Hakuho (15-0) bested Kakuryu (10-5) to claim his 14th zensho yusho. As a result, the two will switch spots atop the banzuke, with Hakuho regaining the East Yokozuna rank for the first time since January.
Goeido (12-3) continued his run of impressive performances at the Fall basho by defeating Kisenosato (10-5) to claim the jun-yusho. He is in sole possession of that title after Takayasu (11-4) lost to Tochinoshin (9-6). The three Ozeki will be ranked in the same order on the Kyushu banzuke.
Full participation by the Yokozuna/Ozeki corps made Aki 2018 an exciting and memorable tournament, with daily high-stakes bouts between highly ranked rikishi. Tachiai hopes that everyone gets as healthy as possible and is ready to fight in Fukuoka in six weeks.
The San’yaku
The Sekiwake and Komusubi quartet finished the basho on a positive note with four victories in four bouts against maegashira opponents. As a result, Mitakeumi (9-6) will remain East Sekiwake, and faint embers of his Ozeki run are still glowing. Ichinojo (8-7) saved his West Sekiwake rank with his 5th consecutive win after Hakuho woke him up on Day 10. And Takakeisho (9-6) made sure that his second trip to the named ranks would last longer than his first. He gets a slight promotion to East Komusubi, the rank being vacated by Tamawashi (4-11). The open West Komusubi slot will go to Kaisei, the only rank-and-filer to serve a full tour of duty against the upper ranks and live to talk about it. Kaisei accumulated his promotion-clinching 8 wins by defeating all five of his maegashira opponents and upsetting Goeido, Mitakeumi, and Tamawashi.
The Maegashira Debacle
With the rikishi atop the banzuke mostly racking up wins, someone had to absorb all the losses. Here’s the complete list of kachi-koshi (winning record) rikishi in the top 10 maegashira slots: Kaisei (8-7), Myogiryu (8-7). Seriously. Only two rikishi out of ten could reach even the bare-minimum eight wins. One gets to be Komusubi; the other will occupy the top M1e rank.
Let’s extend this to the next ten: Tochiozan (8-7), Hokutofuji (9-6), Daieisho (8-7). Not much better. It’s not until we get down to the M12-M15 ranks that we find our double-digit winners: Nishikigi (10-5), Ryuden (10-5), Takanoiwa (10-5), and Yoshikaze (11-4). No wonder no special prizes were awarded this basho for the first time since their introduction 47 years agoin 1947!
The dismal performance of the maegashira corps will make it a challenge to fill out the joi ranks for Kyushu, and to attempt to come up with a sane and fair banzuke more generally. There will be many disproportionately large promotions and overly mild demotions. Myogiryu (M5e) is a lock to move up to M1e. The most likely candidates for the next two slots are Tochiozan (M7w) and Hokutofuji (M9e). Tamawashi, despite his abysmal 4-11 performance, may only drop to M2w for lack of better candidates. Does Nishikigi move all the way up from M12w to M3e with only a 10-5 record, to be joined by M13e Ryuden (10-5) at M3w? Just how small a demotion is in store for M3e Shodai (6-9) and M2w Chiyotairyu (5-10)? The whole thing is a total mess.
The Makuuchi-Juryo Exchange
Today’s action guaranteed a minimum of three exchanges. Arawashi (8-7) won, ensuring his return to the top division, along with Daiamami (11-4) and Meisei (9-6). Conveniently, Kotoyuki (6-9) lost, so he is the obvious choice to join Kyokutaisei (1-6-8) and Ishiura (4-11) on a trip to the second division. The tricky call is Chiyomaru (M14w; 6-9) vs. Yago (J2w; 8-7) for the final M16w rung of the Makuuchi ladder. With his fusen loss today, Chiyomaru fell one victory short of safety. Yago failed to take advantage and lost his third bout in a row since attaining kachi-koshi, leaving him one win short of a clear promotion. He also lost to Chiyomaru head-to-head on Day 13. My guess is that Yago will go up and Chiyomaru will go down, but the banzuke committee could easily go the other way.
That’s it for Aki 2018. As usual, I’ll have a full Kyushu banzuke prediction post up sometime in the next couple of weeks, so please keep coming to Tachiai for that and other coverage we have in store between the basho.
It is my sad duty to break these news to you, but it must be done: the basho is over. All yusho have been decided. All kachi-koshi and make-koshi have been achieved. And now we are in for a month and a half of… well, mostly Jungyo.
