Hoshoryu has gone kyujo, his big toe singed by the hot lava. Hidenoumi has also gone kyujo due to a calf injury. He may or may not return. In Juryo, Mitoryu has gone kyujo as well.
Nishikifuji handed Mita his first loss of the tournament. Mita put in a great effort, went chest-to-chest and nearly worked Nishikifuji out with a powerful morozashi. Nishikifuji stayed in bounds, though, and as Mita drove hard to the opposite side of the ring Nishikifuji threw him down. Tsukiotoshi. Great bout. With Hatsuyama stumbling today, seven guys stand now at one loss as there is a free-for-all in Juryo.
Your NHK videos are here: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I and Part II. While I’m gone, you’ll want to just check this page for updates.
Makuuchi Action
Shishi (3-2) fusen over Hidenoumi (0-5).
Mitakeumi (5-0) defeated Kotoshoho (3-2). Kotoshoho tried his best to run away while trying kotenage and hatakikomi attacks but Mitakeumi tracked him down and shoved him out. Mitakeumi is looking refreshed. A new man on his return from Juryo. Oshidashi.
Kotoeiho (3-2) defeated Shodai (3-2). Kotoeiho quickly shoved Shodai out. He seemed to go at Shodai from the side, forcing Shodai to shuffle to the bales laterally. I don’t know if Shodai couldn’t put his weight on that right leg or what but he went straight out. Yorikiri.
Churanoumi (3-2) defeated Kayo (0-5). Churanoumi chased Kayo out, quickly, while avoiding the slapdown. Yorikiri.
Kusano (4-1) defeated Asakoryu (2-3). Asakoryu timed the tachiai well and hit Kusano hard. He frantically tried slapdown attempts then drove into Kusano, trying to force him to the edge. Kusano was able to withstand the attacks and remain in the center of the ring. Once he reached inside and got both arms around Asakoryu, he drove Asakoryu back. Asakoryu tried to twist Kusano down but Kusano’s footwork was impeccable and he kept his balance while continuing to pressure Asakoryu out. Yorikiri.
Fujinokawa (3-2) defeated Midorifuji (2-3). Fujinokawa locked in with a morozashi and lifted Midorifuji off the dohyo and carried him to the edge before dumping him over the edge. Tsuridashi.
Tokihayate (2-3) defeated Chiyoshoma (0-5). Tokihayate got a left-hand inside, right hand outside grip, pivoted and used that right hand to throw Chiyoshoma down. Uwatedashinage.
Ura (4-1) defeated Takanosho (2-3). Takanosho drove Ura back to the edge with both hands at Ura’s head but Takanosho let Ura escape clockwise along the bales with a knock to the arm. Then Ura slapped Takanosho down as Takanosho chased. Hatakikomi.
Ichiyamamoto (5-0) defeated Roga (2-3) Roga withstood Ichiyamamoto’s thrusting attack so Ichiyamamoto locked inside with a right hand inside, left-hand outside belt grip. Roga got his right hand inside but Ichiyamamoto kept Roga from landing a good left-hand outside grip. Ichiyamamoto chugged to drive Roga back but Roga braced and avoided going out. The two settled into a lean until Ichiyamamoto tried again, and again, and again before he finally overpowered Roga and forced him out. Yorikiri.
Atamifuji (3-2) defeated Sadanoumi (1-4). Both men locked in with right hand inside grips. Sadanoumi tried to trip Atamifuji by wrapping his right leg around Atamifuji’s left. This was a huge mistake as Atamifuji kept his balance and twisted Sadanoumi toward the bales. Once he got Sadanoumi backed to the bales he quickly forced him over. Yorikiri.
Halftime
Hiradoumi (2-3) defeated Tobizaru (2-3). Hiradoumi forced Tobizaru straight back. Tobizaru kicked out at the edge but Hiradoumi powered Tobizaru over the bales. Yorikiri.
Takerufuji (3-2) defeated Tom O’Washi (4-1). Both men slammed into each other with repeated head butts and arm thrusts. Takerufuji seemed to last a bit longer and the young gun eventually forced good old Tom into retreat. Oshidashi.
Gonoyama (4-1) defeated Hakuoho (2-3). Gonoyama caught Hakuoho perfectly as Hakuoho tried to pull. As Hakuoho pulled, Gonoyama steamrolled in the same direction and he blasted Hakuoho from the fighting surface. Oshidashi.
Meisei (2-3) defeated Kinbozan (1-4). Both men latched onto the other’s belts with deep migiyotsu, right hand inside grips. Kinbozan yanked Meisei back to the edge and planned to rotate Meisei back over the edge but Meisei snuck that right foot out there and knocked Kinbozan’s left foot forward, forcing Kinbozan to fall backwards. Sotogake.
Sanyaku
Oshoma (1-4) defeated Wakamotoharu (1-4). Wakamotoharu charged forward but Oshoma slipped to the right and slapped WMH down. Hatakikomi.
Takayasu defeated Wakatakakage. Wakatakakage looked great at the start with his right hand inside. Takayasu avoided being forced out and fought his way back to the center of the ring. As the two settled into a bit of a lean, Takayasu suddenly pulled right and slapped at Wakatakakage. This forced Wakatakakage to stumble forward so Takayasu pursued quickly and shoved WTK from the fighting surface. Oshitaoshi.
Aonishiki (4-1) defeated Kirishima (4-1). Aonishiki withstood Kirishima’s face slaps. Aonishiki plugged away and forced his way inside. Aonishiki locked in firmly with his left hand inside. As Kirishima’s left leg snuck forward, Aonishiki reached out with his right hand and punched at Kirishima’s left knee forcing his leg to splay out and Kirishima went down on his right knee. Uchimuso.
Oho (2-3) fusen over Hoshoryu (1-4).
Kotozakura defeated Onokatsu. Onokatsu tried to change his grip and Kotozakura spun to prevent Onokatsu from getting the left-hand inside grip. Then Kotozakura drove forward behind a head butt and his momentum forced Onokatsu back and out. Yorikiri.
Onosato (4-1) obliterated Abi (3-2). Abi went after Onosato’s head but Onosato blocked Abi’s right arm. Abi then pulled and Onosato ate him up, forcing him out. Oshidashi.
Wrap-up
Akua closed the day’s action with the bow-twirling ceremony.
Hoshoryu’s withdrawal means there will not be a Yokozuna showdown on senshuraku. Without further lineup changes, it should be Onosato versus Ozeki Kotozakura. Before we get there, however, Onosato will fight Onokatsu tomorrow and Kotozakura will fight Abi.
Aonishiki is a delight to watch. That was a beautiful move against Kirishima. He will fight a wily old dog in Takayasu tomorrow. Surely that will be another highlight bout, either way. Kirishima will fight Kinbozan in an interesting pairing. Wakatakakage will face Oshoma and Oho will fight Wakatakakage.
With the close of Day 5, Andy joins the list of kyujo. I shall rejoin the tournament in its closing phases. Have a great weekend and I’ll see you all Wednesday or Thursday, rather full of wine.