It’s day 8, which means that 4 rounds of bouts have been completed, and we are left with 8 undefeated contenders. They are matched up in rank order on day 9 to determine the semifinalists, and they hail from 8 different heya, so we will have a straightforward elimination bracket for the yusho. Here are the quarterfinal pairings:
Now for a bit of color commentary on the bouts that got us down to the 8 quarterfinalists. Kitanowaka had to draw on all of his sekitori experience to best Goshima in an epic belt battle. Shimazuumi and Bushozan looked more like their old selves, winning by their classic yoritaoshi and oshidashi, respectively. Ikarigata displayed all of his brother Fujinokawa’s energy in defeating the much bigger Kazenoumi in a spirited, back and forth fight with a variety of techniques on display. Finally, if you can, check out the crazy bout between Tokunomusashi and Shimizuumi (yes, that’s an actual shikona and not a typo). They engaged after a matta, Tokunomusashi got behind Shimizuumi, but the latter somehow resisted, and they both attempted some sort of throw at the edge, landing together, with Shimizuumi landing on his head and looking pretty woozy. Of course, a monoii ensued, and the discussion resulted in a torinaoshi rematch. Somehow Shimizuumi got himself up for the bout, and after yet another matta, the two locked up in a protracted yotsu match, with Tokunomusashi finally being able to throw down his gutsy opponent.
In terms of Juryo promotions, Kitanowaka is now 4-0 at Ms1w, so he is already in good shape and should be a lock with another win. I still have him as the title favorite. Kotokenryu would need to win out to claim the automatic promotion that goes to an undefeated wrestler from the Ms1-Ms15 ranks. And here’s how things stand in the regular Ms1-Ms5 promotion zone:
The only kachi-koshi belongs to Kitanowaka, and only the veteran Shimanoumi is out of the running. Daiamami must win his final 3 bouts, and we’ll have to wait for at least another round of bouts to see how the rest of the promotion race shapes up.
Mita suffered his first loss of the tournament to Oshoumi while Kotokuzan defeated Asahakuryu and Shirokuma took down Asanoyama. Mita and Kotokuzan share joint lead in Juryo with one loss apiece. Five men, including Oshoumi, Asakakuryu, Nishikifuji, Fujiseiun, and former Ozeki Asanoyama chase with two losses.
On Nakabi the Kyokai presents its maezumo class to the world. This basho we have one recruit in maezumo, Oshiogawa-beya’s Kazemitsuki. He got to wear a kesho mawashi borrowed from Oshiogawa stablemate and Juryo 11-ranked, Kazekeno.
The other two recruits from the Shin Deshi Kensa are Mongolian and will participate in Maezumo this November after visas get sorted. This includes Ochirusaihan, from Isegahama. We will cover him more next tournament when we see him in maezumo.
Ryuden (6-2) defeated Tomokaze (5-3). Tomokaze effectively kept Ryuden off his belt and steadily powered forward after the tachiai. Ryuden countered with his own hazuoshi, shoving Tomokaze and eventually caught Tomokaze too far forward, slapping him down. Hatakikomi.
Nishikigi (1-7) defeated Sadanoumi (3-5). Sadanoumi had a right arm outside grip at the tachiai but reared up to try to change it to an inside grip. That was the opening Nishikigi needed to power forward and pick up his first win. That is the danger we’re used to seeing with makikae. Yorikiri.
Asakoryu (3-5) defeated Tochitaikai (3-5). Henka’ing the Juryo visitor is going to be a hilarious new trend if this catches on. Asakoryu left to his left and Tochitaikai zoomed by. Asakoryu then shoved him from the back to make sure he went out. Okuridashi.
Shishi (6-2) defeated Meisei (2-6). Shishi had the opposite situation from Sadanoumi. His left hand was outside and he wanted to bring it in. But he didn’t rear back like Sadanoumi and got his hand briefly on Meisei’s belt. Meisei freaked out and spun away from Shishi’s grip. However, Shishi was determined and reacquired his left-hand inside belt grip. Once he got it, he drove Meisei back and out. Yorikiri.
