Lower division updates first. Asahifuji obliterated his Jonidan opponent and looks hungry for a second straight lower division title. In Makushita, Enho is off to a good start with his defeat of Hidenoumi. 1-0.
As usual, your NHK videos are here. Click “I understand,” and then find the “続きを読む,” in the middle of the page, click, and that will expand and show all of the videos.
Makuuchi Action
Kotoeiho defeated Ryuden. Kotoeiho drove forward with his left hand inside and dumped Ryuden over the edge. Overpowering Ryuden like that is not a good sign for Ryuden. He did not seem able to put weight on that right foot. Yoritaoshi.
Kinbozan defeated Fujiryoga. Fujiryoga’s rise has been so fast he sports the zambara hair-style. His hair is getting longer but it’s not quite long enough for a chonmage (top-knot). Fujiryoga put his head down and charged in through Kinbozan’s tsuppari, forcing Kinbozan back to the bales. Kinbozan used excellent footwork to cycle backwards along the tawara and back into center. Kinbozan then laid into Fujiryoga with more tsuppari, drove him back and shoved him over the bales. “Welcome to Makuuchi.” Oshidashi.
Mitakeumi defeated Asahakuryu. Mitakeumi pressed forward and drove Asahakuryu over the edge. Asahakuryu seemed to try a last second twist to escape but he might as well have been scratching an itch. It was completely ineffective as Mitakeumi shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Nishikifuji defeated Chiyoshoma. Nishikifuji got his left hand inside and charged forward. Chiyoshoma tried to shift direction but Nishikifuji stuck with him, drove him back and forced him over the tawara. Solid fundamentals. Yorikiri.
Fujiseiun defeated Asanoyama. Asanoyama started with good tachiai but he pulled backward and tried to slap Fujiseiun down. Fujiseiun used excellent footwork to keep his balance and charge forward into Asanoyama, shoving the former Ozeki over the edge. Oshidashi.
Asakoryu defeated Tobizaru. Asakoryu blasted his way forward behind effective tsuppari. Tobizaru tried to wrap up Asakoryu’s head for a kubinage but Asakoryu slipped from Tobizaru’s grasp and thrust him down to the clay. Tsukiotoshi.
Shishi defeated Oshoumi. Shishi shifted direction at the tachiai but Oshoumi reacted well and wrapped up the Ukrainian. Oshoumi chugged forward but Shishi dug deep and stopped at the bales. Shishi got his left hand inside, twisted Oshoumi back to the bales and pressed forward until Oshoumi fell backward. Yoritaoshi.
Gonoyama defeated Roga. Roga got his left hand quickly on Gonoyama’s mawashi and pulled. Gonoyama did well to stay upright and chase Roga back to the bales, eventually driving him over the edge. Oshidashi.
Tokihayate defeated Tamawashi. Tokihayate quickly got a morozashi, double-inside grip on Tamawashi’s belt, then drove forward and forced Tamawashi back and out. Yorikiri.
Ura defeated Shodai. You could hear a pin drop at this tachiai. Such a huge crowd, completely silent as they waited for Shodai to attack. Instead, Ura plowed forward and forced the former Ozeki out. Oshidashi.
Oshoma defeated Hakunofuji. Hakunofuji got a morozashi but Oshoma quickly pulled back to free himself, then slapped Hakunofuji down as he jumped back over the edge. Gunbai Oshoma. Mono-ii. Hakunofuji limped off the dohyo to await the shimpan’s decision. I don’t think his shisho was kidding about that leg injury. The committee decided the gyoji’s call was correct, Hakunofuji had come down first before Oshoma went out. Hakunofuji walked back down the hanamichi, likely happy there wasn’t a torinaoshi. Hatakikomi.
Halftime
Ichiyamamoto defeated Onokatsu. Ichiyamamoto spring forward and launched into Onokatsu. Onokatsu’s left leg buckled as he couldn’t take the pressure of Ichiyamamoto’s forward movement. It seemed like the left knee just gave way. Onokatsu laid down for a bit but eventually got up, bowed, and hobbled back down the hanamichi. Oshitaoshi.
