Kitanowaka of Hakkaku-beya won the Juryo yusho. He defeated Kagayaki in regulation to force a play-off. Kayo joined the play-off as he beat Tamawashi. Kitanowaka then defeated Kagayaki and Kayo to claim the title.
What works once must work twice. Rinse and repeat, no?
The Makushita to Juryo promotion queue will be interesting. There’s precedent for elevating Makushita 4 with 4-3 records: Nabatame & Hoshoryu. There’s precedent for elevating Makushita 9 with a 6-1: Hakuho. There’s also precedent for keeping a 6-9 at the same rank. It will be interesting but I think Tochitaikai, Nishikigi, Tamashoho, Hatsuyama go down. Asahifuji, Ryuho, Ikarigata and Tenshoyama come up. What do y’all think? Frankly, the Sumo Association will do what the Sumo Association wants to do.
Special Prize Nominations:
Takayasu will get a Fighting Spirit prize if he wins and Onosato claims the yusho. Fujinokawa will receive an unconditional Fighting Spirit Prize. Churanoumi, Asanoyama, and Toshinofuji are eligible for Fighting Spirit Prizes if they win today. No one will receive a Technique prize. “No soup for you!”
NHK videos are here. Of all of the Juryo action available, the NHK posted the Tanji-Arashifuji bout. Enjoy.
Makuuchi Action
Kazuma defeated Shonannoumi. Kazuma shoved Shonannoumi out quickly. Oshidashi.
Chiyoshoma (5-10) defeated Shodai (3-12). Chiyoshoma charged forward and Shodai tried to change direction while shoving Chiyoshoma to the side but Chiyoshoma ran right through Shodai. Oshidashi.
Oho (7-8) defeated Tokihayate (8-7). Oho got his left arm inside and held Tokihayate up, under the shoulder. Oho used gaburi hip thrusts to drive Tokihayate back and out. Yorikiri.
Asasuiryu (8-7) defeated Shishi (7-8). Asasuiryu charged forward and Shishi gave up on the edge. Yorikiri.
Ura (10-5) defeated Tobizaru (4-11). It looked like a pair of clones out there, fighting with the same push-pull strategy. Eventually, Ura charged forward and DIDN’T pull. When he pressed forward at the edge, he forced Tobizaru out. Yorikiri.
Hiradoumi (9-6) defeated Toshinofuji (9-6). Hiradoumi hooked both arms inside Toshinofuji and pressed forward. Toshinofuji tried a throw at the edge but Hiradoumi bulldozed ahead and forced him out. No Special Prize for Toshinofuji. Yorikiri.
Takerufuji (9-6) defeated Asahakuryu (8-7). Takerufuji got low, hooked both arms inside, rotated and plowed through Asahakuryu. Yorikiri.
Abi (8-7) defeated Nishikifuji (7-8). Abi used strong tsuppari to force Nishikifuji back. Nishikifuji grabbed Abi’s left arm and tried an armbar. It nearly paid dividends and Abi stumbled forward but stopped before the tawara. Abi then pulled, shuffled along the tawara and slapped Nishikifuji down. Hatakikomi.
Fujiseiun (9-6) defeated Asakoryu (9-6). Asakoryu pulled and rotated but couldn’t throw Fujiseiun. Fujiseiun grabbed Asakoryu’s thong and got behind Asakoryu. [Cue Sisqo, “Thong song.”] Asakoryu kind of gave up and let Fujiseiun force him out from behind. I don’t think it was the wedgie that ended Asakoryu’s day. He flexed his right knee after the bout. Okuridashi.
Ichiyamamoto (4-11) defeated Kinbozan (9-6). Ichiyamamoto shifted slightly to the side after the tachiai and Kinbozan stumbled forward. Ichiyamamoto tracked in from behind like a velociraptor and shoved Kinbozan out from behind. Okuridashi.
Halftime
Gonoyama (6-9) defeated Wakamotoharu (10-5). Gonoyama charged forward and was careful about Wakamotoharu’s rotation, shoving him out. Oshidashi.
Yoshinofuji (9-6) defeated Asanoyama (10-5). Yoshinofuji rotated and crushed Asanoyama out. No special prize for Asanoyama. Yoritaoshi.
Fujiryoga (8-7) defeated Takayasu (7-8). Takayasu pivoted and pulled but Fujiryoga’s excellent footwork avoided defeat. Fujiryoga drove forward into Takayasu and looped his arm inside Takayasu’s shoulder. When Takayasu dug his heels into the tawara, Fujiryoga twisted and dragged him down. No Outstanding Performance prize for Takayasu. Sukuinage.
Kotoeiho (5-10) defeated Oshoma (6-9). Oshoma pulled while shoving Kotoeiho’s head down. Kotoeiho’s legs kept churning forward and he forced Oshoma out. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Churanoumi (10-5) defeated Daieisho (5-10). Daieisho hit Churanoumi with his thrust-pull combo. Churanoumi had read the brief. He blocked what tsuppari he could and then rushed Daieisho out.
Hakunofuji (5-10) defeated Roga (6-9). Roga briefly got the back of Hakunofuji’s belt but Hakunofuji charged ahead and forced him out. I do not wake up this early in the morning to watch Roga or Oshoma fight, that’s for sure. Yorikiri.
Kore-Yori-Sanyaku
Well, looky there. The kore-yori-sanyaku are all Sekiwake and above. That’s a good tournament. Terunofuji standing up in the hanamichi like, “bring home those arrows!”
Fujinokawa (11-4) defeated Atamifuji (8-7). Atamifuji wrapped up Fujinokawa with a kimedashi hold and drove forward. But he released Fujinokawa’s right arm so he could shove Fujinokawa with the left hand. Bad mistake. Freed from that kimedashi, Fujinokawa shifted left and used his left arm to heave Atamifuji over. That’s Fighting Spirit. Unconditional. Atamifuji walked back down the hanamichi only to see Ikioi and Terunofuji hunched over the replay screen. “Oh crap.” Sukuinage.
Kirishima (8-7) defeated Kotozakura (9-6). Nail-biter here as Kotozakura tried to catch Kirishima at the edge. Then he actually tried to overpower him with a yorikiri. Kirishima wanted the win more, needed the win more, and hauled Kotozakura over the edge. No kadoban Ozeki for Kyushu. Ain’t that something? Uwatenage.
Onosato (12-3) defeated Aonishiki (11-4). Onosato hit Aonishiki with tsuppari to the face, repeatedly. Aonishiki had that left-hand grip for a moment before the beating started. Onosato’s shoves broke Aonishiki’s hold and his resolve. That final left hand to the jaw looked uncomfortable. Shonosuke called a great bout, the last of his career. お疲れ様でした。 Tsukidashi.
Wrap-up
Onosato Yusho. The win appeared to hit him during the playing of the national anthem as he broke up and started to cry. He had to cover his face. It looks like this one really meant a lot.
We’ll see you back here in a couple of days for the Juryo promotion announcements