Hitoshi (4-4) defeated Tokihayate (3-5). Tokihayate pivoted in retreat as he tried to catch Hitoshi for a slapdown. But Hitoshi caught Tokihayate’s right arm and pulled him forward, instead. Hikiotoshi.
Shonannoumi (5-3) defeated Mitakeumi (3-5). Mitakeumi powered forward but Shonannoumi grabbed his belt with a right hand outside. He used the leverage from the bales to pivot and that right arm to swing Mitakeumi around. Once in behind, he finished Mitakeumi with a shove. Okuridashi.
Tobizaru (6-2) defeated Roga (4-4). Tobizaru pulled Roga forward with a left hand grip on his belt and a quick pull. Hikiotoshi.
Shodai (7-1) defeated Ura (6-2). Ura attempted a feat of strength as he tried to hoist Shodai into the air on his shoulders like a big bale of rice. But Shodai’s freaking heavy, dude. He used the awkward position to grab Ura’s belt, deep over Ura’s back. Shodai then used his left arm to pull Ura back and get some space, then pivoted and yanked Ura down with that right hand belt grip. Uwatenage.
Takanosho (7-1) defeated Churanoumi (5-3). Takanosho used his right arm to shove Churanoumi back. Churanoumi pressed forward in response, so Takanosho slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Oshoma (4-4) defeated Daieisho (2-6). Daieisho lashed out with tsuppari at the start but Oshoma pivoted, forcing Daieisho to rush by. Oshoma then followed up with thrusts of his own and shoved Daieisho out. Oshidashi.
Onokatsu (5-3) defeated Midorifuji (2-6). After a decent oshi brawl, Onokatsu stepped inside and wrangled Midorifuji with a left-hand over-arm grip. He pressed forward and drove an exhausted Midorifuji over the bales. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Kusano (4-4) defeated Fujinokawa (3-5). Kusano used his right-arm overarm grip to haul Fujinokawa down. Uwatenage.
Kinbozan (3-5) defeated Ichiyamamoto (2-6). Ichiyamamoto plowed forward but Kinbozan grabbed his belt with a left-arm overarm grip. Kinbozan pivoted at the bales and threw Ichiyamamoto down as both fell from the ring. Gunbai Kinbozan. Mono-ii. Video review confirmed Kinbozan threw Ichi and Ichi landed first. Uwatenage.
Hakuoho (5-3) defeated Kotoshoho (2-6). Hakuoho’s bicep was wrapped in a sleeve but he was still able to use that right arm today to throw Kotoshoho. Hakuoho attacked at the tachiai, got a right arm overarm grip, then pulled and dragged Kotoshoho down. Uwatedashinage.
Oho (4-4) defeated Abi (0-8). Abi hit Oho with a flurry of tsuppari, most aimed at Oho’s chin. Oho powered through the torrent and drove Abi back and over the tawara. Abi is make-koshi. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Aonishiki (6-2) defeated Tamawashi (3-5). Tamawashi thrust out at Aonishiki, driving him back to the bales. At the bales, Aonishiki stopped trading tsuppari, lowered his head and grabbed Tamawashi’s belt. Since Tamawashi was still lobbing volleys of tsuppari, Aonishiki’s outside belt grips became inside belt grips. Morozashi engaged, Tamawashi’s volleys stopped. He was too close and had to try to grab Aonishiki’s belt. Aonishiki, however, took control of Tamawashi’s belt as if he was a truck driver controlling the steering wheel of a big rig. He got that bus turned around toward the tawara and drove it over the edge. Yorikiri.
