A quick update on today’s top-division action. Look for a Makushita report later.
Fujinokawa (5-2), whom I used to like, pulled a henka against Mitakeumi (6-1), dropping the former Ozeki out of sole lead and into a 6-way tie. As a silver lining, this might keep Mitakeumi from getting pitted against higher-rankers until later in the basho. Kusano (6-1) tossed down Kotoeiho (3-4) in a brief but spirited bout. Ichiyamamoto (6-1) beat Takerufuji (4-3), who did show up, but with a heavily taped bicep, and put up minimal if any resistance. He really should be getting that injury taken care of, but I guess that’s ozumo.
On to the sanyaku bouts. Aonishiki (5-2) showed Oshoma (1-6) who the real Komusubi is, taking a lot of shots to the face while patiently waiting for an opening and then rapidly blasting out his opponent. Ageless wonder Tamawashi (6-1) blew away Wakatakakage (3-4), whose Ozeki run is toast, at least for now. Kotozakura (5-2) fought like an Ozeki today, overpowering Hakuoho (3-4). In a battle between heavyweight yusho contenders and former Ozeki, Kirishima (6-1) established inside position against Takayasu (5-2) at the tachiai, then quickly disrupted his opponent’s balance and slapped him down in what looked like a carbon copy of his yesterday’s win over Kinbozan (1-6). And things didn’t get any better for Kinbozan, whose loss against Onosato (6-1) looked like a particularly easy chest-lending session. So we have six co-leaders, whose ranks range from Yokozuna to M16. No one will be kachi-koshi on Day 8, but come back tomorrow to see where things stand.
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I‘m a bit sorry about Takayasu‘s loss because I think his chances against Onosato are much better than Kirishima‘s. But as U wrote yesterday, he’s still in the yusho race though now one step behind Onosato, Kirishima and Kusano. I only hope they won’t wait too long before they match the rookie with the joi.
I’d like to see him get the 10 wins he needs for a kanto-sho before they feed him to the wolves.
Well, it doesn’t have to be the wolves to begin with, but let’s say Hakuoho, Onokatsu or Hiradoumi on day 9 or 10 would be fitting, I think.
I’d at least let him get kachi-koshi first.
If he fell out of the yusho race he‘d fight in his „natural habitat“ again and could then still get his kachi-koshi and also the kanto-sho.
Kusano can’t fight Hakuoho. They are both from Isegahama-beya.
Takerufuji absolutely should be kyujo. That “temporary” arm injury might turn into a career (even life-long) one if he continues to choose to fight through it. Kisenosato springs to mind of another similar case, only Takerufuji is a lot younger and has a sky-high ceiling he might be impacting.
Kirishima looks like he’s regained his Ozeki-level form, but I remember how woeful he wrestled not that long ago. I worry about a backslide into that if he once again gets promoted.
In juryo there is a new rikishi with a perfect sumo body who lost on day one but since then has dominated his opponents just as much as Kusano did last basho. His name is… Shonannoumi and he looks totally reenergized to me. Can’t wait to see him back in makuuchi in that shape and hope he’s not an elevator guy but a sanyaku in the making.
Today there was the old Shonannoumi again unfortunately and he lost.
Maybe may sanyaku hopes for him were a little bit premature?
Yeah, he’s got the body, but maybe not the sumo sense—kind of the opposite of Aonishiki.
Disappointed to hear of Takerufuji’s injury and “treatment”. Terunofuji should know better than to think this is wise. I’m on the TGV, heading back to Paris from a rather whirlwind trip around Reims, drinking champagne. Will be a game time decision for tomorrow morning. The bouts are at a more reasonable time here but we’ve been in the midst of travel and activities. Thank you, Leonid, for pitching in and holding down the fort!
I give Fujinokawa credit for planning + enacting his plan (a la Abi) .. Did not expect the henka .. others now have to consider it .. otherwise I too have liked his style .. imho smaller rikishi have to have an unpredictable sumo style or risk getting blasted off the dohyo each match .. Mitakeumi did not do a full face plant + almost recovered .. Net he is still in it & will now be facing tougher competition .. Kirishima looks fast, healthy and confident .. Tamawashi is amazing .. Hope that aging body holds together in week two .. typically he is good for 5+ furious seconds .. if a rikishi survives that assault his odds go up .. Neat matches coming up next week between young risers and those in form ..
I do believe that Mitakeumi didn’t even nod his head to Fujinokawa at the end of the bout. All I saw was promised retribution in Mitakeumi’s eyes as he looked at his opponent.
Noticed the same thing. It is more testament to his fire. His former ozeki pride seems to have been awoken with the demotion to juryo. I really hope he stays mentally locked in. Always loved his style.
Though that’s the one case when a henka makes sense and even should be esteemed.
If one of the rikishi is clearly disadvantaged bodywise even I would allow him a henka.
Still no henka from Chiyoshoma.
I can see why Mitakeumi was angry, but you gotta watch out for yourself on the dohyo, Bud.
There’s no rules against being sneaky. I change my tune about Henkas when Abi wins a yusho by beating Takayasu with one. But most of the time I think it’s chaotically awesome. I feel your pain though.
Sure I would celebrate a Mitakeumi Yusho! It‘s great, that he seems to have overcome his hip&thigh misery, which lasted for quite a full year. To see sparks of his former ability to perform at the top is delightful! However, I wouldn‘t be too severe with Fujinokawa. In the end he had to do something special to prevail against a big and heavy rikishi with much of a sanyaku history. His henkaish approach wasn‘t about the notorious ‚…was nowhere to be seen‘- move. There was body contact for the complete time, he was clinging to Mitakeumi‘s neck right away from the tachiai. Let‘s forgive him to cut the winning streak – now the Yusho race will be fired up to some further degrees!