Kusano won the Juryo Yusho. He switched his left hand outside grip for an inside one, gaining a double inside grip on Roga’s trunk and forced him over to the bales while twisting and pulling Roga to the ground. With Hidenoumi, Shimanoumi, and Hitoshi all losing, Kusano claimed the yusho outright.
NHK Videos are here: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.
Makuuchi Action
Kotoshoho (6-6) defeated Ryuden (4-8). Kotoshoho defeated Ryuden on the belt. Kotoshoho got a double-inside grip and forced Ryuden back to the bales. Kotoshoho kept pressing forward through Ryuden, forcing Ryuden to fall backwards. Abiseotoshi.
Mitakeumi (5-7) defeated Takarafuji (3-9). Mitakeumi shoved Takarafuji to the edge and forced him down, while falling to the ground. Gunbai Takarafuji. The shimpan called a mono-ii and after a booth review of the video footage, the call was reversed. Takarafuji’s hand had touched the ground a beat before Mitakeumi. Tsukiotoshi.
Onokatsu (8-4) defeated Sadanoumi (6-6). Onokatsu did a good job of keeping Sadanoumi at arms length. He then reached for a belt grip with his left while using his right hand to block Sadanoumi’s left. Sadanoumi tried to switch his left hand but this yielded a double-inside grip for Onokatsu and he charged forward, forcing Sadanoumi over the bales. Yorikiri.
Aonishiki (9-3) defeated Meisei (7-5). Quite the brawl. Aonishiki really impressed here as he hit Meisei with tsuppari repeatedly but resisted getting too far ahead of himself as he pressed forward. His great footwork meant Meisei could not slap him down. Steadily, he pressed Meisei back and over the bales. Aonishiki’s reward for such a great debut tournament? He will fight the Sekiwake, Daieisho, tomorrow. Oshidashi.
Tokihayate (8-4) defeated Shonannoumi (2-10). Shonannoumi grabbed Tokihayate’s left arm and pivoted, pulling him toward the edge of the ring. Tokihayate extracted his arm and hit Shonannoumi with tsuppari, driving him back and over the edge. Yorikiri.
Endo (7-5) defeated Asakoryu (6-6). Endo worked hard to get his right hand inside. Asakoryu then seized Endo’s right arm and dragged him toward the bales but Endo reacted well, stayed upright and drove Asakoryu out. Endo, in much pain, was slow to get up and slow to walk back down the hanamichi. Yorikiri.
Oshoma (7-5) defeated Midorifuji (6-6). Oshoma grabbed Midorifuji’s left arm, swung him around and forced him down with the arm bar to a rather quiet Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. Kotenage.
Shirokuma (5-7) defeated Shodai (4-8). Despite Shodai working his way inside and getting a double-inside grip, Shirokuma chugged forward and forced Shodai to the bales. Shodai tried to twist Shirokuma over at the bales but Shirokuma stayed upright and forced Shodai over. Yorikiri.
Hiradoumi (7-5) defeated Hakuoho (6-6) Hiradoumi henka. Hakuoho stumbled forward and touched the ground. Tsukiotoshi.
Ura (5-7) defeated Atamifuji (6-6). Ura took on big Atamifuji, straight up. Impressive! None of the evasive theatrics. More of this Ura, please. Ura got both arms inside Atamifuji’s grip and forced him to the edge. As Atamifuji tried to do the old tawara dance and escape left, he stepped out. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Nishikigi (2-10) defeated Kinbozan (5-7). Kinbozan tried a quick thrust-and-slapdown but Nishikigi worked through it and got inside. As the pair settled into a yotsu battle, Kinbozan pulled. Nishikigi followed well and twisted Kinbozan down at the edge. Apparently, Kinbozan is that poor on the belt that he lost to Nishikigi. Sukuinage.
Tobizaru (5-7) defeated Ichiyamamoto (6-6). This was a wild back-and-forth as both men tried slapdowns. Tobizaru pulled and forced Ichiyamamoto forward to the ground. Gunbai Tobizaru. Both guys had fallen at about the same time so the shimpan gathered to discuss and make sure the call was right. Video replay confirmed Ichiyamamoto fell first. Might there have been a hair-pull? Tsukiotoshi.
