Tochinoshin and Futeno went at it today in what seemed to be a win for the maegashira 14. However, a mono-ii was called and in a reversal of fates Futeno ended up winning via yoritaoshi. It looked like Tochinoshin had clearly won, but I guess I’ll have to wait for the replays later to see for sure. Either way it doesn’t matter as Tochinoshin already has his kachikoshi and Futeno has 11 loses this basho.

Aminishiki got his neck wretched on today by Hokutoriki. He won by hikiotoshi, but he might as well have thrown Aminishiki by his head.

Goeido saw his kachikoshi taken from him today by the under performing komusubi Kisenosato (yoritaoshi).

Baruto completely overpowered Ama. The mongolian tried to stand the maegashira up with a solid thrust to the throat, but Baruto was having none of it and pushed Ama clear off the dohyo (oshidashi). Baruto picks up his 10th win and is even with Ama at 10-5.

Toyonoshima gave Chiyotaikai a nice ride out of the ring (yorikiri). During the lead up to the bout some drunk guy in the stands kept yelling Taikai’s name or at least what sounded like it and it must have thrown his game off. He had no answer for Toyonoshima. I’m only assuming that guy in the stands was drunk because I couldn’t understand a damn thing he was yelling half the time. Haha.

Hometown boy Kotomitsuki finished out the basho strong turning Kaio around and pushing him out to get the jun-yusho or second place finish (okuridashi). Kotomitsuki had a great basho and looked impressive in front of his hometown crowd. Kaio as well had a hell of a tournament and looks to be at least mostly healthy.

In probably the most exciting match involving Hakuho this basho, the yokozuna and Kotooshu went at it. It was a great match to say the least. The tachi-ai was solid and it really could have gone either way from the beginning. Kotooshu was putting his full weight into the yokozuna having only an outside grip, but for a split second he got a morozashi (double inside grip) and it looked like lights out for Hakuho. Hakuho is a slippery fellow though and fought off Oshu’s morozashi and DUMPED the ozeki out of the ring with an insanely powerful uwatenage. Kotooshu landed with a mighty thud outside the dohyo. I don’t think I’ve seen him thrown quite as hard as that. I was, for lack of better words, shocked. Hakuho ends perfect at 15-0 and claims his second zensho yusho!

It was one hell of a basho. Asa dropped out after being upset on a couple of occasions including a dubious mono-ii decision, Kotooshu’s chances for yokozuna promotion were wiped out and his performance was less than spectacular, though meanwhile Hakuho was absolutely dominating, taking this basho in perfect fashion. There was drama and controversy, but also great sumo and one hell of a performance by Hakuho. Can’t complain much even though I had high hopes for my champ. I hope he can return next basho and dominate the field in the same fashion as Hakuho did this basho.

Well.. my first full basho in blog form. I never intended to spend this much time with one of my favorite staples of Japan sports, but I’m glad I got this chance to immerse myself in sumo for 15 days in a row. I’ve learned a lot and enjoyed my last weeks in America looking forward to what is to come. I couldn’t have asked for more out of this little experiment and I hope to continue with it in the future. Thank you for stopping by and reading every day, it has made this endeavor all the more enjoyable. I hope everyone has gained just a little bit more appreciation for sumo. If my posts have accomplished anything, I hope that is the case.

So, in closing, I’d like to thank you all once again for stopping by and contributing with your comments! I hope you’ll join me for all the action starting on the 2nd Sunday of September for the fall basho which will be coming to you from the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. I’ll be living very close to the venue so I hope to get some tickets to one of the days and give you a live report! Check back later for video and perhaps a special post featuring more pictures from all 15 days of this tournament! So long for now!

Jordan

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Kokkai and Iwakiyama had one hell of a match. Kokkai almost had the other maegashira out, but lost his momentum and was driven back by Iwakiyama’s charge. Iwakiyama or Kokkai (its hard to tell sometimes on the NSK feed) initiated a throw that ended up sealing Kokkai’s fate as Iwakiyama ended up simply falling over on Kokkai who put his hand down first (yoritaoshi). Very nice sumo indeed. Iwakiyama needs a win on the final day to seal his kachikoshi.

