Day Four in Tokyo.

Shinmichi picked up his first win in maezumo. Shinmichi is a shin-deshi (new recruit) noted in Japanese press for being “a buck 25.” Well, over there they use metric, so he’s 57kg. They note that his weight is in “the 50s.” Which is rather light for a sumo wrestler and they’re looking forward to his inevitable bout with Ultraman (Urutora).

The Sumo Association had paired him off against a 165 kg 19-year-old from Tottori Johoku High School in his first bout yesterday. The larger Matsunosato easily dispatched the youngster, displaying an appropriate degree of mercy.

Shinmichi’s entry into sumo is really only possible since the sumo association relaxed its height and weight limits, allowing exceptions to enter if they pass a series of physical tests. Shinmichi comes to sumo with a background in MMA and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Well, does it even count as a “background” when you’re 15 years old and you picked it up in sixth grade? I’ve got pimples with more experience.

In the first division, Eisei won his second professional bout against Honda. Honda is 190cm and 140kg. Up in Juryo, Hitoshi flattened Enho with fierce tsuppari. Daiseizan shares the 4-0 lead with Kitanowaka, Kagayaki and Kayo. I would not put much money on those last three remaining undefeated to nakabi, much less featuring in a yusho race. But stranger things have happened.

NHK videos are here.

Makuuchi Action

Asasuiryu (3-1) defeated Kazuto (1-3). Asasuiryu immediately locked on to Kazuto’s shoulder and wrangled him down in the middle of the ring. Katasukashi.

Tobizaru (1-3) defeated Shonannoumi (0-4). Tobizaru got his right-hand hold of Shonannoumi’s belt and was determined to use that grip and spin Shonannoumi down. Shonannoumi struggled to contain Tobizaru and eventually succumbed to the drag-down. Uwatedashinage.

Toshinofuji (3-1) defeated Asakoryu (3-1). Toshinofuji got a firm right hand grip on Asakoryu’s belt and dragged him down at the edge. Gunbai Toshinofuji. Mono-ii. Shimpan wanted to take a closer look to whether Toshinofuji’s foot stepped out first. It did not, though it came close. Uwatenage.

Abi (2-2) defeated Tokihayate (2-2). Abi-zumo of old. Abi battered Tokihayate with tsuppari and drove Tokihayate out with a particularly forceful right hand. Tsukidashi.

Chiyoshoma (2-2) defeated Asahakuryu (2-2). Henka! Chiyoshoma jumped right, grabbed Asahakuryu’s belt and pulled him forward and off the dohyo to a smattering of applause. Yorikiri.

Kinbozan (3-1) defeated Shodai (0-4). Kinbozan grabbed Shodai’s belt with both hands, buried his head under Shodai’s chin and drove the former Ozeki back and out. Yorikiri.

Wakamotoharu (3-1) defeated Shishi (1-3). After a brief period of trading slaps, the two settled in the center with hidari-yotsu grips. Wakamotoharu demonstrated the strength and initiative, driving Shishi back. Shishi countered with his own pressure but Wakamotoharu overwhelmed Shishi and crashed the pair out. Overpowering Shishi like that is no small task. Yoritaoshi.

Takerufuji (3-1) defeated Oho (1-3). Gah! Oho showed great strength and drove Takerufuji back to the edge…and then he pulled!! Takerufuji kept his balance as Oho tried to slap him down and forced him out the opposite side. Oshidashi.

Hiradoumi (2-2) defeated Fujiseiun (3-1). Hiradoumi executed what Oho attempted. Hiradoumi slammed into Fujiseiun and drove him back. He then shifted subtly to the left and shoved Fujiseiun down as the latter rushed forward. Tsukiotoshi.

