Kitanowaka of Hakkaku-beya won the Juryo yusho. He defeated Kagayaki in regulation to force a play-off. Kayo joined the play-off as he beat Tamawashi. Kitanowaka then defeated Kagayaki and Kayo to claim the title.
What works once must work twice. Rinse and repeat, no?
The Makushita to Juryo promotion queue will be interesting. There’s precedent for elevating Makushita 4 with 4-3 records: Nabatame & Hoshoryu. There’s precedent for elevating Makushita 9 with a 6-1: Hakuho. There’s also precedent for keeping a 6-9 at the same rank. It will be interesting but I think Tochitaikai, Nishikigi, Tamashoho, Hatsuyama go down. Asahifuji, Ryuho, Ikarigata and Tenshoyama come up. What do y’all think? Frankly, the Sumo Association will do what the Sumo Association wants to do.
Special Prize Nominations:
Takayasu will get a Fighting Spirit prize if he wins and Onosato claims the yusho. Fujinokawa will receive an unconditional Fighting Spirit Prize. Churanoumi, Asanoyama, and Toshinofuji are eligible for Fighting Spirit Prizes if they win today. No one will receive a Technique prize. “No soup for you!”
NHK videos are here. Of all of the Juryo action available, the NHK posted the Tanji-Arashifuji bout. Enjoy.
Makuuchi Action
Kazuma defeated Shonannoumi. Kazuma shoved Shonannoumi out quickly. Oshidashi.
Chiyoshoma (5-10) defeated Shodai (3-12). Chiyoshoma charged forward and Shodai tried to change direction while shoving Chiyoshoma to the side but Chiyoshoma ran right through Shodai. Oshidashi.
Oho (7-8) defeated Tokihayate (8-7). Oho got his left arm inside and held Tokihayate up, under the shoulder. Oho used gaburi hip thrusts to drive Tokihayate back and out. Yorikiri.
Asasuiryu (8-7) defeated Shishi (7-8). Asasuiryu charged forward and Shishi gave up on the edge. Yorikiri.
Ura (10-5) defeated Tobizaru (4-11). It looked like a pair of clones out there, fighting with the same push-pull strategy. Eventually, Ura charged forward and DIDN’T pull. When he pressed forward at the edge, he forced Tobizaru out. Yorikiri.
Hiradoumi (9-6) defeated Toshinofuji (9-6). Hiradoumi hooked both arms inside Toshinofuji and pressed forward. Toshinofuji tried a throw at the edge but Hiradoumi bulldozed ahead and forced him out. No Special Prize for Toshinofuji. Yorikiri.
Takerufuji (9-6) defeated Asahakuryu (8-7). Takerufuji got low, hooked both arms inside, rotated and plowed through Asahakuryu. Yorikiri.
Abi (8-7) defeated Nishikifuji (7-8). Abi used strong tsuppari to force Nishikifuji back. Nishikifuji grabbed Abi’s left arm and tried an armbar. It nearly paid dividends and Abi stumbled forward but stopped before the tawara. Abi then pulled, shuffled along the tawara and slapped Nishikifuji down. Hatakikomi.
Fujiseiun (9-6) defeated Asakoryu (9-6). Asakoryu pulled and rotated but couldn’t throw Fujiseiun. Fujiseiun grabbed Asakoryu’s thong and got behind Asakoryu. [Cue Sisqo, “Thong song.”] Asakoryu kind of gave up and let Fujiseiun force him out from behind. I don’t think it was the wedgie that ended Asakoryu’s day. He flexed his right knee after the bout. Okuridashi.
Ichiyamamoto (4-11) defeated Kinbozan (9-6). Ichiyamamoto shifted slightly to the side after the tachiai and Kinbozan stumbled forward. Ichiyamamoto tracked in from behind like a velociraptor and shoved Kinbozan out from behind. Okuridashi.
Halftime
Gonoyama (6-9) defeated Wakamotoharu (10-5). Gonoyama charged forward and was careful about Wakamotoharu’s rotation, shoving him out. Oshidashi.
Yoshinofuji (9-6) defeated Asanoyama (10-5). Yoshinofuji rotated and crushed Asanoyama out. No special prize for Asanoyama. Yoritaoshi.
Fujiryoga (8-7) defeated Takayasu (7-8). Takayasu pivoted and pulled but Fujiryoga’s excellent footwork avoided defeat. Fujiryoga drove forward into Takayasu and looped his arm inside Takayasu’s shoulder. When Takayasu dug his heels into the tawara, Fujiryoga twisted and dragged him down. No Outstanding Performance prize for Takayasu. Sukuinage.
