[Magus978]

Many hours late, but let's get at it.

- We start off the day with Tokushoryu, a Juryo, getting the call to face 5-1 Terutsuyoshi. It would be embarrassing for Terutsuyoshi to lose to a wrestler in the division below, but Tokushoryu is a big boy. After taking some time to get started, Terutsuyoshi finishes things quickly with an assist from his opponent, who seemed to be too excited. Terutsuyoshi goes to 6-1, and Tokushoryu drops to 2-5, unlikely to get his Makuuchi division status back this tournament.

- Speaking of Makuuchi status, Toyonoshima is in danger of losing it. At 1-5, he's gotta have a win against 4-2 Sadanoumi. Pretty good match here, and it's an upset as Toyonoshima does his survival hopes a lot of good with a victory via arm drag. Not too shabby.

- Big boys are next as Chiyomaru faces Kotoyuki. Some good slaps and Kotoyuki makes quick work of Chiyomaru. Kotoyuki moves up to 5-2 and puts himself in nice shape to move up a few ranks.

- Enho, the popular underdog, is part of the chasing pack at 5-1. He's got Kagayaki to deal with today. Unfortunately for Enho, Kagayaki's size is just too much. Enho tries to get low, but Kagayaki's not having any of it and just uses his size advantage to overpower the little warrior.

- Battle of 2-4 fighters here as Tochiozan faces Yago. Pretty good bout here, some good slaps, and then Tochiozan just slips and hits the ground. Tough luck for Tochiozan who sees his record drop to 2-5 as a result. Yago's gonna feel pretty good about being 3-4.

- Kotoeko has lost 4 straight after starting 2-4. Today he's got a desperate Kaisei (1-5) to deal with. How desperate is Kaisei to stay in Makuuchi? They battle for control, and Kotoeko gets an advantage and takes Kaisei down! Kotoeko ends his slump and gets back in the win column, while a drop to Juryo seems inevitable for the Brazilian.

- Takagenji's lost to Okinoumi yesterday really set him back as far as being a contender this tournament. He'll try to pick up the pieces against 3-3 Shohozan. First meeting between these two. Slow paced bout with a lot of holding. Shohozan trying to grab Takagenji's mawashi from the rear. Tactics at play here as these two duel at close range. Crowd tries to encourage them. They continue to take it slow. I'm fallin' asleep here...think the referee's getting impatient. They hold for a little longer...but then Shohozan snaps into action, and catches Takagenji off guard, lifting him out of the ring. Both fighters are 4-3 after a long bout.

- Okinoumi's won two straight to get back to .500. Nishikigi is working on a 2 loss, 2 win, 2 loss pattern. After taking some time to start, Okinoumi is able to just gently put his opponent on the ground. Nishikigi's in trouble at 2-5.

- Onosho holds a 3-1 career record against today's opponent, Daishoho. If he wants to get to 3-4, he'll have to make it 4-1...and that's exactly what he does. Daishoho offers little resistance as Onosho simply powers him out of the ring.

- Tomokaze is in the "hope the Yokozuna slip up" camp at the moment with a 5-1 record. He has to hold up his end of the bargain too, and it starts today with a bout against 3-3 Chiyotairyu. Another first time meeting. Tomokaze got a bit excited and Chiyotairyu turned the tables, able to slap him out of the ring. Safe to say Tomokaze did not hold up his end of the bargain.

- Former Ozeki Kotoshogiku continues his journey back up the ranks as he faces 2-4 Shimanoumi. These two have never met. Sense a pattern here? Good opening charge from Kotoshogiku but Shimanoumi is holding his own and keeping the former Ozeki on the defensive, and he gets the reward as Shimanoumi is able to drag Kotoshogiku out of the ring.

- 5-1 Ichinojo tips the scales at 500 pounds. Myogiryu is a big boy too at around 342, but he's giving up 150+ pounds today. Ichinojo starts brightly, but Myogiryu keeps coming and his hard work pays off as he's able to use the mawashi and lift his bigger opponent out. Nicely done. The chase pack gets smaller and smaller.

- Another tale of two desperate wrestlers, as Takarafuji (2-4) faces Meisei (0-6). Both finding the going very tough. Meisei showing some aggression here, trying to force Takarafuji to the edge. Eventually he does get his opponent out. Meisei's on the board, and you can see the relief on his face! Both are looking at steep drops in rank though.

- Abi, who probably didn't get paid for beating Tochinoshin by forfeit, looks to go to the pay window against 3-3 Hokutofuji. Abi attempts to get a slap fight going, but Hokutofuji's not playing around and is just bullrushing Abi. The bullrush pays off and he drives Abi out.

- Two more desperate wrestlers here, 2-4 Ryuden who had a brutal start to the tournament, and Tamawashi (1-5). The latter looking at a drop right back to Maegashira. Aggressive start from Tamawashi, but Ryuden turns him around and is able to push him right out! Ryuden's hopes of kachi-koshi are rising, while Tamawashi may have to get used to life back in the Maegashira rank.

- It's not much easier for Asanoyama today, he faces another Sekiwake in Mitakeumi. Good start, and once again Asanoyama finds no luck against the higher ranked wrestlers. Mitakeumi shoves the opponent out and goes to 5-2.

- Aoiyama is glad to not see a Yokozuna facing him today...but maybe less glad to see it's Takayasu, an Ozeki. Aoiyama leads the career series 11-8. After a delayed start, some encouraging effort from Aoiyama, but once again he's not rewarded for it as he's put on the backfoot by Takayasu and inevitably taken out of the ring.

- Endo's brutal start to the tournament continues as he faces down the other Ozeki, 3-3 Goeido. Endo has hope as Goeido's 3 losses have come to Maegashira-rank fighters. Endo pounced on that hope and took the fight to Goeido early, not relenting until he shoved Goeido out of the ring. Endo's 3-4, as is Goeido, who may not be in the best of shape.

- Now we get to see some Yokozuna action. Unbeaten Hakuho faces off with Daieisho. Daieisho shows some good spirit early, but Hakuho's just too good. He endures the attack and then counters with some smart sumo, eventually taking Daieisho to the ground, and holding him there for an extra second or two, presumably to make sure he's out of the match.

- Main Event time! Unbeaten Kakuryu steps into the ring to face Shodai, who's made the most of a rough start opponent-wise to be 4-2. Shodai has never beaten Kakuryu in his previous 11 attempts, and you can make that 12 because Shodai was never really in this one. Kakuryu too strong and lifts him out with ease.

- We got ourselves a fashion show to end the video. Some really nice kimonos and a little fun. Anyway, the leaderboard. We're down to two in the chasing pack at 6-1, Terutsuyoshi and Takayasu. Six wrestlers at 5-2, but too much would have to happen for them to get back in this tournament. All eyes, as usual, on Kakuryu and Hakuho to see which one of them will blink first.