So what did we have today?
Hakuho and his flag-bearer and uchi-deshi, EnhoWell, the first Makuuchi bout is between Chiyomaru and Aminishiki, but it turns out that Chiyomaru has a bone fracture in his foot, and is kyujo on senshuraku. He will probably end up in Juryo for this. Aminishiki must be frustrated – you go to Makuuchi, you win – but you don’t get any kensho for fusensho! Aminishiki with a minimal make-koshi, though, 7-8, and although he won’t advance, he will also not drop much.
Takanoiwa achieves a left hand outside on the tachiai vs Okinoumi. He is not happy with that and manages a makikae. Another fumble, a pull, and he wins by uwatedashinage, achieving double digits on his return to Makuuchi. Will he get a sansho?
Er, no. And neither will any of the hard working rikishi who strive for 10 wins today. Earlier the NSK announces that no rikishi have been found worthy of any special prizes today – not the technique prize, not the outstanding performance prize, and – weirdest of all – no fighting spirit prize. So, the basho we thought was wonderful, the NSK considered so lackluster that for the first time since the institution of special prizes, none have been awarded.
Aoiyama meets Kotoyuki. Both are make-koshi, but both are seeking to keep themselves 7-8 rather than 6-9. Kotoyuki starts with a bit of not-too-enthusiastic tsuppari, but Aoiyama soon catches him, gives him a nice pat on the nape of his nake, and sends him to his favorite place – waddling between the spectators in the front rows.
Ryuden manages a proper tachiai, and gets his left arm inside, despite Daishomaru‘s ottsuke. Although still fumbling on the right side, he manages an easy yori-kiri, and gets his 10th win. Again, no sansho, and all the rikishi with 10 wins will have to settle for the additional ¥10,000 in their bi-monthly bonus.
Hokutofuji starts with his usual right-arm forward and rhythmic thrusts, but Yoshikaze achieves a left hand inside almost instantly and yori-kiris him to oblivion. Yoshikaze, as expected for a man of his experience finding himself so low down the banzuke, has been cutting swaths through his opponents and will be back in a saner and more challenging position next basho.
Nishikigi gets a left hand inside and a grip on Kotoshogiku‘s mawashi right off the tachiai. He ottsuke’s the former Ozeki’s left arm with his own right, and then decides to go for the grip, which he achieves. The two lock powerfully, and though Nishikigi loses his initial left hand grip, he never lets go of that right. It gets into a leaning war. Nishikigi gets the left hand mawashi grip again. Eventually he pulls up a little, and pushes Kotoshogiku all the way out. Did we just watch Nishikigi beat Kotoshogiku by a powerful yori-ikiri? Yes we did! Nishikigi also in double digits this basho, to the sound of millions of jaws dropping in amazement. Kotoshogiku, despite a good showing this basho, is make-koshi.
Takarafuji yet again fails to achieve his favorite position, but somehow prevails over Sadanoumi with some ottsuke, a pull and a thrust. He is not happy, but he finishes the basho with a win, and minimizes his make-koshi to 7-8. My sources tell me that the Tachiai delegation at the Kokugikan has been cheering for the Isegahama man.
Tochiozan achieves a quick morozashi on Chiyoshoma on the tachiai, and after a few hugs manages to aim and shoot at the head shimpan. Shitatehineri, and Tochiozan is kachi-koshi.
Shohozan attempts a harizashi on Takanosho, but fails the “sashi” part. Takanosho gets the advantage with some tsuppari that gets Shohozan to the edge, but then Shohozan decides to arm those guns, and Takanosho soon finds himself at the opposite edge, and over it. Shohozan keeps his make-koshi at a minimal 7-8. Takanosho luckily clinched his kachi-koshi already.
Not much to say about the Onosho vs. Ishiura bout, which started with yet another matta 🙄. Ishiura tries to go low, Onosho catches his neck, and Ishiura, rather than persevering like his ototo-deshi (rikish from the same heya who joined later), frees his head, finds himself without any position or grip, and is soon driven out. Bot wrestlers are now 4-11, and if Ishiura doesn’t start watching Enho and learning, today’s Yokozuna dohyo-iri was his last.
The bout between Kagayaki and Daieisho is a bout of desparation, as both parties are 7-7 entering it. Daieisho is shorter, and makes use of that to attack the tall Kagayaki at just the right angle, from below. Kagayaki has no answer to Daieisho’s fierce rain of tsuppari and is soon out. On his way down the hana michi he looks like he is on the verge of tears. Daieisho is 8-7, Kagayaki 7-8.
