Day Three in Nagoya. No new kyujo to report.
Maezumo kicked off today. Eisei, the Minato-beya recruit from Leeds and on the left in the video below, looked solid with a force out win over Yamaguchi. The NHK coverage on JME.tv included clips from Maezumo, so you will see it in the replays today on their sumo channel.
In Makushita, Asahifuji used mis-direction to pick off Otsuji to continue his winning streak at 23. Y’all counting that as a henka? Looked close to me, a bit over the line when we think of the old HNH from Harumafuji. Nevertheless, he will have the day off tomorrow. Tanji, in that coveted Makushita 1 East slot, also picked up his second win, against Gojinyu. Kachi-koshi will guarantee promotion and he’s got two down and two wins to go.
Enho picked up his first win today, overpowering Tamashoho in Juryo. Nishikigi defeated Kayo but Meisei picked up his third loss this tournament against Kazekeno. Shin-Juryo Arashifuji won his third straight and remains undefeated. He joins Shirokuma, Midorifuji, Shonannoumi, Toshinofuji, and Asasuiryu at 3-0.
Makuuchi Action
Kazuma (2-1) defeated Tokihayate (Juryo 1-2). Tokihayate visited from Juryo and quickly secured the grip he wanted. But so did Kazuma. Kazuma pumped his legs forward and forced Tokihayate over the bales. Yorikiri.
Asakoryu (2-1) defeated Onokatsu (0-3). Asakoryu wrapped up Onokatsu in a big ole bear hug and quickly forced him back and out. Onokatsu still seems hurt and not competitive at this level. Yorikiri.
Shishi (3-0) defeated Daiseizan (1-2). Shishi used his left hand uwate to slowly guide Daiseizan toward the bales. Daiseizan tried to use his right arm sukuinage but Shishi was too heavy. Shishi continued to press forward and calmly ushered Daiseizan out. Yorikiri.
Nishikifuji (2-1) defeated Kinbozan (1-2). Nishikifuji blitzed Kinbozan, held him high and drove him backward like a blocking sled. Yorikiri.
Takerufuji (2-1) defeated Abi (2-1). Abi henka! Takerufuji was prepared and adjusted well, charging into Abi and shoving him back and down. We got our answer to our question from yesterday. In truth, Abi was too far forward and fell. Oshitaoshi.
Wakanosho defeated Asahakuryu. Wakanosho layed into Asahakuryu with tsuppari, aiming for the face and chest. Asahakuryu had enough, turned and ran. Okuridashi.
Chiyoshoma (1-2) defeated Mitakeumi (0-3). Chiyoshoma forced Mitakeumi back and out in a rather one-sided affair. Yorikiri.
Fujiryoga (2-1) defeated Asanoyama (1-2). The most competitive bout of these early fights with Asanoyama pressing forward to get inside while Fujiryoga tried to keep him off and shove him away. Unfortunately, it ended as Fujiroga rotated right and Asanoyama seemed to put too much weight on his left leg and he went down. Oshitaoshi.
Roga (1-2) defeated Tobizaru (1-2). Roga locked on with his left hand uwate (over-arm grip) and patiently forced Tobizaru backward. As they neared the bales, Tobizaru tried a last ditch slapdown but Roga’s form was solid and he forced Tobizaru out. Yorikiri.
Kotoeiho (2-1) defeated Wakamotoharu (1-2). Kotoeiho got both hands inside and powered forward. His left hand got to the back of Wakamotoharu’s mawashi and he was able to turn him to the side. Wakamotoharu tried to trip Kotoeiho but Kotoeiho was unphazed, forcing Wakamotoharu back and out. A solid, dominant win for the youngster. Yorikiri.
Takayasu (3-0) defeated Fujiseiun (2-1). Takayasu shoved Fujiseiun away. When Fujiseiun pressed forward, Takayasu slapped him down. Gunbai Takayasu. Mono-ii? The replay booth checked for a hairpull. There was none. Hatakikomi.
Halftime
Shodai (1-2) defeated Ura (0-3). Shodai doesn’t play when it comes to Ura. He charged forward but Ura’s legs coiled in the bales and sprung the pair back to center. Ura tried to pull and slap Shodai down but Shodai crushed him out. Yoritaoshi.
Ichiyamamoto (2-1) defeated Oshoma (1-2). Ichiyama-zumo as he assaulted Oshoma with tsuppari and took his lunch money. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (2-1) defeated Hiradoumi (0-3). Fearless Hiradoumi charged into Daieisho’s tsuppari but Daieisho quickly deployed his Phase Two attack, the slapdown, and pulled Hiradoumi down. Hikiotoshi.
Sanyaku
Kotoshoho (3-0) defeated Yoshinofuji (1-2). Kotoshoho used powerful thrusts to force Yoshinofuji into reverse. Yoshinofuji tried to slap him down but Kotoshoho drove forward and forced him out. Oshidashi.
Atamifuji (3-0) defeated Oho (0-3). Oho used his gaburi yotsu to force Atamifuji back toward the bales but Atamifuji used his left hand uwate to tip Oho off balance and then push him down. Uwatedashinage.
Aonishiki (3-0) defeated Hakunofuji (2-1). Aonishiki secured his left-hand inside grip and tried to throw Hakunofuji. Hakunofuji kept his balance but Aonishiki got a right hand grip and drove forward, forcing Hakunofuji back and out. Yorikiri.
