Fujiryoga won his bout against Tsurugisho to stay undefeated and the sole leader in the second division. Tamashoho, Shirokuma, and Daiseizan chase with one loss. Fujiryoga will fight Wakanosho tomorrow as we enter the middle weekend.
Asanoyama watchers will be able to see Asanoyama in prime time tomorrow as he will take on Tokihayate. Kagayaki is the Juryo visitor slated for today.
The NHK videos for Day Six Action are at this link.
Makuuchi Action
Kagayaki (Juryo 4-2) defeated Nishikifuji (4-2). Nishikifuji was working inside to get a belt grip when Kagayaki used a headbutt to break Nishikifuji’s grip and get separation. Nishikifuji made a move to get back inside but Kagayaki pulled him down. Hikiotoshi.
Chiyoshoma (3-3) defeated Shonannoumi (2-4). Shonannoumi was lumbering around the ring today. As they neared the tawara, Chiyoshoma shifted left and pulled him over the edge. Katasukashi.
Asakoryu (5-1) defeated Ryuden (4-2). Abi-zumo. Asakoryu laid into Ryuden with headbutts and tsuppari. When Ryuden leaned forward, Asakoryu pulled and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Tokihayate (5-1) defeated Oshoumi (1-5). Hidari-yotsu. Tokihayate quickly went into attack mode and pulled Oshoumi around the ring and dragged him down with his right hand over arm grip. Uwatenage.
Gonoyama (3-3) defeated Sadanoumi (1-5). Gonoyama blasted his way forward with tsuppari. Sadanoumi tried to grab his arm and twist at the edge but lost his grip and his footing under Gonoyama’s pressure. Oshidashi.
Mitakeumi (3-3) defeated Fujinokawa (5-1). Fujinokawa blitzed and charged forward with Mitakeumi wrapped up with both hands inside. As they reached the bales, Mitakeumi used his right leg to try to trip Fujinokawa. Fujinokawa kept his balance and moved back to avoid it. That’s when Mitakeumi launched a slapdown. Beautiful play. Hatakikomi.
Tomokaze (1-5) defeated Shishi (1-5). Tomokaze landed migi-yotsu grip, rotated clockwise and pulled Shishi down. Uwatenage.
Daieisho (4-2) defeated Roga (3-3). Daieisho won this at the tachiai. He hit Roga hard then chugged forward as Roga pulled, pushing Roga off the ledge. Oshidashi.
Tobizaru (3-3) defeated Midorifuji (2-4). Chest-to-chest migi-yotsu here. Tobizaru used gaburi-yotsu to work Midorifuji back to the bales. Midorifuji resisted at the edge so Tobizaru pressed forward and both men tumbled down the dohyo. Yoritaoshi.
Kotoshoho (4-2) defeated Kinbozan (1-5). Kinbozan worked Kotoshoho back, close to the edge. But Kotoshoho blasted Kinbozan with a powerful headbutt and thrust that sent Kinbozan off balance, stumbling across the ring and over the tawara. Oshidashi.
Atamifuji (5-1) defeated Ichiyamamoto (3-3). Atamifuji kept Ichiyamamoto in front of him as Ichiyamamoto pulled. Ichiyamamo tried shifting left but he ran out of real estate and Atamifuji pressed him over the bales. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Yoshinofuji (5-1) defeated Churanoumi (3-3). After a brawl of tsuppari, action settled into a migi-yotsu tussle. Yoshinofuji was first to land his over-arm grip, dragged Churanoumi around the ring and forced him out. Yorikiri.
Shodai (2-4) defeated Abi (2-4). Abi pulled and Shodai let him. Shodai resisted Abi’s attack to start and when Abi pulled, Shodai stuck with him and forced him back and out. Shodai won appreciative hoots and whistles from the home crowd. Oshidashi.
Oshoma (3-3) defeated Onokatsu (2-4). I feel like I spent two minutes watching a mirror wear itself out in a hazuoshi brawl with itself. Both guys laid into each other basically until Onokatsu got tired and walked off. Okuridashi.
Kirishima (3-3) defeated Wakatakakage (1-5). Wakatakakage pulled and Kirishima shoved him out before he could pivot. WTK was starting his shift to the right but it was too late as Kirishima ran him out. Tsukiotoshi.
