Nagoya 2024

Nagoya 2024: Senshuraku Highlights

Andy Nagoya 2024, Nagoya Basho , ,

Juryo drama ended without need of a playoff. Hakuoho defeated Shishi with a beautiful utchari reversal on the edge. That meant that if Shirakuma won, he would take the yusho outright. If Tokihayate won, there would be a three-way playoff for the title. Shirakuma overpowered Tokihayate and walked him out. Yorikiri yusho.

So, all lower-division yusho decided in outright fashion. As we turn to the Top Division and the Psycho Yusho race (Andy, your puns are getting worse), we get our reminder that Miyagino-oyakata still exists. He and Otowayama present the sansho winners:

Does it help to post the links to the NHK videos, or y’all know where they are by now? This main page stays the same. Unfortunately, I’m still trying to figure out how to get working links to the individual videos. I want to link to those in the bout summaries but the direct links get blocked for some reason. Anyway, videos are here for the folks who do not want to scroll through Social Media craziness.

Makuuchi Action

Nishikifuji (6-9) defeated Chiyoshoma (5-5-5). Henka! Hisashiburi, ne… It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Chiyoshoma henka but Nishikifuji was prepared. It took a bit of patience but Nishikifuji corralled the bucking bronco, steadily worked him toward the edge and put him in his pen. Yorikiri.

Wakatakakage (11-4) defeated Hokutofuji (6-9). Hokutofuji pulled and pulled but Wakatakakage kept up the pressure and eventually put an end to Hokutofuji’s retreating ways by wrapping his leg up and driving him over the bales. Watashikomi.

Kagayaki (9-6) defeated Churanoumi (10-5). The Shinkansen glided forward along a circuitous path through the dohyo, guided along by the retreating Churanoumi. Churanoumi ran out of room to maneuver at the edge and Kagayaki brought him to the end of the line. Yorikiri.

Roga (9-6) defeated Nishikigi (5-10).When Nishikigi reached forward with his left hand, Roga rolled with the shift in motion and threw Nishikigi with a slick uwatenage.

Endo (10-5) defeated Midorifuji (8-7). Endo pressed ahead at the tachiai. Midorifuji tried a quick slaptdown at the edge but got run out. Oshidashi.

Shodai (9-6) defeated Bushozan (8-7). defeated Bushozan. Bushozan drove forward with his tsuppari and Shodai reversed to the edge. At the edge, Shodai slipped to his left and the fully extended Bushozan stumbled forward. Tsukiotoshi.

Ichiyamamoto (8-7) defeated Oshoma (7-8). I’m not sure what Oshoma was going to try to do at the edge but instead of moving laterally along the tawara, he turned a bit. Maybe he turned to run instead of just shuffling to the left. But Ichiyamamoto seized on that to get behind Oshoma. He quit his tsuppari and locked in on Oshoma’s belt to walk him out. Ichiyamamoto kachikoshi. Oshoma makekoshi. Okuridashi.

Ura (6-9) defeated Takarafuji (5-10). The pair had reached a bit of a stalemate in the center of the ring. Ura needed to try something. Takarafuji was using his left arm to keep Ura’s right arm away so Ura latched onto the arm with both arms. Takarafuji freaked out and tried to get away. Ura pursued with tsuppari and used Takarafuji’s momentum to drive him out. Oshidashi.

Mitakeumi (7-8) defeated Kinbozan (4-11). Mitakeumi hit Kinbozan high with tsuppari, battering him about the face. Kinbozan pressed forward awkwardly through the tsuppari with his eyes closed. Mitakeumi slipped to the side, grabbed his belt and yanked him forward. Kinbozan fell forward. Uwatenage.

Wakamotoharu (6-9) defeated Ryuden (3-12). However terrible Wakamotoharu’s basho has been, it’s not been as terrible as Ryuden’s. Wakamotoharu locked on to Ryuden’s belt with his right hand. Ryuden tried to squeeze Wakamotoharu’s left arm to keep it away but failed. WMH latched on with both hands and drove Ryuden back and out. Yorikiri.

Halftime.

