Hakuho (白鵬)

dai-yokozuna Hakuho

Nagoya Day 8 Preview

Bruce H Aoiyama, Chiyomaru, Chiyonokuni (千代の国), Chiyonoo (千代ノ皇), Chiyoshoma, Chiyotairyū (千代大龍), Daiamami (大奄美), Daieisho (大栄翔), Endo (遠藤), Hakuho (白鵬), Hidenoumi, Hokutōfuji (北勝富士), Hoshoryu, Ichinojo (逸ノ城), Ichiyamamoto (一山本), Ishiura (石浦), Kagayaki (輝), Kaisei (魁聖), Kiribayama (霧馬山), Kotoeko, Kotonowaka, Meisei, Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Myogiryu (妙義龍), Nagoya Basho 2021, Okinoumi (隠岐の海), Shimanoumi, Shōdai (正代直也), Takakeishō (貴景勝), Takanosho, Takarafuji (宝富士), Tamawashi (玉鷲), Terunofuji (照ノ富士), Terutsuyoshi, Tobizaru, Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Tokushoryu, Tsurugisho, Ura (宇良), Wakatakakage, Ōnoshō (阿武咲)

Welcome to nakabi, the middle day of the sumo tournament. In ancient times, there would be drinking, screaming sharing of snacks with the locals and generally carrying on crazy throughout the venue. This was in a mythical age before COIVD and states of emergency, when sumo was enjoyed at full volume by people from many lands coming together, and sweating profusely in a poorly ventilated arena in the blazing mid-summer heat.

There are 21 rikishi with 3-4 or 4-3 records. That is a huge number to be holding the center line going into the middle day of the tournament. Thats slightly more than half the field, and a lot of folks are going to be increasingly trapped into the funnel that will try to push them all to 7-7 scores for the final day. We can see the schedulers already starting to work this out, by focusing on having rikishi from this pool face each other. Granted, its pretty easy given how many of them there are.

Nagoya Leaderboard

It’s the middle day of the basho, and that means it’s time for the leaderboard. Who will take home the hardware, and who will get to lift the fish?

Leaders: Hakuho, Terunofuji
Chaser: Kotonowaka
Hunt Group: Mitakeumi, Hoshoryu, Kiribayama, Tamawashi, Chiyonokuni, Ichiyamamoto

8 matches remain

What We Are Watching Day 8

Akua vs Tokushoryu – Akua’s come to visit to celebrate nakabi. At Juryo 2 and a 4-3 record, its not impossible that he might return to the top division for September, but one has to wonder if his sumo is any better than his last trip. Tokushoryu is likewise straddling the kachi/make-koshi line, and needs to rack a few more wins to protect his position in the top division.

Chiyomaru vs Tsurugisho – Another 3-4 vs 4-3 combo, with Tsurugisho having 8 wins over their 14 match career history. Chiyomaru has struggled to generate much offense in July, and I think he’s a candidate for a day 15 Darwin match. Yes, its early days to make such predictions, but nothing in his sumo right now indicates he is going to find a hidden reserve of strength in the second week.

Ishiura vs Ura – Ishiura (4-3) has not won a single match against Ura (4-3) ever. Part of it is that they are both compact, and Ishiura struggles against Ura’s low attack path. But to be honest, their last match was in May of 2017, and a lot has changed for both men in the last 4 years. I am interested to see how this one goes.

Tochinoshin vs Daiamami – I think the question around Tochinoshin (2-5) is now – can he win enough to keep himself away from the Juryo barge of the damned. His opponent on day 8, Daiamami (2-5) is likely going to be a deck hand himself, given his pitiful score and M14 rank. Tochinoshin won their only prior match, which was in May.

Kaisei vs Ichiyamamoto – Kaisei (3-4) is part of that group that is being herded into the funnel, and he’s got a chance to give himself some padding if he can pick up a win against Ichiyamamoto (5-2). Ichiyamamoto’s fighting pretty well right now, but his double arm thrust attack has limited effect on mega-fauna like Kaisei.

