Awake now? I thought so. Day 14. What can I say? Given how this tournament has gone, on the one hand I’m just surprised that we have made it to Senshuraku. On the other hand, I’m very excited for it. Four more Juryo visitors today. Well, Ryuden and Hidenoumi are hold overs from yesterday, joined today by Mitoryu and Chiyonokuni.

The Bouts:

Onosho (9-5) vs Chiyonokuni (Juryo 8-6): The Mummy visits from Juryo and will take on a hot Onosho. Let’s face it, Onosho is ranked much lower than his capabilities. He’s usually pretty solid at the top end of the division so we should expect him to clean up down here. Chiyonokuni will go all out and this could be a great brawl, but Onosho is just too strong this tournament. I have no idea where either of these two will end up on the Aki banzuke but it’s safe to say both are looking higher.

Myogiryu (9-5) vs Hidenoumi (J* 5-9): Hidenoumi is injured. His leg could not bare any force from Takarafuji yesterday and he’s lost his last 6 in a row. Let’s hope he can avoid doing more damage. Myogiryu should have an easy win here.

Ryuden (J* 12-2) vs Takarafuji (8-6): Ryuden is racking up wins and should be catapulted into the thick of it for September. He’s been very genki and effective, eager to get back into the top division. This should be a quality belt battle. I’m giving Ryuden the edge based on that motivation. I sure wouldn’t go against it.

Shimanoumi (1-13) vs Mitoryu (J* 8-6): Mitoryu Will be looking for a Makuuchi promotion while Shimanoumi is certain for a demotion after his terrible performance. With another win, Mitoryu will be a strong candidate to claim one of the slots vacated by Chiyomaru, Daiamami, and Shimanoumi.

Tochinoshin (7-7) vs Yutakayama (7-7): One of two Darwin bouts today. I wonder if the oshi-tsuki style suits Tochinoshin’s knee a bit better than yotsu nowadays. If so, his powerful tsuppari can hang with Yutakayama. I would not be surprised if Tochinoshin wins a slapfest.

Nishikifuji (9-5) vs Hokutofuji (6-8): This should be a great, high-octane bout. The only first-time meeting of all the Makuuchi bouts today, so both will be in discovery mode, feeling out each other’s weaknesses.

Okinoumi (4-10) vs Chiyomaru (5-9): To be honest, Okinoumi has been fighting better than his 4-10 record would indicate. Chiyomaru has had a few glimpses of strength but has been out of his element and is on his way back. Okinoumi will get a hold of him and send him back to Juryo.

Aoiyama (6-8) vs Terutsuyoshi (5-9): The fan pick here will be Terutsuyoshi but Big Dan will give him a beating. Terutsuyoshi’s “on tilt,” and hasn’t been effective with the submarine.

Oho (8-6) vs Sadanoumi (6-8): Sadanoumi looked fierce and intense yesterday. If he brings that fire to face Oho, the bout is his. His profile page on the Kyokai website says his favorite food is “niku” (meat). Whatever that meat was yesterday, give it to him again.

Wakamotoharu (5-9) vs Chiyotairyu (6-8): Wakamotoharu put together a great bout against Kiribayama. Well, two great bouts against Kiribayama, and arguments are being made that he actually won both. I hope he comes into the bout today with a chip on his shoulder. Watch out for the henka, though! I think Chiyotairyu will get tricky.

Ura (7-7) vs Ichinojo (11-3): Ura’s fighting for kachi-koshi; Ichinojo is fighting for the yusho. Bigger man, bigger stakes. Speaking of steaks, the yusho winner usually gets a whole cow worth of meat. I think that would feed Ichinojo for a solid week. He didn’t look so strong yesterday, though. Ura can take advantage and get the win behind his advanced mobility. Will the yusho dreams be for naught?

Kiribayama (7-7) vs Chiyoshoma (7-7): Our second Darwin bout of the night is a doozy. Kiribayama FTW! Watch for the henka!

Meisei (8-6) vs Abi (8-6): Meisei found a bit of a groove this basho. Abi will make a new groove in the middle of Meisei’s forehead with that lethal tsuppari.

Hoshoryu (9-5) vs Midorifuji (9-5): This will be a humdinger of a bout. Hoshoryu’s got the edge, though. He’s fighting at a high-level and his skill and versatility is just about the best in the division. He won’t have a size disadvantage so I think it’s his bout to lose.

