Haru 2024: Day 8 Highlights

Andy Haru 2024, Haru Basho

Welcome to the second Sunday of the 15-day tournament. Since it’s the middle day, it’s known in Japanese as Nakabi (中日).

Kinbozan returns from his whiplash-induced kyujo but surprisingly Shirokuma, down in Juryo, was added to the absent rikishi list. I will check to find out why. He won yesterday and did not have any obvious injury.

At the end of the first week of action, Takerufuji and Onosato are forging ahead, leading the pack. Eleven guys are right there, though, with 2 losses. That list includes several guys from sanyaku, including all of the Ozeki not named Kirishima. Abi is there too, along with Wakamotoharu (who will face Kotonowaka today), Onosho, Takayasu, Mitakeumi, Sadanoumi, Shonannoumi, and Nishikifuji. Did I miss anyone? It is interesting to see two former Ozeki there in that list, doing well in the lower ranks.

Well, let’s not dawdle. Let’s get to the action.

Makuuchi Action

Mitoryu (Juryo 6-2) defeated Roga (4-4). Mitoryu made the most of his makuuchi moment. After a long tussle with Roga for grip and position, Mitoryu decided he didn’t actually need a grip of Roga’s belt. H had wrapped up Roga’s arm and dragged him down with it. Kotenage.

Takerufuji (8-0) defeated Ryuden (4-4). Takerufuji hit Ryuden hard at the tachiai and forced him high. He quickly grabbed Ryuden’s mawashi with a right-hand over arm, meaning Ryuden did not get that double over-arm grip which had been so successful earlier this tournament. Takerufuji kept up the pressure, Ryuden back-pedaling, and fiercely shoved Ryuden out. Oshidashi. Takerufuji Kachi-koshi.

Churanoumi (4-4) defeated Myogiryu (3-5). Churanoumi withstood an early assault from Myogiryu and earned a left-hand belt grip for his troubles. With that grip he dragged Myogiryu to-and-fro, from one end of the dohyo to the other. On Myogiryu’s third trip across the dohyo, Churanoumi found himself behind Myogiryu and shoved him out from the back. Okuridashi.

Shonannoumi (6-2) defeated Kitanowaka (1-7). Shonannoumi grabbed Kitanowaka’s arm and tried to yank him down with it but Kitanowaka escaped and retreated. Shonnanoumi kept up the pressure, though, churning his legs forward. Forward-moving sumo wins! Oshidashi.

Ichiyamamoto (4-4) defeated Endo (2-6). Ichiyamamoto with some Abi-zumo here. The fierce tsuppari at the tachiai, followed by a pulldown. Hatakikomi.

Daiamami (4-4) defeated Shodai (4-4). Daiamami made great use of his girth and Shodai’s usual lackluster tachiai by moving forward, securing a left-hand belt grip, and disrupting Shodai’s own attack. He pressed forward and kept Shodai in front of him when Shodai attempted to slip to the side at the bales. Yorikiri.

Mitakeumi (6-2) defeated Nishikifuji (5-3). Mitakeumi hit Nishikifuji hard at the tachiai, forcing him into reverse. A pleasant-looking stiffarm to the face helped Nishikifuji find the tawara and move him in that direction. Mitakeumi continued to drive forward and forced Nishikifuji to tumble over the straw bales. Oshitaoshi.

Sadanoumi (6-2) defeated Hokutofuji (1-7). Hokutofuji tried to keep Sadanoumi off his belt but with one, deft move, Sadanoumi’s failed kotenage allowed him to slip behind the hard-charging Hokutofuji. This gave his left hand access to Hokutofuji’s belt. While Hokutofuji was focused on keeping Sadanoumi’s right arm away, Sadanoumi wrenched him around and threw him off the dohyo. Uwatenage.

Kotoshoho (3-5) defeated Onosho (5-3). Fresh off his determined win over Onosato, Onosho slammed forward fiercely into Kotoshoho. Kotoshoho met him head on…and hands on. Kotoshoho’s hands came up quickly behind Onosho’s head. As he brought his arms down on Onosho’s head, his feet moved to the right, giving Onosho plenty of room to fall on his belly. The disappointment on Onosho’s face made one wonder if he was near tears. It’s like he could taste it. Sumo is a head game, after all. Hatakikomi.

