Happy Sunday all!
This will be a shorter basho update than usual. That’s because I was up past 3 a.m. last night covering UFC 306 over on MMA Mania. That sleep debt, plus my daughter getting over a bug, has wrung me out considerably.
Despite being so tired, I thoroughly enjoyed Day 8’s matches and I’m really digging the horse race that has developed. It should provide a fun watch for us as we head into the final week of the tournament.
Scroll down for the results, videos (didn’t have time/energy for gif making today) and my shortened analysis.
You can also hear me talk about this tournament on The Level Change podcast. Stephie caught up with me on Friday afternoon (when I had far more energy!).
Bonus gif is “big booby boy” sung to the theme of Chappel Roan’s Pink Pony Club (thank Mrs. Sumo Stomp for that one).
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Hokutofuji (6-2) def. Nishikifuji (3-5) via oshitaoshi (frontal push down)
Nishikigi (6-2) def. Kitanowaka (2-6) via kotenage (arm lock throw)*
Onokatsu (3-5) def. Bushozan (4-4) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
Kinbozan (3-5) def. Shirokuma (2-6) via yorikiri
Sadanoumi (5-3) def. Takarafuji (4-4) via sukuinage (beltless arm throw)*
Takayasu (6-2) def. Kagayaki (1-7) via hikiotoshi (hand pull down)*
Roga (4-4) def. Ryuden (5-3) via yorikiri
Wakatakakage (6-2) def. Tamawashi (3-5) via yorikiri
Oshoma (6-2) def. Churanoumi (5-3) via hatakikomi (slap down)*
Midorifuji (4-4) def. Meisei (1-7) via yorikiri
Ichiyamamoto (3-5) def. Gonoyama (3-5) via hikiotoshi
Endo (6-2) def. Shonannoumi (1-7) via yorikiri
Kotoshoho (5-3) def. Atamifuji (3-5) via oshidashi (frontal push out) after mono-ii (judges’ review)*
Oho (5-3) def. Tobizaru (2-6) via hatakikomi*
Hiradoumi (5-3) def. Takanosho (2-6) via oshidashi
Daieisho (5-3) def. Abi (2-6) via okuridashi (rear push out)
Kirishima (7-1) def. Ura (4-4) via oshitaoshi*
Onosato (8-0) def. Mitakeumi (2-6) via oshidashi*
Kotozakura (6-2) def. Shodai (4-4) via oshidashi*
Hoshoryu (4-4) def. Wakamotoharu (5-3) via kubinage (head lock throw)*
*Must see bouts!
Leaderboard
S1w Onosato: 8-0
S2e Kirishima: 7-1
O1e Kotozakura, M7e Wakatakakage, M8e Endo, M9w Oshoma, M13e Hokutofuji, M13w Nishikigi, M15e Takayasu: 6-2
Analysis
Onosato remains the man to beat this month. He forced out Mitakeumi on Day 8. The former ozeki gave some resistance, but Onosato just won’t be denied this tournament. He’s put out everyone with relative ease and it’s hard to imagine him not bringing home his second career yusho next Sunday.
Kirishima remains the closest person to Onosato. He moved to 7-1 after a fun bout with Ura. Kirishima continued to look back to his best. Against Ura he was patient and defensively solid. He then sprang into action when he saw a chance to push Ura out along the line. He looked pretty apologetic for the bump Ura took onto the concrete, though. What a guy!
Kotozakura got his sixth win this day. He shoved out Shodai. Kotozakura looked a little out of control in this bout. He may be feeling some stress knowing that any loss now might take him out of the running for this competition (since Onosato doesn’t look like losing any time soon).
We got our latest episode of Hoshoryu vs. Wakamotoharu this day, too. These bouts are always spicy with neither man seeming to like the other very much. After a longer than usual stare down Hoshoryu attacked Wakamotoharu with two palms straight to his chest. The powerful Wakamotoharu wasn’t moved, though. Wakamotoharu then worked for his favorite grip (hidari-yotsu). Hoshoryu used that position to drag Wakamotoharu into throwing range, though.
Hoshoryu then executed a kubinage (headlock throw). After completing the throw Hoshoryu winced. I think this one may have hurt his knee. But he was willing to do it because of the animosity he has for his opponent in this case.
That puts Hoshoryu on 4-4. Wakamotoharu drops back to 5-3.
That’s all folks. Time for a nap!
See you tomorrow (with a more detailed post and lots of gifs!)
This has been a fun tournament. I expect the back half will just as good or better. I stumbled on to the fact the NHK World's live feed plays that days Grand Sumo Highlights at 11:30 a.m. everyday in my time zone. No more being a full day behind, fantastic! Worth looking into if anyone likes their commentary.