Takamisakari was ready to go again today, probably a result of the pressure being off of him as he can’t get a kachikoshi. He made Chiyohakuho hesitant from the start and gave the kid no quarter, shoving him out of the ring (yorikiri). Chiyohakuho already has his kachikoshi and is thus spared demotion.

Tochinoshin picked up his kachikoshi today against Tokitenku (yorikiri). For being a maegashira 14, Tochinoshin is sure making a few waves of his own. Tokitenku needs to get a win on day 15 to avoid makekoshi.

Baruto picked up a win against Toyohibiki who has been on fire this basho (sukuinage).

In the battle of weakest links, Hokutoriki wanted it more than Futeno (hikiotoshi). Hoku sits at 3-11 while Futeno drops to 2-12. A disappointing basho for both fighters.

Great news! Ama got to 10 wins this basho! He is on the road to promotion, but a long road that is indeed. He’ll have to work hard and perfect his game to make it 3 basho in a row with 10 wins. I know he can do it! Oh, by the way he gave Goeido a little ride to the ground via kotenage for the win. Goeido will need a win tomorrow to make his kachikoshi.

Miyabiyama picked up his kachikoshi against Kotoshogiku today (hikotoshi). Kotoshogiku’s chances of kachikoshi are hereby crushed.

Chiyotaikai dominated Wakanosato in what looked like a replay from his match with Hakuho a couple days ago (albeit one that turned out to be in Chiyotaikai’s favor this time). Taikai got his hands planted on the throat of Wakanosato and started marching forward. Wakanosato had no other option, but to be pushed out of the way (oshidashi).

Kotooshu was thrown around like a ragdoll today by Kaio (kotenage). I don’t even want to write any more about that one… Seriously, when will Kotooshu get on top of his game? Very disappointing performance this basho for Kotooshu. Kaio, however, looks to be back in form this basho.

Kotomitsuki gave it a good try against Hakuho in the final bout today. Hakuho however wasn’t having any of it. The two tied up and it seemed for a second that mitsuki might have a chance, but that was indeed a very brief second as Hakuho pulled off a perfect uwatenage to send the ozeki sprawling to the floor. The yokozuna is unstoppable.

Well, we are almost to the end here folks. One day left! Day 14′s final match will be Kotooshu vs. Hakuho. Will Kotooshu make up for his lackluster performance this basho by upsetting the yokozuna’s zensho yusho? Or will Hakuho continue his dominance of the ozeki? We’ll just have to wait and see!

Stop back later for video highlights! Thanks!

And…………………. video!

BONUS YUSHO NEWSCAST!

Takamisakari gave it the good old college try today against Tochinonada, but he just couldn’t pull it off (yorikiri). He fought really hard this basho, but unfortunately Takamisakari picks up a make-koshi. Nada can still get his kachi-koshi but he’ll have to win the rest of his matches.

Goeido fended off the intial charge from Toyonoshima and reversed his fortunes by flinging Toyo off the dohyo (sukuinage). Pretty impressive sumo from the maegashira. He needs one more win to get his kachikoshi.

Ama moved closer to the magic number of 10 today against Asasekiryu who is looking to get promoted to komusubi. Ama charged hard at first but was turned around by “Sexy” who seemed on the verge of ending the match then and there. However, Ama perservered and slowly but surely moved the big man to edge and then over (yorikiri). Ama sits at 9-4 and only needs 1 more win to start a ozeki promotion run which usually requires a sekiwake to post 10+ wins for 3 tournaments in a row. He came very close the last couple tournaments, but ultimately couldn’t cut it. He can do it this basho! Go Ama!

Kotomitsuki kept his yusho “hopes” alive by defeating Miyabiyama in a hard fought battle. Kotomitsuki had a good grip on Miyabiyama’s belt and even looked for a throw, but, with the hometown crowd’s support behind him, he settled on buldozing the big man out of the ring (yorikiri). Mitsuki sits at 10-3.