Gonoyama (5-3) defeated Takayasu (5-3). Takayasu charged hard at the young Gonoyama. As he did, Gonoyama pulled Takayasu down. Kandayu’s gunbai to Gonoyama. Gonoyama’s right foot teetered on the bales during the move so a mono-ii was called to verify whether Takayasu was down before Gonoyama was out. Hatakikomi.

Halftime

Kinbozan (2-4-2) defeated Midorifuji (3-5). Midorifuji tried a henka but he kind of gave up the goat at the tachiai by flinching. Kinbozan was alert and easily shoved Midorifuji out for the win. Oshidashi

Onosato (7-1) defeated Tamawashi (2-6). Tamawashi sure did not make it easy. Rough as ever, he used both hands, over and over, to shove Onosato’s head back — hard. Onosato weathered the assault and pressed Tamawashi backwards and off the dohyo.

Meisei (3-5) defeated Hiradoumi (4-4). Wow. Meisei’s tachiai today blew Hiradoumi out of the water. Two powerful shoves and Hiradoumi was cast from the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Abi (6-2) defeated Ura (3-5). Instead of blasting Ura with the body at the tachiai, Abi took a few swipes at his face and followed up with tsuppari. I wonder if this attack was chosen to “henka-proof” his initial charge? Ura in full retreat, Abi pounced with repeated shoves. His final shove, with Ura right up against the bales, blasted Ura into the third row. The brown-vest crew were blessed with some impromtu fansa from their hometown hero. Oshidashi.

Asanoyama (4-4) defeated Nishikigi (1-7). Solid tachiai from both men and they quickly wrapped each other up with matching left-hand inside, right-hand outside grips. Asanoyama used his belt grip to spin Nishikigi around and press forward. Nishikigi tried twice to throw Asanoyama but the former Ozeki maintained his balance and his focus and forced Nishikigi back over the tawara. Yorikiri.

Daieisho (4-4) defeated Atamifuji (4-4). Atamifuji tried to outlast Daieisho’s tsuppari. He cycled back to the edge and attempted a slapdown. Daieisho was alert, though, and dragged Atamifuji down to his belly. Hikiotoshi.

Takakeisho (6-2) defeated Oho (3-5). Takakeisho repeatedly slammed into Oho and drove Oho back to the tawara. Oho tried a last ditch pull on the tawara but it failed and the Ozeki shoved him out. It seems like it has been a while since Takakeisho has used this repeated blasting technique though it often seems successful. It is definitely more powerful and effective than the rapid-fire tsuppari attack but I wonder if it aggravates his neck issues. Oshidashi.

Hoshoryu (6-2) defeated Onosho (3-5). Takanosho did well to force Hoshoryu back to the bales. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get Hoshoryu over. Hoshoryu needed to brace both of his legs against the tawara where he quickly spun Takanosho around. Takanosho tried to move Hoshoryu forward again but could not budge him. Hoshoryu plowed forward and thrust Takanosho from the dohyo. Was Takanosho’s initial success all a risky feint on Hoshoryu’s part? “Get me to the edge so I can launch my attack!” Oshidashi.

Tobizaru (5-3) defeated Kirishima (2-6). The alarm bells in Kirishima camp have morphed into DEFCON-5 air-raid sirens and horns. Kirishima has the strength. One tsuppari had enough force to send Tobizaru back about four feet into his half of the ring. He even made some forward progress today. The two settled into the center of the ring as they battled for a grip. Kirishima made the fatal mistake of reaching over Tobizaru for a grip at the back of his mawashi. This means you’re too high, Ozeki! Tobizaru immediately launched forward and forced Kirishima off the dohyo. Yorikiri.

Kotonowaka (6-2) defeated Wakamotoharu (5-3). Forceful tsuppari from Kotonowaka forced Wakamotoharu to the bales. Wakamotoharu resisted but Kotonowaka maintained the pressure. WMH nearly slipped to the side as he danced along the tawara but Kotonowaka just barely kept his balance. Oshidashi.

