Day Five in Fukuoka
Wakatakakage and Tamashoho, of all people, continue to run things in Juryo. Asahifuji handled Tomokaze with ease today. It’s bouts like this which make me wonder how Tomokaze is still sekitori when he’s not just a one trick pony. He’s a one trick pony with no knees. He got blasted to the edge and then tries a pathetic slapdown attempt from about a foot in front of the tawara. They might be harsh words but it’s painful to watch him fight and I don’t like fights where it’s painful to watch them. We’ll have a few of them today.
As an aside, if you’re new to sumo and curious about how a gyoji can manage to prevent a wardrobe malfunction, watch the Tobizaru fight. Kazuma’s mawashi came loose so the gyoji made them freeze while he fixed it.
If there’s a real marathon bout that lasts four minutes, they stop the fight like this, too. Except in that case the gyoji will mark where their feet are in the clay and the wrestlers will go down and get some water before coming back to resume the action, in the manner done here. Tobizaru quickly took advantage of the restart and threw Kazuma.
Down in Makushita, Ikarigata is making a strong case for promotion to Juryo. He picked up his third win and remains undefeated. Omori is the buff guy, the “ikemen” who’s making the sujo swoon with his sukuinage win over Sazanami today.
Down in Jonokuchi, Sunamusashi got his third straight win. Let’s see him pick up his kachi-koshi before we start thinking about yusho. Today, he beat Chiyoshinzan. Even though Chiyoshinzan appeared to jump a bit early, Sunamusashi quickly dispatched him. Chiyoshinzan seemed more focused on where he was going to land than tactics.
Your NHK videos are here. As y’all asked in the comments, I am curious if the NHK ever looks at their referral traffic and sees us. We’re probably too small of a website but many of you do go and click through to watch the videos there. I still think they’re great but it was better when they had all of the Juryo fights, too. At least Abema shares a lot of those on Twitter.
Makuuchi Action
Kyokukaiyu (3-2) defeated Onokatsu (1-4). Onokatsu visited from Juryo. His early slapdown attempt failed and moved him a bit closer to the edge. Kyokukaiyu wrapped him up and forced him back to the edge. Onokatsu shuffled along the bales desperately trying an uwatenage but Kyokukaiyu’s grip and footwork were solid as he forced Onokatsu out. Yorikiri.
Daiseizan (1-4) defeated Kitanowaka (1-4). Kitanowaka’s right ankle was taped and he couldn’t put any pressure on it. Daiseizan grabbed Kitanowaka’s belt and easily forced Kitanowaka back and out as Kitanowaka hopped around on the one healthy foot. Another broken rikishi who needs to go kyujo. If that’s what it took for Daiseizan to get his first win, frankly he’s probably broken, too, and maybe hiding a back injury or something. Yorikiri.
Arashifuji (4-1) defeated Tamawashi (3-2). Arashifuji shifted to the left at the tachiai, trying to pull Tamawashi’s arm. Tamawashi adjusted well but Arashifuji went on the attack and shoved Tamawashi out. Oshidashi.
Dewanoryu (4-1) defeated Tokihayate (2-3). Dewanoryu’s right hand ottsuke and left arm inside grip kept Tokihayate from getting his own hold. Dewanoryu chugged ahead and forced Tokihayate out. Yorikikiri.
Ichiyamamoto (3-2) defeated Asasuiryu (2-3). Asasuiryu went low, and apparently too low. It looked like he slid his right leg out to brace against the tawara, which were farther away than expected. Ichiyamamoto slapped him down as he slipped. Hatakikomi.
Asahakuryu (4-1) defeated Toshinofuji (1-4). Hidari-yotsu lean fest. No one could get an advantage so Asahakuryu decided to switch things up and forced a grip change to migi-yotsu. Toshinofuji tried a pull, but it failed. He then tried a trip, but Asahakuryu’s footwork was solid. The trip attempt actually gave Asahakuryu an opening and he forced Toshinofuji back and out. Yorikiri.
