Public League Leaderboard
Scores from Fantasizr.
Yusho Arasoi
11 Wins
01 Yokozuna East Terunofuji
02 Ozeki #1 East Kirishima
05 Sekiwake East Kotonowaka
10 Wins
03 Ozeki #1 West Hoshoryu
Notable Maneuvers
NImaigeri. Kirishima won his most important match so far this basho by delivering an "ankle kicking twist down." Essentially, Hoshoryu had him set for a throw, then Kirishima kicked Hoshoryu's ankle to unbalance him and create the chance for a twist down.
Match of the Day
15 Maegashira #4 East Tobizaru versus 08 Komusubi West Ura
These two were bound to have a strange one, but this ending was truly something. Both tried the up and under, which really meant they began spinning around. Tobizaru appeared slightly less out of control, so he got to a twist into a throw. Then Ura did one of his weird spin-around flips to throw Tobizaru. Ura's hand went VERY close to the clay, but Tobizaru stepped out just before Ura hit the clay outside the dohyo. It was so odd the gyoji pointed to Ura then immediately swiped around to point to Tobizaru. After a mono-ii, they gave it to Ura, who was probably lucky in a match that deserved a torinaoshi.
Recap
The semi-main event was always going to leave one Ozeki on 11 wins and one on 10 wins. Kirishima's trickiness gave him the advantage over Hoshoryu. In the biggest match of the day, at the very end of the action, Terunofuji handled Kotonowaka. The Sekiwake did get the Yokozuna moving back for a second, but then the Kaiju took control for a fairly straight ahead yorikiri. Now Terunofuji, Kirishima, and Kotonowaka are all tied for the lead at 11-2, with Hoshoryu one off the pace.
By no means is Hoshoryu out of it. If he wins both of his remaining matches, and everyone else goes 1-1 or worse on the final two days, that gives him the playoff qualification. Of course, he'd also have to win the playoff, which makes it an even steeper climb. Yet he still has the shot. He also gets the advantage of handing Terunofuji on Day Fourteen and (presumably) Kotonowaka on Day Fifteen the loss if he wins his last two. That will help him.
Similar logic aplies to Terunofuji, Kirishima, and Kotonowaka, though. Two wins for any of them means a 13-2 record, and a probable yusho since they would have beaten close competitors. Terunofuji and Kotonowaka could both land on 13 wins, which they could only do by both beating Kirishima and Hoshoryu. Then they get the rematch for the yusho in extra sumo on Day Fifteen.
Now consider if Kirishima wins both of his last two matches. He'll be at 13-2, with wins over Kotonowaka and Terunofuji in his final two matches. That means Kotonowaka and Terunofuji will have to end at no better than 12-3. It would also mean a new Yokozuna, and if Kotonowaka beats Hoshoryu, possibly a new Ozeki as well. Although neither promotion is absolutely guaranteed, and the first step for any one is to win their last two matches.
Hopefully, that is all clear. The key is just to win the next match, and the tournament is set up for a great final weekend. Daieisho, Atamifuji, and Abi all still have chances for a lower Sanyaku rank still alive but not assured. Takarafuji and Tomokaze might still be able to fight off the Juryo drop. Special Prizes may be on the table for Onosato, Onosho, or Oho. Like the leaders, the main task is just to win out.
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