Hatsu 2020 Day Eleven Recap

M17e Kiribayama (7-4) wins by yorikiri over M15e Azumaryu (5-6)

Kiribayama gets the solid win over week one star Azumaryu, which makes Kiribayama one win away from guaranteeing he stays in Makuuchi next time out.

M14w Shimanoumi (4-7) wins by yorikiri over M13e Kotoshogiku (4-7)

Shimanoumi needed a win badly, and he got one. He needs to keep winning to avoid a Juryo demotion, a statement that is equally true of Kotoshogiku.

M11w Kagayaki (9-2) wins by oshidashi over M16e Tochiozan (7-4)

Kagayaki stays in the yusho race by putting the fight to Tochiozan and making him move. Kagayaki keeps winning by planting his feet wide and taking the initiative. On Day Twelve, he gets to bring co-yusho leader Tokushoryu back to him.

M11e Chiyotairyu (4-7) wins by hatakikomi over M13w Kotoeko (2-9)

Kotoeko continues his terrible tournament, and he is in serious danger of going all the way to Juryo. Chiyotairyu might have just guaranteed his top division spot, and keeps hope for the kachi-koshi.

M10w Ishiura (5-6) wins by oshidashi over M15w Ikioi (4-7)

Ikioi is beyond hobbled at this point, as demonstrated by his ginger steps at the end, and he is looking like he'll be back in Juryo. Ishiura keeps his kachi-koshi chances in okay shape.

M12w Chiyomaru (5-6) wins by hatakikomi over M10e Sadanoumi (6-5)

Chiyomaru kept his wits and found his way to a slap-down against Sadanoumi. These two are most likely to be around 8-7 or 7-8 and will keep similar slots for March.

M14e Terutsuyoshi (8-3) wins by hatakikomi over M9e Takanosho (5-6)

Terustuyoshi attempted an up-and-under and Takanosho handled it well. Then the match went crazy, as the two spun around and Terutsuyoshi sent him down when he got the chance. That kind of adaptability has helped Terutsuyoshi to 8 wins so far.

M8w Ryuden (7-4) wins by yorikiri over M12e Tsurugisho (3-8)

Ryuden was surprisingly gentle with Tsurugisho. Then again, the state of Tsurugisho's knee meant he could be. Ryuden is one step away from a kachi-koshi, while Tsurugisho has locked up a make-koshi. Maybe that means Tsurugisho will sit out and rest his knee.

M17w Tokushoryu (10-1) wins by tsukiotoshi over M8e Aoiyama (4-7)

Tokushoryu gets his 10th with a lucky escape against Aoiyama. After trading some shoves, the two began moving in earnest and as Tokushoryu looked like he would go out backwards, he stepped sideways and shoved aside Aoiyama simultaneously. Now his real tests begin.

M7w Onosho (5-6) wins by tsukiotoshi over M16w Kaisei (6-5)

After a bad opening few matches, Onosho has found success by altering his sumo a little bit. He seems to be focusing more on stability than forward thrusting. Against Kaisei, that actually allowed him to move laterally for the sideways thrust down.

M9w Yutakayama (9-2) wins by oshitaoshi over M7e Shohozan (5-6)

Yutakayama stays one back of the leaders the way he's won so often this basho, planting his feet, moving forward, and never letting his opponent get much offense in. He could face Shodai, Tokushoryu, and Takakeisho over the last few days.

M4e Okinoumi (7-4) wins by yorikiri over M6w Tochinoshin (5-6)

Okinoumi remains steady with a straight-ahead yorikiri over Tochinoshin. He should absolutely get kachi-koshi now. The same feat is tougher for Tochinoshin, but he isn't in great shape and he's had to adjust his sumo.

M2e Hokutofuji (8-3) wins by tsukiotoshi over M3e Tamawashi (3-8)

Hokutofuji and Tamawashi are both nodowa specialists, so each got a few good uppercut thrusts to the other's neck. That sent them everywhere around the dohyo, knocking each other back and forth. Hokutofuji got the win eventually, and got a kachi-koshi while Tamawashi receives a make-koshi.

M1e Endo (7-4) wins by hikiotoshi over M1w Myogiryu (3-8)

Endo gets back on the winning side with a rather simple win over Myogiryu, who has often been outmatched in Hatsu and is now guaranteed a losing record. Endo moves closer to a kachi-koshi, which might be a disappointment considering how he opened the tournament.

M4w Shodai (10-1) wins by oshidashi over K1w Daieisho (3-8)

Shodai maintains his co-lead for the yusho by handling Daieisho with a few recoveries thrown in. Daieisho is consigned to a losing record. Shodai meanwhile keeps cruising along with a newfound confident sumo.

M2w Mitakeumi (7-4) wins by okuridashi over K1e Abi (5-6)

Mitakeumi won an Abi style match, in that it was almost all smacking the other guy in the face. Still, Mitakeumi closes closer to kachi-koshi while not looking great, and Abi keeps hovering around .500.

M5w Enho (6-5) wins by oshidashi over S1e Asanoyama (6-5)

It might be an open question whether Enho beating Asanoyama is an upset now. Enho basically decided to never let Asanoyama get comfortable and just reloaded and pushed until he won. They are on similar 6-5 records, which represents different levels of happiness.

O1w Goeido (4-7) wins by yorikiri over S1w Takayasu (4-7)

Goeido still has a chance at remaining Ozeki, but his win over the certainly not Ozeki anymore Takayasu might just be delaying the inevitable.

O1e Takakeisho (9-2) wins by oshidashi over M6e Takarafuji (5-6)

Takakeisho keeps his yusho chance well alive with a very simple oshidashi win, which saw him keep his energy. Takarafuji still has a chance at kachi-koshi, and he just ended his toughest match.