Takakeisho Intai. The former Ozeki will retire. Yeah, that caught me off guard, too. Right after the day’s action, NHK news sprung that on me.

News from the infirmary. Shirokuma kyujo. Takarafuji picks up the default win and Shirokuma will surely drop to Juryo.

Speaking of Juryo, Takerufuji defeated Shishi, who does not want to earn that Makuuchi promotion. “Let Nishikifuji have it. Those guys fight hard up there.”

NHK videos for today: Juryo and Makuuchi Part I and Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Takarafuji (9-4) forfeit win over Shirokuma (4-9). “Takeru/Takara, Potato/Potato.”

Onokatsu (5-8) defeated Tamashoho (5-8). Both men traded tsuppari but Tamashoho retreated…and retreated his way out of the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Ryuden (7-6) defeated Bushozan (4-9). Bushozan forced an oshi brawl, keeping Ryuden off of his belt…until the last second. Bushozan worked Ryuden toward the edge where Ryuden finally secured a left-hand inside grip and lay Bushozan down, slow and gentle. Uwatedashinage.

Sadanoumi (7-6) defeated Kinbozan (4-9). Migi-yotsu. Sadanoumi pulled Kinbozan down with a beautiful throw. Uwatenage.

Midorifuji (6-7) defeated Kagayaki (1-12). Midorifuji got that right hand inside Kagayaki’s left armpit and pulled him down. Patented Katasukashi.

Endo (8-5) defeated Nishikifuji (6-7). Endo pressed forward with his left-hand inside and his right hand still seeking an uwate grip. Once he landed that uwate, he forced Nishikifuji over the bales. Yorikiri.

Churanoumi (8-5) defeated Kitanowaka (5-8). Kitanowaka slammed into Churanoumi repeatedly but could not force him to the edge. Churanoumi tried a short pull but seemed to rear back to get a running start, slamming into Kitanowaka. This drove Kitanowaka backward. When Kitanowaka’s feet found the tawara, Churanoumi pulled and slapped Kitanowaka down. Hatakikomi.

Wakatakakage (10-3) defeated Oshoma (8-5). Oshoma seriously doesn’t seem to show up now that he has his eighth win. One quick blast from Wakatakakage at the tachiai and a simple pull brought Oshoma forward to the clay. Hikiotoshi.

Gonoyama (5-8) defeated Roga (6-7). Gonoyama pressed forward with oshi-zumo to start but then landed a morozashi, double-inside grip and forced Roga over the bales. Yorikiri.

Meisei (4-9) defeated Tamawashi (6-7). Powerful tsuppari from both men but Meisei got the better of the quick brawl by yanking on Tamawashi’s right arm and pulling him toward the bales. Another blast and Meisei drove Tamawashi over the bales. Oshidashi.

Halftime. Get up, stretch, grab some tea…

Ichiyamamoto (7-6) defeated Shonannoumi (3-10). Ichiyamamoto-zumo. He drove Shonannoumi back and out. Oshidashi.

We had that whole time for half-time but they choose now (4:04) for the news break. Sometimes the NHK decisions produce 404 errors in my head. “Let’s slip it in between bouts. They’ll never notice.”

Wakamotoharu (9-4) defeated Oho (8-5). Oho did well to drive WMH to the bales but he gave up a solid belt-grip and Wakamotoharu resisted. Oho then rotated and tried to pull Wakamotoharu toward center. Unfortunately, he did exactly that and gave Wakamotoharu superior position at the center and his own back to the bales. Oho seemed to try one more powerful blast to shove Wakamotoharu back but he shoved himself over the bales as his feet splayed out below him. Yoritaoshi.

Mitakeumi (4-9) defeated Atamifuji (5-8). Oh, dear. Atamifuji. Mitakeumi shifted left at the tachiai and Atamifuji stumbled forward but caught himself. Then right at the bales Mitakeumi shifted again and Atamifuji fell for it, again, stumbling forward and out. Atamifuji makekoshi. Tsukiotoshi.

