Some fine matches went pear shaped when the rikishi with advantage tried to pull their opponent down today. Once in a while such a move works, but any time it is tried, the puller bets everything on move. Today, many of those gambles were a suckers bet, especially for Mitakeumi and Takakeisho today, handing losses to a pair of high ranking 2-0 rikishi with prior yusho experience. A “Surplus of Almost” indeed.

Much as we worried, Kotoshogiku went kyujo at the start of day 3, citing injury to a calf muscle, and requiring 2 weeks rest. This would put the former Ozeki squarely in Juryo for November, and I would guess he may decide to retire instead. Kotoshogiku owns a kabu, and is only waiting to assume a new role as a sumo elder.

Highlight Matches

Kyokutaisei defeats Hoshoryu – Impressive focus from Kyokutaisei in this match. I think Hoshoryu started in better position, but Kyokutaisei kept his left hand latched to Hoshoryu’s mawashi. Although he tried a leg trip against Hoshoryu, it was ultimately Kyokutaisei just blasting forward that won the match.

Ichinojo defeats Shohozan – Well, that’s one of Ichinojo’s “good” modes. When he is doing that kind of sumo, there is not much an opponent is going to be able to do. Ichinojo stood Shohozan up, and immediately batted him down.

Meisei defeats Shimanoumi – Meisei got his hands inside at the tachiai, and kept Shimanoumi out of cadence. In this case, Meisei’s pull payed off, and sent Shimanoumi staggering forward, and handed control of the match to Meisei. That finishing shove was excellent form for Meisei.

Tobizaru defeats Kotoshoho – This match did not disappoint. We previewed it as one of the day 3 highlights, and we saw the two start the match with a furious thrusting and slapping volley, both men struggling for advantage. But look at where Tobizaru’s hips are – the man is impressively low. Tobizaru gets into a shove-and-move cadence that works very well for him, and Kotoshoho is relegated to counter-attack only. Tobizaru improves to 3-0.

Kaisei defeats Kotoeko – Kotoeko looked completely impotent in his day 3 match, and remains winless. Kaisei did not really look much better, but sometimes in sumo being enormous is enough.

Sadanoumi defeats Enho – Its heartbreaking to watch these matches with Enho, it just seems he can’t generate any offense, and his height and mass leave him with almost no options for defensive sumo. So day after day we are treated specticals of Enho tossed about like a cork on an angry sea. At this rate, I worry that the next basho to feature Hakuho will have both of his minions out of the top division.

Onosho defeats Wakatakakage – Another swift, brutal match from Onosho, facing Wakatakakage for the first time. What I love about this match is the amount of high-skill sumo being employed in subtle ways that only reveal themselves in the replays. Fantastic tachiai from Wakatakakage, but he yielded the inside position to Onosho. No longer in danger of being too far forward (he could lean against Wakatakakage), Onosho shows some solid chest to chest sumo, bringing Wakatakakage to the tawara. That rescue throw at the edge by Wakatakakage was exquisitely timed, but Onosho somehow levitated just long enough to make sure Wakatakakage hit first. The more times I watched that finishing move, the better it looked. Well fought to both.

Aoiyama defeats Tokushoryu – Ah.. yep. Tokushoryu is always going to have a huge bias to his front, and Aoiyama just helped nature take its course.

Kagayaki defeats Takayasu – For myself, a match featuring Takayasu, Kagayaki AND a freshly returned Konosuke? YES! If you can go frame by frame on that match, just look at Takayasu’s body position at the tachiai, sheer perfection. But Kagayaki was ready for the former Ozeki to reach deep with his right hand, and shut down the opening gambit. At that point Kagayaki has his hands inside, and is thrusting upward against Takayasu’s jaw. Takayasu responses with a vague attempt to place his hands for a pull. In response, Kagayaki advances, and Takayasu loses solid footing. Kagayaki reads this perfectly and takes a step back while Takayasu falls forward for the loss.

Takarafuji defeats Ryuden – Takarafuji had no need to extend and defend today, he got his left hand inside, taking Ryuden to his chest. A strong advance with a firm grip on Ryuden, and the match was won.

Tochinoshin defeats Yutakayama – Yutakayama was able to get the initiative in this match, and dictated a mobile oshi-battle. Much as that might favor Yutakayama, Tochinoshin gave a bit better than he received, disrupting every attempt Yutakayama made to square his hip and push. I really worry that Yutakayama is hurt in some way and it’s going to be a return to Juryo for him at some point. Tochinoshin picks up his first win.

