Day Two in Tokyo.

So, yesterday, both Aonishiki and Shishi turned in good fights, though Ura managed to prevail over Shishi. Wakamotoharu looked strong and at his current level, he could clean up if that kind of performance continues. As for Onosato, it was great to see him win but I was rather disappointed to see that win coming by way of running away and jumping at the edge. Otherwise, the sanyaku, especially the Ozeki, fought well and appeared ready to compete for a title.

Asahifuji fought today with an oichomage for the first time because he visited Juryo to fight Tochitaikai. The oichomage is the prestigious ginko-leaf hair style worn primarily by sekitori so, this is likely to be an auspicious bout in the memories and video montages if Asahifuji’s career comes anywhere near the hype. That means Tochitaikai will be chuffed for years to come.

Tochitaikai hit Asahifuji with a furious volley of tsuppari, keeping him at arm’s length. Asahifuji continued to press forward, trying to get inside. This gave Tochitaikai an opportunity to pull Asahifuji’s extended right arm, shift slightly left and pull Asahifuji forward. Tochitaikai capitalized quickly and got a left-handed grip at the back of Asahifuji’s mawashi. He pressed hard and drove the pair out, crashing over the side – gunbai Tochitaikai. “You’re not wearing silk, yet. And I aim to keep mine.”

In Juryo, Endo picked up his first loss as he got slapped down by Tohakuryu. Kazekeno did the same thing to Tamawashi after a strong tachiai. Tamawashi leaned into his attack and after a brief display of strong resistance, Kazekeno took the opportunity to slip to the side and bring Tamawashi down. Let’s turn to the top division.

Your NHK videos for Day Two are here.

Makuuchi Action

Toshinofuji (1-1) defeated Kyokukaiyu (0-2). Toshinofuji got Kyokukaiyu in a headlock but did not find it particularly useful. He let go, got lower, and drove into Kyokukaiyu to take him back and out. Yorikiri.

Asasuiryu (2-0) defeated Shonannoumi (0-2). Shonannoumi’s first instinct, the slapdown, did not pay off as Asasuiryu quickly got his left hand inside and bulled forward, forcing Shonannoumi out quickly. Yorikiri.

Tokihayate (2-0) defeated Chiyoshoma (0-2). Chiyoshoma hit Tokihayate with a nodowa, then pivoted and pulled. Tokihayate charged ahead and forced him out. Oshidashi.

Asakoryu (2-0) defeated Abi (0-2). Asakoryu just overpowered Abi who could not get his trademark attack going, at all. Oshidashi.

Asahakuryu (2-0) defeated Tobizaru (0-2). Asahakuryu kept his head down like the dominant ram forcing Tobizaru into retreat. Oshidashi.

Oho (1-1) defeated Shodai (0-2). Oho got his right-hand inside and followed Shodai around the ring as he tried to tip Oho. Shodai never got enough leverage as Oho ushered him out. Yorikiri.

Kinbozan (2-0) defeated Wakamotoharu (1-1). Fifteen days is a long time and I made the mistake of reading too much into Wakamotoharu’s strong win yesterday. His undercarriage looked rather weak today and he was unable to stop Kinbozan’s forward progress. Oshidashi.

Takerufuji (2-0) defeated Shishi (0-2). Takerufuji bulldozed Shishi, a rather impressive feat. Oshidashi.

Hiradoumi (1-1) defeated Ura (1-1). Hiradoumi launched into Ura, driving him back and out. Ura had little time to attempt any attack. Oshidashi.

Asanoyama (2-0) defeated Nishikifuji (0-2). Nishikifuji dished out a lot of abuse at Asanoyama but the former Ozeki kept moving forward, like the Terminator. He got his right hand up under Nishikifuji’s shoulder and hauled him over. Sukuinage.

Halftime

Fujiseiun (2-0) defeated Ichiyamamoto (0-2). Ichiyamamoto charged forward but Fujiseiun pivoted and pulled Ichi off balance. Katasukashi.

Takanosho (2-0) defeated Oshoma (1-1). Takanosho battered Oshoma with tsuppari. Oshoma backed away looking for relief. He finally found the peace he was looking for on the other side of the tawara. Oshidashi.

Roga (1-1) defeated Fujiryoga (0-2). Roga got a strong left hand inside grip, and tried to power Fujiryoga backward. Fujiryoga did not yield much ground in this yotsu battle. Roga let go with his left hand and pulled it up under Fujiryoga’s shoulder to help him heave Fujiryoga over with that mighty right-hand. Uwatenage.

Sanyaku

Gonoyama (1-1) defeated Daieisho (0-2). Gonoyama weathered Daieisho’s tsuppari, backing to the edge. As they approached, Daieisho pulled and attempted a slapdown but Gonoyama kept his balance and charged forward. Daieisho turned and drove back into Gonoyama. This time, as they approached the edge, Gonoyama grabbed Daieisho’s arm and pulled him forward while pivoting to escape out the left side. As Daieisho crashed forward, Gonoyama shoved him from the side to finish him off. Hikkake.

Atamifuji (2-0) defeated Churanoumi (1-1). Churanoumi tried to cycle, clockwise along the edge but Atamifuji’s footwork did not fail him. Atamifuji looked every bit the Ozeki as he powered Churanoumi out. Will he keep this up for another two weeks? Oshidashi.

Kotoeiho (1-1) defeated Fujinokawa (1-1). Fujinokawa shot out like a missile, both arms hugging Kotoeiho. Kotoeiho had no choice but to wrap Fujinokawa up with both arms outside. He twisted and dragged Fujinokawa to the tawara and then deposited him in the front row. Ever the gentleman, Kotoeiho checked in on Fujinokawa to make sure his opponent survived the drop intact. Yoritaoshi.

Kirishima (2-0) defeated Hakunofuji (0-2). Kirishima fought hard to keep Hakunofuji’s left hand off his belt while trying to use his own left arm to pull Hakunofuji over. Though he never got the sukuinage, Kirishima eventually got Hakunofuji moving backward, picking up speed and momentum as the two headed toward the straw bales. Hakunofuji tried to put on the brakes but Kirishima bowled him over. Yoritaoshi.

Aonishiki (2-0) defeated Takayasu (0-2). Takayasu blasted Aonishiki with a torrent of slaps and thrusts but Aonishiki still managed to get inside. First, it looked like he’d get a right-hand grip but when he locked on with the left, Takayasu was done. Aonishiki quickly pressured Papayasu out. Yorikiri.

Kotozakura (2-0) defeated Yoshinofuji (0-2). Kotozakura didn’t make much use of his size, opting to back toward the bales while shifting left to get a belt grip. While his momentum carried him back, he pulled Yoshinofuji forward and down to the ground. Uwatenage.

Onosato (2-0) defeated Kotoshoho (0-2). Today, Onosato charged ahead and got the job done, quickly forcing Kotoshoho back and over the edge. Oshidashi.

Wrap-up

Another Takasago sweep. As y’all noted, the morning dragons have been double-dosing the protein coffee and Asanoyama looks ready to make his own charge back to sanyaku.

Speaking of sanyaku, we’ve got another hot day of action tomorrow. Onosato will take on Kotoeiho while Aonishiki will fight Kotoshoho. Kirishima will battle Takayasu, who has so far looked outside his depth with his accumulated experience (aka. Injuries). Kotozakura will fight Daieisho and Atamifuji will fight Takanosho. Fujinokawa will face Gonoyama and Hakunofuji will hope to pick up his first sanyaku victory at the expense of Fujiryoga.