Takayasu

Haru 2026: Day Four

Andy Haru 2026, Haru Basho , ,

News from the infirmary that Onosato will be kyujo from Day Four. Yoshinofuji will receive the default win. Also, we have news that Onokatsu will return tomorrow, Day Five. Onokatsu will fight Takanosho.

In Juryo, the leadership group with four wins has narrowed to four men, Wakanosho (who might be looking to repeat his yusho from Hatsu), Kyokukaiyu, Kazuma and the newly promoted, shin-nyumaku, Fujitensei.

The NHK videos for Day Four are here. Of course, if you want to bookmark this page it has links to bouts from the previous two tournaments, as well.

Makuuchi action

Asahakuryu (3-1) defeated Fujiryoga (2-2). Just as Fujiryoga began to chug forward, Asahakuryu shifted to his right and hooked his right arm under Fujiryoga’s left shoulder and thrust him forward to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.

Kotoeiho (2-2) defeated Kinbozan (2-2). Henka! Kotoeiho shifted to his left at the tachiai and slapped Kinbozan down. Hikiotoshi.

Nishikifuji (3-1) defeated Mitakeumi (2-2). Nishikifuji got a left hand inside grip and Mitakeumi fought well with his right-hand overarm grip. Mitakeumi tried to pull and that’s when Nishikifuji was able to charge forward and force Mitakeumi out. Yorikiri.

Fujiseiun (3-1) defeated Tobizaru (1-3). Tobizaru got his right hand inside. Fujiseiun battled to get his left hand overarm grip but couldn’t quite get it. So, Fujiseiun grabbed Tobizaru’s right arm and pivoted, trying a kotenage. This broke Tobizaru’s hold on Fujiseiun’s belt. Fujiseiun followed up by shoving Tobizaru until he pushed him out. Oshidashi.

Asanoyama (2-2) defeated Chiyoshoma (2-2). Asanoyama wasn’t playing around today. He worked his right arm in under Chiyoshoma’s left shoulder and swung Chiyoshoma down by pulling hard and rotated counter-clockwise, dragging him down. Sukuinage.

Asakoryu (3-1) defeated Oshoumi (0-3). While Oshoumi still struggled to get a sashi, Asakoryu had locked on with his left-hand inside and threw Oshoumi with that left-hand grip. I need to get stats on the length of guys’ arms. Asakoryu had that grip but was able to extend his body and keep Oshoumi off his belt because Oshoumi couldn’t reach that far. Shitatenage.

Tokihayate (2-2) defeated Roga (2-2). Tokihayate got his right-hand inside grip and pulled Roga forward, flipping him over the bales. Shitatenage.

Shishi (2-2) defeated Tamawashi (0-4). Tamawashi owns the record in makuuchi bouts at 1471, breaking Kyokutenho’s record. Tamawashi tried everything. He hit Shishi with fierce tsuppari, tried a slapdown, wrenched Shishi’s arm for a kotenage…but Shishi stood. As Tamawashi did the unthinkable, grabbed Shishi’s belt and heaved toward the bales, Shishi used a last second left-hand belt grip to counter-attack and throw Tamawashi over the edge. I know folks have been talking about Tamawashi as being winless this tournament so far but the old man certainly brought the heat today. He just got beat by better sumo. “Zannen desu”, as they say. Shitatenage.

Shodai (3-1) defeated Gonoyama (3-1). Shodai shifted left then right, knocked Gonoyama off-balance and thrust him to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.

Daieisho (1-3) defeated Ura (3-1). Homeboy finally lost. Ura tried to feel his way forward through Daieisho’s tsuppari but Daieisho quickly slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Halftime

Takanosho (4-0) defeated Oshoma (2-2). Takanosho blasted Oshoma back to the bales. As Oshoma tried to brace against the tawara, he took a knee. Takanosho slapped him down just to be sure but this is one of those, “Oops,” non-winning moves. Tsukihiza.

Hiradoumi (3-1) defeated Ichiyamamoto (2-2). Hiradoumi pressed through Ichiyamamoto’s volleys of tsuppari, charged forward and forced him over the bales. Yorikiri.

