dumpster fire

Hatsu 2025, Day Ten

Andy Hatsu 2025, Hatsu Basho , , ,

We’ll look at the second division first today. Wakaikari, Shishi, and Aonishiki all won their bouts in Juryo as the three youngsters picked up their ninth wins and edge closer to the yusho. Ryuden is the lone chaser at 8-2.

Your NHK videos are here: Juryo Part I & Part II, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.

The way Wakaikari hit at Shirokuma today reminded me of Hiradoumi. Aonishiki used his ottsuke effectively to keep Sadanoumi from getting a hold with his right hand and then bulled Sadanoumi back and out. Shishi tried to use his right arm under Oshoumi’s left shoulder for a throw at the edge. But his persistence paid off as he finally pressed Oshoumi out.

Jikan desu! Ryotsuite!

Makuuchi Action

Nishikifuji (5-5) defeated Nishikigi (5-5). Nishikifuji won the battle of the brocades by grabbing Nishikigi’s belt with a left-hand inside grip, pivoting, and driving Nishikigi back over the bales. Nishikigi’s only counter attack appeared to be an attempt to topple Nishikifuji as he approached the edge. Otherwise, this was all Nishikifuji. Yorikiri.

Tokihayate (5-5) defeated Onokatsu (6-4). Tokihayate locked in with a left-hand inside grip and spun Onokatsu around the dohyo. He released his left-hand grip and flung Onokatsu out of the ring with his right arm locked under Onokatsu’s shoulder. Kotenage.

Midorifuji (3-7) defeated Kagayaki (3-7). Midorifuji pulled and grabbed Kagayaki’s belth with his left hand as Kagayaki charged forward. Midorifuji helped Kagayaki fall forward by tugging on Kagayaki’s belt as he stumbled forward and flopped at the edge. Uwatedashinage.

Meisei (3-7) defeated Tamashoho (3-7). Tamashoho was too eager and jumped offsides. Five-yard penalty, replay first down. Meisei pressed forward through Tamashoho’s tsuppari and drove him out. Hakuho’s still the only person to take that 5-yard penalty seriously. Tamashoho’s tsuppari just does not seem to hit, here in the top division. It’s like it’s there but it’s one of those rain showers you don’t even need an umbrella for. Oshidashi.

Churanoumi (4-6) defeated Kotoshoho (2-8). The pair had a solid tachiai and traded tsuppari for a few seconds. Churanoumi stepped inside, hit Kotoshoho in the jaw with a headbutt and Kotoshoho immediately dropped to one knee. Tsukiotoshi.

Oshoma (5-5) defeated Hakuoho (6-4). Hakuoho managed a morozashi and rotated Oshoma toward the ground as Oshoma pressed Hakuoho back toward the bales. Both men looked to fall at the same time. Gunbai Oshoma. Mono-ii. The shimpan decide, “Dotai. Torinaoshi,” rematch. On the replay, Hakuoho jumped early. Reset. Strong tachiai. Oshoma tried to slap Hakuoho down but Hakuoho managed to stay up. The two locked in with right-hand belt grips. Hakuoho took the initiative to pull the pair toward the bales. Hakuoho tried to topple the pair but Oshoma pressed forward into Hakuoho and pulled him forward. Uwatenage.

Shonannoumi (5-5) defeated Takarafuji (4-6). Takarafuji sure made an admirable effort. He really wanted that right-hand outside grip and he got it a few times as the two tangoed around the ring. But Shonannoumi knew that was dangerous and would extend his body to pull Takarafuji’s had free. As Takarafuji reached in again, Shonannoumi rotated and pulled him by the left shoulder, forcing Takarafuji to fall forward. Kotenage.

Takerufuji (8-2) defeated Ichiyamamoto (6-4). Takerufuji henka! Ichiyamamoto charged forward to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.

Shodai (5-5) defeated Mitakeumi (2-8). The Shodozer rolled through Mitakeumi, forcing him to the edge, quickly. Mitakeumi tried to slip right and throw Shodai at the edge but the Shodozer’s brakes were up to the task as the Shodozer stopped right at the edge. Mitakeumi’s momentum carried him over the tawara. Oshidashi.

