Only the two final bouts matter: Aonishiki (11-3) vs. Kotozakura and the Yokozuna clash between Onosato (11-3) and Hoshoryu (11-3). A win by Aonoshiki gets him a spot in a playoff, while a loss eliminates him from contention. His Ozeki chances may also hang in the balance—the shimpan department has announced that they’ll hold a special meeting to discuss a potential promotion after the basho. The head-to-head favors the Sekiwake 2-1. The outcome of the last regulation bout will either determine the other playoff participant or the outright winner. The head-to-head in regulation favors Hoshoryu 7-1, with Onosato also winning their most recent meeting in the September playoff.
Sanyaku
K1e Takanosho (5-9) will vacate his spot. S1w Oho (6-8) and K1w Takayasu (7-7) both need final-day wins to stay in the named ranks. And as discussed above, there is a chance that Aonishiki’s spot could open up via promotion. So we could have anywhere between one and four new sanyaku members. M2e Kirishima (10-4) should be a lock for the first open spot, regardless of his day 15 result. The other contenders are M2w Wakamotoharu (8-6), M5e Yoshinofuji (9-5), M3w Ura (8-6), and perhaps M8e Ichiyamamoto (10-4). Yoshinofuji fights Takayasu tomorrow in what looks like an exchange bout. Kirishima faces Ura, and Wakamotoharu takes on Ichiyamamoto.
Meisei, Shonannoumi, and Sadanoumi are fully booked on the Juryo barge, with nonrefundable tickets. In their place, Asanoyama will make his long-awaited return to the top division, where he’ll be joined by his heya-mate Asahakuryu and by Hatsuyama, both of whom will be making their Makuuchi debuts. The final two spots will almost certainly go to the winners of the two day 15 crossover bouts that pit Kotoeiho against Asakoryu and Oshoumi against Fujiseiun. Daiseizan has rapidly dropped from first to 6th in the promotion queue and should be out of luck even with a win—which would be a rare miss for a 10-5 J3, but there’s no room at the inn.
Asanoyama (11-3) defeated Fujiryoga (12-2) as the two men battled chest-to-chest in a great migi-yotsu contest. The former Ozeki is doing what he can to make a case for promotion to the top division. Hatsuyama also won his bout with Hakuyozan to improve to 11-3.
I’ll let Leonid get into the details but there might be three guys ahead of Asanoyama. And depending on the outcome of senshuraku bouts, possibly four. But will their be four open slots in the Top Division? Asanoyama can’t fight his stablemate, Asahakuryu.
Fujinokawa (9-5) defeated Asakoryu (7-7). Henka! Fujinokawa leapt left but Asakoryu caught the shift. Fujinokawa quickly hooked his left arm inside Asakoryu’s right, twisted, and threw Asakoryu to the side. Sukuinage.
Gonoyama (8-6) defeated Shishi (5-9). Shishi tried to escape Gonoyama’s tsuppari but he could only find peace on the other side of the tawara. Oshidashi.
Chiyoshoma (9-5) defeated Roga (8-6). Roga got inside with his right hand and yanked Chiyoshoma to the side. Chiyoshoma braced against the bales and used his left-hand uwate to throw Roga to the ground in the center of the ring. Uwatedashinage.
Daieisho (9-5) defeated Nishikifuji (8-6). Daieisho slapped Nishikifuji down quickly after setting him up with several rough thrusts of tsuppari. Nishikifuji tried to step inside to get a grip and stop the onslaught but down came the hammer. Tsukiotoshi.
Mitakeumi (7-7) defeated Kotoshoho (7-7). Mitakeumi backed up and slapped Kotoshoho down. Hatakikomi.
Kinbozan (6-8) defeated Shonannoumi (3-10) Kinbozan advanced behind solid tsuppari, driving Shonannoumi back and over the bales. Shonannoumi’s akeni (traditional luggage used by sumo wrestlers) are packed and waiting for him on “The Barge.” Tsukidashi.
Ryuden (7-7) defeated Abi (5-9). Ryuden weathered Abi’s assault, enduring a bloody eye and nose. Ryuden was able to step inside, finally getting out of the range of Abi’s thrusts. From there he pressed forward and shoved Abi back over the tawara. Oshidashi.
Onokatsu (6-8) defeated Sadanoumi (4-10). Onokatsu quickly established his left-hand outside grip. Once he got his right-hand inside, he barreled forward and forced Sadanoumi back and out. As a side note, if you’re interested in the orchestration behind this “Show,” watch Kotoshogiku’s hand movements in the video. As time-keeper, he’s giving hand signals to tell wrestlers when to move along with their pre-bout routines. Yorikiri.
