Onosho

Hatsu 2024: Day 12 Highlights

Andy Hatsu 2024, Hatsu Basho , , , , ,

News from the infirmary, as we discussed yesterday, Kotoeko is back today and picked up a wicked win against Yuma. The little man used a “big man” attack with the double-outside grip to neutralize Yuma in a way that Terunofuji usually tries. He then whipped Yuma around and brought him to the ground for an impressive Kimetaoshi win.

In the top division, Asanoyama will return and take on Gonoyama. A win between now and senshuraku will secure the all important kachi-koshi. Ankle sprains are funny. A few times, I’ve sprained my ankle and been fine the next day or after a couple of days. Then, there was the time I sprained it while trying to dig out the root ball from a massive, dead azalea bush. I took it easy and reaggravated it weeks later, just stepping off the porch onto a slightly uneven patch of dirt. Here, I am hoping that Asanoyama did not have one of those sprains.

Makuuchi Action

Shimazuumi (8-4) defeated Churanoumi (5-7). It looked like Shimazuumi was trying to get his left-hand inside but when it was not forthcoming, he just gave up and threw from the other side. Kotenage.

Oho (7-5) defeated Bushozan (4-8). Bushozan is no Sekiwake. Grateful to be back among the plebs, a few shoves and Oho showed Bushozan the exit. Oshidashi.

Sadanoumi (5-7) defeated Takarafuji (5-7). Today, the Takarabune set sail to the Sada Seas. However, he faced a powerful westerly headwind and was blown way off course. Yorikiri.

Tomokaze (4-8) defeated Mitakeumi (5-7). Long belt battle here where Mitakeumi seemed to be waiting to counter. Tomokaze took the initiative, pulled up hard, and bulldozed Mitakeumi over the edge. Yoritaoshi.

Myogiryu (4-8) defeated Meisei (7-5). Myogiryu forced Meisei to slip with a beautiful push down and side-step. Meisei tried to adjust but lost his footing. Hatakikomi.

Hiradoumi (6-6) defeated Endo (3-9). Hiradoumi overpowered Endo. Endo bent over after going over the bales, in either pain or exhaustion. I’m leaning toward pain and nagging injury but either way, not a good sign. Well, his performance this tournament has been a massive neon sign reading, “BAD NEWS HERE.” Yorikiri.

Tsurugisho (6-6) defeated Kinbozan (6-6). Kinbozan in a belt battle, so Tsurugisho just yanked him to the side. Kinbozan hopped a bit, favoring his right foot. We will watch that over the next few days. Yorikiri.

Tobizaru (7-5) defeated Ichiyamamoto (5-7). Ichiyamamoto tried his thing but got pushed out first. Gunbai to the guy moving forward. Oshidashi.

Shonannoumi (2-10) defeated Shodai (4-8). Shonannoumi was fixated on Shodai’s left arm from the tachiai. One surge of power at the edge and he forced Shodai to the ground. Kotenage.

Halftime (Shuffle, shuffle, sweep, sweep)

Abi (6-6) defeated Midorifuji (3-9). Abi tried out yotsu-zumo with the smaller Midorifuji. I am a little surprised he could not throw Midorifuji earlier. Instead, he did work him over the bales. Yorikiri.

Kotoshoho (8-4) defeated Wakamotoharu (8-4). Kotoshoho earned his kachi-koshi this tournament. He got thrown up to fight Wakamotoharu at M1 and took him, toe-to-toe. Both guys had strong left-hand inside position. While Kotoshoho was driving forward to the edge, Wakamotoharu tried to twist and throw…but Kotoshoho did not go. Instead, he crushed Wakamotoharu over the bales. Yoritaoshi.

Nishikigi (6-6) defeated Atamifuji (5-7). Atamifuji has been enjoying the edge work lately, let the opponent back you up and then dump him to the side. Atamifuji hit Nishikigi full on at the tachiai and then seemed to just wait. He waited for Nishikigi to bull forward. So, Nishikigi did. But he didn’t go over the side. He just drove Atamifuji out. This was the first time that I was truly disappointed in Atamifuji this tournament. I felt like he could have done something to show us some power and aggression, rather than passively losing.Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Ura (3-9) defeated Gonoyama (4-8). Ura baited Gonoyama into pitching himself too far forward and stepping to the side, inashi, so Gonoyama would fall forward. Hikiotoshi.