Kotoeiho (5-10) defeated Oshoma (6-9). Oshoma pulled while shoving Kotoeiho’s head down. Kotoeiho’s legs kept churning forward and he forced Oshoma out. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Churanoumi (10-5) defeated Daieisho (5-10). Daieisho hit Churanoumi with his thrust-pull combo. Churanoumi had read the brief. He blocked what tsuppari he could and then rushed Daieisho out.
Hakunofuji (5-10) defeated Roga (6-9). Roga briefly got the back of Hakunofuji’s belt but Hakunofuji charged ahead and forced him out. I do not wake up this early in the morning to watch Roga or Oshoma fight, that’s for sure. Yorikiri.
Kore-Yori-Sanyaku
Well, looky there. The kore-yori-sanyaku are all Sekiwake and above. That’s a good tournament. Terunofuji standing up in the hanamichi like, “bring home those arrows!”
Fujinokawa (11-4) defeated Atamifuji (8-7). Atamifuji wrapped up Fujinokawa with a kimedashi hold and drove forward. But he released Fujinokawa’s right arm so he could shove Fujinokawa with the left hand. Bad mistake. Freed from that kimedashi, Fujinokawa shifted left and used his left arm to heave Atamifuji over. That’s Fighting Spirit. Unconditional. Atamifuji walked back down the hanamichi only to see Ikioi and Terunofuji hunched over the replay screen. “Oh crap.” Sukuinage.
Kirishima (8-7) defeated Kotozakura (9-6). Nail-biter here as Kotozakura tried to catch Kirishima at the edge. Then he actually tried to overpower him with a yorikiri. Kirishima wanted the win more, needed the win more, and hauled Kotozakura over the edge. No kadoban Ozeki for Kyushu. Ain’t that something? Uwatenage.
Onosato (12-3) defeated Aonishiki (11-4). Onosato hit Aonishiki with tsuppari to the face, repeatedly. Aonishiki had that left-hand grip for a moment before the beating started. Onosato’s shoves broke Aonishiki’s hold and his resolve. That final left hand to the jaw looked uncomfortable. Shonosuke called a great bout, the last of his career. お疲れ様でした。 Tsukidashi.
Wrap-up
Onosato Yusho. The win appeared to hit him during the playing of the national anthem as he broke up and started to cry. He had to cover his face. It looks like this one really meant a lot.
We’ll see you back here in a couple of days for the Juryo promotion announcements
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Once Onosato got his hands down first I knew he had it. I don’t know how I picked up on that a long time ago, but that’s his comfort zone, and most matches in the last few basho he’s had that taken away from him. I’m sure there’s more to his recent struggles, but getting to your spots the way you want is important in any sport.
So for all the hand wringing, he wins another one. First win in a year and 6th overall. It wasn’t always pretty, but he got it done.
The pressure on Onosato must have been immense, as was evident from the emotion displayed by himself, his oyakata, and his support team (stylish in their matching yukata…want!). Aonishiki needs to come up with alternatives in the face of tsuppari and nodowa like that, but fair play to the guy, injured and he still made the final match of the tournament. Good to see no Kadoban Ozeki, well done Kirishima, and Fujinokawa, and Toshinfuji in his debut, and Hiradoumi for finally getting a KK.
Thanks Andy and the tachiai team, and to everyone for the witty, insightful, and thought-provoking comments.
You can catch up on your sleep now Andy!
I enjoyed the tournament and the coverage here.
But no prize for Ura? What a bunch of meanies.
he should win technique by default, just by being Ura
Agreed. If they created a Most Entertaining, Popular or Beloved Prize, he would win it every time. He actually won the Technique prize once years ago, and it was so meaningful to him, wish they would recognize his Sumo more, especially when he finishes like today, 10-5.
“Atamifuji walked back down the hanamichi only to see Ikioi and Terunofuji hunched over the replay screen. “Oh crap.” Sukuinage.”
I hope the Grand Sumo organization as a whole didn’t arrange that to be as dismissive as it looked. The suits were like, “Dude. Do you really want to watch this? It’s a highlight, but it’s not y o u r highlight.”
Congratulations to Kirishima. Congratulations to Ura. Congratulations to Fujinokawa, who will be selling out the Kokugikan for years to come.
