Day Fourteen in Osaka. The kyujo banner waves again. We swing by the infirmary and Wakatakakage has checked in. He will be kyujo today and Daieisho will receive the walkover win.
Down in Juryo, Dewanoryu lost to Ryuden, who is looking to come back to Makuuchi. Daiseizan hopes to make a case for promotion by visiting Makuuchi in a possible exchange bout with struggling Oshoumi. Enho lost to Nishikigi. Nishikigi likely saved his skin but did the result close the door on Enho?
It will be a tight call between Takakento and Enho but I would hope Enho would pick up that fourth opening. Tsurugisho, Shimazuumi and Kotokuzan have indisputable demotable records. We’ve seen weird things happen with 6-9 records so things may hinge on the results tomorrow.
In the yusho race, Wakanosho defeated Toshinofuji, improving to 11-3. So Dewanoryu and Wakanosho sit tied at 11-3 with Kazuma behind them at 10-4. The three men have already fought each other so it will be interesting to see who they’re paired against on senshuraku.
Makuuchi Action
Asakoryu (9-5) defeated Kinbozan (8-6). Oshidashi.
Kotoeiho (9-5) defeated Shishi (6-8). Kotoeiho pivoted and quickly drove Shishi out. Shishi missed when he tried to grab Kotoeiho’s belt. Yorikiri.
Oshoumi (4-10) defeated Daiseizan (Juryo 7-7). Henka! Oshoumi jumps to the side and shoves Daiseizan down to the clay. “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” With the win, Oshoumi is likely safe from demotion but a win tomorrow can’t hurt. Tsukiotoshi.
Asahakuryu (10-4) defeated Gonoyama (9-5). Asahakuryu quickly grabbed Gonoyama’s belt with a left-handed uwate. He pivoted and pulled, dragging Gonoyama while slapping him down with his right hand. Uwatedashinage.
Roga (5-9) defeated Fujiryoga (6-8). Roga grabbed Fujiryoga’s belt with his left hand. Fujiryoga slipped his right hand inside but he was already perilously positioned along the bales. Roga rotated and dragged Fujiryoga down. Uwatenage.
Chiyoshoma (9-5) defeated Tokihayate (5-9). Chiyoshoma forced Tokihayate to the edge with his nodowa and tsuppari. Tokihayate quickly jumped left to turn the tables and force Chiyoshoma to the edge but Chiyoshoma just grabbed Tokihayate’s belt, drove him to the edge, and tripped him over the bales. Kirikaeshi.
Tobizaru (6-8) defeated Tamawashi (4-10). For a while, Tamawashi kept Tobizaru at bay with tsuppari. But Tobizaru eventually worked his way inside. This got him close enough to execute his trip. Kicking Tamawashi’s right foot forced Tamawashi off-balance and Tobizaru shoved him down as Tamawashi stumbled forward. Tsukiotoshi.
Mitakeumi (8-6) defeated Ura (5-9). Mitakeumi used the leverage from his right arm under Ura’s shoulder to twist Ura down. Sukuinage.
Nishikifuji (8-6) defeated Shodai (7-7). Nishikifuji made Shodai uncomfortable with a nodowa and got the big lug moving backwards. One more shove to the clavicle finished him off. Oshidashi.
Oshoma (5-9) defeated Fujiseiun (9-5). Oshoma stood Fujiseiun up with tsuppari and a nodowa, then pulled and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Halftime
If folks wonder what happens at halftime, the shimpan leave and a new team of judges comes in. The yobidashi come up and care for the dohyo, sprinkling water from a pail onto the surface and then brushing the surface, freshening it up. They sweep the free granules of clay from the shikirisen, making the white lines pristine. In the Konishiki videos, Konishiki points out that after a while, the dohyo gets hard and compacted like concrete. This softens it up a tad and distributes the loose clay evenly along the surface.
Abi (4-5-5) defeated Asanoyama (8-6). Abi henka! Abi leapt to the left and grabbed Asanoyama’s belt with his left hand. He then rotated and pulled Asanoyama forward and off the dohyo. Uwatenage.
