Day Ten in Nagoya. No new kyujo to report.
As I mentioned over on social media, Nikkan Sports is reporting that the Japan Sumo Association plans to cut back on its Jungyo tour dates from next year, from 90 tour dates to something around 70. Chairman Hakkuho has told the Jungyo Department to make the cuts so the tours are not as rough on the wrestlers. They also hope to minimize travel by staying in the same place for multiple days, either clustering venues or holding more multiple-day basho.
Tomorrow will be a big day for Makushita as our three undefeated leaders with 5-0 records will square off. Nabatame will fight Fudoho and Mita will face off against Tenshoyama, from sandanme division. Tanji will fight Tokifudo in a crucial promotion match-up. Hakuyozan and Oshoumi are already making two slots available. Tochitaikai and maybe Tamashoho could provide an important third slot.
It will be a bar fight for those few promotion slots. Nabatame likely secured one but Tanji has a 3-2 record at Makushita 1 East. If he picks up a win, he will earn one. Tokifudo is also 3-2 and seated at Ms2W. Most everyone else who is in a promotable position has a 2-3 record. Daikosho, at Ms1W is already makekoshi and out of it. So, either Tanji or Tokifudo will earn their kachi-koshi tomorrow and likely a sekitori debut.
Asahifuji will fight Tochikodai, who has beaten former sekitori Kotokuzan, as well as Oho’s brother Mudoho, and Tanji this tournament. Now that he’s in the loser’s bracket, that doesn’t mean his schedule will get easy. There are also a host of guys at 3-2, like Akua, Ikarigata, Okaryu, and Otsuji who are trying to fight their way up into the promotion zone.
In Juryo, Arashifuji continues to take the division by storm. (See what I did there?) He beat Tamashoho to improve to 9-1. He will fight Tokihayate tomorrow. Toshinofuji is one loss back and will face Tomokaze, who defeated Midorifuji today. Meanwhile, Asasuiryu lost to Shonannoumi. Ryuden defeated Enho with a kotenage by locking in on that left arm when Enho reached inside.
Makuuchi Action
Daiseizan (4-6) defeated Kinbozan (6-4). Migi-yotsu. Kinbozan pulled up on Daiseizan’s belt and slowly worked Daiseizan to the edge. But Daiseizan pivoted and spun Kinbozan around, then walked him over the bales. Yorikiri.
Nishikifuji (7-3) defeated Onokatsu (2-8). It took two attempts, but Nishikifuji used his hidari-yotsu grip to escort Onokatsu over the bales. Onokatsu resisted at the bales once, even on one healthy leg he planted his foot along the tawara and would not go over. Nishikigi regrouped for another attempt and this time successfully walked Onokatsu out. Onokatsu make-koshi. Yorikiri.
Asahakuryu (3-7) defeated Shishi (8-2). Shishi yielded a morozashi, double-inside grip for Asahakuryu. Asahakuryu used it to steamroll Shishi to the edge. Shishi tried to use his left hand uwate to topple Asahakuryu but Asahakuryu forced Shishi over the bales. Yorikiri.
Asakoryu (5-5) defeated Mitakeumi (1-9). Asakoryu was not making any progress trying to push Mitakeumi. Mitakeumi blocked his hand away and pulled…giving Asakoryu the forward momentum he wanted and drove Mitakeumi out. Oshidashi.
Takerufuji (8-2) defeated Chiyoshoma (3-7). Takerufuji was too strong for Chiyoshoma, especially since Chiyoshoma couldn’t seem to plant with his right leg, keeping it in the air for much of the bout. Takerufuji pivoted and set course for the back side of the ring and forced Chiyoshoma out the back edge. Takerufuji has secured his kachi-koshi upon return to the top division . Yorikiri.
Wakamotoharu (4-6) defeated Kazuma (3-7). Wakamotoharu blitzed Kazuma, driving his head square into Kazuma’s head. Kazuma dropped immediately to one knee. Tsukiotoshi.
Kotoeiho (9-1) defeated Abi (5-5). Abi henka! Abi slapped Kotoeiho in the face while leaping to the right. He grabbed Kotoeiho’s head and belt, and spun him toward the bales. Kotoeisho braced himself at the edge and locked on to Abi’s belt firmly with both hands. Kotoeiho grabbed Abi’s belt from the right side and swept his leg as he drove Abi backward to the dohyo. Excellent come back. Kirikaeshi.
