Endo

Haru 2025: Day Four

Andy Haru 2025 ,

Day Four in Osaka. Down in Juryo, Nabatame injured his left knee yesterday and is kyujo. Hidenoumi got the freebie win. No kensho for pachinko, though.

NHK video links: Juryo Part I & Part II, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Shirokuma (1-3) defeated Kagayaki (Juryo 0-4). It looked like Kagayaki had the early edge here, forcing Shirokuma back to the edge. But Shirokuma used the tawara to brace himself, established a right-hand inside, left-hand outside grip, and drove Kagayaki back across the dohyo and over the edge. Yorikiri.

Tokihayate (3-1) defeated Asakoryu (3-1). As Asakoryu charged forward, Tokihayate twisted quickly to his left. Asakoryu’s right foot splayed out to brace but went over the bales. Yorikiri.

Aonishiki (2-2) defeated Mitakeumi (2-2). This must be a bit of a confidence builder. Aonishiki used steady pressure and a strong nodowa to force Mitakeumi back and over the bales. The young, top-division debutant defeated a three-time Emperor Cup winner and former Ozeki. Then again, Mitakeumi’s sumo performance has been a mere shadow of his earlier glory. Oshidashi.

Sadanoumi (1-3) defeated Kotoshoho (2-2) Kotoshoho seemed to want to lure Sadanoumi back, as he pulled, but Sadanoumi was wise to his shifty tactics. Sadanoumi centered Kotoshoho and blasted him into the head shimpan. Oshitaoshi.

Churanoumi (3-1) defeated Ryuden (2-2). Churanoumi put his hand on Ryuden’s head and shoved down hard. Ryuden kept his balance but could not resist as Churanoumi followed up with a good shove and sent him over the bales. Oshidashi.

Onokatsu (4-0) defeated Takarafuji (2-2). Onokatsu was too strong and drove Takarafuji back and over the bales. Yorikiri.

Shishi (3-1) defeated Midorifuji (2-2). As Midorifuji pulled, Shishi used his right hand to shove Midorifuji at the shoulder. This blasted Midorifuji to the side and hard onto the clay. Oshitaoshi.

Meisei (2-2) defeated Nishikigi (0-4). Meisei made quick work of Nishikigi; wrapped him up and drove him back and out. Yorikiri.

Hakuoho (3-1) defeated Shonannoumi (0-4). Hakuoho dispatched Shonannoumi quickly, driving him back and out under the white tassel. Yorikiri.

Endo (4-0) defeated Oshoma (0-4). Endo got his left arm under Oshoma’s right shoulder and twisted him down for a sukuinage win.

Shodai (2-2) defeated Atamifuji (2-2). Shodai pulled and as Atamifuji charged toward the edge, Shodai grabbed his belt, spun, and yanked him over the bales. Uwatedashinage.

Halftime

Tamawashi (3-1) defeated Takerufuji (2-2). Takerufuji pulled and Tamawashi happily charged ahead and forced Takerufuji back and out. Takerufuji needs to practice his falls, he could have given himself whiplash today, slamming down hard under the black tassel. Oshitaoshi.

Ura (3-1) defeated Hiradoumi (2-2). Of course, the news ran long and we missed Ura’s win over Hiradoumi, live. The replay showed quite the oshi brawl. Hiradoumi pulled and Ura followed, slamming into Hiradoumi’s chest and forcing him back and out. Oshidashi.

Ichiyamamoto (2-2) defeated Kinbozan (1-3). Standard Ichiyamamoto tsuppari forced Kinbozan back and over the edge. Oshidashi.

Tobizaru (1-3) defeated Takayasu (3-1). Takayasu played Tobizaru well but when Tobizaru kicked out at Takayasu’s right foot, which was bracing his weight, Takayasu backed up and set himself up for Tobizaru’s well-timed pull down. Kekaeshi.

Sanyaku

Chiyoshoma (2-2) defeated Abi (3-1). No tsuppari from Abi. Instead, he wrapped up Chiyoshoma, cycled back and tried to pull Chiyoshoma over. Chiyoshoma just followed Abi around the ring and drove him out. Yorikiri.

Kirishima (3-1) defeated Daieisho (2-2). Kirishima got inside quickly against Daieisho, who, like Abi, opted for a grapple instead of his usual tsuppari. Kirishima drove Daieisho back and out. Yorikiri.

