Kyushu 2019, Day 1, Bouts From The Lower Divisions

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Kyushu basho is off to a great start, with some exciting sumo all around. Let’s tune in!

Jonokuchi

The day started with a match between Okunihisashi, from Nakagawa beya, who has been banzuke-gai for a while and returns this basho, and Tatsunami beya’s latest recruit, Yutakanami, here on the right:

Looks like Tatsunami oyakata got lucky with his pick this time. This boy goes on the “ones to watch” list.

We continue our watch Hakuho’s latest recruit, Senho, who had a meh basho in Aki, to see if the Dai-Yokozuna’s Midas touch is still effective. Senho, on the left, faces Shishimaru from Tagonoura beya.

While Senho’s tachiai is still naive, and his body language is still hesitant, he certainly learned how to yori-kiri like a pro.

At the top of Jonokuchi we meet Yamane, from Naruto beya. He is not quite in the same category as his formidable heya mates (Motobayashi, Sakurai, Marusho, and Mishima), but he is definitely the cutest. He meets Ogitora from Dewanoumi beya, on the right.

Too high, cutie-pie. It’s Ogitora who walks away with the white star.

Jonidan

The next division’s bouts start with Fujinoteru (the off-brand rikishi) from Onoe beya on the left, attempting to get his first white star from Shoryudo, a Shikihide beya opponent. Fujinoteru on the left.

That, my friends, was a sleek tsutaezori, and it’s only the 17th time it has been performed in Grand Sumo. You don’t need flashy back bends to perform that, apparently. It’s Fujinoteru’s win.

The next bout features the man best known for flashy back bends. That’s Ura. He is back, and he is here to conquer Jonidan. The first hurdle is Daishojo from Oitekaze beya, on the left.

Wham! This was a bout with one wrestler and one crash-test dummy. Sorry, Daishojo. Ura safely carries the white star back home.

Another one of my favorite watch list is Chiyotaiyo, the stick insect from Kokonoe beya. He is on the left, and Asahinishiki, from Asahiyama beya, is on the right.

Although Chiyotaiyo seems to have put on a half-kilo, maybe even a whole one, it is also apparent that he has leg issues. Too bad. I hope we’ll see better sumo from him in the coming days, because he certainly has some waza.

Last from Jonidan, our all time favorite bow twirler (emeritus), Satonofuji. On the right, the 42 years old faces Shunpo from Minezaki beya, less than half his age.

We can argue about this opening move. Is it a henka? Is it a half-henka? A HNH? A hit-and-shift? Whatever it is, Satonofuji is not here to get an easy slap-down. He grabs Shunpo and practices some heave-ho. Okuridashi.

Sandanme

Let’s start with Kaishu, from Musashigawa beya, whom we have been following for a while. Today he faced Miyabishin, from Futagoyama beya. Kaishu is on the left.

Kaishu makes up for his lack of weight with an extra helping of aggressiveness. He is all over Miyabishin in a jiffy, and ends up with a yori-kiri.

Now we move on to the first big gun from Naruto beya, Sakurai. His opponent today, on the right, is Oka, whom we formerly knew as Minatoryu, Ichinojo’s slightly cheeky tsukebito.

I was very surprised to learn that Sakurai lost on the first day. It’s certainly not something he is used to. We’ll see how he bounces back. Oka goes back to Minato beya with a white star in his belt.

We move from Naruto beya’s lead charmer to Hakkaku beya’s holder of the same position. Kitanowaka, a sujo favorite, stands opposite Kawabuchi from Shikoroyama beya. Kitanowaka is on the left.

And he is definitely not here just to be eyed by the ladies. Kawabuchi barely knows what hit him.

Finally, the top Naruto, Motobayashi. The man who wants to join the 21 club this basho. He also meets a Shikoroyama opponent, Seigo this time. Motobayashi is on the left.

If Motobayashi’s style reminds you of Takakeisho, you’re not alone. He considers himself a rival of the current Ozeki, who was in high school at the same time as he, and their score against each other is 2-2. Motobayashi chose to continue to university when Takakeisho opted to join the sumo world, but they have similar size, similar style, and similar ambition, and he hopes to catch up with his old rival.

Makushita

We start by introducing a youngster who should probably be on our “ones to watch” list. The reason? He made it to Makushita, being only 17 years old. That’s not at all common. Even Hakuho and Ama were 18 when they hit Makushita. Kisenosato did make it at 17. The boy had straight kachi-koshi since he enlisted. His name is Tanakayama, and he is from Sakaigawa beya. On the opposite side (the left) we have Fukuyama from Fujishima beya.