Fujinokawa (7-7) defeated Hiradoumi (6-8). Hiradoumi blitzed Fujinokawa with a fast tachiai but Fujinokawa twisted back and used his left hand under Hiradoumi’s armpit to heave Hiradoumi over and slam him to the ground at the edge. Sukuinage.
Hakunofuji (4-6-4) defeated Churanoumi (4-10). Hakunofuji charged ahead and got inside. Churanoumi quit about 3 feet from the bales and Hakunofuji ushered him out.
Daieisho (7-7) default win over Wakatakakage (8-6). NHK zoomed in on some fans who’d brought their homemade Wakatakakage signs, rubbing salt into the wounds that they won’t see their man in the arena today. NHK just knows what buttons to press. Their management must be S.
Oho (7-7) defeated Yoshinofuji (6-8). Oho grabbed Yoshinofuji by the head and forced him to the edge. Yoshinofuji freed himself with a shove to Oho’s right hand but when Yoshinofuji re-engaged, Oho pulled AND PIVOTED, thrusting Yoshinofuji down to the clay. Tsukiotoshi.
Sanyaku
Wakamotoharu (3-11) defeated Takanosho (9-5). Takanosho drove Wakamotoharu back to the edge with his nodowa and tsuppari. At the edge, Wakamotoharu shifted left and pulled Takanosho down while balancing on the bales with his best Daniel “crane pose.” Gunbai Wakamotoharu. No mono-ii. Hikiotoshi.
Atamifuji (9-5) defeated Kotoshoho (10-4). Kotoshoho’s initial slapdown attempt failed so he locked on to Atamifuji’s belt. Atamifuji seemed to heavy for him to move, so Atamifuji pressed forward and shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Ichiyamamoto (8-6) defeated Takayasu (6-8). Ichiyamamoto pulled and shifted left to get access to Takayasu’s belt. He pulled him forward for the win. Uwatenage.
Aonishiki (7-7) defeated Kirishima (12-2). Aonishiki does not want to go kadoban. Hoshoryu needs to win to prevent Kirishima claiming the title. Kirishima had the right-hand uwate grip he wanted but when he pulled backward, Aonishiki pulled him down to a knee. Shitatenage.
Kotozakura (9-5) defeated Hoshoryu (10-4). Hoshoryu and Kotozakura locked up at the tachiai. We started with a migi-yotsu battle. What now? Kotozakura demonstrated the initiative by pulling up on Hoshoryu and forcing him toward the edge but couldn’t get him over. Hoshoryu released with his right hand and pulled back to try an uwatenage. Kotozakura managed to get a morozashi, double inside grip. Hoshoryu panicked and reared back but Kotozakura worked his left leg behind Hoshoryu’s right, forced Hoshoryu off-balance and back onto his butt. Kirishima yusho! Sotogake.
Wrap-up
The yusho has been decided, even if tomorrow’s bout lineup has not. It’s appropriate to use the passive voice, rather than the active voice, since the title was claimed by Kirishima despite a loss today. One is left with the feeling that the cup fell to its winner’s lap rather than being seized through a victory.
Kirishima will likely fight Kotozakura tomorrow with Hoshoryu fighting Aonishiki. Add Onosato into the mix and I hope we get these five guys leading the field for quite a while. There are a lot of good rivalries here.
It looks like we’ll have two open Sekiwake slots with Takayasu earning demotion today and Kirishima’s likely promotion. Atamifuji will be a lock for one slot. The other will likely go to Wakatakakage as the next promotable results lie with Takanosho and Kotoshoho. Both men lost today but maybe a senshuraku win will help one leapfrog Wakatakakage?
Well, there’s another day of action, apparently. See you back here tomorrow.
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Let’s hope Kirishima rallies for a win tomorrow, to make his ozeki bid absolutely undeniable and giving his Yusho a little oomph after today’s whimper.
What on earth happened to Takayasu? That was a stunning second week collapse…
Back issues, I think?
this is not the first time he collapses on week2
I don’t think he’s a distance runner….
Kinda par for the course. I’m a fan but am resigned to Week 2 Bad News.
He’s 36 and has been in pro sumo since he was 15. Didn’t he reveal last year that he has to do 30 mins of back stretches just to be able to get out of bed every morning.