Oho (8-2) defeated Tamawashi (6-4). Rough tachiai as the two banged heads repeatedly while trading tsuppari. Oho tried a brief pull but that would have been bad so he reached in for a belt grip. Belt grip acquired, Oho pulled up, charged forward and overpowered Tamawashi forcing him back and over the edge. Yorikiri.

Halftime

Endo (5-5) defeated Atamifuji (2-8). Atamifuji had no defense today. Endo wrapped up Atamifuji and drove forward, forcing Atamifuji out. Yorikiri.

Newsbreak. It’s a long one. Thankfully these second half bouts take a bit more time.

Takanosho (3-7) defeated Takayasu (6-4). The pair traded tsuppari as Takanosho walked back toward the bales. Takayasu did not heed Admiral Ackbar’s warning. Takanosho rotated as he approached the edge and turned the tables. Once Takayasu’s back was to the edge, Takanosho pushed Takayasu out. Oshidashi.

Kirishima (7-3) defeated Chiyoshoma (8-2). Brawl here as Chiyoshoma did not allow Kirishima access to his belt. Kirishima reached in but Chiyoshoma rotated away while keeping up the tsuppari. As Chiyoshoma pressed forward into Kirishima’s tsuppari, Kirishima stepped back and pulled Chiyoshoma forward. The Chiyoshoma yusho fears abate as he rolled across the dohyo. Hikiotoshi.

Sanyaku

Abi (6-4) defeated Kinbozan (9-1). Kinbozan, did you not read the brief? Abi dropped Kinbozan quickly by hitting him hard at the tachiai to bait Kinbozan into pressing forward. Abi then immediately stepped right and deflected Kinbozan’s forward momentum to Abi’s left. Kinbozan fell forward. Tsukiotoshi.

Wakatakakage (5-5) defeated Tobizaru (5-5). Wakatakakage stepped left and used his left hand to press Tobizaru to the side and down. Hatakikomi.

A Second Newsbreak. A first-floor arcade (game center) near the Tsutenkaku shotengai, a landmark in Osaka, is on fire. Maybe someone is finally venting their frustrations against the claw.

Wakamotoharu (3-7) defeated Ura (5-5). As the dust settled after the initial exchange, Ura literally put up his dukes. That was hilarious. I don’t think he appreciated WMH’s kachiage at the tachiai. He tried to rotate and pull Wakamotoharu’s left arm but Wakamotoharu slipped away and shoved Ura from behind. Oshitaoshi.

Onosato (7-3) defeated Gonoyama (5-5). Gonoyama charged forward early. Reset. Onosato henka?! But a matta? What the hell is going on? The NHK video will only show the legit tachiai so hat tip to Lulit on Twitter to show the full bout with all the hijinks, below. On the third attempt, Onosato met Gonoyama head on but rotated right and slapped Gonoyama down with both hands at the back of Gonoyama’s head. Hatakikomi.

Hoshoryu (7-3) defeated Daieisho (6-4). Hoshoryu quickly seized Daieisho’s belt with his right hand and pulled him forward to the ground. Uwatedashinage.

Kotozakura (4-6) defeated Hiradoumi (5-5). Someone got Kotozakura some smelling salts as he finally moved forward. He hit Hiradoumi square at the tachiai and pressed forward. Hiradoumi tried to rotate back to his left but Kotozakura pursued and shoved him over the bales. Oshidashi.

Wrap-up

Suddenly, the race is flung wide open. Kinbozan still leads with one loss. Chiyoshoma joins Oho and Takerufuji at 8-2. Hoshoryu, Onosato and Kirishima sneak back into the race at 7-3. We might be looking at a big playoff with an 11- or 12-win yusho. I’m not sure why they’re so worried about Tsutenkaku when there’s a dumpster fire right here on the dohyo in front of us. If we’re not careful, the Shodozer will get into this yusho race, somehow. Maybe we should just focus on Juryo now?

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s action, Kinbozan will fight Onosato, Takerufuji will face Daieisho and Chiyoshoma will fight Hoshoryu in the musubi-no-ichiban. I’ve got my popcorn at the ready. To be honest, y’all, I’m going back to bed. This is a lot to process at 4am. The good news is that both rally towels worked today, even if Onosato’s performance was a bit shaky. If he pulls the same thing against Kinbozan tomorrow, I will die laughing. It will be a good death.