Love it or hate it, the Jungyo tour is back. The topic is a particularly polarizing one for fans, especially so many wrestlers were unable to compete at their former level, or even finish the tournament, due to injury. From Hoshoryu’s early withdrawal through Meisei, Hidenoumi, and on down the banzuke to Enho, we often wonder how these guys can stitch themselves together for a grueling, month-long promotional tour.
After a week of partying and packing, most wrestlers will be arriving back in Tokyo to get down to training for the Aki Tournament in September. Most sekitori and their tsukebito, though, will head off on the tour and meet with fans from more distant regions who come out to support their favorite wrestlers and homegrown talents. It also serves as a way to encourage and feature many young, local amateurs. Sumo wrestlers from local schools often come and some even get to strap on their mawashi and participate.
This summer’s tour began today in Osaka. The route will wind its way up into Hokkaido then back south into the Kanto region with another stop at Tachihi, which Andy saw in-person last year, as well as Shizuoka, Chiba, and Saitama.
Tangent
As with most sumo events, it can be a bit tricky to get tickets. I went through the offical process last year, which required a trip to a 7-Eleven and a local telephone number. For folks who wonder why BuySumoTickets exists, that’s why. I don’t imagine many of you have a steady supply of in-laws living in Japan and a Japanese-speaking spouse to help make these things happen.
When you want to get tickets or join a fan club, they often require a local phone number or address. That’s why Tatsunami-beya’s proposed fan club access for foreigners is perking up a lot of ears. I am eager to see more details. Would they actually send banzuke to foreign addresses? Member-only streams and YouTube content would be nice but I bet many folks want tangible merch direct from the heya. But back to the topic at hand, the summer tour.
/Tangent
As many might already know, Osaka is hosting a World Expo this year. It started in mid-April and runs through mid-October. Holup. Judging by the blank stares, I gather you didn’t know. Well, yes, since we last paid attention to Osaka (back in March) they’ve been hosting a World Expo and today they invited the sumo wrestlers back to kick-off their summer tour.
You will be relieved to learn that a dozen wrestlers are kyujo from this particular tour, Hoshoryu, Daieisho, Meisei, Takerufuji, Tobizaru, Endo, Ura, Chiyoshoma, Hidenoumi, Kayo, Shishi, and Tomokaze. In their place are Hakuozan and Kagayaki. Oh, and by the way, Kazenosuke retired.
“Shhhh…Aki Basho? Andy, what the hell. Nagoya just ended, hangovers aren’t even cured and you’re on about Aki? Just pass the pickles and turn out the lights, man.“
As is customary, the Banzuke Committee met and the ranking sheet for Aki has been drawn up — though it won’t be released in full for several weeks. But, we do learn about promotions to Juryo. This time, there are five and Takasago-beya has the Triple-promotion that Leonid discussed yesterday. And, as predicted, Ishizaki changed his shikona to something more appropriate for Takasago beya: Asasuiryu (朝翠龍). Of course the kanji has to be ridiculous, typing Asa-midori-ryu to get this nonsense to show up properly.
So, from Takasago-beya we have Asanoyama, Asasuiryu, and Asahakuryu coming up in the first triple promotion since Aki 1979. Joining them, we have Kyokukaiyu from Oshima-beya and Nishinoryu of Sakaigawa, in a bit of a surprise. We won’t know for certain who was demoted yet, but that might be bad news for the Daiamami fans out there.
In honor of 1979 and the Sadogatake triple promotion for Kotonoryu, Kotochitose, and Kototateyama enjoy this by the Koto-Smashing Pumpkins.
Now that the action has concluded, we can take our customary preliminary look at the implications of the results for the next banzuke.
Yokozuna and Ozeki
The only change here is that Onosato will swap sides with Hoshoryu based on their records. Kotozakura posted his 3rd straight 8-7 record, just avoiding kadoban. Tachiai hopes that everyone shows up in September healed up and ready to fight.
