No kyujo news to report today other than we will see Kotoshoho on the dohyo today, as reported yesterday. Onosato has been leading the charge early in this tournament but we saw solid action from the top guys yesterday. Let’s get to it, shall we?

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

Makuuchi Action

Asakoryu (5-1) defeated Nishikigi (5-1). Maybe Nishikigi isn’t all healed. He did well to start but Asakoryu bulled him out of the ring. Oshidashi.

Ryuden (4-2) defeated Tochitaikai (3-3). Tochitaikai tried a quick slapdown but Ryuden was ready and forced Tochitaikai to the edge. Tochitaikai tried to get back inside by circling around the bales and changing direction but Ryuden was patient and worked him over the bales. This is a positional game. Oshidashi.

Kayo (2-4) defeated Roga (4-2). As Roga fought inside for a left hand belt grip, Kayo backed away and rotated, shoving Roga’s right shoulder with his left hand. Kayo pulled out his Uno Reverse on the edge and finished Roga off with a shove. Oshidashi.

Tamashoho (2-4) defeated Tokihayate (2-4). Tokihayate got a morozashi late but couldn’t turn the tables as Tamashoho crushed him out of the ring. Yoritaoshi.

Sadanoumi (4-2) defeated Shonannoumi (1-5). Shonannoumi started plugging away with his tsuppari. Sadanoumi Junior grabbed his right arm and yanked hard. Shonannoumi pulled away but Sadanoumi pursued and forced him off the dohyo. “This is my house.” Yorikiri.

Kotoshoho (1-0-5) defeated Takanosho (3-3). Kotoshoho pulled and slapped Takanosho down after an opening flurry of tsuppari. I am always happy to see someone come off kyujo and win their first bout. It’s like, “maybe this guy actually took enough time to heal.” Hatakikomi.

Atamifuji (4-2) defeated Meisei (3-3). Atamifuji wrapped up Meisei’s arms and drove toward the bales. When Meisei resisted, Atamifuji pulled him down into the center of the ring. Kotenage.

Aonishiki (5-1) defeated Shodai (2-4). Shodai lured Aonishiki to the edge where he tried to pull Aonishiki over. Aonishiki somehow maintained his footing on one leg and then chased Shodai across the ring and threw him out from behind. Okurinage.

Shishi (1-5) defeated Midorifuji (0-6). Shishi wrapped up Midorifuji and forced him over the bales. Yorikiri.

Kinbozan (4-2) defeated Endo (4-2). Endo tried a quick slapdown. Kinbozan stepped forward but recovered and then shoved Endo off the dohyo. Endo again slow to return to the dohyo. That man has had his bell rung too many times. Tsukidashi.

Halftime

Oshoma (3-3) defeated Onokatsu (3-3). Oshoma used his tsuppari to keep Onokatsu away from his belt. He patiently circled, testing. Then he attempted a slapdown. Onokatsu stumbled forward but stayed upright. Oshoma was able to get in behind Onokatsu, wrap him up and usher him out from behind. Okuridashi.

Hakuoho (6-0) defeated Ura (1-5). Both men started with a left hand inside. Hakuoho wrapped up Ura’s right arm. Ura then pressed Hakuoho about the shoulders. Ura tried a slapdown but Hakuoho was ready and used the momentum to charge forward into Ura and press him to the bales. Hakuoho kept up the pressure and forced Ura out. Hakuoho’s patience won this. Yorikiri.

Chiyoshoma (1-5) defeated Churanoumi (1-5). Churanoumi was ready for Chiyoshoma’s henka. However, Chiyoshoma grabbed Churanoumi’s belt and beat him, straight up, on the belt, driving him over the edge. Yorikiri.

Tobizaru (4-2) defeated Ichiyamamoto (3-3). Ichiyamamoto launched into his tsuppari attack. Tobizaru pulled and timed his slapdown perfectly. Hatakikomi.

Abi (3-3) defeated Oho (3-3). Oho batted Abi’s arms and shoved him to the side but Abi recovered well and re-engaged. He then executed his patented slapdown and drove Oho into the clay. Hatakikomi.

Sanyaku

Wakatakakage (5-1) defeated Takayasu (1-5). Takayasu started with kachiage, forearm to the head but did not connect well. Takayasu laid into WTK with tsuppari and Wakatakakage retaliated with a slapdown. This forced Takayasu to stumble forward, and just like Oshoma did earlier, Wakatakakage came in from behind to finish Takayasu off. Okuridashi.

Hiradoumi (3-3) defeated Daieisho (5-1). Hiradoumi hit Daieisho firmly at the tachiai then immediately shifted slightly to the left and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Kirishima (4-2) defeated Wakamotoharu (1-5). Kirishima wrapped up Wakamotoharu and as he drove forward to the bales, Kirishima kicked Wakamotoharu’s right leg from the outside with his left leg. Sotogake.

Onosato (6-0) defeated Gonoyama (0-6). Gonoyama pushed Onosato’s chin up but Onosato chased him from the ring for his efforts. Oshidashi.

Kotozakura (4-2) defeated Takerufuji (3-3). Takerufuji started with gaburi-yotsu, pumping his way to the bales. Kotozakura resisted at the edge and Takerufuji was impatient, so Takerufuji pulled with his left and tried to force Kotozakura down with his right. Kotozakura fell forward but he fell onto Takerufuji, crushing the Isegahama heyagashira. Yoritaoshi.

Hoshoryu (4-2) defeated Tamawashi (2-4). Tamawashi shifted left at the tachiai and tried to shove Hoshoryu but Hoshoryu reacted well and rushed Tamawashi out. Oshidashi.

Wrap up

Onosato is cruising. He dispatched Gonoyama with ease today. He remains in the lead with Hakuoho. Nishikigi and Daieisho stumbled today, joining Wakatakakage, Aonishiki, and Asakoryu (?!) with one loss.

Aonishiki is setting himself up for a Technique Prize, if he can keep this up. He has been brilliant to watch. His recovery today and escape from Shodai’s throw was another highlight bout. Takayasu took time to get back onto the dohyo. I would not be surprised if kyujo is incoming. We thought Daieisho had solved his tendency to get out ahead of his feet but apparently not, Hiradoumi caught him out perfectly.

Hoshoryu will fight Hiradoumi tomorrow while Onosato faces Takerufuji. It’s Kotozakura turn to beat up on Gonoyama. Daieisho will battle Wakatakakage. Hakuoho will fight Ichiyamamoto, Aonishiki faces Endo. Asakoryu will take on Tokihayate and Nishikigi will fight Sadanoumi.

It’s funny to see Takakeisho ushering folks out of the stadium at the end of the tournament. Folks come up to him pretty excited to see him and he’s lost a ton of weight. You can imagine hearing this, “Yes, I look great. But you gotta go, lady. You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.” And Akua seems to be enjoying his bow-twirling duties. Thus ends another great day of sumo. I’ll catch you back here tomorrow.