Day Five in Osaka. As I mentioned yesterday, Onokatsu returns to action today. No other kyujo announcements, which is a welcome relief as the infirmary had been busy. I’m glad I get to use a different picture for today’s post.
Unfortunately, on Day Seven and Day Eight, I will not be able to watch the action or write. I guess you could say that I’ll be kyujo. Except my kyujo is not injury related. I’m just too busy this weekend. I’m sure you will still enjoy the tournament. I will be here tomorrow for Day Six but after the weekend, I will need to catch up with you all on Day Nine.
On to the action.
Asahifuji threw Kyoda to stay undefeated in Jonidan but Enho picked up his first loss today against Okaryu. He had defeated Shimanoumi (which I neglected to mention yesterday, my apologies). So, he has a 2-1 record heading into the middle weekend, which is not bad. Two more wins and he’ll possibly earn promotion but he’ll be much more likely to lock it down with a 5-2 record. Takakento missed out on promotion with 4-3 from the same rank in January. Okaryu and Himukamaru are ahead of Enho in the promotion race at the moment. But the loss will take him out of the winners’ bracket, maybe making a slightly easier path to 5 wins?
Okaryu is from Tatsunami beya, and is known to Tachiai followers as the guy who can open an apple with his bare hands (and make it look rather easy). I got it but it was a bit more of a challenge. He was a solid Kinki University sumo recruit, earning a sandanme debut. He’s steadily been working his way through Makushita since earning promotion in late 2024. It’s a slog, as Enho can attest.
In Juryo, the group of undefeated has winnowed down to two: Wakanosho and Kazuma. Wakanosho will face Sadanoumi tomorrow and Kazuma will battle Kazekeno.
Your NHK videos for today’s top division action are here.
Makuuchi Action
Kotoeiho (3-2) defeated Mitakeumi (2-3). Kotoeiho tried to use his right hand ottsuke to block Mitakeumi from getting a hold of his mawashi with his left hand. Mitakeumi still landed the grip but didn’t do anything with it. So Kotoeiho reared back to slip his right hand inside. This popped Mitakeumi’s left hand off Kotoeiho’s belt and gave Kotoeiho the leverage he needed to drive the former Ozeki back and over the bales. Yorikiri.
Fujiryoga (3-2) defeated Chiyoshoma (2-3). Fujiryoga ignored Chiyoshoma’s tsuppari and shoved him back over the edge. Oshitaoshi.
Kinbozan (3-2) defeated Fujiseiun (3-2). Kinbozan obliterated Fujiseiun with thrusts to the face and shoulders. This drove Fujiseiun back and out. Oshidashi.
Asahakuryu (4-1) defeated Tobizaru (1-4). Tobizaru got a right hand inside grip and spent a good deal of time trying to keep Asahakuryu’s right hand away. Asahakuryu tried a slapdown but Tobizaru kept his balance. Tobizaru was not able to get enough leverage to pitch Asahakuryu forward and throw him over the edge. The two tussled back and forth for a long time in a bit of a stalemate. Tobizaru tried to trip Asahakuryu but Asahakuryu’s balance was solid. Asahakuryu’s patience and endurance won out. He eventually got his right hand inside, hugged around Tobizaru. He then drove forward and forced Tobizaru out. Yorikiri.
Asanoyama (3-2) defeated Nishikifuji (3-2). Nishikifuji lashed out with tsuppari and headbutts. Asanoyama is going to have a bit of a shiner on his left eye as a result. Nevertheless, Asanoyama weathered the attack, corralled Nishikifuji and slapped him down in the middle of the ring. That’s a slapdown I can appreciate. He did it while moving forward. He didn’t pull. He just grabbed Nishikifuji by the back of the shoulders and shoved him down. Hatakikomi.
Asakoryu (4-1) defeated Roga (2-3). Asakoryu seemed to jump early, so the gyoji called a matta. On the second tachiai, Asakoryu leapt to the left with a henka. Roga adjusted well but Asakoryu got his right hand inside. With the left he thrust Roga back and out. Oshidashi.