Unfortunately, this was a bad match to follow that grandiose introduction, as Tanakayama is defeated in his first bout. It is the second time it happens in his career, and he has a good chance of keeping up his kachi-koshi machine going.

Next, we continue our follow up of the “Chiyoshoma wannabe”, Shiraishi. The man from Tamanoi beya is on the right, facing Bushozan from Fujishima beya.

The reason I call him “Chiyoshoma wannabe” is that he is quickly gaining notoriety for a backward moving sumo style, despite considerable bodily strength. Bushozan is not letting himself get slapped down, though, and shows the young rascal the way out.

Do you want another rare kimarite? Say no more! Here are Kizenryu (Kise) and Ichiki (Tamanoi). This was quite a prolonged bout, with lots of twists and turns, so it has been split over two videos. It starts with Ichiki with his back to us, and the taller Kizenryu facing us.

The kimarite is harimanage. And here it is from a better angle:

Kizenryu’s expression is worth a chuckle.

We move to the upper part of Makushita, and start with the former Ozeki, Terunofuji, who has been practicing with Makuuchi wrestlers before the basho, eyeing the Makushita yusho, which he’ll need if he wants to return to Juryo by Hatsu.

Terunofuji is on the right, and his opponent is Tsurubayashi from Kise beya.

Off the Tachiai, Terunofuji gets pushed all the way to the Tawara. He manages to circle and turn Tsurubayashi back, and catch him in a double “kime” (crucifixion by armpits).

But seriously, I’m getting very tired of those dame-oshi. As soon as the gyoji goes “shobu-ari”, let go. It’s dangerous, and it’s unsportsmanlike. And I’m a fan, dammit.

Next up is his heya-mate and former tsukebito, Tomisakae, the back-flipping rikishi. He meets Shonannoum (Takadagawa beya, left). But he looks almost more banged up than Terunofuji.

No back-flipping or acrobatics today. Shonannoumi takes this one decisively.

Next up, Chiyonoumi (Kokonoe), who dropped from Juryo, wants to get back there as soon as possible. Opposite him is Seiro (Shikoroyama), recuperating from Aseptic Meningitis, and hoping to also regain his place in Juryo. Seiro is on the right.

Chiyonoumi is on the attack from the get-go, and Seiro circles and circles but can’t get away. But unlike you-know-who, Chiyonoumi grabs hold of Seiro as soon as he’s out to prevent him from falling. Yay sportsmanship! Go go Bonito man!

The Makushita matches end with yet another Kokonoe man, Chiyootori, who needs a kachi-koshi to regain his long lost sekitori status. But his way is blocked by Asagyokusei (Takasago), who lost it just now and also wants back. Chiyootori, if you can’t recognize him, is on the right.

Although Chiyootori starts with great vigor, Asagyokusei traps him in his arms and finishes off with a tsukiotoshi. Chiyootori has plenty of time to pick those 4 wins elsewhere, though.

BTW, if you noticed, he is wearing a black tabi sock. When rikishi have wounds or injury in their feet, they are allowed to wear tabi socks to cover it. In Makushita and below, the tabi is black. Sekitori are allowed to wear white ones.

Juryo

Almost all of today’s matches in Juryo were fun. We have newcomers, like the rikishi formerly known as Kototebakari (memorize “Kotoshoho”), and the much celebrated Hoshoryu, and the returning Aqua and Wakamotoharu. We have Kotonowaka, who is the bees knees if he’s healthy (he was kyujo from the latter part of the Jungyo). And there are veterans who are gaining back some of their power, like Ikioi and Kaisei.

Luckily, I found a YouTube Channel that aspires to bring Juryo digests every day. I’m not sure if it will stay around long, as Abema TV tend to be very impatient with the use of their materials, but for the time being, enjoy:

Hoshoryu is off to a good start! Akiseyama is very sticky, but his legs are his weakness and Hoshoryu made good use of that with this uchigake. He even got a Twitter compliment from his uncle.

Kotoshoho continues in his usual aggressive style, and beats veteran Gagamaru by yorikiri.

Now, Akua (Aqua) vs. the hapless Wakamotoharu. He is not going to be out-performed by his younger heya-mate when it comes to leg techniques. That kakenage deserves a replay.

Toyonoshima, Ikioi, Kyokutaisei and Kaisei seem to be genki. Kotonowaka seems to have come back from that kyujo with vigor. Takagenji, on the other hand, is very sloppy in that bout with Kiribayama.

