The semifinals were held today. The undercard bout barely lasted a second. Fukai came in way too low at the tachiai, and Nobehara was happy to escort him the rest of the way down to the dohyo. In the headline bout, Enho withstood Tochimaru’s initial tsuppari barrage, used his lateral movement well, worked his way inside, and kept his feet as he drove his opponent off the dohyo and out of the yusho race. So it’ll be Ms11e Enho vs. Ms54e Nobehara for all the marbles on day 13. Enho, of course, is a longtime fan favorite who is trying to work his way back up to the sekitori ranks for the first time in almost two years following a neck injury that many thought was career-ending. One more win will send him to Juryo and give him 30 sekitori basho, which is a requirement for becoming an oyakata. His 23-year-old opponent entered ozumo in 2021, reaching a career-high rank of Ms13. Nobehara won their one prior meeting last May by hatakikomi.
Here are the updated standings in the promotion zone.
Tochimusashi paid a visit to Juryo only to be forcefully ejected from the promotion race by Kazuma. The promotion queue is roughly as follows: Enho with a win, Toshinofuji, Fukuzaki, Shimazuumi, Himukamaru, Takakento, Inami. The only relevant action tomorrow is Himukamaru’s visit to Juryo to fight J14e Hakuyozan, who at 5-6 is in danger of demotion. So come back on day 13, when we crown the champion, to see how the division exchange picture is shaping up.
Day Eleven. No news from the infirmary. The final third of Hatsu Basho begins today with perfect attendance among our top division competitors. In Juryo, Wakanosho defeated Sadanoumi, moving both men to 8-3. Fujiseiun joined them at 8-3 by defeating Asasuiryu. Tomorrow, Sadanoumi will fight Tsurugisho, Wakanosho will take on Kagayaki and Fujiseiun will battle Meisei.
Tobizaru (4-7) defeated Hatsuyama (1-10). Hatsuyama laid into Tobizaru with tsuppari but Tobizaru shifted to the right side and pulled Hatsuyama down to the ground. Hikiotoshi.
Abi (9-2) defeated Shishi (8-3). Henka! Abi leapt to his left at the tachiai. Shishi turned to adjust but Abi shoved him forward and let him run off the dohyo. Tsukiotoshi.
Midorifuji (5-6) defeated Ryuden (4-7). Ryuden locked both of Midorifuji’s arms in his armpits and stood there. I’m not sure what he was planning but Midorifuji didn’t wait to find out. Midorifuji twisted to his left and hauled Ryuden down. Katasukashi.
Oshoumi (8-3) defeated Nishikifuji (6-5). Nishikifuji grabbed Oshoumi with his right hand and twisted to throw him down. Oshoumi countered by falling into Nishikifuji. Oshoumi hooked his left leg around Nishikifuji’s right leg and forcing his attacker to the ground first and falling on top of him. Sotogake.
Asakoryu (6-5) defeated Chiyoshoma (4-7). Henka! Chiyoshoma. Asakoryu adjusted but Chiyoshoma went on the attack with his left hand uwate. He pulled and tried to haul Asakoryu down but again the victim of a throw countered and twisted into Chiyoshoma, forcing Chiyoshoma down and falling on top of his attacker. Sukuinage.
Tokihayate (6-5) defeated Asahakuryu (5-6). While trying to change his left-hand grip, Tokihayate pulled and hauled Asakoryu down with his right hand under arm grip. Shitatenage.
Mitakeumi (5-6) defeated Gonoyama (4-7). Mitakeumi charged forward into Gonoyama, forcing him back to the bales. Then he suddenly pulled, shoving Gonoyama to the ground. Hatakikomi.
Shodai (5-6) defeated Tomokaze (4-7). Shodai powered into Tomokaze and then stopped and backed away, pulling Tomokaze forward to the clay. Hikiotoshi.
Roga (4-7) defeated Oshoma (6-5). Roga grabbed pulled on Oshoma’s arm. As Oshoma stumbled forward, Roga grabbed Oshoma’s belt with his left hand uwate. Roga then twisted Oshoma down to the ground. Oshoma tried to counter with his own underarm throw but Oshoma landed a beat before Roga. Uwatedashinage.
Asanoyama (8-3) defeated Hiradoumi (7-4). Asanoyama charged ahead with his left hand uwate and his right hand inside Hiradoumi’s armpit. Hiradoumi resisted and tried to twist Asanoyama down but Asanoyama continued to push himself forward and forced Hiradoumi over the bales. Yorikiri.
