2018 Kyushu Basho.

[Swami]

Kyushu Day 8: Takakeisho in first place after victory
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 18 November 2018
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Takakeisho improved to 7-1 to take over sole possession of the lead at the midway point of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday in Fukuoka.

The 22-year-old komusubi, who entered the day in a three-way tie for the lead at 6-1, didn’t have time to work up a sweat in an easy win over former sekiwake Myogiryu.

The two other men who shared the lead after seven days at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, No. 9 maegashira Daiesho and No. 13 Onosho each suffered his second defeat.

Onosho was forced out by No. 15 Meisei (5-3), while Daiesho fell to his nemesis, Okinoumi (5-3). The loss was Daiesho’s seventh in 10 career bouts against the No. 11 maegashira.

Takakeisho used a subtle move to beat Myogiryu (4-4) for the fourth time in four career bouts. The 32-year-old veteran moved forward carefully and was met by the 22-year-old Takakeisho at in the middle of the ring.

When Myogiryu tried to wrap up Takakeisho’s upper body, the youngster quickly swatted his opponent’s arms way and stepped back with his right foot to get on the maegashira’s right flank.

Although Myogiryu was not moving forward quickly, the slightest of shoves to his back from Takakeisho sent him stumbling from the ring in 1.2 seconds.

Ozeki Takayasu remained one win off the pace at 6-2 in his quest for a first makuuchi division championship. He knocked No. 4 maegashira Shodai backward with his charge and easily shoved him out to his fourth defeat.

No. 2 Tochiozan, who opened the tournament with five straight wins, remained one win back with a victory over No. 2 Tamawashi (4-4).

Takayasu’s ozeki rivals, Goeido and Tochinoshin both won, to improve to 5-3, and 4-4, respectively. Tochinoshin seized the early advantage against No. 3 maegashira Ryuden, but the power he displayed earlier in the year was nowhere to be seen.

The Georgian, who won the year’s first grand tournament and won 37 bouts over this year’s first three tournaments, often hoisting opponents off their feet, was strong enough only to outlast his opponent in the day’s longest bout at 46 seconds.

Mitakeumi (5-3) won his third straight bout, shoving out massive Mongolian and rival sekiwake Ichinojo, who suffered his sixth loss.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

It was an interesting weekend. It's still a wide-open yusho race. As a Yoshikaze fan I was surprised with his upset victory over Tochinoshin. Tochinoshin did better on Sunday. I love seeing Tochinoshin's style of power sumo.

I'm interested in seeing how this week two develops.

 

[Swami]

It was an interesting weekend. It's still a wide-open yusho race. As a Yoshikaze fan I was surprised with his upset victory over Tochinoshin. Tochinoshin did better on Sunday. I love seeing Tochinoshin's style of power sumo.

I'm interested in seeing how this week two develops.

Whoever wins the yusho will do well to get 11 or 12 wins, so many upsets this time.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Kyushu Day 9: Takakeisho strong-arms Tochinoshin
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 19 November 2018
Hits: 17

Komusubi Takakeisho took out ozeki Tochinoshin on Monday to remain in sole possession of the lead after nine days of action at the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

In the day's final bout, Takakeisho (8-1) once again showcased the form that has seen him defeat most of the top-ranked contenders at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

As Tochinoshin (4-5) braced for impact, the 22-year-old komusubi delivered two massive shoves to the powerful Georgian and knocked him straight from the ring in just over two seconds.

Tochinoshin's colleagues Goeido (6-3) and Takayasu (7-2) both went ahead in their respective rivalries against No. 5 Chiyotairyu (5-4) and No. 4 Yoshikaze (4-5).

In the penultimate bout lasting less than a second, Goeido immediately shifted and deflected Chiyotairyu's shove as the maegashira crashed to the clay.

Takayasu, on the other hand, held his ground and issued Yoshikaze a sharp slap before pulling him down. The ozeki remains one win behind Takakeisho.

Meeting in the top division for the first time, Mitakeumi (5-4) was unable to power past No. 3 Ryuden (3-6). After locking up, Mitakeumi attempted to drive his opponent out but Ryuden was able to sidestep around the edge and drive the sekiwake out the other side.

Ichinojo (3-6) faired better and recorded a win against No. 4 Shodai (4-5). The Mongolian sekiwake slapped Shodai's arms down to get the maegashira off balance, and quickly maneuvered into position to push him backwards over the straw.

Tochiozan (6-3) was beaten by komusubi Kaisei (3-4-2) and suffered his third loss of the tournament. The No. 2 maegashira drove right into the Brazilian's grip and allowed Kaisei to swing him around and out.

