[Magus978]

Welcome to day 7. Today and tomorrow are the official halfway point of the Aki Basho, and we've got quite the fun leaderboard. Let's see what today does to it.

- Azumaryu (3-3), loser of 3 in a row, opens the show today against Juryo rikishi Chiyoshoma (4-2). Another Juryo making a cameo this tournament. Chiyoshoma has been in Makuuchi before, but he was relegated before the Summer. After a false start, we get going. Chiyoshoma looks decent early on, but once Azumaryu got hold of the mawashi, this match only had one result. Azumaryu by Yorikiri. He needed this one.

- At 5-1, Ishiura is part of the chase pack. He can put some pressure on Okinoumi by beating Yutakayama (3-3) today. Ishiura takes a few really good slaps here. Yutakayama bringing the pain to Ishiura, but the smaller man staying in it nicely with some good lateral movement. Both men get off balance multiple times during the fight, but the big move by Ishiura pays off and he wins the bout. He's 6-1!

- Now a fight between two rikishi who know their status in Makuuchi division are very much in doubt, as Takagenji (2-4) faces off with winless Daishoho (0-6). They battle for the mawashi for a time before Daishoho is finally able to get Takagenji out. Daishoho gets off the mark, but too little too late to rally for kachi-koshi?

- Next up, a battle of 3-3's with Shohozan taking on Tochiozan. Almost an Even Steven matchup here, as Tochiozan leads the lifetime series 13-12. They battle for grip in the middle as the crowd applauds their efforts. Shohozan takes advantage of potential tiredness in Tochiozan and is able to move him out of the ring. Shohozan not only evens the lifetime series at 13, but moves to 4-3.

- All aboard! It's Enho (5-1) time as he looks to stay in the one-loss pack among the contenders against another fringe contender in Tsurugisho (4-2). As usual, Enho with the big weight disadvantage, but he may have the biggest heart in all of professional sumo. Enho uses his speed to partially duck Tsurugisho's initial charge. He's leading with his head, which is always promising...I think? They keep it in the middle, with Enho having the lower center of gravity. Not a lot for Tsurugisho to grab onto. Tsurugisho does make the most of what he does have and just lifts the much smaller man out. Both move to 5-2.

- Meisei (5-1) just saw Enho fall off the chase pack...and he looks to avoid the same fate against Kagayaki (3-3). Tough battle early on for the right grip, but Kagayaki makes the push and drives both Meisei and himself out of the ring. Referee rules for Meisei, but it looks pretty close. Not close enough for a conference though, Meisei gets the win and goes to 6-1.

- Next up is a battle of two rikishi who aren't going anywhere in regards to contending for honors. Sadanoumi (2-4) faces off with Nishikigi (3-3). Sadanoumi, like many others before him, is able to make quick work of Nishikigi via Yorikiri.

- Since we have to continue giving coverage to the rikishi with losing records, it's Toyonoshima (1-5) vs Kotoyuki (2-4) next. Kotoyuki overwhelms Toyonoshima off the charge and it's all too easy with the slaps. Kotoyuki wins with ease.

- Someone won't be at .500 after this one, as it's a fight of 3-3's. Onosho steps in against Takarafuji. Pretty good back and forth here, and the end result is Onosho trying to push but trying too hard. Takarafuji slaps him down for the victory.

- Kotoshogiku (3-3) vs Terutsuyoshi (2-4) next up. First time for these two against each other. Terutsuyoshi giving up around 100 pounds here. After a false start, Kotoshogiku goes on the attack and takes Terutsuyoshi out. From the angle I'm given, it actually looks like Kotoshogiku hit the clay first! The judges call a mono-ii, our first of the day. Very close here, but the judges decide to let the referee's decision stand. Kotoshogiku wins, but I think they messed this one up. Probably close enough to force a rematch, but what do I know?

