On Day 13, the lower division yusho are either decided outright or playoffs are determined for senshuraku. The Makushita, Sandanme and Jonokuchi yushos were decided. Jonidan will have a playoff between two undefeated stablemates, Kakueizan and Ryuho.
Lower Division Titles:
- Makushita – Kazuma (7-0)
- Sandanme – Kaki (7-0)
- Jonokuchi – Goseiryu (7-0)
In Juryo, Fujiryoga beat Daiseizan with a sukuinage at the edge to improve to 12-1. He can run away with the yusho tomorrow.
Makuuchi Action
Gonoyama (7-6) defeated Meisei (1-3-9). Gonoyama drove into Meisei with a nodowa, driving him backwards. Meisei was able to get a hold of Gonoyama’s belt and resist at the bales. Gonoyama trapped Meisei’s right arm and pulled him forward and down. Oshitaoshi.
Oshoumi (5-8) defeated Tomokaze (5-8). Tomokaze tried to pull Oshoumi but stepped out before Oshoumi fell. Gunbai Oshoumi. No mono-ii. Oshidashi.
Sadanoumi (4-9) defeated Shishi (5-8). Sadanoumi put his arms up around Shishi’s neck, twisted and pulled Shishi to the ground. Sadanoumi is not having a great tournament but he’s putting everything he has into these bouts. Kubihineri.
Asakoryu (7-6) defeated Kotoshoho (7-6). Henka! Asakoryu absorbed a lot of Kotoshoho’s tsuppari as punishment. Kotoshoho then pulled but Asakoryu was ready and shoved Kotoshoho out. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (8-5) defeated Chiyoshoma (8-5). Daieisho thrust into an off-balance Chiyoshoma, who rolled backward onto his butt. Oshitaoshi.
Tobizaru (6-7) defeated Shonannoumi (3-10). Tobizaru allowed Shonannoumi to lumber forward. Tobizaru hooked his left arm under Shonannoumi’s right, pivoted and pulled Shonannoumi over the tawara. Yorikiri.
Mitakeumi (6-7) defeated Midorifuji (6-7). Mitakeumi pressed forward, forcing Midorifuji to the bales. Midorifuji released his grip and shifted left, hoping Mitakeumi’s momentum would carry him over the bales. Mitakeumi was ready and adjusted well, driving into Midorifuji and shoving him out. Oshidashi.
Ryuden (6-7) defeated Kinbozan (5-8). Ryuden got his favorite migi-yotsu hold on Kinbozan’s belt and spun him toward the bales. Kinbozan tried to resist but Ryuden ushered him over the edge. Kinbozan makekoshi. Yorikiri.
Ichiyamamoto (9-4) defeated Roga (8-5). Ichiyamamoto tried to drive Roga out with tsuppari but Roga grabbled Ichiyamamoto and pulled him at the edge. Ichiyamamoto stopped his momentum at the tawara and re-engaged Roga at the center. Ichiyamamoto then used his new yotsu-zumo weapon to drive Roga back and over the bales. A great win for Ichiyamamoto as he avoided Roga’s trickery and showcased his new yotsu skills. Yorikiri.
Fujinokawa (8-5) defeated Abi (5-8). Abi forced Fujinokawa to the edge but Fujinokawa twisted and thrust Abi forward and onto his stomach. Abi make-koshi. Tsukiotoshi.
Yoshinofuji (9-4) defeated Tokihayate (9-4). Tokihayate forced Yoshinofuji to the bales but Yoshinofuji was able to turn the tables and drive Tokihayate back through the dohyo with his hidari-yotsu grip and force him over the edge. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Hiradoumi (4-9) defeated Churanoumi (6-7). Hiradoumi blasted Churanoumi back to the edge and kept up the pressure, forcing Churanoumi out. Oshidashi.
Wakamotoharu (7-6) defeated Onokatsu (5-8). Wakamotoharu got his hidari-yotsu sashi and drove Onokatsu back and out. Yorikiri.
Kirishima (9-4) defeated Atamifuji (7-6). Kirishima got his left-hand inside to join his already established right-hand inside hold. With the morozashi grip he was able to lift Atamifuji back and drive him over the edge. Yorikiri.
Tamawashi (6-7) defeated Wakatakakage (6-7). Tamawashi slammed into Wakatakakage and drove him back and out. Tamawashi now draws level with the Great Takanohana with 701 Top Division victories, tied for 10th most all-time. Oshidashi.
Ura (7-6) defeated Hakuoho (4-9). Ura got a left-hand hold of Hakuoho’s belt, pivoted, and dragged Hakuoho over the edge. Uwatedashinage.
Sanyaku
Takayasu (6-7) defeated Nishikifuji (8-5). Nishikifuji blasted Takayasu to the edge but Takayasu escaped left and slapped Nishikifuji forward. Hatakikomi.
Takanosho (4-9) defeated Shodai (4-9). Shodai didn’t like Takanosho’s nodowa. Takanosho followed up with a shove and forced Shodai out. Oshidashi.
