Day Five in Osaka. We have seen a lot of great sumo so far and some not-so-great sumo. Kadoban Kotozakura has not been inspiring anyone this basho. Thankfully, the bar he must meet is rather low. He has today and 10 more days to find six wins.
Your NHK videos are here: Juryo Part I & Part II, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.
Makuuchi Action
Mitakeumi (3-2) defeated Kayo (Juryo 2-3). Some of the commenters picked up on the rather amusing, slapstick quality of some of the bouts. We opened today with a slapstick bout. Mainoumi said it was like they were dancing. Mitakeumi pressed forward and Kayo bounced backwards along the tawara for a complete revolution, trying to tip Mitakeumi over. Yorikiri.
Kotoshoho (3-2) defeated Tokihayate (3-2). Kotoshoho grabbed Tokihayate’s shimekomi with his right hand and swung him to the edge. It appeared Kotoshoho helped Tokihayate over the bales with a solid knee to the butt. Uwatenage.
Sadanoumi (2-3) defeated Shirokuma (1-4). Sadanoumi wrapped up Shirokuma with a morozashi. Sadanoumi may have been afraid of a kimedashi because Shirokuma started to press forward, so he quickly switched his right hand outside. When Shirokuma twisted Sadanoumi toward the bales, Sadanoumi slipped his leg around Shirokuma’s and, “Timber!!!” Shirokuma fell backward. Sotogake.
Churanoumi (4-1) defeated Asakoryu (3-2). Churanoumi slapped Asakoryu down. Though Asakoryu did not fall, he stumbled forward enough for Churanoumi to gain access to the back of his belt. Churanoumi followed up quickly by shoving Asakoryu out from behind. Okuridashi.
Ryuden (3-2) defeated Aonishiki (2-3). Ryuden did well against Aonishiki’s opening tsuppari. Aonishiki could not get any forward progress. As he tired, he got real low and seized Ryuden’s belt at the front. Ryuden did not have a belt grip but a hold of Aonishiki’s trunk with his right arm. He twisted and pulled Aonishiki forward with that right arm and rolled Aonishiki to the clay. Kainahineri.
Shishi (4-1) defeated Onokatsu (4-1). Onokatsu got a great belt grip but Shishi was just plain stronger. Shishi dragged Onokatsu to the edge and as Onokatsu hopped on one leg, trying to keep his balance, he hopped over the bales. Yorikiri.
Meisei (3-2) defeated Midorifuji (2-3). Meisei embraced Midorifuji tightly, left-hand inside. He began to drive Midorifuji to the edge so Midorifuji desperately tried to switch his grip but Meisei’s grip was solid and he forced Midorifuji over the edge. Yorikiri.
Shonannoumi (1-4) defeated Takarafuji (2-3). Shonannoumi pressed forward, forcing Takarafuji toward the bales with powerful shoves. Once he got Takarafuji to the edge, he switched to a slapdown strategy, pulling backwards and forcing Takarafuji to the ground. Hatakikomi.
Hakuoho (4-1) defeated Endo (4-1). Hakuoho ended Endo’s hopes of a zensho yusho. Endo grabbed Hakuoho’s belt with his right hand, twisted to that right and pulled backwards. Hakuoho just kept Endo centered and drove right over him, forcing Endo into a heap in the crowd. Yorikiri.
Atamifuji (3-2) defeated Nishikigi (0-5). Atamifuji’s footwork was too good at the edge. He pressed Nishikigi to the edge and as Nishikigi tried to escape to Atamifuji’s left, Atamifuji pursued and ushered Nishikigi over the bales. Oshidashi.
Oshoma (1-4) defeated Shodai (2-3). Shodai quickly forced Oshoma to the edge but Oshoma pulled Shodai’s left arm off his belt and hugged him with a right hand inside. With this new, superior position, inside and low, the entire bout changed. Then Oshoma charged ahead forward and forced Shodai back and out. Advancing sumo won. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Kinbozan (2-3) defeated Tamawashi (3-2). Kinbozan’s tsuppari is back. He blasted Tamawashi hard, forcing Tamawashi back and off the dohyo. Tsukidashi.