Sanyaku
Takanosho (1-5) defeated Takayasu (4-2). Takanosho got a morozashi as Takayasu reached in for a belt grip. Wasting no time, he charged ahead and drove Takayasu back and out. That did not go the way I anticipated. Yorikiri.
Aonishiki (5-1) defeated Ura (3-3). Aonishiki did well to avoid getting caught too far forward. He took his time, found an opening to get a belt grip, and then powered forward to force Ura out. Yorikiri.
Oho (3-3) defeated Hakuoho (2-4). Abi-zumo from Oho. He stood Hakuoho up at the tachiai and then slapped him down. It’s like Abi-zumo is working for everyone today…but Abi. Hatakikomi.
Tamawashi (4-2) defeated Kotozakura (2-4). Kotozakura absorbed Tamawashi’s initial thrusts and began to chug forward. As the pair neared the bales, Tamawashi shifted left and deflected Kotozakura’s thrusts at his right shoulder. This meant Kotozakura had his back to Tamawashi. Tamawashi wrapped him up from behind and walked him out. Okuridashi.
Onosato (6-0) crushed Hiradoumi (2-4). Hiradoumi did well to take the Yokozuna on head-to-head at the tachiai. But while Hiradoumi was fiddling with a left hand maemitsu grip, Onosato snatched his dad’s keys from the table, ran out to the garage, hopped in his dad’s semi, drove back to the dohyo and ran over Hiradoumi with his dad’s Mack truck. Oshitaoshi.
Wakamotoharu (2-4) defeated Hoshoryu (4-2). Henka! Wakamotoharu leapt left and Hoshoryu ran past. WMH quickly slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Wrap-up
Onosato is along atop the leaderboard, undefeated. So far, he’s unchallenged. He’s been quite dominant. Ura will need to bring something extra special tomorrow. Henka?
There’s a massive traffic jam of six guys at 5-1. It’s a rubber-necker delay on Interstate 495. They’re all slack-jawed at seeing the wreckage of Hiradoumi strewn along the highway. Aonishiki will fight Takayasu who suddenly looks very beatable. Yoshinofuji will face what’s left of Hiradoumi, Atamifuji will fight Kinbozan, Fujinokawa will face Tobizaru, Tokihayate fights Asanoyama and Asakoryu will fight Nishikifuji. I think that’s a solid set of interesting ties sprinkled through the evening.
Hoshoryu stumbled out of that group, though with his loss to Wakamotohenka. Hoshoryu will attempt to regroup against Tamawashi tomorrow.
Alarm bells are ringing loud at Sadogatake beya. But they’re probably just as loud at Arashio-beya with the way their top boys are hopping around to pick up wins. Kotozakura will face Wakamotoharu tomorrow. Brother in blood and henka-bond, Wakatakakage, will face Takanosho. Someone will get a win from that bout tomorrow, I guarantee it.
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“Takanosho (4-2) defeated Takayasu (1-5).”
You transposed their records, I believe
Doh! I will remedy that.
The waka brother have no shame. That was the second time Wakamotoharu did it to Hoshoryu, as far as I know. Am I wrong?
You are not wrong. Wakamotoharu did it Hoshoryu in July. In September Hoshoryu did it to Wakatakakage. Now Wakamotoharu does it again to Hoshoryu. I wonder what happens in January.
Shameless, yes, but Hoshoryu is guilty of his own previous henkas, so I don’t know how mad he can really get over it, particularly when charging in head down after having seen Aonishiki get got the day before.
Hi Andy, todays article is very entertaining!
The way you turn the serious fight in to funny lines, its amazing.
Onosato dad’s semi
It’s a rubber-necker delay on Interstate 495
It’s like Abi-zumo is working for everyone today…but Abi
boys are hopping around to pick up win
The best part is
“Brother in blood and henka-bond, Wakatakakage” lol
Today you are on fire!!
Thank you!
Ha ha. I agree. I’m always spewing coffee as I snort while reading Andy’s account of the days matches.
That’s the goal. A good spit-take will mean it was a good write up! 🤣
Since I prefer to not waste my tea, I never drink and read. Onosato should be careful with Dad’s truck, though, it’s probably got the company logo on it. Didn’t they just donate a set of keshomawashi? 😁
Some of those truck-driving rikishi have been running over gyoji; just ask Kimura Motoki how it felt!
