Despite our fears of numerous kyujo resulting from yesterday’s bruising action, only Asanoyama is officially out of the tournament due to his knee injury. It sounds like we will not see him again until he falls into Sandanme. According to Kyodo, that would be a March return. Takasago Oyakata thinks it would take that considerable time to return to the dohyo.

Chiyoshoma will return from kyujo tomorrow.

In the second division, Nabatame showed up and hit Hakuoho with a solid tachiai but Hakuoho slapped him down.

NHK videos here. Juryo Part I and Part II. Makuuchi Part I and Part II.

Day 5 Makuuchi Action

Bushozan (3-2) defeated Daiamami (0-5). Bushozan’s attack is to hit the opponent with a body blast and hold that right arm nodowa. Daiamami tried to put an end to it by bear hugging him. A buttered Bushozan slipped to the side and Daiamami tumbled to the floor. Tsukiotoshi.

Nishikifuji (3-2) defeated Endo (1-4). Endo hit out hard at the tachiai but everyone in the stadium knew he would start moving backwards. Nishikifuji let him back out and even offered a kind hand to stop him from falling into the crowd. Endo, how did you get back to Makuuchi? Oshidashi.

Endo will fight Bushozan on Day 6.

Roga (3-2) defeated Takarafuji (2-3). Takarafuji fought hard to get a two-handed grip on Roga’s belt and it paid off. He had Roga on the ropes. But both hands were over-arm. This meant Roga had a firm morozashi. “Oh, no, I can’t give up a morozashi. Forget all that hard work and this great position, I gotta makikae.” Takarafuji released with his left hand to work it inside. That’s when Roga drove forward and crushed Takarafuji to the ground. Yoritaoshi.

Roga will take on Juryo-visitor, Kitanowaka, on the ‘morrow. Takarafuji will face Chiyoshoma

Hokutofuji (2-3) defeated Kagayaki (2-3). Hokutofuji is an Oshi-/Tsuki- man. Imagine his confusion when he has a firm double inside hold of Kagayaki. “What’s this? So, this is the morozashi everyone talks about. It’s nice. I could get used to this. I can move him at will. Let’s go to the bales. Oh, wait, he’s getting all sweaty. Time to let go and press forward with my head as usual. There, that’s better.” Oshidashi.

Hokutofuji will face Nishikifuji.

Wakatakakage (4-1) defeated Churanoumi (3-2). Lightning tachiai from WTK. Churanoumi tried to keep Wakatakakage at bay but the man just kept coming. As he advanced, he wrapped up Churanoumi and walked him out. Yorikiri.

Wakatakakage will battle the bullet train, Kagayaki, on Day 6.

Midorifuji (3-2) default win over Asanoyama (3-1-11). Insert teary-eyed emoji here.

Shodai (3-2) defeated Nishikigi (0-5). Shodai quickly walked Nishikigi back and out. At this point, Nishikigi is looking at a 0-15 performance. I am not sure why he is not kyujo. Yorikiri.

Nishikigi will have another tough day against Midorifuji tomorrow.

Tamawashi (4-1) defeated Ichiyamamoto (3-2). Wily Tamawashi did not henka Ichiyamamoto but his inashi attack was just as hilariously effective. He met him firmly at the tachiai. Immediately after the tachiai, he slipped to the side and Ichiyamamoto ran right past, clear off the dohyo. As Ichiyamamoto climbed back to the dohyo, Tamawashi gave him this look, “What you in such a hurry for, kid?” Tsukiotoshi.

Ichiyamamoto will fight Churanoumi.

Oshoma (4-1) defeated Kotoshoho (3-2). Oshoma used the “inashi” strategy, as well. Kotoshoho charged forward and Oshoma slipped to the side. Kotoshoho was slow to react to the change in direction and Oshoma immediately followed up with a quick shove to blast Kotoshoho off the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Oshoma will fight Shodai and Kotoshoho will fight good old Tom O’Washi.