Kotoshoho defeated Abi. Abi’s thrusts lacked power as Kotoshoho shoved Abi back and out. I’ve got a joke. Hakunofuji, Onokatsu and Abi walked into a bar…and hopefully stayed there for the duration of this tournament. Go kyujo, boys. Y’all are banged up. Who am I kidding? They’ll all be back tomorrow. Oshidashi.
Takanosho defeated Daieisho. Solid tachiai. Daieisho’s thrusts forced Takanosho back to the edge but he quickly lost steam. Takanosho countered with his own thrusts and forced Daieisho back over the edge. Oshidashi.
Hiradoumi defeated Oho. Hiradoumi quickly got both hands inside. With a great bear hug, Hiradoumi pressed forward behind powerful gaburi hip thrusts and forced Oho out. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Takayasu defeated Churanoumi. Takayasu quickly grabbed Churanoumi’s belt with his right hand over-arm grip. Just as quickly, Takayasu discovered Churanoumi’s belt was loose as all get out. He tried to throw Churanoumi but lacked enough leverage. So we settled into a lean…and eventually Takayasu found the leverage to dump Churanoumi. Uwatedashinage.
Kirishima defeated Fujinokawa. Kirishima contained Fujinokawa by seizing his belt with both hands — left hand inside, right hand outside. Kirishima drove forward and threw Fujinokawa over the edge. Uwatenage.
Kotozakura defeated Yoshinofuji. Yoshinofuji quickly grabbed Kotozakura’s belt with a left hand overarm grip. Kotozakura had a solid right inside, but Yoshinofuji pulled and dragged Kotozakura to the bales and tried to topple him. Kotozakura kept his footing and recovered. He then grabbed Yoshinofuji’s belt with his own overarm grip and pulled Yoshinofuji down. Way to hang in there by the Ozeki. Uwatenage.
Aonishiki defeated Wakamotoharu. Wakamotoharu slow-rolled his tachiai so Aonishiki stood up for a matta, and the two reset. On the second attempt, Henka! Wakamotoharu leapt to the left at the tachiai and tried to slap the Ozeki down as he charged forward. But Aonishiki was ready. Aonishiki got his left hand on Wakamotoharu’s belt and shoved forward. Yorikiri.
Wakatakakage defeated Onosato. Onosato pulled and tried to slap Wakatakakage down. Wakatakakage had his right hand inside Onosato’s armpit, maintained his footing and charged forward with Onosato’s retreat. He basically just rode Onosato back and out. Wakatakakage’s first kinboshi (hatsukinboshi). Oshidashi.
Hoshoryu defeated Atamifuji. Hoshoryu got his right hand inside quickly and drove Atamifuji back. Atamifuji kept his balance and tried to get his left-hand overarm grip. Hoshoryu tried to pull with that right hand but when he rotated right for the throw, that allowed Atamifuji to get his left-hand over arm grip. Atamifuji tried an uwatenage and brought his right hand up to the Yokozuna’s head to try to finish him off. Hoshoryu somehow kept his balance and charged into Atamifuji, forcing him back and off-balance. Hoshoryu then ran Atamifuji out the other side of the ring. Great try by the big guy. But that’s why Hoshoryu is Yokozuna. Yorikiri.
Wrap-up
Aonishiki passed his first test with flying colors. Of the top four guys, he appeared the most in control and solid, despite Wakamotoharu’s gamesmanship. Hoshoryu dodged a bullet but Onosato took it square to the scalp. Kotozakura will be happy with his white star to open the tournament.
On Day Two, they’ll trade opponents. Onosato will face Atamifuji, Hoshoryu will take on Wakatakakage, Kotozakura will get Wakamotoharu and Aonishiki will take on Yoshinofuji. Takayasu will fight Fujinokawa and Kirishima will take on Churanoumi.
Well, hopefully we’ll get some better polished sumo tomorrow but today’s action definitely brought a lot of excitement.
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It did ! (bring lots of excitement!). Aonishki must have realised Wakamotoharu was playing silly beggars from the off, and I note he kind of kept contact with WKMH with his hand, through the henka. Aonishiki has a nifty turn of speed and was right back on WKMH.
