In the first semifinal, Ryusho managed to grab the belt and overpowered Ohata with a nifty throw. In the second, Kazuma took his time against Daiyusho, being careful to avoid any mistakes, but was in full control throughout the bout and won by an inevitable-seeming oshidashi. So Ryusho and Kazuma will clash on day 13 for all the marbles; Kazuma has the added incentive of Juryo promotion on the line. It should be an interesting matchup between two Ms60TD rikishi, one a skillful 270-pound technician and the other a 400-pound wrecking ball. Ryusho’s career record is 16-4, while Kazuma’s is 30-2, not counting absences.

A bit of bonus Makushita coverage: Ms17 Enho got the jump on Kamito at the tachiai, grabbed the belt with both hands, lifted his opponent off his feet, and won by a powerful yoritaoshi, clinching his kachi-koshi and securing a spot in the extended promotion zone for Hatsu.

It was carnage in the Ms1-Ms5 promotion zone. Of the ten rikishi ranked there, one retired (Endo), and five others are make-koshi after today. That leaves only Ms1w Kyokukaiyu (4-2) and Ms3w Dewanoryu (5-1) with realistic promotion chances. The only other rikishi who still have a chance at a winning record are the Ms5 duo of Kazuto and Seihakuho, both 3-3, and neither is likely to go up with a 4-3 record unless there is an extra opening in Juryo that has to be filled.

On the Juryo side, we have two rikishi with records that are already likely to send them down: injury victim Ms3e Mita (0-3-8) and hapless rookie J13e Himukamaru (2-9). J10w Tohakuryu (3-8) is next in the demotion queue, followed by J14e Shiden (5-6), who looked to be injured at the conclusion of today’s loss. With at most 3 strong promotion candidates, everyone else is probably okay.

The only relevant action tomorrow is Kazuto visiting Juryo to fight Tohakuryu, so look for the next update on day 13.