Unfortunately, I have two top division kyujo to announce: Kotozakura and Asanoyama. So we have one singular Ozeki left, and Asanoyama forfeits one match away from a positive record, which is no doubt irritating for him. Asanoyama pulled out due to problems with his big toe after yesterday’s match; this man cannot catch a break. I mean, he did some bad stuff by breaking COVID rules during the pandemic, but now he’s really just getting injured a lot, and that sucks. There was no stated reason that I could find for Kotozakura’s kyujo except for the vague “lower back problems” on NHK, so it’s probably just embarrassment. He will join the kadoban club next basho and have to fight to keep his Ozeki rank.

Wow, this basho is cursed. Only the young Sekiwake, Kirishima, and Wakatakakage remain of our 9-person san’yaku. Officially more than half of them are gone, and clearly, Kirishima is having more injury trouble than he would like. I can’t believe that the most climactic bout in this basho, in terms of rank at least, is going to be Kirishima vs. Atamifuji. Atami freaking fuji, who is lovely, but he should not be the second highest ranked rikishi. I mean, honestly, hats off to Kotoshoho and Atamifuji for surviving this curse in their debut basho. Let’s hope someone comes back next basho, because this is getting infuriating.

MATCH OF THE DAY: Oho and Hakunofuji are really, really strong rikishi, and I mean that in terms of physical strength, not necessarily all-around awesomeness. Today, they really put that on display in a powerful thrusting battle. Oho got the Terunofuji grip (my name for the sort of shoving one’s arms in the armpits, or around the arms, of another rikishi and trying to lift, a favorite of ex-Yokozuna Terunofuji) and dragged Hakunofuji around and down in a lovely uwatenage. Unfortunately, Hakunofuji seems to be struggling yet again with his ankle injury; best of luck to him in addressing that. The runner-up award goes to Atamifuji, who violates my no-sanyaku policy, and Fujiseiun for an incredible torinaoshi followed by a decisive win for the giant baby of Isegahama-beya.

KIMARITE OF THE DAY: There has been a sprinkling of weird kimarite in an otherwise very tame basho. Chiyoshoma submitted his Kimarite of the Basho application today with a watashikomi, but unfortunately, he forgot two things: Fujiryoga did it on Day Eight, and impressive kimarite are not that impressive against Kinbozan. No offense to K-Bo; he’s a good riksihi, but he’s not, um, structurally sound. The thigh push down victory, though, was a fun one; congratulations, Chiyoshoma.

PINK MAWASHI DAY TWELVE: Fujiryoga literally looked like a fussy toddler today. I have never seen a Makuuchi wrestler pout like that, and it may have been more of a grimace, but it was extremely entertaining. Ura, to my astonishment, seemed to completely ignore the size and age difference between them as he almost forced Fujiryoga out, had second thoughts, and turned around to throw him down with a sukuinage throw. Beautiful.

OVERALL SUMMARY: Ridiculously, Kotoeiho gets a free win thanks to poor Asanoyama needing to have his toe taped back on, meaning that he maintains his 2 losses. Pity for the Kiri-Ura faction, because he, um, would not have won that bout. Well, he might have, but Asanoyama in excellent form is not to be trifled with. Gonoyama was extremely eager to belly flop against Wakatakakage, and thank the maker, Yoshinofuji was not in the mood to take any of Tobizaru’s BS today.

Tomorrow, Kirishima and Kotoeiho will fight for the sole lead of the yusho race in what promises to be an exciting musubi-no-ichiban. Wakatakakage and Tobizaru will fight to hold on to their second-place spots. And, in an absolutely heartwrenching matchup for two of my favorite rikishi, Yoshinofuji and Ura will fight to maintain their second place spots alongside the winner of W versus T and K versus K. Damn it. I really did not want that matchup to happen, though I did suspect it would, considering they’ve both fought Tobizaru and it was relatively clear Kotoeiho and Kirishima were going to fight. But still, I wish they could both win.

Kazekeno lost down in Juryo, but Kazuma won, as Kazekeno narrows his lead to only one over the Kise boy. Enho is still searching for his kachikoshi. Takerufuji made a good case for his promotion today, and though Daiseizan was defeated by Kazuma, he seems ready for a basho up as well. Both he and Onokatsu wait at 7-5 on the cusp of promotion. There was no movement in the Makushita or Sandanme yusho races today, BUT tomorrow we have a series of delightful bouts. Akua will take on Mudoho, Makuuchi Oho’s little brother; if he wins, he secures the yusho, and if he loses, he will join a very fun playoff. In Sandanme, we have Asahifuji versus Mita and Tenshoyama versus Kiryuko; Asahifuji is the best rookie ever or something, Tenshoyama is the second-best rookie (he has only ever lost twice and both times to Asahifuji in his career) and also, I think the tallest rikishi active, and Mita and Kiryuko are ex-Juryo recovering from ACL tears, which is kind of crazy. I love Mita and don’t really remember Kiryuko as well because his recovery has been much longer.

Heal up, Hakunofuji. Stay strong, Ura and Yoshinofuji. And, Mudoho, please win. I really just don’t like Akua.