Hatsu Basho 2018

Onosho Withdraws from Hatsu Basho

Liam R Hatsu Basho 2018, Kyujo (休場), Ōnoshō (阿武咲)

The Japanese news has reported that Komusubi Onosho has withdrawn from the 2018 Hatsu basho due to a right knee posterior cruciate ligament injury. While the severity of the injury is undisclosed as of yet, treatments range from simply resting and icing the joint to physiotherapy. Going kyujo with a 4-5 record coming into Day 9, Onosho will receive a demotion back into the Maegashira rank for March. As a result, we will have a new Komusubi for Haru, and with Takakeisho sitting dangerously close to a make koshi, we could potentially have two new faces holding the rank come Hatsu. We at Tachiai hope that the power of the red mawashi will heal Onosho and that he returns even stronger!

Day 8 Undercard Matches to Watch

Liam R Abi (阿炎), Asanoyama (朝乃山), Chiyomaru, Daiamami (大奄美), Daieisho (大栄翔), Hatsu Basho 2018, Ishiura (石浦), Kagayaki (輝), Ryuden (竜電), Shohozan, Sōkokurai (蒼国来)

What a way to begin the second half of the 2018 Hatsu Basho! The undercard continues to deliver competitive matches, and you really get the sense that these rikishi are pushing hard to make their mark in the division. Day 9 has some excellent undercard matches so be sure not to miss them.

Abi vs. Asanoyama

With back to back losses, Asanoyama is now on the outside looking in on the Yusho race. While nothing is written in stone, Asanoyama will have to take care of his business if he wants to remain relevant. Mr. Happy didn’t fare too well against pusher-thruster Kagayaki today, who surprised him with a well-placed overarm throw. Tomorrow Asanoyama faces another competent oshi-zumo fighter in Abi, but he’ll have to be even more cautious, as Abi’s throws are far more deadly than Kagayaki’s. Abi will be looking to extend his winning streak to three, and even his series with Asanoyama 1-1.

Ishiura vs. Daieisho

After a straightforward win over Chiyomaru today, Daieisho kept his spot in the chase group and can clinch his kachi koshi on Day 9. Daieisho has impressed me this Basho but Is still worry he will continue his pattern of fading in the second week. Tomorrow he’ll face off with mini muscleman Ishiura. The momentum Ishiura brought with him from Juryo seems to have evaporated, and he’s now lost three of his last four matches and now has a record of 4-4. As a result, Ishiura has arrived at a crossroad between his kachi koshi and a make koshi. It can go either way from here so the next few days will be crucial for the man from Miyagino Beya.

Sokokurai vs. Ryuden

Sokokurai got away with one today, as his knee touched the clay a split second before Ishiura’s did. However there was no Mono-ii, and as a result, veteran Sokokurai enters Day 9 with a 3-5 record. Ryuden, on the other hand, won his Sunday bout with gusto, surviving Kotoyuki’s flipper attacks and forcing him over the tawara. With four consecutive wins, Ryuden is putting together a great case that he belongs in Makuuchi. Sokokurai and Ryuden have faced off twice, with the younger rikishi emerging victorious.

Daiamami vs. Chiyomaru

Having paid close attention to Daiamami’s nose pulling after Herouth brought it to everyone’s attention a few days ago, I’m beginning to think this little prematch ritual is doing Daiamami more harm than good. His last nose tug is becoming something of a tell, letting his opponent know he’s just about to charge and giving them more time to react. This could be the reason why he’s been henka’d twice this basho, as his tachiai is far too predictable. Tomorrow he meets fellow behemoth Chiyomaru on the dohyo, so expect a real slugfest.

Shohozan vs. Kagayaki

Another man to fall out of the chase group today was Shohozan, who despite a great effort couldn’t overpower Takarafuji. With his six-match winning streak over, Shohozan will be looking to rebound on Day 9. His opponent is Kagayaki, who took his sumo to whole new level against Asanoyama. Kagayagi surprised everyone with an uncharacteristic overarm throw to Mr. Happy, and if he starts integrating yotsu-zumo into his repertoire, he could become a major threat in the Makuuchi division. Kagayaki holds a 4-2 edge over Shohozan in their series.

