Yusho Arasoi
6 Wins
07 Sekiwake #2 East Kotonowaka
37 Maegashira #14 East Ichiyamamoto
5 Wins
02 Ozeki #1 East Takakeisho
04 Ozeki #2 West Hoshoryu
19 Maegashira #5 West Midorifuji
25 Maegashira #8 West Atamifuji
39 Maegashira #15 West Churanoumi
Public League Leaderboard
Scores from Fantasizr.
Notable Maneuvers
Komatasukui. The "over thigh scooping body drop" actually requires a rikishi to be in the process of being thrown to be called. And that was Takayasu's position against Hoshoryu when he grabbed the leg and tipped him over.
Match of the Day
07 Sekiwake #2 East Kotonowaka versus 09 Komusubi West Hokutofuji
Both men knew what they wanted in this match, and they mostly got it. Hokutofuji didn't let it become a mawashi battle, while Kotonowaka prevented Hokutofuji from knocking him backwards from the jump. That meant they had a cagey shoving match, which put Kotonowaka on the ropes. In the end, the Sekiwake's great footwork kept him in and allowed him to keep the pressure on Hokutofuji for the oshidashi victory.
Recap
THe undefeated ranks got seriously thinned on Day Six. Atamifuji lost to Sadanoumi in an example of how a veteran can withstand the mighty power of the talented youngster. Hoshoryu lost to Takayasu in a manner he seemed mad he didn't think of first. Neither one are doomed to go on a losing streak, but their losses show that anyone can drop a match at any time. Now, Kotonowaka and Ichiyamamoto share the lead at 6-0.
Kotonowaka is still in with an outside shot at an Ozeki run. He had 11 wins in July and 9 in September, so a 13-2 record gets him to the vaunted 33 wins in 3 basho. That number from a Sekiwake is not a guarantee of a promotion, but 13-2 is also almost guaranteed to be at least a Jun-Yusho and probably a Yusho. An Emperor's Cup will be a nice feather in Kotonowaka's cap, and go with his Nagoya Jun-Yusho. 12-3 may also be a yusho winning record.
Ichiyamamoto is continuing his strong performance in Juryo from September. Once again, he batted aside an opponent in his match against Nishikigi. He's been feasting on lower Maegashira, so he will have a completely different challenge as he sees opponents further up the Banzuke. That starts on Day Seven when he matches up with Maegashira #11 Sadanoumi.
The two undefeated rikishi are far from clear, but the one-loss group us also not as big as it could have been. Kirishima, Daieisho, Shonannoumi, and Tamawashi all picked up crucial second losses on Day Six. Kirishima and Daieisho had yusho hopes before the tournament, and these losses make them two off the pace with a small crowd ahead. Shonannoumi and especially Tamawashi would have been happy with 8 wins before the basho. A kachi-koshi means promotion, even if only a small one. Of course, they want more, but being above water is crucial.
And then there is the one-loss quintet. Takakeisho and Hoshoryu are Ozeki with Yokozuna aspirations in the near future. One-loss won't stop them, although it complicates the picture somewhat. Midorifuji seems to have found a mid-Maegashira formula, although he might soon encounter Sanyaku opponents. Atamifuji was in a similar position last time out. Churanoumi seems energized by his Makuuchi debut. They're all going to be dangerous in any matchup. They'll also all be chasing Kotonowaka and Ichiyamamoto.
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