Chiyomaru v Tochinoshin. That matchup was cause of some concern for Chiyomaru, and everything went indeed according to the Georgian’s plans.
Tochinoshin endures a few nodowa, resists Chiyomaru’s early forward
driving, and seizes his opponent’s mawashi. No problem for Tochinoshin driving his opponent to the dohyo limits. Simple yorikiri win, and Chiyomaru is heading to juryo.

Shimanoumi v Kotoyuki. Kotoyuki’s trademark thrusts take place after the tachi-ai, but lack power to move his opponent backwards. Shimanoumi seizes the opportunity to surge forward, and eventually sends Kotoyuki to the clay. Shimanoumi’s quest to safety looks successful, whereas it’s looking grim for Kotoyuki, whose knees looked to severely trouble him after the bout.

Wakatakakage v Myogiryu. Wakatakakage shifts to his left at the tachi-ai. He looks successful to drive Myogiryu outside the dohyo, using a nodowa at the edge. But Myogiryu resists, and manages to pull his opponent down before putting a foot outside the dohyo. No mono-ii, and the replays show a clear hatakikomi win.

Kaisei v Nishikigi. Kaisei gets the initiative after the tachi-ai, but
his momentum drives him a bit too far as his right arm is held by
Nishikigi. Kaisei is drived to the edge, but an ultra strong left grip
helps him surviving Nishikigi’s first yorikiri attempt. Incredible
resistance. Nevermind, Nishikigi regains his breath and succeeds with a second yorikiri attempt. He gives himself hope for survival.

Kotoshoho v Chiyotairyu. A decent tachi-ai from Kotoshoho, who tries to repell his opponent with both hands on the chest area. It’s not overly efficient, but it raises Chiyotairyu’s upper body. The Tokyo-born rikishi blindly rushes forward, and Kotoshoho basically does, er… nothing. Chiyotairyu powerfully crashes to the clay. The newbie gets his kashi koshi, Chiyotairyu the undesired make koshi.

Tamawashi v Kotoeko. Kotoeko gets blasted at the tachi-ai, and his
helpless to survive a couple more thrusts from Tamawashi. The Mongolian efficiently targets Kotoeko’s neck to duly push him out of the ring.
Both now share a 9-4 record.

Ishiura v Takayasu. Ishiura goes frontal and tries to incomodate
Takayasu. The left hand on his opponent’s chest, and the right hand taking care of Takayasu’s left arm: the former ozeki had to face that strategy earlier this basho. He is even caught off balance once, but recovers; Ishiura’s attempts globally lack strength. He is himself caught too low, and is pulled down by Takayasu. Hatakikomi win.

Sadanoumi v Tokushoryu. Both wrestlers go chest to chest after the
tachi-ai. If yotsu zumo is Sadanoumi’s thing, his right arm is useless because of Tokushoryu’s clever left arm position. Tokushoryu’s strength
prevails, and that’s an impressive yorikiri win for him.

Kotoshogiku v Ryuden. Ryuden is faster on the tachi-ai, but only to go
chest to chest with his opponent. Giku can’t get his gaburi sumo going, and a battle on the mawashi takes place. Both have a strong grip with one hand, and Ryuden eventually prevails over the former ozeki. Another yorikiri win.

Terutsuyoshi v Kiribayama. The Isehagama resident has had some bad tachi-ai this basho, losing straight after it. He got this time a decisive advantage right after the collision: he stands low, and catches Kiribayama in a morozashi. Kiribayama is impressively drived backwards, and is powerless to resist. Kiribayama’s basho at his career best turns ugly (4-9).

Shohozan v Onosho. A nervous matta by Onosho. Shohozan does him no favour at the second attempt, though. He produces a henka and the bout is over from the start. Onosho’s terrible run continues, and demotion is now looming: he has to find a way to victory tomorrow or Sunday.

