While Kisenosato’s loss on day one is the big news, there were other great matches today. In general it was a rough day for the top 4 ranks (Komusubi to Yokozuna), the strongest wrestlers in sumo.
Outcome for Sumo’s toughest rikishi: 4 wins, 6 losses.
Featured Results
Harumafuji defeats Kaisei
As predicted, this was more of “get off my lawn” exchange between the Horse and the Brazilian strong man. Not sure where Kaisei’s mojo went, but I am going to assume that if he drops some weight he would return to being a contender. He looked worn out and lacked the overwhelming intensity required to defeat Harumafuji.
Tochiozan defeats Kakuryu
Kakuryu also did not seem to have much in the way of energy and drive. He put forth a weak effort against Tochiozan, who pushed him out with little ceremony.
Yoshikaze defeats Terunofuji
The Berserker was looking ready and strong. He was actually hospitalized after the Nagoya tournament, but he came back and won against an Ozeki. He even did it via Yorikiri, where Yoshikaze would typically push opponents out of the ring with a flurry of strong blows.
Kotoshogiku defeats Shodai
As a Kadoban Twins member in good standing, Kotoshogiku really needs to win with authority this basho. He looked good against Shodai today. Hopefully this means he is ready to win. Shodai – this guy has a bright future if he does not fall into the trap of gaining so much weight his speed and skill no longer counts.
Takanoiwa defeats Takayasu
Takanoiwa – He tied for second place in Nagoya down at Maegashira 11 (easy schedule), and the ranking board put him on a very tough track for this tournament. Takayasu is a serious candidate for Ozeki sometime in 2017, so I was surprised when Takanoiwa took him apart. I am beginning to thing Takanoiwa may be one to watch.
Here we go! The first and second day of matches are now on the Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) web page, and they are not easing into this tournament, no indeed.
Highlights of the first day (Sunday September 11th)
Takayasu v Taknoiwa – I may be alone in thinking this is pure genius, but Taknoiwa nearly won Nagoya at Maegashira 11, so what do we do with people like that? Why we promote him to Maegashira 3, and then put him against a giant hulking Sekiwake who excels at testing crumple zones on Ozeki. My prediction – “ouch”
Amakaze v Chiyoshoma – Also known as Gamera v Danger Mouse. In a rematch from Juryo, why not put the amazing, kaiju scale Amakaze against one of his smaller, but no less potent Juryo rivals, see what happens. Either Chiyoshoma ends up crushed by the kaiju, or Amakaze takes a header into the ringside cushions, sending bento and yakitori flying to the upper deck.
Gagamaru v Homarefuji – A pair of pushme-pullyous go at it, with Gagamaru’s planetary scale tipping the scales in his favor. Slight, but non-zero chance that Homarefuji slips during the match and falls into Gagamaru’s immense gravity well, ending up in a stable and inescapable orbit until the fall equinox on the 22nd. Sumo rules are unclear if this would require Homarefuji to be declared kyujo, or if both rikishi would share a single win/loss record.
Shodai v Kotoshogiku – An early indication if Kotoshogiku is going to be able to overcome his kadoban status an hold on to Ozeki. Both of these guys are large and tend to favor the mawashi (廻し) / belt fighting approach. My prediction – “sweaty struggle for ranking”
Yoshikaze v Terunofuji – I am going to assume that the Sumo Association wants to see if Yoshikaze is ready to resume San’yaku duties come November. So let’s give him an Ozeki warm up. Terunofuji was able to get a winning record in Nagoya to overcome his kadoban and retain his Ozeki rank, but did not really look dominant. One has to wonder if his broken collar bone is still bothering him. My request is that neither of these guys gets hurt, as this clash is likely to be intense.
Kisenosato v Okinoumi – While it’s not the last match of the day, everyone is going to be focused on this. Kisenosato can’t afford losses if he wants to triumph in his push to make Yokozuna while Hakuho is on the bench. All of Japan is riveted on this guy and this tournament. Okinoumi is no slouch. My prediction – Kise by yorikiri about 30 seconds in.
Tochiozan v Kakuryu – Proving once again that Komusubi is the toughest rank in sumo (I assume it means “favorite punching bag” in ancient Ainu), ascendant Tochiozan gets Kakuryu on the Yokozuna’s first bout after a recuperation break. If Kakuryu is ready, this may not last past the Tachiai.
Harumafuji v Kaisei – Plan of the day if you are Komusubi? Struggle. Here Harumafuji (the horse) will be holding a quick lecture at how to eject a burly Brazilian from a clay platform.
