In Juryo, Wakaikari is kyujo with a bicep injury suffered during his loss to Shishi yesterday. Ryuden collected the fusen win and stays one loss off the lead.
Shishi defeated Aonishiki to secure the sole lead in the Juryo yusho contest. Aonishiki tried his best pusher-thruster attack, and really threw some haymakers, but Shishi made effective use of his size advantage to drop his compatriot. Shishi will take on Nabatame who is on nine wins (as is Kotoeiho). Aonishiki will face Ryuden tomorrow.
Your NHK videos are here: Juryo Part I & Part II, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.
Makuuchi Action
Nishikigi (6-6) defeated Tokihayate (5-7). Tokihayate tried to use an early shift in direction to gain advantage but Nishikigi adjusted well, locked up Tokihayate with his left-hand inside, right-hand outside, and bulldozed Tokihayate out of the ring. Yorikiri.
Tamawashi (7-5) defeated Hakuoho (7-5). Hakuoho got a double-inside grip and pressed forward. This effectively ended Tamawashi’s tsuppari so Tamawashi locked on with his own belt grip. Tamawashi used his left-hand to yank Hakuoho around and force him to the edge of the ring. Tamawashi kept up pressure with that left hand and forced him down over the bales. I hope that bout lived up to its billing for you. It did for me. Great bout. Uwatenage.
Nishikifuji (7-5) defeated Meisei (4-8). Meisei charged forward and Nishikifuji pulled to his left with his right hand coming down on the back of Meisei’s head to slap him down. Hatakikomi.
Kagayaki (4-8) defeated Churanoumi (4-8). Kagayaki steamrolled through Churanoumi, leading with his forearm planted under Churanoumi’s chin. That looked uncomfortable and it was certainly effective at keeping Churanoumi off Kagayaki’s belt. Oshidashi.
Oshoma (6-6) defeated Shonannoumi (6-6). Shonannoumi charged ahead and drove Oshoma to the edge. Suddenly, Oshoma slipped left along the bales and thrust Shonannoumi down to his left. The crowd rewarded Oshoma’s sudden table-turning with a good cheer. When it works, it works. Tsukiotoshi.
Takarafuji (5-7) defeated Tamashoho (4-8). Tamashoho slapped away with his tsuppari but Takarafuji managed to pressure Tamashoho back and over the edge. Oshidashi.
Midorifuji (5-7) defeated Endo (6-6). Midorifuji henka! Midorifuji shifted right and pulled Endo to the edge by the left shoulder. He followed up with a shove to force Endo out. Since Midorifuji latched on to Endo’s arm and did not go for the contactless “Ole” attack, some readers will disagree that it was a henka and call it a hit-and-shift. I object to calling this a hit-and-shift because he did not hit Endo. He avoided the hit at the tachiai and grabbed Endo from the side after dodging the initial charge. That’s a henka in my book. Oshidashi.
Kotoshoho (3-9) defeated Mitakeumi (2-10). Kotoshoho grabbed Mitakeumi with a right-hand inside belt grip and charged forward, forcing Mitakeumi over the bales. Yorikiri.
Onokatsu (7-5) defeated Ichiyamamoto (6-6). Onokatsu bore the brunt of Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari attack and kept his balance when Ichi tried a quick slap-down. Ichiyamamoto went back to tsuppari but soon grew weary and had to shift to a yotsu-style. Both men locked in with opposing right-hand inside belt grips but Onokatsu pressed forward and forced Ichiyamamoto over the bales. Yorikiri.
Atamifuji (3-9) defeated Takayasu (7-5). Takayasu employed an Abi strategy to start with a quick, forceful slam followed by a slapdown attempt. He then tried to get at Atamifuji’s belt from the side but Atamifuji pressed forward. Takayasu put Atamifuji in a headlock and tried to bring him down with a kubinage but Atamifuji resisted. Takayasu should have relented here and tried something else but he doubled down with the kubinage attack. This exposed his back to Atamifuji who wrapped up Takayasu from behind and turned the tables by charging forward and forcing Takayasu out from behind. That was great sumo from Atamifuji. I loved seeing the variety of attacks used by Takayasu but Atamifuji really impressed me. It’s Day 12 and he finally woke up from his winter slumber. Okuridashi.
Halftime
Takanosho (5-7) defeated Tobizaru (5-7). This is the playbook for dispatching Tobizaru. Get inside and contain his antics, pressure him to the bales. Maintain good footing and shove him over the bales. Well executed by Takanosho. Oshidashi.
Newsbreak. It’s smart to work this in the second half when there is more time between bouts.
