2019 Nagoya Basho.

[Michelle Stevens]

Day 8-

Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho and Kakuryu each clinched a winning record and remained the only undefeated wrestlers at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

Hakuho dodged a bullet against No. 3 maegashira Shodai (4-4) in the final bout on Day 8 of the 15-day meet at Dolphins Arena to remain on track for a record-extending 43rd top-division championship. Shodai sidestepped Hakuho’s heavy charge and tried to yank him down by the arms, but Hakuho stayed on his feet to rally and pull the maegashira down to the clay.

Kakuryu, seeking a sixth makuuchi-division championship, had an easier time against No. 3 Daieisho (3-5). The yokozuna brushed aside a stiff-arm to the neck from the maegashira and effortlessly slapped him down.

Takayasu, the last ozeki competing in the tournament, pulled ahead in a 25-bout rivalry with struggling sekiwake Tamawashi (1-7) to remain the only wrestler one win off the pace. After fending off some hard shoves and slaps from his vigilant opponent, Takayasu held his ground and was able to bring Tamawashi down. The win may have come at a cost, however, as immediately afterward he seemed concerned about his left forearm.

Mitakeumi got the better of No. 4 Ichinojo (5-3) and improved to 6-2 to stay within reach of the Emperor’s Cup. The sekiwake maneuvered into a solid hold under Ichinojo’s armpits, set him upright and bulldozed the 227-kg Mongolian out of the ring.

The two new komusubi fought it out, with Abi (3-5) taking advantage of a misstep from Ryuden (3-5). Ryuden put Abi on the defensive with a strong initial charge, but Abi backed away to the side while pulling on Ryuden’s arm to get his opponent off balance and send him over the straw.

Three rank-and-file wrestlers also boast 6-2 records after eight days of action: No. 7 Tomokaze, No. 7 Myogiryu and No. 16 Terutsuyoshi.

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Goeido is out and the lone remaining ozeki Takayasu may have an injured arm. Both yokozuna look strong this weekend. I was hoping Takayasu would keep this interesting as he's never won a yusho.

Kaisei looks as if he's heading to juryo in September. He must be injured to be wrestling this bad. I looked at the juryo standings and Ikioi is dropping like a stone. He too must be in poor condition.

 

[Swami]

Looks like it is between the two Yokozuna.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Day 9-

Hakuho suffers 1st loss, Kakuryu takes sole lead

Hakuho suffered his first loss of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday, as fellow grand champion Kakuryu kept his spotless record to take the sole lead.

In the penultimate match of Day 9 at Dolphins Arena, No. 4 maegashira Ichinojo (6-3) directed the action in his bout against fellow Mongolian Hakuho (8-1), who had been on a 23-bout win streak.

The heaviest man in the top division, Ichinojo took a belt grip and kept Hakuho upright while forcing him back, using his 69-kilogram weight advantage to drive the yokozuna over the straw. For defeating a yokozuna as a rank-and-file wrestler, Ichinojo earned his first kimboshi prize against Hakuho and eighth overall. The maegashira will be looking to add another when he faces Kakuryu on Day 10.

Following Hakuho's loss, Kakuryu recorded his ninth straight win of the meet, beating No. 4 Meisei (2-7) in their first top-division meeting. The wrestlers locked up trying to throw each other down by the belt before Kakuryu forced Meisei out of the ring. With the setback to his fellow yokozuna, Kakuryu is in a prime position to win his sixth makuuchi division championship.

No. 3 Shodai (5-4) supplied the first upset of the day after taking down Takayasu (7-2), the last ozeki remaining in the tournament following the injury withdrawals of Takakeisho, Tochinoshin and Goeido. Takayasu, fighting with a heavily-wrapped left arm following an injury scare in Sunday's bout with Tamawashi, drove Shodai to the straw, but he was eventually tossed aside while showing signs of severely limited mobility.

New komusubi Abi (4-5) defeated Mitakeumi (6-3) for the first time in four top-division match-ups. Abi shifted to avoid Mitakeumi's initial charge, grabbing the sekiwake's belt and pulling him down by the neck.

Both top-ranked maegashira recorded wins on Day 9, with returning sekiwake Tamawashi facing another demotion after falling to 1-8 with a loss to No. 1 Hokutofuji (6-3). Hokutofuji, who celebrated his sixth straight win Monday on his 27th birthday, simply stepped to the side as Tamawashi flung himself off the dohyo.

No. 1 Asanoyama (4-5) earned his second straight win against Ryuden (3-6). Asanoyama struggled to get a grip on Ryuden's belt, but was able to keep the new komusubi on the ropes for a push-out victory.

