I think this is my favourite basho of the year so far. The storylines here aren’t as compelling, to me, as what has happened earlier this year (Terunofuji’s 10th yusho, Takerufuji making history, Onosato’s first yusho). But the matches… man, the matches. They have been great. Every day there’s a slew of high octane, back-and-forth battles that remind us why we love this sport.
We had a good number of those today with Oho vs. Takanosho, Kotozakura vs. Daieisho, Kirishima vs. Abi and Nishikigi vs. Wakatakakage.
You can see who won all those bouts below and check out video replays of the most important matches of the day (that Nishikigi vs. Wakatakakage is a must watch!).
You’ll also find my analysis down there.
Enjoy!
Bonus gif today is this henka by Kinbozan on Tamawashi. This basho has also had a lot of these.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Shirokuma (4-7) def. Onokatsu (4-7) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
Kitanowaka (5-6) def. Kinbozan (4-7) via yorikiri
Takarafuji (7-4) def. Bushozan (4-7) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
Nishikifuji (5-6) def. Kagayaki (1-10) via oshidashi
Tamawashi (5-6) def. Hokutofuji (6-5) via fusen (default)
Ichiyamamoto (5-6) def. Ryuden (6-5) via yorikiri*
Sadanoumi (6-5) def. Midorifuji (4-7) via yorikiri
Takayasu (9-2) def. Endo (7-4) via tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)*
Roga (6-5) def. Churanoumi (6-5) via oshidashi
Nishikigi (9-2) def. Wakatakakage (8-3) via kotenage (arm lock throw)*
Oshoma (8-3) def. Meisei (2-9) via uwatenage (over arm throw)*
Shodai (7-4) def. Gonoyama (3-8) via uwatenage
Wakamotoharu (7-4) def. Shonannoumi (2-9) via yorikiri
Tobizaru (4-7) def. Mitakeumi (3-8) via yorikiri*
Oho (7-4) def. Takanosho (3-8) via oshidashi*
Atamifuji (5-6) def. Hiradoumi (6-5) via yorikiri*
Kirishima (9-2) def. Abi (2-9) via hatakikomi (slap down)*
Onosato (11-0) def. Kotoshoho (5-6) via oshidashi after mono-ii (judges’ review)*
Ura (7-4) def. Hoshoryu (6-5) via okuridashi (rear push out)*
Daieisho (6-5) def. Kotozakura (7-4) via oshidashi
*Must see bouts!
Leaderboard
S1w Onosato: 11-0
S2e Kirishima, M13w Nishikigi, M15e Takayasu: 9-2
M7e Wakatakakage, M9w Oshoma: 8-3
Analysis
Oh boy, did Onosato get lucky on this day.
Kotoshoho, who beat Onosato to win a yusho in juryo last year, set-up our tournament leader beautifully but failed to convert along the straw. He stood up well to Onosato’s pressure off the tachiai and then purposefully bounced back and side-stepped to make Onosato sail forwards in an all-out dive. However, he stepped out of bounds, missing the tokudawara. The judges took a look at it, but it was clear that Kotoshoho planted his whole foot outside the ring before Onosato crashed down.
You could tell on Onosato’s face that he got away with one there, by allowing Kotoshoho far too much freedom and space. You earn your luck in sports, though, and Onosato has been excellent to this point.
He takes on Wakatakakage tomorrow. This will be the first meeting between the pair. A win for Onosato would mathematically eliminate Wakatakakage from title contention. Depending on how other results go, Onosato could have this tournament won before the weekend.
Kirishima survived a scare this day, too. He outlasted Abi in a great thrusting brawl. Kirishima showed great balance and composure to stay up after a great Abi side-step. In the bout (below) check out how good Kirishima was at slapping away Abi’s thrusts, especially at the end of the bout before he scored the slap down.
Kirishima will face Kotozakura tomorrow. He has a 12-4 record against Kotozakura and has won the last two meetings.
Kirishima is tied at 9-2 with Takayasu and Nishikigi. Takayasu put on a brutal display against Endo this day. He landed heavy thrusts to Endo’s face as he forced him to back up until he ran out of space.
Takayasu will take on Hiradoumi tomorrow. They have a 2-2 record against each other.
Nishikigi won a grueling affair with Wakatakakage. In the bout Wakatakakage decided to grapple with Nishikigi, securing migi-yotsu from the tachiai. He couldn’t move Nishikigi backwards, though. Nishikigi was then able to circle Wakatakakage towards the straw. However the former sekiwake showed tremendous strength to block that and get himself back to the center of the ring.
After a brief stalemate, Wakatakakage attacked — trying to rush Nishikigi back and out. However, Nishikigi transitioned to an armlock and then deftly stepped to the side to complete the kotenage (armlock throw) for the win.
Next up for Nishikigi is Daieisho. He has an 8-9 record against him.
Our ozeki went 0-2 this day. Kotozakura couldn’t outlast Daieisho. Daieisho was able to drag Kotozakura into a long bout and the ozeki faded, just as we saw him do against Oho. I think he must be carrying an injury. He’s usually much better at escaping along the straw than what we saw here.
Hoshoryu was defeated by Ura. Hoshoryu stormed the fan favourite off the tachiai and then put both hands around the back of his head, as if looking for a hatakikomi. Ura smartly recognized that both arms were raised, so he put one of his hands into Hoshoryu’s armpit and used that to push him off center before rushing him off the ring.
Atamifuji vs. Hiradoumi is another bout I really enjoyed on Day 11. It wasn’t the flashiest contest, but Atamifuji showed great yotsu technique to secure, elevate and move Hiradoumi.
I want to draw attention to the following replay. It shows how, in sumo, you often can’t grab the belt so you have to resort to grabbing fat. Watch as Atamifuji digs his fingers into Hiradoumi’s flesh in order to maintain hold of him. That’s gotta hurt.
Tobizaru vs. Mitakeumi was a fun bout, too. Tobizaru was able to get the bigger man to move and that’s when the Flying Monkey thrives. Tobizaru’s top level mobility was on display here as he spun Mitakeumi around three-hundred-and-sixty degrees before the force out.
That’s all for today!
"You earn your luck I sports" is a saying I'm going to remember. Lot's of guys winning while losing this basho.