Day One in Tokyo.
Eisei lost his first bout in a very close one against Joshoyu. Joshoyu pressured Eisei to the edge with a morozashi but Eisei cut Joshoyu’s left hand grip and nearly pulled off a spectacular throw. However, Joshoyu recovered and drove Eisei back through the ring and out.
Joshoyu stayed low and Eisei seemed gassed after that throw attempt. Eisei 0-1 to start his career, Joshoyu now the likely favorite for the first division yusho.
Asahifuji was unfazed by Himukamaru’s shift at the tachiai and picked up his first win of the tournament. Asahifuji will clearly be the favorite for the Makushita yusho, though he only needs kachi-koshi to earn promotion to Juryo. He’s off to a great start.
In Juryo, Nishikigi lost to the Makushita visitor, Nishinoryu. Meisei also lost to Kayo. We can feel the seasons changing. That said, some of the other members of the Old Guard picked up wins. Kagayaki beat Tanji, the newcomer. Enho beat Hatsuyama and Ryuden showed off Tomokaze. Sadanoumi defeated Mitakeumi in the geezer show-down. Unfortunately, Grampa Tom O’Washi lost to Kazuma.
Makuuchi Action
Dewanoryu defeated Shonannoumi. Dewanoryu seized Shonannoumi’s belt with his right-hand overarm grip, then pulled and cycled counter-clockwise along the bales, trying to slap Shonannoumi down. Shonannoumi advanced, preventing the slapdown. Dewanoryu regrouped at the center of the ring and charged forward instead, forcing Shonannoumi out. My cousin’s voice, distant echoes through space and time. “Move Forward!!!” Yorikiri.
Tokihayate defeated Toshinofuji. Tokihayate tried a similar attack as Dewanoryu. When the pull didn’t bring Toshinofuji down Tokihayate twisted the other way, used his opposite arm to lever Toshinofuji over. Sukuinage.
Asasuiryu defeated Chiyoshoma. Chiyoshoma reached for Asasuiryu’s belt with his right-hand uwate but Asasuiryu shifted slightly to his left, putting slack into Chiyoshoma’s hold. Asasuiryu then drove forward and forced Chiyoshoma out. Yorikiri.
Asakoryu defeated Tobizaru. Asakoryu grabbed the back of Tobizaru’s belt with his left hand and swung him down. The Ishizaki brothers are off to a great start. Shitatenage.
Asahakuryu defeated Abi. Abi plowed ahead with his tsuppari but Asahakuryu slipped left at the edge and shoved Abi down. Tsukiotoshi.
Wakamotoharu defeated Shodai. Wakamotoharu looked healthy and ready for the first time this year. He blitzed Shodai with a right hand to the jaw, then grabbed Shodai’s belt with his left hand inside grip and forced him back and over the edge. We might see great things from him this basho. Yorikiri.
Kinbozan defeated Oho. Kinbozan moved forward. Oho didn’t. Kinbozan used his left hand inside grip to charge forward and force Oho out. Yorikiri.
Ura defeated Shishi. Ura’s plan for this bout was to focus on Shishi’s left arm and slap him down. Shishi kept his balance, though. The pair separated and then re-engaged. This time, Ura pulled Shishi forward and shifted right. He got behind Shishi and didn’t hold back as he blasted the Ukrainian off the dohyo. Ura’s strength alone was not sufficient to bring Shishi down; the addition of misdirection was key. Okuritaoshi.
Takerufuji defeated Hiradoumi. Takerufuji pulled off a similar misdirection. Hiradoumi charged into Takerufuji at the edge. But Takerufuji shifted right aling the bales and shoved Hiradoumi forward. Tsukiotoshi.
Fujiseiun defeated Nishikifuji. Both men got left-hand inside grips. Fujiseiun tried to cut Nishikifuji’s hold by pulling at Nishikifuji’s arm but it wasn’t working. Instead he tried to add a right hand uwate but Nishikifuji’s belt was too far away. Next, Fujiseiun pulled hard with his left, swinging Nishikifuji around. That action cut Nishikifuji’s hold. Fujiseiun continued his attack by charging forward and forcing Nishikifuji out. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Asanoyama defeated Ichiyamamoto. Asanoyama charged ahead and bellied Ichiyamamoto over the edge. It’s a Day One sweep for the Takasago boys. Yorikiri.
