[Magus978]

Let's get to it. Day 9 of the 2019 Aki Basho, which is completely wide open at this point.

- Leading off the Makuuchi action today is Toyonoshima (1-7), who MUST win out to presumably stay in the division. Today he faces off with Wakatakakage (2-6), making a cameo appearance from the Juryo ranks. Toyonoshima, knowing this is a must-win, gets out well off the charge, but Wakatakakage turns it around on him. A patient approach is rewarded as he gets into an attacking position, and shoves Toyonoshima out. Wakatakakage wins via Oshidashi, and I'm afraid it's a make-koshi for Toyonoshima, who may be seeing his time in Makuuchi running out.

- Next, it's Tsurugisho (6-2) trying to keep his yusho hopes alive against Takagenji (2-6). Suspicions of a false start there as the action stopped for a split second, but Takagenji presses forward to capitalize on the confusion, and Tsurugisho is no match for that. Takagenji scores the win, but this one's mired in a bit of controversy. It didn't look like Tsurugisho even touched the clay before the charge. No review here, Takagenji keeps the win.

- Tochiozan (3-5) steps in against Nishikigi (4-4). Both need 8+ wins to stay in the division, I presume. Tochiozan starts out nicely, and Nishikigi tries to turn him around...doesn't work for long though, as Tochiozan uses Nishikigi's aggression against him and sends him out of the ring. Victory for Tochiozan via Uwatedashinage. Both are 4-5.

- Shohozan (5-3) is having a nice basho for himself, rebounding from the 6-9 disappointment in the summer. Ishiura (6-2) is still among the contenders, but he'll need to win and get some help. Blink and you'll miss it, and I missed it. Shohozan sends Ishiura to the ground via Hatakikomi. That'll finish Ishiura's fading title hopes off.

- Azumaryu (4-4) has lost 3 of his last 4 fights. Enho (5-3) has dropped two in a row. Someone will get back on track here. Enho does surprisingly well off the charge. Azumaryu tries to turn him around, and this is some good back and forth action. Enho does a unique takedown for the victory, at least from the referee's view. I did not see Azumaryu hit the ground though, so there may be a case for a review and that's exactly what happened. The judges call a mono-ii, and they'll discuss it. From the angles provided, I think the back of Enho's foot hit the clay before Azumaryu hits. Personally I think it's close enough to where you can declare a rematch. The verdict is overturned, and Azumaryu is granted the victory via Abisetaoshi. Enho's bad run continues.

- We move on to a pair of 4-4's in Sadanoumi & Yutakayama. Sadanoumi looking good off the charge, but Yutakayama takes Sadanoumi down, using Sadanoumi's own push against him.

- Kagayaki (4-4) and Kotoyuki (3-5) are ready to go next. Kagayaki gets off well, but Kotoyuki turns the battle around with his slaps, forcing Kagayaki to step out and lose the bout.

- Pair of 2-6's here as Terutsuyoshi gets ready to face Daishoho. Very disappointing tournament for Terutsuyoshi as he fails to make the most of the momentum from the summer. Terutsuyoshi comes out aggressively at Daishoho, but he's immediately pushed back by Daishoho, who doesn't waste any time in establishing a solid lift game, eventually lifting Terutsuyoshi out.

- 3-5's up next as Onosho and Kotoeko square off. Onosho drives hard off the start, but can't quite get Kotoeko out. After a good back and forth, Kotoeko gets his opponent off balance and gets him down and out.

- Meisei (7-1) is just one back of leader Okinoumi. Today's challenge is from former Ozeki Kotoshogiku (4-4). Kotoshogiku gets off well and almost has Meisei out, but the contender perseveres with a little lateral movement, gets his right hand on the mawashi, and with a judo-style toss, takes Kotoshogiku to the ground! Meisei's the winner, he's got his kachi-koshi, and he puts some big pressure on Okinoumi!

