Kusano chugged his way to an eleventh straight victory, this time rolling over the former Makuuchi veteran, Tsurugisho. Tsurugisho conceded while he was still in bounds but Kusano kept up the gaburi until Tsurugisho stepped back over the bales. He will face Roga tomorrow. With a win, he guarantees at least a spot in a Juryo playoff. If my math’s right, this race might be decided with the other divisions on Day 13.

NHK videos are here: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I and Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Shirokuma (4-7) defeated Asakoryu (6-5). Shirokuma kept Asakoryu contained in front of him and steadily pushed him back and out. Oshidashi.

Tokihayate (7-4) defeated Ryuden (4-7). Tokihayate used big man sumo and threw Ryuden rather unceremoniously at the edge. He wrapped up Ryuden with his right hand and fought to get that left hand inside, as well. As soon as he secured the left-hand inside, he yanked Ryuden over. His left hand disengaged from the belt during the throw but I really thing it was a shitatenage, rather than a sukuinage. But I’m new at this, so let’s go with their call. Sukuinage.

Onokatsu (7-4) defeated Mitakeumi (4-7). When Onokatsu got his belt grip, he pressed forward and forced Mitakeumi back to the edge. Mitakeumi tried to twist and throw Onokatsu at the edge but Onokatsu kept Mitakeumi centered in front of him and dumped him over the edge. Yoritaoshi.

Kotoshoho (5-6) defeated Meisei (7-4). A short oshi-tsuki tussle before Kotoshoho slapped Meisei down. Hatakikomi.

Shonannoumi (2-9) defeated Sadanoumi (6-5). Shonannoumi tried to heave Sadanoumi over at the edge but a lightbulb seemed to go off in his head, “I shouldn’t do this moving backwards, I should move forward.” So he pivoted and attacked Sadanoumi from a much better position. Shonannoumi then flung Sadanoumi out. If you shove your opponent two meters, I’d consider that deserving of a tsukidashi. But I’m new at this so we’ll go with their call, Oshidashi.

Aonishiki (8-3) defeated Hakuoho (6-5). Strong sumo fundamentals from the debutant. Body low, head down, strong tsuppari. He was able to use excellent footwork and position to not only survive Hakuoho’s pull down attempt, he brushed it off and then executed his own. Well done, kiddo. Kachi-koshi secured on Day 11 means he’s likely to be around for a while. If he keeps going there should be a special prize or two available. I look forward to this rivalry. Hatakikomi.

Oshoma (6-5) defeated Takarafuji (3-8). Oshoma man-handled the elderly gentleman, turned him around with a yank on his belt, and escorted him from the dohyo from behind. Takarafuji makekoshi. Okuridashi.

Atamifuji (6-5) defeated Shishi (7-4). The milkmaid is gone. Therefore, an angry Atamifuji sought revenge, locked up both of Shishi’s arms and pressured him, roughly, to the edge. Solid gaburi-yotsu and an unwavering crushing attack on both of Shishi’s arms eventually forced Shishi over the tawara. Kimedashi.

Tamawashi (8-3) defeated Midorifuji (6-5). Solid sumo from Tamawashi as he kept Midorifuji in front of him and did not allow him to get inside. He then slapped Midorifuji down. The demeanor evoked a brutal version of the turtle from Nemo. “Chill, little dude.” Hatakikomi.

Endo (6-5) defeated Shodai (4-7). Endo moved quickly and pulled Shodai down at the edge. Endo tumbled down as well, and unexpectedly fell. When he got up he was visibly favoring his left leg…meaning he possibly rolled his ankle stepping down from the dohyo. Rub some keiko on it, gamberize, and we’ll see you here tomorrow at 5pm, sharp! But first, stand here and wait through the break and judging change so you can hand off the power water. Tsukiotoshi.

Halftime

Takerufuji (9-2) defeated Churanoumi (8-3). Takerufuji just obliterated Churanoumi and blasted him out of the ring under the red tassel. Tsukidashi.

