Nakabi in Osaka. Week Two opens and the yusho races will begin to fire up in earnest. Kusano bested Daiseizan to stay undefeated and be the first sekitori to claim his kachi-koshi. What’s even better is that as the last guy on the totem pole, he’s secured his spot as sekitori in May. Shimanoumi, of all people, is in the hunt with one loss. Maybe he’s got his head on straight and wants to make a push for promotion?
Nabatame will come back from kyujo tomorrow. For his sins they’re throwing him to the wolves in Makuuchi, namely Aonishiki. Oof. Sometimes the Kyokai seem to have ice in their veins. Your NHK Videos are here: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I and Part II.
Makuuchi Action
Aonishiki (5-3) defeated Shirokuma (3-5). Steady tsuppari from Aoinishiki drove Shirokuma back and out. Shirokuma demonstrated the defensive creativity of a blocking sled. Oshidashi.
Sadanoumi (4-4) defeated Shiden (Juryo 1-7). Sadanoumi acquired that left hand over-arm (uwate) grip and dragged Shiden over toward the bales before dumping him over the edge. Both men rolled into the head shimpan’s lap. Uwatenage.
Churanoumi (7-1) defeated Mitakeumi (4-4). Mitakeumi used his tsuppari to drive Churanoumi to the edge. Churanoumi’s first slapdown was ineffective but at the bales he shuffled left and lay Mitakeumi down along the bales. Hatakikomi.
Shishi (5-3) defeated Kotoshoho (3-5). Kotoshoho hefted Shishi and drove toward the bales. Shishi’s right hand was planted in Kotoshoho’s armpit and he used that to rotate Kotoshoho down to the ground before stepping out and tumbling into the crowd. Gunbai Kotoshoho. Video review showed Kotoshoho was down first. Call over-ruled and Shishi was given the victory. Sukuinage.
Asakoryu (5-3) defeated Onokatsu (5-3). Asakoryu hit Onokatsu with his lightning quick tachiai and pressed him all the way back to the tawara. Onokatsu used the bales to steady himself and pulled on Asakoryu’s shoulders to resist. Asakoryu used his left-hand inside to drag Onokatsu back to the other side of the dohyo. Onokatsu tried a last-ditch slapdown but Asakoryu escorted him over the edge. Oshidashi.
Midorifuji (5-3) defeated Tokihayate (4-4). Midorifuji got both arms inside Tokihayate for a morozashi. He easily drove into Tokihayate and pressured him over the bales. Yorikiri.
Meisei (6-2) defeated Ryuden (3-5). At the tachiai, Ryuden seemed to be driving his chin into Meisei’s head. Meisei rolled his head out of the way, seized Ryuden’s belt with both hands inside, a morozashi, chugged forward and drove Ryuden over the edge. Yorikiri.
Takarafuji (3-5) defeated Nishikigi (1-7). Hidari-yotsu as both men got their left-hand inside. Takarafuji pressured Nishikigi to the edge. Nishikigi tried to twist left to dump Takarafuji on the floor but Takarafuji used his gaburi leg-pumps to adjust and drive Nishikigi over the edge. Yorikiri.
Atamifuji (4-4) defeated Shonannoumi (1-7). Shonannoumi decided to join Shirokuma on the blocking-sled crew today. Atamifuji easily drove him to the bales and out. Oshidashi.
Tamawashi (6-2) defeated Shodai (3-5). Tamawashi kept Shodai off his belt with some effective tsuppari blasts at the tachiai. Shodai pulled and tried to shift direction but Tamawashi was locked on today and shoved him over the edge. Oshidashi.
Hiradoumi (4-4) defeated Endo (4-4). Endo got his right hand inside grip and focused his energies on keeping Hiradoumi’s right arm off his belt. Meanwhile, Hiradoumi used his left-hand outside grip and gaburi leg thrusts to force Endo toward the bales. Endo pulled and tried a slapdown but Hiradoumi quickly shoved him out. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Takerufuji (6-2) defeated Oshoma (3-5). Takerufuji, looking terrible with black eyes, used the old hug-and-chug to work Oshoma back to the edge and over the bales. Yorikiri.
Kinbozan (4-4) defeated Hakuoho (5-3). Kinbozan laid into Hakuoho with steady head shots. Hakuoho turned to look for the exit and found it. Oshidashi.
Tobizaru (2-6) defeated Gonoyama (2-6). Tobizaru beat Gonoyama back with tsuppari but then quickly slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Wakamotoharu (5-3) defeated Chiyoshoma (3-5). Despite strong tsuppari from Chiyoshoma, Wakamotoharu shoved him back and quickly forced him over the bales. I want Chiyoshoma to be eligible for a special prize at the end of this but the way it’s going, he might end with a deep make-koshi. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Wakatakakage (3-5) defeated Abi (4-4). Wakatakakage read the brief and came prepared. He weathered Abi’s tsuppari storm and pressed forward. As Abi tried to move laterally to set up a slap-down, Wakatakakage adjusted well and moved right with him. Abi turned and stepped over the bales. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (5-3) defeated Takanosho (2-6). Daieisho used his tsuppari to set Takanosho up for a slapdown. Hatakikomi.
