Fujiryoga is back into the lead at 9-1 has he wrapped up Hidenoumi’s arms and drove him back over the edge for the kimedashi win. Asanoyama (7-3) took down Daiseizan, who stands at 8-2. Your Day 10 videos are here. You’ll need to click on the button that says, “続き読む.”
Makuuchi Action
Oshoumi (2-8) defeated Sadanoumi (3-7). A bit of a henka here from Oshomi as he jumped left and attacked Sadanoumi from the side with tsuppari. This caught Sadanoumi off guard and forced him back and over the edge. Oshidashi.
Nishikifuji (7-3) defeated Meisei (0-1-9). Meisei didn’t have any tape but he only bore weight on his right foot. Nishikifuji was able to force him back to the bales and over. Yorikiri.
Chiyoshoma (6-4) defeated Tokihayate (7-3). Chiyoshoma battered Tokihayate with tsuppari and drove him over the edge. Oshidashi.
Shonannoumi (3-7) defeated Gonoyama (6-4). After the tachiai, Shonannoumi pulled. Gonoyama chased but Shonannoumi slipped to the right and Gonoyama rushed by, careening off the the dohyo. Shonannoumi finished him with a push from behind. Okuridashi.
Mitakeumi (5-5) defeated Asakoryu (6-4). Henka! Mitakeumi jumped left and grabbed Asakoryu’s belt, propelling him forward to the clay. Uwatenage.
Midorifuji (5-5) defeated Ryuden (4-6). Ryuden charged forward and blasted Midorifuji out of the ring. Gunbai Midorifuji. Mono-ii. Replay showed Ryuden may have touched down with his leg but it was judged to require a rematch. In the rematch, Midorifuji pulled and pivoted, driving Ryuden into the ground with his patented shoulder pull. It’s his first katasukashi since Osaka. Katasukashi.
Ichiyamamoto (6-4) defeated Tomokaze (3-7). Tomokaze pulled and tried a slapdown but Ichiyamamoto blasted him from the dohyo. It’s not like Tomokaze is going to pivot much with that knee but, “C’mon Chris.” You’re going to end up in the oyakata’s lap. And you know this, man. Oshidashi.
Kinbozan (4-6) defeated Fujinokawa (6-4). After the tachiai, Fujinokawa shifted left and tried to pull down Kinbozan. Kinbozan caught himself at the edge and turned around to face Fujinokawa’s follow-up. This time, Kinbozan shifted left along the bales and got behind Fujinokawa, pushing him forward into the crowd. Okuridashi.
Roga (6-4) defeated Churanoumi (5-5). Churanoumi charged forward to shove Roga out but Roga slapped him down at the edge and leapt into the air. Gunbai Churanoumi. Mono-ii. “Do it again, boyz!!” We haven’t had many mono-ii this tournament and we get two rematches today. This time, Roga pulled out the henka and Churanoumi fell forward to the ground. Sly smile from Roga as he picked up his kensho. Uwatedashinage.
Abi (5-5) defeated Shishi (3-7). Abi battered Shishi and got him turned around. Shishi tried to right himself but Abi blasted him from the dohyo. Okuridashi.
Kotoshoho (6-4) defeated Atamifuji (6-4). Kotoshoho took the fight to Atamifuji and muscled him over the edge. Migi-yotsu. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Daieisho (6-4) defeated Onokatsu (4-6). Onokatsu withstood Daieisho’s first tsuppari attack and the slapdown follow-up but Daieisho’s second volley of tsuppari sent Onokatsu back. Daieisho pursued as Onokatsu retreated and Daieisho forced Onokatsu over the edge. Yorikiri.
Shodai (4-6) defeated Tobizaru (4-6). Shodai rushed forward and quickly forced Tobizaru to the bales. Tobizaru resisted at the edge and tried to escape along the tawara. Shodai forced him down with his left arm hooked under Tobizaru’s right shoulder. Gunbai Shodai. Mono-ii. Video review showed Tobizaru falling first. Gunbai confirmed. Sukuinage.
Wakamotoharu (5-5) defeated Hiradoumi (2-8). Hiradoumi blitzed Wakamotoharu and used both hands in WMH’s face to try to shove him over. But Wakamotoharu was able to stop Hiradoumi at the tawara, wrap him up in a bear hug and steamroll through the dohyo. Hiradoumi makekoshi. Yorikiri.
