In the first semifinal, Ryusho managed to grab the belt and overpowered Ohata with a nifty throw. In the second, Kazuma took his time against Daiyusho, being careful to avoid any mistakes, but was in full control throughout the bout and won by an inevitable-seeming oshidashi. So Ryusho and Kazuma will clash on day 13 for all the marbles; Kazuma has the added incentive of Juryo promotion on the line. It should be an interesting matchup between two Ms60TD rikishi, one a skillful 270-pound technician and the other a 400-pound wrecking ball. Ryusho’s career record is 16-4, while Kazuma’s is 30-2, not counting absences.
A bit of bonus Makushita coverage: Ms17 Enho got the jump on Kamito at the tachiai, grabbed the belt with both hands, lifted his opponent off his feet, and won by a powerful yoritaoshi, clinching his kachi-koshi and securing a spot in the extended promotion zone for Hatsu.
It was carnage in the Ms1-Ms5 promotion zone. Of the ten rikishi ranked there, one retired (Endo), and five others are make-koshi after today. That leaves only Ms1w Kyokukaiyu (4-2) and Ms3w Dewanoryu (5-1) with realistic promotion chances. The only other rikishi who still have a chance at a winning record are the Ms5 duo of Kazuto and Seihakuho, both 3-3, and neither is likely to go up with a 4-3 record unless there is an extra opening in Juryo that has to be filled.
On the Juryo side, we have two rikishi with records that are already likely to send them down: injury victim Ms3e Mita (0-3-8) and hapless rookie J13e Himukamaru (2-9). J10w Tohakuryu (3-8) is next in the demotion queue, followed by J14e Shiden (5-6), who looked to be injured at the conclusion of today’s loss. With at most 3 strong promotion candidates, everyone else is probably okay.
The only relevant action tomorrow is Kazuto visiting Juryo to fight Tohakuryu, so look for the next update on day 13.
Day 11 in Kyushu. No change as far as kyujo goes. Given Yoshinofuji’s shock win yesterday, imagine what the kid could do if his right calf were at 100%! Fujiryoga defeated Kazekeno and improves to 10-1. Daiseizan lost to Hatsuyama, creating separation from the rest of the field. Fujiryoga now has a two-win lead over Daiseizan, Hatsuyama, Asanoyama, and Tamashoho. I don’t think we often get runaway yusho in Juryo.
Videos of today’s Top Division action are here, along with a bonus video of the Asanoyama/Kagayaki bout. Let me know if you have trouble finding the videos. They’re hidden when you go to the page and you have to click, “続き読む”, or continue reading. Yesterday, I’d mistakenly typed “continue drinking,” or 続き飲む. I still have my old “Weekend Forecast” T-shirt that calls for Whiskey and Sumo. Seems appropriate to pull that out.
Makuuchi Action
Oshoumi (3-8) defeated Ryuden (4-7). Henka! Desperate times call for desperate measures. Oshoumi leapt left at the tachiai and thrust Ryuden down. Tsukiotoshi.
Meisei (1-1-9) defeated Mitakeumi (5-6). Meisei picked up his first win of the tournament. Mitakeumi had been leading with a left hand nodowa. Meisei pivoted away from the bales and worked his right hand inside pulling on that left shoulder. Meisei successfully pulled Mitakeumi forward and down by that left shoulder. Katasukashi.
Tokihayate (8-3) defeated Gonoyama (6-5). Gonoyama forced Tokihayate to the bales but Tokihayate slipped to the left, grabbed Gonoyama’s belt and threw him forward over the bales. Uwatedashinage.
Tomokaze (4-7) defeated Sadanoumi (3-8). Tomokaze got his right hand up behind Sadanoumi’s head and slapped him down. Tomokaze staved off makekoshi for another day but Sadanoumi locked in his losing record. Will he earn a ticket on the barge to Juryo? Hatakikomi.
Nishikifuji (8-3) defeated Fujinokawa (6-5). Fujinokawa was fighting to get his right hand inside when Nishikifuji charged forward with his left-hand firmly wrapped around Fujinokawa, and forced him to the bales. Fujinokawa resisted going over but Nishikifuji shoved him over. Oshidashi.
Shishi (4-7) defeated Asakoryu (6-5). Shishi slung Asakoryu around by his right arm and shoved him over the edge. Oshitaoshi.
Midorifuji (6-5) defeated Shonannoumi (3-8). Midorifuji got his right hand inside Shonannoumi’s left shoulder and pulled the big man forward. Katasukashi.
