Leader (9-1): M8w Ichiyamamoto.
Chasers (8-2): S1w Kirishima, M1e Aonishiki, M4w Tamawashi, M14e Kusano, M15e Kotoshoho, M16w Mitakeumi.
In the hunt (7-3): Y1w Onosato, K1w Takayasu, M10e Atamifuji, M11e Takanosho.
Well, that was one hell of a day of sumo.
The sole leader, Ichiyamamoto defeated struggling M5w Meisei (3-7) for the first time in four tries. Thus far, Ichiyamamoto’s highest-ranked opponent was M5e Hiradoumi (5-5), who dealt him his only loss. As expected, the caliber of his opposition will now escalate significantly, starting tomorrow with Takayasu, who had to work hard to outlast Oho.
If I had to guess which one rikishi would drop out of yesterday’s seven-man chase pack, I would not have picked Onosato. The Yokozuna looked to have Tamawashi wrapped up for a yorikiri win, but the veteran drew on all of his experience and executed a well-timed thrust-down at the edge for his 8th career kinboshi and his first victory over Onosato in four tries. Tomorrow, Tamawashi will try to continue his challenge for a 3rd yusho against struggling Ozeki Kotozakura (5-5), who needs 3 more wins to avoid kadoban. Wakatakakage’s hard-fought yorikiri win over the Ozeki is certainly in the running for match of the basho! Onosato will try to stay in the race when he faces Kirishima, who has not defeated the Yokozuna in 6 tries.
In other yusho race bouts, Mitakeumi continued his dominance over Juryo visitor Shonannoumi, Kotoshoho outlasted Churanoumi in an entertaining bout, Ura threw the kitchen sink at Kusano, but the rookie survived, getting behind the former gymnast and winning by okuridashi that I thought should have been called a far rarer okurinage, Aonishiki finally figured out how to thwart Kinbozan’s two armed thrusts, first deflecting them and then grabbing one hand for a hikiotoshi pull-down, and Kirishima wrapped up and tossed down Hiradoumi.
The schedulers are finally getting serious about narrowing the field, so tomorrow we’ll be treated to a smorgasbord of high-stakes matchups. In addition to the aforementioned Ichiyamamoto vs. Takayasu, Tamawashi vs. Kotozakura, and Kirishima vs. Onosato bouts, Aonishiki will see if he can defuse Abi’s attack like he did Kinbozan’s (and he better be on the lookout for a henka), Kotoshoho will fight Takanosho, and Kusano has been paired with Mitakeumi. For completeness, the final member of the hunt group, Atamifuji, takes on Shodai (6-4). Come back tomorrow to see how everything turns out!
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When John Gunning made his strange choice of Kotozakura as favorite for the yusho, he also explained why he didn’t choose Onosato. He said that it wasn’t impossible to win the first basho as yokozuna, but very difficult. He‘s right it only happened ten times in history, though two times in this century; by Terunofuji and funnily enough by Onosato‘s oyakata Kisenosato at the beginning on his unlucky time as grand champion.
And we know that Onosato struggled (on a high level) after his ozeki promotion, too.
One should add here that Tamawashi made a new record. He is now the oldest rikishi to get kinboshi according to article in Mainichi.
And in the NHK interview he said he didn’t know that before.
I will admit that I scared my cat when I yelled during Tamawashi’s win today. Whoops?
I was wondering if Ichiyamamoto would improve and make a run at a higher rank, but I definitely didn’t expect this scenario. I think everyone but Mitakeumi and Kotoshoho in the Chaser group have a real shot at winning the Cup because I don’t see Ichiyamamoto hanging onto his lead. I’m also doubtful about Kirishima winning because he has to face Onosato tomorrow. Interestingly, if Onosato loses tomorrow I wonder if he’ll be forced to go kyujo. It wouldn’t surprise me if that happens tomorrow either.
In news at the other at the end of the banzuke, Kayo’s bout against Oshoumi feels like an exchange bout already. No idea what’s wrong physically with Kayo, but something’s up. Hidenoumi appears to be the captain of the Juryo barge at this point with Kotoeiho, Shishi, and Chiyoshoma (no wins, no henkas) also in danger. The problem here is that no one at the top of Juryo apparently wants to be promoted this basho! Nishikigi, Tomokaze, and Shonannoumi both need two wins to get their KK. Ryuden and Tochitaikai need three. Everyone else at the top of Juryo, except Daiseizan, currently has a losing record. Can Daiseizan get promoted from J6 if he wins out or gets 10 wins and the yusho?
Daiseizan should be promoted with 11+ wins; 9-10 could be enough if the exchange picture is sufficiently lopsided
If Endo stayed in makuuchi with a 0-15 on M7 it would be another first.
Since this computes to M22, that would exceed even the extremely lenient demotions we’ve seen recently.
I kept seeing WTK blow out his knee again trying to throw Kotozakura at the bales .. these guys have guts .. Aonishiki waited for Kinbozan to get both fists down before doing a flyby touch down taichiai .. ie reversed his pattern .. earned him a fraction of a second + got his hands on Kinbozan first .. a big difference in momentum .. smart subtle sumo ., Tamawashi moved left at the tachiai .. might have decrease Onosato’s collision .. kept moving left til Onosato tried to push him out .. then stepped right and shoved Onosato out .. smart sumo by an old fox .. Onosato couldn’t square that old guy up despite his great leg work ..
WMH seems to think he can keep allowing other rikishi to keep their head under his chin and still win ., that’s not smart … eg look at Shodai .., his brother knows better .. there are a series of younger rikishi who seemingly focus only on keeping their head under the chin of the opponent .. it’s not rocket science ..
The last two days have been especially exciting this basho. Hosh is not alone in his kinboshi delivery scheme. Go Tamawashi; still setting records !
I shall once again be on the edge of my seat tomorrow…shouting at the TV.
Very happy for WKTG, and although I am very much NOT a fan, I feel slightly sorry for Kotozakura. Aonishiki, well, let’s hope he keeps up the smart and adaptable sumo. Kusano too. It’s all going on !
Thank you Iksumo for your updates on both Makuuchi and Makushita.
Poor Shishi, he didn‘t only hit the saltbox but then the yobidashi seat, too. His chest was bruised all over.
WTK continues to put up amazing fights. Same does Midorifuji! Ichiyamamoto countered Meisei’s big tachiai with astonishing ease. So – still the deserved leader! Playoff with Aonishiki incoming?
Tamawashi showed an example of his sense of humor, rolling Onosato back into the lap of his Oyakata. Equal kinboshi rate in this basho so far from both Yokozuna. That could result in a special rivalry…
You got me with the smorgasbord, lksumo. Still giggling :)
I was tickled when that word popped into my head :)
I thought Shishi won .. did not see him
touch down first ? .. indeed an exciting basho ., now getting v hard to handicap .
dead body rule, apparently
Nothing like the grey zone of sumo’s falling “dead body” .. in other realms “death “ is a clear demarcation ., not so in sumo .. gotta love it ..
I just watched the Day 10 bouts. This tournament is going places I would not have expected. I’m really hoping Onosato doesn’t go kyujo after his third kinboshi.
I don’t think he’s going anywhere unless he has an actual physical issue.
I was literally first pumping and shouting “Ironman!”. Thought I’d continue here. Tamawashi!
No real chance but I’ll be running around the neighborhood if I get a metakiumi tamawashi playoff this weekend😂🤣
Surpisingly day 12 matchups have not been announced yet. I do not remember this ever happening before this early, but it is definitely good for making decisions about what are the correct matches regarding championship race.
Very good news. I only can hope it wasn’t a glitch and they‘ll keep it up.