Another matta precedes the Yutakayama match vs. Chiyonokuni. Chiyonokuni starts with his enthusiastic thrust attack, from below, from above, and Yutakayama can barely defend. One of Yutakayama’s defensive left hand moves catches the back of Chiyonokuni’s head as Yutakayama spins around, and the Kokonoe man is surprised to find himself flat on his face on the edge. Yutakayama manages to keep his toes inside in this spin, and gets a win to sweeten a rather bitter basho.
Kaisei latches on to the left side of Shodai‘s mawashi a half-second after the tachiai, and soon follows with his right hand. Although it’s a bit of an odd soto-yotsu (both hands outside, but rather on the front Shodai’s mawashi rather than the back), it’s enough for him to easily walk Shodai out. Kaisei is kachi-koshi, 8-7, and Tamawashi’s komusubi position is virtually in his pocket.
Chiyotairyu slams into Ikioi and immediately steps to the left. Ikioi not fulled, stays with him and catches one of his arms in what seems to be a preparation for a kotenage. However, after some wriggling, Chiyotairyu manages to shake that arm lock off, and shake Ikioi off the dohyo. Ikioi lands on his injured foot, further aggravating his injured ankle. I hope Ikioi will absent himself from the Jungyo, which starts October 3rd – he and the rest of the maimed rikishi that have been heaping up this basho.
Today was Asanoyama‘s last chance of a kachi-koshi, after four consecutive losses following his seventh win. He did his best to neutralize Takakeisho‘s barrage of tsuppari, keeping him at an arm’s length. The bout developed into a long stalemate, when Asanoyama decided to try to slip a hand in for a grip. Takakeisho didn’t let that pass – Asanoyama’s “sashi” lasted for two milliseconds before the Takakeisho windmill had him over the bales. Five straight losses and make-koshi for Asanoyama.
For some reason, Tamawashi decided that the basho starts today, and finally made an appearance at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. Too bad it’s the last day, old Eagle. His thrust attack against Endo was powerful and effective, but only got him his 4th win. As for Endo, let’s hope he rallies the same way that Yoshikaze has this basho. Otherwise, what who will the ladies of the Kokugikan swoon over?
Ichinojo is 7-7 coming into this bout with Myogiryu. Myogiryu is going to find himself in the joi next basho, having already secured his kachi-koshi. And he has a 6-2 record against the boulder. But Ichinojo has had six consecutive kachi-koshi. And he seems to like being sekiwake. Tachiai, boom. Ichinojo has both hands folded in his lap on the tachiai, then releases them and catches Myogiryu’s arm. Myogiryu starts pushing. Ichinojo pulls, and lets Myogiryu drop just before stepping over the bales himself. Not exactly powerful sumo, but much to the disbelief of anybody reading this blog only 5 days ago, Ichinojo gets yet another kachi-koshi, seventh in a row, and keeps his rank.
At this point you don’t need Leonid’s massive banzuke-fu to figure out the sanyaku for next basho: It’s much the same as this one, with Hakuho and Takakeisho moving East and Kaisei replacing Tamawashi.
Abi starts with his usual morotezuki and tsuppari, nothing to write home about. Mitakeumi matches him thrust for thrust. Round and round and round they go, until Abi loses patience and foolishly tries to reach Mitakeumi’s mawashi. Mitakeumi finds a handy Abi cranium to push down. The End. Mitakeumi improves to 9-6, and the argument about his Ozeki chances in 2018 will continue to rage until he goes and messes Kyushu the same way he messed Aki. Abi is 6-9 and can rest assured that he won’t need to face any sanyaku next time around.
The top three bouts, for the first time in two years, feature only Yokozuna and Ozeki. Watch the sanyaku soroi-bumi in Kintamayama’s reel – it’s a good one.
Tochinoshin, after having relieved himself of the awful pressure of the Kadoban, makes short work of Takayasu. He starts with a kachiage, neutralizes Takayasu’s left arm and keeps himself away from the right, and then pushes with all his double-bear power. Takayasu drops, Tochinoshin 9-6.
Goeido slams into Kisenosato, attempts to start a gaburi attack. Kisenosato is a bit too heavy for this stuff. Goeido pulls slightly, and rolls the Yokozuna easily. Kisenosato must be glad he got his 10th yesterday. He finishes 10-5. Goeido has the jun-yusho with 12-3.
