Harumafuji (日馬富士)

Harumafuji Makes Appearance In Support of Charity HSP

Bruce H Harumafuji (日馬富士), Japanese Society ,

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70th Yokozuna Visits Sick Children in Ehime

Taking a break from the Aki Jungyo, Harumafuji payed a personal visit to some very sick children at Ehime University Hospital on the island of Shikoku across the Seto inland sea. As part of his cooperation with the Heart Saving Project, he spent time speaking with and encouraging the pediatric patients.

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The HSP charity is dedicated to treating and preventing the high prevalence of juvenile heart disease among Mongolian children, and we salute Ama / Harumafuji for taking time to brighten these young patient’s hospital stay.

As an additional note – the bumblebee Yukata is awesome.

It’s Goeido!

Andy Aki Basho 2016, Harumafuji (日馬富士), Yokozuna (横綱), Ōzeki (大関) , ,

After an epic, pre-bout stare down. Goeido threw Harumafuji to likely secure his first yusho. He brought it straight to the yokuzuna, thankfully avoiding the henka temptation, ending it with Harumafuji in a headlock and thrown to the ground to the delight of the spectators – especially the old dude in the third row with the comely Russian companion.

“Olé!” Endo’s misdirection at the edge sent Shohozan charging off the dohyo like a raging bull. The move keeps Endo mathematically in the hunt if the wheels fall completely off Goeido in Okinoumi-like fashion. Enso will surely be recipient of a special prize. Meanwhile, Takayasu’s yusho hopes were dashed at the skillful hands of Mitakeumi. With this great tournament performance, Mitakeumi could very well find himself taking the sekiwake post lost by Takarafuji. He’ll certainly be at least komusubi in November in the wake of the devastation in the K-M4 ranks.

In the other sanyaku bouts, Kakuryu picks up a needed 9th win with his quick takedown of a deflated Kisenosato. Kotoshogiku picks up a cheap kachi-koshi against Terunofuji who should have spent this tournament on a couch with Hakuho and Ichinojo.

Yoshikaze used a great mid-ring throw to beat Takarafuji. I love when a henkaee manages to recover and win like Tochinoshin against Myogiryu. That was pretty cool. What was NOT cool was the way Okinoumi let Aoiyama beat him with very little resistance. He slid to the edge of the dohyo at the tachiai and basically stepped off, into the front row. Extremely disappointing from someone with such an amazing start to the tournament.

Aki Basho Day 12 Highlights

Bruce H Aki Basho 2016, Harumafuji (日馬富士), Kakuryu (鶴竜), Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Tochiozan (栃煌山) , , , , ,

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Goeido Defeats Yokozuna Kakuryu, Contenders All Stay 2 Behind

Very few surprises, but some great sumo today on day 12 from the Kokugikan in Tokyo. At this point, the math behind Goeido’s tournament win (Yusho) is almost insurmountable. The final chance may be a match on day 13 against Harumafuji. With he closest contender 2 wins behind, it would take 2 losses by Goeido (12-0) over the next 3 days ( a tall order) to make contenders Harumafuji, Takayasu and Endo (all 10-2) viable.

The standing questions in the upper ranks:

  • Will Goeido go undefeated? A Goeido yusho would leave eternal Yokozuna bridesmaid Kisenosato the only Ozeki never to have won a championship
  • How hurt is Terunofuji? He is clearly under-performing and is in danger of returning to kadoban
  • Can Kotoshogiku win one more and remove kadoban? He fights the hapless Terunofuji on day 13, so probably yes
  • How far into double-digits can Takayasu’s run go? He fights Mitakeumi day 13, so maybe 11.
  • What happened to Okinoumi? A strong and bold start, now he struggles to find his kachi-koshi win.
  • Kakuryu ?

There are three days left to watch this unfold, with most rikishi still below the kachi-koshi threshold, but a growing number now confirmed to have losing records (make-kochi), the struggle for the high performers is the real contest.

  • Leader (12-0): Goeido
  • Hunt Group (10-2): Harumafuji, Takayasu, Endo
  • 3 Days Remain

Notable highlights

Endo defeats Mitakeumi – The good Endo returns to give risking star Mitakeumi a lesson in yorikiri. Endo was confident, strong and wasted no time escorting Mitakeumi out of the ring. End remains tied with the chase group at 10-2.

