I Visited Tachiai, And All I Got Was This Preview…

Sunday is Yoshikaze’s birthday. I would love to bake him a cake and buy him a bottle of fine whisky for a gift, but alas there is no way to send it to him. The last person I tried to email a cake to said it never showed up, so I can’t help to think what would happen trying to email or fax a cake to Japan. You would think that with a long and glorious career they would have a party on the dohyo for him. Instead he gets to battle a giant Bulgarian guy with significant man-boobs.

Some rikishi won today, an equal number lost. But interestingly enough, everyone seemed to have a good time. But tomorrow, I am told, is the half way point. We have an interesting Yusho picture, but the final battle is still one week away

Haru Leader board

Leaders – Kisenosato, Takayasu
Hunt Group – Terunofuji, Tochiozan
Chasers – Kakuryu, Harumafuji, Tamawashi, Kotoshogiku, Takarafuji, Chiyonokuni, Chiyoshoma, Okinoumi, Tokushoryu

8 Matches Remain

Matches We Like

Tokushoryu vs Kyokushuho – even 5-5 history between these two. Tokushoryu looked solid day 7, and I am picking him to have an edge here. Dare we hope for another long running battle of pushing and thrusting? Remember it’s all fun and games until someone’s head falls off.

Myogiryu vs Ishiura – These two have only met once, and Ishiura won. I am going to the small bundle of muscles again, or as my wife calls him “Scary Guy”. Her assessment was not improved by his day 7 bout where he crumpled Nisikigi like an empty beer can.

Chiyoo vs Tochiozan – This is their first meeting, and I have concerns that Tochiozan’s winning streak was snapped on day 7. I do hope he does not fall into a losing streak funk, as Maegashira 10 should be an easy ride for him.

Ura vs Kotoyuki – Kotoyuki has been doing a lot of crowd surfing this basho, and I am sure that the shimpan corps are on the lookout for his next attempt. I doubt Ura will supply that much velocity off the dohyo, so RoboCop should be safe. Ura is desperate to get comfortable fighting the Makuuchi guys, and so this Kotoyuki match will be a good indicator of where his mind is.

Daieisho vs Okinoumi – Okinoumi is holding up quite well this basho, I am happy to report. He needs 3 more wins for Kachi-koshi, and he may get another one of those on Sunday. Okinoumi won their only prior match.

Endo vs Hokutofuji – A troublesome bout, as Endo will likely go for technique focusing on the mawashi. Hokutofuji showed on day 7 he can make that work. Endo is flaky enough that he might lose this one. One word – Gamberize!

Yoshikaze vs Aoiyama – Birthday match for Yoshikaze. I just hope that his face survives more or less intact given Aoiyama’s habit of trying to test how well people’s dental work is holding up.

Chiyoshoma vs Takarafuji – Lots of potential in this bout, I see Takarafuji as wanting to regain momentum after his day 7 loss. Likewise it’s time for Chiyoshoma to step on the gas and get his sumo into higher gear for the second half of the basho.

Kotoshogiku vs Sokokurai – 5 wins to go for the human bulldozer to reclaim his Ozeki rank. Will Sokokurai make the same mistake as the last two rikishi and go chest to chest with this guy?

Ikioi vs Takayasu – will Ikioi deploy the henka, or will Takayasu blast him into the cheap seats?

Mitakeumi vs Terunofuji – After what Terunofuji did to Takekaze, this should be an interesting match. Will Mitakeumi go for the belt and face the dishonor of the curb-side recycling can maneuver, or will he go run and gun and try to get Terunofuji off balance?

Harumafuji vs Takanoiwa – It’s not a proper basho without a Harumafuji death-spin. I am counting on the Horse to produce the wondrous move as soon as he is feeling up to it. Hopefully today.

Shodai vs Kakuryu – Shodai comes in too high at the tachiai, Kakuryu slaps him once and backs up, Shodai chases, Kakuryu pulls him to the clay. *SCENE*

Shohozan vs Kisenosato – Captain Bicep vs the Great Pumpkin. The question everyone is asking, will Kisenosato even really get excited about this match?