Takanosho v Takarafuji. Takanosho goes to Takarafuji’s neck at the tachi-ai, and efficiently drives him back. Takarafuji shows his opponent
the door, but this is not the last trick: Takanosho survives, and manages to pull Takarafuji down while dancing around the bales. Mono-ii: did Takanosho step out? The gyoji’s verdict stands: Takanosho’s right foot was JUST inside. A close win, which brings Takanosho one win away from his kashi koshi.

Ikioi v Yutakayama. Yutakamaya promptly reacts at the tachi-ai, and gets the upper hand. As Ikioi resists, Yutakayama side-steps and tries to get a hand on the back of his opponent’s mawashi. He eventually seizes his belt, and reinforces his grip, while Ikioi gets himself a grip before it’s too late. The Osaka born wrestler tries a uwatenage, but his attempt is sabotaged by Yutakayama’s leg trip attempt. The latter wins by sotogake.

Endo v Hokutofuji. Endo is driven back at the tachi-ai, by Hokutofuji’s
trademark, powerful oshi zumo. Endo resists quite well, but fails to drive Hokutofuji out of his comfort zone. Endo is sent down to the clay: a straightforward hatakikomi win for Hokutofuji.

Enho v Okinoumi. Another matta on an Enho bout. He goes for Okinoumi’s right leg, at the second attempt. It does not work, and that’s another battle with Enho sitting under his opponent’s chest. Okinoumi shakes his opponent quite efficiently, and manages to raise the Miyagino resident. Enho’s defences are breached, and that’s an oshitaoshi win for Okinoumi, who gets his kashi koshi on day 13!

Daieisho v Aoiyama. As expected, a feisty thrusting battle takes place
between the two. Daieisho survives a pulling attempt. A small break settles, as both rikishi try to grab the other’s hand. Aoiyama sees an opportunity and resumes the fight with a furious thrust. He looks set to win that one, but his uncoordonate attempt makes him lose balance, and the Bulgarian crashes out as Daieisho moves to the side! Aoiyama looks pissed to have lost that one, but that was some fun.

Kagayaki v Mitakeumi. Kagayaki gives Mitakeumi no hope of seizing his mawashi, but he’s rushing forward way too heavily. Mitakeumi releases
the pressure on his opponent’s chest, moves to the side, and that’s quite an easy hikiotoshi win. Mitakeumi has reached double digit wins.

Asanoyama v Terunofuji. THE BOUT OF THE TOURNAMENT. Both men logically go for the mawashi at the tachi-ai. Terunofuji has the required
strength, sure. All eyes on his knees: can he sustain that formidable
challenge? He does, manages to pivot, and drives Asanoyama backwards.
The ozeki is ressourceful, though, and sends all his energy trying to pivot himself to regain the advantage. Terunofuji resists, and is on the highway to drive Asanoyama back a second time. The ozeki has no ressources left to avoid his fate. YORIKIRI WIN FOR TERUNOFUJI!

Hakuho v Shodai. Unsurprinsingly, Hakuho is kyujo. It’s no quality win
for Shodai, but he nevertheless improves to an impressive 10-3 record.

What a day!

I must apologize for the delay in providing today’s highlight descriptions. Usually I’m writing during the matches and post as soon as they’re over. We’re at such a pivotal moment in this tournament that I felt better descriptions were in order, especially for the early matches. We had some great ones today…not many of the usual quickies.

Hakuho’s loss yesterday brought the contest for the yusho into doubt. He had looked so fierce and dominant early in the tournament. Unflappable. Now he shares the lead with the new Ozeki and a returning one. “The other one” has needed to take the rest of the tournament off. On to the action.

Highlight Matches

Tobizaru defeated Chiyomaru (3-9): Chiyomaru’s tachiai and thrusts shove Tobizaru back half a step. But Tobizaru got a double-handed belt grip and quickly drove Chiyomaru to the edge. Rather than expend a bunch of energy at the bales trying to lift the Chartreuse Zeppelin up and over, Tobizaru ended the bout with a sudden throw. He let go of the belt with his right, sliding his arm under Chiyomaru’s arm pit, and twisted, throwing Chiyomaru to the middle of the ring with the left. Shitatenage.

