Abi joined the growing list of kyujo today, though it seems like he’ll be returning after taking some time off to rest. He might need a few more wins to stay in the top divison, which I suspect he’s aware of, so we might be seeing a return from him soon. Rest up, Abi. Oshoma got the fusen.

MATCH OF THE DAY: I really like Oshoumi, so it’s been disappointing to see him losing this basho. But this is what happens when you have a great basho; you get promoted, you lose, you go back down, and you start again. This is the cycle of sumo. He had a fantastic bout today, though, against Russian prodigy Roga; they had a great yotsu-zumo exchange with Roga dragging Oshoumi down by shitatenage.

KIMARITE OF THE DAY: I take far too much pleasure in counting these as kimarite of the day, but you know what, it’s important to acknowledge the highs and lows of sumo. Poor old Asanoyama was ready to annihilate Tobizaru but his footwork was uncharacteristically sloppy and he managed to lose by isamiashi, frontal step out. It is extremely rare to see a losing technique, especially from someone typically as excellent as Asanoyama, but things happen. And boy, is Tobizaru glad for the win.

PINK MAWASHI DAY THREE: Ura is genki in his hometown basho! He is now 1/5th of the way to his zensho yusho, the first nice decimal we’ve had from him. He did not, I will say, seem to have much of a plan against Tokihayate, but Tokihayate evidently didn’t have one either and basically fell down when Ura twisted. Ura was pleased with that result and got a tsukiotoshi victory. He has not been his usual random, spectacular self, but he won and that’s what matters. Go Ura!

OVERALL SUMMARY: Fujiryoga continues to rock the zanbara hairstyle, but he is not (to my surprise) at 3-0. Gonoyama, Ura, Kotoshoho, and Takanosho are the lead Maegashira, and in san’yaku, they are joined by Takayasu, a weirdly genki Kotozakura, and Hoshoryu. I have announced my desire for a Hoshoryu yusho, and that is still on the table, thank you very much, after his execution of Yoshinofuji today. Yoshinofuji did not try the best tactic against Hosh, but he beat Aonishiki, so no one’s too mad. Yoshinofuji will hopefully collect a fusen from the extraordinarily disappointing Onosato (please just pull out, man!) while little Fujinokawa will fight a second consecutive Yokozuna for what he’s hoping will be a second consecutive kinboshi. I love the kid, but Hoshoryu… is really good at sumo.

Some other highlight matches tomorrow are Takayasu vs Kotozakura, Aonishiki vs my poor dear Churanoumi, and Ura vs Daieisho, who is searching for a win. That is not a beneficial matchup for Ura and thus I am not pleased.

Sleep well and dream of Ura! I hope to finally watch Juryo tomorrow, as life has been very busy of late and I haven’t had time to check up on the second-highest divison, which has one of my all-time favorite rikishi, Shimazuumi, in it now. So, hopefully updates on that tomorrow. Let’s all manifest the Ura zensho yusho victorious playoff against Hoshoryu and the Kirishima/Aonsihiki double promotion.