No new kyujo but there are certainly a few guys who could stand to take some time off. The thing is, kyujo will likely mean no trip to London. So, while Tobizaru and Nishikigi might be better off on the couch for this basho, I’m guessing these guys will want to stick it out. From what I’ve heard, Prince William is a sumo fan. Frankly, I miss seeing the Emperor at these tournaments. Showa would get so into the action back in the day.
Anyway, back to this tournament. Juryo action has whittled the field to a foursome at 3-0. Asahakuryu, Kotokuzan, Mita and Oshoumi lead, undefeated. Asanoyama, Asasuiryu, Kyokukaiyu and Nishinoryu, are at 2-1.
In the top division, we have had a good start from the guys at the top of the banzuke. No kinboshi so far. No big surprises or upsets, yet. The flood of young guns, though, will certainly work to keep things interesting. Hell, Onosato still probably counts as a “young gun,” himself. Aonishiki, Hakuoho, Atamifuji, and Hiradoumi all look healthy and “genki” so far. Well, enough of my blabbing, let’s get to the action.
Day Three NHK videos are here.
Makuuchi Action
Shishi (2-1) defeated Hitoshi (0-3). The pair exchanged tsuppari to start the bout. Shishi pressed forward and Hitoshi pulled until he jumped off the dohyo. Hitoshi’s looking even worse on his knee. Yorikiri.
Ryuden (3-0) defeated Kotoeiho (0-3). Kotoeiho got his left hand inside and forced Ryuden back to the bales. As they approached the tawara, Ryuden got his left hand inside and rotated, dragging Kotoeiho up against the edge. Ryuden kept up the pressure and pressed Kotoeiho over. Yorikiri.
Shonannoumi (1-2) defeated Nishikigi (0-3). Nishikigi’s only advance in the bout was when Shonannoumi pulled. Shonannoumi realized his mistake and stopped before he got to the edge. “My oyakata won’t speak to me if I lose this bout.” He then used his right hand inside grip to drag Nishikigi down. Uwatenage.
Tomokaze (2-1) defeated Tobizaru (2-1). Tomokaze pulled and nearly caught Tobizaru but he recovered, spun and retreated back to center. The two traded tsuppari and Tomokaze tried a few more pulls before he charged forward. Tobizaru tried a slapdown and fell off the dohyo as Tomokaze flopped forward. Gunbai Tomokaze. Mono-ii. Gunbai confirmed as Tobizaru’s heel appeared to go over the edge before Tomokaze fell. Oshidashi.
Tokihayate (2-1) defeated Asakoryu (1-2). Asakoryu charged forward and then did a quick pull and tried to shove Tokihayate’s head into the ground. Tokihayate kept his balance and decided to take revenge with his own pull. He shoved Asakoryu down as he stepped out. Gunbai Tokihayate. No mono-ii. Tsukiotoshi.
Sadanoumi (2-1) defeated Meisei (1-2). Meisei initiated a pull and Sadanoumi rode him over the edge. Oshidashi.
Mitakeumi (1-2) defeated Shodai (2-1). Shodai got his right hand inside, briefly before Mitakeumi shifted to get his left arm back inside and on Shodai’s belt. He then drove forward and forced his old friend over the bales for his first win of the tournament. Yorikiri.
Churanoumi (2-1) defeated Roga (2-1). Churanoumi got his left-hand up front on Roga’s belt. After pressing forward for a few seconds, he launched his pull and slapdown attempt. This caught Roga off balance and Churanoumi pivoted to drove Roga to the edge. Churanoumi kept up the pressure and forced Roga over the edge. Yorikiri.
Kinbozan (1-2) defeated Daieisho (1-2). Kinbozan blasted Daieisho with tsuppari to the head then pulled and Daieisho stumbled forward. Kinbozan grabbed Daieisho’s belt and pulled him forward over the bales. Uwatenage.
Ura (3-0) defeated Fujinokawa (0-3). This was a brawl as both men lashed out at the other with a flurry of tsuppari. Fujinokawa pulled twice with slapdown attempts. On the second attempt, Ura drove forward and forced Fujinokawa over. I know Fujinokawa has his boosters, that he’s “for real.” I know he did well in Nagoya…but I don’t get the hype. Maybe one of you can convince me how he’s much better than, say, the shorter Tobizaru or even the powerful Asakoryu? Where does he fit in the top division? A grinder like Sadanoumi? Or someone who will reach sanyaku? Oshidashi.
Oshoma defeated Midorifuji. Midorifuji got both hands inside but Oshoma clamped down on Midorifuji’s left arm. Midorifuji couldn’t make much use of his free right hand under Oshoma’s shoulder. Oshoma broke Midorifuji’s right hand grip and then pulled him to the edge before shoving him over. Oshidashi.