Churanoumi (1-2) defeated Kotozakura (2-1). Kotozakura was over-confident. Churanoumi grabbed the Ozeki’s left arm and pulled him forward to the bales. As Kotozakura stumbled forward, Churanoumi reached around and seized the back of Kotozakura’s belt, getting in behind and driving him forward. Kotozakura turned around but Churanoumi kept up the pressure and drove him out. Yorikiri.
Kirishima (3-0) defeated Gonoyama (0-3). Kirishima made his stand at the center of the ring. Gonoyama rotated and kept up his tsuppari to no effect. Kirishima charged ahead and shoved Gonoyama out. Oshidashi.
Onosato (1-2) defeated Takanosho (0-3). Onosato batted Takanosho’s right arm away with his left hand. Takanosho tried to go back with the right but Onosato swatted it away again and charged forward, shoving Takanosho off the dohyo. Onosato breathed a sigh of relief as he stood with the powerwater and waited ringside after the bout. One down. Oshidashi.
Fujinokawa (2-1) defeated Hoshoryu (2-1). Hoshoryu did not take Fujinokawa seriously and paid for it, just like Kotozakura against Churanoumi. Hoshoryu lead with a kachi-age…his right forearm to Fujinokawa’s chin. Hoshoryu charged ahead blindly while Fujinokawa shifted right along the tawara, pivoted, and thrust the Yokozuna down. More Purple Rain. Tsukiotoshi.
Wrap-Up
Sloppy sumo from Hoshoryu. There’s no other way to put it. Same with Kotozakura. They were riding high and seemed confident going into their bouts…over-confident. They were going to bully their opponents out and instead both got beat. Hoshoryu will face Churanoumi tomorrow. Onosato will take on Gonoyama. Kirishima will have his turn against Takanosho and Kotozakura will have to adjust and take on Fujinokawa.
Our Sekiwake have some good bouts on their hands, too. Atamifuji will take on Daieisho, Kotoshoho will fight Oho and Aonishiki will battle Yoshinofuji. In the rank-and-file, Hiradoumi will face Hakunofuji, Ichiyamamoto will take on Shodai, Ura will hope to cash in against Oshoma and Takayasu will fight Kotoeiho.
Lots of good bouts on the docket for tomorrow. See you then!
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Fujinokawa! Hoshoryu just said “LUCK!” too. 4 for 4 against Yokozunas!
Hoshoryu falling back to the old bad habit of trying to punk people rather than do yokozuna sumo. I thought he was learning, but this shows that process isn’t complete (and may never be)..
First kensho for Onosato since January. He seemed genuinely happy. Kirishima, Atamifuji and Aonishiki all good this basho. Tamawashi, Onokatsu, Kinbozan, Mitakeumi, Wakamotoharu on the other hand not so good.
Almost forgot Kotoshoho, he is better every basho. His todays win against Yoshinofuji seemed very steady, methodical.
Agreed on all points.
Aonishiki looked good on the dohyo in my eyes… „However, there was a slight cause for concern as he appeared to be checking his foot after stepping off the dohyo following the bout.“ (Sports Hochi)
I fear that it’s gonna be a long basho for him… and for me..
Calm, forward-moving sumo from Shishi. He definitely has leveled up recently. Good for him!
I had to go back and watch how Nishikifuji won a couple of times. Kinbozan literally whiffed on his tachiai. I don’t know if Nishikifuji changed levels on purpose when he went for Kinbozan’s mawashi, but that’s why his win was so easy. “Pardon me, Sir. Allow me to escort you off the dohyo.”
I laughed so loudly at Abi’s loss I woke up my wife. I think he either forgot to let go of his opponent or Takerufuji did really well to stay on him. Spinning an opponent who has henkaed might be a quality strategy if the opportunity arises.
Asanoyama definitely wants to be higher on the banzuke. His bad knee might prevent him from doing that.
Yoshinofuji is definitely in his “I gotta improve and figure this out” stage. Definitely make it or break it time.
Aonishiki wasn’t messing around and looked like he did before his injury strategy-wise. I don’t think that will work against the top ranks of San’yaku. He’s going to have to watch that.
I completely agree with Andy about Kotozakura and Hoshoryu. It’s good to see Humble Pie handed out as a reminder. Both Churanoumi and Fujinokawa are the real deal.
I’m really enjoying seeing both young Sekiwake (with Aonishiki hopefully returning to Ozeki soon!) enforcing their will on the competition thus far. It bodes well for sumo’s future, as does Fujinokawa collecting gold stars galore!
I kind of feel sorry for Fujinokawa … only two Yokozuna to fleece. I bet he’s cheering for Kirishima to get promoted.
Ha! Okay, I’ll feel sorry for him, too!
The most embarrassing henka attempt for Abi – jump in the air and fall down.
That was the coolest win I ever saw from Atamifuji. It took me a long time to sympathize with him, I just didn‘t feel he was cute or something, but always had some nasty traits in his sumo. When did he give up his swimming moves as a pre bout ritual? Helped him mature, perhaps.
Shodai really paid for his win over Ura and was labouring to get up again after the show. It occurred to me that I never saw him rolling on the dohyo when losing a bout, he always tries to stay on his feet and to leave the clay in a comfortable way. That‘s why we don‘t see much tape on him, I think.