Takanosho (1-3) defeated Oho (1-3) Takanosho forced Oho back to the bales. Oho tried to escape to his left but Takanosho pursued well and drove him out. Oshidashi.

Wakamotoharu (3-1) defeated Onosato (3-1). Damn, it, Onosato. Forward-moving sumo wins. You pull at your peril. Wakamotoharu kept Onosato well centered and forced him from the fighting surface. Oshidashi.

Kotozakura (2-2) defeated Wakatakakage (0-4). Kotozakura pressed forward, drove into Wakatakakage and showed Onosato how it is done. Oshidashi.

Hoshoryu (3-1) defeated Gonoyama (3-1). Hoshoryu quickly pulled Gonoyama down. Hatakikomi.

Wrap-up

Endo and Onokatsu lead the field. I am going to bed. I fear the nightmares that will follow. Rather than sugarplums, my dreams will surely be of weak pulls and very slow henka.

Nagoya 2024: Lucky Day 13 Highlights

Andy Nagoya 2024, Nagoya Basho , , , , ,

First off, news from the infirmary. Hoshoryu kyujo. He was injured yesterday in his bout with Kotozakura. Onosato will receive the fusen win.

Today NHK preempted the first bout to talk about the large scale, coordinated vandalism and arson attacks on France’s TGV. No one killed, no one hurt. Footage of an increased security presence and breathless coverage of people with suitcases loitering around the train station. And again at half-time coverage was interrupted for a second day in a row with a needless interview and footage of bored people huddled around arrival and departure screens. The flood was legit news. Yamagata got hit pretty bad. But this?

Miffed is putting it lightly. At least they showed the replay immediately after the bout ended. I had seen it live, though, because I had fired up the old, illicit sources. I switched over as soon as the coverage came back because I do prefer the NHK coverage but come on, man. They are shooting themselves in the foot here. The breaking news coverage needs to be about Hoshoryu or the lower division yusho races. Speaking of which…

Day 13 action decided all of the lower-division yusho races. Congratulations to Daiseizan. Arashio-oyakata’s nephew won the Makushita yusho. He had likely secured Juryo promotion earlier in the tournament and it is a certainty now. With the undefeated record he will likely climb a bit higher on the banzuke, giving him some important breathing room.

Down in Sandanme, Inami won the Sandanme yusho. Hakuho’s protégé, Seihakuho, claimed the Jonidan yusho. In Jonokuchi, Shimizuumi, who defeated Enho on Day 1, claimed the Jonokuchi yusho. Watch this space because I am sure we will see these names on a more regular basis in the future.

Makuuchi Action

Chiyoshoma (5-3-5) defeated Daiamami (5-8). Yorikiri.

Nishikigi (4-9) defeated Nishikifuji (5-8). Nishikifuji hit Nishikigi hard at the tachiai and drove him back but Nishikigi wrapped up Nishikifuji’s arms and drove him back across the ring and out. Yorikiri.

Bushozan (7-6) defeated Ichiyamamoto (6-7). In spite of Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari and shifts of direction, Bushozan did a great job of keeping up with Ichiyamamoto. Then when Ichi pulled, Bushozan put his head down and leveled him. Oshidashi.

Ichiyamamoto will fight Chiyoshoma on Day 14.

Kagayaki (8-5) defeated Shodai (8-5). Shodai was not able to make any forward progress in his battle with Kagayaki. When he pulled, Kakayaki kept him centered and shoved Shodai out. Kagayaki kachikoshi. Oshidashi.

Roga (7-6) defeated Tamawashi (6-7). Tamawashi tried everything he could at the edge, twisting left and right. But Roga remained calm through all of it and pressed forward. Yorikiri.

Hokutofuji (6-7) defeated Oshoma (7-6). Turnabout is fair play. Oshoma shifted at the tachiai and tried to slap Hokutofuji down. But Hokutofuji’s shift at the edge saved him from Oshoma’s follow-up attack as the over-eager Oshoma stumbled past and out of the ring. Hatakikomi.

Kinbozan (4-9) defeated Takarafuji (5-8). Takarafuji could not get any attack started as Kinbozan wrapped him up with a bear hug, both hands inside Takarafuji’s arms and quickly drove him out.

Kinbozan will fight Roga on Day 14. Takarafuji will take on Shodai.

