Kyushu 2022 Day Eleven

Yusho Arasoi

10 wins 05 Sekiwake #1 West Hoshoryu

9 wins 11 Maegashira #1 East Takayasu 36 Maegashira #13 West Oho

8 wins 02 Ozeki East Takakeisho 20 Maegashira #5 West Nishikifuji 28 Maegashira #9 West Abi 39 Maegashira #15 East Kagayaki

Public League Leaderboard

Scores from Fantasizr.

Notable Manuevers

Hikkake. Kotoeko needed the desperate sidestep/yank that is the "arm-grabbing force out" to get a key win over Ichiyamamoto.

Match of the Day

Maegashira #1 East Takayasu versus Maegashira #5 West Nishikifuji

This was the key match on paper coming in, and the two delivered. Takayasu once again got the strong initial blast at the tachiai, but Nishikifuji wasn't overwhelmed. Nishikifuji managed to keep moving sideways instead of backwards and looked like he may pull out a throw or side thrust down. Takayasu was more than up for it, though, and kept going until he shoved him out to stay one win back.

Recap

Hoshoryu now holds sole possession of the lead with 10 wins after 11 matches. Oho's loss to Abi earlier in the Makuuchi slate meant that Hoshoryu could grab the leader spot for himself. He took no time in grabbing Mitakeumi and taking him out for an easy yorikiri. It was the kind of powerful, effective sumo that shows he can take on almost anyone. Hoshoryu is a deserving leader for the top of the yusho arasoi.

That doesn't mean he's in the clear. On Day Twelve, Hoshoryu and Oho will square off. Despite his loss to Abi, Oho has been very, very good throughout Kyushu. In particular, he's shown excellent defense to whatever people throw at him. Hoshoryu has alot of offense to use, and that could play into Oho's hands more than Abi's thrusting going right at him. Since the two haven't faced off in four years when they were in Makushita, the history can't say too much.

Hoshoryu and Oho isn't the only consequential match on Day Twelve. Takakeisho sees Nishikifuji, in a battle of 8-3 rikishi. Clearly, an Oho victory over Hoshoryu will place the winner of that match into a more favorable position overall. Takakeisho got the victory in their only matchup in the last basho. He has more at stake despite the similar records, as he will certainly face Hoshoryu before everything is done.

That leaves 9-2 Takayasu. He does need a Hoshoryu loss, but in that event he has a sneaky advantage over his competitors. He has already faced the other top competitors, except for Abi, who is likely his Day Thirteen or Fourteen opponent if they both keep winning. (Abi gets Wakatakakage in a fascinating matchup that should be fun to watch.) In fact, Takayasu has given Hoshoryu his one loss already. He may continue to more directly impact the yusho race.

Likely, Hoshoryu, Oho, Takayasu, and Takakeisho will all have key matches over the next four days, possibly also featuring Abi and Nishikifuji on any day. Exactly how critical and what the matchup will be will depend on each day's results. Hoshoryu is in pole position, but he's got a few more battles on his hands before he can lift the Emperor's Cup.