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

Twelve. Twwwwelvvve. Still such a weird word.

In Juryo, Kotoeiho nearly slipped one past Kusano but Kusano reacted well to the sidestep and dragged Kotoeiho over the bales. Kusano will fight Oshoumi tomorrow. Mitakeumi will take his turn against Kotoeiho. If Mitakeumi wins, he will join Kusano with Makuuchi promotion. Wakaikari and Tohakuryu chase, one loss off pace. They will fight each other tomorrow.

Makuuchi Action

Kotoshoho (6-1-5) defeated Tamashoho (4-8). Kotoshoho’s tsuppari was stronger than Tamashoho’s and Kotoshoho shoved Tamashoho back to the bales and over. Oshidashi.

Nishikigi (6-6) defeated Tokihayate (6-6). Tokihayate spun and pulled on Nishikigi to try to throw him. However, Nishikigi used his size to drive forward and force Tokihayate over the bales and pick up his first white star since Day Five. Yorikiri.

Asakoryu (9-3) defeated Atamifuji (7-5). Atamifuji started to drive forward but Asakoryu pivoted and shoved Atamifuji’s right shoulder, driving Atamifuji down to the clay. Like the Jeffersons, Asakoryu will be “Movin’ On Up” in July. He might even work his way over to the East Side. Tsukiotoshi.

Kayo (6-6) defeated Takanosho (7-5). While Takanosho plowed forward, Kayo shifted to his left and slapped Takanosho down. Hatakikomi.

Endo (7-5) defeated Shonannoumi (3-9). Endo used his nodowa and tsuppari to drive Shonannoumi back to the bales. Shonannoumi resisted with the tawara as leverage so Endo wrapped him up with his strong right hand on Shonannoumi’s belt and pulled. Shonannoumi didn’t go down but Endo dragged him to the other side of the ring and pressed him back over the tawara and likely back to Juryo. Yorikiri.

Ryuden (5-7) defeated Shishi (2-10). Ryuden secured Shishi’s belt with the right hand but Shishi fought to keep Ryuden’s left hand away. After a long struggle, Ryuden finally got his left hand inside, overpowered Shishi and drove him over the bales. Shishi’s dreadful tournament continues and he is in serious danger of demotion. He will need a couple of wins in the final days to avoid the drop. Yorikiri.

Sadanoumi (8-4) defeated Meisei (7-5). Sadanoumi’s footwork was excellent and he reacted very well to Meisei’s inashi, shifting strategy. He grabbed Meisei, pulled him violently toward the tawara and drove him over the edge. Yorikiri.

Midorifuji (3-9) defeated Tochitaikai (3-9). Solid tachiai and Tochitaikai put his head down to press forward. In a flash, Midorifuji shifted left and pulled Tochitaikai down by the left arm. Tochitaikai is headed back to Juryo in July. Hikiotoshi.

Onokatsu (8-4) defeated Roga (7-5). Onokatsu grabbed Roga’s belt with the right. Roga didn’t like that and yanked him off but Onokatsu immediately locked on deeper with the left. As Roga struggled and shifted, Onokatsu kept his head down and pressed ahead, waltzing Roga toward the edge and finally over. Yorikiri.

Churanoumi (3-9) defeated Shodai (3-9). Churanoumi kept Shodai in front of him. As Shodai shifted right, Churanoumi shifted with him and shoved him over the edge. Even Shodai might be in danger of a drop to Juryo and will likely need a win or two in the closing days to avoid it. Oshidashi.

Kinbozan (8-4) defeated Tobizaru (6-6). Tobizaru tried to shift to the right at the tachiai but Kinbozan read it perfectly and shoved Tobizaru. The nudge was enough to catch Tobizaru off-balance and he staggered back, over the bales. Tsukidashi.

Halftime

Tamawashi (4-8) defeated Abi (7-5). Tamawashi blasted Abi, drove him back and out. He might have caught and Abi finger in the eye. That would irritate me, too. Oshidashi.

Chiyoshoma (4-8) defeated Gonoyama (3-9). Gonoyama kept his head down and drove into Chiyoshoma. However, Chiyoshoma pivoted along the bales, grabbed and pulled Gonoyama to the ground. Uwatenage.