Atamifuji (7-8) defeated Sadanoumi (5-10). Head-to-head migi-yotsu bout here. Atamifuji was just too powerful and steadily worked Sadanoumi to the edge and then used some gaburi hip-pumping to work him over the tawara. Yorikiri.

Gonoyama (5-10) defeated Meisei (4-11). Solid oshi-zumo from Gonoyama today. He pressed forward and Meisei tried a couple of times to slip away but Gonoyama’s laser-guidance system was fully functional and locked on Meisei. At the bales, Meisei turned to slip away but Gonoyama grabbed him from behind and threw him down and out. Meisei may have tweaked his ankle as he was slow to get up and limped a bit walking down the hanamichi. Okuritaoshi.

Sanyaku

Hiradoumi (10-5) defeated Kotoshoho (8-7). As the two engaged at the center of the ring, Hiradoumi grabbed Kotoshoho’s left arm and yanked it with him as he rotated Kotoshoho clockwise. Hiradoumi won his first Technique Prize and probably bolstered the case with this slick win. Tottari.

Oho (9-6) defeated Daieisho (8-7). Daieisho slammed into Oho and drove him to the edge. Oho tried a slapdown and though it failed, Daieisho stumbled to the side. Oho rotated so that he could attack Daieisho from center and blasted him from the ring. Oshidashi.

Kirishima (8-7) defeated Tamawashi (7-8). Kirishima kachikoshi, Tamawashi makekoshi. Yorikiri.

Takanosho (12-3) defeated Onosato (9-5). Takanosho hit Onosato with that nodowa and drove him back. Onosato tried a slapdown but it failed and he fell out of the ring. Another sanyaku opponent down in Takanosho’s surprising run. Both men walk away with special prizes. Takanosho claims his third fighting spirit prize while Onosato was awarded his second Outstanding Performance prize. Takanosho has to win the whole thing to take home one of those.

Tobizaru (9-6) defeated Abi (8-7) and claimed the arrows. Abi tried to pull but Tobizaru rolled with it and drove Abi down and out. Abi fell a bit awkwardly at the edge and was slow to get up but seemed okay. Oshitaoshi.

Shonannoumi (7-8) defeated Takakeisho (5-10) OK, Power Hamster, how banged up are you? Let’s toss a big, makekoshi, beach bum at you and find out. Takakeisho charged straight ahead and Shonannoumi slipped right. Henka! Shonannoumi grabbed the back of the Ozeki’s belt and pulled him forward. Whatever happens in Takanosho’s yusho race, there will be a somber edge to Tokiwayama’s Senshuraku Party. Oof. Uwatenage.

Kotozakura (10-5) defeated Terunofuji (12-3)! We will have a PLAY-OFF! Terunofuji wrapped up Kotozakura’s arms, ready for an authoritative kimedashi. Kotozakura pulled, hard to extract his arms. This pulled the Yokozuna forward a bit. Kotozakura moved laterally and got at the Terunofuji’s belt. This pulled him forward and into the clay. Shocking. Uwatedashinage.

PLAY-OFF!!

Funny, all of the other yusho were decided outright. Only the top division needs Playoff.

Terunofuji defeated Takanosho. Takanosho nodowa. This did not have the same impact as yesterday. The Yokozuna withstood the attack and pressed forward. That gave him room for a pull but Takanosho did not go down. He took it to the Yokozuna. Terunofuji reached deep down into that well of strength to rotate and drive Takanosho to the edge. Yorikiri.

Terunofuji Yusho! Takanosho gave it everything. I wish he could bring home that yusho but he did a great job. His success should bring a bit of celebration to the senshuraku party.

I’m headed to Japan today and I hope to bring a few updates over the next two weeks from Kokugikan! I plan to update on the special prizes and other events come Wednesday or Thursday. But I’ll be seeing y’all soon!

Nagoya 2024: Day 14 Highlights

Andy Nagoya 2024, Nagoya Basho , ,

Nothing happened in the world to interrupt sumo today. That is a good thing and from now on that will be my gage on the state of affairs on this planet. If nothing gives NHK reason to interrupt my sumo, it’s a good day. There is also no new kyujo. That’s also another reason to say it’s a good day.