Sekiwake
Daieisho’s unfortunate kyujo put an end to any near-term hopes of Ozeki promotion, and will also end his year-long stay in sanyaku and drop him to his lowest rank since 2018. Exactly how far he falls is one of the big question marks on this banzuke. Kirishima’s 8-7 should reset his Ozeki run to square one, unless he can pull off an improbable 14+ win yusho in September. Wakatakakage followed up his 12-3 in May with a 10-5, giving him a total of 22 wins and a likely target of 11 at Aki for a long-awaited Ozeki promotion. It’ll be interesting to see if he leapfrogs Kirishima for East Sekiwake.
Komusubi
Despite not deserving the rank based on his May record, Takayasu had an outstanding tournament, finishing with 10 wins, beating Kotozakura and Wakatakakage, featuring in the yusho race as late as Day 11, and serving as the barrier to yusho contenders Aonishiki, Ichiyamamoto, Atamifuji and Kusano. With both active Sekiwake getting winning records, he’ll probably have to be content with sliding over to the East side. Oshoma’s sanyaku debut … did not go well; he finished with only 3 wins and will drop deep into the maegashira ranks—how deep is another banzuke conundrum. With a spot open, Aonishiki will make his record-setting sanyaku debut, albeit one basho later than he should have. The young Ukrainian did not hit a ceiling in his first basho in the joi, and has now posted 11-4 records in each of his three top-division tournaments. If he can replicate this feat two more times, he‘ll might be Ozeki. Tamawashi and Abi also put up records that would warrant sanyaku promotion, but unless the banzuke makers are feeling generous and decide to create extra Sekiwake or Komusubi slots, they’ll probably have to settle for the top maegashira ranks.
Makuuchi-Juryo Exchanges
We have 4 stone-cold demotions—Hidenoumi, Kayo, Chiyoshoma and Endo—matched by 4 clear promotions—Shonannoumi, Tomokaze, Nishikigi and Ryuden. Then there are two rikishi on the bubble—Kotoeiho and Shishi—and two marginal promotion candidates—Hitoshi and Daiseizan. My current guess is that they’ll exchange Kotoeiho with Hitoshi, but that Shishi will just survive and Daiseizan will just miss out, but it’s possible that they’ll make neither or both exchanges.
Juryo-Makushita Exchanges
As readers who followed my third-division coverage know, we had a pretty good idea of what would happen here on day 13, with a couple of question marks. Here’s how everything played out. All of the promotion candidates won except Kitanowaka, who lost what looked like a straight exchange bout to Daiamami today. So Ishizaki, Kyokukaiyu, and former Ozeki Asanoyama with join the Makushita champion, Asahakuryu, in the sekitori ranks, resulting in a rare triple promotion for Takasago beya, whose only current sekitori is Ishizaki’s brother, Asakoryu, who used to fight as Ishizaki himself. Expect some sort of Asa- shikona for the brother as well. Making way for them and dropping out of the salaried ranks are Nabatame, Mitoryu, Shimanoumi and Otsuji. The remaining question mark is whether Ms5e Nishinoryu (5-2) might push down Daiamami. The math puts Nishinoryu half a rank ahead, but I don’t see them making the exchange: Daiamami’s record isn’t a “must demote”, 5-2 at Ms5e isn’t enough for promotion more often than not, including just last basho, and Daiamami won what sure looked like a straight exchange bout.
We’ll find out about Juryo promotions in a couple of days, but we’ll have to wait until September 1 for the rest of the rankings. The Crystal Ball will weigh in closer to then; in the meantime, let me know what you think in the comments.
No new kyujo here on senshuraku, thankfully. There is more than our share of walking wounded, though. I really would not have minded if Meisei had decided to watch today’s action from home.
In Juryo, Mita won the yusho despite being slapped down for a loss in his senshuraku bout against Shonannoumi. Both Daiseizan and Kōtokuzan lost to their opponents so neither could force a playoff. Eleven wins was enough for an outright yusho with six guys just behind.
