Day Seven in Osaka. Already? I swear, these weeks fly by…
Kusano stays undefeated in Juryo but due to the unfortunate kyujo of Kiryuko. Kiryuko really jacked up his right leg: damaged both ACL and MCL and broke his leg. So, he will be out for at least three months. We wish him a full recovery. Add in Oshomi to Kitanowaka and Nabatame’s kyujo and with Kiryuko out now, we’re looking pretty short handed in the second division. Tomorrow, Kusano will face Daiseizan.
I have really enjoyed the ongoing debate about Chiyoshoma’s henka of Hoshoryu. One thing here that I want to note. I do think the bout was more enjoyable because Chiyoshoma’s henka was not lethal. Hoshoryu fought back and Chiyoshoma had to use all of his might to force Hoshoryu out at the edge. I think fans appreciate that and they appreciate Hoshoryu’s resistance. If it was a quick “ole” the fans would have felt robbed of seeing a real bout – like Hakuho vs Harumafuji.
Your NHK videos are here: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I and Part II
Makuuchi Action
Asakoryu (4-3) defeated Tochitaikai (Juryo 4-3). Tochitaikai tried the pull-slapdown strategy so Asakoryu just drove him back and shoved him over the edge. Oshidashi.
Sadanoumi (3-4) defeated Mitakeumi (4-3). Sadanoumi got his double-inside grip and Mitakeumi could not escape. Yorikiri.
Aonishiki (4-3) defeated Tokihayate (4-3). Aonishiki got inside quickly with the left hand then forced Tokihayate back. Tokihayate tried to change direction a few times but to no avail. Yorikiri.
Churanoumi (6-1) defeated Kotoshoho (3-4). Quite the brawl here. Very energetic, entertaining bout. With all the arms flailing around, Churanoumi somehow landed a lefthand inside grip and quickly dragged Kotoshoho to the bales. He released his arm so Kotoshoho couldn’t rip it off and he was able to push Kotoshoho out. Oshidashi.
Shirokuma (3-4) defeated Takarafuji (2-5). Shirokuma guided a lost, old gentleman to the exit. Oshidashi.
Meisei (5-2) defeated Shishi (4-3). Shishi did the hard work of dragging Meisei to the edge and pulling him down. But Meisei pulled Shishi, too, and Shishi fell out onto his shoulder. Gunbai Meisei, no mono-ii. Sukuinage.
Midorifuji (4-3) defeated Ryuden (3-4). Quite the brawl here as the two battled for position and neither wanted to let the other get a grip. Midorifuji found one, though, and snuck his hands up around Ryuden’s right shoulder. Well executed pulldown by the katasukashi-master. Katasukashi.
Nishikigi (1-6) defeated Shonannoumi (1-6). Shonannoumi pushed Nishikigi to the edge where he met some resistance so he pulled. Nishikigi rode him all the way through the dohyo and shoved him out the other side. Yorikiri.
Hakuoho (5-2) defeated Onokatsu (5-2). Hakuoho pressed forward while Onokatsu grabbed desperately at Hakuoho’s head and body, trying to twist the juggernaut to the ground. Hakuoho stayed focused and upright, however, and forced Onokatsu from the dohyo. Yoritaoshi.
Takerufuji (5-2) defeated Endo (4-3). Endo kind of just hung on here as Takerufuji’s gaburi hip action worked him back and over the bales. I sense kyujo soon. He might not even pick up that 5th win this tournament. Yorikiri.
Hiradoumi (3-4) defeated Atamifuji (3-4). Hiradoumi forced Atamifuji to cycle backward to the edge. Atamifuji rotated to try to stay in the ring and to attempt to topple Hiradoumi over. But Hiradoumi kept up the pressure and drove him back and out. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Oshoma defeated Kinbozan. Kinbozan used his tsuppari to force Oshoma back to the bales. But Oshoma grabbed him with a strong overarm belt grip and threw him at the edge. Uwatenage.
Tamawashi defeated Ura. A nice oshi brawl. Ura grabbed Tamawashi’s head and pulled. Ura stepped out as Tamawashi charged forward. Gunbai Tamawashi. No mono-ii…but I think it was worth another look. Tamawashi’s right foot looked pretty far out there. Oshidashi.
Ichiyamamoto (4-3) defeated Shodai (3-4). Ichiyama-zumo. Tsuppari to stand him up, then the pull and slapdown to make him fall. Hatakikomi.