Chiyoshoma (6-7) defeated Gonoyama (4-9). Chiyoshoma pulled left and Gonoyama stumbled forward. However, Chiyoshoma couldn’t keep his footing so he fell, too. Gunbai Chiyoshoma. Mono-ii. It was determined both guys fell at the same time so the shimpan ordered a rematch. Chiyoshoma must be kicking himself because he had that won if he had kept his footing. On the rematch, Chiyoshoma wrapped up Gonoyama with a left hand outside, right hand inside, dragged him to the edge and rolled him to the floor. It was another close one but the gunbai went to Chiyoshoma again and there was no mono-ii. Gonoyama did fall first but the NHK commentator raised the issue of Chiyoshoma’s foot flipping over. Face it, Gonoyama wasn’t happy but he fell first and lost. Uwatenage.
WTK (7-5) defeated Takanosho (3-9). Wakatakakage drove into Takanosho and forced him from the ring. Takanosho’s game is based on separation. Wakatakakage pressed forward so Takanosho needed to keep himself at arm’s length, meaning he kept going back toward the edge. Takanosho used zero lateral movement to try to extend the dohyo…so he walked over the edge. Oshidashi.
Shishi (8-4) defeated Wakamotoharu (7-5). Solid work from Shishi. He twisted left, and landed a left-hand over arm grip. This allowed him to pull Wakamotoharu toward the bales. Wakamotoharu slammed on the brakes and stopped short but Shishi followed through and forced him over the edge. I’m a little surprised it didn’t end up as Okuridashi or Okurinage because WMH got himself turned. Shishi earned his first kachi-koshi in the top division. Congratulations! Uwatedashinage.
Sanyaku
Tamawashi (9-3) defeated Kirishima (5-6). Kirishima tried the lateral movement that Takanosho did not do. But Tamawashi followed really well and shoved Kirishima over the bales. Oshidashi.
Abi (5-7) defeated Churanoumi (8-4). Abi’s tsuppari and footwork were solid today. He drove forward, no pulls, and shoved Churanoumi out. Abi’s forearm in your throat must be quite uncomfortable and Churanoumi understandably backpedaled to the edge and fell out. Oshitaoshi.
Takayasu (10-2) defeated Oho (4-8). Takayasu got his right hand outside grip and forced Oho to the edge. Oho escaped left and kept running along the bales trying to get away. Takayasu gave chase, all the way around the ring, and shoved Oho out of his Sekiwake rank and possibly out of sanyaku altogether. He shoved him that hard. Oshidashi.
Onosato (10-2) defeated Takerufuji (9-3). Onosato had been assaulted by a giant octopus before the bout, the marks from its tentacles bright red on his back. If it was the same perp shown in the Hokusai ukio-e, the one that assaulted the Fisherman’s Wife, beware; it’s armed and dangerous. Onosato persevered, however, and beat Takerufuji. Takerufuji charged forward and Onosato pulled him down. The NHK commentator really wanted Takerufuji to have one but Onosato clearly slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Kotozakura (7-5) defeated Daieisho (8-4). With a well-timed side-step, Daieisho forced Kotozakura to stumble forward to the edge. But Kotozakura just had his brake pads replaced so he stopped on a dime, in front of the bales. Daieisho was not quick enough to follow-up and Kotozakura would not go quietly into that good night. Kotozakura recovered and pursued, charging forward. Daieisho shifted side to side while moving backwards, time and time again. Kotozakura eventually caught up, wrapped him up and shoved him over the edge. Yorikiri.
Wrap-up
Takayasu and Onosato lead. Takerufuji falls into the chase pack with Tamawashi and Aonishiki after his loss to Onosato.
- 10-2: Onosato, Takayasu
- 9-3: Takerufuji, Tamawashi, Aonishiki
I had been building up my octopus story as an excuse for why a deeply disturbed Onosato would have lost to Takerufuji…but he won! But I still think the cupping stuff that many of these guys do is hilarious. Japan doesn’t allow folks to get real pain medicine so the lengths that people go to for relief can get very creative.
Kotozakura picked up an important seventh win. With three bouts remaining, he can seal his kachi-koshi with one victory. Heck, in an ideal world where he keeps moving forward like this, he might yet claim a 9-6 or 10-5 record! It will be hard, though. He will face Takerufuji tomorrow. No easy wins for Ozeki.
Speaking of easy wins for Ozeki, Onosato will fight Oho. Takayasu will take on Wakamotoharu. As I mentioned earlier, Aonishiki will leapfrog up and fight Daieisho while Tamawashi will fight Churanoumi. Day 13 is looking great! Some of the lower division yusho races might be decided tomorrow, as well.
