As Andy alluded to, the Makushita race didn’t end today. Asahifuji knocked off Omori on day 11, leaving Akua as the only 6-0 wrestler in the third division. Akua had his chance to claim the yusho today against 5-1 Mudoho but lost, bringing all the 6-1 rikishi back into contention. So we’ll have a big 7-way playoff on senshuraku. The participants are below. I believe the format is that they draw lots to pair them up for round one, with one lucky rikishi getting a bye. That leaves four, and they fight it out in a standard elimination format, with two semifinals followed by a final. It’s an interesting mix of prospects and veterans, and should be a fun watch. It’s the first such playoff since Aki 2023.
Day 12 in Tokyo. Asanoyama and Kotozakura are kyujo. Kotoeiho and Churanoumi will receive default wins. I also wanted to bring up the kyujo of Yumenofuji now that more information has been made available.
On Day 10, Yumenofuji fought Tsurubayashi and suffered a hard fall as both men crashed from the dohyo. He was not moving and was removed from the arena by a stretcher. Terunofuji was there, pictured with Yumenofuji as he was wheeled away. News is that he’s had an MRI and been diagnosed with a concussion (no shit) and has been suffering from nausea and headaches. We’re definitely thankful it isn’t worse.
Down in Juryo, Enho lost another one. This time, he was initially awarded the pushout win but the call was overturned by the shimpan who decided he was dead while Hatsuyama was still in. NHK videos are here. Kazekeno (10-2) continues to hold onto his two-stroke lead over Kazuma (8-3).
Kyokukaiyu (7-5 Juryo) defeated Tamawashi (2-10). After the tachiai, Kyokukaiyu shifted left and drove forward from Tamawashi’s side. He quickly plowed through the dohyo and forced Tamwashi over the edge. I think Tamawashi just punched his ticket to Juryo. If so, an era ends. Yorikiri.
Mitakeumi (7-5) defeated Shishi (3-9). Mitakeumi let Shishi fumble around for a little bit before he hooked his right arm under Shishi’s left and pressed forward, forcing Shishi back and over the edge. Shishi isn’t safe from the drop. Yorikiri.
Ryuden (5-7) defeated Tokihayate (4-8). Ryuden got his left hand uwate and Tokihayate was toast. Ryuden needs to win out to be absolutely safe but could conceivably avoid the drop with two more wins. But it will be tight. Yorikiri.
Ura (9-3) defeated Fujiryoga (8-4). Ura hooked his right arm in Fujiryoga’s left, pivoted, and toppled Fujiryoga. Sukuinage.
Kotoeiho (10-2) defaut win over Asanoyama (7-5).
Roga (7-5) defeated Nishikifuji (3-9). Roga grabbed Nishikifuji with his left hand uwate and drove forward, forcing Nishikifuji out, easily. Yorikiri.
Oshoma (6-6) defeated Wakanosho (6-6). Oshoma’s tsuppari was too strong for Wakanosho. Wakanosho made initial progress to force Oshoma to the edge. Oshoma seemed to use the edge for leverage and powered forward, knocking Wakanosho clear over the edge. Oshidashi.
Asahakuryu (4-8) defeated Oshoumi (3-9). Migi-yotsu. Asahakuryu was too strong for Oshoumi and pressed forward, forcing Oshoumi over the edge and likely into Juryo. Yorikiri.
Chiyoshoma (5-7) defeated Kinbozan (5-7). Motoki with the Big D put a halt to the fight, judging Chiyoshoma jumped early. Matta. On the second attempt Chiyoshoma reached back and grabbed Kinbozan’s mawashi way back by the thong, drove forward and forced Kinbozan out. Both men tumbled down the dohyo. Out of nowhere, Motoki pulled out a packet of almonds. “Want some of D’s nuts?” Watashikomi.
Shodai (6-6) defeated Abi (4-8). Abi laid into Shodai with tsuppari and nodowa, forcing him back. Shodai slipped left and pulled Abi down at the edge. Tsukiotoshi.
Halftime
Oho (6-6) defeated Hakunofuji (8-4). Hidari yotsu. Oho used his right hand uwate to press Hakunofuji back to the edge. At the edge, Oho pivoted and dragged Hakunofuji down by that right hand. Hakunofuji seemed to hurt his left ankle and was slow to get up. He limped slowly up the hanamichi. Uwatenage.
Yoshinofuji (9-3) defeated Tobizaru (9-3). Yoshinofuji caught the monkey, contained him, and pushed him clear off the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Hiradoumi (5-7) defeated Ichiyamamoto (5-7). Ichiyamamoto pivoted and tried to pull Hiradoumi down but it was Hiradoumi who pulled Ichiyamamoto down with help from a tug on his belt. Shitatenage.
