Day Nine in Tokyo. No new kyujo in the top divisions.
Kazekeno picked up his first loss against Shonannoumi. At 8-1, he still holds a solo lead in the Juryo yusho race. Kazuma and Enho trail at 7-2. Enho defeated Nishikigi, a fading member of the old guard – and one of the larger members of the old guard. If I recall correctly, at one point he was the largest guy in Makuuchi. Enho still took him on head-on and managed to shove him out. No tricks.
Down in makushita, Omori slid out of the way of Tatsubayama to stay in the hunt for the third division title. Asahifuji survived a scare against Fudoho. The pair teetered at the edge with Asahifuji succeeding in pulling Fudoho down a fraction of a second before he went down. He’s still on the path to join the 21-win club but it’s obvious the competition will only get more difficult from here.
The NHK videos for today are here.
Makuuchi Action
Takerufuji (6-3 Juryo) defeated Oshoumi (1-8). Oshoumi shifted to his left at the tachiai but Takerufuji still blanketed him and quickly blasted him from the ring. Yoritaoshi.
Wakanosho (5-4) defeated Roga (5-4). Roga attacked Wakanosho from the side and shoved him toward the bales. Wakanosho countered by shifting to the side and shoving Roga down. Tsukiotoshi.
Fujiryoga defeated Mitakeumi. Fujiryoga hit Mitakeumi with a solid tachiai and drove him back to the bales, attacking his face. Oshidashi.
Kotoeiho (7-2) defeated Tobizaru (7-2). Tobizaru allowed Kotoeiho to drive him back to the tawara, opting to use the bales to mount his counter attack. He shifted to the side but Kotoeiho adjusted well. Kotoeiho drove forward again and this time shoved Tobizaru clear from the ring. Oshidashi.
Shishi (3-6) defeated Tamawashi (0-9). Henka! Shishi jumped left and Tamawashi rolled to a stop at 0-9. Tsukiotoshi.
Kinbozan (5-4) defeated Ryuden (3-6). As Ryuden sought Kinbozan’s belt, Kinbozan rotated clockwise, eventually succeeding in making Ryuden dizzy and slapping him down. Hatakikomi.
Ura (6-3) defeated Tokihayate (3-6). Kokonoe-oyakata stopped the fight with the probably the most delayed “matta” call I’ve ever seen. People wondered if shinpan had the ability to stop a fight and he proved it today. The fight was well under way when he raised his hand. The gyoji saw it and stopped the fight. Everyone looked at the head shimpan. “What’s up?” Kokonoe-oyakata raised his fist. At first, I thought he was calling Ura for a forbidden closed fist strike. “Get your hands down!” “Okay. Yessir.” Extraordinary. So, everyone reset and went at it again. On the second tachiai, Ura had the clear upper hand, got behind Tokihayate and shoved him out from behind. Okuridashi.
Hakunofuji (6-3) defeated Abi (4-5). Abi seemed to have adopted Shodai’s “Stand-up” Tachiai. Regardless, Hakunofuji took advantage of Abi-zumo. He absorbed Abi’s tsuppari and moved forward when Abi retreated for his slapdown attempts. After a few hops, Abi was at the edge and Hakuoho – I mean, Hakunofuji – easily forced him out. Yorikiri.
Asanoyama (6-3) defeated Chiyoshoma (4-5). Asanoyama charged ahead and cast Chiyoshoma into the second row of spectators — under the watchful gaze of Lord Dark Helmet’s okamisan. (Oh dear, I might just have to do that fanfic. It would be brilliant. I’d have to write her as the not-so secret patron of the former Ozeki.) Oshidashi.
Nishikifuji (3-6) defeated Fujiseiun (5-4). I think Fujiseiun was a bit stunned by Nishikifuji’s head-first tachiai. Nishikifuji got his right arm under Fujiseiun’s left, rotated, and pulled Fujiseiun down. Kotenage.
Halftime
Churanoumi (6-3) defeated Oshoma (5-4). Churanoumi steadily beat Oshoma back with tsuppari. Tsukidashi.
Shodai (3-6) defeated Asahakuryu (3-6). It looked like Shodai was going to eat it there but he recovered, pressed forward and shoved Asahakuryu back to the bales. Some sloppy footwork from Asahakuryu and he stepped out instead of working his way along the tawara. Oshidashi.
