Three rounds of lower-division bouts have been completed, and we are left with 14 men with 3-0 records. They’ll be matched up (mostly) in rank order on days 7 and 8 to winnow the race to 7. Since Daiyusho and Ryusho both hail from the Oitekaze beya, they can’t face each other, and presumably will instead fight Mineyaiba and Asonoyama, respectively. Only one bout has been scheduled for day 7—Gyokuozan vs. Hokutenkai—with the rest being saved for nakabi. The quarterfinals should take place on day 9, with the highest-ranked undefeated Sandanme rikishi filling out the bracket.
There are quite a few notable names still in the running. Isegahama prospect Seihakuho, one of Hakuho’s last recruits, will fight former sekitori Tochimusashi. Two of our Ms60TD rikishi, Fukuzaki and Kazuma, will face off after dispatching their former sekitori opponents, Shimanoumi and Enho. These four contenders are ranked in the extended promotion zone, so a 7-0 finish would come with a fast track to Juryo. Ryusho debuted at Ms60TD in July and has a 13-4 career record. Come back after the Sunday bouts to see how round four played out and what’s on tap for round five.
Fujiryoga won his bout against Tsurugisho to stay undefeated and the sole leader in the second division. Tamashoho, Shirokuma, and Daiseizan chase with one loss. Fujiryoga will fight Wakanosho tomorrow as we enter the middle weekend.
Asanoyama watchers will be able to see Asanoyama in prime time tomorrow as he will take on Tokihayate. Kagayaki is the Juryo visitor slated for today.
Kagayaki (Juryo 4-2) defeated Nishikifuji (4-2). Nishikifuji was working inside to get a belt grip when Kagayaki used a headbutt to break Nishikifuji’s grip and get separation. Nishikifuji made a move to get back inside but Kagayaki pulled him down. Hikiotoshi.
Chiyoshoma (3-3) defeated Shonannoumi (2-4). Shonannoumi was lumbering around the ring today. As they neared the tawara, Chiyoshoma shifted left and pulled him over the edge. Katasukashi.
Asakoryu (5-1) defeated Ryuden (4-2). Abi-zumo. Asakoryu laid into Ryuden with headbutts and tsuppari. When Ryuden leaned forward, Asakoryu pulled and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Tokihayate (5-1) defeated Oshoumi (1-5). Hidari-yotsu. Tokihayate quickly went into attack mode and pulled Oshoumi around the ring and dragged him down with his right hand over arm grip. Uwatenage.
Gonoyama (3-3) defeated Sadanoumi (1-5). Gonoyama blasted his way forward with tsuppari. Sadanoumi tried to grab his arm and twist at the edge but lost his grip and his footing under Gonoyama’s pressure. Oshidashi.
Mitakeumi (3-3) defeated Fujinokawa (5-1). Fujinokawa blitzed and charged forward with Mitakeumi wrapped up with both hands inside. As they reached the bales, Mitakeumi used his right leg to try to trip Fujinokawa. Fujinokawa kept his balance and moved back to avoid it. That’s when Mitakeumi launched a slapdown. Beautiful play. Hatakikomi.
Daieisho (4-2) defeated Roga (3-3). Daieisho won this at the tachiai. He hit Roga hard then chugged forward as Roga pulled, pushing Roga off the ledge. Oshidashi.
Tobizaru (3-3) defeated Midorifuji (2-4). Chest-to-chest migi-yotsu here. Tobizaru used gaburi-yotsu to work Midorifuji back to the bales. Midorifuji resisted at the edge so Tobizaru pressed forward and both men tumbled down the dohyo. Yoritaoshi.
Kotoshoho (4-2) defeated Kinbozan (1-5). Kinbozan worked Kotoshoho back, close to the edge. But Kotoshoho blasted Kinbozan with a powerful headbutt and thrust that sent Kinbozan off balance, stumbling across the ring and over the tawara. Oshidashi.
Atamifuji (5-1) defeated Ichiyamamoto (3-3). Atamifuji kept Ichiyamamoto in front of him as Ichiyamamoto pulled. Ichiyamamo tried shifting left but he ran out of real estate and Atamifuji pressed him over the bales. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Yoshinofuji (5-1) defeated Churanoumi (3-3). After a brawl of tsuppari, action settled into a migi-yotsu tussle. Yoshinofuji was first to land his over-arm grip, dragged Churanoumi around the ring and forced him out. Yorikiri.
Shodai (2-4) defeated Abi (2-4). Abi pulled and Shodai let him. Shodai resisted Abi’s attack to start and when Abi pulled, Shodai stuck with him and forced him back and out. Shodai won appreciative hoots and whistles from the home crowd. Oshidashi.