Gonoyama (4-1) defeated Oshoumi (0-5). Gonoyama grabbed Oshoumi’s belt with his left hand inside, right hand outside. He used some gaburi-yotsu hip thrusts to drive forward and overpower Oshoumi. Oshoumi resisted as much as he could but Gonoyama just went through him and crushed him out by forcing all of his weight on him. Oshoumi is trying and fighting hard. Today, he just wasn’t strong enough. Abisetaoshi.
Shishi (3-2) defeated Tokihayate (2-3). Shishi kept up with Tokihayate’s spin and got a solid left hand inside. Tokihayate pulled and tried an armbar on that left arm but Shishi just pressed forward and forced him out. Yorikiri.
Tamawashi (1-4) defeated Ura (3-2). Tamawashi drove Ura back and out behind his powerful tsuppari. Tsukidashi.
Shodai (4-1) defeated Oshoma (2-3). Shodai really wanted this one because he weathered Oshoma’s headbutts, tsuppari and arm grab. He eventually pulled Oshoma forward to the ground. Hikiotoshi.
Halftime
Takanosho (5-0) defeated Onokatsu (0-3-2). Takanosho thrust Onokatsu back to the bales where Onokatsu used his left foot to brace himself from going out. Takanosho did not relent, however, and shoved Onokatsu, making him fall forward. Tsukiotoshi.
Daieisho (2-3) defeated Kotoshoho (4-1). Daieisho slipped right and slapped Kotoshoho down. Kotoshoho seemed very disappointed, having fallen for that very quickly and picking up his first loss as a result. Hatakikomi.
Ichiyamamoto (3-2) defeated Oho (1-4). Ichiyamamoto battered Oho with tsuppari and drove him out. Ichiyamamoto might be headed back up the banzuke. I’ve got to say, he gives his all, like Ikioi. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Hiradoumi (4-1) defeated Atamifuji (2-3). Atamifuji charged forward, shoving Hiradoumi back to the edge. Hiradoumi slipped to his left at the bales and shoved Atamifuji forward and out. Okuridashi.
Takayasu (5-0) defeated Yoshinofuji (2-3). Takayasu got his left hand inside, deep on Yoshinofuji’s belt, extending his body to keep Yoshinofuji’s right hand out of reach from his own belt. Takayasu was able to secure a right-hand outside grip. He paused to secure his hold, then pulled up and charged forward to force the youngster over the edge. Yorikiri.
Kirishima (4-1) defeated Wakamotoharu (0-5). Wakamotoharu showed some initiative on offense today, grabbing Kirishima’s left arm. Kirishima backed away and battered Wakamotoharu with a few thrusts of tsuppari as punishment before slapping him down. Hatakikomi.
Wakatakakage (2-3) defeated Kotozakura (3-2). Kotozakura grabbed Wakatakakage’s belt, deep on the knot. He pulled it loose which put us in danger of wardrobe malfunction. The gyoji spotted the issue and retied Wakatakakage’s mawashi. However, the extra leverage did not help Kotozakura. Wakatakakage was able to drive Kotozakura back and over the tawara. Yorikiri.
Aonishiki (3-2) defeated Fujinokawa (2-3). Aonishiki steadily and methodically corralled the hyper-caffeinated Fujinokawa and drove him back and out. Oshidashi.
Hoshoryu (4-1) defeated Churanoumi (2-3). I liked seeing the patience from Hoshoryu today. He endured Churanoumi’s attack and was able to turn the tables, grab Churanoumi and drive him to the edge. When Churanoumi resisted, Hoshoryu used his right hand hold under Chura’s shoulder and threw him down in the middle of the ring. Sukuinage.
Wrap-up
It’s far too early to start talking about a yusho race. So, let’s turn to tomorrow’s matchups. Early in the action, we’ll see Asakoryu take on Kotoeiho and Shishi battle Asanoyama. Ichiyamamoto will fight Ura and moving up a bit, Takanosho will take on Kotoshoho.
In Sanyaku, hapless Wakamotoharu will fight Fujinokawa for the first time. Kirishima will fight Yoshinofuji and Takayasu will need to muster something special to defeat Wakatakakage and remain undefeated. Aonishiki will face danger as he will fight Oho. Kotozakura will be challenged by Atamifuji and Hoshoryu will close the day out against Hiradoumi.
I’ll see you tomorrow…but remember there will be a break in my usual coverage over the weekend.
