The Leaders: Terunofuji took down his first ozeki of the tournament. I almost felt bad for Kotoshogiku. He was jack-rabbitting as hard as he could but getting nowhere. The way Terunofuji rather nonchalantly weathered Giku’s thrusts, walked him backwards, and then knocked him to the dirt should send a strong sign to the faux-zeki that his time has passed. He is one dimensional and when his knees hurt (though they’ve seemed healthy this tournament), he doesn’t even have his only major weapon. He gave everything he had – let’s face it, the only thing he has – and got a face full of clay for it.

Ikioi’s match with Sokokurai was a weird one. They were both trying to keep the other at arms length but rather than aggressive slapping like we’re used to, Sokokurai just settled for pushing on Ikioi’s shoulders while Ikioi held on to Sokokurai’s elbows. It was like a middle school dance where the two kids are still afraid of cooties. After dancing like this for a while, Sokokurai got fed up and reached in for a belt grip but over-committed. Ikioi’s parry sent Sokokurai to the dirt. Ikioi’s title run may come to an end tomorrow at the hands of a blazing hot Yoshikaze. Yoshikaze will be hunting for his kachi-koshi and surely some special prizes.

The Rest:

Kakuryu should not have to pull a henka to stay in this tournament. Tochi-from-Kochi should also be better than to fall for it if he wants to be ozeki, though at this point it’s far from certain he’ll get his kachi-koshi. The good thing for Tochiozan is he can be assured he will not need to worry about a henka tomorrow. Terunofuji will let him “bring it” and then either toss him aside like overpriced yuzu, or they’ll have a good close match…but he definitely won’t pull – or fall for – this henka crap.

Kakuryu will face Kotoshogiku. I’m interested to see which Giku shows up. He’s in striking distance of respectable double-digit wins. He’s still mathematically in “the hunt”. But he’s got his kachi-koshi and is basically dependent on others to take down Terunofuji if he’s to have a real shot. Kakuryu will be more motivated, I think, because after that stunt today he’s in need of some R-E-S-P-E-C-T, as well as the win.

Toyonoshima’s still mathematically in it with his easy win over the bubble…Chiy000tori. He will be punished for his success by having to weather the Great Sand Storm on the morrow. Osunaarashi is getting all of the critical wins he needs. After being put through the gauntlet the first week and escaping with two wins, he’s gone undefeated against 3 sanyaku opponents and M1 Yoshikaze. He’s faced all sanyaku opponents so he should be well placed at M1 next tournament. He probably won’t get Komusubi promotion since Yoshikaze will likely get Okinoumi’s slot if Okinoumi does go make-koshi.

As I alluded to above, Yoshikaze will be going for his eighth win tomorrow, having picked up his seventh against Okinoumi. He definitely ate his Wheaties this morning. Strong tachiai, moved consistently forward through his opponent by virtue of powerful thrusts and slaps, and as Okinoumi slid toward the edge of the dohyo where the straw bales could arrest his retreat…Yoshikaze goes for the throw. 5 seconds from tachiai to dirt. Beautiful.

Uncle Taka put up a good fight against Kisenosato (8-3) but when both went for the throw, I think Kisenosato’s position and leverage were the difference. Takarafuji falls to 4-7 and needs to win out to avoid make-koshi. He’ll have a rough time, though. He faces Goeido tomorrow and though he won’t battle Terunofuji, he’s still got both Komusubi (Tochinoshin & Okinoumi).

Tochinoshin owns Ichinojo. There’s nothing more to say about that. Tochinoshin faces make-koshi Tamawashi tomorrow. Goeido wrapped up Tamawashi with a textbook football tackle today, handing the maegashira a losing record with four bouts remaining. Ichinojo will face Tokushoryu who will be hoping to avoid make-koshi.