Ichiyamamoto (10-4) defeated Yoshinofuji (9-5). Ichiyamamoto pulled and slapped Yoshinofuji down. More blood, this time from Yoshinofuji’s nose and mouth. Ichiyamamoto had assaulted him with tsuppari and head butts throughout the heated bout. How did Ichi sneak through here with 10 wins already? Hatakikomi.
Oshoumi (6-8) defeated Hiradoumi (4-10). In Oshoumi’s most impressive bout of the tournament, he got a morozashi at the tachiai and hauled up Hiradoumi, driving him to the edge. Hiradoumi squeezed his left-hand inside but it was already too late as Oshoumi progressed and slammed Hiradoumi to the ground. The Number 2 man at Naruto beya might be doing enough to stave off demotion, possibly taking a slot away from the slew of guys in Juryo who are hoping to come up. Yoritaoshi.
Halftime
Ura (8-6) defeated Tobizaru (6-8). A long hazu-oshi bout here as both men jostled the other with tsuppari, slapdown attempts, head butts, shoves…Tobizaru got a good slap in there. Eventually, Tobizaru just got gassed and Ura was able to shove him back and off the dohyo. Tobizaru collapsed into a heap, “plumb tuckered out,” as they say back home. Ura is kachi-koshi and Tobizaru make-koshi. Oshidashi.
Kirishima (10-4) defeated Tokihayate (9-5). Kirishima was able to contain Tokihayate’s retreat with his right-hand over-arm grip. Kirishima hauled Tokihayate roughtly to the ground, perhaps as revenge for Tokihayate’s harite (slap) at the tachiai. Uwatenage.
Wakamotoharu (8-6) defeated Midorifuji (6-8). For a long time, most of the action in this bout was the arm-wrestling going on as Wakamotoharu tried to get his left-hand inside. Midorifuji’s ottsuke kept him at bay so Wakamotoharu tried to fling him around with the right, then tried a slapdown to no avail. Eventually, though, Midorifuji seemed to wear out and Wakamotoharu advanced, forcing him out. It was an intense bout, like the Ura/Tobizaru one, as both men had kachi-koshi or make-koshi on the line. Wakamotoharu locked up his kachi-koshi and unfortunately for Midorifuji, he is makekoshi. Yorikiri.
Hakuoho (5-9) defeated Tamawashi (6-8). Hakuoho got his left-hand inside quickly and started churning his legs forward. He got his right-hand inside as well, and Tamawashi was toast. Yorikiri.
Churanoumi (7-7) defeated Watatakakage (6-8). Churanoumi overpowered Wakatakakage and nearly got him turned around. Once that happened, Wakatakakage lost all momentum and Churanoumi drove into him hard, shoving him over the bales. This takes Wakatakakage out of the running for a sanyaku position and puts Kirishima at the head of the queue. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Takanosho defeated Oshoma. Takanosho hit Oshoma hard at the tachiai, got that nodowa going to force Oshoma’s head high and drove him back, quickly. Oshidashi.
Takayasu (7-7) defeated Atamifuji (7-7). This bout hinged on Takayasu’s left hand. Atamifuji’s ottsuke early on kept Takayasu out and he pressured Takayasu to the edge. However, Takayasu squeezed it in and took control of the bout. Atamifuji reared back and got his right hand back inside but the damage was done. Takayasu drove forward and chased Atamifuji out. Oshidashi.
Oho (6-8) defeated Shodai (4-10). We get a view of Oho looking skyward before the bout like, “why do I have to fight this guy?” Shodai couldn’t get his right hand inside Oho’s left so he backed around trying to get position. After a half-lap around the ring in reverse, though, Shodai’s tank ran empty and he walked out. There’s that phrase again. Shodai was plumb tuckered out. “Oshidashi.”
Kotozakura (8-6) defeated Onosato (11-3). In a stroke, Kotozakura suddenly became everyone’s favorite Ozeki. He locked in his kachi-koshi winning record with a strong left-hand outside, right-hand inside. Onosato pulled back trying to change his grip (makikae) but that gave Kotozakura momentum to move forward and force the Yokozuna over the edge. Yorikiri.