Kotooshu unnerved Chiyotaikai before the tachi-ai and made short work of the fellow ozeki. Its almost as though Taikai gave up half way through the match (yorikiri). Either way it doesn’t matter much at this point in the basho, but you already knew that

In the final bout, Kaio seemed ready to go, but he had nothing for Hakuho. They seemed to struggle abit, trading slaps and such in a frantic battle to grab hold of each other’s mawashi, but Hakuho took charged and… charged into Kaio pushing him to the brink. Kaio, resigned to his fate, took the backwards step that guarenteed this yusho for Hakuho.

Well thats it folks, despite Kotomitsuki’s hard fought win today, this basho belongs to Hakuho. From here on out its just a matter of formalities and on Sunday Hakuho will receive his prize: the Emperor’s Cup. Check back later for video! Thank you!

VIDEO INCOMING!

Baruto made quick work of Takamisakari. Taka gave it his all and managed to delay the inevitable by holding Baruto off at the tawara. Unfortunately, Baruto is just too strong and picked Taka up and placed him outside the ring (tsuridashi). Baruto picked up his kachikoshi today and sits at 8-4.

Homasho and Tochinonada had a funny little match today. The big men both had opposite grips on each others belt and were trying to throw each other, but no one would budge and both kind of skipped along the tawara almost in a full circle before one of them went out. I’m not sure who went out to be honest seeing as the feed is bad, but I think it was Tochinonada…(I was wrong it was Homasho) However… A mono-ii was called and after a fair amount of time deliberating it was decided that Homasho had stepped out on accident and so it was given to Tochinonada.. via yorikiri. No clue. Haha. I really have no idea what happened here; it was simply that weird.

Kisenosato defeated Hokutoriki, but it wasn’t easy, or quick for that matter either. Hokutoriki struggled till the very end against Kisenosato’s attempts to push him beyond the tawara. At this point Hokutoriki is fighting for his pride and nothing else. He eventually gave way and lost yet again (yorikiri).

Toyonoshima tripped up Wakanoho today to get his kachikoshi (sotogake).

Kaio was the man today against Wakanosato. After a head-knocker of a tachi-ai Kaio grabbed Waka’s belt and after a little jostling managed to push him back. After turning Waka around, Kaio gave him a big shove off the dohyo and that was that (okuridashi). Kaio picks up his kachikoshi for this tournament. Wakanosato has to be perfect from here on out to get his.

Kotomitsuki made quick work of young up and comer Goeido (yorikiri). It looked like mitsuki made Goeido’s legs buckle a bit at the tachi-ai and from there it was the hometown boy’s match to lose. Mitsuki is at 9-3 while Goeido is sitting at 6-6.

Ama upset Kotooshu today in what was a pretty sloppy match for the ozeki. Ama sidestepped at the tachi-ai and grabbed a hold of Kotooshu’s arm throwing him out of the ring (tottari). Ama picks up his kachikoshi and sits equal with Kotooshu at 8-4. Ama will need to win at least 2 more to pick up steam for a ozeki promotion run.

In today’s final bout, Chiyotaikai put up a good fight… but as expected Hakuho was dominant. Taikai placed one good thrust on the yokozuna’s throat and held it there for a long time while trying to sneak his other hand past the yokozuna’s and onto his belt. It wasn’t meant to be as Hakuho ended up pushing the ozeki out of the ring (yorikiri).

Hakuho could have wrapped things up today with a Kotomitsuki loss, but the ozeki remains the only wrestler within Hakuho’s stratosphere. That being said we all know what is going to happen, this is Hakuho’s tournament and it has been clear from the moment Asashoryu left that he wasn’t going to give this one up by any means. His chances of going zensho yusho are looking really good right now. All he has to do is go through the rest of the ozeki. 1 down 3 more to go for Hakuho. Can he make it? Check back later for (I hope) video highlights.

Here we go! (My hookup on video did not come through today. It remains to be see whether or not they will continue uploading. I will keep looking for new sources and I will keep everyone updated)

Baruto decided today was a good day to henka. He doesn’t do it that often, but he decided it would be a good way to get a leg up on Dejima. It worked, turning the big man around and leaving him prone for an easy rear push out (okuridashi). Baruto is one win away from his kachikoshi.