Kiribayama defeats Terutsuyoshi – A matta broadcast both rikishi’s opening gambits, which favored Terutsuyoshi. It may seem like a throw-away, but notice how Kiribayama immediately modifies his tachiai on the re-start. Not as fast to contact, his stance is wider. As a result, Terutsuyoshi makes contact mid-stride rather than with his feet on the clay, and Kiribayama deftly bats him down in the split second his body is not quite supported by his feet. Just brilliant sumo.

Tamawashi defeats Okinoumi – With 22 (now 23) matches in their combined history, these two know how the other fights. Both men had traction problems thanks to Terutsuyoshi’s salt wash left on the dohyo. If you want to see two big rikishi trade blows to the neck and slip around the dohyo, this is a match for you! Tamawashi picks up his second win, while Okinoumi is left still looking for his first.

Takanosho defeats Mitakeumi – The tachiai was quite even, and moments into the fight Takanosho tries a half-hearted pull. For reasons I can’t quite fathom, Mitakeumi decides to respond in kind, and releases forward pressure. Well, it seems Takanosho was ready for that, and pushes Mitakeumi back and out. First loss for Mitakeumi, and frankly he threw that match away with that pull attempt Takanosho baited him into making.

Shodai defeats Endo – Endo can be counted on to reach for the front of his opponent’s mawashi, and Shodai was ready to welcome that opening move. Shodai’s body has some atypical proportions for a sumotori. His legs are not quite so long, and he has an extended torso. This means his hips can be lower, even when his upper body looks high. Endo’s mawashi grab misses by a kilometer, and for some reason he decides plan “B” includes a step back. The release of forward pressure catches Shodai a bit by surprise, and for a brief moment he is perilously on one foot and too far forward. But Endo can’t exploit that. Shodai regains his stance and overpowers Endo at the tawara for his 3rd win.

Myogiryu defeats Daieisho – Myogiryu opened strong at the tachiai, but in the next heartbeat, Daieisho dialed up the tsuppari and took control of the match. But a well timed side step by Myogiryu, as Daieisho lunged to finish the match, gave Myogiryu his 3rd win for Aki.

Hokutofuji defeats Takakeisho – Takakeisho picks up his first loss when he tries to pull Hokutofuji down. Typically a foolish move, as Hokutofuji tends to have periods of super-natural balance. I have remarked that at times it’s as if Hokutofuji’s upper and lower body are loosely consolidated, independent creatures cooperating to imitate sumo. You can pound his upper body with brutal blows, but his lower body keeps working to win. In some way he reminds me of the Chicago Bears of old. You can completely route the offense (Hokutofuji’s upper body), but the defense (Hokutofuji’s lower body) is perfectly capable of defeating you on its own.

Terunofuji defeats Asanoyama – Maybe Asanoyama did not appreciate that within Terunofuji’s battered body is the skill, cunning, and tenacity of an Ozeki. I also suspect that maybe Asanoyama’s problems are not just nerves. Perhaps there is some physical injury or other problem at work. Asanoyama opened strong, and even had morozashi with Terunofuji’s heels on the bales. He should have been able to finish the kaiju, but the Ozeki fire that still dwells in Terunofuji broke free of whatever kept it prisoner, and we were back in 2015 for a moment. Like some otherworldly clamp, Terunofuji would not let go of Asanoyama’s salmon colored mawashi, and it was time to answer the young Ozeki’s opening. Unable to push Terunofuji out, Asanoyama tried to swing him into a throw, but all he did was unbalance himself and Terunofuji continued the rotation with that left hand as the fulcrum, pitching Asanoyama like some 150kg bowling ball. Terunofuji picks up his first win, and it was against the top ranked man on the torikumi.

I am keenly anticipating the Asanoyama – Terunofuji match. Both men are 0-2, and are having a cold start to Aki, but for markedly different reasons. In the case of Terunofuji, he was probably over-promoted following his yusho. He is a remarkable Cinderella story, and deserves heaps of praise and credit for the hard work, the focus and the dedication to return to the top division. I think in many cases, he is struggling to elevate his sumo to a level needed to compete on peer terms with the joi-jin. I think if he can stay healthy, he will get there. But it is probably too soon.

