At last, we come to the end of it. I consider this basho to be a healthy preview of the post Hakuho era, as “The Boss” did not even cast a shadow over this May’s proceedings. Its all be up to the Ozeki, and for some of them, they are just fine in that esteemed role. With luck, we will get to see the greatest Yokozuna of the recorded history of sumo mount the dohyo in competition at least one more time before we fully embrace the new age of sumo.

There is, sadly, only one Darwin match. It seems the rikishi corps recognized the funnel, and decided to own their fates, took their losses, and exited the march toward the 7-7 single elimination format. There is always July…

Of course all eyes are on the final two matches of this final day of Natsu. Ideally Shodai would take Endo apart as an Ozeki should to a Maegashira 8. But Endo is under ranked this basho, and Shodai is not anywhere close to his Ozeki form. And Endo win would stage him to challenge for the yusho, if…

The final match, Terunofuji has to defeat Takakeisho to take the cup. Should he lose, he either faces Takakeisho again, or Takakeisho and Endo. History describes Terunofuji having a poor record in yusho playoffs, the playoff against an injured Kisenosato in Osaka comes immediately to mind. To me, this is a test to see if he really has gone beyond his mark reached during his first tenure as Ozeki, his sumo is better, he is more focused, but did he also gain the mental toughness to be the best on the dohyo? We will get to see in just about 12 hours.

What We Are Watching Day 15

Kotonowaka vs Ishiura – I am looking for Ishiura to win this one, and both to finish at 7-8. Our ace prognosticator, lksumo, sees a high likelihood for Ishiura to stay in the top division for July, in part because there are not enough promotable scores at the top of Juryo for a big swap.

Daiamami vs Kagayaki – Both exited the funnel on day 14, and get to compete for a possible 7-8 finishing record.

Shimanoumi vs Chiyoshoma – The lone Darwin match, with both men having a 2-2 career record. I like Chiyoshoma in this one, because I know he is an expert at some janky sumo when he needs it, and today he needs it.

Chiyomaru vs Takarafuji – Takarafuji should pick up a final win today to finish 7-8, mostly because he has a well earned reputation for being able to be Chiyomaru (8-1 career).

Tochinoshin vs Kaisei – Tochinoshin is bound to take a solid slide down the ranks for July, even if he picks up a final win today to close out at 6-9. Fortunately for him, the rest of the banzuke is likely to be a scrambled mess.

Hidenoumi vs Akua – Two more looking at substantial drops, and I am pretty sure they will send Akua down to the middle of Juryo, even if he picks up a final win today against 5-9 Hidenoumi.

Chiyotairyu vs Onosho – Onosho needs one more win to finish with kachi-koshi, and he drew a tough opponent to overcome to reach the safety of 8. True there are 9 ranks between them, but Chiyotairyu has been fighting well all month, where Onosho is very much day by day. They have a 5-5 career record.

Kiribayama vs Tsurugisho – Two more with big drops in their near future, we Tsurugisho at 4-10 against Kiribayama at 5-9. I am sure who wins this one matters in the banzuke room, but both men are going to want to re-set following this May’s results.

Aoiyama vs Terutsuyoshi – Even if he loses today, it looks like Aoiyama’s mid-basho return likely helped him. He picked up at least 4 wins, and kept his move down the ranks in some degree of check. It would be good to see Terutsuyoshi pick up a final win and finish 7-8.

Hoshoryu vs Tobizaru – A little sad for Hoshoryu, who came away with a make-koshi for his first trip to the joi-jin. Such results are common, and I have no doubt that he will be back. He will sharpen his sumo, gain a bit of mass and hit a bit harder next time. If he ends up around M8 or so for July, he should be able to turn in a fairly solid score.

Meisei vs Okinoumi – Both are kachi-koshi, but 10 ranks separate them – wow! That being said, right now Okinoumi is more than a match for Meisei, and we should see him continue his 6-0 dominance of the Tatsunami man.

Tamawashi vs Hokutofuji – To be honest, they both fought well this tournament, but Tamawashi maybe fought a bit better. It’s a bit sad to watch him age out of the sport, much as our dear departed Yoshikaze did. They have an even 6-6 career record, so this one is a complete toss up.

Wakatakakage vs Kotoeko – I would love to see Wakatakakage hit double digits, and if he does, I would not be surprised to see him holding a sansho trophy and grinning at the end of the day. He has a career deficit of 4-1 against Kotoeko, so he needs to really gamberize today.

