It’s day 8, which means that 4 rounds of bouts have been completed, and we are left with 8 undefeated contenders. They are matched up in rank order on day 9 to determine the semifinalists, and they hail from 8 different heya, so we will have a straightforward elimination bracket for the yusho. Here are the quarterfinal pairings:
Now for a bit of color commentary on the bouts that got us down to the 8 quarterfinalists. Kitanowaka had to draw on all of his sekitori experience to best Goshima in an epic belt battle. Shimazuumi and Bushozan looked more like their old selves, winning by their classic yoritaoshi and oshidashi, respectively. Ikarigata displayed all of his brother Fujinokawa’s energy in defeating the much bigger Kazenoumi in a spirited, back and forth fight with a variety of techniques on display. Finally, if you can, check out the crazy bout between Tokunomusashi and Shimizuumi (yes, that’s an actual shikona and not a typo). They engaged after a matta, Tokunomusashi got behind Shimizuumi, but the latter somehow resisted, and they both attempted some sort of throw at the edge, landing together, with Shimizuumi landing on his head and looking pretty woozy. Of course, a monoii ensued, and the discussion resulted in a torinaoshi rematch. Somehow Shimizuumi got himself up for the bout, and after yet another matta, the two locked up in a protracted yotsu match, with Tokunomusashi finally being able to throw down his gutsy opponent.
In terms of Juryo promotions, Kitanowaka is now 4-0 at Ms1w, so he is already in good shape and should be a lock with another win. I still have him as the title favorite. Kotokenryu would need to win out to claim the automatic promotion that goes to an undefeated wrestler from the Ms1-Ms15 ranks. And here’s how things stand in the regular Ms1-Ms5 promotion zone:
The only kachi-koshi belongs to Kitanowaka, and only the veteran Shimanoumi is out of the running. Daiamami must win his final 3 bouts, and we’ll have to wait for at least another round of bouts to see how the rest of the promotion race shapes up.
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Thank you, Lksumo! That was so much the thing I needed to read today!
Great description of the Nakabi bouts. I wish could rewatch them all!
Nice, that these three ex-sekitori, including Kitanowaka, have been washed into the brackets. For Shimazuumi-Ikarigata on next day I have to root for Fujinokawa-bro, but I‘m sorry :). Also – Goshima possibly locked in for Juryo is very enjoyable!