The NHK announced arrest of former top-division wrestler, Amuru, on charges of sexual assault and robbery at a karaoke bar in Tokyo, resetting the scandal counter. Amuru was arrested and charged along with another man in the assault and robbery. Oof, that hurts because the last time we had an update on Amuru, he had shared news of his wedding on Instagram last year. I will bring any updates as they come.
Rising star Mita picked up his second straight win today as he dragged Otsuji to the clay in a great, energetic bout. The 172-cm, 125 kilo youngster will have his hands full with 190cm, 195kg Mitoryu tomorrow. Mita lost to Mitoryu back in May. We will see what new strategy he has mañana.
Your NHK videos are here: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.
Makuuchi Action
Kotoeiho (1-1) defeated Kayo (0-2) Kayo pulled but Kotoeiho stuck with him. When Kayo found the tawara, he pivoted and pulled across the dohyo, stumbling and rolling off the dohyo as Kotoeiho gave chase. Yorikiri.
Kotoshoho (2-0) defeated Shishi (1-1). Kotoshoho pivoted and spun, getting access to Shishi’s mawashi. Shishi was able to avoid the early loss and got his own belt grip. But Kotoshoho then drove Shishi to the edge and over. Yorikiri.
Mitakeumi (2-0) defeated Hidenoumi (0-2). Mitakeumi patiently did his hazu-oshi, bulldozer sumo. He steadily pressed forward, with his head embedded in Hidenoumi’s face and eventually worked Hidenoumi to the edge and shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Kusano (2-0) defeated Churanoumi (0-2). Kusano blitzed Churanoumi at the tachiai. Kusano wrapped his opponent up quickly with both hands around his trunk and forcefully pressed him out. Yorikiri.
Shodai (2-0) defeated Fujinokawa (0-2). Shodai got his right hand grip on Fujinokawa’s belt and drove him to the bales and over the edge. Yorikiri.
Midorifuji (2-0) defeated Takanosho (1-1). Midorifuji henka. Takanosho caught up with Midorifuji at the bales, or at least he thought he did. As Takanosho shoved, Midorifuji shifted left and Takanosho fell onto his belly. Hatakikomi.
Asakoryu (1-1) defeated Tokihayate (0-2). Asakoryu locked in quickly with his left-hand inside and carefully used his body position to keep Tokihayate away from his belt. While Tokihayate fumbled around and tried to get his own grip, Asakoryu pulled him down. Shitatenage.
Ura (2-0) defeated Atamifuji (0-2). Atamifuji charged forward and both men tumbled out. The Eagle-eyed gyoji, Kimura Akijiro, saw that Ura had twisted and kept his feet inside the bales while pulling Atamifuji out. Gunbai Ura. No mono-ii. Katasukashi.
Roga (2-0) defeated Chiyoshoma (0-2). The two men engaged in a brief oshi tussle before both men settled into a hidari-yotsu battle. Chiyoshoma tried to yank Roga down but Roga resisted well. He then pushed Chiyoshoma forcefully down to the ground with his right-hand over-arm grip. Uwatedashinage.
Ichiyamamoto (2-0) defeated Tobizaru (0-2). Ichiyamamoto reverted to his usual oshi attack, but not too aggressive as he was leery of Tobizaru’s agility. Tobizaru pulled back and Ichiyamamoto pursued well and forced Tobizaru over the edge. Oshidashi.
Halftime
Gonoyama (2-0) defeated Sadanoumi (0-2). Gonoyama dominated this bout today as he chased Sadanoumi around the ring and shoved him out behind his forceful tsuppari. Sadanoumi found no opening to get inside and attempt to impose his style of sumo. Tsukidashi.
Takerufuji (2-0) defeated Hiradoumi (0-2). Takerufuji blasted Hiradoumi and shoved him out of the ring. Hiradoumi had tried to get a belt grip but Takerufuji tore him off with a forceful shove to the face and then plowed ahead, driving Hiradoumi out. Oshidashi.
Tamawashi (2-0) defeated Meisei (0-2). Meisei will be very frustrated with this one. Meisei over powered Tamawashi’s tsuppari and worked his way inside for a belt grip. Tamawashi turned to escape and Meisei pursued, shoving Tamawashi out while falling. Gunbai Meisei. Mono-ii. On review, the back of Meisei’s foot had touched the clay first. Tamawashi was awarded the victory. Tsukiotoshi.
Sanyaku
Hakuoho (1-1) defeated Oshoma (0-2). Hakuoho wrapped up Oshoma with a nice morozashi and chugged away with steady gaburi-yotsu bunny hops. This pressure forced Oshoma to fall over the bales. Yoritaoshi.
Takayasu (1-1) defeated Kinbozan (1-1). Kinbozan got out too far ahead of his feet with his tsuppari. Takayasu shifted left and shoved Kinbozan down. Tsukiotoshi.
Kirishima (2-0) defeated Abi (1-1). Kirishima quickly reached around and grabbed Abi by his thong, then dragged him down. Uwatenage.