Wakatakakage (8-4) defeated Nishikigi (5-7): Wakatakakage tried a quick pull. Nishikigi snuffed it out and tried the Aunt Joan attack, which consists of, “Come here boy, I haven’t seen you in ages!” and then taking the opponent’s face in both hands and molding the cheeks like Play-Doh. That’s not much of a sumo strategy, however, and probably just freaked Wakatakakage out a little, so Nishikigi abandoned it in favor of a right handed belt grip. Wakatakakage shrugged him off, though, and drove forward, Nishikigi hanging on for dear life with this feet along the tawara. However, Wakatakakage made one more drive forward and this time Nishikigi could not move laterally to escape. Yorikiri.

Tochinoshin (7-5) defeated Shohozan (2-10): The Sky Crane is not what it once was. After a strong tachiai, both men settled into a grapple with both hands wrapped solidly in each other’s belts. Tochinoshin exerted a lot of force to get Shohozan sliding backwards to the edge. But at the edge, his drive failed so he attempted a throw but Shohozan resisted and countered with his own throw, sending both men tumbling over the dohyo. The gumbai went to Shohozan but a mono-ii judges conference decided a re-do was in order.

On the redo, I think Tochinoshin was suddenly allergic to silk as they both went with a brief oshi battle. Shohozan tried to sneak under and grab the belt but Tochinoshin shifted with a quick pull and forced Shohozan to stop his fall with his hands. Hatakikomi.

Sadanoumi (6-6) defeated Kaisei (5-7): Sadanoumi was all offense today. He drove forward into Kaisei and when that didn’t work, tried to move laterally with a throw. Kaisei hung on for dear life but Sadanoumi continued to pivot, throwing his opponent to the clay. Uwatenage.

Myogiryu (8-4) defeated Kotoshogiku (8-4): Bruce’s hunch about Myogiryu win was bankable today. Kotoshogiku drove forward but Myogiryu stepped to the side and then attacked forcing a lethargic Giku into retreat. The third try’s the charm for Myogiryu’s kachi-koshi. Yorikiri.

Terunofuji (11-1) defeated Tamawashi (8-4): Tamawashi wanted an oshi battle. He was determined to have an oshi battle and got his wish. Or rather, he pissed Terunfuji off with constant face slaps. “You are not getting my belt, son.” Terunofuji responded with slaps of his own, “So that’s how you want to play, huh?” He sent Tamawashi reeling across the ring, Terunofuji in full pursuit drove forward one final time shoving Tamawashi out. Yorikiri.

Takayasu (7-5) defeated Ikioi (2-10): Ikioi charged at Takayasu but Takayasu forced Ikioi back to the bales and then threw him back to the middle. Ikioi’s trajectory is Juryo-bound, either September or November. He’s unable to generate much offense. Uwatenage.

Kotoyuki (6-6) defeated Ishiura (4-8): Surprise, surprise, Ishiura henka. Kotoyuki and everyone else in the building, even the screaming kid, were all prepared. Kotoyuki pursued and forced Ishiura out on his butt, halfway up the hanamachi. Oshidashi. “NEXT!”

Shimanoumi (4-8) defeated Chiyotairyu (5-7): Chiyotairyu advanced through Shimanoumi. A strong tachiai there drove his opponent back. Chimanoumi tried a trip but Chiyotairyu countered and brought the pair back into a belt-less grapple in the center of the ring. After singing Chiyotairyu to sleep, Shimanoumi slipped to the side and Chiyotairyu fell forward. Zzzzzzzzz–ukiotoshi.

Terutsuyoshi (6-6) defeated Kotoshoho (7-5): Terutsuyoshi sidestep and leg grab sent Kotoshoho tumbling. Ashitori. Usually those kimarite are fun to watch. Not this one. “NEXT!”

Halftime

Kotoeko (9-3) defeated Tokushoryu (6-6): Tokushoryu absorbed Kotoeko’s tachiai and advanced. Instead of going straight back to the edge, Kotoeko circled. Perhaps seeing the bout from the other day and noticing Tokushoryu tires after about two laps around the ring, Kotoeko waltzed with his partner for a couple of circuits before gently dumping him off outside the ring. Sukuinage.

