Kyushu 2023 Day Four

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Scores from Fantasizr.

Notable Maneuvers

Shitatenage. Not only was Nishikigi seemingly dead to rights when he launched his underarm throw against Shonannoumi, he had to almost float to keep himself in the dohyo.

Match of the Day

28 Maegashira #10 East Ryuden versus 25 Maegashira #8 West Atamifuji

Ryuden is always a strange fighter to go against. In this one, Atamifuji had a good tachiai, but Ryuden planted his forehead into Atamifuji's shoulder. This, unsurprisingly, seemed to settle Atamifuji. As the big youngster tried to better his group and unstick Ryuden's head from his upper body, they went around the ring. Atamifuji was constantly in trouble, but did not succumb. In the end, the spinning around finally made Ryuden lose his balance.

Recap

It happened. Two Ozeki lost on Day Four. Kirishima lost the tachiai to a very game Takayasu and never got his footing. Takakeisho got his trademark pushing attack going, but Meisei held up and made Takakeisho move sideways too much. Those upsets provide a key advantage to Hoshoryu, the now lone remaining undefeated Ozeki. It's also good news for 3-0 Sekiwake Daieisho and Kotonowaka.

After Day 5, only one of that Sekiwake duo will still be undefeated, since they face each other on the first Thursday of the basho. The winner of that match is in an excellent position, especially if Hoshoryu cannot handle Gonoyama. That would leave one Sanyaku man undefeated. Hoshoryu probably should handle Gonoyama, but Day Four proved nothing is guaranteed by matchups.

The Daieisho-Kotonowaka matchup feels like it's coming a little too early, but it's going to clarify the yusho race one-third of the way through the basho. There will be clear leaders at the top of the Banzuke, without too many interlopers. On Day Four, Shonannoumi and Ryuden lost to fall out of the undefeated Maegashira brigade. That left Atamifuji, Tamawashi, and Ichiyamamoto as the remaining 3-0 Maegashira.

They all have reasons they could keep excelling: Atamifuji won the Jun-Yusho last time, Tamawashi is a two-time Emperor's Cup winner, and Ichiyamamoto spent September demolishing Juryo. On the other hand, there are strong reasons to doubt their ability to last this basho. Atamifuji is a 21 year old in just his third Makuuchi basho. Tamawashi turns 39 on Day Five and has increasingly looked like age is finally catching up to him. Ichiyamamoto goes on streaks and has consistently struggled in the top division.

But four straight wins has put them all in great position to do well this time. The slip-ups by the Ozeki give the strong-performing Maegashira a better shot to impact the yusho race. That includes the five 3-1 Maegashira, Midorifuji, Shonannoumi, Ryuden, Churanoumi, and Kitanowaka. Now we just need to see who picks up their next win on Day Five.