Day 10 opens and the only kyujo news is from Juryo division’s Tochitaikai. He has pulled out due to an MCL injury. Daiseizan received the fusen victory today. The division will have a visitor from Makushita beginning tomorrow. Meanwhile, Sadanoumi defeated Hitoshi by yorikiri to collect his kachi-koshi and remain in the lead. Fujiseiun lost to Nishinoryu, falling into the hunt group. Sadanoumi will fight Wakanosho on Day 11.
Catch up on the Makushita yusho race with Leonid’s update of the fifth round, as well as the promotion picture. The sixth round of yusho race bouts will be contested tomorrow.
Makuuchi Action
Tobizaru (2-7) defeated Ryuden (4-5). Tobizaru grabbed Ryuden’s belt deep, behind Ryuden’s back, with his left hand inside. He was able to start a gaburi hip-thrust action and forced Ryuden over the edge. Yorikiri.
Tomokaze (4-6) defeated Mitakeumi (4-6). Mitakeumi chugged forward, forcing the pair toward the bales. As they approached, Tomokaze executed his slapdown while falling out of the dohyo. Gunbai Mitakeumi. Mono-ii. Tomokaze was still in when Mitakeumi came down. The gyoji’s call was reversed. Hatakikomi.
Midorifuji (4-6) defeated Hatsuyama (1-9). After a lengthy, entertaining grapple, Midorifuji pulled and tried a slapdown. This caught Hatsuyama off-balance. Midorifuji grabbed Hatsuyama’s left arm and drove him forward over the bales. Kimedashi.
Abi (8-2) defeated Oshoumi (7-3). Abi-zumo. Tsuppari, then a pull. At the edge, Oshoumi pressed Abi hard to the bales but at the edge Abi twisted and thrust Oshoumi down. Tsukiotoshi.
Chiyoshoma (4-6) defeated Asahakuryu (5-5). Chiyoshoma shifted left and grabbed Asahakuryu’s arm, pulling him forward to the bales. He then got in behind and shoved him over the edge. Okuridashi.
Asakoryu (5-5) defeated Nishikifuji (6-4). Asakoryu hit Nishikifuji hard and chugged toward the bales. Nishikifuji twisted as he fell out. It was close but Nishikifuji stepped out before Asakoryu stumbled off the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Asanoyama (7-3) defeated Kinbozan (3-7). Asanoyama grabbed Kinbozan’s belt with a right hand uwate grip and wrapped his right-hand inside. Asanoyama powered forward and ushered Kinbozan back over the bales. Yorikiri.
Oshoma (6-4) defeated Kotoshoho (6-4). Henka! Oshoma shifted left and Kotoshoho blasted forward into empty space. Oshoma slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Shishi (8-2) defeated Fujinokawa (7-3). Fujinokawa tried to slap Shishi down. Shishi stumbled forward but regained his balance. He then got angry and blasted Fujinokawa in the face. Then behind more powerful thrusts, Shishi forced Fujinokawa back and blasted him over the bales. Shishi is fighting very well this tournament and just picked up his kachi-koshi. Oshitaoshi.
Hiradoumi (7-3) defeated Tokihayate (5-5). Hiradoumi blitzed Tokihayate and shoved him over the bales. Oshidashi.
Onokatsu (4-6) defeated Roga (3-7). Onokatsu overpowered Roga and forced him back over the bales. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Tamawashi (4-6) defeated Shodai (4-6). Tamawashi shoved Shodai in the face, putting a quick end to Shodai’s desire to fight. Shodai quickly found the exit. Oshidashi.
Gonoyama (4-6) defeated Churanoumi (6-4). Gonoyama plowed into Churanoumi with thrusts to Churanoumi’s face. Gonoyama shoved Churanoumi back over the edge. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (4-6) defeated Ura (1-9). Ura charged forward while Daieisho pulled and slapped him down. Ura pretty clearly touched first but they called a mono-ii to make sure. Hatakikomi.
Wakatakakage (5-5) defeated Hakunofuji (5-5). Wakatakakage pulled and tried to slap Hakunofuji down. Hakunofuji resisted but Wakatakakage used his right hand uwate to force Hakunofuji forward over the edge. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Wakamotoharu (4-6) defeated Ichiyamamoto (1-9). Ichiyamamoto tried his patented slapdown but Wakamotoharu kept pace and shoved him over the bales. Far from me to tell Ichiyamamoto what to do but there wasn’t much of a pivot there to go with that pull. Oshidashi.
Takayasu (7-3) defeated Yoshinofuji (5-5). Yoshinofuji traded tsuppari with Takayasu for a while before deciding on a pull. Takayasu moved forward well and forced Yoshinofuji out. A big difference in the attacks here was that Takayasu’s tsuppari repeatedly landed in Yoshinofuji’s face. Yoshinofuji, on the other hand, concentrated his tsuppari on Takayasu’s arms and chest, trying to block much of the incoming volleys but clearly not as aggressive as Takayasu’s. Yoshinofuji will need to Tsukidashi.