Takanosho (4-1) defeated Abi (1-4). Takanosho shoved Abi back and out. Abi looks terrible. He could not generate an offense today. He’s throwing hands but his opponents are just moving through them. Oshidashi.
Oshoma (4-1) defeated Oho (3-2). Oshoma used his left hand uwate to drag Oho around the ring. Oho kept his balance until Oshoma pressed forward. This forced Oho to stand up a bit, and forced him back. When they got close to the edge, Oshoma pulled again on that uwatenage, now with more leverage and Oho off-balance and he successfully threw Oho. Uwatenage.
Nishikifuji (3-2) defeated Shishi (0-5). Shishi had a great hold of Nishikifuji and tried to topple him at the edge. But at the last second Nishikifuji broke Shishi’s left hand grip and threw him over the edge. Shishi’s best fight of the tournament, in my opinion. He was competitive but never really close to a win. Uwatenage.
Roga (2-3) defeated Asakoryu (1-4). Roga just overpowered Asakoryu, drove him back and out. Asakoryu pulled, attempting to brace with his right foot and throw Roga. Roga just plowed through. The reason it was so easy was apparent by the way Asakoryu limped back up the hanamichi. His taped right knee is acting up. Why was he trying to brace with the right foot when his right knee can barely handle his own weight? Another broken rikishi who should probably be on the couch for a few days. Kimedashi.
Kinbozan (4-1) defeated Kotoshoho (3-2). Kotoshoho pulled so Kinbozan drove forward and forced Kotoshoho out. Kotoshoho’s twist at the edge was ineffective. Oshidashi.
Halftime
Wakamotoharu (4-1) defeated Hiradoumi (1-4). Hiradoumi charged ahead but Wakamotoharu shuffled to the left at the edge and slapped Hiradoumi down. Hatakikomi.
Gonoyama (3-2) defeated Daieisho (2-3). Daieisho blasted Gonoyama but tired. It looked like he tried to wrap Gonoyama up with a kubinage but the move allowed Gonoyama to rotate Daieisho so his back was to the edge. With Daieisho high, up around Gonoyama’s neck, Gonoyama got low and inside and shoved Daieisho back. Oshidashi.
Fujiryoga (4-1) defeated Takerufuji (2-3). Takerufuji used his right hand uwate grip to pull and drag Fujiryoga back. However, Fujiryoga bulldozed through Takerufuji and blasted him off the dohyo, nearly taking out Atamifuji in the process. Thomas asked on Twitter whether Fujiryoga is the real deal. We won’t really find out until he faces this sanyaku competition on a regular basis. It’s clear you have to have durability as well as power and skill. Yoritaoshi.
Sanyaku
Yoshinofuji (3-2) defeated Churanoumi (1-4). Churanoumi drove into Yoshinofuji and forced him back. However, Yoshinofuji sidestepped left at the edge and pulled Churanoumi forward over the bales. I like Shikimori Kandayu’s robes. The autumn leaves looked like flames to me at first. A few of the earlier gyoji had their Pokeball robes on, so I was initially thinking this was another Pokemon-themed outfit. But a closer view allows you to see the leaves. Then there’s the softer sakura on the other side. Yorikiri.
Atamifuji (5-0) defeated Fujinokawa (1-4). Both men stood at the tachiai. Fujinokawa reached in for a leg pick but Atamifuji quickly wrapped his arms around Fujinokawa and pulled him up. Atamifuji plowed forward and forced Fujinokawa back and crushed him out. Yoritaoshi.
Aonishiki (3-2) defeated Hakunofuji (2-3). The return of the left hand. Aonishiki got his left-hand inside grip, rotated, and chucked Hakunofuji into the front row. Shitatenage.
Kirishima (4-1) defeated Asanoyama (1-4). Kirishima’s patience paid off. Asanoyama had a strong right-hand inside grip. But he wanted to get that left-hand inside. When he tried to switch grips, Kirishima took advantage of the improved leverage and dragged him over the edge, trying an uwatenage. Asanoyama kept his footing but Kirishima continued to pressure him until he forced Asanoyama out. Yorikiri.
