I’m predicting Kotoshogiku title and quick retirement. A zensho yusho for a guy who couldn’t register 10 wins consistently as ozeki and was kadoban twice recently, exactly 10 years after Tochiazuma’s win. Wake me up in March.
Tochinoshin had a great bout today. Glad to see two guys fighting for a win.
Kotoshogiku now leads alone. His straightforward, jack-rabbit action was too much for the yokozuna and a jubilant Kokugikan erupted with cheers, and zabuton rained down on the dohyo as Hakuho was forced out of the ring.
Harumafuji now shares his place with Hakuho, one loss back after his convincing win over Goeido. He will face Kotoshogiku tomorrow and a win will make this a three-man race. This looks to be an exciting yusho.
I’ve changed Okinoumi’s name. It’s now をきのうみ. I’ve just gotta say, “Woah.”
One year ago there was a bloodbath in the rough-and-tumble ranks between maegashira 4 and Sekiwake. Both sekiwake and both komusubi were demoted. The only one among the top 10 maegashira to finish with a winning record was Terunofuji who launched himself into a spectacular ozeki run. Another “beneficiary” of this calamity was Okinoumi who leaped from M6 to Sekiwake in March. From there, it’s a tale of two cities: Terunofuji gets 13 wins and a jun-yusho. Okinoumi goes winless the first few days and pulled out injured. Continue reading
Ikioi pulled off a great win over his fellow komusubi to pick up his third win of the tournament. While the Georgian now must go undefeated to achieve a winning record and retain his rank, Ikioi has a *little* breathing room. He faces Shohozan tomorrow and will have his hands full with the likes of Aminishiki & Aoiyama later in the week. Shohozan was blown off the ring by kamikaze Yoshikaze today and will be looking for redemption tomorrow.
Hakuho and Kotoshogiku still lead with Harumafuji alone one win off pace. This resurgent Kotoshogiku dominated Kaisei while Hakuho decided to skip today’s effort, pulling out a glorious henka against Tochiozan. “Hey, if Aminishiki can do it every day, why can’t I do it once?”