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Lyrics Mushrooms are generally not okay, but enoki mushrooms are just about fine - Toyohibiki Mistakenly said "Furoshiki" (wrapping cloth) as "Pirozhki" (Russian baked bun) - Gagamaru I want my daughter to learn piano or violin - Chiyotairyu Didn't see any koalas during his studies in Australia - Ishiura The only horror movie that he's able to watch is Casper - Ichinojo Really spoils the cat that lives at their heya - Sokokurai The animal he refers to himself as is a capybara - Chiyootori Raw fish is okay but grilled fish is not - Hidenoumi Eats onions everyday to maintain a good health - Hokutofuji Broke an iphone screen with his elbow while sleeping - Daishomaru Decided that he should get up at 5:20 every morning - Arawashi Older brother has been the security guard for Mongolia's President - Kyokushuho Real name is "Tatsu" (達), shikona is also a single Kanji character (輝) - Kagayaki Hobbies include table tennis, pool (billiards) and basketball - Chiyoshoma Fell in love with Japanese enka thanks to the cable TV in his family's sushi restaurant - Ikioi Has eaten 20 boiled eggs in a day - Myogiryu Older sister is a radio DJ - Takanoiwa Favourite team is Tokyo Yakult Swallows (baseball) - Sadanoumi Could have been a dentist in Georgia, a hard-worker - Tochinoshin Looks at terrace houses when he can't sleep - Takekaze His name sounds like takarakuji (lottery), but he's never bought one - Takarafuji Inherited a traditional shikona from the Edo Period - Nishikigi Received a letter from a male fan with the fan's contact details - Chiyonokuni Although he's strong, he's recently become addicted to SNoW (Japanese pop singer) - Shohozan Grandmother's name is Masayo Shodai (正代 正代) - Shodai Eats 3 onigiri (rice balls) and 8 bread for snack - Kotoyuki If he were to eat sausage, then he would choose Schau-Essen - Yoshikaze He has a dachshund at home, he himself is shy - Endo When asked "mountain or river?", he answered "mountain" (yama) - Aoiyama Because he likes watermelon ice bars, he always has the convenience store's stock information - Kaisei Smells of Yunker energy drinks prior to his bouts - Tochiozan Before coming to Japan, he worked in a tyre factory - Tamawashi The baseball player he resembles is Yamakawa from Saitama Seibu Lions - Mitakeumi Sneaks to the refrigerator at night and opens it, looking inside - Okinoumi His shoe size was 32cm back in Middle School, so the slippers were too small - Takayasu His mobile phone screen is the same as the default one - Terunofuji He can't drink alcohol at all, he'll even get drunk eating Narazuke Pickles - Kotoshogiku He's eaten Mapo Harusame Noodles four times in his life - Kisenosato His mum recently achieved her highest score on Disney Tsum Tsum (a puzzle game) - Goeido His guide to romance is Winter Sonata (a South Korean drama series) - Hakuho He looks like a dog, so his nickname is 'Wan Wan' (Woof Woof) - Kakuryu The first song he learned in Japan is "Shingo Mama no Oha Rock" - Harumafuji

Those in focus who started to train for Natsu Takakeisho started today o o Enho yesterday o Asanoyama trains for the 3rd day now - lending his chest to the young ones o oo he can't go to the gym any more o o yesterday o

Araiso yesterday had a lonely entrance ceremony to Waseda university. The general one was canceled due to you-know-what. http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2020/04/02/kiji/20200401s00005000417000c.html with his instructor Hirata

I don't think we really have a thread for this type of news so here it goes for now: Sewanin Torafusuyama has switched to a wakaimonogashira position, so there are 8 of those again. Apparently it's only the second known case of such a switch, the first being Kotochitose in 1991, due to the early retirement of Shishiho. I thought perhaps the Kyokai's office staff/web team were not at work due to lockdown, but someone's managed to make the changes I reported above, so

Fumidashi is really just a catch-all term for step-outs not caused by over-aggression (otherwise it would be isamiashi). Nothing suggests that it has to be backwards, apart from the English translation.

Finishing things up here for the ex-sekitori as well... new KK: Kaisho, Kizenryu, Dairaido new MK: Nionoumi, Keitenkai The final results: Record Rank Shikona Heya Age Out HiRk M# J# kyujo (i) Ms1e Sokokurai Arashio 36 1 M2 25 20 3-4 Ms1w Sakigake Shibatayama 33 1 J10 6 2-5 Ms2e Toyonoshima Tokitsukaze 36 1 S 71 11 6-1 Ms3e Asabenkei Takasago 31 11 J7 7 5-2 Ms3w Fujiazuma Tamanoi 32 18 M4 17 18 5-2 Ms4e Chiyonoo Kokonoe 28 8 M15 2 31 1-6 Ms4w Daiseido Kise 27 6 J12 3 kyujo Ms5w Gokushindo Nishikido 23 8 J13 1 3-4 Ms6w Toyohibiki Sakaigawa 35 13 M2 52 14 0-2-5 Ms7w Irodori Shikoroyama 28 1 J11 4 4-3 Ms9e Kaisho Asakayama 25 2 J11 2 4-3 Ms9w Chiyoarashi Kokonoe 28 40 J10 4 3-4 Ms10e Chiyonokuni Kokonoe 29 5 M1 25 16 5-2 Ms11e Jokoryu Kise 31 7 K 15 13 4-3 Ms11w Kizenryu Kise 34 10 J11 9 5-2 Ms13w Ryuko Onoe 21 4 J12 1 kyujo Ms16w Seiro Shikoroyama 31 3 M14 3 31 6-1 Ms19e Kitaharima Yamahibiki 33 15 M15 1 24 3-4 Ms24w Nionoumi Yamahibiki 33 40 M16 1 12 1-6 Ms31e Sagatsukasa Irumagawa 38 36 M9 6 22 4-3 Ms31w Kagamio Kagamiyama 32 23 M9 7 14 4-3 Ms38w Asahisho Tomozuna 30 17 M11 4 30 3-1-3 Ms39w Keitenkai Onomatsu 30 45 J11 1 3-4 Ms42e Takaryu Kise 27 28 J13 1 kyujo Ms44w Gagamaru Kise 33 2 K 36 23 5-2 Ms45w Ichiyamamoto Nishonoseki 26 2 J6 3 4-3 Ms46w Amakaze Oguruma 28 12 M13 1 18 3-4 Ms47e Tokushinho Kise 35 26 J6 27 3-4 Ms48e Higonojo Kise 35 35 J9 4 7-0 Y Sd30w Ura Kise 27 13 M4 5 6 2-5 Sd33e Kaonishiki Azumazeki 41 51 J6 2 5-2 Sd45w Masunoyama Chiganoura 29 30 M4 13 12 3-4 Sd57w Yoshiazuma Tamanoi 42 33 M12 3 18 4-3 Sd96e Dairaido Takadagawa 39 81 J2 6 kyujo Jd28w Hitenryu Tatsunami 35 51 J13 2 Chiyonokuni with his third straight 3-4 since winning the makushita yusho from a low rank last September; not looking that likely now that he'll be returning to sekitoridom. Jokoryu with his third consecutive score of at least 5-2, on the other hand, not sure that was to be expected after his year-long drop from low juryo to low makushita prior to this. Yeah, looks that way, lots of KK from sandanme to accommodate with makushita spots, so his Ms31e 1-6 result is unlikely to hang on. Much the same thing for Tokushinho and Higonojo as well, who spent only the briefest of times in sandanme over a decade ago after they turned professional out of university, and will probably be headed down there now.

https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3077600/how-baseball-became-national-japanese-pastime-and-spawned-fans-no-other way off-topic, but an excellent read and old photos.

