Day Three in Tokyo.

Sorry for the late update. The presentation went well and the conference is pretty nice. But damn, dude. Remember Animaniacs from back in the 90s? They had a song about how New York was once New Amsterdam. Well, old New York is definitely new New Amsterdam. The weed up here, it’s like a cloud, everywhere you go. I thought I was getting used to it in DC/Maryland…but no… Totally different level. Maybe I just picked the wrong neighborhood for my hotel.

I noticed Takagenji isn’t on the upcoming Sumo + Sushi tour. Maybe he’s still here somewhere? I’ll keep my eyes open and not too bloodshot. After all, I’ve got like, 4 levels of bosses here. This just does not happen in Tokyo. Even the tobacco smokers mostly stick to the enclosed rooms on the station platforms.

But I digress.

In the sumo world, day three means maezumo. The new American recruit out of Musashigawa-beya, Sunamusashi, picked up his first maezumo win today. As we move up to the Shin-jo folks, Joshoyu beat Hokuto again to really establish himself as the favorite for the first division yusho. Eisei will have his second bout tomorrow against Honda.

Up in Juryo, Tokifudo forced Himukamaru out, setting back Himukamaru’s drive back to full-time sumo, now with two losses. Enho beat Nabatame and Onokatsu defeated Tamawashi, who’s now 0-3. It’s a real gut shot to see so many of these former top rankers losing in Juryo. I think it’s a real sign of the quality of recruits AND the serious shortage of kabu, the stock needed to move on as an elder. And it’s very different from the flood of recruits back in the 1980s. A lot of them crashed out or became low-division lifers. There are a lot of solid, “elevator rikishi” coming up to replace the Old Guard. As we turn to look at last night’s top division action, hoo-boy, looks like more Old Guard are on their way.

NHK Videos are here.

Makuuchi Action

Daiseizan (3-0) defeated Tokihayate (2-1). Tokihayate tried to go inside with a morozashi but Daiseizan just overpowered him. Yorikiri.

Toshinofuji (2-1) defeated Asasuiryu (2-1). Toshinofuji had a devil of a time with Asasuiryu. Every time Toshinofuji tried to use his uwatenage, Asasuiryu countered with his shitatenage. Toshinofuji was able to get that lean in there just enough to force Asasuiryu out first. Uwatenage.

Chiyoshoma (1-2) defeated Shonannoumi (0-3). Uwatedashinage.

Abi (1-2) defeated Tobizaru (0-3). Abi chased Tobizaru around the edge and finally shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Asakoryu (3-0) defeated Shodai (0-3). Asakoryu outgunned Shodai, shoving him over the bales. For some of you newbies out there, Shodai has won yusho. He was an Ozeki. Oshidashi.

Wakamotoharu (2-1) defeated Asahakuryu (2-1). Wakamotoharu established his hidari-yotsu hold and walked Asahakuryu back and out. Yorikiri.

Shishi (1-2) defeated Kinbozan (2-1). Kinbozan tried to outmuscle Shishi and dragged him toward the edge a couple of times. But Shishi demonstrated real ring sense and power of his own. He stayed in, wore Kinbozan down, then walked him out. Yorikiri.

Ura (2-1) defeated Oho (1-2). After quite the energetic brawl, Ura got Oho’s right arm, dragged him back and down to the ground. Tottari.

Nishikifuji (1-2) defeated Hiradoumi (1-2). Hiradoumi tried to meet Nishikifuji’s tsuppari with his own but slipped. I wonder if the tachiai might have stunned him and he had a delayed fall? Tsukiotoshi.

Fujiseiun (3-0) defeated Takerufuji (2-1). Takerufuji tried to slap Fujiseiun down. Fujiseiun kept his balance and got inside. Then, in a spectacular move, he pulled Takerufuji back over his knee for a great trip/throw combo. Kirikaeshi.

Halftime

Oshoma (2-1) defeated Ichiyamamoto (0-3). Ichiyamamoto tried to drive into Oshoma but he was not having much success. Oshoma slipped left and tried to target Ichi’s left arm, pulling him forward then trying to slap him down. Ichiyamamoto pulled back to the edge but Oshoma followed and shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Roga (2-1) defeated Asanoyama (2-1). Roga went inside and Asanoyama tried a kimedashi but I think his left knee couldn’t muster the power. He pulled back and tried a slapdown but Roga drove through him and forced him out. I really hope Asanoyama didn’t go too far with that left knee. Oshidashi.

Churanoumi (2-1) defeated Yoshinofuji (0-3). Churanoumi got under Yoshinofuji and worked him over the edge. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Fujiryoga (1-2) defeated Hakunofuji (0-3). Fujiryoga took it to Hakunofuji. He drove Hakunofuji back like he was a blocking sled. When Hakunofuji’s leg braced at the edge, Fujiryoga adjusted and shoved him forward to the ground. Oshitaoshi.

Fujinokawa (2-1) defeated Gonoyama (1-2). Gonoyama had a great initial charge but Fujinokawa slipped to the side at the edge. When he started attacked, Gonoyama lost control in reverse. Oshidashi.

Takanosho (3-0) defeated Atamifuji (2-1). Takanosho executed beautifully. He forced Atamifuji to press forward with all his might at the edge then shifted left. Atamifuji flew off the dohyo and into the lap of the head shimpan. Tsukiotoshi.

Kotozakura (3-0) defeated Daieisho (0-3). Daieisho tried the slowest henka in recent memory. Kotozakura shifted and allowed Daieisho to attack. When Daieisho got moving forward, Kotozakura parried and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Takayasu (1-2) defeated Kirishima (2-1). Takayasu proved that he can still move laterally. Not a henka but similar idea. When Kirishima charged forward, Takayasu shifted out of the way and slapped him down. Hikiotoshi.

Aonishiki (3-0) defeated Kotoshoho (0-3). Kotoshoho gets great marks for forcing Aonishiki out of his plan and nearly pulling him off the dohyo. Aonishiki slipped free and reengaged. As Kotoshoho tried, yet again to pull Aonishiki forward at the edge, Aonishiki charged into him and forced him over the edge. Watashikomi.

Onosato (3-0) defeated Kotoeiho (1-2). Where’d Onosato pick up the bulldozer? Oshidashi.

Wrap-up

Great action from the top guys. I’m going to wrap this up quick because I’m so late with coverage today. Should be back to normal tomorrow or the day after.