Aki 2024: Day Twelve Highlights

Andy Aki 2024, Onosato (大の里) , , ,

News from the infirmary. Tsurugisho is checking out and will fight on Day 13. I’m not sure that complies with his physician’s wishes.

Takerufuji defeated Chiyoshoma in their head-to-head match and now has some separation from the field at 11-1. Chiyoshoma is now two back at 9-3. No henka, Chiyoshoma went toe-to-toe but got destroyed. Takerufuji dispatched him with the calm ease we have grown accustomed to.

Both Kayo and Tomokaze lost, so they fall back with Asakoryu and Tokihayate to 8-4. Unfortunately, Hakuoho fell to Tamashoho. The glass cannon ball is 5-7.

NHK Videos are available here: Juryo (ONLY ONE PART); Makuuchi Part I and Part II

Makuuchi Action

Takarafuji (8-4) defeated Shishi (7-5). Shishi displayed just about zero offensive power in this bout. After a long, impotent lean, Takarafuji got some forward movement and Shishi stumbled over the bales. Yoritaoshi.

Nishikifuji (6-6) defeated Sadanoumi (6-6). Nishikifuji blasted away at Sadanoumi, not letting him anywhere near his belt. Sadanoumi ducked to the side on his first contact with the bales but Nishikifuji pursued well and thrust him out the other side. Tsukidashi.

Tamawashi (6-6) defeated Onokatsu (4-8). Tamawashi’s thrusting attack was too much for Onokatsu. Oshidashi.

Roga (7-5) defeated Shirokuma (4-8). Any match-up between a bear and a Russian favors the Russian, right? After a long, back and forth, migi-yotsu grapple Roga drove the tired bear over the edge. Yorikiri.

Ichiyamamoto (6-6) defeated Kitanowaka (5-7). Kitanowaka tried an inashi sidestep at the edge and Ichiyamamoto took exception. Ichiyamamoto thrust Kitanowaka from the ring and into the pricey seats. Tsukitaoshi.

Midorifuji (5-7) defeated Ryuden (6-6). Ryuden knew that he had to keep Midorifuji away, so he tried oshi-zumo today. Weird tsuppari ensued. Ryuden could not generate enough offense to pressure Midorifuji to the bales. Eventually Midorifuji snuck inside and dragged Ryuden down. You can’t fault Ryuden for trying, this time. Katasukashi.

Churanoumi (7-5) defeated Bushozan (4-8). Churanoumi worked Bushozan to the edge but when Bushozan resisted, Churanoumi threw him back toward the middle of the dohyo. Tsukiotoshi.

Meisei (3-9) defeated Kagayaki (1-11). Kagayaki moved forward and forced Meisei to the edge. But Kagayaki is no shinkansen anymore. He’s a rusted old heap. No speed. No agility. When Meisei moved laterally, Kagayaki was lost. Meisei quickly shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Gonoyama (4-8) defeated Oshoma (8-4). Gonoyama drove forward and shoved Oshoma out. Oshoma already kachi-koshi, he can take bouts off, apparently. Don’t tell that to his former stablemates. Tsukidashi.

Ura (8-4) defeated Endo (7-5). Endo pulled, and pulled, and pulled. Ura kept pace and drove Endo down into the crowd for some fansa. Yorikiri.

Halftime

Shonannoumi (3-9) defeated Kinbozan (4-8). Kinbozan drove Shonannoumi to the edge but Shonannoumi resisted, established his left-hand inside belt grip and drove Kinbozan over the bales. Yorikiri.

Kotoshoho (6-6) defeated Mitakeumi (3-9). Mitakeumi henka and Kotoshoho made him pay. Kotoshoho dragged Mitakeumi to the edge by the belt and then trapped his left arm and threw him to the ground. Kotenage.