Takanosho (6-6) defeated Ryuden (5-7): Takanosho met Ryuden’s forceful tachiai head-on. He didn’t stop there, however. He drove forward into Ryuden, holding his opponent’s head high and forcing him back. Ryuden resisted for a while but could not generate a counter-attack. Takanosho’s offense was unwhithering and he powered Ryuden over the bales. Yorikiri.

Aoiyama (5-7) defeated Onosho (0-12): Onosho is lost. Except for yesterday’s bout, Aoiyama’s schtick is hatakikomi. This is known. Aoiyama retreated at the tachiai and forced Onosho down…down to the ground. Hatakikomi.

Endo (6-6) defeated Takarafuji (4-8): Endo’s powerful tachiai forced Takarafuji back. Endo sustained an oshi attack for a bit before Takarafuji drove forward. Endo resisted, however, countering with a yotsu attack. He got Takarafuji moving backwards with some quality footwork and ushered Isegahama’s heyagashira out. I think Terunofuji wants that status back. Yorikiri.

Yutakayama (2-10) defeated Kiribayama (4-8): Kiribayama deflected Yutakayama to the side. He must have said something about Yutaka Mama because Yutakayama was pissed and after a good brawl, charged forward, launching Kiribayama out. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Kagayaki (5-7) vs Okinoumi (6-6): Okinoumi met Kagayaki solidly at the tachiai. Okinoumi’s legs churned and churned but he couldn’t get Kagayaki moving backward. So, he sidestepped and Kagayaki rolled along the floor. Tsukiotoshi.

Shodai (9-3) vs Enho (5-7): Shodai has Enho’s number. He let the pixie charge into him and as Enho futilely tried to drive Shodai back, Shodai did his best Kaiju impression. He wrapped up both of Enho’s arms steadily walked forward and bounced Enho into the sixth row, nearly up to the box seats. Kimedashi

Daieisho (8-4) defeated Takakeisho (8-4): Takakeisho’s late but predicable kyujo gifts Daieisho a kachi-koshi. Having cleared his kadoban status, Takakeisho has opted to rest his ailing knee.

Asanoyama (11-1) defeated Hokutofuji (7-5): Everyone tries to separate Asanoyama’s head from his body. It doesn’t come off that easily and usually just serves to irritate the shin-Ozeki. Asanoyama drove forward into Hokutofuji, securing a belt grip despite Hokutofuji’s vigorous defense. Asanoyama was more vigorous in attack and crushed Hokutofuji, burying him in the center of the ring with the squid. Sukuinage.

Mitakeumi (9-3) defeated Hakuho (10-2): No! Harite is a sign that all is not well for the Yokozuna. The confident, dominant master is shaken. However, he drove forward, aggressively into Mitakeumi. Sidestep!!! In a brilliant move, Mitakeumi ducked to the side and the Yokozuna crashed out of the dohyo. Hakuho, visibly limping, needed considerable time to walk back to his post, bow, and head for the exit. I wanted to run out there and give him a hug…but he trudged along the hanamichi, alone. We may be Yokozuna-less heading into the weekend. Tsukiotoshi.

It’s just allergies. I swear! Just allergies…<sniff> now where’s my comfort blanket? Within seconds, we go from having a Champion, leading a newcomer (successor?) and the come-back kid, to…are our champion ranks virtually decapitated? Is the new guy the only one left?

Vincent Price voice: “Tune in tomorrow, kids…if you dare! Ah ha ha ha! Ah ha ha ha!“

With Daieisho’s win over Hakuho on day 11, the race for the Yusho has broadened quite a bit. I am not surprised to see Hakuho and Asanoyama now in a tie for the lead. But also in the 1 loss crowd is.. Terunofuji? Why yes, the former Ozeki is at 10-1, and appears to be ready to run up the score. Word from the scheduling team is that if he wins his day 12 match against M9e Tamawashi (a 8 rank banzuke gap), he will start to take on San’yaku opponents starting day 13. As exciting as it sounds to have the resurgent former Ozeki, and sometimes Kaiju, stomping through the upper ranks, we fear his sumo and his knees may benefit from a slower climb.