Yes, they did and I am pretty sure the truck is in the picture.
I find it funny when gyoji get run over. I always wonder why they weren’t able to get out of the way.
Considering Ura is the only guy with a lower attack than Aonishiki I thought for sure we were in for some sort of double-kozumatori kimarite. That, or one of them would brush the dohyo with his nose.
I‘m beginning to despise the Waka-/Wicked-Brothers.
What’s most frustrating is that such a cheap win seldom boosts the self-confidence.
Wakatakakage today was a very good example, he was a shadow of his former self.
That means they compromised Aonishiki‘s ozeki and Asashoryu‘s yusho chances without any real benefit. Malevolent, isn’t it?
Oops, what’s the uncle doing here? As much as I would like to see prime Asashoryu handle Onosato, it’s the nephew, who’s probably out of the yusho race already!
Crying!!!!!!
Kotozakura. He sure had me fooled. Gets turned around? This is one guy who shows little to no spark. Listless.
I don’t think Aonishiki’s Ozeki chances are compromised.
I hope U‘re right. But he will almost certainly lose against Onosato again and as I expect him to need at least 12 wins, there remains only a margin of one loss.
He has yet to fight Hoshoryu, Kotozakura (beat him in May), Oho (beat him in September), Takayasu (beat him in July), Yoshinofuji (has beaten him both times they‘ve met) and maybe Shodai (beat him in September).
After all his bout against Wakamotoharu already took place…
Don’t forget to add the stress in the Association if the only Ozeki on the books is headed for kadoban… again!
Yes. I don’t forget, but I don’t count on it.
And I can’t forget that so far only two rikishi have been promoted after an ozeki run that started from outside sanyaku: the first had 37 wins and the second, Terunofuji, admittedly had only 33 wins, but 25 of them were from the two sanyaku basho and there were a yusho and a jun yusho!
Therefore in normal times it would probably take at least a jun yusho for Aonishiki to get the rank.
If an Ozeki run completely hinges on one bout lost, it probably wasnt a good one in the first place. Unlike WTK who needs all stars to perfectly align and then some to ever make it to Ozeki, Aonishiki so far is just so stable that it might only be a slight delay and that could be a good thing. Part of being an Ozeki (or even higher) is to perform under pressure as well and perform as the one to beat, not the underdog.
Aonishiki will have to deal with that in the future, so no harm in learning it on the way. He might very well be the 3rd best rikishi already atm and only has a select few rikishi who you expect top give him a run for his money. Aonishiki is for real. He will make his way, wether its this basho or the next.
With 2 Yokozuna instead of one, IÄm not sure if Kotozakuras performance is a conmsideration here or not though.
U can easily be that fatalistic about Aonishiki‘s ozeki run on your cozy couch.
But for the rikishi it must be very hard to miss the promotion by one „stolen“ win. It only takes an injury and during the January basho. As ozeki he‘d be kadoban. As sekiwake he‘d fall out of sanyaku and it would take him three or rather four basho to come back. A little bit more than your „slight delay“.
I totally agree herbern. Malevolent barely scratches the surface. As A3 wrote above “the Waka brothers have no shame”. I guess in the Henka Brothers eyes, a win is a win, despite the opprobium they’ll face from sumo fans. Any respect or goodwill I had for either of them (and there was some, WKT’s back story shows grit, ability, and determination), has disappeared.
Two brothers, two henkas. The Henka Brothers.
I wondered yesterday if this might happen, and indeed, it did.
Otherwise, Andy, thank you for another entertaining and comprehensive summation.
I feel sorry for the HenkaBros. I think age is catching up to them, and they might end up demoted down to join Elder Brother in Makushita.
They’ve easily still got years of gas in the tank. I’m more concerned about Sadanoumi and maybe Daieisho.
Seeing people try to match Onosato on power keeps reminding me of the “but it might work for us” meme. Don’t try to divert or throw him, just launch into the tachiai and start trying to push. Hasn’t worked for anyone else. Might work for you today!
Very well written, Betty.
Only I guess – and strongly hope – that they are not really happy with their wins.
At least it looked to me as if both of them made an uneasy impression after their bouts.
(And we shouldn’t forget that Hoshoryu henkad Wakatakakage last basho.)