Kotonowaka (11-1) defeated Onosho (8-4). Onosho slipped. Hatakikomi.

Daieisho (7-5) defeated Ryuden (3-9). Ryuden was of one mind this entire bout, “I must get that belt.” He did not. Instead, Daieisho battered him with tsuppari and then slapped him down when he reached in too far. Hatakikomi.

Hoshoryu (10-2) defeated Takanosho (8-4). Hoshoryu said, “come here.” Takanosho obliged and drove forward. Hoshoryu found his belt and dumped Takanosho to the side. Cake Walk. Shitatenage.

Kirishima (10-2) defeated Tamawashi (7-5). Kirishima took on Tamawashi’s oshi-tsuki style and even attempted a kotenage before slapping the veteran down. Hatakikomi.

Terunofuji (10-2) defeated Onosato (8-4). Terunofuji took his time to acquire the grip he wanted and then yanked Onosato across the ring and over the edge. Uwatenage.

Wrap-up

The action heats up tomorrow as Terunofuji takes on the tournament leader, Kotonowaka, in the Musubi-no-ichiban. Before that, Kirishima will take on Hoshoryu. Oh, snap.

After these two bouts, there are two possible outcomes: we will either have three men at 11-2 or one at 12-1, one at 11-2, and two on 10-3. These final three days should work out, essentially, as a round robin with Kotonowaka having the edge. If he wins out, he wins the title and gets promoted.

Kotonowaka’s Ozeki promotion status sits at 31 wins over three tournaments. Some will point out that one of his wins during this tournament was a fusen/default victory and over the course of the last three days he has fought an M15, M14, and M11. With Takakeisho out, added with Takayasu, there are two top level vacancies in this schedule. He will have three tough matches here to close out the tournament. Two wins and he will hit 33 and it is likely a done deal. Three wins and it is a done deal. One win and there is still, certainly, a strong case that over the past four tournaments he has performed consistent, top-level sumo. If he loses all three, though, I cannot imagine this being enough.

Now, to Kirishima’s Yokozuna run. If he wins the next three matches, there is a possibility he will win the yusho outright or at least be in a playoff. If he wins the yusho outright, or in a playoff, the rope is his. If he wins three bouts and loses a playoff, well, I am not so sure. But my gut tells me that it’s more likely he earns promotion, even with a playoff loss. If he stumbles against any of his three opponents this weekend, there may still be a window for a yusho through a playoff. Again, a playoff loss may be enough.

So, yes…as Colby pointed out a few days ago, there is a possibility here that I am not saying out loud because I am not going to be the one to jinx it. Fingers and toes have been crossed for a few days now. I think I’m starting to lose circulation in my digits. It’s also very difficult to type. That’s what I am blaming the lateness of today’s update on.

Hatsu 2024: Day 11 Highlights

Andy Hatsu 2024, Hatsu Basho , ,

The news from the infirmary today is that Kotoeko will be back tomorrow. He still needs a win or two in order to be safe from dropping to Makushita. If he is still hurt, this is not a good decision and I would rather see the Lavendar Leviathan fighting in a dull grey Makushita mawashi than fighting injured…but I am not his mom and he is going to do what he is going to do.

Back to the matter at hand: the Hatsu basho yusho race. There is a bit of a pause in the sanyaku action while the three erstwhile underclassmen are thrown into the ringer: Onosato, Onosho, and Oho. No one knows why Oho is here but I suppose his shikona just seemed to fit.

Makuuchi Action

Takanosho (8-3) defeated Kotoshoho (7-4). Kotoshoho drove forward into Takanosho, driving him to the bales. It took a few tries but Takanosho eventually shoved Kotoshoho out. Yorikiri.

Tsurugisho (5-6) defeated Churanoumi (5-6). A valiant effort from Churanoumi. He attempted to drive Tsurugisho out but Tsurugisho is a bit on the heavy side. So, that is hard. Tsurugisho countered and swung Churanoumi around to the bales and forced him out. Yorikiri.