Oshoma defeated Roga. Oshoma hooked his right hand in Roga’s left, pulling him forward. This gave Oshoma a favorable angle of attack for a little tsuppar. Oshoma then pulled Roga down. Hikiotoshi.
Takanosho defeated Fujiryoga. Fujiryoga pulled and tried to heave Takanosho over by pulling on his right shoulder. Unfortunately, this helped Takanosho get in behind Fujiryoga and shove him out. Okuridashi.
Sanyaku
Churanoumi defeated Hakunofuji. Hakunofuji charged ahead at the tachiai but Churanoumi shifted left and shoved Hakunofuji’s right side, forcing Hakunofuji to the edge. Hakunofuji turned to adjust but Churanoumi powered forward and forced Hakunofuji over the edge. Yorikiri.
Fujinokawa defeated Yoshinofuji. Fujinokawa used his right hand to try a sukuinage. That nearly toppled Yoshinofuji and drove him to the edge. Yoshinofuji tried his own throw but Fujinokawa pressed ahead and forced him out. Yorikiri.
Atamifuji defeated Gonoyama. Gonoyama tried to hold Atamifuji at bay with a right hand nodowa. Gonoyama then tried to get inside on Atamifuji’s belt. He might have done better to keep Atamifuji away, instead. Atamifuji latched on, himself, and dragged Gonoyama over to the edge before using strong gaburi hip-thrusts to finish him off. Yorikiri.
Aonishiki defeated Kotoeiho. Aonishiki’s left-hand inside grip was unstoppable today. He quickly latched on, then tipped Kotoeiho over. Kotoeiho hopped on his left leg as he tried to counter. Aonishiki kept up the pressure and forced him over the bales. Yorikiri.
Kotozakura defeated Takayasu. Kotonanahachi started the bout with a pull, “Here we go again.” When it failed, he struck out at Takayasu with a nodowa. The two men traded thrusts before Kotozakura showed up, seized Takayasu’s belt and drove forward. If anyone needs the “MOVE FORWARD” lesson, it’s Kotozakura. And Oho. But mostly Kotozakura. Look at that. It worked! Yorikiri.
Kirishima defeated Kotoshoho. After a flurry of slaps and thrusts, Kirishima grabbed Kotoshoho’s belt with his left hand and dragged him forward to the ground. Uwatenage.
Onosato defeated Daieisho. Giri-giri Onosato. Onosato pulled once and Daieisho hopped forward. Onosato pulled again and this time Daieisho fell. Onosato had committed to it this time as he leapt from the ring. Onosato’s living on the edge. Hatakikomi.
Wrap-up
One item that I forgot to mention in my preview, this will be Tategyoji Kimura Shonosuke’s final tournament. He officiated the musubi-no-ichiban today. He will turn 65 on October 30, reaching retirement age.
Honestly, I’m still thinking about Asasuiryu’s little shift against Chiyoshoma. With that large step forward and that slight off-center angle, Chiyoshoma’s right hand grip was rendered ineffective and Asasuiryu charged forward.
It’s very nice of Onosato to set himself up to draw criticism from Hoshoryu. Isn’t it? Let’s just say the NHK broadcast booth was rather displeased today.
Anyway, loads of great action today. I’m thrilled to see sumo back. I’m also thrilled to see Wakamotoharu back at 100%, apparently. I hope he keeps it up!
Turning to tomorrow’s sanyaku bouts, Daieisho will fight Gonoyama to start things off. Then Atamifuji will fight Churanoumi. Kotoeiho will take on Fujinokawa, Kirishima will battle Hakunofuji, Aonishiki will try to get hold of Takayasu, and Kotozakura will fight Yoshinofuji. Onosato will close things out against Kotoshoho. Upsets are likely. See you tomorrow!
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Takayasu should have been able to capitalise on Kotozakura’s early pull but he seemed to lack power and the final coup-de-grace suggested that the leg injury is pretty bad. I fear intai sooner rather than later.
Yep, and no resistance going backwards. Never a good sign..
Loved that moment of indecision with Shishi: “My opponent is off-balance and practically on the tawara, I’ll just shove him out….. oh, hang on, it’s Ura.”
I don’t get that Section about Onosato drawing criticism from Hoshoryu – did i skip something or what does that refer to?
I don’t understand that, either.
wonderful Shonichi, brings back the joy of Sumo