Day 11. Act III opens, as Bruce says. Our Yokozuna lead the field. Ozeki Kotozakura can claim his kachi-koshi today and has been looking solid in his position for the first time in a long time. We’ll need him there as another Ozeki run was extinguished yesterday.
All eyes turn to look for another contender…maybe Aonishiki? He has had five consecutive double-digit tournaments since he became a full-timer. He has had three 11-4 tournaments in the top division and is holding his own in sanyaku. He will face a former Ozeki in Shodai, who has been a shadow of his former self but looking bright this tournament.
Let’s turn to Juryo. I want you to note these guys attire. Today, instead of somenuki pictures from Top Division wrestlers, the Kyokai shows us our five Juryo leaders. You see the contrast from the colorful somenuki of the top division guys I showed yesterday. Asahakuryu dons the hakama we often see and the other four wear more monochrome yukata.
On the dohyo, Asanoyama beat Hidenoumi, Asahakuryu beat Mita and Nishikifuji beat Kotokuzan to move to 9-2. Oshoumi, Mita, and Fujiseiun are just behind on 8-3 records.
Your NHK videos are here. You might want to bookmark this page, though. Use that as your “home base” for this basho. It has the links to action from each day.
Makuuchi Action
Hitoshi (5-6) defeated Daiseizan (4-7). Hitoshi executed a terrible henka. Daiseizan caught it but somehow Hitoshi dodged him at the edge and shoved him out. Hatakikomi.
Shishi (7-4) defeated Sadanoumi (4-7). Shishi trapped Sadanoumi’s right arm and dragged him down. Kotenage.
Shonannoumi (6-5) defeated Meisei (3-8). Shonannoumi dragged Meisei to the edge and twisted him down by Meisei’s left arm. Kotenage.
Mitakeumi (5-6) defeated Asakoryu (5-6). Asakoryu shifted left at the tachiai. Mitakeumi adjusted well and forced Asakoryu back and out. Yorikiri.
Churanoumi (7-4) defeated Tobizaru (7-4). After an energetic brawl, trading tsuppari, Churanoumi was able to get Tobizaru turned. Churanoumi then drove into Tobizaru from the side, shoving him over the bales. Oshidashi.
Tokihayate (5-6) defeated Midorifuji (4-7). Tokihayate got his left arm inside and bulled forward, dropping Midorifuji over the bales. Yoritaoshi.
Kinbozan (5-6) defeated Nishikigi (1-10). Nishikigi circled back to his left to try to get Kinbozan turned. But Kinbozan pivoted and slapped Nishikigi down. Hatakikomi.
Tomokaze (7-4) defeated Ura (7-4). Tomozake pulled and slapped Ura down. Tomokaze has been looking solid in this return to the top division. Remember, a long time ago and in a galaxy far, far away, this guy won two kinboshi off Kakuryu before the devastating knee injury. Hatakikomi.
Oshoma defeated Roga. Roga tried to throw Oshoma forward but Oshoma slipped his grasp and got Roga turned around. Roga did not have time to recover as Oshoma shoved him over the edge. Oshidashi.
Takanosho defeated Ryuden, thus ending the West-side streak of nine straight wins. Ryuden’s left hand ottsuke blocked Takanosho from getting inside. Ryuden pulled and tried a slapdown but failed, so Takanosho demonstrated proper technique. Pivot and pull. Pivot and pull. Hatakikomi.
Daieisho defeated Onokatsu. Daieisho hit Onokatsu with his powerful tsuppari and drove him back. Onokatsu tried to escape but turned himself around and Daieisho finished him off from behind. Okuridashi.
Halftime
Fujinokawa (4-7) defeated Ichiyamamoto (3-8). Fujinokawa got inside quickly, negating Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari and forcing a grapple. Fujinokawa got a solid morozashi and picked Ichiyamamoto up. Ichiyamamoto was able to get his feet down at the edge but Fujinokawa twisted and threw Ichiyamamoto to the ground. Sukuinage.
