Day 8, the “middle day” in Nagoya. No new kyujo to report.
On Nakabi, the Kyokai displays its new Jonokuchi wrestlers. If you’ve been under a rock, or ignored the maezumo coverage earlier this basho, this cohort includes Eisei, a recruit in Minato-beya from Hull, in the UK.
In Jonokuchi, Kakizoe, son of Ikazuchi-oyakata, is in 4-0 tie with Miyafuji. However, he will fight Chiyoaoi, who is 3-1. In Sandanme, Hikarumusashi got his first win of the tournament against Kenshin. Big bout in Makushita tomorrow as Asahifuji will take on Nabatame. Well, one of several big bouts as the 4-0 competitors square off but that Asahifuji-Nabatame bout is about promotion implications, as well as the yusho race.
In Juryo, Enho got both arms up in Kazekeno’s shoulders, pivoted and hauled him down to the ground. Sukuinage. Arashifuji lost to Nishinoryu, ending his winning streak and preventing him from securing a kachi-koshi. He is still alone in the lead because Shirokuma lost again, and now joins four other guys in the chase group. So, the Juryo yusho race is Arashifuji on one loss and Asasuiryu, Tokihayate, Toshinofuji, Midorifuji, and Shirokuma on two.
Makuuchi Action
Asakoryu (4-4) defeated Daiseizan (3-5). Asakoryu got his left hand deep on Daiseizan’s belt, pivoted, and pulled Daiseizan down. Shitatenage.
Shishi (7-1) defeated Kinbozan (5-3). Kinbozan opened with a flurry of tsuppari. Shishi was able to push through and get a left hand uwate grip. This forced the fight to shift to a yotsu grapple. Shishi showed his strength by overpowering Kinbozan and forcing him over the edge. Yorikiri.
Kazuma (3-5) defeated Nishikifuji (6-2). Kazuma’s right hand over arm grip helped him resist Nishikifuji’s initial dirve. Nashikifuji pulled backward but Kazuma used the change in momentum to attack. He thrust Nishikifuji off-balance and forced him to fall to the dohyo. Tsukiotoshi.
Mitakeumi (1-7) defeated Takerufuji (6-2). Mitakeumi needed a change. He shot forward after the tachiai and forced Takerufuji to the bales. Takerufuji resisted and countered Mitakeumi. After pressing Mitakeumi back, he tried to pull Mitakeumi by his belt but Mitakeumi launched forward and shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Asanoyama (6-2) defeated Onokatsu (1-7). Asanoyama used his left-hand inside grip to drive forward and force Onokatsu over the bales. Yorikiri.
Abi (5-3) defeated Chiyoshoma (2-6). Chiyoshoma tried to pull but Abi just chugged forward with his tsuppari and forced him out. Oshidashi.
Tobizaru (3-5) defeated Asahakuryu (2-6). Tobizaru connected with a kick at Asahakuryu’s lead right foot, forching him to fall. The crowd always enjoys a good kick or trip. Kekaeshi.
Shodai (4-4) defeated Fujiryoga (5-3). Shodai pivoted after the tachiai, catching Fujiryoga off-guard and deflecting his momentum toward the bales. Fujiryoga stopped just short of the edge and re-engaged with Shodai. But Shodai grabbed his belt with his right hand, dragged him around the dohyo and threw him. I want to see more of this Shodai. Why don’t we see this Shodai every day? Uwatenage.
Roga (3-5) defeated Fujiseiun (4-4). Roga used his left hand over-arm grip to pull Fujiseiun forward and throw him to the ground. It was a really beautiful throw in a well-contested back-and-forth battle. Uwatenage.
Ura (2-6) defeated Takayasu (6-2). Ura pressed forward after the tachiai instead of sliding back like butsukari. The two settled into a lean at the center of the dohyo as they felt each other out. Takayasu’s lead left leg got dangerously close to Ura and Ura noticed. Ura made Takayasu freak out when he tried to get that leg. Takayasu suddenly spun away, but spun himself right over the bales. “At least I kept my leg.” Oshidashi.
Halftime
Oshoma (3-5) defeated Wakamotoharu (3-5). Wakamotoharu chased Oshoma around the ring with tsuppari but tired and settled for a lean. He then lost the second he decided to pull as Oshoma chased him out. Oshidashi.