Kotoshoho (4-0) defeated Oho (1-3). This was a great bout where both men battered each other with headbutts and tsuppari, leaving both men bloodied. An exhausted Oho flopped down onto the bales, rather comedically. Oho knew the slapdown was coming. He’d faced about five attempts and defeated all of them with solid footwork. Rather than resist this final slapdown, he embraced it. “Please, end it. Just, end it. I’m tired.” Well, you’ll never make Ozeki with that attitude. From out of nowhere, Shodai pipes in. “Don’t be so sure.” Tsukiotoshi.

Sanyaku

Atamifuji (2-2) defeated Wakamotoharu (0-4). Wakamotoharu wasn’t even a blocking sled. Wakamotoharu moved back as if he were a blocking sled with thousands of helium balloons tied to it so that it hovered an inch off the ground. A strong fart could have taken him out. WTH, WMH? You hurt, too? Maybe we’ve got one more on kyujo watch. Oshidashi.

Kirishima (3-1) defeated Wakatakakage (1-3). Kirishima forced Wakatakakage to the bales with his initial charge. Wakatakakage resisted so Kirishima grabbed him with his left-hand over-arm grip, right hand up under WTK’s shoulder, and drove forward. Yorikiri.

Yoshinofuji default win over Onosato. No doubt sad he misses out on a double-fisted payday.

Churanoumi (2-2) defeated Aonishiki (2-2). What a brawl. Both men peppered the other with tsuppari. Churanoumi tried a little misdirection but Aonishiki’s footwork was excellent and he re-engaged. Aonishiki’s tsuppari wouldn’t move Churanoumi back so he pulled and Churanoumi surged forward with both men crashing down along the bales. Gunbai Churanoumi. No mono-ii. Yoritaoshi.

News Break?!?!?! You’re literally going to have the news in 23 minutes! “Andy, we’re starved for action…and for oil. There’s barely anyone left to fight and we can’t drag things out forever. Besides, these oil ships are a big deal for us.”

Takayasu (4-0) defeated Kotozakura (3-1). Kotozakura stood his ground and didn’t reverse immediately to the bales. Instead, he stood up Takayasu and tried to shove him back. Both men locked on to each other’s belt. Kotozakura pulled back to get a better inside grip with the left hand and that’s when Takayasu surged forward. Kotozakura freaked out and backed away but Takayasu was not letting go with that left hand. Takayasu chased and forced the Ozeki out. Yorikiri.

Fujinokawa (2-2) defeated Hoshoryu (3-1). The disrupter strikes again. Kinboshi Number Two. Fujinokawa charged ahead as Hoshoryu rotated left. Fujinokawa backed away and slapped the Yokozuna down. This one is totally on the Yokozuna. He needed much better footwork and a plan would have been nice. Hatakikomi.

Wrap-up

Freaking upsets!! Onosato out. Hoshoryu falls. Kotozakura had just started looking solid!!! Now, Aonishiki’s first rope-run is on life support. Takayasu leads Kotoshoho and Takanosho. Well, at least we don’t have Fujiryoga or Kotoeiho on a yusho run. Dig up the squid!!

When the descriptions get long and Andy starts getting silly, it’s time for bed. Not before we take a look at tomorrow’s bouts, though. So, what do we have on tap? Atamifuji will fight Hiradoumi, Takayasu will fight Yoshinofuji, and Kirishima is set to take on Wakamotoharu. Kotozakura will fight Wakatakakage, Aonishiki versus Fujinokawa and Hoshoryu ends the day’s action against Churanoumi.

Haru 2026: Day Three

Andy Haru 2026, Haru Basho ,

News from the infirmary today that Abi will sit out from Day Three. He was a non-factor against the steady, bureaucratic ways of Ichiyamamoto. Oshoma will receive the default win. An interview with Homasho indicated Abi will likely return to the tournament after resting to heal for a few days. As Herbern pointed out in the comments yesterday, he likely needs at least a win or two to maintain a position in Makuuchi.

Enho did not fight today but he’s scheduled to take on fellow former Makuuchi wrestler, Shimanoumi, tomorrow. It’s not going to be an easy path this tournament, that’s for sure. Gambare, Enho!!

Day Three videos are here.

