With day 6 behind us, we launch into the middle weekend. Looking across the scoreboard, it’s going to be terribly temping for the schedulers to at least try to funnel the 13 rikishi with 3-3 records, with a further 9 at 2-4. A funnel, or “Darwin’s Funnel” would be to keep everyone at the make/kachi-koshi line fighting each other, with the hopes of enforcing the maximum number of them to a day 14 7-7 score. This happens by scheduling them only to fight each other, and working the career records and relative health into the mix. They did it with great effect in Nagoya, and tried it in September but could not keep the group herded together in the middle.

Highlight Matches

Kaisei defeats Chiyomaru – Chiyomaru could not get an effective thrust rhythm established. He went instead for a couple of shoulder pushes and a brief nodowa. Kaisei endured the attack and worked to get his hands around Chiyomaru’s body, and then walked him out. Simple, effective. Kaisei improves to 3-3.

Abi defeats Sadanoumi – Not sure anyone at the bottom of the banzuke is going to get dirt on Abi, and we may wait until the broader rank gaps seen in act 3 for him to get his first loss. Traditional Abi-zumo double hand attack to start, I liked Sadanoumi’s grab-and-tug counter attack, well done! With Sadanoumi in control for a few brief moments, he rushes forward to push Abi out. Now moving backward, Abi torques Sadanoumi’s neck and flips him down and over the bales. Wow.. Abi perfect at 6-0.

Kagayaki defeats Shohozan – Well, at least I got to see Shohozan deliver a face slap to someone. But after that it was all Kagayaki. Kagayaki has a clear route to Shohozan’s upper body, and cranked up the power. It was more than Shohozan could endure, and he stepped over the tawara. Kagayaki joins the 3-3 group.

Chiyonokuni defeats Tochinoshin – Chiyonokuni skillfully keeps separation, but finds he can’t shoulder-shove Tochinoshin around in any way. Tochinoshin had control of this match, but decided to try and pull not once but twice. Each time he ceded his defensive position, and Chiyonokuni took him back. Chiyonokuni finishes his with a double hand shove to add to the 3-3 crowd.

Ishiura defeats Akua – After Akua primed the system by launching early once for a matta, hey – why not? Ishiura leaps to the side for a henka, and picks up his 3rd win, and joins team 3-3.

Chiyotairyu defeats Yutakayama – Chiyotairyu: stand him up, slap him down. When he’s in that groove, he can rack up the wins. Not much sumo from Yutakayama today. Chiyotairyu advances to 4-2.

Kotonowaka defeats Aoiyama – Color me surprised and delighted, Kotonowaka picks up his second win. He shifts right against Aoiyama’s tachiai, and works to keep his balance and focus in the ensuing thrusting attack. By the 4th step, Aoiyama drops his guard for some reason, and Kotonowaka attack neck and shoulders, getting Aoiyama on the move. A big shove, and Big Dan is out! Kotonowaka improves to 2-4, Aoiyama is another at 3-3.

Hidenoumi defeats Hokutofuji – Second day in a row where Hokutofuji is struggling with his balance. He does seem to go phases where he is frequently off balance, and I do hope this is not that time. Hidenoumi works the defensive sumo well today, and seizes the second moment that Hokutofuji is too far forward, and drops him to the clay with a hatakikomi. 4-2 for both.

Tobizaru defeats Terutsuyoshi – A super low tachiai from both, and in the resulting battle crouch, a Tobizaru pull attempt gets Terutsuyoshi turned. Tobizaru does not hesitate when presented with Terutsuyoshi’s back side, and pushes with maximum force. The two dash for the East side, and take a tour of the zabuton section moments later. To paraphrase the great Murray Johnson, that left hand is a bit of a worry… Terutsuyoshi joins the 3-3 ranks, Tobizaru 4-2.

