The many of the crew trying for kachi-koshi today scored their 8th win, and now the race is on to see which of them can finish with double digits. In the processes, the tournament leader Midorifuji took his first loss today. There is a solitary chaser, Daieisho, who has a slim chance to take the cup in 4 days, but only if someone can put dirt on Midorifuji yet again. Midorifuji faces hit-or-miss Wakatakakage on day 12.

I continue to puzzle at what seems like better, more intense sumo coming from Juryo compared to the bulk of the top division. Maybe there is more at stake down there somehow? Maybe folks are less banged up and injured? Today it was a fairly stark contrast, looking at matches like Ichinojo vs Ochiai, Asanoyama vs Gonoyama and a few more. All of those names will be in the top division soon enough, so be ready for some fine sumo later this year. No word what version of GoeidDOS Gonoyama is running.

Highlight Matches

Oshoma defeats Tsurugisho – Oshoma comes to visit from Juryo to pick up a much needed win. He’s probably outside of the promotion zone at this point, but it would be good to see him promoted following the May tournament. He’s the highest ranking rikishi from Naruto heya, and I hope we can see him in the top division soon. I like how Oshoma defended against Tsurugisho’s attempt at a throw, and put the juice into his pivot to get the ponderous bulk that is Tsurugisho onto the clay. He ends the day 5-6.

Daishoho defeats Kinbozan – Once Daishoho got that right hand inside grip, it was his match to lose, and he was not about to let Kinbozan reach kachi-koshi today. Good escape attempt from Kinbozan, but Daishoho fought him off and walked him out of the ring. Yorikiri win and both end the day 7-4, and will try for kachi-koshi tomorrow.

Kotoeko defeats Takanosho – Wow, check out that ottsuke from Kotoeko! I would dare to say the whole match turned on that thing as he shut down Takanosho’s attempt to get a hold, and kept him distracted long enough to set up the tsukiotoshi. Marvelous sumo from Kotoeko, he is now 7-4 and will try kachi-koshi tomorrow.

Mitoryu defeats Azumaryu – Azumaryu continues to be little more than practice ballast this March. Mitoryu boxes him up in short order, and carries him to the curb for trash day in Sumida-ku. Yorikiri for Mitoryu, and he’s now 6-5.

Chiyoshoma defeats Nishikifuji – When Chiyoshoma decides he is going to fight without any nonsense, he’s a solid rikishi. Today he hit kachi-koshi with his 8th win after setting up a left hand inside grip against a faltering Nishikifuji, and walking him out to end the day 8-3, and head to the interview room. Nishikifuji has now lost 5 of the last 6 matches.

Hokuseiho defeats Myogiryu – Hokuseiho has managed to shake of the Snorlax virus that Ichinojo gave him on day 5. Unlike prior days, we got to see him use both hands in a frontal grip set up to the yorikiri that took the match. Myogiryu was not quite sure which half of Hokuseiho to fight, I think. There is just so much of him to take on all at once. Hokuseiho now 7-4, and could reach kachi-koshi tomorrow.

Hiradoumi defeats Bushozan – Hiradoumi breaks the pattern, and wins on an odd numbered day in fine style. The bulk of the match was a pushing battle, with Bushozan getting the better of the attack. The tides turned when Hiradoumi got his hands inside of Bushozan’s defenses, and pushed for all he could muster. Hiradoumi now 6-5.

Oho defeats Aoiyama – Again we see Aoiyama unable to hold ground, and employ only partial power in his customary V-Twin attack. He was unable to disrupt Oho’s balance enough for his hit-hit-pull combo to work. Oho eventually got a body hold on Aoiyama and walked him out for a yorikiri, he is now 5-6.

Kagayaki defeats Ichiyamamoto – Kagayaki brings it home with his traditional fundamentals focused sumo. Note how he is maniacal about pushing center mass, and just blasting through Ichiyamamoto’s attempt to attack. The loss makes Ichiyamamoto make-koshi for Osaka, as Kagayaki improves to 5-6.

