2019 Hatsu Basho.

[Michelle Stevens]

Wasn't too surprised with Kakuryu pulling out. He seemed off during his time in the dohyo during this tournament.

I was glad to see Yoshikaze finally get a win. One wonders if Mitakeumi will finish this basho with his injury.

Hakuho will be remarkably fortunate to go unbeaten, all his wins have been touch and go.

Hard to say who will win this time.

Swami

I hope there is at least a competition for the yusho instead of Hakuho just caring it away. Onosho is the only other unbeaten rikishi and I can't see that lasting too long and I like Onosho.

 

[Swami]

It definitely is Hakuho's yusho to lose now.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Hatsu Day 7: Hakuho stays unbeaten, takes outright lead
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 19 January 2019
Hits: 14

Lone yokozuna Hakuho continued his drive for a 42nd top-level title at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday, staying undefeated to take the outright lead after rank-and-file grappler Onosho suffered his first loss.

Following the injury withdrawal of compatriot Kakuryu and the retirement of Kisenosato, Hakuho is the last yokozuna in action. The Mongolian superstar beat feisty No. 3 Shohozan on Day 7 of the 15-day tournament.

Shohozan (2-5) started in his usual aggressive fashion, slapping and thrusting from the jump. But Hakuho used his size and reach advantage to keep the maegashira at arm's length before slapping him to the clay at Ryogoku Kokugikan in 3.6 seconds.

The result kept Hakuho a win clear of a chasing pack made up of No. 6 Onosho (6-1) and three other rank-and-file wrestlers.

Mitakeumi (5-2) became the latest high-profile competitor to withdraw through injury, pulling out after hurting his left leg in a loss to fellow komusubi Myogiryu (3-4) on Day 6. The fan favorite, who won his maiden top-level title last July, was diagnosed with an injured left knee tendon and internal bleeding following his first defeat of the tournament, his stablemaster Dewanoumi said.

Ozeki Goeido (3-4) picked up his third straight win with a composed frontal force-out of No. 3 Shodai (2-5). Shodai started strongly, forcing Goeido to the edge of the straw with a quick opening drive, but he could not finish the job. Goeido reversed the momentum and drove Shodai out backward at the opposite side of the ring.

Ozeki Takayasu improved to 4-3 with a thrust-down win over No. 4 Kotoshogiku (4-3), who suffered his 12th straight loss against the former Tagonoura stablemate of Kisenosato. Kotoshogiku, a former ozeki, opened with a powerful shoulder drive, then used his belly to bounce Takayasu backwards. But Takayasu absorbed the momentum, then showed his strength by wheeling his opponent to the middle of the ring and dumping him on the ground.

Japanese sekiwake Takakeisho, winner of November's grand tournament, kept his hopes of a title repeat alive with a decisive win over giant Mongolian No. 1 Ichinojo. Takakeisho (5-2) beat Ichinojo (4-3) off the mark, staying low and driving his hands into the chest and midsection of his lumbering opponent for a quick push-out.

Mongolian sekiwake Tamawashi (5-2) also stayed in the hunt with a win against one of his most troublesome opponents, No. 1 Tochiozan (2-5). Tochiozan started the bout looking for inside position but Tamawashi pushed him back and out, getting just his third victory from 16 meetings with the Kasugano stable grappler.

Komusubi Myogiryu improved his chances of a winning record and a return to his career-high ranking of sekiwake by beating No. 2 Nishikigi (4-3). The Sakaigawa grappler secured an inside grip and got the frontal force-out after resisting Nishikigi's attempts to position himself for a throw.

Brazilian No. 8 Kaisei (6-1) bounced back from his first loss by beating Onosho by frontal thrust out. The two are tied for second place with No. 13 Yago and No. 15 Chiyonokuni.

Yago continued his impressive top-level debut by beating No. 16 Daishomaru (0-7), while Chiyonokuni got the win over No. 14 Yutakayama (4-3).

