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I thought he wasn't allowed because he fell into a cauldron of the stuff when he was a baby.

Miraculix/Panoramix/Getafix/Ashafix's magic potion?

@Asashosakari will not be able to provide coverage of this topic this basho. I've covered before, and I am willing to do so again. It'll be about 8 hours before I get Day 8 up though, but it will come. Thanks for your patience.

For sure it's not Zenshoyushoix anymore...

Juryo race 7-2 J1w Akua, J3w Sadanoumi, J5e Abi, J8w Kotoshoho, J9e Nishikifuji 6-3 J4w Kaisho, J5w Bushozan, J7e Daishomaru, J10w Nishikigi, J14w Daishoho 5-4 J4e Shohozan, J6e Oho, J14e Churanoumi Juryo is being Juryo. Akua's loss today means that almost half the division is within two of the lead. There is enough pedigree here, that I won't speculate on a winner just yet. However, I'd be surprised if it came from the four loss group. Of the matches involving at least one of the two loss rikishi we have Akua-Bushozan, Nishikifuji-Hakuyozan, Kotoshoho- Daishoho and Abi-Sadanoumi. The last of the matches will guarantee us an 8-win rikishi at the end of the day. Lower division races 5-0 Ms11e Kitanowaka (Hakkaku) 5-0 Ms25e Ishizaki (Takasago) 5-0 Ms43e Fukai (Takasago) 5-0 Ms54w Hikarifuji (Isegahama) 5-0 Sd21e Fujiseiun (Fujishima) 5-0 Sd27e Tomiyutaka (Tokitsukaze) 5-0 Sd52e Osanai (Takasago) 5-0 Sd73w Narutaki (isenoumi) 5-0 Sd82w Suguro (Fujishima) 5-0 Sd95w Taiyo (Onoe) 5-0 Jd17w Kotakiyama (Futagoyama) 5-0 Jd49e Kiryuko (Tatsunami) 5-0 Jd63e Hitoshi (Oitekaze) 5-0 Jd70e Yashiroumi (Kise) 5-0 Jd99e Kakutaiki (Michinoku) 5-0 Jk13e Mifuneyama (Kise) 5-0 Jk20e Setonoumi (Takadagawa) In theory the Makushita race should come down to a 6-0 vs 6-0 matchup, but it's not unlikely that both 6-0 riksihi will be from Takasago, which would necessitate a different solution. It's not a foregone conclusion though as Kitanowaka should provide a good enough test for Sandanme tsukedashi starter Ishizaki. Sandanme should shrink down to three 6-0 rikishi as per usual. The bigger names here are Fujiseiun (undefeated in regulation for career), Osanai (just one loss in career) and Narutaki (returning from injury). The Jonidan race only has 5 undefeated rikishi at this time, which is slightly unusual. It'll be interesting how the do things from here. The most interesting names in this group are recent Mae-zumo starters Kiryuko and Hitoshi. In Jonokuchi we have 30-yo veteran Mifuneyama, who dropped from Makushita because of injury and 17-yo Setonoumi, who dropped from Jonidan because of injury. With only two undefeated rikishi, they'll have to be at least some matchups against 1 loss rikishi coming up.

