Day 8, the middle day, is upon us. Maezumo wrestlers were officially introduced to the sumo world as “Shinjo,” and we look forward to seeing these guys fight in Osaka. Among the men is Kyokugosei who is shifting sports from baseball to sumo. Kyokurenma and Kyokutaiyo join him at Oshima beya. We also have Asasubaru and Shosei, along with Ito pictured here. There’s another recruit, Nakazato, who has been kyujo for a couple of days. Apparently not feeling well? I’ll try to get the story there and find out whether he’ll have to do maezumo again or not, if he sticks with it.
Enho earned his kachi-koshi and remains in the Makushita yusho race. The Juryo race heats up as both Fujiseiun and Kayo fall. They’re joined by Sadanoumi and Wakanosho with two losses each. Tomorrow, Kayo will fight Kazuma, Wakanosho will take on Hitoshi, Sadanoumi battles Kitanowaka and Fujiseiun faces Kotokuzan.
Makuuchi Action
Shishi (6-2) defeated Asahakuryu (5-3). Shishi put his big mitt in Asahakuryu’s mug and shoved, hard. This sent Asahakuryu sprawling into the crowd. Oshidashi.
Asakoryu (4-4) defeated Mitakeumi (3-5). This was all Asakoryu as he shoved Mitakeumi back to the edge and over the bales. Oshidashi.
Tobizaru (2-6) defeated Oshoumi (6-2). Oshoumi charged forward but Tobizaru shifted to his left as the pair approached the bales. While shifting, Tobizaru slapped Oshoumi down. Hatakikomi.
Ryuden (4-4) defeated Tomokaze (3-5). Tomokaze shifted left at the tachiai and tried to slap Ryuden down. Ryuden stumbled forward but caught himself and re-engaged. Tomokaze charged forward and tried again but Ryuden remained upright. Ryuden then showed Tomokaze how to execute a successful hatakikomi.
Chiyoshoma (3-5) defeated Hatsuyama (0-8). Chiyoshoma grabbed Hatsuyama’s belt with his right hand uwate and pulled Hatsuyama forward. As Hatsuyama stumbled forward, Chiyoshoma finished him by shoving him down to the ground. Hatsuyama make-koshi. Tsukiotoshi.
Nishikifuji (5-3) defeated Asanoyama (5-3). Nishikifuji shoved Asanoyama to the bales. Asanoyama tried to escape by retreating along the bales. Nishikifuji made that difficult as he wrapped his left hand onto Asanoyama’s belt. Asanoyama stumbled to the ground. Yoritaoshi.
Abi (7-1) defeated Tokihayate (4-4). Tokihayate hit Abi hard at the tachiai but Abi jammed his right hand into Tokihayate’s throat, driving back to the edge and over. Tokihayate tried desperately to knock Abi’s arm away but was not successful. Relief only came with defeat. Oshidashi.
Midorifuji (3-5) defeated Roga (3-5). Midorifuji got his right hand up under Roga’s left shoulder and it looked like he was going to try a katasukashi, but it was actually trapped there by Roga. Roga tried swinging Midorifuji around for a kotenage but Midorifuji kept his balance and then drove forward, forcing Roga over the edge. Yorikiri.
The Imperial family arrived at Kokugikan. It’s their first visit since January 25, 2020…just after Naruhito was installed as Emperor and right before the pandemic shuttered the sumo world.
Shodai (4-4) defeated Kotoshoho (5-2). Kotoshoho pulled and then attacked Shodai as he was off balance. Shodai caught himself before going over the edge and engaged Kotoshoho. Shodai shoved Kotoshoho to the ground with his right hand as he shifted right along the bales. Tsukiotoshi.
Hiradoumi (5-3) defeated Gonoyama (2-6). Hiradoumi grabbed Gonoyama’s belt with his left hand and hugged Gonoyama with his right arm. Hiradoumi charged forward and forced Gonoyama out. Yorikiri.
Kinbozan (3-5) defeated Onokatsu (3-5). Kinbozan henka! Kinbozan shifted left and slapped Onokatsu down. Hatakikomi.
Halftime
The Imperial family came out to their seats to applause from the fans, ushered by Hakkaku.