Endo (9-4) defeated Ryuden (3-10). Henka! Well met by Ryuden. But Endo followed up with solid yotsu. First, he had to fight to get Ryuden off his belt. Once that was accomplished, he wrapped up Ryuden, forced him to the edge and over. Endo is doing great! Yorikiri.

Endo will fight Tamawashi. Ryuden will fight Nishikigi.

Sadanoumi (5-8) defeated Midorifuji (7-6). Great battle. In the end, Sadanoumi got a hold of Midorifuji’s belt and threw him forward, out of the ring as he also fell out. Gunbai Sadanoumi, no mono-ii. Uwatenage.

Sadanoumi will fight Bushozan. Midorifuji will take on Kagayaki. But SHHHH! Don’t say Kagayaki too loud. If NHK are reminded of highspeed passenger rail, they might cut back over to the bored travelers in Paris.

Kotoshoho (7-6) defeated Ura (4-9). Kotoshoho’s tsuppari kept Ura at bay and his quick pull drove Ura into the clay. That looked uncomfortable. I hope Ura did not tweak his neck there. Hatakikomi.

Kotoshoho will fight Hokutofuji. Ura will fight Nishikifuji.

Halftime

Oho (8-5) defeated Tobizaru (7-6). Oho kept a laser focus on Tobizaru as the saru flew around the ring. Oho pursued well and when he caught him he blasted him from the ring, catapulting him from the dohyo. Oho kachikoshi. Oshidashi.

Tobizaru will fight Oshoma.

Gonoyama (4-9) defeated Shonannoumi (6-7). Straightforward win here from Gonoyama. He blasted Shonannoumi back and out. Oshidashi.

Mitakeumi (6-7) defeated Wakamotoharu (4-9). Mitakeumi stayed upright through Wakamotoharu’s slapdown attempt. Oshidashi.

Atamifuji (5-8) defeated Meisei (4-9). Meisei had the upper-hand here but was not strong enough to force Atamifuji over the bales. When he tired, Atamifuji whipped Meisei around to the bales and drove him back and over. Yorikiri.

Atamifuji will fight Gonoyama. Meisei will fight Wakamotoharu.

Sanyaku

Wakatakakage (9-4) defeated Hiradoumi (8-5). Wakatakakage’s ottsuke with his left hand kept Hiradoumi from securing a quick belt grip. Hiradoumi got frustrated and pulled. But that was a mistake. Wakatakakage charged forward and forced Hiradoumi out of the ring. Oshidashi. I look forward to seeing more of this rivalry. I get the sense that Wakatakakage wanted to say, “I should be ranked where you are, or higher. So get out of my way.”

Wakatakakage will fight Oho. Hiradoumi will square off against Mitakeumi on Day 14.

Churanoumi (10-3) defeated Daieisho (7-6). Churanoumi did not go quietly into that good night. He did his homework and knew just how to handle Daieisho. Churanoumi went toe-to-toe blast-for-blast. When Daieisho slipped to the side, Churanoumi stayed with him. Churanoumi executed his own shift and when Daieisho stumbled forward, Churanoumi closed to finish him off from behind. Okuridashi.

Daieisho will face Shonannoumi.

Takanosho (10-3) defeated Kirishima (7-6). With that, Kirishima will have to start from scratch if he hopes to regain the rank of Ozeki. As Kirishima charged forward, Takanosho pulled and tried to slap Kirishima down. Kirishima stayed on his feet but Takanosho swiftly transitioned from pull-mode to push-mode. One forceful blast and Kirishima might be gone. Will Kiribayama rise from the ashes?

Onosato (8-5) default win. Hoshoryu (9-4) kyujo. Onosato will face Churanoumi tomorrow.

Abi (7-6) defeated Kotozakura (8-5). Abi’s pull caught Kotozakura completely off-guard. Abi did not let up, either. He pursued and drove Kotozakura out. Someone get Kotozakura some freaking coffee tomorrow and wake his ass up. Yorikiri.

Abi will fight Kirishima.

Terunofuji (12-1) defeated Takakeisho (5-8). Takakeisho shifted left and tried a slapdown but Terunofuji executed his version better. Takakeisho belly-flopped down to sekiwake.

Terunofuji will fight Takanosho. Takakeisho will fight Kotozakura.

Yes, NHK, now you get to go back to talking about trains.

Wrap-up

The Ozeki are in disarray. Hoshoryu is out, injured. He was looking great this tournament, too. Kotozakura had some bright moments during the tournament but looked lethargic today. Takakeisho’s bellyflop was embarrassing and Kirishima got absolutely butchered by…checks notes…Takanosho.