Goeido literally picked Takamisakari up at the center of the ring and merely walked to the tawara and placed poor Taka outside of it (tsuridashi). It took all of 30 seconds. Wow. At 22, look for Goeido to be a force to be reckoned with soon.

The drought has ended! Hokutoriki stood up Wakanoho with a vicious throat thrust and followed up by slapping the villain down to the clay! Finally! Hokutoriki “improves” to 1-10 (hikiotoshi).

Kotooshu made very quick work of Miyabiyama slapping the big man at the tachi-ai and pushing him off of the dohyo (oshidashi). Kotooshu gets his kachikoshi for this tournament. Good job, oshu!

Chiyotaikai pulled off a win against the hometown boy, Kotomitsuki (hatakikomi). The fighting was fast and furious with thrusts being traded by both fighters, but unfortunately for Kotomitsuki he lost his balance and ate clay. Taikai picks up his kachikoshi and both fighters sit at 8-3.

Kaio was in impressive form today against Tochinonada. He swung the maegashira 3 around and charged into him eventually pushing him out of the ring (yorikiri). Kaio moves one win closer to his kachikoshi while nada’s chances for kachikoshi are eliminated.

In today’s final bout it was Ama versus the yokozuna Hakuho. I got to tell you in the lead up to this match my heart was pumping hard; I wanted so desperately for Ama to win over… Ama was nervous. You could see it. Two false starts made him even more rattled. The yokozuna was clearly using psychology to his advantage and it threw Ama clear off his game. After the tachi-ai it wasn’t much different as Hak wrapped up Ama’s arms and forced him off the dohyo (kimedashi). Domination. Pure and simple.

Hakuho can wrap up the yusho tomorrow. Will he lose? Highly doubt it. We have seen him become Asashoryu-like this basho. His sumo hasn’t been spectacular as far as technique goes, but it has been clean, simple and powerful sumo. No one has rattled him whatsoever this basho. His concentration is impeccable. Tomorrow it is all on Chiyotaikai to delay the inevitable and beat Hakuho. Don’t bet on it folks! Check back later for video (put up in a prompt fashion today I promise!)! Thanks for stopping by!

Lets get to it!
I’m sorry for getting the video up so late, I decided to see an early showing of “The Dark Knight.” It totally slipped my mind. I promise it won’t happen again! Ok, on with the show!

Baruto sent Hokutoriki to his 10th loss for the tournament (hatakikomi). Its looking like Hoku will be slipping back a bit in the maegashira rankings. Its been tough luck for Hokutoriki this basho, hopefully he can come back stronger in the next one.

In today’s match between that villain Wakanoho and Kisenosato, it appeared as though noho had won a straight up yorikiri win. However, as soon as the match was over and the gyoji motioned towards Wakanoho, the shinpan stepped up onto the dohyo for a impromptu mono-ii. For what, I wasn’t sure at all, but it seems they thought Wakanoho might have accidentally stepped out (isamiashi) though in the end they decided that did not happen. The villain lives to fight another day and sits at a meager 2-8. UPDATE: After watching the video this was a really good call by the shinpan. Kise’s heel was definitely touching the clay just outside the tawara. Had they not noticed that this would have went to Kise since Wakanoho’s foot appeared to have stepped out before his.

Kotooshu resorted to the henka yet again today against Wakanosato in what was another semi-disappointing performance from the ozeki (oshidashi). He almost actually lost it to a hatakikomi but had enough sense not to charge blindly and pulled back. Upon gathering his wits about him, he steamrolled Wakanosato off the dohyo and straight into the south shinpan sending him flying. That was kind of funny to me. Anyways, Kotooshu moves closer to kachikoshi and sits at 7-3. Wakanosato is at 4-6.

Tochinonada sent Chiyotaikai flying towards the corner of the dohyo leaving the ozeki with a face full of salt (tsukiotoshi). Chiyotaikai sits at 7-3 and Tochinoada moves up to 4-6.