Oho (8-4) defeated Atamifuji (5-7). Oho pressed forward into Atamifuji but Atamifuji did not want to go backwards. Atamifuji charged forward into Oho and drove him back to the bales. At the tawara, Oho twisted and yanked Atamifuji down by his shoulder. Katasukashi.

Wakamotoharu (8-4) defeated Takanosho (3-9). Takanosho’s second nodowa forced Wakamotoharu back to the bales. But Wakamotoharu got low and seized Takanosho’s belt, at the front and the back. He then drove forward and forced Takanosho from the dohyo. Yorikiri.

Shodai (8-4) defeated Tobizaru (4-8). Tobizaru pulled and Shodai went with it and shoved Tobizaru from the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Daieisho (7-5) defeated Nishikigi (9-3). Daeisho’s thrusts were too much for Nishikigi. Nishikigi could not get inside and couldn’t get any of his own offense going. Tsukidashi.

Takayasu (10-2) defeated Hiradoumi (6-6). Bar fight. Both men blasted one another with repeated volleys of tsuppari. An ill-conceived pull from Hiradoumi resulted in Takayasu showing him the exit. Tsukidashi.

Wakatakakage (9-3) defeated Onosato (11-1). I’m sorry, y’all. I forgot to bring out my Onosato support towel. I just realized it’s sitting there, neatly folded with my Shodai towel. Thus, Onosato would not be crowned today. Onosato, in cruise control, drove Wakatakakage backward. WTK resisted Onosato at the edge and obtained a deadly, double-inside grip. Onosato remained calm and tried a slapdown but again, Wakatakakage resisted. To me, resisting that slapdown was the most impressive. Onosato was trying to crush him but WTK stayed upright. Onosato went back to the oshi and shoved Wakatakakage back to the edge. Wakatakakage countered with his morozashi and heaved Onosato around to the edge and shoved him out. Onosato was too focused on offense and displayed no defense. He just allowed Wakatakakage, twice, to wrap him up with a morozashi. The dude is stronk, too stronk to just let him inside like that. Yorikiri.

Kirishima (10-2) defeated Kotozakura (7-5). Which one of these guys is the Ozeki? After trading tsuppari briefly, the bout settled into a migi-yotsu grapple, right-hand inside. The initiative and first heave was Kotozakura’s. He dragged Kirishima to the edge but could not get him over the tawara. Kirishima resisted and forced the action back toward center. Kirishima then worked Kotozakura to the bales, rotated, and threw him on the tawara. Kirishima is back! It’s just like three tournaments late! Uwatenage.

Abi (3-9) defeated Hoshoryu (6-6). Henka! Hoshoryu fell for it and blasted forward, finally stopping in front of the bales. When Hoshoryu stopped and turned around, Abi was all over him and finished him off. Yoritaoshi.

Wrap-up

Here we are, ready for Day 13. Onosato will fight Kotozakura. Onosato will try to recover from his first loss and reach that 33-in-3 benchmark. Meanwhile, the Ozeki will fight for his kachi-koshi for the third time, having lost to Daieisho and Kirishima on consecutive days.

Speaking of Kirishima, he remains one-loss behind Onosato because of his spectacular upset. He will fight Hoshoryu, who is now in real trouble and must win two bouts in the next three days to avoid kadoban. With Kirishima, Onosato, and Kotozakura left on his fight card, that is a heavy load, indeed.

Makushita Finals

lksumo Aki Basho 2022

We last visted the Makushita yusho and promotion races after Day 9, when we were left with 4 undefeated 5-0 wrestlers. The semifinal bouts were as follows:

  • Ms16e Hatsuyama vs. Ms28w Kyokukaiyu
  • Ms42w Mudoho vs. Ms55w Asakoki

Hatsuyama and Asakoki prevailed and will battle it out for the title on Day 13. Hatsuyama is ranked just a single rung below where a 7-0 record would lead to Juryo promotion. He debuted as a Sandanme tsukedashi back in March 2022 and has now spent two years in Makushita, getting as high as Ms4. His opponent is a 33-year-old veteran who’s been fighting in the lower divisions since 2009, including 51 basho in Makushita, with a career-high rank of Ms11.