Takayasu (8-2) defeated Tobizaru (3-7). Takayasu assaulted Tobizaru with a hail storm of tsuppari until he blasted Tobizaru over the edge. Tsukidashi.
Roga (4-6) defeated Shodai (4-6). Roga gave Shodai a tug with his left hand uwate, forcing Shodai to stumble forward. Roga swept in behind Shodai and shoved him out from behind. Okuridashi.
Asanoyama (8-2) defeated Fujiseiun (5-5). Asanoyama got his migi-yotsu grip and forced Fujiseiun back and over the edge with powerful gaburi thrusts. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Fujiryoga (6-4) defeated Oshoma (4-6). Fujiryoga lashed out with a steady stream of tsuppari. Oshoma pulled and Fujiryoga shoved him out. Who’d have thunk it? The dude who was moving forward won the bout. Oshidashi.
Ura (4-6) defeated Hiradoumi (1-9). Ura met Hiradoumi’s over-caffeinated attack with firm tsuppari. He then shifted to the right suddenly and Hiradoumi flopped down to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.
Takanosho (4-6) defeated Fujinokawa (4-6). Takanosho’s nodowa and thrusts were too much for Fujinokawa as he blasted him back and out of the ring. Tsukidashi.
Sanyaku
Gonoyama (5-5) defeated Yoshinofuji (5-5). Gonoyama’s nodowa forced Yoshinofuji back toward the edge. Gonoyama followed up with forceful tsuppari and shoved Yoshinofuji out. Oshidashi.
Ichiyamamoto (5-5) defeated Kotoshoho (4-6). Kotoshoho opened with a slapdown attempt, giving Ichiyamamoto great position. Ichiyamamoto started with his tsuppari but it wasn’t have much effect on Kotoshoho, so he grabbed Kotoshoho’s belt with his left hand. Ichiyamamoto used his left-hand uwate grip to force Kotoshoho back and out. Yorikiri.
Atamifuji (7-3) defeated Churanoumi (3-7). Migi-yotsu, belly-to-belly, Atamifuji plain overpowered Churanoumi. Churanoumi lost a bit of leverage since Atamifuji’s mawashi seemed loose. Atamifuji, meanwhile, focused on holding Churanoumi from the armpits rather than the belt. Yorikiri.
Kirishima (8-2) defeated Hakunofuji (7-3). Solid tachiai. Hidari-yotsu. Kirishima’s right-hand uwate seemed to be the difference maker here as he used that strong grip to force Hakunofuji back and out. Yorikiri.
Kotozakura (5-5) defeated Oho (1-9). Kotozakura pulled Oho down with his left-hand overarm grip. Uwatehineri.
Aonishiki (9-1) defeated Hoshoryu (6-4). Hoshoryu never got a good hold of Aonishiki’s belt. Meanwhile, Aonishiki had locked on with a tractor beam. He got that powerful left hand outside and, eventually, a right hand inside. After resisting the initial slapdown, Hoshoryu went on offense, pivoted and tried a sukuinage. Aonishiki was like, “Okay, you’re going to tip yourself half way, I’ll help you with the rest!” Friggin brilliant to turn Hoshoryu’s throw back onto the Yokozuna. Uwatenage.
Onosato (6-4) defeated Daieisho (6-4). Onosato drove right over Daieisho and his tsuppari. Abisetaoshi.
Wrap-Up
Yusho race:
- 1-Loss: Aonishiki, Kotoeiho
- 2-Losses: Kirishima, Takayasu, Asanoyama, Takerufuji, Shishi
Hoshoryu will fight Kotoshoho and Onosato will fight Atamifuji. Maybe next tournament one, or both, of the Yokozuna will feature in the yusho race. Kirishima, for his part, is still in it and will fight Ichiyamamoto. Kotozakura will fight Ura. Aonishiki will fight Gonoyama. Yoshinofuji will take on Churanoumi and Oho will next throw himself at the feet of Takanosho.
Down in the rank-and-file, Hakunofuji is out of the race but he will fight Takayasu. Kotoeiho will fight Shishi and Asanoyama will take on Takerufuji as the yusho contenders are forced to cannibalize themselves.
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Hosh…6-4 😏
‚Chairman Hakkuho‘ ? That‘s a nice creature :)
おやすみなさい、Andy-san!
Ah, that’s hilarious. I might not fix that typo. 🤣 We may have gotten a glimpse of my subconscious.