Kaio put Futeno into the clay to move up to 6-4 (makiotoshi).

Today, someone was going to get their kachikoshi. Either it was Ama or Kotomitsuki, the only two fighters even close to Hakuho. Unfortunately for Ama, Kotomitsuki weighs 30kg more than he does. The tachi-ai was fast and strong from Ama, but he seemed to bounce right off of Kotomitsuki and somehow ended up giving the ozeki his back. That lead to a simple okuridashi for Mitsuki leaving him the sole owner of second place and picking up his kachikoshi for the tournament. It was a good effort from Ama but, it just wasn’t his day.

Today’s final bout between Kotoshogiku and Hakuho was a lot more sporting than the last matches Hakuho has had. Kotoshogiku charged out from the tach-ai and seemed to push Haku back a bit, but always calm and collected Hakuho gripped giku’s mawashi and slowly but surely pushed giku back. He ended the match with an easy yorikiri victory to stay at the top and apparently unbeatable at 10-0.

The beat of the Hakuho war wagon drones on and it seems that no one can unsettle him even slightly. I’ve got a feeling that before the end of the basho we are going to see someone challenge him at least a little bit, but ultimately, its almost a forgone conclusion that Hakuho will be this basho’s champion. It was a great day of sumo (much better than the last) and I can’t wait for day 11! Check back later for video highlights!

Video is up. I know the announcer is kind of lame, but please bare with it.

Takamisakari gave it his all today against winless Tamakasuga. Amid a fury of slaps he bashed Tama to the edge of the tawara, but Tamakasuga side stepped to safety and redoubled his efforts. It looked like Takami might run out of gas, but he gave it another shot and pulled off a win via uwatedashinage. Takami sits at 5-4 and Tamakasuga is still winless at 0-9.

Baruto twisted up Kakuryu and put him outside of the ring to improve to 5-4 (tsuridashi).

Asasekiryu had a great match today against Tochinonada. Fighting off attempts by nada to grab his mawashi on the right side, “sexy” held on and even attempted an uwatenage before throwing the bigger Tochinonada out of the ring (uwatedashinage). “Sexy” moves up to 5-4.

Miyabiyama was steamrolled (if you can believe that) by Aminishiki today (oshidashi). Miyabiyama still looks in good shape to get his kachikoshi sitting at 6-3. Aminishiki moves up to 4-5.

The Batan Death March to winlessness continues for Hokutoriki. He ended up getting turned around at the edge of the dohyo against Toyonoshima and was promptly escorted out. Toyonoshima on the other hand sits at 5-4 (okuridashi).

Wakanoho stunned everyone by returning to his ridiculous sumo, despite saying he would behave, at EXACTLY THE WRONG TIME! He pulled that leapfrog stunt in an effort to hatakikomi Ama, but the sekiwake was too smart for that and handled the “attack” perfectly by intercepting him mid-air with some tsuppari, almost knocking him out of the ring. Unfortunately for Ama, when they hooked up at the edge noho sent both of them flying towards the clay leading to defeat for Ama (abisetaoshi). What a disappointing defeat this has to be for Ama. The scoundrel noho gets his first win, but it means nothing as he cannot post a winning record. Ama sits at 7-2.

Chiyotaikai made quick work of ozeki Kaio (hatakikomi). Taikai is looking good at 7-2.

In another shocker, Futeno, who has performed absolutely miserably this basho, upset the last fighter at 7-1, Kotomitsuki. Mitsuki looked fired up and ready to go from the gate, but ended up on the clay as a result of a well timed hatakikomi. Mitsuki drops down to 7-2 along with Ama leaving a nice buffer between the competition and Hakuho. Futeno picks up his first win and is at 1-8.

Kotooshu made me feel a little bit better by defeating Goeido in a somewhat decent fashion (oshidashi). It wasn’t anything spectacular, but it got the job done for the big ozeki. He sits at 6-3 while Goeido drops down to 4-5.