Oho (3-5) defeated Ura (3-5). Oho kept Ura in front of him as the two traded tsuppari. Ura backed to the bales and tried to brace there but Oho plowed right through him. Oshitaoshi.
Onosato (7-1) defeated Ichiyamamoto (4-4). Onosato drove into Ichiyamamoto and then quickly pulled and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Kotozakura (5-3) defeated Kirishima (4-4). Kotozakura wrapped up Kirishima with both hands inside and gave it the old hug-and-chug to the bales. (Seeing a lot of that today.) Kirishima tried for a trip at the edge but Kotozakura stayed on him and crushed him over the bales. That looked really painful. Yoritaoshi.
Takayasu (7-1) defeated Hoshoryu (5-3). Sloppy work from the Yokozuna. He pulled but Takayasu did not fall for the slapdown. When Hoshoryu tried to re-engage, he stumbled back across the dohyo. Takayasu pounced and drove him to the edge. Hoshoryu tried to grab Takayasu’s arm or hand and pull him along the bales. But Takayasu just pursued as Hoshoryu fell off the dohyo. Kinboshi. Oshitaoshi.
Wrap-up
Hoshoryu lost another one. It’s not going to be a shining debut tournament for the shin-Yokozuna. He’ll look to regroup against Ichiyamamoto tomorrow. Meanwhile, Onosato is looking steadier and he’ll face Abi on Day Nine. Kotozakura even looked like an Ozeki today the way he dismantled Kirishima. He’s drawn Takayasu for Day Nine, though, which will be a barn-burner.
Well, let’s look at how our yusho race is stacking up at this point:
- 7-1: Onosato, Takayasu, Churanoumi
- 6-2: Takerufuji, Tamawashi, Meisei
I’m not saying a darn thing other than Onosato is looking solid and I hope for a great, competitive yusho race. I am not going to jinx anything here.
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Sorry but I have to confirm that the promotion of Hoshoryu was totally artificial.
Give it until the end of the year at least.
Scores for first tournament as yokozuna going back to 1990:
Asahifuji 13-2 (3 yusho before yokozuna promotion, 1 after promotion)
Akebono 10-5 (3 before, 8 after)
Takanohana 13-2 (7, 15)
Wakanohana 10-5 (5, 0)
Musashimaru 12-3 (5, 7)
Asashoryu 10-5 (2, 23)
Hakuho 11-4 (2, 43)
Harumafuji 9-6 (4, 5)
Kakuryu 9-6 (1, 5)
Kisenosato 13-2 (1, 1)
Terunofuji 15-0 (4, 5)
Hoshoryu not better than 12-3 (2, ?)
(Kakuryu’s 6 yusho is the median yokozuna performance since the introduction of the six annual basho schedule.)
I don’t see how anyone reasonable could argue now, on day 8 of Hoshoryu’s first appearance at yokozuna, that he doesn’t belong on the list.
Confirmation bias is one hell of a drug.
This belongs on a T-shirt.
Sorry even more. I did not want to open such a Pandora’s vase with my opinion about the promotion of Hoshoryu. I was just referring to the reasons behind that were by me merely opportunistic. Yokozuna is a very engaging title and it represents the values of the discipline of Sumo. Probably the promotion was even not a favor for Hoshoryu himself that looks sometimes overwhelmed by the load. Anyhow, he is young and let’s hope he is going to deserve that. For ending, please, let’s keep polite this blog.
Meisei among leaders at Nakabi, never expected.
Takayasu kinboshi!!
Sadly there were no flying zabutons, wonder why.
During Chiyoshima Kinboshi, there were few Zabutons flying here and there
I would like to see Kinbozan getting Kinboshi, it would be nice to hear the commentary.
Four of the six leaders are not particularly surprising. Three are already yusho winners and one is a perennial contender. So it’s hard to write off their chances. It isn’t clear who else is fighting well enough to mount a challenge to this group.
This is why I stopped arguing in the comments section last basho. I stated that Hoshoryu should not be Yokozuna and I thought he wouldn’t be. Obviously I was wrong as he was promoted almost immediately and I just abandoned the conversation because I knew the following tournament would prove my point.
Hoshoryu looks like everything except a Yokozuna.
Lost his first match and caught a defeat against Chiyo, he should be deported and exiled.
I was glad U stopped commenting (truth is I didn‘t notice). But why start again now?
Something went wrong with your deportation?
Wow. That’s harsh. You are in favor of an era with no Yokozuna?
That comment comes awfully close to having to be moderated, and IMO the last phrase crossed the line. Just for the record though, Kakuryu first basho as yokozuna: 9-6, Harumafuji: 9-6, Hakuho (!) 11-4, Asashoryu (!) 10-5, no yusho in the bunch.