Wrap-up

Where to start? Well, let’s start with this great debut by Takerufuji. The newbie made his entry to the division known by securing his kachi-koshi on nakabi. Onosato didn’t do that. Ichinojo didn’t do that. Hakuho didn’t do that. Takakeisho lost his first four top division bouts. Asanoyama lost three of his first six. Taiho did it, as did Washuyama, Sadanoumi (no, not that one), and Kaisei (yes, that one).

Frankly, I’m tempted to exclude Kaisei from the list on a technicality. His debut tournament was not an official tournament, it was the technical examination tournament in May 2011 after the yaocho scandal. One might consider that to be worthy of at least an asterisk due to the kyujo/retirements and the implications of it not being a normal tournament. Regardless, these four guys all won 10 or more bouts during their debut tournament and won the Kanto-sho. Two did even better and claimed Jun-Yusho. Where will Takerufuji end up? I’m eager to find out, too.

Haru 2024: Day 7 Makushita Update

lksumo Aki Basho 2022

Andy already touched on the key events in Juryo, so let’s take a quick look at the third division. We are down to 5 wrestlers with 4-0 records, and they’ll be joined in the quarterfinals by the two winners of the Day 8 bouts between the remaining 3-0 rikishi, as well as by the highest-ranked undefeated man in Sandanme. Here’s the yusho bracket:

  1. Ms8w Kiriyuko (Tatsunami beya) vs. the winner of Ms10e Wakaikari (Isenoumi) against Ms13w Kazekeno (Oshiogawa)
  2. Ms20 Yago (Oshiogawa) vs. Ms27 Asahakuryu (Takasago)
  3. Ms40 Asakoki (Takasago) vs. the winner of Ms43 Wakatakamoto (Arashio) against Ms49 Suzaki (Otake)
  4. Ms51 Nihonyanagi (Onomatsu) vs. Sd3 Nagamura (Kise)

The winners of these four bouts should get matched up in the semifinals in rank order, unless that results in the forbidden Kazekeno vs. Yago same-heya matchup, in which case some creativity will be needed. Only the first three rikishi still in the race (who are ranked above Ms15) can claim an automatic Juryo promotion by winning out.

In the Ms1-Ms5 promotion zone, Ms1e Chiyomaru and Ms1w Tenshoho are both 2-2, and need to win 2 of 3 to regain their salaries. Ms2w Onokatsu and Ms3w Kayo, both 3-1, are also in good shape. Ms2e Yuma (1-3), Ms4w Tsukahara (2-2), and Ms5w Nabatame (3-1) probably need to win out, while everyone else is out of luck. It’s too early to tell how many openings we’ll see in Juryo, but one is certain due to Hokuseiho’s “retirement”, and J12e Kotoeko (1-6) and J14e Kitaharima (3-4) need to start piling up wins in a hurry if they want to avoid a ticket to Makushita.

Haru 2024: Nakabi Preview

Josh K Haru 2024

I didn’t get absolutely everything wrong yesterday, but it wasn’t a vintage day for predictions, that’s for sure. However, Isegahama and Terunofuji must be avid readers of Tachiai because they mercifully heeded our pleas for the Yokozuna to do the right thing and take the rest of the basho to recuperate.

The big headline, of course, is Onosato’s loss to Onosho. It was hardly unprecedented, but as our friend Kintamayama noted in his recap, completely down to experience or a lack of it on Onosato’s part. We should also give Onosho credit for some very, very good ring sense and a thoughtful and deliberate approach to the bout.

The gyoji made a number of highly impressive correct calls yesterday, but it did feel as though they let a number of matta go. I’d be surprised if that’s not something that’s corrected in the coming days. It was an accurate characterisation of Endo’s situation to see him being the one to seemingly jump the gun, and yet still find a way to lose.