Musubi no ichiban. Hakuho has his zensho to defend. Kakuryu – his Yokozuna dignity. Clash, no harite, and Hakuho gets the left-hand mawashi grip. The two enter into a classical yotsu lock hold. Hakuho tries to lift Kakuryu several times, but he is no Tochinoshin. Besides, he only has “ichimai” on the right hand side. The third attack sees Kakuryu lose his mawashi grip, and then he suddenly goes limp and just leaves the dohyo. That’s a bit sad for a Yokozuna, but at least it’s a good way to escape an injury-risking dame-oshi. Hakuho maintains his zensho yusho. ¥200,000 are added to his bi-monthly bonus, which is already the largest in history. I’m guessing Kakuryu is going to be grilled by the YDC tomorrow, having lost all his Yokozuna and Ozeki bouts.
The Yokozuna on the left came back from a lengthy injury. The one on the right won two yusho this year. Go figure.
It’s been a pleasurable basho, and now the long wait begins for the last Kyushu basho of the Heisei era.
Many of the storylines we’ve been following came to a satisfying conclusion today, but for some rikishi, a lot is still at stake on senshuraku.
The Yusho Race
Dai-Yokozuna Hakuho clinched his record-extending 41st championship with a day to go, defeating resurgent Ozeki Goeido for the eleventh consecutive time. The only thing left on the line for the winner is whether he can make this yusho a record-extending 14th zensho (undefeated) one tomorrow against fellow Yokozuna Kakuryu.
The jun-yusho (second place) race is led by Goeido and fellow Ozeki Takayasu, each with 11 victories. The 10-win chase pack consists of two Yokozuna, Kakuryu and Kisenosato, along with M15 Yoshikaze, the only other Makuuchi man to reach double digits. Kisenosato faces Goeido tomorrow, Takayasu faces Tochinoshin, while Yoshikaze goes up against 9-5 maegashira 9 Hokutofuji.
Yokozuna Kisenosato’s Return
When Kisenosato decided to enter what he himself declared would be his make-or-break basho, many of us did not think he could achieve a winning record or last the whole tournament, forcing the proud Yokozuna to retire. Instead, today he put an exclamation mark on a triumphant return, defeating fellow Yokozuna Kakuryu and reaching the “Yokozuna kachi-koshi” of 10 victories. We should see Kisenosato again at Kyushu, and while he may never be back to his pre-injury form, if he can continue to perform at his current level, sumo is better with him on the dohyo.
Ozeki Tochinoshin’s Kadoban Status
Following his withdrawal from the Nagoya basho due to injury, the big Georgian needed to reach 8 wins this tournament or lose his just-acquired Ozeki rank. It wasn’t easy, as he is not 100% recovered, but Tochinoshin scraped together 7 wins in the first 13 days, and finished the job today against Abi. Tachiai hopes to see him return to full strength by Kyushu, and be the absolute monster we know and love.
Sekiwake Mitakeumi’s Ozeki Run
It wasn’t meant to be. After a perfect 5-0 start, which included victories over Ichinojo and Tochinoshin, Mitakeumi lost 6 of the next 7, putting an end to his quest to reach the 11 victories he likely needed to reach sumo’s second-highest rank. In addition to defensible losses against the three Yokozuna, this stretch included losses against M1 Ikioi, who was winless at the time, as well as M1 Kaisei. As a result, members of the shimpan department have been making statements about the Ozeki run being over. I take this with a grain of salt. If Mitakeumi can follow up his kachi-koshi-clinching victory today that knocked Ozeki Takayasu out of the yusho race with a ninth victory against Abi on senshuraku, giving him 22 wins in two basho, then I believe that a sufficiently impressive performance at Kyushu (at least eleven victories, some against top opponents) could still earn him promotion. Of course, based on this tournament’s results, Mitakeumi’s ability to put up that kind of performance when all the Yokozuna and Ozeki are competing has to be considered in doubt.
San’yaku Demotions and Promotions
Today’s victories by Mitakeumi, Ichinojo, and Takakeisho ensured that all three will remain in the named ranks. Mitakeumi will continue as East Sekiwake. If Ichinojo can overcome Myogiryu (against whom he’s 2-6) tomorrow, he will stay West Sekiwake, with Takakeisho moving up to East Komusubi; otherwise, the two will switch spots.
