Day One in Nagoya. The Sumo Association is riding high after its big Paris tour. One visible indicator, aside from the sold-out arena, is the massive growth in kensho banners. This tournament breaks the record for kensho banners at a regional honbasho (Osaka/Nagoya/Fukuoka) with 3504. The previous Regional Tournament record was set this spring in Osaka with 2724, a 29% increase and the new mark is a 47% jump from last year’s Nagoya Basho.

Returning Yokozuna Onosato has received the most kensho applications with 170. Fellow Yokozuna, Hoshoryu, has 108 bounties pledged. Kadoban Ozeki Kotozakura actually comes in second place with 159 and Oshoma third with 145. Oho is fourth with 140 and Aonishiki fifth with 139. Newly promoted Kirishima has 137 banners pledged. Frankly, I think a lot must be said of the fund-raising prowess of Sadogatake and Naruto-oyakata.

As mentioned in the preview, the top stories involve the Yokozuna and Ozeki. We’ve got both Hoshoryu and Onosato returning from injury. Kirishima was re-promoted to Ozeki. Frankly, it’s just great to have a real sport to watch again. I’ve quickly grown tired of the melodramatic rolling around on the ground and crying, emblematic of that other competition. So, it’s great to have sumo back. There’s no advantage given to miming and diving here.

In Juryo, Asasuiryu took his first step toward promotion by defeated Sadanoumi. Iron-Man Tamawashi beat Hatsuyama but many from The Old Guard fell, including Meisei, Ryuden, Kagayaki and Nishikigi. Enho also lost to Hitoshi. He will face Tohakuryu tomorrow. Geez, it’s really painful to have to think about the kabu negotiations. Imagine what share prices would be like if we had to wait for Tim Cook to retire to buy some Apple shares — and only employees would be eligible to purchase, anyway. The economics of this sport, particularly the various incentive structures, always fascinates me (see also: kensho-kin, sansho, kinboshi, and macarons).

Anyhoo, down in the third division, Asahifuji will battle Kaiseijo of Asakayama-beya tomorrow. Kaida will take on former top division wrestler, Daishomaru. Unfortunate news from Isegahama that Sachinofuji, also mentioned in Justin’s article of shin-makushita, is kyujo. He finally made it to Makushita and back issues appear to be keeping him out of action and in Tokyo.

Your NHK link for videos of today’s action is here. If you want a generic link to bookmark, use this one. It has links to footage from the previous three tournaments as well. The current tournament is at the top, and just shows the Day One link right now (obvs). Anyway, on to the action:

Makuuchi Action

Asakoryu defeated Kyokukaiyu. Kyokukaiyu visited from Juryo due to the WTK kyujo. Asakoryu held Kyokukaiyu at arm’s length before shifting right, grabbing Kyokukaiyu’s left arm and pulling him down with an arm bar. Kotenage.

Daiseizan defeated Kazuma. Kazuma pulled up on Daiseizan’s mawashi and bulldozed forward. Somehow, Daiseizan pivoted at the edge and pulled Kazuma forward in a remarkable escape. Shitatenage.

Shishi defeated Onokatsu. Shishi prevailed after a lengthy hidari-yotsu battle. Shishi drove forward and Onokatsu tried to brace his right foot on the tawara to pivot but missed and stepped out. Yorikiri.

Takerufuji defeated Kinbozan. Takerufuji displayed great strength as he quickly established his left-hand uwate hold and dragged Kinbozan over the bales. Great to see Takerufuji back in the top division and it’s a promising sign to see him dispatching a formidible opponent like Kinbozan. New fans might not remember Takerufuji’s remarkable yusho. Yorikiri.

Abi defeated Nishikifuji. Abi battered Nishikifuji and shoved him over the edge behind right-hand tsuppari to the face and a bintsuke-flavored chaser, driving his head forward into his opponent. Oshidashi.

Asahakuryu defeated Mitakeumi. Asahakuryu used his right hand ottsuke to neutralize Mitakeumi’s left-hand attack. He then landed a belt grip with that right hand, pressed forward and forced Mitakeumi back and out. Yorikiri.

Wakanosho defeated Chiyoshoma. Chiyoshoma made a hugem mistake as he tried to spin away from Wakanosho’s slaps. Wakanosho pursued well and thrust Chiyoshoma from the dohyo. “You Shall Not Pass!!” Tsukidashi.