For Asanoyama, he bought the hype. Sports news in Japan seems to have been handicapping him as the next big hope. When both Yokozuna announced kyujo for Aki, the pressure only increased for him to take this opportunity to begin his road to promotion. I fear he may have lost contact with what got him to Ozeki—his unabashed love for sumo. I am sure it will come back to him, and he will eventually come into his own.

What We Are Watching Day 3

Kyokutaisei vs Hoshoryu – These two have mixed it up in the past, twice in regular juryo matches, splitting them 1-1. Right now I think Kyokutaisei is on better mental footing, and when you have two rikishi who are so evenly matched, I think that gives him an edge.

Ichinojo vs Shohozan – Shohozan really needs a win now, and his 8-3 career record over Ichinojo may be his best shot to arrest the slide that began in January of this year. Of note, if Ichinojo is aggressive and on his sumo today, there are few forces in Tokyo that can stop him.

Meisei vs Shimanoumi – I really liked Shimanoumi’s day 2 sumo against Hoshoryu. I am aware that many sumo fans though there should have been a rematch, and perhaps there should have been. I think it will come down to Shimanoumi getting a hand inside and dampening Meisei’s oshi attack plan.

Kotoshoho vs Tobizaru – Great match to throw into day 3, a pair who are fresh faces having a hot start to the basho from the bottom third of the division. Tobizaru had been stuck in Juryo for a couple of years due to his hit-or-miss performance. His backers can only hope that he has worked that out and will continue to have good sumo this September. I am looking for Kotoshoho to try an early slap down if he catches Tobizaru too far forward.

Chiyotairyu vs Kotoshogiku – Kotoshogiku holds a 17-3 head-to-head career edge. But the former Ozeki looked hurt even before the end of his day 2 match, and in re-watching the bout, he did in fact seem to step out to end the fight. He had been competing without his normal tape load, so I am looking for his knees to be back under wraps for the remainder of Aki. The lighter, faster, stronger Chiyotairyu may be more that Kotoshogiku can handle on a Tuesday afternoon.

Kaisei vs Kotoeko – Both men are off to cold 0-2 starts for the tournament, and neither one has shown up with a lot of sumo offense yet. There is some 70 kg difference between the two, and I struggle to see how a less than genki Kotoeko will overcome Kaisei’s weight advantage.

Enho vs Sadanoumi – Can Enho get it together? He’s the only Miyagino rikishi actually competing in the top division, and he seems to have lost confidence in his sumo. He’s not slower, not less inventive and not less dangerous than he was earlier this year, but something has robbed him of his ability to attack. I think I speak for most of sumo fandom in hoping he can get his genki back.

Onosho vs Wakatakakage – First time meeting here, and if Wakatakakage wants to win this match, don’t remain in the same place for more than one moment. If Onosho can bracket you, he will pound you to the clay. Watch for him to unbalance, and strike.

Tokushoryu vs Aoiyama – A pair of heavies, they have a 4-5 career record, and I think it’s going to come down to whether Big Dan Aoiyama can get his V-Twin thrusting attack at optimum range. As long as Tokushoryu does not try to retreat in the face of that pounding, he can keep Aoiyama from using it to full effect.

Takayasu vs Kagayaki – Takayasu won their only prior match, and I am keen to see what a genki Takayasu is going to do with Kagayaki’s fundamentals-based sumo. Kagayaki still seems a bit rusty, and given the lack of degeiko, he may have a distinct disadvantage to Takayasu for this match (who trains with the relic of Kisenosato).

Ryuden vs Takarafuji – Takarafuji holds a clear 5-1 advantage over Ryuden, and both come into today with matching 1-1 records. I give an advantage to Takarafuji at the moment, as he seems to be more “into” his sumo than Ryuden in the early stage of this basho.

Yutakayama vs Tochinoshin – A battle of hapless 0-2 rikishi. Something has put Yutakayama in a tailspin, and I cannot even guess what it is. But his sumo seems to lack focus and drive. I am going to guess that Yutakayama picks up loss #3 today, and Tochinoshin gets shonichi.

Kiribayama vs Terutsuyoshi – Terutsuyoshi has won both prior matches, and seems to have Kiribayama’s sumo dialed in. Both have matching 2-0 records, but to this fan’s eye, Kiribayama is fighting better right now. So I am going to be very interested to watch this match.