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I agree Andy, Onosato is still a bit dicey, i was questioned rhe other day when i called him lazy. He could be hakuho dominant if it werent for the fact that my bum clenches before even an easy win like tobi or ura. If he had hosh’s determination he would be unstoppable, an embodiment of the hulk. Maybe he needs a few basho to build that confidence, its easy to forget his mercurial rise.
I love this guy but he needs a bit more time
Not sure what your bum has to do with Onosato’s performance, but stop doing that!🤣
What a great tournament for the Ukrainians! (A great pity Putin isn’t there to get a beating.)
I‘m astonished how easily Aonishki adapted to the top league. And maybe in May there will already be Kusano in Makuuchi, too, though I guess he needs a zensho yusho for that.
Onosato, Takerufuji, Haku-, Oho, Aonishiki, Shishi, Kusano etc.: isn’t Sumo fantastic?
Shodai makekoshi.
Hiradoumi cleanest sidestep ever, there was a fine and loud clash before. Hakuoho then hopped around like The Keymaster, Osaka crowd liked it :)
Theres a spark of life left in Nishikigi! Kinbozan seemed to think: it‘s not dangerous to let him go for my mawashi. Error!
I also spotted Chiyoshoma’s dorsal foot drag before Gonoyama went down. Said to myself, Gonoyama was robbed of the win. Especially painful in that this (wrong) call resulted in his day 12 MK.
It feels like Ryuden didn’t care if he lost as long as he had both feet on the ground today. That landing must have hurt. Ouch!
If Mitakeumi can only barely beat Takarafuji I don’t see how he’s going to get any more wins over the next couple of days.
It does seem like the banzuke committee wants to know how good Aonishiki is, doesn’t it? I’m definitely interested to see how his “fundamentals matter” sumo stacks up against Daiesho tomorrow.
Asakoryu went all-in on that arm throw when he probably should have focused on putting pressure on Endo’s ankles. If Endo wins tomorrow, I hope he goes kuyjo. Health over pride, always.
People are going to pull shenanigans at the tachiai on Hakuoho as long as he keeps bulling forward. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Especially in the same basho.
Ura pulls out the straightforward sumo when he either has a speed advantage or his opponents are above a certain height. I’d love to see him do this type of sumo more often, but usually his larger opponents would throw him around like a rag doll.
Nishikigi! Take that win, Sir! Go down fighting instead of meekly taking a demotion.
Tobizaru/Ichiyamamoto lived up to the hype, but I suspected that Tobizaru would win based on the tap dancing that Ichiyamamoto was doing along with Tobizaru being focused on center mass with his attacks more often. The potential hair pull was visible and I’m assuming that’s what the mono-ii was about.
Welcome to a Cup Run, Churanoumi. Better luck next time and use this as a lesson to improve.
The Cup isn’t a guarantee for anyone because Takayasu looked settled while Onosato scraped out a win today. Takayasu hasn’t fought Takerufuji, but he could also be scheduled with both Onosato and Kotozakura for his next matches too. It’ll be interesting to see how that all plays out. Ditto for tomorrow’s Shishi/Hakuoho match.
I was particularly surprised by Ura’s straight forward attack on Atamifuji because he had lost by tsuridashi last year, arms wrapped up and walked out like a child.
Well, they found struggling Nishikigi for Mitakeumi. What a match that will be!
By the way: is there no (other) senior league Sumo?
Takayasu can’t be scheduled with Onosato before a possible playoff. They have met already and it was one of the highlight bouts of the basho, don’t U remember?
You’re correct! I apparently need to have more coffee and wake up my brain. I’m not sure if Takayasu will face Abi in one of his last two matches because of Abi’s record. But, he’s faced everyone else in Sanyaku at this point. Takerfuji is definitely a possibility, but who else is there? Aonishiki if he wins? But, he’s M15 which feels like a “gimmie” match even though he has a great record this basho. Tamawashi, maybe? It’s definitely a conundrum for the banzuke committee.
Aonishiki would be interesting. Tamawashi, too. Like you said, quite the conundrum.
Aonishiki‘s birthday is on Sunday…
The association should create a masters division to protect these kids from Tamawashi
When the time comes, Kusano will be a valuable addition to makuuchi.
Well done, Tokihayate, for proving that the cling in January was deserved.