(more later)

The difference between ozeki Terunofuji and ozeki-wannabe Tochiozan has been Terunofuji’s (so far) consistent ability to beat maegashira. Tamawashi (3-7) gave him quite the challenge today and for the first part of the match appeared to have the upper hand. He wouldn’t let the ozeki get in to get a belt grip or an arm bar. He kept fending off, fending off, and even got Terunofuji to wobble a bit off balance. An extra shove when they were on the edge could have pulled off the upset. But once tired, Terunofuji got his belt grip and it was effectively over. He’ll face a real challenge tomorrow in an effective Kotoshogiku (8-2).

Tochiozan, on the other hand, has three losses to maegashira. He finally picked up a 6th win against Uncle Takarafuji (4-6) by going back to basics. He cut off the ring, and worked him out backwards for a yorikiri win. Takarafuji’s been in the same predicament: strong start, winless the last 4 days before today. However, this 4 day stretch was fought against Sekiwake, Ozeki, and Yokozuna – one loss to a maegashira. So Takarafuji will still have a decent chance of a strong finish after his bout versus Kisenosato tomorrow. Tochiozan, meanwhile, will face Kakuryu tomorrow and still has two ozeki, a sekiwake and komusubi. Let’s say Tochiozan’s kachi-koshi will be a huge challenge, nevermind the ozeki run.

Ikioi got Endo (5-5) to slip. Not exactly powerful sumo but a win’s a win. He’s got Sokokurai (7-3) tomorrow.

(more to come)

Ikioi picked up a great, exciting win against crafty Aminishiki. Aminishiki repeated the henka he tried yesterday with Endo. However, Ikioi recovered quickly so Aminishiki charged at Ikioi from the side. Ikioi instinctively grabbed Aminishiki’s arm and threw the geezer out of ring while staying upright himself, showing some poise and skill that’s frankly been lacking from his sumo lately. Importantly, he stays firmly in the yusho race with his next bout scheduled against Endo, tomorrow.

Terunofuji showed everyone that Ichi the Hutt was a flash in the pan while the ozeki is the real deal. Terunofuji remains undefeated by virtue of his utter dominance. He just dragged the maegashira backwards and plumped the porker off the dohyo. Kakuryu is still one back, tied with Ikioi, as Takarafuji displayed 0 resistance. I have a feeling there will be little resistance shown against the yokozuna until a Day 15 yusho-showdown. Okinoumi destroyed Kisenosato’s yusho hopes with a clever pirouette on the edge. The big ozeki falls to 7-2 by allowing the nimble komusubi to twist at the edge, leaving the ozeki to fall to off the dohyo first.

Yoshikaze’s not in the hunt but he’s producing some great sumo and putting himself in line for a special prize. Today he notched another upset against sekiwake Myogiryu. He was plainly the more powerful wrestler today. He stayed balanced as Myogiryu tried several throws, and worked the sanyaku veteran to the edge and off the dohyo. Great bout. Osunaarashi also picked up a great upset against Tochiozan, who’s officially in a funk after four straight losses. This was the first meeting of these two wrestlers. Osunaarashi started beating on Tochi-from-Kochi but won by grabbing the belt, and flinging Tochiozan out on his butt.

Amuru advances to 5-4, dropping Kaisei to 3-6. Amuru absorbed Kaisei’s initial charge and used the elevated bales to control Kaisei’s momentum. Then, with skill and considerable strength for someone at such a weight disadvantage, he worked his way to control the center of the ring and forced Kaisei out. However, I’m still upset that at this level and in a sold out tournament, there’s no kensho-kin.

How is Sadanofuji still in this? I figured for sure he’d pull out yesterday as he went make-koshi. But he showed up and Aoiyama bulled through to a quick win. I still think Sadanofuji’s left leg is injured though the way he withstood Tochinoshin’s kicks yesterday did make me think he can support more weight than I thought. I just don’t see any power in that leg but I could be imagining things.

In the least anticipated faux-zeki “battle”, Kotoshogiku powered Goeido into the front row. Goeido falls to 4-5, Kotoshogiku climbs to 7-2, still with an extremely outside chance at the yusho.