Halftime
Kusano (1-2) defeated Onokatsu (2-1). Kusano got a double inside grip and Onokatsu struggled to counter attack as Kusano pressed forward and walked Onokatsu out. Yorikiri.
Takanosho (2-1) defeated Ichiyamamoto (1-2). Ichiyamamoto gave a quick shove but then pulled. This was a huge mistake as Takanosho pressed forward. Takanosho kept up the pressure and forced Ichiyamamoto out. Yorikiri.
Hiradoumi (2-1) defeated Wakamotoharu (2-1). Hiradoumi blitzed Wakamotoharu at the tachiai and drove him out quickly. Wakamotoharu looked as ill-prepared as Wakatakakage was on Day One against Hakuoho. Oshidashi.
Kotoshoho (2-1) defeated Gonoyama (0-3). Gonoyama charged forward and drove Kotoshoho toward the bales. Kotoshoho pivoted as he approached the bales and hooked his right arm under Gonoyama’s left, pulling him to the edge. Kotoshoho then shoved Gonoyama out. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Oho (1-2) defeated Takayasu (0-3). Oho pulled and shifted left as Takayasu charged forward. Oho shoved Takayasu as the freight train barreled forward and off the dohyo. Tsukiotoshi.
Kirishima (3-0) defeated Atamifuji (1-2). Kirishima overpowered Atamifuji quickly. Atamifuji tried to counter at the edge but Kirishima’s momentum carried him through. Yorikiri.
Tamawashi (1-2) defeated Wakatakakage (1-2). Tamawashi hit Wakatakakage so hard with the right hand to the face and the follow through thrust that Wakatakakage stumbled out to the side. This was not the start WTK needed for his Ozeki run. Oshidashi.
Aonishiki (2-1) defeated Kotozakura (2-1). Kotozakura was all too happy to let Aonishiki force him to the edge. With his heels at the tawara Kotozakura woke up and tried to counter attack. Kotozakura finally shoved Aonishiki down to the dirt but not before he had stepped out of the ring. Oshidashi.
Hoshoryu (3-0) defeated Hakuoho (1-2). Hoshoryu shifted to the right immediately after contacting Hakuoho, grabbed Hakuoho’s belt, and spun. Hakuoho fought hard to maintain his balance but Hoshoryu kept up the Tasmanian Devil attack and wrangled Hakuoho to the ground. Uwatenage.
Onosato (3-0) defeated Abi (0-3). Abi hit Onosato with his early flourish and then jumped to the side. Onosato calmly cornered Abi at the edge, walked through a volley of tsuppari, and threw him clear from the dohyo. I suppose Abi wanted to do a slapdown or something but he just got yeeted. What did I say about Abi looking good this tournament? Holy crap. He just got embarrassed there. Oshitaoshi.
Wrap-up
Onosato and Hoshoryu keep up their charge at the top of the leaderboard. Hoshoryu will fight Abi tomorrow. That’s certainly a dangerous one. I’ve got it circled for two reasons. Abi got embarrassed today and will want to come back and give it a better try tomorrow. Hoshoryu, on the other hand, probably lacks a bit of confidence if he decided to take on Hakuoho from the side.
Meanwhile, Onosato will face Hakuoho. Onosato has been dominant in his three bouts but Hakuoho is a strong challenger and he will take Onosato head-on. Kotozakura will fight Tamawashi. Will the Ozeki get himself into trouble again? Kirishima will take on Gonoyama, Wakatakakage will fight Takayasu, and Aonishiki will fight Oho. Lots to look forward to on Day Four!
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Down in makushita, my man Enho got his second V. Kimarite? Zubuneri- head pivot! You can only see it in slow motion, that he anchored his head on the opponent’s chest and spun.
This kimarite never happened in the top division in the 21st century. In the last basho, Midori almost performed it against Roga, but it was announced to be kainahineri.