Oshoma (3-3) defeated Onokatsu (2-4). I feel like I spent two minutes watching a mirror wear itself out in a hazuoshi brawl with itself. Both guys laid into each other basically until Onokatsu got tired and walked off. Okuridashi.
Kirishima (3-3) defeated Wakatakakage (1-5). Wakatakakage pulled and Kirishima shoved him out before he could pivot. WTK was starting his shift to the right but it was too late as Kirishima ran him out. Tsukiotoshi.
Sanyaku
Takanosho (1-5) defeated Takayasu (4-2). Takanosho got a morozashi as Takayasu reached in for a belt grip. Wasting no time, he charged ahead and drove Takayasu back and out. That did not go the way I anticipated. Yorikiri.
Aonishiki (5-1) defeated Ura (3-3). Aonishiki did well to avoid getting caught too far forward. He took his time, found an opening to get a belt grip, and then powered forward to force Ura out. Yorikiri.
Oho (3-3) defeated Hakuoho (2-4). Abi-zumo from Oho. He stood Hakuoho up at the tachiai and then slapped him down. It’s like Abi-zumo is working for everyone today…but Abi. Hatakikomi.
Tamawashi (4-2) defeated Kotozakura (2-4). Kotozakura absorbed Tamawashi’s initial thrusts and began to chug forward. As the pair neared the bales, Tamawashi shifted left and deflected Kotozakura’s thrusts at his right shoulder. This meant Kotozakura had his back to Tamawashi. Tamawashi wrapped him up from behind and walked him out. Okuridashi.
Onosato (6-0) crushed Hiradoumi (2-4). Hiradoumi did well to take the Yokozuna on head-to-head at the tachiai. But while Hiradoumi was fiddling with a left hand maemitsu grip, Onosato snatched his dad’s keys from the table, ran out to the garage, hopped in his dad’s semi, drove back to the dohyo and ran over Hiradoumi with his dad’s Mack truck. Oshitaoshi.
Wakamotoharu (2-4) defeated Hoshoryu (4-2). Henka! Wakamotoharu leapt left and Hoshoryu ran past. WMH quickly slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Wrap-up
Onosato is along atop the leaderboard, undefeated. So far, he’s unchallenged. He’s been quite dominant. Ura will need to bring something extra special tomorrow. Henka?
There’s a massive traffic jam of six guys at 5-1. It’s a rubber-necker delay on Interstate 495. They’re all slack-jawed at seeing the wreckage of Hiradoumi strewn along the highway. Aonishiki will fight Takayasu who suddenly looks very beatable. Yoshinofuji will face what’s left of Hiradoumi, Atamifuji will fight Kinbozan, Fujinokawa will face Tobizaru, Tokihayate fights Asanoyama and Asakoryu will fight Nishikifuji. I think that’s a solid set of interesting ties sprinkled through the evening.
Hoshoryu stumbled out of that group, though with his loss to Wakamotohenka. Hoshoryu will attempt to regroup against Tamawashi tomorrow.
Alarm bells are ringing loud at Sadogatake beya. But they’re probably just as loud at Arashio-beya with the way their top boys are hopping around to pick up wins. Kotozakura will face Wakamotoharu tomorrow. Brother in blood and henka-bond, Wakatakakage, will face Takanosho. Someone will get a win from that bout tomorrow, I guarantee it.
With Shirokuma’s loss to Kazekeno, Juryo rookie Fujiryoga took sole possession of the lead in Juryo by defeating Kitanowaka. If his success continues, Fujishima beya may have two new Makuuchi wrestlers in a few tournaments. Heya-mate Fujiseiun is at the top of the division and is also doing well. He could crack the barrier for Hatsu 2026. Asanoyama picked up a third win as we plot his progress back to the top division.
Asakoryu (4-1) defeated Sadanoumi (1-4). Henka! Asakoryu leapt left to slap Sadanoumi down. Sadanoumi reacted well and tried to push Asakoryu out. The two settled into a lean, or at least it seemed like Sadanoumi wanted to. Asakoryu did not have the patience and pulled Sadanoumi down by grabbing his outstretched left arm. Kotenage.
Daiseizan defeated Shonannoumi. When Shonannoumi got his right hand outside grip to accompany his left hand inside, he tried to haul Daiseizan back over the bales. Daiseizan twisted to break Shonannoumi’s belt grips, then pressed forward with his head to create some separation and shoved Shonannoumi down to the ground. In sumo, that’s “using your head.” Tsukiotoshi.
Ryuden defeated Chiyoshoma. When Ryuden landed his favorite right-hand outside grip, he twisted and hauled Chiyoshoma down. Ryuden was exhausted and his face was bloodied after this rather lengthy brawl. Uwatedashinage.
