Day Four begins in Tokyo. No kyujo to report from the top two divisions. In Juryo, Meisei and Wakanosho lost to fall out of the lead group of Fujiseiun, Sadanoumi, and Dewanoryu. Video of Sadanoumi’s win is included in today’s NHK videos. Scroll past the top division action to find it, along with interview videos from today.
Yesterday’s action is behind us. Well, not quite. There was a lot of great action but the controversy around Ura’s loss to Onosato attracted a lot of attention in the press. To recap, Onosato forced Ura backward but with a last second twist, Ura pulled Onosato forward and forced Onosato to touch the ground a split second before Ura landed on his butt.
The judges’ decision for a rematch instead of Ura’s outright win rightly created a lot of confusion. “But Onosato touched first.” Some point at Ura’s heel as the deciding factor but Takadagawa-oyakata, the head judge on the dohyo at the time, revealed there was divided opinion among the folks in the replay room. With such doubt, the rematch was decided.
Effectively, rather than seizing victory from the jaws of defeat, Ura seized a rematch. His move sewed doubt in many of us watching and earned himself a rematch. Unfortunately for him, Onosato dominated the second bout. Anyway, I found it telling that the judges themselves were split in this case and lacking consensus, opted for a rematch.
NHK videos for Day Four are here.
Makuuchi Action
Oshoumi (3-1) defeated Ryuden (1-3). Ryuden shifted to his left at the tachiai. Oshoumi turned and stopped his momentum in time but Ryuden blitzed and shoved Oshoumi to the edge. Both men grabbed each others mawashi and pulled up with all their might as Ryuden tried to force Oshoumi over the bales. Oshoumi twisted and turned the tables on Ryuden, heaving the Takadagawa-beya veteran over the bales. Utchari.
Asakoryu (2-2) defeated Hatsuyama (0-4). Hatsuyama pulled and tried a slapdown but that played into Asakoryu’s hands as he shoved Hatsuyama back and over the bales. Oshidashi.
Asanoyama (3-1) defeated Shishi (3-1). Shishi charged forward but Asanoyama was strong enough to resist Shishi’s pressure. He wasn’t going anywhere. He hooked his right arm under Shishi’s left and twisted Shishi down with a quick beltless throw. Sukuinage.
Mitakeumi (2-2) defeated Asahakuryu (3-1). A rather soft tachiai from Asahakuryu as he shifted left. Mitakeumi turned and pressed forward, forcing Asahakuryu over the bales. Yorikiri.
Midorifuji (1-3) defeated Tobizaru (1-3). Midorifuji picked up his first win after a great belt battle. Tobizaru locked in with his right hand inside belt grip. Midorifuji countered with his left hand over arm. He pulled Tobizaru toward the bales and with his right arm freed from Tobizaru’s ottsuke, twisted Tobizaru down at the edge. Sukuinage.
Abi (4-0) defeated Tomokaze (1-3). Tomokaze pressed forward for a change and Abi immediately shifted right and pulled Tomokaze down. “That’s how you execute.” Hatakikomi.
Tokihayate (2-2) defeated Chiyoshoma (2-2). Tokihayate grabbed Chiyoshoma’s belt with his right-hand over arm grip and hauled Chiyoshoma down, pressing on Chiyoshoma’s head with his left hand. Gunbai Tokihayate. Mono-ii. Hairpull? Upon review, Tokihayate’s hand never curled itself in Chiyoshoma’s top-knot. No pull so the gyoji’s decision was confirmed. Uwatedashinage.
Kotoshoho (2-2) defeated Nishikifuji (2-2). The two men clashed with head butts and tsuppari. Kotoshoho slipped left as Nishikifuji charged forward and caught Nishikifuji off-balance, slapping him down. Hatakikomi.