Shodai defeats Takanoiwa – Teetering at the edge of make-kochi, Shodai has regained his sumo skill. Really an excellent match that started out as a chest to chest grapple, and devolved into a rather brutal slapping festival. This seemed to really motivate Shodai, who masterfully took hold of Takanoiwa and sent him on the sukuinage express into the seats.

Tochiozan defeats Okinoumi – Okinoumi seems to be struggling now, after a powerful start to the basho. One more win Oki, that’s all your fans need to see. I have to wonder if he re-injured himself.

Kisenosato defeats Kaisei – Textbook yotsu-zumō here. Two large and powerful men locked chest to chest in a contest of strength, endurance and guile. Kaisei put up a huge fight, and looked more like the Kaisei of old rather than the lackluster performance we have seen this tournament. Kisenosato had to earn this win.

Harumafuji defeats Kotoshogiku – It was fast, direct and brutal. What you expect from Harumafuji. Is it possible that Kotoshogiku won’t clear kadoban?

Goeido defeats Kakuryu – Maybe someone can stop Goeido, but it Kakuryu is not capable. A push / thrust match, it was really all Goeido

Day 8 Results – Uwatenage & Henka

Bruce H Aki Basho 2016, Harumafuji (日馬富士), Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Takarafuji (宝富士), Takayasu (高安), Tochiozan (栃煌山), Yoshikaze (嘉風) , ,

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Goeido Dispatches Yoshikaze, Remains Undefeated

Day 8’s theme turns out to be Uwatenage – 上手投げ, with a spattering of Henka – 変化. There were some fantastic bouts during day 8 at the Kokugikan, with the top line results being that Goeido is still without a loss, and remains alone atop the leader board. Close on his heels are trio that are still very much in the hunt: Harumafuji, Okinoumi, Endo. All four of these rikishi are performing well this tournament, and any one of them could end up the winner.

In Juryo, Ura managed to win, and Osunaarashi returned from a short kuyjo, but looks to be in horrible condition.

Chiyoshoma defeats Gagamaru – Chiyoshoma got off to a great start, got the big man unbalanced and rolled him like a keg of beer.

Tokushoryu defeats Nishikigi – What a bout! It was part push-fest, part “dancing with the stars” that saw both men on the bales a couple of times. Congrats to Tokushoryu for a great win.

Endo defeats Ikioi – Endo made quick work of Ikioi after Ikioi’s failed attempt at a throw. Both are looking very strong, but Endo stays at one loss and in the hunt for the championship.

Kotoyuki defeats Chiyonokuni – Really sad when a sumotori of Kotoyuki’s skill pulls a henka like that.

Okinoumi defeats Mitakeumi – Solid, exciting match. Off the tachiai, Mitakeumi opened the attack to Okinoumi, and was clearly in charge. But Okinoumi tied him up, lowered dropped his hips and drove Mitakeumi out of the ring for a textbook Yorikiri

Takayasu defeats Takarafuji – Another bout that ended with uwatenage (overarm throw), but began with a lot of strong pushing and working to get inside to grab a piece of belt. As Tachiai reported weeks ago, Takayasu is looking like a good bet to be an Ozeki contender in the year ahead.

Goeido defeats Yoshikaze – Yoshikazu gets started with his traditional flurry of pushes and slaps, but Goeido quickly raps him up. gets a strong grip on Yoshikaze’s mawashi, and forces him out to remain undefeated. With his kachi-koshi now secure, Goeido is no longer kadoban. Tachiai congratulates the Ozeki for a very impressive and dominant campaign to prove he belongs at that rank.

Tochiozan defeats Terunofuji – A fantastic battle that ranged across the dohyo, with each man up against the tawara at least once. Unable to force each other out, the match ended with Tochiozan throwing Terunofuji to the clay. Terunofuji is now in serious risk to returning to kadoban status for the next tournament.

Kisenosato defeats Myogiryu – This was never going to be a tough bout, but it’s a great example of why Kisenosato is the top Ozeki. He not only wins, but his moves and posture are straight from a ukiyo-e woodblock print from the Edo era. Shame his cold start has left him in a tough spot for his Yokozuna push.

Kotoshogiku defeats Kaisei – Disturbing match, it was more or less a Kotoshogiku henka. Going in I had no doubt that Kotoshogiku could dispatch the Brazilian, who has put on too much weight to remain aggressive.  Completely pointless move to duck the tachiai.

Harumafuji defeats Chiyootori – I know Harumafuji provides a valuable service competing against the lower ranked rikishi (it aids their training and skill), but really, I want to see him dismantle some san’yaku. Can we start the week 2 festivities please?