Don't know if this has been posted before, but found a video where two guys in Tokyo made a song about all 46 beya (in 2018), one beya per line, and they've also included an interesting fact about each one. They even took the time to do a short yokozuna dohyo-iri in front of every beya! I've translated the lyrics beneath the video. Lyrics Two minutes from the Kokugikan - Michinoku One touch (on the button) and the door opens - Kasugano Diagonally across from a bus stop - Izutsu In front of you is a one-way street - Dewanoumi A rental apartment is above it - Tokitsukaze This is Asakayama Air conditioning in the training hall - Kise There's a karaoke room - Oguruma Five teppo pillars - Takadagawa One minute from Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station - Shikoroyama Diagonally across from a park - Otake This is Nishikido Octagonal glass window on the door - Hakkaku (hakkaku = eight corners) In front of you is a Summit supermarket - Kataonami Right besides a coffee shop, in front of you is an izakaya - Takasago Watched over by Chiyonofuji (a statue) - Kokonoe A lot of yoghurt, Kotooshu is the trainer - Naruto The first rikishi from Mongolia, Kyokutenho's Tomozuna Plenty of facilities in the underground gym - Isegahama Right next to Arakawa River, in front of a greengrocer - Yamahibiki Moved to the Higashisuna District - Takanohana A furnished bike shop - Miyagino Entering through ALSOK security - Chiganoura I fell in love with the gate - Fujishima Located in Sugamo - Isenoumi This is Tamanoi Kenagakawa River in front of it - Sakaigawa Undergoing renovation - Oitekaze Entrance is on the second floor - Nakagawa 8-chome 8-8 (address) - Onoe You can get the mail right away - Shibatayama This is Minezaki Beautiful two-storey concrete building - Irumagawa For some reason it looks like a hotel - Minato Tsukubamirai City in Ibaraki, a quiet land - Tatsunami Ryugasaki City in Ibaraki is also a quiet place - Shikihide Near an expressway interchange - Onomatsu You can see it after going down a slope - Nishonoseki A new building in Shibamata in the Katsushika District - Azumazeki The most rikishi, made by "Koto"s - Sadogatake The closest to convenience stores - Asahiyama Three traffic lights from the station - Tagonoura The traffic is surprisingly as heavy as before - Kagamiyama Just off the main street - Musashigawa Still under construction, I'm thrilled - Nishiiwa Raising a cat, and doing a photo album of it - Arashio Filled with sweat and tears, the beyas of sumo All 46 are fascinating, the beyas of sumo I want to vist them, the beyas of sumo Let's watch Ozumo

Considering the logistics of the job, I'd think a window cleaner might get more face slaps than hugs from women. But maybe I'm overthinking this.

Welcome back. Looking forward to see you around again.

Welcome back sir..

I have some extra time now that I'm stuck at home so I cut together a bunch of Kintamayama videos to make a Goeido Kubinage highlight reel. Gonna miss the champion of Kubinage

pandaazuma (O1e 11-4) O Itachiyama (O2w 8-7) Norizo (Sw 10-5) S1 Taka (Se 9-6) Andonishiki (K2e 11-4) S2 Andoreasu (O1w 7-8) kuroimori (O2e 7-8) S3 Terarno (M5w 12-3) K Sushibomber (K1w Kosho) Taxinohana (M10e 12-3) M1 Profomisakari (M6w 10-5) Konosato (M1e 7-8) M2 Pitinosato (K1e 6-9) Tenshinhan (M1w 7-8) M3 Akamiri (M2w 7-8) Oshirokita (M5e 8-7) M4 Manatsumai (M11w 10-5) Kaiowaka (M12w 10-5) M5 Susanoo (M3e 6-9) Watashi (M11e 9-6) M6 Gansekiiwa (M4e 6-9) Yassier (M2e 5-10) M7 Flohru (M12e 9-6) Fujisan (M9w 8-7) M8 Nekonishiki (M7e 7-8) Oroganosato (M6e 6-9) M9 ScreechingOwl (M3w 4-11) Mariohana (M8e 6-9) M10 Sebunshu (M10w Kosho) Jakusotsu (M13w 8-7) M11 Tainosen (M14e 8-7) Heiershoryu (M14w 8-7) M12 Shinkansen (M7w 5-10) Kyoju (M15e 8-7) M13 GONZABUROW (M8w 5-10) Packamawashi (J5w 12-3) M14 Anjoboshi (J1w 9-6) Ganzohnesushi (M9e 4-11) M15 Kishikaisei (J2w 9-6) Asashosakari (M4w 0-15) M16 Rikishimiezi (J5e 9-6) Golynohana (J3w 8-7) M17 Oortael (M16w 7-8) J1 Mayumi (M17e 7-8) Metzinowaka (M13e 5-10) J2 Wamahada (J4e 8-7) Gernobono (J8w 10-5) J3 Uminoyume (J2e 7-8) Frinkanohana (J13w 12-3) J4 joaoiyama (J7w 9-6) Asapedroryu (J8e 9-6) J5 Gawasukotto (J9w 8-7) Kaito (ms2e 10-5) J6 Schnappamawashi (J14e 9-6) Heisikuomi (J3e 5-10) J7 Basoyama (J12w 8-7) chishafuwaku (ms1e 9-6) J8 Athenayama (J13e 8-7) Takanorappa (J6w 6-9) J9 Gurowake (M15w 0-0-15) Jejima (M16e 0-0-15) J10 Kitakachiyama (J6e 4-11) Haidouzo (J11e Kosho) J11 Hana-ichi (J10e 6-9) kamogawa (J4w 3-12) J12 Sakura (J7e 4-11) Mischashimaru (J1e 0-15) J13 wolfgangho (J9e 4-11) Nantonoyama (J11w 4-11) J14 Tsunamiko (J12e 3-12) Alinohana (J10w 0-0-15) ms1 Kintamayama (ms1w 0-15) Wischimawaschi (ms2w 0-0-15)ms2 Banzuke-gai: Akezuma (J14w) Kobashi (ms3e)

With Tashiro Yoshinori (ex-Tooyama) as rikishi, 2 times wampaku yokozuna, Meiji university sumo club captain, then Tamanoi-beya https://www.hmv.co.jp/artist_田代良徳_200000000705333/biography/ Trailer in Tamil with English subtitles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBSGv3sXAgw http://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/1912/12/news155.html

Out of the wrestlers from his year group (the class of 2019), I'd say that Yoshii Ko is probably the joint third best rikishi among them, though admittedly the top two talents (Ochiai Tetsuya and Tebakari Taiki) have chosen to go onto high school.

