One update from the infirmary. Hakunofuji is kyujo and with the loss will move to 5-8, make-koshi. Onokatsu will get the default win and improve to 7-6. That reminds me, while normal people will think of this as Day 13, for many of the youngsters, this is 6-7 day. Let’s see how many wrestlers finish the day with 6-7 records.
In Juryo, Wakanosho defeated Fujiseiun by oshitaoshi to move into sole possession of the lead.
Makuuchi Action
Asahakuryu (6-7) defeated Kotoeiho (7-6). Kotoeiho shifted to his left but Asahakuryu caught up quickly, shoved Kotoeiho to the edge and lifted him over. Yorikiri.
Ryuden (6-7) defeated Chiyoshoma (5-8). Ryuden landed his right-hand uwate grip and took control of the bout. He tried to heave Chiyoshoma over but Chiyoshoma resisted well. Ryuden adjusted his grip to right on the thong and pulled up, giving Chiyoshoma an atomic wedgie. This straightened Chiyoshoma up and made it easier to drive forward and over the edge. Yorikiri.
Tokihayate (7-6) defeated Tomokaze (4-9). Tomokaze pulled and tried to slap Tokihayate down but he tripped over his own feet as he tried to move laterally along the bales. Oshitaoshi.
Roga (6-7) defeated Tobizaru (5-8). Roga immediately shoved Tobizaru down to the clay. Tsukiotoshi.
Gonoyama (6-7) defeated Midorifuji (5-8). Midorifuji tried a pull but Gonoyama did well to avoid the slapdown. He retaliated by moving laterally when Midorifuji charged forward, and demonstrated a proper slapdown. Hatakikomi.
Hatsuyama (2-11) defeated Kinbozan (4-9). Hatsuyama got his left hand on Kinbozan’s belt and spun, and spun, and spun. On the third attempt, Hatsuyama succeeded in pulling Kinbozan forward to the clay. Uwatedashinage.
Mitakeumi (6-7) defeated Shodai (6-7). Shodai drove forward but Mitakeumi pivoted and shoved Shodai over the edge. The 6-7 Twins. Oshidashi.
Fujinokawa (8-5) defeated Kotoshoho (7-6). Fujinokawa used his powerful tsuppari to shove Kotoshoho over the edge. Oshidashi.
Asakoryu (8-5) defeated Oshoma (6-7). Oshoma shifted to his left along the bales and pulled Asakoryu forward but slipped and touched the ground. The momentum from shoving Takasago’s heyagashira forward might have toppled Oshoma. He was destined to move to 6-7. Tsukite.
Atamifuji (10-3) defeated Abi (9-4). Abi tripped as he tried to pivot and Atamifuji shoved him down easily. Tsukiotoshi.
Onokatsu (6-7) default win over Hakunofuji (5-8).
Halftime
Wakatakakage (7-6) defeated Churanoumi (7-6). As Churanoumi pressed forward, Wakatakakage had the presence of mind to shift right and pull Churanoumi forward. Tsukiotoshi.
Takanosho (4-9) defeated Ura (2-11). Ura went low to avoid Takanosho’s tsuppari and nodowa so Takanosho slapped him down. Ura, being Ura, rolled forward with a flourish. Hatakikomi.
Daieisho (6-7) defeated Yoshinofuji (6-7). Daieisho-brand sumo here. Fierce tsuppari followed by the slapdown fatality. Jatakikomi, as they say in Español.
Ichiyamamoto (3-10) defeated Tamawashi (4-9). Ichiyamamoto laid into the veteran with tsuppari, driving him back and over the edge, into the front row of spectators. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Wakamotoharu (6-7) defeated Oshoumi (9-4). Wakamotoharu got his hidari-yotsu hold and drove Oshoumi back to the bales. Oshoumi broke Wakamotoharu’s left-hand grip at the edge and tried to spin him down but Wakamotoharu pressed through and forced Oshoumi out. Yorikiri.
Hiradoumi (9-4) defeated Oho (4-8). Hiradoumi got both hands inside and charged forward, finishing Oho with some gaburi hip action at the edge. Yorikiri.
Takayasu (8-5) defeated Asanoyama (9-4). Asanoyama succeeded in switching his grip to get both hands inside but Takayasu pivoted and hauled Asanoyama down with a powerful uwatenage.
Kirishima (10-3) defeated Shishi (9-4). Kirishima bear-hugged Shishi. Having both hands inside was effective as he held Shishi upright and quickly forced Shishi back and over the edge. Yorikiri.
Onosato (9-4) defeated Kotozakura (8-5). Kotozakura got a left-hand outside, right hand inside. However, he decided to pull. Onosato was more than happy to press forward as he shuffled along the bales to counter Kotozakura’s lateral movement. Onosato easily forced Kotozakura over the bales. Yorikiri.
Aonishiki (11-2) defeated Hoshoryu (8-5). Aonishiki’s ottsuke and body positioning were excellent as he kept Hoshoryu’s hands from getting inside for most of the bout. Aonishiki grabbed Hoshoryu’s belt with his left-hand outside, pivoted and hauled the Yokozuna down. Uwatenage.
Wrap-up
The field narrows considerably:
- 2-losses: Aonishiki
- 3-losses: Kirishima, Atamifuji
Our final tally of 6-7 wrestlers is, 11.
Wow, Aonishiki is in the lead. He still needs to fight Onosato and Kotozakura. Presumably Onosato will be his next opponent. The Day 14 torikumi has not been released as of yet, so I will try to post an update later.
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Unreal moment of the day: Tokihayate walking backwards through the air to avoid stepping over the tawara. Like a loony toon :)
I love this aspect of the sport. There are guys Hoshoryu simply destroys and he even seems stronger and has a better h2h than onosato, yet when he fights Aonishiki he is so clueless as to what to do, I would give any other good rikishi (onosato, kotosakuea, kirishima, etc) a better chance at Aonishiki than Hoshoryu, yet I would bet on hoshoryu more often than not against all those other guys.
Great example of having somebodies number. And also a bit of choking on the part of Hoshoryu when it comes to Aonishiki.
I wouldn’t be surprised if onosato beats Aonishiki tomorrow then loses to hoshoryu in the final day.
Question: does an Aonishiki yusho means white ropes?
No. He needs two consecutive yusho AS OZEKI. So November doesn’t count for a rope run. A win this tournament will put him on a “rope run.” (Tsunatori aka, 綱取り)
Hiradoumi has had a nice basho .. i admire his consistent effort ..
Perhaps Yoshinofuji’s foot work ran out of gas in week 2 .. His match v Daieisho looked like to mirror images .. both over their toes .. someone was going to get slapped down ..