I second that. 😝
Ah ! If only…..
Tired and wishful thinking from Andy?
Don’t…I suppose both Yokozuna are on 6-4 now. I know Hosh has reached Yokozuna, but I still root for him to win, except today’s match where it was in their hands, no yelling one way or another from me. Happy for one, sad for another. I am glad Aonishiki won, I really want him to regain his Ozeki rank.
There’s never ever a dull day in Grand Sumo is there? I’m so pleased to see Atamifuji building on his early promise, which I’m attributing to Terunofuji BTW.
Also Takerufuji and his kachi-koshi is cheering to witness.
I want to mention Kotozakura’s continual stumbles to 8 wins, then the slump to Kadoban status and back again. I feel for him, and I don’t actually care for him as a rikishi, but as a person, he’s struggling which is tough to watch, over and over.
The entire planet of Sumo can express our gratitude to Kotoeiho for providing some consequences for henka! All the more beautiful, in that the attempt was from amongst the upper reaches of henka royalty, King Abi himself!
Shodai with the “usher me out gently” move, always hilarious.
I liked the determination on Fujiryoga, he is quietly improving, and has a no-nonsense approach.
Abi must think he’s 20 pounds lighter than he is. Or if he was, he’d have taken flight.
Aonishiki. I didn’t see any favoring of the ankle today. Brilliant sumo. Hoshoryu, on the other hand…well, he just got beat.
Onosato: not how I expect to see a Yokozuna win as he was staring severe injury in the face by his sheer momentum…and fierce determination. But he got it done. No sign of hesitation.
Wow, wow, wow, unbelievable (Kate Bush): Aonishiki 9:1 after both yokozuna! And in the lead!
There remains only one mandatory win now. But tomorrow he’ll meet Gonoyama, a rikishi he hasn’t beaten before. (Well, he hasn’t lost against him either…)
“Lionheart” is a great album. Just saying.
Shishi reference?
It’s my favourite of hers cb, followed closely by The Kick Inside, not least for the use of whale song.
I‘m one of the few who love her 4th album „The Dreaming“ best, also followed closely by „The Kick Inside“. And „Never Forever“. And „Hounds Of Love“.
But „The Dreaming“ is not only my favorite, it is also best fitting to the Aonishiki situation.
Wow, wow, wow indeed Herbern! A one-footed Aonishiki is amazing us all. His determination and fighting spirit are unmatched. Btw, thanks for pointing out how well mannered the talented Kotoeiho is. I’ve made it a point after your comment a few days ago, to observe his after bout behavior in particular, and you can tell he is a kind and considerate rikishi, always offering a genuine hand of help. He is quickly earning a special place in my Sumo fan heart ❤️
Karen and Betty, having U both in the same thread, I wanted to ask U about Omori.
The Japanese media seem unable to write about him without the adjective „handsome“.
Here‘s a picture of him (he being the one on the right btw):
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/312w_1q91Bc/maxresdefault.jpg
Please give me/us your expert opinion whether he is really such a heartthrob.
PS: Male views, expert or not, are welcome too.
If I was of the female persuasion, I would be sayin’ “Yeah, he’s a HUNK!”
Omori is a fairy tale prince, beating any hollywood character you can think of, because he‘s live :)
Hi again Herbern, first must say you gave me a good laugh with the picture and pointing out Omori is the one on the right, i.e. not Asahifuji….hahah. Asahifuji has a face, especially when he’s grimacing in most of headshots I’ve seen of him, that only his mother could love. Getting back to Omori… I think he is classically good looking, nice face and nicely muscled well proportioned body. There are other Rikishi in his good looking category, so I don’t really see what all the commotion is about….someone has given him this moniker, and the Japanese media is sticking with it.
I‘m in love with Atamifuji‘s picture at the JSA website!
U know it certainly, Karen, but for those who don’t, here it is:
https://www.sumo.or.jp/img/sumo_data/rikishi/270×474/20250061.jpg
What an optimistic, confident young man… can U imagine doing him the dohyo-iri one day with such a facial expression?
Because of the typo, I was expecting Atamifuji’s beaming mug. Not what I got.
hi herbern, sorry I’m so late responding to this, a hugely long day at work. Onori. hmm, to borrow from my Irish grandmother, he’s a pleasant enough looking lad, but no heart-throb or hunk. Someone’s teenage daughter has probably said ‘he’s cute’ online, friends have agreed, and whoosh, its gone viral and becomes a ‘thing’, that the media then runs with. He’s young, fit and healthy, Japanese, and a rikishi- a change perhaps from the more stylised K-pop boys?