And time to wrap things up here... Day 15 (results, text-only results) 13-2 Ye Hakuho 12-3 Yw Kakuryu, M9e Takanosho 11-4 Se Asanoyama, M13w Aoiyama I don't think it's going to be remembered as an all-time great classic, but the yusho-deciding match between the two yokozuna still delivered a worthy finish to Haru basho. And when all was said and done it was a 13-2 championship for Hakuho in this tournament held under highly unusual circumstances - this reminds me of something. It's the senior yokozuna's 44th title, and having just turned 35 years old this month he is now the fourth-oldest makuuchi winner of the post-WWII era, behind only Kyokutenho (37y 8m), Haguroyama (37y 2m), and Chiyonofuji (35y 5m). Kakuryu had to settle for the jun-yusho honours, alongside surprise package Takanosho who closed things out with another impressive victory, this time over sekiwake Shodai. Aoiyama, the Day 12 sole leader, picked up his third straight loss, however, and failed to even finish runner-up in the end. The penultimate bout of the tournament saw the culmination of Asanoyama's push to become ozeki, and while it wasn't very pretty it ended in success for him - weathering Takakeisho's pushing attack Asanoyama eventually managed to get to the ozeki's mawashi and go on the offensive himself, eventually causing Takakeisho to lose his footing and collapse to the clay. Asanoyama finishes his three-basho run with a total of (only) 32 wins, but has also posted four straight double digit records in the joi now, something far from common. The shimpan department wasted no time in declaring his ozeki run complete, and so we'll be seeing it made official by the board of directors less than 24 hours from now. Something that's also far from common is the fact that Asanoyama has not received any sansho for his promotion-clinching performance - since the start of the special prize system in 1947, he is only the 8th new ozeki (out of 72) to miss out. Sansho were instead awarded to runner-up Takanosho (kanto-sho) and to long-time yusho contender Aoiyama (gino-sho), as well as to Onosho (shukun-sho) for his spectacular Day 10 defeat of eventual champion Hakuho. With Asanoyama's promotion to ozeki it also became clear that a second lower sanyaku slot is opening up, so there's now room to accommodate both Daieisho and Mitakeumi. Both ended their Haru campaigns with a loss, Daieisho to Kiribayama (5 straight wins to end it!) and Mitakeumi to Onosho. Another Day 15 loser was komusubi Endo who found himself outgunned by crafty veteran Takarafuji. That was bad news for Endo as it clinched a makekoshi record for him, so he will almost certainly have to vacate his spot in the titled ranks. The likely beneficiary will be Okinoumi who prevailed in a 7-7 decider over low-ranked former ozeki Kotoshogiku. It would be 34-year-old Okinoumi's first sanyaku appearance in three and a half years if it comes to pass; he's got some potential competition in the promotion race by Takanosho, but conventional wisdom says that his 12 wins while ranked at M9 (with a far easier schedule) will be seen in a less favourable light than Okinoumi's 8 wins at M2. Yutakayama will be missing out on sanyaku in any case, but narrowly defeating Chiyomaru on the final day he has still finished kachikoshi in the joi-jin for the first time in his career, a far cry from his first two attempts which ended in 2-13 and 3-10-2 scores two years back. 13-2 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 12-3 7-8 Takakeisho O --- (o) 11-4 Asanoyama S Shodai 8-7 (x) 4-11 Hokutofuji K Endo 7-8 (x) (o) 8-7 Daieisho M1 (?) 8-7 Okinoumi M2 8-7 Yutakayama M3 Mitakeumi 10-5 (o) M4 M5 Onosho 9-6 ... (?) 12-3 Takanosho M9 Another rikishi who clinched a career-best kachikoshi at the last minute is Kagayaki at M6w. His senshuraku victory sent low-ranked Meisei to makekoshi, and the promising youngster may well find himself equipped with a ticket to juryo now, joining Tochiozan, Azumaryu, Daiamami and injured Tsurugisho on the way down. Nishikigi may have avoided that fate after all with a pretty cool tsuridashi victory over Sadanoumi. In juryo pretty much everything went against Terunofuji, who found himself outmuscled by fellow ex-sanyaku Chiyootori, while all other contenders managed to add another win to their tallies, including top-ranked Kotoyuki who benefitted from the withdrawal of his scheduled opponent Hoshoryu. M1 Takayasu 0-5-10 ... M10 Tochiozan 3-12 (x) ... M14 Nishikigi 6-9 (??) (x)1-4-10 Tsurugisho M15 Chiyomaru 7-6-2 (x) 5-10 Azumaryu M16 (?) 7-8 Meisei M17 Daiamami 5-10 (x) M18 --- (o) 8-7 Kotoyuki J1 8-7 Chiyoshoma J2 Wakatakakage 10-5 (o) (?) 10-5 Terunofuji J3 (??)10-5 Tobizaru J4 (?) 11-4 Kotoeko J5 (o) 12-3 Kotoshoho J6 Four demotions and three promotions should be clear, as listed in the table; Kotoyuki and Wakatakakage are returning to the top division, while 20-year-old yusho winner Kotoshoho will be making his debut. It's difficult to tell if Terunofuji or Kotoeko is fourth in line, but it won't matter if Meisei gets dropped. If he survives, I'm inclined to say that Terunofuji gets promoted and Kotoeko does not. Tobizaru also secured a very promotable record, but will find himself unluckily denied unless the banzuke committee decides to overdemote Nishikigi. Chiyoshoma almost certainly won't be moving up and doesn't have a proper promotion claim anyway, but I can't remember too many tournaments where 8 wins from J2e were only good enough for 7th in line to begin with. For reasons of convenience I'll insert the final juryo yusho arasoi here: 12-3 J6e Kotoshoho 11-4 J5e Kotoeko 10-5 J2w Wakatakakage, J3e Terunofuji, J4e Tobizaru The race was over after the first of the potentially three relevant matches, courtesy of Kotoshoho's championship-clinching win over Chiyonoumi. The sole runner-up record was produced by his stablemate Kotoeko in the end, winning over erstwhile contender Hakuyozan (who finished only 9-6 with three straight losses), while Terunofuji fell two wins behind against Chiyootori. Tough match assignment for Chiyonoumi there, and he ended up on a hard-luck makekoshi with that loss. He should still be retaining his juryo slot, however, even with just 7 wins at J13e. Yago's demotion became a certainty with his 11th loss against Hidenoumi in what was a decidedly not pretty end to the Haru basho juryo action. The weird assist he was given by the banzuke committee two months ago ended up being completely for naught. (It's a trivia-worthy series of records now, at least...) The third promotion slot may have changed hands on the final day after Chiyonoo managed to defeat Takagenji. (x) 4-11 Yago J10 J11 J12 Asagyokusei 5-10 (x) J13 Tomokaze kyujo (x) J14 Ms1 Ms2 Kotodaigo 4-3 (?) (o) 6-1 Asabenkei Ms3 Fujiazuma 5-2 (o) (?) 5-2 Chiyonoo Ms4 Ms5 The committee's recent tie-breaker favourite won't help here - both Kotodaigo and Chiyonoo won their seventh bout up in juryo. Consequently I'm going to go with the standard solution and predict that Chiyonoo will be the one who gets to accompany Asabenkei and Fujiazuma back to the paid ranks. Tough luck for Kotodaigo, if so. Both they and we will know soon enough, of course, as the promotions are set to be announced tomorrow. That's it for the sekitori ranks here, I'll finish up the lower division yusho results in a separate post shortly. The NSK's decision to hold the basho ultimately paid off, but it remains to be seen if the situation will be sufficiently stable to do it again in May, with or without an audience...let's hope for the best. As always, thanks for reading and discussing!