Wakatakakage (2-0) defeated Onokatsu (0-2). As Onokatsu drove forward, Wakatakakage shifted his right hand inside to accompany his left. With both hands inside, Wakatakakage suddenly twisted and hoisted Onokatsu over the bales. Beautiful turning of tables. Yorikiri.
Kotozakura (1-1) defeated Oho (0-2). Kotozakura weathered Oho’s torrent of tsuppari and reached in with his right hand inside, left hand outside. From there it was a lean-fest before Kotozakura drove forward and forced Oho back through the dohyo and over the bales. Yorikiri.
Wakamotoharu (1-1) defeated Hoshoryu (1-1). Wakamotoharu henka but Hoshoryu caught him and wrapped him up. Both men were standing rather high. When Hoshoryu tried to change his grip and get his right hand inside, Wakamotoharu charged forward and forced Hoshoryu out. Wakamotoharu walks away with a nice stack of kensho and a kinboshi (gold star), the gift that keeps on giving. Yorikiri.
Onosato (2-0) defeated Aonishiki (1-1). Onosato drove forward and forced Aonishiki straight back and out. Domination. Oshidashi.
Wrap up
Onosato’s quick win over Aonishiki might set the tone for this tournament. It was quite the contrast from Hoshoryu’s struggling against Wakamotoharu. Aonishiki will get his turn against Hoshoryu tomorrow while Wakamotoharu will face Onosato.
Kotozakura bounced back from his opening day loss with this win over Oho. Takayasu will present the next challenge for the Ozeki tomorrow.
Kirishima will take on Oho and Wakatakakage will fight Abi. I am concerned about Abi’s fitness after his Day 1 henka and quick, stumbling loss today. Oshoma will fight Onokatsu as both men seek their first win of the tournament.
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Astonishiki didn’t stand the slightest chance against Onosato and he will be in good company this basho. So far he has adapted to every new challenge quickly – yesterday he took his first ozeki scalp for instance -, but to overcome the new yokozuna is of course the hardest task.
Kirishima kicking dirt Abi’s way was the move of the day.
Oh, I did not notice that. I will need to go back and check.
I’m sad for Hoshoryu, I really thought that dispatching of Takayasu heralded some real Yokozuna form. With Onosato looking so magisterial, it puts Hoshoryu’s gold star gifting into even sharper focus!
Completely agree. I had brief hopes of two Yokozuna facing each other with zensho on the line…
Hoshoryu just seemed panicked to me, moving very frantically and completely out of position as high as he was standing.
If only, if only…if only Hoshoryu hadn’t, panicked, gone in too hard and not left himself options, too high? He was commanding yesterday.
I thought Abi did move to the side a bit at the tachiai which let Kirishima reach round and oh so beautifully shove Abi out. Perfection ! I’m not really a fan of Abi-zumo, can you tell?
I am sure Aonishiki will learn from today, if only that more than one type of sumo needs to be available to him. He can’t always go in low, head down, and succeed! Aonishiki seems to absorb lessons well, so we’ll see, no doubt.
I just heard that Abi recently had left elbow surgery recently. Seems like it’s still bothering. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him drop out.
hoshoryu fan here! The way I see it Wakamotoharu tried a henka and almost got away with it. Hoshoryu adjusted but Waka senior had a very deep left hold on Hoshoryu. Very difficult position and He knew it. I would take Hoshoryu style, poise and unpredictability every day pf the week against behemoth Onosato taking everyone out in three step out of physical advantage. I a, taking the hard route but I do not care
Yeah, it was definitely a henka attempt.
Unflyable cushions in the new IG Arena
That’s no fun!……I see a merch opportunity here to sell throwable cushions with wrestler’s name
I‘m not amused, I‘m upset! How can you give away a kinboshi on second day with two healthy knees? To somebody you owned for years, and who is not famous for any erratic or surprising action?! Now try to follow up in the yusho race…!
Somebody is going to have to get Onosato to take a false step or two + let somebody grab his belt .. or it’s hard to see who will beat him .. Abi and Hoshoryu whiffed on their tachiai + failed the counter move contest .. Have to think one or two young heathy wrestlers from lower ranks will run up
a streak + be competing against the top ranked wrestlers in week two .. Takerufuj/ Kusano? …
I’ve been following WTK since I started following Grand Sumo in 2020. It’s been a roller coaster. It’s probably just me, but Wakatakage‘s upper body looks bigger, if that’s possible, and more defined, as if he’s put in more weight work than usual between tournaments. With the huge and strong youngsters making their mark, I think he realizes that if he’s ever going to get to Ozeki, it’s now or never. The only person that’s going to beat Onosato is Onosato. It’s nice to have a real, full time Yokozuna!
I’ve never watched the juryo matches, although I pay a little attention to wrap-ups ect. Watching kusano the last two days, well, let’s say, I see what the hype is about.
Looking forward to see what this kid can put together as he goes up through some more veterans as this tourney unfolds
Shodai decided to show up today, i guess to give the rookie a lesson about the big leagues. I still hold out hope he can get his head on straight and show some back to back concentration, but I won’t hold my breath.
Takayasu does not go silently into the night. I like to see that. He seems healthy, maybe the old man still has it in him. Would really like to see him make the most of the weird way the banzuke worked out.