Kinbozan returns as we head into the Day 8, nakabi, quite literally the middle day:

Day 8 Matches

Mitoryu (5-2 in Juryo) vs Roga (4-3): Mitoryu has put a good record together in Juryo and makes his first appearance above the fold in the Haru basho. It probably won’t be the last if Juryo rikishi are still needed to make up the numbers and an exchange bout is a possibility late on. Somewhat curiously, he’s beaten Roga 3 out of the 4 times that they’ve previously lined up against one another.

Ryuden (4-3) vs Takerufuji (7-0): This is a first time meeting of these two. Takerufuji has had it all his own way so far, and now it’s lonely at the top. I do wonder if the spotlight coming off of Abi and then Onosato and now onto him will be a help or a hindrance. I think Ryuden has a big, big shot at an upset (if you can call it that) here, although Roga was much the better against him yesterday.

Myogiryu (3-4) vs Churanoumi (3-4): I do wonder if we’d be talking about Myogiryu’s lack of energy if Endo hadn’t been quite as disappointing. Churanoumi got thoroughly outfought by Daiamami, but both of these guys need to stop the bleeding. This is a real coin flip, Churanoumi winning their only past meeting.

Shonannoumi (5-2) vs Kitanowaka (1-6): Shonannoumi was well beaten yesterday, but he gets an immediate chance to turn things around against the very disappointing Kitanowaka. The latter has some really fantastic experience to call upon in his heya who can hopefully help get him back on track. So far, it looks like his physicality has been lacking.

Ichiyamamoto (3-4) vs Endo (2-5): Ichiyamamoto got absolutely torched by Takayasu yesterday, but if he brings the same energy to his match against Endo, I think he’ll get the same result that he got against Shodai. Endo has got to be nervously looking over his shoulder at this point, he needs to go on a real run now, as he can lose three more matches at the absolute most. In Endo’s favour, however, is that he has won all three prior meetings.

Shodai (4-3) vs Daiamami (3-4): I tell you what, I’ve been pretty harsh on Daiamami to this point, but he deserves a lot of respect for the way he took the game to Churanoumi in what was easily his best performance of this basho so far. Shodai also deserves credit for the manner of his Day 7 victory. This isn’t really a match on paper, but if Daiamami brings the energy that we saw from him yesterday, it will make things interesting. Shodai is the favourite though, and won in their only previous encounter.

Nishikifuji (5-2) vs Mitakeumi (5-2): Mitakeumi made short work of Hokutofuji after an opponent – not for the first time – gave him room to attack. I don’t think Nishikifuji will be as respectful as Hokutofuji was, however. He’s on a very good run and has history of beating the former Ozeki (2 from 3), and I just don’t see Mitakeumi continuing to put himself in the yusho or even the sansho conversation.

Hokutofuji (1-6) vs Sadanoumi (5-2): Hokutofuji has made me look a bit foolish in the last couple of days for saying that he hadn’t been that bad. He was awful yesterday. He has a 6-4 lead in his matchups with Sadanoumi, though, and I think if he can get himself extended then this is a good opponent to potentially beat. Sadanoumi did very well to see off Kotoshoho, but he rarely keeps his foot on the gas when he’s in a strong position like this, so I’m going to go for an upset.

Onosho (5-2) vs Kotoshoho (2-5): Well, he’s that guy now, the only one to knock off big scary Onosato, and Onosho will want to keep the good times rolling. I think he will do that against an opponent who seems a bit to have lost his way and who is also a good target for Onosho’s style of sumo. Onosho leads their rivalry 6-2 and if he can win here, will probably start to believe that Kotoshoho is an opponent he can dominate.

Takayasu (5-2) vs Gonoyama (4-3): Gonoyama just got beaten by an opponent with an opposing sumo style. The problem with Takayasu as a matchup is that Takayasu can beat you in many different styles, so long as he’s physically up for it. He is looking fairly genki. These two have come face to face twice, and have each taken a win in oshi-zumo battles. For me, Gonoyama will win or lose this at the tachiai. If he can get extended then he’s got a chance of getting things going, but if Takayasu can deflect his opening thrusts at all, then he can dictate how he wants this game to be played.

