MATCH OF THE DAY: Ryuden and Tokihayate had a really long match, which Ryuden is a fan of but Tokihayate doesn’t generally like. Tokihayate did his best to keep the fight going, but Ryuden wasn’t having it. Tokihayate eventually just seemed tired and gave in a little before he stepped beyond the tawara. Yorikiri for Ryuden.
KIMARITE OF THE DAY: Shonannoumi has earned this reward for himself after a not extremely wonderful basho. Roga once more appears as the loser and was tossed neatly to the clay by Shonannoumi in a makiotoshi victory. It wasn’t that great a bout, but it was very well done at the end. Kudos to Shonannoumi!
PINK MAWASHI DAY NINE: I like Daieisho too, but did he really have to beat Ura? Ura just didn’t seem to have it today and Daieisho’s tsuppari was too much for him. I think he’s a hard foe for Ura to face, but he really didn’t seem to have a plan. Maybe the failed izori yesterday got to him. Well, there’s always tomorrow.
OVERALL SUMMARY: Oshoma seemed determined to break Fujinokawa’s arm, which has put him solidly on the I-hate-you list. Aonishiki and Ichiyamamoto respectively added to Abi and Gonoyama’s losses… those two need to be fighting guys at the bottom of the banzuke. Something is wrong with them. Wakatakakage and Kirishima, prior to this bout, shared an 8-8 record with each other, but the balance has tipped in Kirishima’s favor after a long and incredible fight. These two are likely to be the next Ozeki candidates except Aonishiki and maybe Kusano if he can get his game on, but Waka’s run isn’t looking too good.
Watching Hoshoryu this basho has been a privilege. Onosato is great, but OMG, this is what a Yokozuna looks like! Dominant, intimidating, levelheaded–he’s absolutely in his element. I hate to say it, but he really does remind me of Asashoryu. He’s just so good! He’s had these close calls but that honestly just makes me have more faith in him. He’s got the skill and he’s got the recovery, too. And speaking of brilliant sumo, Shodai looks like he’s back in his Ozeki days! This is already a great tournament and I’m excited to see who wins…
Down in Juryo, Mita is back in the sole lead of the basho and down in Makushita, and my old and dear friend Shimazuumi is looking strong. Both have their kachi-koshi now.
Fun fact of the day is, as I mentioned above, Hoshoryu is a sumo legacy. His dai-Yokozuna uncle, Asashoryu, had a bit of a fight with the JSA over preferring Mongolia to Japan that led to his retirement on February 4, 2010. (Sumo drama, man…)