Takarafuji defeats Sadanoumi – Takarafuji has now won two in a row. Faced with make-koshi he has found some way to rally and pull out a few more wins. I would assume with this one the threat of demotion to Juryo is passed. Sadanoumi provided all the forward motion, but Takarafuji’s defensive sumo instincts provided the kotenage applied while stepping back and to the side.

Kotoshoho defeats Ryuden – I have to assume that Ryuden’s recurring hip problems are back in full force, as he just can’t seem to muster any sumo power at all right now. This match quickly evolved into a protracted grapple with both using right hand inside holds. When the time came, they both battled to lift the other and move, but it was Kotoshoho who was able to swing around and throw, improving to 3-8.

Abi defeats Nishikigi – Nishikigi manage to break Abi’s double arm thrusting train early on, but found that those long arms and big hands around the back of his head pulling him forward and down. A quick hatakikomi, and Abi is now 6-5.

Ura defeats Shodai – Across the years, Ura has shown himself to be consistently resistant to Shodai’s cartoon sumo. The most that Shodai could muster today was a brief employment of his “Wall of Daikon” which was only partially effective. When Shodai is using his body as a big blocking wall like that, he is vulnerable to an under-shoulder swing down, given that he keeps his back straight and stiff to bolster the effect. Good work Ura, both end the day 6-5.

Tamawashi defeats Mitakeumi – After losing 8 matches in a row, Tamawashi appears to have cleared whatever problems caused that make-koshi run, and now has two wins in a row. He was able to contain Mitakeumi and push him forcefully from the ring by oshidashi. Tamawashi now 3-8.

Hokutofuji defeats Kotonowaka – After four straight losses to open the basho, Hokutofuji has now won seven in a row. Points to Kotonowaka for being able to push through Hokutofuji’s nodowa and move him back to the bales, but a deft step to the side and thrust down put Kotonowaka down and out at the same time. Hokutofuji now 7-4, and will try for kachi-koshi tomorrow.

Wakamotoharu defeats Midorifuji – Wakamotoharu succeeds in putting dirt on the yusho arasoi leader out of the ring, scoring his 8th win for kachi-koshi in the process. Midorifuji tried for his favorite move, a katasukashi, but Wakamotoharu was ready. Midorifuji’s release of forward pressure to initiate the move was met with power forward, and Midorifuji crashed to the dohyo beyond the bales. Wakamotoharu ends the day 8-3, and the thinnest crack of daylight appears in the yusho race.

Daieisho defeats Takayasu – Daieisho was ring side to see Midorifuji win, and he knew that he could keep his chances alive with a win. At the start of the match, Takayasu’s form was excellent, reminiscent of his days working toward Ozeki. But he got himself into “wild man” mode, and we could see him on one foot. Daieisho attacked then, and rapidly took away any ability Takayasu had to recover his stance. Daieisho advances to 9-2, one win behind Midorifuji once more.

Wakatakakage defeats Tobizaru – I love how Wakatakakage maintained tight cover on Tobizaru, even when the flying monkey tried twice to break contact. This allowed Wakatakakage to attack the moment Tobizaru moved to step away, catching him between steps and with no solid connection to ground. The resulting okuridashi was the payoff for a brilliant match from Wakatakakage, he is now 5-6.

Kiribayama defeats Meisei – Kiribayama stops Miesei one and one half steps into his tachiai, and Meisei has no solid connection to ground. Before he can react and plant his feet, Kiribayama slams him down to the clay by hatakikomi. Kiribayama kachi-koshi at 8-3.

Hoshoryu defeats Endo – Endo attempted to avoid the tachiai, and it did not work well. Hoshoryu captured him with the right hand, and loaded up the spin cycle. It’s been a while since I have seen that one, and its always fun when the rikishi treated like a load of soggy washing started the process with something akin to a henka. Round and round he goes, and ends up in a heap on the shikiri-sen. Hoshoryu kachi-koshi at 8-3.

