Asakoryu is kyujo beginning today. Hakunofuji will receive the default win. With a 3-4 record, if he does not return this tournament he’s likely to just miss the barge to Juryo and end up in the bottom rungs of the division.
Speaking of injured folks, Nikkan Sports reports that Aonishiki is not going to return to the tournament. I had mentioned this on social media but I can expand upon it here. They report that Aonishiki’s ankle injury is still not healed so he will not compete in this tournament. That means he will drop back to Sekiwake. (**Update: SEKIWAKE, not Juryo, Andy.**)
They make a point that it’s tied for the second shortest run at Ozeki for a shin-Ozeki…but they neglect mentioning the shortest was Takakeisho with only two basho. Aonishiki had not hit a ceiling in his career until Ozeki. The likelihood is high that he will be able to get the 10 wins required in Nagoya to immediately reclaim the rank of Ozeki in September. Even if he doesn’t, Kirishima shows a longer path back is possible.
What Nikkan Sports also pointed out was that Aonishiki will plan to participate in June events, such as the retirement ceremonies for Hokutofuji and Takarafuji (no relation) and the big Paris shindig. Since those events will happen before the Nagoya banzuke comes out, he will participate as Ozeki Aonishiki.
Now, let’s turn back to the tournament at hand. Enho dropped another bout, this one to Hitoshi. As the last guy on the bottom rung of Juryo, he will need 8 wins to be safe. Any more wins are obviously gravy and help him earn some breathing space. He’ll fight Kayo tomorrow and I expect a “W” here.
Kazekeno still leads the yusho race. He will fight Toshinofuji tomorrow. Daiseizan trails at 6-1 and will fight Kyokukaiyu. With a win and kachi-koshi, he’ll likely earn promotion to the top division. Speaking of kachi-koshi, Makushita Tsukedashi wrestler Omori took down Gonosho for his all-important fourth win. And in Sandanme Asahifuji threw Hinataryu and stays on the path to join the 21-win club.
Let’s get to the action.
Makuuchi Action
Roga (4-3) defeated Fujiryoga (5-2). Roga quickly got his left hand up front of Fujiryoga’s belt and rushed him out. Oshidashi.
Ryuden (2-5) defeated Mitakeumi (3-4). Ryuden made Mitakeumi look like he’s the one who needs a trip on the barge. Yorikiri.
Kotoeiho (6-1) defeated Wakanosho (4-3). Somewhere in this brawl, Kotoeiho grabbed Wakanosho’s arm and pulled him forward to a knee. Hikiotoshi.
Tobizaru (6-1) defeated Shishi (2-5). As punishment for the slow-ass kachiage, Tobizaru quickly got a right hand over-arm grip, pivoted, and pulled Shishi down. Uwatedashinage.
Kinbozan (4-3) defeated Oshoumi (1-6). JME coverage started here because there was some gymnastics competition. Don’t they know sumo is more important? Anyway, Kinbozan used his tsupppari to thrust Oshoumi out. Tsukidashi.
Ura (5-2) defeated Tamawashi (0-7). Ura charged Tamawashi and drove him out. Oshidashi.
Tokihayate (2-5) defeated Asanoyama (4-3). Asanoyama charged forward, forcing Tokihayate to the bales but yielding a morozashi, double-inside grip. At the bales, Tokihayate found the leverage he needed to counter Asanoyama. With that double-inside grip he was able to charge ahead and force Asanoyama across the dohyo to the other side. When Asanoyama tried to brace himself at the bales, Tokihayate continued to press forward, forcing Asanoyama to fall backward out of the ring. Yoritaoshi.
Hakunofuji default win over Asakoryu.
Chiyoshoma (4-3) defeated Nishikifuji (1-6). Chiyoshoma pulled and quickly slapped Nishikifuji down. Hatakikomi.
Fujiseiun (5-2) defeated Asahakuryu (2-5). Asahakuryu put his head down and charged forward. Fujiseiun absorbed the attack and shifted to his right while reaching inside and grabbing Asahakuryu’s belt with both hands. When Asahakuryu’s back was to the tawara, Fujiseiun reversed gears and bulldozed ahead, shoving Asahakuryu out. Oshidashi.
Halftime
Churanoumi (5-2) defeated Abi (3-4). Abi launched into his usual attack but Churanoumi was ready for it. Churanoumi avoided the slapdown and took advantage of Abi’s change in direction to shove Abi out. Oshidashi.
Oshoma (5-2) defeated Shodai (2-5). Shodai got Oshoma to back up a few steps but he had come in too high, as usual. So Oshoma drove forward and sent Shodai back from whence he came. Oshoma then strolled back to collect his kensho like, “Don’t come at me with that weak ish, Okay man? Making me get dressed and get my hair done and come all the way down here for what? That?” Oshidashi.
Yoshinofuji (4-3) defeated Gonoyama (5-2). Gonoyama wanted to dislodge Yoshinofuji’s head from his neck but when it didn’t pop off, he backed straight up for a slapdown…only to be standing well outside the ring before Yoshinofuji came down. Oshidashi.
Fujinokawa (4-3) defeated Takanosho (3-4). Fujinokawa with a socially distant henka. Hands up like, “I’m not touching that.” Poor Takanosho. Hikiotoshi.
Sanyaku
Wakatakakage (6-1) defeated Ichiyamamoto (2-5). Wakatakakage blitzed Ichiyamamoto. Ichi half-tried a pull but it was too little, too late. Oshidashi.