The Juryo race is down to Shishi and Shirakuma, with Hakuoho holding a distant hope of a playoff. Hakuoho, one loss back, will need to defeat Shishi tomorrow and he’ll need help. Shirakuma will face Tokihayate. Tokihayate will be fighting for kachikoshi and an immediate re-promotion to Makuuchi. Talk about incentives. But there’s high drama in Juryo, that’s for sure.

Makuuchi Action

Ichiyamamoto (7-7) defeated Chiyoshoma (5-4-5). Ichiyamamoto kept Chiyoshoma off his belt with tsuppari. When Chiyoshoma lunged forward to try to get inside Ichi slipped to the side, effectively getting behind Chiyoshoma. Ichiyamamoto kept up the tsuppari and shoved Chiyoshoma out. Oshidashi.

Shodai (9-5) defeated Takarafuji (5-9). Shodai got an inside grip with his left hand but Takarafuji kept his left arm tight to his body and did not allow Shodai in with his right. Instead Shodai used his right to shove Takarafuji straight back and out. Oshidashi.

Midorifuji (8-6) defeated Kagayaki (8-6). Midorifuji electrified the crowd by defeating Kagayaki head-on. Kagayaki was wary of the katasukashi and did his best to bat Midorifuji away when Midorifuji came inside to get his right arm up on Kagayaki’s shoulder. Kagayaki’s tsuppari forced Midorifuji to the bales but Midorifuji slipped inside one more time, charged forward and forced Kagayaki out. Oshidashi.

Tamawashi (7-7) defeated Endo (9-5). Tamawashi got inside Endo’s tsuppari, seized Endo’s belt with his right hand and drove him from the dohyo. Yorikiri.

Nishikigi (4-9) defeated Ryuden (3-10). Nishikigi used his lefthand inside grip to pull Ryuden over the bales. Ryuden was a little slow to get up so Nishikigi stepped down to offer help getting up. Ryuden is not healthy. Shitatenage.

Roga (8-6) defeated Kinbozan (4-10). Kinbozan was too high. Roga stayed low and this helped him keep his balance when Kinbozan tried to throw him to the side. Instead Roga continued to charge forward and drove Kinbozan to the edge and over. Yorikiri.

Kotoshoho (8-6) defeated Hokutofuji (6-8). All of that buildup and Hokutofuji fell to a quick sidestep and slapdown tachiai. Kotoshoho kachikoshi. Hokutofuji makekoshi. Hatakikomi.

Bushozan (8-6) defeated Sadanoumi (5-9). Bushozan got his left paw up on Sadanoumi’s shoulder and blasted him from the dohyo to seal his first kachikoshi in the top division. This is his fourth tournament fighting in makuuchi and the first time he does not earn an immediate demotion and return to Juryo. Oshidashi.

Wakatakakage (10-4) defeated Oho (8-6). Oho tried to pull Wakatakakage over the bales by wrapping up his arm. But Wakatakakage retaliated by shoving Oho hard. Oshidashi.

Tobizaru (8-6) defeated Oshoma (7-7). Oshoma spent his time trying to keep Tobizaru at bay but not advancing. He seemed keen to wait for slapdown attempts. He tried one but Tobizaru stayed away. Both guys had their arms up, playing patty-cake and keeping each other away. It made for a rather boring fight. That is until Tobizaru suddenly lashed out and kicked Oshoma’s lead right foot, bringing Oshoma down. Kekaeshi. Beautiful.

Halftime

Ura (5-9) defeated Nishikifuji (5-9). Nishikifuji pressured Ura backwards but pulled and tried to slap Ura down. Ura maintained his balance and used the opportunity to press forward and drive Nishikifuji from the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Wakamotoharu (5-9) defeated Meisei (4-10). Meisei blasted Wakamotoharu and it looked like WMH was headed for another painful exit but he was able to resist at the bales. Wakamotoharu countered with a firm hold of Meisei’s mawashi and drove him back through the ring. At the edge, Wakamotoharu used his firm right-hand outside grip to throw Meisei roughly to the clay. Uwatenage.

Atamifuji defeated Gonoyama. Atamifuji quickly latched on with a left-hand overarm grip. He needed that to stave off an early exit. A throw was not an easy option. Gonoyama resisted well. Instead it was down to good old gaburi yotsu as Atamifuji worked Gonoyama over the bales.