Oh yeah. Congratulations to Onosato. I guess.
Oh, but it was super-great – to say Atamifuji got a cold welcome from those to is to fail to appreciate the softness of the word “cold”.. I think we might know what he’s going to be focused on in practice these coupla months.
“Takayasu will get a Fighting Spirit prize if he wins and Onosato claims the yusho”
I find it so absurd to have a special prize conditional to what someone else does
And of course, congratulations to Yokozuna Onosato!
In this case, though, I can see why. If Onosato won the yusho and Takayasu beat the yusho winning Yokozuna, he’d be deserving of a prize. If Onosato collapsed and Aonishiki won, that would change Takayasu’s achievement; he would have beaten a bloke who choked.
Yes, this is correct. While it makes total sense, it also sounds completely stupid. (it isn´t but it sounds like)
Its like.. we are still not sure if you were good enough brah, we will tell you later when we see if the dude you beat sucks or not.
One can argue like that, but then what about last basho?
Then both yokozuna choked big time and still both Atamifuji and Fujinokawa got the shukun sho. From that perspective, Takayasu would have been robbed. Luckily, Fujiryoga avoided that…
Takayasu wasn’t robbed because he didn’t even earn kachikoshi. Fujinokawa beat both Yokozuna and got a kachikoshi. Atamifuji beat both Yokozuna and had 12 wins. In this case, yes, Takayasu beat the yusho-winner but he couldn’t even get a kachikoshi. A winning record has always been a hard-and-fast requirement.
U‘ve misunderstood me. I wrote that Fujiryoga avoided the „would-have-been-robbery“ by beating Takayasu and thus handing him his makekoshi.
But your other point is taken: Fujinokawa and Atamifuji beat TWO yokozuna, who weren’t really grand champions then, but still…
Oho sure made a nice recovery after starting out 1-4 (with four consecutive losses). Ending with a 7-8 record. Make-koshi but respectable after such a disastrous start.
Daieisho: I had to watch twice to make certain this was the same guy that once held Ozeki aspirations. He looked terrible today.
Asanoyama. I’m a big fan but he just got whipped today. A disappointing last few days but he’ll move up the ranks.
Kirishima: Kotozakura made it interesting! I was quietly confident (actually, more than quietly!) of a Kirishima victory but will admit to a bead of sweat beginning to form.
Onosato vs. Aonishiki: That was quick. I was hoping for an epic battle but Onosato was right in not letting it happen. Congratulations to Onosato!
Thank you Andy and all at Tachiai. Great fun as always.
I wonder how Asanoyama is going to fare in the joi? I guess that’ll tell if he’s really back
Fantastic tournament, I enjoyed watching every day and sharing the experience with Team Tachiai and community. Thanks again, especially to our selflessly sleepless leader Andy. Until Kyushu!
Kazuto?
Oops. Thank you. Fixed.
no problem.. I actually have a 9th grade student named Kazuto, so it caught my eye. :)
Kazuto might be the next big thing from Shimane-ken. 9th grade is almost eligible, no?
I appreciate the correction. I hate when I muck up Shikona.
Today felt 微妙だった compared to yesterday’s thrills. Atamifjui losing sloppily to Tiny Dynamite… Kotozakura vs Kirishima ending not with a bang, but a whimper… and finally Onosato’s bulldoze of Ao without either man landing a finger on a mawashi. I know many are celebrating Onosato’s return to form, but when his “brand of sumo” suceeds it just leaves me feeling empty.
There were four Darwin bouts today and nary a peep about them! But that’s not as disappointing as Atamifuji’s second-half collapse. From a touted Ozeki candidate to having to restart his run and rethink his… conditioning, perhaps? His sumo, certainly.
I‘m never happy when Aonishiki loses, but this time I almost, only almost hoped that Onosato wouldn’t crumble. I was certain that this yusho meant the world for him and his reactions proved it. As with Federer I found his being a crybaby beautifully touching and a little bit embarrassing at the same time.
As to the other yokozuna, it seems that I have already forgotten him. When I sent my entry to GTB, it wasn’t accepted because there were only 41 rikishi. After some searching I realized that Hoshoryu had been missing in my form…
Some day when you try to get the other yokozuna’s autograph he’ll say to you – Hey aren’t you the guy that tried to erase me from the Banzuke?