How recent are you talking?

Either that or he'd be referred to as "Old Stumpy".

Day 14 (results, text-only results) 12-2 Ye Hakuho, Yw Kakuryu 11-3 M13w Aoiyama, M9e Takanosho 10-4 Se Asanoyama, M3w Mitakeumi And so this empty arena tournament is coming down to that most prized finish, a winner-takes-all bout to close out the basho. Not sure too many of us would have expected that a few days ago. Both yokozuna prevailed over their lower ranked co-contenders, although only Hakuho had an easy time with Aoiyama (as he usually does). The outcome of Kakuryu-Asanoyama has already been debated elsewhere, so I won't rehash that here except to say that it was a very close decision that has kept the junior yokozuna in the joint lead. The third match among yusho contenders saw Takanosho continue his excellent basho with victory over joi maegashira Mitakeumi, although the later results served to eliminate him from the race anyway. Asanoyama's ozeki hopes appear to have come down to the very last day now, where he is facing incumbent Takakeisho after all. The ozeki managed to defeat fellow young guy Onosho to grab his 7th win and enter senshuraku on the KK/MK bubble. I'm still inclined to think that an Asanoyama win would see him promoted, not least because to not do so would risk having no ozeki at all after the next basho. Conversely, it appears likely that finishing on only 10 wins (and with three straight losses) won't be doing it. We know the identity of at least one sekiwake for the next basho now anyway, after Shodai secured his kachikoshi against Takarafuji. As it stands we have no less than four candidates to join him: It might be Asanoyama, it might be Endo who wasn't able to grab his own KK against Abi but might still do so tomorrow, or a maegashira could make the direct move to the third-highest rank. Top-ranked Daieisho should be assured of at least a promotion to komusubi, having clinched the winning record against Ryuden, but could be passed by Mitakeumi if a sekiwake promotion is possible. Mitakeumi could still find himself stuck in the maegashira ranks altogether, on the other hand, although they might be willing to open up an extra slot if Asanoyama doesn't go up to ozeki and we'd otherwise be stuck with a 7-man sanyaku. On the flipside it also remains possible that as many as three lower sanyaku slots will need to be filled. There's no shortage of candidates for slot #3 either, with Okinoumi, Yutakayama, Onosho and even low-ranked Takanosho in the mix. 12-2 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 12-2 7-7 Takakeisho O --- 10-4 Asanoyama S Shodai 8-6 (x) 4-10 Hokutofuji K Endo 7-7 (o) 8-6 Daieisho M1 7-7 Okinoumi M2 7-7 Yutakayama M3 Mitakeumi 10-4 M4 M5 Onosho 8-6 M6 (x) 8-6 Takarafuji M7 M8 11-3 Takanosho M9 ... M13 Aoiyama 11-3 With Hokutofuji deep in makekoshi territory his expected senshuraku matchup with sekiwake Shodai has been scrapped and he won't be part of the sanyaku soroibumi with the participants of the last three bouts now; Shodai will face Takanosho instead, Hokutofuji gets equally underperforming Shohozan. The rather more important matches at the end of Day 15 will be Takakeisho-Asanoyama and Hakuho-Kakuryu, of course. It took five days, but top division rookie Kotonowaka has earned his debut kachikoshi at last. With the recent losing streak he has almost certainly played himself out of any sansho considerations though. Kotonowaka's opponent today was Nishikigi, who remains on the bubble for tomorrow. Daiamami and Azumaryu both fell to 5-9, against Tamawashi and Tochiozan respectively, and should be impossible to keep in makuuchi now. Tochiozan has likely left things too late, given the strong list of promotion candidates in juryo. Meisei produced his fourth win in five days, today against Ishiura, and is ordinarily safe by the numbers at 7-7. However, with the spectre of either the M18e slot disappearing or a possible overdemotion to make room for all worthy juryo rikishi, he's well advised to go for kachikoshi tomorrow. And so, despite at least 4 makuuchi slots available already, it's still impossible to call things for any of the juryo contenders. Even Terunofuji, now with 10 wins at J3, could conceivably find himself as low as #5 in the promotion queue if top-ranked Kotoyuki clinches the last minute kachikoshi. M10 Tochiozan 2-12 (~) ... M14 Nishikigi 5-9 (1) (x) 1-4-9 Tsurugisho M15 (x) 5-9 Azumaryu M16 (0) 7-7 Meisei M17 Daiamami 5-9 (x) (o) 8-6 Kotonowaka M18 --- (1) 7-7 Kotoyuki J1 (~) 7-7 Chiyoshoma J2 Wakatakakage 9-5 (0) (0) 10-4 Terunofuji J3 (1) 9-5 Tobizaru J4 (0) 10-4 Kotoeko J5 Kyokushuho 8-6 (~) (0) 11-3 Kotoshoho J6 None of the 8 juryo rikishi are paired up for senshuraku, so there's an untold number of ways this race could end up going. Up in makuuchi Meisei is going against fellow 7-7 Kagayaki, while Nishikigi is facing 6-8 Sadanoumi. The juryo demotion race has finished up a day early. Heavyweight trio Akua, Mitoryu and Akiseyama all secured their salaried spots, Akiseyama is even KK for the first time in 9 juryo appearances. Yago, on the other hand, is very likely headed down to makushita now after losing a long and hard-fought match against makushitan Fujiazuma - the assist he was given by the banzuke committee last time has not helped after all. 32-year-old Fujiazuma will be returning to juryo for the first time since Haru 2017. All that's left to be settled here is the identity of the third promotee who will join Asabenkei and Fujiazuma: For now it's still Kotodaigo in line for the honours, but Chiyonoo could move ahead if he defeats Takagenji (J10w 6-8) tomorrow. Of course, with as many deteriorating sekitori as we're having these days, a sudden intai announcement by somebody can't be ruled out, which would open up space for both Kotodaigo and Chiyonoo. (Or perhaps even for Yago...) Asabenkei ended his promotion campaign with an untroubled win over Jokoryu and has finished with impressive 6 wins. J6 Akua 4-10 (o) (o) 4-10 Mitoryu J7 J8 J9 (x) 4-10 Yago J10 J11 J12 Asagyokusei 4-10 (x) J13 Tomokaze kyujo (x) J14 Akiseyama 8-6 (o) Ms1 Ms2 Kotodaigo 4-3 (o) 6-1 Asabenkei Ms3 Fujiazuma 5-2 (o) 4-2 Chiyonoo Ms4 Ms5