I bet Takanosho wants to be Top Dog at Tokiwayama-beya. I had noticed how some of his bouts go without kensho. Meanwhile, the cash rolls in for Takakeisho. With ‘Keisho’s demotion and shaky performances, there might be some new fire in ‘Nosho’s belly.

I am curious about Kirishima’s shikona. When he was promoted we were heady off the exuberance of his rapid success and ready to anoint him Yokozuna. Not six months later his Ozeki status is gone but so is his Michinoku beya and Michinoku oyakata. He is with Kakuryu now. Will there be a fresh start with a new shikona?

Oh, right, the yusho race. Terunofuji would have to collapse in the final days for anyone else to win this. Hoshoryu, probably the biggest threat, is out injured. As we saw, he will face Takanosho tomorrow. Will they pit him against Churanoumi on senshuraku if Takanosho wins and Churanoumi upsets Onosato? Get your head out of the clouds, Andy. Terunofuji has had a solid tournament and he will put away Takanosho just like he did Takakeisho. Meanwhile, Endo is thankful for the extra loss he picked up before going on his own winning run.

Nagoya 2024: Day Twelve Highlights

Andy Nagoya 2024, Nagoya Basho , ,

I’m starting with a bit of a rant today, so if you want to skip down a few paragraphs to the action, feel free.

Fire up the VPNs. There’s significant rain in Yamagata prefecture so several bouts were preempted by coverage of the flooding. Last tournament it was the Tokyo Derby on senshuraku. This basho it’s rain. It would be nice if BS1 or another channel were included in the Jme service to ensure continuity of coverage. Then the coverage cut out during the Kirishima/Atamifuji bout.

It will be an uphill slog for Jme to pull folks from the illicit sumo streams with technical snafus and competing priorities. Sumo fans want reliable sumo coverage, they want more sumo coverage, and they want the community that has grown up along the various platforms. I will personally keep my subscription but keep pressing for improvements and expansion of coverage. (Also, my wife is hooked on some Tiger Lady show and I prefer the NHK news to the absolute garbage they call news over here.) Anyway, I continue to believe that if we subvert the official outlets in favor of mostly free-riding on the illicit platforms, the change will be much slower coming and complaints will largely be ignored. I think it’s more powerful to be a dissatisfied paying customer than a silent lurker on Twitch…especially if we are a large number of vocal dissatisfied paying customers. /rant

Back to the action on the dohyo. In Juryo, we learned that Tomokaze is kyujo. He was limping yesterday after his bout and probably tweaked that right ankle. With five wins and Juryo 7, he is safe from demotion so we will probably see him at Aki.

Meanwhile, the yusho race is heating up with Kitanowaka’s defeat of Shirokuma. Shirokuma is joined by Shishi and Shimazuumi with three losses. Hidenoumi, Fujiseiun and Hakuoho picked up their kachikoshi are thus one loss behind the leaders. Day 13 will see Shirokuma fight Asakoryu, Shishi will battle Tsurugisho, and Shimazuumi will square up against a super-motivated Kayo.

Makuuchi Action

Roga (6-6) defeated Onokatsu (Juryo 7-5). Onokatsu overcommitted and Roga quickly slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Endo (8-4) defeated Hokutofuji (5-7). Old Hokutofuji came out blasting Endo with a headbutt followed by powerful tsuppari. At the edge, though, Endo escaped by batting Hokutofuji’s arms away and slipping to Hokutofuji’s right along the edge. He then reached back and grabbed Hokutofuji’s mawashi by the thong and whipped him around. An emotive Endo expressed his happiness in his kachikoshi interview. Okuridashi.

Churanoumi (9-3) defeated Bushozan (6-6). Churanoumi got shoved out by Bushozan but on the edge, Churanoumi shoved Bushozan down. Gunbai Churanoumi? Mono-ii. As far as who touched down/out first, it was too close to call so the shimpan quickly decided on a rematch. In the rematch, Churanoumi quickly slapped Bushozan down after the tachiai. Hatakikomi.

Ichiyamamoto (6-6) defeated Wakatakakage (8-4). Wakatakakage drove Ichiayamamoto back, powering through Ichi’s tsuppari. At the edge, Ichiyamamoto slipped left like Endo, reached behind WTK and pulled him forward. Uwatenage.