Special Juryo Match
I call it out here, because those of us hapless North Americans who only get NHK highlights are likely to miss it. One of the most desired bouts in Juryo comes on day one. Ura v Osunaarashi. It’s the Jackie Chan of sumo vs the Egyptian powerhouse who was massively demoted for recovering from injuries and missing Nagoya. This could in fact be one of the best matches of the day. You know I will be watching Jason’s all sumo channel on YouTube for this one.
For the upcoming September tournament, the status and disposition of the 3 Yokozuna is well known and predictable. It’s in the champion, or Ōzeki ranks, where the drama unfolds this fall. First, let’s deal with Japan’s great Yokozuna hope – Kisenosato
The 30-year-old ozeki enters the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament knowing his first career title will mean promotion to sumo’s most exalted rank. If he does win a championship, Kisenosato will become the first Japanese-born wrestler to take the big step up from ozeki since Wakanohana became a yokozuna in 1998.
In sumo, the highest rank (Yokozuna) is completely owned and operated by a trio of very talented athletes from Mongolia. This has been a sore spot for Japan, and Sumo fans are eager to see someone from the native home of Sumo once again in the top tier.
The big problem being; Kisenosato is a great guy and a solid Ōzeki, but he cannot seem to overcome the current crop of Mongolian wrestlers and take a tournament championship. At age 30, he is quickly running out of time where he can remain healthy enough to seriously compete for Sumo’s top rank.
Kisenosato is a strong Ōzeki, and in a prior age he would have easily made Yokozuna. But he competes in a period that has the strongest Yokozuna in history – the great Hakuho. Hakuho is the “Michael Jordan” of sumo. There has been no wrester so dominant before, and may never be again for many decades to come. Simply put, if Kisenosato can defeat Hakuho and Harumafuji to win the championship in Tokyo, he deserves Yokozuna.
Kadoban Twins
When an Ōzeki has a losing tournament record, he is not automatically demoted. Instead they require two consecutive losing tournaments to lose their rank. After the first loss, they are labeled “Kadoban” – a term I interpret as “on the bubble”. In the September tournament, both Goeido and Kotoshogiku are kadoban. This translates into a decent chance that at least one and maybe two Ōzeki will open should either of these men fail to rescue their rank by pulling off a winning record. Both men have never had a firm grip on the Ōzeki rank, with Goeido having been in peril 3 times prior to September, and Kotoshogiku having been at risk 5 times before this tournament. Clearly both men are playing a losing game, and it’s only a matter of time before more dominant wrestlers take the Ōzeki billets they currently enjoy.
There is no shortage of Sumotori who could become Ōzeki within the next year. The strongest among these is rising star Takayasu, who proudly wears the Sekiwake title this September. If one takes the guidances of 33 Makuuchi wins in the last 3 tournaments, Takayasu would need 13 wins to reach the magic 33. It’s possible, but he would need to have the performance of his career. A strong 12 or 11 wins in September would put him in position to reach 33 during the November Kyushu tournament. One benefit in Takayasu’s favor – as Kisenosato’s stable mate, he does not have to face Kisenosato (and defeat him) to reach his needed win goal. Bad news, he will face all 3 Yokozuna.
TOKYO, JAPAN – MAY 19: (CHINA OUT, SOUTH KOREA OUT) Takayasu (R) throws Mongolian wrestler Kyokushuho (L) to win during day ten of the Grand Sumo Summer Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan on May 19, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)
Takarafuji is fresh to the San’yaku ranks, having performed well as West Maegashira #2 at Nagoya. Sekiwake is a notoriously tough rank to hold, and it could be a hard, long tournament for man from Aomori Prefecture. His score is not yet strong enough to give him a shot at Ōzeki, but if he can hold Sekiwake, he has the skill and power to rise. To his credit, he has 2 Kinboshi wins to his record – he has proven he can defeat a Yokozuna.
Brazilian Rikishi Kaisei is an outside chance to eventually rise to Ōzeki. September will be his 3rd tournament at the top tier San’yaku ranks, after falling from Sekiwake in Nagoya. He has the size and power to make a play for the champion role, but injury has kept him from top form.
Yoshikaze has been San’yaku in the past (end of 2015) but was unable to keep his ranking due to injuries. With a dynamic and aggressive rikishi like Yoshikaze, they are prone to getting banged up and injured on the grueling schedule of tournaments ever other month. It’s clear given his “heathy” record, his history of defeating Yokozuna and his relentless drive to win, he could easily make Ōzeki in the next year. If and only if he can keep from being injured and remain healthy.
