Aki 2023

Catching up: Juryo Promotions and Retirements

Andy Aki 2023

I do apologize. There are a couple of loose ends which we need to tidy up from the close of Aki-basho. Thank you for the kind words, Wolfgang, but you are correct. There are several things to note before we move on to Jungyo coverage in the next few days. First of all, when the banzuke committee met in the days following the tournament they determined the entire banzuke but they only actually release the names of those promoted to Juryo because it’s quite the lifestyle change. Upgraded wardrobe, living arrangements and shifting responsibilities. Secondly, there was a raft of retirements. For this article, we will not list out those, like Okinoumi, Kaisei and Daikiho, who had their ceremonies following the tournament but actually retired some time ago. This is just the list of retirements from Aki.

Shin-Juryo

For Kyushu we have three promotions from Makushita to Juryo, one of whom is being promoted for the first time. The Shin-Juryo wrestler is Hitoshi from Oitekaze-beya. The powerhouse stable now boasts seven sekitori. The heyagashira, as the top-dog is known, is Daieisho. Behind him are Tobizaru, Endo, Tsurugisho, Daishoho, Daiamami, and now Hitoshi.

Yuma from Onomatsu-beya and Hidenoumi (Tobizaru’s brother) from Kise-beya return to Juryo and reacquire their sekitori status after brief, single-tournament demotions to Makushita. Neither will rise far from the cut line so the pressure will be on to achieve a winning record if they hope to stay for long.

Retirements

Former top-division champion, Tokushoryu, leads the queue of wrestlers who headed for the exit. Unlike most of the others, Tokushoryu will be staying on as oyakata, as is his stablemate, Akiseyama. Akiseyama had technically put in his papers prior to the tournament but he’s still included here.

Tokushoryu and Akiseyama have already joined the blue-jacket brigade. There are some sad surprises here, as well as a few names that we’d been expecting. Hokuozan, for example, had been kyujo for quite some time. Byakuen follows his brother, Gaia, into retirement…presumably surfing on a beach somewhere. Setonoumi had climbed back into Makushita after suffering a neck injury, winning a lower division yusho in the process. Tachiai wishes all of them luck in their new careers.

Aki 2023: Day 14 Highlights

Andy Abi (阿炎), Aki 2023, Aki Basho, Atamifuji (熱海富士), Hoshoryu, Takakeishō (貴景勝)

We enter the final weekend to a compelling yusho race featuring many of our favorite names. With talent up-and-down the banzuke and such evenly-matched competition every night has brought more drama and, most importantly, amazing action. Tonight was no different. We didn’t just get excellent action when a winning or losing record was on the line. Many of the bouts which were far removed from the yusho race, or even from kachi-koshi, featured heated contests and great finishing moves. It is really difficult to pick a favorite out of today’s bouts.

That said, we have to start with the yusho race. Atamifuji came into tonight with a share of the lead with Takakeisho. His two consecutive losses, in particular the loss to Takakeisho, had this sumo fan wondering if his charge was over. His confidence always appears shaky. You get the sense that he’s a gentle young guy, just amazed to be here.

When he’s ringside, he seems deferential to everyone around him. Sitting on his cushion, as shimpan and fellow wrestlers squeeze by, he seems to try extra hard to make himself small so he doesn’t bother anyone or get in anyone’s way. In the build-up to his match with Abi, he charged forward early. You could almost read his mind as you saw him back up, take his time, look up at the roof above. “Calm down, man. You deserve to be here.”

That changed in a flash at the tachiai. When Abi pulled a henka and slapped Atamifuji in the face, it just seemed like the big man’s demeanor changed. “Oh, you bastard.” He recovered, composed himself, and took his revenge. Today might have actually been the most pivotal day of the basho. And I hope it’s a turning point in Atamifuji’s rise. He deserves to be here and fight with the best. Will he win his first top division yusho tomorrow? It’s an exciting prospect.

They haven’t posted tomorrow’s torikumi yet. And they probably will do so momentarily. But my bet is that they’ll make him earn it. If he has to face Hoshoryu, that would be brutal. Hoshoryu will be fighting for kachi-koshi. Atamifuji would have to deny an Ozeki kachi-koshi, or beat one in a playoff. I think that’s a fair path. What do you all think?

While you mull it over, let’s take a look at the action.

Highlights

Myogiryu (9-5) defeated Chiyoshoma (2-12): Chiyoshoma jumped early with a false start, and made contact with Myogiryu before the tachiai. For me, that usually signals that a henka is coming. But no henka. Chiyoshoma attacked head-on but Myogiryu deflected him and forced Chiyoshoma down to his left. Hatakikomi.

Takarafuji (7-7) defeated Kagayaki (4-10): Kagayaki came in too high. Kagayaki drove forward, rather mindlessly, at the tachiai. Takarafuji met Kagayaki head on but was able to shift around and nearly get behind Kagayaki. This allowed him a belt grip that he used to keep the Kagayaki train headed west and over the tawara. Yorikiri.