Shodai (3-1) defeated Gonoyama (1-3). Gonoyama pressed his weight forward into Shodai but he couldn’t create forward momentum. Instead Shodai charged ahead. Gonoyama shoved his arm into Shodai’s face. Displeased, Shodai used his left arm, hooked under Gonoyama’s right to shove Gonoyama down to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.
Roga (2-2) defeated Kinbozan (1-3). Kinbozan charged ahead but his right leg lost grip with the dohyo and he slipped down. Tsukiotoshi.
Oshoma (4-0) defeated Hiradoumi (2-2). Oshoma grabbed Hiradoumi’s left arm and dragged him over to the bales. As Hiradoumi slammed on the brakes and resisted Oshoma’s pull, Oshoma changed his approach and shoved Hiradoumi, instead. This used Hiradoumi’s force against him and sent Hiradoumi across the dohyo and over the bales. Oshidashi.
Halftime
Fujinokawa (3-1) defeated Onokatsu (1-3). Fujinokawa threw everything but the kitchen sink at Onokatsu. Pushes, pulls, throws, and kicks. Eventually, Fujinokawa got a morozashi hold of Onokatsu’s belt, twisted him over to the bales and then hauled him over. Yorikiri.
Tamawashi (2-2) defeated Daieisho (1-3). As Daieisho thrust his way forward, Tamawashi shifted to his right and shoved Daieisho to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.
Atamifuji (2-2) defeated Churanoumi (2-2). Atamifuji used his left arm to pull Churanoumi’s right arm off his belt. Pulling up with the right arm under Churanoumi’s left, Atamifuji thrust forward with gaburi-yotsu and forced Churanoumi over the edge. Yorikiri.
Wakatakakage (3-1) defeated Takanosho (0-4). Takanosho drove forward, putting Wakatakakage’s back to the edge. But Wakatakakage was able to escape to his right and pulled Takanosho forward to the bales. He then charged ahead to finish Takanosho off. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Kirishima (4-0) defeated Wakamotoharu (0-4). Kirishima used his left arm under Wakamotoharu’s right and kept twisting, trying to unleash that sukuinage but Wakamotoharu resisted each time. Kirishima tried to change his left-hand hold for a belt grip but WMH wouldn’t let him. Instead, Kirishima reached over with his right arm, grabbed Wakamotoharu’s belt and drove him straight back over the bales. Yorikiri.
Takayasu (3-1) defeated Hakunofuji (2-2). Hakunofuji tried to grab Takayasu’s left arm for a kotenage but Takayasu cleverly turned the tables and locked Hakunofuji’s right arm. He then pulled Hakunofuji forward by his right arm. Sakatottari.
Ichiyamamoto (1-3) defeated Kotozakura (3-1). Ichiyamamoto wrapped up Kotozakura with his right hand inside. As Ichiyamamoto lifted and pressed forward, Kotozakura tried to twist Ichiyamamoto down. Kotozakura stepped out as Ichiyamamoto went down. Gunbai Ichiyamamoto. No mono-ii. Yorikiri.
Oho (1-3) defeated Aonishiki (3-1). Oho hooked his arms under Aonishiki’s left arm and pulled hard. He did not want Aonishiki to have that belt grip. He succeeded in forcing Aonishiki to release. Even more, he forced Aonishiki back to the edge. Aonishiki tried to twist as both men crashed over the edge. Gunbai Oho. No mono-ii. Abisetaoshi.
Hoshoryu (3-1) defeated Ura (0-4). Hoshoryu found himself with a hand full of Ura’s belt and Ura pitched perilously forward. Hoshoryu realized he could shift left and pull Ura forward for an easy win. Uwatehineri.
Yoshinofuji (2-2) defeated Onosato (3-1). Yoshinofuji is a hoss. Another double-fisted stack of kensho. Wow. Yoshinofuji owned this bout. He quickly locked on to Onosato’s belt with his left hand over arm grip, pivoted left and hoisted Onosato over. Uwatenage.