Only one slot, vacated by Komusubi Tamawashi, will be open for promotion. If Kaisei can best Shodai tomorrow (and their 6-0 record suggests he should be able to), he will be West Komusubi in Fukuoka. Should Kaisei lose, the slot is Myogiryu’s, regardless of the outcome of his own bout, as there simply aren’t any better candidates than an 8-7 maegashira 5—it’s been that kind of a tournament for the upper maegashira ranks, aka “the meat grinder.”
The Quest for Kachi-Koshi
For seven men, each with seven victories and seven losses, whether their records end up in positive or negative territory will come down to their final bouts. For Ichinojo, this means the difference between Sekiwake and Komusubi; for Kaisei, between Komusubi (and San’yaku salary) and staying in the rank-and-file. For the other five—Asanoyama, Kagayaki, Tochiozan, Kotoshogiku, and Daieisho—the finish will only affect their exact ranking among the maegashira, but everyone want to achieve a winning record! The schedulers only give us one “Darwinian” matchup: Kagayaki vs. Daieisho.
Juryo Demotions and Makuuchi Promotions
Following Aminishiki‘s loss today, there are four men with a chance of promotion to Juryo, as well as four top-division rikishi at risk of demotion. Meisei and Daiamami have done enough to ensure their Makuuchi returns, trading places with Ishiura and Kyokutaisei. The rest comes down to the final-day results for Chiyomaru, Kotoyuki, Yago and Arawashi. A win by Chiyomaru against Juryo visitor Aminishiki would move him out of danger and shrink the number of available promotion slots to one. This slot would go to Yago with a victory, or Arawashi with a victory and a Yago loss. If both of the Juryo contenders lose, a victory by Kotoyuki might just keep him in the top division (it would be a close call between him and Yago for M16w), while a Kotoyuki loss would see Yago promoted. Should Chiyomaru lose, both Yago and Arawashi would be in with victories. All clear now?
The Juryo Yusho Race
Daiamami and Tokushoryu both reached 10 wins today, denying us the possibility of a massive 9-6 playoff and eliminating the six men with 8 wins from the race. The leaders are chased by the 9-win trio of Meisei, Hakuozan, and Enho. With only Meisei and Tokushoryu paired up, we can still hope for a five-way tie at 10-5, setting up a playoff from which, in our dreams, Enho would emerge victorious.
Yokozuna Hakuho, in a year of injuries, in which he previously completed just one basho, is back, and is breaking records. Today he won his 41st yusho. It was also his 1000th Makuuchi win, with Kaio trailing far behind with 879. Also, this is the 13th consecutive year in which he wins at least one yusho – breaking Taiho’s record of 12. In the shitaku-beya he said “I am leaving the children who will be entering Grand Sumo in the future a big challenge to aim for”. I doubt if the child who will break those records is going to be born any time soon – perhaps if sports medicine advances far enough, and the world of sumo changes its mindset well enough, to extend an average rikishi’s viable career as a sekitori into his forties. Then, maybe, maybe.
But the Yokozuna’s yusho was just the cap on yet another good day of sumo, so let’s dive right in.
Arawashi visited Makuuchi today, to see if he should be exchanged for Kotoyuki. Kotoyuki denies him any access to his mawashi, and in the tsuppari match that ensues, Arawashi’s foot slips to the janome (the ring of fine sand surrounding the tawara). This has been happening a lot this basho. Bales slippery or buried a tad too deeply? Only the Yobidashi and the gods of the dohyo know. Arawashi needs to win his bout tomorrow to still secure his kachi-koshi and return to Makuuchi – especially now that Aminishiki is make-koshi and will not advance (Aminishiki has been the victim of two consecutive henkas by men almost half his age, believe it or not).
Chiyoshoma, who has secured his kachi-koshi for the first time since the Haru basho (the only Kokonoe sekitori to do so so far), got a mawashi grip on Okinoumi right from the get-go. However, it was Okinoumi who executed a lovely uwatenage, usually Chiyoshoma’s expertise, rolling the Kokonoe man to the edge of the dohyo. Okinoumi is kachi-koshi.
Ryuden aims to get a morozashi on Sadanoumi. He achieves a left hand inside with a good grip, while Sadanoumi latches on with his right hand outside. The two fight over the hold with the other hand, Ryuden trying to lock his armpit, and Sadanoumi getting a “nozoki” (his left hand peeks through). Then Sadanoumi suddenly reverses direction, and uses the good hold he has on Ryuden with his right to pull the man in the black mawashi over to the edge and force him out with a yori-kiri. Both fly to the front rows. Sadanoumi checks with Ryuden that he is alright, Ryuden nods. Sadanoumi is kachi-koshi, and Ryuden may yet get to double digits, but not today.