Re: missing respect and decency.
Yesterday when someone said he would root even for satan against Onosato that crosses the line, too, imo. Such hatred doesn’t belong here.
Re: shin Yokozuna.
I found your numbers, too, but decided not to cite them yet, because there is still the (small) possibility of a Hoshoryu make koshi.
Yes, shin-yokozuna, the last 10 of them going back to Akebono, only had a 30% win of their first basho…. So not an easy and assumed thing to do…. Winners were Takanohana, Kisenosato and Terunofuji. So I think we should all show some patience, like surely Asashoryu will be doing for Hosh…..
I don’t think a wrestler should be promoted to fill a quota. If there’s no yokozuna, there’s no yokozuna. In my mind, big deal. Still, good luck to Hoshoryu. I hope he can grow into the role.
Harsh and rude to even suggest deportation and exile. I f you ask me there should be no place for those kinds of comments in this forum.
I’m wondering if we’re going to see deeper bows after matches tomorrow after Mitakeumi barely gave a nod to Churanoumi. If you’re angry, go look in a mirror, Buddy.
Takayasu has definitely made things interesting. I think people have forgotten his skill level because he “hasn’t lived up to his potential”. I suspect that’s because of injuries more than anything else.
I’m still not convinced that Onosato is going to win. His bout today seemed rather shaky and Ichiyamamoto was fighting back well enough for Onosato to go into reverse rapidly which we haven’t seen often. He’s definitely going to become an anchor for the top division, but I don’t think he’s there yet. Which is kinda scary to say when considering his results. I guess “he gets the job done” meets the definition of Onosato’s wins, but that’s still not accurate because a rikishi doesn’t have to be overzealous or flamboyant in order to win either.
I don’t know what to make of Hoshoryu as a Yokozuna and I think that’s because he doesn’t know either. Age and experience are large factors there, but I also think it’s because he’s alone at the top rank. He’s the only person who has made it there while also being young and healthy since Hakuho or maybe Kakuryu. Even if Kotozakura does get there, it’s going to be a Kisenosato/Terunofuji “I don’t know how long I’ll be around” scenario for him. So, Hoshoryu is unique for a number of reasons. Does that excuse his kinboshi? Not really, but it doesn’t make them surprising.
From what I’ve read, and I am still very much a newbie fan of sumo, it isn’t expected that a shin-yokozuna would necessarily win his first tournament at that rank? Still quietly worried for Hoshoryu though. Re Onosato, I hope he’s bedding in, settling to his role and his craft. Maybe his demeanour is just focus? Takayasu though?! There are always surprises in sumo. Always.
Murray Johnson’s commentary is always insightful, and fun, …’dancing the tawara tango’. Made me smile anyway. 😃
Betty, I love the days most when Murray J does the commentary. My LOL this week from him was regarding Shishi’s new wierd pretahciai ritual… “yo-yo butt movement, now with the double claw!!,, such a funny and true description. 🤣
Hi Karen, yes that made me laugh as well – what IS Shishi doing with all that? Someone needs to ask him. Murray J. Is great, his depth of knowledge and experience shows. I love his commentating days too.
The thing is, Ryuden was doing the twerk a couple of years ago. I’m not sure why he stopped.
Has anyone made a meme/gif yet of Shishi milking a cow? I don’t think I have the relevant skills.
Oh, Jesus. I wish I had them. I wish Grok weren’t so incompetent.
The reddit sumo memes takes on his tachiai are … disappointing.
With Oshoumi going kyujo, it’s simply Nabatame’s turn. M5e, you’re up! Oh, you just came back from kyujo yourself? If you say you’re fit to fight, you’re fit to fight.
I guess the picture shows Kusano. To whom has he been tsukebito?
No, that’s not Kusano. It’s a pic that I think Nicola took ages ago. I’m not sure who Kusano was tsukebito for.
Thx! Half a dozen possibilities, indeed
As a lover of katsu curry, I am sad that both rikishi named katsu lost today.
Hakuoho would be helped by developing hand fighting skills other smaller rikishi have polished (e.g. Ura, Midorifuji, Tobizaru, etc) .. His head missle to sternum tachiai was deflected by Kinbozan’s long arms .. Upper level Rikishi can hand fight to neutralize such defenses .. WTK’s tachiai was so quick Abi could not extend his arms .. It was over .. Go Papayasu! .. He was not the least intimidated + looks healthy .. Yusho-yasu!
I really like Hakuoho and can’t wait for this 21 year old (!!!) to get some more experience and wisdom under his belt, but it was really nice to see Kinbozan firing on all cylinders today. I’m glad he is over his January hangover, and good to know he can pull himself out of it mentally.
Takayasu and Tamawashi in the mix. These youngsters don’t own the dohyo just yet, thank you very much.