Not sure if battered Endo’s consecutive wins are of the Pyrrhic kind. He still needs one more.
Blooper reel: Quite a few somersaults in this tournament, Ura being the principal provider. Today, Churanoumi sported a backwards sort, while Hakuoho sprinkled seasoning with his quadrupedal exit.
Seems like most people hate Ura’s somersaults. I love them! Of all the rikishi, he does them the best, he is a natural acrobat and can do actual gymnastic back flips. Who else can protect his precious knees by somersaulting from an Onosato gorilla strength push and execute a simultaneous face slap with his foot on the way out? Only Ura can do this pink magic, and live to wrestle another day.
He is a natural isn’t he? I think the rolls into/out of falls etc.are a good way to avoid further injury where possible. Ura bobs up with that half smile 😏 ‘pink magic’ for the win.
You’re right about the rolling. They’re all taught to roll. You especially see it when they do butsukari/kawaigari.
They may all be taught it, but I don’t see many others do it.
I remember practicing rolls in my brief time studying judo. Front rolls terrified me (and made me dizzy) but learning how to curl down into a backwards fall, head tucked, and then rock forward again was really valuable. Of course, I didn’t have to fall off a dohyo in the process.
Just watched the highlights. Ryuden looked as if he had velcro on his feet, the way he was clinging on to the tawara!
I see now why people were talking about the Ukranians, Aonishiki in particular this tournament. Total respect to Tamawashi. Onosato’s back? I’ve had that treatment too after an idiot in an ute rammed my little European car from behind. Not sure it did much. Although I really don’t care for Kotozakura I don’t want him to lose his rank. He was gasping like a fish out of water today though, much as Takakeisho used to do. That much flab, sorry, excess loose flesh, just cannot be good for him, nor can it make it easy to fight.
Ryuden in the highlights was cited to want to get back to Sanyaku (he was once a Komusubi for one basho which he ended with 4-11). But if he doesn’t win two of the three last bouts he is headed for Juryo…
Yes I heard that too and also thought ‘what?’ Kind of ambitious considering. I hadn’t looked up his record so thanks herbern!
Today is the first time I was kinda happy for Oho to lose. I hope he channels his inner Taihou tomorrow and teaches Onosato a lesson in forward sumo. This might be Takayasu’s last shot at a cup. Oho has a terrible tournament, but I would love for him to win out and remain in Sanyaku.
Oshoma started the tournament 0-4 and is now 7-5. Quite the turnaround. Same for Wakatakakage. One more win and he secures his return to Sanyaku.
Kirishima has a really meh tournament aswell. he has to win out, same as Abi to protect his rank.
Daieisho whiffing todays bout is a real pity. Drops him pretty much out of the yusho race. Could also hurt in a potential Ozeki run next basho. For that reason I hope he takes care of Aonishiki (who is having a great tournament) tomorrow.
Tamawashi is having a great tournament. If he wins tomorrow, I think he will meet Takayasu on day 14. It’s kinda crazy, that he is in the thick of the yusho race. There is a world, where he could save Kotozakuras Ozeki rank by demanding a match with Onosato on senshuraku.
Tomorrow are some important matches with regards to Juryo demotions,but with how weak the upper Juryo are outside of Tamashoho, who clicnhed his return, we could see very few demotions this time One more win tomorrow could be all that Mitakeumi needs.
Really impressed with the way Endo is gutting out these bouts.
Actually, I’m scared for him that he had a concussion and is worsening it.
When you talk about pain management, do you mean they cannot use pharmaceuticals or anything like that? I’ve never been to Japan, so I’m not in tune with its medicinal approach.
I’m pulling for Takayasu and Tamawashi. Love to see the old guys compete.
Opioids, narcotics, etc. are illegal.
I would not be so quick to write off cupping. I have had it myself, in the course of my acupuncturist treating my frozen shoulder. And though I can’t say if it was the cupping that helped, the acupuncture treatment was far more effective than physical therapy at the time, and thus I tend to trust my acupuncturist.
Acupressure tip: if you get a charley horse (severe cramp in your calf), press hard with your fingertip on the spot on your upper lip just below nose. Keep up the pressure til you feel the cramp loosen. It will. The body works in mysterious ways.
Takayasu will melt like an ice cube in sahara.
Wins on days 12 and 13 for Takayasu and at least 11 wins, some heat resistent ice cube!
Maybe he won’t win the basho, but he certainly hasn’t faltered.