Sanyaku

Daieisho (8-6) defeated Shonannoumi (6-8) with a quick hit-and-shift at the tachiai. Daieisho kachikoshi, Shonannoumi makekoshi. Tsukiotoshi.

Hiradoumi (9-5) defeated Mitakeumi (6-8). Hiradoumi was too powerful and energetic for Mitakeumi. Mitakeumi makekoshi. Yorikiri.

Abi (8-6) defeated Kirishima (7-7) with Level One Abi-zumo: face-push-to-slapdown. Abi kachikoshi. Kirishima…not yet. Tsukiotoshi.

Onosato (9-5) defeated Churanoumi (10-4). Onosato’s dominance of Churanoumi today just pointed to him being on a different level. Solid footwork keeps that Ozeki run alive. < Thanks his lucky stars for the fusen > Oshidashi.

Kotozakura (9-5) defeated Takakeisho (5-9). Kotozakura employed solid oshi-zumo to force Takakeisho into reverse and drive him from the ring. Oshidashi.

Takanosho (11-3) defeated Terunofuji (12-2). A rough nodowa from Takanosho forced Terunofuji to rear back. Takanosho kept the pressure up and drove the Yokozuna over the bales. Yorikiri.

Wrap-up.

There is a contest for the Top Division yusho, after all. Takanosho has kicked open the door and forced his way into the hunt. If Terunofuji loses again tomorrow, Takanosho will force a play-off with a win. Terunofuji will face Kotozakura tomorrow in the musubi-no-ichiban. There were several sanyaku options available for Takanosho: from Onosato to Abi to Hiradoumi. The Kyokai chose Onosato. Wow.

Onosato probably needs that 10th win to maintain hopes of an Ozeki run at Aki. Looking back at past Ozeki runs, Masayo had three tournaments at Sekiwake and the first tournament of his three tournament “run” included an 8-7. The ultimate deciders of this are working for the Kyokai and not Tachiai, so they can do what they want. So maybe 9 with a win over the Yokozuna will be enough but there’s that little fusen in there, too… Bottom line, he will come into this like Herm Edwards. “You play to win.” Takanosho will have his work cut out, he will need help from Kotozakura AND he will need to beat the Yokozuna again in order to get the all important macarons and the cow.

Come back tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion of the Nagoya Basho 2024.

Nagoya 2024: Lucky Day 13 Highlights

Andy Nagoya 2024, Nagoya Basho , , , , ,

First off, news from the infirmary. Hoshoryu kyujo. He was injured yesterday in his bout with Kotozakura. Onosato will receive the fusen win.

Today NHK preempted the first bout to talk about the large scale, coordinated vandalism and arson attacks on France’s TGV. No one killed, no one hurt. Footage of an increased security presence and breathless coverage of people with suitcases loitering around the train station. And again at half-time coverage was interrupted for a second day in a row with a needless interview and footage of bored people huddled around arrival and departure screens. The flood was legit news. Yamagata got hit pretty bad. But this?

Miffed is putting it lightly. At least they showed the replay immediately after the bout ended. I had seen it live, though, because I had fired up the old, illicit sources. I switched over as soon as the coverage came back because I do prefer the NHK coverage but come on, man. They are shooting themselves in the foot here. The breaking news coverage needs to be about Hoshoryu or the lower division yusho races. Speaking of which…

Day 13 action decided all of the lower-division yusho races. Congratulations to Daiseizan. Arashio-oyakata’s nephew won the Makushita yusho. He had likely secured Juryo promotion earlier in the tournament and it is a certainty now. With the undefeated record he will likely climb a bit higher on the banzuke, giving him some important breathing room.

Down in Sandanme, Inami won the Sandanme yusho. Hakuho’s protégé, Seihakuho, claimed the Jonidan yusho. In Jonokuchi, Shimizuumi, who defeated Enho on Day 1, claimed the Jonokuchi yusho. Watch this space because I am sure we will see these names on a more regular basis in the future.

Makuuchi Action

Chiyoshoma (5-3-5) defeated Daiamami (5-8). Yorikiri.