And with this we complete our day’s report, tomorrow is also full of great matches!

Kyushu Day 1 Highlights

Bruce H Abi (阿炎), Aoiyama, Asanoyama (朝乃山), Chiyomaru, Chiyotairyū (千代大龍), Daieisho (大栄翔), Daishoho, Daishomaru, Endo (遠藤), Enho, Gōeidō (豪栄道), Hakuho (白鵬), Hokutōfuji (北勝富士), Ishiura (石浦), Kagayaki (輝), Kotoeko, Kotoshogiku (琴奨菊), Kotoyuki, Kyushu Basho 2019, Meisei, Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Myogiryu (妙義龍), Nishikigi, Okinoumi (隠岐の海), Ryuden (竜電), Sadanoumi (佐田の海), Shimanoumi, Shohozan, Shōdai (正代直也), Takakeishō (貴景勝), Takanosho, Takarafuji (宝富士), Takayasu (高安), Tamawashi (玉鷲), Terutsuyoshi, Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Tomokaze, Tsurugisho, Wakatakakage, Yutakayama, Ōnoshō (阿武咲)

I think the headline today is that Yokozuna Kakuryu withdrew prior to day 1 matches, leaving Hakuho as the lone Yokozuna for the tournament. Everyone hopes that he can survive all 15 days, but his recent history indicates that may not be a certain thing. Kakuryu went kyujo after injuring his lower back in practice. This is a part of his body that has given him a great deal of trouble in the past, and more or less would prevent a rikishi from doing much on the dohyo. We wish him a speedy recovery, though it is not incorrect to wonder if at 34 years of age the accumulated damage from years of high-intensity sumo have taken their toll. Asanoyama picks up a fusensho / freebie win on day 1.

But as is always the case with the first few days of any basho, there was a vast amount of ring-rust to be lost. Both from the rikishi (matta fest, Kyushu edition), the yobidashi and even the NHK commentators, who seemed at times to struggle a bit with the play by play. As Josh’s interview with Murray Johnson underscores – providing commentary for a sumo match is quite challenging, and even the pros at NHK World may need a day or two to tune up.

Highlight Matches

Azumaryu defeats Daishoho – Azumaryu gets a deep right hand inside at the tachiai, and in spite of some excellent defensive footwork by Daishoho, Azumaryu keeps pressing the attack and walks Daishoho out. Both men looked fairly rusty, but Azumaryu’s better sumo may underscore some of the “toss up” nature of the promotion / demotion groups coming out of Aki.

Wakatakakage defeats Daishomaru – The bottom man on the banzuke (Wakatakakage) underscores his status as a rising star of sumo. He comes in fast, low and strong against Daishomaru, who suddenly finds himself without a plan B. Congratulations to Wakatakakage for winning your first match in the top division.

Terutsuyoshi defeats Nishikigi – First try was a matta, and it looked like the second try should have been too, but the Gyoji decided they would fight on, and Nishikigi was a full step slower than Terutsuyoshi, who was lower and strong than Nishikigi. Although Nishikigi tried to set up his favored arm-lock hold, it was too late and he was already over the tawara.

Chiyomaru defeats Kagayaki – Kagayaki got the better of the tachiai, and tried to guide the fight into a yotsu battle, but Chiyomaru stayed mobile, stayed thrusting and stalemated Kagayaki. Eager to once again close the gap between them, Kagayaki pressed forward strongly against little resistance from Chiyomaru, and got his weight well forward of his toes. Chiyomaru obliges with a Hatakikomi for the win.

Takanosho defeats Chiyotairyu – Chiyotairyu looks encrusted with ring-rust. Get that man some WD-40 and a Scotch-Brite pad! Chiyotairyu charged forward with less than normal power, and immediately tried a neck pull, but Takanosho was ready and made Chiyotairyu pay. Takanosho showed superior defensive foot placement, and superior balance today.

Shodai defeats Ishiura – Ishiura went into this match knowing Shodai would bring a weak tachiai, and threw himself forward with gusto. But Shodai actually responded well, and although he remained far too upright, he advanced into Ishiura’s attack and drove the smaller rikishi back. Once Shodai had momentum, there was little Ishura was able to do to shut down Shodai’s advance.

