Day Thirteen in Tokyo.
Takanosho kyujo. Hakunofuji will pick up the walkover win. This news is sad but also a relief. Takanosho appeared to be in real pain with that foot/ankle. I hope he’s chilling on the couch with his ankle iced, watching the action on TV.
In another sad development, the Sumo Association also announced Yago’s retirement during the broadcast. Yago had fallen into Sandanme and with his makekoshi record, he would have stayed there. Given the accumulated injuries, particularly the knee injuries which truncated his sekitori rank, he likely felt he would not have the ability to advance.
Moving on to today’s action, Kagayaki and Kayo lost but both remain the crux of the title race, for now. If you don’t like gore, don’t watch Nabatame’s win over Kagayaki. Nabatame hit Kagayaki with powerful tsuppari and a couple of headbutts, one of which appeared to open a dreadful gash over Kagayaki’s eye. This injury might play into the yusho race.
Mitakeumi dished out some of Kayo’s own medicine for a rare win. Kayo does have some forceful tsuppari, similar to Takakeisho, when he decides to deploy it. He laid into Mitakeumi but Mitakeumi escaped at the edge and slapped Kayo down, which felt rather satisfying to watch.
So, Kagayaki has two losses, Kayo one behind with three. But even Kitanowaka is still in this as every J4E with 11-4 records has earned promotion, going back 28 years.
Three days ago, Daiseizan seemed like he would lead the list of promotion candidates. Three losses later and it’s flipped to Dewanoryu and Tamawashi who appear to be ready for top division action, with Kyokukaiyu on a Week Two surge.
We’re definitely not short on demotion candidates. Wakanosho, Shonannoumi, and Wakatakakage appear to be going down for certain with Chiyoshoma, Tobizaru and even Shodai holding stand-by tickets if we get some late results for these Juryo guys in the top 5-6 ranks.
The lower division yusho races were decided tonight. There will be no playoffs in those races. Jonokuchi yusho winner, Joshoyu, has elevator rikishi potential. Expect to see him mentioned in the Jonidan race in Kyushu.
- Makushita: Inami
- Sandanme: Kobayashi
- Jonidan: Amane
- Jonokuchi: Joshoyu
Makuuchi Action
Toshinofuji (8-5) defeated Abi (7-6). Toshinofuji outlasted Abi, shoving Abi out. Toshinofuji survived Abi’s flurry of tsuppari but Abi nearly caught him with his first slapdown attempt. After that, Abi tired and Toshinofuji’s footwork prevented Abi from executing slapdowns. Toshinofuji gently finished off the gassed Abi. Toshinofuji kachikoshi. Oshidashi.
Tokihayate (8-5) defeated Asahakuryu (7-6). Tokihayate got both hands inside and tried a sukuinage. Asahakuryu locked up both of Tokihayate’s arms for a kimedashi attempt but as Tokihayate’s feet planted in the bales, he twisted and pulled Asahakuryu over the bales. Tokihayate kachikoshi. Uwatenage.
Shodai (3-10) defeated Shonannoumi (3-10). Shodai easily overpowered Shonannoumi. Yorikiri.
Oho (5-8) defeated Tobizaru (4-9). Oho wrapped his arms around Tobizaru’s shoulders as the two leaned into each other at the center of the ring. Oho had his chin at the back of Tobizaru’s head and drove down, pulling Tobizaru to the ground. Hikiotoshi.
Shishi (6-7) defeated Chiyoshoma (4-9). As Chiyoshoma probed and circled, looking for an attack, Shishi brought his big left hand down on Chiyoshoma and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Wakamotoharu (9-4) defeated Hiradoumi (7-6). Hiradoumi charged ahead but Wakamotoharu braced against the tawara, pivoted and let Hiradoumi’s momentum carry him forward. Gunbai Wakamotoharu. Mono-ii. Video replay checked to see if Wakamotoharu’s big-ass foot touched the ground outside the bales. Video review showed his heel came close but didn’t touch the ground. Hatakikomi.