I also noticed that when Atamifuji was trying to throw/twist Hosh, Hosh was using his own raised leg to push against Atamifuji. Whilst I am very pleased to see Atamifuji finally getting it together, it’s even better for me to see Hoshoryu as East Yokozuna, and winning on Day 1.
Thanks again for your great summation Andy!
It did ! (bring lots of excitement!). Aonishki must have realised Wakamotoharu was playing silly beggars from the off, and I note he kind of kept contact with WKMH with his hand, through the henka. Aonishiki has a nifty turn of speed and was right back on WKMH.
I also noticed that when Atamifuji was trying to throw/twist Hosh, Hosh was using his own raised leg to push against Atamifuji. Whilst I am very pleased to see Atamifuji finally getting it together, it’s even better for me to see Hoshoryu as East Yokozuna, and winning on Day 1.
Thanks again for your great summation Andy!
sorry, duplicates.I don’t know why it does this.
Based on the opening day, Yoshinofuji and Fujinokawa still need time to learn how to keep composure. That’s exactly where Aonishiki makes a remarkable difference.
Good start for Asakoryu, Gonoyama, Hiradoumi, Takanosho. Knock on wood.
Hakunofuji is hurting everywhere, inside out literally. I hope kyujo will mend his body and soul completely.
His talent is too good to be wasted.
I just heard about Midorifuji ! I hope he is going to be OK. NHK said ‘cardiac arrest’ but Japan Times said ‘heart failure’ which covers a wide range of differing situations.
I also see Takerufuji down at Juryo #4. I hope he recovers and comes back to makuuchi soon.
Hi, Betty and All,
Here is what I have been able to find out about Midorifuji. Let us wish him a speedy recovery!
https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202603080001888.html
Translated by web browser:
Master Tateyama (former Makuuchi Homafuji) of Isegahama stable explained the situation regarding Midorifuji (29＝ Isegahama), who is closed due to heart failure.
According to Master Tateyama, Midorifuji arrived in Osaka to coincide with the ranking announcement and practiced as usual. However, he was unable to sleep due to the pain and felt unwell, so he was examined at a hospital.
Master Tateyama said, ”There is water in my lungs and heart. The diagnosis was heart failure, he said. He returned to Tokyo around the 4th and plans to undergo a thorough examination at a hospital in Tokyo. The Japan Sumo Association has announced that he will receive treatment for heart failure for about a month.
I haven’t seen anyone else say it, so I’m going to do my best Andy impression: PIVOT, ONOSATO!
It’s going to be really hard watching the injured rikishi do their best to mount the dohyo over the next couple of weeks. Abi’s back is so bad it’s obviously taped up and I agree with Smodori that Hakunofuji is banged up everywhere (and might have added a toe injury on top of everything else). I also hope that Onokatsu goes kyujo immediately. One thing no one should ever mess around with is knee injuries.
Good to see the hometown rikishi, Ura, get a win and receive loud cheers today.
Really disappointed in Wakamotoharu. There’s no other strategy you have to fight Aonishiki? Truly?
The sumo may be sloppy some days, but we definitely have enough spirit to go around if today’s bouts are an indicator. I was sad to see Oho realize he was beaten so quickly, though.
I have trained you well. Exactly what I was thinking. Onosato jammed his gears into reverse and never pivoted back to safety. I was worried he actually couldn’t pivot and put all of his weight down on his foot…which would be a big concern.
Hmmmm…a very valid point and a big concern if that’s the case. He’s not limping, so maybe he has an “invisible” problem with his back?
Takayasu & Churanoumi settled into a lean. Eventually, Takayasu steps out of the lean, but Churanoumi is still there, leaning against the invisible opponent. Takayasu shoves him down.
Poor Hakunofuji. His old master banished, new master hates him. Forced to change shikona. And then injury, injury… When your mind is damaged, your body is weaker too. Is there a chance Miyagino would be opened again under Endo?
You mean Enho? I hope so.
Unfortunately, he would not be eligible to split out and start his own heya. That requires something like 4 years in sanyaku or 10 years in makuuchi. He would be able to inherit one, however. I’m not even going to start thinking about those scenarios until some sort of conclusion is reached with Terunofuji’s scandal. Bottom line, no, Enho will not be a white knight riding to the rescue of Hakuho’s former pupils.