Hokuseiho (10-4) defeated Tsurugisho (8-6): After a solid initial charge, both men locked in with right-hand inside migi-yotsu grips. Tsurugisho did his best to hang on as Hokuseiho ushered him, gently, over the tawara. Yorikiri.

Midorifuji (9-5) defeated Daishoho (3-11): Midorifuji met Daishoho’s initial charge, wrapped his right arm behind Daishoho’s left shoulder to pull him forward and then shoved him down. Katasukashi. What else?

Aoiyama (5-9) defeated Kotoeko (6-8): Aoiyama’s tsuppari did not seem to be making any headway with Kotoeko. So he escalated with a nodowa. Kotoeko reciprocated and then hit Aoiyama with a powerful slap. This angered the ginat.  A powerful slap staggered Kotoeko, who lunged in for a belt grip. Aoiyama then twisted and forced Kotoeko over the bales with a brutal arm-bar. Kotoeko make-koshi. Kotenage.

Hiradoumi (5-9) defeated Nishikifuji (4-10): This was a wild brawl between the two merlot-mawashi’d combatants. Nishikifuji tried to force Hiradoumi down multiple times but Hiradoumi maintained his balance. Nishikifuji shoved Hiradoumi to the edge and went in for the kill…but whiffed. The last second, deft misdirection gave Hiradoumi the win. Tsukiotoshi.

Ryuden (6-8) defeated Kotoshoho (5-9): Ryuden won this lengthy belt battle, I believe, by using his head. Literally. As a weapon. He had his oichomage embedded in Kotoshoho’s face for most of the bout. When he got up under Kotoshoho’s jaw, he drove forward. Kotoshoho tried to move his head away, and this lifted his body, giving Ryuden an opening to force Kotoshoho out. Yorikiri.

Shonannoumi (7-7) defeated Endo (8-6): Shonannoumi won some real estate at the initial charge, allowing him space for a pull. Endo charged forward, pushing at Shonannoumi’s midsection.  Shonannoumi used his height advantage to reach over Endo, grab his belt, and pull him forward and out. Shonannoumi’s tight rope walk was reviewed by the replay booth. A mono-ii was called but he had not stepped out until Endo went flying into the crowd. Uwatenage.

Sadanoumi (7-7) defeated Takanosho (5-9): Takanosho drove forward, like Endo in the previous bout. Sadanoumi used the tawara to pivot and his belt grip to throw Takanosho over the edge. Uwatenage. Sadanoumi seemed to tweak his lower back. That might be significant as he fights for kachi-koshi tomorrow with a sore koshi.

Oho (5-9) defeated Tamawashi (2-12): A frantic brawl came to an end when Oho wrapped up Tamawashi’s right shoulder, pulled forward, and then forced Tamawashi down. This was a mirror-image of Midorifuji’s winning move from earlier in the day. Katasukashi.

Halftime

Atamifuji (11-3) defeated Abi (8-6): Abi suckered Atamifuji into a false start. Abi HENKA! Atamifuji recovered well. Focused, invigorated, and pissed off, Atamifuji regained his footing and took control. He wrapped up Abi, lifted him twice to bring him close to the tawara and finally shoved him out. Yorikiri. Epic.

Shodai (7-7) defeated Asanoyama (8-6): Shodai powered Asanoyama out, puzzling Wakanohana and the sumo world. Yorikiri.

Ura (8-6) defeated Hokutofuji (8-6): Hokutofuji tried for a hatakikomi at the tachiai but Ura would not fall for it. Ura turned the tables and attacked. As Hokutofuji pulled, Ura locked on and shoved Hokutofuji out. Oshidashi.

Gonoyama defeated Meisei: Pure power. Gonoyama caught Meisei from below at the tachiai, driving him back to the edge. From here, Meisei was done. Gonoyama finished him off with a shove. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Mitakeumi (9-5) defeated Nishikigi (5-9): Nishikigi had the upper hand after the tachiai. He drove Mitakeumi back to the bales but let up and attempted a slapdown. Mitakeumi used the break effectively to push Nishikigi back to the center of the dohyo, giving him space for his own pull. Mitakeumi finished Nishikigi off with a slapdown. Hatakikomi.

Takayasu (10-4) defeated Tobizaru (6-8): Takayasu chased and battered Tobizaru all over the ring. Tobizaru nearly slipped behind Takayasu at one point but Takayasu was alert, pivoted and recovered to batter Tobizaru again. In the end, Tobizaru couldn’t run away quick enough as Takayasu shoved him from behind and into the crowd. Okuridashi. Tobizaru make-koshi.

Kotonowaka (8-6) defeated Kinbozan (9-5): Kinbozan charged forward at the tachiai and forced Kotonowaka back. But it was a feint. Yet another uwatenage at the edge of the ring. Rather than go straight back, Kotonowaka curled back to the left a bit and lunged in for Kinbozan’s belt at the last minute, tugging Kinbozan off the dohyo’s surface first. Beautiful, but risky, gambit. Kotonowaka kachi-koshi. The Sekiwake will maintain their ranks while the Komusubi will fall back into the rank-and-file for November.