Churanoumi (7-4) defeated Kotoshoho (6-5). Kotoshoho pulled and Churanoumi took advantage and charged forward, forcing Kotoshoho back to the tawara and shoving him over the bales. Oshidashi.
Halftime
Kinbozan (4-7) defeated Tamawashi (4-7). Kinbozan wrapped Tamawashi up and charged forward, ushering Tamawashi back and over the edge. Yorikiri.
Atamifuji (9-2) defeated Fujinokawa (7-4). Fujinokawa got his right hand inside and immediately tried to pull Atamifuji down. Atamifuji shuffled with Fujinokawa, keeping his opponent between himself and the bales. Atamifuji broke Fujinokawa’s grip and shoved him out from behind. Okuridashi.
Onokatsu (5-6) defeated Daieisho (4-7). Henka! Onokatsu shifted left and deflected Daieisho’s attack to the side, thrusting him down. Tsukiotoshi.
Ichiyamamoto (2-9) defeated Wakatakakage (5-6). What do they say about never meet your idols? Ichiyamamoto gets to battle his. And today, he prevailed. Ichiyamamoto laid into Wakatakakage with tsuppari and then quickly pulled Wakatakakage forward and down to the ground. Hikiotoshi.
Sanyaku
Wakamotoharu (5-6) defeated Ura (1-10). Ura began to pull and Wakamotoharu moved forward with the pull. He kept Ura in front of him and shoved him off the dohyo. Oshitaoshi.
Yoshinofuji (6-5) defeated Oho (4-7). Oho hooked his left arm under Yoshinofuji’s shoulder and twisted. Yoshinofuji had his right hand firmly on Oho’s belt and went with Oho’s throw, hauling Oho forward to the ground. Uwatenage.
Aonishiki (9-2) defeated Hakunofuji (5-6). Aonishiki is a bit sick of Hakunofuji’s slow roll tachiai. Two matta. Once they got off to a good start, Aonishiki got his left hand inside and began to pull. Hakunofuji began to charge his way forward with gaburi leg thrusts but his left foot seemed to slip, then his left knee buckled and he went down. Shitatenage.
Takanosho (2-9) defeated Kotozakura (7-4). Kotozakura pulled and Takanosho charged forward, shoving Kotozakura over the edge for an easy upset. On replay, I don’t think Kotozakura put much weight at all on his left leg during that bout. I’ll keep my eye on that. Yorikiri.
Onosato (7-4) defeated Kirishima (8-3). Onosato took the brunt of Kirishima’s tachiai with his right shoulder. After the initial charge, Kirishima couldn’t get any offense going. Onosato moved forward and forced Kirishima to the bales and over the edge. Yorikiri.
Hoshoryu (8-3) defeated Takayasu (7-4). Hoshoryu couldn’t get his right-hand grip but he still pivoted and pulled. Instead of the belt, Hoshoryu wrapped his right arm around Takayasu’s head for a kubinage. But then, he let it go and shifted further to the side along the bales and pulled Takayasu forward by Takayasu’s right arm. Hoshoryu arrested his momentum at the edge and let Takayasu rush out into the crowd. That was kinda funny. Takayasu was perplexed and immediately went to the TV screen in the hanamichi to see what the hell happened. Frankly, it looks like Hoshoryu pivoted and shifted to the side just enough that Takayasu rushed forward with a little help from Hoshoryu’s tug on his right arm. Tottari.
Wrap-up
Kotozakura had worked his way into the yusho conversation and just like that, he’s out of it again. This time he falls to a Takanosho who has been having a dreadful tournament. Is it the knee? Or did he just make a terrible decision to commit to that awful pull? He has actually moved forward well at points during this basho. Not today.
Speaking of left legs, I’ll keep an eye out for news on Hakunofuji. His left ankle, and possibly the knee, turned awkwardly in today’s bout. Well, the Yokozuna are hurt and somehow winning, so it’s not like anyone will go kyujo tomorrow.
Day Twelve pairings are interesting. The lower-ranked wrestlers in the yusho race are being moved up. Asanoyama will fight Fujinokawa, 9-ranks above him. Oshoumi will fight Churanoumi, 11-ranks above. Shishi will move way up (14-ranks) to fight Komusubi Oho. Kirishima will fight Hoshoryu. Abi will take on Kotozakura while Atamifuji will fight Aonishiki.
The rest of our sanyaku bouts include Wakamotoharu fighting Hiradoumi and Onosato versus Takayasu.