Chiyoshoma (7-4) defeated Kinbozan (4-7). Chiyoshoma grabbed Kinbozan’s extended left arm and swung him around and over the edge. Tottari.
Ichiyamamoto (7-4) defeated Kotoshoho (6-5). Ichiyamamoto pivoted and pulled the hard-charging Kotoshoho down. Hikiotoshi.
Roga (7-4) defeated Abi (5-6). Abi charged forward but Roga slipped to the right and slapped Abi forward. Hatakikomi.
Churanoumi (6-5) defeated Daieisho (6-5). Churanoumi deflected Daieisho to the right at the tachiai and thrust him down. Tsukiotoshi.
Halftime
Onokatsu (5-6) defeated Tobizaru (4-7). Onokatsu got his left hand inside and just kept up the pressure. Yorikiri.
Atamifuji (7-4) defeated Tamaawshi (4-7). Atamifuji outlasted Tamawashi and forced him over the bales. Yorikiri.
Kirishima (7-4) defeated Shodai (4-7). Kirishima put his head down and forced Shodai backward. Shodai tried to shift to his right but Kirishima was wise to it and thrust Shodai over the bales. Tsukidashi.
Hiradoumi (3-8) defeated Wakatakakage (5-6). Henka! Hiradoumi shifted left at the tachiai and thrust Wakatakakage to the ground. That might be the first time I’ve seen Hiradoumi use a henka. It was very well executed. Tsukiotoshi.
Wakamotoharu (6-5) defeated Hakuoho (3-8). While Hakuoho fiddled around trying to get Wakamotoharu’s belt with his right hand, WMH locked on with both hands and drove Hakuoho back over the bales. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Ura (6-5) defeated Takayasu (5-6). Takayasu pulled and Ura ran him through the back of the dohyo, grabbing at Takayasu’s leg. Watashikomi.
Yoshinofuji (8-3) defeated Aonishiki (9-2). Well then. Yoshinofuji blasted Aonishiki with powerful thrusts and forced him back and over the edge. You can still see Yoshinofuji can’t bear full weight of both wrestlers on his right leg but that didn’t stop him from charging forward and picking up his kachi-koshi. Tsukidashi.
Hoshoryu (9-2) defeated Oho (4-7). Oho tried to twist and pull Hoshoryu to his right. Hoshoryu was having none of it and used his right hand inside to throw Oho backward. Yoritaoshi.
Takanosho (3-8) defeated Onosato (9-2). Takanosho thrust into the Yokozuna with a right hand nodowa and it seemed like Onosato’s right foot slipped as he pressed forward. Takanosho backed away and, “Timber!!” Onosato fell forward. Well, it’s not a kinboshi. Tsukiotoshi.
Wrap-up
Aonishiki will fight Oshoma tomorrow. He still needs to fight both Yokozuna and Kotozakura. I think the Association are setting him up for a fight with Kotozakura on senshuraku with Ozeki promotion on the line. He still needs two wins to reach the 33-win mark. That would mean beating Oshoma and Kotozakura or at least one of the Yokozuna. What’s certain is this loss to Yoshinofuji makes his path more difficult.
However, Onosato’s sudden two-loss streak makes the yusho race much more competitive. We now have a three-man tie at the top with Onosato, Hoshoryu, and Aonishiki at 9-2. Yoshinofuji, Tokihayate and Nishikifuji chase at 8-3.
Hoshoryu will fight Takayasu. Onosato will fight Oho. Kotozakura will fight Yoshinofuji. As I mentioned above, Aonishiki will fight Oshoma and Takanosho will fight Tamawashi. I swear Yoshinofuji’s right calf is still ailing him, making today’s win even more impressive. Watch how he has to shift his weight to the left foot as he advances because he can’t quite put all of his weight on that right side.
In the hiramaku, M6 Atamifuji will fight Tokihayate. Atamifuji is looking for kachi-koshi and the Association likely wants to put an end to Tokihayate’s role in this yusho race. Likewise, Nishikifuji moves up to fight M8 Ichiyamamoto, who’s also seeking kachi-koshi.
So, if Aonishiki cycles through the Yokozuna on Day 13-14 along with Kotozakura, there will be a massive fracas with the three leaders and hopefully one will stay on top. While Aonishiki and the Yokozuna have the yusho on the line, Kotozakura has kadoban on the line.