Myogiryu vs Daieisho – Daieisho needs to go back and get a sumo tune up. He is quite distant from his unstoppable oshi-zumo that gave him the Hatsu yusho. The truth is, these guys get hurt in practice, and their performance suffers. Whatever has robbed him of his sumo, I hope he can make repairs and return strong in July.

Mitakeumi vs Ichinojo – Matching 9-5 records, and we get to see which man can take it to double digits. The career record favors Mitakeumi 10-4, but that is no reason to not look for Ichinojo to pay the size card. For him, its a very large card indeed.

Takayasu vs Takanosho – The Sekiwake finally battle it out, and their records are mirror images: Takayasu at 10-4 and Takanosho at 4-10. This is more than just a filler match, Takayasu may be on the verge of piecing together an Ozeki run, and the 11th win in May would actually make things a bit more practical for him in July.

Shodai vs Endo – The first of the big matches. Shodai holds a 7-3 career record against Endo, and I would love to think that he can finally unpack some of his acme sumo from that cartoon bag and use it to drop an anvil on an opponent. But who are we kidding? Shodai has been limp all May, and Endo is really genki right now.

Terunofuji vs Takakeisho – This one is likely for the rights to lift a big fish, and I expect both of them to attempt do blow the other one off the dohyo. Takakeisho with an earth shattering shove, Terunofuji dumping him over the edge like a toxic bag of week old shellfish. They have a 2-2 career record since 2020, so look for a brawl to end it all.

After talking about the funnel for days, I was amazed by how many escaped it today. To be certain the escape is usually to make-koshi, but it looks like a large number or rikishi decided the could do without day 15 drama, and accepted their 8th loss today. When the dust was settled and the kensho all distributed, there were only 5 rikishi with the magic 7-7 score, an amazing reduction from the 14 potentials we had following day 13.

But the drama was not reduced in total, only shifted higher up the banzuke. In a match that is sure to have sumo fans arguing at least until tomorrow, Endo defeated Terunofuji, to hand him his first loss on the clay. This lowers the Ozeki’s score to 12-2, and brings both himself and Takakeisho to 1 win behind the yusho race leader. Terunofuji faces Takakeisho on day 15, and should the Grand Tadpole defeat Terunofuji in the final match of the basho, it would trigger at least a playoff between the two of them, although Endo could be included if he wins his match against Shodai.

I believe they are testing Terunofuji’s mental toughness on purpose. He has shown himself to be fragile in the past, and it’s clear to everyone who follows sumo that he’s on a Yokozuna path. I am grateful they are not going to just hand it to him, but its just a bit too obvious right now. I don’t know if he’s going to make it, but at the moment he’s the only man on the dohyo producing Yokozuna class numbers.

Highlight Matches

Chiyoshoma defeats Daiamami – Daiamami seemed ready to accept his make-koshi, and once Chiyoshoma had a grip on his head, Daiamami went soft and took his 8th loss for make-koshi. Chiyoshoma improves to 7-7 and will face his fate tomorrow.

Kaisei defeats Terutsuyoshi – Both break free of the funnel, and I have to give my complements to Kaisei on fighting well this tournament. Terutsuyoshi was able to attack inside at the tachiai, but Kaisei shut down all attempts to convert that superior position to any kind of advantage. Terutsuyoshi drops to 6-8 and is make-koshi, Kaisei improves to 8-6 and is kachi-koshi.

Kotoeko defeats Shimanoumi – Kotoeko breaks out of the funnel with a fine match against Shimanoumi. Shimanoumi defended well, but Kotoeko kept pressing the attack, and managed to get both hands around Shimanoumi’s body and charge forward. Shimanoumi ends the day 7-7 and Kotoeko gets his 8th win and is kachi-koshi.

Ishiura defeats Tsurugisho – As lksumo pointed out, the exchange between Juryo and Makuuchi is not simple this basho, as there are not that many promotion candidates to balance out the demotion candidates. I have hopes that if Ishiura can win one more, he may manage to find some way to remain in the top division. Ishiura sidesteps Tsurugisho and hurls him out today for a kind of cheap win, but it’s still a win. He improves to 6-8.

Tochinoshin defeats Chiyomaru – Tochinoshin went big at the tachiai, and got a deep double inside grip on Chiyomaru. Tochinoshin is one of the few men in sumo large enough, and with long enough arms he can reach around Chiyomaru’s belly. Once Tochinoshin latched on, it was a quick stroll for him to escort Chiyomaru out to improve to 5-9.