- Shimanoumi (3-5) is next up against Takarafuji (5-3). Takarafuji's had a nice 3 match winning streak. Shimanoumi tries to get a grip around the upper body, but Takarafuji doesn't let him establish one and is able to force Shimanoumi out. Takarafuji wins his 4th in a row, this one via Yorikiri.

- Okinoumi (8-0) has already seen Meisei win today. He's gotta match it against Ryuden (3-5). Okinoumi gets off decently, and tries to drive Ryuden out, but in his eagerness to take advantage of a Ryuden stumble, he stumbles himself and hits the clay! Ryuden wins by opponent incompetence, and we have a tie at the top!

- From that, we go on to Chiyotairyu (2-6) and Aoiyama (1-7). What do I, as the commentator, write about two rikishi who are heading down the same downward path? I have no idea. They slap each other off the charge, but Aoiyama's slaps are just a little more effective, driving Chiyotairyu back and out of bounds. Aoiyama wins, but really, we all lost.

- Hokutofuji (2-6) was hoping to make a charge to get back to Komusubi rank. That isn't gonna happen, because he needs to reel off another 6 wins just for kachi-koshi. He's in there today against Daieisho (3-5). Hokutofuji gets a great jump, and gets some good traction on those pushes. Daieisho has no answer and his only recourse is to get out of there.

- A bout of two kinboshi bonus winners coming up now, as Abi (5-3) takes on Asanoyama (6-2). With Okinoumi's loss today, the door creeks open a little bit for the winner here, especially if it's Asanoyama. Abi is an all-action rikishi, those slaps off the charge were impressive. He had Asanoyama going EVERYWHERE! One problem...he went with him. Asanoyama hung in there, turned it around and took Abi out! What a bout, and it's Asanoyama who moves into the chase pack at 7-2!

- Tamawashi (5-3) got a forfeit win over Kakuryu yesterday. He should therefore be well rested and ready to face Takakeisho (6-2), who is 4 wins away from regaining Ozeki rank. Powerful off the charge from both men, you can feel the intensity just by watching this one. Takakeisho works just a little harder and pushes a game Tamawashi out. Takakeisho wins via Oshidashi and moves to within 1 of Okinoumi & Meisei.

- Mitakeumi (6-2) can enhance his case for Ozeki status with a few more wins, and he'll need a win today to move to within 1 of the leaders. Meanwhile Tomokaze (5-3), has reeled off three straight wins and he's looking in good form. Good slaps and pushes from both wrestlers, but Mitakeumi is just a little too strong. Plus, Tomokaze may be emotionally worn down from this little run. Mitakeumi wins via Oshidashi.

- Tochinoshin (3-5) looks a little more hopeful today. He faces off with Endo (6-2). Off the charge, Endo rushes and Tochinoshin slaps him down! Tochinoshin's hopes of keeping Ozeki rank may not be so farfetched now, after a win like that.

- Main Event time! Shodai (2-6) is in the main for the second straight day, and it'd look reall good on him if he could manage a win against Goeido (5-3). Goeido though, is not messing around here. He establishes his advantage off the charge, and overwhelms Shodai with brute force.

- Looking at the standings after today's action, we can see that there is now a tie at the top of the board. No undefeateds left, with Okinoumi & Meisei each at 8-1. Takakeisho, Mitakeumi, and Asanoyama sit with 7-2 records, just one game behind. Then there's the group of six at 6-3 which consists of Ishiura, Endo, Goeido, Shohozan, Takarafuji, and Tsurugisho. I had said earlier that Ishiura's hopes were dashed with his loss today, but that may not necessarily be the case. Down at the bottom, it's all over for Toyonoshima, and it's just about over for Chiyotairyu, Shodai, Terutsuyoshi, and Aoiyama.

That'll do it for today. Day 10 will hopefully bring a little more clarity to this crazy tournament. We'll also have a look at the Juryo standings tomorrow. Join us then. Hakkeyoi!!!