Kotozakura needs two more wins and at least one will have to come from one of the guys leading the yusho race. If he loses all of those bouts, he will be kadoban and that could be really good news for Aonishiki’s Ozeki run.
Well, what’s for sure is there is a lot on the line in these closing four days.
Fujiryoga is back into the lead at 9-1 has he wrapped up Hidenoumi’s arms and drove him back over the edge for the kimedashi win. Asanoyama (7-3) took down Daiseizan, who stands at 8-2. Your Day 10 videos are here. You’ll need to click on the button that says, “続き読む.”
Makuuchi Action
Oshoumi (2-8) defeated Sadanoumi (3-7). A bit of a henka here from Oshomi as he jumped left and attacked Sadanoumi from the side with tsuppari. This caught Sadanoumi off guard and forced him back and over the edge. Oshidashi.
Nishikifuji (7-3) defeated Meisei (0-1-9). Meisei didn’t have any tape but he only bore weight on his right foot. Nishikifuji was able to force him back to the bales and over. Yorikiri.
Chiyoshoma (6-4) defeated Tokihayate (7-3). Chiyoshoma battered Tokihayate with tsuppari and drove him over the edge. Oshidashi.
Shonannoumi (3-7) defeated Gonoyama (6-4). After the tachiai, Shonannoumi pulled. Gonoyama chased but Shonannoumi slipped to the right and Gonoyama rushed by, careening off the the dohyo. Shonannoumi finished him with a push from behind. Okuridashi.
Mitakeumi (5-5) defeated Asakoryu (6-4). Henka! Mitakeumi jumped left and grabbed Asakoryu’s belt, propelling him forward to the clay. Uwatenage.
Midorifuji (5-5) defeated Ryuden (4-6). Ryuden charged forward and blasted Midorifuji out of the ring. Gunbai Midorifuji. Mono-ii. Replay showed Ryuden may have touched down with his leg but it was judged to require a rematch. In the rematch, Midorifuji pulled and pivoted, driving Ryuden into the ground with his patented shoulder pull. It’s his first katasukashi since Osaka. Katasukashi.
Ichiyamamoto (6-4) defeated Tomokaze (3-7). Tomokaze pulled and tried a slapdown but Ichiyamamoto blasted him from the dohyo. It’s not like Tomokaze is going to pivot much with that knee but, “C’mon Chris.” You’re going to end up in the oyakata’s lap. And you know this, man. Oshidashi.
Kinbozan (4-6) defeated Fujinokawa (6-4). After the tachiai, Fujinokawa shifted left and tried to pull down Kinbozan. Kinbozan caught himself at the edge and turned around to face Fujinokawa’s follow-up. This time, Kinbozan shifted left along the bales and got behind Fujinokawa, pushing him forward into the crowd. Okuridashi.
Roga (6-4) defeated Churanoumi (5-5). Churanoumi charged forward to shove Roga out but Roga slapped him down at the edge and leapt into the air. Gunbai Churanoumi. Mono-ii. “Do it again, boyz!!” We haven’t had many mono-ii this tournament and we get two rematches today. This time, Roga pulled out the henka and Churanoumi fell forward to the ground. Sly smile from Roga as he picked up his kensho. Uwatedashinage.
Abi (5-5) defeated Shishi (3-7). Abi battered Shishi and got him turned around. Shishi tried to right himself but Abi blasted him from the dohyo. Okuridashi.
Kotoshoho (6-4) defeated Atamifuji (6-4). Kotoshoho took the fight to Atamifuji and muscled him over the edge. Migi-yotsu. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Daieisho (6-4) defeated Onokatsu (4-6). Onokatsu withstood Daieisho’s first tsuppari attack and the slapdown follow-up but Daieisho’s second volley of tsuppari sent Onokatsu back. Daieisho pursued as Onokatsu retreated and Daieisho forced Onokatsu over the edge. Yorikiri.
Shodai (4-6) defeated Tobizaru (4-6). Shodai rushed forward and quickly forced Tobizaru to the bales. Tobizaru resisted at the edge and tried to escape along the tawara. Shodai forced him down with his left arm hooked under Tobizaru’s right shoulder. Gunbai Shodai. Mono-ii. Video review showed Tobizaru falling first. Gunbai confirmed. Sukuinage.
Wakamotoharu (5-5) defeated Hiradoumi (2-8). Hiradoumi blitzed Wakamotoharu and used both hands in WMH’s face to try to shove him over. But Wakamotoharu was able to stop Hiradoumi at the tawara, wrap him up in a bear hug and steamroll through the dohyo. Hiradoumi makekoshi. Yorikiri.
