MATCH OF THE DAY: It could go to no other than Takayasu and his defeat of Kotozakura in a brilliantly executed shitatenage. Kotozakura came out fast and strong, looking more like his old self than ever before, but Takayasu got the belt and tossed him to the ground. His wins were few in the first week but perhaps the second week will be good for him.

KIMARITE OF THE DAY: Kinbozan gets this award, a first-timer, after beating Ichiyamamoto. There was a mono-ii and it did look to me that Kinbozan had touched the ground first, but his kimarite was so well-executed that I think they kind of gave it to him for fun. Poor Ichi… but well played, well played. Uwatenage to complement Kusano’s over Fujinokawa.

PINK MAWASHI DAY EIGHT: I love Shodai. I just want to preface this by saying that I really love Shodai and I’d be so happy for him to win this yusho. However, today he beat Ura… which is not something I condone. Ura did his best to get an izori but Shodai was just a bit too heavy for him. Ura tried his best to recover but Shodai powered him out.

OVERALL REPORT: Nishikigi has finally gotten his win, but Abi got his makekoshi. Down in Juryo, Mita unfortunately had his first loss and rejoins Kotokuzan as the twin leaders of the basho. Hoshoryu looks pretty strong in Makuuchi, but we’ll see if Onosato has any response to that after his win over Hiradoumi. Giving Gonoyama to Hoshoryu today was pretty cruel, though he put up a good effort, but what a way to get his makekoshi!

Fun fact of the day is that our new maezumo (amateur sumo) recruit debuted! In the next tournament, we’re going to meet Ochirusaikhan, who’s being hailed as the greatest maezumo recruit ever to walk the earth and loads of other dramatic things. He’s getting his visa sorted out and we’re going to see him debut in November. Today the sumo world met Kazemitsuki, whom I know next to nothing about. He seems nice.