Welcome back. I tackled a few items in the preview post, like the Onosato/Aonishiki kyujo. I’ll not rehash them here. We can file this item under “miscellaneous.” Ex-Chiyonokuni makes his debut as a shimpan this tournament and will be ringside during the first half of top division action. We also get to see Chiyomaru in his new wakaimonogashira role. Unfortunately, he will make an entrance in the action later today.
Enho won his first bout back in Juryo. He defeated Tochitaikai by oshidashi push out. Down in sandanme, Enho’s phenom stablemate, Asahifuji, easily dispatched Hakuomaru with a yorikiri (force out).
Update: I forgot to add the link to the NHK videos. Consider that fixed. They included a couple of Juryo videos: Enho vs Tochitaikai and Okaryu vs Hakuyozan.
Let’s turn our attention to the top division for a few items of note. First, this tournament marks a milestone for Tamawashi. It’s his 100th basho in the top division. Only Hakuho (103) and Kaio (107) are ahead of him. He can tie Hakuho at 103 this year. He can pass both next year.
Makuuchi Action
Fujiryoga defeated Ryuden. Fujiryoga seemed in control this whole bout. He got his left hand inside and right hand outside grip. Despite Ryuden’s loose mawashi, Fujiryoga got enough leverage to drive Ryuden back and over the bales. Yorikiri. Fujiryoga will fight top division newbie, Wakanosho tomorrow. Ryuden will take on Oshoumi.
Wakanosho defeated Oshoumi. Wakanosho blitzed Oshoumi at the tachiai with a strong, fast tsuppari attack. He forced Oshoumi back and out quickly. Tsukidashi.
Tobizaru defeated Roga. Roga had the early advantage until Tobizaru slipped inside and got a right hand grip. He used his right foot to attempt to trip Roga and though he missed, the move got Roga moving backward. Tobizaru pressed forward and Roga’s momentum drove him out. Oshidashi. Tobizaru will fight Mitakeumi tomorrow; Roga will take on Tamawashi.
Mitakeumi defeated Tamawashi. Tamawashi tried to pull but Mitakeumi countered well, driving the Iron Man backward and out of the ring. Oshidashi.
Kotoeiho defeated Tokihayate. Tokihayate used his speed and inside position to put Kotoeiho on the ropes early and for much of the bout. Kotoeiho barely maintained his balance and stayed inside the ring. He was able to get his left arm grip and pull Tokihayate down at the edge. Uwatenage. Kotoeiho will fight Shishi; Tokihayate will fight Kinbozan.
Kinbozan defeated Shishi. Kinbozan overpowered Shishi, drove him back to the bales and toppled the Ukrainian backwards with his entire weight. Abisetaoshi.
Ura defeated Hakunofuji. Hakunofuji pulled but Ura was ready and drove him straight back and out. Oshidashi. Ura will fight Nishikifuji tomorrow; Hakunofuji will have to regroup against Asanoyama.
Asanoyama defeated Nishikifuji. Nishikifuji lashed out at Asanoyama and drove him back a step at the tachiai. However, he quickly backed up and tried to slap the former Ozeki down. Asanoyama pressed forward and forced Nishikifuji out. Yorikiri.
Abi defeated Asahakuryu. Abi tried his slapdown attack for much of the bout but Asahakuryu maintained his balance and kept the pressure up. Abi switched gears and drove forward behind that tsuppari and shoved Asahakuryu over the bales. Oshidashi. Abi will take on another Takasago boy tomorrow in Asakoryu; Asahakuryu will fight Oshouma. Can I think of a bad Kohaku joke in time for tomorrow? (Kohaku is the term for the alternating red/white colors which are often on display for celebrations in Japan. The shikona of Asakoryu and Asahakuryu feature these characters.)
Asakoryu defeated Oshoma. One, Two, Three matta from Asakoryu. You know what that means, henka! What? No henka? What the hell? Asakoryu hit Oshoma with a solid tachiai. The two squared up in the center of the ring and as Asakoryu charged in again, Oshoma reversed and tried to slap him down but Asakoryu kept his balance and forced Oshoma off the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Halftime
Fujiseiun defeated Chiyoshoma. Fujiseiun brushed off Chiyoshoma’s tsuppari and plowed through the ring, driving him out. Yorikiri. Fujiseiun will fight Shodai tomorrow; Chiyoshoma will take on Churanoumi.