Kotoshoho (4-3) defeated Hiradoumi (3-4). So, Hiradoumi grabbed Kotoshoho’s arm and pulled him forward. Kotoshoho then did this dramatic, “Be gone!” motion with his arms and Hiradoumi fell backwards. Oshitaoshi.
Atamifuji (3-4) defeated Wakamotoharu (2-5). The Atamidozer came out of nowhere and rolled right through the dohyo. Wakamotoharu had no chance. Oshidashi.
Kirishima (7-0) defeated Daieisho (2-5). Daieisho with another terribly executed pull. Kirishima easily drove him out. Oshidashi.
Oho (3-4) defeated Kotozakura (2-5). La piece de resistance. Oho pressed forward. After all, why would he be intimidated in the slightest by this Stay-Puffed Sakura character? Oho forced Kotozakura back. The pair got two feet from the edge and Kotozakura thought he would try to spring an uwatenage. No. Then a sukuinage. No. Then, he stepped out and with his right foot square on the outermost tawara, a yard outside the ring, he grabbed Oho’s head and pulled him forward. The beautiful bit was the way he tried to sneak his feet back onto the inside set of tawara to act like, “What? I was inside the whole time!” I cannot wait for him to collect his umpteenth kadoban. He’s earning it. Oshidashi.
Wrap-Up
Enjoy the video piece about Chiyoshoma. It’s a great montage found at the bottom of the page which shows him as a young recruit under the tutelage of the great Chiyonofuji, and now under the Ozeki Chiyotaikai. He put in a lot of work learning Japanese as he climbed the ranks.
He was promoted to Juryo and Chiyonofuji travelled to Mongolia to visit with Chiyoshoma’s folks a few months before he died (10 years ago this July). Chiyoshoma also shares the last texts he received from The Wolf in the weeks before. We see more footage of him training more recently with his current shisho, Chiyotaikai, we meet his family, watch him collect his kinboshi from Hoshoryu…it’s really a nice video. Please check it out.
Getting back to the tournament at hand, Kirishima will fight Gonoyama on nakabi. He’ll have a chance to pick up his kachi-koshi. Now that I’ve had some time to process the day, I’ve cooled off and am not quite so steaming mad at Kotozakura. He’ll fight Daieisho tomorrow. Kotoshoho will take on Wakamotoharu. Atamifuji will take on Shodai. Wakatakakage will face Oho.
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2nd paragraph typo: Aonishiki to drop down to Sekiwake (not Juryo).
Kotozakura: I’ve reached the point where I see him and have absolutely no expectations.
Kirishima: Looking good!
Fixed. Thank you!
“Don’t they know sumo is more important?” … – … Um… most important. If it’s not literally aliens landing in Hakodate or something, show me my sumo! I even switched to doing some work during the gymnastics and missed Ura. Turns out I was so miffed I messed up the work and had to go back and do it again after the bow twirling. JME has spoiled me with their excellent sumo coverage here in the States for a really reasonable price. I paid $65 to watch Tyson bite Holyfield’s ear off in the third round so I guess I can get over a gymnastics preemption just the once.
😂 Get used to it, especially during baseball season. If there’s another sporting event, especially a championship or a horse race or a Keio vs Waseda rivalry game…
I was looking forward to your description of Kotoshoho’s flourish at the end there!! Atamidozer was great, too, thank you.
The “socially distanced henka” bit had me giggling, Andy. Well done. I guess Fujinokawa felt he had to try to outdo Tobizaru’s performance from yesterday?
I feel bad for Nishikifuji. He’s definitely trying, but he keeps getting steamrolled.
I think the different endings to matches, like Kotoshoho’s “forearm sandwich” that he fed to Hiradoumi today, are happening because the skill level for a lot of rikishi is fairly even right now. Wins have to be done creatively, by taking risks, or both.
It is becoming really obvious who will be moving down because of injury, Father Time, or both during this basho. It feels like the final act for the “changing of the guard” that we’ve seen over the past two years or so.
KotoCherryBlossomMan was a bad boy today – in some sports that would be unsportsmanlike conduct – throwing someone off the dohyo when you are already standing outside yourself.
Meanwhile Fujinokawa was not sure whether Takanosho has yet washed his hands after Day 4 – therefore the “I’m not touching that” moment.
I’ve seen that Kotozakura has gotten some backlash online for his actions.
I have been a huge fan of Chiyoshoma and would love to see the video mentioned:
“Found at the bottom of the page”
but I was unable to find where this is located.
Chiyoshoma Has always been sort of an underdog, and I always rooted for him on every match… and I still do!
Oh, sorry. I wasn’t clear. It’s on the page with the NHK videos for the day, scroll down past the day’s action videos and it’s there.
I like Chiyoshoma – and also his high art of henka! I think he‘s the most underrated veteran out there. He must be a real little gold nugget as a person and a friend.
No sympathy left for long time faltering Kotozakura! He stood clearly outside the tawara with one leg for half an hour – and then grabbed Oho and threw him head on down off the platform. No, Mister – not that way!
Another questionmark concerning Ura. Was it necessary to shove the injured senior that aggressively into the crowd? Was there some history between them? He gave Tamawashi a thriumphant little nod after receiving the kensho, reminds me of some old Stan and Olli movie, when some revenge escalation is going on.
And Kotoeiho didn‘t pivot, that‘s for sure :)