[Magus978]

Well, we made it. Day 1 of the 2019 Kyushu Basho is here! Let's crank it up for another 15 days of Makuuchi competition! A note first...

- Ichinojo withdrew before the tournament as he is struggling to return from injury. A desperate attempt to lose weight and relieve pressure on his hip has failed, and he's forced to pull out. He'll be relegated to Juryo for the start of the 2020 Sumo season.

- The day begins with Juryo competitor Azumaryu taking on Daishoho. After his 5-10 disaster in the fall, Daishoho must have a kachi-koshi to stay in Makuuchi. Not a great tachi-ai by either wrestler, but Azumaryu never really looked in danger as Daishoho was not able to get a good grip on the mawashi. Azumaryu starts his attempt to get right back to Makuuchi with a yorikiri victory.

- Newcomer Wakatakakage steps in against Daishomaru. Both were promoted from Juryo after the previous tournament. After a false start, Wakatakakage gets off very strong and Daishomaru has no answers. This one is quick, and Wakatakakage gets his campaign off to a fine start.

- Coming off a hugely disappointing tournament in the fall, Terutsuyoshi looks to start making amends here against Nishikigi. Nishikigi has not posted a kachi-koshi in a year. Off the charge, Nishikigi does get a good start, but Terutsuyoshi sorts it out pretty quickly and reverses the momentum, eventually pushing Nishikigi out. Exactly what Terutsuyoshi needed.

- Chiyomaru is back from a brief stay in Juryo, and he sets off against Kagayaki. Chiyomaru almost takes himself out, but he was never really threatened. Kagayaki went on the offensive, but Chiyomaru used Kagayaki's momentum against him and slapped him down. Victory for the big boi.

- Takanosho has returned to Makuuchi after a few tournaments at Juryo. His first test back is against Chiyotairyu, who posted a miserable 2-13 record in the fall. Chiyotairu looked good off the tachi-ai, but Takanosho corralled his opponent and gave him a bit of a push of his own. Chiyotairyu goes out, and Takanosho wins.

- Ishiura rallied to keep his recently-gained Makuuchi status in the fall, and now sets off against Shodai. The much smaller Ishiura couldn't get going, and Shodai was able to have his way with him, eventually lifting him out for a Yorikiri victory.

- Shimanoumi wants to bounce back from a 5-10 fall record, and he'll have to begin against Yutakayama, who surged in the second half of the fall tournament to secure a 10-5 mark. Shimanoumi holds his own in the middle to start, but Yutakayama is relentless with the slaps. Yutakayama takes control of the bout, and gets Shimanoumi out via Oshidashi.

- Kotoshogiku hasn't posted a winning record in three tournaments. It'd be a good start for him towards avoiding a 4th straight make-koshi if he were to beat Sadanoumi today. Sadanoumi gets the better of the charge off the tachi-ai, and he gets a firm grip on Kotoshogiku's mawashi, helping him lift the former Ozeki out.

- Shohozan and Kotoeko are up next. This one isn't much of a bout, as Shohozan just blitzes Kotoeko out of the ring! Impressive start for Shohozan, who could be one to watch if he can have more performances like that.

- The Enho fan club in full voice as their little big man steps in against the surprise in the fall, Tsurugisho. Enho gets low as per his normal tactics, but Tsurugisho is more than up to the task, seeing right through the attempts. In firm control, Tsurugisho uses a sort of hip toss to send Enho to the clay. Good stuff from Tsurugisho to neutralize Enho's cunning, and it's back to the drawing board for the little guy.

- Onosho steps in against Ryuden. A pair of former Komusubis in action. They're evenly matched at the tachi-ai. Onosho tries to move forward, but Ryuden makes Onosho go off balance and eventually the hands come down on the ground, meaning defeat for Onosho.

- Aoiyama is next against Kotoyuki. Aoiyama looked like a spent force in the fall, eventually slumping to a 5-10 record. Kotoyuki's one-dimensional sumo got him to 9-6. That same one-dimensional sumo got him a defeat here, as Aoiyama uses Kotoyuki's aggression against him, slapping him down to the clay.

- Tamawashi and Tomokaze are next up, and both will be looking to make amends for 7-8 tournaments. Tamawashi looks good off the charge, and Tomokaze had no answers for what Tamawashi was doing. Relatively easy win for Tamawashi.

- Abi's the first Komusubi to step into the ring this tournament, and he's got Takarafuji in front of him today. Abi starts off aggressive, but he gets off balance on the edge of the ring and stumbles out! Mistake from Abi, gifting Takarafuji an unexpected victory.

- Meisei was in the hunt for most of the tournament in the fall, eventually settling for a 10-5 record. His opponent, Tochinoshin, needs those same 10 wins to regain his Ozeki rank. Tochinoshin looks good early on, attempting to get the mawashi. He's moving well, but Meisei makes his move, contorting Tochinoshin the wrong way and sending him to the clay! Not a good start for Tochinoshin, given his situation. Meisei gets off on the right foot and looks to have a repeat showing from the fall.

- The reigning champion, Mitakeumi, steps in now to begin his title defense against Myogiryu. Even steven at the tachi-ai, but the moment Myogiryu tries to make a move, Mitakeumi cunningly sidesteps and lets Myogiryu hit the clay. Good start to the title defense.

- Runner-up in the fall Takakeisho, who got off of kadoban status thanks to that 12-3 showing, steps in against Okinoumi, who was in the hunt until the very end. Takakeisho gets the momentum early on, pushing Okinoumi to the edge...before shoving him out and taking a little tumble himself.

- Daieisho has posted back to back 8-7 records and is now looking to make a push for Komusubi. He's in against a returning Takayasu, who sat out all of the fall. Takayasu gets the good start with his slaps and presses forward, with Daieisho eventually being forced out. Successful return for Takayasu, who will be looking for more.

- We haven't heard of any real injury troubles for Goeido, who fended off potential relegation with a 10 win basho in the fall. He's got Endo to worry about today. Goeido pushes early, but Endo turns the tables! They settle into a battle for the mawashi, with Goeido trying for a turn, and it doesn't work! Endo lifts him up a tiny bit, then brings Goeido down! Good bout, and a great start for Endo who may be eyeing a push for Sekiwake rank.

- Hokutofuji was one of the unsung heroes of the fall tournament, and was rewarded with a promotion to Komusubi. Can he do it again against Hakuho, returning from injury. Hakuho gets off well, and slaps the enthusiastic Hokutofuji down. No opening day defeat for Hakuho here.

- Main Event...time? Nope. We have no Kakuryu, and so we have no main event. In fact, Kakuryu has withdrawn with a back injury suffered this morning! Asanoyama wins while doing absolutely nothing. Okay, Luigi.

We don't need to break down the standings after day 1. You know them if you're read this whole thing. Join us tomorrow for day 2 action. Hakkeyoi!!!