Mitakeumi (2-3) defeated Oshoumi (1-4). Mitakeumi was allowed to do his brand of sumo as he pressed Oshoumi backward and over the bales. Oshidashi.
Nishikifuji (4-1) defeated Gonoyama (2-3). Nishikifuji pulled and pivoted with his right foot to slapdown Gonoyama. Hatakikomi.
Tokihayate (4-1) defeated Tomokaze (0-5). Tomokaze pulled backwards, no pivot, and ceded all position to his opponent with his feeble slapdown attempt. Andy yelled at the TV as Tokihayate shoved Tomokaze over the bales. “PIVOT!!” Sometimes these guys are just desperate, impatient or just plain lazy and they don’t PIVOT. Oshidashi.
Roga (3-2) defeated Shishi (1-4). Roga seized Shishi’s belt with his left hand uwate (overarm grip). While Shishi was settling into a lean, Roga twisted clockwise and pulled Shishi with that left hand. Shishi stumbled to his knees. Uwatenage.
Fujinokawa (5-0) defeated Kotoshoho (3-2). Kotoshoho yielded position to Fujinokawa and quickly had his heels at the bales. As Kotoshoho looked for something to grab onto for a last second counter-maneauver, Fujinokawa thrust him over the bales. Fujinokawa’s blitzing style has him off to his best start since he reached the top division. Tsukidashi.
Daieisho (3-2) defeated Kinbozan (1-4). Kinbozan thrust Daieisho back to the tawara. Daieisho pivoted and pulled, slapping Kinbozan to the ground. Kinbozan has a serious case of Daieshoitis. He has powerful thrusts but he gets caught too far over his feet. Hatakikomi.
Ichiyamamoto (3-2) defeated Tobizaru (2-3). Oof. Wow. Live, it looked like Ichiyamamoto lifted Tobizaru backwards off his feet with a brutal right hand nodowa, slamming him to the ground. Replay showed Tobizaru tried a poorly-timed leg sweep and caught nothing but air, right as Ichiyamamoto’s pressed forward with that nodowa. Ichiyamamoto’s reputation as the gentleman of the division is intact. Oshitaoshi.
Midorifuji (2-3) defeated Churanoumi (3-2). After a lengthy tussle, an exhausted Midorifuji used his right hand uwate to haul Churanoumi over the bales. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Onokatsu (2-3) defeated Abi (2-3). Abi pulled straight back and Onokatsu shoved him out. I have no patience for this impudence. Or maybe it’s just too early in the morning and I need some coffee. Yorikiri.
Yoshinofuji (4-1) defeated Shodai (1-4). Shodai forced Yoshinofuji back to the bales but Yoshinofuji spun and forced Shodai to the edge. Yoshinofuji then finished Shodai off and forced him over the tawara. Yorikiri.
Kirishima (2-3) defeated Old Tom O’Washi (3-2). Tamawashi put his head down to press forward but Kirishima backed away and quickly slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Sanyaku
Hakuoho (2-3) defeated Takanosho (0-5). Takanosho looks lost back in sanyaku. Hakuoho got inside quickly, eliminating any of Takanosho’s tsuppari. He chugged and shoved Takanosho back and out. Oshidashi.
Takayasu (4-1) defeated Oho (2-3). Oho did not want Takayasu to get a belt grip so he retreated each time Takayasu went inside. Takayasu pursued well, though. Takayasu used his steady footwork and constant pressure to work Oho toward the bales and out. Oshidashi.
Wakatakakage (1-4) defeated Aonishiki (4-1). HENKA!!! Oh, wow. This one might go down in lore alongside Hakuho’s henka of Harumafuji and Terunofuji’s henka of Kotoshogiku. Even die-hard WTK fans might think, WTF?? At the core of every desperate 0-4 start, is a cold, cold heart. That was a thing of beauty. Evil beauty. Aonishiki rushed forward and fell to the dirt and ceded his first loss of the tournament. Aonishiki tried desperately to stop his forward momentum and regain his footing but Wakatakakage have him a little shove from the back to finish him off. Okuriotoshi.
Ura (3-2) defeated Kotozakura (2-3). Ura planted in the center of the ring and, borrowing Zeki’s spring analogy, compressed himself and then released and sprung forward, forcing the Ozeki back and out. Yorikiri.
Hoshoryu (4-1) defeated Hiradoumi (2-3). Hiradoumi launched himself out at the Yokozuna. As he blasted Hoshoryu backward, the Yokozuna shifted to the side – one might say PIVOTED – and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Onosato (5-0) defeated Wakamotoharu (1-4). Wakamotoharu got a left hand uwate but Onosato ignored it as he drove forward and forced Wakamotoharu to the bales. Wakamotoharu showed the slightest resistance and Onosato took this as an affront. Onosato pivoted and with his right hand hooked in WMH’s left shoulder, blasted his opponent through the ring and off the fighting surface. Yoritaoshi.