Yoshinofuji (6-3) defeated Oho (3-6). Oho tried the double-outside arm hold. Unfortunately for him, Yoshinofuji was still able to use his arms. He put Oho in a bear hug, held him up and drove him to the bales and over. Yoshinofuji was glad to be free of Oho’s hold, stretching his elbow afterwards. Yorikiri.
Takanosho (4-5) defeated Hiradoumi (4-5). Takanosho shifted to his left and slapped Hiradoumi down. Hatakikomi.
Ichiyamamoto (4-5) defeated Fujinokawa (4-5). This was the best and most effective I have ever seen Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari game. The thrusts kept Fujinokawa at bay. The subtle shifts and slapdowns forced him off balance. Fujinokawa was left with no way in. So, he went out. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Kotoshoho (6-3) defeated Wakatakakage (7-2). After an initial flurry of tsuppari from both men, Wakatakakage made the mistake of pulling. Kotoshoho was all over him and easily pressed forward and forced him out. Yorikiri.
Atamifuji (5-4) defeated Daieisho (3-6). Daieisho used his tsuppari to no effect. Atamifuji batted some volleys away but focused on pressing forward, forcing Daieisho to the bales. As he lost ground, Daieisho shuffled clockwise around the ring but Atamifuji pursued well and shoved Daieisho from the fighting surface. Oshidashi.
Kirishima (8-1) defeated Wakamotoharu (2-7). Kirishima forced Wakamotoharu back to the edge. Wakamotoharu tried to shift to the side but Kirishima drove straight through him, crushing him backwards. Wakamotoharu fell back on his but while Kirishima dove headlong over the edge. Kirishima was bloodied, possibly from landing face first on the step leading up to the dohyo. He rolled into a few Chads at the side of the ring and came up with a forehead and nose covered in blood. The way he was touching his face afterwards makes me think he might need some new dental work. But at least he got his kachi-koshi! Yoritaoshi.
Gonoyama (7-2) defeated Kotozakura (2-7). Kotozakura charged forward while Gonoyama shifted right along the tawara. Kotozakura fell forward and Gonoyama stepped out. Gunbai Gonoyama. Mono-ii. The shimpan judged Kotozakura out first, confirming the ruling on the field. Hatakikomi.
Wrap-up
Kotozakura will, in all likelihood be officially kadoban in the coming days. Will he go kyujo? Will Kirishima go kyujo to get his grill looked at? I just think we were inches from a real medical emergency today and hopefully Kirishima heads straight to the hospital to get sorted.
That said, this yusho race is pulling in some really interesting names. Wakatakakage and Tobizaru fall into the chase group. Kirishima regains his position as sole leader with his winning record secured.
- 1-Loss: Kirishima
- 2-Losses: Wakatakakage, Gonoyama, Kotoeiho, Tobizaru, Fujiryoga
On the other end of the spectrum, we’re getting a bit more clarity with the Makuuchi/Juryo exchanges. I’m interested to hear your opinions on this. In my humble opinion, at the current pace we could be getting three to five promotion cases from the second division. Onokatsu, Daiseizan, Takerufuji and maybe Sadanoumi seem determined to put in a good word. Kyokukaiyu or maybe even Kazuma might be able to get in there with great finishes to the tournament but I’m thinking three is most likely the number.
If that’s the case, Tamawashi, Oshoumi and Ryuden appear closest to earning slots on “the barge.” Everyone else at the bottom of Makuuchi seem determined to avoid the drop. Shishi and Tokihayate would really need to fall apart this week to join the other three.
We close out “Act Two” tomorrow. Already? Geez this basho is going by quickly. Kirishima will face Shodai tomorrow. Maybe Shodai can point the Ozeki to a good reference for the dental work. Kotozakura will fight Wakamotoharu and one of them will be make-koshi. Gonoyama will fight Kotoshoho. Kotoshoho’s been looking quite solid and might be a dark horse. In the final sanyaku bout, Wakatakakage will fight Atamifuji.
Down in the rank-and-file, Tobizaru will fight Abi, Fujiryoga will fight Tokihayate and Kotoeiho will take on Ryuden. I would have thought they would move Fujiryoga and Kotoeiho up a bit but no. Feeding them some chum for now. Will see you back here tomorrow.