Wakamotoharu (9-5) defeated Onosho (8-6): This was a free-wheeling brawl. Onosho tried to end it early with a failed pull. The two finally locked into a grapple. As Onosho tried to keep Wakamotoharu’s right hand away from his belt, Wakamotoharu drove forward. Onosho ran out of space and the pair tumbled into the crowd. Yorikiri.

Daieisho (10-4) defeated Kirishima (8-6): Another bar fight here. Kirishima brought an end to the assault by grabbing and locking up both of Daieisho’s shoulders. Daieisho responded by arching backward and lifting Kirishima clear off the ground, twisting, and throwing the Ozeki. Impressive. Kotenage.

Hoshoryu (7-7) defeated Takakeisho (10-4): Hoshoryu grabbed a massive pile of kensho after this one. Hoshoryu seemed unaffected by Takakeisho’s tsuppari, lobbing powerful volleys of his own, over and over. The shin-Ozeki slid back to the tawara and when Takakeisho went in for the kill, Hoshoryu made his move. Hoshoryu shifted right quicker than Takakeisho could adjust, and with his right hand on T-Rex’s back he brought his left down on Takakeisho’s head, driving him to the clay.

Aki’23 Torikumi Released, Terunofuji Kyujo

Andy Aki 2023, Aki Basho, Kyujo (休場), Terunofuji (照ノ富士) ,

The Nihon Sumo Kyokai released the Day 1 & Day 2 schedule for the top division, as well as the Day 1 schedule for Juryo, and in-so-doing confirmed that Yokozuna Terunofuji would be absent. Unfortunately, this has become rather normal but we are heartened that at least some of the No-Zeki drama has been put to rest as Takakeisho will participate and he is joined by two fellow Ozeki. Both he and Kirishima aim to clear their kadoban status (must have winning records or will be demoted to Sekiwake) but shin-Ozeki Hoshoryu will be eager to follow up his yusho with a strong performance in Tokyo.

Despite Terunofuji’s kyujo, there will be night full of interesting match-ups, culminating in Kirishima vs Tobizaru for the musubi-no-ichiban. There looks to be a lot of risk for upsets so many fans will probably be relieved if the three Ozeki start out strong. However, I have circled the Nishikigi/Tamawashi bout as a potential highlight. We will quickly learn how ready Nishikigi is after the injury suffered during last week’s open practice.

Asanoyama can potentially start his own Ozeki run with an exceptionally strong tournament from Maegashira 2. I know many of his fans are eager to see if he can quickly reclaim his former rank. Injuries are certainly taking their toll, though. But if we are realistic, this is the first opportunity he has to start making moves for Ozeki. There have been rare promotions where Ozeki runs begin from, or near, the top of the rank-and-file. He’ll face Wakamotoharu in his opener, whose own promotion hopes withered in the heat of Nagoya. Daieisho will also be starting from zero this tournament as he faces Meisei. Kotonowaka will face Shodai, who seems to be more reliable as a spoiler than anything. Will one of these four men be the next Ozeki? Will any be promoted by Osaka, or much later?

Hakuōho Shoulder Surgery Confirmed: Kyujo for Aki, Likely Longer

Andy Aki 2023, Aki Basho, Hakuoho, Kyujo (休場) , ,

Hakuōho, Miyagino-beya’s rookie sensation, has had surgery on his shoulder and will not compete in the upcoming Aki-basho. The shoulder injury is a subluxation of the left shoulder, or partial dislocation. It is a common injury among athletes in sports like boxing and American football. Non-surgical treatment includes icing to reduce swelling, medication for pain, wearing a sling, and limiting motion to avoid recurrence. This is followed by physical therapy and exercises to target strengthening the muscles associated with stabilization of the shoulder.

He had injured his right shoulder in high school and had surgery on it prior to “going pro.” But we’ve all seen the massive tape wrapping on his left shoulder recently, and we’ve seen him grimace in pain several times after bouts. He had been kyujo from the summer jungyo due to the injury and a desire to allow it to heal without surgery. However, the pain continued and he decided to have surgery, which was performed on August 31.

According to this study of NFL shoulder instability injuries, surgery may help limit risk of recurrence or extend the period of time he will be able to compete before suffering a recurrence. This study also mentions some of the benefits but also discusses the substantially longer time to “return to play” for those who opt for surgery, compared to those who do not. If he’s out for 26-36 weeks (the optimistic to average timelines from the study) that will mean he will not compete until March or May.

Hopefully the fact that it’s a partial dislocation may help mitigate some of the risks? I do not have details of his case or operation, whether it was performed arthroscopic or open, which seems to make a difference. These should also be assessed on a case-by-case basis, obviously. But it’s safe to say he will be out for the rest of the year.

He will fall to Juryo in November, likely Makushita in January and March. If he’s out until May, he might come back in Sandanme. His goal, however, is not just to be in Makuuchi. Clearly, hopes are pinned on him becoming Ozeki or Yokozuna. The current Yokozuna serves as an example that such comebacks are possible.