Day One in Fukuoka. Before action started, media reported Shirokuma will be kyujo. He tore a ligament in his right ankle. Mitakeumi received the default win. That’s a tough break for the Number Two guy at Nishinoseki-beya.
In Jonokuchi, Sunamusashi kicked the tournament off with a win. His shusshin is officially Tokyo, but he was raised in Hawaii. Good luck! Hopefully he and Hikarumusashi can learn from each other and steadily climb the banzuke. We look forward to following his career. Eisei will fight Banju in early Jonidan action tomorrow. Lots to cover in Juryo so let’s get moving.
Wakatakakage, naked of any braces or wraps on his knee, overwhelmed Kagayaki to pick up his first win. He might be the favorite for the Juryo title after Asahifuji fell to…checks notes…Tamashoho? Really? Wow. The quick slapdown and Asahifuji is stunned. It’s a long tournament and he’ll have an even longer career but an auspicious start, certainly. Ryuho, the other Juryo debutant, won his first bout against Hatsuyama. Enho defeated Wakanosho by first trying a leg grab on Wakanosho’s weak right knee. Wakanosho then chased Enho around the ring and battered him a bit but Enho got that leg and forced Wakanosho out. Meisei lost to Tokifudo.
Makuuchi Action
Kyokukaiyu defeated Daiseizan. Kyokukaiyu established a left-hand belt grip and chugged forward, easing Daiseizan over the tawara. Yorikiri.
Arashifuji defeated Kitanowaka. Arashifuji used his big right hand ottsuke to keep Kitanowaka from getting a left hand grip AND to drive Kitanowaka back. Oshidashi.
Dewanojo defeated Tamawashi. Tamawashi used his powerful left-hand nodowa to force Dewanojo back to the edge. However, Dewanojo managed to get inside and get a right-hand belt grip. “Get him off me! Get him off me!” Tamawashi tried to shove his arms away but by now Dewanojo worked both arms in there for a firm morozashi. Yorikiri.
Asasuiryu defeated Tokihayate. A great back-and-forth here but Asasuiryu finally corralled Tokihayate and rushed him out of the ring. Yorikiri.
Abi defeated Toshinofuji. Toshinofuji charged into Abi and drove him back to the edge. But Abi shifted left at the edge and slapped Toshinofuji down to the clay. Hatakikomi.
Asahakuryu defeated Ichiyamamoto. Ichiyamamoto pulled and Asahakuryu bulldozed him back easily. Terrible start for Ichiyamamoto fans. Oshidashi.
Takanosho defeated Oho. Oho got some initial penetration into Takanosho’s side of the dohyo as a result of a strong tachiai. However, he yielded it right back to Takanosho as he pulled and Takanosho shoved him back and out. Oshidashi.
Asakoryu defeated Shishi. Shishi tried to get his left hand on Asakoryu’s belt but Asakoryu forced Shishi back and over the edge. Impressive strength from Mighty Mouse. Yorikiri.
Oshoma defeated Nishikifuji. Nishikifuji had just locked on with his left hand when Oshoma shoved Nishikifuji violently to the right and shifted to his left. Nishikifuiji’s momentum helped Oshoma drive him to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.
Kinbozan defeated Roga. One-way bout here as Kinbozan overpowered Roga and quickly forced him over the edge. Yorikiri.
Wakamotoharu defeated Kotoeiho. Wakamotoharu forced Kotoeiho back and out. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Gonoyama defeated Kotoshoho. Gonoyama did not come to play around. He obliterated Kotoshoho with powerful thrusts. Oshidashi.
Hiradoumi defeated Takerufuji. Takerufuji’s torso got out way in front of his feet. It looked hilarious as he tried to slap Hiradoumi down only to bring himself to the clay. Hikiotoshi.
Daieisho defeated Hakunofuji. Daieisho welcomed Hakunofuji to Fukuoka in the traditional manner: Aggravated Assault. Hakunofuji was just trying to buy some salt from the nice guy with the magic water and before he knew what was happening, this brute came out of nowhere and started battering him then thrust him out of the store. Tsukidashi.
Sanyaku
Atamifuji defeated Takayasu. Takayasu tried to spin away from Atamifuji but Atamifuji charged forward with perfect timing and shoved Takayasu out from behind. Okuridashi.
