The Makuuchi yusho has been decided but in Juryo Kusano (12-2) may still need to win tomorrow to secure his second consecutive title. Wakaikari (11-3) must win tomorrow against Daiamami to have any hope of a playoff. Daiamami is 7-7 and fighting for that all-important kachi-koshi, though he is likely already safe from demotion. If Wakaikari wins and Kusano loses to Tsurugisho, who also has kachi-koshi on the line, Kusano will fight Wakaikari in a playoff.

Right now, there is only one playoff scheduled. As Leonid mentioned yesterday, Otsuji won the Makushita yusho and will return to Juryo. Hatooka won the Sandanme title while Kazuma ran away with the Jonokuchi yusho. The Jonidan title will be decided in a playoff between Mineyaiba and Tenrosei, both of Shikoroyama-beya. Tenrosei is Hoshoryu’s cousin. Musashimaru’s nephew, Hikarimusashi, finished with a kachi-koshi and continues to make progress.

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

Makuuchi Action

Roga (8-6) defeated Nishikigi (6-8). Roga blitzed Nishikigi at the tachiai and drove him quickly to the edge, where he kept up the pressure until Nishikigi stepped out. After starting the tournament 5-0, Nishikigi is makekoshi and in a perilous position heading into tomorrow. We’re back where we were last tournament but worlds away from the optimism of Day 4 and Day 5. Yorikiri.

Sadanoumi (10-4) defeated Kotoshoho (6-3-5). Sadanoumi pivoted and dumped Kotoshoho unceremoniously, to the clay. Uwatenage.

Tokihayate (7-7) defeated Endo (8-6). Tokihayate quickly wrapped up Endo and spun, pulling him over to the edge where he pressed him out. Yorikiri.

Shishi (4-10) defeated Tamashoho (4-10). Shishi easily overpowered Tamashoho’s tsuppari. Nevertheless, Tamashoho would cycle and come back to try more tsuppari. When Tamashoho got within arm’s length, Shishi slapped him down.  Hatakikomi.

Meisei (9-5) defeated Kayo (7-7). Kayo henka? He didn’t get very far. Meisei was ready to brawl so Kayo charged forward. This time Meisei shifted to the side, grabbed Kayo’s belt and pulled him forward. Uwatenage.

Shodai (5-9) defeated Tochitaikai (3-11). “Oh, you’re so powerful. I cannot overwhelm you. You are forcing me back to the edge at will…Oh no, you fell when I slipped to the side. Sucker.” Shodai baited Tochitaikai into driving forward, full force. At the edge, Shodai slipped to the side and shoved Tochitaikai down. Tochitaikai’s new. He doesn’t know. Tsukiotoshi.

Aonishiki (10-4) defeated Atamifuji (7-7). Atamifuji gave a valiant effort but Aoinishiki’s right-hand inside grip was very powerful. Aonishiki tried to throw and Atamifuji tried to charge forward. It was a bit of an entertaining back-and-forth stalemate until Aonishiki got inside with his left hand, too. Once he got the morozashi, Atamifuji put it in reverse and flailed around as he tried to escape. Aonishiki had him and drove him over the edge. Yorikiri.

Midorifuji (5-9) defeated Ryuden (5-9). Ryuden charged forward but Midorifuji quickly shifted to his right at the edge while shoving Ryuden down. Ryuden might need to win tomorrow to avoid the drop to Juryo. He and Nishikigi will have a lot riding on tomorrow’s bouts. Tsukiotoshi.

Asakoryu (10-4) defeated Onokatsu (9-5). Asakoryu with the sidestep tachiai but Onokatsu adjusted well. Asakoryu brought it right to Onokatsu and drove forward, angling for a belt grip. Onokatsu was trying to get a hold with his right hand when Asakoryu pulled and threw him down. Shitatenage.

Kinbozan (9-5) defeated Takanosho (8-6). Kinbozan did not start with his powerful thrusts, this time. He reached around, grabbed Takanosho’s belt and swung him powerfully to the edge. Takanosho was caught by surprise. “Andy, that wasn’t in the brief! You said to read the brief! That wasn’t in the brief!” As Takanosho tried desperately to stay in, Kinbozan shoved him off the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Shonannoumi (5-9) defeated Churanoumi (3-11). Shonannoumi stood Churanoumi up at the tachiai with some steady tsuppari, lacking power. As Chura pressed forward, Shonannoumi stepped to the side and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Halftime

Ura (4-10) defeated Tamawashi (5-9). Ura took a lot of abuse from Tamawashi as he set up a sidestep. When Ura shifted, Tamawashi charged forward but he caught himself at the edge, reversed, and challenged Ura to come at him. Ura charged forward into Tamawashi and drove him off the fighting surface. Yorikiri.