Ichiyamamoto will fight Bushozan.

Oshoma (7-5) defeated Kagayaki (7-5). Oshoma shifted right at the tachiai. Kagayaki caught it and shifted with him. He put his head down and bulled forward. Oshoma then shifted left at the bales and slapped Kagayaki down at the edge. Hatakikomi.

Oshoma will fight Hokutofuji on Lucky Day 13.

Tamawashi (6-6) defeated Nishikifuji (5-7). Tamawashi was not in the mood for any brawling or tsuppari today. Instead, he and Nishikifuji locked in on the belt. Nishikifuji seemed to have the early advantage. But then Tamawashi yanked Nishikifuji around to the edge and hoisted him clean from the ground and plopped him outside the ring. Tsuridashi.

Tamawashi will fight Roga tomorrow.

Takarafuji (5-7) defeated Ryuden (3-9). Takarafuji reached in deep with his left hand. The extension helped him keep his own belt away from Ryuden’s grasp. Ryuden had a grip with the left but kept reaching out, seeking that right hand grip. Suddenly, Takarafuji twisted and whipped Ryuden around to the groun. Shitatenage.

Ryuden will fight Endo tomorrow. Will New Endo show up?

Chiyoshoma (4-3-5) defeated Kinbozan (3-9). Chiyoshoma tried to keep the no-yorikiri/oshidashi streak going by trying a quick hit-and-shift followed by a throw but Kinbozan resisted at the edge. Chiyoshoma was stronger on the belt, though, and forced Kinbozan over the tawara. Yorikiri.

Chiyoshoma will be challenged by Daiamami from Juryo tomorrow. Kinbozan drew Takarafuji.

Shodai (8-4) defeated Kotoshoho (6-6). Kotoshoho pressed forward, Shodai relied on his edge antics to push Kotoshoho down while being shoved out. Gunbai Kotoshoho. Mono-ii. After review, both men were dead at the same time. More bonus sumo! Shodai was not going to leave it to chance the second time. He wrapped up Kotoshoho and heaved him around. Beautiful throw. Uwatenage.

Shodai will fight Kagayaki.

Nishikigi (3-9) defeated Sadanoumi (4-8). Sadanoumi wanted to keep the excitement going with another great throw but Nishikigi bulled forward casting Sadanoumi into the crowd. Oshidashi.

Nishikigi will fight Nishikifuji tomorrow.

Halftime

Oho (7-5) defeated Midorifuji (7-5). My words will be insufficient to describe the greatness of this bout and the effort of both competitors. Midorifuji gave it his all but Oho’s footwork was flawless. Once Midorifuji wore out, Oho finally wrapped up Midorifuji’s arms, charged forward and forced Midorifuji out. Maybe bout of the day. Just…Wow. Kimedashi.

Midorifuji will fight Sadanoumi.

Takanosho (9-3) defeated Ura (4-8). Ura tried his best to avoid Takanosho’s tachiai but Takanosho slammed forward and blasted Ura out. Oshidashi.

Ura will hope to dodge Kotoshoho on Day 13.

Tobizaru (7-5) defeated Wakamotoharu (4-8). Tobizaru pressed forward then released and shfted. This propelled Wakamotoharu forward across the ring. Tobizaru then rang WMH’s bell as he slammed him out of the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Tobizaru will fight Oho.

Meisei (4-8) defeated Shonannoumi (6-6). Shonannoumi tried to slap Meisei down a few times but then Meisei demonstrated the proper form. Hatakikomi.

Sanyaku

Mitakeumi (5-7) defeated Daieisho (7-5). Mitakeumi weathered the torrent of tsuppari produced by Tropical Storm Daieisho. He pivoted at the edge to stay in then charged forward and forced Daieisho over the bales. Oshidashi.

Mitakeumi will fight Wakamotoharu. Daieisho takes on Churanoumi.

Hiradoumi (8-4) defeated Gonoyama (3-9). Gonoyama charged forward at the tachiai but that just pissed Hiradoumi off. He charged forward like a honey badger, taking no prisoners. Oshidashi.

Hiradoumi will fight Wakatakakage. Gonoyama will face Shonannoumi.

Kirishima (7-5) defeated Atamifuji (4-8). I wish I had seen this bout in realtime. Instead we got “buffering” from Jme.tv as they again worked on the audio feeds switching from Japanese to English. Yorikiri, so they say.