Day 13 (results, text-only results) 11-2 Ye Hakuho, Yw Kakuryu, M13w Aoiyama 10-3 Se Asanoyama, M3w Mitakeumi, M9e Takanosho 9-4 --- Bad sumo by Aoiyama today, going for a pulldown against Takanosho instead of the forward-moving sumo he'd been successful with so far. The yokozuna duo chasing him down did better, although only Kakuryu looked truly in control of his aite Takakeisho, while Hakuho engaged in more awkward sumo (awkward by his standards, at least) against fellow pursuer Asanoyama. The ozeki promotion challenger thus continues to find himself one win off the pace, alongside Takanosho as well as Mitakeumi, who showed patient sumo in dispatching Takarafuji. Nobody stands at 9-4 now due to complete defeat of the trio of rikishi - Takarafuji, Ishiura, Kaisei - who entered the day at 8-4. It doesn't matter for the yusho race anyway, of course, since a Hakuho-Kakuryu match is still to come which will push the yusho score to a minimum of 12-3. Kakuryu is the only yusho contender who didn't go 1-1 across the last two days, and in fact he's on the longest current winning streak, not having lost in 7 days. No other makuuchi rikishi has more than 3 straight wins. The first lower sanyaku spot has been spoken for now after Shodai secured his 7th win against Abi, surviving another series of head-based offense by his opponent. (Thrusts rather than yesterday's Hakuho slaps, though.) Komusubi Endo also improved his record to 7-6 with victory over fellow Ishikawa native (and same middle school alum) Kagayaki. Mitakeumi's 10th win has made him the current frontrunner for promotion to sanyaku, although heavily dependent on the fact that top-ranked maegashira Daieisho still isn't kachikoshi after his third straight loss, today against Enho. Two other hopefuls were matched up in Okinoumi-Yutakayama, with both now on 7-6 as well after Okinoumi's victory. 11-2 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 11-2 6-7 Takakeisho O --- 10-3 Asanoyama S Shodai 7-6 (x) 3-10 Hokutofuji K Endo 7-6 7-6 Daieisho M1 7-6 Okinoumi M2 7-6 Yutakayama M3 Mitakeumi 10-3 M4 M5 Onosho 8-5 M6 Kagayaki 7-6 (x) 8-5 Takarafuji M7 M8 10-3 Takanosho M9 ... M13 Aoiyama 11-2 With this basho's complex yusho race, the schedulers made the unusual decision to delay the creation of the Day 14 schedule, and when it finally came out we were presented with a deviation from the standard approach after all: No Hakuho-Takakeisho meeting this basho, and instead we're getting Hakuho-Aoiyama, the fourth time in the senior yokozuna's career that he's facing a double digit-ranked maegashira opponent. Takakeisho will face Onosho instead in a must-win match to avoid makekoshi. If he does go MK, it's probably safe to say that he will be passed over as Asanoyama's Day 15 opponent in favour of Aoiyama as well. I'm less sure what they will do if he's 7-7. In any case, for Day 14 Asanoyama is of course meeting co-leader Kakuryu, and he'll need to defeat the yokozuna to retain his yusho hopes. A win would likely also make for a strong argument in favour of his ozeki promotion. We'll definitely be down to at most five yusho contenders after Day 14 as 10-3 duo Mitakeumi and Takanosho were also paired up, giving us a complete set of head-to-head matches among the top 6. Shohozan should finally be safe from demotion after a mono-ii decided a close and messy match finish against Tokushoryu in his favour. Two other rikishi also likely clinched their top division spots for the next basho: Shimanoumi continued his dominance over Ishiura (H2H now 4-0), while Chiyomaru prevailed over an astonishingly ineffective Tochiozan. The makuuchi veteran of 13 years is almost certain to be demoted to juryo again, even if he somehow finds two shiroboshi on the weekend. Recently returned Daiamami dropped to makekoshi against Sadanoumi and will probably see his latest top division stint end again after just one basho. Nishikigi defeated upper-ranked Myogiryu in a bit of a surprise, winning his fourth match in five days, and can now save himself with one more successful day. Young Kotonowaka posted his fourth straight loss, however, this time against Ikioi, and continues to seek his KK- and rank-clinching win. (I wonder how Kintamayama felt about that particular matchup?) Over in juryo it's actually getting rather crowded in the promotion field now after leading trio Terunofuji, Kotoeko and Kotoshoho all secured promotable records, and Kotoyuki and Wakatakakage moved to within one win of theirs. With only three open slots in makuuchi so far - still assuming that absent Takayasu isn't at risk - it's thus not yet possible to declare anybody as a certain promotee. (o) 3-10 Shohozan M8 M9 M10 Tochiozan 1-12 (~) ... M14 Nishikigi 5-8 (1) (x) 1-4-8 Tsurugisho M15 Chiyomaru 7-4-2 (o) (2) 5-8 Azumaryu M16 Shimanoumi 7-6 (o) (1) 6-7 Meisei M17 Daiamami 5-8 (~) (1) 7-6 Kotonowaka M18 --- (1) 7-6 Kotoyuki J1 Hidenoumi 5-8 (x) (~) 6-7 Chiyoshoma J2 Wakatakakage 8-5 (1) (0) 9-4 Terunofuji J3 (2) 8-5 Tobizaru J4 (0) 10-3 Kotoeko J5 Kyokushuho 7-6 (~) (0) 11-2 Kotoshoho J6 J7 (x) 8-5 Kyokutaisei J8 If only Akiseyama could be facing 180+ kg opponents every day... A typically lengthy battle with Mitoryu resulted in the bottom-ranker's 7th win, and he just might manage to stay in juryo after all - I sure didn't think he'd be getting that opportunity back at 2-5 a week ago. Both these rikishi will need one more win now. The same is true for Akua after he snapped his 6-day losing streak against Chiyonoumi today. Yago also won again after six disappointing days, his opponent Daishoho proving even less capable of holding his ground. Yago still requires two more wins, though. Takagenji should be safe, on the other hand, having improved his score to 6-7 against Daishomaru. Asagyokusei is now certain to be headed back to makushita - an overeager tachiai by him resulted first in a semi-henka sidestep and then an audible sigh of relief by his opponent Kotodaigo, who secured his possibly promotion-clinching kachikoshi. J6 Akua 3-10 (1) (1) 3-10 Mitoryu J7 J8 J9 (2) 4-9 Yago J10 Takagenji 6-7 (o) J11 J12 Asagyokusei 3-10 (x) J13 Tomokaze kyujo (x) J14 Akiseyama 7-6 (1) Ms1 Ms2 Kotodaigo 4-3 (o) 5-1 Asabenkei Ms3 Fujiazuma 4-2 4-2 Chiyonoo Ms4 Ms5 It remains to be seen if Kotodaigo's four wins will be enough to get promoted; currently he's reliant on both Fujiazuma and Chiyonoo failing to get a fifth win. Further slots opening up in juryo could also help his cause, naturally. The Day 14 schedule sees Asabenkei go against Jokoryu as expected, while Fujiazuma is getting the call in juryo against Yago. A Fujiazuma win here would see him promoted for sure as he'd be moving up to #2 in the promotion queue. (Leaving aside that it would also make Yago demotable, which will be more relevant to Kotodaigo and Chiyonoo's chances of promotion.)

