Sandanme

Wakaichiro Loses Day 4

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

Wakaichiro Day 4 Aki 2018

Aki day 4 action, just prior to noon in Tokyo, Texas sumotori Wakaichiro faced off against his old nemesis Kaiseijo. With the vast number of rikishi in Jonidan and Sandanme, most will not face each other more than once or twice. For Wakaichiro and Kaiseijo, this was their 3 meeting. Sadly for Wakaichiro, Kaiseijo was able to extend his record to 3-0, dropping Wakaichiro to 0-2 for the start of Aki.

We expect him back on the dohyo on day 6 try work to improve his record. Until then we encourage him to focus on his next match, and keep moving forward.

Wakaichiro Competes Day 4

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

Wakaichiro-2018.jpg

After a tough day 2 match, Wakaichiro competes again on day 4, looking to improve his 0-1 start to the Aki basho. His opponent for day 4 is an interesting choice, none other than his old nemesis Kaiseijo. They have faced off twice before, with both matches going to Kaiseijo. For a refresher, Kaiseijo has been in professional sumo since 2014, and has bounced between Sandanme and Jonidan ever since. Wakaichiro last fought him at Osaka this year, losing by yoritaoshi.

It will be fascinating to see how Wakaichiro handles this match, which will be ¾ mental at this point. As always we will bring you video and results as soon as we can.

Ura Loses Day 3

Bruce H Aki Basho 2018, Ura (宇良) ,

Ura Aki Day 3

Former Makuuchi rising star Ura was handed his first loss of Aki on day 3 when Daishoki applied a well timed tsukiotoshi. On day 2, Ura looked like a Makuuchi or Juryo rikishi who had decided to play around in Sandanme. On day 3 he looked like a rikishi still working hard to recover his ring sense and balance after a risky and painful medical break.

With this loss, Ura drops to 1-1, and as Herouth has pointed out, he has eliminated a short-cut into Makushita that might have been granted him if he had gone 7-0 and claimed the yusho. Ura will instead face a long hard grind back to his pink mawashi. We know he will gamberize. We know he can make it.

Ura’s Second Match – Day 3

Bruce H Aki Basho 2018, Ura (宇良)

Ura Aki Day 2

With the day 3 torikumi published, we know that fan favorite Ura will be facing his second opponent before noon on Tuesday. The day 3 match is against Sandanme 89 Daishoki, from Oitekaze heya. Both men come into Tuesday with 1 win. Daishoki has been a Sandanme mainstay since 2017, and is a solid rikishi, typically turning in 4-3 or 3-4 tournaments.

Ura’s first match featured some solid sumo, with Ura moving quickly, efficiently and with most of the work done by his opponent. Against an average mid to lower level Sandanme, it is likely to be another rapid, obligatory “hey, how do you do, please exit smartly, I have places to go” kind of match.

On a personal note – I do adore the fact that Ura has his pink sagari with his humble black mawashi mandated for the lower ranks.