[Magus978]

Let's try again...Day 4 commentary start!

- We start the Makuuchi action off with winless Takagenji facing unbeaten Azumaryu. Azumaryu has done a great job of making me eat my words. After a false start from Takagenji, we get going and Takagenji wastes very little time in overwhelming Azumaryu and taking him out of the ring. First win of the tournament for Takagenji, first loss of the tournament for Azumaryu.

- Next up, a pair of 2-1's as Tsurugeisho faces off with Yutakayama. Tsurugeisho sidesteps the initial charge, but Yutakayama quickly refocuses and takes advantage of a momentary brain fade from Tsurugeisho to drive him down to the clay and take the victory. Yutakayama impressive as he goes to 3-1.

- Kagayaki's won two straight since starting the tournament off with a loss, while Tochiozan got his first win yesterday. Might be a crossroads bout here. Pretty good bout here as both work hard in the middle slapping each other. However, it's Tochiozan who's able to turn it around and take his opponent out. After an 0-2 start, Tochiozan fights his way back to .500.

- Next up, it's a pair of 2-1's as Ishiura faces Nishikigi. As I might have stated earlier in the tournament, Nishikigi has not had a kachi-koshi in a year...and the way Ishiura moved him about in this bout might be a big reason why. Ishiura just overwhelms Nishikigi and picks up a relatively easy win. Very impressive from Ishiura, who moves to 3-1.

- We go from 2-1's to a pair of 0-3's, as Toyonoshima and Daishoho get ready to do battle here. Someone's 0 has got to go, unless the referee disqualifies them both. Daishoho holds his ground early against Toyonoshima's aggression, but when he tries to make a move, Toyonoshima lets him fall to the ground. Toyonoshima's 0 has gone, but Daishoho's 0 remains.

- It's Enho Fan Club time! The little big man is 3-0 and faces 1-2 Shohozan, who he has never beaten. Shohozan gets the upper hand early, but Enho is so determined he wills himself to stay on his feet and in the bout. Enho gets his hands on the mawashi and tries to turn this thing around, but Shohozan is not having any of it. Shohozan is starting to twist Enho around a little bit, with the little big man trying to hang on for dear life. Enho sends Shohozan back, but not quite far enough back, as Shohozan survives the force out attempt! Enho ALMOST ends up sitting on the clay, but he gets himself back up and back in the fight! Incredible spirit here from the sub-220 lb Enho! Enho tries to go lower, but Shohozan knows it's coming and uses his momentum to take the little one down! Shohozan gets the duke, but Enho's spirit was on full display here in an excellent bout. Enho definitely got the worst of the bout though, as he looks like he's sporting a bit of a knock on the right side of his face. He'll be okay, he's a sumo wrestler.

- From the excitement of that bout, we transition now to 1-2 Onosho vs 2-1 Meisei. Onosho tries to get the better of Meisei off the charge, but Meisei knows what he's doing here. He gets Onosho off balance, and once a guy's off balance, they're easy pickin's to be finished off. That's exactly what happens here. Meisei the winner via Oshidashi.

- Next up it's Sadanoumi vs Kotoyuki in a battle of two 1-2 contestants. Both have started out with a L-W-L pattern...someone's pattern's about to be broken. Kotoyuki gets the better of the initial charge, and Sadanoumi can't really recover from it. Kotoyuki's able to keep his opponent off balance and take him out of the ring for the victory via Tsukidashi.

- Okinoumi is among the leaders right now at 3-0, facing off with 2-1 Takarafuji. Takarafuji appears to get the better of the initial charge, but Okinoumi has good technique, and is able to send Takarafuji down to the clay via Kotenage. Okinoumi's 4-0 and will still be among the leaders.

- I fear for the rice in this one, because it's Terutsuyoshi time! Having only gotten back into sumo in time for the last tournament, it's a bit strange to see Terutsuyoshi at 1-2. Perhaps he could focus more on his in-ring fighting rather than his rice tossing? He'll look to make up for two straight losses today against 0-3 Kotoeko. Some good work here from both fighters as this one was action-packed. Terutsuyoshi makes a key error as he retreated back a step or two, and that was all Kotoeko needed to push him out. They both move to 1-3.

- Pair of 1-2 fighters next as Chiyotairyu faces Kotoshogiku. After a false start from Chiyotairyu, we get going on the second try. Kotoshogiku ends up making relatively quick work of Chiyotairyu, and gets back to .500.

- Myogiryu and Ryuden square off now in a battle of 2-1's. Myogiryu tries to be the aggressor early on, but Ryuden holds his ground. Ryuden can only hold on for so long, as Myogiryu's aggression starts to pay off in the form of Ryuden going backwards and eventually out of the ring. Myogiryu joins the 3-1 brigade.

- Shimanoumi and Shodai are set to go in the ring, and both would like to get back to .500 today. First meeting between the two. Shodai gets the better of the charge and just lifts Shimanoumi out of the ring.

- Daieisho (0-3) had a brutal first three days, but it may get a little better for him scheduling-wise now. He'll have to deal with Tamawashi (2-1) today. Daieisho doing far better today, getting off strong and able to slap Tamawashi out of the bout. Daieisho gets that first win he needs.

- Asanoyama and Endo get ready to roll here in this battle of 2-1's. Asanoyama started out really strong, putting Endo on the brink several times. However, Endo is able to turn things around and it's Asanoyama, not Endo, who gets taken out of the ring!

- Mitakeumi (2-1) has had a reasonably good start to his tournament, and next up is Aoiyama (0-3), who hasn't. Mitakeumi gets Aoiyama off balance from the start, and it's all too easy from there. Aoiyama looks like a beaten man who might want to consider dropping out sooner rather than later.

- Tomokaze (2-1) and Takakeisho (3-0) got off on the right foot this tournament, and one of them will continue their winning ways. Takakeisho gets the jump just right and the slaps are enough to send Tomokaze out.

- Hokutofuji, he of the kinboshi bonus winner, has not won since day 1. Goeido, hoping to keep his Ozeki rank, has made a bright start at 2-1. Goeido is very strong and is able to muscle Hokutofuji out with ease.

- Abi (2-1) may create a big problem for the immobile and injured Tochinoshin (1-2). Abi gets off strong, but Tochinoshin counters his opponent's aggression and brings him down to the ground. Tochinoshin wins this one...but wait a minute! The referees are calling a mono-ii! It looks like Tochinoshin got the hair...he let go before the end, but the hair is completely off-limits. Tochinoshin has been disqualified for a hair pull! Abi catches a break and goes to 3-1.

- Main Event time! All roads to the yusho go through Kakuryu (3-0). Will anyone step up and be the stumbling block? Ichinojo (1-2) would like to be the one who trips him up. It's not often that you see Ichinojo get tossed around, but that's what happens here as Kakuryu is able to send Ichinojo to the ground. Someone might beat Kakuryu, but it won't be Ichinojo.

Looking at the big board, there are just three left unbeaten. Kakuryu, Takakeisho, and Okinoumi each sit at 4-0. However, there is a chase pack of 10 who are at 3-1 and would pounce if the unbeatens slip up. Down at the bottom, it's not looking good for Aoiyama and Daishoho.

That's it for day 4 of the 2019 Aki basho. We'll see you tomorrow for day 5. Hakkeyoi!