Mita visits the top division today so we will find out below whether he stays undefeated, with Kotokuzan. The top guys are doing very well and Hoshoryu leads the top division with his undefeated record.
Makuuchi Action
Shishi (4-2) defeated Ryuden (4-2). Shishi wrapped up Ryuden’s right arm, pivoted to the left and drove Ryuden over the edge. Yorikiri.
Mita (Juryo 6-0) defeated Shonannoumi (3-3). Mita visited from Juryo today. Shonannoumi hit Mita with strong tsuppari, pivoted and drove Mita quickly to the edge. Shonannoumi then pulled and Mita plowed into him, forcing him over the edge. Oshidashi.
Hitoshi (2-4) defeated Sadanoumi (3-3). Hitoshi powered into Sadanoumi with tsuppari, driving him through the dohyo. Just when Sadanoumi got to the tawara to resist, Hitoshi unleashed his pull and slapped Sadanoumi down. Hatakikomi.
Asakoryu (2-4) defeated Nishikigi (0-6). Nishikigi held Asakoryu’s left arm high so Asakoryu could not get a hold of Nishikigi’s belt. Asakoryu pulled and twisted, throwing Nishikigi to the ground. Sukuinage.
Tomokaze (5-1) defeated Meisei (2-4). Tomokaze battered Meisei with tsuppari, driving to the edge. Meisei resisted well to avoid the slapdown the first time but Tomokaze caught him on the second attempt. Hatakikomi.
Tobizaru defeated Tokihayate. The two men traded tsuppari and shoves. Tobizaru then latched onto Tokihayate’s belt with his right arm outside. Tobizaru quickly pulled and dragged Tokihayate down with a beautiful overarm throw. Uwatenage.
Mitakeumi (3-3) defeated Daieisho (1-5). Daieisho hit Mitakeumi repeatedly with his tsuppari and pushed Mitakeumi to the edge before attempting a pull and slapdown. Mitakeumi stuck with him and countered with his own shoves before two settled into a lean. When the two gathered their breath they went at it again before settling into another lean. Mitakeumi eventually shoved an exhausted Daieisho to the ground. Oshitaoshi.
Churanoumi (5-1) defeated Midorifuji (2-4). Churanoumi slammed into Midorifuji and drove him to the edge. Midorifuji tried the old fisherman’s throw at the edge but Churanoumi crushed him out. I held my breath as Midorifuji fell out head first…but then he bounced right back up. Yoritaoshi.
Shodai (5-1) defeated Fujiinokawa (2-4). Once Fujinokawa drove his weight into Shodai, Shodai grabbed his left arm and pulled him down. Tsukiotoshi.
Roga (4-2) defeated Kinbozan (1-5). Kinbozan shoved Roga back but Roga resisted at the bales and got his left hand outside and right hand inside. Kinbozan latched on to Roga’s belt and the two grappled. As Kinbozan advanced, Roga found some stability at the tawara and rolled to his right, pulling Kinbozan down with the left over arm throw. Uwatenage.
Ura (5-1) defeated Onokatsu (3-3). As Onokatsu drove Ura across the ring, Ura hooked his left arm inside Onokatu’s shoulder, pivoted, and threw Onokatsu down. Sukuinage.
Halftime
Takanosho (5-1) defeated Kotoshoho (2-4). Takanosho pivoted after the tachiai and used Kotoshoho’s momentum to shove Kotoshoho over the edge. Oshitaoshi.
Oshoma (3-3) defeated Ichiyamamoto (2-4). Oshoma shoved Ichiyamamoto back to the edge before pulling and slapping Oshoma down. Ichiyamamoto stumbled forward and out of the ring. Hatakikomi.
Wakamotoharu (5-1) defeated Kusano (2-4). Wakamotoharu got his left hand inside and drove Kusano backward immediately and crushed him over the edge. Yoritaoshi.
Hakuoho (3-3) defeated Abi (0-6). Abi tried to pivot and pull immediately but Hakuoho was all over him and shoved Abi out. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Aonishiki (4-2) defeated Takayasu (0-6). Aonishiki weathered Takayasu’s torrent of tsuppari. Aonishiki forced his way inside and grabbed Takayasu’s belt with his left hand inside. Anonishiki then bulled his way into Takayasu and forced him over the edge. Yorikiri.