Ura (9-4) defeated Tobizaru (4-9). Ura pressed forward from the tawara and gave himself space for a quick pull and slapdown. Down goes Tobizaru. Hatakikomi.

Shodai (9-4) defeated Takanosho (3-10). Shodai plowed through Takanosho’s nodowa and drove him to the edge. Shodai tried to land a morozashi but Takanosho shoved himself backwards…at the edge…which basically meant he was standing on the bales. Takanosho let up but he wasn’t out so Shodai gave him a good blast to make sure. “Dude, don’t get mad. Are you in or out?” “I don’t know, man. Being heyagashira will carry so much responsibility. I’m not sure if I want it.” Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Nishikigi (10-3) defeated Hiradoumi (6-7). Hiradoumi was very eager for this bout. A couple of matta later, Nishikigi hit him at the tachiai but slipped to the left and pulled Hiradoumi forward with his right arm, and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Daieisho (8-5) defeated Takayasu (10-3). Seeing Takayasu lick the salt made me wonder how many guys do that. I’ve seen a few of them do it. Takayasu tried blasting into Daieisho’s face after the tachiai but seemed to tire. Daieisho turned on his tsuppari and drove Takayasu back and out. Dreams of Papayasu Yusho fade, yet again. Oshidashi.

Abi (4-9) defeated Kotoshoho (6-7). Abi-zumo can still beat some guys. Kotoshoho is one of those guys. Oshidashi.

Hoshoryu (7-6) defeated Kirishima (10-3). Hoshoryu latched on to Kirishima’s belt as if he wanted nothing more in the entire world. He was desperate for it. As they tussled, Hoshoryu’s right leg slipped behind Kirishima’s. Then Hoshoryu executed an uwatenage, aided by the trip. OMG, that slam was BEAUTIFUL. Kirishima checked his left arm as he walked down the hanamichi. That had to hurt. It was probably more physically painful than being yeeted by Terunofuji. But I think the emotional scars of that yeet still linger. Absolutely MUST watch. Right-click the link and copy the URL text into your browser and it should work. Kirikaeshi.

Musubi-no-Ichiban: This was a wild, back and forth battle. Kotozakura forced Onosato to the edge and over but Kotozakura stepped out. Gunbai Kotozakura! Mono-ii. Video replay was really inconclusive. Did Onosato’s hand brush the surface? Was his toe over the bales? “Too close to call, boyz. DO IT AGAIN!!!”

Onosato (12-1) defeated Kotozakura (7-6). Onosato drove an exhausted Kotozakura straight back and over the bales.

Wrap up

NHK breaks to the news immediately after the bout. Lead story: “Takakeisho to retire.” Woah. The Tachiai News Room goes quiet…then bananas.

You could have announced that at your 4:04 news break! You do this while I’m doing my wrap-up? I was just joking with that bit about Takanosho being heyagashira. It’s official? Do I re-write it? Wow. I think we all knew this was coming. It is probably a good idea to do it now before Yusho news eclipses it. I’ll put a note at the top before the infirmary news and try to get a proper write-up later today or over the weekend.

But back to the current tournament…

It will take a spectacular collapse for Onosato to lose this title now. He’s on 12-wins with two days to go. Kirishima, Wakatakakage, Nishikigi and Takayasu are all two back. Kirishima will fight Takayasu tomorrow. Wakatakakage gets Daieisho and Nishikigi gets…Oho? That’s an interesting decision.

Onosato will fight Hoshoryu tomorrow. Clearly, the Onosato bouts are the highlights, reserved for the musubi-no-ichiban on both days as he cycles through the Ozeki. The NHK thinks the Kyokai will match Onosato against Takayasu on senshuraku. With Takayasu’s loss today, I’m not so sure.

I think Ura would be next on the list for Onosato if we’re looking at rank and I think that would be a better match-up. Ura’s 9-4 and having a great tournament. Takayasu did not look up to snuff today against Daieisho, that’s for sure. Which do you want your new Ozeki to fight on senshuraku, Maegashira 15 – or Maegashira 5? But if he beats Hoshoryu tomorrow, the title is his, anyway, and the Senshuraku bout will just be a cherry on top.