Kotoeiho (7-1) defeated Ichiyamamoto (4-4). Ichiyamamoto immediately went into pull mode and tried to slap Kotoeiho down. But Kotoeiho blitzed forward and forced him out. Oshidashi.
Churanoumi (2-6) defeated Gonoyama (3-5). Churanoumi blasted Gonoyama with powerful thrusts. A straight-forward win for the big Okinawan. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Yoshinofuji (4-4) defeated Fujinokawa (3-5). It was rather crazy to see Fujinokawa wrap his leg around Yoshinofuji. It looked like he was trying to climb a tree there. Yoshinofuji returned the tactic and wrapped his right leg around Fujinokawa’s left, while yeeting Mighty Mouse backward. Fatality. This is where the Instagram screen goes black-and-white and the skull emoji pops up in your face. Sotogake.
Aonishiki (7-1) defeated Takanosho (3-5). Both men traded tsuppari as Aonishiki tried to get his left hand inside. Takanosho pulled at just the right time and Aonishiki lost his balance and stumbled across the ring…but Takanosho had stepped out. I think he lost his sense of where he was in the ring. But Uh-oh. Aonishiki tumbled down the dohyo and had a real hard time getting back up. Grimaced in pain and everything. Dude’s ankle seems to be just held together with duct tape at this point. The worst part is that he’s got Onosato on tap for tomorrow. Oshidashi.
Hakunofuji (6-2) defeated Kotoshoho (3-5). Hakuno-Henka! Hakunofuji jumped to his left and Kotoshoho flopped forward. The crowd did not appreciate that one but I sure did. Beautiful form. I like it because I think Hakunofuji is thinking, “Yusho.” He’s in the race and wants to win the whole thing. And honestly, I hope Aonishiki was watching and got some inspiration…not for his bout against Onosato but against Hoshoryu. I think Hoshoryu will fall for it but Onosato won’t. Tsukiotoshi.
Kirishima (7-1) defeated Atamifuji (5-3). Atamifuji pulled himself right out of the dohyo. Frankly, he lost this one moreso than Kirishima won it. Kirishima was still trying to find a grip and an attack. Oshidashi.
Kotozakura (4-4) defeated Hiradoumi (1-7). Kotozakura’s first pull didn’t work but his second did. One thing I liked from Kotozakura here was the way he delayed his second pull-down attempt. He was about to try again but he knew Hiradoumi was ready and would run him out. So he leaned back into Hiradoumi and adjusted his grip and his weight. Then, he pulled Hiradoumi from the shoulder. If you’re going to win by pulling, be an artiste. Hikiotoshi.
Hoshoryu (6-2) defeated Daieisho (5-3). Daieisho committed to the pull and Hoshoryu committed to the win. Hoshoryu’s footwork was solid as he charged forward into Daieisho and forced him from the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Onosato (5-3) defeated Oho (1-7). Oho put his left hand up and tried to pull Onosato down. Onosato adjusted his charge by a few degrees to the right and charged Oho out. Denshamichi. Yorikiri.
Wrap-Up
Yusho Arasoi
- 1-Loss: Kirishima, Aonishiki, Kotoeiho, Shishi
- 2-Losses: Hoshoryu, Hakunofuji, Takayasu, Asanoyama, Nishikifuji, Takerufuji
Hoshoryu will fight Yoshinofuji. Onosato will battle Aonishiki, if the latter doesn’t go kyujo. Kirishima will take on Churanoumi and Kotozakura will face Hakunofuji.
Atamifuji will fight Ichiyamamoto, Kotoshoho will take on Hiradoumi, and Oho gets Fujinokawa.
Down in the rank-and-file, Kotoeiho will fight Fujiryoga and Shishi will fight Abi. Takayasu will fight Nishikifuji, Asanoyama faces Daiseizan, and Takerufuji will fight Asakoryu.
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they showed that mutual glare just the once on the live show this morning…ouch ! Not sure what that was all about, it was serious though, not like the pre-bout theatrics we see. Poor Aonishiki was battered about the face head, and shoulders today, and then that stagger and tumble off the dohyo. He looked as if he’d been in a street brawl, oh wait now, he had been. Again, I hope he’s OK. I really want him to get his 10 wins. Good tactics from Hosh, I thought Daiesho was going to get his tsuppari going, but Hosh slipped inside, shut it down, and MOVED FORWARD.