Kotozakura (7-3) defeated Kirishima (8-2). Every time Kotozakura pulled, he pivoted, came up well short of the edge and re-engaged Kirishima. This was a welcome change from recent basho where he would seemingly give up at the edge. When the pulls didn’t work, Kotozakura wrapped up Kirishima and drove him over the tawara. Yorikiri.
Aonishiki (8-2) defeated Takanosho (1-9). Takanosho challenged Aonishiki with strong tsuppari but lost the bout on his pulls. He’d fought hard to take the bout to Aonishiki and then gave up his position, pulling across the dohyo. His second pull was a disaster — exhausted capitulation — and Aonishiki easily shoved him over the bales. Oshidashi.
Hoshoryu (7-3) defeated Oho (4-6). Hoshoryu quickly landed a right hand inside grip. Oho tried to pull that arm off but this might have allowed Hoshoryu an opening to envelope Oho further. While Oho was preoccupied with the right hand, Hoshoryu followed up with a left hand uwate and dragged Oho forward. Uwatedashinage.
Atamifuji (7-2) defeated Onosato (6-4). After an evenly contested grapple, Atamifuji drove the Yokozuna to the edge and tried to throw him over. Both men crashed to the ground. Onosato landed square on that left shoulder and looked at it, ominously, as he got up. Gunbai Atamifuji. Mono-ii. The shimpan decided both men fell out at the same time and demanded a rematch. On the rematch, Atamifuji pulled and tried a slapdown. Onosato almost recovered at the edge but Atamifuji re-engaged and shoved Onosato out. Oshidashi.
Wrap-up
Both Yokozuna surprised me by showing up. Hoshoryu, however, seems to be in the best shape and is the most aggressive, despite the nagging knee injury. And now he’s back in the yusho race. He must feel a bit like Pachino in Godfather III, “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” As for Onosato, he seems a bit lost and he landed heavily on that left shoulder after the first bout with Atamifuji today. “In for a penny, in for a pound.” Is this the Nishonoseki motto?
Nevertheless, I’ll not speculate about tomorrow. I’ll report on changes as I see them. We have a yusho race to pay attention to.
We’ve got five guys tied for the lead with two losses and another seven just behind them with three.
- 2-losses: Aonishiki, Kirishima, Atamifuji, Abi, Shishi
- 3-losses: Hoshoryu, Kotozakura, Takayasu, Hiradoumi, Fujinokawa, Asanoyama, Oshoumi
There are six guys who have already won yusho in this rather large group and six guys who would love to make their mark with a yusho. The Sumo Association has paired them off for tomorrow to try to whittle the field a bit. That hasn’t worked well over the past few days, though.
In the rank-and-file bouts, Shishi will fight Abi, Oshoumi will take on Nishikifuji, Hiradoumi will fight Asanoyama, and Fujinokawa will battle Atamifuji.
Up in sanyaku, our yusho race bouts pit Aonishiki against Hakunofuji, Kotozakura against Takanosho, Onosato with Kirishima and Hoshoryu versus Takayasu.
The other sanyaku bouts include Wakamotoharu against Ura and Oho versus Yoshinofuji.
Who’s ready to hop back on this rickety old roller-coaster tomorrow?
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There is still some justice in the world. Only in a parallel universe was that a torinaoshi. Why not reverse the gumbai and give it straight to Onosato like in that other part of the multiverse.
I‘m always for a rematch if there is any doubt. And unlike U, I wasn’t sure who had won.
Anyway, what a big chance for Kirishima to finally beat a heavy yokozuna!
I have looked at it in slow motion several times and Onosato’s arm and part of his lowerleg were touching before any part of Atamifuji.
It is however possible that I have developed an anti Onosato bias in the case a monoii is called.
But there has always been a big Yokozuna bias with the gyoji as long as I watch Sumo (since the 80ties), so when a gyoji points to the opponent then he is sure, because when in doubt point to the Yokozuna.
Interesting point. Will have a close look at the slo mo in the highlights.
Your watching sumo the 80s? Then U experienced Takanohana and the Hawaiins, then all the Mongolians including one of the two GOATs of sumo, Hakuho, plus Asashoryu and now Onosato and Aonishiki. U are very lucky.
Yes that was the time. It was on Eurosport then. I have looked at it again. It was Torinaoshi.
I have reverse Yokazuna bias, because I have seen a gyoji give it to Hakuho when he was clearly dead body. That was reversed.
Speculating here, obviously. Maybe Onosato has been told he will need an operation after this tournament but any further damage to the shoulder won’t make a lot if difference. I remember a friend who competed in tennis in college who finished out a season with an injury on that basis. I can’t understand Onosato’s stable management letting him continue to fight if he’s worsening that injury so I have to figure he’s not. Wouldn’t the financial risk alone demand they withdraw if that weren’t the case?
There is also the JSA. They always have it about the honour of the Yokozuna, but it is that they are the ones who have to pay the kinbozi premiums and that is as long the wrestlers do not retire.
No kyujo but a makekoshi instead wouldn’t be very honorable for a yokozuna either…
Ok I have looked at it again with my big mouth and they touched at the same time. Torinaoshi.