Chiyonoo vs Kotonowaka – I am looking for Kotonowaka (6-1) to continue to dominate for a while longer, and today he has hapless Chiyonoo (2-5) who is also advised to start picking out his seat on the Juryo barge. I am going to assume that going into week 2, we are going to see Kotonowaka get a few test matches further up the banzuke, to try his sumo out against some of the mainstays at the top of the rank and file.

Tamawashi vs Chiyonokuni – High interest match, I still don’t know if Chiyonokuni ever found that crowbar and managed to remove that robot head from Kyokutaisei. We do know that Tamawashi’s head is quite firmly attached, and we urge Chiyonokuni to focus center-mass against Tamawashi. Given how Chiyonokuni likes to take big swings, and land big blows, we may see the pugilist side of Tamawashi come out. This fearsome form has not been seen in a while, and it can draw blood.

Kagayaki vs Shimanoumi – Two more at the start of the funnel, with the winner given an easy path to avoid it. Both are 4-3, and the winner will be 5-3, with the loser 4-4. Kagayaki holds a 4-2 career advantage, though Shimanoumi took the most recent match in May.

Myogiryu vs Terutsuyoshi – Hapless Myogiryu (1-6) probably needs a couple more wins to make sure there is no risk of joining the Juryo barge, but I am left guessing who he is going to be able to beat in his current state. Oh, that’s right, Terutsuyoshi (2-5) may fit the bill. Seriously, Terutsuyoshi has so much to offer sumo, I wish whatever his injury is could be resolved.

Onosho vs Hidenoumi – Its high time for Onosho (2-5) to revert to some kind of genki form, but a win today over Hidenoumi (3-4) would just allow him to join the funnel. Damed if you do, damned if you don’t.

Takarafuji vs Kiribayama – I honestly expected Takarafuji (4-3) would be better able to deal with Hoshoryu in their day 7 match. He has a chance to revert to form today, and give Kiribayama (5-2) a long, painful lesson in patience. The last match between them was in March, with Kiribayama winning by the seldom-seen okurihikiotoshi (rear pull down)

Okinoumi vs Chiyoshoma – Both of them are firmly at the mouth of the funnel at 4-3, with the winner being granted a fairly easy path of escape. Normally I would give Okinoumi a clear advantage, but Chiyoshoma has been fighting pretty well. Both like to go chest to chest, so it may come down to who can get the better hand placement at the initial merge.

Aoiyama vs Hoshoryu – Aoiyama (3-4) seems to be unable to get out of second gear, and really put the power into his sumo. This is usually an issue around some kind of injury, and I would guess he is susceptible to Hoshoryu’s (5-2) leg attacks. Hoshoryu has won their last 2 bouts.

Takanosho vs Chiyotairyu – Takanosho (3-4), oddly enough, is in the funnel, while Chiyotairyu’s (2-5) score is low enough he is not. In fact Chiyotairyu is probably on track for double digit losses given how ineffective his sumo has been thus far lacking. I still have some hope for Takanosho to pull out a kachi-koshi and return in September to his better form.

Wakatakakage vs Ichinojo – their only prior match, in January of 2020, was an Ichinojo (4-3) win. But Wakatakakage (3-4) has made great improvements to his sumo since then, and I am delighted we will get these two to re-test their sumo head to head. Both of them are in the funnel group, and both are going to have to work very hard indeed to escape it in the positive direction.

Daieisho vs Meisei – Daieisho (1-6) has just a single win in the first week of Nagoya. It’s hard to believe this man has at one time lifted the Emperor’s cup, but I am going to guess his body is damaged and he’s not able to really engage with his sumo. Meisei can still work for a kachi-koshi, but he’s on the disadvantaged side of the funnel at 3-4. He has also only ever won a single match from Daieisho in 7 tries.

Takayasu vs Mitakeumi – 24 match rivalry between these two going all the way back to 2015. Takayasu is in the funnel at 3-4, while Mitakeumi (5-2) is outside of it with a clear course to a kachi-koshi going into day 8. Takayasu has a 18-6 career advantage because he puts most of his energy up front into a big opening salvo, which frequently takes apart any defense that Mitakeumi may have counted on to keep him in the match. In fact, the last time Mitakeumi won a match against Takayasu was May of 2019.

