Kyushu 2019 Day Four Recap

The top of the Banzuke is still a free-for-all, while the lower part isn't going to plan either. After four days, some sense of how rikishi are doing is clear, but this basho seems to want to just confuse everything.

M16e Wakatakakage (4-0) wins by yorikiri over M14e Terutsuyoshi (2-2)

Wakatakakage continues his impressive shin-makuuchi basho with an efficent yorikiri win over Terutsuyoshi. The co-leader did come up hobbled at the end of the match, but it was hard to tell how bad it was.

M15w Daishoho (1-3) wins by yorikiri over M14w Nishikigi (2-2)

Apparently the cure for what's been ailing Daishoho is facing Nishikigi, which isn't good for Nishikigi.

M15e Daishomaru (1-3) wins by oshidashi over M13e Chiyomaru (2-2)

In the Battle of the Maru's, it was Daisho who got Chiyo out of sorts.

M11e Ishiura (1-3) wins by yorikiri over M12w Takanosho (1-3)

Ishiura gets off the schneid by going straight at Takanosho. Sometimes it's real simple.

M11w Chiyotairyu (2-2) wins by yorikiri over M13w Kagayaki (2-2)

Chiyotairyu showed the power that should allow him to dominate in this area of the banzuke.

M10w Shodai (4-0) wins by yorikiri over M10e Shimanoumi (2-2)

Shodai practiced careful, effective sumo in taking Shimanoumi to the edge. That might be more surprising than his 4-0 record.

M8e Shohozan (3-1) wins by uwatenage over M9e Kotoshogiku (0-4)

These two Fukuoka natives squared off in front of the hometown fans in what started as a fun match, but ended when Kotoshogiku easily fell from a simple throw attempt.

M8w Sadanoumi (3-1) wins by yorikiri over M9w Yutakayama (3-1)

Sadanoumi's veteran, no-nonsense approach was what gave Yutakayama his first loss in Kyushu.

M7e Tsurugisho (3-1) wins by hatakikomi over M6e Onosho (1-3)

Onosho once again fell too far forward, which Tsurugisho almost seemed to be expecting from the jump.

M6w Enho (3-1) wins by oshidashi over M7w Kotoeko (0-4)

Enho ended up in a slap fight, which was probably not his goal. Despite that, he took it straight to Kotoeko to send him over the edge. M5e Aoiyama (3-1) wins by hatakikomi over M4e Tamawashi (2-2)

Aoiyama just had much better footwork than Tamawashi on the day, which gave him the easy slap down.

M4w Kotoyuki (3-1) wins by oshidashi over M5w Ryuden (2-2)

Here Kotoyuki showed that the best way to beat a mawashi man is to never let him get a grip in the first place.

M2w Meisei (3-1) wins by oshidashi over K1e Abi (1-3)

Abi is once again out of sorts, and Meisei knew the best way to beat him was just to keep up after withstanding Abi's initial push.

K2w Asanoyama (3-1) wins by yorikiri over M2e Myogiryu (2-2)

Asanoyama has improved so much by figuring out how to get a strong yorikiri without a strong grip on the mawashi.

M1e Daieisho (2-2) wins by yorikiri over S1e Mitakeumi (2-2)

Daieisho announced he wants in on the lower-Sanyaku, upper Maegashira Battle Royal by just coming right at Mitakeumi.

S1w Tochinoshin (2-2) wins by kubihineri over M3e Takarafuji (1-3)

Tochinoshin and Takarafuji were in a back and forth on each others' mawashi, until Tochinoshin switched gears and used the unusual head twisting throw. Signs of life for the Ozekiwake.

O2e Takakeisho (3-1) wins by hatakikomi over K1w Endo (1-3)

Takakeisho seems to be finding his rhythm again as he executed a perfect step-back slap-down on Endo.

K2e Hokutofuji (3-1) wins by oshidashi over O1w Takayasu (2-2)

Hokutofuji basically bowled over the kadoban Ozeki, which is a great sign for Hokutofuji and a terrible sign for Takayasu.

Y1w Hakuho (3-1) wins by uwatenage over M1w Okinoumi (1-3)

Hakuho didn't overwhelm Okinoumi, but this match showed so much of what makes Hakuho special, including his incredible balance and extraordinary ring sense.