2018 Aki Basho.

[Swami]

Aki Day 8: Hakuho, Kakuryu remain unbeaten; Kisenosato upset again
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 16 September 2018
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Yokozuna Hakuho celebrates his 800th victory © Nikkan Sports

Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho and Kakuryu secured winning records Sunday, while their Japanese counterpart Kisenosato took a second loss on the eighth day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

In the day’s final bout, Hakuho earned his 800th win as a yokozuna by defeating Yutakayama (0-6-2), who returned to the tournament after withdrawing on Day 5 with an ankle injury. Hakuho dazed the No. 2 maegashira with a swift left-handed slap in their second career matchup, then hauled his opponent out of the ring with his favored left-handed belt grab.

Kakuryu dug in low against his 227 kg opponent, sekiwake Ichinojo (2-6), and stepped on the gas at the ropes to edge him out. The Mongolian yokozuna are the only wrestlers with perfect marks at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Kisenosato (6-2) took his second loss after being defeated by komusubi Tamawashi, who earned his first win of the tournament and third kinboshi prize for beating a yokozuna. The Japanese yokozuna, who was upset by No. 2 Chiyotairyu on Friday, got off on the wrong foot and allowed Tamawashi to capitalize for a quick push-out win.

Ozeki Takayasu (7-1) was denied a winning record on Day 8 after suffering his first defeat in an upset loss to No. 3 Shodai (3-5). Shodai stood his ground and got his left hand underneath Takayasu’s armpit, spinning the ozeki down to defeat.

Goeido (7-1) won an ozeki showdown against Tochinoshin (5-3) and earned his seventh straight victory. Goeido stopped the Georgian in his tracks and quickly rammed Tochinoshin over the straw. Tochinoshin is fighting as a demotion-threatened “kadoban” ozeki and needs at least eight wins to maintain his status at the next basho.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi (6-2), looking for an ozeki promotion and a second straight top division title, was handed a second loss by top-ranked maegashira Ikioi (1-7). Ikioi got the better of the initial charge against Mitakeumi, pushing him out to break a seven-day losing streak and pick up his first win in seven career matches against the sekiwake.

Komusubi Takakeisho (3-5) employed his shove-and-move shuffling technique against No. 1 Kaisei (3-5), but had trouble moving the second-heaviest man in the top division. Kaisei’s 207 kg worked against him, though, when Takakeisho thrust him down in an off-balanced moment.

Ninth-ranked maegashira Hokutofuji (7-1) fell against No. 13 Ryuden (7-1) and suffered his first loss of the tournament.

Hokutofuji struggled to find a belt hold against Ryuden and was gradually driven to the edge of the ring. Hokutofuji bounced back but failed to gain momentum against his charging opponent and was pushed out.

Both wrestlers are the only rank-and-filers one win behind the leaders.

In the day’s opening match, top-ranked juryo division veteran Aminishiki (5-3), who turns 40 next month, made a brief reappearance on the top stage in a bout against No. 16 Kotoyuki (3-5). Aminishiki, who was relegated back to the second division after posting a 4-11 record at the May tourney, got a solid two-handed grip on Kotoyuki’s neck and thrust him down to the clay, securing the victory with a rare “tokkurinage” winning technique.

Kyokutaisei (1-3-4), who withdrew on Day 4 after suffering knee injuries, will return to competition Monday. It was the first time the No. 11 maegashira withdrew from a grand tournament since his professional debut in 2008.

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

Kisenosato still seems to struggle with two losses. I can't see him doing well against any of the ozeki or yokozuna. Maybe he needs a tourney to get back into the groove so to speak.

Do you think Tochinoshin is suffering from an injury? He's not as dominate was in the early basho's this year. I do think (and hope) he'll get eight wins. A good win for Goeido. Endo and Onosho are having a terrible basho.

Mitakeumi vs Hakuho and Kisenosato vs Tochinoshin on Monday.

 

[Swami]

I think if Kisenosato gets 10 wins it will give him one more basho to improve, after that he will have to retire.