Kirishima will fight Takanosho, whom he has only beaten once in eleven tries.合い口が悪い. Atamifuji will take on Meisei.

Hoshoryu (9-3) finally defeated Kotozakura (8-4). Hoshoryu wrapped his right arm around Kotozakura’s neck while using his right leg to lever Kotozakura’s weight over. Kubinage.

Onosato (7-5) defeated Takakeisho (5-7). Takakeisho drove forward into the young upstart. At the edge, Onosato slipped to the side, grabbed Takakeisho’s belt and tugged him over the bales. Uwatenage.

Onosato will fight Hoshoryu.

Terunofuji (11-1) defeated Abi (6-6). Terunofuji was unfazed by Abi’s patty-cake tsuppari. He wrapped Abi up, charged forward and forced Abi over the edge. Yorikiri.

Terunofuji will fight Takakeisho and Abi will fight Kotozakura.

Wrap-up

After so many dud bouts yesterday, we sure got a full slate of exciting sumo today. Like a playlist of 90’s Grunge, Indie and hip-hop music, this torikumi was banger-after-banger. The Midorifuji bout was today’s “Bittersweet Symphony.”

Takakeisho is up against the wall, along with Kirishima. Neither man can lose now. It will be a tough final three days. Takakeisho will have to go through Terunofuji who famously put an end to Kotoshogiku’s Ozeki rank. I’m sorry, but if Terunofuji henkas Takakeisho I will personally buy him a beer when I am in Japan next week. Purely out of appreciation of such cheek.

Onosato is pressing ahead, one win away from his all-important kachikoshi. Hoshoryu swapped places with Kotozakura as the Ozeki “challenger” in this cup race, although he, Churanoumi, and Takanosho are two losses off pace.

Nagoya 2024: Day Eleven Highlights

Andy Natsu 2024, Natsu Basho , , ,

Shirokuma has taken over the lead in the Juryo yusho race, defeating Shishi. Shishi falls to 8-3 with Shimazuumi. A raft of guys lay in wait at 7-4.

Makuuchi Action

Kagayaki (7-4) defeated Tokihayate (Juryo 6-5). Tokihayate tripped as Kagayaki shoved him back. When he tripped, he stepped out. He tried to continue but the eagle-eyed shimpan called him out. Oshidashi.

Wakatakakage (8-3) defeated Chiyoshoma (3-3-5). Wakatakakage grabbed Chiyoshoma’s belt with his right hand and pulled Chiyoshoma forward. Chiyoshoma slid forward and extended his legs into a very uncomfortable split before twisting over and down to save himself from injury. Good thing these guys are flexible. Wakatakakage picked up his kachikoshi. Uwatedashinage.

Nishikigi (2-9) defeated Takarafuji (4-7). Nishikigi drove forward while Takarafuji was still fumbling for a belt grip. Once Nishikigi got momentum moving forward, Takarafuji he forced Takarafuji into the crowd. Yorikiri.

Midorifuji (7-4) defeated Bushozan (6-5). Midorifuji hit Bushozan from the side with his right hand. As Bushozan stumbled forward, Midorifuji snuck in behind and ushered him out. Okuridashi.

Oshoma (6-5) defeated Roga (5-6). After a long, thrilling yotsu battle, Oshoma twisted his body and threw a weary Roga to the ground.

Roga will take on Onokatsu from Juryo while Oshoma will fight Kagayaki. I wonder how often a Juryo wrestler fights in Makuuchi twice during the same basho.

Endo (7-4) defeated Kinbozan (3-8). Who the hell is this Endo guy? After escaping Kinbozan’s clutches earlier in the bout, Endo used his belt grip to drag Kinbozan across the ring. While being dragged, Kinbozan’s leg caught on Endo’s knee and he fell over. Where has this Endo been for the last ten years? Kinbozan isn’t exactly an Ozeki but he’s no Beard Papa crème puff just waiting to be dragged around the ring. Kirikaeshi.

Kinbozan will fight Chiyoshoma on Day 12.

Hokutofuji (5-6) defeated Ryuden (3-8). Ryuden slipped both of his hands inside, under Hokutofuji’s armpits. What a mistake. Hokutofuji clamped down hard. This kept Ryuden from moving his hands deeper and getting a belt grip. Hokutofuji then drove forward and blasted Ryuden into the crowd. Ryuden makekoshi. Kimedashi.