Aonishiki (11-3) defeated Hoshoryu (11-3). Before the bout, Hoshoryu did his usual niramiai (stare down). Aonishiki didn’t muck about and didn’t get into the games, he just walked back to his corner. These guys are silent before the bout, no trash-talk or anything. But while Aonishiki walked away, I could hear the ultimate flex: “Scoreboard, b—-.” Aonishiki didn’t need to engage in the games because he came into the bout with a 2-0 lead in their rivalry. Oh, this is going to be a good one. And it was. We got a strong tachiai as both men sought out belt grips. Hoshoryu made a huge mistake and pulled, trying to slap Aonishiki down with his right hand. Aonishiki had a firm left-hand inside grip and stayed low but did not go down. He drove forward into the Yokozuna and finished Hoshoryu with a right hand to the mug. Oshidashi.
Wrap-up
I think we all dreamed about this outcome. All three men are tied at 11-3. The official bout pairings are not out. Nevertheless, the Yokozuna should fight on senshuraku, either for the yusho or for a position in a play-off. Aonishiki should be fighting Kotozakura in the prior bout to try to force that play-off. Absolute madness!
If you’re a new fan, perhaps drawn in because of the London basho, this is kind of crazy. It’s not usually like this, I swear. We’re usually a more quiet group and it’s usually a rather staid, serene sport. You know, the monocle-wearing, tea-drinking set. I hope you’re not expecting such insanity in January. I just want to level-set expectations.
I also do want to point out that Onosato seemed to be wincing as he sat on his cushion after the loss. I’m not sure if he was wincing in physical pain or mental anguish at having lost to Kotozakura — of all people. We’ll keep an eye out for news because any injury would certainly tip the scales toward Hoshoryu for tomorrow’s bout.
One storyline has been settled, however. Kotozakura locked in his 8th win. I swear, the man can’t buy 10. (Too soon? It’s been 14 years!) But, at least he won’t be kadoban to start the new year.
There are a number of guys at 7-7 with kachi-koshi on the line so we should have several “Darwin Bouts” tomorrow, as Bruce would say.
Now, folks are going to start up with the Ozeki-run talk again. Aonishiki got his 33rd win but I think Shibatayama had poured cold water on the idea, saying his run starts with the September tournament. But I think this takes pressure off of Aonishiki to think of this without Ozeki on the line.
He must come in and beat Kotozakura tomorrow and then he would have to beat a Yokozuna AGAIN in order to take the yusho. He needs to focus on that. We saw how Wakatakakage folded under the pressure and anticipation of his Ozeki run. He’s still not recovered and it’s unlikely he will have another shot – at least anytime soon. Aonishiki has other things on his mind: Win tomorrow. See you tomorrow.
The yusho race has been decided. Kazuma accepted Ryusho’s invitation to make the final a yotsu bout, with both fighters going for an inside left. Kazuma wrapped up his opponent and moved him toward the tawara. Ryusho used his lateral mobility to avoid immediate defeat, but Kazuma kept him centered and powered him over the edge to win by yorikiri. Kazuma took full advantage of his Ms15w ranking—the last spot in the extended promotion zone—to earn a fast-track Juryo promotion. His career record is now 31-2, not counting absences, and he should be an early favorite for the Hatsu Juryo yusho.
A bit of bonus coverage: Kaki won the Sandanme yusho, becoming only the 8th rikishi to start his career with three straight yusho. We’ll see Kaki in Makushita, and hopefully in the yusho bracket, in January. Something about his build and style reminds me of Kusano/Yoshinofuji.
Of the ten rikishi ranked in the Ms1-Ms5 promotion zone, one retired (Endo), and six others are make-koshi. Ms1w Kyokukaiyu (4-2) and Ms3w Dewanoryu (5-1) are set to join Kazuma in Juryo at Hatsu regardless of the results of their final bouts. The only other rikishi who still has a chance at a winning record is Ms5w Seihakuho, 3-3, but at that rank, he is not 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, injured J14e Shiden (5-7-1) is guaranteed to drop, and he should be joined in Makushita by hapless rookie J13e Himukamaru (3-10) and injury victim J3e Mita (0-3-8). I don’t think J10e Hakuyozan (4-9) can pass either of them in the demotion queue even if he loses twice, though if he loses tomorrow, I would expect him to be pitted against Seihakuho on senshuraku in a potential exchange bout.
Thanks for following Tachiai’s November coverage of Makushita. With the yusho race decided and the promotion picture largely settled, the next update will likely come after the basho concludes. I also plan to take another look at how the Ms60TD debutants of the last couple of years fared in Kyushu.
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.
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.