Of the ten rikishi in the Ms1-Ms5 promotion zone, seven are still mathematically in the running for a Juryo slot, though the odds are slim for Ms5e Daishomaru (3-3). Top-ranked Ms1e Tochitaikai (3-3) will return to Juryo with a win, but will be eliminated from consideration with a loss. The current promotion queue for the other five stands roughly as follows: Ms4w Aonishiki (5-1), Ms3w Chiyomaru (4-2), Ms2w Wakaikari (3-3), Ms5w Kototebakari (4-2), Ms4e Nabatame (3-3). Chiyomaru visits Juryo tomorrow to take on endangered J14w Oshoumi (5-6). We’ll have to wait until Day 13 or later for the rest of the promotion race action to unfold.

Aki 2024: Day Eleven Highlights

Andy Aki 2024 , ,

A busy day in the infirmary today as Hokutofuji went kyujo in the top division and the pair of Shimazuumi and Tsurugisho went kyujo in Juryo. Takerufuji picked up a forfeit victory over Shimazuumi. Chiyoshoma lost to Hidenoumi so Takerufuji is in sole possession of the lead. Tomorrow Takerufuji will fight Chiyoshoma.

Your NHK videos for Day 11 are here: Juryo Part I and Part II, Makuuchi Part I and Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Shirokuma (4-7) defeated Onokatsu (4-7). Shirokuma established his hidari-yotsu hold around Onokatsu’s trunk and drove forward. Onokatsu tried to escape left along the bales but Shirokuma stayed with him and forced him out. Yorikiri.

Kitanowaka (5-6) defeated Kinbozan (4-7). Kitanowaka got a hold of Kinbozan’s belt, swung him back to the edge and pressed him out. Yorikiri.

Takarafuji (7-4) defeated Bushozan (4-7). After a strong start, Bushozan has been terrible. Today, Takarafuji avoided Bushozan’s weak pull and pressed forward behind his tsuppari. This was enough to end Bushozan’s day. Oshidashi.

Nishikifuji (5-6) defeated Kagayaki (1-10). Kagayaki tried to get the train moving forward with hazuoshi driving into Nishikifuji’s right armpit. But Nishikifuji turned the tables by cycling backward along the bales and then shifting inside to put Kagayaki in trouble. A few simple blasts and he forced Kagayaki out. Oshidashi.

Tamawashi (5-6) default win over Hokutofuji (6-5).

Ichiyamamoto (5-6) defeated Ryuden (6-5). Ichiyama-zumo completely disrupted Ryuden. The pull nearly got Ryuden but Ichiyamamoto followed with strong tsuppari and then just launched himself into Ryuden, driving him back and out. Yorikiri.

Sadanoumi (6-5) defeated Midorifuji (4-7). Sadanoumi corralled Midorifuji, drove him backwards and out. Yorikiri.

Takayasu (9-2) defeated Endo (7-4). Takayasu’s headshot tsuppari was too intimidating for Endo, who quickly found the exit. Tsukidashi.

Roga (6-5) defeated Churanoumi (6-5). Churanoumi tried an escape at the edge but Roga pressed forward and forced him over. Oshidashi.

Nishikigi (9-2) defeated Wakatakakage (8-3). Nishikigi used his size advantage well to contain WTK. He pressed forward to get a good hold of Wakatakakage’s left arm, then pulled back, yanking WTK to the ground. Kotenage.

Halftime

Oshoma (8-3) defeated Meisei (2-9). Meisei was just completely overpowered by Oshoma. Oshoma had a solid overarm grip and threw Meisei out at the edge. Uwatenage.

