2019 Haru Basho.

[Swami]

Haru Day 10: Hakuho stays perfect, maintains 1-win lead
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Written by Kyodo
Published: 19 March 2019
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Hakuho toppled Tamawashi on the 10th day of the 15-day meet at Edion Arena Osaka, avenging his defeat at the January tourney eventually won by the Mongolian sekiwake. A pair of rank-and-file wrestlers — No. 4 maegashira Ichinojo and No. 7 Aoiyama — moved up to 9-1 to keep up their pursuit.

For the second time in the tournament, Hakuho escaped from a dangerous situation to snatch victory after Tamawashi took the upper hand by knocking the yokozuna off balance with an attempted arm throw. As Tamawashi (4-6) advanced to finish off his opponent, Hakuho pivoted out of his path and then flung the sekiwake to the ground from behind.

Fellow yokozuna Kakuryu (8-2) dropped a further win off the pace with a loss to sekiwake Takakeisho (8-2). The 22-year-old Takakeisho, who has an ozeki promotion in his sights, got his first career win over Kakuryu with a pull-down following an exchange of blows that left the yokozuna bleeding from the nose.

Ozeki Takayasu (8-2) also fell one win further back, falling to Ichinojo.

In a clash between ozeki, Goeido defeated Georgian-born powerhouse Tochinoshin to secure a winning record for the meet. The Osaka Prefecture native took an outside grip at the opening collision as Tochinoshin countered by pinning his foe’s arm. Holding the stronger position, Goeido (8-2) twisted Tochinoshin (6-4) to the clay with an overarm throw.

Komusubi Mitakeumi (4-6) broke a five-bout losing streak as he pushed out No. 1 Endo (3-7).

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

It's stating to look like this is Hakuho's yusho to lose. I can't see Ichinojo keeping this up as he wrestles Aoiyama on Wednesday. Good to see Kotoshogiku get his kachi-koshi.

 

[Swami]

It's stating to look like this is Hakuho's yusho to lose. I can't see Ichinojo keeping this up as he wrestles Aoiyama on Wednesday. Good to see Kotoshogiku get his kachi-koshi.

Takakeisho could still be a tricky opponent for Hakuho, and Hakuho's finishes in recent tournaments haven't been brilliant.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Haru Day 11: Yokozuna Hakuho keeps spotless record
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Written by Kyodo
Published: 20 March 2019
Hits: 23

Hakuho held off a stern challenge from sekiwake Takakeisho to maintain his perfect 11-0 while maegashira Ichinojo is one-win behind the Mongolian grand champion.

In the final bout of the day, Hakuho had to work harder than usual to earn a victory over Takakeisho (8-3). The two wrestlers traded slaps to open the bout, and the younger Takakeisho managed to move the yokozuna toward the edge of the ring. Ever the stalwart, Hakuho maintained his composure before grabbing Takakeisho by the belt with his left hand and sending him tumbling to the dohyo surface with an overarm throw.

In a clash between two maegashira wrestlers who started the day at 9-1, Ichinojo slapped down No. 7 Aoiyama (9-2) to remain in the hunt for his maiden makuuchi championship. The 226-kilogram Mongolian won 10 bouts at a single grand tournament for the first time since January 2018, where he was competing as a top-ranked maegashira.

In the day's penultimate bout, Kakuryu (9-2) bounced back from his previous day loss by defeating sekiwake Tamawashi (4-7). The yokozuna resisted Tamawashi's slaps, and pulled his opponent forward, while also losing balance and falling. After initially ruling Kakuryu the winner, the judges upheld the decision following a ring conference.

Takayasu (9-2) thrust down Tochinoshin (6-5) in a clash between two ozeki wrestlers. He charged into Tochinoshin with his head and grabbed onto the Georgian's belt with both hands. With a left-hand belt hold, Tochinoshin tried to resist, but he was unable to hold on with a taped-up left leg. Tochinoshin, who fights here as a demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki, needs two more wins to retain his rank for the next tournament in May.

The other ozeki, Goeido (9-2) remained two wins behind Hakuho by bulldozing No. 5 Chiyotairyu (6-5) out of the ring. He will face Takakeisho in his campaign for his second championship on Thursday.

Fan-favorite Mitakeumi (5-6) beat Daieisho (5-6) in a slap fest and pushed the second-ranked maegashira out, while fellow komusubi Hokutofuji (3-8) lost to top-ranked maegashira Endo (4-7).

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

Tochinoshin is still struggling. Thursday he has Hakuho. I'm hoping he gets the fans to throw their seat cushions. Good to see Yoshikaze get his kachi-koshi after some poor bashos and even more delighted to see Kotoshogiku stay alive in the yusho race.