Tochinoshin looking very vulnerable now, needs three wins to keep his rank.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Aki Day 9: Kisenosato bounces back with win over Tochinoshin
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 17 September 2018
Hits: 14

Grand champion Kisenosato bounced back from defeat and posted a convincing win over ozeki Tochinoshin. Fellow yokozuna Hakuho and Kakuryu both survived scares and remain undefeated at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

A day after suffering his second defeat of the meet to komusubi Tamawashi (1-8), Kisenosato (7-2) gathered his momentum and drove the Georgian ozeki out of the ring.

The sole Japanese yokozuna, fighting for his career after missing an unprecedented eight meets due to a left chest muscle injury, resisted Tochinoshin's attempt to throw him out and pushed the ozeki over the straw with a right-handed belt grab.

Kisenosato had lost their previous face-off at the July meet last year, but improved his record against Tochinoshin to 17-9. Tochinoshin (5-4) is competing as a demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki and needs at least three more wins to maintain his status at the next grand tournament.

Hakuho beat sekiwake Mitakeumi (6-3), who won July's grand tournament, in the day's longest bout lasting 1 minute and 19 seconds, while Kakuryu defeated No. 3 maegashira and fan-favorite Endo (1-8).

Ozeki Takayasu and Goeido, as well as No. 13 Ryuden are trailing the two Mongolian yokozuna by a win.

Takayasu, who suffered his first defeat Sunday, stayed in contention for his first makuuchi division championship by beating No. 4 Chiyonokuni (2-7). A big shove from the ozeki made Chiyonokuni lose his footing and topple out of the raised ring.

Goeido, who was promoted to sumo's second-highest rank in 2014, grabbed komusubi Takakeisho (3-6) by the neck and bulldozed him out.

No. 13 Ryuden claimed his fourth winning record since joining the top division in January with a win against No. 7 Shohozan (5-4).

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

An impressive victory for Kisenosato. I didn't think he could pull it off. I did enjoy the Hakuho/Mitakeumi match.

I'm looking forward to the Kakuryu/Mitakeumi and Goeido/Takayasu matches on Day 10. I'm really enjoying this basho.

 

[Swami]

Aki Day 10: Kisenosato earns winning record
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 18 September 2018
Hits: 31

Yokozuna Kisenosato continued his comeback run at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament earning his first winning record since March last year, when he clinched a second-straight top division championship.

Before fellow grand champions Hakuho and Kakuryu closed out Day 10 of the 15-day tournament with their 10th consecutive wins, Kisenosato felt the pressure pile up from three false starts against No. 3 maegashira Endo at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. But when the action finally started, Kisenosato (8-2) wasted little time forcing his opponent from the ring. The 32-year-old yokozuna remains two wins off the lead following a pair of upsets and a string of hard-fought victories.

Endo (1-9), a fan-favorite who has won four "kimboshi" prizes for beating a grand champion, had beaten Kisenosato three times in seven previous matchups but has only posted one win here so far.

In the day's final bout, sekiwake Mitakeumi (6-4) had Kakuryu on the ropes, but yielded position and allowed the yokozuna to steamroll him out of the opposite side of the ring.

Hakuho survived a scare against 227-kilogram sekiwake Ichinojo (3-7) and bested his fellow Mongolian to also remain undefeated.

Among other upper-ranked wrestlers, rival ozeki Goeido and Takayasu battled to stay in contention, with each wrestler coming into their 29th bout together one win off the lead.

Takayasu got a left-handed belt grab on his opponent after blocking a powerful initial charge, but Goeido lost his footing trying to stretch away from Takayasu and was twisted down the clay. Takayasu (9-1) improved to 19-10 against his Japanese counterpart and remains a win shy of the leaders, while Goeido fell to 8-2. Takayasu will challenge Hakuho on Wednesday.

Ozeki Tochinoshin (6-4) used his brute strength to overpower top-ranked maegashira Kaisei (4-6), the second-heaviest man in the division. Both wrestlers locked into their favored belt holds, but the Georgian, fighting with a taped right foot, turned on the afterburners and drove the Brazilian out.

