Aki 2022 Day Seven

PUBLIC LEAGUE LEADERBOARD

From Fantasizr

YUSHO ARASOI

7 wins

26 Maegashira #8 West Hokutofuji

6 wins

15 Maegashira #3 East Tamawashi

18 Maegashira #4 West Takayasu

NOTABLE MANEUVERS

Tsukiotoshi. Officially, Wakatakakage beat Tamawashi with a "thrust down," but the pirouette he did just before that was the real winning move.

MATCH OF THE DAY

Maegashira #15 East Terutsuyoshi versus Maegashira #16 Mitoryu

Terutsuyoshi, as is his wont, tried to go under on Mitoryu. Mitoryu had clearly seen the tapes on his opponent. He bottled him up in a grip that gave Terutsuyoshi the inside position, but no room to maneuver. This was so awkward that it forced Terutusyoshi's mawashi loose, and the gyoji had to pause to fix it. After the restart, Terutsuyoshi was able to turn on the power.

RECAP

Hokutofuji is the last undefeated rikishi on Day Seven. The biggest reason to think he won't seriously challenge for the Emperor's Cup is that he never has before in his career. Mostly, he has been a solid Maegashira who has sometimes touched Sanyaku. His pushing-thrusting style also doesn't seem notably different or especially powerful this basho. Yet here he stand at the top of the leaderboard.

Tamawashi and Takayasu hold the biggest threat to Hokutofuji's chances, being just one loss back. They also have been in the thick of yusho races before. Still neither is invulnerable, and each will likely face each other soon. Presumably, they will also get Hokutofuji. Then, they'll also need to see Hokutofuji. That's before anyone in Sanyaku gets involved in their tournament schedule.

Sanyaku is still somewhat in shambles, though. Terunofuji and Takakeisho looked back on form, but the rest of the named ranks are having an extremely up-and-down tournament. There are eight days left. Plenty can change, but for now, everyone is staring up at Hokutofuji.