Nishikigi (4-9) defeated Nishikifuji (5-8). Nishikifuji hit Nishikigi hard at the tachiai and drove him back but Nishikigi wrapped up Nishikifuji’s arms and drove him back across the ring and out. Yorikiri.

Bushozan (7-6) defeated Ichiyamamoto (6-7). In spite of Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari and shifts of direction, Bushozan did a great job of keeping up with Ichiyamamoto. Then when Ichi pulled, Bushozan put his head down and leveled him. Oshidashi.

Ichiyamamoto will fight Chiyoshoma on Day 14.

Kagayaki (8-5) defeated Shodai (8-5). Shodai was not able to make any forward progress in his battle with Kagayaki. When he pulled, Kakayaki kept him centered and shoved Shodai out. Kagayaki kachikoshi. Oshidashi.

Roga (7-6) defeated Tamawashi (6-7). Tamawashi tried everything he could at the edge, twisting left and right. But Roga remained calm through all of it and pressed forward. Yorikiri.

Hokutofuji (6-7) defeated Oshoma (7-6). Turnabout is fair play. Oshoma shifted at the tachiai and tried to slap Hokutofuji down. But Hokutofuji’s shift at the edge saved him from Oshoma’s follow-up attack as the over-eager Oshoma stumbled past and out of the ring. Hatakikomi.

Kinbozan (4-9) defeated Takarafuji (5-8). Takarafuji could not get any attack started as Kinbozan wrapped him up with a bear hug, both hands inside Takarafuji’s arms and quickly drove him out.

Kinbozan will fight Roga on Day 14. Takarafuji will take on Shodai.

Endo (9-4) defeated Ryuden (3-10). Henka! Well met by Ryuden. But Endo followed up with solid yotsu. First, he had to fight to get Ryuden off his belt. Once that was accomplished, he wrapped up Ryuden, forced him to the edge and over. Endo is doing great! Yorikiri.

Endo will fight Tamawashi. Ryuden will fight Nishikigi.

Sadanoumi (5-8) defeated Midorifuji (7-6). Great battle. In the end, Sadanoumi got a hold of Midorifuji’s belt and threw him forward, out of the ring as he also fell out. Gunbai Sadanoumi, no mono-ii. Uwatenage.

Sadanoumi will fight Bushozan. Midorifuji will take on Kagayaki. But SHHHH! Don’t say Kagayaki too loud. If NHK are reminded of highspeed passenger rail, they might cut back over to the bored travelers in Paris.

Kotoshoho (7-6) defeated Ura (4-9). Kotoshoho’s tsuppari kept Ura at bay and his quick pull drove Ura into the clay. That looked uncomfortable. I hope Ura did not tweak his neck there. Hatakikomi.

Kotoshoho will fight Hokutofuji. Ura will fight Nishikifuji.

Halftime

Oho (8-5) defeated Tobizaru (7-6). Oho kept a laser focus on Tobizaru as the saru flew around the ring. Oho pursued well and when he caught him he blasted him from the ring, catapulting him from the dohyo. Oho kachikoshi. Oshidashi.

Tobizaru will fight Oshoma.

Gonoyama (4-9) defeated Shonannoumi (6-7). Straightforward win here from Gonoyama. He blasted Shonannoumi back and out. Oshidashi.

Mitakeumi (6-7) defeated Wakamotoharu (4-9). Mitakeumi stayed upright through Wakamotoharu’s slapdown attempt. Oshidashi.

Atamifuji (5-8) defeated Meisei (4-9). Meisei had the upper-hand here but was not strong enough to force Atamifuji over the bales. When he tired, Atamifuji whipped Meisei around to the bales and drove him back and over. Yorikiri.

Atamifuji will fight Gonoyama. Meisei will fight Wakamotoharu.

Sanyaku

Wakatakakage (9-4) defeated Hiradoumi (8-5). Wakatakakage’s ottsuke with his left hand kept Hiradoumi from securing a quick belt grip. Hiradoumi got frustrated and pulled. But that was a mistake. Wakatakakage charged forward and forced Hiradoumi out of the ring. Oshidashi. I look forward to seeing more of this rivalry. I get the sense that Wakatakakage wanted to say, “I should be ranked where you are, or higher. So get out of my way.”