I'm perplexed about Thursday's Kakuryu vs. Takayasu as I like both of them.

Ichinojo is still doing well, a surprise.

 

[Swami]

Tochinoshin is still struggling. Thursday he has Hakuho. I'm hoping he gets the fans to throw their seat cushions. Good to see Yoshikaze get his kachi-koshi after some poor bashos and even more delighted to see Kotoshogiku stay alive in the yusho race.

I'm perplexed about Thursday's Kakuryu vs. Takayasu as I like both of them.

Ichinojo is still doing well, a surprise.

Hard to see Hakuho losing this one at this stage, though.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Haru Day 12: Hakuho stays one win ahead of pack
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Written by Kyodo
Published: 21 March 2019
Hits: 22

Hakuho faced little challenge from the struggling Tochinoshin (6-6), who has only beaten the 41-time top-division champion once in 28 matchups.

Hakuho hemmed up Tochinoshin after a momentary stalemate, then turned on the gas after recharging his engine and deposited the ozeki over the straw. Fighting as a demotion-threatened kadoban ozeki, Tochinoshin needs to secure two wins over the final three days of the 15-day meet to retain his post at the sport’s second highest rank.

The day’s final bout at Edion Arena Osaka was an upset, with ozeki Takayasu (10-2) defeating yokozuna Kakuryu (9-3). With both wrestlers looking for their 10th win, Kakuryu fought back to gain the inside edge against the ozeki and planted himself in the center of the ring. But Takayasu found the yokozuna’s belt, and hefted Kakuryu over the edge before falling out himself. Takayasu improved to 9-12 in his rivalry with Kakuryu.

Rank-and-filer Ichinojo (11-1) remained the only wrestler one win behind Hakuho after defeating No. 8 Asanoyama (7-5). The No. 4 maegashira promptly secured a left-handed grip on Asanoyama’s belt as the wrestlers collided, then swung the 170-kg wrestler around to the edge of the ring. With his opponent backed into a corner, the massive Mongolian swung his right arm over Asanoyama’s head for extra leverage and threw him down to the clay.

The sekiwake wrestlers, who won titles at the previous two tournaments, had mixed fates on Day 12.

Takakeisho (8-4) suffered his second straight loss in his bid for a promotion, this time at the hands of Goeido (10-2). The ozeki put Takakeisho into offensive mode with some hard shoves, then routinely slapped him down as Takakeisho tried to answer back.

Tamawashi (5-7), meanwhile, defeated top-ranked maegashira Endo (4-8). After a heated exchange of slaps, Tamawashi was driven to the edge but reversed on the straw and dashed out of harm’s way. The Mongolian turned and put everything into a flying shove to launch Endo off the raised ring.

Among the komusubi, Mitakeumi fell to 5-7 with a loss against No. 2 Myogiryu (5-7). Mitakeumi staved off several throat holds and tried to maneuver Myogiryu to the edge, but was shoved out in the process.

Newly promoted Hokutofuji (4-8) bounced back after posting a losing record on Day 11 by taking down No. 3 Nishikigi (3-9). Hokutofuji created some distance with a hard initial shove, then bulldozed the maegashira out.

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

Not much changed in the yusho race on Thursday expect Kakuryu's loss. I'm very eager to see Friday's match between Hakuho and Goeido.

 

[Swami]

Tochinoshin in real trouble, needs two wins out of the last three days to hold onto his rank.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Haru Day 13: Hakuho retains lead with win over ozeki Goeido
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Written by Kyodo
Published: 22 March 2019
Hits: 35

The victory left Hakuho with a perfect record and a one-win lead over his Mongolian compatriot Ichinojo with two days to go in the 15-day tourney at Edion Arena Osaka.

Goeido (10-3) tried to sidestep the charging yokozuna, and the fight momentarily devolved into a slapping and shoving contest. But as the ozeki came in close to try and set up a forceout, Hakuho grabbed two belt holds. The ozeki leapt backward to try to wrench himself free, but Hakuho pursued him to the straw and then forced him out.

Ichinojo, wrestling as a No. 4 maegashira, won a surprisingly easy victory against komusubi Mitakeumi (5-8), slapping him down at the get-go. The win was the Mongolian's fourth in 10 career bouts against Mitakeumi, whose losing record will likely see him fall into the maegashira ranks for the first time since January 2017.

Ozeki Takayasu suffered his third defeat, losing for just the third time in nine career match-ups with sekiwake Takakeisho (9-4), who put his hopes for a promotion to ozeki back on track after losses on Wednesday and Thursday.