Komusubi duo Takakeisho (4-6) and Tamawashi (2-8) each won their respective bouts against No. 2 Yutakayama (1-7-2) and No. 1 Ikioi (1-9). It was only Tamawashi's second match against a rank-and-file wrestler at the tournament. His only other win came on Day 8 in an upset against Kisenosato.

In the lower ranks, No. 13 Ryuden dropped to 8-2 after being toppled by a desperate push from No. 16 Ishiura (3-7), who is in danger of relegation to the second division. Ryuden had been the only rank-and-filer one win off the pace but is now tied with No. 13 Takanoiwa, who also earned a winning record, along with Kisenosato and Goeido.

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

I'm glad Kisenosato got his eighth win today. It will be interesting to see him against Ichinojo on Day 11. I get the impression this will be the end of Ichinojo's Sekiwake rank.

I'm still impressed with Kakuryu. His biggest test yet is against Tochinoshin on Wednesday. I'm very eager to see that. Hakuho vs Takayasu will be a must match too.

 

[Swami]

I'm glad Kisenosato got his eighth win today. It will be interesting to see him against Ichinojo on Day 11. I get the impression this will be the end of Ichinojo's Sekiwake rank.

I'm still impressed with Kakuryu. His biggest test yet is against Tochinoshin on Wednesday. I'm very eager to see that. Hakuho vs Takayasu will be a must match too.

Ichinojo has lost all control of his weight, he has just become a slow, lumbering easy target. Although not as bad as the Russian Orora in the lower ranks, last year he beat Konishiki's record for the heaviest of all time, he is currently 294kgs and this basho he has actually fallen trying to get onto the dohyo. And he says he wants to reach 300kgs!

Swami

 

[Swami]

Aki Day 11: Yokozuna Kakuryu and Kisenosato fall in upsets
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 19 September 2018
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Mongolian yokozuna Kakuryu suffered his first loss on Wednesday, as yokozuna Hakuho emerged as the sole leader with a perfect 11-0 record at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Yokozuna Kisenosato (8-3), who secured his first winning record in nine meets on Tuesday, also suffered an upset at the hands of sekiwake Ichinojo in the penultimate bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

The 227-kg Ichinojo (4-7) started out by slapping Kisenosato’s face, and gave him a final shove as the yokozuna tried to resist the slaps with his hand to no avail.

Kakuryu, who won back-to-back championships earlier this year, was defeated by Tochinoshin (7-4). The Georgian ozeki grabbed Kakuryu’s belt with both hands, and lifted him over the straw bales in a frontal force out.

Tochinoshin, the winner of the January meet, is competing as a demotion-threatened kadoban ozeki and needs one more win to maintain his No. 2 status at the next grand sumo tournament.

In the day’s final bout, Hakuho posted an easy victory over ozeki Takayasu (9-2) after psyching out his opponent with three match delays. Hakuho slapped Takayasu with his right hand, and charged into him before upending him over the edge.

Hakuho has moved closer to winning his first championship this year, and a record-extending 41st career title in the elite makuuchi division. Takayasu is the only wrestler in sumo’s second-highest rank who has yet to win a top-division championship.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi (6-5), who won the previous championship in July, suffered his fourth straight defeat, losing his bout to top-ranked maegashira Kaisei (5-6).

Brazilian maegashira Kaisei put his arms around the fan-favorite sekiwake, and sent him flying headfirst off the raised ring.

Ozeki Goeido posted an easy win over No. 3 Shodai (5-6) to stay two wins behind Hakuho. Goeido is tied with No. 13 maegashira Takanoiwa and Takayasu at 9-2.

Takanoiwa beat No. 8 Kotoshogiku (6-5). Takanoiwa, who suffered a concussion in an after-hours assault by fellow Mongolian Harumafuji last October, prompting the yokozuna’s retirement, returned to the top division after winning his second juryo division championship in a playoff at the July meet in Nagoya.

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

Kakuryu made the mistake of playing a power game with Tochinoshin. I was surprised with Kisenosato's loss to Ichinojo. He was visibly upset with his loss. I'm just glad all three ozeki and all three yokozuna are still in it.

 

[Swami]

Tochinoshin just needs one more win to keep his rank, and hopefully should get it.