The former sekitori through Day 12. new KK: Chiyonoo, Chiyoarashi, Ryuko, Asahisho, Ichiyamamoto, Amakaze, Masunoyama new MK: Sakigake, Toyonoshima, Toyohibiki, Takaryu, Tokushinho, Kaonishiki, Yoshiazuma Record Rank Shikona Heya Age Out kyujo Ms1e Sokokurai Arashio 36 1 3-4 Ms1w Sakigake Shibatayama 33 1 2-4 Ms2e Toyonoshima Tokitsukaze 36 1 5-1 Ms3e Asabenkei Takasago 31 11 4-2 Ms3w Fujiazuma Tamanoi 32 18 4-2 Ms4e Chiyonoo Kokonoe 28 8 0-6 Ms4w Daiseido Kise 27 6 kyujo Ms5w Gokushindo Nishikido 23 8 2-4 Ms6w Toyohibiki Sakaigawa 35 13 0-2-4 Ms7w Irodori Shikoroyama 28 1 3-3 Ms9e Kaisho Asakayama 25 2 4-2 Ms9w Chiyoarashi Kokonoe 28 40 2-4 Ms10e Chiyonokuni Kokonoe 29 5 5-1 Ms11e Jokoryu Kise 31 7 3-3 Ms11w Kizenryu Kise 34 10 4-2 Ms13w Ryuko Onoe 21 4 kyujo Ms16w Seiro Shikoroyama 31 3 5-1 Ms19e Kitaharima Yamahibiki 33 15 3-3 Ms24w Nionoumi Yamahibiki 33 40 1-5 Ms31e Sagatsukasa Irumagawa 38 36 4-2 Ms31w Kagamio Kagamiyama 32 23 4-2 Ms38w Asahisho Tomozuna 30 17 3-1-2 Ms39w Keitenkai Onomatsu 30 45 2-4 Ms42e Takaryu Kise 27 28 kyujo Ms44w Gagamaru Kise 33 2 4-2 Ms45w Ichiyamamoto Nishonoseki 26 2 4-2 Ms46w Amakaze Oguruma 28 12 2-4 Ms47e Tokushinho Kise 35 26 2-4 Ms48e Higonojo Kise 35 35 6-0 Sd30w Ura Kise 27 13 2-4 Sd33e Kaonishiki Azumazeki 41 51 4-2 Sd45w Masunoyama Chiganoura 29 30 2-4 Sd57w Yoshiazuma Tamanoi 42 33 3-3 Sd96e Dairaido Takadagawa 39 81 kyujo Jd28w Hitenryu Tatsunami 35 51

Day 12 (results, text-only results) 11-1 M13w Aoiyama 10-2 Ye Hakuho, Yw Kakuryu, Se Asanoyama 9-3 M3w Mitakeumi, M9e Takanosho More weird sumo by Hakuho, this time a harite storm against Shodai. That may have been a good idea six months ago, but the new and improved Shodai appears mostly impervious to that kind of thing. It looked like the yokozuna wanted to try the slapdown route again, too, but he only got through half of an attempt before Shodai took charge and drove him across the bales. Not the greatest timing, however, as neither of Shodai's now two career wins over Hakuho have resulted in a kinboshi, and he's only been in sanyaku three times. In any case, that has left us with Aoiyama as the new sole leader after he powered through upper ranker Mitakeumi in convincing fashion. It's of course still too early to call this thing done and dusted, but I'll take the opportunity to mention that there's only ever been one case (in 1991) of back to back hiramaku yusho in the 111-year history of the individual championship being awarded. Pursuers Asanoyama and Takanosho were matched up with double-digit wins on the line, and it was the ozeki hopeful who came through in that match, looking solid. Kakuryu also improved to 10-2 to stay in the race, after opponent Endo compromised his position too much in driving back the yokozuna. With losses for both Mitakeumi as well as Daieisho, who was defeated by a spirited Onosho, the sanyaku race has tightened up a bit again, though these two remain the clear frontrunners. Shodai's victory today has made it rather less likely that 3+ slots will open up, as he stands only one win away from at least retaining a sanyaku position as komusubi. Ozeki Takakeisho improved to 6-6 with a fairly easy victory over Ryuden, but kachikoshi remains far from assured. 10-2 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 10-2 6-6 Takakeisho O --- 10-2 Asanoyama S Shodai 6-6 (x) 3-9 Hokutofuji K Endo 6-6 7-5 Daieisho M1 6-6 Okinoumi M2 7-5 Yutakayama M3 Mitakeumi 9-3 M4 Abi 5-7 (x) M5 Onosho 7-5 M6 Kagayaki 7-5 8-4 Takarafuji M7 M8 9-3 Takanosho M9 ... M13 Aoiyama 11-1 With three days to go it's time for the customary top 4 roundrobin, which extends down to Asanoyama at sekiwake this time, and starts off as usual with #1 Hakuho against #4 Asanoyama and #2 Kakuryu versus #3 Takakeisho. Of course, Aoiyama's presence as the yusho leader may throw a wrench into the proceedings here - I strongly doubt they'll break up the scheduled Day 14 match between Kakuryu and Asanoyama nor the senshuraku yokozuna meeting, but either or both of Takakeisho's remaining matches may be at risk of not happening. Particularly the Day 15 one against Asanoyama looks easy to scrap, with the sekiwake a prime opponent for Aoiyama there. In a strange turn of events, if they decide to go through with the standard schedule, it'll be a major boon to Aoiyama not only in that he'd avoid his three closest pursuers completely, but also because they would be certain to give each other three losses for some automatic eliminations along the way. Of course, the second part will still be true even if they decide to do Aoiyama-Asanoyama for senshuraku... Maybe an indication that Hakuho-Aoiyama is also "necessary" on Day 14? In any case, for Day 13 it's Takanosho who awaits the leader first. Asanoyama's ozeki run efforts have taken the minimum hurdle of 10 wins now, so at the very least he should be assured another opportunity in the next tournament if he falters from here. That being said, IMHO 10-11-10-11 would be a perfectly acceptable promotion run, so it might only take one victory across the final three days. 12 will absolutely do it - being in the midst of the yusho race here will count for enough that a 33-in-3 win total won't be questioned as insufficient. The two worst-placed maegashira demotion candidates were paired up for Day 13, which resulted in an altogether too easy victory for Daiamami over Tochiozan. Both are now in need of winning their remaining three matches. Nishikigi avoided that fate and improved his lot with a win over a slipping Kotoshogiku; gotta take 'em any way you can, I guess. Recently returned Chiyomaru was also successful against a fading Tochinoshin, and Sadanoumi should be safe altogether after defeating Azumaryu. Shohozan dropped to double-digit losses against Kaisei in what's shaping up as potentially his worst basho since the disastrous 1-14 five years ago that spelled his first demotion to juryo. (And led to a miraculous career re-invention in which the erstwhile pure pusher suddenly returned from the second division with significant yotsu chops.) Day 12 proved a better day for the juryo hopefuls than Day 11 did, although we still don't have any properly qualified candidate after Kotoeko lost for the second straight day. Ex-ozeki Terunofuji defeated upstart compatriot Hoshoryu to secure his kachikoshi and thus the minimum necessary to be considered for promotion. (Though the overall situation makes it quite unlikely that 8 wins will be enough.) Kotoshoho, meanwhile, is not only the new yusho leader but also the by-the-numbers frontrunner in the promotion queue. However, after today we have no less than 6 candidates who can move themselves into promotable territory with a 2-1 or better finish, so a lot remains up in the air here. (1) 2-10 Shohozan M8 M9 (o) 4-8 Sadanoumi M10 Tochiozan 1-11 (3) ... M14 Nishikigi 4-8 (2) (x) 1-4-7 Tsurugisho M15 Chiyomaru 6-4-2 (1) (2) 5-7 Azumaryu M16 Shimanoumi 6-6 (1) (2) 5-7 Meisei M17 Daiamami 5-7 (3) (1) 7-5 Kotonowaka M18 --- (2) 6-6 Kotoyuki J1 Hidenoumi 5-7 (3) (~) 5-7 Chiyoshoma J2 Wakatakakage 7-5 (2) (1) 8-4 Terunofuji J3 Daishoho 4-8 (x) (2) 8-4 Tobizaru J4 (1) 9-3 Kotoeko J5 Kyokushuho 7-5 (3) (1) 10-2 Kotoshoho J6 J7 (~) 8-4 Kyokutaisei J8 J9 Hoshoryu 7-5 (x) Even feeding Yago a co-worst performing opponent in Daishomaru didn't help, and the big Oguruma man picked up his 6th straight loss. The willpower is there, but the leg strength just isn't. Yago could still save himself by winning his last three, but who's going to bet on that? Daishomaru should be good to go for the May tournament now, although he could really use a few more wins as well if he doesn't want to be next basho's Yago. Another head-to-head match between demotion candidates was contested between Midorifuji and Akua, which saw victory by the small-sized Isegahama rikishi while Akua lost for the sixth day in a row as well. Day 12 also brought good news for Kizakiumi against upper-ranked Daishoho and for Chiyonoumi who sent visiting Sakigake to a hard luck 3-4 makekoshi. Midorifuji, Kizakiumi and Chiyonoumi ought to be all secure in their ranks now, while Asagyokusei has become our first demotable rikishi among the active ones (joining absent Tomokaze, of course). It's still possible, but it appears rather unlikely that things will turn around sufficiently for him to receive a lucky stay even if he finishes with three wins. No activity among the makushita top rankers outside of Sakigake's juryo appearance. J4 Daishomaru 3-9 (o) J5 J6 Akua 2-10 (2) (1) 3-9 Mitoryu J7 J8 (o) 5-7 Kizakiumi J9 (3) 3-9 Yago J10 Takagenji 5-7 (1) J11 Midorifuji 6-6 (o) J12 Asagyokusei 3-9 (~) (o) 7-5 Chiyonoumi J13 Tomokaze kyujo (x) J14 Akiseyama 6-6 (2) Ms1 Sakigake 3-4 (x) Ms2 Kotodaigo 3-3 (o) 5-1 Asabenkei Ms3 Fujiazuma 4-2 4-2 Chiyonoo Ms4 Ms5 As detailed yesterday it's now time to welcome back Asabenkei to juryo. When he's healthy and on form he's arguably juryo-worthy, but those days haven't been happening too regularly in recent years and I'd be a bit surprised if this turns out to be a more sustained presence in the paid ranks. I'm a fan of his though, so anything is welcome by me. Kotodaigo gets the call up to juryo tomorrow, facing Asagyokusei. This basho is Kotodaigo's fifth appearance in the top 5 makushita ranks, and only the second time he has made it as far as 3-3. At 27 years old, he may not be getting many better opportunities to finally break through to the salaried ranks. (Of course it's Sadogatake, famous late bloomer hub of ozumo...) As far as I can tell it's going to be ex-komusubi Ms11e Jokoryu as Asabenkei's final opponent, with Fujiazuma and Chiyonoo thus tabbed as the Day 14/15 juryo fill-ins.