Oho (3-2) defeated Kinbozan (0-5). Kinbozan pulled after the tachiai. Oho adjusted and pursued, slamming into Kinbozan, time and time again as Kinbozan retreated along the tawara. Oho was leading with his head to Kinbozan’s face each time he attacked. Kinbozan seemed rather irritated as he glared at Oho before turning and walking down the hanamichi. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Takanosho (3-2) defeated Ryuden (1-4). Takanosho steadily advanced and drove Ryuden from the dohyo. Ryuden tried one weak pull which Takanosho ignored. Oshidashi.

Ryuden versus Oho might be a good time to go get some more tea.

Shonannoumi (4-1) defeated Sadanoumi (2-3). Shonannoumi shifted right after the tachiai and slapped Sadanoumi down. As Sadanoumi stumbled past, Shonannoumi pulled on Sadanoumi’s mawashi, effectively bowling him into the crowd. “Strike!” Uwatenage.

Shonannoumi will face a very frustrated Kinbozan. Sadanoumi will try to regroup against Takanosho.

Tobizaru (4-1) defeated Meisei (2-3). Tobizaru’s strategy is a two-step attack. The first step is to charge forward and blast the opponent. This is followed with a slapdown attempt as Tobizaru backs up. Rinse, repeat as necessary. He needed about five or six attacks before his charge was forceful enough to knock Meisei out. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Daieisho (3-2) defeated Hiradoumi (2-3). This bout was a bruising oshi-/tsuki- battle as the two competitors laid into each other. Daieisho ended it with a pull by slapping Hiradoumi down near the edge. The Ancient Lost Art of Hatakikomi.

Abi (2-3) defeated Atamifuji (2-3). Abi pulled and Atamifuji stumbled forward. When Atamifuji put on the brakes and stopped at the edge, Abi grabbed his mawashi from the back and slammed him down. Abi finally picked up his first non-fusen win of the tournament. Okurinage.

Onosato (2-3) defeated Kirishima (3-2). Calm, composed and collected. Onosato batted Kirishima’s arm away from his belt and used his right arm to keep Kirishima at bay. Meanwhile, he advanced driving Kirishima back and over the edge with his Oshi attack. Oshidashi.

Mitakeumi (2-3) defeated Kotozakura (3-2). Kotozakura pulled on Mitakeumi and pulled, trying to Uwatenage the former Ozeki. Mitakeumi fought back while balanced on one leg and pulled Kotozakura forward. Both men fell at the edge. Gunbai Mitakeumi? Mono-ii. Forensic review of the video replay showed Kotozakura landed a fraction of a second before Mitakeumi. Gunbai-dori. I thought this could easily be do-tai and we would get a torinaoshi (rematch). Mitakeumi seemed gassed and very thankful that we did not get bonus sumo. Shitatenage.

Takakeisho (2-3) defeated Ura (3-2). Takakeisho launched himself forward as Ura pulled, sending both clear of the dohyo. Ura clearly stepped out while in retreat. Yorikiri.

Hoshoryu (3-2) defeated Wakamotoharu (2-3). Wakamotoharu nearly locked in with both hands on Hoshoryu’s belt. As he reached to get his right hand grip back, Hoshoryu wrapped up his arm at the shoulder and twisted. This pulled Wakamotoharu to the bales. Hoshoryu finished him off with a shove. Oshitaoshi set up by Kotenage.

Terunofuji (5-0) defeated Gonoyama (2-3) Gonoyama tried. I’ll give him that. Terunofuji got a solid hold of his belt, a bit of gabburi-yotsu worked Gonoyama to the edge and a hard shove sent Gonoyama out. Oshidashi.

Wrap-up

Takakeisho got a much-needed win today. He is definitely vulnerable and will need to capitalize on his opponents’ mistakes, like today, to clear that kadoban. Terunofuji leads our crew, which is nice. But it does not appear any of the Ozeki will be challenging him at this point. It is still far too early to think about the yusho race but it is not too early to determine who is already out of it — and that means basically everyone who is or ever was or wants to be an Ozeki.

Onosato will fight Meisei tomorrow. That should be a lock if he wants to keep this Ozeki run going into Aki (note: we’re not talking about or thinking about promotion here anymore; that ship sailed). Abi will fight Daieisho. Kirishima will face Hiradoumi. Hoshoryu will fight Ura and Kotozakura will fight Gonoyama. Takakeisho will have a tough one against Wakamotoharu. Terunofuji will face Tobizaru.