Fujinokawa (6-6) defeated Daieisho (5-7). Fujinokawa blitzed Daieisho and blasted him from the ring as Daieisho pulled. Oshidashi.
Takanosho (5-7) defeated Wakamotoharu (3-9). Wakamotoharu pulled but got lost half way to the edge. Takanosho showed him the way to the exit and ushered him over the edge.
Sanyaku
Wakatakakage (9-3) defeated Gonoyama (8-4). Wakatakakage pulled after the tachiai and Gonoyama fell forward. Someone had done their homework. Tsukiotoshi.
Churanoumi (8-4) default win over Kotozakura (3-9).
Atamifuji(6-6) defeated Fujiseiun (5-7). Fujiseiun drove forward and forced Atamifuji back to the edge. Atamifuji twisted and thrust Fujiseiun down while stepping out. Gunbai Fujiseiun. Mono-ii. After video review, the shimpan decided on a rematch. In the rematch, Atamifuji dominated and forced Fujiseiun back and out. Yorikiri.
Kirishima (10-2) defeated Kotoshoho (7-5). The pair traded slapdown attempts. Kirishima’s was effective. Hatakikomi.
Beginning on Day 13, the bout announcements get delayed as match-makers try to figure out the best pairings for the days ahead. So, we do not have tomorrow’s torikumi yet. One thing’s for sure, there will be no Ozeki battle on senshuraku. Kirishima’s only remaining sanyaku opponent is Atamifuji.
I wonder if the Kyokai will pair him with two rank-and-filers (Churanoumi and Fujiseiun?) for Days 13 & 14, then hold out for the Atamifuji bout on senshuraku. They might even shove Kotoeiho up there now and try to put an end to his yusho hopes quickly.
Tune in tomorrow to see where this hot mess takes us next.
Day Ten in Tokyo. No new kyujo to report. I do have a fascinating tidbit to report, though. I just noticed that the order of wrestlers on the scoreboard at the Kyokai homepage alternates each day, just like the yobidashi alternate between announcing east first on odd days, then west first on even days. Today, the West wrestlers are on top. I can be slow sometimes. I mean, it should be obvious because it says “West” on top of “East”.
Nishinoryu denied Enho his kachi-koshi. At 7-3, Enho falls out of the yusho race as Kazekeno (9-1) and Kazuma (8-2) won their bouts.
Dewanoryu (3-7) defeated Roga (5-5). A lengthly right-hand inside grapple. This was full of action with no “leanfest.” Dewanoryu steadily worked Roga to the edge and over the bales. It struck me how rare it’s become to have one of these with so much oshi-tsuki sumo nowadays. Yorikiri.
Kotoeiho (8-2) defeated Ryuden (3-7). Kotoeiho chugged forward which his lefthand inside grip. When he got the right hand inside as well, Ryuden was toast. Yorikiri.
Wakanosho (6-4) defeated Shishi (3-7). Shishi henka! I doubt today’s henka was one of those “polite” henkas. Neither of his were particularly good and today’s was ineffective. Wakanosho adjusted and thrust Shishi quickly from the ring as punishment. Tsukidashi.
Fujiryoga (8-2) defeated Tokihayate (3-7). Fujiryoga overpowered Tokihayate and quickly shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Mitakeumi (5-5) defeated Kinbozan (5-5). Henka! Mitakeumi jumped left, rather slowly, though. Kinbozan rotated to engage Mitakeumi. Unfortunately, Kinbozan pulled and that was a mistake. Mitakeumi shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Tobizaru (8-2) defeated Abi (4-6). No henka. Abi even pivoted and pulled (Yay!), earning great position as he started to drive Tobizaru to the bales. Tobizaru shifted left at the edge and thrust Abi down to the ground from the side. There was a couple with Tobizaru shirts who seemed thrilled. I appreciate how risky it is to walk around with a purple “猿” Tee-shirt. Hubby needs to be nearby with his “翔”. Otherwise, I imagine people think you’re supporting Punch or something. Tsukiotoshi.
Oshoumi (2-8) defeated Nishikifuji (3-7). A rare display of power from Oshoumi as he got a left-hand inside grip and drove Nishikifuji out. Yorikiri.
Ura (7-3) defeated Oshoma (5-5). Ura got his left hand inside and drove Oshoma back and out. Yorikiri.
Tamawashi (1-9) defeated Asahakuryu (3-7). Tamawashi has barely been able to push his own shopping cart but managed to drive Asahakuryu back and out behind a nodowa. Asahakuryu tried to slip away at the edge but stepped out. Tamawashi moves ahead of Harumafuji and one behind Kisenosato for 8th place on the all-time top division wins list with 713 wins. Hakuho’s record of 1093 wins is a touch out of reach. Oshidashi.