Fujiseiun defeated Fujinokawa. Fujiseiun attacked Fujinokawa and drove him to the edge. As Fujinokawa tried to shift along the bales, Fujiseiun worked to establish firm grips on Fujinokawa’s belt. With his steady footwork, he didn’t allow any openings for Fujinokawa to counter attack and he patiently drove Fujinokawa out. Yorikiri.
Kirishima defeated Ura. When Kirishima charged forward, Ura pivoted and tried to escape to the left. Ura forgot to tell his feet what he was planning, though, and he tripped and rolled across the ring. Yoritaoshi.
Fujiryoga defeated Kotonanahachi. Somehow, I knew this was going to happen and I’m confident that you all did, too. Kotohachinana pulled and Fujiryoga chased him out of the ring by virtue of his steady footwork and solid tsuppari. No need to worry about a tracking any “rope runs” with this Ozeki. Oshidashi.
Asanoyama defeated Aonishiki. I did NOT see this one coming, though. Aonishiki got his left-hand grip. But he couldn’t pull Asanoyama over. Asanoyama wasted no time and went on the offense, with both arms tucked up under Aonishiki’s armpits. He drove into Aonishiki and methodically broke him down. Aonishiki tried to spin away but Asanoyama wrapped him up and used his own left-hand grip to haul Aonishiki to the clay, outside the ring. Yoritaoshi.
Hoshoryu defeated Churanoumi. Churanoumi wanted the left hand maemitsu grip and he had it for a second. Hoshoryu immediately shifted right and slapped Churanoumi’s hand away. Churanoumi then went for the nodowa but Hoshoryu doesn’t have a neck anymore so that attack didn’t really go anywhere. Hoshoryu, for his part, just tried to stay in the ring and on his feet He succeeded. He shifted right and left, baiting Churanoumi into the attack. Churanoumi charged forward and Hoshoryu slipped away again, this time following up with a shove, sending Churanoumi off balance, stumbling over the bales. After collecting his kensho, Hoshoryu looked upward and gave a sigh of relief. One down. Fourteen to go. Oshidashi.
Yoshinofuji defeated Onosato. Onosato charged ahead, boldly forcing Yoshinofuji back to the edge. Yoshinofuji pivoted on the straw bales and let the Yokozuna fall forward. Gunbai Yoshinofuji. Mono-ii. Did Onosato’s finger touch the tawara as he flailed around? Yes, his hand touched. Tsukiotoshi.
Wrap-up
Hopefully, Hakunofuji will realize he’s at a sumo tournament. He will need to as he’s scheduled to fight a the high-octane Hiradoumi tomorrow. Fujinokawa will fight Takayasu. Atamifuji and takes on Ura. Takayasu and Ura need to get their heads in the game, too. Both had rather sloppy Day One losses.
Aonishiki will fight Yoshinofuji, Kirishima will take on Fujiseiun, and Kotozakura will fight Churanoumi. Onosato will try to regroup against Fujiryoga and Hoshoryu will face a massive test with Asanoyama.
I think I’m going to see how much mileage I can get out of comparing the Fujishima-beya Boys to the Duke Brothers. Just a couple of working-class guys from a small, humble heya, fighting The Man and taking it one day at a time. If that’s the case, who’s Uncle Jesse? Maybe Takayasu. More importantly, who’s Daisy? Kotozak…no. He’s Sheriff Roscoe P Coltrane, surely, since Onosato seems to want to be Boss Hogg. We still need a Daisy, though. Oh well, maybe this is where the analogy dies.
It’s great to be back with y’all. As Onosato and Kotozakura stumbled out of the gate, Hoshoryu can finally breathe. However, it’s a long tournament and Hoshoryu was not exactly using great sumo here today. Long tournament? In two weeks I’m going to be lamenting, AGAIN, how quickly the action passed.
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Hi y’all, good to ‘hear’ you again Andy. Well, I overslept and missed the tv show, so of COURSE I turned immediately to Tachiai for my daily dose of all things sumo. Sadly you’re absolutely right, 15 days will pass in a flash, and we’ll wonder where the time went.
Highlights show later on will illuminate still further your always descriptive commentary. Sadly no kinboshi for Yoshinofuji, but hopefully being a Komusubi makes up for it.
Hosh won, albeit with less than his usual style you say. Onwards Hosh, onwards! Kirishima is off and running, let’s just let him settle back into Ozeki rank.
I don’t want to comment on every rikishi, well I do, but you already did so!! Thanks also for the bruef dip into Juryo where so many of the names are familiar ex-makuuchi rikishi. How many times is Wakatakakage going to fight his way back up. One has to feel for him.