Day Eight in Fukuoka.
Wakatakakage defeated Tobizaru and Tamashoho’s tsuppari was too much for Mitakeumi. Wakatakakage and Tamashoho picked up their kachi-koshi and lead the second division yusho race. Enho got swatted down by Hatsuyama so Asahifuji is the lone chaser at 7-1. He rather easily dispatched Tokifudo and is on the cusp of kachi-koshi in his first tournament as sekitori.
Makuuchi Action
Tamawashi (5-3) defeated Kagayaki (4-4). Kagayaki’s tsuppari just is not what it used to be. Tamawashi easily beat him back. The win moved Tamawashi into sixth place in Makuuchi wins, ahead of Kotoshogiku but behind the Great Taiho. Oshidashi.
Dewanoryu (6-2) defeated Kyokukaiyu (4-4). Dewanoryu had trouble finding belt grips. But he eventually slipped his right hand inside, and then his left. Morozashi acquired, he quickly bulldozed Kyokaiyu out. Yorikiri.
Toshinofuji (3-5) defeated Daiseizan (2-6). Toshinofuji tried a slapdown to start. While it didn’t finish Daiseizan off, it did give Toshinofuji great position, forcing Daiseizan to the edge. Toshinofuji followed up with a few shoves to drive Daiseizan out. Oshidashi.
Takanosho (6-2) defeated Arashifuji (6-2). Takanosho shifted to the left and attempted a slapdown. Arashifujii stumbled forward to the edge. Takanosho quickly moved in behind to finish Arashifuji off. Okuridashi.
Kitanowaka (4-4) defeated Asahakuryu (6-2). Asahakuryu’s undoing was his makikae. He pulled up and back to try to slip his right hand inside. Kitanowaka used the momentary break to drive forward and force Asahakuryu over the edge. Yorikiri.
Ichiyamamoto (5-3) defeated Shishi (0-8). Ichiyamamoto used his beltwork today, pulling Shishi around with his left-hand uwate and then charging forward to force Shishi out. Yorikiri.
Oho (5-3) defeated Asasuiryu (3-5). Asasuiryu tried to use his left hand inside grip to pull Oho forward but Oho locked onto the left arm and pulled Asasuiryu down. Kotenage.
Abi (3-5) defeated Asakoryu (1-7). Abi kind of did the same thing as Oho. Asakoryu got his arm inside to get a belt grip but Abi locked on and swung Asakoryu toward the bales, finishing him off with a shove from behind. Okuridashi.
Nishikifuji (5-3) defeated Tokihayate (2-6). It’s more difficult for a smaller guy to use the same kotenage arm bar. Tokihayate pulled on Nishikigi’s left arm but Nishikifuji used Tokihayate’s pull as an opportunity to force his way forward and drive Tokihayate out. Yorikiri.
Kotoshoho (5-3) defeated Oshoma (5-3). Oshoma tried to slap Kotoshoho down with his right hand up behind Kotoshoho’s head. He pulled Kotoshoho forward and then shoved him out from behind. Gunbai Oshoma. Mono-ii. As long as Oshoma’s hand was on Kotoshoho’s head, it was inevitable they’d take a look at the hairpull. Hanzoku.
Roga (5-3) defeated Hiradoumi (2-6). Migi-yotsu. Everywhere Hiradoumi turned, Roga followed and closed Hiradoumi’s access. Roga steadily cut Hiradoumi off and forced him back and out. Excellent sumo. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Wakamotoharu (7-1) defeated Gonoyama (3-5). Gonoyama forced Wakamotoharu back to the edge but the bales gave Wakamotoharu the leverage he needed to launch his counter attack. He quickly got both hands around Gonoyama and forced him back and out the other side. Yorikiri.
Kinbozan (7-1) defeated Daieisho (2-6). Kinbozan quickly chased Daieisho out. Oshidashi.
Ura (2-6) defeated Takerufuji (2-6). Ura shifted right, forcing Takerufuji to stumble forward and out. Takerufuji kept going, even slamming Ura onto his ass. Ura was justifiably pissed. Fumidashi.
Sanyaku
Fujiryoga (5-3) defeated Churanoumi (1-7). Fujiryoga chased Churanoumi around the ring. Churanoumi pulled with a slapdown attempt but stumbled in his retreat. Fujiryoga pursued and shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Asanoyama (4-4) defeated Yoshinofuji (4-4). Yoshinofuji used his right hand over, and over again to try to throw Asanoyama. Asanoyama stayed put and drove into Yoshinofuji, forcing him back and then crushing him out over the bales. A lot has been made of the recent string of 12-3 and 13-2 yusho. I think you can see in these two competitors why that’s so common now. Both of these guys are having great tournaments and they’re 4-4. They’re contesting every bout, even against the top guys. These wins aren’t given, they’re earned – but so are the losses. I mean, these are losses that look good. Losses that you can be proud of. Such is the quality of sumo at this level. Yoritaoshi.
Atamifuji (7-1) defeated Fujiseiun (4-4). I say that, and Fujiseiun gets completely shut down by Atamifuji. Atamifuji trapped Fujiseiun, charged forward and shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Fujinokawa (3-5) defeated Aonishiki (4-4). Everyone brings their best to Aonishiki. Fujinokawa blasted away at Fujinokawa with blistering volleys of tsuppari. Aonishiki dove forward to get his left hand on Fujinokawa’s belt and put an end to the beating. Aonishiki then tried throw after throw but Fujinokawa used his footwork to not only stay on his feet but to launch a counter attack. He tried several trips and drove Aonishiki back and over the edge. Absolutely electric. Yorikiri.
Kirishima (7-1) defeated Kotohachinana (5-3). I don’t know what Kotozakura was doing here. He backed up and pulled without a grip and without a slapdown. Kirishima just walked him out. That was the glorious mid-basho Ozeki matchup?!?! Forget all that nonsense I said above about proud losses. The highs and lows of this competition just drive me nuts. Ain’t it great. Yorikiri.
Onosato (7-1) defeated Takayasu (2-6). Takayasu nearly caught Onosato with a tawara sidestep and slapdown combo. However, the slapdown never really connected and Onosato kept his footing. Onosato then patiently pursued Takayasu and broke him down, forcing him back and over the edge. Yorikiri.
Hakunofuji (3-5) defeated Hoshoryu (4-4). Hoshoryu did what he could but it was obvious that he could not drive forward with the right leg. Hakunofuji only needed to hang on tight through Hoshoryu’s throw attempts, keep his balance through the trips, and resist Hoshoryu’s powerful left leg. Yeah, I say, “only.” Hakunofuji was gassed during his post-bout interview for a reason. He clung on long enough to take advantage of Hoshoryu’s injury. I include the video below for the pleasure of those folks who enjoy watching train wrecks. Oshidashi.
Wrap-up
Onosato leads a pretty good group in what promises to be an exciting yusho race. However, the drama will be with Hoshoryu as the Pez Dispenser feeds another its pineapple-flavored treat. Congratulations, Hakunofuji.
- 1-Loss: Onosato, Kirishima, Atamifuji, Wakamotoharu, Kinbozan
- 2-Losses: Takanosho, Asahakuryu, Dewanoryu, Arashifuji, the Ghost of Kotozakura
On tap for tomorrow are a host of great sanyaku match-ups. Yoshinofuji will fight Fujiryoga, Asanoyama will take on Churanoumi, Kotozakura faces Fujinokawa, Aonishiki squares off against Takayasu, and Kirishima battles Daieisho. If Hoshoryu shows up, he’s scheduled to fight Atamifuji, so no Pez are on the line. Onosato will wrap things up against take on Takerufuji.
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