Welcome to the start of act 3, the final five days of a basho. In act 3, we sort everyone into make-koshi and kachi-koshi, and crown the yusho winner who takes home the Emperor’s Cup. The final act is where we get to see more matches that pair high performing rikishi against each other, and in this tournament, we should see Midorifuji take on a spread of named rank opponents. Sadly there is no Ozeki or Yokozuna to challenge this Maegashira 5 upstart who looks like he very well could take it all the way to day 15 and bring home the trophy to Isegahama.

We have six rikishi up for a possible kachi-koshi today: Hoshoryu, Kiribayama, Wakamotoharu, Takayasu, Kinbozan, and Chiyoshoma

Haru Leaderboard

The closest competitor is 2 wins behind Midorifuji, making the odds of him being challenged for the cup fairly long. It has happened before that a red hot rikishi from the middle or lower ranks suddenly faces stiff competition and falters, but the “stiff competition” is not very potent right now, so I am expecting him to completely dominate the next few matches. He still has not faced Daieisho though…

Leader: Midorifuji
Hunt Group: Daieisho, Endo, Kotonowaka

5 Matches Remain

What We Are Watching Day 11

Oshoma (4-6) vs Tsurugisho (6-4) – Oshoma visits from Juryo to work on getting himself back into winning territory. He won his only prior match against Tsurugisho which happened on day 11 of Kyushu last year. I expect Tsurugisho to win this one.

Daishoho (6-4) vs Kinbozan (7-3) – Looking forward to both of these rikishi hitting their 8 wins (or more) and making a lasting mark in the top division. I think Kinbozan has had some stand out matches this March, and I think if he can stay healthy we will see him continue to grow in power and strength. Daishoho has won 2 of their 3 prior matches, but it was Kinbozan who won their last match in January on day 2 of Hatsu. A Kinbozan win will be kachi-koshi for him.

Kotoeko (6-4) vs Takanosho (6-4) – Both have matching 6-4 records, and I think at least for this tournament, this is a very even match. They have a six match record, but only two matches were fought since 2020, with Takanosho taking them both. The most recent being day 2 of Aki 2022.

Azumaryu (1-9) vs Mitoryu (5-5) – With his 1-9 score, Azumaryu is very much at risk of being relegated back to Juryo not long after his first career kachi-koshi in the top division. He managed his first win on day 10, to everyone’s relief, and now the question is: can he claw his way back with enough wins to make the case to stay near the bottom of the Makuuchi banzuke? He has a career record of 9-3 against Mitoryu.

Chiyoshoma (7-3) vs Nishikifuji (6-4) – An interesting match, as you have Chiyoshoma fighting for kachi-koshi against another high agility rikishi in Nishikifuji. Nishikifuji took both of their matches last year, in an overall 1-2 career match up history. I still think Chiyoshoma can find his 8th win today, but he is going to have to work for it.

Myogiryu (4-6) vs Hokuseiho (6-4) – A first ever match, with both rikishi presenting mirror image scores of the other one. Myogiryu has lost 3 of the last 4, which is only slightly worse that Hokuseiho, at 2-2. The more I watch him, the more it seems that Hokuseiho is still trying to figure out what “his brand of sumo” really means. There are just not that many enormous, plodding rikishi to model your fighting techniques after.

Bushozan (4-6) vs Hiradoumi (5-5) – Hiradoumi has this odd “win on even days, lose on odd days” pattern going on. Given that 11 is an odd number, I expect a loss today against Bushozan, which will make Bushozan quite happy.

Aoiyama (4-6) vs Oho (4-6) – With both rikishi starting the day at 4-6, the one who wins this match will take a step closer to a possible Darwin match on day 15, and the loser will move one loss away from make-koshi. Ugly position to be in, but sumo is a brutal, zero-sum sport. It forces every outcome to be tallied toward a final reckoning on day 15. It’s both terrible and glorious at the same time.