The three rank-and-file wrestlers who started the day two wins off the pace -- No. 7 Tomokaze, No. 7 Myogiryu and No. 16 Terutsuyoshi -- all picked up victories on Day 9 to stay in contention for the Emperor's Cup.

 

[Swami]

Many thanks for the updates, I have returned!

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Many thanks for the updates, I have returned!

Swami

Over to you sir!

Takayasu basically wrestled (and lost) with one arm on Monday. I hope he gets one more win and then can pulls out due to the injury. I do like seeing Hakuho lose and Ichinojo's win was a surprise. I'm hoping Kakuryu wins this basho but it's still early and he's still the lessor of the two yokozuna. Takayasu is basically out now due to injury. Kakuryu has Ichinojo on Tuesday so that will be interesting.

 

[Swami]

A rare moment of spirit from Ichinojo.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Nagoya Day 10: Kakuryu remains perfect
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 16 July 2019
Hits: 10

Grand champion Kakuryu survived a slight scare to claim his 10th straight win, while Hakuho bounced back from his first loss to stay a win behind his fellow yokozuna.

Kakuryu dodged a bullet against No. 4 maegashira Ichinojo (6-4), who the previous day had earned an eighth kinboshi prize for defeating Hakuho and breaking his run of 23 straight wins.

Ichinojo turned Kakuryu around at the edge of the ring and looked primed to shove his fellow Mongolian out, but Kakuryu used the momentum to swing Ichinojo back towards danger and drive him out sideways. Kakuryu will take on former ozeki Kotoshogiku (5-5) on Day 11 in his attempt to win a sixth top-division championship.

In the final bout of Day 10, Hakuho (9-1) needed just two slaps to vanquish Tamawashi (1-9) -- one to the sekiwake's face to knock him off balance and one to the shoulder to send him flying off the dohyo.

Hakuho next faces ozeki Takayasu (8-2), who rebounded from his second loss of the tournament with a win over No. 4 Meisei (2-8) in their first career match-up. Fighting with an ominously wrapped left arm, the last ozeki standing at Dolphins Arena quickly turned the tables on Meisei and pushed him over the straw while apparently avoiding further injury.

No. 3 Daieisho (5-5) rallied to beat Mitakeumi (6-4) and record his first victory over the sekiwake in six attempts. Mitakeumi went for a couple of pull-downs while keeping Daieisho on the ropes, but the maegashira revved his engine and sent the sekiwake out with a flurry of thrusts.

Hokutofuji (7-3) held out against komusubi Ryuden (3-7) to even their top-division rivalry at three bouts apiece. Ryuden rallied against Hokutofuji's initial charge but could not find the right-handed grip he was searching for, allowing the No. 1 maegashira to drive him out.

Abi (5-5) took down May's champion, No. 1 Asanoyama (4-6), to claim his third straight win. The komusubi delivered two quick thrusts, pivoted and pulled down Asanoyama's arms as the maegashira doubled down on an ill-fated charge. The wrestlers are also tied at 3-3 across six match-ups.

Among the rank-and-file wrestlers, No. 7 Tomokaze, No. 7 Myogiryu and No. 16 Terutsuyoshi all improved to 8-2 and remain two wins off the pace. Terutsuyoshi recorded his first winning record in the top flight, while Tomokaze secured his third straight winning record since making his makuuchi debut in March.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

A great match between Endo and Kotoshogiku. I was pleased that Takayasu won to get his KK. I assume he'll pull out now but he has Hakuho scheduled to wrestle on Wednesday. It will be interesting to see if he will take on a yokozuna with one arm. I still doubt it. Hakuho made short work out of Tamawashi.

 

[Swami]

A great match between Endo and Kotoshogiku. I was pleased that Takayasu won to get his KK. I assume he'll pull out now but he has Hakuho scheduled to wrestle on Wednesday. It will be interesting to see if he will take on a yokozuna with one arm. I still doubt it. Hakuho made short work out of Tamawashi.

Takayasu may well continue since the other ozeki all pulled out.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Nagoya Day 11: Kakuryu stays spotless
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 17 July 2019
Hits: 21

The 33-year-old Kakuryu, who is gunning for his sixth top-division championship, thrust down No. 5 maegashira Kotoshogiku (5-6) to hang on to his perfect record at the 15-day meet at Dolphins Arena.

The Mongolian grand champion stood firm despite allowing Kotoshogiku to open the final match of the day with a belt hold. Kakuryu pushed the maegashira toward the edge before toppling him to finish the bout in 11.5 seconds. It was Kakuryu's 30th win over Kotoshogiku in 52 bouts. The Mongolian yokozuna will face No. 6 maegashira Chiyotairyu (6-5) on Thursday. Kakuryu has a perfect 11-0 record against the former komusubi.