Day 9 (results, text-only results) 8-1 Yw Terunofuji 7-2 M6w Onosho, M8e Okinoumi, M10w Myogiryu, M11e Endo, M17e Chiyonokuni 6-3 Oe Shodai, Se Mitakeumi, M2w Kiribayama, M4w Daieisho, M16e Chiyomaru Yusho and Sanyaku race So, the zensho-yusho is off, courtesy of Terunofuji's loss to Daieisho. Daieisho gave a powerful performance, showing the same levels that he was producing in January. It's a pity he's not that consistent with it. The zensho-yusho may be off, but the yusho is still Terunofuji's to lose. He still holds a one win advantage after Myogiryu succumbed to a loss against Onosho. With that win, Onosho finds himself in the one-win-behind grouping with Myogiryu, as well as Okinoumi, Endo and Chiyonokuni who were all successful today. Out of the 2-loss group, four of the five are paired up tomorrow with Endo taking on Onosho and Myogiru facing Okinoumi. Chiyonkuni gets the struggling Hidenoumi. There are still a few permutations left amongst this group, and I expect we might see Myogiryu-Chiyonokuni on Day 11. The only member of the two loss group not to win on Day 9 was Mitakeumi, beaten in convincing fashion by Kiribayama. Kiribayama himself is now in the chasing group 2-behind alongside Mitakeumi, Ozeki Shodai, Chiyomaru and Daieisho. The Mongolian remains the frontrunner for any open Sanyaku slots. Those slots are looking increasingly likely as Ichinojo looked poor in a defeat against Takanosho and Takayasu struggled against Takakeisho. The Ozeki now needs just three wins to retain his rank and is looking good to do so, though a defeat against tomorrow's Sekiwake opponent Meisei would be a major setback. Shodai survived against Chiyoshoma, but didn't look as good as he has been this basho, whereas Meisei looked strong in his win against Tamawashi. He'll have to defeat at least one of Terunofuji, Shodai and Takakeisho if he wants a kachi-koshi however. The other Sanyaku matchups tomorrow are Shodai-Daieisho, Mitakeumi-Wakatakakage, Ichinojo-Tamawashi, Takaysu-Kotonowaka and Terunofuji-Ura. The last of these I would consider intriguing if it weren't for the fact that Ura's knees seem in worse shape than the Yokozuna's. ky-COVID Hakuho Y Terunofuji 8-1 6-3 Shodai O Takakeisho 5-4 6-3 Mitakeumi S Meisei 4-5 (x) susp Asanoyama S 3-6 Takayasu K Ichinojo 3-6 3-4-2 Hoshoryu M1 Takanosho 5-4 M2 Kiribayama 6-3 4-5 Wakatakakage M3 Kotonowaka 3-6 3-6 Tamawashi M4 Daieisho 6-3 M5 Takarafuji 5-4 4-5 Ura M6 Onosho 7-2 4-5 Shimanoumi M7 Terutsuyoshi 3-6 7-2 Okinoumi M8 Tobizaru 4-5 4-5 Aoiyama M9 Hidenoumi 3-6 5-4 Chiyotairyu M10 Myogiryu 7-2 7-2 Endo M11 ... 6-3 Chiyomaru M16 7-2 Chiyonokuni M17 Makuuchi-Juryo There were wins by Chiyonkuni, Chiyomaru and Kagayaki to leave them needing just one win for safety (against fellow demotion candidates Tokushoryu, Hidenoumi and Kaisei respectively). Tochinoshin beat Chiyonoo to move his magic number to 3 wins. Chiyonoo along with Ichiayamamoto needs to win more than half the remaining bouts, and Tokushoryu needs to win all but one for numerical safety. Demotion zone matchups for Day 10 are Chiyonokuni - Hidenoumi, which will guarantee safety for one of them, along with Chiyonoo- Tsurugisho, Chiyomaru-Yutakayama, and Kaisei-Ichiyamamoto. On the Juryo side, Akua lost to former joi-and-Sanyaku regular Abi, on his way back up after his suspension. Akua is still the best candidate for promotion, needing just one win. Sadanoumi was successful against Yago and just needs two more by the numbers. Abi himself is now a reasonable candidate for promotion, but still needs to win half of his matches. Mitoryu had to leave the basho with an injury, and will not be making his Makuuchi debut in November. The most crucial bout in promotion terms tomorrow is Abi-Sadanonumi, with the winner getting kachi-kochi. Akua faces Bushozan. (1) 1-8 Chiyoshoma M5 ... M9 Hidenoumi 3-6 (1) M10 M11 Kotoeko 3-6 (2) ky-COVID Ishiura M12 Tochinoshin 3-6 (3) (1) 5-4 Kagayaki M13 Tsurugisho 4-5 (2) (3) 3-6 Kaisei M14 Yutakayama 5-4 (2) (4) 3-6 Ichiyamamoto M15 Chiyonoo 3-6 (4) (1) 6-3 Chiyomaru M16 Tokushoryu 3-6 (5) (1) 7-2 Chiyonokuni M17 (x) 2-7 Mitoryu J1 Akua 7-2 (1) (~) 2-7 Daiamami J2 (6) 3-6 Wakamotoharu J3 Sadanoumi 7-2 (2) (5) 5-4 Shohozan J4 Kaisho 6-3 (4) (3) 7-2 Abi J5 Bushozan 6-3 (4) (6) 5-4 Oho J6 (5) 6-3 Daishomaru J7 J8 Kotoshoho 7-2 (5) (5) 7-2 Nishikifuji J9 J10 Nishikigi 6-3 (~) Juryo - Makushita I forgot to mention yesterday that the first Juryo slot is aready open, courtesy of Takagenji being kicked out. As he's not on the banzuke, I had forgotten about him. There were four victories in the demotion zone today, three coming in intra-demotion-zone bouts, with Azumaryu beating Kyukushuho, Tohakuryu defeating Asashiyu and Midorifuji victorious against Hakuyozan. Churanoumi was also successful, defeating yusho-chasing Daishomaru. Everyone else in the chart lost. Asashiyu now has his back against the wall needing to win out to be safe by the numbers. Kyokushuho is not much better off, still needing five and Takakento could use a few wins as well. Day 11 matchups see Chiyoarashi coming up to face Churanoumi along with bouts between Azumaryu and Asashiyu and Midorifuji and Tohakuryu. On the Makushita side, all the top Makushitans were in action today save for Jokoryu. In the matchups of promotion hopefuls, Hiradoumi beat Tochimaru and Terasawa got his kachi-koshi against Kotoyusho. He's still not first in line yet, because that honour could go to Kitanowaka if he manages to win out. Elsewhere, Chiyoarashi beat Tsukahara but Kotokuzan lost to Shiba and Chiyootori exits the picture altogether with a loss to Roga. The only bout of interest down here tomorrow is Jokoryu against Ukrainian hopeful Shishi. J6 Hakuyozan 1-8 (3) J7 Tohakuryu 3-6 (1) (2) 3-6 Azumaryu J8 J9 (2) 4-5 Yago J10 ky-COVID Enho J11 Midorifuji 4-5 (2) (5) 2-7 Kyokushuho J12 Hokuseiho ky-COVID (4) 3-6 Takakento J13 Asashiyu 1-8 (6) (3) 5-4 Churanoumi J14 Daishoho 6-3 (2) 4-1 Terasawa Ms1 Chiyoarashi 3-2 3-2 Hiradoumi Ms2 Kotokuzan 3-2 (x) 1-4 Chiyootori Ms3 1-3 Jokoryu Ms4 Kotoyusho 3-2 2-3 Tochimaru Ms5 ... Ms9 Tsushimanada 4-1 (x) ... 5-0 Kitanowaka Ms11 Explanation of sumbols (#) Number of wins required to reach positive outcome (o) Target number of wins achieved (whether or not the positive outcome actually happens or not is another matter) (~) Need banzuke luck (x) Target missed.