Makuuchi Action

Fujiryoga (2-1) defeated Kotoeiho (1-2). Kotoeiho forced a grapple by getting his left-hand inside belt grip. Fujiryoga quickly switched from tsuppari to acquiring his own belt grip. He grabbed Kotoeiho’s belt with his left-hand inside, hauled him up and rotated, forcing his opponent to the bales. He then shoved him out. Oshitaoshi.

Kinbozan (2-1) defeated Asasuiryu (1-2). Kinbozan’s thrust hard into Asasuiryu, battering him and disrupting Asasuiryu’s yotsu attack. Kinbozan’s first slapdown attempt missed but the second worked. Hatakikomi.

Asahakuryu (2-1) defeated Nishikifuji (2-1). Nishikifuji tried a pushing-thrusting attack, trying to shove Asahakuryu back. But Asahakuryu dug in and wasn’t yielding space. Nishikifuji then retreated and tried to slap Asahakuryu down but Asahakuryu kept his balance and chased Nishikifuji out of the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Chiyoshoma (2-1) defeated Mitakeumi (2-1). Immediately after the tachiai, Chiyoshoma grabbed Mitakeumi’s belt with his right-hand over arm grip, spun and wrangled Mitakeumi to the ground and hogtied him in record time. Rodeo champion. Uwatenage.

Tobizaru (1-2) defeated Asanoyama (1-2). Tobizaru’s lateral movement nearly caught Asanoyama out early, so he grabbed him in a big bear hug and forced him to the edge. Tobizaru dug in, “you’re going to have to crush me out.” So Asanoyama pressed forward and crushed Tobizaru out. Gunbai Tobizaru. Mono-ii. A quick conference checked the replay, Asanoyama’s foot stepped out while Tobizaru was clearly still in bounds. Gunbai-dori. The non-winning technique of Isamiashi. “Dude stepped out.”

Fujiseiun (2-1) defeated Asakoryu (2-1). Fujiseiun wrapped up Asakoryu and forced him out. Yorikiri.

Roga (2-1) defeated Oshoumi (0-3). Roga drove Oshoumi to the edge but Oshoumi dug deep to resist and force Roga back through the dohyo. The two had a great yotsu grapple, trading the advantage. Finally, in the center of the ring Roga used his right-hand inside grip and rotated, dragging Oshoumi to the ground. Great bout. Shitatenage.

Gonoyama (3-0) defeated Shishi (1-2). Gonoyama slammed Shishi and overpowered him, quickly shoving him back and out. Oshidashi.

Shodai (2-1) defeated Tamawashi (0-3). By climbing onto the dohyo today, Tamawashi tied with Kyokutenho for the most Makuuchi bouts at 1470. Shodai rained on Tamawashi’s parade by really dominating, despite Tamawashi’s nodowa. Shodai chugged forward and shoved Tamawashi back and out. Oshidashi.

Ura (3-0) defeated Tokihayate (1-2). Tokihayate tried over and over to get his left hand inside and pull Ura up. Ura would stay low, shove Tokihayate off his belt and re-engage to try to get his own left hand inside. On the third or fourth engagement, Ura knocked Tokihayate off balance and thrust him down. Tsukiotoshi.

Halftime

Kotoshoho defeated Ichiyamamoto. Kotoshoho met Ichiyamamoto with a firm tachiai, shoving his hands into Ichiyamamoto’s face. But then Kotoshoho pivoted to the side and slapped Ichi down. Ichiyamamoto’s momentum carried him, stumbling to the edge, where he landed in a heap. Hatakikomi.

Oshoma (2-1) default win over Abi (0-3).

Oho (1-2) defeated Daieisho (0-3). Since Daieisho’s thrusts seem to be at 60% power, he switched quickly to trying to slap Oho down. Oho chased Daieisho and kept his balance, shoving Daieisho out. Oshidashi.

Takanosho (3-0) defeated Hiradoumi (2-1). Takanosho slammed into Hiradoumi but quickly slapped him down. Quick bout, using Hiradoumi’s hyperactivity against him to devastating effect. Takanosho has never attracted a big fan base, seemingly always getting very few kensho. And today the crowd barely acknowledged the bout happened. Takanosho is one of my faves, but he’s got wild swings lately. There was a stretch where he was always in sanyaku or the joi, but quietly performing under stablemate, Takakeisho. Hatakikomi.