Wakatakakage (8-6) vs Shodai (9-5): Shodai pulled a hell of a move against Terunofuji yesterday. He’s going to need to fight a much more high-energy bout today and I don’t think he’s got it in him. 9-6 isn’t bad but as an Ozeki, we expect 10-12. But who are we kidding? Virtually no one’s picking up 12 lately, other than Terunofuji.

Terunofuji (11-3) vs Takakeisho (10-4): Will there be a playoff, or will the yusho be won outright? If there’s a playoff, who will be in it? Takakeisho needs to answer the call here. It’s been almost two years since T-Rex won, and it’s been a year since he’s even been a factor. Terunofuji’s only challenge has come from those who battle with wits & brawn.

Let’s set the scene for today’s action. First and foremost, our tournament leaders are Terunofuji and Ichinojo, with Takakeisho just behind. The Yokozuna and the Ozeki have each other to battle while Ichinojo will face whomever they throw in his way.

After days of losing wrestlers to covid protocols, we don’t lose any more today. However, we’ve got a number of Juryo visitors in Makuuchi to make up for those who’ve already gone. This means we also have some rather low-ranking wrestlers battling in the joi, and even taking on sanyaku wrestlers. Without further ado, let’s get to the action.

The Bouts

Onosho vs Nishikifuji: It’s easy to say something like, “Nishikifuji failed to force the belt battle so Onosho’s thrusting paid off with a win.” But Nishikifuji did get a contain on the tsuppari and forced the issue as best as he could. Onosho’s win was by yorikiri, after all. Onosho was the stronger wrestler today.

Myogiryu vs Ryuden:  Ryuden claimed the Juryo yusho tonight by powering through Myogiryu’s tsuppari, then powering straight through Myogiryu. He forced his will on the belt. It was an impressive win.

Terutsuyoshi vs Asanowaka: Henka! Asanowaka elicits gasps from the audience as he jumps to the left to avoid a straight tachiai. While Terutsuyoshi tried to stop his momentum, Asanowaka brought his right hand down on Teru’s torso and grabbed for the belt with his left. The added help was enough to send Terutsuyoshi flying. I didn’t get my hatakikomi but the result is the same. Asanowaka is 7-7. Terutsuyoshi is 5-9.

Hidenoumi vs Takarafuji: Hidenoumi seems injured. Takarafuji got a solid tachiai in but Hidenoumi could not put any weight on his right foot. As a result, the Takarabune sails to a kachi-koshi record, 8-6. Hidenoumi sinks further to 5-9.

Oho vs Midorifuji: Impressive big-man sumo from Midorifuji. Powerful tsuppari created separation when Oho tried to attack. He dodged a pull down attempt and weathered Oho’s own tsuppari. Oho’s downfall came by moving backwards. Midorifuji avoided another pull down, stayed low and pressed forward, wrapping up young Oho and forcing him over the bales. Yorikiri. There’s a reason we like forward-moving sumo. It works, a lot. Backwards sumo fails, a lot. Midorifuji improves to 9-5. Oho is 8-6.

Shimanoumi vs Kagayaki: Waka’s worried. I think Shimanoumi’s right knee is not in condition to compete. Kagayaki put his head into Shimanoumi’s shoulder and drove him back, similar to Takarafuji’s win over Hidenoumi. Kagayaki is 7-7; Shimanoumi is 1-13.

Okinoumi vs Yutakayama: What was it that I said about backwards moving sumo losing, a lot? Well, this was not one of those times. Yutakayama started out with forward moving sumo and some strong nodowa, forcing Okinoumi back. Okinoumi resisted like a champ, though, and kept pressing his game. He weathered Yutakayama’s storm. But Yutakayama pulled, and Okinoumi fell while Yutakayama jumped out. Gumbai to Yutakayama. Mono-ii, but the gyoji’s decision is confirmed. Wow, the replay showed just how close it was. The call is tsukiotoshi.

Aoiyama vs Chiyoshoma: Chiyoshoma tried to get Aoiyama’s belt but Aoiyama wasn’t having it, blasting Chiyoshoma with tsuppari. After a withering brawl Aoiyama committed all of his weight forward in a Pickett’s charge, basically throwing himself at Chiyoshoma, but the gambit failed. He didn’t catch Chiyoshoma squarely and glanced off his shoulder, falling to the dohyo. Tsukiotoshi. Aoiyama make-koshi, Chiyoshoma 7-7.

Chiyomaru vs Sadanoumi: Wow. Sadanoumi met Chiyomaru forcefully at the tachiai, then attacked Chiyomaru’s flank. Off balance, Chiyomaru couldn’t recover and stop his momentum until he was standing in the crowd. Sadanoumi improves to 6-8. Chiyomaru falls to 5-9.