Shimanoumi defeats Kotoeko – This battle of the doomed ends with the hapless Kotoeko remaining winless as well. Its not like Kotoeko is not fighting with gusto and skill, but he finds a way to lose each day. Today Shimanoumi twisted him down into the clay. They called it tsukiotoshi, but it was a bit more involved than that. Shimanoumi gets his first win and advances to 1-5.

Ura defeats Takayasu – Last time we saw these two fight, Ura limped off the dohyo with what may have been the start of his knee trouble. Takayasu kept him at arm’s length today, with Ura launching cautions probing attacks. Unable to grab and tug any portion of Takayasu’s arms, Ura picks a gap in Takayasu’s defense and grabs a knee, and the ashitori upends the former ozeki with great effect. Ura improves to 5-1. I want to see him fight Shodai this month. Please oh please.

Hoshoryu defeats Chiyoshoma – What a great match. I continue to be surprised that Chiyoshoma had such great sumo mechanics when he was a henka merchant for so long. He was a bit over extended at the tachiai, and that left him high as he landed a right hand on Hoshoryu’s neck, which allowed Hoshoryu to duck and lunge in, setting up a right hand inside grip. Chiyoshoma used a trick body slap leg trip combo that missed, Hoshoryu countered with a throw attempt. Neither man could overwhelm the other, and they locked up in the center of the ring. Hoshoryu’s second try at a leg trip succeeded, and he dropped Chiyoshoma with a resounding kirikaeshi. Chiyoshoma goes to 3-3, Hoshoryu gets his second win to end the day 2-4.

Tamawashi defeats Endo – Endo’s opening combo saw him try for both left and right hand frontal grips in succession, and he was wide open to Tamawashi’s thrusting attack. The initial Tamawashi grab and turn converted into a left hand nodowa, and a fast trip across the bales for Endo. He joins team 3-3 as Tamawashi improves to 5-1.

Onosho defeats Wakatakakage – I am struggling to see what Onosho did differently today to pick up his first win, and frankly I can’t see it. But he got Wakatakakage moving, kept up the pressure, and sent Wakatakakage out. Shonichi of Onosho at 1-5.

Kiribayama defeats Ichinojo – Kiribayama connected at the tachiai with his left hand to Ichinojo’s blue mawashi, and held on with everything he could muster. Ichinojo knew that he could wait, as Kiribayama lacked the brute strength to move him if he kept his stance wide and his weight centered. So they wait, but Kiribayama summons a burst of power, raises Ichinojo up, and swings him down with an uwatedashinage for his first win. He improves to 1-5.

Mitakeumi defeats Myogiryu – Sloppy sumo from Mitakeumi today. A shift at the tachiai, and a big pull paid off, but it was messy and risky stuff. Mitakeumi advances to 5-1.

Daieisho defeats Meisei – A twofer match, as Daieisho disrupts Meisei’s balance and drops him on the third step. Both men end the day with 3-3, and join the growing crowd in the middle of the scoreboard.

Takanosho defeats Shodai – Shodai let Takanosho blast into him, push him back to the bales, and them tried a weak neck pull. But Shodai could not keep airborne quite long enough, and a monoii declared a rematch. The second fight saw a bit more fight from Shodai, but once again Takanosho had control of the match from the start. Another exit from Shodai with a rescue move, but this one was not close enough to elicit a monoii, and Takanosho took the win. Both finish with matching 3-3 records, and the ranks of the middle score swell. Three syllables for Shodai, if I could: “Oh – zeh – key”, we know you can do it, please make it so before I start calling you shin-Goeido.

Takakeisho defeats Takarafuji – Takarafuji did not seem to really know what to do after the first double arm blast, and it was over in 3 steps. Takakeisho remains perfect at 6-0, Takarafuji sadly gets in the 3-3 queue.

Terunofuji defeats Okinoumi – I was really impressed with Okinoumi’s defense at the start of this match. I think he guessed the longer he could keep Terunofuji away from his belt, the greater his chances to find an opening at attack. But the Yokozuna is very patient, and just inched his way to a working grip. You can see the match change the moment he gets it, as he lifts and walks Okinoumi out. 6-0 perfect score of Terunofuji to close day 6.