Ichiyamamoto (3-7) vs Kagayaki (4-6) – Ichiyamamoto had a nice 3 match win streak bracketed by a swarm of black stars, which resumed with his surprising day 10 loss to Azumaryu. I think we will see Kagayaki step up and hand Ichiyamamoto his 8th loss for a make-koshi today.

Takarafuji (3-7) vs Sadanoumi (3-7) – Both of these long serving top division stalwarts are teetering on the edge of make-koshi. The loser today will seal the deal, and the winner will survive for another day. The 14-6 career record would seem to heavily favor Takarafuji, but with Takarafuji fighting poorly this March, it’s tough to know how to sort this one.

Kotoshoho (2-8) vs Ryuden (1-9) – Both are already make-koshi, so this content is to see how far they will drop down the ranks for May. Frankly, I think Kotoshoho has a bit of an edge here, as I think he is somewhat less injured.

Abi (5-5) vs Nishikigi (2-8) – Nishikigi is already make-koshi, but if he get a solid hold of Abi, may force Abi to execute some rarely seen yotsu-zumo. That would be quite the treat! Abi holds a 5-2 career advantage in their match ups.

Ura (5-5) vs Shodai (6-4) – I am a bit disappointed that Shodai is not going to make a bid for the yusho this March. Him losing Ozeki rank, then winning the yusho would be a perfect “20202s sumo” theme. It’s always crummiest just before it gets dumb. Ura holds a narrow 4-3 edge in their career match ups, but given how they are fighting this tournament, I think I would pick Shodai as the more likely winner.

Tamawashi (2-8) vs Mitakeumi (4-6) – Thirty three (33) career matches between these two, and its Mitakeumi who is heavily favored, 27-6. Add to that that Tamawashi is already make-koshi, and seems to be injured, and it looks like Mitakeumi may find a much desired 5th win to bring him closer to the make/kachi koshi line today.

Hokutofuji (6-4) vs Kotonowaka (8-2) – It’s Hokutofuji’s turn to visit some san’yaku rikishi. He still needs two more wins the reach the safety of 8, and he’s got his work cut out for him today against Kotonowaka, who is already kachi-koshi. Kotonowaka has won every match against Hokutofuji in the past year, so this is a tall order for “ole Stompy” today.

Wakamotoharu (7-3) vs Midorifuji (10-0) – It’s Wakamotoharu’s turn to try and put dirt on Midorifuji. They share a 2-2 career record with the last bout being a Midorifuji win on day 12 of Hatsu 2023. I would expect that if Wakamotoharu can get a working grip, his power sumo will take hold and he should win the match. If Midorifuji can stay mobile, I think the white star will go to him. Should be a fun opening few seconds.

Daieisho (8-2) vs Takayasu (7-3) – Takayasu is fighting for kachi-koshi today, with a generous side helping of knocking Daieisho out of any hope to take the cup. Whatever hope there is is on the paltry side, as Daieisho is 2 wins behind Midorifuji at the start of day 11. He has a 6-11 career record against Takayasu.

Wakatakakage (4-6) vs Tobizaru (4-6) – Both are 4-6, and two losses away from make-koshi. At one point, recently, Wakatakakage was hoping to elevate his record that he might be considered for promotion to Ozeki. But an 8-7 finish in November, a 9-6 finish in January, and a possible make-koshi in Osaka have run these hopes aground. Now he has to fight Tobizaru for a chance to brawl his way up to a likely Darwin match. Ouch.

Kiribayama (7-3) vs Meisei (4-6) – Kiribayama is trying for his 8th win today, and kachi-koshi against Meisei, who seems to have some magic power over Kiribayama, holding a 6-3 career advantage. With Meisei’s score, he really could use the win.

Endo (8-2) vs Hoshoryu (7-3) – If Hoshoryu wants a kachi-koshi today, he will need to take a white start from already 8-2 Endo, who is having one of his “good” basho, an increasingly rare event. They have an even 3-3 career record, and they last ought on Aki day 15 in 2022, where Hoshoryu won by oshitaoshi.