Among the rank-and-file wrestlers in contention, No. 9 Daieisho, No. 12 Aoiyama and No. 13 Onosho all earned Day 9 victories to stay within one win of the lead. No. 7 Abi lost against No. 8 Ikioi (4-5) and fell to 6-3.

Former ozeki and home favorite Kotoshogiku improved to 5-4 with a win against No. 6 Kagayaki. The No. 9 maegashira stumbled after a strong initial charge but recovered his momentum and charged Kagayaki out of the ring.

No. 7 Shohozan, another Fukuoka native, also collected his fifth win by beating No. 10 Sadanoumi (4-5).

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Another tough loss for Tochinoshin. Looks as if he'll be just fighting for eight wins this time around. He certainly hasn't been as dominate as he was the first half of the year.

Takakeisho seems like a man on a mission during this tourney.

 

[Swami]

Another tough loss for Tochinoshin. Looks as if he'll be just fighting for eight wins this time around. He certainly hasn't been as dominate as he was the first half of the year.

Takakeisho seems like a man on a mission during this tourney.

Yes, Tochinoshin looks as if he has lost all his momentum after he had to withdraw in July due to injury.

Needs to pick up these last few days.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Kyushu Day 10: Takakeisho stays one win ahead
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 20 November 2018
Hits: 13

Takakeisho, whose only defeat came on Day 7 to sekiwake Mitakeumi, beat top-ranked maegashira Hokutofuji (5-5) in a one-sided bout on the 10th day of the meet at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Takakeisho delivered a series of shoves to Hokutofuji’s chest and did not give his opponent a foothold in the clash, bulldozing the maegashira out of the raised ring in 3.2 seconds.

The 22-year-old Takakeisho is aiming for his first top makuuchi division championship at the 15-day tournament. He beat yokozuna Kisenosato on Day 1 and two ozeki — Goeido and Tochinoshin — to move into the lead. He faces No. 2 maegashira Tochiozan (6-4) on Wednesday.

Ozeki Takayasu remains one win behind Takakeisho following his victory over No. 5 maegashira Chiyotairyu (5-5).

Other ozeki, Tochinoshin and Goeido, both managed to post wins.

Georgian Tochinoshin (5-5) beat the division’s heaviest wrestler, sekiwake Ichinojo (3-7). Both wrestlers got double hand holds on their opponent’s belt, but it was Tochinoshin who outmuscled the 227-kg Mongolian following a brief belly-to-belly stalemate in the center of the ring.

In the shortest bout of the day, Goeido got hold of No. 5 Asanoyama’s belt with his left hand and sent the maegashira into the clay.

Three maegashira wrestlers — No. 12 Aoiyama, No. 13 Onosho and No. 9 Daieisho — are tied with Takayasu after improving to 8-2.

Onosho showed great confidence by charging No. 14 Chiyoshoma (5-5). Onosho competed as a komusubi at the January meet but fell to the juryo second division in May after sustaining a right-knee injury.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

I haven't been a fan of Goeido's tachi-ai in the past two days. Not ozeki sumo IMO. I could never see Tochinoshin doing such a thing.

Not much change in the standings on Tuesday. Even thought Takekeisho has the lead I still think Takayasu is more favoured to win.

 

[Swami]

I haven't been a fan of Goeido's tachi-ai in the past two days. Not ozeki sumo IMO. I could never see Tochinoshin doing such a thing.

Not much change in the standings on Tuesday. Even thought Takekeisho has the lead I still think Takayasu is more favoured to win.

Yes, I think the last few days have a lot of surprises still to throw up, I don't think Takakeisho has this wrapped up by any means.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Kyushu Day 11: Takakeisho closes in on title with 10th win
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 21 November 2018
Hits: 18

The 22-year-old komusubi switched gears in a fight against No. 2 maegashira Tochiozan to earn his 101st top division victory. Ozeki Takayasu, along with maegashira Daieisho and Aoiyama, remains one win behind the leader at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

After Tochiozan (6-5) repelled several of the komusubi’s shoves, Takakeisho changed his strategy and slipped to the side of his opponent. With Tochiozan off guard, Takakeisho easily slapped him down to the clay.

Takakeisho is seeking his first makuuchi championship and trying to become the first komusubi since Kaio in 2000 to win a top-division title. On Thursday he faces No. 2 Tamawashi, against whom he holds a 4-2 record.

In the final bout on Day 11, Takayasu (9-2) stayed in the race by narrowly defeating sekiwake Ichinojo (3-8). The pair went into the bout with a 5-4 record in favor of the ozeki.