Sanyaku

Takayasu (3-0) defeated Wakamotoharu (0-3). Takayasu forced Wakamotoharu to the tawara and then suddenly backed up, letting a rather listless Wakamotoharu fall to the floor. Tsukiotoshi.

Kirishima (2-1) defeated Atamifuji (1-2). Kirishima nearly threw Atamifuji with his left-hand overarm grip. It seemed he needed a bit more leverage so he took a big gamble to switch his grip. He quickly released his left hand and immediately Atamifuji began charging forward. Kirishima worked his left hand inside around Atamifuji’s trunk, pivoted and dumped the big man on his face. Sukuinage.

Kotozakura (3-0) defeated Churanoumi (1-2). Kotozakura loves being up against the bales. He immediately reversed himself, backing to the edge, and tried over and over to slap Churanoumi down. Those slapdowns were not working so he wrapped up Churanoumi’s trunk and twisted him to the ground. Sukuinage.

Aonishiki (2-1) defeated Wakatakakage (1-2). Aonishiki slapped Wakatakakage hard. You could hear that land. I’ve got jokes about pimps and hustlers but will keep them to myself. Maybe if we were back in the 90s… Anyway, Wakatakakage then decided to pull. So, Aonishiki chased him out. WTK just noped himself out of there. Hilarious. Oshidashi.

Fujinokawa (1-2) defeated Onosato (0-3). Hatsu-Kinboshi Fujinokawa! Onosato drove forward into Fujinokawa’s nodowa. Fujinokawa slipped to his left and Onosato fell forward. Hikiotoshi.

Hoshoryu (3-0) defeated Yoshinofuji (1-2). Yoshinofuji did great to get his hands inside and hold Hoshoryu at bay. He seemed to think he had time to get a better grip and launch an attack. The Yokozuna wasn’t going to wait, wrapped his arms around Yoshinofuji’s head and twisted, dragging Yoshinofuji down. Kubinage.

Wrap-up

The kyujo train might have more passengers after today’s action. Will Onosato tough it out? This Fujinokawa bout was certainly “a must win.” Given the Yokozuna’s size advantage, it was great to see him moving forward and not retreating as he had done the first two days. The fact that he had to sit and wait for Hoshoryu’s bout to end before leaving…oh, that must have been an uncomfortable few minutes.

The komusubi will face each other on Day Four, Wakamotoharu versus Atamifuji. Wakamotoharu owns a 6-1 advantage in this rivalry. Might this give him confidence to turn things around? Atamifuji is fighting well, despite only having one win. As lost as Wakamotoharu has been, I’ve got to favor Atamifuji in tomorrow’s matchup.

Kirishima will fight Wakatakakage, Aonishiki will fight Churanoumi, Kotozakura faces Takayasu in a “Bout of the Unbeatens.” Finally Hoshoryu fights Fujinokawa and Onosato is scheduled to take on Yoshinofuji.

Nagoya 2025: Day Fourteen

Andy Kotoshoho, Nagoya 2025, Nagoya Basho , , , ,

Kyujo news first. Ura is out from today and Midorifuji will pick up the walkover win. Mita defeated Daiseizan with a lightning quick pull at the tachiai. Mita picked up his eleventh win while Daiseizan flopped down to his fourth loss and a tie with Kōtokuzan for second place.

Your NHK videos are here: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I and Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Kotoeiho (5-9) defeated Nishikigi (7-7). Kotoeiho pressed forward to the tawara. Nishikigi tried to dump him over the edge and pivoted along the tawara but Kotoeiho drove him over the edge. Oshidashi.

Kayo (3-11) defeated Hidenoumi (1-10-2). Kayo charged forward hard, attacked Hidenoumi with a nodowa and then pulled Hidenoumi down for the slapdown victory. That’s what Andy wants to see. The full reverse garbage is just capitulation. But apparently Kayo only wants to fight the injured guys? Hatakikomi.