Takayasu (6-1) defeated Wakatakakage (2-5). Solid tachiai, then the two tussled in the middle of the ring, trying to get and prevent belt grips. Takayasu was trying to get his right hand inside, on the front of Wakatakakage’s belt. Wakatakakage used his left hand ottsuke to hold Takayasu’s right hand at bay. At the same time, though, Wakatakakage tried to slip his left hand to Takayasu’s belt. Just as he reached for Takayasu’s belt, Takayasu pulled his right hand out, shifted his body to the right and hit WTK hard from the left. WTK stumbled forward and out. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Kirishima (4-3) defeated Wakamotoharu (4-3). Grapple games here. Quite the lean-fest as the two men sought some advantage and waited for their opponent to attack. Kirishima pulled first, second, and then third. The third time was the charm as he got hold of Wakamotoharu’s shoulder and threw him to the ground. Katasukashi.
Gonoyama (2-5) defeated Oho (2-5). Oho was here doing butsukari, lending his chest as Gonoyama drove him back to the bales. At the edge, Oho tried to twist Gonoyama over but Gonoyama wasn’t going anywhere. Gonoyama pressed Oho out. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (4-3) defeated Abi (4-3). Abi ran out of real estate for his pull. Oshidashi.
Kotozakura (4-3) defeated Tobizaru (1-6). Tobizaru’s wings have been clipped. Without his usual mobility, he’s cannon fodder. Kotozakura secured a right hand belt grip and drove forward, forcing Tobizaru from the dohyo. Yorikiri.
Onosato (6-1) defeated Chiyoshoma (3-4). Chiyoshoma tried to get his left hand inside but Onosato’s right arm was too strong and kept Chiyoshoma at bay. At the same time, Onosato drove forward and forced Chiyoshoma from the ring. Yorikiri.
Hoshoryu (4-2) defeated Takanosho (2-4). Takanosho is going to start up a new band called One Dimension. He plowed away with his tsuppari and Hoshoryu was a bit phased early on. Then Hoshoryu realized he could withstand Takanosho’s torrent. He drove into Takanosho, forced him back and thrust him out of the ring. Tsukidashi.
Wrap-up
With our three top guys winning today, it feels like I’ve accomplished something today. Tomorrow, the Kyokai have set up a gem of a musubi-no-ichiban. Hoshoryu versus Takayasu. That will be exciting. Can Takayasu keep this run going?
Kotozakura will face Kirishima and Onosato will take on Ichiyamamoto. The idea of Ichiyamamoto in the joi-jin will take some getting used to. But he actually beat Onosato in their sole previous meeting down in Juryo. Ichiyamamoto claimed the yusho and promotion to Makuuchi. Somewhere along the way, Onosato leapfrogged him and became Ozeki.
Ura against Oho will be another interesting one but a must-win for Oho. Hakuoho will face Kinbozan and Shodai will battle Tamawashi. So, stay tuned!
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Another Basics day, 16 matches decided using basic techniques.
Midorifuji’s favorite technique has caught Ryuden 6 of the 7 times they’ve met.
Gonoyama needs to face only Sekiwake’s, seems the only rank he can beat.
Wakatakakage and Takayasu renewed their 2022 yusho playoff with Takayasu getting revenge. Well done, Papayasu. Can he continue his dominance against Hoshoryu next?
Respectfully Andy, I have to disagree with you in regards to the cheese Chiyoshoma threw at Hoshoryu. It was pathetic and wimpy on Chiyo’s part. When you face the Yokozuna have some pride for Gods’ sake and bring your A-Game, not the chicken stuff henka.
Beyond that, as we round the corner into week 2:
1) Both Kirishima and Kotozakura don’t look to be all there. Something is still off with these guys and I can’t put my finger on what it is.
2) I think the Oho hype train has left the station. He needs to go 6-2 down the stretch to hold rank and I don’t see that happening as business will pick in week 2 so to speak. I think he needs more seasoning befor he’s ready for a stay in the Sanyaku.
3) Atamifuji, all that size and strength and he’s a complete dud. May dip into Sanyaku territory during his career but doubtful that he’ll ever be a true impact player.
4) I’m over the Waka brothers. Moving on, nothing to see here.
5) I wish Daieisho could complete his Ozeki run. I’m not a super fan but I’d like to see him reach the rank.
6) Aonishiki is learning his lessons with the big boys. I think he’ll get his 8 wins and continue to improve and progress. He’ll turn just 21 on March 23rd so I expect him to be around a long time and to reach the Sanyaku in 6-8 basho.
7) Love seeing the resurgence of the The Bear (Takayasu). If Hoshoryu can’t take the yusho I’m rooting for Takayasu.
