Just before action got underway on Day Two, news came in from the infirmary that Terunofuji and Takakeisho would be kyujo. The news should not surprise anyone who saw how easily both were beaten in their fights on Day One. We hope both rest well and come back when they are healthy. The only big question left at the moment is, “Who’s next?”
I also want to touch on Juryo for a moment. I’d neglected to include Shimazuumi and Kitanowaka in my kyujo list yesterday. They have been absent from Day One but their kyujo were not declared in time so their opponents got Day One fusen-sho. Shimazuumi dropped out of Haru early with injury while Kitanowaka’s terrible performance hinted at an underlying injury. So in both cases, I suspect those injuries were aggravated or had not quite healed well enough to make the first day of action. Given the late kyujo, though, I will keep my eye out for them to show up eventually. Both will be in danger of demotion with full-tournament kyujo, or even significant make-koshi.
Highlights
Tsurugisho (1-1) defeated Tomokaze (0-2). Tsurugisho reversed immediately and tried to pull Tomokaze down. Tomokaze kept coming forward, though, so Tsurugisho had to slip to the side and with impressive strength from his left arm, threw Tomokaze down for the win. Sukuinage.
Takarafuji (2-0) defeated Tokihayate (0-2). Before the tachiai it was interesting to see the size disparity. Takarafuji took full advantage. He wrapped up Tokihayate at the tachiai, drove him backwards and out. Yorikiri.
Tsurugisho will face Tokihayate tomorrow. Tokihayate will get a chance to leverage his mobility and pick up that all-important first win.
Oshoma (2-0) defeated Roga (1-1). A startling tachiai here that may have stunned Roga even more than the assembled crowd. Everyone reacted with an “Oh.” Oshoma had shifted slightly to the right, possibly lessening the blow, and easily walked Roga out. Okuridashi.
Presuming Roga knows what day it is, he will face Takarafuji tomorrow. Oshoma will take on Tomokaze.
Ryuden (2-0) defeated Mitoryu (0-2). Ryuden really likes that deep grip but Mitoryu was wary. Mitoryu batted his hand away and circled backwards. Frustrated, Ryuden attacked in “oshi” mode, head down and driving Mitoryu further back. As Mitoryu reached the edge, Ryuden’s forward pressure forced him upwards, granting Ryuden access to the front of his belt which he then leveraged to heave Mitoryu out. Yorikiri.
Churanoumi (1-1) defeated Nishikifuji (1-1). As Nishikifuji charged forward, Churanoumi swung him around and shoved him to the edge. Nishikifuji used a last-ditch attempt to topple Churanoumi at the edge but Churanoumi kept his footing and kept up the pressure, forcing Nishikfuji to step out. Oshidashi.
Mitoryu will face Churanoumi in search of his first win. Ryuden will take on Nishikifuji.
Ichiyamamoto (1-1) defeated Sadanoumi (0-2). Ichiyamamoto plowed forward but kept his balance when Sadanoumi shifted direction, and he also avoided the slapdown attempts. He squared up to Sadanoumi who was at the edge and hit him with two powerful shoves to finish him off. Oshidashi.
Kinbozan (2-0) defeated Hokutofuji (1-1). Hokutofuji’s slapdown attempt was read beautifully. Kinbozan just secured him in front and walked him out. Hokutofuji needed to hit him with some tsuppari or some misdirection or something, really anything but that pull. Yorikiri.
Sadanoumi will try to turn things around against Hokutofuji while Kinbozan and Ichiyamamoto will face off in an interesting style contest.
Shonannoumi (2-0) defeated Tamawashi (1-1). Just as Tamawashi got his head down and those legs churning forward, Shonannoumi slipped to the side and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Shodai (1-1) defeated Kotoshoho (0-2). Kotoshoho’s strategy today was “run away.” Shodai punished him for this cowardice by chasing him around the ring and throwing him out. Oshidashi.
Shodai will face Tamawashi while Shonannoumi will face Kotoshoho.