Churanoumi (9-5) defeated Mitakeumi (9-5). Mitakeumi charged forward and forced Churanoumi to the edge. At the bales, Churanoumi shifted to the right along the bales, shoved Mitakeumi to the side and then pushed Mitakeumi out. Oshidashi.

Fujinokawa (9-5) defeated Takanosho (8-6). Takanosho tried to slap Fujinokawa down at the tachiai but Fujinokawa kept his balance and pivoted. Takanosho then charged forward but Fujinokawa slipped to the side and pulled Takanosho down. Hikiotoshi.

Shishi (6-8) defeated Tokihayate (6-8). Tokihayate got his right hand inside for a katasukashi pull down and pivoted but Shishi pressed forward and forced him out. Yorikiri.

Shodai (9-5) defeated Roga (7-7). Shodai pressed Roga forward to the bales. Roga attempted to resist at the bales but Shodai dumped him with a strong left hand over-arm throw. Uwatenage.

Midorifuji (9-5) default win over Ura (8-6).

Asakoryu (6-8) defeated Chiyoshoma (1-13). You have to give it to Chiyoshoma. He gave it his all here but Asakoryu dumped him over the edge with his left-hand inside. Shitatenage.

Tamawashi (10-4) defeated Ichiyamamoto (9-5). Ichiyamamoto started out with his tsuppari so Tamawashi gauged Ichiyamamoto in the face and then slipped his right hand inside to drive Ichiyamamoto back and out. Yorikiri.

Onokatsu (6-8) defeated Kinbozan (3-11). Onokatsu weathered Kinbozan’s shoves and slapdown attempts. When Kinbozan tired, Onokatsu slipped in and drove Kinbozan back for a yorikiri win.

Halftime

Oho (6-8) defeated Gonoyama (8-6). Oho braved the torrent of Gonoyama’s tsuppari and pressed forward for a step and then quickly pulled and slapped Gonoyama down for the hatakikomi victory.

Hakuoho (8-6) defeated Abi (8-6). Abi tried to slap Hakuoho down and pulled him around the ring with his deep hold on Hakuoho’s mawashi. But Hakuoho refused to go down and from his solid, low position shoved Abi over the edge. Oshidashi.

Kusano (11-3) defeated Aonishiki (11-3). Kusano got a deep left hand outside grip and pulled Aonishiki forward, attempting the slapdown. Aonishiki did not go down easy but Kusano kept pressing forward and forced Aonishiki to step out. Yorikiri.

Wakamotoharu (6-8) defeated Meisei (3-11). Meisei’s thigh is taped up but he had to keep that leg forward with most of his lower body resistance coming from the left. The pair attacked each other with flurries of tsuppari and Wakamotoharu waited Meisei out. When Meisei shifted so that weak right leg was braced at the bales, he thrust Meisei down. Tsukitaoshi.

Sanyaku

Sadanoumi (4-10) defeated Oshoma (3-11). Sadanoumi pressed Oshoma back and drove him over the edge. Oshidashi.

Takayasu (9-5) defeated Atamifuji (10-4). Atamifuji drove Takayasu to the edge and nearly forced him out but Takayasu resisted, worked his way back to the center of the ring and got a firm right hand inside grip. While a tired Atamifuji pondered what to do next, Takayasu dumped him with a beautiful underarm throw. Atamifuji was pissed at himself because he was so close. He angrily flagellated himself with his sagari as he walked back down the hanamichi in defeat. Shitatenage.

Kotoshoho (12-2) defeated Kirishima (8-6). When Kirishima started to charge forward, Kotoshoho slipped to the side, grabbed Kirishima’s thong and threw him forward over the bales. Uwatenage.

Kotozakura (8-6) defeated Hiradoumi (7-7). While Hiradoumi was low and trying to find a belt grip, Kotozakura quickly twisted him down. Sukuinage.

Onosato (10-4) defeated Wakatakakage (9-5). Onosato patiently drove forward as WTK pulled and stepped out. Oshidashi.

Wrap up

Heading into Senshuraku, M15 Kotoshoho holds sole possession of the lead with 12 wins. Aonishiki and Kusano trail with 11.

Kotozakura picked up that important win number eight.