Day 8 (results, text-only results) 8-0 Yw Terunofuji 7-1 M10w Myogiryu 6-2 S1e Mitakeumi, M6w Onosho, M8e Okinoumi, M11e Endo, M17e Chiyonokuni I apologise that this took a long time to make. So, shin-Yokozuna Terunofuji is off to a great start, looking utterly dominant in most of his matches and didn't look like he would lose in those that were more challenging. It certainly seems to be his for the taking at the moment. The quality of the competition just isn't up to his level and he has been the most dominant rikishi of the last year. That's no disrespect to one-behind Myogiryu, who has shown some good form this basho against mid-ranked opponents. We're without Yokozuna Hakuho for this tournament, since his whole heya was sidelined again for COVID reasons. This time it was Hokuseiho who kept testing positive and a a result we've been robbed of a potential head-to-head (assuming that Hakuho's body would have made it that far) against Terunofuji. Ozeki Shodai has been his usual self, and should make his kachi-koshi. Kadoban Takakeisho opened up the basho with three straight losses and looking shaky doing so. He's improved since then and now sits at 4-4, but it'll still be a fight to avoid demotion. However, aside from Terunofuji, I wouldn't say that anyone was looking good enough, that if Takakeisho's having a reasonable day, that it would be an automatic loss. I'm not counting him out just yet. In the lower Sanyaku, Mitakeumi has looked like his better self, but given his history anything from 8 to 12 wins by the end of the basho seems plausible. Meisei, Takayasu and Ichinojo have all struggled to some degree, so there is good potential for number of slots to open up. Of course, none have yet and we don't know if Takakeisho will be occupying one of them. Kiribayama has the lead position at the moment in case any should open up. Finally, we should remember that Asanoyama still exists. However, his Sekiwake rank is just a placeholder as her serves his suspension and he can be ignored for the rest of the basho. ky-COVID Hakuho Y Terunofuji 8-0 5-3 Shodai O Takakeisho 4-4 6-2 Mitakeumi S Meisei 3-5 (x) susp Asanoyama S 3-5 Takayasu K Ichinojo 3-5 2-4-2 Hoshoryu M1 Takanosho 4-4 M2 Kiribayama 5-3 4-4 Wakatakakage M3 Kotonowaka 3-5 3-5 Tamawashi M4 Daieisho 5-3 M5 Takarafuji 4-4 4-4 Ura M6 Onosho 6-2 3-5 Shimanoumi M7 Terutsuyoshi 3-5 6-2 Okinoumi M8 Tobizaru 4-4 4-4 Aoiyama M9 Hidenoumi 3-5 4-4 Chiyotairyu M10 Myogiryu 7-1 6-2 Endo M11 ... 5-3 Chiyomaru M16 6-2 Chiyonokuni M17 At the bottom end of the division, Tokushoryu is the most endangered rikishi, needing 5 wins to keep his place. There are four more riksihi needing at least four to have survivable records. One thing we learnt from last time is that having a survivable record can take precedence over a candidate with a strong promotable record. Further good news for the rikishi at this end of the division is that Juryo (as per usual) is not producing much in the way of good promotion candidates. Only Akua and Sadanoumi seem reasonable at the moment and Sadanoumi still requires 3 for a proper promotable record. Everyone else will have to put together a serious winning streak. (1) 1-7 Chiyoshoma M5 ... M9 Hidenoumi 3-5 (1) M10 M11 Kotoeko 2-6 (3) ky-COVID Ishiura M12 Tochinoshin 2-6 (4) (2) 4-4 Kagayaki M13 Tsurugisho 4-4 (2) (3) 3-5 Kaisei M14 Yutakayama 4-4 (3) (4) 3-5 Ichiyamamoto M15 Chiyonoo 3-5 (4) (2) 5-3 Chiyomaru M16 Tokushoryu 3-5 (5) (2) 6-2 Chiyonokuni M17 (6) 2-6 Mitoryu J1 Akua 7-1 (1) (7) 2-6 Daiamami J2 Kyokutaisei 2-4-2 (x) (6) 3-5 Wakamotoharu J3 Sadanoumi 6-2 (3) (6) 4-4 Shohozan J4 Kaisho 5-3 (5) (4) 6-2 Abi J5 Bushozan 5-3 (5) (7) 4-4 Oho J6 (5) 6-2 Daishomaru J7 J8 Kotoshoho 6-2 (6) (6) 6-2 Nishikifuji J9 J10 Nishikigi 6-2 (7) There have been a number of bad performances in Juryo, including seemingly injured Azumaryu and Hakuyozan. However, their ranking might be enough to save them if rikishi below them don't start winning soon. These include veteran Kyokushuho who needs 5 to be safe and shin-Juryo Asashiyu (ex-Murata), who is certainly finding sekitori competition a struggle. No one in Makushita has a claim yet, but aside from the two undefeated rikishi in the extended promotion zone, the best position in the promotion queue belongs to Terasawa, sitting at 3-1 at Ms1e and with over a strong-looking Juryo rikishi Daishoho to boot. I'm hoping the man with the famous mawashi gets promoted. J6 Hakuyozan 1-7 (3) J7 Tohakuryu 2-6 (2) (3) 2-6 Azumaryu J8 J9 (2) 4-4 Yago J10 ky-COVID Enho J11 Midorifuji 3-5 (3) (5) 2-6 Kyokushuho J12 Hokuseiho ky-COVID (4) 3-5 Takakento J13 Asashiyu 1-7 (6) (4) 4-4 Churanoumi J14 Daishoho 6-2 (2) 3-1 Terasawa Ms1 Chiyoarashi 2-2 2-2 Hiradoumi Ms2 Kotokuzan 3-1 1-3 Chiyootori Ms3 Hokaho ky-COVID (x) 1-3 Jokoryu Ms4 Kotoyusho 3-1 2-2 Tochimaru Ms5 Akiseyama kyujo (x) ... Ms9 Tsushimanada 4-0 ... 4-0 Kitanowaka Ms11 Given that we're well into Day 9 already, I will wait to post the Juryo and other lower division results.