Fujinokawa (6-2) defeated Tamawashi (2-6). Fujinokawa wrapped up Tamawashi, negating Tamawashi’s usual thrusting attack. Tamawashi tried a kubinage. Shitatenage.
Atamifuji (6-2) defeated Oshoma (5-3). As Atamifuji charged forward, Oshoma tried to shift right and catch Atamifuji out. Atamifuji was unfazed, turned to meet Oshoma again and shoved him over the bales. Oshidashi.
Churanoumi (5-3) defeated Takanosho (1-7). Churanoumi grabbed Takanosho’s right arm and hauled him forward to the bales. As Takanosho tried to reclaim his appendage, Churanoumi shoved him out. “Ok, now you can have your arm back.” Yorikiri.
Wakatakakage (4-4) defeated Ura (1-7). Wakatakakage blitzed Ura and shoved him out. Ura tried to stay on the tawara and pull Wakatakakage out but their combined momentum carried the pair into the crowd. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Wakamotoharu (2-6) defeated Yoshinofuji (4-4). Yoshinofuji pulled back to try to shift his right hand grip from outside to inside. Wakamotoharu used the opportunity to drive forward and force Yoshinofuji out. Yoritaoshi.
Takayasu (6-2) defeated Ichiyamamoto (1-7). Ichiyamamoto pulled but lost his footing as he tried to shuffle left, so Takayasu slapped him down. Hatakikomi.
Oho (3-5) defeated Kotozakura (5-3). Oho moved forward and was rewarded. Kotozakura tried to twist and topple Oho at the edge but Oho’s footwork was solid. He wasn’t going anywhere. Oshidashi.
Kirishima (7-1) defeated Aonishiki (6-2). Kirishima did not let Aonishiki get his left hand inside. Rather than continue to fight for that grip, Aonishiki pulled. Huge mistake as that allowed Kirishima to grab Aonishiki in a big ole bear hug and drive forward. Aonishiki tried to pull Kirishima down with a kubinage but Kirishima continued to press forward into Aonishiki and both men crashed out. Gunbai Kirishima. No mono-ii. Yoritaoshi.
Daieisho (2-6) defeated Hoshoryu (6-2). Daieisho pulled and slapped Hoshoryu down at the edge. Daieisho pivoted to his left. Kinboshi! For Hoshoryu to stay up and effectively counter Daieisho’s move, he would have had to dig in and move laterally on that left knee which would not be advised with the torn meniscus. Well, walking probably isn’t advised, so this might be the most eagerly anticipated kyujo in quite some time. Will the Yokozuna bow out? Will he get surgery and allow his knee to fully recouperate? Will we see him on the dohyo before Aki? We shall find out. Hatakikomi.
Hakunofuji (5-3) defeated Onosato (6-2). Hakunofuji hit Onosato hard at the tachiai and shoved him clear of the dohyo. Kinboshi! Another kyujo incoming? Oshidashi.
The assembled throngs of fans remain in their seats for the bow twirling ceremony, in relative silence. Usually, half the crowd are gone before the first, “Yoisho!” Kamito has likely never seen a crowd this large and must be pretty chuffed to perform today. The fans stand and cheer after the ceremony is over as the Imperial family bow and wave and head out.
Wrap-up
Kirishima and Abi are now tied for the lead with 1-loss. Eight men follow with 2-losses. The leaderboard is as follows:
- 1-Loss: Kirishima, Abi
- 2-Losses: Hoshoryu, Onosato, Aonishiki, Takayasu, Atamifuji, Fujinokawa, Shishi, Oshoumi
Kirishima will face Ura tomorrow with a 9-4 head-to-head lead. Abi fans will likewise be happy to see that Abi is scheduled to face Kotoshoho, with whom he owns a 6-1 lead in their rivalry.
For the rest of the sanyaku bouts, Oho will face Ichiyamamoto, Aonishiki will take on Wakatakakage and Kotozakura will fight Takayasu. If the Yokozuna show up tomorrow, Onosato will fight Wakamotoharu and Hoshoryu will take on Atamifuji.
Other bouts for those in the hunt group include Fujinokawa fighting Roga, Shishi versus Ryuden, and Oshoumi versus Asakoryu.