Pairings for tomorrow have not been posted. I’ll send out an update when they’ve made decisions about the torikumi for Senshuraku. Kotoshoho has already beat Kusano but has not fought Aonishiki. He also has not fought Ozeki Kotozakura. (And he can’t, as J reminded me. As if the KOTO- prefix wasn’t enough of a hint, they’re in the same heya. Silly me! Next tournament I will propose a bout with Kotoeiho for extra egg on my face. Stablemate, brother, and different division by then.)

The bout makers have themselves a pickle. Do they hand out a yusho to Kotoshoho after fighting 1 Yokozuna, 1 Sekiwake and 1 Komusubi?

***Update*** As Thomas noted, the bout list is out. Kotoshoho versus Aonishiki and Kusano versus Takayasu.

For our sanyaku bouts, Onosato will fight Kotozakura, Wakatakakage will fight Kirishima, and Oshoma will face Tamawashi.

Haru 2025: Senshuraku

Andy Haru 2025, Haru Basho ,

Senshuraku in Osaka. In case you missed them, Leonid and I covered the yusho race and banzuke implications with brief updates. If you want to check those out before reading about and watching the action, I’ll wait.

Hakuho presented us with the Kyokai’s decision making for special prizes. Takayasu received an unconditional technique prize. Aonishiki received an unconditional Fighting Spirit prize. Churanoumi and Tokihayate will win fighting spirit prizes if they win their regulation bouts today. If any of the maegashira win the yusho, they will earn the Outstanding Performance prize. If Onosato wins, no one gets it.

Now that you’re ready, your NHK videos of the action are here: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Onokatsu (10-5) defeated Shirokuma (5-10). Onokatsu overpowered Shirokuma and drove him over the tawara. Yorikiri.

Midorifuji (9-6) defeated Mitakeumi (6-9). Mitakeumi charged forward and Midorifuji wrapped up his left shoulder and pulled while rotating to his right, rolling Mitakeumi to the ground with a lightning quick katasukashi.

Kotoshoho (8-7) defeated Endo (7-8). Endo pulled rather unwisely and Kotoshoho bowled Endo violently through Hakuoho and into the Osaka sumo fan club. Yorikiri.

Hakuoho (9-6) defeated Asakoryu (6-9). Henka! Asakoryu jumped to his left but Hakuoho was wise to it and drove him from the dohyo. Yorikiri.

Ryuden (6-9) defeated Oshoma (9-6). Ryuden drove into Oshoma and Oshoma quit at the edge and stepped out. Yorikiri.

Sadanoumi (8-7) defeated Atamifuji (6-9). Migi-yotsu. Sadanoumi rather dominated Atamifuji and drove him over the bales. Yorikiri.

Tamawashi (10-5) defeated Shishi (9-6). The 40-year-old veteran bulldozed the young-gun and quickly shoved him from his dohyo. Oshidashi.

Shodai (6-9) defeated Nishikigi (3-12). Shodai wrapped up Nishikigi, pivoted, and forced him back to the bales. Nishikigi gave up about halfway there. Yorikiri.

Kinbozan (6-9) defeated Shonannoumi (4-11). Guess what? After Kinbozan’s tachiai nodowa, Shonannoumi pulled. I’m sure you are all shocked. Kinbozan knew the score, too, and dispatched Shonannoumi easily. Yorikiri.

Ichiyamamoto defeated Takarafuji. Ichiyamamoto drove forward with a brutal nodowa against Takarafuji. At the edge, Takarafuji managed to bat Ichiyamamoto’s arm away from his neck and reverse the attack. Takarafuji took the initiative and attacked but Ichiyamamoto pulled and danced along the tawara until Takarafuji fell down. Takarafuji was a bit slow getting up but I think he may have been hoping for a mono-ii that never came. “How could someone backpedal that far and not step out?” Hatakikomi.

Halftime

Ura (7-8) defeated Tobizaru (6-9). Ura wrapped his left arm around the back of Tobizaru’s shimekomi and forced him from the dohyo while Tobizaru tried a last-gasp kubinage. Tobizaru tumbled off the dohyo and Ura flopped onto the dohyo. Gunbai Ura. Tobizaru slow to get up…another mono-ii ploy? He seemed fine walking down the hanamichi but it was a rough fall. Oshidashi.