Alas, today’s final match went the way I was worried it would, as Onosato just overpowered Aonishiki. This time Aonishiki almost caught the belt, but Onosato’s strength (and arm length) kept it out of reach. Other wrestlers have muscled Aonishiki out while holding him at arm’s length, but Onosato is the only one with the size and strength to do it repeatedly. Maybe Aonishiki can adjust, but I think he needs a lot more experience because no one else comes close to a healthy Onosato.
Everything played out very well on senshuraku. Much to my wishes! Seems I slowly gain an understanding for what the sumo deities find pleasing or not :)
Kachikoshi for Abi, Asasuiryu, Fujiseiun. Kirishima happy to be hachinana – and not get trampled on the feet by any additional Ozeki in next basho.
Sweet guy Chiyoshoma helping Shodai up from the clay after the loss. Shodaizeki had a hard time this basho. But why? We‘ll never know.
Fujiryoga demonstrated well what should be the respond to a mean kachiage. His face was still furious when taking the kensho :)
Poor Adamisu, that loss hurt. The short cut to Isegahama-Teru showed what scoldings might be awaiting him, the ‚untrainable‘, at home.
Onosato in tears! He must have had a real tough streak since his last yusho. What a win over the nearly best man of the competition, Aonishiki! Congrats to the champion!
Fighting spirit prizes for Fujinokawa and Churanoumi, well earned! Glad to probably see them meet as sanyaku in Fukuoka.
A bit sad for Asanoyama, he was not rewarded for his constant efforts. Let‘s see where he ends up on the banzuke this time.
Thank you, Andy, for your honorable and authentic work. Helps so much to live sumo fandom! Thanks to all Tachiai team (lksumo I miss you!) – and everyone writing! So enjoyable!
My guess is, that Shodai is simply the next one of the old guard who’s lost contact with the new crop. Just like Takarafuji, Nishkigi, Meisei, Sadanoumi, Midorifuji, Ryuden, Kagayaki, Tobizaru, Chiyoshoma and the other former ozeki, Mitakeumi. And I wonder whether the comeback of Tamawashi will be lasting.
They are quite differing in age, and also in injury status and general motivation, I think. Shodai would not like to linger around in Juryo for long, possibly – but I’d rather suspect Sadanoumi to be the next man calling it a day. :(
The only thing that comes to mind when I see this is “boy did they make the right dude Yokozuna or what” the guy was injured, has all the pressure in the world on top of him. It´s been a while since a Japanese yokozuna and even longer since a Japanese yokozuna that dominates while being Yokozuna. Weren´t there talks of him calling it quits? Then he just comes and not only wins but the final bout against by far the most difficult opponent, the dude who won what, 3 of the last 5 tournaments? (I think)
I wanted him to win, as much as I like Aonishiki, but I felt he wouldnt be able to do it. Too much pressure, too hard an opponent.
great, great stuff by Onosato.
My positive surprises of the basho: Fujinokawa, Aonishiki, Onosato, Churanoumi (who btw. won his conditional special prize, Andy), Asonoyama, Tamawashi and Arashifuji.
My negative surprises: Atamifuji, Kirishima, Shodai, Daiseizan, Kazuma and Tenshoyama‘s loss at 5-0, because I would have loved to enter him juryo together with Asahifuji.
And a special mention for Fujiryoga‘s priceless looks immediately after the bouts: funny and scary at once!
I’ve half-convinced myself that Tenshoyama will be promoted. There are several Juryo guys who should go down and after Asahifuji, the promotion cases are weak. The NHK commentators were openly wondering whether 4-3 at Ms4 was good enough. 6 wins at Makushita 8 with this stiff competition, though…
Yes, U mentioned Hakuho in your report. What a great predecessor for Tenshoyama that would be! I‘ve queried it now: there have been 38 promotions from outside the „makushita joi“ with a 6-1 in the modern era, though the last one happened more than 11 years ago. Then Ishiura got the nod from Ms6 to replace a J12 with a 6-9 record. We have now Tamashoho with a 6-9 on J12… It would be great if U were right.
Re Hakuho: he was promoted when juryo was expanded from 13 to 14 ranks, so maybe that doesn’t really count?
Great point but I don’t know where they’re going to find rikishi to plug the gaps — where there should be gaps. Other than not dropping them at all.
Makuuchi was expanded at the same, too, from 40 to 42 rikishi. Hakuho was not most extraordinary Juryo promotion at the time, Ms7w with 4-3 got promoted to Juryo, too.
Fujiryoga for me was perhaps the biggest positive surprise – I thought he’d flown too close to the sun with that rank. Nope.