The 22-year-old Takakeisho simply beat Takayasu off the mark, hit home with his charge and drove the ozeki out of the ring. Looking for 10 wins to earn promotion to the sport's second highest rank, Takakeisho will have a crack at it on Saturday, when he faces title-chasing Ichinojo.

Georgian Tochinoshin (6-7), who is fighting for survival as an ozeki and in need of eight wins here to do so, was forced out by yokozuna Kakuryu (10-3). After losing the battle on the opening collision, Tochinoshin hung in briefly, but the more mobile Mongolian was able to get around him and press him out.

Former ozeki Kotoshogiku, currently wrestling at No. 8 maegashira, and No. 7 Aoiyama also suffered their third losses. Kotoshogiku carelessly walked into a trap, sprung when No. 11 Meisei (9-4) flung him down with a pulling overarm throw.

Aoiyama lost a slapfest highlighted with shoves when No. 12 Yoshikaze (10-3) got in under his defenses, grabbed a belt hold, and spun the Bulgarian around before shoving him out from behind.

Earlier, 24-year-old No. 13 Tomokaze, who is competing in the top-flight makuuchi division for the first time, secured a winning record by throwing down No. 8 Asanoyama (7-6).

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

It was sad to see Kotoshogiku fall to his third loss. Hakuho was a machine today. I guess all he has left to wrestle is Takayasu and Kakuryu? I can't see Ichinojo pulling out a win if they have to wrestle for the Emperor's Cup.

I feel sad as well for Tochinoshin. He fought so hard for his ozeki promotion last year and he's on the eve of losing it.

 

[Swami]

Bizarrely Hakuho and Ichinojo haven't faced each other and won't unless Kakuryu beats Hakuho tomorrow - and provided that Ichinojo wins his final day bout.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Haru Day 14: Ichinojo stays in hunt
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 23 March 2019
Hits: 20

The race for the Emperor’s Cup at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament will go down to the final day with undefeated yokozuna Hakuho and fourth-ranked maegashira Ichinojo both winning on Saturday.

In the penultimate day of the 15-day meet at Edion Arena Osaka, Hakuho, seeking a record-extending 42nd title, defeated ozeki Takayasu (10-4). Ichinojo, trailing Hakuho by one win, remained in the hunt for his first championship by beating rising star Takakeisho (9-5).

Needing a win to avoid falling into a tie for the lead, Hakuho built up to his match against Takayasu with a prolonged staring contest. But when the action started, it was fast and furious. The Mongolian yokozuna seized a left-handed underarm belt hold off his charge and then let Takayasu wear himself out trying to wriggle free. The ozeki nearly pulled off a last-gasp throw at the ring’s edge, but Hakuho spoiled that plan.

After an instant of instability, Hakuho regained his balance, grounded his left foot and drove his body into Takayasu, sending him spilling over backward out of the ring.

The 25-year-old Ichinojo defeated ozeki-hopeful Takakeisho and equaled the career-best 13 wins he notched as a makuuchi debutant in September 2014. The win was Ichinojo’s third in 10 tries against the 22-year-old sekiwake. Takakeisho lunged forward at the start, planting his right hand on the 226-kg maegashira’s throat. But Ichinojo swatted the hand away, wrapped his big right arm around Takakeisho’s neck and thrust him down to defeat.

Georgian Ozeki Tochinoshin (7-7), needing to win his final two matches to avoid relegation to sekiwake for May’s tournament, gutted out a win over November champion Tamawashi (5-9). The win set up an intriguing winner-take-all ozeki promotion-relegation battle against Takakeisho on Sunday. Tochinoshin is 1-5 in his career against the young upstart.

In the day’s final bout, ozeki Goeido improved to 11-3 by forcing out yokozuna Kakuryu (10-4).

In a match between two of the makuuchi division’s elder statesmen having good tournaments, former ozeki Kotoshogiku wore down 37-year-old former sekiwake Yoshikaze before shoving him out. Kotoshogiku, who turned 35 in January, cut Yoshikaze’s lip with a shoulder charge, wrapped up his opponent’s left arm and steered him to the edge. Kotoshogiku (11-3) improved to 25-7 in his career against Yoshikaze (10-4).

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

Bizarrely Hakuho and Ichinojo haven't faced each other and won't unless Kakuryu beats Hakuho tomorrow - and provided that Ichinojo wins his final day bout.

Swami

Very interesting! Oh I so hope Kakuryu wins tomorrow to make this interesting. Ichinojo has Daieisho so his chances are good. The staring contest between Hakuho and Takayasu was great.

