Day Four in Fukuoka.
No news from the infirmary. I’m not entirely convinced that’s a good thing.
As a general sumo coverage note, Sumosquirrel was right. JME is shutting down on 3/31/2027 and announced it on various Social Media accounts. JME points to Sling, Dish, and Toober (Canada) as alternatives for the North American markets affected.
In Juryo, Wakatakakage and Tamashoho won their bouts to remain undefeated. Asahifuji defeated Wakanosho for his third win. The real surprise is Shodai finally woke up from his slumber and threw poor Tobizaru off the dohyo. I couldn’t believe it, myself, so I posted the evidence below.
Down in Jonidan, Eisei defeated Terutaka (clip below). In Jonokuchi, Sunamusashi beat Kotoryu. Both men improved to 2-0.
Today’s NHK videos are here and include an interview and feature celebrating sumo’s Iron Man, Tamawashi.
Makuuchi Action
Chiyoshoma (1-3) defeated Daiseizan (0-4). Chiyoshoma visited from Juryo. He grabbed Daiseizan’s belt with his left hand, pivoted, and bowled the youngster across the clay. Shitatenage.
Tamawashi (3-1) defeated Kyokukaiyu (2-2). Kyokykaiyu threw an errant right hand thrust that Tamawashi batted to the side, spinning Kyokukaiyu. This exposed Kyokukaiyu’s back so Tamawashi quickly ushered Kyokukaiyu through the ring but Kyokukaiyu put on the brakes at the edge. Wasting no time, Tamawashi slammed into Kyokukaiyu’s chest, toppling him onto his back. Yoritaoshi.
Tokihayate (2-2) defeated Kitanowaka (1-3). Tokihayate had a strong right-hand over arm grip. He tried to drive Kitanowaka back and force him over the bales. Kitanowaka planted his feet on the tawara and refused to back out so Tokihayate pulled with that right hand and rolled Kitanowaka to the ground. Uwatedashinage.
Arashifuji (3-1) defeated Dewanoryu (3-1). Arashifuji repeatedly slammed into Dewanoryu, shoving him back and over the edge. Oshidashi.
Toshinofuji (1-3) defeated Asasuiryu (2-2). Asasuiryu charged low into Toshinofuji but this allowed Toshinofuji to grab the back of Asasuiryu’s belt with his left hand. At the bales, Toshinofuji swung Asasuiryu down to the ground and over the edge. Lots of throws so far today. Uwatenage.
Ichiyamamoto (2-2) defeated Abi (1-3). Abi’s tsuppari dispenser was out-of-order so he pulled three times, each time trying to slap Ichi down while edging closer to the bales. On the third pull, Ichiyamamoto shoved Abi back and out. Oshidashi.
Asahakuryu defeated Takanosho. Takanosho hit Asahakuryu with tsuppari to drive him back but Asahakuryu ducked low and got inside, grabbing Takanosho’s belt. Takanosho pulled and Asahakuryu took advantage, using Takanosho’s momentum to drive him back and out. Yorikiri.
Oho (3-1) defeated Shishi (0-4). Oho slammed into Shishi and reached his right hand inside. When Oho grabbed Shishi’s belt, Shishi pulled. Oho used the momentum to help drive Shishi back and out. Shishi is having a terrible basho. Yorikiri.
Oshoma (3-1) defeated Asakoryu (1-3). Asakoryu ducked inside and got a left-hand inside grip. Oshoma swiftly locked onto Asakoryu’s arm and dragged him, trying a kotenage. Asakoryu stayed up but decided to let go of Oshoma’s belt. He then drove forward with an oshi attack but Oshoma slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
NIshikifuji (2-2) defeated Roga (1-3). Nishikifuji got his right-hand inside and hoisted Roga up and back, off-balance. Nishikifuji kept Roga moving back and forced him over the edge. Yorikiri.
Wakamotoharu (3-1) defeated Kinbozan (3-1). Strong tachiai from Wakamotoharu, stunning Kinbozan. Kinbozan dropped to a knee. The way Kinbozan dropped alarmed Wakamotoharu who immediately checked in on Kinbozan. Good to see that. Kinbozan was fine, though. Just stunned. Tsukiotoshi.
