MATCH OF THE DAY: Today, Asanoyama taught a very valuable lesson to the younger generation of rikishi. The valuable lesson was “Beating Chiyoshoma 101.” Chiyoshoma is perhaps the definition of a wily veteran, often decorating his bouts with a henka (basically a sudden leap to the side; see Shishi’s bout today!) and a badly placed slap or two. I just loved this bout for the raw display of Ozeki genkiness that still lingers in Asanoyama as he sent Chiyoshoma flying into the second row. Just lovely sumo.

KIMARITE OF THE DAY: I often call Nishikifuji the rikishi in the top division who has left the smallest impression on me, and for good reason. He has been in Makuuchi for almost four years; that is no small feat. But, for some reason, he has never made a mark on me. Today, he barreled into Fujiseiun and took him out with a kotenage arm lock throw. I mean, it was a really nice throw. But I like Fujiseiun, so it was a little sad.

PINK MAWASHI DAY NINE: Somehow, poor Ura and Tokihayate fought for a solid eight or so seconds before the gyoji realized, “Oh, hey, he didn’t put his hands down!” Tokihayate and Ura, to their credit, both reacted swiftly to the matta (false start), which I assume they both knew was a false start, but maybe they had no idea. It took multiple shimpan and another gyoji calling out to the gyoji to call the false start before the gyoji on the dohyo realized what was going on. ‘Twas very odd. Well, on round two, Ura annihilated young Tokihayate and moved on to 6-3. He is having a good basho, and I am loving it.

OVERALL SUMMARY: After Shishi’s disgusting henka against Tamawashi (like, genuinely, dude, just why?) today, he moves to 0-9. He is joined in make-koshi-dom by Oshoumi, who has punched his ticket to Juryo as well. Or possibly he’s just Tamawashi’s emotional support animal and gets to travel with him down to Juryo for free. So, that exchange program is looking… busy, to say the least. And I do root for a lot of guys at the top of Juryo, so I’m not entirely opposed.

Kirishima’s bloody win over Wakamotoharu means that he moves to 8-1. After Waka-M’s baby brother, Waka-T, lost to surprisingly genki Sekiwake Kotoshoho, and Kotoeiho took out Tobizaru, Kirishima is once more in sole lead of the yusho race. He is chased by five rikishi: Wakatakakage, Gonoyama, Kotoeiho, Tobizaru, and Fujiryoga. Out of those rikishi, only one other is in san’yaku, and that is Komusubi Wakatakakage. This is an interesting group of people and I’ll be excited to see who pulls ahead.

Down in Juryo, Kazekeno lost, meaning that he is now at 8-1, with my boys Enho and Kazuma following him just behind. Enho, as we’ve covered, is the tiny fan favorite, and Kazuma is one of the most entertaining rikishi I’ve ever watched both on and off-dohyo. He is in Kise-beya, Ura’s stable, and I love his style. So, good luck to them both–and, of course, to Kazekeno as well, but just a little… less luck.

Will Kirishima go kyujo to get that head looked at? Does sumo have remotely healthy concussion protocols? The answer to Question #2 is definitely no. But question #1…

Hopefully not. Good luck and good health to you, Kirishima.