Kirishima (9-3) defeated Oho (9-3). Oho tried a pull but immediately regretted it and attempted to charge forward back to center behind a wall of tsuppari. Kirishima dodged the tsuppari to the right and got in behind Oho. “Uh-oh.” Kirishima grabbed the back of Oho’s belt and pressed forward, driving Oho to the tawara. Oho resisted admirably on the edge but Kirishima did not relent, shifted his grip to the front to get a better hold, and forcefully hoisted Oho to slam him to the ground. Okurinage.
Sanyaku
Shodai (6-6) defeated Abi (7-5). Abi drove forward using shoulder blasts instead of his usual top-heavy tsuppari. Shodai used the bales for stability and tried to pitch Abi over the bales. When Abi tried to pull, Shodai drove forward and forced Abi out. Oshidashi.
Wakatakakage (6-6) defeated Gonoyama (6-6). Gonoyama charged forward but Wakatakakage used the stability of the bales to halt Gonoyama’s advance. This was impressive because Gonoyama drove into him hard with thrusts to the face. Nonetheless, Wakatakakage pressed his way back to the center and tried a slapdown. As Gonoyama charged back into Wakatakakage, WTK grabbed Gonoyama and rotated him to the bales. Gonoyama tried to resist but Wakatakakage did not relent and forced Gonoyama over. Yorikiri.
Another newsbreak? That FujiTV scandal is too juicy not to pass up.
Wakamotoharu (4-8) defeated Hiradoumi (6-6). Now that’s a henka of the flying variety. The only contact came as Wakamotoharu slapped Hiradoumi down as Hiradoumi rushed by, helpless. The crowd groaned in collective disapproval. “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Hatakikomi.
Daieisho (8-4) defeated Ura (6-6). Daieisho’s thrusts were too much for Ura. Tsukiotoshi.
Hoshoryu (9-3) defeated Kinbozan (10-2). Clean tachiai. Kinbozan blasted ahead but Hoshoryu shifted to his right, slightly and shoved Kinbozan at the shoulder. This was enough to get Kinbozan off-balance. Hoshoryu followed quickly by slapping Kinbozan down. The entire stadium was surprised by how quickly this bout ended, Kinbozan most of all as he grimaced in defeat. Hatakikomi.
Takerufuji (9-3) defeated Kotozakura (5-7). Kotozakura used his right-hand inside grip to drag Takerufuji to the edge. As he pressed forward, Takerufuji blasted the Ozeki in the left shoulder with enough power to not only stagger Kotozakura but to collapse him into a heap under the red tassel. Tsukiotoshi.
Onosato (8-4) defeated Chiyoshoma (8-4). It was a good run while it lasted. Onosato easily dispatched Chiyoshoma. Chiyoshoma tried to shift to his left but Onosato was all over him and forced him over the bales quickly. Yorikiri.
Wrap-up
There is a lot to cover. I want to start with the lower divisions since tomorrow is all-important Day 13. Day 13 is often the decider for lower division yusho races, unless playoffs are needed on senshuraku. Tomorrow, two of the races will be decided for sure. In Makushita, Ishizaki will fight Oho’s brother, Mudoho, for the title. In Jonidan, Yago (yes, blast-from-the-past, former Maegashira Yago) will fight the 19-year-old Sekimoto for that division’s yusho as he comes back from a lengthy 3-basho kyujo.
While Enho is one sekitori tournament away from kabu-eligibilty, Yago is six tournaments away. One wonders if he will try to make a push for Juryo or if he plans to stay in the sport and ride until the wheels fall off.
Before I forget, Sandanme comes down to two Oitekaze-beya stablemates, Daimasakari and Daikosho. Since they cannot fight each other tomorrow, Daimasakari will fight Chiyodaigo and Daikosho will fight Noda. If one Oitekaze-beya man wins, he wins the yusho. If both lose, there will be a massive playoff on senshuraku where even Enho and Ikarigata (Wakaikari’s little brother) can get in on the action. If both Oitekaze wrestlers win, they will fight each other in a playoff on senshuraku. Of course, I’m rooting for a massive 10- or 11-man playoff. Chaos!
Down in Jonokuchi, another Oitekaze-beya veteran, Daikisho, is the only guy on six wins. He will claim the title if he beats Wakahizen tomorrow. If he loses, there will be a play-off on senshuraku with between two and four guys.
Back to the top division
Kinbozan still leads but there is now a larger crowd in play here with Hoshoryu, Kirishima, Oho, and Takerufuji hanging on with three losses. Is an 11-win yusho still in play here, practically speaking? If so, Onosato, Chiyoshoma and Daieisho worked their way into the conversation for what I can only assume would be a massive playoff, because it seems possible but unlikely.