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One matchup you haven’t mentioned tomorrow is Daieisho vs Churanoumi. This is interesting to me at least because Churanoumi has won all six bouts so far, all within the last two years. There are a few “goddamit, I can’t ever seem to beat this guy” head-to-heads on the banzuke where a seemingly superior rikishi has trouble with one particular opponent (Takanosho leads Kirishima 17 – 6 for example) and this is a good one.
We‘ll probably see Mitakeumi vs Tamawashi in this basho. They are 29-9.
And there is Kirishima with his problems against heavy yokozuna: he’s 0-10 vs Onosato and even 0-13 vs Terunofuji!
Shodai rally wanted this steak of kensho today.
Fujinokawa was trying new thsngs at tachiai (ducking under?) – that didn’t work as Aonishiki wasn’t rushing forward. I liked his controlled movement today, someting he was a bit lacking yesterday against Chura.
Hoshoryu showed who’s the boss – taking initiative from the begining and attacking – thats’s exaclty the style that pays-off for him.
And maybe Takayasu could finally… I will stop here.
Dont you dare!
Shodai probably read that post here in the last day or so where someone said he does no better than show up. That fired him up.
He might have seen what I tweeted about him yesterday. But in my defense, I think it’s hilarious. https://x.com/i/status/2031715658212286916
Yep – that will do it!
Kirishima’s ozeki-run still looks to be in decent shape. He’ll avoid Onosato, who he’s never beaten, and has had great luck against Kotozakura, is close to .500 vs. Hoshoryu, and even has one win vs. Aonishiki (this year even). He might even be the dark horse to win the basho outright.
I dont know. Kiri looks to me he dont have any problem with maegeshira opponents, but cant solve upper sanyaku guys. Like hitting a wall.
Quality bouts today, but I agree that attempting to pick a yusho winner right now is essentially turning the handle on a raffle box to see what prize we win. I think we’ll have a better idea early next week, but even then things might be too close to identify a specific candidate.
Based on today’s performance, I think Wakamotoharu’s problem is a mental issue. Maybe he was hurt and doesn’t feel like he’s had enough time to prepare for the basho properly? Something like that perhaps.
I think one of the biggest reasons why Hoshoryu and Aonishiki are at the top end of the banzuke is they can mentally shake off a loss. I don’t know if Onosato has gotten there yet since he is so inexperienced. This basho is especially challenging for him because his results were terrible and he can’t perform properly. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with him in the next couple of tournaments.
I recently heard that WMH is suffering with Asthma….so thinking the shortness of breath symptoms could really be effecting his sumo. He is not looking genki.
Ah, that would definitely cause him problems if that’s the case. Thank you for the information!
What was that Fujinokawa did at the tachiai? My wild guess is.. ‘fake henka’.
If Ao sensed henka, instinctively he would stop and rise to see what happened, and maybe he was looking for that little opening?
Ao was all business, and never faltered.
No no, we can start talking about the Nob Dog yusho.
Great to see the Tamawashi grab his first win, and in convincing fashion! And go Papa Bear!!! A Papa Bear yusho is right up there with Aonishiki making Yokozuna for sumo things I’d love to see. Hoshoryu looks like he really wants a say in both of those events, so here’s hoping the excitement keeps ramping up!
I thought it was interesting that the Gyoji, after a quick consult with the nearest judge, let Kotozakura have a solid belt grip when prior to the stoppage he was holding the loose end of the Mawashi which seemed to give him a better advantage (not that it helped in the end)
The rikishi are supposed to be returned to the closest “starting position” they can manage before the Gyoji restarts the action. Removing that grip from Kotozakura would have put him at a large disadvantage, so giving him the grip they did was the best they could do. I, like you, thought that Kotozakura would have taken more advantage of that grip change. Apparently, we were mistaken.
The gyoji are the unsung heroes. Wouldn’t be great if, after a tough call or an acrobatic evasion or something, all the fans starting pumping their arms chanting gyo-ji, gyo-ji, gyo-ji…
We can sometimes be guilty of forgetting that the gyoji are athletes too. Considering the ages of the top dozen, especially the two tate gyoji, it’s fun to watch them running around like teenagers, even leaping over hazards, and keeping an eye on the action, all while very overdressed compared to the rikishi.