Once again, Hakuho made it look easy (if not slightly uninteresting) against Wakanosato beating him in quick fashion with an uwatenage. He remains unbeaten and nobody is even close to him.

Today was pretty disappointing for me. Both Ama and Kotomitsuki fell and while there were some decent matches, there wasn’t a lot of great sumo in the Makuuchi division. Perhaps the rikishi are a bit winded as they have just turned the corner for the home stretch, but I think fighters like Kotooshu should be performing at a higher level. I can’t complain much because this basho in general has produced some great moments, but it isn’t much of a competition without Asashoryu in the mix. Its Hakuho’s to lose and there is almost no way, barring of course a total meltdown on his part, that he is going to lose this one. He might drop one to one of the ozeki, but I have serious doubts about that as well. At any rate, check back later for video (look for Wakanoho’s leap frog on Ama)! Thanks for coming back, this week has been the most successful week in this blog’s short life! Over a thousand views this week! Thank you very much!

You are gone for now, but you are never forgotten, Asashoryu! *tear*

WE DIG SUMO!

Thanks for coming back to check out day 8 action from Nagoya! As always you can check out the previous days’ highlights by checking my recent posts. It’s been fast and furious at this years Nagoya basho and right now it looks like Hakuho could have a zensho-yusho (unbeaten tournament). We’ll have to see what happens today. So grab your zabuton and get ready for any potential upsets that might take place! Now that Oshu is out of the yusho race I have to cheer for Ama, so: AMA GANBARE!

Lets get to it! Enjoy the video!

Kokkai and Tochinoshin had a little go of it early on in a battle of East European maegashira. Tochinoshin gave it his all but Kokkai had his number shoving Tochi out (yorikiri).

Takamisakari lost to that mountain of a man, Miyabiyama (see what I did there?). From the get go Takami had no response for Miyabiyama’s sheer size and was unfortunately pushed out (oshidashi). Takami is even at 4-4 and Miyabiyama is in there at 2 off the pace at 6-2.

Asasekiryu, fresh off of his henka of ozeki Kotooshu, (Yes, I’m still bitter) won today against Baruto, drawing even at 4-4 (yorikiri).

Ama did a great job dispatching Kisenosato to stay in the hunt at 7-1 (yorikiri). After the tachi-ai Ama gave Kisenosato a couple slaps before taking him backwards and beyond the tawara. Go Ama!

Wakanoho continues to have troubles at the tachi-ai and has lengthened his slide to 8 consecutive losses (yorikiri). Kotoshogiku did some belly banging to push noho out of the ring. Kotoshogiku improves to 5-4. Poor Wakanoho can’t get a break!

Not even a henka could help Aminishiki against Kaio. The ozeki got his arms around Aminishiki and while Nishiki tried to throw Kaio, he just couldn’t get the big guy off his feet. Kaio chased him across the ring and pushed him out to move up to 5-3 (yorikiri).

Kotomitsuki found himself in a heap of trouble early on against Wakanosato. He had a strong left hand grip, but his right arm was trapped above his head just swinging in the breeze as a result of Wakanosato’s own tight left hand grip. It looked as though Mitsuki was on the verge of being pushed out when he somehow got his arm under Wakanosato’s arm and ended it with hikiotoshi. Great match for Kotomitsuki and one he needed to stay in the hunt. He sits at 7-1 along with Ama.

I must say I’m a little bit disappointed in Kotooshu today. I understand he was just eliminated from the yusho race yesterday, but to henka a maegashira 3 is too much. He got the win over Tochinonada, but it wasn’t spectacular or very fun to watch at all. If he keeps this kind sumo up will he really have a chance to be yokozuna someday? Of course he is my champ and I won’t stop supporting him, but I just wish he’d get a bit more dominant on the dohyo and stop resorting to cheap tricks. He moves up to 5-3 (yorikiri).

Chiyotaikai tsuppari’d his way to a win over Futeno and is looking pretty feisty this tournament. He improves to 6-2 (oshidashi).