Meisei (9-6) defeated Chiyoshoma (6-9). Solid tachiai. Meisei shifted right and slapped Chiyoshoma down. Hikiotoshi.

Gonoyama (7-8) defeated Takanosho (3-12). Gonoyama forced Takanosho from the dohyo behind his right hand nodowa. Oshidashi.

Wakamotoharu (9-6) defeated Takerufuji (9-6). Wakamotoharu resisted Takerufuji’s throw attempt and drove forward with his right hand uwate grip. Yorikiri.

Wakatakakage (9-6) defeated Hiradoumi (9-6). Hiradoumi pulled and Wakatakakage stumbled forward…but did not go out. Hiradoumi was late to finish WTK off, so Wakatakakage made him pay. Wakatakakage charged forward and blasted Hiradoumi out. Oshitaoshi.

Sanyaku

Takayasu (12-3) defeated Abi (6-9). We all knew Abi’s henka was coming. Thankfully, Takayasu did, too. He make Abi pay, shoving Abi hard with his right paw in Abi’s right shoulder. That gave Takayasu access to Abi’s belt. Takayasu seized Abi’s belt with his right hand and immediately used the grip to rotate and yank Abi down. With that, Takayasu immediately eliminated Tokihayate, Aonishiki and Churanoumi from contention. Uwatedashinage.

Kirishima (8-7) defeated Tokihayate (10-5). Tokihayate pulled. Kirishima pursued, reached low and inside, latching on quickly. Kirishima kept Tokihayate’s momentum moving backwards and walked him out. Yorikiri.

Aonishiki (11-4) defeated Oho (6-9). Aonishiki is the real deal. He earned his way into the Kore-Yori-Sanyaku in this debut tournament. Mr. Fundamentals then earned the arrows by keeping his head buried under Oho’s chin and driving forward. As Oho retreated and neared the bales, Aonishiki reached deep behind him with his left hand and his right hand up front. He rotated left, bringing Oho backward over his extended knee. Absolutely beautiful. Of the videos, that is a key one to watch. Kirikaeshi.

Churanoumi (11-4) defeated Daieisho (9-6). After his initial powerful tsuppari, Daieisho pulled. Churanoumi stayed up and in. Realizing his back was at the edge, Daieisho stepped out. With the win, Churanoumi claimed a Fighting Spirit Prize. Oshidashi.

Onosato (12-3) defeated Kotozakura (8-7). Onosato pressed forward and shoved Kotozakura out quickly, claimed a massive pile of kensho, and forced a playoff with Takayasu. Yorikiri.

Playoff

A playoff at 12-3 between Ozeki Onosato and former Ozeki and beloved Papa Bear, Takayasu. This is an infinitely better scenario than the alternative 5-man playoff. Takayasu can win his first yusho and try to make a final run at re-promotion to Ozeki. Onosato can kick off his own tsuna-tori.

Onosato defeated Takayasu. Onosato hit Takayasu with a tachiai that staggered the former Ozeki. Takayasu latched on with his left and pulled, nearly forcing Onosato over the bales but Onosato shifted right and kept his weight back. If he was going to fall forward, Takayasu would have to pull him and Takayasu would have to fall first. Takayasu shuffled right but Onosato was now well positioned behind Takayasu and pushed him out. Okuridashi.

Wrap-up

Thank you for joining me for this tournament. It was one heck of a roller-coaster ride. I’m proud for Onosato but am writing through tears for Takayasu. Yet again, he lost a yusho in a playoff. This time, Onosato seemed vulnerable and Takayasu seemed to be fighting well. “厳しいです。” Absolutely right. Frankly, though, the better sumo won today. That tachiai from Onosato was the best one I saw from him this tournament and I hope he hits with that power on a consistent basis. Hoshoryu will hopefully be back and healed in May, ready to make Onosato earn his rope. If Onosato wants it, he will need to do his best and go through Hoshoryu.

There will be news in a few days about Juryo promotions. Jungyo will start up next weekend and will run through the banzuke release at the end of April. The banzuke will be eagerly anticipated in this household. We’re eager to see where these hot-shot yung’uns land as they spring up the ranking sheet.