Takanosho and Daieisho both use their arms to pad their impact. From there, it takes Takanosho half a second to drop Daieisho to ground. Oshitaoshi.
Hokutofuji seems to be Takanoiwa‘s Kryptonite. Takanoiwa has not beaten him in any of their bouts. It seems Takanoiwa is always aiming for a right “sashi” (hand insertion), and Hokutofuji always succeeds in sealing that side off. And this time, too, he gets rid of the posky right hand and proceeds to destroy Takanoiwa’s game plan. Oshidashi, Hokutofuji wins, both are 9-5, may get double digits tomorrow.
Ishiura tries to get a mae-mitsu grip on Daishomaru, but realizes that he has achieved a morozashi (both hands inside), and simply proceeds to yori-kiri the Oitekaze man. Where was this Ishiura for the length of this basho?
Aoiyama, who only two days ago pommeled Ishiura in anger for trying a henka, decided to go that way himself, and sidestepped Takarafuji mightily. Does Aoiyama really need to henka the fading Isegahama heyagashira? Takarafuji is now make-koshi and in sore need of rest and recuperation.
Nishikigi continues to surprise. With a large bruise on his right elbow he faces Shohozan, whom he has never beaten before. Shohozan starts with a harite, and while the two fumble with their arms on one side, Shohozan manages to insert his left hand inside through Nishikigi’s ottsuke on the other. But Nishikigi cooly converts that ottsuke into a kotenage – remember, that’s his injured elbow – and Shohozan finds himself below the dohyo. Nishikigi is yet another rikishi who may secure double digits tomorrow. Shohozan, on the other hand, is make-koshi.
Chiyomaru starts his bout with Tochiozan with a morotezuki – thrust with both hands – and then pulls and tries to slam the veteran Kasugano rikishi to the ground. Tochiozan survives, wraps his arms around the Eternally Round One, and sends him rolling with a tsukiotoshi. Chiyomaru is now officially make-koshi and in danger of demotion to Juryo. Tochiozan will have to wait until tomorrow for his kachi (or make) koshi.
Kotoshogiku doesn’t leave much to write about. He slams into Kagayaki, lifting him up, and then drives him out Goeido-style before Kagayaki can think of any response. Kotoshogiku wins, and both parties are now 7-7 and wait for senshuraku to decide their fates.
Asanoyama tries to land a yotsu hold on Yoshikaze. Yoshikaze pulls and drops the young man to the ground. Experience, experience… Yoshikaze and his magical rash are in double digits. Asanoyama has to wait for tomorrow to try for a kachi-koshi.
Endo‘s present to Yutakayama for his birthday is a quick and merciless tsukidashi. Yutakayama is 2-10-2, Endo 3-11. Both are not going to be anywhere near the joi the next basho, and I hope they’ll both find some time to heal (whatever it is that is ailing Endo).
This is followed by yet another match-of-the-hapless, in which Ikioi manages to win yet another one of those kensho envelopes pledged for him by his fiancee’s sponsor. A barrage of tsuppari finds Onosho spread on the dohyo by hatakikomi. Onosho doesn’t look injured, but like Yoshikaze in the previous basho and Endo in this one, something seems to be plaguing him. Both parties are now 3-11.
Chiyotairyu somehow fools himself into believing that going chest-to-chest with Kaisei is going to benefit him. Although he has a morozashi, he doesn’t use it to secure a hold – probably because he doesn’t have the reach, with both Kaisei’s bulk and his own increasing the circumference he needs to cover. Kaisei, on the other hand, secures a good grip in a soto-yotsu, much like Tochinoshin had a few days ago, and calmly walks Chiyotairyu to the edge. Chiyotairyu increases his losing score to 4-10. Kaisei is now 7-7, and if he wins on senshuraku, may find himself in sanyaku again.
That sanyaku spot is going to be vacated by Tamawashi, who faced Chiyonokuni. They start a tsuki-oshi exchange, but Chiyonokuni manages to land a couple of thrusts that set Tamawashi spinning like a top. Tamawashi is not really with us. Next basho he is probably safely away from any Yokozuna and Ozeki.