And in the final bout, Toyonoshima was unable to duplicate his upset of Asashoryu against Hakuho. It looked as though Haku was going to end it at the tachi-ai with a hatakikomi, but gave Toyo a bit of a chance though ultimately punishing the komusubi with a yoritaoshi.

Its almost impossible for me to imagine a scenario where Hakuho loses this yusho. I just can’t see it happening. He is too dominant right now. Come back later for some video of today’s bout and perhaps a special mid-basho post! Thanks again for stopping by!

If you have missed any of the previous days’ action or just want to see some video clips please check out my recent posts to the right there. I have every day accounted for so far, so get caught up!

With that said, lets move on to day 7 action from Nagoya! Video is up!

Iwakiyama and Kimurayama had an absolutely brutal slug-fest in the first half of makuuchi action today. The two maegashira traded vicious slaps while struggling for ground, but in the end Iwakiyama had the better of Kimurayama crushing him to the dohyo in an extremely violent manner (yoritaoshi). There are few times when I am taken back by the violence inherent in sumo, but this was certainly one of them.

Takamisakari prevailed in his bout against Tochiozan (yorikiri). He moves up to 4-3. Takamisakari is everything that is right with sumo. He knows he isn’t the best and that he’ll probably never make yokozuna, but he gives it his all and does it all for the fans. In a sport where almost everyone is solemn almost to he point of looking dejected, Taka puts his heart on his sleeve. It is no wonder why he is so loved! Keep trying Takami!

Baruto trumped Tokitenku, but only after a mono-ii was called to determine the outcome of the match. It seems the gyoji called the match for Tokitenku though his hand was down before Baruto touched. This time they got the right call and Baruto is declared the winner (kotenage). Both Baruto and Tokitenku sit at 4-3.

Aminishiki charged off strong at the tachi-ai against Wakanosato, but was promptly pushed back by the 161 kg maegashira. After a few throw attempts, Aminishiki tripped Waka planting him firmly on his bum to improve to 3-4 (sotogake).

Futeno picked up his first win for the basho, just barely staving off a yorikiri defeat by turning Kisenosato around and forcing him out of the dohyo (yorikiri).

In the second match today requiring a mono-ii, Toyonoshima was given the decision over Kotoshogiku (hikiotoshi). Although I am watching on the Nihon Sumo Kyokai’s feed, which is of terrible quality, I could clearly see that Toyo won. Good call.

Kotomitsuki pulled it off again today sending Hokutoriki to his seventh straight loss (okuridashi). Its looking pretty bad for Hoku, but Kotomitsuki is picking up steam and hanging in there at 6-1.

Kotooshu saw his chances for promotion to yokozuna wiped out today by *surprise* a henka to uwatedashinage from Asasekiryu. A real piss poor move, but not completely surprising for a maegashira coming into today’s bout sitting at 2-4. Oh well. I hope Kotooshu can learn from these mistakes and come back stronger tomorrow.

Chiyotaikai dropped poor Wakanoho to his seventh loss (oshidashi). I think noho needs to go back to his leap frog antics. He isn’t as fun to watch when his feet are planted firmly on the dohyo. Taikai sits at 5-2.

The henka train wasn’t done for the day apparently. A skittish Ama, who after faltering a bit at the tachi-ai, decided to henka Kaio at the outset and push the big ozeki out (oshidashi). Ama hangs in there at 6-1. I guess you have to do what you have to do, but as Martin from sumo talk says: “Live by the henka, die by the henka.” It was true today for Kotooshu wasn’t it?

And in today’s final battle, Hakuho didn’t waste any time showing Tochinonada who was boss. The yokozuna pushed the dragon slayer out in quick fashion to remain perfect at 7-0 (yorikiri).

It’s starting to look like this basho is all Haku’s. Ama and Kotomitsuki are the only fighters sticking around at 6-1. With Kotooshu’s loss today, any talk of a yusho for him is pure fantasy (I want to believe!) which is disappointing for me to say the least. We are almost at the half way point here in the tournament and so far its been pretty crazy. Will Hakuho remain perfect until the end or will someone come along and put an end to his dominance? Check back tomorrow, same sumo time, same sumo blog!