Kotozakura (4-1) defeated Takayasu (1-4). Takayasu got a right hand inside grip of Kotozakura’s belt but Kotozakura squared him up and drove him back, regardless. Powerful work from the current Ozeki. Yorikiri.
Fujiseiun (2-3) defeated Hoshoryu (2-3). Fujiseiun overpowered the Yokozuna. Like I said the other day. Hoshoryu is a Kinboshi-flavored Pez dispenser. From what I understand, base on the ancient texts at Ekoin Temple, Kinboshi-flavor is kind of like pineapple. Yorikiri.
Onosato (4-1) defeated Ura (1-4). Onosato pulled and slammed Ura into the ground. Not the prettiest win, not exactly great footwork or overwhelming power but a win is a win. Hatakikomi.
Wrap-up
Tatsunami-oyakata has a goose that lays a golden egg. His preferred method for managing this resource is to open a yakitori restaurant and serve him up until the last of the meat is exhausted. Yes, a Yokozuna’s job is to get out there and win. Hoshoryu’s doing half of it. He’s getting out there. Let’s hope he can win enough to get a kachi-koshi. Tatsunami-oyakata can talk a big game but he’s either going to force Hoshoryu into retirement here in Kyushu or face the music that the knee is not ready and needs rest.
Tomorrow, Hoshoryu is scheduled to face Takayasu in the musubi-no-ichiban. Onosato will fight Hakunofuji. Kirishima will take on the sensation that is Fujiryoga. Aonishiki will fight Churanoumi, Kotozakura will fight Yoshinofuji, Atamifuji will fight Asanoyama, and Fujinokawa will fight Ura. That’s a lot of great looking match-ups, capped off with a pre-retirement party. May the least damaged rikishi win.
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Hmm..Hosh 2-3 the old guys are going to be muttering darkly…..
He have to go kyujo for tomorrow, his knee isnt holding at all. Its his last chance, or more damage will be done. I hope his oyakata comes to his senses.
Unfortunately, to come to his senses, he needed to have any…
Regarding the Day 4 bout, his stablemaster explained, “He said his body stiffened up. Perhaps it is mental.” Addressing a moment on Day 3 where Hoshoryu’s knee appeared to buckle, Tatsunami noted, “I think he is fine.” (Nikkan Sports)
I wonder what the explanation is today when Hoshoryu practically avoided using the right for support and tried to stop Fujiseiun with one leg.
Definitely needs to have sense to begin with.
I completely agree.
Despite growing concerns that could prompt a withdrawal, Hoshoryu directly appealed to his stablemaster Tatsunami (former komusubi Asahiyutaka) over the phone, pleading, “Please let me compete tomorrow. I don’t want to run away.” Tatsunami confirmed Hoshoryu will compete on Day 6 against Maegashira Takayasu. (Sports Hochi)
The tragic thing is, with the state of his knee, he can’t manage any running away, anywhere…. He should accept that his physical condition is not up to it, and book a nice suite in a fancy Kyushu Onsen. Invite Abi, Kitanowaka and Asakoryu, and all have some good soaks and chats….
You’re so right. Funny how they all try to fight only on their left feet. Well, in fact not funny. Painfull to watch, as Andy said.
“And now for something completely different”: Asanoyama & Churanoumi are fighting quite well so far, despite their numbers. And Yoshinofuji seems to have gone the next step to where he belongs to. Gambare!
I think Hoshoryu is not capable of getting kachi-koshi. He practically avoided using the right leg for support when trying to stop Fujiseiun. He should have been able to stop Fujiseiun by using both legs properly. He should not have come to this basho at all.
Completely agree, and he shouldn’t have fought today, especially after yesterday’s slip-up, which showed knee isnt ok at all.
Agree with everyone here, the infirmary should be loading up with the broken, that includes a very hurt Yokozuna.