Wakatakakage (5-3) defeated Atamifuji (2-6). Wakatakakage grabbed Atamifuji’s belt with his right hand inside. Atamifuji trapped it with his left and used the kotenage to push Wakatakakage backward. Atamifuji’s right arm was being held at bay by WTK’s left ottsuke. Atamifuji tried to change his attack from the left but that allowed Wakatakakage to seize his belt with an inside grip. Morozashi engaged, we had another big rig driver. Wakatakakage put his rig in drive and forced Atamifuji over the edge. Yorikiri.
Wakamotoharu (6-2) defeated Kirishima (4-4). Kirishima might be nursing an injury. After trading tsuppari briefly, both men locked on to each other’s belts with left hand inside, right hand outside grips. Wakamotoharu was in full control. Though Kirishima tried to topple Wakamotoharu, WMH virtually ignored Kirishima’s pressure and powered through. WMH forced Kirishima to the edge and then over. Yorikiri.
Takayasu (2-6) defeated Kotozakura (5-3). Kotozakura was not content to play edge games today. He grabbed Takayasu with a right hand inside hold of Takayasu’s trunk. While he tried to get the left hand grip on Takayasu’s belt, he shoved Takayasu toward the bales. Takayasu had his own firm right hand grip on Kotozakura’s belt. Sensing danger, he pivoted and used all of his might to throw Kotozakura. Shitatenage.
Onosato (7-1) defeated Hiradoumi (4-4). Hiradoumi attacked with a firm tachiai and locked onto Onosato’s belt with the right hand. Onosato shoved Hiradoumi and forced him back to the bales and over. Oshidashi.
Hoshoryu (8-0) defeated Gonoyama (0-8). Gonoyama had early control in this bout and pushed the Yokozuna back. Hoshoryu tried to use his right-hand hold for a sukuinage at the edge. Gonoyama retreated and Hoshoryu chugged ahead, shoving Gonoyama out. Oshidashi.
Hoshoryu picked up his kachi-koshi on nakabi and continues to lead the field in this yusho race. Onosato, Takanosho and Shodai are in the chase group. Shodai and Takanosho have certainly turned up their game a bit. I think Shodai was insulted earlier this tournament when he got two wins in a row…but no kensho. I remember one bout he went to do his sonkyo and tegatana and looked at the empty hands of the gyoji like, “really?” He needs to get those wins in order to have sponsors. Other than the one blemish on his record against Mitakeumi, he has been fighting well and appears to be more focused than in recent basho. “If you win it, they will come.”
Tomorrow, Shodai will fight Tobizaru and Takanosho will fight Midorifuji. Meanwhile, in sanyaku, Onosato will battle Wakamotoharu. We know Wakamotoharu likes to play edge games in retreat, so look for a confident Onosato to press forward and get a surprise as they near the bales…if WMH wants a kinboshi. Hoshoryu will fight Kotoshoho and Kotozakura will take on Atamifuji.
In our Tale of Two Ozeki Hopefuls, Wakatakakage will fight Kirishima. Wakatakakage really needs to be hot this week to clinch promotion. Kirishima, on the other hand, needs to get his head back in the game. The Komusubi bouts should be fun as Takayasu will fight Hakuoho and Abi will fight Aonishiki.
Mitoryu retired yesterday. He had been kyujo for the first few days of the tournament while ranked at Makushita 7. In his press conference today, he pointed to ongoing injuries and health problems for his decision to hang up his mawashi. He will not become an oyakata.
In the second division, Kotokuzan suffered his first loss of the tournament to Kyokukaiyu but Mita bested Daiseizan. So, Mita is the lone undefeated rikishi in Juryo. He will fight Oshoumi tomorrow for his kachi-koshi. Kotokuzan falls one loss back, level with Asanoyama and Asahakuryu.
Shishi (5-2) defeated Nishikigi (0-7). Shishi drove Nishikigi back and off the dohyo. Yorikiri.
Shonannoumi (4-3) defeated Tomokaze (5-2). A bit of shoving and some slaps while Tomokaze looked for a slapdown opportunity. It didn’t come. Shonannoumi eventually pressed Tomokaze back and over the edge. Oshidashi.