Shodai (7-4) defeated Gonoyama (3-8). Shodai fought through Gonoyama’s nodowa and did not allow himself to be shoved back to the bales. Instead, he batted Gonoyama’s hands down and latched on with a deep left-hand overarm grip at the back of Gonoyama’s belt. With that strong grip he rotated backwards and swung Gonoyama down. Uwatenage.

Wakamotoharu (7-4) defeated Shonannoumi (2-9). Hidari-yotsu. Wakamotoharu was able to easily drive forward and force Shonannoumi over the bales. Yorikiri.

Tobizaru (4-7) defeated Mitakeumi (3-8). Tobizaru with the migi-yotsu here. He slipped to Mitakeumi’s right side and secured a deep left-hand belt grip. Mitakeumi didn’t appear to know how to counter-attack someone who was so mobile and attacking from the side. Tobizaru kept hold of Mitakeumi’s belt and rotating backwards until he got Mitakeumi to the edge and pressed him over. Yorikiri.

Oho (7-4) defeated Takanosho (3-8). Takanosho gave Oho quite the puzzle today. He resisted Oho’s slapdowns and his forward thrusts. For every forward thrust, Takanosho gave Oho a scare with a slapdown attempt. As a result, Oho relied on his own slapdown attempts. What I liked about Oho’s pulls was they were short. If Takanosho resisted, he didn’t run the length of the dohyo, trying to pull Takanosho down. Oho finally “cornered” an exhausted Takanosho and shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Atamifuji (5-6) defeated Hiradoumi (6-5). Hiradoumi hit a wall. Atamifuji used his migi-yotsu well, drove forward, and forced HIradoumi out. Yorikiri.

Kirishima (9-2) defeated Abi (2-9). No henka from Kirishima today but he took on Abi from the side. Abi did not let Kirishima come inside to get a belt grip but was very unsteady as Kirishima rotated to get behind him. As Kirishima charged forward, Abi jumped to the side, nearly catching Kirishima off-guard. But Kirishima caught up with Abi and slapped him down at the edge. Hatakikomi.

Onosato (11-0) defeated Kotoshoho (4-6). Onosato drove forward as Kotoshoho pulled back. Gunbai Onosato. Quick mono-ii as video replay showed Kotoshoho had stepped out. If Kotoshoho had better ring awareness, he had a chance to win. Oshidashi.

Ura (7-4) defeated Hoshoryu (6-5). Hoshoryu took Ura head on but Ura managed a better position, attacking Hoshoryu from the side. Hoshoryu tried a terrible pull, circling back to the bales. Ura stayed standing and shoved Hoshoryu out of a short ring. Okuridashi.

Daieisho (6-5) defeated Kotozakura (7-4). Kotozakura gave up at the edge and let Daieisho shove him over. The Ozeki ran away from Daieisho’s powerful thrusts. Oshidashi.

Wrap-up

Shaky Day Eleven. Disappointing results from our observer Ozeki and Onosato had quite the scare. Perhaps he was over-confident in his ability to drive Kotoshoho out. Tomorrow, Onosato will face Wakatakakage. The pair of rank-and-filers with two losses will fight the pair of Komusubi. Nishikigi will take on Daieisho and Takayasu will fight Hiradoumi. Meanwhile, Kirishima will fight the lethargic Kotozakura.

I guess rather than have Takayasu and Nishikigi pair up, they want to try to put an end to both men’s runs at the same time. I would have done this differently but I’m not scheduling these things.

The demotion story is changing a bit as Shirokuma and Kitanowaka have found a few wins. They had both been staring at certain demotion. Could they escape and keep their ranks? Kagayaki seems done, even from his high position. But he could probably save himself with two or three wins here at the end of the tournament.

The key difference will be who makes their case for promotion from Juryo. Chiyoshoma is in. Tokihayate and Shishi are putting together their case. Each will likely need one more win but two or more will be better and are well within reach. Down at Juryo 11, Takerufuji likely needs a strong, 13-2 or 14-1 yusho to earn promotion now. It would be a shame to see him left in the cold if Nishikifuji racks up another win.