Okinoumi vs Tamawashi – Career match record of 11 and 11, these two big, high-skill vets are the embodiment of sumo survivors. At some point this tournament, Okinoumi will get his first win. My hunch is that today is his chance if he can get a hold of Tamwashi’s belt.

Takanosho vs Mitakeumi – Mitakeumi has a 2-0 record to start the day, and he continues to look hard and driven as he did in July. Takanosho has been training non-stop with Grand Tadpole Takakeisho, so I am guessing he knows how to fight a tadpole. Could be a highlight match for day 3.

Shodai vs Endo – So Endo dropped his day 2 bout with Myogiryu; will he be on his sumo for Shodai? It’s a “big” match, and Shodai is fairly easy to anticipate. That stand-up tachiai will give Endo a clear shot at a frontal grip that he prefers. This could be act one’s biggest chance to give Shodai a black star.

Daieisho vs Myogiryu – Daieisho has a 7-1 career advantage over Myogiryu, so I am expecting the Oitekaze man to seek revenge for Endo’s loss on day 2, and take Myogiryu’s beer money.

Hokutofuji vs Takakeisho – Is that the sound of thunder? Probably not; it may just be these two colliding at the tachiai. I expect someone to lose a tooth, or maybe a piece of their cranium. It will be a race to see whose hands connect with flesh first. The Ozeki holds a 10-5 career edge.

Asanoyama vs Terunofuji – Ah, Asanoyama. Have you lost sight of your love for sumo? The rank, the pressure… it was plain at the start that they were going to turn you to paste and force you through a cookie press to make some of Tamawashi’s magical treats. If you just give up what everyone else wants for you, and go back to the spot where you would mount the dohyo every day with a happy expression, just lost in the wonder of being in the top division, you will find your sumo again. Until then, I think the kaiju is going to give you a run around the dohyo. Terunofuji won their only prior match, which was on his yusho run in July.

It was matta day today at the Kokugikan, with Dr Takasu in attendance in a corner box. Maybe it was rikishi ring rust, or shimpan working to tighten up the flow of the matches. Nice early surprises, I would have to say: Takakeisho, Shodai, Takayasu and Tobizaru. All 4 of these guys look strong and focused in the first few days, and I would love to see them stay in the hunt into the middle weekend. It’s clear the lack of joint training has really degraded some of these athlete’s sumo, and there is some rumor that the degeiko ban may be at least partially lifted after Aki.

I am sure a number of our readers are watching Asanoyama’s first 2 days, and recalling the brilliant piece by Josh that was published a few days before the start of Aki, A Surplus of Almost. If you have not had a chance to read through it, please do.

Highlight Matches

Ichinojo defeats Kyokutaisei – After a weak start on day 1, Ichinojo focused on fundamentals and mechanics today, and it payed off. Although Kyokutaisei got inside, and an early grip, Ichinojo’s left hand outside at the back of Kyokutaisei’s mawashi was the control point of this match, which Ichinojo used to great effect.

Shimanoumi defeats Hoshoryu – Nod to Shimanoumi for turning this into a raw power match, which was greatly to his advantage. Hoshoryu struggled to react to Shimanoumi’s sumo. I am impressed by how low Shimanoumi was able to keep his hips today. There was also a monoii, with a good amount of mumbling.

Tobizaru defeats Shohozan – A pair of matta appetizers, and it was on! Once again Shohozan really seems to have lost his mojo, and can offer only moderate defensive pressure against Tobizaru’s attack. Shohozan tried a pull, and that set off a cascade that saw him on the receiving end of a hatakikomi.

Kotoshoho defeats Kaisei – Kaisei allowed Kotoshoho a right hand inside grip, and that was all that was needed for control of the match and a win. Kaisei looks rather rusty right now, starting 0-2.

Meisei defeats Kotoshogiku – I think that the Kotoshogiku no-tape revival is over. Meisei cleverly kept Kotoshogiku turning, and never able to square his hips and drive forward for more than a moment. The resulting torque on Kotoshogiku’s knees seem to have taken a toll, as he seemed a bit pained following his loss.

Chiyotairyu defeats Sadanoumi – Chiyotairyu has in fact lost a decent amount of weight, and it seems to have greatly helped his sumo. Chiyotairyu sacrificed hand placement at the tachiai for delivering a brutal body slam, and getting his arms inside. From there it was a quick move to stand Sadanoumi up, and immediately knock him down.

