Shonichi is just about to kick off in Tokyo, so let’s take a quick look at what the first day of action will bring. Notably, we will be missing a couple of huge names for at least the start of the tournament: Onosato and Aonishiki are kyujo. Onosato’s shoulder injury issues linger but Aonishiki suffered his ankle injury just this week. That’s a massive blow to his chances of retaining his rank of Ozeki.

Hope is not lost, however. Without a kachi-koshi winning record here, he will be demoted to Sekiwake for the July tournament in Nagoya. If he wins at least 10 bouts there, he will immediately earn is Ozeki rank back. This happened to Takakeisho in 2019. He was injured in his first tournament as Ozeki and was therefore immediately kadoban. Rather than rush his recovery, he stayed out completely for that year’s Nagoya tournament and came back with a strong 12-win showing as Sekiwake. He remained Ozeki until his eventual retirement in 2024.

This is a stark contrast to the experience of Terunofuji who preferred the “ride them till the wheels fall off” method of treating injuries. When the wheels fell off, he had them glued back on and started his epic comeback from Jonidan. For Aonishiki, I’m frankly holding out hope that the ankle injury was a blessing in disguise, forcing him to sit out and get healthy.

Tonight’s Action

Enho will kick off his return to Juryo by fighting Tochitaikai. A huge weight must be lifted off his shoulders now that he is back in the salaried ranks, so I’m looking him to take things easy. He’s battled back from the neck injury and faced a new fractured foot at the start of this year as he clawed his way back. If he’s still risking it all, I’ll be shocked. If I’m Tochitaikai, I would be patient and just try to win with solid fundamentals.

I’m excited to see Okaryu make his debut as a full-timer. He joins Meisei and Hoshoryu as Tatsunami beya’s current sekitori. And it’s not going to be easy for any of these guys to hold rank. Hitoshi will fight Tamashoho, Nishikigi will start his campaign against Kazekeno and Midorifuji comes off his scary heart issues by fighting Tohakuryu. With the likes of Kayo, Shonannoumi, Shirokuma, Kagayaki and Meisei here in the middle of the division, I expect a few brawls.

Meanwhile, the top of the division has Tomokaze, Asasuiryu, Sadanoumi, Takerufuji, Onokatsu, and Daiseizan. I’m looking for some statement wins here from Takerufuji over Sadanoumi and Daiseizan over Onokatsu, in particular.

As we turn to the top division, Ryuden will fight Fujiryoga to start off tonight’s action. Wakanosho will then fight Oshoumi and Roga will fight Tobizaru. I’ll skip over the Mitakeumi/Tamawashi battle. That would have been a highlight in past tournaments but Kotoeiho versus Tokihayate will outshine it this time around.

Shishi versus Kinbozan will be an interesting bout from the bottom third of the division but Ura versus Hakunofuji is the one to watch. When healthy, both of these guys should be 8-10 ranks higher. Next up, Asanoyama continues to slog his way back up and he’ll start things off with Nishikifuji this time around.

Then Abi will fight Asahakuryu. What are the odds for a Day 1 henka? Next Oshoma versus Asakoryu and Chiyoshoma versus Fujiseiun, followed by Shodai against Churanoumi and Gonoyama versus Wakamotoharu.

To be honest, this is where I will start to pay most attention: Oho versus Daieisho then we crack into sanyaku with Wakatakakage against Hiradoumi. Both of those fights should be great…if Oho’s stick-shift isn’t stuck in reverse. Then we’ve got Yoshinofuji againt Sekiwake Kotoshoho, Atamifuji against Ichiyamamoto and Takanosho against Kirishima. There could be some upsets there. Finally, we end the night with Fujinokawa fighting Kotozakura and Hoshoryu versus Papayasu.

I’ll see you all in the morning, and Happy Mother’s Day!