[Magus978]

Better late than never as we finally get a chance to sit down and watch Natto's Day 11 video.

- Tochiozan (5-5) opens things up against Juryo 1 Chiyomaru (6-4). This is Chiyomaru's second cameo in the tournament, having beaten Takagenji on day 1. After a prolonged struggle in the middle, Tochiozan gets Chiyomaru moving, and that's how you beat a 400+ lb rikishi, by forcing them to move. Tochiozan scores the win via Hatakikomi.

- Yutakayama (6-5), winner of 3 in a row, steps in against Nishikigi (5-5). Yutakayama gets an excellent jump at the start and began working him inside with the belt-less grip. All this was too much for Nishikigi, who had no answers for the suddenly in-form Yutakayama. Yutakayama wins by Yorikiri.

- Onosho (4-6) is next up in the ring against a desperate Takagenji (3-7), who surely will be relegated from the division entirely if he suffers one more loss. Onosho looks like he was about to false start there, but aborted it and stood up. After some more posteuring, we get going and Onosho just rushes Takagenji, taking out the soon-to-be Juryo with ease.

- Next up, a fringe contender in Ishiura (6-4) comes in against a proper contender in Meisei (8-2). Ishiura has lost 3 straight to drop him to the brink of contention. Off the charge, Meisei moves forward on the attack and Ishiura seems to accommodate this by retreating. Winning sumo tactics seem to be lacking from Ishiura, who drops his 4th straight. Meanwhile, Meisei moves to 9-2 and stays firmly in the hunt.

- Potential crossroads bout here between a pair of 5-5's, as Sadanoumi takes on Kagayaki. Sadanoumi went on the attack immediately, causing a lot of discomfort for Kagayaki. Kagayaki was not able to disrupt the attack, and was eventually pushed out.

- Another bout of 5-5's here, as Azumaryu faces off with Kotoyuki. Azumaryu sidesteps off the charge, and sidesteps again as Kotoyuki tries to push him out. Smart sumo from Azumaryu who is now 6-5.

- Takarafuji (7-3) is in good form this tournament, having won 5 straight since an indifferent start. He's in there today against Daishoho (3-7). Daishoho gets the better off the charge, and tries to press the action early, but Takarafuji is a very patient rikishi, who is simply biding his time here, playing good defense. Some good work here from Takarafuji who is able to capitalize on the right moment to take Daishoho down. It's a kachi-koshi for Takarafuji, and a make-koshi for Daishoho.

- Remember when Okinoumi (8-2) was 8-0? I sure do. Things were simpler for him two days ago. Now he's losing control of his own destiny. He'll lose more control of it if he loses to Tsurugisho (7-3), who's also in the hunt. Their first meeting ever, and it's a pretty big one. Okinoumi charges hard from the jump, but I think he gets a bit reckless here as he tries to win via bull rush, but Tsurugisho is smarter than that and is able to push him down while doing a great job keeping his balance. Okinoumi's form is worrying, while Tsurugisho gets his kachi-koshi and is looking for more.

- Shohozan (6-4) and Kotoeko (4-6) are next. They struggle for position in the middle, no clear advantage. Shohozan then takes the opportunity to push and lift his way to victory.

- The Enho fan club is back out in full force today, as their sumo superstar Enho (6-4) steps in against Kotoshogiku (4-6). While Enho's hopes of an unlikely championship are probably over, making kachi-koshi for the second straight tournament is the big goal for advancement purposes. Enho is able to persevere at the start and get inside on the much bigger man, eventually working him out of the ring with some great technical sumo. Enho's one win away from that magical 8-win kachi-koshi that he needs to continue forward.

- This has been an absolutely terrible tournament for Terutsuyoshi (2-8), who now has to go into damage control mode just to keep his rank loss minimal. He faces a returning Myogiryu (5-3-2) who sat out the last two days due to an injury. After a false start, Myogiryu just lets Terutsuyoshi run himself out of the bout. A very uninspired performance all tournament long, Terutsuyoshi's misery continues.