With the preview of day 6, it’s the start of Kyushu basho’s second act. Act 2 is where we narrow the field to find out who has what it takes to compete for the yusho, and to start sorting the survivors from the damned. This is also the time when the crafty schedulers start working out if they are going to try to funnel as many rikishi as possible into ending day 14 with 7-7 scores. I have called this process “Darwin’s Funnel”. The goal is to stage as many make/kachi koshi deciding matches for day 15. It’s cruel, it’s brutal, but it’s a vital part of sumo. The strong advance.

Right now, from the bottom third of the banzuke, the only one who is really having a cold start is dear old “Big Guns” Shohozan. Frankly, it breaks my heart. But if some of the other sumo fans are right, we will see him as a oyakata soon enough.

What We Are Watching Day 6

Chiyomaru vs Kaisei – Our first battle of the mega-fauna in act 2! With this much mass on the dohyo, the yobidashi will be offering prayers that their careful construction work last week is not ruined. Chiyomaru is fighting marginally better this November, so I am going to guess he will have a slight edge. But it comes down to if Kaisei can get a hold of Chiyomaru’s belt. If he does, it’s his match today.

Sadanoumi vs Abi – The two strongest men from the bottom end of the banzuke face off to see who has the strong run into the middle weekend. I know that Abi has a solid 4-2 career advantage, but somebody is going to put dirt on Abi soon, and it may as well be Sadanoumi.

Kagayaki vs Shohozan – Much as I like Kagayaki’s fundamentals based sumo, I want to see Shohozan womp somebody up’side the head. Just once. Chiyonokuni would be a better target for that, as it would probably be returned in kind. Kagayaki comes in with a strong 10-5 career advantage, and Shohozan is anything but genki right now. Ugh.

Chiyonokuni vs Tochinoshin – Chiyonokuni’s hit and move tactics are essential to his sumo. What happens when Tochinoshin is able to grab him and hold him still? Well, a 9-1 career advantage for Tochinoshin for start. Add to it that Tochinoshin really needs wins to stay off the Juryo barge, and it’s a tough match for Chiyonokuni.

Ishiura vs Akua – Ishiura’s sumo has really gone hit or miss now. Akua has a huge mass advantage over him (well, almost everyone does). Their last match was July, which Ishiura won by a resounding yoritaoshi, so maybe he can repeat in Kyushu today.

Chiyotairyu vs Yutakayama – Chiyotairyu has now used both his cannon-ball and his “stand them up and knock them down” opening gambits in the last few days. It’s going to leave Yutakayama guessing, and that’s just how Chiyotairyu wants it. Yutakayama has been very reactive this basho, I have not really seen him set the tone or pace of a match, and that may be part of why he is struggling at this low of a rank. Hopefully he shakes off his role as Shodai’s sparing partner and takes on some fighting spirit.

Aoiyama vs Kotonowaka – Sadly, this one is an easy call this basho. Kotonowaka seems to be doomed right now, and Aoiyama is fighting very well. We have seen him break out the V-Twin a couple of times, and I would guess “Big Dan” is going to stay on the north end of the kachi-koshi line all the way.

Hokutofuji vs Hidenoumi – I don’t know what the hell happened to Hokutofuji on day 5, but that was terrible! Maybe his lower body was hung over from partying with Kotoshogiku’s long departed knees, which are rumored to hang out in one of the small back alley beer joints in Fukuoka. With any luck his body will be in fighting shape today, and he will nodowa his frustrations out on Hidenoumi.

Terutsuyoshi vs Tobizaru – Well, if you wanted a pair of over-active rikishi to go low, stay low, and try to put their opponent lower still, this is your match. I have a gut feeling that Tobizaru has a slight edge this time, but it’s only a gut feeling. In general Terutsuyoshi gets the better of these matches with a 6-4 career score.

