M16w Kaisei (6-3) wins by oshidashi over M14e Terutsuyoshi (6-3)
Terutsuyoshi excels when he pushes on the upper chest of his opponent, but Kaisei's upper chest is too big for him to succeed that way.
M15w Ikioi (3-6) wins by sukuinage over M13w Kotoeko (2-7)
Kotoeko never had the strength to do anything against a hobbled Ikioi, who managed to work him around the dohyo until he could execute a throw.
M17e Kiribayama (5-4) wins by okuridashi over M13e Kotoshogiku (4-5)
Kiribayama went for the henka against the veteran, and Kotoshogiku fell so hard for it that he was shown off the dohyo from behind.
M16e Tochiozan (6-3) wins by sukuinage over M12w Chiyomaru (4-5)
Chiyomaru seemed hellbent on preventing Tochiozan from getting a grip, which worked for a little bit. In the end, though, Tochiozan did get enough of a hold to perform the beltless arm throw.
M17w Tokushoryu (8-1) wins by yorikiri over M12e Tsurugisho (3-6)
After two false starts, Tokushoryu remains tied for the Yusho lead from the very bottom of the Banzuke. He'll almost certainly get a step up in opponent quality, as he has yet to face the 7-2 pair of Kagayaki and Yutakayama. Still, he's in the driver's seat.
M11w Kagayaki (7-2) wins by oshidashi over M14w Shimanoumi (3-6)
Kagayakai just remained steady on his feet and kept pushing, which turned out to be more than Shimanoumi can handle.
M10e Sadanoumi (5-4) wins by yorikiri over M15e Azumaryu (5-4)
Sadanoumi attempted to get both in and sideways on Azumaryu, which actually worked. He ended up grabbing the back of Azumaryu's mawashi with his left, and pushed him laterally over the edge.
M8w Ryuden (6-3) wins by kotenage over M11e Chiyotairyu (3-6)
Chiyotairyu's complete inability to push anyone backwards resulted in Ryuden simply redirecting him around for the arm throw.
M10w Ishiura (3-6) wins by okuridashi over M8e Aoiyama (4-5)
Ishiura was finally wild from the get-go in a match and pulled a henka to get behind the much bigger Aoiyama for the win.
M9w Yutakayama (7-2) wins by oshidashi over M7w Onosho (4-5)
Onosho kept his balance and kept fighting, but Yutakayama's footwork was better and he was able to be the one who kept moving forward. M7e Shohozan (5-4) wins by hatakikomi over M9e Takanosho (4-5)
Shohozan was always in control of this one, and he mostly just waited for Takanosho to come too far forward for an easy slapdown.
M6w Tochinoshin (4-5) wins by yorikiri over M3e Tamawashi (2-7)
There has been plenty of consternation over Tochinoshin's health this basho (and rightly so), but this match might show that similar concern should be shown for Tamawashi.
M2w Mitakeumi (5-4) wins by hatakikomi over M4e Okinoumi (5-4)
Mitakeumi was struggling in this one, but kept fighting to get inside on Okinoumi. Eventually that led to Okinoumi being in position for a slapdown.
M2e Hokutofuji (6-3) wins by sukuinage over M1w Myogiryu (3-6)
Hokutofuji is absolutely still a pusher-thruster, but this match showed some adaptability. Myogiryu withstood Hokutofuji's offense well enough to not get pushed out, so Hoktofuji pulled off a throw instead.
K1e Abi (5-4) wins by tsukidashi over M1e Endo (6-3)
What a strange match. Abi went for his usual two-hands-to-the-throat, but only landed his right. Yet somehow that was enough to disrupt Endo, who could only manage a wild pull on Abi's right arm. All that did was keep Endo going backwards until he was out.
M6e Takarafuji (4-5) wins by oshidashi over S1w Takayasu (3-6)
Takayasu will officially not make it back to Ozeki for March with his loss to Takarafuji. More strikingly, his chances at a kachi-koshi (he needs 5 more wins) look slim with the way he is fighting.
S1e Asanoyama (6-3) wins by uwatenage over K1w Daieisho (3-6)
Asanoyama's match plan was definitely disrupted by Daieisho's offense, but part of what has made Asanoyama so successful recently is an ability to regroup. Asanoyama went inside harder and kept moving forward, which threw Daieisho off enough for a rather glorious uwatenage to take place.
M5w Enho (5-4) wins by oshidashi over O1w Goeido (3-6)
This match had a matta where Enho jumped to his left while Goeido stood still. When the real thing started, Goeido was primed for the same move, but Enho went right and took full advantage by shoving a stumbling Goeido.
M4w Shodai (8-1) wins by tsukiotoshi over O1e Takakeisho (7-2)
Shodai can absorb plenty of punishment, and Takakeisho's tsuppari saw little purchase. Instead, Shodai pressed the advantage and got Takakeisho mixed up enough to send him down with a sideways thrust. Shodai is now in control of his own destiny for a Yusho.
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