As predicted, Asakoryu joins the growing list of kyujo. He hasn’t released the injury report and it’s unclear if he’ll be joining the rest of Makuuchi in Paris, but the assumption is a right leg injury after he staggered around post-bout yesterday. Best of luck to the young man; he hasn’t had a lot of injury trouble in the past, but hopefully he’ll sit this one out and heal up. The JSA also confirmed that Aonishiki will not be joining us for the rest of the basho, meaning that he will lose Ozeki status. Not surprising, but still sad; though Kirishima has proven that it’s more than possible to get back up. Now, moving on to some Makuuchi action!

MATCH OF THE DAY: Tokihayate showed a tremendous amount of pride and skill today as he fought injury veteran Asanoyama. Asanoyama almost forced the younger, small rikishi over the tawara but Tokihayate rallied and forced Asanoyama out. The older rikishi looked almost surprised as he got up from the yoritaoshi frontal crush out.

KIMARITE OF THE DAY: I am not a Tobizaru fan and watching the Flying Monkey this basho has caused me great pain–mostly because he is, to his credit, quite genki. No one had any fun kimarite today so Tobizaru gets this one for his uwatedashinage victory over Ukrainian Shishi. Shishi is an early contender for the Pink Star for Effort because he’s had fantastic bouts but is not sporting a fantastic record. Unfortuntely, Tobizaru took him out quick and easy with a grip on his arm and a quick pull down.

PINK MAWASHI DAY SEVEN: Ura is on a roll. Unfortunately, the cinnamon roll came up against Iron Man Tamawashi in really bad shape and seemed a little guilty about giving Tamawashi his seventh loss… on day seven. Ura just had a better tachiai and went forward with more power than the Iron Man. Hope he feels better…

OVERALL SUMMARY: Tamawashi is the sole last place finisher, and Kirishima is the sole leader, followed by Wakatakakage, Kotoeiho, and Tobizaru. Those three are not the ones I would have picked to be chasers, but hey, good for them! I don’t like Tobizaru, but Kotoeiho is really rocketing up the ranks and Wakatakakage is in the form of his life yet again. And Kirishima, of course, is making his Yokozuna run.

Down in Juryo, Enho lost again, as did Toshinofuji, leaving Kazekeno alone on the road to a zensho yusho and Daieseizan chasing at one win.