Swami

 

[Swami]

Hatsu Day 8: Hakuho maintains edge with 26th straight victory
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 20 January 2019
Hits: 26

Yokozuna Hakuho improved to a perfect 8-0 to maintain a one-win lead as the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament reached its midpoint on Sunday.

The sole remaining yokozuna in action, Hakuho has now won 26 straight bouts, excluding his forfeit on Day 4 of July’s grand tournament in Nagoya.

Although he started the 15-day event at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan with a series of near misses, his form has improved since yokozuna Kisenosato retired on Day 4 and yokozuna Kakuryu pulled out with an injury on Friday.

Hakuho entered his match against the 198-kilogram Aoiyama (5-3) having beaten him in 18 of their 19 career bouts. The Bulgarian maegashira kept the yokozuna’s hand off his belt and surged forward aggressively to wrap up Hakuho’s torso as a precursor to a force out.

Despite being under pressure, the Mongolian master coolly executed a pulling overarm throw which sent Aoiyama tumbling forward.

Hakuho is in the hunt for his 42nd championship and his first since going a perfect 15-0 in September. He missed November’s tournament due to injury.

No. 8 maegashira Kaisei, No. 13 Yago and No. 15 Chiyonokuni all improved to 7-1, while Onosho, who started the day at 6-1, lost to November’s champion, sekiwake Takakeisho (6-2).

Kaisei earned his seventh win by defeating personal nemesis Kotoshogiku. The former ozeki Kotoshogiku dodged the big Brazilian’s charge and pressed him back to the straw. But the 204-kg Kaisei sidestepped along the straw-bales ridge and toppled Kotoshogiku with a beltless arm throw.

Kotoshogiku’s second career loss to Kaisei in 12 bouts left the No. 4 maegashira with a 4-4 record.

Yago won his sixth straight bout in a match that overcame an artless opening. The makuuchi debutant rocked Daiamami (2-6) back on the charge with a shoulder to the head, but shot past his opponent, and avoided being shoved out from behind with a spin move.

Back on level terms, Yago outfought Daiamami at the belt to secure a two-handed hold and force him out.

Chiyonokuni followed Yago into the ring and finished a slapping and shoving skirmish by taking a step back and slapping Kagayaki (1-7) down when the No. 12 maegashira pursued with his weight too far forward.

Ozeki Goeido’s rollercoaster tournament took a dip as he lost to sekiwake Tamawashi to fall to 3-5.

Goeido had followed his opening four-match losing streak with three straight wins, but was on the defensive from the start against his Mongolian opponent, who improved to 6-2 to remain in the hunt for his first championship.

The other ozeki, Takayasu (4-4), was the victim of a rocket-like charge from Shohozan (3-5). The No. 3 maegashira got around Takayasu’s left flank before the ozeki could react and sent him stumbling to the sandy surface.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Seems as if Hakuho is going to run away with this yusho. Goeido and Takayasu are really off. Yago seems to be doing quite well in his first appearance in the top divisions.

Poor Yoshikaze, he's just not doing well at all.

 

[Swami]

Seems as if Hakuho is going to run away with this yusho. Goeido and Takayasu are really off. Yago seems to be doing quite well in his first appearance in the top divisions.

Poor Yoshikaze, he's just not doing well at all.

Yes, Hakuho looks like he has this one in the bag now.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Having followed sumo now for a few years I always wondered if the Emperor of Japan actually attended tournaments. I now know.

 

[Swami]

Having followed sumo now for a few years I always wondered if the Emperor of Japan actually attended tournaments. I now know.

That may well be his final visit, his reign is due to end in April, I think.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Hatsu Day 9: Hakuho spotless in campaign for 42nd title at New Year meet
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Written by Kyodo
Published: 21 January 2019
Hits: 23

The 33-year-old Hakuho, the only yokozuna in action, beat Kotoshogiku to keep a perfect record at the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. He remains on course to extend his record number of makuuchi top-division championships to 42.