Aki 2024: Day Ten Highlights

Andy Aki 2024, Onosato (大の里), Takerufuji (尊富士) , ,

No calls to the infirmary to report from the top divisions.

Tohakuryu got dirt on Takerufuji with a quick hatakikomi slapdown. Meanwhile, Chiyoshoma defeated Shiden with a quick and easy uwatedashinage. So, Juryo is now a tight contest with Takerufuji tied with Chiyoshoma. Takerufuji will fight Shimazuumi and Chiyoshoma will take on Hidenoumi.

The NHK videos for today are here: Juryo Part I and Part II; Makuuchi Part I and Part II. If the videos do not work, try a different browser. Chrome seems to be working well for folks. I have it working in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge but they all have their quirks.

Today, I’ll experiment with direct links to the sanyaku bouts in the descriptions below. They do not work for me (it gives an error that it can’t be linked from an external site) but I am curious if they will work for you. I doubt it, but let’s give it a go. They only work for me if I take the URL itself and paste it in my browser.

Ideally, I’d be able to get a link to the direct vids. Well, the ideal would be to embed the videos but that wasn’t working. So, next would be to allow you to click and go right to each one…but for now those four links seem to work.

Makuuchi Action

Takayasu (8-2) defeated Nishikifuji (4-6). Nishikifuji was unwise and tried to pull Takayasu back by his left arm. Takayasu lowered his head and used the momentum to run Nishikifuji out of the ring. The former Ozeki remains in the yusho race, two Oshidashi.

Shirokuma (3-7) defeated Bushozan(4-6). The Shadow of Bushozan was easily driven backward and forced out by Shirokuma. Yorikiri.

Onokatsu (4-6) defeated Kinbozan (4-6). Migi-yotsu. Kinbozan was just along for the ride as Onokatsu drove him backwards. Yorikiri.

Kitanowaka (4-6) defeated Sadanoumi (5-5). Kitanowaka kept Sadanoumi away with effective tsuppari and drove him to the edge. Sadanoumi tried to pull Kitanowaka out but Kitanowaka thrust Sadanoumi to the clay in retaliation. Tsukiotoshi.

Nishikigi (8-2) defeated Kagayaki (1-9). Nishikigi just bulled forward through Kagayaki. Kagayaki will be on the short list for demotion. Oshidashi.

Takarafuji (6-4) defeated Roga (5-5). Takarafuji established his hidari-yotsu and drove Roga back and out Yorikiri.

Ichiyamamoto (4-6) defeated Hokutofuji (6-4). Migi-yotsu bout here. The pair started with the oshi-style bout you’d expect for a few seconds but it soon settled into a grapple. Ichiyamamoto tried an uwatenage, followed up with a headbutt. This combo made Hokutofuji start moving toward the edge. Ichiyamamoto kept driving and forced Hokutofuji out. Yorikiri.

Oshoma (7-3) defeated Ryuden (6-4). Oshoma kept Ryuden at arm’s length, off his belt. Ryuden used his best oshi-zumo to press Oshoma toward the edge. At the edge, Oshoma slipped to the side and slapped Ryuden down. Hatakikomi.

Wakatakakage (8-2) defeated Endo (7-3). Wakatakakage hit Endo with a headbutt at the tachiai but quickly shifted right and threw Endo to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.

Tamawashi (4-6) defeated Churanoumi (6-4). Tamawashi established his style of sumo by assaulting Churanoumi with forceful tsuppari about the head. He then grabbed Churanoumi under the right shoulder and dragged Churanoumi around toward the bales and drove him over. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Shonannoumi (2-8) defeated Midorifuji (4-6). Shonannoumi pulled while keeping Midoruji at arm’s length with solid oshi zumo. Oshidashi.