8) Kinbozan, lingering January hang-over?
9) Onosato, still can’t stand the guy, sorry. Even if it’s a bout between him and Satan and Onosato’s soul is on the line, I’m rooting for Satan.
I agree with a lot of your points and especially the henka. Remarks:
1) Kirishima simply has a tough schedule but I think he‘s all there and Kotozakura obviously has a knee problem of which I hope very much I won’t become chronic.
5) I don’t think that Daieisho will reach the Ozeki rank. The young guns are too strong.
7) Just a small adjustment: If Onosato can‘t take the yusho I‘m rooting for Takayasu.
9) U‘re very harsh with Onosato. I truly hope the satan part is just provocative words.
Anyway, he‘ll take revenge by winning many yushos in the coming years!
It really feels like Asakoryu is a smaller version of Ikioi. If he starts slamming his hands into the dohyo before the tachiai, I won’t be surprised.
I expect that Churanoumi will face Hakuoho and Onokatsu soon with Takerufuji and Tamawashi waiting in the wings. They’ve already tossed Takayasu into the grinder, and Onosato’s schedule is going to be hard by default.
It really feels like Endo has a ceiling on the banzuke these days. I don’t know if he’s someone who wants to yo-yo between Juryo and Makuuchi, but I guess we’ll be finding out soon.
Ichiyamamoto has definitely leveled up his sumo recently. I don’t expect him to set the world on fire right now, but he’s definitely one of those rikishi who eventually could work his way up into Sanyaku.
It really feels like Hoshoryu is going to play the role of spoiler in this basho. If he knocks both Takayasu and Onosato down to two losses, there’s everything to play for.
Takayasu vs. Hoshoryu is completely standard scheduling—Hoshoryu has fought opponents in exact rank order (K1w, M1e, M1w, M2e, M2w, M3e, M3w) and M4e Takayasu is next. Unless they deviate, it should be Ichiyamamoto and Ura on days 9 and 10, and then he should go back to fighting san’yaku in order of increasing rank, starting with Kirishima on day 11 (obviously, the state of yusho race could cause changes late in his schedule).
The sound mix on the NHK highlights show was pretty poor today. The commentary track was loud, and all the sounds from the arena were low. That said, the action today didn’t change much. Takayasu is doing his occasional give us hope routine before the inevitable second week collapse. Atamifuji’s star has dimmed from being the next big thing – is it injury or does being completely eclipsed by Onosato and Takerufuji have him mentally shaken? And Hakuoho seems on the upswing, while Oho is on a downward track at the moment. Similarly, Gonoyama might’ve turned it around with his win today, while Kinbozan is feeling a letdown after his performance last basho. Every time I think we’re finally seeing a new normal, starting to solidify the post-Hakuho (and now Terunofuji) era, this sport shows it’s still unsettled.
It might be settled soon and then everyone will complain about Onosato’s taking most of the the yushos…
That would mean that Onosato will consistently beat Hoshoryu. Can he do it? Yes. Will he be able to do it most of the time? That remains to be seen.
Unsettled is what makes sport sport.
Tamashoho’s henka win over Fujiseiun in Juryo today was a good illustration of how Chiyoshoma vs. Hoshoryu would have gone had Hoshoryu not reacted as well as he did.
I just rewatched it, and Ura was airborne and dead well before Tamawashi stepped out (though Tamawashi touched out first).
Since we’re still talking about it, I hate the Henka, but if a wrestler isn’t aware enough NOT to fall for it… Kirishima s performance today shows that there isn’t a darn thing wrong with him, physically, at least. on the other hand, what’s going on with the Waka brothers? Thought for sure
we were looking at Ozeki material. Where’s the third brother, can’t find his name anywhere,
Wakatakamoto is the eldest brother. He’s in Makushita.
I adopted Wakanosabi as my GTB shikona in December and may have inadvertently siphoned off some of their Waka energy.
I think WTK’s knee is bugging him … he does not have the same lateral mobility + slippery ability to escape he had before he blew up his knee trying to toss KZK over his hip .. Even his recent basho’s showed more mobility .. Kirishima is in recovery phase post-Ozeki fiasco + health issues .. He is steadily regaining form + confidence .. Health is a big plus for Hoshoryu .. I would not bet against him now that he has tasted the clay a couple times as Yokozuna .. Atamifuji looks like wasted potential .. Not sure he has a signature style .. Hakuoho is a nice recovery story + looks fully healthy for the first time in a while .. The churn + growth amongst the talented young/rising rikishi is fun to watch ..