Kusano (6-5) defeated Hiradoumi (6-5). Kusano avoided Hiradoumi’s misdirection and forced Hiradoumi back and out behind strong tsuppari. Tsukidashi.
Oho (7-4) defeated Hakuoho (6-5). After a great, evenly matched and very entertaining grapple, Oho was able to get some separation and pull and slap down Hakuoho. Hatakikomi.
Abi (2-9) defeated Atamifuji (2-9). Atamifuji resisted Abi’s initial volleys of tsuppari and remained in the center. Abi followed up with a nodowa, driving Atamifuji back to the bales. Atamifuji tried to slip out to Abi’s right but Abi kept up the pressure and forced him over the tawara. Oshidashi.
Tamawashi (4-7) defeated Gonoyama (0-11). Tamawashi pivoted and charged forward, shoving Gonoyama over the edge and onto his butt. Oshitaoshi.
Sanyaku
Shodai (9-2) defeated Aonishiki (8-3). Who is this man in black? He took the phenom on, toe-to-toe, and just overpowered him, shoving him to the edge and crushing him out onto his back. Chaos reins!! Yoritaoshi.
Kotoshoho (3-8) defeated Wakatakakage (5-6). Kotoshoho hugged Wakatakakage with his right hand inside and powered forward, forcing the sekiwake over the bales. What has happened to Wakatakakage? Yorikiri.
Kotozakura (8-3) defeated Wakamotoharu (6-5). Kotozakura grabbed Wakamotoharu’s belt with his right hand outside. With the bales as leverage he swung Wakamotoharu down. Kotozakura claims his kachi-koshi on Day 11. Uwatenage.
Hoshoryu (11-0) defeated Kirishima (5-6). Migi-yotsu. Hoshoryu forced Kirishima to the edge. Kirishima resisted at the bales so Hoshoryu pivoted and dragged him down. Uwatenage.
Onosato (10-1) defeated Takayasu (3-8). Takayasu chased Onosato around the ring as Onosato tried to slap him down. Onosato stopped pulling and drove forward into Takayasu, forcing him through the ring and over the bales. Tsukidashi.
Wrap-up
This is great! Hoshoryu is finally quieting the “hE wAs PrOmOtEd ToO eArLy,” business and continues to win. He looked most comfortable and most dominant today. He certainly has his most difficult challenges ahead of him, though. Hoshoryu will face Aonishiki tomorrow in what will surely be a highlight bout.
Onosato will take his turn against Kirishima next. He looked vulnerable today until he buckled down and overwhelmed Takayasu. This is building up to an epic final weekend.
Meanwhile, the Lord of Chaos is doing Chaos things and remains in the hunt along with Takanosho. “What was all of this hype around this blonde guy? You want to proclaim him Ozeki? You think this kid is the next Ozeki? Cute. Or should I say, ‘ka-wa-ii’?” Settle down Mr. Maegashira 11. I am enjoying this Shodai. More of this version, please. Shodai will fight Ryuden on Day 12. Takanosho will be paired with Kotozakura as he tries to step out of the shadow of Takakeisho. That’s much easier now as Takakeisho keeps shrinking. Not to get off on a tangent but pictures from his danpatsushiki will be wild.
Kotozakura might finally get back to the Ozeki kachi-koshi 10-win standard. Our Sekiwake, however, have fallen to the wayside. Takayasu’s sanyaku slot will be open and neither of the current Sekiwake are safe. Wakatakakage looked terrible today and has gone from Ozeki candidate to looking like a standard rank-and-filer. Aonishiki is doing his best to lay claim to an opening.
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Shishi FTW! And Fujinokawa bout, that was pure art.
West side story and hatakikomi day, and where did this Shodai come from? Been far too long in getting his head right!
Want to see the Yokozunas battle for the cup on Senshuraku, 14-1 wins it.
I’m curious now to know just how far Gonoyama will fall after this tournament :-( however seeing Kotozakura returning to Ozeki sumo is great!
Hoshoryu and Onosato continue to grow into their roles as Yokozunas. Hakuoho fought like a lion today, despite having no strength in his right arm.