Midorifuji (3-4) vs Kinbozan (1-4-2): These guys have traded wins over their four previous meetings, with Midorifuji being due the next one. A lot of folks might ask why Kinbozan is back if he was badly injured, and the biggest reason is that if he doesn’t come back, he will go straight down to Juryo. While he is almost certain to end up with a make-koshi, every win from here will pad his fall and he probably just needs at most a couple wins to stay up in Makuuchi. You never really know what you’re going to get with Midorifuji, but the onus is really on Kinbozan to prove his fitness.

Tamawashi (2-5) vs Onosato (6-1): Tamawashi will at least feel now that Onosato can be got at. The veteran has fought and won against big stars and big names in the past, as his pair of yusho and seven kinboshi are testament. So he’s not going to be overawed by the phenom as some others clearly have been, but he’s also aware more than others that a fit rikishi on a strong run is hard to stop. This will almost certainly be an oshi battle head-on. Onosato’s face showed he knew that he lost a match he could and perhaps should have won, and I imagine he’s been preparing to put it right since before he left the arena. He looks like a real competitor that hates to lose, and that’s a good thing for the sport.

Hiradoumi (4-3) vs Meisei (2-5): Meisei has had a real tough run of fixtures, but that will start to lighten up at least a little bit in the coming days. We should see him get some winnable matches soon, and he will feel he can win this. Hiradoumi was masterful in the ease of his victory against Gonoyama and looked like a much more experienced and composed veteran. This is probably the kind of match that will show us what Meisei is made of, when he’s at risk of running a deep make-koshi and we learn whether his form against the top guys carries over against less vaunted opposition.

Abi (5-2) vs Ura (3-4): I was disappointed yesterday that Abi’s clash with Hoshoryu was fairly straightforward and didn’t deliver any kind of hijinks. Here’s an immediate opportunity for that to be corrected. Abi, coming off two straight losses, is certainly a candidate to try and henka, although I could see the crowd becoming openly mutinous if he did that against Ura in Osaka. But maybe Abi would like that, who knows. Ura will be thinking he’s done very well if he can find a 4th or even 5th win against the 9 san’yaku opponents. I would agree with that, but Abi has beaten him 7 times out of 10 and will be considered the favourite again here.

Asanoyama (3-4) vs Nishikigi (1-6): Nishikigi’s rotten first week has finally drawn to a close, and while he only has an Ozeki left to face from the san’yaku opponents, the bad news is that that Ozeki’s form is also so bad that Nishikigi probably will have to face him as well. And today, he gets an opponent who also desperately needs wins in order to try for a kachi-koshi. While Asanoyama continues to improve, it’s also becoming clear he’s not the force he was prior to his suspension. That, and/or the quality at the top end of the division is just higher now. Both may be true, but in any case he’d be the tip to take this anyway.

Daieisho (3-4) vs Atamifuji (4-3): Just when you think Daieisho is back, he goes and loses to a noted yotsu-expert by his preferred kimarite of oshidashi. The mind boggles. Atamifuji is having a good basho, but I thought there was some funny business at the tachiai yesterday and Oho maybe got away with one. They’ve faced each other twice and each won one, and I think this is anyone’s guess, mostly due to Daieisho’s inconsistency and the fact he’s showing flashes of brilliance and incompetence in the same basho.

Takakeisho (5-2) vs Oho (3-4): Oho is already doing better than I thought he would or should, but Takakeisho should not be allowing him to win this if he wants to call himself an Ozeki. Unlike Terunofuji (who even a dead blind man could see was deeply injured), Takakeisho is an exclusive oshi-zumo specialist, and is normally able to both deflect oncoming thrusting attacks as well as deal with these kinds of characters quite quickly. One imagines this will be a blink and you’ll miss it encounter. No one should be betting against an upset in this basho, but Takakeisho is as big of a favourite as any Ozeki today.

