It’s time to kick off the final weekend of this last basho of the year. In spite of some high profile dud performances, we manage to find ourselves with some great themes for the last two days. First off is the yusho race, which is far from decided. Takayasu has solo possession of the lead, but absent any surprise developments, needs to win his last 2 to ensure claiming his first yusho. There are 4 rikishi one win behind him, eager to try and grab the cup for themselves, if somehow someone can put dirt on Takayasu.

We have the unresolved question of Wakatakakage, who is not going to get his double digit score, and probably needs to restart his Ozeki run in January. He needs one more win for kachi-koshi, so his disposition is still undecided. He should be able to get that 8th win today, but with this crowd, never assume things will go the direction they were pointed in.

And gloriously, we have what could be an overflowing vessel of Darwin matches. There could be as many as 8 of those things on the final day, if the stars align. Given how middling everyone’s scores have been all year, it’s a fitting tribute to 2022 to have the whole thing end with a flurry of 7-7 matches competing for survival.

Up for a try at kachi-koshi today: Wakatakakage, Meisei, Myogiryu, Kotoeko, Okinoumi, Ichiyamamoto, Azumaryu

Kyushu Leaderboard

Takayasu controls the outcome. Stay in the ring, stay off the clay and you take home that cup at long last. As I have said since week 1, watch for Takakeisho, who if he gets the chance will be tough to stop.

Leader: Takayasu
Chasers: Takakeisho, Hoshoryu, Abi, Oho
Hunt Group: Kagayaki, Hiradoumi

2 matches remain

What We Are Watching Day 14

We will see this all day, a 6-7 vs a 7-6. Call it a “Darwin Qualifier”, either both men end the day 7-7, or one is kachi-koshi and the other make-koshi.

Okinoumi vs Chiyoshoma – Darwin qualifier match, we have Chiyoshoma with a narrow lead, and 6 wins looking to stay in the hunt for kachi-koshi. Okinoumi has won 3 of the last 4, so I am looking for.. dare I say it… a henka?

Takanosho vs Azumaryu – Another Darwin qualifier. An Azumaryu win would be his first kachi-koshi in the top division, after 3 failed attempts. He’s got Takanosho who has been surprisingly lack-luster this November.

Kotoshoho vs Myogiryu – A third Darwin qualifier, Kotoshoho has never beaten Myogiryu, but he needs to today if he wants to try for his kachi-koshi on day 15. Myogiryu broke a 3 match losing streak yesterday with his win over Kotoshoho’s stable mate, Kotoeko.

Nishikigi vs Ichiyamamoto – The fourth and final Darwin qualifier match of the first group, it’s Nishikigi trying for his 7th win against Ichiyamamoto looking for his kachi-koshi. Ichiyamamoto has had a bit of a week 2 fade, having lost 3 of his last 4 matches.

Hiradoumi vs Nishikifuji – We take a bit of a break from Darwin qualifiers for a Hiradoumi test match. The banzuke gap between these two is 10 full ranks. Hiradoumi (9-4) have never won a match against Nishikifuji (8-5), with four prior attempts.

Wakamotoharu vs Kotoeko – With an odd number of Darwin candidates, someone had to fight outside of that group, and the schedulers picked Kotoeko (7-6) to take on Wakamotoharu (8-5). I like this match because both have strong yotsu-zumo abilities, and Kotoeko loves a good fight. I like that Wakamotoharu has a 3 match winning streak going, which includes his day 12 win over Tobizaru.

Tochinoshin vs Sadanoumi – This match is “Darwin or make-koshi”. Both men are 6-7, so whomever loses will end the tournament with a losing record. The winner gets a day 15 Darwin match. Tochinoshin holds a 7-5 career lead.

Ura vs Terutsuyoshi – A sad match, both are double-digit make-koshi this November, with Terutsuyoshi still in the hunt for the rarely seen zenpai. Given how he has been fighting, I don’t give Terutsuyoshi any chance of winning today.

Endo vs Midorifuji – Another “Darwin or make-koshi” match, call it a “Mini-Darwin” if you want, the winner is rewarded with a Darwin match tomorrow, and the loser a make-koshi. First time match between these two.

Atamifuji vs Ichinojo – Another double-digit make-koshi fight, with both men fighting well below their capabilities. I would actually give 3-10 Atamifuji a slight edge over 2-11 Ichinojo in this, their first ever match.