- The leader of the tournament now steps in, as Okinoumi (6-0) looks to take another step towards what would be his first championship against one of the one-loss chase pack in Myogiryu (5-1). After some posteuring, we get going and some good action here. In the end, Myogiryu makes a critical mistake in letting up the pressure, and it's a matter of Okinoumi gently taking him to the clay. Okinoumi is your winner, and he's now 7-0!

- From contenders, to pretenders...next is a battle of 2-4's as Shimanoumi takes on Kotoeko. Kotoeko has won 5 of the 6 encounters. Kotoeko recovers from a cross-ring stumble to win the bout via Oshidashi.

- Asanoyama (4-2) is on the fringes of those still in with a shot at the yusho. He can stay there by beating Ryuden (2-4). From the jump, Asanoyama just looks one step better. He gets control and pushes Ryuden out to go to 5-2 and stay in the mix.

- Now two guys who are nowhere near the mix. Hokutofuji (1-5) still drunk off his kinboshi bonus, steps in against the winless and hopeless Aoiyama (0-6). Hokutofuji gets off decently but then stumbles over himself, making it easy for Aoiyama to slap his opponent out. Aoiyama gets on the board, but same situation as Daishoho...too little too late to rally for kachi-koshi?

- Now we've got two contenders coming into the ring to do battle, as Abi (4-2) gets in there against Endo (5-1). Endo's won 5 straight, but trails lifetime against Abi 4-2. Very good quick bout here, Endo gets off balance and Abi shoves him out, and goes flying in the process! This one is pretty close too...did Abi touch before Endo touch the ground? No mono-ii needed apparently, and Abi wins to go to 5-2.

- Chiyotairyu (1-5) needs a win badly. He may find it hard to get against Takakeisho (5-1), who's coming off a pretty unlucky loss yesterday. Off the charge, Chiyotairyu slaps Takakeisho down! Nobody saw that one coming! Blink and you miss it, and if you blinked, you missed it! Another loss for Takakeisho who may be falling out of contention now, and a much needed confidence boosting win for Chiyotairyu.

- Mitakeumi (5-1) has won 5 in a row, but trails the lifetime series 9-8 against his opponent today, Shodai (2-4). Mitakeumi never really looked too threatened in this one, using Oshidashi tactics to take Shodai out and move to 6-1.

- After some bad luck yesterday, Tochinoshin (2-4) may need to create his own luck. He can start with a win against Daieisho (2-4). Daieisho wants it more, and just overwhelms Tochinoshin off the charge. This one's over, and so might Tochinoshin's time at Ozeki. It's not looking good, and he has the look of someone who knows that his time is almost up.

- Battle of 4-2 contenders now as Tamawashi & Goeido enter the ring. Goeido leads the series 13-9, and after getting Tamawashi off balance and shoving him out, he can make it 14-9. Goeido wins via Yorikiri, and goes to 5-2.

- Main Event time! Kakuryu has looked off kilter this tournament, and it shows as he's just 4-2. Today he marches in against Tomokaze (3-3), who won the only time they fought. They slap for position in the middle, but Tomokaze reverses and sends Kakuryu to the clay! For the third straight day, CUE THE PURPLE PILLOWS!!! Give that man a Kinboshi bonus! Tomokaze gets the winner via Hatakikomi! Tomokaze is overcome with emotion as he walks back, sobbing in sheer happiness having scored a victory over a yokozuna in honor of his senpai, Yoshikaze.

A look at the leaderboard after another frantic day of competition shows that Okinoumi is still on top, but the chasing pack has wittled down to three. Ishiura, Mitakeumi, and Meisei, all sit at 6-1 and are just one win behind. Then we have eight others at 5-2, all hoping for some slip-ups ahead of them. It's so unusual to see a yokozuna in Kakuryu so far down the table at just 4-3. Down at the bottom, we now have four at 1-6.

What could possibly happen next in what is now a tournament that has had its doors blown off. Anyone can win this thing, so join us tomorrow to see what happens on day 8. Hakkeyoi!!!