After slapping Kotoshogiku's face following the initial charge, the Mongolian yokozuna grabbed the 173-kilogram maegashira by the belt and thrusted him down. It was Hakuho's 56th win over Kotoshogiku (4-5) in 62 bouts.

Rank-and-filer Chiyonokuni is alone in second place, trailing Hakuho by one win, while two ozeki, competing at sumo's second-highest rank, lost their respective matches and fell further behind.

No. 15 maegashira Chiyonokuni survived a scare against No. 12 Meisei (6-3) to keep his hopes for his first Emperor's Cup alive. Meisei attempted to flip Chiyonokuni down at the edge of the ring, but Chiyonokuni resisted and slapped his opponent straight down to the sandy surface.

With the victory, the Kokonoe stable wrestler secured his first winning record since finishing 12-3 at the Summer tournament in May. "I'm glad. I think I did really well," said Chiyonokuni, who sustained a left-elbow injury in July. "My body doesn't hurt and I'm confident I'm wrestling well. I'm only focused on each of my bouts."

Takayasu dropped to 4-5 after losing to sekiwake Tamawashi (7-2), while fellow ozeki Goeido was unable to resist powerful shoves by No. 4 Okinoumi (6-3) and suffered his sixth loss.

In one of the day's shortest bout, Takakeisho pushed out No. 2 Nishikigi (4-5) in just 3.1 seconds. At 7-2, the newly-promoted sekiwake remains in contention for his second straight championship following his victory at the November tourney in Fukuoka.

The two other wrestlers -- No. 8 Kaisei and No. 13 Yago -- who started the day at 7-1, suffered losses and fell into a four-way tie for third. Brazilian wrestler Kaisei was defeated by No. 7 Ryuden (3-6), while Yago was unable to keep his winning streak going in his makuuchi debut tournament after losing to No. 11 Ikioi (5-4).

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

That may well be his final visit, his reign is due to end in April, I think.

Swami

You are correct sir, 30 April to be exact.

The two remaining ozeki looked terrible again today. Takayasu seems hurt but I have no idea why Goeido has been so off.

 

[Swami]

I don't think Goeido will last much longer as ozeki, demotion this year is a real possibility - also for Tochinoshin if his injuries don't heal.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Hatsu Day 10: Hakuho pulls further ahead as more injuries plague New Year meet
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 22 January 2019
Hits: 31

Hakuho calmly dispatched No. 4 Okinoumi (6-4), while a knee injury may have taken No. 15 Chiyonokuni, who had been the only wrestler one win off the pace, out of the running for his first makuuchi division title.

In the day’s final bout, Hakuho, the sole yokozuna in competition, immediately latched onto his rank-and-file opponent with a left-handed belt hold and effortlessly maneuvered him over the straw. The yokozuna will next face komusubi Mitakeumi (5-2-3), who returns to the meet Wednesday after missing three days with a left leg injury.

Two more wrestlers’ fates are in question after Chiyonokuni and No. 13 Kotoyuki (4-6) both suffered injuries at a tournament which has already seen yokozuna Kakuryu, ozeki Tochinoshin and Mitakeumi withdraw after getting hurt at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Chiyonokuni took his second loss of the tournament and suffered a knee injury that has his further participation at the year’s opening tournament in question. After failing to budge No. 11 Ikioi (6-4) after the initial clash, Chiyonokuni was driven to the edge of the ring, lost his footing and fell, then twisted down onto his left knee. He was carried off the dohyo screaming in pain and had taken out of the main hall in a wheelchair.

Of the wrestlers in a four-way tie for third place, only Tamawashi (8-2) secured a winning record on Day 10, with a solid victory against No. 2 Nishikigi (4-6). The Mongolian sekiwake blasted into his opponent with a strong initial charge, and followed up with a left-handed slap to remain two wins off the lead.

Both ozeki bounced back from poor starts with victories on Tuesday, Takayasu (5-5) beating Takakeisho (7-3) and Goeido (4-6) defeating No. 4 Kotoshogiku (4-6).