He looked mighty against Kakuryu.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Aki Day 12: Hakuho closes in on 41st career championship
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 20 September 2018
Hits: 15

Yokozuna Hakuho edged one step closer to his first title of the year and a record-extending 41st career championship after beating Tochinoshin on Thursday, the 12th day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

Hakuho extended his undefeated run at Ryogoku Kokugikan to 12 straight days, making quick work once again of ozeki Tochinoshin (7-5). The yokozuna slipped his right arm underneath Tochinoshin’s left armpit and coolly threw the powerful Georgian down to the clay. He now has a two-win lead going into Day 13.

Tochinoshin has beaten Hakuho only once in 27 career matchups. After 25 consecutive losses against the yokozuna, the Georgian defeated Hakuho en route to a 13-2 finish at the May tournament, resulting in his promotion to the sport’s second-highest rank.

Fighting as a demotion-threatened kadoban ozeki, Tochinoshin has just three days left to find the one win he needs to avoid demotion and maintain his status at the next tournament.

Yokozuna Kakuryu (10-2) suffered another upset, this time at the hands of Takayasu (10-2). The ozeki got an outside grip on Kakuryu’s belt and swung the yokozuna around and down for his second straight loss.

In the day’s final bout, yokozuna Kisenosato (9-3) bounced back after an 11th-day upset with a hard-fought triumph over Mitakeumi (6-6). Mitakeumi swung Kisenosato around the ring, but the latter kept his equilibrium, wearing out his opponent in the process. Kisenosato eventually gained control over the exhausted sekiwake and muscled him over the straw.

Five straight losses have dashed Mitakeumi’s hopes for a second straight makuuchi division championship and possible ozeki promotion.

Goeido (10-2) defeated No. 4 Abi (6-6) to join Kakuryu and Takayasu as the only wrestlers two wins behind Hakuho. The ozeki struggled to get Abi out of the ring, but capitalized on an opportunity for a slapdown instead.

The two heaviest men in the division, sekiwake Ichinojo (5-7) and top-ranked maegeshira Kaisei (5-7), engaged in a battle of bulk in their attempts to put together a winning record by Day 15. Ichinojo, heavier by 20 kg, secured a solid belt hold and put his lighter Brazilian opponent on the back foot, then stepped to the side to deploy a winning overarm throw.

Takakeisho thrust out No. 3 Shodai (5-7) to even his record at 6-6, while fellow komusubi Tamawashi (3-9) was quickly pulled down by No. 2 Chiyotairyu (4-8).

No. 5 Myogiryu and No. 15 Yoshikaze each earned winning records with Day 12 victories.

No. 13 Takanoiwa (9-3), the only rank-and-filer to start the day two victories off the pace, ended a seven-match winning streak after losing to No. 7 Shohozan (6-6).

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

It looks as if Hakuho is close to getting the Emperor's Cup again.

The Kakuryu/Takayasu match was a good watch. A great win for Kisenosato against Mitakeumi. He needed that. I hope he gets 10 wins. It seems Mitakeumi will not get his ozeki promotion now.

Glad to see Yoshikaze getting a winning record after his dismal showing last basho.

 

[Swami]

Aki Day 13: Hakuho wins yokozuna showdown against Kisenosato
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 21 September 2018
Hits: 22

Hakuho overpowered fellow grand champion Kisenosato in a yokozuna showdown on Friday and remains undefeated after 13 straight days at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

In their 60th career meeting, Hakuho took control at the outset and muscled Kisenosato (9-4) to the straw. Kisenosato attempted to circle away, but the Mongolian pursued him relentlessly and shoved him out of the other side of the ring. "I was a little nervous because it's been some time since I have beaten him," said Hakuho, who had lost his three previous bouts against Kisenosato.

Hakuho improved to 44-16 against his Japanese counterpart and claimed his 999th makuuchi division victory. He needs one more win at the 15-day tournament to clinch his first top division title of the year and record-extending 41st overall championship.

In the day's final bout at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, yokozuna Kakuryu (10-3) suffered his third straight loss when he was bulldozed out of contention by ozeki Goeido (11-2). The two wrestlers, along with ozeki Takayasu, had both started the day two wins off the pace.

