MATCH OF THE DAY: I don’t usually make this about sanyaku, but I’m making it about our sanyaku henka-er today… Wakamotoharu! I’m concerned for Arashio-beya. I’m a supporter of both Onami brothers and have always been more of a Wakamotoharu fan, and clearly, I was a little upset with Wakatakakage yesterday. But today was just weird. I don’t expect this from Wakamotoharu or his brother, and back-to-back? Something is up in Arashio-beya. Also, I respect Hoshoryu and his desire to start the match hard, but he should be a little more careful next time… you never know. Anyway, Wakamotoharu’s interview and walk down the hallway were very interesting. Even on the dohyo, he looked… serious. He was grimacing as he walked down the hall, sort of wincing every time he bowed his head to the people standing there, and he and his tsukebito beat a hasty retreat. He admitted in his interview that this was his plan going in. He’s pro-henka! He owned up to it! It made me wonder what’s going on in Arashio-beya. He just didn’t seem happy to be doing this–but maybe the era of henkas is upon us, and the Onamis are the heralds? WMH was so clearly not delighted to be doing this, though. Poor Wakamotoharu. Poor Hoshoryu.
Also interesting is that these three share a henka-story. Henkstory? Historenka? Henka history, anyway. This is the second time Wakamotoharu has leapt out of Hoshoryu’s way, since he henka’ed the Yokozuna in July. And Hosh henka’ed WTK in September. So one Brother One henkas Hoshoryu, Hoshoryu henkas Brother Two, and Brother One henkas Hoshoryu again. Is Wakatakakage going to get it in January? The pattern repeats. We’ll see. Sorry, on to Kimarite!
KIMARITE OF THE DAY: Oshoma and Onokatsu get the hesitant award today for their long, dirty match. I don’t mean dirty as in clay, I mean dirty as in dirty fighting. They just looked… weak? Not exactly, but the closest I can come up with. Neither of them seemed to really have any idea what they were doing and just weakly buffeted each other until Onokatsu fell over. It appeared as if nobody won, but one person lost the bout. Oshoma walked away with the okuridashi, rear push out, either way. Not exactly a kimarite of the day, but no one pulled anything too crazy, so there we go.
PINK MAWASHI DAY SIX: Ura had the Ukrainian today–unfortunately, not Shishi but the fearsome Sekiwake Aonishiki. These two each seemed wary of the other, understandably, but it was pretty clear that Aonishiki was in the lead. They went back and forth for about twenty seconds and then Aonishiki forced Ura out. Fair’s fair. Ura will fight Onosato on Day 7. I wonder what he’s going to try–if anyone’s going to beat him, it’ll have to be by unconventional methods. Maybe Ura is the one!
OVERALL SUMMARY: Fujinokawa, unfortunately, had his first loss against Mitakeumi. I’m not too mad about it because Mitakeumi, but still… I am disappointed. And poor Hoshoryu and Aonishiki have been taken down to 4-2 and 5-1 by the Onami brothers’ henkas, plus Hakuoho beating Hoshoryu in a perfectly legitimate match. Good job, buddy! Onosato just obliterated Hiradoumi today and Kotozakura seemed to have forgotten where the tawara was during his loss to Tamawashi. Poor Kotozakura has to fight the henkamaster WMH tomorrow, and WTK will take on Takanosho. Who got his win today! So did Tomokaze. In the top two divisions, nobody is going into the weekend winless, which is nice.
Down in juryo, we had the all-star matchup of two 3-2 rikishi, Asanoyama and Takerufuji. The young star was winning the match and then was abruptly dodged and thrown to the floor by the ex-Ozeki Asanoyama. Wow! And Fujiryoga remains in sole lead of the yusho. Here is a picture of his ridiculous hair, as discussed yesterday. I’m not sure his juryo salary can support the amount of hair gel he so clearly needs, so hopefully he gets a promotion into Makuuchi soon enough…? He certainly looks good as of Day Six!
Today’s fun fact remains Atamifuji-related in the dark, henka-infested days of mid-Kyushu. It’s the end of the year and things are getting scrappy…
Anyway, the cutest wrestler in Isegahama-beya is apparently part of a sumo family–but not in the same way as, say, the Onami brothers or Hoshoryu. His sister, Hina, is captain of their high school’s sumo team. The team, obviously, has produced several rikishi, including her brother, and she is the first female captain, which is wonderful. Hina hopes to one day make sumo an Olympic sport. And she says her favorite rikishi is Midorifuji.
At least she’s got the stable right.
So long and good night! And happy Nakabi Eve Eve.