MATCH OF THE DAY: I did not expect Sadanoumi to be so genki as he came up from Juryo to fight Wakanosho today. I also did not expect Wakanosho to be so un-genki. Sadanoumi is a long-time Makuuchi vet and 38 years old, second only to Tamawashi in seniority. The Juryo man blasted against powerful Wakanosho and absolutely annihilated him, sending him sprawling into the crowd with a yorikiri victory.

KIMARITE OF THE DAY: However much I like Fujiryoga, he is not usually a connoisseur of great kimarite. Today he came up against someone who kind of is, Kotoeiho, essentially a battle to remain in the yusho race. Fujiryoga took out the smaller rikishi with a very well executed watashikomi thigh push down victory. This is a rare kimarite and I am immensely proud of the young man for pulling it off in this excellent basho!

PINK MAWASHI DAY EIGHT: Oh, Ura. He came up against another technician, Tobizaru, in a brilliant battle of wits and strength. Ura shoved Tobizaru round and round in circles, then Tobizaru stepped out as Ura hit the clay. The gunbai went to Ura and there was a judge’s conference to discuss who won; the judges incorrectly decided that they hit at the same time even though Tobizaru hit first, and in the rematch, Ura was forced out with a vile oshidashi. He won the first match and he knows it too; but, he hopped back to his feet and has vowed to do better (or at least to do something more conclusive) tomorrow.

OVERALL SUMMARY: Tamawashi gets the first to makekoshi award. Tamawashi is very, very close to my heart and has been active in the top division for 100 basho, a feat that not many can boast. Unfortunately, it seems as though his legendary career is going to come to an end soon. Let’s enjoy his sumo while he lasts.

Kirishima’s loss to Gonoyama, I think, caught us all off guard; I can’t say I’m astonished, as Gonoyama has been quite genki, but still, I did not anticipate or appreciate his loss. Now, he joins Tobizaru and Wakatakakage at 7-1, chased by Gonoyama, Kotoeiho, and Fujiryoga. I’m glad to see Fujiryoga and Kotoeiho in this race, and I’ve been very much impressed by both Gonoyama and Wakatakakage. Like I’ve been saying, I am not a Tobizaru fan, but boy, this is an interesting group of rikishi.

Down in Juryo, Enho and Kazekeno won but Daiseizan lost, meaning that Kazekeno is now at 8-0 with a two-win lead over his opponents. Kazekeno is very far down in Juryo, so it’s unlikely that even with a yusho he’ll be promoted, but will certainly be within reach next time around. At the top of Juryo, Onokatsu and Daiseizan at Juryo 1 both look ready and primed for promotion, and both Takerufuji and Sadanoumi at Juryo 2 could be making their promotion cases later in the basho, at 5-3 and 4-4 respectively. Takerufuji will be fighting up in Makuuchi tomorrow to test his mettle against Oshoumi, who, unfortunately, will very likely be taking his place in Juryo come July.