Onosho defeats Kotoeko – Kotoeko seemed slow off the shikiri-sen, and gave Onosho an open route to his chest. For a moment, Onosho was too far forward over his toes, and Kotoeko could have released forward power and brought him down, but instead absorbed it all with his face. A quick pull from Onosho took Kotoeko to the clay.

Tokushoryu defeats Enho – Like a strong, highly trained hedge hog against a locomotive, the sumo was brave and potent but completely pointless, and Enho is seen once again reeling backward, landing in a heap.

Aoiyama defeats Wakatakakage – Big Dan Aoiyama gets his sumo back, and we see the power of the V-Twin attack against Wakatakakage who seems to be completely disrupted. Rather than slap him down right away, Aoiyama plays with him a bit, batting him about the dohyo before Wakatakakage succumbs to repeated blows to the face.

Takayasu defeats Ryuden – As a Takayasu fan, it’s really good to see him in this genki mode for the first time more than a year. Ryuden works hard to get that left hand past Takayasu’s ottsuke (clearly this guy fights former Kisenosato before breakfast), and spends so much focus and energy on that, he fails to thwart Takayasu’s right hand frontal grip. That front grip is the deciding element in the match, as Takayasu lifts and advances for the win. Solid sumo from both men today.

Takarafuji defeats Kagayaki – I love how focused Takarafuji is in this match. Kagayaki gets the better of the tachiai, and gets inside and forward. For a tall guy like Kagayaki, it’s only 2 ½ strides to the edge of the ring, and Takarafuji times his response with exquisite precision. As Kagayaki presses ahead to finish, Takarafuji steps to the side, reverses and with one shove sends Kagayaki out.

Kiribayama defeats Yutakayama – Yutakayama, sadly, continues the slide started in July, and really looks to only be running at about 80% power. Kiribayama deploys a hit and shift which Yutakayama buys for cash up front, and finds himself spinning off balance and out.

Terutsuyoshi defeats Tochinoshin – Tochinoshin’s sumo is powerful, but seldom rapid. This leaves him open to a busy little fellow like Terutsuyoshi who serves up offensive move at nearly twice the rate of the former Ozeki. After turning Tochinoshin twice, Terutsuyoshi presses hard against Tochinoshin’s bandaged knee. Yeah, I would release pressure too at that point.

Myogiryu defeats Endo – After giving Asanoyama a trip to the clay on day one, fans might assume that Endo was going to be a force this basho. But sadly true to his form, he wiffs this bout with Myogiryu. A puzzling and patently ineffective quasi-pull, moments after the tachiai, releases attack pressure. That’s a mistake Myogiryu was never going to let pass.

Shodai defeats Tamawashi – To my eye this should have been a matta, as Shodai launched a half step late, and was stood up smartly by Tamawashi’s tachiai. But Shodai managed to get his arms inside, and pressed forward. To my surprise, Tamawashi was not able to turn him. Shodai ran him to the bales and shoved him out. Nice 2-0 start for Shodai. I wonder where this is going…

Daieisho defeats Hokutofuji – Hokutofuji continue to look quite rusty, and drops his match to Daieisho. After letting Daieisho run the first moments of the match, Hokutofuji backs him up to the tawara, and then inexplicably backs up, inviting Daieisho to slap him down, which he was happy to supply. Well, ok then…

Mitakeumi defeats Terunofuji – Mitakeumi did a great job of getting to the side of Terunofuji today, and pushing for all he was worth. Terunofuji’s knees would have been hard pressed to overcome that lateral force if they were healthy, but in their gristly state they had no resistance to offer.

Takanosho defeats Asanoyama – I know fans were hoping that Asanoyama was going to dominate this basho, and maybe he still can, somehow. But he’s looking vague and distracted. His yotsu style is executed with great strength and poise, but it’s quite predictable, and it seems his first two opponents of this Aki basho have read him precisely. The great Yokozuna hope drops to 0-2 to start September.

Takakeisho defeats Okinoumi – Takakeisho once again uses his short stature, short legs, and spheroid shape to bring a double hand thrust of tadpole doom to the dohyo. Today he lets Okinoumi appear to get the better of the tachiai, but Takakeisho has both hands on Okinoumi’s chest. It’s almost comical to see Okinoumi struggle to apply any force as his hands grasp for an attack route, as Takakeisho powers him out. Solid Takakeisho sumo again today.