Your NHK videos of today’s action is here: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I and Part II.
Special Prizes
With Hakuho gone, former Ozeki Takakeisho took over the role of displaying who earned special prizes on the Kyokai’s Twitter feed.
Outstanding Performance: Tamawashi, Whomever is Yusho-winner
Fighting Spirit: Kusano, Kotoshoho, Fujinokawa (with a win today)
Technique: Aonishiki, Kusano
Turning our attention to the top division yusho race, Kotoshoho and Aonishiki control their own destiny while Kusano must beat Takayasu and needs Aonishiki to beat Kotoshoho for him to have a spot in the playoff. If Kotoshoho beats Aonishiki, he claims the yusho outright. If Aonishiki wins, we will have a playoff and it will be an extra-interesting three-way battle if Kusano earns his spot.
Top Division Action
Shishi (7-8) defeated Asakoryu (6-9). Shishi wrapped up Asakoryu with a right-hand inside and steadily drove him to the edge and over. Yorikiri.
Mitakeumi (10-5) defeated Tokihayate (6-9). Mitakeumi got his right hand inside but Tokihayate pulled away to the left. Mitakeumi stuck with him, though and shoved him out easily. Oshidashi.
Takanosho (9-6) defeated Shodai (9-6). Shodai forced Takanosho to the edge but Takanosho slipped from his grip to the left and then hit him with a nodowa. Shodai pulled away but Takanosho chased and shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Atamifuji (11-4) defeated Churanoumi (9-6). Atamifuji worked his right hand inside and tried to use gaburi-yotsu hip thrusts but that was slow going with only one hand on the belt and his left awkwardly wrapped around Churanoumi’s right arm. Churanoumi resisted well but eventually pulled, allowing Atamifuji the momentum he needed to force Churanoumi out. Yorikiri.
Kotoeiho (6-9) defeated Chiyoshoma (1-14). Chiyoshoma gave it his all and tried to throw Kotoeiho with his right-over arm grip, then his left-hand under arm. Kotoeiho’s excellent footwork allowed him to keep Chiyoshoma in front and he toppled Chiyoshoma over the edge with his own uwatenage.
Fujinokawa (10-5) defeated Ichiyamamoto (9-6). Ichiyamamoto charged forward behind his standard tsuppari but Fujinokawa slipped to Ichi’s right and slapped him down to claim his Fighting Spirit prize in his top division debut. Hatakikomi.
Kayo (4-11) defeated Meisei (3-12). With Meisei’s thigh injury, we saw some offense from Kayo. Instead of jamming his gear into reverse, he stood and brawled then shoved Meisei to the ground when Meisei pulled. Oshitaoshi.
Hiradoumi (8-7) defeated Roga (7-8). Hiradoumi charged straight into Roga who tried a twisting utchari at the edge. Both men tumbled down. Gunbai Hiradoumi. No mono-ii. It was close. Yoritaoshi.
Kinbozan (4-11) defeated Sadanoumi (4-11). Kinbozan hit Sadanoumi with several powerful thrusts to the face and thrust him out quickly. I think Sadanoumi tasted blood after that beating. That felt like the quickest first half in recorded history. Tsukidashi.
Halftime
Hidenoumi (2-11-2) defeated Onokatsu (6-9). Onokatsu assaulted Hidenoumi with nodowa then buried his top-knot in Hidenoumi’s chin and pressed forward. Hidenoumi resisted the best he could and worked his way back to center, even forcing Onokatsu to the bales. Onokatsu then pulled and Hidenoumi punished him by driving him over the edge for his second win of the tournament. In his haste to get back to the shitakubeya, Hidenoumi nearly forgot to pick up his kensho. Yorikiri.
Abi (9-6) defeated Midorifuji (9-6). Midorifuji henka and pull but this is Abi. Abi knew what was up and he shoved Midorifuji out. Quiet crowd tonight. Taps the microphone. “Is this thing on?” Oshidashi.