Asanoyama defeated Tobizaru. Asanoyama overpowered Tobizaru and shoved him backward off the dohyo. A powerful right hand shove to Tobizaru’s left arm forced the flying monkey to stumble all the way back to the bales. He let up but was still inside the ring so Asanoyama finished him with a shove. The unprepared Tobizaru tumbled back onto his butt, nearly receiving a complimentary salt enema. As they say in boxing, “protect yourself at all times.” Tsukiotoshi.

Fujiryoga defeated Roga. Fujiryoga got both hands outside and quickly charged ahead, ushering Roga out over the bales. Yorikiri.

Takayasu defeated Wakamotoharu. Wakamotoharu loves to use the bales as leverage for starting an attack. Takayasu anticipated this well, pulled and slapped Wakamotoharu down. Hatakikomi.

Fujiseiun defeated Kotoeiho. A faint voice whispers from the ether, “There is another.” Kotoeiho may not like being the Princess Leia of the sumo universe — but here we are. As his brother storms into the Sekiwake rank, Kotoeiho is steadily climbing the ladder behind him, and now is Maegashira 7. However, today Fujiseiun wrangled Kotoeiho by using his left leg, sweeping forward from Kotoeiho’s right and shoving him backwards. Sotogake.

Halftime

Oshoma defeated Shodai. Shodai pulled, as is his wont, and Oshoma happily shoved him back and out. Oshidashi.

Ichiyamamoto defeated Ura. Ichiyamamoto charged ahead with his tsuppari. Ura braced against the bales and springloaded his thighs. But Ichiyamamoto pulled, releasing the spring and Ura fell forward onto his belly. Hikiotoshi.

Hakunofuji defeated Daieisho. Hakunofuji weathered the torrent of tsuppari from Tropical Cyclone Daieisho, downgraded from hurricane strength. As Daieisho shifted from thrusting to pulling, Hakunofuji powered ahead and shoved Daieisho out. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Aonishiki defeated Hiradoumi. As Hiradoumi charged ahead blindly, Aonishiki shifted left, grabbed Hiradoumi’s mawashi and bowled him into the crowd. Is it a henka? He doesn’t care. Nine more wins to go. Uwatenage.

Kotoshoho defeated Churanoumi. Kotoshoho shifted right, bouncing Churanoumi to the bales at an angle. Churanoumi was caught completely unprepared and he stumbled forward and stepped out of the ring. Oshidashi.

Atamifuji defeated Gonoyama. Gonoyama pulled and ran backward along the edge. Atamifuji calmly pressed forward and shoved Gonoyama out. Oshidashi.

Kotozakura defeated Takanosho. Takanosho deployed his right arm nodowa forcing Kotozakura high, but Kotozakura used his left hand to swat Takanosho’s arm away. This forced Takanosho to stumble forward and fall. Tsukiotoshi.

Kirishima defeated Fujinokawa. Kirishima blasted Fujinokawa with his forearm at the tachiai, sending Fujinokawa sprawling to the floor. Oshitaoshi.

Yoshinofuji defeated Onosato. Onosato hit Yoshinofuji well at the tachiai but then decided to pull. Yoshinofuji avoided the slapdown and pressed ahead. As Onosato flailed away with his feet on the tawara, Yoshinofuji calmly shoved Onosato out. Oshidashi.

Hoshoryu defeated Oho. Oho pulled and tried to slap Hoshoryu down. Hoshoryu charged forward and pulled on Oho’s right leg, driving him back and off the dohyo. Watashikomi.

Wrap-Up

Oh, Dear. While Hoshoryu is back at the fancy stuff, Onosato can’t get the basics right. The Yokozuna fell yet again to Yoshinofuji, the third loss in a row (not counting fusen). Astonishingly, Onosato has never beaten this upstart. In Japanese, you would say, “Aikuchi ga warui.” From Onosato’s perspective, Yoshinofuji certainly has his number. Onosato will face Fujinokawa tomorrow.

Thankfully, Hoshoryu won against Oho, who is likewise known to give him fits. Hoshoryu will take on Takanosho on Day Two. But this is Onosato’s return from extended kyujo. While we hope this is ring rust and not a sign that the shoulder injury is still hobbling him, we will only know for certain as the tournament unfolds.

At least the Ozeki and Sekiwake picked up white stars. Kotozakura will fight Yoshinofuji, Kirishima will take on Oho, Kotoshoho will fight Gonoyama, Aonishiki will square off against Churanoumi, and Atamifuji will rumble with Hiradoumi.