Takerufuji (3-2) defeated Ura (3-2). Ura slid backward to the bales as Takerufuji forced his way forward. One hard, well-timed blast from Takerufuji propelled poor Ura into the third row. Oshidashi.
Ichiyamamoto (3-2) defeated Hiradoumi (2-3). Ichiyamamoto caught Hiradoumi over-eager. As Hiradoumi drove forward, Ichiyamamoto slipped to the right and Hiradoumi fell forward. Hikiotoshi.
Takayasu (4-1) defeated Gonoyama (1-4). Just when I thought Gonoyama had control of his bout and was going to force Takayasu out, Takayasu slipped to his left and shoved Gonoyama down with his left arm at Gonoyama’s right shoulder. Hatakikomi.
Sanyaku
Wakatakakage (1-4) defeated Kirishima (3-2). Kirishima gambled with a slapdown attempt. He lost that bet. Wakatakakage charged forward quickly, resisted the slapdown and bulldozed Kirishima off the dohyo. WTK picked up his first win of the tournament. Yorikiri.
Oho (2-3) defeated Abi (3-2). Oho resisted a strong attack from Abi, punctuated by a fierce nodowa. Just when Abi worked Oho to the edge and thought he was going to win, Oho shifted to his right and forced Abi to the edge and over. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (3-2) defeated Wakamotoharu (3-2). Wakamotoharu withstood Daieisho’s torrent and did not fall for his early pull. But Daieisho slipped left and Wakamotoharu rolled along the floor to his right. Tsukiotoshi.
Takanosho (2-3) defeated Kotozakura (2-3). Well then. Kotozakura does not appear to be an Ozeki for much longer. Well, to be fair, Kotozakura does not appear to be an Ozeki now. Takanosho’s nodowa appeared to be the biggest offensive weapon deployed during this match. Kotozakura nearly caught Takanosho out by the edge but he could not follow up with a shove to finish Takanosho off. Instead, Takanosho seemed to wear him down and simply drove Kotozakura out. Oshidashi.
Onosato (4-1) defeated Tobizaru (1-4). Onosato plowed straight ahead and cast Tobizaru into the sea of brown vests. At least one Ozeki showed up this tournament. We’ll see if he wants a yusho. It doesn’t seem anybody else wants this title thing. Oshidashi.
Chiyoshoma (3-2) defeated Hoshoryu (3-2). HENKA! Chiyoshoma jumped right, seized Hoshoryu by the belt and dragged him forward to the bales. Hoshoryu slammed on the brakes, bracing at the bales. Chiyoshoma followed up with the biggest shoves of his life as Hoshoryu tried to escape left and right along the tawara. But Hoshoryu’s position was unrecoverable and Chiyoshoma forced him out. KINBOSHI #1. Chiyoshoma pulled out the long missing henka when it mattered most. He pulled it out against the Yokozuna. This is probably Chiyoshoma’s biggest win of his career. And so many will hate him for it. Yorikiri.
Wrap-up
Not the greatest day of sumo. Hoshoryu fell to a henka. Kotozakura just seems gone. Will we have yet another “former Ozeki” flailing around in the maegashira by year’s end? Kotozakura sure does not appear to be putting in the kind of sumo that will yield a second title. Shodai appears to be the bigger threat at the moment.
Thankfully Onosato is getting in his wins. But no one is left undefeated. Has anyone inspired you with their sumo this tournament? Seven guys are tied with one loss…six maegashira and Onosato. Who will rise to the top? Maybe the long-awaited Papa Bear Yusho? Frankly, everyone has looked a bit rusty. Maybe another low maegashira makes a run…Hakuoho or Churanoumi? I cannot see Endo, Onokatsu, or Shishi lasting with one loss for more than a few days.
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To my eyes, Hoshoryu comes across as a vulnerable yokozuna. I don’t know. Am I missing something? I’m not sold yer.
Compared to Hakuho, yes. Compared to Terunofuji or Kisenosato? Not so much. I’m on board.
I’ll be stunned if he comes close to Terunofuji’s yusho count, let alone his dominance when he showed up. Hoshoryu seems likely to have a Kakuryu-type career at the yokozuna rank. Some success, but not dominance apart form a hot stretch or two.