Churanoumi defeated Shodai. Churanoumi kept Shodai centered and drove him out. Shodai appeared to want to try some sort of reversal at the edge but couldn’t execute. Oshidashi.
Gonoyama defeated Wakamotoharu. Gonoyama attacked Wakamotoharu and drove him back over the bales. Wakamotoharu tried to execute a slapdown with both feet on the tawara and that’s just not going to work. Oshidashi. Gonoyama will fight Oho tomorrow; Wakamotoharu will face Daieisho.
Daieisho defeated Oho. Daieisho seemed prepared for Oho to try to slap him down. He still hit Oho with his usual thrusting tsuppari attack but he didn’t get out over his feet. He seemed to hold back, preventing Oho from finding any openings for a slapdown. Befuddled, Oho was easily shoved out. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Wakatakakage defeated Hiradoumi. Not a henka but…Wakatakakage shifted to his left at the tachiai and Hiradoumi blasted forward like a jack-in-the-box, into a void. Hiradoumi’s momentum carried him through the ring and down the other side. Tsukiotoshi.
Kotoshoho defeated Yoshinofuji. Kotoshoho forced Yoshinofuji to the edge. Yoshinofuji balanced on one foot as he tried to slap Kotoshoho down. Both men tumbled down. Gunbai Kotoshoho. Mono-ii. Replays showed Kotoshoho landing on the dohyo while Yoshinofuji’s foot was still inside the bales. Gunbai overturned Sukuinage.
Ichiyamamoto defeated Atamifuji. Ichiyamamoto leapt to his right and pulled Atamifuji forward. Atamin’s momentum carried him over the bales. Hatakikomi.
Kirishima defeated Takanosho. Now, Takanosho did get out ahead of his feet so when Kirishima shifted left, Takanosho stumbled forward. Kirishima easily slapped him down. Hakakikomi.
Fujinokawa defeated Kotozakura. Kotozakura seemed to have the upper hand at the start but Fujinokawa jumped left and tried a slapdown. Kotozakura recovered but had no counter attack near the edge. Fujinokawa seized the opportunity, charged forward again and blasted Kotozakura back and out. Tsukidashi.
Takayasu defeated Hoshoryu. Hoshoryu tried to get his right hand inside so he reared back and then dove forward to get at Takayasu’s belt. However, Takayasu pulled Hoshoryu forward with his left hand deep at the back of Hoshoryu’s belt and slapped him down with his right hand. Hoshoryu fell backward awkwardly on his butt. He’d been in a half-split and likely pulled a hammy. Hoshoryu was slow to get up and hobbled back down the hanamichi but needed the big wheelchair once he’d gotten to the back. Wakaimonogashira Chiyomaru was among the crew attending to the Yokozuna as he left the dohyo. Kyujo incoming. Uwatenage.
Wrap-up
Great to be back with you all for the next two weeks but we have lost another of our top guys to injury. We’ll keep an eye out for news of Hoshoryu. Kotozakura will need to dig himself out of this hole he’s dug for himself on Day One but we’re rather used to that. Kirishima is suddenly in the driver’s seat this basho. I’m sure it won’t be that straightforward so we’re surely in for a roller coaster ride.
Let’s take a look at the sanyaku matchups for tomorrow. Takayasu will fight Ichiyamamoto, Atamifuji will battle Hiradoumi, and Kotoshoho fights Takanosho. Kotozakura will face Wakatakakage, Kirishima will take on Yoshinofuji, and Fujinokawa might pick up a fusen default victory from Hoshoryu. Judging by Hoshoryu’s condition after the bout today, he won’t be back soon.
Discover more from Tachiai (立合い)
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Not sure anyone had Kirishima beating Aonishiki to the rank of yokozuna, but somehow that’s a possibility now. Would love to see Kirishima get that rope no matter what the circumstances, given how close he was before. But as you say, this basho will likely not be that straightforward. Could easily be one of those rank-and-filer wins the way things are shaping up.
I agree with U, but want to clarify that Kirishima isn’t on a rope run yet.
He‘d need another yusho equivalent in July.
I would love to see Kirishima get that rope too. Still, a long way to go until then. One can never discount anyone really (well nearly anyone) in the top division when it comes to winning a basho.
