Haru Basho Day Two begins. News from the infirmary, Nishikifuji is kyujo, Ryuden will get the default win. We will see some Juryo visitors from tomorrow.

Hoshoryu and Kotozakura certainly got off on the wrong foot on Day One. We will see today how well they recover. Elsewhere in the Dorji clan family tree, Tenrose picked up his first win of his career today. Will his cousin follow that up with a win today?

Yesterday, Sadanoumi lost to the rare technique of okurihikiotoshi. Tachiai reader, Joboryu, checked out the wealth of kimarite videos at the NHK World website and saw that, coincidentally, Sadanoumi features in the video about okurihikiotoshi. NHK World does have a great deal of explainer videos, in English, including the kimarite videos and the Sumopedia. If you ever run across a term you’re not familiar with, chances are it is explained there.

Speaking of videos, the NHK videos are here: Juryo Part I & Part II, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Mitakeumi (1-1) defeated Tokihayate (1-1). Tokihayate tried to draw Mitakeumi to the bales and then throw him over. Mitakeumi went along for the ride to the edge but kept his balance and gently forced Tokihayate out. Yorikiri. Tokihayate will face Tamashoho, visiting from Juryo, tomorrow.

Kotoshoho (2-0) defeated Shirokuma (0-2). Kotoshoho pivoted as the two neared the edge and twisted Shirokuma down. Sukuinage. Shirokuma will face Mitakeumi.

Asakoryu (2-0) defeated Aonishiki (0-2). Asakoryu went for the slap-down win three times. On the third attempt, he caught Aoinishiki out and Aonishiki stumbled forward toward the edge. Asakoryu was quick to follow up and blast Aonishiki from behind. Okuridashi. Asakoryu will face Kotoshoho tomorrow.

Churanoumi (2-0) defeated Sadanoumi (0-2). These two jumped early, twice. Sadanoumi nearly forced Churanoumi out but Churanoumi recovered, drove Sadanoumi through the ring and walked him over the edge. Yorikiri. Sadanoumi will face Aonishiki.

Ryuden (2-0) fusen win over Nishikifuji (0-2).

Shishi (1-1) defeated Takarafuji (1-1). Takarafuji got a firm right hand over-arm grip of Shishi’s belt. But Shishi countered with his lefthand inside, dragged Takarafuji across to the opposite edge and roughly dropped him along the bales. Shitatenage. Takarafuji will fight Ryuden and Shishi will face Churanoumi.

Onokatsu (2-0) defeated Midorifuji (1-1). Onokatsu successfully worked his way inside on Midorifuji and forced him to the edge. Midorifuji tried a kubinage but his foot went out as he tried to brace his lower body and gain leverage. Andrew noticed the two gold stripes at the front of Midorifuji’s new mawashi. Some may think it’s an indicator of rank, like stripes like on a karate or judo belt. Nope, they’re the mark of the maker. Herouth found an awesome video with Nakagawa-san and posted it in her excellent “splainer” article about mawashi. A great read. Feel free to go there, now. I will wait. Aside from the video, there is so much information that you’re sure to discover something new there that you didn’t know. Yorikiri.

Meisei (1-1) defeated Shonnanoumi (0-2). Welcome back. I told you that was a great article, didn’t I? Bookmark it. You’ll be back. Shonannoumi lured Meisei to the edge and tried a pull but Meisei was in perfect position and kept hammering Shonannoumi with tsuppari, shoving him over the bales. Oshidashi. Meisei will face Onokatsu.

Hakuoho (2-0) defeated Nishikigi (0-2). Hakuoho got a great blast out of the tachiai and forced Nishikigi back. Nishikigi tried a pull but Hakuoho was in great position and shoved him out. Yorikiri. Nishikigi will take on Midorifuji.

Endo (2-0) defeated Atamifuji (1-1). Atamifuji charged forward and Endo pulled, slapping Atamifuji down on the edge before he clumsily tumbled backward into the crowd for some fansa. Gunbai Atamifuji. Video showed Endo’s foot stayed in, on the top of the bales, so a quick mono-ii resulted in a reversal. Katasukashi. Endo will face Shonannoumi on Day Three.