Shimazuumi (7-4) defeated Sadanoumi (4-7). Sadanoumi tried to heft Shimazuumi up and out but Shimazuumi locked him in a bear hug, both hands inside, and drove forward. Yorikiri.

Meisei (7-4) defeated Endo (3-8). Meisei did what everyone is doing now, playing Throw the Endo. It’s a fun game. You just push and Endo goes flying into random people ringside. Oshidashi.

Hiradoumi (5-6) defeated Bushozan (4-7). Hiradoumi tried to get a belt grip but Bushozan blasted him with tsuppari. Bushozan was desperate to keep Hiradoumi off his belt so he pitched forward and kept hammering away. So Hiradoumi slipped to the side and shoved Bushozan down. Hatakikomi.

Ichiyamamoto (5-6) defeated Takarafuji (5-6). The Takarabune was battered by a fierce headwind today. He tried to tack and the powerful winds abated but the Takarabune got going to fast, slammed along the rocky shore and sank. Hatakikomi.

Tomokaze (3-8) defeated Shonannoumi (1-10). Some forward movement from Shonannoumi in this bout. He tried to bait Tomokaze into a charge but Tomokaze does not have the legs for it. He does have enough arm strength to shove you out, though, so he did. Shonannoumi is not here. He’s on a beach somewhere down near Zushi. Or maybe riding around on the Enoden. Whatever he’s doing, it’s not sumo. He’ll drop down the ranks in March but I think he is okay with that. Oshidashi.

Kinbozan (6-5) defeated Myogiryu (3-8). A fierce battle, wonderful slapfest. That is until Myogiryu left himself open to a mighty shove from Kinbozan. Myogiryu flew backwards and off the fighting surface. There should be one of those anime powerball explosion things from the force in that shove. Oshitaoshi.

Mitakeumi (5-6) defeated Nishikigi (5-6). Nishikigi! What are you doing? After an initial barrage of tsuppari, Nishikigi let Mitakeumi get inside and drive him back. Nishikigi resisted at the edge so Mitakeumi yanked on his belt, flung him the other way and bowled him off the edge. Oshidashi.

Halftime

(Sweep, Sweep, We’re in Too Deep…Andy Needs To Go To Sleep.)

Gonoyama (4-7) defeated Ryuden (3-8). Gonoyama assaulted Ryuden at the tachiai and drove him to the edge but could not get him over. He then pulled but Ryuden would not go down. As they settled in the center of the ring, Ryuden tried to get his right hand inside but Gonoyama fought hard to keep him off. Gonoyama then charged forward with excellent ottsuke, squeezing Ryuden’s right arm and holding it tight so that he could not get a grab of the belt. And he did not stop until he got to the bales and Ryden was out. Yorikiri.

Tobizaru (6-5) defeated Midorifuji (3-8). Tobizaru kept Midorifuji at arm’s length, careful to keep his opponent away from his shoulder. As he battered away at Midorifuji, Midorifuji kept trying to move inside. So, Tobizaru slipped to the side, let his opponent’s momentum carry him to the edge and shoved Midorifuji out. Oshitaoshi.

Atamifuji (5-6) defeated Shodai (4-7). Atamifuji forced Shodai out of his comfort zone by making the big man move forward. As Shodai’s legs churned, Atamifuji slipped to the side and dumped Shodai on his butt. Tsukioshi.

Wakamotoharu (8-3) defeated Tamawashi (7-4). Tamawashi seemed defensive today. Rather than attacking WMH, he seemed to focus on deflecting Waka’s tsuppari. Wakamotoharu bulled him to the edge and Tamawashi tried a twisting throw/shove thing but Wakamotoharu shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Abi (5-6) defeated Ura (2-9). Abi-zumo. Abi assaulted Ura, over and over, then yanked him down to the ground. Ura is not having a good tournament. He was unable to connect with any of his own tsuppari and I couldn’t even tell if he tried to get inside to negate any of Abi’s slaps. Hatakikomi.