Tobizaru (7-7) defeated Abi (7-7). Tobizaru seemed to be favoring his right foot at the start of this bout. He tried a slapdown, which failed, and somehow Abi got in deep behind. Tobizaru quickly reengaged so Abi wouldn’t okuridashi him. Somewhere, Tobizaru summoned the strength to keep Abi cornered. Abi shifted direction but Tobizaru pursued and forced Abi over. Was the right foot injury a feint? Remember, he was limping yesterday. If so, Tobizaru’s playing 3D Chess here. Oshidashi.

Ichiyamamoto (5-9) defeated Gonoyama (4-10). Ichiyamamoto hit Gonoyama with measured tsuppari, just enough power to hold him up but to allow Gonoyama to charge forward. Then Ichiyamamoto stepped to the side and pulled Gonoyama down. Hikiotoshi.

Oshoma (9-5) defeated Wakamotoharu (6-8). Oshoma tried the same thing on Wakamotoharu but Wakamotoharu did not go down and stayed engaged with Oshoma. Wakamotoharu drove Oshoma back through the ring and Oshoma shifted along the bales. When Wakamotoharu resisted, Oshoma tried to slap him down. This forced Wakamotoharu into uncontrolled retreat. Oshoma followed up and forced him out. Oshidashi.

Oho (6-8) defeated Takerufuji (5-9). Oho charged forward and Takerufuji pivoted to his right, trying to get access to Oho’s belt. As Takerufuji pressed forward, Oho summoned all of his strength and turned the tables on Takerufuji, twisting and hauling him over the bales. Sukuinage.

Sanyaku

Takayasu (5-9) defeated Chiyoshoma (4-10). Quelle surprise…henka. Takayasu knew what was up and chased Chiyoshoma who backed away and accidentally stepped out. Fumidashi.

Wakatakakage (11-3) defeated Hiradoumi (6-8). Hiradoumi tried a slapdown but Wakatakakage was prepared. Wakatakakage drove forward and forced Hiradoumi out. Oshidashi.

Kirishima (11-3) defeated Hakuoho (8-6). This was a great, even yotsu battle. Hakuoho held his own but became impatient. He had a good left hand grip and surged forward, trying to lock on with his right. Kirishima retreated along the bales until Hakuoho was over-extended and off-balance. Kirishima shoved Hakuoho’s right shoulder with his left hand and dumped him along the bales. Tsukiotoshi.

Onosato (14-0) defeated Daieisho (9-5). Onosato read the brief. Daieisho charged forward behind powerful tsuppari. Onosato slipped to his right, trying a slapdown but that missed. Daieisho’ momentum carried him toward the edge. He turned back to face Onosato but Onosato was on him and shoved him of the ledge. Oshidashi.

Hoshoryu (11-3) defeated Kotozakura (8-6). Kotozakura had Hoshoryu in danger of a kimedashi but Hoshoryu remained low, remained calm, and adjusted his hold to regain the upper hand. The Yokozuna shifted and forced Kotozakura to the bales. Kotozakura tried a last gasp twist and pull down but Hoshoryu remained solid and drove Kotozakura over the edge. Yorikiri.

Wrap-up

Onosato is solidifying his claim on the Yokozuna rank by continuing to win, even when he has the yusho well in hand. He was prepared for Daieisho’s attack today and will need to muster all of his wiles for his fight with Hoshoryu tomorrow. A zensho will be quite the tale, one we will be telling future generations of sumo fans. A Japanese Yokozuna from Ishikawa prefecture, Top Dog of the stable of Kisenosato, who rose quickly through the ranks without ever having a losing record. Like everyone else, I’m eager to see what’s next. He will join Hoshoryu at Yokozuna. What kind of rivalry will they have? Well, tomorrow’s bout might set the tone for that.

There are MANY other questions to be settled tomorrow. Leonid covered a lot of them yesterday. It looks like we’ll have three Sekiwake. If Daieisho can beat Kotozakura tomorrow, we’ll be following up Yokozuna promotion stories with stories of Ozeki runs. All three of these guys have had solid tournaments and will want to join Kotozakura at the rank. A new era dawns.