That said, if U don’t mind I’ll copy your „Henka Brothers“ from now on.
Not really happy with a kinboshi? Serious doubts here…
He didn’t seem too happy in his kinboshi interview. Almost embarrassed. He seemed a bit upset, to be honest. I’ll go back and rewatch but you didn’t get much glee from him, that’s for sure.
He was trying to oppress any spark of glee already on the dohyo. That‘s what a friend would do, I think.
My words describing the Onosato match to a friend was “watch this fly hit the windshield of a semi “ .. and that’s what ensued . Onosato with his great footwork literally shrinks the dohyo .. beating him must require getting him to stop long enough to give an opponent maneuvering room to get him to pivot or go sideways .. going east-west w him is a loosing proposition . So Hiradoumi had to smack that windshield .. Some fly is gonna have to figure out what works to their advantage after a big splat .
The Waka-Henka bros act is sad .. a peak has been passed .
Thank you, herbern! (of course I don’t mind lol)
They didn’t look too thrilled did they? Either of them.
Oh yes, Hoshoryu’s henka. Can’t really say that was impressive either; I suppose they do what they have to to win, or in WTK’s case, get a score on the board.
Ah well, such is the world of Grand Sumo, there’s always something happening.
When watching the bout I thought that Wakamotoharu wasnt predetermined to do a henka. Unlike Hoshoryu he was actually watching his opponent. Recgonizing that Hoshoryu was bringing out the patented Chiyotairyu cannonball tachiai, he just stepped very slightly to the side.
Now Chiyotairyu simply had no other weapon, not sure the same is true for Hoshoryu. Now I dont like henkas, not even against Hoshoryu, whom I actually dont dislike. He actually started out as one of my favorites. Still I think he benefits from a humbling lesson every now and then. You throw yourself that rechlessly at your opponent … sometimes he just might not be were you expected him. Dont gamble if you dont need to ;)
With regards to his yusho chances … it aint over till its over. The foundation for his disadvantage he laid against Hakuoho though.
In the kinboshi interview Wakamotoharu said that the henka was planned before he mounted the dohyo.
Oho with full elaborated pulldown choreography today. Time was on his side! Andy thus taking a break from continued échauffement. Healthier way of living, I guess :)
Hiradoumi with Onosato really was like witnessing a car crash. It did hurt, for sure.
What an impertinent, fluffy henka by WMH! Hoshoryu completely byamboozled. The faces of both were priceless. Awww, can‘t believe it!
Hoshoryu Kyujo Watch is on…
Aw hell no. Kotozakura kyujo watch, yes. Hoshoryu is still very much in this.
Onosato and Aonishki are both 50/50 matches plus he seems to take one wildcard loss per basho. Was today’s it? Hakuho’s old refrain about 12-3 being make-koshi for yokozunas comes to mind…
In theory yokozunae should be okay to finish with up to 5 losses, albeit knowing they’re gonna catch hell from the YDC after the basho. Asahifuji finished his last full participation basho at 8-7 and Onokuni once even finished a basho with a 7-8 record. So unless he actually does injure something between now and then I doubt Hoshoryu pulls out.
When Onokuni had his bad results, he only had to have 4-6 matches against Maegashira opponents and did not give up more than 2 kinboshis in any of his three 8-7 records and one 7-8 as yokozuna. Hoshoryu has to go through 9 matches against Maegashira, maybe 10 if Kotozakura pulls out. How many more kinboshis can people tolerate?
Back when Kakuryu and Harumafuji were handing them out I looked at kinboshi rates. I should re-do that and see how these guys compare.
A quick comparison. Onokuni’s 1st basho as yokozuna 8-7 with 2 kinboshis out of 4 matches so 50%, but his 7-8 only 1 kinboshi out of 6 matches.
Compare that to Onosato this July 4 kinboshis out of 10 matches so 40%.
Even if Hoshoryu gives up 2 more kinboshis it will still be below 50% unless he pulls out.
If you have more data, go ahead.
Quite a bit of fancy footwork on the dohyo today including Shishi(?!) at the bales. Maybe some coaches are reading Tachiai and looked up what PIVOT means in an English dictionary?
That henka from Wakamotoharu today is a warning shot for Onosato. Shenanigans on the dohyo will be afoot more than once after everyone saw what he did to Hiradoumi today. I continue to be surprised that Onosato’s opponents just run straight forward and don’t ever try to do anything else.
