We are deep into the second half of this basho and it’s becoming pretty clear who are gonna be the guys contesting the cup this month. If it goes the way we’re thinking there might be some fascinating fallout after the fact.
Today was a bit of a funny day on the dohyo. We had some long, back and forth, bouts (one of them especially so) and also a handful of hyper-short/henka bouts. Tremendous entertainment either way, though.
Our marathon match was Wakatakakage vs. Midorifuji. That was a lot of fun. Other good matches on the day were Takayasu vs. Hokutofuji, Mitkaeumi vs. Oho and Shodai vs. Abi.
Our top billed matches were Onosato vs. Wakamotoharu, Kotozakura vs. Ura, Kirishima vs. Shonannoumi and Hoshoryu vs. Hiradoumi. Those were all must-sees.
Scroll down for videos of those bouts, all the results, and my analysis on all the key matches and storylines in play.
Bonus gif today is this very dramatic replay of Mitakeumi sending Ura into the seats.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Nishikigi (7-2) def. Shirokuma (2-7) via yorikiri (frontal force out)*
Takayasu (7-2) def. Hokutofuji (6-3) via hatakikomi (slap down)*
Nishikifuji (4-5) def. Bushozan (4-5) via katasukashi (under shoulder swing down)
Kitanowaka (3-6) def. Kagayaki (1-8) via yorikiri
Ryuden (6-3) def. Sadanoumi (5-4) via yorikiri
Roga (5-4) def. Onokatsu (3-6) via yorikiri
Kinbozan (4-5) def. Tamawashi (3-6) via hatakikomi
Takarafuji (5-4) def. Oshoma (6-3) via sakatottari (arm bar throw counter) after mono-ii (judges’ review)*
Wakatakakage (7-2) def. Midorifuji (4-5) via yorikiri*
Endo (7-2) def. Gonoyama (3-6) via hatakikomi
Meisei (2-7) def. Ichiyamamoto (3-6) via katasukashi
Churanoumi (6-3) def. Kotoshoho (5-4) via tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)
Mitakeumi (3-6) def. Oho (5-4) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down) after moni-ii*
Tobizaru (3-6) def. Takanosho (2-7) via oshidashi (frontal push out)*
Atamifuji (4-5) def. Daieisho (5-4) via oshidashi
Onosato (9-0) def. Wakamotoharu (5-4) via yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)*
Shodai (5-4) def. Abi (2-7) via tsukiotoshi*
Kirishima (8-1) def. Shonannoumi (1-8) via yorikiri
Hoshoryu (5-4) def. Hiradoumi (5-4) via sukuinage (beltless arm throw)*
Ura (5-4) def. Kotozakura (6-3) via oshidashi*
*Must see bouts!
Leaderboard
S1w Onosato: 9-0
S2e Kirishima: 8-1
M7e Wakatakakage, M8e Endo, M13w Nishikigi, M15e Takayasu: 7-2
Analysis
Hey guess what? Onosato won again. The emerging super-power is now 9-0 in this tournament, having dispatched of a spirited Wakamotoharu. Wakamotoharu beat Onosato in their previous meeting, using his belt grabbing prowess to great effect. This time around Onosato showed he didn’t want any of this yotsu nonsense. Instead he spammed thrusts from the jump. Wakamotoharu tried to isolate one of Onosato’s long arms, but he was brushed off and sent sliding along the clay as if he were skating on ice. Along the straw, Onosato almost lost control of the bout, falling past a turning Wakamotoharu. However, Wakamotoharu was too far off the edge of the ring to capitalize and do anything other than pull Onosato down after him.
I’m struggling to not become blasé about Onosato’s excellence. It’s important to recognize that, though his non-stop winning can become a little boring, we’re witnessing history here and this young man is going to be the main star of the majority of these tournaments for the next decade.
Onosato’s closest rival this basho is Kirishima. He’s 8-1 after a rather easy win over Shonannoumi. Shonannoumi is ranked too high for his skill level currently and he also seems to be struggling with back issues. Kirishma was able to force him out without needing to go to his more advanced play-book.