Three sessions of three bouts each, three shindeshi and three returnees. Results and standings Results and standings Results and standings: Session 1, Day 3: O Chiyoshishi Fukuminato X X Masutani Tsuyasato O X Nakanishi Urasaki O Session 2, Day 4: O Chiyoshishi Tsuyasato X O Masutani Nakanishi X X Urasaki Tsuyasato O Session 3, Day 5: O Chiyoshishi Tsuyasato X X Masutani Urasaki O X Nakanishi Tsuyasato O Standings: > Chiyoshishi Kokonoe 3-0 > Tsuyasato Minato 3-2 Urasaki Tatsunami 2-1 Masutani Yamahibiki 1-2 Nakanishi Futagoyama 0-3 > Fukuminato Minato 0-1-2 Chiyoshishi was the best performer here with three easy wins against the returning Minato-beya pair. Tsuyasato looked solid enough and also reached three wins, all against the three newcomers. Fukuminato however offered little resistance in the opening bout and didn't appear again, hopefully he'll be closer to 100% fit in November. Urasaki has good core and leg strength due to his surfing background, no sumo experience but he didn't look bad at all. In any case, two wins are two more than his older brothers could muster in maezumo. Not too much to say about the other two newcomers at this point. Shussehiro today, from left Urasaki, Masutani, Nakanishi.