Takakeisho pulls Myogiryu down in a typical hikiotoshi. Takakeisho is kachi-koshi, and will stay in sanyaku. Depending on Ferdinand the Bull he may even advance to Sekiwake – but we’ll get to Ichinojo in a minute.
So Ferdinand, I mean, Ichinojo, slams into Shodai and the impact drives the maegashira almost to the edge. The two frantically attempt to land a grip and defend against being gripped, when Ichinojo realizes that he has gained enough ground to safely pull. Hatakikomi, and as is usual with Ichinojo, this means Shodai is spread on the dohyo like Philadelphia cheese, and Ichinojo is hovering over him with a slightly worried “Did I do that?” face. Shodai manages to stand up. It’s Ichinojo’s win, and somehow, unbelievably, Ichinojo once again finds himself with a possibility of a kachi-koshi on senshuraku. If he does that, he maintains his Sekiwake position, and his winning streak at 7 consecutive kachi koshi. If he doesn’t – well, he’ll be komusubi, and Takakeisho Sekiwake. Shodai, by the way, is make-koshi.
Tochinoshin finds a way through Abi‘s tsuppari, and catches on Peter Pan’s mawashi. The latter squirms and bends. I’m pretty sure he actually touched the dohyo with the top part of his foot at some point there – but it’s a moot point, as Tochinoshin performs the shitatenage, and finally gets that precious 8th win that he needed so dearly. Tochinoshin maintains his Ozeki rank, and avoids repeating Musoyama’s quick relegation to Ozekiwake following one kyujo as shin-ozeki and one kadoban in 2000 (Musoyama went on to win 10 bouts and regained his Ozeki rank at the time). Everybody in Georgia lets out a sigh of relief – we still have three Ozeki going into Kyushu. Abi, by the way, is now make-koshi.
The next bout features the suffering Mitakeumi against the near-perfect Takayasu. Takayasu’s usual slam is properly met by the sekiwake. Takayasu tries to slide his left hand through, and Mitakeumi uses a ferocious ottsuke while both of them are also defending on the other side, keeping their mawashi away from each other’s arms. Takayasu does manage to overcome Mitakeumi’s ottsuke and gets to Mitakeumi’s Mawashi. At the same time Mitakeumi pierces his right side. But Mitakeumi converts his ottsuke into a strong lock on Takayasu’s arm, and drags him down the dohyo. Both of them fall. The gyoji points to Mitakeumi.
The result of the monoii deliberation: both are out, “dotai”, but since Mitakeumi was clearly the attacking side, it’s his win.
So Mitakeumi gets the win, secures his kachi-koshi, and maintains his Sekiwake status. Takayasu, however, goes 11-3, and loses his place in the Yusho race.
Then follows the Yokozuna bout of the day. Kakuryu starts with a good forward-moving attack, and Kisenosato defends with all the tools that he has – mainly his lower body. At some point Kakuryu runs out of energy, and a leaning session ensues, as both try to find an opening. But then Kakuryu makes what seems to me like a rookie mistake – he reacts to the gyoji’s call of “oi-hakioi”, trying to do something prematurely. This leaves him open, and Kisenosato, one-armed Yokozuna though he is, seems to be very sharp this basho. Sharp enough to envelope Kakuryu and get him to the nearest edge. Kakuryu loses for the fourth day in a row. Amazingly, the Yokozuna who looked like he was going to take the Yusho only five days ago, winning decisively and brilliantly, is suddenly neck to neck with the Yokozuna we all predicted will have a hard time getting an F-ing kachi-koshi. Hats off for Kisenosato. He achieves his yokozuna kachi-koshi of 10 wins.
Musubi no ichiban. Hakuho is zensho, but had some very precarious bouts in this basho. Goeido, other than his first day bout, has been magnificent this basho. Who is going to prevail? The bout is preceded by yet another set of matta. Both the fault of Hakuho, who seems to be very tense. Upon the second one, I was sure we are going to see the Yokozuna being swept away by a raging Ozeki.
Er, nope. Nopity-nope-nope. Hakuho goes straight forward, grabs Goeido’s mawashi with his left hand, and within a couple of seconds the Ozeki is in a heap on the nearest shimpan. Hakuho is feeling magnanimous enough to help Goeido back up the dohyo. The dai-yokozuna gets his 41st yusho, his 1000th Makuuchi win, his 1094th win overall, his 13th year in a row winning a yusho, and who knows how many more records, with just one typical uwatenage.