Tomorrow’s torikumi pits Onosato against Hoshoryu in our first Ozeki pairing of the tournament. But Kotozakura will face Kinbozan in the musubi-no-ichiban. Takerufuji will face Abi, Kirishima will battle Takayasu, and Oho will fight Ura.
Kotozakura is staring kadoban in the face. He has yet to face his Ozeki peers and cannot lose another bout. If he loses to Kinbozan tomorrow, I would not be surprised if he goes kyujo. Several people have mentioned back issues troubling Atamifuji and causing his poor performance so far. He countered Takayasu well today and picked up a much-needed win.
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Thanks for the great article! Small note on Oho. He’s 7-5 right? In the last paragraph the following is mentioned: “Kinbozan still leads but there is now a larger crowd in play here with Hoshoryu, Kirishima, Oho, and Takerufuji hanging on with three losses.”
Good catch. No, Oho is 9-3. I don’t know why I put 7-5. I fixed it.
I’ve been trying to work out the scheduling for the last three bouts amongst the leaders and I can’t help thinking that the torikumi committee have made a boo-boo.
Takerufuji hasn’t yet fought Oho, Kirishima or Hoshoryu but the committee have given him Abi for Friday. There won’t now be time for Takerufuji to fight all three of his fellow contenders. Kirishima is facing Takayasu because… your guess is as good as mine.
I expect Saturday’s match-ups to be Kinbozan/Kirishima, Takerufuji/Oho and Hoshoryu/Kotozakura. I hope the committee adopt their senshuraku policy of waiting to see Friday’s results before announcing the torikumi for Saturday, otherwise we might be stuck with sub-optimal matches.
The most obvious risk is that if Kinbozan beats Kotozakura that makes the ozeki kadoban and he might end up going kyujo with nothing left to fight for. Either Hoshoryu gets a fusen win right at a critical point of the basho or he fights against a demotivated and clearly off-form ozeki.
Kirishima would appear to have the easiest path from here on, with Takayasu on Friday, Kinbozan most likely on Saturday and then potentially Takerufuji on Sunday depending on other results. In that circumstance Hoshoryu wouldn’t face Takerufuji as part of the 15.
If Kotozakura gets 8th loss, I think it is possible that Kotozakura vs Hoshoryu does not happen at all during this basho, like it starts to look like Wakamotoharu will not go against any Ozeki. Normally their match would be on Sunday based on rankings. Much depends on who is still in the yusho race after Friday and Saturday. In recent times the Saturday matches have been decided after the Friday matches are over. It is likely to happen this time, too.
Hoshoryu has already fought Kinbozan, Kirishima and Oho, so I think he fights Takerufuji on day 14 and Kotozakura on day 15. Likewise Onosato has only Takerufuji open, do that will probably his day 15 with Kotozakura on day 14. I don’t see a reason to skip the Ozeki bouts, unless they need/ want to ensure a 9th loss for Wakamotoharu. If I’m not mistaken Chiyoshoma and Onosato are the only guys 2 losses behind, so unless Kotozakura pulls out after tomorrow’s loss, I don’t see him being skipped.
What I am wondering if Hoshoryu gets Abi instead of Kotozakura if Kotozakura gets 8th loss and does not go kyujo and if Hoshoryu is still in the yusho race.
The yusho race can all change on a dime can’t it? All to play for. Good results for Onosato, Takerufuji, Hoshoryu, and Kirishima. One of my colleagues in Brussels who also has started to follow sumo has just emailed me to say that he would like it if Kirishima were to win the yusho. Wouldn’t that be a thing? 🏆
Thank you, as ever, Andy, for your excellent analysis. Keeps me going until I catch the highlights on NHK later!
I think they should give obvious henka like that of WMH kimarite ‘henka’ instead of giving hatakikomi or whatever. It is disrespectable to the legit kimarites.
Speaking of henka, pairing Takerufuji with Abi tomorrow sounds reasonable to me. Takeru henka to Meisei, and lost to Daieisho, who is sayaku version of Meisei. He also henka to Ichiyamamoto, so why not test him with higher level thrusher like Abi?
This also gives us the opportunity for the rare double henka since it’s Abi.
Wouldn’t it be more disrespectful to the “legit” kimarite to elevate henka to equivalent status?
(What does it really mean to disrespect “legit” kimarite?)
(As a henka non-hater I’m just playing devil’s advocate here. :-) )
Never a dull moment in this basho, is there? Wowzers!