Wrap-up
Three upsets today. Aonishiki has looked vulnerable at times but managed to keep winning. Oho put an end to that today. It looked like he had a plan and executed it well by attacking that left arm. Will others take note and follow that strategy? Yoshinofuji won another kinboshi off Onosato. His rise has been so fast, like the Yokozuna’s, that he still can’t wear the oicho-mage.
Today threw a wrench into a whole lot of yusho plans. We’re down to three undefeated wrestlers in Makuuchi: Kirishima, Oshoma, and Abi. Do you see a yusho coming from one of those three? Obviously, Kirishima and Abi are yusho winners already. Kirishima is finally in form and would love to put together a new Ozeki run. I have a feeling there would be open revolt among Tachiai readers if Oshoma were to win or if Abi would win again from such a low rank…again. What’s more likely is the yusho race will look completely different after nakabi.
There are a slew of great bouts on tap tomorrow, even among rank-and-filers. Top division action will open with Asanoyama fighting Ryuden. Abi will take on Chiyoshoma. Oshoma will fight Kinbozan. Ura will fight Atamifuji and Ichiyamamoto will take on Yoshinofuji, earning their break from sanyaku opponents.
In sanyaku, Takayasu will fight Wakamotoharu who is struggling to find a win. Takayasu, though, seems to be winning well by attacking his opponents’ arms. I wonder if that will continue or if that’s just a weird coincidence. Kirishima will take on Oho. Aonishiki will fight Daieisho with very slim chances that Daieisho will try to repeat Oho’s successful maneuver. Kotozakura will fight Hakunofuji, Onosato will take on the hapless Takanosho and Hoshoryu will have a tough one against Wakatakakage.
It’s the year of the horse so, “Giddyap.”
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Good grief, what a week already! As ever, great summation/ commentary, thank you Andy. Glad Hosh won today, and Kirishima, also glad to see people figuring out Onosato, and Aonishiki, however much I like them! Ura was robbed yesterday though. 😤
Just another tumultuous day in the world of grand sumo. Great isn’t it? I shall have a feast of sumo this weekend, catching up on the videos.
I didn’t catch what they initially called Hoshoryu’s throw of Ura. Was it harimanage? Backwards belt throw?
Yes. That was the original call. Harimanage.
BTW I may have some mild differences of opinion with you from time to time Andy, but there’s something that no one disagrees about: that Tachiai dot org is one of THE top fixtures in modern Sumo and is fully essential to our enjoyment of the sport.
Thank you! And I have mild differences of opinion with myself. I can see the Ura bout both ways.
I am always happy when the judges opt for a rematch if there is any doubt about the winner.
The decision seemed correct to me yesterday and it should have been the same last basho after the Onosato vs Aonishiki bout. Therefore: more rematches, please!
You’re not wrong herbern, not at all! I just would have liked Ura to win that match – call my comment (‘Ura was robbed’) a fan reaction. I have no TV where I am at the moment, and sketchy internet, so it’s all pure emotion on my part until I get home at the weekend and catch up on a week of sumo vids.
I too would have liked Ura to win that bout and I also thought that he was robbed until I saw the NHK highlights. Therefore I recommend to watch that show instead of the videos. And consider what Andy wrote today: the judges didn’t take a win away from Ura, but a loss! The gyoji had pointed the gunbai to Onosato after all.
I have to say no matter how many times I see it. It was close but it was a ura win. Definitely close though. While Aonishiki vs Yoshinofuji also close was a much clearer use of the rule and 100% correct.
But who cares now. Ono sato lost so all is right with the world. Both ozeki and yokos are tied and the tournament is fun.
Daieisho fared well against Aonishiki with his usual style, he‘s leading 2-0 in their head to head. So no new strategy needed there.