Kiribayama defeats Chiyotairyu – Where has this version of Kiribayama been? Solid sumo, forceful right hand outside grip, he shut down any offense that Chiyotairyu may have attempted and dumped him over the edge of the dohyo. Kiribayama improves to 5-9.

Myogiryu defeats Kotonowaka – Kotonowaka was on defense from the start, and really could do little more than try to blunt whatever Myogiryu tried. Kotonowaka even tried to take Myogiryu to his chest to slow him down, but Myogiryu set his hands, lowered his hips and drove forward for a yorikiri win. Myogiryu improves to 6-8 and Kotonowaka ends the day 7-7.

Aoiyama defeats Akua – Akua went for a left hand grab at the tachiai, but could not convert it into any kind of grip, and the two settled for a loose left hand inside stance. Akua started trying to shift Aoiyama around, to get him off balance, but lost his footing and fell, losing the match via tsukihiza. Both end the day 4=10.

Meisei defeats Tamawashi – Two more rikishi break out of the Darwin funnel. Meisei found the inside position at the tachiai, and just kept accelerating forward. Unable to set any kind of defense or counter attack, Tamawashi was swept out of the ring 3 steps later. Tamawashi is make-koshi at 6-8, Meisei kachi-koshi at 8-6.

Tobizaru defeats Kagayaki – Kagayaki refuses to join the Darwin cohort, picking up his 8th loss and accepting his make-koshi. Tobizaru supplied the leaping henka, and focused a thrusting attack center mass on the nearly upright Kagayaki. Tobizaru improves to 5-9.

Wakatakakage defeats Okinoumi – Wakatakakage picks up his 9th win. and improves his bid for san’yaku promotion. Big right hand ottsuke from Wakatakakage shut down Okinoumi’s try to get his grip set up, and Wakatakakage moved forward with power and took the match.

Hokutofuji defeats Hidenoumi – With his make-koshi secure, Hokutofuji is free to dial up the sumo energy and win a few more before the end of the basho. He overpowers Hidenoumi with a combination of nodowa and body thrusts. He improves to 6-8.

Mitakeumi defeats Takarafuji – Takarafuji got a shallow left hand grip at the tachiai, but it cost him too much territory on the dohyo, and he was a half step too slow to set his feet before Mitakeumi had him at the bales. Takarafuji is make-koshi at 6-8, and Mitakeumi improves to 9-5.

Onosho defeats Daieisho – Onosho punches his ticket to the Darwin station by winning this battle of the big thrusters. Daieisho kept his hips square to Onosho, allowing him to ramp up the pressure. Onosho got him off cadence, off balance and on the run to improve to 7-7.

Takayasu defeats Hoshoryu – Takayasu picks up his 10th win to go double digits in his second consecutive basho, handing Hoshoryu his 8th loss and make-koshi. Hoshoryu got nice inside hand placement, but could not convert it into any kind of grip, and was unable to withstand Takayasu’s counter attack.

Ichinojo defeats Takanosho – The banzuke team’s job of figuring out san’yaku is not getting easier as Ichinojo manages to pick up win number 9. I am impressed that Takanosho was able to move Ichinojo at all, but he was not positioned well, and had no way to stop the Boulder’s hatakikomi.

Endo defeats Terunofuji – Endo attacked well at the tachiai, and had a commanding double inside grip. But Terunofuji rallied and counter attacked with a lot of torque, seeking to deflect Endo’s forward pressure. The two struggled and threw each other at the bales, and went down together. The gumbai went to the west side, but a monoii was called. There was no clear winner of this match, and any of the 3 possible calls were plausible at this point. Of course, Bruce thinks in these cases we let them fight again and let the best sumo prevail, but… the shimpan call it for Endo. He improves to 11-3.

Takakeisho defeats Shodai – Shodai, get it together man. What the hell happened to your sumo? I note with some suspicion that they did not give you a bout with Terunofuji in act 3. Odd how luck almost always breaks in your favor. Do everyone a favor, and get out all of your cartoon sumo from the akeni, and use it on Endo on day 15. Takakeisho improves to 11-3.

Welcome to the penultimate day of this basho, we enter the final weekend with a lot of great sumo to watch, and much to consider about the future of the sport. In terms of great sumo, there will be a pair of lower division playoffs on day 15, and I am still not quite sold on the idea that Chiyonoo will manage to seal the deal on the Juryo championship. There could be some high stakes matches ahead.