Oho (5-8) defeated Oshoma (3-10). Oho forced Oshoma to the edge and did not fall for his antics. Oho used his left-hand inside grip to contain Oshoma and usher him out. Yorikiri.
Hoshoryu (11-2) defeated Kotozakura (7-6). Kotozakura tried real hard. He had a few chances to win this bout but Hoshoryu was too strong and he had more stamina. Kotozakura seemed to wear out and tried a last-ditch pull at the edge. Hoshoryu forced him over the bales. Yorikiri.
Onosato (11-2) defeated Aonishiki (10-3). This was close. Aonishiki had his left hand on Onosato’s belt and pulled. As he approached the edge, he left his feet and drove Onosato to the ground before landing off the dohyo. Gunbai Onosato. No mono-ii. Yorikiri.
Wrap-up
We will have replays and arguments about this Onosato/Aonishiki bout for ages, especially if Onosato rolls to a yusho and Aonishiki is not considered for promotion after this tournament. Without the mono-ii we don’t know the judge’s minds on this and whether Aonishiki was dead when he left his feet. Bimyo.
The bout listings are not out for tomorrow but it’s probably safe to assume Onosato will fight Kotozakura and Hoshoryu will fight Aonishiki. All other players are out of this.
There is a lot to fight for in this final weekend. Aside from the yusho Sanyaku position is on the line for Takayasu and Oho, as well as for several guys with designs on replacing Takanosho, at least. Promotions and demotions are still wide open in many cases. However, Meisei, Shonannoumi, and Sadanoumi have their tickets to Juryo.
Will Oshoumi or Asakoryu join them? And then, who will replace them? What’s a final weekend without drama? I would have liked a mono-ii.
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Some great bouts today. All the ones with the contenders were exciting, and Yoshinofujii-Tokihayate (who was only one loss back) was also good. Even with the loss, I’m glad that Aonishiki looks to have made progress figuring out a way to complete with Onosato’s power. Still, I’m surprised (and disappointed) for a second time that an Onosato bout didn’t get a mono-ii. I’ve seen these calls go either way, but not calling one to me implies a clear winner, which I just don’t see in this match. If they want to avoid any appearance of favoritism to the Yokozuna, holding one seems like the right call.
Just watched the match replay in slow motion. That’s a torinaoshi to me if ever I’ve seen one. Sure, Onosato hasn’t hit the clay, but both reach “dead” positions at almost exactly the same time. That there wasn’t even a mono-ii now really seems wrong.
At the very least, a mono-ii would have given us an explanation of the decision, if not a change.
Now that my Aonishiki bias has cooled off a bit, I know that a confirmation of the gyouji decision was the most likely outcome of a mono-ii, because, when both wrestlers are simultaneously “dead”, the verdict goes to the one who remains in the ring more often than not. I still would have liked to see one. And, because of the importance of this match in the title race and a wrestler’s Ozeki promotion chances, I personally would prefer a rematch when it’s that close. But I get that’s not the way they’ve gone in the past.
In any martial art where there is a champion there is always one important rule: You gotta beat the champ. I didn’t like the lack of mono-ii for Onosato/Aonishiki, but if Aonishiki wants to avoid that situation, he has to win decisively. The cards will always be stacked against him otherwise.
I understand why Kotozoakura maintains a heavier weight, but I still think sacrificing some of that weight to give him more agility and mobility (and to relieve his knees somewhat) would be a smart idea. Once he loses the “I’m big, so it’s hard to move me” battle he has a lot less options and it shows.
Asakoryu has been using a henka a lot more often these days. Just goes to show that once you decide to take the “easier” route it’s hard to ignore its siren call.
I still firmly believe Aonishiki was never getting promoted without a yusho this tournament.
They just don’t like to promote people without a title in the “three tournaments” if they aren’t all in san’yaku.
He can likely end up 11-4 yet again which sets him up for a January run.
Doesn’t Fujiryoga look a bit like Sonic the hedgehog?
(just trying to get over the Onosato-Aonishiki decision)
Can’t a fellow rikishi also request a mono-ii? Tomokaze was looking around for one: “I lost?” Thanks for the great commentary as always.
It’s technically possible but as far as I can tell only yokozunas have the “privilege”, and of those only two have done it in any recent times, Hakuho and Takanonami. Hakuho talked about the time he did it in a Mongolian interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNFgMlU6Uic
Mono-ii would have been fine. They didn‘t need it, obviously. (Same for Fujiryoga-Daiseizan). Gunbai dori! Aonishiki will be Ozeki soon. I‘ll have a festive drink on it.
(As a ski jumping fan for 15 years I‘m fed up with quarrels about ‚stolen’ wins.)
In ski jumping the wind is often decisive. I guess that makes one fatalistic when it comes to „unjust“ results. (Still I‘ll never understand why there have to be notes for the style.)
It‘s also much about nations. There‘s no sense in debates when it comes to hurt feelings.
Doesn’t look like much when you see it on TV which got me wondering what it must feel like to have Tamawashi’s hand at your throat. I mean, WTK looked like he simply wanted out(-;