Shodai vs Hokutofuji – Get used to the phrase “Kadoban Ozeki Shodai” (3-4) because I think you are going to be hearing it and reading it a lot. He has an 8-2 career advantage over Hokutofuji (4-3), but Shodai is fighting poorly right now, and may be susceptible to Hokutofuji’s preferred attack route of nodowa and push combo.

Terunofuji vs Tobizaru – I am going guess that Tobizaru (3-4) watched replay of his match against Hakuho, and was likely mortified. If so, I expect him to try a new attack plan against Terunofuji (7-0) today, and who knows – it may actually pay off. A win today gives Terunofuji a kachi-koshi.

Hakuho vs Kotoeko – First ever match between these two, the risk is identical to day 7, where Hakuho (7-0) and that bum knee are going to need to contend with a compact, high agility lateral moving rikishi driving hard against his weak side. I think Kotoeko (2-5) has a small but interesting chance at a kinboshi today.

Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?

Josh K Hakuho (白鵬), Meisei, Nagoya Basho 2021, Tobizaru

Paula Cole music video ©WMG. Hakuho photo courtesy of Tachiai photographer Nicola. Crude Photoshop edit by the author.

Where is my kinboshi?
Where are the zabuton?
Where even is the shikiri-sen?
Where have all the cowboys gone?

… I didn’t think the day was ever going to happen when I channeled Paula Cole in a post about sumo either.

The performance of Yokozuna Hakuho has been much discussed through the first week of the tournament. Before the basho, I posted here and went through each of his likely opponents, and looking at what type of fight they might be able to put up against The Boss.

I have to say, maybe I gave them all too much credit.

While the first couple days of the tournament were high on value – and also the excitement of seeing high stakes matches at the end of the day, from the first day of a tournament – by and large we haven’t really seen what I expected to see.

Namely, I thought more rikishi would have smelled the blood in the water.

At this point, it’s pretty clear that Hakuho is nowhere near 100%. One of the most used cliches in sumo during the later Hakuho era is that Hakuho at 70% is going to beat pretty much everyone. And, after seven days, he’s 7-0.

While Endo hobbled out of the tournament himself, noted kinboshi thieves like Ichinojo haven’t posed much of a problem at all for the Yokozuna. I actually applaud Tobizaru’s approach to try something different and confusing. The match itself (see above with updated soundtrack courtesy of Herouth) was an incredible spectacle, and highly entertaining. Like most of you, I literally did not know what was going to happen. But in the cold light of day, the likelihood is that the rank and filer only served to annoy the Yokozuna, who eventually, authoritatively, tossed him out with disgust.

Herouth reported a comment from Isegahama which I think is important to present here:

The problem is, you can only beat what’s in front of you. If the opponents aren’t really interested in doing overwhelming sumo themselves, you can’t, with a somewhat freshly surgically repaired knee, put your body at risk for no reason. Hakuho has, most of the time, simply defused the opponent and moved on. For sure, there has been the odd scare. He’s got away with a couple. Meisei, for one, really went into the match with the intention to win. Meisei is someone who is going to be in san’yaku a lot. Meisei has a winning mentality. We like Meisei.

But many of Hakuho’s other opponents seem to be failing to grasp the scale of the moment. Many Yokozuna throughout history have been put down by an up-and-comer. The future Takanohana putting down an aging Chiyonofuji is sumo folklore. Even if he himself didn’t ascend to the title of Yokozuna until sometime later, it was a pivotal moment. Hakuho’s opponents look more like they’re fighting him for the first time rather than potentially the last time.

To know what the Yokozuna is truly made of these days, we want to see rikishi going full bore. If you’re a Kotoeko, who faces Hakuho tonight (possibly by the time you have read this), this is a career highlight moment. Possibly the most used verb in sumo is ganbarimasu. More rikishi should do it.

At this stage, with Asanoyama and Takakeisho out of the basho, and Takayasu and Shodai looking to be very out of sorts, it’s hard to see anyone other than noted summertime streak-killer Mitakeumi putting dirt on the dai-Yokozuna going into the presumed showdown with Terunofuji on senshuraku. And while I make the match with Mitakeumi a coin flip, and the Sekiwake has put up a decent score, he also hasn’t been in the best form. While Hakuho can certainly be beaten, he’ll still be the nailed on favourite for every other match.

