Public League Leaderboard
Scores from Fantasizr.
Yusho Arasoi
5 Wins
08 Komusubi East Abi
19 Maegashira #5 West Onosato
42 Maegashira #17 East Takerufuji
4 Wins
03 Ozeki #1 West Hoshoryu
25 Maegashira #8 West Takayasu
32 Maegashira #12 East Shonannoumi
34 Maegashira #13 East Ryuden
Notable Maneuvers
Katasukashi. Ura is irrepressible as always this Basho, and he took Kotonowaka took to the clay with a wonderfully acrobatic, twisting, and turning under shoulder swing down.
Match of the Day
01 Yokozuna East Terunofuji versus 14 Maegashira #3 East Oho
Terunofuji lost again, and to another Maegashira no less, but the manner of the loss is more interesting than it may seem. Oho went for a pushing attack, which is no surprise. But he was successful enough to allow Terunofuji no purchase at the tachiai. The Kaiju couldn't do much about it, and Oho's real plan became clear. He went for a nodowa, and his right into Terunofuji's throat. From there, Terunofuji was off balance, greatly favoring his left leg. He could do nothing and seems likely headed to another withdrawal.
Recap
Kyujo is about to become the defining feature of this Haru basho. Shimazuumi went out yesterday, and then today both Tsurugisho and Kinbozan went out. Tsurugisho was no surprise after his initial fall on Day Four. Kinbozan was a little more surprising, but he also fell awkwardly. They gave Gonoyama and Onosato the free wins. Onosato likely didn't need it, but a rest to stay undefeated isn't a terrible thing for the young man.
He may also not be the last rikishi in contention to get the free win. Certainly, Terunofuji does not look very good. He can pull out, rest until May, and remain a Yokozuna and the prohibitive favorite if he competes. If he stays, he has a chance of giving up more kinboshi. Even more concerning, perhaps, is that he is currently underwater with a 2-3 record. A 10-5 is disappointing for a Yokozuna. A losing record is unthinkable. He has one guaranteed way to avoid it.
The Ozeki can also maintain rank when dropping out, and the Ozeki are not dominating either. Kirishima got his first win on Day Five, keeping his feet as Meisei was failing. That slap-down win isn't a sign he'll start dominating, but he is in a win is a win territory. Yet he made ground on Takakeisho and Kotonowaka. Takakeisho fell to Atamifuji after an unsuccessful pull, which is usually a sign his sumo is off-kilter. Kotonowaka got upped-and-undered by Ura, followed by a katasukashi. That's what Ura CAN do, but it doesn't mean Kotonowaka should have lost on Day Five.
The Ozeki looking his best is Hoshoryu. In fact, he is the only Sanyaku man with a 4-1 record. He took a full Asanoyama opening charge, gathered up the former Ozeki, and demonstrated why he is the current Ozeki with a powerful yet elegant throw. Hoshoryu looks locked in now, taking a match and throwing high-level rikishi around by using their momentum. That sumo can lead to winning streaks, but Hoshoryu must remain focused and reduce his occasional blips. Because he is still behind one Sanyaku man.
Abi is still undefeated. What's more is he is 5-0 with a schedule containing two Ozeki, the two Sekiwake on the Banzuke, and the other Komusubi. He isn't overwhelming everybody, but he's on his sumo enough to have successfully moved himself at the tawara. On Day Six, he gets Kotonowaka. A win in that match means he gets to 6-0 after a classic final days closing kick, with a raft of Maegashira matches ahead of him. Nothing is guaranteed, especially as two younger Maegashira, Onosato and Takerufuji, look very good as they introduce themselves to the top division. But the records after 5 days place everyone in a position, and Abi's is the best one.
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