- Daieisho (4-6) & Shimanoumi (3-7) step in for their bout now. What can you really write about two rikishi who are going nowhere but down fast? I guess you write about how Daieisho is trying to be more encouraging at the start, but Shimanoumi pushes him down and scores the victory.

- The high of Tomokaze (5-5) beating both Kakuryu & Goeido seems to be wearing off. He'll now step in against Aoiyama (2-8), who is already make-koshi. It's frankly way too easy for Tomokaze, who gets a breather today thanks to a non-effort from Aoiyama. Tomokaze gets the easy win via Oshidashi to inject some life back into his hopes of kachi-koshi.

- Hokutofuji (4-6) has won three straight, including a pair of wins over both Komusubi. Asanoyama (8-2) says hold my rice, having won 6 straight and grabbed a kinboshi bonus earlier in the tournament. For some reason, Asanoyama looked a bit off in this one, as Hokutofuji found the leverage by staying low early on, and kept Asanoyama off balance the entire bout. Better late than never for Hokutofuji, who has found his form and given Asanoyama's title aspirations a huge hit.

- Shodai (2-8) is already doomed to a drop in rank. How big the drop will be is dependent on if he can get his act together, starting now against Endo (6-4), who has seen his championship hopes evaporate the past two days. Shodai starts out encouraging, but Endo is a far superior technician who can win bouts with some good throws. This is no different. Endo's the winner here with one of those impressive throwdowns, and he's 7-4.

- Abi (6-4) steps in against Tamawashi (5-5) next. Abi seems a bit streaky. Good for two or three wins, then slips up a day or two. After a false start, they get going and Abi does some good work with his movement. However, his good movement betrays him and he slips to the clay. Unlucky for Abi, but fortunate for Tamawashi who scores a win he may not have gotten.

- Mitakeumi (8-2) looks like a contender. A 11+ win tournament would give him a shot at challenging for Ozeki rank (33 wins over 3 tournaments at Sekiwake needed). First he's gotta get by Ryuden (5-5), who has won 3 in a row. Ryuden holds his ground against Mitakeumi's attacks, then finds the grip he needs and is able to force Mitakeumi out. Huge hit to Mitakeumi's title aspirations, as Ryuden continues a mini-resurgence and gets to 6-5.

- Tochinoshin (5-5) has been finding ways to win the past three days, but he's got it all to do against one of the contenders in Takakeisho (8-2). Takakeisho has won 6 of the 8 career meetings. Tochinoshin is very spirited today, trying to take the bout to Takakeisho, but not only does Takakeisho bowl over the wounded Tochinoshin, but FLYING GYOJI ALERT!!!, he takes the referee with them! Takakeisho is 9-2 and one win away from regaining Ozeki rank. Tochinoshin, as spirited as he was today, falls to 5-6.

- Main Event time! Chiyotairyu (2-8) would normally not be seen anywhere near this position in the card, but here he is, being fed to Goeido (6-4). Goeido needs all the wins he can get, as he is kadoban and can keep his Ozeki rank with 2 more wins. This is apparently the match where all the false starts happen, as Chiyotairyu jumps twice, and Goeido once. We get going on the fourth try, and Goeido overwhelms Chiyotairyu with brute force. Too easy for Goeido, who is now one win away from retaining his rank.

A look at the leaderboard after day 11 action shows us that there are now only two tied at the top. Takakeisho & Meisei sit 9-2 and lead this completely wide open tournament, although you'd have to consider Takakeisho the clear favorite to take this thing down. Five others at 8-3, including former leader Okinoumi. There's a pack of five at 7-4 which includes Enho, but they'll need a lot of help to get back in this thing.

Each day brings us new twists and turns. Join us tomorrow for more action, more drama, and more of the 2019 Aki Basho. Hakkeyoi!!!