Sandanme

Wakaichiro Wins Day 7

Bruce H Aki Basho 2018, Wakaichiro (若一郎)

Wakaichiro-2018

This morning in Tokyo, Wakaichiro won his match against Hokutoo. The match ended with Hokutoo driving Wakaichiro from the ring in an attempt at a yorikiri, but Wakaichiro was able to drag his foot on the clay, and Hokutoo stepped out while Wakaichiro’s feet were still in the ring. A monoii ensued and the judges upheld the gumbai, giving the match to Wakaichiro.

With this win, Wakaichiro improves to 1-3, and fends of a threat of an early make-koshi. We will bring you video as soon as one surfaces.

Wakaichiro Competes Aki Day 7

Bruce H Aki Basho 2018, Wakaichiro (若一郎) ,

Wakaichiro 40a

Sandanme rikishi Wakaichiro is back in competition on day 7, facing off against Sandanme 69 Hokutoo, from Hakkaku heya. Hokutoo has 63 tournaments to his career, starting in 2008. His highest rank has been Makushita 50. He is an experienced veteran, and will present a significant challenge to Wakaichiro, who enters day 7 with an 0-3 record.

Given the amount of tape that encases Wakaichiro, fans have started to wonder if he might be nursing some injury. If so, the remainder of Aki might be painful and difficult for him, and worrisome for his fans.

Sandanme Day 6 – Ura Wins, Wakaichiro Loses

Bruce H Aki Basho 2018, Ura (宇良), Wakaichiro (若一郎)

 

News from day 6 action in Tokyo. After Ura’s day 3 loss, it was clear that the former rising star was not going to sail through his first basho with ease. His first match was a fluid attack reminiscent of Ura’s days in the pink mawashi. His performance of day 6 returned to that form. His fans will recognize his “submarine style” that relies on speed, flexibility and extraordinary balance. Ura advances to 2-1.

Less than 30 minutes later, Wakaichiro mounted the dohyo, and battled with strength against Amanishiki, but ultimately was pushed out. This drops Wakaichiro to 0-3 to start Aki. He will need to “win out” in order to reach kachi-koshi, which is still possible. His day 6 sumo was solid, on par with his performance at Nagoya.

Video of Ura’s win

Aki Day 6 – Wakaichiro and Ura Compete

Bruce H Aki Basho 2018, Ura (宇良), Wakaichiro (若一郎)

Wakaichiro

Both Sandanme rikishi face opponents on day 6, with both stepping onto the dohyo for their third match. Wakaichiro is in dire need of a win at 0-2, and Ura looking to recover from his middling 1-1 start.

Ura faces Sandanme 09 Tenichi, who is also at 1-1. Tenichi is a 40 year old veteran who spent 81 tournaments in Makushita, with his highest rank being Makushita 10. This guy is no push-over, but his age and damaged body has relegated him to Sandanme.

Wakaichiro faces Sandanme 73 Amanishiki who is also 0-2. Amanishiki is from the Hakkaku heya, and is coming back from an outage following an injury, where he dropped down to the lowest division of Jonikuchi and is battling his way back up.

We will (as always) have results and video for these matches, and we hope both rikishi fight well and exit the dohyo with a win.