Wakatakakage will fight Oho. Hiradoumi will square off against Mitakeumi on Day 14.

Churanoumi (10-3) defeated Daieisho (7-6). Churanoumi did not go quietly into that good night. He did his homework and knew just how to handle Daieisho. Churanoumi went toe-to-toe blast-for-blast. When Daieisho slipped to the side, Churanoumi stayed with him. Churanoumi executed his own shift and when Daieisho stumbled forward, Churanoumi closed to finish him off from behind. Okuridashi.

Daieisho will face Shonannoumi.

Takanosho (10-3) defeated Kirishima (7-6). With that, Kirishima will have to start from scratch if he hopes to regain the rank of Ozeki. As Kirishima charged forward, Takanosho pulled and tried to slap Kirishima down. Kirishima stayed on his feet but Takanosho swiftly transitioned from pull-mode to push-mode. One forceful blast and Kirishima might be gone. Will Kiribayama rise from the ashes?

Onosato (8-5) default win. Hoshoryu (9-4) kyujo. Onosato will face Churanoumi tomorrow.

Abi (7-6) defeated Kotozakura (8-5). Abi’s pull caught Kotozakura completely off-guard. Abi did not let up, either. He pursued and drove Kotozakura out. Someone get Kotozakura some freaking coffee tomorrow and wake his ass up. Yorikiri.

Abi will fight Kirishima.

Terunofuji (12-1) defeated Takakeisho (5-8). Takakeisho shifted left and tried a slapdown but Terunofuji executed his version better. Takakeisho belly-flopped down to sekiwake.

Terunofuji will fight Takanosho. Takakeisho will fight Kotozakura.

Yes, NHK, now you get to go back to talking about trains.

Wrap-up

The Ozeki are in disarray. Hoshoryu is out, injured. He was looking great this tournament, too. Kotozakura had some bright moments during the tournament but looked lethargic today. Takakeisho’s bellyflop was embarrassing and Kirishima got absolutely butchered by…checks notes…Takanosho.

I bet Takanosho wants to be Top Dog at Tokiwayama-beya. I had noticed how some of his bouts go without kensho. Meanwhile, the cash rolls in for Takakeisho. With ‘Keisho’s demotion and shaky performances, there might be some new fire in ‘Nosho’s belly.

I am curious about Kirishima’s shikona. When he was promoted we were heady off the exuberance of his rapid success and ready to anoint him Yokozuna. Not six months later his Ozeki status is gone but so is his Michinoku beya and Michinoku oyakata. He is with Kakuryu now. Will there be a fresh start with a new shikona?

Oh, right, the yusho race. Terunofuji would have to collapse in the final days for anyone else to win this. Hoshoryu, probably the biggest threat, is out injured. As we saw, he will face Takanosho tomorrow. Will they pit him against Churanoumi on senshuraku if Takanosho wins and Churanoumi upsets Onosato? Get your head out of the clouds, Andy. Terunofuji has had a solid tournament and he will put away Takanosho just like he did Takakeisho. Meanwhile, Endo is thankful for the extra loss he picked up before going on his own winning run.

Nagoya 2024: Day Twelve Highlights

Andy Nagoya 2024, Nagoya Basho , ,

I’m starting with a bit of a rant today, so if you want to skip down a few paragraphs to the action, feel free.

Fire up the VPNs. There’s significant rain in Yamagata prefecture so several bouts were preempted by coverage of the flooding. Last tournament it was the Tokyo Derby on senshuraku. This basho it’s rain. It would be nice if BS1 or another channel were included in the Jme service to ensure continuity of coverage. Then the coverage cut out during the Kirishima/Atamifuji bout.