Wakatakakage (5-5) defeated Hakuoho (3-7). Hakuoho wrapped up Wakatakakage and charged forward with gaburi yotsu and forced Wakatakakage back to the bales. But Wakatakakage demonstrated overwhelming strength to counter attack, stopping Hakuoho’s progress, pivoting and turning the tables on Hakuoho. WTK drove Hakuoho over the bales. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Ura (5-5) defeated Takanosho (2-8). Ura stayed low, avoiding Takanosho’s usual attack. He sprung up into Takanosho, forcing him to the side before twisting him down. Takanosho makekoshi. Sukuinage.
Kirishima (6-4) defeated Takayasu (5-5). Takayasu thrust forward with his right hand but Kirishima avoided it and pushed Takayasu forward. Kirishima rounded to attack Takayasu but Papa Bear had taken a knee. Tsukihiza.
Aonishiki (9-1) defeated Tamawashi (4-6). Tamawashi tried to turn Aonishiki at the tachiai but Aonishiki avoided the attack. Aonishiki stayed low, drove Tamawashi’s head up with his right hand, and forced Tamawashi back and out. Yorikiri.
Yoshinofuji (7-3) defeated Onosato (9-1). What the what?!?! Onosato tried to pull and slap Yoshinofuji down. He pivoted at the start of the pull but from there, went straight back. Yoshinofuji just rushed forward and forced the Yokozuna out. You’ve got to continue the pivot! This straight back pull is what took out Tomokaze earlier. Kinboshi for Yoshinofuji! Congratulations! Oshidashi.
Hoshoryu (8-2) defeated Oshoma (3-7). Hoshoryu started with his left hand inside. He was able to work his right hand inside to improve his grip for the morozashi. Once he had that, he twisted right and threw Oshoma to the ground. Shitatenage.
Wrap-up
WOW. We’ve got a yusho race now. Yokozuna Onosato is tied with Aonishiki at 9-1 with Yokozuna Hoshoryu one loss back at 8-2.
Frankly, Onosato’s decision to pull against Yoshinofuji was inexplicable to me. Yoshinofuji has appeared to be injured in the right calf and lost on two previous days. It seemed obvious to me that Onosato should just bull forward and push Yoshinofuji out since his opponent wouldn’t be able to bear all of that weight on that leg.
But NOO! Don’t listen to Andy! Pull. And even better, just run straight backwards and go flying off the dohyo like you’re a certain flying monkey — who shall remain nameless. Inexplicable.
Well, the Third and Final Act begins tomorrow, as Bruce would say. All of this build up over the past two weeks has led us here. Onosato will take on Takanosho. Hoshoryu will face Oho. Kotozakura will fight Oshoma. Aonishiki will get his turn against Yoshinofuji. And finally, Takayasu will fight Ura.
Meisei is already booked for the barge to Juryo and should sail deep into the division. When he appeared on the torikumi for today, I hoped he had healed and would put up a fight but that left foot does not seem ready, making his return a bit of a puzzle to me.
Hoshoryu wore his fish-fry kesho-mawashi. I suddenly desire aji-furai.
And then there were four. As a reminder, these were the quarterfinal matchups:
Ohata overcame Ieshima after a protracted struggle, finally pulling down his Sandanme opponent by the belt to win by uwatehineri. Ryusho was outweighed by over 100 pounds by Shiroma but used his mobility to gain an advantageous dohyo position and win by oshidashi. His heya-mate Daiyusho met a bit of resistance at the tachiai but then pushed out Hokutenkai with relative ease. Kazuma was prepared for any shenanigans by Tochimusashi, employing a soft tachiai and then completely dominating his opponent to record the third oshidashi in four quarterfinal bouts.
So we’re set for the semifinals on day 11. In the first, featuring a 31-rank difference, Ohata will fight Ryusho. In the second, Daiyusho faces Kazuma; both employ a high-power pushing game. If Ohata or Kazuma win, we’ll have straightforward title decider on day 13. But if both Ryusho and Daiyusho make it through the semifinals, they’d have to be matched with 5-1 opponents, potentially opening the door to a big playoff on senshuraku. As Andy notes in the comments, Daiyusho made it all the way to the finals in September! Come back after the day 11 bouts conclude to see how everything turned out. In that post, I’ll also take a look at the Juryo promotion picture.