Tobizaru (5-2) defeated Kagayaki (3-4). Beautiful henka from Tobizaru. He jumped to his right and slapped the Juryo visitor down. Hatakikomi.
Hitoshi (3-4) defeated Asakoryu (2-5). Hitoshi pulled and slapped Asakoryu down, but Hitoshi jumped out. Gunbai Asakoryu. Mono-ii. Video replay showed Hitoshi landing outside the dohyo just before Asakoryu touched. The judges met for quite a while on the dohyo and decided on a torinaoshi rematch. On the rematch, Hitoshi wrapped his arm around Asakoryu and drove him back and out. Oshidashi.
Ryuden (5-2) defeated Sadanoumi (3-4). Both yotsu-men engaged on the belt. Ryuden overpowered Sadanoumi, though, and toppled Sadanoumi over the edge. He had the better hold, with both hands secure on Sadanoumi’s belt. Uwatenage.
Tokihayate (3-4) defeated Churanoumi (5-2). Tokihayate started with a pivot and pull start. Another pivot and pull. Tokihayate then drove forward into Churanoumi. When Churanoumi got to the edge, he plowed into Tokihayate. This time, as Tokihayate balanced on the tawara, he pulled Churanoumi forward and shoved him down. Tsukiotoshi.
Daieisho (2-5) defeated Meisei (2-5). Standard Daieisho tsuppari attack. One especially powerful and well-timed shove from Daieisho to Meisei’s shoulder forced Meisei off balance and he stumbled to the ground. I feel it’s been a while since I’ve seen that power in Daieisho’s tsuppari. Okuritaoshi.
Fujinokawa (3-4) defeated Roga (4-3). A good long grapple here. Fujinokawa finished Roga with the throw of the tournament, so far. He used his inside grip to start the throw but used his leg to help topple Roga. Kakenage.
Shodai (6-1) defeated Midorifuji (2-5). Shodai chugged forward. Midorifuji resisted awkwardly at the bales. Shodai shoved Midorifuji down with more and more power before eventually crushing him down from the dohyo. I’ve seen a level of determination from Shodai this tournament which I haven’t seen in a while. Oshitaoshi.
Kinbozan (2-5) defeated Mitakeumi (3-4). Kinbozan’s thrusts overpowered Mitakeumi. Mitakeumi pulled ineffectively and Kinbozan shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Onokatsu defeated Oshoma. Oshoma seemed fixated on Onokatsu’s left arm, trying to pull it in weird directions. Onokatsu got his right hand inside and pulled Oshoma down. Weird kimarite call, though. Onokatsu pulled Oshoma down with his inside hand. Uwatedashinage? OK?
Halftime
Ura (6-1) defeated Ichiyamamoto (2-5). Oshi-zumo brawl before the two men settled in the center of the ring, shoving each others’ shoulders. Ura pulled and slapped Ichiyamamoto down. Hatakikomi.
Kusano (3-4) defeated Kotoshoho (2-5). Kusano launched into Kotoshoho and drove him to the edge. Kotoshoho bent backward perilously but Kusano kept pushing forward and eventually toppled Kotoshoho backward. Abisetaoshi.
Takanosho (6-1) defeated Wakamotoharu (5-2). Takanosho forced Wakamotoharu back to the edge. It seemed Wakamotoharu was all too happy to comply and try to work the edge. He must not have planned on Takanosho to land a powerful shove to his neck, though. Takanosho put all of his weight into that nodowa and thrust Wakamotoharu off the dohyo. Tsukiotoshi.