Takayasu vs Kagayaki – Takayasu, having run out of high rankers to beat on, is pretty far down the banzuke to take on Kagayaki, who is 2 wins behind Takayasu. Of course the outcome that everyone is looking for is a Takayasu win, and Kagayaki’s removal from the hunt group. But I would like to think that maybe he has a chance. A slim one, but a chance. He has only beaten Takayasu once in 4 attempts, in September of 2020 when Takayasu was struggling to recover from injury.

Meisei vs Kotonowaka – Meisei at 7-6 needs a win today over 8-5 Kotonowaka to avoid a Darwin match on day 15. He holds a 3-1 career lead, but Kotonowaka is on a bit of a hot streak, having one 3 of his last 4.

Tamawashi vs Takarafuji – Another battle of the make-koshi, its 4-9 Tamawashi, hoping to avoid double digit losses, against 2-11 Takarafuji, who has already embraced his growing doom.

Ryuden vs Daieisho – The schedulers are trying hard to get Daieisho (6-7) one more win to put him into the Darwin pool. He’s up against 8-5 Ryuden, who at 8-5 is already kachi-koshi. Daieisho has an 8-4 career advantage.

Tobizaru vs Aoiyama – Ah, Tobizaru. You had a strong start to this basho, but now at 5-8 you are looking less formidable. You have the man-mountain that is Aoiyama today (6-7) who will either win and go on to a Darwin match tomorrow, or lose and be make-koshi for November.

Onosho vs Kiribayama – Both men are 8-5 kachi-koshi to start today, so this fight is really all about rank. They have split their six prior matches 3-3, so maybe a big fight here.

Wakatakakage vs Hokutofuji – Last of the Darwin qualifiers, and you could not ask for two better candidates to end the series. We have former Ozeki hopeful Wakatakakage up against Hokutofuji, owner of “The most powerful make-koshi in all of sumo” title. Wakatakakage needs a win to avoid a day 15 Darwin match, and further deflation of his once grand aspirations.

Abi vs Hoshoryu – With the preliminaries out of the way, it’s time to make all of the 10-3 guys fight each other, starting with these two. This match set will ensure only 2 rikishi remain in the hunt for the cup should Takayasu lose a match. Hoshoryu has never lost to Abi, with 4 prior fights. Abi is looking better than he has in some time, but his sumo is so one dimensional, if Hoshoryu has a formula for shutting him down, it may be certain that Abi will lose.

Takakeisho vs Oho – I can’t see this first time battle being much more than a rapid, short flight down range for Oho once he catches a full blast. I am certain he will try for a mawashi grab as a route to upset the Ozeki, but the chances of him getting there are remote.

Mitakeumi vs Shodai – What could be more “Sumo 2022” than ending the day with these two head to head? Shodai, I present you with your future. The best Mitakeumi can hope for right now is to beat Shodai and qualify for a Darwin match tomorrow. He has a 13-16 career deficit against booger-boy, but maybe Shodai is ready to throw in the towel.

Day 13 lived up to expectations, leaving chaos and tumult in its wake. Shodai is make-koshi and will be demoted for January. Oho lost to Takayasu, leaving Takayasu as the sole leader in the yusho race with just 2 matches remaining, and an enormous cadre of sumo’s upper division are on the brink of a Darwin match orgy the likes of which not even the almighty has witnessed before. Our mischievous kami is smiling and nodding in hungry anticipation of what is to come.

Highlight Matches

Okinoumi defeats Onosho – For an ace sumo practitioner like Okinoumi, a match like this again Onosho is dead simple. He’s too far in front of his toes, and can only remain upright by leading forward into Okinoumi. Okiniumi steps to the side and pushes him down, and is now 7-6.

Chiyoshoma defeats Terutsuyoshi – Terutsuyoshi is so hurt, he can only offer token offense, and really no defense once Chiyoshoma turns on the forward power. It’s a real shame. At least Chiyoshoma grabs Terutsuyoshi’s hand to keep him from hopping off the dohyo. Chiyoshoma improves to 6-7 while Terutsuyoshi is still on the zepai trail.

Aoiyama defeats Atamifuji – Man, what happened to Atamifuji? Aoiyama looks like he is training one of the Sandanme guys back at Kasugano. This has to be injury. Aoiyama applies a surprisingly gentle hatakikomi, and improves to 6-7.

Abi defeats Kagayaki – Best example of Abi-zumo so far this basho. He catches Kagayaki upright, and applies rapid thrust combos to work him back and out. Abi up to 10-3 and maintains his spot one behind the leader.