Goeido employed a quick left-handed slap to the yokozuna and charged him out before Kakuryu had time to recover. The ozeki will face his biggest test on Day 14, when he squares off against Hakuho.

Takayasu (11-2) overwhelmed No. 4 maegashira Abi (6-7) to remain two wins behind Hakuho along with Goeido, while No. 3 Shodai (6-7) outmaneuvered Tochinoshin (7-6) for a much-needed victory. Shodai was put on the back foot by the Georgian but prevented Tochinoshin from securing his favored left-handed belt hold. Seizing an opportunity, the maegashira circled around the ozeki and twisted the him down to the clay.

Sekiwake Mitakeumi (7-6) satisfied his cheering fans with a win against No. 5 Myogiryu (8-5), while sekiwake Ichinojo (6-7) easily dispatched No. 2 Chiyotairyu (4-9).

Before the grand champions locked horns, Takakeisho (7-6) beat Tamawashi (3-10) in a komusubi clash. The 22-year-old Takakeisho, gunning for an eighth win by Sunday, stood the 33-year-old Mongolian up and shoved him out to his 10th loss.

Among the rank-and-file wrestlers, No. 12 Nishikigi and No. 15 Chiyoshoma both secured winning records.

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

A hard loss for Tochinoshin, but Shodai is never to be underestimated. Hopefully Tochinoshin wins on Day 14 against Abi. He must still have a toe injury or some other issue. He was a bulldozer in the first three tourneys this year.

It looks more as if Hakuho has this basho wrapped-up. I'll be hoping Goeido pulls an upset on Saturday to make it interesting.

 

[Swami]

A hard loss for Tochinoshin, but Shodai is never to be underestimated. Hopefully Tochinoshin wins on Day 14 against Abi. He must still have a toe injury or some other issue. He was a bulldozer in the first three tourneys this year.

It looks more as if Hakuho has this basho wrapped-up. I'll be hoping Goeido pulls an upset on Saturday to make it interesting.

Yes, I hope Goeido can repeat his tactics against Kakuryu when facing Hakuho tomorrow.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Finally Russian Orora has announced his retirement, so won't he reaching his goal - at least in active competition - of 300kgs.

Surely now he will start to look after himself.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Aki Day 14: Hakuho makes history twice in winning Autumn Grand Tournament
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 22 September 2018
Hits: 58

Yokozuna Hakuho made history twice at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday, claiming a record 41st Emperor's Cup with his 1,000th victory in the sport's top division.

The 33-year-old grand champion from Mongolia improved to an unassailable 14-0 record by beating ozeki Goeido on Day 14 of the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, becoming the only wrestler to reach 1,000 wins in the process. The closest any wrestler has come to Hakuho's top-division record is Japanese former ozeki Kaio, who retired in 2011 with 879 wins in the makuuchi division.

In the final bout of the day, Hakuho quickly established his favored left-hand grip, maneuvering Goeido (11-3) toward the outside of the ring before sending him tumbling to the clay with an overarm throw.

The all-time championship record holder said the latest title, his first for the year, was one of his sweetest. It follows an injury-plagued run of five tournaments without a crown. "I've been prone to injury as I've gotten older. That's why it's taken me so long to get to this championship. And that's why it's more precious," said Hakuho.

The jubilant grand champion said the 1,000-win milestone had weighed heavily on his mind ahead of the tournament. "Even before the tournament began, I started out aiming for my 1,000th victory. I didn't imagine I would ever be able to get to such a great record. Now I'm the only person in sumo history to do it and it feels great," he said.

Goeido started the day alongside fellow ozeki Takayasu as one of only two wrestlers mathematically capable of catching Hakuho. Takayasu, however, saw his hopes of a maiden tournament victory disappear at the hands of the winner of the previous meet, sekiwake Mitakeumi.

Mitakeumi (8-6) secured an inside grip at the jump and twisted Takayasu (11-3) into an awkward posture before driving him toward the straw. The powerful ozeki fought back and pushed Mitakeumi to the edge, but the sekiwake sent Takayasu tumbling over and out.