With the arrival of day 10, we are at the end of act 2. Act 2 is where we narrow the field to find out who has what it takes to compete for the yusho, and to start sorting the survivors from the damned. There are 5 in contention for the cup, and only one of them has prior yusho experience, Daieisho. He last hoisted the Emperor’s Cup in January of 2021, with a 13-2 final score as a Maegashira 1. On his road to the yusho, be beat all 3 Ozeki at the time and then the entire san’yaku before the first week was done. The only rikishi who bested him were Takarafuji and Onosho. One of them today is kyujo with a knee injury, the other fading out before our eyes on the lower rungs of the banzuke. He managed a jun-yusho in May of last year with an 11-4 score from the Komusubi rank. In between those two were a spread of make-koshi and kachi-koshi tournaments, with 4 winning records and 3 losing records.

Daieisho’s biggest problem is one of consistency. When his sumo is working just right, he’s tough to beat, especially in this age where almost everyone is an adherent to the oshi/tsuki form. But his peak power is in a fairly narrow band, and it’s tough for him to maintain that intensity over 15 days, it seems. If he finishes with 10 or more wins this March, it will be only the 6th time out of 42 top division basho where he has reached such a mark. Best of luck to him as he vies for the cup.

Haru Leaderboard

One man in the lead, one a loss behind him, and three 2 losses back. I do expect that Midorifuji will take his first trip to the clay in the next few days, and then the race is one. The schedulers goal is to keep it close going into the final weekend to give us a thrilling end to this basho.

Leader: Midorifuji
Chaser: Daieisho
Hunt Group: Kotonowaka, Endo, Takayasu

6 Matches Remain

What We Are Watching Day 10

Mitoryu (4-5) vs Tohakuryu (4-5) – With Onosho out, we once again have a banzuke imbalance, and so we get more visitors from Juryo. Today it’s Tohakuryu’s turn to come to the top division, possibly for a right good thumping. He has never won against Mitoryu, and I see no reason today might be his first. Both men are in need of wins to stave of make-koshi in a few days, so I expect a lot of action in the first match of the day.

Kagayaki (3-6) vs Oho (4-5) – Somehow Oho has a better record that Kagayaki right now, but the numbers do not lie. There is a solid chance for Kagayaki to even things up if he can overcome his 1-3 career disadvantage against Oho and get him out of the ring or on the clay. A Kagayaki loss today will put him one match away from make-koshi. I hope this helps focus his mind.

Bushozan (4-5) vs Takarafuji (2-7) – Today may likely be make-koshi for dear Takarafuji. He’s only been able to find 2 wins so far, and I worry he’s in real danger of demotion back to Juryo. Bushozan won their only prior match, which was day 7 of Hatsu.

Tsurugisho (5-4) vs Takanosho (6-3) – Takanosho is far enough along that I think he might be able to hit double digits this March, which would do a lot to propel him back toward the top end of the banzuke, which is where he belongs when he is healthy. He’s only won once against Tsurugisho in 3 attempts, but the only prior fight in the top division was day 12 of Hatsu, which went to Tsurugisho.

Myogiryu (4-5) vs Chiyoshoma (6-3) – Normally these two would be an even match. But this March Myogiryu is fighting poorly, and struggling to keep himself on the kachi-koshi path. I also put a bit of an asterisk next to Chiyoshoma’s score, given that some of his win column comes from a henka, which is no indicator of actual sumo performance. They share a 6-6 career record.

Daishoho (5-4) vs Nishikifuji (6-3) – With a 7-1 career advantage, this one should go to Nishikifuji. The fought twice in 2022, in January and May, both going to Nishikifuji. The only Daishoho win came in Kyushu 2021, where Daishoho was able to get a solid hold on Nishikifuji’s mawashi and put him out of the ring by yorikiri.

Kotoeko (6-3) vs Hiradoumi (4-5) – Another of the great contrasts in today’s Torikumi, we get Kotoeko with the higher score going against lower scored Hiradoumi, against whom he has never won. I would like to think Kotoeko has a chance, given the quality of his sumo this March.