Yutakayama defeats Shimanoumi – I am very happy that Yutakayama did not move too far up the banzuke, I favor a slow rise coming off of his injury that saw him relegated to Juryo for 2 basho. At first blush it might look like at Maegashira 16 with a 10-5 record he was under promoted, and his sumo today would support that view. Yutakayama focused on gaining and then exploiting the inside position. Once on defensive, Shimanoumi could do nothing more than respond. I still view Yutakayama as Asanoyama’s peer, and I am hoping for a strong and durable rivalry between these two.

Sadanoumi defeats Kotoshogiku – Home town favorite Kotoshogiku goes out far too easily as Sadanoumi gets morozashi and never gives an inch. Kotoshogiku’s knees continue to slowly degrade, and his ability to transmit power to ground suffers as a result.

Shohozan defeats Kotoeko – Another local hero, Shohozan ejects a somewhat surprised Kotoeko with all of the nuanced subtlety of a bouncer at closing time.

Tsurugisho defeats Enho – Enho has not found a way to overcome Tsurugisho, and today was no exception. The traditional Enho submarine “pop” opening gambit set him up in his favored stance and position. Tsurugisho stayed calm and waited for Enho’s expected attack. When it came, and Enho raised Tsurugisho up, Tsurugisho expertly pivoted, pulling Enho off balance and down. Nice sumo.

Ryuden defeats Onosho – Onosho, too far forward and off balance? Why, yes! That is what happened today. I note this is the first match that Ryuden has won over Onosho in 4 attempts, so well done. I can’t help but think this match was lost when Onosho, at the tachiai, attacked Ryuden’s face and thereby gave up the center lane he would normally exploit for a thrusting attack. At least Onosho has the red mawashi on today.

Aoiyama defeats Kotoyuki – Kotoyuki had the better tachiai, but there is just too much Aoiyama to be moved by normal means if his feet are set and his stance is stable. Kotoyuki found two meaty hands on the back of his neck pulling him forward, and that was the match.

Tamawashi defeats Tomokaze – Tomokaze still seems to be willing to roll the dice on a strategy of always pulling, but pros like Tamawashi will stuff this back up your nose 9 times out of 10. Bring some better sumo, or learn to like the taste of Kyushu clay.

Takarafuji defeats Abi – Abi this he has this won, and maybe he mostly did. But up against Takarafuji, you can’t assume he actually stepped out. His ring sense is amazing, and his footwork is what you would expect from a master technician. Abi takes a defeat at the cusp of nearly certain victory. Watch this one in slow motion.. Abi’s footwork is wild and chaotic, Takarafuji controlled and efficient. Textbook lesson in defensive sumo.

Meisei defeats Tochinoshin – I have to say this is not a good sign for the Ozekiwake to make it to 10. Tochinoshin landed his preferred grip, and had control of the match, but could not convert it into a win. Part of the problem was Tochinoshin’s single minded focus on getting the left hand outside grip yielded morozashi to Meisei, and Meisei converted that to a smooth and effective shitatehineri.

Mitakeumi defeats Myogiryu – Good opening bout for Mitakeumi, he took the inside position against Myogiryu, and kept Myogiryu reacting rather than attacking. Mitakeumi stood him up, and then brought him down.

Takakeisho defeats Okinoumi – Sloppy match from both men, but it was clear that Okinoumi was set up to absorb and deflect any wave-action attack that might come along. Takakeisho, instead of his normal double arm thrust, kept Okinoumi at an optimum distance with an armpit grip, and pushed with his lower body. Quite effective and somewhat unexpected. There was no apparent weakness on Takakeisho’s left side, which is great news.

Takayasu defeats Daieisho – Speaking of left-side worries, we can score none for Takayasu’s day 1 match where he dominated Daieisho. Takayasu looked strong, confident and committed to his attacks. Very good to see.

Endo defeats Goeido – In tradition Goeido style, he tried to win the match in the first 3 seconds, but Endo was able to absorb his opening gambit. From there it was a battle that increasingly favored Endo as the clock ran on. The biggest concern for me was the twisting fall Goeido took at the end, and appears to land on the ankle that was painstakingly rebuilt with surgery 2 years ago. We hope the Ozeki is ok. Oh yes, and the ultra-mega painful interview with Endo following the final match. If this guy ever gets a yusho, that interview will be one for the ages.

Hakuho defeats Hokutofuji – Hakuho gets his revenge for day 1 of Aki, as “The Boss” completely disrupts any offense the Koumsubi was hoping to bring. With Hokutofuji hideously off balance, Hakuho applies the hatakikomi and Hokutofuji gets a face full of clay.