Takayasu tried pushing out and then pulling down the 227-kg Mongolian, but was instead forced to the edge by an unstoppable charge. With the contest in the balance, Takayasu teetered on the straw as Ichinojo’s momentum forced him to step out of the ring first.

Goeido (8-3) survived a scare against Kaisei (3-6-2) and secured a winning record. The Brazilian komusubi initially resisted Goeido’s attempt to throw him out, but took a fall while in pursuit of the ozeki.

Tochinoshin (6-5) got a much-needed win against No. 5 maegashira Chiyotairyu (5-6). The Georgian put up a wall against his opponent’s relentless attack, and Chiyotairyu collapsed on his knee when he ran out of gas.

Mitakeumi (5-6) suffered his third straight loss and now has a losing record. The sekiwake, who had been gunning for an ozeki promotion after earning his first top division title, lost his balance trying to fend off an attack from No. 4 Yoshikaze (6-5).

Among the rank-and-filers, No. 9 Daieisho and No. 12 Aoiyama both remain in contention after improving to 9-2. Aoiyama slapped down No. 10 Yutakayama (4-7) to claim his ninth straight win, while Daieisho pushed out No. 6 Kagayaki (3-8).

No. 13 Onosho (8-3) was defeated by home favorite No. 7 Shohozan (7-4) and fell further off the pace. No. 11 Okinoumi (8-3) secured a winning record by beating No. 14 Chiyoshoma (5-6).

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Ichinojo got his make-koshi but was at least more aggressive in his sumo. A close match and win for Takayasu.

 

[Swami]

Ichinojo got his make-koshi but was at least more aggressive in his sumo. A close match and win for Takayasu.

Looks like the key match for Takakeisho will be against Takayasu, if he loses it could end up with a play-off on the last day.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Ozeki Goeido withdraws from Kyushu tourney due to arm injury
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 22 November 2018
Hits: 18

The 32-year-old wrestler from Sakaigawa stable posted his eighth win a day earlier on the 11th day of the 15-day meet at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, but had struggled for form after sustaining the injury in his seventh-day bout against rank-and-filer Shodai.

"He was fighting with pain after the seventh day, but we can no longer allow him to bring shame to the name ozeki with an unsightly performance," stablemaster Sakaigawa said. "It's extremely disappointing. I sincerely apologize to the sumo association and to the fans."

All three yokozuna are absent from the Kyushu meet. Mongolian grand champions Hakuho and Kakuryu pulled out before the first day, and Japan-born Kisenosato withdrew on the fifth day.

Goeido is the fifth wrestler in the top makuuchi division to be listed among the injury withdrawals, including komusubi Kaisei who returned to action on the third day. Goeido's withdrawal leaves two ozeki left in the tournament, Tochinoshin and Takayasu.

According to Sakaigawa, he and Goeido decided to withdraw Thursday morning after the wrestler had trouble lifting his right hand Wednesday evening and was forced to use his left hand to eat.

Goeido was diagnosed with a tear to his right pectoral muscle where it attaches to his upper arm and is expected to need six weeks of rest in order to recover. This is the eighth time Goeido has had to withdraw from a tournament, and Sakaigawa said the wrestler will likely to skip the winter regional tour which starts Dec. 2.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Kyushu Day 12: Takakeisho keeps lead with comfortable win
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 22 November 2018
Hits: 27

Takakeisho maintained his one-win lead after beating rank-and-filer Tamawashi on Thursday, the 12th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Takakeisho made little headway against Tamawashi (7-5) with several of the sharp shoves he is known for, but quickly slipped beside the Mongolian and thrust him out as Tamawashi lunged and stumbled out of the raised ring. On Friday, Takakeisho faces No. 12 Aoiyama, whom he has beaten twice in as many bouts.

The final bout of Day 12 featured an ozeki showdown between Takayasu (10-2) and Tochinoshin (6-6), with the Ibaraki Prefecture native coming out on top and taking a two-win lead in their 18-match rivalry. After a shocking collision, both wrestlers locked up in their favored grips. But Takayasu struck first to stay one win back of Takakeisho, pivoting and flinging the Georgian out by his belt.

The two rank-and-file wrestlers who went into the day tied with Takayasu, No. 9 Daieisho and No. 12 Aoiyama, each sustained a loss to fall to 9-3, two wins behind in a four-way tie for third place.

Daieisho went all-out against No. 13 Onosho but was repelled and thrust down by his opponent, who joined the wrestlers in third place.