Atamifuki was not about to fall for Fujinokawa’s signature move, the Henka.
As small as he is, Fujinokawa in my book would be one of the few allowed to henka. That said it’s very far from being his signature move!
This has been a sad basho for me in a lot of ways.
Daiseizan doesn’t seem to be D1 material
Shishi is getting crushed
Hosh is handing out kinbos like candy
I honestly don’t know what the answer is for Hosh. He’s too young to retire, but he’s been nursing that knee for so long and it never seems to get much better. He’s already been kyujo so much lately.
The answer is to rest and rehabilitate that knee. The knives will be out either way but at least he’ll be able to compete properly.
I read that Yamanobe is switching to boxing, where he’ll benefit from weight classes. He said he didn’t want to/couldn’t bulk up for sumo. Too bad, but makes sense for him.
Shishi: finally some sumo. As Andy says, his best bout of the tournament to date.
Atamifuji: horrible tachiai. What in the world was that supposed to be?
Asanoyama is looking good…but, unfortunately, Kirishima looked good, too, and beat him!
Atamifuji: „horrible“ tachiai and win, „great“ tachiai and loss? Is that what U wanted for him?
Why would you ask me that? I am rooting for him but it still was a horrible tachiai. My observation.
No, it wasn’t. Read the comments below, they explain it very well.
I thought Atamifuji had just done his homework and knew what to expect from Fujinokawa.
Right, it was (despite the clumsy look) a quite wise move, but to be fair: in his two wins over Atamifuji Fujinokawa didn’t use anything henkalike. In Haru he countered well a sloppy slapdown try, in Aki he just outmanoevered an overeager Atamifuji at the bales … Herbern said it: Fujinokawa has much more in his portfolio than henkas.
Fujinokawa gets the Innovation prize today for attempted hybrid move, the simultaneous Henka-Leg Pick. That was a bold move given he was trying it on the heaviest rikishi in Macaucci division….
Thanks to Andy for highlighting the stunning gyoji robes today. Our eyes were really treated to a feast of color. Yes, yes, that autumn leaves wrapping front and back of right shoulder/sleeve and cherry blossoms other side is simply splendiferous!
Yeah, the designs are often very interesting. I think a lot of folks would get a kick out of the pokemon designs but there are other really cool ones, too.
I read that Shikimori Kandayu himself was the designer of that gorgeous set.
With none of the sanyaku looking infallible this basho, Kyushu seems ripe for a Maegashira to take the title. Takanosho and Wakamotoharu are at ranks far below their talent and are cleaning up; how long they can continue to do this and how early they get pulled up to face joi competition will dictate their chances. If not for his slippiotoshi yesterday, Kinbozan would be atop the leaderboard with Atamifuji. And speaking of the heaviest guy in the top division, I don’t see his stamina staying high enough the entire 15 days and he’ll drop a groaner or two to make a messy race of it. But as to who I actually think will win – Fujiryoga is in the zone, no Maegashira 1 wall for him! He’s in top physical shape and mentally locked-in.
I liked the storyline of the Tamawashi/Arashifuji bout.
Fujiryoga seems to be locked in, hopefully he is still clicking next week when I am in the crowd. He has been fun to watch.
Glad to hear Wakatakakage seems to be fully recovered based on how he is competing in Juryo. He is lucky he didn’t need amputation to save his life, compartment syndrome is no joke.
Aonishiki pulled Hakunofuji upright + close to himself .. then tossed him over the bales … A smooth, swift move done almost w elegance .. Reminded me of a pairs figure skating throw .. steering all that momentum in the right direction .. except Hakunofuji did not stick the landing ..
Golden in color. The pineapple flavored kinboshi pez dispenser, hahahahahaha
Finally!
„Tatsunami indicated that if Hoshoryu yields a fourth consecutive kinboshi in his Day 6 bout against Takayasu, he intends to make the call for him to withdraw.“ (Nikkan Sports)