Wakatakakage (4-2) defeated Gonoyaama (0-6). Gonoyama charged forward so Wakatakakage shifted right and pushed Gonoyama out. Tsukiotoshi.
Tamawashi (3-3) defeated Kirishima (4-2). After a few early attempts to get inside, Kirishima pulled and Tamawashi just chased him out of the ring. Tsukidashi.
Kotozakura (5-1) defeated Hiradoumi (4-2). Hiradoumi blasted Kotozakura back but Kotozakura kept Hiradoumi from latching on to his belt. Kotozakura grabbed Hiradoumi’s right arm and pulled him down with a kotenage.
Onosato (5-1) defeated Atamifuji (1-5). Onosato drove straight into Atamifuji and drove him back and out. Yorikiri.
Hoshoryu (6-0) defeated Oho (2-4). Hoshoryu overpowered Oho, drove him to the edge and threw him. Shitatenage.
Wrap-up
For Abi, that sixth loss was more along the lines of a Nishikigi loss. He must be having elbow problems because there was no tsuppari, just his immediate pull.
Hoshoryu and Onosato continue to look impressive and Kotozakura continues to give heartburn with his passive, reactive sumo at the edge.
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Asakoryu was definitely in an “Okay, what now?” situation for his match with Nishikigi. Kudos to him for making things work to get a win.
I also held my breath as Midorifuji and Churanoumi tumbled out of the ring. Watching the bout on slo-mo, Midorifuji tucked his chin and his shoulders hit first and he rolled onto his head. I suspect they’re teaching rikishi to do that at this point and that’s what saved him from a concussion. He’s still going to be sore tomorrow, though.
It really felt like Kotoshoho didn’t have a plan today. He might be mentally struggling with how he’s doing this basho versus how he did last time.
A frustrating loss for Ichiamamoto today, for sure.
Ura absolutely is using more solid, powerful sumo these days. Kudos to him for upping his skills and changing things around.
An injury, especially his elbows, for Abi would make a lot of sense. He was doing tsuppari previously, so he might be having a pain flare or something similar.
Aonishiki weathered Takayasu’s tsuppari, but he really didn’t appreciate it. I don’t blame him and that might have motivated him to win today.
Kirishima losing today was probably my most surprising result. I thought, “You can’t underestimate anyone in any match” before his bout with Tamawashi and the result shows why.
It feels like the only reason Kotozakura lost today is because he’s added on weight. That’s not the actual reason, but that’s not something that should be thought about an Ozeki.
Relatively “ho hum” bouts for the Yokozuna today. That’s good to see because it means both of them are settling into their rank and improving.
Kotozakura won today. Not sure what you meant to say.?
A typo on my part that should have said he won! Apparently, I need more coffee. Thank you for calling that out.
Everyone seems to bring their own plan against Aonishiki, mostly oshi techniques, to prevent the notorious uchimuso.
Today, Takayas brought a machine gun tsuppari which reminds me that of Tochimaru. Aonishiki weathered it nicely until papabear’s gas is totally exhausted.
I can’t wait to find out what will be the next opponent’s game plan against Aonishiki tomorrow.
I don’t like to see all those tsuppari go to the head of Aonishiki. Maybe he can weather them nicely now, but what about his life after sumo? Shouldn’t he be afraid of early dementia?
Really liked how Aonishiki gave Takayasu an extra moment of glaring at him after he pushed him out. Kind of a FAFO moment for all the Takayasu face slaps.
It looked like Kirishima decided he would opt out of Tamawashi tsuppari facial massage .. vs taking the beating and getting inside + on the belt .. That is a side of Kirishima we saw a couple of basho’s back ..
Thanks for that possible explanation. Could not for the life of me figure out what in the world Kirishima thought he was trying to do. Those tsuppari are probably a tad bit uncomfortable. Still. very disappointed loss for someone eho wants to be an Ozeki, I think.
I was pretty impressed with how Aonishiki handled that tsuppari battle. I absolutely did not expect him to absorb it AND give it right back. Kid just continues to impress. I am going to be disappointed with the outcome of his bout with Wakatakakage tomorrow no matter the result because I am a big Wakatakakage fan but I have been loving watching Aonishiki these last few tournaments.