Hakunofuji (7-3) defeated Chiyoshoma (4-6). Hakunofuji and Chiyoshoma got all out-of-sync with two mattas. The first, from Hakunofuji, was really weird. I think I know why. Watch how Hakunofuji keeps bringing his forearm up to his face. I bet his allergies are destroying him and he’s not dealing with sweat but some sinus issues. He seemed really happy to get his black hand towel (tenugui) back. Chiyoshoma charged ahead with his right hand uwate. At the edge, Hakunofuji pivoted and twisted and threw Chiyoshoma (*update*) over the bales. Shitatenage.
Halftime
Asanoyama (7-3) defeated Fujiseiun (5-5). Fujiseiun pulled but Asanoyama reacted well and shoved Fujiseiun out. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (4-6) defeated Churanoumi (6-4). Churanoumi drove blindly into the torrent of Daieisho’s tsuppari. Daieisho cycled backwards along the edge and slapped Churanoumi down. Tsukiotoshi.
Yoshinofuji (7-3) defeated Ichiyamamoto (4-6). Yoshinofuji got inside Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari and bear hugged him. Once he had both hands inside like that, he held Ichi high and forced him back over the edge. Yorikiri.
Fujinokawa (5-5) defeated Hiradoumi (4-6). After trading tsuppari, Fujinokawa jumped left as Hiradoumi charged past. Fujinokawa followed up to shove Hiradoumi out. Oshidashi.
Oho (4-6) defeated Takanosho (4-6). Oho charged into Takanosho. Takanosho put his foot back to resist at the tawara so Oho slapped him down. Tsukiotoshi.
Sanyaku
Wakatakakage (8-2) defeated Atamifuji (5-5). Atamifuji made Wakatakakage work for this one. Atamifuji nearly got the kotenage win. As Atamifuji forced Wakatakakage to the edge, Wakatakakage turned the tables as he pivoted and lifted Atamifuji to the edge. For quite a while he tried to drive Atamifuji over, even putting his right knee into the shove. He finally forced Atamifuji over the tawara. Yorikiri.
Gonoyama (8-2) defeated Kotoshoho (6-4). Kotoshoho tried several shifts and slapdowns, a lot of his usual misdirection. But Gonoyama surprisingly kept his wits about him and did not stumble to his doom as he does so often. This time, Kotoshoho pressured Gonoyama to the edge and Gonoyama shifted and thrust Kotoshoho down. It was tight, though. Kotoshoho wanted a mono-ii. Gonoyama’s heel was perilously close to touching outside the bales as it perched on the edge. But it does look like there’s space there. Hatakikomi.
Kotozakura (3-7) defeated Wakamotoharu (2-8). Kotozakura quickly got his right hand inside, pivoted and dispatched Wakamotoharu. Yorikiri.
Shodai (4-6) defeated Kirishima (8-2). As Kirishima’s legs churned forward, cheeky Shodai slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Wrap-Up
Shodai’s win opens up the yusho race quite a bit. Suddenly, four new players join a rather crowded race.
Frankly, there are a lot of outcomes here that I would enjoy. It would have been nice to have Takayasu up in this race, too. Oh well.
Shodai will try to put dirt on Kotozakura tomorrow. If he succeeds in claiming a second massive stack of kensho, he will be responsible for officially putting Kotozakura on kadoban status. I doubt he minds at all. Kirishima will fight Wakatakakage in a huge match-up. Atamifuji will fight Churanoumi and Kotoshoho will take on Fujiseiun.
Other yusho race bouts include Yoshinofuji versus Hiradoumi, Gonoyama versus Ichiyamamoto, Kotoeiho up against Oshoma, Tobizaru versus Asanoyama, Fujiryoga taking on Hakunofuji, and Ura versus Wakanosho. See you tomorrow!
As noted yesterday, this was the quarterfinal bracket:
Super-prospect Asahifuji had perhaps his toughest match yet against Fudoho, just prevailing at the edge by shitatenage to counter his oppenent’s uwatenage attempt. He will next face Omori “the handsome”, who nonchalantly swatted aside Tatsubayama after the latter engaged in a pre-bout stare-down worthy of Hoshoryu. Veteran Akua defeated Anhibiki and will next fight Tanji, who came out ahead in a spirited battle with Ikarigata. If Omori can stop Asahifuji, we’ll have a straightforward title decider on day 13 between him and the winner of Akua vs. Tanji. Otherwise, that winner will be matched with the best available 5-1 opponent, opening the door to a big playoff.
By remaining undefeated, Tanji also keeps alive his hopes of Juryo promotion should he finish 7-0 in the extended promotion zone. Here are how things stand in the regular promotion zone:
Takakento, Shimanoumi, and injured Wakanofuji are already out of the running, and no one else is exactly breaking down the door, though Arashifuji (formerly Matsui) is currently in pole position. We’ll have a better sense of the exchange picture after the next round of bouts.