Takerufuji (8-5) defeated Kinbozan (8-5). Kinbozan hauled Takerufuji over the the edge but Takerufuji used the momentum to swing Kinbozan around to the edge and then force him out. Yorikiri.
Asakoryu (8-5) defeated Nishikifuji (6-7). Asakoryu’s shitatenage against Nishikifuji’s uwatenage as both men toppled each other over the edge. It was a crapshoot so the gyoji’s gunbai pointed ahead to Asakoryu. Mono-ii. Video replay showed a very tight decision. I thought we’d get some bonus sumo but the judges decided Nishikifuji’s body touched first, to Asakoryu’s visible surprise. Asakoryu kachikoshi. Shitatenage.
Ura (9-4) defeated Fujiseiun (8-5). Ura pressed forward into Fujiseiun. Fujiseiun leaned ahead, seeking a grip on Ura’s belt when Ura suddenly shuffled right and dragged Fujiseiun down. Katasukashi.
Asasuiryu (6-7) defeated Ichiyamamoto (2-11) Ichiyamamoto shoved Asasuiryu to the edge. Asasuiryu leapt from the dohyo as Ichiyamamoto dove forward. Gunbai Asasuiryu. Mono-ii. Video replay showed a tight but obvious call that Ichiyamamoto had touched first. This outcome must be soul crushing for Ichiyamamoto fans since it looked like he had overpowered Asasuiryu early, then he nearly pulled him down with a slapdown and then he lost in that crapshoot pulldown. It just felt like Ichiyamamoto-zumo was better than Asasuiryu-zumo in that bout. Gah! Hatakikomi.
Halftime
Yoshinofuji (7-6) defeated Oshoma (6-7). Oshoma pulled, and pulled, and pulled again. Yoshinofuji kept his footing and shoved Oshoma out. Oshidashi.
Takayasu (6-7) defeated Gonoyama (4-9). Takayasu assaulted Gonoyama, battering him and forcing him to the edge. Gonoyama dug in at the bales so Takayasu shuffled right and let Gonoyama stumble forward. From there, it was easy for Takayasu to shove Gonoyama out as Gonoyama struggled to maintain his footing. Oshidashi.
Kotoeiho (4-9) defeated Roga (5-8). Kotoeiho shifted left and powered into Roga with a left-hand uwate. As Kotoeiho charged forward, Roga made a terrible decision to try to topple Kotoeiho with so much force that Roga’s right foot lifted high into the air. He basically tripped himself. Kotoeiho crushed him as the pair fell. Yoritaoshi.
Sanyaku
Fujiryoga (7-6) defeated Daieisho (4-9). Daieisho stumbled and nearly lost his footing as he executed his initial pull attempt. Fujiryoga capitalized by shoving Daieisho through the ring and out. Oshidashi.
Hakunofuji (4-9) default win over Takanosho (4-9).
Churanoumi (9-4) defeated Fujinokawa (9-4). Churanoumi squared up to Fujinokawa and leaned in, driving forward. Fujinokawa tried a desperate pull but Churanoumi kept his footing and shoved Fujinokawa out. Oshidashi.
Asanoyama (10-3) defeated Atamifuji (8-5). The former Ozeki stuck a fork in the wannabe Ozeki’s run. Asanoyama was simply stronker. Atamifuji tried a sukuinage as Asanoyama drove forward but Asanoyama’s footing was excellent and that left-hand uwate grip, unbreakable. Yorikiri.
Aonishiki (10-3) defeated Kotozakura (8-5). As the two tussled for belt grips after the initial charge, Aonishiki rotated to his left and dragged Kotohachinana to the ground by his shoulder. “If you want to pull, try doing it this way, man.” Katasukashi.
Kirishima (7-6) defeated Onosato (11-2). Kirishima got a great left hand grip. He charged into the Yokozuna and nearly drove him over the edge at the beginning of the bout, helped by a terrible pull. Onosato stopped at the edge and tried to use his own right-hand uwate to haul Kirishima over. Kirishima shuffled along the bales and yanked on Onosato’s belt, dragging him to the ground. Shitatenage.