Ichiyamamoto (3-6) vs Azumaryu (0-9) – Someone had to fight Azumaryu, as he seems unwilling to own up to whatever injury is plaguing him and go kyujo. Given Ichiyamamoto’s day 9 performance, he should be able to win this one – if he does not fall over on his own first.

Hokuseiho (5-4) vs Ura (5-4) – First ever match between two rikishi with matching scores, and radically different approaches to sumo. Will Hokuseiho stand around being huge, and wait for Ura to unleash some new quantum sumo straight from the UC Berkley labs? Or Hakuho’s biggest recruit going to get in gear and fight today?

Hokutofuji (5-4) vs Aoiyama (4-5) – Hokutofuji leads the series 15-2, and he should be more than able to dispatch the injured Aoiyama in the first 15 seconds of this match.

Kinbozan (6-3) vs Takayasu (7-2) – First ever match for these two, with a 7 rung banzuke gap between them. I hope Takayasu approaches this fight with caution, as his wild man sumo would provide a lot of attack options for Kinbozan to exploit.

Sadanoumi (2-7) vs Nishikigi (2-7) – Loser is make-koshi. This time out, Nishikigi is doing quite a bit worse than I thought he would. Mostly I think due to over-reliance on that arm bar / kotenage combo he used quite a bit in the first act. It became predictable, and injured a few folks. I expect Sadanoumi to shut that down at the tachiai.

Tamawashi (1-8) vs Ryuden (1-8) – A match of great sadness, we are only on day 10 and we see a battle of two rikishi with a single win each. Both of them are solid competitors when healthy, but are all but banzuke ballast this March. Maybe they should ask to reconvene this match at a nearby izakaya instead.

Endo (7-2) vs Shodai (6-3) – This is, at least to me, a high interest match. Shodai is fighting well, Endo is fighting well. They have a 17 match career record that favors Shodai 11-6. I am keen to see if Shodai is focused enough this March to shut down Endo’s match plan. I sort of thing that today, he can.

Wakamotoharu (6-3) vs Meisei (4-5) – I would love to see Wakamotoharu end this tournament with third double digit score in the last 4 tournaments. He has no losses to Meisei in 2 prior matches, so I expect he may find his 7th win today.

Midorifuji (9-0) vs Tobizaru (4-5) – Time for Midorifuji to face some higher ranked opponents! He gets Tobizaru, who he has beaten in 3 of 4 prior attempts. The numbers only tell part of the story, as Tobizaru always seems to be fighting at his most intense for the “big” matches, and a chance to knock the leader out of sole possession of the yusho and back into a tie with Daieisho is indeed a “big” match. Oh, and the man just behind Midorifuji? Yes, Daieisho, he’s Tobizaru’s stable mate.

Abi (5-4) vs Kotonowaka (7-2) – A Kotonowaka win today is kachi-koshi for him, and he will start to apply pressure to take any Sekiwake rank that might become available. I personally think he will end up with at least 10 wins, so please Kotonowaka, run up the score.

Kiribayama (6-3) vs Mitakeumi (4-5) – As a fan who has appreciated Mitakeumi’s sumo, its tough to watch him unable to execute on most match days. He has a 6-8 career deficit against Kiribayama, and there is nothing to indicate that Mitakeumi would bring any advantage to the dohyo today.

Daieisho (8-1) vs Hoshoryu (6-3) – Should Tobizaru be able to pull off a win, it’s up to Daieisho to do his part against Hoshoryu. Their seven match career history would seem to indicate that if Hoshoryu can get a hand hon Daieisho’s belt, he has a solid chance to win. Should we see Daieisho break Hoshoryu’s balance in the first or second volley, it is going to go his way.

Wakatakakage (4-5) vs Kotoshoho (1-8) – Well, Wakatakakage had to fight someone. If he wins today (and he had better win today), he is 0-5 followed by 5-0. No, don’t ask me, I have no clue either.