Wakatakakage (5-5) defeated Hakuoho (3-7). Hakuoho wrapped up Wakatakakage and charged forward with gaburi yotsu and forced Wakatakakage back to the bales. But Wakatakakage demonstrated overwhelming strength to counter attack, stopping Hakuoho’s progress, pivoting and turning the tables on Hakuoho. WTK drove Hakuoho over the bales. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Ura (5-5) defeated Takanosho (2-8). Ura stayed low, avoiding Takanosho’s usual attack. He sprung up into Takanosho, forcing him to the side before twisting him down. Takanosho makekoshi. Sukuinage.
Kirishima (6-4) defeated Takayasu (5-5). Takayasu thrust forward with his right hand but Kirishima avoided it and pushed Takayasu forward. Kirishima rounded to attack Takayasu but Papa Bear had taken a knee. Tsukihiza.
Aonishiki (9-1) defeated Tamawashi (4-6). Tamawashi tried to turn Aonishiki at the tachiai but Aonishiki avoided the attack. Aonishiki stayed low, drove Tamawashi’s head up with his right hand, and forced Tamawashi back and out. Yorikiri.
Kotozakura (5-5) defeated Oho (4-6). Kotozakura pressed forward and shoved Oho out. Oshidashi.
Yoshinofuji (7-3) defeated Onosato (9-1). What the what?!?! Onosato tried to pull and slap Yoshinofuji down. He pivoted at the start of the pull but from there, went straight back. Yoshinofuji just rushed forward and forced the Yokozuna out. You’ve got to continue the pivot! This straight back pull is what took out Tomokaze earlier. Kinboshi for Yoshinofuji! Congratulations! Oshidashi.
Hoshoryu (8-2) defeated Oshoma (3-7). Hoshoryu started with his left hand inside. He was able to work his right hand inside to improve his grip for the morozashi. Once he had that, he twisted right and threw Oshoma to the ground. Shitatenage.
Wrap-up
WOW. We’ve got a yusho race now. Yokozuna Onosato is tied with Aonishiki at 9-1 with Yokozuna Hoshoryu one loss back at 8-2.
Frankly, Onosato’s decision to pull against Yoshinofuji was inexplicable to me. Yoshinofuji has appeared to be injured in the right calf and lost on two previous days. It seemed obvious to me that Onosato should just bull forward and push Yoshinofuji out since his opponent wouldn’t be able to bear all of that weight on that leg.
But NOO! Don’t listen to Andy! Pull. And even better, just run straight backwards and go flying off the dohyo like you’re a certain flying monkey — who shall remain nameless. Inexplicable.
Well, the Third and Final Act begins tomorrow, as Bruce would say. All of this build up over the past two weeks has led us here. Onosato will take on Takanosho. Hoshoryu will face Oho. Kotozakura will fight Oshoma. Aonishiki will get his turn against Yoshinofuji. And finally, Takayasu will fight Ura.
Meisei is already booked for the barge to Juryo and should sail deep into the division. When he appeared on the torikumi for today, I hoped he had healed and would put up a fight but that left foot does not seem ready, making his return a bit of a puzzle to me.
Hoshoryu wore his fish-fry kesho-mawashi. I suddenly desire aji-furai.
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Yes!! When I saw Onosato had lost, I said to myself, I bet he pulled and went backwards. Indeed he did. I like Onosato well enough, however, this is MUCH more exciting. Great summary as ever Andy, thank you.
Yoshinofuji has had that bandage on since Day 1 – it’s the high ankle injury that kept him out of London.
Hakuoho hasn’t yet perfected his new tachiaimethod. Work to do for Isegahama.
I really think he is the biggest victim of the JSA shenanigans against Miyagino. It has delayed his progress. Hakuho would have had him already in Sanyaku. It would be better if the stable is split up it is to big. Maybe Ishiura can start for his own.
It would amaze me if another great prospect and Isegahama pupil Takerufuji will ever reach his profesised level. He is to prone to get hurt. They should have pulled him for his protection when he got injured in his yusho run. Well just as Hakuoho a great story that could have been and a victim of the Sumo culture.
No other sport encourages and in fact oblige his competitors to compete when injured.
Onosato was out of his comfort zone from the beginning. He loves the have both hands down and wait for his opponent to start, but Yoshinofuji beat him to it. by a lot. He had his hands down before Onosato was even starting to crouch.
Interesting, I hadn’t noticed. Maybe other rikishi will pick up on that?
I think that will probably only work once. Onosato will adapt. The kid’s just too good.
I didn’t know it was the first time that Midorifuji used kataskashi in this basho. It was a GOOD one that Ryuden had to land on his face.. poor guy.
Speaking of kimarite, I’m still waiting for the first uchimuso from Aonishiki. How could he make up so many victories without it? I’m wondering.