Wrap-up
Fujinokawa has had quite the run and is now the only man other than Onosato to remain undefeated in the top division. He will fight Mitakeumi tomorrow. As jmotzi and herbern pointed out yesterday, schedulers will soon plan to bring him up to fight higher-ranked opponents. As you all said, Hiradoumi, Ura, and even Aonishiki would be great choices. Hiradoumi or a Hakuoho would be a great pairing with Fujinokawa’s blitzing style of attack.
As I noted after he had a poor run to start Aki,
“I know Fujinokawa has his boosters, that he’s “for real.” I know he did well in Nagoya…but I don’t get the hype. Maybe one of you can convince me how he’s much better than, say, the shorter Tobizaru or even the powerful Asakoryu? Where does he fit in the top division? A grinder like Sadanoumi? Or someone who will reach sanyaku?”
This tournament has started completely different from the previous two. His 6-9 record from Aki forced him to slip down the banzuke a bit, to the bottom quarter of the division. He has been overwhelming his opponents so far with his speed. Former Yusho-winner Kotoshoho looked out of place today.
I know it’s early in his career but I’d like to bring that question up again. I wonder where he will fit in the division. There are more “smaller” wrestlers now and several who have preceded him, so I wonder whose track he will follow. I mentioned Sadanoumi because I wonder about how Fujinokawa would do in Sanyaku.
When people talk about longevity and age, we naturally mention the Iron Man, Tamawashi, but Sadanoumi actually has the longest tenure in the Sumo Association of anyone currently in the top division. His debut was way back in early 2003.
However, his top rank is Maegashira 1, which he earned back in 2015 after winning a kinboshi off Harumafuji. Since then, he’s largely remained in the bottom half of the division but he has been a regular presence, a solid Makuuchi veteran. Will sanyaku be too high of a cap for Fujinokawa?
Ura has peaked at Komusubi, so far, and is regularly in the joi-jin. When he falls from the joi, he usually performs really well against lower rank-and-filers and gets flung back up into the joi. But that seems to be his peak. Takakeisho was a little shorter than Fujinokawa but is he perhaps a more fitting comparison? Will Fujinokawa be able to rise that high and find a place as a sanyaku regular? Maybe he will be similar to Hiradoumi?
After seeing smaller wrestlers like Ishiura, Enho, and Ura come up and have some success in the top division, I just wonder where these new faces like Fujinokawa, Tokihayate, and Asakoryu will go. How high can they climb? Do they need to “bulk up” to Ura or Takakeisho proportions to take it to sanyaku, or can they do it now?
But I digress. I think I ended up having too much coffee this morning because I have spent far too long on this. I am interested in what you all think of this new crop of smaller wrestlers, in particular Fujinokawa with this blitzing style.
Takayasu is quietly having a great start to this tournament. His only loss was the Day One bout against Onosato. He will get his turn against a dispirited Takanosho tomorrow. Aonishiki will take on Ura tomorrow. Hakuoho will face Oho.
Kotozakura will need to regroup against Tamawashi or he needs to go kyujo and come back stronger, and fully healed. If he goes kadoban again, all of this effort and damage will take its toll. Onosato will fight Hiradoumi and Hoshoryu will battle Wakamotoharu in the musubi-no-ichiban.
Welcome to Tachiai’s coverage of the 3rd-division yusho race. As a reminder, this is essentially a single-elimination tournament, with only undefeated rikishi continuing in the yusho bracket. Each round unfolds over two days, so two rounds have been completed, and we are left with 28 men with 2-0 records. They’ll be matched up in rank order on days 5 and 6 to winnow the race to 14. The full list of 28 is below. There are no same-heya complications for round 3.
Here are a few names and bouts of note. Ms14w Fukuzaki is one of the Ms60TD rikishi we’ve been following, as is Ms15w Kazuma, who got injured in his debut basho and sat out four tournaments before roaring back with a 22-1 record to regain his career-high rank. In what is easily the highlight bout of day 5, he will fight former maegashira and fan favorite Ms17w Enho, who is listed at 101 kg, 93 kg lighter than his opponent! Remember that a 7-0 record from Ms15 or higher is a near-guarantee of Juryo promotion. Ms24w Ryusho is another, more recent Ms60TD debutant. The rest of the undefeated group features an interesting mix of prospects, veteran former sekitori, and lower-division lifers. I’ll get into more detail on the contenders once the list gets shorter.