Halftime
Kotoshoho (3-1) defeated Takerufuji (2-2). Kotoshoho used his tsuppari and footwork to thrust Takerufuji over the edge. It looked like a run of the mill Oshidashi to me but they called it a Tsukidashi.
Daieisho (2-2) defeated Hiradoumi (1-3). Daieisho did his thing. Forceful tsuppari followed by a pull. When the pull failed, he slammed into Hiradoumi with such force it staggered Hiradoumi and Hiradoumi stumbled back over the edge. Now THAT’s a Tsukidashi.
Gonoyama (2-2) defeated Hakunofuji (2-2). Hakunofuji chose to pull, basically jumping on to the tawara. Cue my confused, “¿Que?” face. He might have been trying for misdirection but ended up with virtual capitulation. Gonoyama followed and slammed into Hakunofuji, shoving him over the bales. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Fujinokawa (1-3) defeated Yoshinofuji (2-2). Yoshinofuji grabbed Fujinokawa at the tachiai and drove him back to the bales. At the edge, Fujinokawa escaped to his left, pivoted and thrust Yoshinofuji to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.
Atamifuji (4-0) defeated Churanoumi (1-3). Churanoumi squared up to Atamifuji but Atamifuji wrapped him up and drove him over the edge. Yorikiri.
Kirishima (3-1) defeated Takayasu (1-3). Throughout the bout, Kirishima was focused on corralling Takayasu’s left arm. Takayasu tried to lock on Kirishima’s right and drag him over the edge but he rotated too far, exposing his back to the Ozeki. Kirishima got Takayasu turned and shoved him back from behind. Okuridashi.
Kotozakura (3-1) defeated Asanoyama (1-3). Chest-to-chest, Kotozakura bulled Asanoyama back and over the edge. Let that sink in. The words just don’t seem to fit together that way, do they? It’s so unusual, I’m not entirely convinced that I’m awake. These bizarre dreams are quite unsettling. Yorikiri.
Fujiryoga (3-1) defeated Aonishiki (2-2). Aonishiki got his left hand inside but Fujiryoga did not go quietly over those straw bales. Instead, he piled the pressure on the Ozeki with his own right arm uwate hold, forced him back and crushed him out. Cue fierce Fuji face. He looks like Popeye when he does that. It’s not quite like Kotozakura’s pre-bout Popeye face but close. Uwatenage.
Onosato (3-1) defeated Fujiseiun (1-3). Onosato locked on quickly with his right hand inside. Fujiseiun was in trouble but seemed to have limited options. Onosato started driving back and even briefly managed to get his left hand inside, too. Fujiseiun tried a last gasp throw by shuffling to his left and rotating. Onosato shuffled right with him, though, and dropped Fujiseiun over the edge. Sukuinage.
Ura (1-3) defeated Hoshoryu (2-2). Hoshoryu tried to pull and slap Ura down. Ura justed pressed forward and forced the Yokozuna over the bales. Kinboshi Numero Dos. Hoshoryu’s become a Pez Dispenser. Oshidashi.
Wrap-up
Atamifuji leads the field, alone. Obviously, there’s a whole host of guys at 3-1 but Atamifuji is our lone undefeated rikishi in the top division. I agree with several of y’all who commented on the topic that Atamifuji likely isn’t even the best rikishi in Isegahama but for now he’s got the best record.
Hoshoryu will need to recover quickly. He will face Fujiseiun tomorrow. Onosato will take his turn against Ura. Kotozakura will fight Takayasu, Kirishima will fight Asanoyama, and Aonishiki will take on Hakunofuji. Rounding out Sanyaku, the Sekiwake pair of Atamifuji and Fujinokawa will face off and the Komusubi will take each other on, Yoshinofuji vs Churanoumi.
Hoo Boy. Umm… Is Tatsunami-oyakata looking for a deal on a barber? How quickly the sense of relief after Day One has faded.
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