Kotozakura fell off the pace on Day 9. He took a surprising loss to Ura (someone he had beaten six out of the past nine meetings). In this bout it looked like Kotozakura wanted to grab a hold of Ura’s shoulders off the tachiai, perhaps for a katasukashi (under shoulder swing down). He then looked to be sizing up a kotenage (arm lock throw). However, I don’t think he expected to be pushed back by Ura as far and as quickly as he was. Kotozakura’s heels were on the straw while he was still fumbling for a hold. Ura was then able to seal the win with a good thrust to Kotozakura’s chest.
Kotozakura has been unflappable for most of his short tenure as ozeki. However, in the last few days he’s looked a little anxious and less committed. It’s a far cry from what we saw of him in the opening days of the tournament, when he was attacking off the tachiai and forcing his opponents out in seconds. This loss takes him to 6-3 and likely out of the running for a title this month.
Hoshoryu’s chances for his second Emperor’s Cup this month flew out the window a few days ago. Even so, he managed to snag an impressive win over Hiradoumi. Hoshoryu was very mobile in this match-up. After feeling Hiradoumi’s power off the tachiai, he was able to circle around and get back to the center of the ring. After blocking Hiradoumi’s thrusts Hoshoryu locked up a migi-yotsu grip (right arm inside, left arm outside) and forced Hiradoumi back. Hiradoumi fought on the boundary and forced Hoshoryu into a throw. He managed to execute this one with mostly his upper body, though, avoiding the chance of hyper-extending his knee. Hoshoryu told reporters that he was trying to win by yorikiri, but needed to switch to the throw given Hiradoumi’s resistance.
Our group of wrestlers on 7-2 records is rather delightful. It’s all veterans and fan favourites. We have Wakatakakage, Endo, Takayasu and Nishikigi lurking in that group. One of them might be able to keep the winning up and force their way into the title picture.
Takayasu beat Hokutofuji (who is looking great this tournament). He took Hokutofuji’s best push and was almost eliminated. He was able to find an escape, though, and then stifle Hokutofuji with a heavy hand to the throat. Takayasu then pulled the hand back to let the Berserker spring forwards and onto the ground.
Nishikigi turned away Shirokuma to earn his seventh win. He locked onto the rookie with a high double underhook and then waded his way through the ring to put Shirokuma out.
Wakatakakage fought Midorifuji for almost one and a half minutes. The pair engaged in a long clinch battle with Wakatakakage wanting to impost a migi-yotsu grip and Midorifuji looking to pounce on the grip for his katasukashi. Those threats cancelled each other out and both men needed to figure out a plan B as they held each other in the middle of the ring. Eventually Midorifuji tried to break the stalemate by turning and attempting an uwatenage (over arm throw). However, Wakatakakage reacted like a coiled spring and charged Midorifuji out the ring as soon as Midorifuji switched his stance.
Endo got to 7-2 with a henka on Gonoyama.
Down in juryo the man with the tan, Takerufuji, continued to dominate the competition. He’s 9-0 after this blitzing win over Oshoumi.
Hopefully we get to see ‘Taker’ try this with Onosato in November.
Day 10 approaches and we have some very exciting matches on tap.
Kirishima will meet Onosato this day, with a chance to tie records with the current front runner. Kirishima is 0-2 against Onosato. But this tournament’s version of Kirishima feels like a different animal from the banged-up and distracted version Onosato pushed out in May and July.
Wakatakakage and Endo are paired up, too. The loser of that one will lose their outside shot of winning it all this tournament. Takayasu and Nishikigi have much easier bouts lined up. Nishikigi has drawn the 1-8 Kagayaki and Takayasu will meet the 4-5 Nishikifuji.
Can’t wait to see what happens!
For me this was the bout of the tournament so far. Wakatakakage v Midorifuji was a real contest of guile and sheer muscle instead of weight. Glad to see Shodai back in the W column. And much as I figured Kotozakura to be tournament champion, nobody can fail to be happy to see Ura win.
And above all, I agree with you about us watching history. Forget about Ozeki, effin' Onosato looks to be a Yokozuna in the making.
Real excited for that Onosato vs Kirishima tomorrow. Both are having a great tournament and could level out the leader board or put Onosato up even more.