In the top division, it’s still Terunofuji’s cup until someone puts dirt on him for the first time. A win today against Endo would finalize the matter, and we would get to see the Kaiju take 3 yusho in the past year, with 2 jun-yusho in between those. Now I am sure the NSK is going to stick to the back to back yusho theme, but if his performance since returning to the top division in July of 2020 is not Yokozuna grade sumo, then what is.

We see it again today – the drive of the scheduling committee to bring as many rikishi as the can manage to 7-7 at the end of today. I have taken to calling this “Darwin’s funnel”, and it has been working with remarkable results for the past 3 days. How many Darwin matches (7-7) will there be on the final day? We can only guess right now, but it could be as high as 7. A banzuke blood-bath of the first order, and a true testament to the brutality of sumo’s zero sum game.

Natsu Leaderboard

Two more wins for Terunofuji, and its fish time…

Leader: Terunofuji
Chasers (2 wins behind): Takakeisho , Endo

2 matches remain

What We Are Watching Day 14

Daiamami vs Chiyoshoma – Funnel match, one of them is going make-koshi, the other survives to be Darwin fodder.

Kaisei vs Terutsuyoshi – This could be another funnel match, but Kaisei is at 7-6 with Terutsuyoshi at 6-7. A Kaisei win would break them both out of the funnel with Kaisei hitting 8 wins and Terutsuyoshi hitting 8 losses. Of course, I am pulling for Terutsuyoshi.

Shimanoumi vs Kotoeko – A variation on the first match, the winner is kachi-koshi, and breaks out of Darwin’s funnel, the loser heads to a 7-7 doom match on day 15. I would be delighted to see Kotoeko (9-2 career lead) take the white star today and reach the safety of 8.

Tsurugisho vs Ishiura – Both are make-koshi, so the schedulers keep them out of the way of everyone they are trying to squeeze through the funnel. I would like to see Ishiura cushion his fall down the banzuke as much as possible, so I am hoping he can win-out starting today against Tsurugisho. But with the damage to his hand and lord knows what else, he faces long odds.

Tochinoshin vs Chiyomaru – A make / kachi koshi pair, they face off and stay out of the way of everyone caught in the funnel. Tochinoshin holds a 4-1 career lead over sumo’s personal flotation device, so maybe he can pick up another win and put the breaks on his slide down the banzuke for July.

Kiribayama vs Chiyotairyu – Another make / kachi koshi pair, this time it’s sumo’s thunder-demon up against Kiribayama. They have split their 2 prior matches, so there may be some good sumo here today. Personally I think Kiribayama is only at about 80% of his normal sumo, so he may take a fast trip across the bales.

Kotonowaka vs Myogiryu – This may not look like a funnel match, but when you consider Myogiryu at M4w is taking on M11e Kotonowaka, there is a solid chance this one is designed to hand Kotonowaka his 7th loss and give Myogiryu some make-koshi padding.

Aoiyama vs Akua – Both have big make-koshi scores, maybe this one is a chance for Aoiyama and Akua to finish at 4-10 together at the end of their match. The scheduling crew seem to love their numerology and score symmetry.

Meisei vs Tamawashi – Back to the funnel! If Tamawashi wins this one, they both go 7-7, but if Meisei can overcome Tamawashi’s thrusting attacks, they will both exit the funnel as a kachi / make koshi pair.

Kagayaki vs Tobizaru – They really want Kagayaki (3-0 career advantage) to win this one over Tobizaru (4-9) and end up joining the 7-7 crew.

Wakatakakage vs Okinoumi – Both are kachi-koshi, and so this is all about the score. There is an 11 rank difference between the two, so I think this is just to try out Wakatakakage against a seasoned veteran.

Hidenoumi vs Hokutofuji – Like above, but both arae make-koshi. There are only 5 ranks difference between the two, but it could be a decent match. But Hidenoumi has lost 7 of the last 8. Ouch! Both of them will be back in July, and hopefully they will be in better condition.

Mitakeumi vs Takarafuji – Mitakeumi holds an 8-3 career advantage, and if he wins against Takarafuji today, he will send him make-koshi with his 8th loss, and kick him out of the funnel. I almost want to see Mitakeumi lose this one, just so we have another 7-7 rikishi.

Onosho vs Daieisho – Onosho needs to overcome his 5 match losing streak and beat Daieisho today if he wants to stay in the funnel and take his chances on day 15. At 6-7, the more likely outcome is make-koshi at the end of day 14.

Takayasu vs Hoshoryu – A first time, high interest match. Young Hoshoryu is at 6-7, and I think will likely lose this one against the former Ozeki, giving him his 8th loss and sending him to make-koshi. But I am having a tough time trying to decide which I would want more, Takayasu at 10 wins, or Hoshoryu in a day 15 Darwin match.