Kakuryu was quite a bit deeper into his career when he managed to put together his tsuna run, and had to contend with two stronger Yokozuna, one of them Hakuho. Let’s give Hoshoryu a bit of time to grow into the rank.
Does sumo historically take a sakizuke approach to the yokozuna rank?
No zensho yusho for Endo either, but maybe for rookie Kusano down in Yuryo?
Shishi seems to be another rikishi than back in November when he first tried his luck in Makuuchi. From what I‘ve seen from him so far, I wouldn’t be very much surprised if he was to become the Kinbozan (January version) of this basho. He indeed was already the Kazakhs successor as Yuryo yusho winner.
Most wrestlers try to make an effort, even if it does not pay off –Hiradoumi, Gonoyama, Tokihayate, Midorifuji, always Ura. At the other end, it’s disappointing to watch Nishikigi, with only 3 kachikoshi in the last 10 tournaments, looking completely resigned.
Hoshoryu should be able to live up to the rank, simply because his peers are all over the place. Onosato, arguably the only rival with consistent record, looks equally vulnerable to me.
Yeah, Nishikigi’s spirit seems to have been a bit deflated of late.
Considering he just stood up at the tachiai today, I think he’s injured. Probably his back or his hips. That has to be incredibly frustrating for him.
Yeah, basically since he hit sanyaku last year, he’s been pffffffffth.
He’s following a similar trajectory to the one he took after his kinboshi in 2019. So we should see him back in san’yaku around 2027 :)
He’s been pretty lucky to stay in Makuuchi. By the numbers, since his first time at komusubi he should be down 21 ranks and into juryo instead of M10.
Wow! That was some henka! Chiyoshoma was preparing this move for a year. But it was worth it.
“followed up with the biggest shoves of his life” :)
It was a thing of beauty.
Endo was favoring his left knee and Hiradoumi was moving his right shoulder like it was tweaked after their bouts today. I’m also worried that Ura banged his head and hurt himself when he went into the crowd. He jumped up quickly, but that could have been a “I’m fine! See?” reaction to avoid worrying anyone. We’ll see how all of them are tomorrow.
I think the best description I have for Hoshoryu in this basho is “unprepared”. Which isn’t surprising since he had all of the pomp and circumstance around winning the yusho and becoming a Yokozuna. I suspect he also made the assumption that other rikishi would respect him more on the dohyo. Whoops! I don’t think this is going to be a problem long term, but he definitely needs to get his head on straight.
As for a yusho winner, Onosato or Hakuoho….I guess? But, that’s based on past performance and rank versus how they’re doing right now. The only other “real contender” I can see is Takayasu, but he has to finish strongly (and probably beat Onosato, Hakuoho, or both of them) instead of fade out like he normally does. I don’t think Hoshoryu or anyone with 2 losses is out of the running at this point. I also agree that every rikishi seems “all over the place” based on the fact that literally anyone can win on any day right now.
Oof… loss to Chiyo? That should be mandatory deportation
But it was a glorious henka which will go down in history with Hakuho’s henka of Harumafuji. The latter cost Hakuho a lot of clout but Chiyoshoma may have gained some. If not, the kinboshi will more than make up for it.
The old henka sensei taught a lesson to the young Yokozuna
Takayashu yusho!!!
I am so here for this outcome. If everyone else can’t focus this basho, maybe it is finally his for the taking.
Glorious henka! Wow, I’ve seen some that have literally made me chuckle like a kid, but I’ve never seen one that was glorious. Can’t wait to watch the highlights!!! Feel bad for the Dragon, I’m sure he’ll have one of those great expressions on his face, at least his eyes will give it away. Hoshoryu’s faces are what have made him so likeable to me, he’s almost cartoonish (though not as much as Takanosho) and seemingly very innocent like San Goku or Naruto of Manga fame. Anyhow, it’s gonna be a “stormy” Haru basho after all.