Four or five years ago he was still beasting people for stamina and strength but Father Time is undefeated, alas. Even Tamawashi looks close to the end now.
Oh, I didn’t know that about his back. Fair enough. Big respect for still being sanyaku quality after all this time.
Thanks Andy! It’ll be great to see Atamifuji at Sekiwake. Hope Aonishiki can do the usual against Hoshoryu tomorrow.
Although I don’t want to see Aonishiki to go Kadoban on day 15, I am rather hoping for Hosh to finally win a match-up in a tournament against him, giving Hosh some sense of redemption. I have faith in Ao abilities that he will easily erase any Kadoban status on a future winning record….we all know how amazingly talented he is, and hoping he will remain a dominant force for years to come.
Absolutely with you here
Yeah, it is tough to be a fan so many rikishi! I wanted Hoshoryu to win the yusho, Kirishima to make ozeki, and Aonishki to clear kadoban… I am happy for Kirishima, but bummed for Hoshoryu.
Meanwhile, hoping Fujinokawa can pull off his kachikoshi today and give me Kachi Koshi Bingo!. It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance – make koshi bingo is unfortunately easier to get. If you don’t know what I’m talking about and are curious, head over to Sumo Kaboom.
Day 14 = Loser‘s Day. They put Enho against big Nishikigi. Nishikigi is Juryo, Juryo is Nishikigi. Show your skills, little man….? He wasn’t even in touch with a win. Hoping that his 5-2 gets the needed sekitori spot in the end.
Annoyishiki brought up his kachikoshi. Had it just to be against my boy? Whatever – Kirishima Yusho! Been a long time patiently waiting for this. The cup falls into his lap, bouncing off from a ridiculous eleven-win-streak…
Abi still in. Brought down Asanoyama, to get a sad sigh out of me. Still kept being enjoyed by Wakanohana and Stunto on the stream, their re-enactment was funnier than some of the real bouts.
feels underwhelming to celebrate a yusho because everyone that mattered lost
but it is what it is
Yes, everyone who mattered, lost. That‘s what a yusho is about! You can‘t do anything against winning it a day too early, because people don‘t get their work done.
Congrats to yusho champion Kirishima!, although, to be honest, I haven’t think highly of him since that day he got his ass handed by Terunofuji
In Teru we adore a man whose violence seems to be out of control when he’s angry. Much is permitted on and around the doyho, but I‘m not the person to join into victim blaming. He could have done the same on Hoshoryu, who never beat him, but he wasn‘t angry about him.
hatsu basho 2024, 15th day, a date that will live in infamy :(
I just watched it again, OMG, he tossed him like some trash bag into the dumpster.
Sure watching this could be a consolation for everyone, who doesn‘t feel joy for Kirishima‘s yusho :)
Looking forward to the lower divisions playoffs. Are we gonna get one in Juryo as well?
Aonishiki needs to remember that he OWNS Hoshoryu to avoid Kadoban tomorrow.
A couple of Darwin matches on the slate – Daieisho v Shodai, and Fujinokawa v Oho.
Looks like a lot of movement between Juryo and Makushita, not so much at the top end tho’. Will be an interesting Senshuraku anyway.
Hoshoryu had all the stars aligned to win this, his first yusho, as yokozuna, but somehow missed the opportunity big time
He is consistent but not showing the kind of “fighting spirit” needed to be a great yokozuna
I’m not feeling the big pressure on Hoshoryu to win a title. The great Wakanohana did not win a title as Yokozuna. He was Yokozuna for a very short period and spent much of it injured. He’s still fondly remembered and active as a sumo commentator. The fact that Hoshoryu is a factor in these yusho runs ticks the box for me, imho.
I’m curious to see if Tamawashi will be sporting some kind of support on the ankle that Tobizaru kicked in their match today. Hearing the impact of a kick that loudly means it was a blow with a lot of force. Ouch!
Hoshoryu went with Hakuho’s “I’m gonna beat you with your brand of sumo” strategy today. Not a terrible idea, but you gotta back up that kind of bravado and win.
Congratulations to Kirishima! He has worked incredibly hard to get back to this level of competing and he has defeated a number of opponents who would be worthy of holding the Cup themselves. This is not the first time a yusho has been awarded this way and it won’t be the last. On to day 15!