Hokutofuji vs Ura: Henka from Ura but Hokutofuji recovered in time. Hokutofuji charged back and Ura retreated around the ring. While giving chase Hokutofuji nearly lost his balance but planted his feet and stopped his momentum. This gave Ura an opening to move to the center of the dohyo and then blast Hokutofuji out. Ura is 7-7, Hokutofuji make-koshi.

Meisei vs Ichinojo: Wow, Meisei won on the belt. Both men locked in to a grapple at the tachiai. Ichinojo tried to adjust his grip but this left him open to attack. Meisei took advantage, strengthened his own position and belt grip and pressed forward. He then attempted a throw, pitching both wrestlers up onto one leg. This forced Ichinojo off balance, so Meisei regrouped and pushed him out. Yorikiri. Ichinojo falls to 11-3, Meisei kachi-koshi at 8-6.

Kiribayama vs Wakamotoharu: These guys were upside-down, each trying to throw the other. What a bout! Mono-ii. Torinaoshi. Let’s do it again! This time tsuppari nearly wins it for Kiribayama but both men are giving it their all. Harumafuji, I mean, Kiribayama uses the belt to wrench Wakamotoharu around, putting his back to the edge. He then pushed forward through Wakamotoharu, forcing both to tumble from the dohyo. Gumbai to Kiribayama. No mono-ii this time. Yoritaoshi. Kiribayama wins the bout of the tournament so far. Kiribayama 7-7, Wakamotoharu 5-9.

Hoshoryu vs Tochinoshin: Hoshoryu likes long staredowns. Tochinoshin says, “this is bullshit,” and stands up. They reset. This time Tochinoshin committed by putting both hands down first. Hoshoryu then attacked. Both men locked in on each other’s belt and settled at the center of the ring for a grapple. Hoshoryu spun his entire body, effectively throwing Tochinoshin over the edge. Uwatedashinage. Hoshoryu 9-5, Tochinoshin 7-7.

Chiyotairyu vs Abi: Standard Abi-zumo here. Hatakikomi. The annoying thing about this was that if Chiyotairyu hadn’t charged forward with enough force to throw himself, he could have kept his balance and watched Abi fall. Instead, Chiyotairyu fell to the dohyo first. Does he not know who he’s fighting? Prepare, man! Abi’s kachi-koshi and Chiyotairyu is make-koshi.

Takakeisho vs Wakatakakage: One for the record books here. Takakeisho grabbed Wakatakakage’s arm and wrenched him around, clear to the tawara. It looked like Santa was trying to heft his sack up over his shoulder. Unfortunately for T-Rex, he couldn’t drive the sack out of the ring. Instead, he gave Wakatakakage a beautiful position to launch a counter attack…from behind. So Wakatakakage obliged and forced Takakeisho out from behind. Okuridashi.

Terunofuji vs Shodai: Shodai is absolutely infuriating. It’s like he put in an emergency call to ACME for one of those paintable holes. Is this why they have him fight maegashira instead of the other Ozeki?

He hit the Yokozuna head-on at the tachiai, left shoulder outside Terunofuji’s right. Terunofuji stretched forward with that right in order to lock in on Shodai’s belt. While he leaned forward, Shodai slipped that left shoulder inside, seeking a grip at the front. But his body just seemed to keep slipping right…through the mysterious painted hole and into the ether. Meanwhile, his right hand got a grip of the back of Terunofuji’s belt. Simple physics took over here:

M + R – S = Z

Terunofuji’s forward momentum + Shodai’s right hand – the missing body of Shodai = Terunofuji on his belly

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Wrap Things Up

So, senshuraku is tomorrow. To wrap up, Ichinojo fell to Meisei but Terunofuji did him better by falling to Shodai. With Takakeisho also losing to Wakatakakage, we’re back where we started the day! It’s likely that Takakeisho will fight Terunofuji tomorrow. We’ve got a chance at an outright win, a two-man playoff, or a three-man playoff. Or, Covid could do something real weird but let’s hope for one of these options, shall we?

As we enter the final weekend of this wild tournament, the schedulers have a nearly impossible task due to a dozen covid absences. While the bouts between Yokozuna Terunofuji and the two remaining Ozeki are relatively straight-forward, what to do with the rest? To fill in a few of the gaps, four Juryo wrestlers will be visiting makuuchi to fight. This gives us 16 top division matches, five short of the optimum 21. Basically, we’re getting a 25% discount. To fill in the void thus left in Juryo, three makushita wrestlers will visit the second division, filling out 10 matches in that division. Without further ado, let’s get to the top division matches.