I’m really enjoying this tournament. It’s going in weird places and a bunch of folks are involved in the yusho race. No one has really struck out to claim this one. Everyone has had stumbles. But as we move into the final stretch here, will someone step up? Or will everyone fall to the side and let Takayasu or Fujinokawa back into this thing just to really mess with us?
Day 10 opens and the only kyujo news is from Juryo division’s Tochitaikai. He has pulled out due to an MCL injury. Daiseizan received the fusen victory today. The division will have a visitor from Makushita beginning tomorrow. Meanwhile, Sadanoumi defeated Hitoshi by yorikiri to collect his kachi-koshi and remain in the lead. Fujiseiun lost to Nishinoryu, falling into the hunt group. Sadanoumi will fight Wakanosho on Day 11.
Catch up on the Makushita yusho race with Leonid’s update of the fifth round, as well as the promotion picture. The sixth round of yusho race bouts will be contested tomorrow.
Tobizaru (2-7) defeated Ryuden (4-5). Tobizaru grabbed Ryuden’s belt deep, behind Ryuden’s back, with his left hand inside. He was able to start a gaburi hip-thrust action and forced Ryuden over the edge. Yorikiri.
Tomokaze (4-6) defeated Mitakeumi (4-6). Mitakeumi chugged forward, forcing the pair toward the bales. As they approached, Tomokaze executed his slapdown while falling out of the dohyo. Gunbai Mitakeumi. Mono-ii. Tomokaze was still in when Mitakeumi came down. The gyoji’s call was reversed. Hatakikomi.
Midorifuji (4-6) defeated Hatsuyama (1-9). After a lengthy, entertaining grapple, Midorifuji pulled and tried a slapdown. This caught Hatsuyama off-balance. Midorifuji grabbed Hatsuyama’s left arm and drove him forward over the bales. Kimedashi.
Abi (8-2) defeated Oshoumi (7-3). Abi-zumo. Tsuppari, then a pull. At the edge, Oshoumi pressed Abi hard to the bales but at the edge Abi twisted and thrust Oshoumi down. Tsukiotoshi.
Chiyoshoma (4-6) defeated Asahakuryu (5-5). Chiyoshoma shifted left and grabbed Asahakuryu’s arm, pulling him forward to the bales. He then got in behind and shoved him over the edge. Okuridashi.
Asakoryu (5-5) defeated Nishikifuji (6-4). Asakoryu hit Nishikifuji hard and chugged toward the bales. Nishikifuji twisted as he fell out. It was close but Nishikifuji stepped out before Asakoryu stumbled off the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Asanoyama (7-3) defeated Kinbozan (3-7). Asanoyama grabbed Kinbozan’s belt with a right hand uwate grip and wrapped his right-hand inside. Asanoyama powered forward and ushered Kinbozan back over the bales. Yorikiri.
Oshoma (6-4) defeated Kotoshoho (6-4). Henka! Oshoma shifted left and Kotoshoho blasted forward into empty space. Oshoma slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Shishi (8-2) defeated Fujinokawa (7-3). Fujinokawa tried to slap Shishi down. Shishi stumbled forward but regained his balance. He then got angry and blasted Fujinokawa in the face. Then behind more powerful thrusts, Shishi forced Fujinokawa back and blasted him over the bales. Shishi is fighting very well this tournament and just picked up his kachi-koshi. Oshitaoshi.
Hiradoumi (7-3) defeated Tokihayate (5-5). Hiradoumi blitzed Tokihayate and shoved him over the bales. Oshidashi.
Onokatsu (4-6) defeated Roga (3-7). Onokatsu overpowered Roga and forced him back over the bales. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Tamawashi (4-6) defeated Shodai (4-6). Tamawashi shoved Shodai in the face, putting a quick end to Shodai’s desire to fight. Shodai quickly found the exit. Oshidashi.
Gonoyama (4-6) defeated Churanoumi (6-4). Gonoyama plowed into Churanoumi with thrusts to Churanoumi’s face. Gonoyama shoved Churanoumi back over the edge. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (4-6) defeated Ura (1-9). Ura charged forward while Daieisho pulled and slapped him down. Ura pretty clearly touched first but they called a mono-ii to make sure. Hatakikomi.
Wakatakakage (5-5) defeated Hakunofuji (5-5). Wakatakakage pulled and tried to slap Hakunofuji down. Hakunofuji resisted but Wakatakakage used his right hand uwate to force Hakunofuji forward over the edge. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Wakamotoharu (4-6) defeated Ichiyamamoto (1-9). Ichiyamamoto tried his patented slapdown but Wakamotoharu kept pace and shoved him over the bales. Far from me to tell Ichiyamamoto what to do but there wasn’t much of a pivot there to go with that pull. Oshidashi.