It wouldn’t surprise me if Katazokura goes kyujo tomorrow. Ask Terunofuji how much strength his knees have against lateral force. Ow. Ow ow ow ow ow. However, I suspect that he’ll look to make a similar move against Kinbozan that Hoshoryu did today. Kinbozan has been exposed as someone who gets too far ahead of his feet during the tachiai. Losing similar ways two days in a row is definitely a problem. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
I will give kudos to Chiyoshoma for taking Onosato head-on today. He absolutely could have henkaed and no one would have been surprised.
Based on current records, the banzuke committee is going to have its work cut out for it again to determine the middle ranks in the top division next basho. Ay carumba!
I was expecting a Chiyoshoma henka but I think everyone was.
Darwin tunnels are forming!
I need to find a carnival so I can have some funnel cake.
Is it just me, or did the gyoji call Wakamotoharu by his brother’s name, Wakatakakage, as he was announcing the win and handing out the kensho envelopes? I guess, after that henka, some disrespect in turn might be warranted.
As for the big picture, I’d like to stand by my day 4 pick of Kinbozan… but Kirishima seems to have the inside track for the yusho, given his probable remaining schedule. And Hoshoryu can’t be counted out, despite rope hopes falling by the wayside. We’re in for a fun final weekend, at any rate.
I rewatched the video of the flying Waka brother and it sounded like the gyoji was correct. “Waka-Moto-Haruuu”. Kirishima definitely jumped up on my odds sheet but I have Hoshoryu sneaking back to frontrunner status.
Little bit disappointed by Oho. I feel like he lost orientation for a moment, similar to his bout with Kotozakura. On the other hand I’m not surprised. Kirishima is fighting really well.
Kinbozan losing to Hoshoryu is not that much of a surprise either, but he is still one win ahead and unless he falls for a henka tomorrow, he should keep that cushion into day 14.
I hope Oho doesn’t fall for any aura business tomorrow. Takayasu vs. Kirishima is really testing my loyalties tomorrow, but I think Kirishima will take it. Should be able to avoid the initial blast.
Hoshoryu vs. Onosato will be very interesting tomorrow. I tend to root for Onosato, but a Kirishima vs. Hoshoryu playoff would be spicy as well.
I think Kinbozan will have Kirishima and Oho on day 14 and 15 in any order, so both of them have it in their own hands to force a playoff.
Takerufuji will get Ozeki tested in the final two days, if he wins, but if Hoshoryu loses, they might decide to have him go up against Oho and Kirishima instead.
It’s quite intriguing, how many scenarios are still open.
Hakuoho losing on the belt to Tamawashi today was kinda surprising. He has a solid tournament and at 7-5 will be back next basho. Onokatsu patiently secured his 7th win today as well. Both seems on track for a kachikoshi.
Gonoyama missed a big opportunity today. He looks solid this basho, but fails to capitalise on his work. Hope he can secure a kachikoshi.
Wakatakakage, who escaped nicely today, has made a big step towards defending his Sanyaku rank, but he fights the enigma Shodai tomorrow.
Did Hoshoryu really play a part in Kinbozan’s fall? Looked odd to me, but well…
Entering day 13 are 5 wrestlers at 5-7, 10 wrestlers at 6-6, 6 wrestlers at 7-5.
That wallop Takerufuji landed on Kotozakura at the edge to send him sprawling was epic
Can‘t wait for Ishizaki/Mudoho to decide the Makushita Yusho!
It would be huge for Ishizaki. I think that means promotion to Juryo.
Hoshoryu has elite hand speed .. Kinbozan’s tachiai was matched by Hoshoryu .. but Hoshoryu grabbed his left arm + pulled through while turning away before Kinbozan knew what was happening .. A lot happened in milli-seconds .. including a blast to Hoshoryu’s jaw .. Kiribiyama’s sumo flows smoothly between moves + always changing positions + taking the initiative + maintaining good footwork .. Previously he was freezing between moves + standing still .. Good to see him back .. Don’t see him at Hoshoryu’s elite skill level .. but it is great brand of sumo .. Good to see WTK absorb Gonoyama’s tachiai ..get inside + get a win .. I want to see Takerufuji do that kimarite again .. Wow .. Kept re-running to see if Kotozakura shifted right at the wrong moment … if so, it was not obvious .. Atamifuji got inside + hung on + took control .. that is a strategy .. Not everybody has uber hand speed.. But he has foot speed + bulk + core to go this route .. I liked Midorifuji’s henka .. little guys gotta use every strategy to stay in Makuuchi .. Endo should have expected it .. Found myself rooting for Shodai .. Shishi has good balance + a solid base .. Aonishiki kept trying to get him off balance .. no dice ..