Dear Aonishiki, few words for you:
after watching some of aonishikis interviews i wasnt pleased, as far as his persistance to becoming a yokozuna is something i personaly dont find pleasant , i want aonishiki to play for the love of the game , give it 100% for a win absolutely, but that should be his ground >for the love of the game, like an amatour professional lets say
so i find this OHO loss a good lesson for him , become stronger , better , hustle more, gain more fine with your training , like yoshinofuji for example couldnt win some wrestlers some of his rivals and he got stronger and learned their week points too in order to defeat them. I still want to see Aonishiki stun us – amaze us with how he got a win rather than just a win for a yokozuna race. ( i dont really like yokozunas , neither do most of the sumo funs , otherwise there wouldnt be so many cheering when they lose )
i hope aonishiki stops racing for a yokozuna and goes for wonderfull sumo, paint his sumo art instead, then i will keep liking him as well.
What greater love could a rishiki have for sumo than to become yokozuna? Doesn’t being a yokozuna mean sacrificing everything else in life? Training all the time… doing everything the JSA wants… serving as a constant high-level ambassador to the sport… giving up your body to keep winning… if that is not true love for sumo, nothing is.
I was a little bit bewildered, too, when Aonishiki talked about becoming a yokozuna, almost as if the ozeki promotion didn’t mean much more than the next step to his ultimate goal.
But, leaving any kitsch aside, in sumo for a 21 years old ozeki there can be no other aim than to reach the highest rank, so he was just being honest.
And U forgot to mention that in his interviews during the basho he very often says that the next bout was all that counted at the moment and that he would give his all every day.
Hi Taurofuji, I can understand how you feel about Aonishiki’s Yokozuna declaration, it could definately be seen as very (too) direct and lacking humility. However, my feeling on this more aligned with George, in that he’s chasing his dream to be at the top of his sport, and has that as his end goal. I think he even said in a recent interview, something like if you’re not going for the top, why do the sport at all. I assume his motivation to excel and stay fighting at his record breaking pace is similar to a mountain climber aiming to stand atop the highest peak.
That’s pretty common with rikishi, just like how they always talk about doing their own style of sumo. When they reach Juryo they talk about Makuuchi, when they reach Makuuchi they talk about the Emperor’s Cup, when they get close to San’yaku they talk about San’yaku, once they’re in San’yaku they talk about Ozeki, and when they reach Ozeki they talk about Yokozuna.
It’s about striving for the next step.
I also think people are excited when a Yokozuna loses because it’s an upset/the underdog won, not because there’s some weird anti-Yokozuna sentiment in general.
All very true in my opinion. Excellent comment, thanks.
There still were lot of controversy on the press about Ura’s defeat. Nikansports discussed deadbody rule in detail, tai-ga-aru(body alive) and tai-ga-nai(dead). And shimpan’s rule was that ura’s body was ‘disappearing’ (which is meant to be in between?) at the same time of Onosato’s touch down.
Hell, there is a slight moment between life and death, and that moment will induce lot of doubts and conspiracy.
In the interviews, Takadagawa straight up called Ura dead. He said, tai ga nai, but didn’t explain why. Maybe the heel, maybe just a dead, floating body since he was leaning back and about to land, helplessly, on his butt. In that sense, he was dead when Onosato touched.
I don’t think Ura was dead in any way! What a load of #@&”’!, He was engaging his super strong abs to remain in the low and yes descending squat position to give himself every millisecond of air time to assure Onosato touched down first, which Onosato did with not just one hand but two.
I surprised no one here is talking about Onosato’s gripping Ura’s mage. Good video evidence, but not called.
ura has week knees , thin , compared to the rest of his body and compared to the rest of the rikishi knees , using metal supports is not legit , its a cheat , he should be removed from the sport and his stable UNLESS he continues without any supports
URA = A CHEAT
using metal supports
Hoshoryu seemed to just have the perfect read on Ura. Knew what he would do, where his body would be, and went straight for the pull.
As people used to say when I was a kid, “I guess everyone is eating their Wheaties today”. Goodness, what a bounty of amazing bouts we’ve had already!