Tochinoshin defeats Ichiyamamoto – An unexpected and delightful match, where Ichiyamamoto eagerly initiated a yotsu-zumo fight with Tochinoshin. He managed to prevent Tochinoshin to land that left hand outside grip, and frankly had him on the defensive for most of the match. Tochinoshin took the win when he was able to improvise a sukuinage, that Ichiyamamoto nearly shut down. Brilliant effort, and Tochinoshin is 6-7.

Myogiryu defeats Kotoeko – Myogiryu gets his left hand grip almost at once, and Kotoeko is wise enough to know he is in trouble. He works to break Myogiryu’s hold, but can’t quite get him off of his belt. Myogiryu walks Kotoeko to the edge of the ring and throws for the win. Both end the day at 7-6.

Hiradoumi defeats Endo – Endo worked hard to get a mawashi grip, but when he set up his right hand hold, he could not maintain it. Hiradoumi fought back with a blistering thrusting attack, and then dove in for a left hand deep grip. That grip won the match as Endo’s offense was shut down, and Hiradoumi ran him out. Hiradoumi improves to 9-4, and will try to double digits tomorrow.

Ryuden defeats Azumaryu – Again we get to see Ryuden’s strong right hand outside grip carry a match. Azumaryu had excellent thrusting position for a moment at the start of the match, but could not maintain once Ryuden got that grip and turned him to the side. Ryuden stayed focused and walked Azumaryu out for his 8th win, and is kachi-koshi for November.

Nishikigi defeats Kotoshoho – Kotoshoho front loads his sumo, and comes in strong. He’s not really able to do much against Nishikigi’s strong defense, and finds himself quickly pushed out by Nisikigi’s oshidashi. Both are now 6-7.

Ura defeats Takarafuji – Nice to see Ura wait Takarafuji out. They grapple and lock up in the middle of the dohyo, with Takarafuji having a better offensive position. As Takarafuji is Mr “Defend and Extend”, his sumo instincts take over, and he works to wear Ura down. Ura lets him for a fair length of time, and then his sumo instincts switch in. He finds Takarafuji’s left arm, grabs it and gives it a solid tug. Ura is rewarded with a turned around Takarafuji, whom he pushes out from behind. Ura improves to 3-10.

Takanosho defeats Ichinojo – I am going to guess that between his chronically sore back, and the distractions of his off dohyo antics being in the press, Ichinojo is about as deflated as you can make him. Takanosho is struggling himself, but makes fast and fairly easy work of getting Ichinojo moving, and pushed out, advancing to 6-7.

Kotonowaka defeats Midorifuji – Midorifuji had a narrow window to win this match, and he came very close. But then Kotonowaka was able to recover, consolidate his position, and hold Midorifuji far enough away that his bag of tricks were neutralized. Good recovery by Kotonowaka, followed by an oshidashi, and he’s now kachi-koshi at 8-5.

Takayasu defeats Oho – The big match of the day, and it went about as you would expect it to. Takayasu, a former Ozeki, and in good health, was completely under matched by Oho. Maybe some day Oho can work at this level against an opponent of this size and power, but not today. There was a brief second where Takayasu was on one foot following the tachiai, but Oho was in no position to make him pay for that mistake. Takayasu eventually gets a left hand inside grip, and from there, it’s nap time for junior, as Takayasu lays him down and turns off the lights. Takayasu the sole leader at 11-2.

Wakamotoharu defeats Daieisho – Wakamotoharu absorbed a lot of Daieisho’s big thrusting sumo, and managed to stay on his feet and in the match. Daieisho’s attempt at finishing Wakamotoharu flopped, allowing Wakamotoharu to capture him from the side. Daieisho attempted to escape, but simply made matters worse, and Wakamotoharu ran him out. Wakamotoharu kachi-koshi at 8-5.

Sadanoumi defeats Tobizaru – Tobizaru was just a bit too mobile and frantic today, and found himself with his back to Sadanoumi. Sadanoumi is not one to let something like that go, and Tobizaru found his 8th loss by okuridashi. Sadanoumi improves to 6-7.

Meisei defeats Kiribayama – Kiribayama put all of his hopes on a head-hold and pull strategy, which Meisei was able to counter. Without any more meaningful offense, Kiribayama was easy meat once he attempted that pull, and Meisei tossed him into the front row to advance to 7-6.

Mitakeumi defeats Hokutofuji – Mitakeumi holds short on the tachiai, drawing Hokutofuji forward. Off balance, Hokutofuji is easy to drop with a rapid hatakikomi, and both exit the dohyo with 6-7 records. Maybe, just maybe, Mitakeumi can rescue some scrap of dignity with a kachi-koshi.

