[Magus978]

Here it is. The final day of the 2019 Aki Basho. Three rikishi for one championship. Who'll get it? Let's find out together.

- The Makuuchi action begins with Takagenji (4-10) against Juryo competitor Chiyoshoma (6-8), making his 3rd cameo appearance. Chiyoshoma had aspirations of getting back to Makuuchi through this tournament...those won't happen. Takagenji will be joining him in Juryo in the winter, so we get a preview of their Juryo matches. HENKA ALERT!!! Oh boy, Chiyoshoma wins via henka.

- Kagayaki (5-9) and Azumaryu (6-8) step in now, and this may be a bout to save someone from relegation to Juryo. Azumaryu has gone 3-8 since starting 3-0, and Kagayaki's lost 4 in a row. Kagayaki attacks from the start and the passive Azumaryu retreats, running himself out of the ring and potentially out of Makuuchi.

- Battle of 9-5's here as Shohozan takes on Yutakayama. Yutakayama goes on the attack and is able to lift Shohozan out. Impressive run by Yutakayama here winning 7 of his last 8 bouts to score a well-earned 10 wins.

- Onosho (8-6) won 5 straight to rally for his kachi-koshi. He steps in now against Tsurugisho (10-4), who was in contention for the yusho until yesterday. A very impressive debut tournament for the newly-promoted Juryo champion. Onosho gets off well, with Tsurugisho in retreat mode from the start. Eventually Onosho's aggression pays off and he's rewarded with the victory. Good finish to the tournament for Onosho, and as for Tsurugisho, 10-5 in your first Makuuchi basho is nothing to be sad about. He'll probably get a fighting spirit prize.

- 8-6's meet up next as Sadanoumi steps in against Enho. Both should see a small uptick in rank. Sadanoumi moves forward at the start, but Enho does get the belt grip, and at the end he's able to turn Sadanoumi around and nudge him out. Enho finishes 9-6 for the second straight tournament.

- Terutsuyoshi (3-11) will be glad to put this tournament behind him and return to the lower Maegashira ranks. Nishikigi (6-8) has not seen a kachi-koshi in over a year, and while he's done well enough to save his Makuuchi status, he'll need to be on top form in the winter. Terutsuyoshi comes forward off the charge, and Nishikigi has him off balance. However, Terutsuyoshi closes his arm on Nishikigi and is barely able to get him down and out before going out himself. A rare Sakatottari victory.

- Do I really have to cover this? It's Kotoshogiku (5-9) vs Tochiozan (6-8). Tochiozan will probably be relegated to Juryo regardless of the result today. Tochiozan retreats immediately and it's all too easy for Kotoshogiku. Both finish 6-9.

- Another bout that I really don't care to cover, but will do so anyway because I'm a broadcast journalist like my idol Bobby "The Brain" Heenan! Shimanoumi (4-10) steps in against Daishoho (5-9). Daishoho gets a strong push off the blocks, but Shimanoumi counters with a left-hand throw for the victory. Shimanoumi should drop a few ranks, while Daishoho should be on the brink of relegation to Juryo for the winter.

- Kotoyuki (8-6), winner of 5 of his last 6 bouts, rallied nicely for a kachi-koshi. Shodai (3-11), however...has had an absolutely abysmal basho, right up there with the likes of Terutsuyoshi. He will drop heavily in rank. Kotoyuki knows only one real way to fight, and that's go forward with slaps. Shodai trying to salvage some pride, hanging in there against Kotoyuki's furious attack. However, they grapple for position, and I don't think anyone expected Kotoyuki to unleash a throw to the ground! Nice run of form for Kotoyuki, who has to be feeling good going into the winter.

- This one coming up is a "winner makes kachi-koshi" bout. It's Tamawashi (7-7) versus Ishiura (7-7). Have to think that if Ishiura loses, he'll put himself on the brink of relegation back to Juryo in the winter. Even if he wins, he may only move up one spot on the banzuke. Going 1-6 in your last 7 will not help your hopes. Ishiura ducked Tamawashi on the initial charge, got control of the grip, and forced Tamawashi out. Ishiura salvages kachi-koshi after starting out 6-1.

- Chiyotairyu (2-12) will finish last in this tournament for sure. Whether it's by himself or in a share of last place with the other 3-win rikishi, we'll find out right now. He has Tomokaze (6-8) to deal with today, who looks to mitigate the make-koshi damage to one or two spots in the Maegashira ranks. Chiyotairyu starts out brightly, but once again he's prone to falling over. Tomokaze makes note of this and lets him fall over. Tomokaze finishes 7-8 and should either retain Maegashira 3 status or just lose one spot. His kinboshi bonus earlier in the tournament will take the sting out of make-koshi though.

- Another one of those "winner makes kachi-koshi" bouts, as Daieisho (7-7) steps in against Kotoeko (7-7). Both have won 3 straight to set this one up. Daieisho shows some good fighting spirit here, as does Kotoeko. They battle hard for a good while. Good action fight, but in the end Daieisho shows good timing to charge forward and take Kotoeko out. Nice rally for Daieisho to make kachi-koshi.