I agree, Andy, that I don’t see either Abi or Oshoma winning the yusho. I suspect they’ll get catapulted up the banzuke to fight higher opponents as early as Nakabi or maybe the day after if they keep winning. Kirishima, on the other hand, has a better chance…but, he most likely has to beat Onosato if he wants the Cup.
I suspect that Takayasu is winning with whatever his opponent provides him at this point. We haven’t seen someone consistently reach into their “bag of tricks” to win matches in different ways like this recently and that’s what he’s doing based on where I’m sitting. If what he’s been trying doesn’t work anymore, then it’s time for a new strategy, yeah? That’s why Greg Maddux became one of baseball’s best pitchers, for example. We’ll see if that also works for Takayasu.
If you put a hurt opponent in front of Yoshinofuji, he’s going to win at this point. It says a lot that I said, “Okay, here comes the second kinboshi” out loud before the match started.
As for yesterday’s Ura/Ononsato match, I appreciate that the judges are sharing information with the public and providing answers. I do prefer that a rematch is called if they don’t reach a consensus. I also suspect they’ll be talking about the decision behind closed doors for a while too.
Hi Everyone, I have some questions about the 5 ringside judges, if someone could enlighten us that would be very appreciated. Q1. A ringside judge who is the oyakata of one of the fighters is allowed to stay on the 5 judge panel? If yes, this is not deemed a conflict of interest? Q2. If a mono-ii is called, must all 5 reach consensus, or if just 1 of the 5 disagrees that means a Re-do of the match? Q3. Are any of the SOPs of the ringside judges made public so we as fans know how their decisions/ rulings are guided? Thanks!
Very good questions imo. A pity that nobody seems to know the answers.
On Question 1, it’s always seemed clear to me that the answer is that the oyakata is just supposed to take off his stablemaster hat and be an impartial judge. If there’s more to it than that, then I’d be very interested to learn.
On Q2 and Q3, I don’t know and I’d add a question of my own: since there’s a replay booth where other judges are looking at the video, just how much do the ringside shimpan actually get to decide?
Actually the decision is made by the head of ringside judges and video room giving their opinions.
This time, there were different opinions among videoroom. One who argued Ura’s win, oyakata Koyama, gave the opinion that the move of counter attack should not be considered as a dead body, which is my view.
Fun fact: if my query is correct, it‘s the first time ever that two 3-0 ozeki have met two 0-3 opponents and both lost.
This basho has all the feels
Super super basho day, I couldn‘t ask for more! 16 out of 21 makunouchi matches went exactly according to my wishes! I even appreciated Takayasu’s sakatottari, it was quite genius. – Sadanoumi doesn‘t want to stay in Juryo, that’s for sure. I love him so much :)
I know Ura wants to win, but he only gets to do those spiffy somersaults when he loses.
Nice to see Kitajin (ex-Endo) flash a smile at the end of the Highlights show after all those years as a stone-faced rikishi.
Lol, I forgot that Endo used his real name as his shikona, so I guess we can still call him that. ^_^
Yoshinofuji’s win was a stunner .. He straightened-up Onosato, immediately got two hands on the belt, & threw his top heavy carcass out .. before Onosato could recover his all-world power sumo stance …. wow ..
Hosh showed speed today that made his match look easy .. Maybe it’s just the pirouoettee’s that will be a problem ..
Abi has lost his stinger at the tachiai (elbows?) but is working on sumo a la mini-Abi ( aka Ichiyamamoto) .. Meanwhile Ichiyamamoto proved KTZ’s telephone pole sumo does not hold up to a persistent challenger on his belt + who keeps his head below KTZ’s ..
Fujinokawa looks to be an exciting heir to the mini-rikishi role Tobizaru and MIdorifuji have filled for years .. He is a truly exciting aggressive rikishi ..
Hakunofuji has looked impressive .. at times .. but also looks to be trying new styles/moves + can’t react as fast as he needs to .. Papayasu has seen it all + easily switches up .. if he doesn’t get turned around ..