Day 10 has come and gone and all the results, along with my highlights and analysis are in this email for you to enjoy! Just scroll beyond the spoiler warning to see all that.
We had some good bouts this day. However, it seems like the notoriously slippery clay of Nagoya is starting to really affect these matches. A number of bouts seemed to feature guys going down due to slips and slides across the clay.
This day’s most important matches included tournament leader Terunofuji vs. Kirishima (someone he had an 11-0 record against) and closest challenger Kotozakura vs. Onosato (these two have had some interesting duels in the recent past).
Other interesting match-ups included Wakatakakage vs. Midorifuji, Abi vs. Takakeisho and Shonannoumi vs. Hoshoryu. Scroll down to see how those all went.
Also, I’ve added some more details to the results post bullet list. Let me know if it looks too busy.
Bonus gif today is ‘The Puzzled Hamster’.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
[M16] Bushozan (6-4) def. [J5] Tsurugisho (6-4) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
[M13] Hokutofuji (4-6) def. [M15] Chiyoshoma (3-2-5) via yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)*
[M14] Endo (6-4) def. [M12] Churanoumi (7-3) via yorikiri (frontal force out)*
[M17] Nishikifuji (5-5) def. [M11] Ichiyamamoto (5-5) via hatakikomi (slap down)
[M16] Kagayaki (6-4) def. [M17] Nishikigi (1-9) via yorikiri
[M14] Wakatakakage (7-3) def. [M10] Midorifuji (6-4) via oshidashi*
[M13] Takarafuji (4-6) def. [M9] Tamawashi (5-5) via hikiotoshi (hand pull down)
[M8] Ryuden (3-7) def. [M15] Roga (5-5) via yorikiri
[M10] Shodai (7-3) def. [M8] Kinbozan (3-7) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)*
[M9] Oshoma (5-5) def. [M7] Sadanoumi (3-7) via hatakikomi
[M4] Tobizaru (5-5) def. [M7] Kotoshoho (5-5) via hikiotoshi*
[M4] Ura (4-6) def. [M6] Oho (6-4) via tottari (arm bar throw)*
[M6] Takanosho (7-3) def. [M3] Gonoyama (3-7) via yorikiri
[M2] Mitakeumi (4-6) def. [2-8] Meisei (2-8) via tsukiotoshi
[K] Daieisho (6-4) def. [M1] Atamifuji (4-6) via oshidashi
[K] Hiradoumi (6-4) def. [M2] Wakamotoharu (4-6) via hikiotoshi
[S] Abi (6-4) def. [O] Takakeisho (4-6) via hatakikomi*
[O] Hoshoryu (7-3) def. [M5] Shonannoumi (5-5) via sotogake (outside leg trip)
[O] Kotozakura (8-2) def. [S] Onosato (5-5) via uwatenage (over arm throw)*
[Y] Terunofuji (10-0) def. [S] Kirishima (5-5) via kotenage (arm lock throw)*
*Must see bouts!
Leaderboard
Y1e Terunofuji: 10-0
O1e Kotozakura: 8-2
O1w Hosohoryu, M6e Takanosho, M10e Shodai, M12w Churanoumi, M14e Wakatakakage: 7-3
Analysis
Terunofuji did what we expected this day. He took out Kirishima, without too much effort, to take his perfect record to 10-0. The win also took his head-to-head record versus Kirishima to 12-0.
Teru was simply too big and too strong for Kirishima (again). In this bout the yokozuna immediately secured the kimedashi hold (one of his favourites) and then used it to power Kirishima backwards. This hold forces opponents to fight through pain and worry about their joints instead of mounting any kind of counter attack. From the kimedashi position, Terunofuji then switched to one arm and pulled off the kotenage (arm lock throw).
Right now, it seems like it’s just a matter of time before we see Teru’s massive mits on that cup.
He has Onosato tomorrow. Onosato won their last contest. However, Terunofuji pulled out of the basho due to injury the very next day. In this form, I can’t see the youngster (who is struggling this tournament) mounting a serious challenge to him.
Kotozakura is the only rikishi who seems capable of making things interesting as we head down the stretch. He beat Onosato on Day 10 to get his record to 8-2.
I detailed Kotozakura and Onosato’s past matches when I did my spotlight post on Onosato’s yusho last month. In last night’s match (below) both men opted to start with thrusting. In their last match they both opened with belt grabs and Onosato was able to win, as they ran out of space during a grappling scramble. This time it seemed both wanted to soften the other up before getting the grip they most wanted. In this battle, Kotozakura won as he was able to seize a grip with his right hand (further back on the belt than usual for him). From there he was able to turn Onosato to the side and pull off an uwatenage (over arm throw).
Behind Kotozakura is Hoshoryu. He moved to 7-3 with a really nifty trip against Shonannoumi. This was a really smart move by Hoshoryu, who correctly identified that Shonannoumi often appears oblivious to what is happening below his belly.
One of the best bouts of the day was Wakatakakage vs. Midorifuji. It’s been well over a year since they’ve seen each other in the ring and they delivered what you’d expect, a fast paced battle with lots of position changes.
That put Wakatakakage on 7-3, tied with Hoshoryu and the surprising trio of Takanosho, Shodai and Churanoumi. Shodai has looked particularly good this tournament. On Day 10 he showed goot foot work (while back peddling, too!) to beat the struggling Kinbozan.
Takakeisho’s attempts to rescue his ozeki rank took another hit today. He gambled by going all out on a dive against Abi. The gyoji initially called the fight for Keisho, but the shimpan correctly reversed the call. Abi, a master of balance and hang time and someone you really shouldn’t gamble against, was able to hover his toes just above the clay as Takakeisho’s wrists touched down.
We’re due a check in with Ura, aren’t we? Everyone’s favourite rikishi has a so-so 4-6 record right now after a pulling off a tottari on Oho.
That’s all for now. See you tomorrow!
So, Kirishima has to go 5-0 to retain Ozeki status. Takakeisho has to go 4-1 to do the same.
Wow, we could be down to one Ozeki for the next tournament. And no one at the Sekiwake rank is better than 6-4.
I do hope that Terunofuji does not retire -- that would leave a large gap at the top. Zero Yokozuna, (possibly) one Ozeki?
I don't know if Kirishima was going for that double inside grip, but that's death against Teru. At this point I'm rooting for the big guy to get his 10th. I think only Kotozakura has a chance against him.
I knew that Wakatakakage/Midorifuji match would be fast, but wow! I think luck went Waka's way that he didn't fall when he slipped.
Really amazed and happy to see Shodai doing so well! He's actually attacking instead of reacting.