Shodai (6-4) defeated Meisei (2-8). Meisei hit Shodai hard at the tachiai but Shodai just absorbed it. Shodai then pressed forward. Meisei tried to pull and throw with an uwatenage but Shodai used the momentum to shove Meisei back and out. Meisei makekoshi. Oshidashi.

Wakamotoharu (6-4) defeated Atamifuji (4-6). Atamifuji could not force Wakamotoharu over the edge so he tried to pull. Wakamotoharu rushed forward and maintained his balance, resisting Atamifuji’s slapdown attempts. Yorikiri.

Takanosho (3-7) defeated Mitakeumi (3-7). Mitakeumi seemed happy to slide back to the tawara but he could not escape Takanosho’s forward thrusts. Takanosho forced Mitakeumi onto his butt under the white tassel.

Sanyaku

Oho (6-4) defeated Daieisho (5-5). Oho withstood Daieisho’s thrusting attacks but kept pressing forward. Daieisho thrust forward with a brutal nodowa, with his left hand in Oho’s throat. Oho knocked Daieisho’s arm away and Daieisho fell forward. Hikiotoshi.

Hiradoumi (6-4) defeated Tobizaru (3-7). Migi-yotsu. Tobizaru tried to keep Hiradoumi’s right hand away but once established, Hiradoumi drove forward and forced Tobizaru into the first row of punters for some fansa. Yorikiri.

Onosato (10-0) defeated Kirishima (8-2). Henka! Onosato avoided the slapdown and drove into Kirishima before Kirishima could get in behind for an Okuridashi. Instead, Onosato pressed Kirishima at the bales. Onosato leads by two. Yorikiri.

Ura (6-4) defeated Abi (2-8). Abi-zumo. Abi roughly assaulted Ura about the head multiple times, driving him closer to the edge. Angry Ura grabbed Abi’s right arm and swung him forward to the ground. Tottari.

Kotozakura (7-3) defeated Gonoyama (3-7). Kotozakura was in danger as Gonoyama forced him back to the tawara. Kotozakura wisely realized that pulling for a throw was high-risk so he drove forward with his right-hand inside and forced Gonoyama out. Yorikiri.

Hoshoryu (6-4) defeated Kotoshoho (5-5). Kotoshoho did well. Hoshoryu barely avoided Kotoshoho’s slapdown attempt. He did recover and re-engaged with hazuoshi, shoving Kotoshoho back with his right arm in Kotoshoho’s left armput. Yoritaoshi.

Wrap-up

Abi is makekoshi and will be demoted from Sekiwake. Takakeisho will be falling with him and with Onosato’s possible promotion to Ozeki, we will likely have a vacant slot in the Sekiwake ranks. At the moment, that would go to Hiradoumi but Daieisho will fight for it, too. Looks like Oho might be first in line for the Komusubi slot left vacant? He has really turned it on and fought well.

Onosato will fight Kotoshoho tomorrow. Kirishima will fight Abi. Nishikigi will fight Wakatakakage and Takayasu will fight Endo. The Kyokai are probably thinking that the best-case scenario is only one rank-and-filer will remain in the yusho race with two losses after tomorrow but worst case they will have two. If one, I bet they will immediately have the winner of Wakatakakage/Nishikigi fight Kirishima. If two, they will probably pit them against each other with the winner fighting Kirishima on Day 13?

Onosato still needs to fight Abi and the two Ozeki. That leaves one bout available for another rank-and-filer. Ura would be next in line and that would be an interesting fight. But if Wakatakakage, or even Nishikigi or Takayasu are still in the yusho race, that could be a possibility. Obviously, Takayasu is former Ozeki, Wakatakakage has lifted the cup and been Sekiwake before his injury, and Nishikigi has been sanyaku recently, as well.

Either way, the path to Ozeki (and yusho) for Onosato will be a tough one in an effort to make him earn it. We should have a very entertaining, and consequential, final third of this tournament. Rather than Wacky-Aki, this is turning into…something else.