Atamifuji (2-5) defeated Tamawashi (3-4). Atamifuji weathered Tamawashi’s tsuppari. When Tamawashi forced Atamifuji to the edge, Atamifuji resisted well. This forced Tamawashi to step inside and start shoving, eventually becoming a yotsu battle. Atamifuji was able to shift along the bales and get some space. With a double inside hold of Tamawashi’s trunk, he pressed forward and forced Tamawashi over the bales. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Takayasu (1-6) defeated Abi (0-7). Standard Abi-zumo and rather standard shoves and shoulder blasts from Takayasu. Abi was a bit out over his feet and Takayasu was able to attack from an angle and shoved him down. Oshitaoshi.
Hakuoho (4-3) defeated Kirishima (4-3). Hakuoho had a maemitsu grip with the right arm. Kirishima decided to clamp down hard on both of Hakuoho’s arms. Hakuoho released his grip but kept driving forward. He powered through and drove Kirishima out. Oh shit. Hakuoho’s injured again. He was cradling that arm, not using it. Yorikiri.
Aonishiki (5-2) defeated Wakatakakage (4-3). Aonishiki kept Wakatakakage in front of him and shoved the wannabe Ozeki off the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Oho (3-4) defeated Kotozakura (5-2). Kotozakura is relying too much on mis-direction and tawara dancing rather than power. Oho withstood two of the Ozeki’s slapdown attempts. Kotozakura shoved and batted away Oho’s arms but he left that right paw out too long. Oho grabbed it and pulled Kotozakura forward toward the bales. From there, Oho followed up with a shove and upset the Ozeki. Oshidashi.
Hoshoryu (7-0) defeated Hiradoumi (4-3). Hoshoryu got his right arm inside and committed to heaving Hiradoumi over. Hoshoryu pulled and pivoted along the edge and finally twisted Hiradoumi down. Sukuinage.
Onosato (6-1) dispatched Gonoyama (0-7). Onosato met Gonoyama at the tachiai with a shoulder and two shoves later, Gonoyama was in the crowd. Oshitaoshi.
Wrap-up
Immediate concern is for Hakuoho. He won the bout but may have seriously injured that right arm. He was in visible pain when trying to do his tegatana after the bout and kept checking it and testing it while he cradled it. I couldn’t tell if his concern was with the elbow or his bicep. Given his shoulder issues and the way his arms were squeezed, even the shoulder might be hurt. But it seemed like maybe the bicep. Rub some salt on there, do some keiko, it will be right as rain tomorrow, right?
In other news, there is a yusho race to be had. At the moment, Hoshoryu remains the sole competitor with no losses in the top division. Several of the chasers lost today. We are left with Onosato, Takanosho, Shodai and Ura with one loss. Shodai will fight Ura tomorrow. Takanosho will fight Churanoumi and Onosato will fight Hiradoumi. Hoshoryu will fight Gonoyama. Kotozakura will take on Takayasu, Kirishima will fight Wakamotoharu, Wakatakakage will fight Atamifuji and Tamawashi will face Aonishiki. Loads of great action on tap for tomorrow! See you then!
It’s day 6, which means that 3 rounds of bouts have been completed, and the single-elimination nature of the third-division yusho race has left us with 15 undefeated contenders. These will be matched up in rank order on days 7 and 8 to determine the quarterfinalists, with odd man out Aratakayama once again facing a Sandanme opponent. The yusho bracket includes former maegashira Kitanowaka, Shimazuumi, and Bushozan, as well as top prospects Goshima and Ikarigata. The latter stayed in the race by eliminating fan favorite Enho. Kitanowaka spent about three years in the sekitori ranks, with a few top-division appearances, before his January injury, and looks to be fit again, so he has to be one of the favorites. His day 7 bout with Goshima could be pivotal—the Fujishima beya man has been a beast since his Ms60TD debut in March, posting a 19-5 career record to date. Ikarigata is 23-8 after starting in January as a Sandanme tsukedashi, and Shimazuumi and Bushozan are also on their way back from injuries and cannot be counted out. Come back on day 8 to see who makes the quarterfinals and how the Juryo promotion picture in shaping up.