Well Sunday is do or die for Tochinoshin if he keep his ozeki rank.

 

[Swami]

Very interesting! Oh I so hope Kakuryu wins tomorrow to make this interesting. Ichinojo has Daieisho so his chances are good. The staring contest between Hakuho and Takayasu was great.

Well Sunday is do or die for Tochinoshin if he keep his ozeki rank.

Tochinoshin faces Takakeisho to makes things even more crucial, if Takakeisho wins he will probably be promoted to ozeki as Tochinoshin gets demoted.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Perfect Hakuho captures 42nd title
Kyodo


Article history

• Online: Mar 24, 2019
• Last Modified: Mar 24, 2019

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OSAKA - Yokozuna Hakuho extended his career championship haul to 42 on Sunday after winning the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament with a record 15th undefeated run.

Needing a win against fellow Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu to avoid a championship playoff, Hakuho was pushed to the limit in a long battle. Although Hakuho let Kakuryu shove him backward, both wrestlers secured double belt holds, preventing either man from ending it quickly.




Hakuho broke the stalemate by thrusting his right knee inside Kakuryu’s left leg, and used that leverage to lift Kakuryu off his feet before tipping him over for an underarm throw.

“I entered sumo at the tournament in Osaka, and now I’m here as we ring out the end of the Heisei era, so Osaka has a special place in my heart,” Hakuho said after the last Grand Tournament during the reign of Emperor Akihito.

“I entered sumo in the 13th year of the Heisei era. I am a creature of this era. Nine years ago in Nagoya, I received a letter from the emperor. This Heisei era means everything to me.”

Hakuho thanked his family and supporters for helping him come back from leg surgery in October, and led the crowd in a traditional tejime clapping cheer to mark the end of the era, which will end when the 85-year-old emperor abdicates on April 30.

The victory was Hakuho’s 41st in 48 career matchups with his compatriot Kakuryu. They had not fought each other since September, when Hakuho won his last title — also with a 15-0 record.

Earlier in the day, Ichinojo improved to a career-high 14 wins by beating No. 2 maegashira Daieisho, securing the victory required to stay in the title hunt.

The 226-kg Mongolian was quickest off the mark, rocked Daieisho back and then tried to pull him down. Daieisho wriggled free once, but Ichinojo tried again and succeeded with a hatakikomi slap down.

In what amounted to a winner-take-all, ozeki promotion-relegation battle, Tochinoshin, who has been racked with injuries since he made his ozeki debut last July, was blown out of the ring by 22-year-old sekiwake Takakeisho.

The youngster exploded out of his charge before the powerful Georgian could react, and Takakeisho was able to slap and thrust his opponent backward while swatting away the ozeki’s attempts to grab hold of him.

The result will see Tochinoshin fight in May as a sekiwake, and all but guaranteed Takakeisho’s promotion to ozeki.

Since the six-tournament system started in 1958, Tochinoshin is just the second ozeki to drop from the sport’s second highest rank after only five tournaments, and the first since 1974. He can regain his ozeki ranking if he earns 10 wins at the Summer Grand Tournament in May.

The other two ozeki slugged it out in the day’s penultimate bout, with local favorite Goeido (12-3) beating Takayasu (10-5) for bragging rights.

Earlier, No. 8 maegashira Kotoshogiku failed in his bid for a 12th win and a fighting spirit prize when the 35-year-old former ozeki was forced out by No. 11 Ryuden (10-5).

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

A good basho overall. Not surprised at all with Hakuho's win. His match with Kakayru was great. Yokozuna sumo at its best.

Sorry to see Tochinoshin demoted. Hopefully his injury can heal and he can return to the ozeki rank. Good to see a new ozeki with Takakeisho.

If Goeido wrestled this well and won a few bashos he could be a yokozuna.

I have to say I'm surprised with Ichinojo's performance. He needs to keep this style of sumo in May.

A good basho also for Kotoshogiku, Yoshikaze, and Ryuden.

 

[Swami]

Tochinoshin needs to win 10 next time to return to ozeki, he must make a mighty effort.

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

Tochinoshin needs to win 10 next time to return to ozeki, he must make a mighty effort.

Swami

He needs to heal well. He was such a beast in January, March, and May of 2018.

Do you know if Hakuho tore his bicep in his match with Kakuryu? He looked to be in pain after the match.

 

[Swami]

He needs to heal well. He was such a beast in January, March, and May of 2018.

Do you know if Hakuho tore his bicep in his match with Kakuryu? He looked to be in pain after the match.

There does seem to be chat that Hakuho injured his arm, but no more detail yet.

Swami