Happy birthday Nekonishiki... I hope you got everthing you wanted or at least a box to keep it in... Good luck in the games aswell.

I think we don't know whether a KK from Ms1e or a 7-0 from lower down in the extended promotion zone would take precedence if only a single juryo slot were to open, as both are as close to a guaranteed promotion as these things get. There was a time a few basho ago where this came up, but in the end a second slot opened up to make the discussion moot, and that's almost certain to happen again this time.

That and the sumida shrine will probably take place after the Aki basho since they need time to carve the names into the tablet?

Terunofuji's loss still hasn't sunk in.

Daieisho beat all 4 foreign opponents he faced!

There is always special attention given new Yokozunas to see how many wins they can string together at the starts of their Grand Champion careers (my version of NHK's debut final record). On paper, Terunofuji had a chance to cobble a zensho yusho 15-0 record. But with this loss, his win streak ends up being a worthy yet lacklustre 8-0. Hakuho managed a 9-0 record when he first became a Yokozuna. Interestingly, Kisenosato actually did better, with 12 straight wins before his first loss as a Yokozuna. The king in this category was Takanosato who won 18 straight times before his first loss as a Yokozuna. Needless to say, best record in Yokozuna debuts is one of the few records that Hakuho does not hold! I guess Terunofuji won't be setting that record either...

Day 9 http://www.sumo.or.jp/pdf/honbasho/kansen/torikumi/2109_09.pdf １８２: Terunofuji ６４: Shodai ５９: Mitakeumi ５７: Takakeisho ４８: Kiribayama ４７: Endo ３９: Daieisho (M) ２３: Ichinojo ２２: Chiyonokuni ２１: Hoshoryu

He actually gets some wins pulling guys down. But he gets it when they are hard chargers that keep charging, like Onosho. if he stuck with that he'd be fine. But inexplicably he tries it when he has them pushed backwards and pulls them back into balance. Dumb. You see this a lot, even from veterans, and I've never understood it. Pulling works when your opponent is moving in the direction you are pulling, if it works at all. This isn't rocket science.

Ouch, Araiso was watching when Takayasu lost to Takakeisho in a fairly unbalanced manner. Not sure about wide open considering all of the five chasers aren't traditional title threats - maybe Okinoumi and Endo, but that's as dangerous as they get. When you consider that other than Terunofuji, Mitakeumi and Shodai are the ones leading the sanyaku from two behind, Terunofuji still has to be the favourite for the yusho. Now if Shodai and Mitakeumi succeed in beating Terunofuji then that really blows the door off its hinges. Chiyonokuni M17 yusho (from a "could have been in juryo this basho" position too) anyone?

One of the best ipponzeoi I have ever seen. A sight to see.

What a throw by Hoshoryu. He was dead to rights on the bales and instead pulls out a win by ippon-zeoi.

Which is funny because Tamawashi is the least Mongolian of the Mongolian rikishi and trying to yorikiri Terunofuji was the least Tamawashi sumo Tamawashi has fought. Maybe that’s what took Terunofuji by surprise—he was expecting an oshi attack.

I've covered before, and can do so again. If people don't mind waiting an extra few hours before Day 8 goes up that is.

Uh oh, Hoshoryu just swung his arm in excitement after winning his match. Good thing he's not a Mongolian Yokozuna or we'd be subjected to endless statements about it for the next week.

Miyogiryu is like a spiritual Maegashira 17 this basho.

Yes, he got better day by day. On day 3 I actually thought: What is that talk that the dohyo-iri is something that strains him and could shorten his career. This sumo kata strengthens his lower body and his knees as well, aids his balance and makes him focus on being the yokozuna, way above the others.

Ama. He had great technique and ferocious tenacity. He never let go of a mawashi hold and never broke a fall if winning was in the balance. I was doubtful he'd be able to make ozeki at 126 k, and had mixed feelings about his being promoted to yokozuna because I wasn't sure he'd be able to hold the rank and didn't want him to be forced to go intai. But he sustained his rank and during the reign of the dai yokozuna of all dai yokozuna he won 9 yusho (3 zenyusho). Harumafuji was simply magnificent. And I'd throw in Kotoshogiku in second place. In a sport where so many rikishi underachieve, he was an overachiever. Kisenosato was the rikishi almost everyone thought would end the Japanese yusho drought, but it was Kotoshogiku who did it. And Kotoshogiku beat Kise to ozeki too. He had a limited technique and ability and he made the most of it.