Hatsu 2022 Day Five

Torikumi

Banzuke

Yusho Arasoi

5 wins

Y1e Terunofuji

S1e Mitakeumi

M6w Abi

4 wins

M3e Tamawashi

M5e Onosho

M7w Takarafuji

M10e Myogiryu

M13e Chiyomaru

Notable Maneuvers

Uwatenage. Yes, Terunofuji won with a basic underarm throw, but it was Ichinojo that he tossed over. That's a move which should be used on much smaller men.

Match of the Day

Maegashira #13 East Chiyomaru versus Maegashira #15 East Wakamotoharu

From the start, Wakamotoharu moved Chiyomaru backwards. And then Chiyomaru went sideways and escaped for a second. Then he that happened again and again and again. Wakamotoharu had the Eternally Round One going backwards and sideways the whole match, reengaging when separation was achieved. Finally, at the tawara, Chiyomaru did a delicate mini-spin on his right foot to allow Wakamotoharu's momentum to take the shin-Maegashira over the edge. A short mono-ii said it was absolutely clear Chiyomaru stayed in.

Recap

On Day Five, we have just three undefeated rikishi. Terunofuji was expected to be here, and he is now on a 23 match win streak. Mitakeumi is looking in great shape, and he is once again in the form that can lead to Ozeki speculation. Abi is continuing his strong performance from November, keeping up a relentless tsuppari attack and using his newfound strong footwork. Does that mean these three will continue to be unblemished until they all collide?

Abi seems to be the best candidate to keep racking up wins, if only by strength of schedule. He is sitting at Maegashira #6 West, and his Day Five match against Hokutofuji was his toughest according to Banzuke rank. And Hokutofuji is Maegashira #4 West. He gets Shimanoumi on Day Six, who is down at Maegashira #9 West. Abi should have easier targets through at least Day Ten. If he keeps winning, he'll then likely see some Sanyaku wrestlers.

Mitakeumi, of course, does not have such a luxury from his Sekiwake East position. He will face the top rikishi as much as possible, including his fellow Sanyaku wrestlers. That means he is guaranteed to have to go through Terunofuji, and will likely also get Shodai and Takanosho. Mitakeumi just won't get them quite yet. He has to check the upper Maegashira from his dance card first. MItakeumi, too, has a chance to rack up some wins in the next few days.

Technically speaking, everyone is ranked below Terunofuji, and he should win his matches on paper. But having a target on your back makes for tougher matches, and Terunofuji has been receiving a handful from all his opponents since he became a Yokozuna. Terunofuji will be favored in every match, but he is more likely to lose one match rather than notch back-to-back zensho yusho. As has been true for half a year, all eyes are on Terunofuji's matches.

And on Day Six, Terunofuji faces fellow big, strong Mongolian Tamawashi. The 37 year old is 4-1, and he will give everything to Terunofuji. He may pull off the upset. If Tamawashi can't topple Terunofuji, someone likely will. When that happens, the yusho race gets much more interesting.