Takakeisho, gunning for a promotion and second straight title, looked poised for a push-out win against Takayasu, but fell into the ozeki’s trap as Takayasu slid to the side while slapping his lunging opponent over the straw. Prior to his colleague’s win, Goeido put up a wall against Kotoshogiku and guided him down to the sand after getting the former ozeki to tumble with an outside leg trip.

In other upper-ranked bouts, Myogiryu took a spill off the ring against No. 2 Hokutofuji (6-4) and dropped to 4-6. Hokutofuji had the komusubi on the ropes from the outset, and steadily muscled Myogiryu over the edge.

Among the rank-and-file wrestlers, No. 8 Kaisei (7-3) was quickly defeated by No. 5 Aoiyama (6-4) and took his second straight loss. The battle of the big Brazilian and burly Bulgarian ended in favor of Aoiyama, with Kaisei unable to defend against his lighter opponent’s massive shoves.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Looks as if Hakuho's lead in the yusho is widening. It's good to hear that Mitakeumi is returning on Wednesday.

 

[Swami]

It is now getting to the stage where they badly need new, young blood in the top ranks, Takayasu the youngest of the Yokozuna and ozeki (29).

Swami

 

[Swami]

Hatsu Day 11: Mitakeumi comes back from injury to upset sole leader Hakuho
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 23 January 2019
Hits: 26

Mitakeumi (6-2-3), who missed three days of competition with an injured left leg, faced the unenviable task of battling the sole leader and 41-time champion Hakuho (10-1) in his return bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

But the 26-year-old charged low and hard at Hakuho who, unable to secure a grip, found himself positioned too high to avoid being quickly driven from the ring. Mitakeumi, who won his maiden top-level title in July, said he was in good condition and determined to finish the tournament strongly.

“I’m fine. I didn’t want to succumb to my injuries. I wanted to do my best for the remainder of the tournament,” the Dewanoumi stable wrestler said. “Hakuho is strong, so I wanted to wrestle in my style.”

The result opens the door for sekiwake Tamawashi (9-2) to tie for the lead when he battles fellow Mongolian Hakuho on Thursday. In outright second, Tamawashi sustained his bid for a maiden championship with a fifth straight win, this one coming against former ozeki Kotoshogiku (4-7).

After absorbing a hard charge at the jump, Tamawashi was backed to the edge of the ring, but remained in control by hooking his arm under Kotoshogiku’s to prevent being forced out. Tamawashi circled behind Kotoshogiku, who spun to meet him face to face, but was unable to hold his ground.

Sekiwake Takakeisho (8-3) improved his chances of promotion, to ozeki, by securing a winning record with a victory over Hokutofuji (6-5). After a powerful collision, the two exchanged slaps and shoves in the center, but Takakeisho used his lower center of gravity and superior positioning to push his way to victory.

“We’re both pusher-thrusters. I didn’t want to lose mentally,” said Takakeisho, winner of the previous tournament in November. “I happened to win last time (but) this tournament is completely different.”

Struggling ozeki Takayasu (6-5) moved closer to a winning record by overpowering No. 4 Okinoumi (6-5). Takayasu opened with a strong forward charge, getting a grip with both hands while continuing to advance. With Okinoumi digging his feet into straw, Takayasu dropped low to get the leverage for a quick frontal force out.

Fellow ozeki Goeido improved to 5-6 with a quick slap-down win over No. 5 Aoyama (6-5).

No. 8 Kaisei and No. 9 Endo also secured winning records and stayed in mathematical contention by moving to 8-3. Kaisei got there with a frontal force out against No. 6 Chiyotairyu (6-5), maintaining a head-to-head win streak stretching back more than five years. “I’m happy. I’m in good physical condition and I’m feeling well. I’m glad I’ve been able to wrestle to my style,” Kaisei said.