Tamawashi (1-1) defeated Oshoma (0-2). Oshoma tried a pull but Tamawashi was wise and shoved Oshoma out. Oshidashi. Oshoma will face Atamifuji tomorrow. Tamawashi will take on Hakuoho. That could be a good one.

Halftime

Shodai (1-1) defeated Hiradoumi (1-1). Hiradoumi pulled and Shodai tumbled to the clay…but the overcaffeinated Hiradoumi had stepped out before Shodai fell. So, Shodai picked up the Oshidashi win.

Takerufuji (2-0) defeated Kinbozan (0-2). Kinbozan tried for a quick henka and slapdown but did not henka enough. Takerufuji was in great position and chased Kinbozan out. Oshidashi. Takerufuji will fight Hiradoumi and Kinbozan will try to recover against Shodai.

Takayasu (2-0) defeated Ura (1-1). Takayasu pounded away at Ura with a steady torrent of tsuppari. Ura found no openings for an attack, so when Takayasu stepped to the side, Ura rolled to the exits. Hatakikomi.

Ichiyamamoto (1-1) defeated Takanosho (0-2). Ichiyamamoto settled into a grapple but churned his legs and drove Takanosho to the edge. Yorikiri. Ichiyamamoto will face Takayasu tomorrow; Takanosho gets Ura.

Sanyaku

Abi (2-0) defeated Tobizaru (0-2). Abi’s first slapdown attempt was a dud. But eventually Tobizaru charged forward at the wrong time and Abi slipped to the left, letting Tobizaru fly down into the crowd. Tsukiotoshi.

Daieisho (1-1) defeated Chiyoshoma (1-1). Daieisho’s thrusts were too much for Chiyoshoma. Chiyoshoma had no chance to get inside and get a belt grip against that. Tsukidashi.

Wakamotoharu (2-0) defeated Oho (0-2). Oho was smart enough not to fall for Wakamotoharu’s trap at the edge. But Wakamotoharu was not going to fall for Oho’s backwards-business, either. So, Oho grabbed at Wakamotoharu and tried to tip him over but Wakamotoharu latched on and twisted Oho all the way down. Sukuinage.

Onosato (2-0) defeated Kirishima (1-1). Steady Onosato maintained his balance as Kirishima grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the edge. Onosato worked his arm free then thrust Kirishima into the crowd. Oshidashi.

Kotozakura (1-1) defeated Gonoyama (1-1). Kotozakura moved forward well today. He wrapped up Gonoyama, worked him to the edge when Gonoyama tried an ill-conceived pull, then forced him out. Yorikiri.

Hoshoryu (1-1) defeated Wakatakakage (0-2). Wakatakakage tried to draw Hoshoryu to the bales and Hoshoryu obliged but Hoshoryu wrapped up Wakatakage firmly and drove him off the dohyo and into the crowd. Yorikiri.

Wrap-up.

The three men who featured in Hatsu’s playoff have combined for one win over these first two days. Hoshoryu and Kotozakura turned things around and along side steady Onosato, all three champions picked up white stars today.

Hoshoryu will face Wakamotoharu tomorrow while Onosato will take on Gonoyama and Kotozakura fights Abi. Abi has definitely been having an excellent start to this tournament and is hitting Kotozakura at a time when the Ozeki appears vulnerable. Yes, Kotozakura moved forward today but I wonder if that was due to Gonoyama’s pull. Abi has shown excellent, powerful forward moving sumo as well as his deft, lateral moves. Anything but backwards and he could be an early favorite this tournament.

Further down the torikumi, we’ve got Daieisho against Wakatakakage, Oho versus Tobizaru, and Kirishima against Chiyoshoma. One of those names does not seem to fit along with the others, does it? Chiyoshoma showed he can be a danger on the belt, though. Kirishima is not known to keep his opponents at bay with tsuppari but he may want to try that tomorrow. Nevertheless, Kirishima has won their last four bouts. Is Chiyoshoma heading for a deep makekoshi?