It will be an uphill slog for Jme to pull folks from the illicit sumo streams with technical snafus and competing priorities. Sumo fans want reliable sumo coverage, they want more sumo coverage, and they want the community that has grown up along the various platforms. I will personally keep my subscription but keep pressing for improvements and expansion of coverage. (Also, my wife is hooked on some Tiger Lady show and I prefer the NHK news to the absolute garbage they call news over here.) Anyway, I continue to believe that if we subvert the official outlets in favor of mostly free-riding on the illicit platforms, the change will be much slower coming and complaints will largely be ignored. I think it’s more powerful to be a dissatisfied paying customer than a silent lurker on Twitch…especially if we are a large number of vocal dissatisfied paying customers. /rant

Back to the action on the dohyo. In Juryo, we learned that Tomokaze is kyujo. He was limping yesterday after his bout and probably tweaked that right ankle. With five wins and Juryo 7, he is safe from demotion so we will probably see him at Aki.

Meanwhile, the yusho race is heating up with Kitanowaka’s defeat of Shirokuma. Shirokuma is joined by Shishi and Shimazuumi with three losses. Hidenoumi, Fujiseiun and Hakuoho picked up their kachikoshi are thus one loss behind the leaders. Day 13 will see Shirokuma fight Asakoryu, Shishi will battle Tsurugisho, and Shimazuumi will square up against a super-motivated Kayo.

Makuuchi Action

Roga (6-6) defeated Onokatsu (Juryo 7-5). Onokatsu overcommitted and Roga quickly slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Endo (8-4) defeated Hokutofuji (5-7). Old Hokutofuji came out blasting Endo with a headbutt followed by powerful tsuppari. At the edge, though, Endo escaped by batting Hokutofuji’s arms away and slipping to Hokutofuji’s right along the edge. He then reached back and grabbed Hokutofuji’s mawashi by the thong and whipped him around. An emotive Endo expressed his happiness in his kachikoshi interview. Okuridashi.

Churanoumi (9-3) defeated Bushozan (6-6). Churanoumi got shoved out by Bushozan but on the edge, Churanoumi shoved Bushozan down. Gunbai Churanoumi? Mono-ii. As far as who touched down/out first, it was too close to call so the shimpan quickly decided on a rematch. In the rematch, Churanoumi quickly slapped Bushozan down after the tachiai. Hatakikomi.

Ichiyamamoto (6-6) defeated Wakatakakage (8-4). Wakatakakage drove Ichiayamamoto back, powering through Ichi’s tsuppari. At the edge, Ichiyamamoto slipped left like Endo, reached behind WTK and pulled him forward. Uwatenage.

Ichiyamamoto will fight Bushozan.

Oshoma (7-5) defeated Kagayaki (7-5). Oshoma shifted right at the tachiai. Kagayaki caught it and shifted with him. He put his head down and bulled forward. Oshoma then shifted left at the bales and slapped Kagayaki down at the edge. Hatakikomi.

Oshoma will fight Hokutofuji on Lucky Day 13.

Tamawashi (6-6) defeated Nishikifuji (5-7). Tamawashi was not in the mood for any brawling or tsuppari today. Instead, he and Nishikifuji locked in on the belt. Nishikifuji seemed to have the early advantage. But then Tamawashi yanked Nishikifuji around to the edge and hoisted him clean from the ground and plopped him outside the ring. Tsuridashi.

Tamawashi will fight Roga tomorrow.

Takarafuji (5-7) defeated Ryuden (3-9). Takarafuji reached in deep with his left hand. The extension helped him keep his own belt away from Ryuden’s grasp. Ryuden had a grip with the left but kept reaching out, seeking that right hand grip. Suddenly, Takarafuji twisted and whipped Ryuden around to the groun. Shitatenage.

Ryuden will fight Endo tomorrow. Will New Endo show up?

Chiyoshoma (4-3-5) defeated Kinbozan (3-9). Chiyoshoma tried to keep the no-yorikiri/oshidashi streak going by trying a quick hit-and-shift followed by a throw but Kinbozan resisted at the edge. Chiyoshoma was stronger on the belt, though, and forced Kinbozan over the tawara. Yorikiri.

Chiyoshoma will be challenged by Daiamami from Juryo tomorrow. Kinbozan drew Takarafuji.

Shodai (8-4) defeated Kotoshoho (6-6). Kotoshoho pressed forward, Shodai relied on his edge antics to push Kotoshoho down while being shoved out. Gunbai Kotoshoho. Mono-ii. After review, both men were dead at the same time. More bonus sumo! Shodai was not going to leave it to chance the second time. He wrapped up Kotoshoho and heaved him around. Beautiful throw. Uwatenage.