Shimanoumi vs Kotoeko – Well, anyone surprised the schedulers did this? At least we can take comfort that one of these poor rikishi will get their shonichi today. Kotoeko holds an 11-2 career record. Hopefully Abema does not go into a god-cursed Tapple commercial marathon right before the tachiai.

Takayasu vs Ura – Well, if they give us the dud derby just before this match, why not make it the chaos twins next? No way Takayasu is going to be able to use his stamina today. He’s going to be lucky if he can keep all of his body within local space time given some of the hyper-dimensional tricks Ura likes to execute. Where is this one going? Who can tell, their last match was in 2017, about 10 surgeries ago between the two of them. My advice to you, dear readers, is wear your 3D glasses during this match.

Chiyoshoma vs Hoshoryu – Why does Chiyoshoma hold a 3-0 career lead over Hoshoryu? Their prior matches looks like a set of hatakikomi and a throw. They are the same height, the same weight more or less, and both from Mongolia. With only 1 win, Hoshoryu could really use a white star today. With that be motivation enough?

Tamawashi vs Endo – Twenty Six career matches between these two, going back to 2013. Its a 15-11 advantage Tamawashi, and I like his sumo this November better than what I have seen from Endo, so I think advantage Tamawashi.

Onosho vs Wakatakakage – Onosho is uncalibrated right now. He can’t keep his feet under him most days, and it has robbed him of the confidence he need to really fight in the top division. So I expect him to have many more losses, as he is very much a “I think I can” sort of tadpole.

Ichinojo vs Kiribayama – Another inter-mongolia battle here, with 0-5 Kiribayama needing to find some why to move the boulder, who while not quite blowing the doors off of the san’yaku, seems to be doing well enough. I don’t think this one is going to be a good time for Kiribayama.

Mitakeumi vs Myogiryu – Mitakeumi as a real chance to start an Ozeki run here. All he has to do is stay strong and keep racking up the wins. Myogiryu is not quite genki yet, and has been trading wins back and forth with Mitakeumi since 2019. If the pattern holds, its Myogiryu this time.

Daieisho vs Meisei – I want to see Meisei do that lightning fast throw down again today. It was so good on day 5, I think I watched it 5 or 6 times. Great stuff. Daieisho could use the win at 2-3, and has a 7-2 career record of Meisei, so it’s Daieisho’s match to lose.

Shodai vs Takanosho – Shodai, you puss bucket. Just when I think you have your sumo together, you get stuff like day 5. Okinoumi took you to the wood shed, and you watched it happen. Try again today with Onigiri-kun, and make it right, please. You are starting to look like Goeido to me.

Takarafuji vs Takakeisho – It comes down to Takarafuji getting a hold of Takakeisho’s mawashi. He was last able to do that in January, and since then has eaten dirt twice at the hands of the grand tadpole. Takakeisho wants to keep pace with Terunofuji, and we hope he does. Onward. chieftain of the tadpole tribe!

Terunofuji vs Okinoumi – Okinoumi has such a lexicon of sumo skill, he can upset any rikishi on the right day. Terunofuji holds a staggering 13-3 career advantage, and Okinoumi has not beaten him since 2016, meaning Terunofuji has won the last 7 in a row.

On the final day of act 1, the crowd of undefeated rikishi was thinned out, as three took their first loss in a day of rebound sumo. Sadly the same was not true for the winless crew, who fought with spirit, but still managed to not find their first wins.

With act 1 now complete, we have an idea of who is hot and who is not. The leaders coming out of the first five days are no surprise with Terunofuji and Takakeisho at 5-0, and joined by Abi near the bottom of the banzuke. Abi has been fighting his way back up the ranks after a suspension that ended in March, and he has been blasting his way higher ever since, scoring 3 lower division yusho along the way. He’s more focused, a bit heavier, and a bit stronger now than his first incarnation, and I have to wonder how long it will take him to fight his way up to the named ranks.

