Haru 2019 Day One Recap

With sumo back, we no longer have to speculate how rikishi might do. We have results. And with each sekitori having exactly one match in Haru, that means that we can get right to MASSIVE OVERREACTIONS!

M17e Chiyoshoma (1-0) defeats J1e Shimanoumi (0-1) by uwatenage

Chiyoshoma will henka for fifteen days straight and will be successful with it for fifteen days straight.

M16w Yutakayama (1-0) defeats M16e Daishoho (0-1) by oshidashi

Quite clearly, Yutakayama's injuries are firmly a thing of the past and he will dominate while Daishoho just can't handle the top level.

M15e Ishiura (1-0) defeats M15w Kotoeko (0-1) by tottari

Ishiura's dip down into Juryo has refreshed him and he will use all of his craftiness to get to double digits. Kotoeko is certainly headed for demotion.

M14w Toyonoshima (1-0) defeats M14e Terutsuyoshi (0-1) by hatakikomi

The big returning veteran is in his old form and will enjoy his time back in Makuuchi, while Terutsuyoshi will struggle immensely.

M13e Tomokaze (1-0) defeats M13w Kagayaki (0-1) by hatakikomi

Tomokaze has never had a losing record in professional sumo and this is just a stepping stone to his future staus as a Yokozuna.

M12w Yoshikaze (1-0) defeats M11w Meisei (0-1) by hatakikomi

Yoshikaze will just keep cruising at age 36, and Meisei's ascendance is completely stopped at Maegashira 11.

M11e Ryuden (1-0) defeats M10w Yago (0-1) by shitatenage

In every match at Haru, Ryuden WILL matta and the false starts WILL disrupt all of his opponents.

M9w Ikioi (1-0) defeats M10e Shohozan (0-1) by oshidashi

Ikioi is too experienced, too tough, and too grizzled to be beaten. Shohozan is too old, too beat up, and too limited to compete.

M8w Kotoshogiku (1-0) defeats M9e Sadanoumi (0-1) by oshidashi

No one can withstand Kotoshogiku's patented hug and chug and Sadanoumi's solidity can just not be enough.

M8e Asanoyama (1-0) defeats M7w Takrafuji (0-1) by sukuinage

The resolve that allowed Asanoyama to win today is exactly what will propel him on to being a future Yokozuna.

M7e Aoiyama (1-0) defeats M6w Abi (0-1) by tsukiotoshi

Aoiyama is too large and strong to be affected by any opponent, and Abi's complete and utter lack of a Plan B will ultimately doom him.

M5w Onosho (1-0) defeats M6e Okinoumi (0-1) by oshidashi

Onosho won this match with so much speed, strength, and determination that it is clear he will be a future Yokozuna.

M4w Ichinojo (1-0) defeats M5e Chiyotairyu (0-1) by tsukiotoshi

Chiyotairyu's thunderous tachiai is just no longer enough to compete, especially against someone who is destined to be a future Yokozuna like Ichinojo.

M4e Tochiozan (1-0) defeats M3w Shodai (0-1) by katasukashi

Tochiozan is a wily veteran who is hard to beat, and Shodai is too disorganized to every seriously compete. Each man will definitely follow this pattern all basho.

S1w Tamawashi (1-0) defeats M3e Nishikigi (0-1) by oshidashi

Tamawashi is definitely going to secure a second straight Yusho, but Nishikigi just stands no chance of doing anything at this rank.

S1e Takakeisho (1-0) defeats M2w Myogiryu (0-1) by oshidashi

Not only will Takakeisho secure his Ozeki promotion, but he will win this basho and the May one to immediately ascend to his destiny as a future Yokozuna.

O2e Tochinoshin (1-0) defeats M2e Daieisho (0-1) by tsukiotoshi

It does not matter that Tochinoshin did not win by his usual approach, as a side step throw down proves he will challenge for the Yusho.

O1w Goeido (1-0) defeats M1w Endo (0-1) by oshidashi

The home cooking in Osaka makes Goeido unstoppable, and we should have pity for all of his opponents this tournament, none of whom stand any chance.

O1e Takayasu (1-0) defeats M1e Kaisei (0-1) by yorikiri

These kind of confident yorikiri wins will not only grant Takayasu his first yusho, but proel him to winning two straight and becoming what he has long been on a trajectory for: a future Yokozuna.

K1e Mitakeumi (1-0) beats Y1w Kakuryu (0-1) by okuridashi

Start preparaing the retirement ceremony for a Yokozuna for a second straight tournament, while also preparing for Mitakeumi's elevation after winning this basho, because he is a future Yokozuna.

Y1e Hakuho (1-0) beats K1w Hokutofuji (0-1) by tsukiotoshi

He's the greatest of all time, the dai-Yokozuna, and the top of the rankings for a reason. We're going to need to prepare for yet another Zensho yusho.

And tomorrow, we'll have a whole other set of matches to change our overreactions.