The Bouts

Onosho vs Nishikifuji: Onosho and Nishikifuji are both kachi-koshi and having great tournaments. I’m really looking forward to this first time meeting. Onosho has experience on his side plus Nishikifuji has a bit of a weakness to his oshi-tsuki style. If Nishikifuji can contain Onosho and force a belt battle, he might pull off the upset.

Myogiryu vs Ryuden: Ryuden will mark his return to the top division after his banishment into purgatory. If that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is. Like the previous bout, this will be a contrast of styles and both are fighting well. Myogiryu is not a fan of yotsu but he’s certainly capable of winning on the belt. Ryuden will force a grapple if he can. In that case, I think he’ll win. If Myogiryu can deny it, and turn the bout into a brawl, I think it’s his.

Terutsuyoshi vs Asanowaka: Asanowaka will fight in prime time, here in the top division, for the first time in his career. Not relevant to the bout, but I’m curious: he made it here before Asanoyama but will he be promoted to the top division before Asanoyama makes it back? Back to this match up. These two are very flexible, wide-ranging styles, facing each other for the first time. I may have mentioned Terutsuyoshi’s weakness to pulls. Asanowaka seems to like them. I think we may have a hatakikomi win for Asanowaka here.

Hidenoumi vs Takarafuji: Hidenoumi is already makekoshi but has beaten Takarafuji in both of their previous meetings. Takarafuji has been on quite the run after a bad start to the tournament. Hidenoumi’s not going to be an easy opponent but Takarafuji’s streak will continue. Kachi-koshi means a lot, especially here at this tournament.

Oho vs Midorifuji: Both men are kachi-koshi. Oho would love to move a bit further up the banzuke and I think he picks off an upset today.

Shimanoumi vs Kagayaki: I think Kagayaki will take this one. Shimanoumi has been dreadful this tournament, loose mawashi or not. Kagayaki won’t even try to mess up that nice orange shimekomi. His tsuppari will be too much for Shimanoumi.

Okinoumi vs Yutakayama: Okinoumi owns Yutakayama, undefeated in their six previous meetings. He’s wily on the belt but I felt this latest loss against Kiribayama was a bit sloppy. Easy. This might be the opening Yutakayama needs to have a shot at the elusive kachi-koshi.

Aoiyama vs Chiyoshoma: Two villains meet at dawn. Surprisingly these men have only faced each other three times. Aoiyama’s V-Twin Turbo might get revenge for Chiyoshoma’s henka against his heya-mate, Tochinoshin. This may be one time most root for Aoiyama.

Chiyomaru vs Sadanoumi: Chiyomaru will move pretty far up the banzuke to fight Sadanoumi today, from M17 to fight M5 Sadanoumi. Both are already make-koshi and Chiyomaru has not exactly been demonstrating top-division form. I’m going against their history here by picking Sadanoumi but I think he wins the day.

Hokutofuji vs Ura: Ura got a much needed reprieve from battle with the fusen yesterday. He’ll be rested and ready. Hokutofuji goes make-koshi today.

Meisei vs Ichinojo: Meisei is ranked M10 but when he’s “on form” he’s a quality sanyaku wrestler. We’re not far removed from those days. Ichinojo will be rested, though, and eager to keep the pressure on Terunofuji. Ichinojo will be patient and rein in the brawler.

Kiribayama vs Wakamotoharu: Bout of the day potential here. Both hidari-yotsu specialists, similar size. They’ve met 5 times so far, with Wakamotoharu having a slim 3-2 lead. But Wakamotoharu’s three wins are in the last three meetings. I think Kiribayama will put an end to his losing streak.

Hoshoryu vs Tochinoshin: Tochinoshin is fighting at a higher level than he has in quite some time. He’s beaten Hoshoryu in their only previous meeting. I thought he’d henka yesterday in order to get that kachi-koshi, but he didn’t. Hoshoryu will make him pay if he tries the sky crane. I’m calling Hoshoryu with a fancy trip.

Chiyotairyu vs Abi: What on Earth is Chiyotairyu doing up here fighting Abi? He’s going to get beat.

Takakeisho vs Wakatakakage: Takakeisho will spoil Wakatakakage’s chance at kachi-koshi today.

Terunofuji vs Shodai: Shodai got his kachi-koshi. He’s going to be out-classed by the Yokozuna and it pains me to say that.