Nagoya 2019 Day Two Recap

Not much can be drawn after two matches, but you can begin to discern an outline of how a rikishi might do. More functionally, 2-0 means 2 wins are already banked, while 0-2 can turn into a devastating hole very quickly.

M16e Kotoyuki (1-1) wins by tsukiotoshi over M15e Yago (0-2)

Not the best match, it seemed more like Yago just couldn't muster the offense necessary to beat Kotoyuki. Also, Kotoyuki somehow won and ended up the only one off the dohyo, which is really something.

M16w Terutsuyoshi (2-0) wins by oshidashi over M14e Toyonoshima (0-2)

Terutsuyoshi and his massive salt throw got a second win. Terutsuyoshi is small and has some tricks, but it's interesting that he beat Toyonoshima with a rather straightforward front push out.

M14w Enho (2-0) wins by okuridashi over M15w Kaisei (1-1)

Kaisei is literally twice Enho's size, which meant Enho decided to do his up and under tachiai. With relative ease, Enho would up with a grip on Kaisei's mawashi from the side. He didn't easily escort the big man out, but he was always in control.

M12e Tochiozan (1-1) wins by sukuinage over M13e Chiyomaru (1-1)

You'd think someone as big as Chiyomaru would be hard to throw. Except he's got so much weight, once he goes one direction he will be headed down immediately. That's exactly what Tochiozan was able to do.

M13w Sadanoumi (1-1) wins by amiuchi over M12w Kagayaki (1-1)

This was Kagayaki's match all the way, until he got Sadanoumi to the rice bales. At that point, Sadanoumi unleashed a nifty fishermen's throw (so called because it resembles a fisherman casting a net.)

M10e Kotoeko (2-0) wins by okuridashi over M11w Nishikigi (0-2)

Kotoeko took the brunt of Nishikigi's tachiai, but was able to redirect him to get a sideways push. Nishikigi had no chance after that, and was easily pushed over the rice bales.

M10w Takagenji (2-0) wins by yorikiri over M9w Daishoho (0-2)

The lower card match of the day. These two both wanted a hold of the other's mawashi, which meant they got in a mirrored stalemate. Takgenji worked hard to finally get Daishoho over the edge, and you'd think Daishoho is as likely to win when they meet again.

M8e Onosho (1-1) wins by oshidashi over M9e Shohozan (1-1)

Onosho wasn't exactly on point on Day Two, but he looked better than on Day One. He didn't shove Shohozan straight back, but he was able to keep pushing and eventually sent Shohozan out.

M7w Tomokaze (2-0) wins by oshidashi over M8w Okinoumi (0-2)

Tomokaze bossed Okinoumi, but Nagoya's weirdness nearly showed itself here. Tomokaze slipped on his final, decisive shove, and the judges all got together to make sure Tomokaze didn't land before Okinoumi's heel went out. They agreed with the gyoji, and Tomokaze has two wins in two days.

M6e Chiyotairyu (2-0) wins by tsukidashi over M7e Myogiryu (1-1)

Chiyotairyu's best sumo involves him bowling over his opponent at the start. His tachiai did just that today against Myogiryu.

M5w Takarafuji (1-1) wins by uwatenage over M6w Shimanoumi (0-2)

Takarafuji is solidly built, and really hard to get a handle on. Shimanoumi did his best, but Takarafuji capably deterred him and sent him over with a well-done throw.

M5e Kotoshogiku (2-0) wins by shitatehineri over M4e Meisei (0-2)

Meisei effectively deterred Kotoshogiku from getting in position for his signature hug 'n' chug. Unfortunately for Meisei, Kotoshogiku still had a solid grip on his mawashi, which resulted in the underarm throw that sent Meisei to the clay.

M4w Ichinojo (1-1) wins by oshitaoshi over M3w Daieisho (1-1)

Ichinoho is a grappler, while Daieisho is a pusher. You'd think that would mean Daieisho had the upper hand when this became a pushing battle. Yet Ichinojo's immense size also gives him an advantage when he comes at someone full force.

S1e Mitakeumi (1-1) wins by oshidashi over M2w Endo (1-1)

Endo once again went for his mae-mitsu grip right in the front center of the mawashi. Mitakeumi actually grabbed Endo's wrist and moved it off. From there, Mitakeumi very easily escorted Endo out of the ring.

M2e Aoiyama (2-0) wins by hikiotoshi over S1w Tamawashi (0-2)

Once again, Aoiyama's ability to withstand a blow and redirect his opponent with one step to the side won the day. Although Aoiyama is huge, it's still impressive when he can redirect a rikishi as big and powerful as Tamawashi.

O1e Goeido (1-1) wins by uwatedashinage over K1e Abi (0-2)

Goeido knew exactly what Abi was going to do (as did everyone else), so he moved to the side and let Abi go too far forward and away. This might be Goeido's easiest win of the basho, and it is a clear sign Abi needs to vary his approach to succeed at this level.

M3e Shodai (2-0) wins by yorikiri over O2w Tochinoshin (0-2)

Shodai was more proactive than usual against Tochinoshin, but he still was at a disadvantage initially. Problematically, Tochinoshin looked like he had no strength from his lower body. Shodai rather effectively pushed Tochinoshin to the edge with a grip on the mawashi.

K1w Ryuden (1-1) wins by yoritaoshi over O1w Takayasu (1-1)

Ryuden and Takayasu didn't just have the match of the day, but had a rematch which allowed them to have two great matches. Ryuden was given the initial advantage after a long back and forth mawashi battle, but it was impossible to tell even on replay if Takayasu stepped out before Ryuden was down. So they went back and had another fantastic back and forth, which Ryuden won although he was going down with Takayasu. Fortunately for the Komusubi, Takayasu slipped on the throw in their second match.

Y1e Kakuryu (2-0) wins by hatakikomi over M1w Hokutofuji (0-2)

Kakuryu was working backwards, which isn't ideal but the Yokozuna can handle. Hokutofuji went from having the advantage to falling out when Kakuryu took a nice little ballet move at the edge.

Y1w Hakuho (2-0) wins by uwatenage over M1e Asanoyama (1-1)

Hakuho didn't dominate the most recent yusho winner, but he did get a convincing win after the two clashed and engaged in the middle of the dohyo. Although the Yokozuna prevailed, it wasn't the kind of win that would make Asanoyama look like he'd only struggle in Sanyaku.