Wakamotoharu (6-6) defeated Ura (3-9). Wakamotoharu shifted to his left and slapped Ura down. Hatakikomi.

Hiradoumi (5-7) defeated Oho (4-8). Hiradoumi got a jump on the tachiai and hit Oho hard, driving Oho back and over. Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Takayasu (3-9) defeated Takerufuji (4-8). Takerufuji used his ottsuke to try to keep Takayasu of his belt but he could only hold out for so long. Takayasu got his left inside then his right hand latched on Takerufuji’s belt. Takayasu pulled hard, swinging Takerufuji down. Uwatenage.

Wakatakakage (9-3) defeated Oshoma (8-4). Wakatakakage grabbed Oshoma and drove him over the edge. Yorikiri.

Daieisho (9-3) defeated Aonishiki (8-4). Aonishiki got a few healthy doses of Daieisho’s tsuppari and was thrown from the dohyo. Tsukidashi.

Onosato (12-0) defeated Hakuoho (8-4). Onosato expected Hakuoho to come out hard. He met him forcefully at the tachiai but then grabbed behind his head and pulled him down while pivoting to the right. Hatakikomi.

Kotozakura (8-4) defeated Ichiyamamoto (4-8). After a brief oshi tussle, Kotozakura released and allowed Ichiyamamoto to step inside, grabbing his belt with the right hand inside. Ichiyamamoto tried to use his ottsuke to squeeze and keep Kotozakura’s left away. But Kotozakura worked his left hand inside. With a morozashi he plowed ahead and forced Ichiyamamoto from the ring. Yorikiri.

Kirishima (9-3) defeated Hoshoryu (9-3). “Purple rain, purple rain.” The Yokozuna let Kirishima get on his belt quickly. Maybe he thought he could overpower him? Kirishima wasn’t budging easy, though. Kirishima’s left hand was firm, inside. But Hoshoryu still squeezed there to try to get him to release. Meanwhile, with Hoshoryu’s focus apparently on that left hand, Kirishima quietly reached over and locked on with his right, outside Hoshoryu’s left. Firm grip acquired, Kirishima pulled up, briefly lifting the Yokozuna from the surface of the dohyo, and dragged him to the bales where Kirishima unceremoniously dumped Hoshoryu over the edge. Uwatenage.

Wrap-up

Enough Prince, Andy. It’s always Prince. Always Purple Rain. Can’t you switch it up for once? Okay. How about some Phil this time? I’ll try to think of something better for next time.

The yusho is not officially Onosato’s yet but barring a collapse of monumental proportions in the closing days of the tournament, the yusho AND the rope are his. The only question remaining is whether this will be a runaway or will anyone present a serious challenge to Onosato? Onosato will fight Kotozakura tomorrow.

If he wins, the yusho is his and they probably prefer him to go through the Ozeki to clinch the title rather than have him face Daieisho or Kirishima. They might delay the Day 14 pairing to see which Sekiwake has the better record but both Daieisho and Kirishima are fighting well. Both would be great matchups and one of them should have fought Onosato today, instead of Hakuoho. But I’ll shut up about that now. It’s in the past.

Hoshoryu will fight Daieisho tomorrow. This will likely set up a Kotozakura/Hoshoryu fight on Day 14 with the finale being Hoshoryu versus Onosato in the final bout on Senshuraku. Even if Onosato clinches the yusho early, Hoshoryu and Kirishima/Daieisho will bring their best sumo to face him down the stretch. Both Sekiwake have had great performances this tournament. Daieisho’s is likely not enough for promotion this time but solid steps forward, both of them. Wakamotoharu and Abi will be fighting for the Komusubi slot that Takayasu will vacate.

Further down the banzuke, they’ve surprisingly decided to bring Asakoryu up to fight Wakatakakage, as if Asakoryu were going to make a dark, dark, dark horse run for the yusho. It is still weird to think of Asakoryu as Heyagashira at Takasago, and still their lone sekitori. But this has been a fantastic tournament and he is setting himself up to earn a special prize. His little brother might even secure a sekitori rank and we know Asanoyama will lurch closer to reclaiming sekitori status, as well. Big things happening over there and this weekend could be a great one for Takasago and their supporters. Par-TAY, as they say. Lots to come in these final three days.