Day 11 (results, text-only results) 10-1 Ye Hakuho, M13w Aoiyama 9-2 Yw Kakuryu, Se Asanoyama, M3w Mitakeumi, M9e Takanosho 8-3 --- Yesterday's question about the yusho viability of the 3-loss rikishi was conclusively answered by the rikishi themselves today, as all 5 of 'em lost and dropped to 7-4. Two of them did so against rikishi who moved on to 9-2, with Daieisho losing to Mitakeumi in turnaround fashion, while Ishiura was defeated a lot more clearly by Takanosho. A third match between a 7-3 hopeful and a frontrunner took place between Kotonowaka and Aoiyama, won in impressive fashion by the Bulgarian. Not to be outdone, co-leading Hakuho clobbered struggling komusubi Hokutofuji into what would ordinarily be third row. Kakuryu and Asanoyama also won decisively against Shodai and Ryuden, respectively, keeping us with the same six yusho contenders that entered the day. Meanwhile, komusubi Endo took a big step towards kachikoshi with victory over genki Onosho. He will face yokozuna Kakuryu for Day 12 and that's the lot as far as sanyaku matchups are concerned for him. Sekiwake Shodai is facing more of an uphill battle at 5-6 and with Hakuho awaiting him tomorrow. Daieisho and Mitakeumi remain the clear top candidates for a promotion into sanyaku, but we could conceivably need as many as four if Asanoyama earns promotion to ozeki and Endo doesn't get to 8 wins after all. Ozeki Takakeisho is clearly far from his best and dropped another match, this time to Abi, and his MK-trending record of 5-6 is pretty bad news with three well-performing opponents in Hakuho, Kakuryu and Asanoyama still to come. 10-1 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 9-2 5-6 Takakeisho O --- 9-2 Asanoyama S Shodai 5-6 (x) 2-9 Hokutofuji K Endo 6-5 7-4 Daieisho M1 6-5 Okinoumi M2 6-5 Yutakayama M3 Mitakeumi 9-2 M4 Abi 5-6 (x) 4-7 Ryuden M5 Onosho 6-5 M6 Kagayaki 6-5 7-4 Takarafuji M7 M8 9-2 Takanosho M9 M10 (x) 7-4 Chiyotairyu M11 (x) 7-4 Ishiura M12 M13 Aoiyama 10-1 The 10 lower maegashira still at risk of demotion posted only 3 wins between them today, and the one by Tochiozan may well be a case of too little, too late. Still good to see him finally get one, of course. Meisei and Shimanoumi were the other successful rikishi down here, both against fellow demotion candidates in Sadanoumi and Shohozan. Daiamami fell to 4-7 and has his back against the wall from the second-last slot in the division now. On the flipside, the juryo rikishi did their very best to open the door for some lucky maegashira stays - of the five best-placed promotion contenders, only Kotoshoho managed to win today. Terunofuji looked pretty bad against Kyokushuho, although perhaps that one's just an unfavourable matchup for him, as he also went 0-4 against him back when he was actually good. It's still only a 2-2 record required for him over the last four days, but his promotion chances certainly appeared a lot bigger just a few days ago. (1) 2-9 Shohozan M8 M9 (1) 3-8 Sadanoumi M10 Tochiozan 1-10 (3) ... M14 Nishikigi 3-8 (3) (x) 1-4-6 Tsurugisho M15 Chiyomaru 5-4-2 (2) (2) 5-6 Azumaryu M16 Shimanoumi 6-5 (1) (2) 5-6 Meisei M17 Daiamami 4-7 (4) (1) 7-4 Kotonowaka M18 --- (3) 5-6 Kotoyuki J1 Hidenoumi 4-7 (4) (4) 5-6 Chiyoshoma J2 Wakatakakage 7-4 (2) (2) 7-4 Terunofuji J3 Daishoho 4-7 (~) (3) 7-4 Tobizaru J4 (1) 9-2 Kotoeko J5 Kyokushuho 6-5 (4) (2) 9-2 Kotoshoho J6 J7 Churanoumi 5-6 (x) (~) 7-4 Kyokutaisei J8 J9 Hoshoryu 7-4 (~) A trio of juryo matches were contested between candidates for demotion: Wakamotoharu secured his 6th win and should be retaining his salaried rank for the first time in his third go at juryo, while his defeated opponent Asagyokusei cannot afford any further losses now. Kizakiumi prevailed over Daishomaru in a battle of endangered rikishi at single-digit ranks and has moved close to safety, while bottom-ranked Akiseyama was successful for the fourth day in a row, this time against Takagenji. Fellow J14 Chiyootori is even completely safe now, having clinched kachikoshi (after a close run decision with mono-ii) against makushita visitor Toyonoshima, who fell to makekoshi and out of the promotion race with that. The rest of the top makushita were in action as well, with one head-to-head pairing that saw Chiyonoo prevail over Sakigake. Chiyonoo is now KK, but may be ranked too low at Ms4e without a 5th win. It's still a race between five contenders as the other bubble boy, Kotodaigo, avoided makekoshi and sent opponent Toyohibiki to the losing record instead. (Not a great day for fans of ex-makuuchi stalwarts...) The Ms3 duo who entered the day with matching 4-1 scores went opposite ways with Asabenkei beating prospect youngster Naya and Fujiazuma getting manhandled to defeat by ex-komusubi Jokoryu. J4 Daishomaru 2-9 (1) J5 J6 Akua 2-9 (2) (1) 3-8 Mitoryu J7 J8 (1) 4-7 Kizakiumi J9 (3) 3-8 Yago J10 Takagenji 5-6 (1) (o) 6-5 Wakamotoharu J11 Midorifuji 5-6 (1) J12 Asagyokusei 3-8 (4) (1) 6-5 Chiyonoumi J13 Tomokaze kyujo (x) (o) 8-3 Chiyootori J14 Akiseyama 6-5 (2) Ms1 Sakigake 3-3 (x) 2-4 Toyonoshima Ms2 Kotodaigo 3-3 5-1 Asabenkei Ms3 Fujiazuma 4-2 4-2 Chiyonoo Ms4 Ms5 Asabenkei is all but certain to return to juryo after two years now (having dropped as low as Sd25 in the interim) but I'll wait to call it "officially" until we have a second open slot in juryo or top-ranked Sakigake falls out of contention. The second part of that will be resolved soon enough as Sakigake has been tabbed as the Day 12 fill-in against Chiyonoumi up in juryo.

