It was a day of ugly sumo and lots of slipping. All that did was make the yusho race more refined.
M16e Kotoyuki (4-2) wins by hikiotoshi over M15w Kaisei (1-5)
Kaisei has had bad footing all basho, but this might have been the worst display.
M14w Enho (5-1) wins by kainahineri over M15e Yago (2-4)
Enho went for his usual up-and-under tachiai, which resulted in Yago putting him in a headlock. After a lengthy stalemate with that odd positioning, Enho was somehow able to spin Yago around and to the ground.
M13e Chiyomaru (3-3) wins by hikiotoshi over M14e Toyonoshima (1-5)
Toyonoshima was simply unable to get traction, which made Chiyomaru easily able to send him to the clay.
M13w Sadanoumi (4-2) wins by abisetaoshi over M16w Terutsuyoshi (5-1)
Sadanoumi gave Terutsuyoshi his first loss by tackling him over right as the two got near the edge. Officially, sumo calls it a "crush out," which sounds even worse.
M12w Kagayaki (3-3) wins by uwatenage over M10e Kotoeko (2-4)
Kagayaki withstood Kotoeko's rather over the top attempt at offense well enough to get an opening to throw him.
M9e Shohozan (3-3) wins by kotenage over M11w Nishikigi (2-4)
Shohozan got bottled up by Nishikigi, but he was able to turn his position around to throw Nishikigi over at the bales.
M9w Daishoho (3-3) wins by yorikiri over M12e Tochiozan (2-4)
Daishoho very much got a functional win by working steadily to drive Tochiozan back to the edge and out.
M8w Okinoumi (3-3) wins by shitatenage over M10w Takagenji (4-2)
Okinoumi showed Takagenji why facing a veteran is so difficult. Despite his best efforts, Takgenji got tossed down to the clay.
M8e Onosho (2-4) wins by oshidashi over M6e Chiyotairyu (3-3)
Onosho should have lost this by all rights, as he once again fell too far forward. However, in backing out of the way, Chiyotairyu stepped out and Onosho got the win by mono-ii.
M7e Myogiryu (4-2) wins by yorikiri over M5e Kotoshogiku (4-2)
Myogiryu beat Kotoshogiku in the way Kotoshogiku usually beats people. He got up underneath and drove him out.
M5w Takarafuji (2-4) wins by hikiotoshi over M7w Tomokaze (5-1)
Takarafuji handed Tomokaze his first loss by withstanding his initial offense and letting Tomokaze slip. Such is sumo sometimes.
M4w Ichinojo (5-1) wins by yorikiri over M6w Shimanoumi (2-4)
Ichinojo is in impressive form this basho, and here he performed a very simple but effective yorikiri to beat Shimanoumi.
M1w Hokutofuji (3-3) wins by kotenage over M4e Meisei (0-6)
Meisei nearly got his first victory, but on being pushed back, pusher-thruster unleashed a very effective arm throw for the win.
S1e Mitakeumi (4-2) wins by oshidashi over K1w Ryuden (2-4)
MItakeumi never let Ryuden turn him inside out and shoved him straight out.
S1w Tamawashi (1-5) wins by oshidashi over M1e Asanoyama (2-4)
Tamawashi decided he was done losing, and he overwhelmed Asanoyama surprisingly easily considering how each of their bashos has gone.
O1w Takayasu (5-1) wins by hatakikomi over M3w Daieisho (3-3)
Takayasu sure seemed relieved after he slapped down Daieisho, which was fair because he got easily stood up at the start.
M3e Shodai (4-2) wins by yorikiri over O1e Goeido (3-3)
Goeido needed to start shoving back Shodai immediately to get the easy win. He was unable to, and Shodai got the easy win.
K1e Abi (2-4) wins by fusen over O2w Tochinoshin (0-6)
Tochinoshin finally and relievedly went kyujo due to his right knee problems. That gave Abi the free win.
Y1e Kakuryu (6-0) wins by hatakikomi over M2w Endo (2-4)
Kakuryu looked very happy that he was able to eventually spin around and slap down Endo, who gave him a heck of a fight until he lost his footing.
Y1w Hakuho (6-0) wins by hatakikomi over M2e Aoiyama (3-3)
This match began with a classic Hakuho "No, I'm the Yokozuna and you put your hands down first" routine. When they actually squared off, they hit the always intense slap-fest stalemate and ended up standing, staring at each other. Eventually, Hakuho's aggressiveness and face smacking allowed him to slap down Aoiyama.