Shodai will fight Kagayaki.

Nishikigi (3-9) defeated Sadanoumi (4-8). Sadanoumi wanted to keep the excitement going with another great throw but Nishikigi bulled forward casting Sadanoumi into the crowd. Oshidashi.

Nishikigi will fight Nishikifuji tomorrow.

Halftime

Oho (7-5) defeated Midorifuji (7-5). My words will be insufficient to describe the greatness of this bout and the effort of both competitors. Midorifuji gave it his all but Oho’s footwork was flawless. Once Midorifuji wore out, Oho finally wrapped up Midorifuji’s arms, charged forward and forced Midorifuji out. Maybe bout of the day. Just…Wow. Kimedashi.

Midorifuji will fight Sadanoumi.

Takanosho (9-3) defeated Ura (4-8). Ura tried his best to avoid Takanosho’s tachiai but Takanosho slammed forward and blasted Ura out. Oshidashi.

Ura will hope to dodge Kotoshoho on Day 13.

Tobizaru (7-5) defeated Wakamotoharu (4-8). Tobizaru pressed forward then released and shfted. This propelled Wakamotoharu forward across the ring. Tobizaru then rang WMH’s bell as he slammed him out of the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Tobizaru will fight Oho.

Meisei (4-8) defeated Shonannoumi (6-6). Shonannoumi tried to slap Meisei down a few times but then Meisei demonstrated the proper form. Hatakikomi.

Sanyaku

Mitakeumi (5-7) defeated Daieisho (7-5). Mitakeumi weathered the torrent of tsuppari produced by Tropical Storm Daieisho. He pivoted at the edge to stay in then charged forward and forced Daieisho over the bales. Oshidashi.

Mitakeumi will fight Wakamotoharu. Daieisho takes on Churanoumi.

Hiradoumi (8-4) defeated Gonoyama (3-9). Gonoyama charged forward at the tachiai but that just pissed Hiradoumi off. He charged forward like a honey badger, taking no prisoners. Oshidashi.

Hiradoumi will fight Wakatakakage. Gonoyama will face Shonannoumi.

Kirishima (7-5) defeated Atamifuji (4-8). I wish I had seen this bout in realtime. Instead we got “buffering” from Jme.tv as they again worked on the audio feeds switching from Japanese to English. Yorikiri, so they say.

Kirishima will fight Takanosho, whom he has only beaten once in eleven tries.合い口が悪い. Atamifuji will take on Meisei.

Hoshoryu (9-3) finally defeated Kotozakura (8-4). Hoshoryu wrapped his right arm around Kotozakura’s neck while using his right leg to lever Kotozakura’s weight over. Kubinage.

Onosato (7-5) defeated Takakeisho (5-7). Takakeisho drove forward into the young upstart. At the edge, Onosato slipped to the side, grabbed Takakeisho’s belt and tugged him over the bales. Uwatenage.

Onosato will fight Hoshoryu.

Terunofuji (11-1) defeated Abi (6-6). Terunofuji was unfazed by Abi’s patty-cake tsuppari. He wrapped Abi up, charged forward and forced Abi over the edge. Yorikiri.

Terunofuji will fight Takakeisho and Abi will fight Kotozakura.

Wrap-up

After so many dud bouts yesterday, we sure got a full slate of exciting sumo today. Like a playlist of 90’s Grunge, Indie and hip-hop music, this torikumi was banger-after-banger. The Midorifuji bout was today’s “Bittersweet Symphony.”

Takakeisho is up against the wall, along with Kirishima. Neither man can lose now. It will be a tough final three days. Takakeisho will have to go through Terunofuji who famously put an end to Kotoshogiku’s Ozeki rank. I’m sorry, but if Terunofuji henkas Takakeisho I will personally buy him a beer when I am in Japan next week. Purely out of appreciation of such cheek.

Onosato is pressing ahead, one win away from his all-important kachikoshi. Hoshoryu swapped places with Kotozakura as the Ozeki “challenger” in this cup race, although he, Churanoumi, and Takanosho are two losses off pace.