My few observations from the West Coast:
Seeing Mitakeumi and Papa Bear both start strong and focused puts a smile on my face. Things still left to do here.
I think we have our answer, or at least one storyline, on how to get through this basho and the Isegehama mess: aggravated left foot of our young hero puts him kyujo and both master and rikishi sit this one out. The whole thing makes me so sad. Ugly business.
Hosh’s escape and turning of the tables was a one legged hop on that left knee and it looked solid. Fingers crossed it is fully healed and good to go. This stuff is how he does what he does going back to his pre Yokozuna acrobatic one legged throws.
Only one day, but looks like it’s a takanosho “on” tourney. If he can figure out consistency… He has the tools.
I hope you are right about Hakunofuji going kyujo. Honestly, I think a lot of people are surprised that he showed up for Day 1, given the leg injury, lack of training AND “the incident.”
It’s entirely possible that either he feels like he has something to prove or he’s doing it to support the reputation of the heya. “There are problems, but we are strong” or something similar.
I would be thrilled with either of the two Taka’s winning the tournament….Yasu or Nosho. Both so deserving. And if a Sanyaku man will take it, I’m all in with Hoshoryu being the champion. As you can tell, I like so many.
Sumimasen Takayasu…. I guess I didn’t process you are sekiwake this tournament. My bad!
That’s one of the great things about this sport. I’d had a favorite long ago but now, it’s like I have so many favorites and even more that I like, I usually end up happy at the end of every tournament.
So true!!
Take a look one more time at Ichiyamamoto vs Onokatsu. It’s not a knee, it’s clear concussion.
Interesting. He did seem to go down first, then awkward twist of the knee now that i think of it. No bueno. The headbutts in sumo are brutal
Not at the tachiai, but second contact, their heads collide and Onokatsu just drop dead immediately. You are right.
Here is an idea .. a spreadsheet w known/reported injuries .. old/new .. healed .. not so much healed .. keeping track of these is an unspoken part of all basho’s .. but some are reported on channels that some of us don’t see ..
Injuries will play a bigger role in this basho than the last one ..
Hoshoryu looked spry on that knee .. although he may shy away from leg throws for >400 lb rikishi .. good to see .
Onosato looked unable to shift his sumo into locomotive gear .. WTK stood him up .. not a good sign ..
My bet is Onokatsu has a bum left knee v concussed brain .. tune in tomorrow ..
Tobizaru looked pretty sketchy after his match ..
We need a prop bet list on kyujo rikishi’s ..
Aonishiki is in the heads of his opponents .. WMH was retreating before wrestling .. that is not his style .. both like the inside left .. WMH was slow on the draw ..
Shishi flashed some fancy footwork .. didn’t think he had that in him .. it would be impressive if he is able to hold his new rank ..
Kotozakura also flashed nice footwork on the bales .. good to see .. i should not be surprised .. but was ..
This basho may set up well for Kirishima to get 11 wins ..
My dark horse rikishi .. who always flame out .. are off to a good start .. Nishikifuji, Takanosho, Kotoshoho, Takayasu .
Gotta love Ura winning in Osaka .. lets hope he get 8+ Ws ..
Ave Andy and Tachiai community! Glad that it‘s basho time again!
Saw Kirishima with his clear cut, swift and effective moves against Fujinokawa.
It was combined with sort of kindness towards the opponent, to prevent damage on the smaller fighter and pleasing the Osaka crowd. Fujinokawa had a little smile for him when getting up from under the dohyo, and I know once again why I like my Kiri.
Got to be thankful for WMH’s stupid recycling of his Hoshoryu henka. So Aonishiki could present himself as a sanyaku fighter, who actually has answers for sly sidesteps and tachiai games. There will likely be more exams on that subject in Haru basho.
Hoshoryu has become perfect in reading his opponents mistakes and immediatly punishing any carelessness. But is it enough to handle Aonishiki? That man simply doesn‘t seem to make mistakes.
The three men who should stay at the bar – yes, their cases are obviously serious. Never saw so much tape and stuff on Abi.