Takayasu (7-3) defeated Yoshinofuji (5-5). Yoshinofuji traded tsuppari with Takayasu for a while before deciding on a pull. Takayasu moved forward well and forced Yoshinofuji out. A big difference in the attacks here was that Takayasu’s tsuppari repeatedly landed in Yoshinofuji’s face. Yoshinofuji, on the other hand, concentrated his tsuppari on Takayasu’s arms and chest, trying to block much of the incoming volleys but clearly not as aggressive as Takayasu’s. Yoshinofuji will need to Tsukidashi.
Kotozakura (7-3) defeated Kirishima (8-2). Every time Kotozakura pulled, he pivoted, came up well short of the edge and re-engaged Kirishima. This was a welcome change from recent basho where he would seemingly give up at the edge. When the pulls didn’t work, Kotozakura wrapped up Kirishima and drove him over the tawara. Yorikiri.
Aonishiki (8-2) defeated Takanosho (1-9). Takanosho challenged Aonishiki with strong tsuppari but lost the bout on his pulls. He’d fought hard to take the bout to Aonishiki and then gave up his position, pulling across the dohyo. His second pull was a disaster — exhausted capitulation — and Aonishiki easily shoved him over the bales. Oshidashi.
Hoshoryu (7-3) defeated Oho (4-6). Hoshoryu quickly landed a right hand inside grip. Oho tried to pull that arm off but this might have allowed Hoshoryu an opening to envelope Oho further. While Oho was preoccupied with the right hand, Hoshoryu followed up with a left hand uwate and dragged Oho forward. Uwatedashinage.
Atamifuji (7-2) defeated Onosato (6-4). After an evenly contested grapple, Atamifuji drove the Yokozuna to the edge and tried to throw him over. Both men crashed to the ground. Onosato landed square on that left shoulder and looked at it, ominously, as he got up. Gunbai Atamifuji. Mono-ii. The shimpan decided both men fell out at the same time and demanded a rematch. On the rematch, Atamifuji pulled and tried a slapdown. Onosato almost recovered at the edge but Atamifuji re-engaged and shoved Onosato out. Oshidashi.
Wrap-up
Both Yokozuna surprised me by showing up. Hoshoryu, however, seems to be in the best shape and is the most aggressive, despite the nagging knee injury. And now he’s back in the yusho race. He must feel a bit like Pachino in Godfather III, “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” As for Onosato, he seems a bit lost and he landed heavily on that left shoulder after the first bout with Atamifuji today. “In for a penny, in for a pound.” Is this the Nishonoseki motto?
Nevertheless, I’ll not speculate about tomorrow. I’ll report on changes as I see them. We have a yusho race to pay attention to.
We’ve got five guys tied for the lead with two losses and another seven just behind them with three.
There are six guys who have already won yusho in this rather large group and six guys who would love to make their mark with a yusho. The Sumo Association has paired them off for tomorrow to try to whittle the field a bit. That hasn’t worked well over the past few days, though.
In the rank-and-file bouts, Shishi will fight Abi, Oshoumi will take on Nishikifuji, Hiradoumi will fight Asanoyama, and Fujinokawa will battle Atamifuji.
Up in sanyaku, our yusho race bouts pit Aonishiki against Hakunofuji, Kotozakura against Takanosho, Onosato with Kirishima and Hoshoryu versus Takayasu.
The other sanyaku bouts include Wakamotoharu against Ura and Oho versus Yoshinofuji.
Who’s ready to hop back on this rickety old roller-coaster tomorrow?
I covered the round of sixteen yesterday; the quarterfinals were held today. Here was the bracket:
Everyone on the East side won. Enho was in control in his bout with Gonoumi, patiently working to acquire a belt grip and then immediately finishing off his opponent with a nifty underarm throw. His heya-mate Toshinofuji held off Tochimaru’s initial tsuppari attack, but fell for the first hand pulldown attempt. So we’ll have a straightforward 4-man elimination race to the yusho, with Nobehara vs. Fukai on the undercard and Enho vs. Tochimaru in the headline bout. They split their two prior meetings, which took place in Juryo back in 2022.
Here are the updated standings in the promotion zone. As usual, all the relevant round 6 action is being saved for Day 11, so come back then to see where things stand.