Nishikigi (1-1) defeated Takanosho (0-2). Nishikigi locked up Takanosho’s right arm in retaliation for an early nodowa. He then used backed around the ring, dragging Takanosho with him and slung him out into the crowd. Amiuchi.
Halftime. Shimpan shuffle. I wonder when we will see Kakuryu.
Mitakeumi (2-0) defeated Midorifuji (1-1). Wow, Midorifuji was 100% determined to drive Mitakeumi out. He got the former Ozeki to the edge and kept churning his legs forward. Mitakeumi tried to drive Midorifuji backwards but when that failed to yield breathing room, he slipped to the side and shoved Midorifuji down. Kotenage.
Mitakeumi will face Nishikigi and Midorifuji will fight Takanosho.
Onosho (1-1) defeated Oho (0-2). Oho resisted Onosho’s forward pressure to start the bout and actually worked Onosho backward a bit. However, rather than keep pressing forward, he tried a pull. Onosho adapted well and kept Oho in front of him and drove him out of the ring. Yorikiri.
Ura (2-0) defeated Meisei (1-1). Solid tachiai. As the two locked horns in the center of the ring, Ura slipped to the side and then quickly pounced as Meisei tried to keep his balance, driving Meisei down. Oshitaoshi.
Onosho will fight Ura and Oho will fight Meisei on Day Three.
Sanyaku. Do we really want to watch?
Takayasu (2-0) defeated Onosato (1-1). Some great initial charges today. Onosato tried to retreat but Takayasu stayed with him. As Onosato hit the bales, he stumbled back into the middle of the ring. Oshidashi.
Wakamotoharu (1-1) defeated Tobizaru (1-1). Another retreat gone awry. Tobizaru pulled and tried to twist at the bales but Wakamotoharu bulled him out before landing in the crowd, himself. Oshitaoshi.
Tobizaru will face Onosato tomorrow in a very compelling first-time meeting.
Abi (1-1) defeated Hoshoryu (0-2). Abi obliterated Hoshoryu. Hoshoryu seemed like he was attempting a pull but Abi had it timed perfectly and bum-rushed Hoshoryu out. It’s not looking good for the Ozeki-tachi. Oshidashi.
Abi will face Takayasu in an even, 5-5 rivalry. I’m willing to bet this bout will not be decided on the belt.
Kirishima (1-1) defeated Hiradoumi (1-1). Kirishima freaked me out by retreating at the start of the bout. Hiradoumi nearly drove him out. But then Kirishima switched and pressed forward. He then laid into Hiradoumi with powerful tsuppari and Hiradoumi backed out. I thought I saw Hiradoumi adjusting his jaw after the bout. Oshidashi.
Gonoyama (2-0) default win over Takakeisho (0-2-?)
Daieisho (2-0) default win over Terunofuji (0-2-13?)
Kotozakura (1-1) defeated Atamifuji (1-1). Just before the bout, the NHK broadcast showed the results from the previous bouts between these two, with the kimarite. That presented an interesting story which actually played out in the bout. Kotozakura had beaten Atamifuji three times: hikiotoshi, katasukashi, and hatakikomi. These are all slapdown/pulldown techniques. Today, Atamifuji went in hard at the tachiai and Kotozakura yanked him down at once. Katasukashi.
Gonoyama will face Wakamotoharu. Kotozakura will take on Hiradoumi for the first time. Hoshoryu will try to pick up a win against Daieisho. And Kirishima will face Atamifuji.
Wrap-up
Well, from that last bout we can see that Atamifuji needs to work on his balance. He needs to avoid being caught out ahead of his feet. Kotozakura will not be the only one who will be happy to slap him down. Kirishima and Kotozakura have put an end to the Ozeki slide, but can they start picking up white stars, daily? They need to right this ship and start dominating. I really hope Kirishima was paying attention today. He hasn’t wanted to move forward lately and Atamifuji is a good candidate for a pulldown.