MATCH OF THE DAY: Shodai and Midorifuji get this award for their relatively long bout. Shodai charged and Midorifuji danced around but eventually twirled himself into Shodai and onto the floor. Shodai has looked to be in magnificent form this basho and I’m so happy to see him doing so well, former ozeki status be damned. He, unfortunately, will fight the Pink Man tomorrow. He looks pretty good though…
KIMARITE OF THE DAY: Fujinokawa and Roga win the award, Roga’s second consecutive appearance in this category, but this time he lost. Fujinokawa looked ready to collapse and then neatly flipped Roga with a kakenage victory. A KAKENAGE!! I love him and I love him doing this! Kusano gets the honorary mention as he did try very hard for this award with his abisetaoshi, but Fujinokawa gets the ultimate prize.
PINK MAWASHI DAY SEVEN: I can’t believe I’m saying this but he’s in the yusho race! He had to fight one of his closest friends and pulled off a win, or possibly Ichiyamamoto pulled off a loss against Ura. I’m not really sure. Still, 6-1 is 6-1! And Ura is going to win this yusho. He will fight 6-1 Shodai tomorrow.
OVERALL SUMMARY: Shodai flicked Midorifuji into the floor and Atamifuji got a spectacular nosebleed. I can’t tell if the JSA pitting Abi and Takayasu against each other was a mercy or a travesty, but… at least Takayasu got a win, I guess? Poor Abi has to have something very, very wrong with those elbows. Kirishima also had a pretty depressing loss against Hakuoho but Hakuoho walked off cradling his arm, which doesn’t bode well for him. Aonishiki cradled his right arm as well but seemed to be checking on a scab rather than speculating about broken bones. Kotozakura and Churanoumi both made backwards progress in the yusho race, joining Shishi, Tomokaze, Tobizaru, Ryuden, Wakamotoharu, and Aonishiki. Hoshoryu had a beautiful win against Hiradoumi and is chased by Onosato, Shodai, Takanosho, and URA!!!! U-R-A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The fun fact of the day is that, complementary to the London tour, sumo is going to Paris in the summer of 2026. It will be at the Accor Arena on June 13 and 14. It’s celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the JSA.