Wakatakakage defeats Nishikifuji – Wakatakakage was not going to lose this match no matter what. His sumo was so committed that he was continuing his yorikiri down the hanamichi for a short distance. Wakatakakage now 7-6.

Tamawashi defeats Shodai – It fell to sumo’s iron man, as injured as he is, to end the farce that has been Shodai’s Ozeki tenure. It’s a dirty job, but someone had to do it. He comes into the tachiai strong, and turns the oshi-zumo dial to “blast” and proceeds on plan. He takes Shodai out by oshidashi, and improves to 4-9. Shodai make-koshi at 5-8, and will follow Mitakeumi down the ranks to Sekiwake at Hatsu.

Takakeisho defeats Hoshoryu – With only one item of business left on today’s schedule, it was time for Hoshoryu to try and bounce back from his day 12 loss against Oho. But the thing about the “tough” part of the schedule, it is tough. Takakeisho was ready for Hoshoryu, and his sumo was strong and focused, landing volley after volley against Hoshoryu’s chest and body. Hoshoryu was driven from the ring, and Takakeisho advances to 10-3, to stay 1 win behind Takayasu.

A grand and momentous day of sumo from Fukuoaka. The scheduling committee can create interesting matches each and every day, but it’s down to the rikishi’s own sumo to determine how the story line will play out. I am sure the group that put together day 12 must have looked at the torikumi and thought, well that might be quite the pivotal day of sumo!

I am convinced that the kami who was invited to enjoy this basho was a mischievous spritely sort, given to pranks, jokes and the occasional slip and fall routine. It took at look at this same torikumi with joy and excitement. It had a idea…

Highlight Matches

Onosho defeats Kotoshoho – I counted two times that Kotoshoho tried and partially succeeded in evading Onosho’s forward pushes, and get him off balance. But both times Onosho was able to cover, get back to center point and continue the attack. Onosho secures his 8th win and is kachi-koshi at 8-4.

Aoiyama defeats Terutsuyoshi – I suppose it’s indicative that Aoiyama did not bash or bludgeon Terutsuyoshi today, just kept him off balance and moving backward. Everyone knows he’s hurt, and I am thankful Aoiyama was using minimal force to get his win. Terutsuyoshi still on the road to the seldom seen zenpai, while Aoiyama avoids make-koshi at 5-7.

Chiyoshoma defeats Atamifuji – Atamifuji just cannot catch a break this tournament. He comes into the tachiai strong, and has a solid grip on Chiyoshoma. This seems to be just fine for Chiyoshoma, who pivots and slams Atamifuji to the clay. Chiyoshoma avoids make-koshi at 5-7.

Okinoumi defeats Tochinoshin – Tochinoshin gets his left hand outside grip on the second reach, and Okinoumi counters with a double inside grip in response. Tochinoshin tries to get some kind of sumo going with half a grip, but Okinoumi lifts him and sets him outside the ring to improve to 6-6.

Ichiyamamoto defeats Myogiryu – Myogiryu did a fantastic job of shutting down Ichiyamamoto’s sumo, denying Ichiyamamoto the space to extend his arms and apply forward pressure. In short order, Ichiyamamoto was too far forward, and Myogiryu decided to pull on his neck. The timing was ill considered, as Ichiyamamoto had contact with his hands at the moment, and Myogiryu was quickly shoved from the ring. Ichiyamamoto improves to 7-5.

Azumaryu defeats Nishikigi – Nishikigi opens on the offensive, working to press into Azumaryu’s chest. Azumaryu kept a bit of distance, and encouraged Nishikigi to lean too far forward to adjust, which he did, directly into the uwatenage. Nishikigi hits the clay, and Azumaryu steps closer to his first ever top division kachi-koshi at 7-5.

Hiradoumi defeats Hokutofuji – I had hopes for this match and it did not disappoint. Hokutofuji attacked well, and we got to see his superb stability in action, as Hiradoumi kept varying forward pressure to shift Hokutofuji’s balance. As they were fighting it out, Hokutofuji’s prehensile lower body continued to work to win the match, moving Hiradoumi back for the final attack. Impressive ring sense and sumo skill from Hiradoumi, who opened just enough room at the tawara that Hokutofuji’s finishing caused Hokutofuji to touch down before Hiradoumi was out. Nice way to ear a kachi-koshi sir, he is 8-4.

Takanosho defeats Ura – Ura, survive this one if you can sir. He’s got no ability to withstand any kind of grapple or forward pressure, and Takanosho moves him about for a moment, then tosses him down to improve to 5-7.