Kotonowaka (10-1) defeated Oho (6-5). Kotonowaka flung Oho to the side, absorbed some tsuppari, got bored and flung Oho again. This time, he followed through and shoved Oho off the edge. Oshidashi.

Kirishima (9-2) defeated Daieisho (6-5). Kirishima assaulted Daieisho. Daieisho came at him with his usual powerful tachiai. For an instant, Kirishima reached in for a belt grip but thought better of it and took Daieisho on with his own tsuppari. One sidestep and slap whipped Daieisho to the side and then a 1, 2, 3 combo left Daieisho outside the tawara. Keep in mind, that “three” was bold-faced, italicized and underlined. Quite the shove. Tsukidashi.

Hoshoryu (9-2) defeated Onosato (8-3). Hoshoryu locked up the big prodigy at the tachiai and in one, clean motion, flung him out of the ring. He took himself out, too, but where’s the fun in staying on your own two feet? Onosato clearly lost and clearly still has work to do and is not quite Ozeki material. After the bout, he stood at the side of the ring like, “what just happened?” Shitatenage.

Terunofuji (9-2) defeated Onosho (8-3). When I say Terunofuji disposed of Onosho, I mean he took a big plastic bag out of the pantry, stuffed Onosho in it, tightened the drawstring and threw him in the bin. It was routine. He took out the trash just like it was any other Wednesday. Terunofuji woke up, checked the refrigerator for the “To-Do” list: 1) Absorb Onosho’s “charge,” 2) grab his right arm with one arm, mawashi with the other, and 3) dump him in the gutter. Done. Sorry fans, ending the day on that note. You love to see a challenging bout for the musubi-no-ichiban but this left you less satisfied than a henka. Yorikiri? That could have been Okuridashi but whatever.

Wrap-up

The Sanyaku chewed up the trio of Onosato, Onosho, and Oho. But rather than spit them out, they’re apparently cows and have regurgitated them and want another go. Well, Oho got spit out but they’re seasoning the other two with a dash of Takanosho. I blame Takakeisho. There is an Ozeki-sized hole in this torikumi and it needs to be filled. So, let’s let these three battle in sanyaku for another day. Tomorrow we’ll get back to regularly scheduled programming and Kotonowaka, Kirishima, Hoshoryu and Terunofuji will finally be able to go head-to-head-to-head-to-head. Now Andy will go off to bed.

Hatsu 2024: Day 9 Highlights

Andy Hatsu 2024, Hatsu Basho , , ,

The news continues to stream in from the infirmary. Today, both Hokutofuji and Asanoyama are added to the kyujo list. Hokutofuji’s kyujo was expected. For Asanoyama, the injury is the ankle that he rolled up on near the end of his fight with Tamawashi.

Makuuchi Results

Endo (2-7) defeated Tomokaze (1-8). Endo charged forward and drove Tomokaze from the ring. Oshidashi.

Myogiryu (3-6) defeated Bushozan (4-5). Bushozan charged forward but Myogiryu pulled Bushozan down. Hatakikomi.

Takanosho (6-3) defeated Takarafuji (4-5). Takanosho forced the Takarabune aground. The Takarabune tried a last second pulldown but Takanosho kept his balance and shoved Takarafuji out. Oshidashi.

Shimazuumi (5-4) defeated Oho (6-3). Shimazuumi false start. Shimazuumi locked in tight with Oho, and prevented the oshi-tsuki wrestler from fighting his brand of fight. Oho attempted to get some distance by retreating but Shimazuumi continued to charge forward and wrapped Oho up and walked him out. Yorikiri.

Kotoshoho (6-3) defeated Sadanoumi (3-6). As the two waltzed across the ring toward the tawara, both men pitched to the side to try to throw each other. Kotoshoho was able to keep his footing just long enough to pick up the win as they both tumbled out. Sukuinage.

Onosato (8-1) defeated Meisei (5-4). Meisei grabbed Onosato’s arm and tried to pull him down but Onosato was having none of it and drove Meisei out. Meisei appeared to have a plan today, it was just utterly ineffective. Yorikiri.