Elsewhere, it seems to my eye that an amazing block of rikishi are headed straight toward day 15 7-7 “Darwin” matches. Our mock Natsu basho was thick with them as well, and for newcomers to the world of sumo, they are a head to head match between two 7-7 rikishi, where the winner exits with a kachi-koshi, and the loser a make-koshi.

Tokyo July Leaderboard

Leaders (10-1) – Hakuho, Asanoyama, Terunofuji
Hunt Group (8-3) – Takakeisho, Shodai, Mitakeumi, Tamawashi, Kotoshogiku, Kotoeko

4 Matches Remain

What We Are Watching Day 12

Tobizaru vs Chiyomaru – I have been hoping for some time that Tobizaru would finally put together enough sumo to make a pay for the top division, and now from Juryo 2, he may finally have a shot. He comes it at 6-5 to face already make-koshi Chiyomaru. If the flying monkey (Tobizaru) can find 2 more wins, he stands a decent chance for making his top division debut in the next tournament.

Nishikigi vs Wakatakakage – Wakatakakage is looking for win #8 today, and I have to compliment his stamina and form during this, his top division debut. Nishikigi, at 5-6, is part of that crowd that I think are headed into Darwin territory for day 15.

Shohozan vs Tochinoshin – Also in the Darwin lane is dear former Ozeki Tochinoshin. The time without contact practice, Jungyo or even test matches seems to have given some strength back to his damaged knee. Dare we hope that maybe he might be able to rally one more time? His opponent, Shohozan, is probably feeling every one of his 36 years, more than half of which has been spent getting bashed in the head, body and legs every day.

Kaisei vs Sadanoumi – Both of these guys are also clearly on the Darwin path. It’s going to be brutal if we end up with 4 or 5 head to head 7-7s, but it seems to be endemic now, as the field in lower to mid Makuuchi is very evenly balanced between new talent finding the next level of power in their sumo, an fading legends and mainstays working through the decline.

Kotoshogiku vs Myogiryu – Twenty Five (25 / 13-12) career matches between these two. Kotoshogiku already having his 8th win, and Myogiryu looking for his kachi-koshi today, I have a hunch that we may see the Kyushu Bulldozer suffer a loss. Like Tochinoshin, the time with light, or individual practice seems to have benefited Kotoshogiku’s damaged undercarriage, and he is fighting better this tournament than he has in about a year.

Tamawashi vs Terunofuji – The big question mark match. These two have 10 prior matches, and have split them 5-5. Both are kachi-koshi, and will be moving up the banzuke for September. I have faith that Tamawashi will be giving Terunofuji every ounce of fighting spirit today, so expect fireworks. I expect Tamawashi to “hit and shift” and Terunofuji to go for a mawashi grip. Who gets the first offensive move to connect will have advantage.

Takayasu vs Ikioi – Also in grave risk of a day 15 Darwin match is former Ozeki Takayasu. Given how many injuries and miseries Ikioi has endured, I am going to be curious to see if he attacks Takayasu’s left elbow like half of his opponents have this basho. Their career record of 13-6 means little today, as both of these rikishi are a fraction of their proper power and strength.

Ishiura vs Kotoyuki – While Ishiura is one loss away from make-koshi, Kotoyuki is part of that broad group of men who are headed into Darwin territory. Ishiura has not really been able to find his sumo, and he has only managed to win 2 of his last 5. I would love to see him get his edge back, and dominate with aggressive small-man sumo, leaving some of the stunts and henka aside.

Shimanoumi vs Chiyotairyu – Shimanoumi already make-koshi, Chiyotairyu on a clear course for a 7-7 day 14 score and a lovely slot in a brutal match with only one survivor. Is it me, or has Chiyotairyu seemed to have dropped some of his belly-mass?