Kotoeko defeats Meisei – Meisei’s big forward drive shoved Kotoeko out directly out from the tachiai, but on the way out, Kotoeko found the tawara, stood on them, and slapped Meisei down. It was a close call who was out or down first, but the win went to Kotoeko, and he is now 7-5.

Takarafuji defeats Ichinojo – It does my heart a lot of good to see that Takarafuji maybe found some of his sumo, possible some residue packed into a dark corner of his akene, or he sent one of his tsukibeto back to Tokyo to check his old lodging at Isegahama for a bit of it forgotten in between the tatami mats. Wherever it came from, I am glad to see him fight and win again. Ichinojo, for all of his size, can be surprisingly easy to move about, and Takarafuji defends well, finds his chance and pushes the big fellow out. Takarafuji now 2-10.

Takayasu defeats Ryuden – Ryuden gets a left hand frontal grip at the tachiai, and Takayasu’s first job is to break that grip. He lifts Ryuden’s arm away, and converts that to a hold on Ryuden’s face, and drives forward. Backing Ryuden up to the bales, Takayasu reverses and pulls him to the clay. Quick, direct and brutal. Takayasu now 10-2.

Kagayaki defeats Kotonowaka – Kagayaki’s tachiai was low and slow, and for a moment looked entirely ill-considered. But Kotonowaka failed to read it and defect to the side, resulting in Kagayaki making good contact with his legs set to drive forward. Drive he did, and Kotonowaka had no stance to defend. Three steps later Kotonowaka was out, and Kagayaki , from near the bottom of the banzuke, picks off a Maegashira 1 to advance to 9-3.

Wakamotoharu defeats Tobizaru – We got our serving of frantic sumo, and for the second day in a row, Wakamotoharu’s opponents forced him into an oshi-zumo fight that he won. Maybe that’s not an effective route to beating him. Tobizaru takes one of his first jogs into the zabuton zone this tournament, to the delight of the fans, as Wakamotoharu picks up his 7th to finish the day 7-5.

Endo defeats Tamawashi – I came for a fight, and all I got was this crummy henka. Endo 6-6.

Daieisho defeats Midorifuji – Daieisho was keen to defend against any combo attack at the tachiai, and did not put much forward energy into his first move. Midorifuji was intent on a straight ahead match, at least to start, and grappled Daieisho, and pushed forward. Daieisho grabbed, lifted and pivoted Midorifuji out without too much fuss, and both end the day 6-6.

Oho defeats Hoshoryu – The big match for the yusho race. Prior to today, Oho had won 2 of their prior 3 matches, and clearly had a good formula for taking care of “Hos”. The struggled for control of the match briefly, and Hoshoryu came out on top, and drove Oho back. Maybe a bit too much power, maybe already expecting the win? He was not thinking defense it seems, as Oho used Hoshoryu’s forward power to launch him into the clay with a deftly applied hatakikomi. I have been a bit negative on Oho due to his lack luster sumo in the past, but there is that flash of greatness I discussed in the preview, and it came in a high stakes, high pressure match. Can he build on that spark? Everyone in sumo hopes he does. He takes the win, and both are 10-2.

Abi defeats Wakatakakage – As if opening the yusho race was not enough, the mischievous kami that seems to be enjoying the basho had more for our story lines. It seems almost everyone but Wakatakakage could not read that matta, a prelude for a henka. At the tachiai, Abi evaded to Wakatakakage’s left, swung him around and dropped him to the clay. Abi improves to 9-3, but Wakatakakage drops to 6-6, rendering it impossible for him to reach double digits, and possibly putting a bullet through his Ozeki hopes for now.

Mitakeumi defeats Sadanoumi – Day 12, and Mitakeumi decides to end his 6 match losing streak by reverting to Ozeki form. Nice to see, but it’s a shame he could not muster that sooner. Both end the day 5-7.

Takakeisho defeats Nishikifuji – If this were communication, the message was “Get off my dohyo, junior!”, Takakeisho seems to enjoy himself quite a bit as Nishikifuji decides to give Takakeisho a strong opening thrusting salvo. Takakeisho responds in kind, opens up the center lane, and dispatches Nishikifuji with a big blast. Takakeisho 9-3.

Kiribayama defeats Shodai – “But I have one more” quipped the mischievous kami. Shodai defends strongly at first, but did not keep Kiribayama centered, did not keep his hips squared, and on the 2nd exchange, opened his chest. Massive mistake and Kiribayama attacks with all available power. Shodai’s stance is broken, his balance disrupted and the next step is his last in the ring. Kiribayama picks up his 8th win and his kachi-koshi for November. Shodai one loss from following Mitakeumi on the road to purgatory.