Which leaves, perhaps, the name the fans want to see most between now and then: Hoshoryu. While I don’t see a whole lot technically in his sumo even to this point that differentiates him from compatriot Kiribayama, what he has seemed to do is grow enormously in belief and intent. He is coming to his matches with a winning mentality that was absent in past tournaments. The hatred of losing is becoming visible. Until such time as Hakuho sees Mitakeumi and Terunofuji, should this matchup happen it could possibly be one of the most intriguing bouts of the final week, and also the opportunity to provide the type of storyline that has underpinned sumo for generations.

To be clear, I am not rooting for anyone to put dirt on the Yokozuna. Far from it. But I do want to see the best of what he can do, in this moment, now. While Isegahama is correct to say that Hakuho’s sumo has not been dominant Yokozuna sumo, the idea of Hakuho tailoring his game plan to his opponent is nothing new: he’s been doing it for the past several years and arguably it’s why he can still compete today. Isegahama – of all people – should know from his coaching efforts over the past few years that if an incredible talent needs to manage their sumo to what their physical state can handle for the sake of their career and the sport, it’s better to do so. The past year has been incredibly entertaining. But it has also shown us somewhat conclusively that at this moment, Sumo will not be better for the absence of Hakuho from the dohyo.

Hakuho and Terunofuji should be held to different standards. One is the Yokozuna and whether or not you believe he is the greatest, he’s at the very least in the conversation for greatest of all time. Terunofuji is an Ozeki with an incredible story who is attempting to become a Yokozuna. But we should be honest that we have been celebrating Terunofuji over the past year not because he has been going all out, but because he has learned a new type of sumo to overcome his medical limitations and make best use of his incredible physical gifts. He has shown the mental agility of a Yokozuna. I don’t believe that Hakuho, one of the sport’s great improvisers and thinkers, should lose credit for relying on his mind to overcome the defects of his body now.

Questions have been posed on Twitter about whether we should have expected more of Hakuho’s week 1 opposition. I think the answer is yes, but I think the analysis will need to wait for another post, maybe after the tournament. And to be clear, I don’t think Terunofuji’s been made to work even as hard as in past tournaments either. The one thing we do know is that it has to get more difficult – for both men riding a zensho – from here. If nothing else, that makes the second week one to enjoy. Saddle up.

Nagoya Day 7 Highlights

Bruce H Aoiyama, Chiyomaru, Chiyonokuni (千代の国), Chiyonoo (千代ノ皇), Chiyoshoma, Chiyotairyū (千代大龍), Daiamami (大奄美), Daieisho (大栄翔), Endo (遠藤), Hakuho (白鵬), Hidenoumi, Hokutōfuji (北勝富士), Hoshoryu, Ichinojo (逸ノ城), Ichiyamamoto (一山本), Ishiura (石浦), Kagayaki (輝), Kaisei (魁聖), Kiribayama (霧馬山), Kotoeko, Kotonowaka, Meisei, Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Myogiryu (妙義龍), Nagoya Basho 2021, Okinoumi (隠岐の海), Shimanoumi, Shōdai (正代直也), Takakeishō (貴景勝), Takanosho, Takarafuji (宝富士), Tamawashi (玉鷲), Terunofuji (照ノ富士), Terutsuyoshi, Tobizaru, Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Tokushoryu, Tsurugisho, Ura (宇良), Wakatakakage, Ōnoshō (阿武咲) ,

The middle weekend of any basho sometimes feels like a festival. Nobody is make-koshi yet, and everyone has a chance to slug it out for wins. Great day of sumo, ending with a bit of comedy. Let get it going!

Highlight Matches

Chiyonokuni defeats Kyokutaisei – Kyokutaisei’s start of the match: “Hey, lets get some sumo going…” Chiyonokuni’s start of the match: “I am going to take that head clean off first…” Kyokutaisei: “umm, left hand inside?” Chiyonokuni: “That head’s still on there, someone get a crowbar” Kyokutaisei: “hidariyotsu..?” Chiyonokuni: “Clearly you are an evil Juryo robot, and must be dispatched, I will come by later to take care of that head”. Chiyonokuni advances to 5-2.

