It's moving day at the 2019 Nagoya Basho...let's see what moving gets done.
- Toyonoshima has won two in a row to keep his hopes of 8 wins alive. Today he faces Nishikigi (5-8) to try and make it 3. Nishikigi stays in the middle for a bit, but Toyonoshima is too spirited and pushes him out via Oshidashi. Toyonoshima has fought back to 7-7.
- Someone's losing streak has got to end today, as 3-10 Yago (L6) takes on 4-9 Takagenji (L8). Both are gonna take a big hit in rank, Yago probably falling out of Makuuchi altogether. Both fighters' spirits must be rock bottom, but in this battle of the backmarkers, it's Yago who takes the win here via Yorikiri. Both are 4-10.
- Another fight of make-koshi wrestlers, it's Shohozan and Chiyomaru. Both 5-8. Shohozan gets the win via Yorikiri to move to 6-8. I apologize if I'm not giving these fights the attention they deserve, but there's really not much to be gained for these losing rikishi. The same storyline is in play for them at this point, and that's keeping the rank drop to a minimum.
- Daishoho needs to win out for kachi-koshi. Today he faces 8-5 Sadanoumi, who earned his kachi-koshi yesterday against Takagenji. After some jostling for position in the middle of the ring, Sadanoumi gets the win via Yorikiri. There will be no flourish to the finish for Daishoho.
- Pair of desperate wrestlers here as Onosho faces Kagayaki. Both 6-7, loser of this match will clinch make-koshi. Onosho makes a good start off the charge, but slips and falls. Bad luck for Onosho, who falls to 6-8.
- Okinoumi is in the same spot as the other 6-7 wrestlers. Must-win territory. Today it's a battle with 4-9 Tochiozan. You can see the desperation in Okinoumi's face as he puts in the hard work and wins via Yorkiri. Both wrestlers take a spill. Okinoumi takes his battle for kachi-koshi to the last day.
- Enho has lost 3 straight and our favorite little big man has fallen to 7-6. Today it's a tough one against 8-5 Myogiryu. After two false starts, we finally get going. Enho as usual having a hard time moving the bigger man, but he doesn't give up. Enho keeps working hard, and gets his reward as he's able to move Myogiryu out! Enho's got his kachi-koshi and this crowd loves it! Just look at the relief on his face! You may not be able to see it, but I can. The first kachi-koshi of many in the top division for Enho! Great job little big man!
- Good match in prospect here as 9-4 Kotoeko faces 10-3 Tomokaze. Tomokaze probably needs divine intervention to get back in the race for the Yusho. Kotoeko tries to get low, but Tomokaze has the counter for him and slaps his opponent to the ground. The hand touches and that's that. Tomokaze goes to 11-3.
- Meisei restored a little bit of pride by beating Chiyomaru yesterday. Today it's much tougher sledding against 9-4 Kotoyuki. Meisei tries to make a little progress off the charge, but Kotoyuki slaps him down. Easy win for Kotoyuki who goes to 10-4.
- Battle of 7-6 fighters next as Aoiyama faces Shimanoumi. Aoiyama's on a nice 4 match winning streak. This is a close one. Aoiyama gets aggressive trying to push Shimanoumi out, but instead he succeeds in falling down. Shimanoumi gets his 8th win, while Aoiyama must wait until day 15 for his final shot at kachi-koshi.
- Takarafuji (5-8) and Endo (8-5) have already clinched their respective designations, not much on the line here. Endo has won 5 in a row. Pretty good bout here despite not having anything to fight for other than pride. In the end, Endo gets the win via Yorikiri and extends his winning run.
- Shodai (6-7) must have two wins to get kachi-koshi. Today he has to win against 5-8 Asanoyama. Despite clinching make-koshi, Asanoyama is still fighting hard, and he gets the victory with a Yorikiri. He drags Shodai into make-koshi territory with him.
- Hokutofuji and Terutsuyoshi try to out-ritual each other before the start, which was a fun moment. The popular Maegashira 16 still has a chance of winning this tournament, but he's gotta have a win today. Hokutofuji is 8-5 and has his kachi-koshi. Terutsuyoshi's exhuberance may have gotten the best of him though because off the initial charge he slips! Well, so much for the miracle run. Terutsuyoshi is so disappointed in himself, and so am I.
- We have to move on though, and move on we shall. Up next is Abi (6-7) in must-win territory to keep his Komusubi rank. He faces 8-5 Ichinojo. Abi gets the jump just right and is able to move the usually immovable object in Ichinojo out of the ring with his slaps. Abi rallies to get to 7-7.
- Daieisho (7-6) can clinch a winning record by beating 4-9 Ryuden. Daieisho being aggressive early with his slaps, learning from the previous bout. He's able to get inside and push Ryuden out. Daieisho gets win #8 and a kachi-koshi.
- Chiyotairyu (7-6) is in the same position as Daieisho. A win and it's back in the kachi-koshi column. Tamawashi, however, is facing a steep drop from Sekiwake regardless of what he does here. Tamawashi does have his pride though, and he's able to endure early aggression and lift his opponent out.
- Kakuryu faces Mitakeumi today, and with a win it would officially eliminate Terutsuyoshi from championship contention. Mitakeumi doesn't seem to have much of a plan against Kakuryu, and once Kakuryu grabbed the mawashi, that was it. Kakuryu goes to 13-1, and we are assured of a Yokozuna winning the title this tournament. I should be happy about that, but I'm sad. I really wanted Terutsuyoshi to win.
- Tears aside, it's Main Event time! Hakuho is also 12-1 and needs a win to keep pace leading up to what I assume would be a Hakuho/Kakuryu bout on day 15. He's gotta get by a desperate Kotoshogiku first. Kotoshogiku must win today and tomorrow to get to 8-7....and your eyes are not deceiving you. Hakuho leads the all-time series against Kotoshogiku 56-6. Kotoshogiku gets off well, Hakuho is uncharacteristically not able to answer this...and Hakuho is pushed out!
CUE THE PURPLE PILLOWS!!! Kotoshogiku gets the win, keeps his hopes for kachi-koshi alive, and earns himself a kinboshi bonus!
- Looking at the leaderboard...Kakuryu is 13-1 and in the lead, but thanks to that unexpected loss Hakuho has fallen to 12-2. They are the only two who can win this tournament now, as Terutsuyoshi's own unexpected loss dropped him to 11-3 and out of contention. He now has a battle on his hands with Tomokaze to stay in 3rd place. There are 7 wrestlers at 7-7, all with visions of kachi-koshi. Down at the bottom, Meisei remains last place among wrestlers who have made it to day 15, and Tamawashi's win moves him off the foot of that particular table.
That's all from Nagoya for today. Join us on Championship Sunday where either Kakuryu or Hakuho will win the 2019 Nagoya Basho.
Hakkeyoi!