It’s great to see others here use the same adjective to describe Chiyoshoma’s henka that immediately came to my mind – glorious. This was just glorious. And I say that as someone who really likes Hoshoryu and is rooting for him to live up to the heightened expectations. But Chiyoshoma, wow, what can you say. He’s at his highest rank ever, everyone’s expecting him to get a massive makekoshi (which it may well yet come to), and what does he do? Loses to three lesser opponents, but defeats Onosato and Hoshoryu. It was always my impression that he is a really smart and talented wrestler who has come further than his less than ideal physique would seem to warrant and today really confirmed that. Talk about seizing an opportunity. The faces of both men after bout were priceless. Now for Hoshoryu to channel his being pissed into great sumo, he’s been pretty good at that of late.
💯
Truth is he henkad (gloriously, some say) Hoshoryu, beat Oho and Abi but hasn’t met Onosato yet.
Oh and Hoshoryu was beyond pissed wasn’t he? I wouldn’t want to be Chiyoshoma the next time they meet. The looks that Hoshoryu was giving Chiyoshoma both on the dohyo and as he walked away down the exit (can’t remember the Japanese name) promised vengeance. Now as you wrote, Nerdanel, I hope Hoshoryu channels that ire into awesome sumo!
Hanamichi. “Flower road”
Thank you Andy, very much appreciated
Flower Road huh? 🌺🌻🌼 A bitter one for the Yokozuna today.
Yeah, he’s going to be out for blood next time. They had a great stare-down in the build-up too.
I think I really would not want to be Chiyoshoma in the next Jungyo. I think he just booked himself lots of “practise” with Hoshoryu.
Kotozakuras injury is awful, he went from immovable object to an easyish win, i really hope he gets kk because it unlikely the injury will allow him 10 wins next basho,
I think the first of many kinboshi for hoshoryu, chiyoshoma is an ass
I award Onosato the Fred Flintstone award. He shows up with his hard hat and lunch pail and with little fanfare grts the job done.
Atamifuj seems more limber and quicker since he seems to have dropped some of that extra lard.
I think Kagayaki is done. Why is Tamawashi beating wresters halk his age?
Loved that henka. Afterall Chiyoshoma could have done that end ended that rope run once and for all. Inatead he saved it for a nice kinboshi pampering his pension money;)
Aside from that this tournament is such a huge let down. Seems like everyone is mentally somewhere else at least every other day. What was Kirishima thinking today?
Rooting for Oho to get his 8 wins. After he completely failed to defend against Takanosho yesterday, his resilience today was a nice change. Please show up every day from now on.
Wikipedia Glossary of Sumo Terms defines Henka as “a sidestep performed at the tachiai to avoid an attack and set up a slap-down technique”
That isn’t what Chiyoshoma did, so I don’t think it’s fair to call it a henka. As he said, he sidestepped so he could get his preferered grip on the mawashi. Before the bout ended, Hoshoryu had the opportunity to resist at the tawara, but couldn’t defend against what was actually exellent technique by Chiyoshoma. Henkas don’t usually end as yorikiri.
Wikipedia is not the official authority on henka.
Fair enough. But lumping all the different possibilities of the outcome of a sideways jump at the tachiai under the one word isn’t very helpful for communicating what actually happened.
I count 54 words after the word, “henka,” which attempt to describe the ensuing fracas because I agree, one word does not convey everything that happened. But that one word was used in every description of the bout which I found…even those that said, “not a henka”. The jump at the start of the bout was pivotal. I don’t know how the other 54 words disappeared behind it.
Sorry if I seemed to be criticising your description of the bout which was excellent as always!
I was really thinking about how “henka” is seen as something disreputable and think that should attach only to the jump to the side and slap down done by a rikishi who doesn’t want to engage with his opponent. Whereas the sideways jump to get a belt grip doesn’t seem in the slightest reprehensible, simply a smart strategy. Not speaking Japanese, I’m limited. If “henka”: simply means “jump to the side”, I can accept that.
Gotcha. Henka (変化) means, “change,” in Japanese. I think a lot of folks are taking the word and super-imposing a whole lot of specificity which I don’t think is there. Some of that is probably to avoid exactly the “disreputable” connotation that you mention…as a bit of an excuse if their favorite wrestler wins after an “alternative” tachiai.
Churanoumi for the Yusho, I love that idea. Certainly would be a surprise.