Public League Leaderboard
Scores from Fantasizr.
Yusho Arasoi
5 Wins
05 Sekiwake #1 West Onosato
4 Wins
02 Ozeki East Kotozakura
06 Sekiwake #2 East Kirishima
09 Komusubi West Hiradoumi
16 Maegashira #4 East Shodai
22 Maegashira #7 East Wakatakakage
32 Maegashira #12 East Bushozan
39 Maegashira #15 West Takarafuji
Notable Maneuvers
Tottari. Shodai was about to send Daieisho over the edge, but Daieisho pulled out a nifty turn-and-throw for the win.
Match of the Day
02 Ozeki East Kotozakura versus 13 Maegashira #2 West Oho
Oho came into this one winless against Kotozakura. After an awkward tachiai, it seemed like he would stay winless as he got worked back. Then he regrouped himself and broke apart from Kotozakura to start a very soft slapfest. As they moved around, they grew closer, they ended in a stalemate with Oho's right hand under and Kotozakura's left hand over in dueling mawashi grips. That should have favored Kotozakura, but Oho didn't let up. Eventually, it was the Maegashira sending the Ozeki backwards and out with a show of force.
Recap
Onosato is the sole leader and in control of the yusho race. This is probably something everyone should get comfortable with, since the young man from Nishonoseki seems poised to contend for a long time. His Day Five match saw him completely overwhelm Takanosho, who was the runner up last time even if he's struggled in September. 6 more wins opens the Ozeki conversation, and 7 would seem to seal it. Just assume that Onosato, in his 9th career and 5th top division basho, is going for more.
He does need to take it one day at a time, and his Day Six opponent is one of a clutch of rikishi at 4-1. In fact, Shodai is one of the rikishi who lost on Day Five to earn his first loss. The other two were Kotozakura and Kirishima, who Onosato is guaranteed to see later in the basho. Shodai's loss to Daieisho is a sign of parity towards the top of the Banzuke. Same can be said for Kirishima getting worked back by Hiradoumi, who is also 4-1 and a future opponent for Onosato. Kotozakura's loss to Oho is an indication he will drop the occasional match.
And things can shift quite quickly in sumo. Kotozakura's loss was especially crucial on Day Five, because he already knew that Shodai and Kirishima lost while Onosato had won. That's the blesing and curse of fighting in the musubi no ichiban. The main event feels bigger, but it also happens with every other result in. Kotozakura couldn't keep the pressure on Onosato. This was doubly interesting since Hoshoryu showed signs of life again versus former Ozeki Mitakeumi. The Mongolian Ozeki is three losses behind Onosato, but he's also a talented rikishi who now needs to scrap for his 8 wins to avoid kadoban.
There is intrigue apart from the Sanyaku ranks. The three lower Maegashira at 4-1 will stay away from the other yusho contenders for a bit. On Day Six, Maegashira #7 Wakatakakage gets Kotoshoho, who has been wildly but also won 3 of his 5 battles. Maegashira #12 Bushozan will see Takayasu, who is both suffering from lower back pain and showing his sumo experience to get to 3-2. Maegashira #15 Takarafuji squares off with Kinbozan, who is 1-4 but also is 5-0 against Takarafuji. Don't assume those three will automatically win on Day Six, or any other day moving forward.
Until he loses, though, Onosato will be the one to watch. Even when (and if) he loses, he's going to keep a share of the lead. For all of his potential as a 24 year old with incredible size and a bevy of skill, Onosato is also a yusho contender right now. He is the favorite in every match, and he has a second yusho and an Ozeki promotion in his grasp. Now he just needs to keep it up for ten more days.
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