If Fujinokawa would put on 40-45 kg, his measurements would roughly overlap with ex-Takakeisho. Anybody’s guess, whether that would that help Fujinokawa or not. (Rather surprisingly, some wrestlers might have difficulty to gain or maintain weight. Wonder if Fujinokawa has spoken about his plans.)
“…whether that would help…” — Would it be possible to introduce edit function?
I think he can put on a little more girth, but his style is all about the speed and the frenetic agility. I think it would not be helpful at all, and in fact hurtful.
Can his body keep up this pace? That’s hard to tell, but that throw today against a usually very well balanced Hiradoumi was impressive
After watching Takakeisho gulp air like a fish out of water after most of his matches for a number of years, I think anyone carrying that much extra weight on their frame is risking long term health issues. I agree with CB that putting on some bulk would help, but similar to Kotozakura, too much weight would only cause Fujinokawa more problems.
Ah, dang. I’m getting my commenters mixed up again. Andrew made the comment about a bit more girth and CB is the original person who posted. My apologies!
I had that Takakeisho impression when I saw Fujiryoga in an interview the other day. He‘s got very much bulk around his throat and his voice and breathing was clearly affected with it. Sure they can decide to put on weight and have some influence on it, but can‘t foresee how that bulk will build up in and on their body
I really hope Kirishima wins tomorrow – clinching the yusho today despite a loss is Ok, but raising the cup after finishing with two losses would be weird, even if the overall result is great.
Also, can someone explain why if I, a casual fan sitting on my couch thousands of miles away, knew that Abi was going to pull a henka today, why didn’t Asanoyama?
because Abi used his “Force Concealment” power to completely hide his henka from the Jedi.
My worst-case outcome prediction from yesterday came true, unfortunately – yusho via loss. Poor scheduling IMO.
If Asahakuryu wins, he’ll have a jun-yusho!?!
Let’s hope we don’t have a repeat of Kotomitsuki
Sep-2001 M2E 13-2 Y,
Nov-2001 S1-E 9-6,
Jan- 2002 S1E 12-3;
His reward for 34 wins was S1E in Mar 2002 where he went 8-7;
But Kirishima has at least 11 wins in all three tournaments and a yusho in the most recent one with the also most wins (at least 12). It should be enough. Please say it’s enough.
See this list in that case, all the times of 32+ wins and yusho at 3rd basho as Sekiwake::
https://sumodb.sumogames.de/Query.aspx?show_form=0&columns=4&n_basho=4&sum_wins=32&show_sum=on&form2_rank=k-s&form3_rank=s&form3_y=on&form4_highlight=on&form4_rank=o&sort_by=sum_wins
18 times such a situation led to promotion to Ozeki, 0 times where it did not so far. Kotomitsuki won the 1st basho. Wakanohana was similarly denied promotion with 34 wins while winning the 2nd basho.
Of course there is always the possibility of something happening that has never happened before, like someone getting to stay as Komubusi with 6-9 which had not happened at previous 125 times until it did at 126th time:
https://sumodb.sumogames.de/Query.aspx?show_form=0&rowcount=4&form1_rank=k&form1_wins=6&form1_year=1950-2026&form2_highlight=on&form2_rank=k
I didn’t know you could put a range such as K-S in a query as rank. That’s good to know – Thanks!
I was trying to figure out a way to indicate “not Ozeki”, but using the range M-S does the same thing more or less?
Kiri decided to grapple w Ao .. vs the proven strategy .. i.e, blast Ao upright like a scarecrow + pummel him to keep him moving backwards .. Grappling w Ao was risky … especially if Kiri was going to let Ao to get his head under his chin .. It will be interesting what Kiri does next time they are matched up ..
I wonder if Hoshoryru’s knee is still not 100% .. he has not used his fav hip throws like he did before + was in position to try to do it with Kotozakura but wasn’t aggressive w it .. (aside from KTZ pinning one leg behind him) .. it looks like he is working around fully stressing the knee .. WTK may have counseled him on the risks ..
Big match for Takayasu on day 15. S1W with 7 wins almost always ends up K1, whereas S1W with only 6 wins almost always ends up M1 or M2.