On the “who is not” list, a few surprising names. Chief among them Hoshoryu and Kiribayama. Both of them are capable young rikishi who will be top division mainstays for some time to come barring injury. What has sapped their performance now? It’s hard to say, and is traditional in the sumo world, no one is telling.

Highlight Matches

Abi defeats Akua – That opening tow-arm attack from Abi seems to be unstoppable. There was a time during his first period in the top division where nearly everyone took a loss because of it. Then folks figured it out and had a ready defense. I wonder if that will happen this time too. But for today, the guy is unbeaten at the lower end of the banzuke, 5-0, as Akua crumples his way his 3rd loss.

Chiyomaru defeats Shohozan – Readers know that I am eager to see Shohozan smack the curry out of someone, just because it’s his brand of sumo. But today we get to see Chiyomaru disrupt him from the tachiai, land a pull, and quickly put Shohozan’s feet over the bales for a loss. Chiyomaru improves to 2-3.

Chiyonokuni defeats Sadanoumi – Sadanoumi picks up his first loss in a torinaoshi. Chiyonokuni heaped on the offense from the tachiai, moving Sadanoumi back. Sadanoumi managed a reverse at the tawara, which Chiyonokuni countered with a throw. But it looked like he had a foot out, and a monoii declared dotai, and it was rematch time. The second time, Chiyonokuni left no doubt, keeping Sadanoumi squarely in his front quarter, and delivering a stomping yorikiri. Chiyonokuni improves to 2-3.

Tochinoshin defeats Kagayaki – Tochinoshin got a right hand inside while Kagayaki tried to initiate his oshi-zumo. Unable to get his left hand in place, Tochinoshin improvised a bit, and found he could move forward. With Kagayaki at the bales, Tochinoshin’s left hand found the mawashi, and the win soon followed. Welcome back sir, he picks up his first win of November to improve to 1-4.

Kaisei defeats Yutakayama – Kaisei was able to set up a left arm ottsuke at the tachiai to prevent Yutakayama’s right hand from finding a hold. This put Kaisei in control, and he used it to pin Yutakayama to his front, keep him from lowering his hips. Kaisei converted that to a right hand inside grip, and once that much rikishi has a hold of you, you are in trouble. Kaisei improves to 2-3.

Chiyotairyu defeats Hokutofuji – Hokutofuji’s handshake tachiai failed to find it’s mark, and Chiyotairyu gave him the denshamichi express. Chiyotairyu improves to 3-2.

Hidenoumi defeats Ishiura – Ishiura went for a big hit, then shift left at the tachiai. This did not work quite as well as hoped, as Hidenoumi was now to the side of Ishiura, grabbing him an lifting him like a bin on trash day, carrying him out and tossing him toward the timekeeper. Hidenoumi improves to 3-2.

Terutsuyoshi defeats Aoiyama – Terutsuyoshi tried to get close at the tachiai, but Aoiyama pushed him away, and turned on the V-Twin. But Terutsuyoshi was relentless, and pushed low and inside. Aoiyama broke contact, and back to another session with the V-Twin applied to Terutsuyoshi’s face. Still Terutsuyoshi did not give up, and was rewarded with a right hand inside grip. With both men tiring, Terutsuyoshi unleashed a shitatenage, dropping Aoiyama to the clay and claiming his 3rd win. Nice work, and persistence payed off for Terutsuyoshi today.

Tobizaru defeats Kotonowaka – Tobizaru with a low flying henka today put him behind Kotonowaka at the tachiai, and he made fast work of the hapless Kotonowaka from there. Tobizaru improves to 3-2.