Aoiyama remained grounded after a beltless arm throw attempt from No. 9 Kotoshogiku (7-5), but in front of his hometown crowd, the former ozeki changed course and drove out the 197-kg Bulgarian.

In other top level bouts, Mongolian sekiwake Ichinojo (4-8) bounced back from a loss on Wednesday with a win against No. 3 Ryuden (4-8), while komusubi Kaisei (3-7-2) was pushed out by No. 3 Nishikigi (6-6).

Among other rank-and-filers, No. 11 Okinoumi (9-3) remains two wins shy of the lead after beating No. 15 Meisei (7-5). No. 7 Shohozan (8-4) was the only wrestler to secure a winning record on Day 12, following a victory against No. 5 Chiyotairyu (5-7).

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

A little surprised to see Goeido out. Maybe that explains his behavior in the last few days. It looks like the yusho race is down to Takayasu and Takakeisho at this point.

Just a general observation but did notice so many rikishi having Cauliflower ear from repeated full contact abuse. Years of powerful slaps do take their toll. I'm just surprised more don't have broken noses and broken teeth.

 

[Swami]

A little surprised to see Goeido out. Maybe that explains his behavior in the last few days. It looks like the yusho race is down to Takayasu and Takakeisho at this point.

Just a general observation but did notice so many rikishi having Cauliflower ear from repeated full contact abuse. Years of powerful slaps do take their toll. I'm just surprised more don't have broken noses and broken teeth.

You would occasionally see broken noses from time to time due to clashes of heads.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Kyushu Day 13: Takakeisho sets up big Saturday showdown against Takayasu
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 23 November 2018
Hits: 22

Komusubi Takakeisho set himself up to seal his first championship by earning his 12th win on Friday, the 13th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

The 22-year-old owned most of his bout against 197-kilogram Bulgarian Aoiyama, seizing the initiative early before winning when the No. 12 maegashira's heavily taped right knee buckled. With the defeat, the 32-year-old was knocked from championship contention with his fourth loss.

Takakaisho (12-1) can now wrap up the championship with a win over Takayasu on Saturday. The ozeki, who remained one win off the lead with a win over Daieisho, holds a 4-2 record against Takakeisho. A win by Takayasu will see them enter Day 15 with identical 12-2 records.

Takayasu had the No. 9 maegashira off balance from the start with a blow to the throat. Daiesho, who suffered his fourth loss, quickly found the ozeki on his flank. Takayasu twice tried to slap him down, but the maegashira was able to stagger away before finally stumbling backward out of the ring.

Ozeki Tochinoshin (7-6), whose form here has been a shadow of the dominance he showed in the year's first three grand tournaments, caught a break when Takanoiwa's legs gave out. The 150-kg No.6 maegashira was trying to get leverage underneath the 175-kg Georgian to shove him out, but his feet lost traction and the Mongolian collapsed under Tochinoshin's bulk. The loss left the 28-year-old Takanoiwa with a 6-7 mark.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi's progress toward the ozeki rankings suffered a setback with his seventh defeat as he lost a wild skirmish with No. 5 maegashira Chiyotairyu (6-7). The two took turns charging and dodging each other. Chiyotairyu charged and missed but was able to put on the brakes. When Mitakeumi lowered his head to ram Chioytairyu from the ring, the maegashira stepped aside, and slapped his out-of-control opponent down.

No. 9 maegashira Kotoshogiku made a great escape to secure his eighth win and all but quash 22-year-old Onosho's title aspirations with a fourth defeat. Kotoshogiku, a 34-year-old former ozeki, was forced back onto the straw bales, but bounced back. The Fukuoka native pushed the No. 13 Onosho back a step, wrapped up his opponent's arms, marched him to the straw and rammed him out of the ring with a series of belly thrusts.

No. 11 Okinoumi avoided his fourth loss by overturning No. 7 Shohozan (8-5) with a slick beltless arm throw.

No. 15 maegashira Meisei, competing in the makuuchi division for the second time, earned his first winning record in the top flight with a win over fellow 24-year-old No. 7 Abi (6-7). Popular No. 12 Endo secured his first winning record since July by pushing out No. 6 Kagayaki (4-9).

Each No. 2 maegashira earned his eighth win. Tochiozan marked his fourth straight tournament with a winning record by beating No. 5 Asanoyama (5-8), while Tamawashi handed top-ranked maegashira Hokutofuji his eighth loss.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Kyushu Day 14: Takakeisho hands Takayasu share of lead with 1 day left
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 24 November 2018
Hits: 18

Komusubi Takakeisho overreached against ozeki Takayasu and instead of clinching the title on Saturday, left the two men tied heading into the final day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

As he had throughout the tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, the 22-year-old Takakeisho looked quicker than his opponent. He shoved the ozeki back with his opening charge, and with Takayasu reeling, he had a championship in his grasp. Trying to press his advantage too quickly, the komusubi lunged forward slightly off balance and his feet slipped out from under him on the sandy surface.