You bring up a good point…I wonder what the Japanese phrase would be for pivot. I need to learn how to yell that.
He is so confident on his grappling/strenght that he sometimes forgoes the tachiai altogether just to be sure. It’s impressive but also a bit reckless, it can come back to bite him. Let’s see what happens
I think we will see a henka or two, but they are probably not going to work unless they are pulled off really well. Onosato doesn’t look like he’s trying to blow his opponent out at the tachiai. More like he’s gaining some space and bracing to absorb (maybe repel is a better word because a lot of his opponents bounce off him) that first attack and then immediately follow that up to blow his opponent off the dohyo. Grabbing the belt and staying in front of him like Hiradoumi did (brave as that was) just means you’re right in the blasting zone when he does go on offense. Ura might be better served going for an immediate leg pick up attempt. Doubt that has much of a chance, but otherwise I think Ura just gets cornered and pushed out.
I think this is the answer. I wouldn’t say Onosato is henka-proof but his tachiai is not as explosive. It’s not Shodai but it’s also not a Kotoshogiku “gachin”.
It was obvious that Hiradoumi would not be able to pose threat to Onosato. I’m afraid that dear Ura will follow the same path tomorrow, perhaps with the addition of a somersault. If Saturn aligns with Pluto next week, Atamifuji could be an interesting match, though not sure if sheer size is the antidote to Onosato’s bulldozing form.
I think the only hope is to blitz Onosato with a surprise move, get him off balance, multiple times if possible, and then maybe there is a 50 percent chance, i.e. Hakuoho’s win and Hosh’s regulation win, both from this past September basho…. Easier said than done! Let’s hope Ura could do his magic to make it happen….
That henka was something else. I really hope Hoshoryu doesn’t go Kyujo or else it’ll be the worst performance in history by a Yokozuna since the first King Kong vs Godzilla and should be deported back to Mongolia
Kotozakura’s tachiai was tentative and lacking oomph. Against an opponent who he knows will be delivering a powerful thrusting tachiai like Tamawashi, this can be viable. But Kotozakura seemingly lacked strength throughout the bout. He pushed forward, but it was so Tamawashi could regroup at the tawara. I fear our lone Ozeki is, and HAS BEEN, injured for quite a while, and only his innate talent/ability has been disguising the depth of the issue. What is with Ozeki and the injury curse this last decade-plus?
Hmm….Henka’d the boss. I’l bet Wakamotoharu’s got a target on his forehead for the future…
Just before the match began I noticed Kotozakura 189.0 cm, 179.0 kg & Tamawashi 189.0 cm, 181.0 kg. Same size but completely different packages!
I had to binge watch days 1-6 today and I
m really concerned about my boy Oho. I think he was walking backwards in each and every bout. He has improved his pulling a lot by adding those pivots/changes in direction that Andy adores, but its still a gamble every time. As a Sekiwake week 1 is the weak half of his schedule. Luckily even his weak 2 schedule is much softer than it could be (due to a lack of Ozeki), but he will have both Yokozuna and Aonishiki (not counting on Kotozakura still being there). Only being 3-3 on day 6 is very much on the edge of a makekoshi already.Kotozakura is obviously the other big concern. Looked great and day 1 and looked like someone who shouldn
t even be on the dohyo ever since.s not that surprising.Some lower ranked guys looking pretty good so far. The standout is obviously Fujinokawa. I think he was touted highly here on his way up, but the way he overcomes his size and experience disadvantage is really impressive and fun to watch. The guy nicknamed Kusano is also having a very solid showing, but at least to me that
Daieisho is at 4-2, but like last basho I was actually expecting him to be 6-0 at this point and forcing pairings hight up soon. But he isn´t looking strong. Guess he still has some recovery to do.
Only have one Makuuchi newcomer and it looks like Oshoumi didn`t come to stay. But there is still some wiggling room.
Looking forward to the remaining days. Hope Oho can start going forward. Would be really happy, if he can keep his Sekiwake spot.
There has been a long history of henka-antihenka relationship between WMH and Hoshoryu.
So I don’t blame Waka.. it was well prepared, well performed henka.
https://www.reddit.com/r/SumoMemes/s/dDe0Oy4yJL