Churanoumi defeated Mitakeumi. Mitakeumi got his right-hand outside grip but Churanoumi denied an easy left-hand inside. Churanoumi grabbed Mitakeumi with a matching right-hand outside grip and yanked up as he charged forward and drove Mitakeumi to the edge. Both men tumbled out but the gunbai went to Churanoumi. No mono-ii. Yorikiri.

Onosho (8-1) fusen win. Asanoyama (7-2)  kyujo.

Tsurugisho (4-5) defeated Ichiyamamoto (3-6). Ichiyamamoto tried his pull but Tsurugisho stayed up long enough to drive Ichiyamamoto out before falling. Oshidashi.

Tamawashi (6-3) defeated Shonannoumi (1-8). Brutal nodowa from Tamawashi. He grabbed Shonannoumi’s head and shoved him from the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Kinbozan (5-4) defeated Hiradoumi (4-5). A contrast of styles here. Kinbozan’s oshi-tsuki attack completely overwhelmed Hiradoumi. Tsukidashi.

Tobizaru (5-4) fusen win. Hokutofuji (4-5) kyujo

Abi (3-6) defeated Gonoyama (2-7). Henka or no? I say yes. Abi made contact with his arm to drive Gonoyama down, and seized Gonoyama’s belt to drive him forward. But he had leapt to the side to avoid the force of Gonoyama’s charge. To me, that’s a henka. Perfectly executed. Uwatenage.

Wakamotoharu (6-3) defeated Midorifuji (2-7). Kachi-age from WMH but Midorifuji seized his belt and tried a quick throw. Wakamotoharu drove into Midorifuji and crushed him down at the edge. Yoritaoshi.

Sanyaku

Ura (2-7) defeated Atamifuji (4-5). Ura charged forward at the tachiai but Atamifuji slammed on the brakes before reaching the bales. As Atamifuji tussled for a belt grip, Ura drove Atamifuji to the other edge and pulled him down. Atamifuji tried to stop but his foot landed outside the bales and then awkwardly slipped out from under him. Katasukashi.

Kotonowaka (8-1) defeated Daieisho (6-3). Kotonowaka absorbed Daieisho’s charge and tried a pull down but that failed. He moved inside and locked up a right-hand inside grip and used that to bulldoze Daieisho clear across the ring. Yorikiri.

Kirishima (7-1) defeated Shodai (4-5). Kirishima grabbed Shodai’s belt with a right-hand inside grip and drove toward the edge of the ring. At the edge, Shodai yanked on Kirishima’s arm and twisted, pulling Kirishima out, as well. Gunbai Shodai?!?! The Shimpan jump up quickly to set this right. Shodai was out first. Oshidashi.

Hoshoryu (7-2) defeated Ryuden (3-6). Hoshoryu simply overpowered Ryuden. Once he got the left-hand inside to match up with his right-hand outside, he drove forward and forced Ryuden out. Yorikiri.

Terunofuji (7-2) defeated Nishikigi (5-4). Terunofuji tried the kimidashi attack but Nishikigi broke free. He nearly got Terunofuji at the edge but Terunofuji re-engaged, locked in with a right hand inside, left-hand outside, and forced Nishikigi over the tawara.

Wrap-up

Onosato and Onosho will be thrown to the wolves tomorrow to test their mettle. Onosho will face Kirishima. Kirishima’s rope run is on ice at this point. It will be dead and buried with a loss. Onosato will face Kotonowaka, both 8-1. Both men secured their kachi-koshi just today but will be tested for the yusho tomorrow. The leader will surely then have to run the gauntlet against the Ozeki and Yokozuna to earn the title. Hoshoryu, also in the hunt group, will face Daieisho (6-3).

It is a huge bummer about Asanoyama and Hokutofuji. I hope they both recuperate.

Aki 2019 Jungyo report – Day 7

Herouth Jungyo (巡業) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

From Chiba, we head west to Kanagawa prefecture. Since these Jungyo reports are actually posted a couple of days after the event, we now know that Typhoon #19 has been through many of the areas the Jungyo was planned in. You’ll see a happy town of Sagamihara today, but two days later, it will be disaster area. Post-typhoon events are likely to be accompanied by rounds to comfort the survivors. But today we’ll concentrate on the happy side.

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