Then Onosato MOVED FORWARD.
Moving forward should be a kimarite all of its own !
I shall enjoy it all even more on the highlights show later.
I wonder how the young man, Eisei, (Nicholas Tarasenko from Hull, not Leeds, with Estonian heritage) will do? Well, I hope. Hull is on the North Sea coast, Leeds is 50 or so miles away inland.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0lnedjkgr5o
very short local BBC article from last year.
Thanks for interesting commentary across the board this week Andy and everyone’s insightful observations.
Thank you! I updated it. You’re right about Eisei being from Hull. I keep getting my wires mixed about it and I do not know why. I think I only even have heard of Hull because Steve Lamacq (BBC 6 Music presenter) is a Hull FC supporter or something. I do not know why I mix them up.
heh, they’re both in Yorkshire, so you’re not so far off the mark. I’ve been on vacation to parts of it
I hope Eisei doesn’t find Tokyo too overwhelming on top of everything else that will be different and possibly bewildering. He’s a long way from all that’s familiar, at what, 16? kudos on listening to Radio 6 btw lol.
Could possibly have been Aonishiki’s broken toe that was the issue – he seemed to catch it in the clay as he was stumbling. Either way, doesn’t look too great..
Frankly, I wouldn’t have expected a 7:1 for Aonishiki after seeing the state of his ankle on day one. His basho has been great so far, but the hard part lies only before him yet. For me his chances against Onosato and Atamifuji are very small and he will be the outsider against Kotoshoho, Hoshoryu and Kirishima too. Therefore my prediction is that he won’t reach the ten wins unfortunately. But I hope very much that he will prove me wrong.
„the nail on his left big toe had lifted and was bleeding. However, the nail was not completely detached, and his walk appeared stable“ (Nikkan Sports)
Oh, I have lost my toenail a few times. He’ll be fine.
The 39-year-old rikishi holding an all-time record Onosato et al only can dream of has finally won the first time this basho. If U don’t happen to know Moriurara‘s achievement: he has 40 consecutive makekoshi under his belt…
Anyone notice Kirishima giving Atamifuji the up-close-and-personal stank eye at the close of their bout? I’ve never seen such a pleasant looking man totally transform for two seconds like that. Whatever was going on, Kirishima was totally serious about it. Really quite remarkable. I don’t know if it will show on the replays.
I checked the replays and you can kind of see it. Live though, they had a close up that was clear as day.
To me, it looked like that Atamifuji, just as he was stepping out the ring, attempted a rather desperate, pointless hatakikomi on Kirishima’s neck and that’s why Kirishima was rightfully pissed off.
During said attempt, Atamifuji’s hand/fingers might have combed Kirishima’s hair as well, which would only enhance his discontent.
Atamifuji also stare back briefly with that vicious look. I tried to find any clues from the replay but couldn’t find any.
Not the first time this basho Kirishima has been unimpressed by his opponent, the other time was the bout against Takanosho.
Second henka loss for Kotoshoho in this tournament. I would say that the henka by Fujinokawa on day 5 was the henka of henkas.
More than a non-Pyrrhic victory for Aonishiki, I hope to see Kotozakura finally put out of his misery and set for a one-way journey towards lower maegashira. His performance since November 2024 has been barely on par with Mitakeumi, Ryuden.
Kotozakura doesn’t really look good as an ozeki, that’s true.
But U have to put things in perspective: since November 2024 only five rikishi have had more wins than Kotozakura, though he always fights the strongest opponents. His record over that period is 85:67, while Mitakeumi‘s is 63:80 and Ryuden‘s 42:63…
Eisei is from the port city of Hull, about 100km east of Leeds
I fixed it. Thank you. I have no idea why my wires are crossed about that.
A couple of outstanding bands formed in Hull: The Housemartins and Everything But the Girl.
and then Fat Boy Slim (Norman Cook) emerged from the Housemartins.
Was actually there today in Nagoya, my first day of hon-basho sumo in more than 2 years. Biggest highlight of the day was down in Sandanme, a match between Minorufuji of Isegahama and Asakiryu of Takasago, they were clutched together for a very long time then suddenly, out of nowhere, Asakiryu wins with a rare and highly athletic kimarite known as an Izori (Backwards Body Drop).
