Public League Leaderboard
Scores from Fantasizr.
Yusho Arasoi
10 Wins
38 Maegashira #15 East Atamifuji
9 Wins
03 Ozeki #1 West Takakeisho
22 Maegashira #7 East Takayasu
8 Wins
05 Sekiwake #1 East Daieisho
12 Maegashira #2 East Abi
20 Maegashira #6 East Onosho
28 Maegashira #10 East Kinbozan
30 Maegashira #11 East Mitakeumi
31 Maegashira #11 West Hokuseiho
41 Maegashira #16 West Tsurugisho
Notable Maneuvers
Kakenage. Ura was credited with a win by hooking inner thigh throw against Tsurugisho, but that almost undersells it. Really, Ura took a disadvantageous position, felt Tsurugisho's with his own, and then kept himself away from the clay long enough to avoid losing.
Match of the Day
Since he's leading the yusho race, Atamifuji is now facing Sanyaku opponents for the first time. He has really never faced anyone like Daieisho, who focused on not letting the big youngster grab any kind of hold. Atamifuji still managed to keep up with Daieisho for the most part, staying in front and shoving back. Yet he was off of his brand of sumo, and he was eventually shoved down for his second loss.
Recap
Atamifuji's loss to Daieisho pulled him back toward the pack. SInce he had a two-match lead coming in, he still sits alone atop the leaderboard. His margin for error has just been severely reduced. He fought well against Daieisho, but he's officially in range where he will have some of the toughest competition. He's done extremely well so far, but he gets bigger and bigger challenges to close the basho. On Day Thirteen, that comes in the form of the one-loss back Ozeki Takakeisho.
Takakeisho did not come into the basho with a great deal of momentum. He missed Nagoya entirely, placing him on kadoban status for Aki. In May, he scraped together an 8-7 after pulling out of the March basho. He also still seemed hurt early this basho, and a 9-3 score so far puts him one back of the leader. Takakeisho has just not looked like a world-beater, but like someone keeping himself afloat.
It's worth remembering this is a 27 year old who has been an Ozeki for 4 years. He also has 3 Yusho and 8 Jun-Yusho to his name, with 2 of those Yusho coming as an Ozeki. That means he has twice been in position for a Yokozuna run. He even had an outside shot after a 12-3 Playoff Loss Jun-Yusho followed by a 12-3 Yusho in November and January. Takakeisho being one of the best performing rikishi shouldn't surprise anyone.
Takakeisho can very easily turn the basho on its head on Day Thirteen. The Takakeisho-Atamifuji matchup is a complete clash of styles. Takakeisho is shorter than the average rikishi, but built like a square. His one way to fight is to push hard into his opponent, then continue shoving to disrupt the rhythm of the bout. Atamifuji is a tall rikishi who is looking for a grip, then seeking to work the match in his favor. The opening moments will be critical, because if Atamifuji latches on he could get the upset quickly.
A Takakeisho win would show the Ozeki is truly back on form, and give him a share of the lead. But his work isn't over. He has three matches remaining after his clash with Atamifuji. Presumably, the two other Ozeki, Kirishima and Hoshoryu, will be on his dance card. They are still looking for 8 wins each, but are always trouble. Fellow 9-3 man, and former Ozeki Takayasu, is also likely to be a Takakeisho opponent. That's especially true if Takayasu also keeps winning. Day Thirteen has a great marquee matchup, but Day Twelve's results mean the yusho possibilities are still varied.
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