Terutsuyoshi vs Kotoshoho – Newcomer Kotoshoho looks to be on track to score at least 8 wins in his first top division tournament. He has shown some great sumo, and tons of energy this July. Hopefully if he can stay healthy and focused, he can be a mainstay of the next generation of rikishi. Terutsuyoshi – yeah, another likely Darwin candidate.

Kotoeko vs Tokushoryu – I am genuinely pleased that Kotoeko has 8 wins with time and sumo to spare. This will likely be his best finish since last July when he turned in a respectable 9-6 in the sweat stadium of Nagoya. I am also enjoying the fact that we see Tokushoryu going to his tsukiotoshi trademark move quite a lot this basho. I know everyone expects it, but he does it with such flair.

Takanosho vs Ryuden – If ever there were two rikishi who seemed to be “Darwin Match” poster boys, it would be these two. Takanosho is really struggling at this rank, which is good. He is strong enough, and his sumo is good enough, that he was able to work up to the rank where he is truly challenged now. He’s young, personable and hard working, so I expect we will be enjoying his sumo quite a bit for years to come.

Aoiyama vs Onosho – As a shameless Onosho booster, its a shame to look at his 0-11 record, and realize that it has the possibility of wrecking his mental sumo for a long time to come. I hope he at least has some kind of injury or problem that gives him a reason to get himself over this dread terrible record. He’s going against Aoiyama today, and while I would love for him to have his first win (Shonichi!), it’s tough to win against Aoiyama unless your balance is perfect, and it’s clear that for this July, Onosho’s is not.

Endo vs Takarafuji – Our mock basho in May had Endo with a 7-7 heading into day 15, and it looks like the simulation may have gotten that one right. Endo and Takarafuji have an even 8-8 career record, and both seem to be suffering from the lack of full power training matches with rikishi from other heya in the days leading up to the start of the tournament.

Kiribayama vs Yutakayama – Only slightly less grim that Onosho’s 0-11 is Yutakayama’s 1-10, with that lonely white star being against hapless Onosho. Kiribayama has won their 2 prior matches, and needs to do what he can to stave off make-koshi for another day.

Kagayaki vs Okinoumi – Another one of my “up and coming” rikishi, Kagayaki, has run out of genki power early and stayed less than awesome for the past 11 days. This is an odd basho in so many ways, and its tough to know if the problem is lack of training, or just too many distractions for some of these athletes. Okinoumi at 6-5 as been fighting a bit better than normal, and given that he is 35 and has to contend with a chronic lower abdominal injury, he is doing quite well. They are tied 4-4 over their career, but I would give the edge to Okinoumi for day 12.

Shodai vs Enho – Shodai takes no crazy stuff from Enho. The power pixie of Miyagino has yet to find a winning formula to overcome Shodai and his uncanny cartoon sumo. I have faith that there is a way to apply the same kind of technique that worked so well on day 11 against Takanosho to Shodai as well.

Takakeisho vs Daieisho – I breathed a sign of relief when Takakeisho hit his 8th win. I know many sumo fans were less than happy with the ruling coming from the mono-ii, but he has cleared kadoban. Daieisho is fresh from beating Hakuho, and one win from his own kachi-koshi. So I am expecting full throttle Daieisho today.

Hokutofuji vs Asanoyama – Asanoyama holds a 5-2 career advantage, but I watch for Hokutofuji to do the unexpected. He seems to have finally gotten back in touch with his sumo, and has won 3 of the last 4. In spite of his prior yusho experience (from Maegashira 8..), the pressure of waiting for that match against Hakuho may be eating away at his focus. Much of sumo is mental, and it will be interesting to watch Asanoyama in the final 4 days of this basho.

Hakuho vs Mitakeumi – The Boss is bound to be disappointed in his day 11 loss, which put him in a 3 way tie for the cup. He gets to try and take out his frustration on Mitakeumi, who has suffered a bit of his traditional week 2 fade. If Mitakeumi wants to start any kind of Ozeki bid, he doing to go have to win 2 of his last 4 match. Good luck, original tadpole!