Ichinojo vs Takanosho – Possibly some kind of san’yaku try-out match for Ichinojo. He is already kachi-koshi, and Takanosho is already headed out of the named ranks. A win today would place him at no fewer than 9 wins, and it might give him an edge for the final Komusubi slot.

Endo vs Terunofuji – The big match, if Terunofuji wins this one, which I think he will, it will be the yusho. But I do hope that the Kaiju is ready for Endo’s schemes and clever sumo. If there is one man in sumo this tournament who can devise a way to dismantle Terunofuji’s monstrous sumo, it may be Endo. they have a 4-4 career record, but Terunofuji is 2-0 against Endo since his return to the top division.

Shodai vs Takakeisho – Finally, we get an Ozeki match. Shodai can (and maybe will) relax a bit having hit his 8 wins, and cleared kadoban. I am not sure where the sumo that took him to Ozeki has gone, but I think everyone agrees its time for it to come back. Takakeisho holds a 8-5 career record.

The Darwin funnel continued it’s dreadful work today, and no fewer than 14 rikishi are hugging the 7-6 / 6-7 center line. The men caught in its mathematical jaws have one last chance to escape tomorrow on day 14. But i predict we will have a bumper crop of 7-7 matches on the final day. Brutal to be sure, but that is the nature of sumo.

At the front end of the yusho race, Endo defeated Takakeisho after Terunofuji dispatched Ichinojo. This puts Terunofuji 2 wins ahead of Endo and Takakeisho, and a win by Terunofuji tomorrow would seal his second consecutive yusho. I for one will be a bit miffed if Terunofuji finishes 14-1, but never having been beaten on the clay. He faces Endo on day 14, and we will see if Sumo’s golden boy can play spoiler and open the door just a crack for someone else to take the cup.

Highlight Matches

Kaisei defeats Chiyoshoma – Chiyoshoma’s nodowa did not pay off against Kaisei, but it did look painful. Kaisei stayed engaged, and worked to get right hand outside grip. As soon as both hands were locked it, it was lift and shift for Kaisei, carrying Chiyoshoma out to improve to 7-6.

Chiyomaru defeats Kotonowaka – Chiyomaru’s opened the match attacking Kotonowaka’s face, but soon converted into a left hand inside position. After letting his grip settle for just a moment, he drives forward, with a struggling Kotonowaka pinned against that enormous belly of his. 4 steps later, Kotonowaka is over the bales and Chiyomaru has his kachi-koshi for May. I think it’s been a couple of years since he was able to get 8 wins in the top division, glad to see him stick around.

Terutsuyoshi defeats Akua – Akua could find no purchase on Terutsuyoshi at the tachiai, and wasted precious seconds trying to find some kind of grip. Terutsuyoshi planted his head in Akua’s chest and powered forward, driving Akua out for his 6th win. Akua down to 4-9.

Chiyotairyu defeats Tamawashi – We have not seen much of Chiyotairyu’s thunder-demon form this tournament, but it showed up today. His tachiai was so potent, it rocked Tamawashi back, and Chiyotairyu followed through, driving Tamawashi to the clay. Chiyotairyu improves to 9-4.

Kagayaki defeats Ishiura – Ishiura put all of his hopes on a left hand inside grip, that he could not maintain. But through a combination of moves, he pinned Kagayaki against the bales. But an off angle lunge by Ishiura imploded, and he fell to the clay. That’s make-koshi for Ishiura and a likely return to Juryo, while Kagayaki improves to 6-7.

Shimanoumi defeats Okinoumi – Shimanoumi went chest to chest with Okinoumi, but could not establish any kind of grip. But he managed to find enough power to move Okinoumi around, and over a few surges forward, started moving forward, finishing with a drive that sent Okinoumi out. Shimanoumi improves to 7-6.

Kiribayama defeats Kotoeko – Kiribayama owned this match from the tachiai, where he connected with a powerful left hand thrust that stood Kotoeko upright. Kotoeko rallied and got chest to chest with Kiribayama after a poorly considered Kiribayama pull down attempt. But Kiribayama’s left hand inside grip was tight enough to endure Kotoeko’s grip shift, and was the key to his win, improving Kiribayama to 4-9.