Actually, shimpans looked each other with not sure expression. Kakuryu waved Enho to stop and asked like ‘was it zubuneri?’, and Enho gave him a nod.
https://youtu.be/vaSrxebHbgA?si=ENtdyV1yMaF7Wyj8
Here‘s a query which shows the five first basho of the four rikishi U mention after their sekitori debuts. I know, that’s not much yet, but still Fujinokawa aka Wakaikari has clearly the most wins:
http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Query.aspx?show_form=0&columns=5&show_total=on&shikona=Wakaikari,%20Tobizaru,%20sadanoumi,%20asakoryu&form1_rank=J&form1_debutd=on&sort_by=sum_total
And if U want more basho we take their makushita debuts as starting point, which makes it a bit complicated because there are two Iwasaki and even three Ishizaki. But still Fujinowaka aka Wakaikari is way ahead of all the others after two years:
http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Query.aspx?show_form=0&columns=12&show_total=on&shikona=Wakaikari,%20Iwasaki,%20sadanoumi,%20Ishizaki&form1_rank=Ms&form1_debutd=on&sort_by=sum_total
If that will translate into a greater career, too, I don’t know (John Gunning mentioned neck problems), but it’s at least a great start.
i am fascinated by aonishiki’s sumo, its next level sumo, i havent seen any sumo wrestler all these years that are so step ahead of their oponents before
i have cheered for many rikishi and for many battles but this is like watching sumo from a new perspective
I tend to agree and wonder if there soon will be other rikishi fighting like him.
I do not remember if I mentioned it here but Aonishiki reminds me of Alexander Karelin, the Greco-Roman Wrestling GOAT. He has a different fighting instinct and is wired to try moves unusual for most rikishi. It will be interesting to see how the Sanyaku will adapt.
now that you mentioned, maybe he comes from a grecoroman training background, that is what made him so strong , explains a lot
I’ve noticed that after a win, Ura no longer does that little geisha shuffle back to his perch. Now it’s a light but confident stride.
But Ura did a one-handed push using The Force to make sure his opponent would fall faster once airborne and 2 meters away.
yes i think ura is with a plan he made up on how to deal different type of bodytypes , small bodytypes he decided to confront with brute force and determination and bigger bodytype enemies with trickery , this is what i get watching his first few battles anyway,
generally i dont like rikishi that fight with those metal prosthetics especially on both knees but i pretend not to mind it cause of him delivering unexpecting sumo
I think our beloved Pink Pooh Bear is still quite injured from last tournament, hip/leg, and he’s altered his fighting style to compensate. Seems to be in a lot of pain. He’s less light on his feet and acrobatic, and seems to be displaying more belt sumo. I hope he doesn’t do more damage…. Amazing in view of all of this, he’s on the 3-0 leaderboard!
I can’t read Ura‘s face expressions after winning any more. Probably there‘s much of pain involved, as you said.
Agreed Justme. His face expressions this basho are ones we’ve never seen before. Like Andy said, perhaps he’s trying extra hard to stay in the basho to get to London….
Onosato treated Abi like a child and effortlessly shoved him to the side. That was a crazy display of power.
Hoshoryu isn’t going to win over his detractors by leaping to the side like that but he’s pretty clearly in a “Win at any costs” mentality this tournament. He didn’t exactly look happy with himself afterwards, but a win is a win.
I can understand his reticence, but I wouldn’t be disappointed if he used a henka against Abi tomorrow.
Patient stuff from Shishi today. Good to see as he’s thinking on his feet instead of just reacting.
Sadanoumi wasn’t playing around today! Pardon me, you don’t belong on my dohyo!
Kinbozan with a great move to win today. The crowd definitely didn’t expect that to happen. Same for Oho, honestly.
If Haramafuji employed the ol’ “hit and shift” at the tachiai repeatedly, I don’t have a problem with Hoshoryu taking a page out of his book.
Abi legitimately helped Onosato toss him across the ring by attempting to jump away at the wrong time. Whoops!
Haha WulfTrax, I spotted that too, that Abi leapt to the left in bid to escape at the edge and was met with Onosato’s lateral one two thrusts that made it look like a bionic man hurl. With these coordinated moves, they could enter Worlds Figure Skating in the Pairs division….Abi would just need to learn to do at least three revolutions during his air time.
The only one who could convince you for the hype is Fujinokawa himself. I think it wouldn‘t be fair asking him to be so much better than the bunch of other smaller Maegashira holding on to the banzuke. He could be or become as good as Asakoryu, Tokihayate, Midorifuji in his individual way. He has grit! I wonder where in his little body he is hiding all his self confidence, but it comes out in every encounter on the dohyo. For technique skills we should ask his oyakata dad, the expert of kimarite. Maybe Fujinokawa hasn‘t got a special trademark yet, but he‘s young and could work out his best moves in future days. There are other longlife rikishi who are not that special in their appearance, Wakamotoharu could be an example.
Yes, and there are some real genki people in the game this time. Hiradoumi is as fresh as can be!
Yesterday I liked that Abi-Kirishima chemmy so much again! It‘s playful and captivating basho by basho. Kirishima super genki right now, nice to see!
It‘ s also fine to have both yokozuna now warming up and get moving as it should be!