Andy, why Asanoyama is not wearing Somenuki, he should have one from his Makuchi days.
Is it only the Makuchi are allowed to wear? Not even ex Makuchi with Sekitori status?
Only current Makuuchi. Endo can’t, Kagayaki can’t, Enho can’t, Takarafuji can’t, Asanoyama can’t. Only current top division wrestlers can wear their somenuki.
Aonishiki has an advantage provided he can keep his head down, grab a belt + maintain a leverage advantage by staying low .. Shodai let him grab the belt but locked his left arm under his own right .. stood him up .. and had an instant advantage of size and strength to work a pirouette + twisting throw .. clever ..
KTZ did a similar thing to WMH ..
These big guys want smaller opponents to try to look them in the eye .
Takayasu had Onosato on the bales .. but missed w a tsuppari .. leaving his shoulder + body over turned .. That’s all Onosato needed as an opening .. That man is fast ..
The more I watch Onosato the more I am impressed by his speed and quick counters. His moves are subtle but very effective at throwing off the balance and power of his opponents.
I completely agree. What’s even better is that he has remained injury free.
But his left arm is bandaged. Do U know the reason?
Yes, Shodai accomplished what almost noone has done with Aonoshiki, get him upright. He got under both armpits early and stood the kid up. Very nice stuff. This is the solution to the Ukrainian puzzle, but the kid will adjust.
The bout with Hoshoryu plot thickens. It’s got the potential to be absolutely wild, both of them are so acrobatic and quick with the grapling counters. Going to be so hard for me to do my usual sequestration from looking at results until I get the NHK World highlight show on my streaming service, but I absolutely have to watch the match “live” not knowing the result beforehand.
Important win today for Oho vs Hakuoho in the battle to see who will get Takayasu’s vacant K spot. Of course they both have to get 8 wins first.
Meanwhile Hitoshi & Meisei are flirting with the barge. Hopefully Meisei can find his way ashore soon. Nishikigi already has his deck chair set up for the ride (or it it like those Elfen ships where they all have to stand during the journey?).
If the sekiwake continue like this there will be free spots for Oho and Hakuoho in sanyaku.
Meanwhile Hitoshi has a record of 5-2 after day four. He’s still in great danger, of course, but his chances seem better than (handicapped) Meisei‘s. Shocking is, that M3 Gonoyama still needs a victory to be absolutely certain of his place in makuuchi.
Who is this man in black? It’s Shodai’s extremely capable secret twin brother, allowing the other brother time at home with the wfe and kids.
Very disappointed in Kirishima’s corny performance! Ready to take him off my list.
Is Asanoyama poised to return to top division or is he too lowly ranked? Hate to see him sitting in Juryo another basho.
What’s up with Takayasu? Back issues?
Sorry to see the Koto brothers doing so poorly. I’m thinking too much celebration partying perhaps?
What’s wrong with Ab i?
Even if Asanoyama wins out (13-2 at J13), its unlikely he will make makuuchi on November, more likely J1-J2?
I also hate to see Asanoyama sitting in juryo another basho. But with his nine wins it is impossible that he will be demoted to makushita…
I’m not sure the shadow loses weight at the same rate as the rikishi, at least in this case. Takanosho is very good though, would love to see him have a golden era. Cheers
Now, wasn‘t that a nice day of sumo! Watching the NHK Highlights twice, Hiro Morita did an inspiring job today!
Sadanoumi‘s little tug of the neck after losing to Shishi. My impression is, that he immediatly erases a defeat off his mind by such a move.
Fujinokawa‘s crazy work to finish off Ichiyamamoto. That little surprise bag, can‘t get enough of it!
Churanoumi and Kusano with much resilience and timing, great to watch!
Yes, that’s original Shodai in your tale of today‘s happenings, Andy. So true…!
Hoshoryu vs. Kirishima is always a bit of pain to me. But the outcome is how it should be, can‘t deny it. Flawless proceeding by the Yokozuna.
Looking forward to the rest of the week!