The loss left both wrestlers with identical 12-2 records.

On Sunday, Takakeisho will face No. 3 maegashira Nishikigi, who secured his eighth win on Saturday by forcing out No. 8 Takarafuji (6-8). The 28-year-old Takayasu, who is also looking for his first career championship, will take on sekiwake Mitakeumi, whom he has beaten in 10 of their 14 career bouts. Should they both win or both lose, the two would get a rematch in a championship playoff.

Mitakeumi suffered his eighth loss, forced out at the hands of ozeki Tochinoshin, who secured his eighth win in what has been a dismal tournament for the Georgian strongman. Fellow sekiwake Ichinojo earned his sixth win, forcing out No. 5 maegashira Asanoyama (5-9).

Brazilian komusubi Kaisei, who missed the tournament's first two days with a left leg injury, withdrew again from his bout on Saturday. On Friday, after he collapsed backward in the ring when his right leg buckled, the 31-year-old's injury was diagnosed as damage to the left gastrocnemius muscle, one of two muscles in the calf. The Japan Sumo Association said the injury will prevent him from competing for a month.

Top-ranked maegashira Myogiryu secured his seventh win by shoving out No. 4 Yoshikaze to his seventh loss.

With Takakeisho sure to be promoted from komusubi while Kaisei is demoted after just three wins, a promotion back to the "sanyaku" ranks -- the three below yokozuna -- is now a possibility for former sekiwake Myogiryu, provided he can overcome No. 5 Chiyotairyu, who will also be looking for his eighth win.

No. 9 maegashira Kotoshogiku, a former ozeki, improved to 9-5 by forcing out No. 11 Okinoumi, whose slim hopes of a championship were wiped out with his fourth defeat.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Kyushu Day 15: Komusubi Takakeisho captures 1st career championship
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 25 November 2018
Hits: 50

The 22-year-old Takakeisho, competing in just his 12th tournament in sumo's top flight, beat No. 3 maegashira Nishikigi (8-7), catching a lucky break to finish the tournament with 13 wins.

In his bout against Nishikigi, Takakeisho was under pressure from the opening charge and found himself sliding backward to the straw bales. Just as it looked as if the komusubi's feet would slip out from under him and he began to teeter forward, fortune came to his assistance. Perfectly poised to slap his opponent down, Nishikigi instead shoved him back toward the straw, keeping Takakeisho from falling. Takakeisho then plowed forward, and when Nishikigi's left foot slipped, the komusubi slapped him down.

Takakeisho then had to wait for the result of the match between ozeki Takayasu and sekiwake Mitakeumi. Needing a win to force a championship playoff, Takayasu fell to his third loss, letting his first career championship slip through his fingers.

Takayasu was also forced back on the initial charge, but fought his way back to mid-ring, where he and Mitakeumi locked up for a prolonged pause. When the ozeki tried to break the stalemate, the sekiwake executed a beltless arm through that left Takayasu on his back and rolling his eyes in disappointment.

It was just the fifth time Mitakeumi had beaten Takayasu in their 15 career bouts.

Takakeisho, who had missed his chance to wrap up the championship when he slipped and fell in his bout against Takayasu on Saturday, won both a "Shukun-sho" Outstanding Performance prize, and "Kanto-sho" Fighting Spirit prize. No. 13 maegashira Onosho earned his third career Fighting Spirit prize after winning the first makuuchi-division match of the day to finish with an 11-4 record.

No "Gino-sho" Technique prizes were awarded for the second straight tournament.

Top-ranked maegashira Myogiryu shook off the distraction of two false starts from his opponent to earn his eighth victory, and his third in a row, by pushing out No. 5 Chiyotairyu (7-8).

Mongolian sekiwake Ichinojo (6-9) ended his difficult tournament by getting forced out by No. 6 maegashira Kagayaki (5-10).

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

A great win for Takakeisho. Being 22-years of age he should have many good years of sumo ahead of him. He was on fire in this basho. I had wanted Takayasu to win as he's a fairly consistent ozeki but it wasn't to be this time around.

A great basho for Aoiyama and young Onosho. I was glad that Kotoshogiku got his kachi-koshi, but was disappointed that Yoshikaze had a 7-8 record. I do like these older rikishi.