It was torinaoshi day, so many rematches that the ring entering ceremonies were at least 20 minutes behind schedule. Well done to the time-keeping judges (ex-Kakuryu in the second half) to speed things up and end the day’s matches on time.
PULL AND PIVOT and make sure you have room, and then try the slapdown Onosato, geez!
Act 3 ahead and a great yusho race coming up. I love it!
The next three days will be crucial for Aonishiki. I expect him to meet both yokozuna after Kusano against whom he is 0-2. Therefore he’ll be the outsider in every match. Of course I like to look at it another way: he‘s 2-0 against Hoshoryu and 0-0 vs lower ranked Yoshinofuji, hence he‘s twice the favorite. And third times will be the charm against a shaky (Ura, Tamawashi, Yoshinofuji) Onosato!
If Aonishiki was to win all three bouts he would almost certainly be our new ozeki and also the favorite for the yusho.
I noticed in the Tamawashi v Aonishiki match today, their age difference of a nice round 20 years! (41 – 21). This seems quite remarkable. Anyone know if this is the record difference of age for the Makucci division?
Asakoryu telegraphed his strong tachiai, so Mitakeumi obliged and treated him like a bull. Ole! It’s not the first time this has happened to him even in this basho. He has to learn to put on the brakes when he needs to do so.
With all the henkas flying around, I’m surprised Abi didn’t join in the fun today. I’m wondering if he had some lower body issues earlier in the basho because he seems more solid and that’s where a lot of his power is coming from right now. That would make sense if his elbows and shoulders aren’t as powerful as they used to be due to injuries or wear and tear.
Onosato looked like he saw a ghost on his walk back to the locker room. 100% mentally got punked by Yoshinofuji. My assumption is the mental part of the game, especially resilience, is going to be Onosato’s biggest challenge in the near future. He’s not used to losing and he has the weight of his rank on his shoulders at the same time. A bit of humbling won’t hurt him, especially if it means he takes the off-dohhyo responsibilities of his rank more seriously.
Another thrashing attack from Takayasu, always aiming to the face, with maximum humiliation. To see him down on his knee felt like a welcome variety.
I’m a big Takayasu fan – He’s the Chicago Cubs of Sumo.
In that match against Hakuoho a few days ago, he landed 18 tsuppari (yes I counted).
I know, his fans are numerous. I for myself would rather prefer watching 18 henka, or pulls without pivots
Wow indeed! Even the most dominant Yokozuna can forget to bring it for a day. I’m betting coach Nishonoseki gave him an earful after that loss. Zensho yusho are no joke!
That said, I was hoping for some chaos to make the title race exciting, and it was for delivered. After tomorrow’s matches, there should be a 4-way round robin between the Yokozuna, Ozeki and Aonishiki, although I suppose that might not happen with Kotozakura out of contention. Here’s hoping the tension keeps building!
Maybe Onosato watched Yoshinofuji yesterday and thought he looked vulnerable to a pull? Initiating the charge took him off balance? Wild match.
If nothing else the race now tied with Aonishiki and Hoshoryu one win behind has me on the edge of my seat!
You’re the biggest, strongest dude on the Banzuke. So you run backwards as fast as you can? As you say. inexplicable! Just when I was starting to feel that there was order in the sumo Cosmos. After that, I’m rooting for Hoshoryu or Aonishiki to win it all.
Only after that? Just to remember:
Aonishiki 182 cm, 140 kg;
Hoshoryu 188 cm, 149 kg;
Onosato 192 cm, 187 kg!
And Aonishiki is on an ozeki run. And he represents an oppressed, heroic nation.
For me there has never been any doubt for who to root.
To my untrained eyes it looked like Onosato was just a tick late off the tachiai .. I froze their initial impact and Yoshinofuji had launched himself fully + was at the opposing stripe as Onosato was just moving forward .. obviously Onosato then pulled/was pushed afterwards… but it did not look like a classic pulldown to me .. maybe his eyes were momentarily distracted by one of the ringside Geisha .. Leading up to the tachiai I thought Yoshinofuji looked like a deer in the headlights of a semi .. nervous looks at that semi + antsy hands .. Maybe the semi took momentary compassion for the impending roadkill .. Anyway it looked like great timing + a bad fraction of a second of distraction …
Onosato was confused: This guy looks like Kusano so why is he called Yoshinofuji? What the – oh wait he’s moving ….
Kind of mean branding Takayasu with that tsukihiza. I’ve seen bouts where the loser essentially slipped, but as long as his aite made some token contact it was scored hatakikomi or similar. I would say Kirishima brought Takayasu down today.