Wrap-up
Well now. The top division yusho will not be a run away. We have a very interesting three-man race among three title holders. In a rare move, the Sumo Association published its Day 14 torikumi in advance of today’s action so we know the pairings for tomorrow.
Title Race:
- 2-Losses: Onosato
- 3-Losses: Aonishiki, Asanoyama
Onosato will fight Kotozakura in the musubi-no-ichiban. Aonishiki will take on Kirishima with Kirishima’s kachikoshi on the line. That action will be hot. Right before that, Asanoyama will fight Fujinokawa. Asanoyama should study the way Churanoumi neutralized the firecracker today.
Atamifuji will try to rescue his Ozeki promotion chances for Kyushu as he will fight Roga tomorrow. Daieisho will fight Oshoma and Hakunofuji will fight Ichiyamamoto. Yeesh. Poor Ichi-kun.
As usual, leave your thoughts in the comments. This looks like it will be a great weekend.
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Good to hear updates on the lower divisions, thank you!
All I have to say today is “well done Kirishima”. There are others also deserving of accolades, but that one in particular pleases me.
Where was KIrishima of today hiding earlier?
Kirishima did his homework and was prepared today to meet the Yokozuna. His strategy to hit Onosato off the tachiai on his right side to disrupt his balance and then follow up attack to imbalance him more, continued the wavy tactic. Onosato was scrambling in response. With this, we indeed have a very exciting weekend to witness! Thanks Kirishima!
Am I the only one getting slightly annoyed at how loose Atamifuji wears his belt recently? He hasn’t seen too many belt battles this Basho but those I can remember his belt was always loose. I seem to recall it was the same last time.
I wonder if the committee would pass Kirishima vs Kotozakura on the final day and match Asanoyama with either one of them, according to tomorrow’s results. Probably unlikely. There will be several options for Asanoyama ranked between ozeki and M4 for the final day, though three of them already with nine losses. If Asanoyama should find himself in play-off, that will be his ultimate test.
I was wondering that, too.
I was also wondering what they do if Aonishiki loses tomorrow to Kirishima, Onosato wins Kotozakura and Asanoyama wins Fujinokawa.
Very interesting. It would have to be Onosato vs Asanoyama on senshuraku then, but would they really cancel the match between the two most prominent sumotori of the moment? And who against Aonishiki in that case? Fujiryoga would be the highest ranked he hasn’t met and Ura the most attractive, of course.
Kirishima, intelligent sumo!
Fujinokawa: Maybe a bit too cocky today? Being vigorously confident is one thing but…? But that’s probably a good thing.
Asanoyama: One of two former-Ozeki that an opponent better be very wary of. Excellent sumo today against a formidable opponent.
Aonishiki vs Kotozakura. Not good for Kotozakura when a spectator (me) fully expects Aonishiki to clean his clock with little to no drama. Which is exactly what happens.
Kirishima vs Onosato: I did think Kirishima might have blown it when Onosato managed to hold on at the edge. But Kirishima pulled it off. I like both rikishi but, yeah, Kirishima’s win dramatically heightens the drama for the upcoming two days.
Re Kitanowaka: even a 10-5 would bring him up most certainly unless the three makuuchi oldies who are in danger start to win suddenly. Of 29 J4 with a 10-5 record in this century only four have not been promoted.
„Joshoyu, has elevator rikishi potential“. Here‘s guessing that U mean the up elevator only, at least for the three or four upcoming basho.
He‘s a comparable to Asahifuji btw. as he too had to wait (two years) until there was a free place for a foreigner in his heya. Other than Asahifuji he even had qualified for a makushita tsukedashi, but lost that right by the forced waiting. Does that mean he is even stronger?
Anyway those „fake rookies“ add some drama to the lower divisions imo.
Now Aonishiki has it actually in his own hands again to win the yusho! He „only“ has to beat reborn Kirishima, Onosato, Onosato again in a playoff (unless Kotozakura will beat the yokozuna tomorrow…) and maybe Asanoyama in the playoffs too. Not impossible, but…