No. 15 Chiyonokuni, who was outright second overnight, withdrew with an injured left knee and dropped to 8-3 after forfeiting his bout against No. 10 Abi (7-4).

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

A surprising win for Mitakeumi over Hakuho. I had my doubts with his bad leg and Hakuho has been winning well in recent days. I'm hoping these final days of the yusho are entertaining.

Just for the spectacle of it I'm looking forward to seeing Yoshikaze vs Goeido on Thursday.

 

[Swami]

A surprising win for Mitakeumi over Hakuho. I had my doubts with his bad leg and Hakuho has been winning well in recent days. I'm hoping these final days of the yusho are entertaining.

Just for the spectacle of it I'm looking forward to seeing Yoshikaze vs Goeido on Thursday.

Plus the surprise package seems to be Tamawashi, only one win behind Hakuho, who he takes on today.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Hatsu Day 12: Tamawashi stuns Hakuho to seize share of New Year lead
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 24 January 2019
Hits: 22

Mongolian sekiwake Tamawashi grabbed a share of the lead with his first career win over yokozuna Hakuho on Thursday, the 12th day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

On the verge of beating Tamawashi for the 14th time with one final push, overnight leader Hakuho delivered a full-blooded right-handed shove. But with his heels brushing the straw bales, the sekiwake leaned left and dodged the brunt of the blow. Instead of pushing his compatriot out, Hakuho's momentum swung him to his left, leaving Tamawashi behind him and in easy position for a force out.

The loss was the second in a row for Hakuho, who had his 28-win streak snapped on Day 11 by komusubi Mitakeumi. The two 33-year-olds are now tied at 10-2 with Hakuho seeking a record 42nd championship and Tamawashi his first. Behind them are three wrestlers with 9-3 records -- sekiwake Takakeisho, No. 8 maegashira Kaisei and No. 9 Endo.

Komusubi Mitakeumi (7-2), who completed a hat-trick of wins over yokozuna at the tournament Wednesday by beating Hakuho, won his second straight after missing four bouts with a knee injury. The 26-year-old Mitakeumi came out of his crouch like lightning to outflank No. 1 Tochiozan (5-7) and force him out.

Takakeisho won a slapping-and-thrusting skirmish against No. 4 maegashira Kotoshogiku (4-8). The former ozeki tried repeatedly to tip the 22-year-old backward off balance as a precursor to yanking him forward. But Takakeisho, November's Kyushu champion, maintained his balance and eventually shoved out Kotoshogiku, who will turn 35 next week.

Brazilian No. 8 Kaisei beat No. 4 Okinoumi (6-6) for the ninth time in 16 career bouts, finishing him off with a frontal force-out.

No. 9 Endo (9-3) kept pace with a solid win over No. 6 Chiyotairyu (6-6), getting a two-handed "morozashi" belt hold and eventually overturning his 191-kilogram opponent.

Ozeki Goeido evened his ledger at 6-6 by pulling No. 5 Yoshikaze forward and toppling him onto the sandy surface. Yoshikaze kept the ozkei off his belt by leaning as far forward as he could, so Goeido switched tactics and slapped him down to his 10th defeat.

Takayasu used his agility to stay alive and battle back to force out 198-kg Aoiyama (6-6). The Bulgarian No. 5 maegashira dodged the ozeki's charge, but Takayasu (7-5) stopped on a dime before any damage was done and it was game on.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

A great win for Tamawashi. This yusho could get interesting. I feel bad for Takakeisho on Friday as he faces Hakuho.

I also look forward to seeing the two remaining ozeki as they meet tomorrow.

 

[Swami]

A great win for Tamawashi. This yusho could get interesting. I feel bad for Takakeisho on Friday as he faces Hakuho.

I also look forward to seeing the two remaining ozeki as they meet tomorrow.

Definitely life in this yusho race! I think we are in one of those situations where the old guard top-rankers are in decline but the ones coming up aren't yet strong enough to consistently challenge for the title, hence the possibility for random winners now and again.

Swami