Memorable wins for Enho, Shodai and Asakoryu as well. Terrible mistake from Arashifuji, can’t understand what made him stick his foot over the rope and into the dust beyond when there seemed to be no need for it.
Just sorry that I couldn’t get to Nagoya early enough to witness Eisei’s new recruits’ presentation ceremony. I’ll probably regret not getting up at 6am to be there in time if he becomes the first British sekitori!
Was actually there today in Nagoya, my first day of hon-basho sumo in more than 2 years. Biggest highlight of the day was down in Sandanme, a match between Minorufuji of Isegahama and Asakiryu of Takasago, they were clutched together for a very long time then suddenly, out of nowhere, Asakiryu wins with a rare and highly athletic kimarite known as an Izori (Backwards Body Drop).
Memorable wins for Enho, Shodai and Asakoryu as well. Terrible mistake from Arashifuji, can’t understand what made him stick his foot over the rope and into the dust beyond when there seemed to be no need for it.
Just sorry that I couldn’t get to Nagoya early enough to witness Eisei’s new recruits’ presentation ceremony. I’ll probably regret not getting up at 6am to be there in time if he becomes the first British sekitori!
Ouch, that was a rough day for me. Papa Bear lost, and Aonishiki may have picked up a Pyrrhic victory with that sideways tumble on the ankle. Regardless of whether the nail was also bent back, that can’t have felt good. I can’t see him going kyujo yet, though, unless it’s entirely hopeless. Even if a return to Ozeki may be off the table, he’s only one win from kachi-koshi and preserving his sekiwake rank. I’m just praying that whatever happens the rest of the tournament, that ankle doesn’t get injured further
Shishi’s win over Kinbozan was a benchmark for amongst the “lumbering giant “ class of rikishi .. 10 wins look possible ..
Ura put on a classic course in sumo physics v Papa .. w that pose he prevented most moves .. i was surprised Papa didn’t treat Ura’s head like a punching bag .. as others do to get him moving backwards ..
Kotoshoho has officially been diagnosed w henka susceptibility syndrome ..
Kiri is flashing a bit more attitude .. maybe feeling ownership of his rank + hunger for that last promotion .. he didn’t really show that previously .. ie ..too much of a nice guy ..
Give Shodai credit .. he can absorb almost any tachiai .. what he does next is the usual mystery du jour ..
Kiri’s exhibition of lightning quick rage is indeed a new thing this basho. We’ve all noticed the difference to his usual calm demeanor. My gut is telling me it’s something he can’t control…PED relateted? I know, it’s an indelicate thought…
Related
Intriguing thought. With tradition more important than anything else, it wouldn’t surprise, if there were no doping tests in sumo.
But it in the case of Kirishima his rope run explains it well enough for me.
My understanding is there is no PED testing… having marijuana detected on testing will get you expelled from Grand Sumo, but not for steroids…. Yes, the rope run period is definately the special time window where any extra edge could be used to achieve the goal…
Oh, I see, my test was misunderstandable. I meant that the rope run explains Kirishima‘s on edge behavior not any doping!
If Aonishiki goes kyujo I’m gonna be the one yelling something into my towel. Please, universe, give these guys a smidgen of a break when it comes to injury.
Mita had to deal with Asahifuji last tournament, and now it’s Nabatame’s turn. Well. Do your best.
How many henkas have we seen so far this tournament?
More than one per day, possibly? Let’s go back and check Andy’s daily updates. Abi 2x, Chiyoshoma, Fujinokawa 2x?, Asakoryu, Hakunofuji, Wakamotoharu, Asasuiryu (Juryo visitor wasn’t too proud to jump to the side), so 9 total in 8 days unless I botched the count. Entirely possible.
I consider henkas to be classlessly pathetic and perhaps punishable by forfeiture of kensho.
Harsh. In Fujinokawa’s case, I wonder if it was courtesy to avoid further injury to Aonishiki. Besides, inashi is legitimate strategy. Henka is boring when it becomes predictable but then it’s self-defeating. So, it’s best when it’s a rarely used tool and unpredictable.