Ichiyamamoto defeats Daiamami – I am sometimes surprised by matches where one rikishi takes early advantage, while the one forced to follow adopts the attack plan of the leader. Ichiyamamoto got a solid neck and face attack going early, and Daiamami tried to respond it kind, but that’s just not his brand of sumo. They went chest to chest, but there was no hope for Daiamami, who got a trip across the tawara for his troubles. Ichiyamamoto improves to 5-2.

Ura defeats Tsurugisho – The Ura Brand™ super low attack worked today, and he was underneath and in against Tsurugisho. From there, that inhuman grip strength latched on to Tsurugisho’s mawashi and Ura charged headlong for the east side. Tsurugisho did not have a prayer and went immediately out. Ura improves to 4-3.

Kagayaki defeats Tokushoryu – Tokushoryu was slow off the shikiri-sen, and in this match that made all of the difference. Kagayaki connected a double arm thrust to Tokushoryu’s neck, and knocked any offense Tokushoryu may have had in mind completely out of the match. A quick grapple and move to the to tawara, and Tokushoryu was out. Kagayaki improves to 4-3.

Ishiura defeats Kaisei – Ishiura uses the best possible plan for him, quick into the tachiai, circle to the side and attack while Kaisei is still trying to get all of his massive body into the match. With Ishiura behind, he throttled up and ran the big Brazilian out for an okuridashi win, advancing to 4-3.

Chiyomaru defeats Terutsuyoshi – I don’t know what ails Terutsuyoshi, but it’s robbed the sumo world of one of the most dynamic rikishi we could count on for a great match. I do hope he can heal up and come back soon. Chiyomaru expertly contains and restrains him, and packages him for crating and shipment. Chiyomaru advances to 3-4.

Tamawashi defeats Chiyonoo – Tamawashi had all the mojo in this match, and was in the process of running Chiyonoo out of town when Chiyonoo tried a last moment hikiotoshi, and it may have worked. A monoii was called, but the gumbi was affirmed, giving Tamawashi his 5th win.

Shimanoumi defeats Tochinoshin – Shimanoumi wisely starts by attacking from his left, focusing power against Tochinoshin’s damaged knee. Points to Tochinoshin, he does look like he’s trying to fight it out now, and puts up a solid counter attack. But Shimanoumi is merciless against Tochinoshin’s weak side, even at one point trying a leg pick against that bandaged leg. Tochinoshin tries to spin up some uwate, but Shimanoumi reverses the flow and tosses Tochinoshin across the bales. Shimanoumi improves to 4-3.

Kotonowaka defeats Hidenoumi – Kotonowaka continues to excel. Readers know I am thrilled to see him finally comfortable enough in the top division for him to bring some of the sumo that got him here in the first place. Hidenoumi got morozashi at the start – Kotonowaka went deep and over Hidenoumi’s shoulders and pulled him down. Kotonowaka advances to 6-1, one win behind the leaders.

Kiribayama defeats Aoiyama – Kiribayama keeps himself too close to Aoiyama for Big Dan to fire up the V-Twin, and keeps his arms too tangled up for Aoiyama to set up any kind of grip. Kiribayama works a left hand inside hold, and eventually turns it into a throw to b ring Aoiyama down. Kiribayama improves to 5-2.

Chiyoshoma defeats Onosho – I am sad that Onosho is only 2-5, but his sumo mechanics need some tuning this July. But the big upside is it was another day of solid, technically sound sumo from Chiyoshoma. As one twitter commentator put it so well, “I like this new no-henka Chiyoshoma who does not act like a dick”. Chiyoshoma 2.0 improves to 4-3.

Hoshoryu defeats Takarafuji – I do like how Hoshoryu communicated, “Yeah, you are just going to lock me up and make me wait, so lets get straight to it” with the tachiai. Takarafuji stood up, caught him and went into defend and extend straight away. Then it was time for Hoshoryu to try him out, a bit of leg trip almost worked, but upset Takarafuji’s balance enough that Hoshoryu had something to work with. Hoshoryu set a foot inside and Takarafuji’s stance, and pushed through again, bringing Takarafuji down. Nice sumo from Hoshoryu, and excellent first match against Takarafuji for him. Hoshoryu improves to 5-2.

