Day Five in Tokyo.
Checking in with the infirmary, Nabatame is kyujo with mumps. It’s a rather sad prospect if he can’t return to the tournament because he just crawled back into the division after having knee surgery. We hope he has a speedy and full recovery allowing him a quick return. Tanji received the fusen victory, improving to 4-1. Nabatame is 2-3.
Kayo, Kagayaki, Kitanofuji and Daiseizan lead the second division at the moment, undefeated, 5-0. On Enho watch, he lost to Ryuden. Ryuden is tough to beat when he gets that right hand overarm hold.
While checking the headlines, I came across this jaw-dropper. Endo revealed that he has about 30 kesho mawashi. He was featured on a panel at a talk event and was asked how many he had. They will likely all be on display at his retirement ceremony. I imagine them in cold storage, next to the Arc from Indiana Jones.
New fans may not realize the stunning heights of Endo mania. His dashing good looks, gravelly voice and dry wit (ha, ha) made sujo swoon. He was on a number of commercials and had many sponsorship deals at the height of his popularity.
Makuuchi Action
Toshinofuji (4-1) defeated Shonannoumi (0-5). Toshinofuji ushered Shonannoumi out with ease. Yorikiri.
Chiyoshoma (3-2) defeated Tamawashi (1-4). Chiyoshoma got his left hand inside grip and quickly forced Tamawashi back and out. Yorikiri.
Tobizaru (2-3) defeated Asasuiryu (3-2). Tobizaru slapped Asasuiryu down quickly after the tachiai. Tsukiotoshi.
Tokihayate (3-2) defeated Asakoryu (3-2). Tokihayate pulled and slapped Asakoryu down. Hatakikomi.
Abi (3-2) defeated Shodai (0-5). Abi-zumo back in force. Shodai retreated around the ring, trying to pull Abi out but Abi finished Shodai with a strong right hand nodowa. I’d mentioned Abi as a likely barge passenger but it’s clear Shodai’s more likely to claim that seat. Oshidashi.
Asahakuryu (3-2) defeated Kinbozan (3-2). Asahakuryu shifted left, grabbed Kinbozan’s mawashi with his left hand and drove him back out of the ring. Oshidashi.
Shishi (2-3) defeated Oho (1-4). Migi-yotsu. Shishi overpowered Oho and drove him out. Oho tried a last gasp sukuinage but Shishi’s footwork was solid. Yorikiri.
Ura (4-1) defeated Wakamotoharu (3-2). Great finish here. Wakamotoharu was still trying to get his left hand inside. Ura charged ahead, forcing Wakamotoharu into an early throw. But Ura tripped Wakamotoharu and kept charging forward, crushing Wakamotoharu down. Sotogake.
Hiradoumi (3-2) defeated Ichiyamamoto (0-5). Ichiyamamoto committed to the slapdown early but Hiradoumi remained upright long enough to shove Ichi out. Oshidashi.
Asanoyama (4-1) defeated Takerufuji (3-2). Asanoyama tried to throw Takerufuji but Takerufuji countered powerfully, forcing Asanoyama back to the edge. Asanoyama shuffled along the bales and then twisted, shoving Takerufuji from the left side and forcing him to take a knee. Tsukiotoshi.
Halftime
Oshoma (3-2) defeated Nishikifuji (1-4). Oshoma pivoted and drove Nishikifuji back and out. Oshidashi.
Roga (4-1) defeated Fujiseiun (3-2). Fujiseiun cycled clockwise around the ring as Roga charged ahead. Fujiseiun tripped over the tawara and fell backward. Oshitaoshi.
Fujiryoga (2-3) defeated Kotoeiho (1-4). Fujiryoga stuck Kotoeiho with a solid tachiai forced him back and out. Yorikiri.
Kotoshoho (2-3) defeated Takayasu (2-3). Kotoshoho blocked Takayasu’s arms. Takayasu decided to pull and Kotoshoho gladly shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Fujinokawa (3-2) defeated Hakunofuji (1-4). Fujinokawa laid into Hakunofuji with blistering tsuppari. He then shifted left and Hakunofuji’s momentum carried him staggering forward. Fujinokawa hooked his arm up under Hakunofuji’s shoulder, pulling him toward the bales. He then lashed back out with more slaps to drive him out. I’m not sure what plan Hakunofuji came with. Oshidashi.
Atamifuji (4-1) defeated Daieisho (1-4). Atamifuji shoved Daieisho to the edge and finished him off with a few shoves to the face. Oshidashi.
Kirishima (4-1) defeated Takanosho (3-2). Kirishima shifted left and got Takanosho spun around by pulling his arm forward. Kirishima then finished him off, shoving from behind. Okuridashi.
Gonoyama (2-3) defeated Aonishiki (3-2). Gonoyama hit Aonishiki hard at the tachiai, blasting the Ozeki backward. Aonishiki limped back down the hanamichi with that taped left foot. There’s plenty of opportunity for a non-kadoban Ozeki to go kyujo. Oshitaoshi.
Churanoumi (4-1) defeated Kotozakura (4-1). Churanoumi did not allow Kotozakura to get anywhere near his mawashi. As the suddenly one-dimensional Ozeki flailed around trying to get a hold of anything but pride, Churanoumi used his tsuppari effectively to force Kotozakura out. Kotozakura’s strategy today was: 1) grab belt, 2) pull backward, 3) rotate left while pulling to give myself a bit more room. He succeeded at 2 and 3 but failed at 1. If he fails at Step 1, he should not proceed to Step 2 or 3! Yes, Kotozakura was alone in the lead yesterday. Yes, I “forgot” to mention it. I wanted to wait a day to see if that would last. It did not. Who knew? Me. Well, I didn’t know but I had a sneaking suspicion that such a “lead” would not last into the weekend. Oshidashi.
Onosato (4-1) defeated Yoshinofuji (0-5). Onosato met Yoshinofuji with a solid tachiai. Onosato calmly worked his right hand inside to get a hold of Yoshinofuji’s belt. He then drove Yoshinofuji backward and out. Yorikiri.
Wrap-up
Onosato calmly cracked his goose-egg against Yoshinofuji, who is one of a number of guys still looking for their first win.
Turning to the Ozeki, Aonishiki looks suitably banged up to earn a spot on the couch for a few days. He recently had a broken tail bone and today’s crash landing did not likely help it to heal. I was very impressed with Gonoyama. That aggression was similar to Hiradoumi or Fujinokawa.
Kirishima looked strong while Kotozakura looked like Kotonanahachi.
Turning to tomorrow’s bouts, we see Hakunofuji and Daieisho will kick off sanyaku action. Then Atamifuji will fight Kotoshoho, Kotozakura will take on Takanosho, Kirishima will fight Yoshinofuji, and no rest for the weary as Aonishiki will face Fujinokawa. Onosato will end things against Gonoyama.
See you tomorrow.
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Seeing Gonoyama and Aonishiki square off I could not have guessed I was about a second away from feeling sorry for Aonishiki. What a Tachiai!