Who knows what he’s like as a person? I don’t suppose the teen fans care too much.
As Karen wrote ‘there are other good looking rikishi’; however clearly he’s the flavour du jour because teens can be that one-dimensional and the media want nothing more than something that sells!
Thank U very much for your answers JBipes, Justme (or should I say Justyou?), Karen and Betty. Very interesting thoughts about how both teenagers and media tick too.
Funnily enough the men seem more impressed by Omori than the women. Methinks that he certainly doesn’t look like your average japanese rikishi but that a je ne sais quoi of charm is missing which I saw in (the young) Endo.
Onosato win? Was it really so clear? With the benefit of seeing slow~mo replay multiple times, I saw Onosato in full flight hurtling off the dohyo, having pushed Daeisho back and out excepting one of Daeisho’s feet still planted for a few milli seconds longer… dead body rule? No stirring of the shipman to lift a hand for mono- ii. I don’t think I will ever fully get this….
Having watched the situation again picture by picture I think U‘re right. It seems to me that Onosato left the ring first. And both bodies were „dead“. The yokozuna was clearly the one who‘s attack ended the bout therefore he was the right winner for me. But I doubt that the judges look at it that way. It will be interesting to hear the comment in the NHK highlights.
Hi Herbern, I heard zero discussion on NHK about this, which I find surprising. I would have thought Murray would have said something. I also have seen in past when both are dead at same time, that they favor thee aggressor pusher with the win.
Correcting typo of shipman to shimpan
My text system knows German, too. Therefore „shimpan“ is dangerously near to „Schimpanse“, which of course would be a chimpanzee…
Wow, Aonishiki breaks out his best for Hoshoryu! What a match! I think he’s been going for that left hand grip to help his taped left ankle, as any throw would then most likely pivot off the right ankle. Amazed at how well he’s been able to land it. No overwhelming power, but boy does he have serious skills.
Papa Bear wins another! Keep going big guy! I’m rooting for you!
Although he was really helped by that loose mawashi, Atamifuji looks like he’s grown more into that body and is noticeably stronger and more stable than before. He does have the Great Kaiju himself as a trainer now, and I think that’s really helping him. Especially now that he’s top wrestlerv in the stable and is probably getting extra special attention.
No forward moving sumo from Kotozakura. Hmmmmmm.
A day of quality bouts, to be sure.
!!MOVE FORWARD!! Why can’t they remember that?! Also, if you’re pulling, remember to PIVOT!
I have to add a comment about the Tamawashi v Kagayaki Juryo match. Look for videos on YouTube; it’s hilarious. Kags tossed Tamawashi off the dohyo, who himself brought Kimura Kankuro along for the flight, then knocked over the gyoji tamari and a couple of fans. Tamawashi did manage to land in a place with a few unoccupied cushions. No idea if they were unoccupied before he was launched.
Thanks Kathy for pointing this one out, very entertaining, given no one was injured. Tamawashi became the human bowling ball. I did see one small Japanese lady to the left of the carnage looking quite traumatized by getting run-over. A man on the right however looked delighted to have had the experience of being squashed, haha.
It looks to me that Hosh is not clear what his strategy is in lots of these matches . And/or .. he has not considered the counter moves he’ll deal with by doing whatever it is he’s trying to accomplish ..
One other stray observation is that he has not thrown a bunch of his Mongolian body frisbee moves like he used to .. perhaps his knee is not up to such ballet stuff..
I agree Onosato & Daiesho deserved a lengthy monoi ..
Kotoeiho’s balance & flexibility is off the charts .. he showed some of that by how coolly he handled Abi’s flying sumo act .. Yes, he appears to be a good sport as well .. easy to root for ..
Kotoeiho is such a decent fighter, it‘s healing to watch. Adjusting the counter move in a split second, all limbs placed perfectly, no hesitation at all.
Hoshoryu might have been quite nervous and was maybe overthinking so much, that natural responses didn’t find their way early enough. I really wondered why his ottsuke try on Aonishiki‘s bout deciding right hand mawashi grip came so late. He just had his hand lingering softly under his opponent‘s shoulder. Not a resolute action here. Next basho, next yusho try…