Okinoumi defeats Myogiryu – Myogiryu just can’t seem to really push with any power at all. He grapples with Okinoumi directly out of the tachiai, but can’t find any power. Okinoumi tests him out for a moment before he drives him across the bales by yorikiri to improve to 4-3. Myogiryu down to 1-6, and can’t seem to find a win anywhere.

Hokutofuji defeats Chiyotairyu – The tachiai was disappointingly gentle, as I think both expected some kind of jack-assery to happen in the opening moments of the match. With Chiyotairyu’s primary attack avenue shut down, the whole match was a bit of slapping about concluding with a Hokutofuji applying a surprisingly tentative shove. Hokutofuji improves to 4-3.

Wakatakakage defeats Meisei – I watched this one about three times pausing on “good” frames. I really like Wakatakakage’s foot placement in this one. He’s got Meisei high, and he keeps his feet heavy. Meisei is usually better than this on defense, but I am going to chalk this up to Wakatakakage really having a solid match and some spot on technique today. Both men end the day at 3-4.

Mitakeumi defeats Daieisho – Daieisho gets his mega-thrust going, but when you are shaped like Mitakeumi is, that’s really just some kind of odd massage to him. Unable to topple to original tadpole and part time weebil, Mitakeumi starts backing away to let Daieisho over extend, which he is happy to do, and receives a greatly anticipated Daieisho to add to his 1 win misery. Mitakeumi improves to 5-2.

Takanosho defeats Takayasu – Takayasu comes in strong, but gets into trouble when Takanosho counter attacks, and Takayasu can’t maintain traction on the clay. With his feet flat, he gets pushed back to the bales, and is out of territory to defend. Takanosho uses this to full effect, and batters Takayasu off balance, sending him out. Both men end 3-4.

Terunofuji defeats Kotoeko – Terunofuji immediately contains Kotoeko, which seems to trigger Kotoeko’s “Check Engine” light. Terunofuji allows him to struggle for a moment before he carries him out and sends him to the nearest oyakata for the indicated maintence and inspection. Terunofuji improves to 7-0.

Ichinojo defeats Shodai – Can someone please go find Shodai’s Acme box of cartoon sumo? He’s not really an Ozeki without his secret stash of WTF moves, and this is starting to get pathetic. Maybe Yutakayama hid it from him, and he just has not figured out that its under the stairs. Ichinojo left hand outside, carry out service, 2 star review on yelp, that’s Shodai sorted.

Hakuho defeats Tobizaru – I am reminded of the first match between Takakeisho and “The Boss”, but it was less farcical than this number. Tobizaru clearly wanted no part of fighting Hakuho, and kept a ridiculous amount of distance in a Shonanzakura (formerly Hattorizakura) display of sumo timidity. Well, may as well link Herouth’s send up, with Tobizaru clearly playing the role of Tuco.

Nagoya Day 7 Preview

Bruce H Aoiyama, Chiyomaru, Chiyonokuni (千代の国), Chiyonoo (千代ノ皇), Chiyoshoma, Chiyotairyū (千代大龍), Daiamami (大奄美), Daieisho (大栄翔), Endo (遠藤), Hakuho (白鵬), Hidenoumi, Hokutōfuji (北勝富士), Hoshoryu, Ichinojo (逸ノ城), Ichiyamamoto (一山本), Ishiura (石浦), Kagayaki (輝), Kaisei (魁聖), Kiribayama (霧馬山), Kotoeko, Kotonowaka, Meisei, Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Myogiryu (妙義龍), Nagoya Basho 2021, Okinoumi (隠岐の海), Shimanoumi, Shōdai (正代直也), Takakeishō (貴景勝), Takanosho, Takarafuji (宝富士), Tamawashi (玉鷲), Terunofuji (照ノ富士), Terutsuyoshi, Tobizaru, Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Tokushoryu, Tsurugisho, Ura (宇良), Wakatakakage, Ōnoshō (阿武咲)

It’s the middle weekend of the first Nagoya basho in 2 years, and we have a lot of high interest sumo coming our way. We have the potential of two rikishi hitting kachi-koshi on the middle day (Hakuho and Terunofuji), and a team of rikishi battling it out to stay on a kachi-koshi path. For day 7, we have a couple of long running rivalries and a couple of first ever match ups. The big focus is on the two undefeated leaders, with the question of staying perfect very much top of our minds. One of them is going to lose a match first, and that’s when the drama really gets started.

