Hatsu 2023 Day Thirteen

Public League Leaderboard

Scores from Fantasizr.

Yusho Arasoi

10 Wins

02 Ozeki West Takakeisho

25 Maegashira #8 East Onosho

35 Maegashira #13 East Kotoshoho

9 Wins

07 Komusubi #1 East Kiribayama

12 Maegashira #1 West Daieisho

38 Maegashira #14 West Azumaryu

Notable Maneuver

Sukuinage. There were three beltless arm throws on Day Thirteen, providing wins for Nishikgi, Nishikifuji, and Wakatakakage.

Match of the Day

25 Maegashira #8 East Onosho versus 02 Ozeki West Takakeisho

On paper, this was the match of the day coming in, and then these two fully delivered in the kind of match you'd expect them to have. Onosho was the leader at the start of the day because he's kept his feet as well as he ever has. He started the match with a matta, then on the second go hit right into Takakeisho. The Ozeki held his ground and returned fire with a tsuppari barrage. That turned the fight into a monster slapfest going around the dohyo. In the end, it was an extremely hard shove from Takakeisho that was decisive.

Recap

Takakeisho's defeat of Onosho, following Kotoshoho's victory over Abi, created a three way tie at the top of the leaderboard with just two matches remaining. Takakeisho has not steamrolled the opposition on an inevitable push to Yokozuna, but he has stayed in yusho contention. His sumo is at a point where he can take on all comers, which means he is currently the top man competing. That's true on both the Banzuke and the Yusho Arasoi.

Onosho and Kotoshoho stand in with a similar chance to get the Emperor's Cup by the numbers as Takakeisho. Two more wins would put all three at 12-3 after Day Fifteen, and that's good enough for at least a playoff. However, they probably can't all three be there. Onosho has already faced both Kotoshoho and Takakeisho, so he has the easiest path. Presumably, Kotoshoho and Takakeisho will need to square off to settle everything.

That won't take place on Day Fourteen. Takakeisho will get Sekiwake Hoshoryu, who looked outstanding through the basho's first week, but has been battling an ankle injury since Day Nine. Meanwhile, Kotoshoho faces 9-4 man Daieisho, who will be a significant challenge for the young Sadogatake rikishi. Onosho will face 9-4 Kiribayama, who has been very strong this basho and is trying to lock down a Sekiwake spot for March. All three leaders could lose on Day Fourteen.

That would create a significant logjam, as Daieisho and Kiribayama would both move up into a leader position. The third rikishi on 9-4 is Azumaryu, who has already secured his most ever Makuuchi wins and gets Ichiyamamoto on Day Fourteen. Day Fifteen could be completely wild, with a huge number of rikishi theoretically able to win the yusho. And if Kotoshoho and Takakeisho both win on Day Fourteen, expect a remarkable collision in the final match of the final day.

Hatsu has had a variety of favorites for the yusho over the last two weeks, but as it comes to a conclusion the scenarios may be growing. Pity the schedulers, especially if they have to sort out a playoff of more than two people again. Just remember that almost all the possibilities are exciting. The possibilities also range more widely when no one is dominating.