- Meisei (9-5) was in the hunt for the yusho for awhile, but fell to pieces the past five days, going just 1-4 in that span to knock him out of the box. He'll battle Asanoyama (10-4) today. Good battle for the grip here, but Meisei prevails and after a struggle, takes Asanoyama out via Yorikiri. Good 10-win bashos for both men, and we'll have to wait and see if that'll be enough for Asanoyama to promote to Komusubi. If not, he'll be a Maegashira 1 in the winter.

- This is the third time that I'm whining about having to cover an uninteresting bout. Hopefully the last one, because it's Ryuden (6-8) versus Aoiyama (5-9). Aoiyama has had better form the past three days, but way too late to salvage a good record. Ryuden gets a hold of the arm, pulls him forward and Aoiyama goes flying out. Aoiyama's balance has been lacking this tournament, maybe the injuries are catching up to him.

- Hokutofuji (8-6) has won 7 straight to grab a kachi-koshi out of nowhere. He's up against Takarafuji (9-5), who was, like Meisei, in the hunt a few days ago, but back to back losses ended his hopes. Hokutofuji has been at his best when he's moving forward, and he showed off what he could do from a forward position here, getting the upper hand and pushing Takarafuji out. 8 straight wins to finish the tournament and rally for a 9-6 record, not too shabby from Hokutofuji. He should be very proud.

- Abi (9-5) would like to have a 10-win basho in his pocket as he tries to make a case for eventual promotion to Sekiwake. He's in against Myogiryu (7-5-2), who has done well since coming back. After a false start and some more posteuring, Abi & Myogiryu have a pretty good bout, back and forth, and Abi is declared the winner, with the referee thinking Myogiryu stepped out first before Abi hit the clay. The judges doubt this, and we have a day 15 mono-ii! From this angle, it looks like Abi's hand hits first, then Myogiryu's foot does. The resulting review and consultation ends up with the judges ordering them to do it again! False start on the second try, with Abi clearly trying for a henka. This apparently pissed Myogiryu off, who after the false start gets a great jump and overwhelms Abi. Myogiryu gets his kachi-koshi, finishing 8-5-2.

- The first of two massively important bouts! Okinoumi & Takakeisho, both 11-3. This should be the main event, but it isn't because tradition and all. Boooo. The winner is guaranteed at least a tie for the yusho and a playoff. Takakeisho gets off strong and was never really in danger. Okinoumi might have frozen in the big moment, and Takakeisho is able to push him out. Takakeisho goes to 12-3 and will have at least a playoff, depending on the result of Mitakeumi's bout. Okinoumi finishes 11-4, and has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Takakeisho gets the arrow for some reason. Where's his bow?

- Speaking of Mitakeumi, this should also be one of the main events! Again, tradition. Booooo. Mitakeumi (11-3) must beat Endo (8-6) to force a playoff against Takakeisho, who's now in the clubhouse at 12-3. Mitakeumi gets the jump off the initial charge, and Endo had no answers for this. Mitakeumi forces him out and goes to 12-3! We'll have a playoff for the Emperor's Cup! Why these two matches aren't ending the day of action, I'll never know. Get it together, Japanese Sumo Association! Highest meaning matches need to be at the very top of the card!

- Main Event time! Tochinoshin (6-8) is heading down to Sekiwake, but he'll have one last Ozeki bout against fellow Ozeki Goeido (9-5). Goeido turns the tide quickly on Tochinoshin and takes him out of the ring. Goeido finishes 10-5, while Tochinoshin ends up 6-9 in his last Ozeki campaign (for now).

- The very last match of the tournament. Here we go, the playoff for the Emperor's Cup. The preparations are underway for Mitakeumi and Takakeisho, who both finished 12-3. These two gallant warriors make their way to the ring, knowing they are each one win away from a championship. We are seeing the full tradition of the pre-playoff preparations in full display here. Mitakeumi is in full focus. So is Takakeisho. It's a shame only one can win, as these two have put on a great show all tournament long. The final moments for this titanic encounter between two champions in their own right. Takakeisho will be back at Ozeki rank in the winter. Mitakeumi would love to win here and begin a campaign for promotion to Ozeki himself. Regardless of the ranks, these two are champions and I'm excited for this battle to get underway. You can tell I'm totally stalling for time here, because this is taking forever to start. Mitakeumi and Takakeisho each get off well, but Takakeisho retreats! Mitakeumi pushes forth and gets Takakeisho out via Yorikiri! Mitakeumi has won the Emperor's Cup for the second time in his career! Takakeisho looks very disappointed in himself, but he shouldn't be. Right now though, the moment belongs to Mitakeumi, who will get to celebrate tonight!

Congratulations to Mitakeumi, who gets a huge hug from Tochinoshin on his way to begin the celebrations! We'll have information on the prize awards soon. In the meantime, we'll see you in November! Hakkeyoi!!!