Public League Leaderboard
Scores from Fantasizr.
Yusho Arasoi
6 Wins
19 Maegashira #5 West Onosato
42 Maegashira #17 East Takerufuji
5 Wins
08 Komusubi East Abi
32 Maegashira #12 East Shonannoumi
Notable Maneuvers
Uwatenage. Asanoyama had his preferred grip on Atamifuji, and he got the young star going backwards. But Atamifuji kept his feet inside, kept moving, and found the space to throw Asanoyama over for the win.
Match of the Day
As sekitori near the end of their career, they look the same entering the ring, but totally different once the match starts. They are a step slower on the tachiai, don't have their previous strength, and are a little less willing to try something spectacular. Yet they do have their veteran instincts and their pride. In this battle of former Ozeki, Mitakeumi and Takayasu collided a few times, re-engaged, went around the ring, and both seemed to want to never give up. Over a minute and forty seconds, they went toe-to-toe in their current states. In the end, Mitakeumi held out and got the push out win, but it's a credit to both of them.
Recap
Terunofuji lost. Again. To another Maegashira. This time he barely put up any resistance to Takanosho, who wasn't exactly steamrolling the competition so far this basho. He was behind from the first step, got stood up, and couldn't turn the match around. With three straight kinboshi, four losses total, and an inability to use his strength, Terunofuji needs to leave this Basho. He would be a surprise to make it to Day Seven.
In happier news, the Yusho Arasoi features two undefeated rikishi, Onosato and Takerufuji, and two one loss rikishi, Abi and Shonannoumi. There are no Ozeki or even Sekiwake among them. There are three Ozeki and one Sekiwake at 4-2, but there are twelve rikishi total on that record. The Yokozuna is likely out, and the Ozeki now have an uphill climb to the Emperor's Cup. Hoshoryu could have been at 5-1, but Tobizaru bottled him up in an odd reversal of expectations. Kotonowaka at least drew Abi back by holding his ground.
So who are the leaders? Two former Amateur standouts who have been wildly impressive in their short professional careers. Takerufuji is in his debut Makuuchi tournament, and all he's done is steamroll all the lower-Maegashira he's been given. He is a stablemate of Terunofuji (and most other -fuji's) at Isegahama. He made his professional debut in November 2022 in Jonokuchi and gone 62-8 so far. He'll receive a serious test on Day Seven when he gets 5-1 Shonannoumi, who is big, smart, and on a hot streak.
Joining Takerufuji at the top of the Leaderboard is Onosato. No one was more decorated as an amateur than Onosato, and he shone last basho with an 11 win Makuuchi debut. Unlike Takerufuji, he has ideal size for a star rikishi. Like his co-leader, he goes straight at opponents with brute force but can take on a match with some skill if need be. At Maegashira #5, he is likely to see tougher opponents more quickly, although he gets 4-2 Maegashira #8 East Onosho on Day Seven. He's looming for the Ozeki if they can stay in shouting distance, and that might be the best way to think about it given his performance.
The only doubts about Onosato and Takerufuji's ultimate ceilings before the basho were about their ages. Onosato is 23 and Takerufuji is 25 just after the basho. They are closer to their prime than other impressive youngsters who have been 19, 20, or 21. But right now they are fighting like the best in sumo. They could be knocking on the door of Sanyaku sooner rather than later. They could prove if they're capable of it over the next nine days.
Comments