I worked up a quick translation of the interview highlights: (K = Kitataiiki; I= Iwatomo; N = Nakamura; A = Araiso; G = Goeido) K) Now that you've retired, has your lifestyle changed? N) It sure has. There's nothing to be excited about anymore. K) Does the 15-day basho feel different now that you're an oyakata? N) Completely different. I no longer have a match to think about when I go to bed the night before or wake up each day. I'm now free of the pressure of fighting and way more relaxed. K) Have you lost weight now that you're retired? N) Nope, I'm still maintaining my fighting weight. N) My retirement came about in a completely unexpected fashion due to injury, and similarly, the Hatsu basho yusho by Tokushoryu was completely unexpected. He completely upset the order of winning. A) As a PhD of sumo, didn't you anticipate Tokushoryu winning? N) Not even remotely. A) Me neither--we're disqualified as commentators. A) Since we're commentators now, we should go around to all the heya and try to predict who will win. N) Naw, it's too hard. A) Sorry I suggested it. [At this point, former Goeido enters the room.] I) We're filming for YouTube. G) Is that so? I) But you haven't changed. You said you'd start smiling after you retired. G) I am smiling! G) [Upon it being pointed out that the top button of his dress shirt is unbuttoned] "I just retired and I'm still too fat to button it." A) Give it six months and you'll have 2-3 more cm of room! G) Trying on his official blue oyakata jacket: "It's too small!" Zipping it up, asks: "How does it look?" Everyone) Too Small! [He tries on the next size up and it fits perfectly.] [Back to Nakamura, talking about episodes with Kise during his career] N) During keiko, when called by Kise, I would get fully amped to train with him. A) Most other rikishi wouldn't come at me with full strength, only Yoshikaze. N) That may be true, but if we went 10 times, I was only good for the first 2-3, then I'd be spent, while Kise wouldn't even be breathing hard. A) Even so, my heated training with Nakamura was a big part of the reason I was able to become Ozeki, then Yokozuna. I always used my training with him as a barometer for how I'd do each basho. N) After training with Kise just before the basho, I'd need the remaining time just to recover, so when the basho began, I was always at my peak and ready to take on Joi opponents. A) When I got injured, Nakamura as always the first to call me with helpful advice. A) When I was close to making Yokozuna, Nakamura would always say to me: "Make it happen so I can be your tachimochi." So when I actually made it and he was able to fulfill that role, I felt his words helped me become Yokozuna. N) The sword was so heavy, it left me with sore muscles. A) When the other rikishi gathered to wrap the rope around me for the first time, it was moving that all these guys like Kotoshogiku, Yoshikaze, and Shohozan who were my rivals were there for me. It was the first moment it hit me that I was now a Yokozuna. K) Is there anything you wish you had done while still active? N) No, I did everything I could. But I do wish I could have matched up with Enho. K) Why? N) Because I'm confident I'd win. I liked facing small opponents. For a long time there was no one smaller than me. Then Ishiura and Terutsuyoshi came along and I never lost to them. I figured I'd just do to them what bigger rikishi always did to me and I'd prevail. K) What would be your strategy for facing Enho? N) It wouldn't matter. I'm confident I'd smack him down regardless of what he did! K) If you could be reborn, would you enter sumo again? N) Absolutely! I loved sumo. K) Which rikishi are you focusing on for Osaka? N) I want Tokushoryu to do well and have a performance similar to Hatsu, since all eyes will be on him. A) If he can do that, it would prove he was the real deal. N) I want him to climb up the banzuke. That would light up the sumo world. K) Finally, a message to the viewers. N) Make sure to hit the like button and subscribe!