Pictures from the Kyokai - 2015 Hatsu, Day 14

[Yubinhaad 11,550]

On to the penultimate day of the Hatsu basho, where the yobidashi start as always by preparing the dohyo.

Let's have a few basho-iri pictures for a change. First, former Nichidai university team-mates and now Oitekaze-beya stablemates Kawabata (front) and Abiko.

Sadanofuji.

Kitataiki.

Gagamaru, who looks like he could use a coffee!

Chiyoo.

Tokushoryu.

Takayasu.

Also visiting the Kokugikan today was former Ozeki Baruto, shown here in the PR department with his former shisho Onoe-oyakata (former Komusubi Hamanoshima).

Back into the arena now. After more than two years out of action, Sachiazuma returned to the banzuke this basho and finishes with a 5-2 kachi-koshi, today defeating Kozakura who falls to make-koshi. [2]

Slender Hikarugenji tried some fancy footwork on the tawara, but alas it was not enough. Takei gets the oshidashi win to secure his kachi-koshi, while the tale of Hikarugenji ends with make-koshi. [3]

In Sandanme, another decider bout saw Kotonoshu clinch his kachi-koshi with a tsukidashi win against Shunba, who finishes make-koshi. Shunba is one of two surviving rikishi from the closed Magaki-beya, along with Terunofuji. [2]

In Makushita, Asatenmai's lower position helped him to a yorikiri win against Goshi. Third consecutive 4-3 kachi-koshi for Asatenmai, while Goshi suffers a fourth consecutive 3-4 make-koshi. [2]

Kawabata has found some form again and finishes this basho with six wins, today driving Sasakiyama back to the edge and out for a tsukidashi win. Sasakiyama had a decent basho too and finishes with five wins. [3]

Terutsuyoshi finishes with a fine 6-1 kachi-koshi, today beating Abiko who finishes with five wins. Both men should be back around their career-high ranks on the next banzuke.

Juryo yobidashi Hiroyuki.

Juryo gyoji Kimura Kichijiro.

The last yusho competition was wrapped up on Day 14, as Kitataiki forced out Asahisho with a kimedashi to secure the second Juryo yusho of his career. [3]

In Makuuchi, a battle of the dragons saw Tokushoryu continue his fine basho, collecting his tenth win by slapping down Myogiryu. [3]

Sadanoumi secured his kachi-koshi by forcing out Yoshikaze, who already has his eight wins. [3]

A rare sight of Kyokutenho getting his hands dirty, courtesy of a hikiotoshi from Chiyomaru who gets his sixth win and levels their head-to-head score at 3-3. [2]

Ichinojo and Terunofuji return to their sides following the end of their epic encounter. Ichinojo collects some kensho envelopes from Shikimori Kandayu, getting the yorikiri win after almost five minutes of huffing, puffing and leaning on each other. [2]

Edited January 29, 2015 by Yubinhaad

[sesom 55]

At what time have you been there to take the picture of the coffee-needing Gagamaru? I'll be in Osaka for the next basho and would like to take some pictures like those too.

[Kishinoyama 582]

At what time have you been there to take the picture of the coffee-needing Gagamaru? I'll be in Osaka for the next basho and would like to take some pictures like those too.

These pictures are provided by the Kyokai and Yubinhaad graciously shares them here. :-)

[Tenshinhan 1,599]

Baruto looks really good. Gagamaru doesn't.

[Manekineko 200]

At what time have you been there to take the picture of the coffee-needing Gagamaru? I'll be in Osaka for the next basho and would like to take some pictures like those too.

It's been awhile since I've been on a honbasho, but sekitori don't arrive too terribly early in the morning. For the life of me I can't tell you the right hour (noon? 14 h?) but ask for example Fay, she's a photo-taking veteran and will be able to tell you.

[Yubinhaad 11,550]

A few extra pictures from Day 14.

Former Maegashira Towanoyama announced his retirement following this, the final bout of his 21-year career, which was against fellow veteran Nishikikaze. Nishikikaze won it with yorikiri, his first win in four attempts against Towanoyama, in a head-to-head which began in 2000 Kyushu. Farewell to Towanoyama. (Sad goodbyes...) [3]

Up to Makuuchi now for a look at the final three bouts of the day. Endo got his fifth win of a fairly ordinary basho, stopping Kotoshogiku's initial charge and then thrusting him to one side and down. It's his first win against the Ozeki after four previous defeats. [5]

Fuku-tate yobidashi Takuro calls up the rikishi for the next bout, Hakuho and Harumafuji. In Hakuho's corner, Tasuke was on duty to assist the Yokozuna with his towels during the shikiri. [2]

Hakuho had full control of this bout, forcing Harumafuji out for a yorikiri win to remain unbeaten at 14-0. This was also the 800th Makuuchi win of Hakuho's career. [3]

In the final bout of Day 14, Kisenosato kept Yokozuna Kakuryu on the back foot throughout their bout, pushing him out for an oshidashi win. Kisenosato improves to 11-3, and leads this head-to-head 27-13 now. [3]

Edited January 29, 2015 by Yubinhaad