Takanosho (3-4) vs Hoshoryu (5-2): This is a replay of one of Hoshoryu’s signature matches of the last basho. I couldn’t believe how naive Takanosho was in that match, as Hoshoryu gave Takanosho his favourited two arms inside in order to set himself up for a beautiful pivot and throw. Takanosho made Kirishima look silly yesterday and controls that rivalry, but Hoshoryu controls this rivalry (albeit at a less emphatic 5-2) and he will have looked at Onosato’s loss and thought “I can get myself back into this race and win it.”

Kirishima (2-5) vs Tobizaru (4-3): Kirishima got humiliated yesterday and faces another opponent against whom he somehow has a losing record in 20 matches (11-9 to Tobizaru) going all the way back to their time in Makushita. Tobizaru will be rested, and remarkably always seems to be fit and raring to go. There is still a path to 8 wins here for Kirishima, who doesn’t have a bad record against the other Ozeki and will get another Maegashira opponent to replace Terunofuji. But it’s not going to be easy. There’s no understating that he has to win this if he wants any chance of avoiding kadoban.

Wakamotoharu (5-2) vs Kotonowaka (5-2): We’ve got a real big time match in the musubi-no-ichiban today, as the Ozeki and Sekiwake rankers begin their matchups with a battle between a pair of guys on the outside of the title race. Neither has really looked to be in yusho form, but they’ve both had a couple impressive wins. This will undoubtedly be a belt battle unless Kotonowaka just wants to try and bully the veteran Sekiwake out of the ring. Like the previous pair, these guys have also been getting into it since their Makushita days: Kotonowaka narrowly edges out his opponent historically, with a 7-5 record against Wakamotoharu. I think Kotonowaka will find three wins from somewhere and isn’t expected to challenge for the yusho, so this match will mean more for Wakamotoharu to try and position himself on the Ozeki track. It should be a close call and a riveting match.

Haru 2024 Day 7 Highlights

Andy Haru 2024, Haru Basho

News from the infirmary came a bit late but the Yokozuna is out. We also received notice that Kinbozan will return to action on nakabi. Let’s get down to business, shall we?

In Juryo, Hakuoho got back to his winning ways against a broken Kotoeko. He seems barely capable of walking backwards. Asakoryu and Wakatakakage are handling their business, leading with 7 wins. Takarafuji and Tokihayate are 4-3 at the moment and hoping to earn promotion with winning records.

Makuuchi Action

Tohakuryu defeated Endo. Endo launched well but Tohakuryu slid to his left and let Endo’s momentum carry him into the crowd for some fansa. Maybe that’s why Endo is still so popular? He ends up in a visitor’s lap just about every matchday. Hatakikomi.

Nishikifuji (5-2) defeated Myogiryu (3-4). Myogiryu lashed out at the tachiai but Nishikigi corralled Myogiryu, “calm down, dude.” Once he had him wrapped up, he drove forward and forced Myogiryu back and out. Yorikiri.

Daiamami (3-4) defeated Churanoumi (3-4). Daiamami was just too big for Churanoumi. He wrapped up the smaller wrestler and drove forward. Yorikiri.

Roga (4-3) defeated Ryuden (4-3). Rather than his usual overarm grip, Ryuden had his left hand inside andUwatehineri.

Takerufuji (7-0) defeated Shonannoumi (5-2). Takerufuji bulldozed Shonannoumi and drove him out of the ring quickly. Yorikiri.

Shodai (4-3) defeated Kitanowaka (1-6). Shodai’s blast from the tachiai moved Kitanowaka back a few steps. Shodai then wrapped his arms under Kitanowaka’s and drove forward, forcing Kitanowaka out. Yorikiri.

Sadanoumi (5-2) defeated Kotoshoho (2-5). Sadanoumi had his left arm wrapped around Kotoshoho, and forced both men to tumble out of the ring. Gunbai Sadanoumi. Mono-ii. Gunbai dori, Sadanoumi kachi. Yoritaoshi.

Mitakeumi (5-2) defeated Hokutofuji (1-6). Mitakeumi shoved Hokutofuji out quickly. Wakanohana is worried about Hokutofuji given how quickly he was defeated. Oshidashi.