If it will be Hakuho, there will be a chorus of people from the sumo press to declare him ready for the barber right away. There seems to be a fair amount of anti Hakuho sentiment in some corners of the sumo press, and I think there are people who are ready to declare him done at the first sign of anything less than superior performance. Watching Hakuho fight on day 6, its clear that he is “gutting it out” in spite of what appears to be mounting pain. His skill remains far above anyone else in sumo, but it’s going to come down to how far he can push his body to continue. The goal is, of course, to make it through 15 days with 10 wins or more – participate in the Olympics opening ceremonies, and the decide what he might do.

If it will be Terunofuji, there will be many (and perhaps the same group that awaits Hakuho’s demise) who will proclaim that Terunofuji has failed his attempt to attain sumo’s top rank. As Team Tachiai has discussed, Terunofuji has been turning in Yokozuna grade sumo for the past year: 3 yusho, 2 Jun-Yusho and one Yusho playoff loss. The NSK may find themselves wanting another Yokozuna soon, and in spite of Terunofuji’s physical issues, he is the only man to make a reasonable case for promotion since Kisenosato took the rope in 2017.

What We Are Watching Day 7

Chiyonokuni vs Kyokutaisei – It is Kyokutaisei’s turn to visit the top division to fill the banzuke gap left by Endo withdrawing from the touranment. Kyokutaisei comes in a 3-3, with a kachi-koshi and a high chance of re-promotion to the top division still very much a possibility. But he’s got to get past Chiyonokuni, who comes into today at 4-2, and fighting quite well, in spite of losing to Tochinoshin on day 6.

Daiamami vs Ichiyamamoto – Ichiyamamoto is also part of the group that picked up their second loss on day 6, and are looking to pick up the pace. He has Daiamami today, who has quite a bit of a mass advantage. Their career record is 1-1, but they last fought in 2019, and both of them have made more than a couple of changes to their sumo.

Tsurugisho vs Ura – Ura, at 3-3, is very much on the narrow path between make and kachi-koshi. He’s not fighting poorly, but he’s also not quite dominating his matches. Like other rikishi who have suffered horrible lower body injuries, he will have good tournaments and bad tournaments, and it will come down to how his knees are doing. Tsurugisho has a 5-1 career advantage, and a 60 kg weight advantage, so this could be a tough match for the man in pink.

Tokushoryu vs Kagayaki – Both men have 3-3 records, and today’s match will place one on a winning track, and one on a losing track. Veteran Tokushoryu has won 6 of the 8 matches he has had with Kagayaki, and looks like the better choice for the win.

Kaisei vs Ishiura – Another 3-3 pairing, with the sumo favorite of big man vs little man sumo mixed into the chanko for these two today. Kaisei has won 2 of the last 3 against Ishiura, with an overall 4-2 record. Ishiura’s primary hope is to get a frontal grip and try for some kind of throw, or simply keep Kaisei chasing him and hope to wear him down.

Chiyomaru vs Terutsuyoshi – Another even score match, with both men being at 2-4, along with the big man / little man mechanics. The 5-2 career advantage that Terutsuyoshi brings to this match may not matter much, as he seems to really be struggling this basho, and we can credit some undisclosed injury, I would suspect.

Tamawashi vs Chiyonoo – First time match between these two, and I hope that we can see the rough and rowdy version of Tamawashi at least one time during this tournament. He is coming in with a 4-2 record, against Chiyonoo’s 2-4. If he can get the first hit in, he will likely control the match.

Tochinoshin vs Shimanoumi – Tochinoshin has manage to limp his way to 2 wins, and I wonder how many more he is going to be able to squeeze out. Shimanoumi at Maegashira 9 should be cleaning up, but instead is at a middling 3-3 record instead. Is it an injury? That’s the most reasonable explanation.