Ura (3-1) defeated Nishikifuji (1-3). Nishikifuji charged forward and Ura retreated around the ring, nearly completing an entire lap before realizing this attack wasn’t getting anywhere. Ura squared up and drove forward, forcing Nishikifuji out. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Roga (3-1) defeated Ichiyamamoto (0-4) Ichiyamamoto got off to a great start with his tsuppari attack but Roga got his right arm under Ichiyamamoto’s left, pivoted and swung him around, nearly scoring a sukuinage at the edge. Though Ichiyamamoto remained upright, he was completely back-footed and Roga drove forward and out. Yorikiri.

Asanoyama (3-1) defeated Oshoma (2-2). Asanoyama drove into Oshoma and got his powerful left-hand uwate. Oshoma planted his foot at the bales and would not go over so Asanoyama swung him down with that uwatenage.

Churanoumi (3-1) defeated Takanosho (3-1). Churanoumi retreated from Takanosho’s tsuppari then charged inside and used his morozashi to force Takanosho out. Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Daieisho (1-3) defeated Yoshinofuji (0-4). This was the most composed I’ve seen Daieisho in that he seemed to understand balance. He used his normal attack but did not get out too far over his feet. A simple shift caught Yoshinofuji off balance and Daieisho pounced, blasting Yoshinofuji from the ring. Tsukiotoshi.

Atamifuji (3-1) defeated Fujiryoga (1-3). Pull at your peril! Fujiryoga put in a great attack but then decided to pull. Atamifuji chased and shoved Fujiryoga down. Oshitaoshi.

Kotoshoho (1-3) defeated Fujinokawa (2-2). What did I just say? “Pull at your peril!” Fujinokawa pulled and became immediately imperiled. Fujinokawa met a strong tachiai from Kotoshoho and decided to pull. Kotoshoho rushed him out of the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Hakunofuji (1-3) defeated Aonishiki (3-1). Hakunofuji charged forward well, forcing Aonishiki back to the tawara. Aonishiki got his left hand grip but lost the initiative as he tried to slow the Juggernaut in front of him. Aonishiki decided to pull. What.did.I.just.say??? Hakunofuji charged forward. The delayed gunbai pointed at Hakunofuji. No Mono-ii. An extremely out-of-breath Hakunofuji headed to the interview room. Give the man some oxygen! Oshidashi.

Kotozakura (4-0) defeated Gonoyama (1-3). Kotozakura shifted left after the initial charge, grabbed Gonoyama’s belt and dragged him down. Uwatenage.

Kirishima defeated Kotoeiho. Kirishima got both hands inside. That makikae was a bit of a gamble because it allowed Kotoeiho an opportunity to charge ahead. Kirishima stopped Kotoeiho’s momentum, shuffled to regain position at the center of the ring, and used that morozashi to force Kotoeiho out. Yorikiri.

Takayasu defeated Onosato. WHAT.DID.I.SAY? Onosato completely abandoned the forward-moving sumo of the last couple of bouts. He pulled and leapt from the dohyo while trying to slap Takayasu down or pull him out. Takayasu nearly lost his balance but pirouetted on the tawara as he watched Onosato dive into the crowd. Pay Day!! Tsukiotoshi.

Wrap-up

I think I’ve said enough about today’s bouts. I’ll let my cousin’s voice echo through the interwebs. “MOVE FORWARD!!!”

Tomorrow’s big bout is Onosato versus Yoshinofuji. Yoshinofuji has beaten Onosato three.times.running. He’s 4-0 against the Yokozuna if you count the fusen. However, Yoshinofuji is 0-4 in this tournament. Either the Yokozuna will be another black star in a bad losing streak or his first white star will be white-gold. Onosato is probably in the market for a quality voodoo doll.

Other sanyaku bouts are Kotozakura against Churanoumi, Aonishiki versus Gonoyama, Kirishima-Takanosho, Atamifuji versus Daieisho, and Hakunofuji versus Fujinokawa. That last bout could be a real barnstormer. Hakunofuji won their only previous bout.

Days like today are why I watch live. I just don’t get the same drama from watching replays. Holy moly that was immensely frustrating but a great day of sumo.