Ura defeats Chiyoshoma – Ura lined up almost to the tokudawara, as both of them were eyeing the other for tachiai shenanigans. Sadly, no acrobatics were forthcoming, and the two grappled and the fight was on. Chiyoshoma had better hand placement, but as usual, Ura was impossibly low. With the two stalemated for a moment, Ura pulled down on his right and twisted, dropping Chiyoshoma with the lowest tottari possibly ever seen in modern times. Brilliant! Ura improves to 4-1.

Tamawashi defeats Kotoeko – Everyone is besting Kotoeko, and its kind of depressing. Tamawashi makes short work of him today, improving to 4-1.

Takayasu defeats Hoshoryu – No chance to use that inhuman endurance today, Hoshoryu had a workable offensive position at the tachiai, and Takayasu decided he was going to need to be dispatched. Hoshoryu engaged in some very nice rescue moves at the bales, but in the process of trying to twist away, put a foot over the bales and into the janome, giving Takayasu his fourth win.

Endo defeats Shimanoumi – Much like Kotoeko, Shimanoumi is unable to find any wins in act 2, and exits the initial phase of the basho with 0-5. Shimanoumi has the bulk of the offense today, and had Endo hurtling back when Endo applied a slap down. Shimanoumi hit the clay, Endo went over the West side, and the gumbai pointed East. But some times at the height of our reverie, a monoii is called, and a bunch of guys in black robes wreck the party. Endo is declared the winner, and improves to 3-2.

Takarafuji defeats Onosho – Fine, can we at least have Onosho break the winless spell? Well, no. He blasts in hard to Takarafuji’s waiting defense, but if its Onosho, you know he is probably off balance. Takarafuji tips him to the side a time or two, then slaps him past to crash over the edge of the dohyo. Takarafuji improves to 3-2, as both men linger on the dohyo expecting a monoii.

Daieisho defeats Ichinojo – Daieisho dials it up to “11” again today, and gets Ichinojo moving. Once the Boulder is rolling, best to get out of the way and let it land. Ichinojo responds in kind, but thrusting against Ichinojo’s massive body is akin to hitting the broad side of a barn. You just can’t miss. Ichinojo survives about 10 second and steps out, as Daieisho improves to 2-3.

Meisei defeats Kiribayama – The final fellow in the winless tribe can’t find a white star either, and I hope all of them go out for steamed crabs and tall beers together to commiserate. To me, it had to be a bit of a heartbreak for Kiribayama, as he had Meisei on defense, and moving astern. Then some sort of ur-Meisei took possession for the briefest moment, and hurled Kiribayama with monster-truck force. Where the hell did that come from? Meisei improves to 3-2.

Wakatakakage defeats Mitakeumi – Mitakeumi had fantastic defensive sumo going for a while, but after Wakatakakage’s first and second offensive combo, the two paused, and Mitakumi did not guard his left side. In went Wakatakakage’s right hand, giving him a two hand grip, and there was nothing Mitakeumi could do to prevent Wakatakakage’s advance and win. Wakatakakage improves to 2-3.

Takakeisho defeats Myogiryu – It was not flashy or overly exciting, but we did get to see Takakeisho broadly apply “his brand of sumo” and dispatch Myogiryu without too much resistance. If Takakeisho can stay in this groove, I am hoping to see him compete for the cup in week two. Some of his best sumo in the past year, and I love it. He improves to 5-0.

Okinoumi defeats Shodai – Well, Okinoumi had this one in the bag from the tachiai. Shodai seemed a bit surprised to be captured with a deep left from Okinoumi at the tachiai. Shodai tried some of his pivoting escape moves, but look at that lateral motion from Okinoumi! No escape there, Ozeki, and out you go. Okinoumi improves to 2-3.

Terunofuji defeats Takanosho – I do love Onigiri-kun, and he put on a heck of a fight. But again we see Terunofuji’s opponent appear to do well for a few moments, maybe even gain some level of advantage and try a finishing move. But out comes the kaiju and in a blink of an eye, the Yokozuna’s opponent is sprawled out on the clay. 5-0 for Terunofuji. Wow.