Hiradoumi (6-5) defeated Nishikigi (1-10). Hiradoumi wrapped up Nishikigi and ushered him out of the ring behind a few hops of gaburi-yotsu. Nishikigi should tumble down the banzuke come May. “Will his final tally warrant demotion,” is the only question remaining. Yorikiri.

Chiyoshoma (4-7) defeated Kinbozan (5-6). Chiyoshoma got inside too quickly for Kinbozan’s tsuppari to be effective. He stayed low so Kinbozan’s powerful arms were resigned to holding onto Chiyoshoma’s head. As Chiyoshoma grabbed Kinbozan’s belt and went to work driving him back, Kinbozan flailing around. “Get him off me! Get him off me!” Kinbozan turned and tried to extract himself from Chiyoshoma’s grip but Chiyoshoma just stuck with him and shoved him over the bales. Okuridashi.

Wakamotoharu (7-4) defeated Takanosho (3-8). Takanosho shoved forward but Wakamotoharu danced along the tawara long enough to shove Takanosho down before hopping out. Takanosho makekoshi. Hatakikomi.

Wakatakakage (6-5) defeated Tobizaru (4-7). Wakatakakage corralled the flying monkey and quickly shoved him from the fighting surface. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Gonoyama (4-7) defeated Abi (4-7). Flying henka from Abi but Gonoyama pivoted in time to turn the tables and force Abi back to the edge. As Abi fought back, Gonoyama thrust him down. Tsukiotoshi.

Kirishima (5-6) defeated Takayasu (9-2). Takayasu forced Kirishima to the bales behind powerful tsuppari but a single, well-timed blow from Kirishima changed the entire bout. This right arm blast hit Takayasu in the left shoulder and got him turned. Kirishima pounced, literally going for the jugular with a nodowa as he shoved Takayasu through the ring. By the time Takayasu got his body re-centered, Kirishima shoved him out. The air went out of the entire building as the assembled fans’ hopes died. Oshidashi.

Daieisho (8-3) defeated Ichiyamamoto (6-5). Daieisho pivoted to his right and shoved Ichiyamamoto to the clay. Hikiotoshi.

Kotozakura (6-5) defeated Oho (4-7). Kotozakura came prepared. Oho struck out at the tachiai but as he recoiled, Kotozakura embedded his left arm under Oho’s right shoulder, shoving him neatly to the side. A simple follow-up shove forced Oho out. Oshidashi.

Onosato (9-2) defeated Ura (4-7). Onosato battered Ura with powerful tsuppari so Ura retreated and attempted to slip to the side. Onosato pivoted in pursuit and slapped Ura down. Ura has yet to defeat Onosato. Hatakikomi.

Wrap-up

As a golfer (well, at least having grown up around enough of them) I realize the truth. There are multiple gods of sports and they are habitually aligned against us. I had thought I purged these beasts by ceremonially offering my cursed bag of bent clubs to the Lady of the Lake. But they have followed me into Sumo Fandom. Oh, cruel sumo gods, why do you taunt us so?

Kirishima sure changed the outlook on this yusho race. Takayasu lost his position as sole leader but more importantly, Shodai has apparently lost his position as spoiler-in-chief. Tomorrow, Shodai will face Shirokuma as the latter needs to figure something out, quickly, to avoid demotion.

• 9-2: Onosato, Takayasu, Takerufuji
• 8-3: Daieisho, Tamawashi, Aonishiki, Churanoumi*

*because I forgot

The bout makers thrust Takerufuji right into the heat of things by pitting him against Onosato tomorrow. So, the leadership race will narrow by at least one tomorrow. Takayasu will fight Oho. Oho is staring makekoshi in the eye and must win out to preserve his rank. He should be motivated tomorrow.

Our chase group will not have an easy time of it tomorrow, either. Daieisho will take on Kotozakura and Tamawashi will face Kirishima. Aonishiki, whose presence among the leaders is a welcome surprise, will fight Meisei who will try again for kachi-koshi. Elsewhere, Shishi is brought up to fight Wakamotoharu as both seek kachi-koshi. Tokihayate will face Shonannoumi.

Well, I’m off to sleep. See y’all tomorrow.