Yokozuna Hakuho is alone in second place, trailing Kakuryu by one win, with No. 7 Tomokaze and No. 16 Terutsuyoshi sitting behind with nine wins and two losses.

Hakuho, who is aiming for a record-extending 43rd championship, improved to 10-1 after his scheduled opponent, ozeki Takayasu, pulled out due to a left-elbow injury sustained earlier in the tournament. Hakuho will fight popular sekiwake Mitakeumi (7-4) on Thursday.

Among the "sanyaku" wrestlers, Mitakeumi was able to prevail on the 11th day of the meet. In their first matchup, Mitakeumi survived a scare against No. 4 Meisei (2-9). They stood locked in a lengthy stalemate at the edge before Mitakeumi swung the 150-kilogram Meisei out of the ring.

Sekiwake Tamawashi (1-10) was again unable to show off the technique and power that enabled him to win his maiden championship in January, losing to Ichinojo. Komusubi Ryuden (3-8) lost to fan-favorite No. 2 Endo (6-5).

Abi (5-6), who is making his sanyaku debut as komusubi, looked in control of his match against No. 2 Aoiyama (5-6) before being pushed out of the ring by the Bulgarian.

No. 16 Terutsuyoshi improved to 9-2 after beating No. 11 Nishikigi (3-8). Following a pair of false starts, Terutsuyoshi lifted Nishikigi by the armpits before driving him out.

No. 7 Tomokaze (9-2) quickly slapped down No. 16 Kotoyuki (7-4) in the pair's first face-off to remain two wins behind Kakuryu.

No. 1 maegashira Asanoyama defeated his top-ranked counterpart Hokutofuji (7-4) to improve to 5-6. Asanoyama, the winner of the May meet, resisted Hokutofuji's neck hold before driving him out.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Takayasu pulls out of Nagoya Basho, leaving tournament without an ozeki
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 17 July 2019
Hits: 32

Takayasu became the latest ozeki to withdraw from the ongoing Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, meaning all four wrestlers currently at the sport’s second-highest rank have pulled out of the fourth meet of the year.

With five days remaining in the 15-day event at Dolphins Arena, Takayasu, who injured his left elbow during his eighth-day bout against sekiwake Tamawashi, joins a list that includes Takakeisho, Tochinoshin and Goeido.

“He was in no condition for sumo,” said Takayasu’s stablemaster Taganoura. “I will focus on having him ready for the next basho.”

According to the Japan Sumo Association, it is the first time since the Showa Era started in 1926 that four or more ozeki are missing from a single tournament.

The 29-year-old Takayasu, whose father is Japanese and mother from the Philippines, secured a winning record on Tuesday, improving to 8-2 after beating rank-and-filer Meisei. He forfeits his scheduled bout against yokozuna Hakuho on Wednesday.

He was last forced to withdraw from a tournament last summer and this is the fifth time he has had to do so in his career.

Elsewhere, 15th-ranked maegashira Kaisei also withdrew on Wednesday. The Brazilian-born wrestler was fighting with a right arm injury and had managed to pick up just one win in 10 bouts so far, a record that will most likely see him drop down to the juryo division for the next tournament.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

A good move by Takayasu. No need further injuring his arm against Hakuho. Not surprised with Kaisei's withdrawal as well. He has been looking really poor this time around.

Kakuryu is really wrestling strong. I enjoyed his match with Kotoshogiku. Kotoshogiku never gives up, respect. I hope Kakuryu can keep on his winning ways. This yusho is down to the two yokozuna it seems.

 

[Swami]

A good move by Takayasu. No need further injuring his arm against Hakuho. Not surprised with Kaisei's withdrawal as well. He has been looking really poor this time around.

Kakuryu is really wrestling strong. I enjoyed his match with Kotoshogiku. Kotoshogiku never gives up, respect. I hope Kakuryu can keep on his winning ways. This yusho is down to the two yokozuna it seems.

Yes I agree, though recently Kakuryu has been prone to collapsing over the last few days.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Nagoya Day 12: Kakuryu stays perfect, keeps lead over Hakuho
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 18 July 2019
Hits: 19

Five-time champion Kakuryu improved to a perfect 12-0 with a victory over No. 6 maegashira Chiyotairyu (6-6) on Day 12 at Dolphins Arena.

Unbeaten in their 11 previous meetings, Kakuryu continued his dominance over Chiyotairyu with a cleverly executed rear foot sweep. Taking a strong outside grip at the jump, Kakuryu swung the maegashira around before dropping him to the clay with a foot to the back of his heel.

Fellow yokozuna Hakuho (11-1) outmaneuvered sekiwake Mitakeumi (7-5) in the day’s engaging final bout.