Hidenoumi vs Kotonowaka – Going into day 7, Kotonowaka is just 1 win behind Hakuho and Terunofuji. I don’t think the young Sadogatake man is ready to contest for a yusho just yet, but his sumo is finally starting to get traction, and he is starting to show his potential for the future. I would guess that Hidenoumi will have his hands full.

Aoiyama vs Kiribayama – Aoiyama surprised a lot of fans day 6 by engaging in a yotsu battle, and frankly doing quite well. I think he prefers to hit his opponents around until they fall down in a heap, but sometimes you just want to give the other guy a big squishy battle hug. With Aoiyama bringing in a 50 kg weight advantage, I sure hope Kiribayama is feeling cuddly.

Onosho vs Chiyoshoma – Much as I am a Onosho fan, I think I would like to see how far Chiyoshoma can take his “clean” sumo approach. For recent fans who wonder what I am describing, Chiyoshoma of the past was a notorious henka artist. Henka and any kind of shady sumo move you might think to see. But since entering the top division a few months ago, he has been fighting using quality, straight ahead sumo. So i would love to see where it can take him. Plus Onosho’s balance is screwed up again this July.

Takarafuji vs Hoshoryu – The second first time match, and this one is a real fire-starter. We have offensively focused Hoshoryu against the king of defend and extend Takarafuji. Both have 4-2 records, and both are fighting well this July. I can’t wait to see if Takarafuji can shut down Hoshoryu, or if Hoshoryu’s offense is strong enough to overwhelm the veteran’s sumo.

Okinoumi vs Myogiryu – 28 matches between these two, and its split right down the middle at 14 and 14. Okinoumi (3-3) is fighting moderately better this July than Myogiryu, who comes in at a terrible 1-5 record. They tend to go chest to chest and then just power it out like god intended. Hopefully Myogiryu can rally for this one.

Hokutofuji vs Chiyotairyu – I sort of want to see these two collide at their maximum force, and see if maybe they end up merging into a single compound creature. The resulting Chiyotofuji would he highly unstable, and quickly decay into a 2 small Hokuryus, a Fujitairyu, and one each of primal Chiyo and a Hoku particle that has nearly infinite mass. What happens after that is a matter of pure conjecture, and nobody knows how they would score that, or what the kimarite would be. Maybe Kabubunretsu

Wakatakakage vs Meisei – I do hope that Wakatakakage (2-4) can reach 8 wins and stick in the san’yaku at his first try. I am sure later he is going to get banged up, injured and have to drop down the banzuke. But for now I really would like to see him shine. He has a 1-1 record against Meisei (3-3).

Daieisho vs Mitakeumi – Another long running rivalry out for a test drive in the middle weekend. Mitakeumi (4-2) leads the series with 9 wins vs Daieisho (1-5) who as 7 wins. The numbers are not the whole story, as Daieisho has won 4 of the last 5. Sadly, Daieisho is fighting poorly right now, and may not be able to offer more than token competition to home town favorite Mitakeumi.

Takayasu vs Takanosho – You would think that big, burly Takayasu (3-3) would routinely trounce Takanosho (2-4), but in fact Takayasu struggles against him most of the time. Onigiri-kun leads the series 3-1, and maybe he can use this match to rally and reverse his fortunes with a word over Takayasu.

Terunofuji vs Kotoeko – Terunofuji (6-0) has fought Kotoeko (2-4) three times before, but lost 2 of them. Both of those losses were in Juryo, and probably don’t really matter in this context, so I am expecting Terunofuji to dispatch this wonderful compact rikishi in short order, and advance to 7-0.

Shodai vs Ichinojo – Ichinojo and Shodai share a 3-3 record, but Ichinojo has a 8-3 career advantage over the Ozeki. I am just hoping that Shodai can get to 8, and spare us all the drama of two kadoban Ozeki during Aki.

Hakuho vs Tobizaru – First time the boss will fight sumo’s flying monkey. While it would be normal to just write this match off, Tobizaru’s high energy, highly lateral sumo style is really tough to overcome if you only have one working knee. I am going to look to Hakuho to get a tight hold of Tobizaru at the tachiai, and steer him into the dumpster before Tobizaru can get too spun up.