbern, t’was a light hearted comment, of COURSE it had nothing to do with the Yokozuna.
Food for thought U called it and Zonergem, Zee and myself tasted from it.
Probably not even Kirishima himself knows why he produces these downs and ups.
Here’s hoping that he soon will be (or, even better, already is) back to former Kiribayama strength.
I wish he would take his old shikona back!
Most of the rikishis have taken judo, join judo clubs etc.
1 vote for a return of Kiribayama .. Whether it was mental, physical, desire .. i miss that sumo .. his better confidence + foot work + smart aggression is a welcomed .. As Andy notes, aggression + the lack of it was the difference today in many matches .. Takerufuju had Daieisho against the bales .. Daieisho loaded up & T-fuji paused/pulled .. Shodai (of course) had a moment of hesitation that turned his match to my eyes .. Kinbozan learned from the loss to Abi + re-applied it today .. Onosato never had a moment to respond .. HIradoumi + Gonoyama never hesitate .. Plaudits to Onokatsu for solid sumo .. Oho was not to be denied but .. but Onokatsu was not making bad moves .. Hakuoho flashed good moves getting inside + neutralizing + finishing Tobizaru .. Maybe Atamifuji needs a sumo style to focus his mind .. Maybe it is injury, but he looks like he has no idea what he’s trying to achieve .. Regressing before our eyes .. Add another vote for the Shishi-Aonishiki bout .. Shishi is a fascinating project + evolving sumo .. Aonishiki is solid, solid solid .. no false steps .. PS .. i have no martial arts/sumo experience .. just going w my eyes, gut and love of sumo ..
I like your recaps of the day on the dohyo, Kyotoguru. I find them brief, sharp and still deep. That of course doesn’t mean I agree to everything U write (for example I see the Juryo barge in danger of sinking; so many heavy rikishi consider buying a ticket) but very often I‘m thinking „well said“. A pity only U‘re usually quite late, therefore probably missed by many followers of Tachiai.
I love how cheerful Tobizaru looked after losing. It’s nice to see someone really enjoy the process of the fight even when they don’t win.