Oho (7-8) defeated Hakuoho (8-7). Oho battered Hakuoho with tsuppari and thrust him out. Tsukidashi.
Gonoyama (9-6) defeated Wakamotoharu (6-9). Gonoyama was all offense as he hit Wakamotoharu with repeated thrusts, effectively keeping him off his belt. Gonoyama kept pounding him back toward the edge and thrust him over. Tsukidashi.
Kotoshoho (13-2) defeated Aonishiki (11-4). Kotoshoho hit Aonishiki hard at the tachiai and began gaburi bunny hops and drove Aonishiki back toward the edge. Kotoshoho was trying to work both hands inside for a morozashi and Aonishiki pressed forward but Kotoshoho quickly pulled and thrust Aonishiki forward to the ground. Kotoshoho Yusho. Mom is crying, Dad is proud. Tsukiotoshi.
Sanyaku
Takayasu (10-5) defeated Kusano (11-4). Takayasu battered Kusano with a steady torrent of tsuppari, backing the rookie to the bales and out. Kusano tried to keep up with the tsuppari by blocking his arms but far too many blows hit their mark. You could see several head shots land which put Kusano in a bad way, then a body shot at the edge seemed to take the wind out of him. Finally safe at the foot of the dohyo, Kusano seemed to be questioning his life choices. Poor kid. Tsukidashi.
Tamawashi (11-4) defeated Oshoma (3-12). Both men gave their best today but the Iron Man out-lasted Oshoma. An early shift and pull-down attempt by Oshoma gave Tamawashi a good deal of trouble but Tamawashi recovered and countered. As he charged forward, he found himself too close to Oshoma for tsuppari so he grabbed Oshoma’s belt and drove him to the edge. Oshoma resisted along the bales and tried to escape but good ole Tom O’Washi bellied O’Shoma over the edge. Yorikiri.
Wakatakakage (10-5) defeated Kirishima (8-7). Wakatakakage hit Kirishima hard then batted him to the left while grabbing at his thong. Everyone wants to get their hands on Kirishima’s thong. Maybe he’s particularly vulnerable to wedgies. Anyway, while Kirishima tried to turn back around and avoid being okuridashi’ed, WTK kept up the attack, wrapped him up and pressed forward, forcing him off the dohyo. Yorikiri.
Onosato (11-4) defeated Kotozakura (8-7). Onosato, steady on his feet, faced Kotozakura well and pressed Kotozakura out. Kotozakura had tried to escape to the left and execute an uwatenage but Onosato moved laterally to keep Kotozakura in front of him. Yorikiri.
Wrap-up
Kotoshoho was able to put together a fantastic 13-win performance while the best anyone from sanyaku could manage was Onosato’s 11. Still, Wakatakakage’s 10 wins is good enough to put him on a reasonable path to Ozeki promotion in September, which is excellent news. Kirishima’s five straight losses to end the tournament will effectively put him back at zero. The biggest story, though, is this host of young guns making their presence known and who will probably find themselves in sanyaku very soon.
Well, that was an interesting two weeks. We were certainly hit with more than our share of injuries, especially at the top of the division. There are a lot of walking wounded, too, as I mentioned above. I know Hoshoryu tried to make good on the promise of a Yokozuna duel on senshuraku. But he will stay kyujo for the first part of the Jungyo tour and hopefully his broken toe will be healed next time he mounts the dohyo.
Onosato gave up four kinboshi and must feel disappointed in his debut given the hype coming into the tournament. But the man still has not won fewer than 9 bouts in a tournament. He got eleven wins here and this should be considered a pretty successful result. He is not going to win them all but he will want to perform better against the rank-and-file. Well, at least the Kyokai accountants would be appreciative of extra effort in those bouts.
Anyway, If people were expecting the second-coming of prime Hakuho, well, give the kid a few tournaments. What is clear is that both Hoshoryu and Onosato are feeling the full weight of the expectations of their office even though both guys just got here. Let’s see where things go.