Following a restart, the pair clasped in the middle of the ring, each with a belt hold. Hakuho countered a force-out attempt before the pair locked up in another stalemate. With both men standing almost upright, it was the all-time championship record-holder who seized an opening, dropping his hips and driving Mitakeumi over the edge.

Struggling sekiwake Tamawashi improved to 2-10 after driving out No. 4 Meisei (2-10). The Mongolian had the momentum from the start, quickly removing his younger opponent with a series of powerful thrusts.

Komusubi Abi (5-7) is one defeat away from a losing record after slipping to the clay in his match with No. 2 Endo (7-5). The Shikoroyama stable grappler lost his footing while exchanging slaps and thrusts with the former komusubi.

Komusubi Ryuden (3-9) continued to find the going tough in the sanyaku ranks, the three below yokozuna, suffering a thrust- out defeat to No. 2 Aoiyama (6-6).

Among the rank and file, No. 16 Terutsuyoshi (10-2) kept his place on the leaderboard by pushing out No. 7 Myogiryu (8-4).

Three wrestlers — No. 4 Ichinojo, No. 10 Kotoeko and No. 16 Kotoyuki — ensured winning records by improving to 8-4.

The biggest man in the division, former sekiwake Ichinojo used his 227-kg bulk to wrap up No. 7 Tomokaze (9-3) and force him over the straw.

Kotoeko knocked back No. 13 Sadanoumi (7-5) with a two-arm thrust before slapping him down.

Kotoyuki notched a winning return to the top division after pushing out No. 12 Kagayaki (6-6).

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Good endurance sumo in many matches today.

Yes I agree, though recently Kakuryu has been prone to collapsing over the last few days.

Swami

That's what I'm afraid of. He looks so good but I know he'll have to at wrestle Hakaho at least once.

 

[Swami]

Good endurance sumo in many matches today.



That's what I'm afraid of. He looks so good but I know he'll have to at wrestle Hakaho at least once.

This yusho may be quite hollow with all four ozeki having withdrawn, whoever wins it between Kakuryu and Hakuho,

Swami

 

[Swami]

Nagoya Day 13: Kakuryu suffers 1st loss, tied with Hakuho
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 19 July 2019
Hits: 11

Kakuryu fell into a tie with his yokozuna counterpart Hakuho at 12-1 with two days remaining at the 15-day meet at Dolphins Arena. No. 16 maegashira Terutsuyoshi is one win behind the leaders and the only other wrestler with a chance to seize the championship.

Following the initial clash, Tomokaze (10-3) stepped backward, held Kakuryu's head with his right hand before slapping down the yokozuna, who tried to grab the maegashira's belt on the charge but missed.

Hakuho easily defeated No. 7 Myogiryu (8-5), to whom he has only lost once in 20 bouts. Hakuho locked his arms around Myogiryu's neck. The maegashira tried to resist, but the yokozuna pulled him forward before rolling him down to the clay.

Although all four ozeki wrestlers have withdrawn in Nagoya, the remainder of the three "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna all won on Friday.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi, last year's Nagoya champion, secured a winning record with his eighth win. The 26-year-old fan favorite beat No. 5 Kotoshogiku (6-7) in a quick bout.

Tamawashi (3-10) threw No. 5 Takarafuji (5-8) to pick up his second straight win in Nagoya. The struggling sekiwake had only one win over the first 11 days, and snapped his five-bout losing streak on Thursday.

Newly-promoted komusubi Abi (6-7) and Ryuden (4-9) both prevailed. Abi beat No. 3 Daieisho (7-6) by slapping his chest and face, and gave him a final push at the edge of the dohyo. Ryuden defeated No. 3 Shodai (6-7) for the first time in four attempts.

Among the rank-and-file wrestlers, No. 16 Terutsuyoshi (11-2) continued to ride his momentum, overcoming a 44-kilogram disadvantage to defeat No. 8 Onosho (6-7). Onosho tried to quickly finish off Terutsuyoshi by pushing him toward the edge. But the youngster held firm and bulldozed the former komusubi out for his fifth-straight victory in Nagoya.

No. 2 Endo (8-5) and No. 1 Hokutofuji (8-5) both secured winning records on Day 13. Hokutofuji survived a scare in his bout against the biggest man in the division, No. 4 Ichinojo (8-5).

Endo needed just 1.6 seconds to beat No. 6 Shimanoumi (7-6) to the delight of the crowd. He wrapped his arms around Shimanoumi right after the initial clash and forced him out. The victory was Endo's fifth straight, and his winning record is his first since January.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

You called this right Swami. Kakuryu has Mitakeumi on Saturday, no pushover. He'll have to fight hard for the yusho now.

 

[Swami]

Can't see Kotoshogiku beating Hakuho.

Swami