The first half of Hatsu is over, the second half has just begun, and the quality of this Basho keeps getting better. The undercard is on fire, and we still have so many great matches coming up. Day 9 will be a bit of an abbreviated post as I tutor tomorrow night, but I will be back on Tuesday to give you the rundown of Act Two.

Day 8 Undercard Matches to Watch

Liam R Abi (阿炎), Asanoyama (朝乃山), Chiyomaru, Daiamami (大奄美), Daieisho (大栄翔), Hatsu Basho 2018, Kagayaki (輝), Shohozan, Takarafuji (宝富士), Takekaze (豪風)

Tomorrow marks the end of the first half of the 2018 Hatsu Basho, and what a first half it has been! While the top of the banzuke is exciting as always, the most pleasant surprise this January has been the fantastic sumo coming out of the undercard. The Makuuchi Division has been infused with some great young talent, and they are delivering many of the best matches this tournament. Here are just a few undercard matches to watch as we enter the second week of Hatsu!

Abi vs. Daiamami

The second week kicks off with shiko master Abi facing itchy nose Daiamami. Abi has done a great job salvaging his Basho and comes into Day 8 with a respectable 4-3 record and some major style points for the beautiful throw he used to beat Nishikigi today. His Day 8 opponent Daiamami, on the other hand, remains streaky and has yet to pick up back to back wins. Daiamami probably would have been better off returning to Jury to regroup after Kyushu, but was spared demotion due to the retirement of Harumafuji. Abi emerged victorious in his only previous match with Daiamami.

Takekaze vs. Yutakayama

January has not been kind to Grandpa Bullfrog. At 1-6, Takekaze continues to be manhandled by his opponents and is on a course to set one of his worst ever career records. But there is a ray of hope, as he faces the perennial disappointment Yutakayama on Day 8. Yutakayama’s third shot at Makuuchi is going just as well as his last two, and he could find himself in Juryo come March. Despite his youth and size advantage, Yutakayama’s sloppy, inconsistent sumo could cost him his match with Grandpa Bullfrog.

Asanoyama vs. Kagayaki

Asanoyama’s Day 7 outing against Daieisho was a textbook example of how important a good tachiai is for success on the dohyo. The smiling rikishi started too high, and that was all Daieisho needed to get him up and over the tawara. Asanoyama will have to refocus and get back into win column tomorrow to stay in the Yusho race, as another slip up could take him right out of it. On Sunday he meets Kagayaki, who looked strong during the opening days of Hatsu but has picked up three straight losses. These two have met once before at the 2017 Kyusho Basho in a match won by Kagayaki.

Daieisho vs. Chiyomaru

Daieisho continues to impress this January and looked very sharp in his Day 7 victory over Asanoyama. With a 6-1 record, he is still very much in the Yusho race. However, Daieisho has a history of fading during the second week, and he’ll need to buck this trend if he wants to be a contender. His first test comes in the rotund form of Chiyomaru, who at 5-2 sits just outside the chase group alongside Goeido, Tochiozan, and Endo. Chiyomaru holds a 4-3 edge in this evenly matched rivalry.

Takarafuji vs. Shohozan

While Asanoyama and Tochinoshin have been making waves in the Maegashira rank, Shohozan has been something of a dark horse this Basho, quietly putting together a 6-1 record. Since losing on Day 1, he has been perfect and finds himself in the Jun-Yusho picture coming into the midway point. On Day 8 Shohozan faces Takarafuji, who is the last standing rikishi from the once mighty Isegahama Beya (let that sink in). Takarafuji’s basho has been going well, but he will have to step up his game against Shohozan. Their rivalry currently sits at 9-1 in Shohozan’s favor, who dominated their first eight matches.

Hatsu is getting better by the day, and I can’t wait to see what the stars of the undercard have in store for us in the second half!