Takayasu (5-2) defeated Ichiyamamoto (3-4). Ichiyamamoto tried his tsuppari but Takayasu drove into Ichiyamamoto, regardless. Ichiyamamoto tried to slip out of the way and let Takayasu’s momentum carry him out…but Ichiyamamoto slipped…and Takayasu just shrugged. He arrested his momentum well short of the tawara. Oshitaoshi.

Onosho (5-2) defeated Onosato (6-1). Onosato drove into Onosho and pushed him to the edge of the ring. Onosho retreated along the tawara and forced Onosato out. Wakanohana explained how ‘Sho forced ‘Sato high by using that left arm under ‘Sato’s armpit. From there, ‘Sho was able to tug ‘Sato forward and out with his right arm. Onosato picked up his first loss. Sukuinage.

Halftime

Midorifuji (3-4) defeated Tamawashi (2-5). A matta should have been called here because Midorifuji launched before Tamawashi had his hands down. But Tamawashi moved forward and Kandayu didn’t call a matta. Midorifuji pulled and forced Tamawashi forward and down. Tsukiotoshi.

Hiradoumi (4-3) defeated Gonoyama (4-3). Hiradoumi locked up Gonoyama’s belt with his left hand, spun, and pulled him down. He also used his right arm on Gonoyama’s head to force him down. Well-planned and well-executed. Uwatedashinage.

Oho (3-4) defeated Atamifuji (4-3). Oho hit Atamifuji square at the tachiai. He then pulled at Atamifuji’s shoulder with his left and used his right to force Atamifuji down. Hatakikomi.

Sanyaku

Wakamotoharu (5-2) defeated Ura (3-4). Ura tried to sling Wakamotoharu around and out at the tachiai but WMH stayed in. Both men tussled for a grip at the center of the ring but WMH decided to just press forward without one and shoved Ura out. Oshidashi.

Asanoyama (3-4) defeated Daieisho (3-4). Asanoyama used his left arm to block Daieisho’s tsuppari and shove him backwards. Asanoyama then pressed forward, keeping Daieisho going back. Daieisho finally landed one blow but he was already on his way out of the ring. Oshidashi.

Hoshoryu (5-2) defeated Abi (5-2). Sometimes Abi-zumo is a bit of a mess, as it was today. Hoshoryu was unfazed by Abi’s tsuppari so Abi retreated and tried to pull. Hoshoryu just followed him with excellent footwork and balance. As Abi reached the tawara, he fell. Oshitaoshi.

Takanosho (3-4) defeated Kirishima (2-5). Takanosho kept the Ozeki in front of him and pressed forward. That was it. Kirishima was in retreat from the tachiai. Move forward, Ozeki! You’re well on your way to kadoban. Oshidashi.

Tobizaru (4-3) earns the default win from Terunofuji’s (2-5) absence.

Kotonowaka (5-2) defeated Meisei (2-5). Kotonowaka wrapped up Meisei’s arm and dragged him down. That really must be an unpleasant experience. Kotenage.

Takakeisho (5-2) defeated Nishikigi (1-6). Pffffffffffffffft. After the tachiai, Takakeisho ducked to the left and Nishikigi jumped forward and fell down. Tsukiotoshi.

Wrap-up

Kirishima has had a dreadful first week and must turn things around. He’s probably a 50-50 chance of going kyujo in Week 2. Today, the best sanyaku performance was probably Kotonowaka. Hoshoryu held up his end but rather benefited from a bumbling Abi, than put together his own dominant performance.

The best action today really came during the hiramaku bouts. Takerufuji controlled his bout and controls his own destiny. If he wins out, he’ll win his debut yusho. Wild. That’s likely not going to happen, though. He will face a tough bout against Ryuden tomorrow. If he wins, though, he’s kachi-koshi and will probably start getting thrown into higher-level bouts from Day 9.

Onosato is now one loss off the pace set by Takerufuji. I thought the two of them would face off on Day 8 but the schedulers have put Onosato agains Tamawashi. That will be a tough one and Tamawashi will want to do better than he managed today. Then there’s a host of guys at 5-2. One of them will win the yusho, but who, I’m not sure. Maybe Hoshoryu.