In a battle of grand champions, Kisenosato (10-4) defeated Kakuryu (10-4), forcing him out after the pair locked each other in an upper body hold. Kakuryu gained a hold on Kisenasato after the initial collision, but the Japanese yokozuna held a defensive position and bided his time before launching his decisive drive toward the straw.

Komusubi Takakeisho (8-6) secured a winning record after pulling No. 5 maegashira Myogiryu to the clay. It marked the first time the 22-year-old would finish a tournament with a majority of wins since his promotion to the "sanyaku" ranks below yokozuna.

Ozeki Tochinoshin (8-6) ensured he would continue at the second-highest rank by beating No. 4 Abi (6-8) with an underarm throw. He made short work of Abi, quickly lifting the up-and-coming youngster by his belt and tossing him to the ground.

Sekiwake Ichinojo (7-7) moved within one victory of a winning record by slapping down No. 3 Shodai. Following a heavy collision at the jump, the biggest man in the division quickly sent Shodai (6-8) to the clay, improving to 6-2 head to head.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Aki Day 15: Hakuho wins Autumn meet with perfect record
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Written by Kyodo
Category: News
Published: 23 September 2018
Hits: 26

A day after securing his record-extending 41st championship, Mongolian grand champion Hakuho closed the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament with a perfect 15-0 record on Sunday.

By winning a yokozuna clash against fellow Mongolian Kakuryu, Hakuho claimed the Emperor's Cup with a spotless record for a record-extending 14th time. It was Hakuho's first championship in a year that has seen him struggle with injuries.

"I feel like the god of sumo smiled at me for the first time in a while. It feels amazing," Hakuho said. "I suffered injuries this year, and my father passed away. So I felt lonely at times but I think I can finally deliver good news to him. I wasn't 100 percent until right before the tournament, but I'm glad I was able to make it in time," the 33-year-old said. "I think dealing with injuries will be a key to my sumo career."

In the day's final bout, the two wrestlers in sumo's highest rank held each other's belts with both hands. Kakuryu first charged Hakuho toward the edge, but Hakuho survived the scare, turned around and pushed him out of the ring.

Kakuryu, who won back-to-back championships earlier this year, and Japanese yokozuna Kisenosato each finished this meet with a 10-5 record.

Kisenosato closed the meet with a loss to ozeki Goeido (12-3). Kisenosato was digging to get a hold of Goeido's belt with his left hand, but the ozeki pinned the yokozuna's left hand under his armpit and shoved him down.

Kisenosato completed a full tournament for the first time since the 2017 March tournament, where he won the Emperor's Cup on his yokozuna debut. The yokozuna was fighting for his career after withdrawing from a record eight-straight grand tournaments due to a left chest muscle injury.

Tochinoshin (9-6) won an ozeki clash against Takayasu (11-4).

Mitakeumi finished with a 9-6 record following his win over No. 4 maegashira Abi (6-9). The sekiwake resisted Abi's vicious slaps to the face, chased the maegashira toward the edge and pushed him down from behind.

Mitakeumi had been on course for promotion to ozeki, the sport's second-highest rank, after winning the July tournament, but those chances disappeared after he suffered five straight defeats here.

None of the three special prizes typically announced on the final day were awarded. These are the Outstanding Performance prize, the Fighting Spirit prize and the Technique prize. It is the first time no winners were selected in the system that began with the 1947 Autumn tournament.

Swami

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

That was a good basho! All three yokozuna and ozeki made it to the end. Not too surprised with Hakuho winning.

I was a little disappointed that Kakuryu ran out of steam in the final days. A 10-5 record for Kisenosato is good for someone out for most of the past year. I hope he's better in November.

I'm glad Tochinoshin secured his ozeki status. His match against Abi was funny with Abi's limbs flailing after Tochinoshin got his grip. As predicted, Ichinojo secured his eighth win on Day 15 as always. I'd love to know if he has a strategy with his sumo.

I was sorry to see that Kotoshogiku didn't get eight wins. I hope he does better in November. Finally, I was impressed with Yoshikaze's 11-4 record after his horrible showing in July.