Aoiyama defeats Daiamami – Aoiyama opening combo fell apart at the tachiai, allowing Daiamami to get his body set and his balance aligned. He and Daiamami then traded thrusting attack, neither gaining advantage. Aoiyama wisely changed attack plans, and grabbed Daiamami’s chest and pushed forward, then slapping Daiamami down. Aoiyama improves to 3-10.

Tobizaru defeats Tochinoshin – People love Tobizaru matches, because he comes up with nutty, wild monkey sumo about half the time. Today he unleashed his monkey-sumo on Tochinoshin, and probably left him a bit puzzled for a moment. That moment was all Tobizaru needed to get the former Ozeki over the bales, and both finish the day 4-9. Of course Tobizaru finishes, win or lose, with a dash into the crowd.

Meisei defeats Tsurugisho – Meisei’s leaping tachiai may have been a bit early, but Konosuke did not call it, and the fight was on. Meisei quickly contained Tsurugisho, then ramped up the forward pressure, driving Tsurugisho out by oshidashi. Meisei improves to 7-6.

Wakatakakage defeats Hokutofuji – We all knew this day was coming, and I take some satisfaction that it was Wakatakakage who was able to help Hokutofuji achieve “The most powerful make-koshi in all of sumo”. Hokutofuji should have been ready for that side step, as that contact matta from Wakatakakage was a dead give away. But it’s enough for Wakatakakage to get his 8th win and be kachi-koshi for May.

Daieisho defeats Hidenoumi – Daieisho is missing about 30% of his normal thrusting power, and to Hidenoumi credit, he stayed in the fight and absorbed most of what Daieisho produced. Daieisho rallied twice, and the second power surge was enough to drive Hidenoumi out, giving Hidenoumi his 8th loss for Natsu, and his make-koshi.

Mitakeumi defeats Onosho – Onosho only got one big thrust in, and it was Mitakeumi who had the superior offense today. He marched Onosho out for his 8th win and kachi-koshi for May, improving to 8-5.

Hoshoryu defeats Takanosho – Takanosho may vacate san’yaku entirely, given his 9th loss today. Takanosho opened strong, with a pair of thrusting attacks against Hoshoryu’s face. But as Takanosho was focused high, Hoshoryu was working center mass, getting a left hand outside grip. Too late Takanosho realized he had been positioned for the throw, and over he went. Hoshoryu improves to 6-7.

Takayasu defeats Myogiryu – Myogiryu did not permit Takayasu to open with his wild, thrashing sumo, catching him under the armpits and shutting down any of Takayasu’s plans of offense. Stuck on defense, Takayasu played it as large and immobile as he could, which is actually one of his stronger sumo modes. For folks who like sumo mechanics, you can see that Takayasu lets Myogiryu work the upper body, but Takayasu carefully keeps re-centering to put his feet between the shikiri-sen. This allows him the maximum possible space to use should Myogiryu surge forward. When the surge came, Takayasu shut it down, and moved to re-center, but that move broke Myogiryu’s grip, and Takayasu flashed to offense, sending him out. That’s loss number 8 for Myogiryu, who is make-koshi as Takayasu improves to 9-4. I saw Myogiryu looking exhausted following the match, and Takayasu looking like he was just getting started. The man has inhuman stamina.

Terunofuji defeats Ichinojo – Ichinojo put forth an impressive effort today, and opened strong against Terunofuji. He worked his right hand inside grip to the greatest extent he could, but Terunofuji’s defense was strong, and he waited for Ichinojo to attack. He did not wait long, and Terunofuji’s left hand found an outside grip while shutting down Ichinojo’s attack. With a working offensive grip, Terunofuji pressed the attack and 5 steps later Ichinojo was dumped over the East side, crushing a shimpan. Terunofuji improves to 12-1, and a single win in the next 2 days will secure his second consecutive Emperor’s cup.

Shodai defeats Takarafuji – Takarafuji attempted to get into a solid defensive position against Shodai at the tachiai, but Shodai’s ottsuke blocked Takarafuji’s left hand, and prevented him from setting up. While Takarafuji worked to regroup, Shodai got his left in place and pressed forward, taking Takarafuji with him for a yorikiri win. That’s kachi-koshi for Shodai, clearing kadoban and securing his Ozeki rank for another 4 months.

Endo defeats Takakeisho – Endo was no match for Takakeisho’s thrusting power today, but his expert sumo mechanics and ring sense won the match. A perfectly time side step at the bales as Takakeisho rushed to push him out sent the Ozeki headlong over the edge of the dohyo as Takakeisho executed an expansive belly flop. Both end the day 10-3, 2 wins behind Terunofuji.