Yotsu-Hokutofuji will take on a rejuvenated Endo. Ryuden will fight Takarafuji.

Sadanoumi (4-7) defeated Nishikifuji (5-6). Nishikifuji lost his footing as he tried a pull. Oshitaoshi.

Sadanoumi will fight Nishikigi on Day 12.

Kotoshoho (6-5) defeated Ichiyamamoto (5-6). The pair traded tsuppari until they tired and locked into a grapple. Kotoshoho released his grip with one hand while the other was wrapped tightly onto Ichiyamamoto’s arm. Then he rotated and dragged him down. Kotenage.

Ichiyamamoto will fight Wakatakakage on Day 12.

Churanoumi (8-3) defeated Oho (6-5). Oho’s dreaded pull meant he obviously got shoved out by Churanoumi. MOVE FORWARD YOUNG MAN!

Churanoumi will battle Bushozan, Oho will fight Midorifuji.

Halftime.

Takanosho (8-3) defeated Shodai (7-4). This long-awaited highlight bout deservingly received a new set of shimpan and freshly swept dohyo. Shodai got pushed back and I am sure he was going to try some fancy escape at the edge but he stumbled backwards over the tawara and lost before he could manage any kind of offense. “Zzzzzzzzzzzz.” Takanosho kachikoshi. Oshidashi.

Shodai will fight Kotoshoho on Day 12.

Shonannoumi (6-5) defeated Tamawashi (5-6). I think Tamawashi’s ankle is hurt. Shonannoumi drove him back like a blocking sled. Yorikiri.

Tamawashi will fight Nishikifuji on Day 12.

Tobizaru (6-5) defeated Mitakeumi (4-7). Tobizaru stopped Mitakeumi’s forward progress and then lifted his dead weight over the bales. Yorikiri.

Meisei (3-8) defeated Ura (4-7). Meisei made Ura wait in a crouch for a good long time and then blasted him with a Juggernaut tachiai. Ura ran out of ideas and made a dreadful pull/slapdown attempt. Meisei blasted him and forced him awkwardly to the bales. He then followed up with another blast that sent Ura sprawling off the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Ura will fight Takanosho and Meisei will battle Shonannoumi tomorrow.

Sanyaku

Hiradoumi (7-4) defeated Atamifuji (4-7). Hiradoumi tried an uwatenage but Atamifuji stayed upright. Unfortunately for Atamifuji, this put him up against the bales and a bit off balance, so Hiradoumi followed up with a forceful shove to send Atamifuji out of the ring. Oshidashi.

Daieisho (7-4) defeated Wakamotoharu (4-7). Daieisho did Daieisho things. WMH was just along for the ride. Oshidashi.

Wakamotoharu will fight Tobizaru tomorrow. Daieisho gets a much deserved break and will be paired against Mitake-listless.

Kirishima (6-5) defeated Kotozakura (8-3). No words. This is becoming a runaway for Terunofuji. Kirishima locked on with his left hand and dragged the deadweight Ozeki over to the bales where he shoved him out. Yorikiri.

Kirishima will fight Atamifuji tomorrow.

Takakeisho (5-6) defeated Gonoyama (3-8). Gonoyama survived the first pull attempt, but not the second. Slapdown. Tsukiotoshi.

Gonoyama is paired up with Hiradoumi tomorrow.

Hoshoryu (8-3) defeated Abi (6-5). Abi-zumo took Hoshoryu to the edge and he looked legitimately in trouble of going down there. But Hoshoryu grabbed Abi’s right arm and pulled him forward and out. Sakatottari.

Hoshoryu will fight Kotozakura tomorrow.

Onosato (6-5) defeated Terunofuji (10-1). I have nothing to say about that one. Tsukiotoshi.

Terunofuji will fight Abi and Onosato will fight Takakeisho.

Wrap-up

Nagoya 2024 is turning into, The Yusho No One Wanted. Terunofuji still has a two-bout lead over the field. The best anyone else can do is 12-3. I don’t like it. It’s a terrible day for sumo when the best bout is the Endo bout. I’ll say it right now. Improbably, both Kirishima and Takakeisho will save their ranks, Terunofuji will win a 13-2 yusho and Onosato will be promoted on the strength of his 10-5 jun yusho and victory over the Yokozuna. It is thus written. All right, guys. Now prove me wrong on Day 12. PLZ.

It might be time to pay more attention to the Juryo yusho race.