Hosh. Oh Hosh, no. Yep, that looked like a hamstring injury. No-one likes to see an injured rikishi, and fair play to Takayasu, he did look concerned for Hoshoryu. I just loved their stare-off, and Hosh just waiting out Takayasu before taking that step forward and thumping his mawashi. The crowd did too. Great stuff. The result – not so much (injury, not the loss per se).
“Not a henka but….” you wrote Andy. I had to watch that match back, Wakatakage vs Hiradoumi. They did clash, but HIradoumi sort of slid off Wktg’s shoulder and that was that.
Sorry too to see Atamifuji lose on Day One but Fujinokawa beating Kotozakura? Excellent. Technique and determination over bulk any day.
Looking forward to a great tournament. Who knows where it will take us?
I’ll catch the rest of the matches on the highlight show later.
Glad I didn’t bet on any of these bouts beforehand (not that I do in any case). See that stare-down between Hoshoryu and Takayasu before the last salt throw? Papa taking that step forward and that look! Might be a well used clip were it not for what happened afterwards. Hosh is left with some very offended connective tissue at the very least. It looked to be such an opportunity for him this time around too.
I would say that Yoshinofuji defeated Kotoshoho.. I can see you are writing this article real time.
Welcome back, Andy – thank you for your service once more! So sad to see Hoshoryu down immediately, the man can’t catch a break. A very wide open field for everyone else, though, as you say.
It is becoming ‘driving me Natsu’ basho.. So many kyujos, so many upsets.
I hope Hoshoryu returns tomorrow, but I doubt it. I appreciate his little gesture of bowing to the dohyo while limping badly.
Yeah, I noticed that. And he wanted to walk it off but it was too much so he needed that wheelchair. If he comes back tomorrow, I will be angry.
Mitakeumi’s right wrist is injured. He pulled it back immediately after winning today and it’s taped.
KOTOEIHO! My goodness what a fantastic bout between him and Tokihayate! It’s good to see they’re both throwing everything into their matches.
It’s really great to watch two larger competitors and have them both be aggressive and moving forward instead of watching a lean fest. Kudos to both Shishi and Kinbozan. More of that, please.
Abi has his agility back apparently. We won’t know he’s 100% until he pulls a henka though.
Wakatakakage did a great impression of Haramafuji with that hit and shift at the tachiai. Blink and you’ll miss it. Perfect execution.
I think Kotozakura’s knees are starting to cause him more problems. Heck of a win by Fujinokawa and I’m excited to see him face the rest of the top of the division.
As soon as Hoshoryu went down I said, “Oh no!” out loud. I really, really hope that’s a strain and not a torn muscle. Fingers crossed and I will also be angry if he mounts the dohyo tomorrow.
tough break for Hoshoryu. Who’s the favorite to grab the cup now?
BTW — the home page has the next basho being underway as the last basho (Haru)
The Next Basho:
Haru Basho (Osaka)
March 8, 2026
Haru Basho is underway!
Based on recent form, it has to be Kirishima. No Onosato, Aonishiki, or Hoshoryu means a number of rikishi can step up and make their claim, though. Other names off the top of my head are Abi, Kotoshoho, Yoshinofuji, Ichiyamamoto, and even Takayasu or Daiesho if they can put together a consistent enough set of wins.
Oh, crap. With no cups as yokozuna, and Onosato and Aonishiki out, this was almost a must-win basho for Hoshoryu – and then this. But I agree with Andy, I’ll be super angry if he turns up tomorrow. Well, at least I don’t have to decide which of my favourite Mongolians to root for… go Kirishima!
Atamifuji? I’d like him to earn a technique prize first, before gumbooting to Ozeki one future day.
Prklen Takayasu, breaking my leftover Yokozuna on Day One! For nothing, actually – because nobody dares to order a yusho from paps. I would, at least now! Everybody throwing jinx energy on Kirishima, stop it!
There‘s so much going on in Juryu now, it nearly equals watching Makuuchi. So many names on my watchlist, beginning with Okaryu and Enho via Nishinoryu and Midorifuji up to Kazuma, Asasuiryu and the top dogs, Sadanoumi still in, Onokatsu and Daiseizan on pole position. Everyone wants to change over to top division, nobody likes to go down from there. I‘m so thrilled about the exchanges in the end!
Abi looks healthy .. perhaps the elbows, back + whatever has been hurting are feeling better .. .. Kirishima is carrying a bit more weight but still moves well .. Could be a winning combo .. WIth all the injuries, this basho could really scramble the banzuke ..