We have crossed the third-way point of the basho and we’re starting to get an interesting picture form over who might be competing for the cup on our final day. There are still a lot of bouts to go, of course, but there’s a couple of faces I’m expecting to keep up this good form. There are a few others who seem destined to miss out of a shot at glory, too, unless their fortunes take a dramatic turn.
Our top billed match-ups this day were Kotozakura vs. Oho, Hoshoryu vs. Mitakeumi, Onosato vs. Takanosho and Kirishima vs. Mitakeumi. Kotozakura vs. Oho was a really great bout and I recommend you check that one out.
Other fun ones from Day 5 were Wakamotoharu vs. Tobizaru, Takayasu vs. Shirokuma, Tamawashi vs. Endo and Ura vs. Meisei.
Keep scrolling for the results of those match-ups (and more!). There are also lots of vids and gifs to enjoy. My analysis is down there, too, including a check-in on the juryo tournament.
Today’s bonus gif features my fellow BushoStans.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Takayasu (3-2) def. Shirokuma (2-3) via uwatenage (over arm throw)*
Ryuden (3-2) def. Nishikifuji (2-3) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
Takarafuji (4-1) def. Nishikigi (3-2) via yorikiri
Hokutofuji (3-2) def. Onokatsu (1-4) via oshidashi (frontal push out)*
Bushozan (4-1) def. Kitanowaka (2-3) via tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)
Kinbozan (1-4) def. Kagayaki (1-4) via yorikiri
Oshoma (3-2) def. Sadanoumi (3-2) via hatakikomi (slap down)*
Roga (2-3) def. Ichiyamamoto (2-3) via yorikiri
Tamawashi (2-3) def. Endo (3-2) via tsukidashi*
Midorifuji (3-2) def. Churanoumi (3-2) via okuridashi (rear push out)*
Wakatakakage (4-1) def. Shonannoumi (0-5) hatakikomi
Ura (3-2) def. Meisei (1-4) via uwatedashinage (pulling over arm throw) after mono-ii (judges’ review)*
Kotoshoho (3-2) def. Gonoyama (2-3) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
Wakamotoharu (3-2) def. Tobizaru (2-3) via tsukidashi*
Daieisho (2-3) def. Shodai (4-1) via tottari (arm bar throw) after mono-ii*
Hiradoumi (4-1) def. Kirishima (4-1) via oshidashi
Onosato (5-0) def. Takanosho (1-4) via oshidashi*
Hoshoryu (2-3) def. Mitakeumi (1-4) via yorikiri
Oho (2-3) def. Kotozakura (4-1) via yorikiri*
*Must see bouts!
Leaderboard
S1w Onosato: 5-0
O1e Kotozakura, S2e Kirishima, K1w Hiradoumi, M4e Shodai, M7e Wakatakakage, M12e Bushozan, M15e Takarafuji: 4-1
Analysis
No glossing over Onosato today. The man whose hair is still not long enough for the chonmage stands alone atop our leaderboard after beating Takanosho.
Takanosho has struggled this tournament, perhaps hungover from his miraculous Nagoya tournament where he almost pipped Terunofuji to the post. He’s still a tough assignment, though, and he’s one of only thirteen men in the division to have a win over Onosato.
In their bout Onosato brilliantly defended the nodowa (throat thrust), pushing Takanosho’s elbow to the side. He was then caught between minds over thrusting or securing a migi-yotsu (right arm inside, left arm outside grip) while pushing Takanosho backwards for the win. I feel like once Onosato starts committing to either thrusting or grappling in these moments, it’s a wrap for everyone else. Right now he still shows some indecision, but experience should correct that over time. What’s scary about him is that he might already be a yokozuna before he finally refines his stlye and lands on a consistent approach to his sumo.
Onosato is alone at 5-0 due to the faltering of Kotozakura, Kirishima and Shodai. All three of those men were knocked back by tough opponents on Day 5.
Kotozakura lost to Oho in one of the more exciting bouts of the year. Kotozakura was putting on a defensive clinic against the rushing and unusually spry Oho. Oho then defended Kotozakura’s attempt at an uwatenage (under arm throw) and ended up catching him with a migi-yotsu grip. While holding Kotozakura this way, Oho did a fantastic job of hand-fighting to prevent Kotozakura matching his grip. That gave him the stronger position when he went for the winning force out.
That’s Oho’s first win against Kotozakura across five bouts. Given how this one went, I think we’re going to see more opponents try to extend bouts with Kotozakura and test his stamina. Kotozakura will know this, though, and he may ratchet up the intensity on his tachiai to compensate.
Kirishima lost to Hiradoumi on Day 5. Hiradoumi continued to show that he belongs in the san’yaku. This win took him to 4-1 and gave him his second win over a sekiwake this tournament. He’s 3-2 versus Kirishima, though most those bouts have come during Kirishima’s torrid patch of form. Hiradoumi combined a great thrust with an even better back hop to make Kirishima lurch forwards. Hiradoumi then used his excellent foot speed to circle around Kirishima and get an angle for the oshidashi (frontal push out).
Shodai’s unbeaten run was broken by Daieisho. The Battle Pug was just able to get out of danger, when Shodai had him pinned against the straw. Shodai will be disappointed in losing such a close bout, but his sumo has looked great so far this tournament.
Those losses mean Hoshoryu was able to make up a little ground. He got to 2-3 with a win over Mitakeumi. Hoshoryu did well to keep Mitakeumi’s hands raised and away from his belt while summoning up all his strength to move the larger man back and out.
Outside of the leaders now, I wanted to draw attention to Takayasu. He seems to be fighting hurt, again. He was easily pushed out by Nishikigi yesterday, but today he looked much better against Shirokuma. Takayasu was able to prevent the young buck forcing him out and was able to score one of his classic uwatenage wins to move his record to 3-2. Hopefully this means Takayasu’s latest injury is something he can soldier through with.
Tamawashi hasn’t eased up at all since earning sumo’s ultimate ironman streak. He beat the impressive Endo this day and showed a lot of grit and toughness to stay in bounds before opening a window for his long thrusting attack.
Wakamotoharu and Tobizaru had a fun bout. Wakamotoharu laid in a hard elbow shot to Tobi’s face off the tachiai. Tobizaru responded with a close hatakikomi (slap down) attempt. But Wakamotoharu was able to stablize himself and then earn a rare thrusting victory (only his seventh ever tsukidashi).
Meisei and Ura put on a good show, too. They went back and forth before ending in a photo finish along the straw. The replay showed that Meisei hit the ground first, thanks to Ura’s uncanny ability to seemingly levitate before sailing off the dohyo.
In juryo we have Takerufuji and Chiyoshoma leading the way with 5-0 records. Takerufuji looks back to his best and is blasting through his competition. Hakuyozan was his victim on Day 5.
Chiyoshoma has been using all of his veteran savvy to trick and trip his opponents. On Day 5 he took down Shishi using the susoharai (rear foot sweep).
That’s all for now. I’ll be back after Day 6 wraps up. That day will give us Oho vs. Hoshoryu, Kotozakura vs. Mitakeumi, Onosato vs. Shodai and Kirishima vs. Tobizaru.