Oho, what a missed opportunity. How do you fail to beat a one-legged man? The replay in slo-mo is hilarious, Hoshoryu is driving using only his good leg. I’ll give him credit, he is making it work… but I still see Hoshoryu taking another loss before the week is out.
Hope Atamifuji was taking notes on the Kotozakura-Kirishima match. Kotozakura started EXACTLY as Atamifuji has on dozens on occasions (pinning his opponent’s left arm high) and got nowhere (like Atamifuji), then woke up to the fact he has the weight advantage and used it and a good mawashi grip to drive Kirishima out.
Btw is it just me, or has henka use ticked up considerably since Hoshoryu gave the yokozuna green light on it last year? I don’t remember it being this prevalent prior to Hoshoryu becoming top dog.
There have been periods where henkas are more common and Hoshoryu isn’t the first high ranker to use a henka to win a match. Abi won his yusho doing one and Terunofuji used one on Kotoshogiku in the match that determined if Kotoshogiku would retain his Ozeki rank, for example. Chiyoshoma would do them for a quarter of his matches or more in previous basho too.
Don’t forget Aminishiki. His knees were gone and he became Uncle Henka.
Definitely an interesting leader board, for sure! The only change I’d make to Andy’s list in the main post for the order in which I think the odds are in favor of a Cup win would be to switch Abi with Atamifuji. Kirishima has always struggled with the upper rankers, so his chances go down, especially against Onosato even if he’s hurt. Aonishiki is definitely the guy to beat because he has the best chance at this point.
On to tomorrow!
With 17 rikishi still in the yusho race and five days to go it’s too early for a prediction.
Therefore I only say what my wish would be: a playoff between Aonishiki and … Shishi!
The latter has improved a lot since he’s inspired by his compatriot and fights with his head low. Can’t wait to see him against Abi. And as the Ukrainian is rather slow at the tachiai, I‘m not even much in fear of an Abi henka.
It’s looked like Shishi was coming in too high or standing up too much into the tachiai. This basso it really seems like he’s gotten his arms down and caught his opponents charging in so they can’t get underneath him and leverage his height.
It’s looking like Koto-hachinana has a shot at double digits in the win column for once. He’s got the tough road ahead, and maaayybe he can “get ‘er dun”, but his record this past year doesn’t fill me with a lot of confidence. Ailing Yokozunas could be his ticket to 10 wins.
Kotohachinana has a shot at double digits, but the road is paved with serious snags and roadblocks. His record against the likely opponents is not good, but ailing Yokozunas may give him the opportunity to score 10 wins. Lotsa luck, Koto!
Murray at the Highlights was joining in to count Takayasu strikes :)
I‘m still with Yoshinofuji. Time is on his side!
Sign me up for the rollercoaster! I’m truly conflicted about who I want to see win. So many good stories. Asanoyama caps the second comeback with a yusho. Someone new sneaks in and picks one up. Kotozakura channels “Don’t you forget about me” vibes and picks up his second. Hoshoryu guts it out and wins his first as Yokozuna. But, I still give the nod to Aonishiki. I really love watching him wrestle.
Or do I? There is still one story that must not be named (lest it vanish into the night) that I think I’d root for over that. It’s tight (a step towards the first European Yokozuna is something I’d love to see), but I think I’ll give that other story the nod.
Maybe with from now on 30 tsuppari per bout that other story could become true?
Why why why does NHK show the torinaoshi video first, then the first bout? I get caught all the time. Probably because the torinaoshi is the “real” bout in the end, but that’s confusing.
I haven’t succeeded in watching the first match first a single time. It‘s infuriating.
And I wish the site would refresh automatically. I‘ve scrolled through the bouts a hundred times by now.
It seems that some of the rikishi are having a hard time sustaining their sumo into the second week .. Hakunofuji , Yoshinofuji and Fujinokawa come to mind ., They were impressive in week one, but seem to have stalled or lost focus .. No obvious injuries ..
Onosato’s shoulder looks bad .. that bruise is ugly + he grimaced + looked in pain as he tried to pirouette + slap down Atamifuji .. It is shocking to see an indominable buldozer become so vulnerable .. His superb footwork seems to have left him .. Gotta wonder if there is more than the bad shoulder going on ..
Hosh is a clever rascal w lots of tricks up his sleeve .. Oho often looks to have realized he missed a memo on his losses ..
Shishi keeping his head below Fujinokawa’s was quite the test + his closing shove shows a side we have not often seen from him ..
Somehow crediting a win via henka the same in rankings as a true win does not feel legit ..
Watching those slo-mo replays one starts seeing “dead bodies” all over the place .. How do they know which ones are zombies ? ..
I find it odd that Onosato is still in the basho when Oyokata Nishenoseki had to retire from sumo with a, ahem, left shoulder injury that did not heal. Let the big fella go kyujo and rehab for March. He has plenty of time and, hopefully, a long career ahead of him.
If Hoshoryu truly has just the meniscus tear, he could have it scoped between tournaments and recover in time for March. It all depends on recovery time. Four weeks gives him a solid training base. Six weeks will compromise preparations.
Go Papa Bear!