Everything You Need to Know After Act One

Liam R Aminishiki (安美錦), Asanoyama (朝乃山), Chiyonokuni (千代の国), Daieisho (大栄翔), Endo (遠藤), Gōeidō (豪栄道), Hakuho (白鵬), Hatsu Basho 2018, Hokutōfuji (北勝富士), Ichinojo (逸ノ城), Ikioi (勢), Kakuryu (鶴竜), Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Kotoyuki, Kyujo (休場), Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Okinoumi (隠岐の海), Shohozan, Takayasu (高安), Terunofuji (照ノ富士), Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Tochiozan (栃煌山), Yokozuna (横綱), Yūshō (優勝)

Kisenosato-Yoshikaze

With Day 5 in the books, the curtain has dropped on Act One of the 2018 Hatsu Basho. We’ve seen some spectacular sumo so far, especially from many of the young up and coming rikishi on the Banzuke’s undercard. Although the Basho may have just begun, already so much has happened. Here is everything you need to know to get you up to speed after Act One.

Yusho Race

While the Hatsu Basho may have just begun and a lot can still change, five days of sumo has whittled the leaderboard down to just four men, all with perfect records going into Act Two. Starting at the bottom, these rikishi are Maegashira 16 Asanoyama, Maegashira 3 Tochinoshin, Sekiwake Mitakeumi, and at the very top and looking unstoppable, Yokozuna Kakuryu. Trailing them with four wins are Daieisho, Kotoyuki, Shohozan, Tochiozan, Chiyoshoma, Endo, Takayasu and Goeido. With so much sumo left the Yusho is just starting to heat up!

Kachi Koshi and Make Koshi

Again, it’s too early to tell who will be leaving Hatsu with their kachi koshi and who won’t, but after five days we have a pack of rikishi who are halfway to their coveted winning record. Asanoyama, Daieisho, Kotoyuki, Shohozan, Tochiozan, Chiyoshoma, Endo, Tochinoshi, Mitakeumi, Takayasu, Goeido, and Kakuryu all have at least four of the necessary eight wins and could pick up their kachi koshi by the end of Act Two. On the other side of the coin, there is a large group of rikishi halfway to receiving a make koshi. Takekaze, Aminishiki, Chiyonokuni, Ikioi, Okinoumi, Chiyotairyu, Ichinojo, and Hokutofuji all ended Act One with four or more losses and will have to get their sumo into top gear if they want to avoid a losing record.

Kinboshi

There have been five kinboshi awarded to Maegashira rikishi so far this Basho. Yokozuna Hakuho gave up kinboshi on Days 3 and 4 to Hokutofuji and Yoshikaze respectively. Kisenosato has relinquished the most kinboshi so far with three, going to Ichinojo on Day 3, Kotoshogiku on Day 4, and Yoshikaze on Day 5. Kakuryu is the only Yokozuna who has not yet caused a zabutan storm at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan.

Kyujo

Since the Tournament opened, only two men have withdrawn from competition. After suffering a defeat on Day 3, former Ozeki Terunofuji went kyujo citing health issues related to diabetes. His Basho may not be over, however, as his medical certificate only recommended take one week off so there is a possibility we will see his return sometime next week. The other man to officially withdraw from the competition was Yokozuna Hakuho, who appears to be suffering from a fractured big toe in addition to other old foot injuries. Fans will remember that these are the same injuries that caused him to miss the 2017 Haru Basho. There is a possibility that another two men will join the kyujo list by days end. Uncle Sumo Aminishiki’s participation tomorrow is questionable after he hit the clay hard during his bout with Chiyonokuni. The veteran rikishi has well-known knee issues, and needed assistance to leave the dohyo. The other man who may forgo competition tomorrow is Yokozuna Kisenosato, who after five days only has one win. With every loss he draws closer to a make koshi, which for a Yokozuna is extremely taboo, and Kisenosato will most likely pull out before that happens. We will have a better idea of their status this evening.

Update: Both Kisenosato and Aminishiki have officially withdrawn from competition, bringing the total number of kyujo rikishi up to four. However, depending on the severity of Aminishiki’s injury, we may see him make a return later on in the Basho.

The stage is set for Act Two, and the playing field is wide open. The next two acts look like they are going to be some of the best sumo we’ve seen in a while, and a great way to start 2018!