Nagoya 2023 Day Fourteen

Public League Leaderboard

Scores from Fantasizr.

Yusho Arasoi

11 Wins

04 Sekiwake #1 East Hoshoryu

26 Maegashira #9 West Hokutofuji

42 Maegashira #17 West Hakuoho

Notable Maneuvers

Henka. Both Daieisho and Wakamotoharu jumped to the side at the start of their matches. Daieisho then successfully slapped down Onosho. Wakamotoharu got immediately grabbed and tossed around and down by Hoshoryu.

Match of the Day

42 Maegashira #17 West Hakuoho vesus 26 Maegashira #9 West Hokutofuji

This was going to be a highlight match coming in based on record, and then they delivered. The match began with each man latching onto a deep, inside left-hand grip. Neither could do anything with their right, and that stalled them out. Hakuoho appeared to be more comfortable standing there in a mawashi grip, but also Hokutofuji had trouble getting Hakuoho to move thanks to the young man's unreal combo of power and balance. Hokutofuji broke the grip and began moving Hakuoho back, but at the edge Hakuoho twisted to the side and hit Hokutofuji hard for a thrust down win. There was a mono-ii to see if Hakuoho had possibly stepped out, but the gyoji decision was quickly confirmed.

Recap

Day Fourteen was an extremely decisive day, and yet it leaves a few possibilities for Day Fifteen. Four rikishi had a chance to go into Day Fifteen with Yusho chances alive, and one had a chance to win on Day Fourteen. Hokutofuji could not claim the yusho, however. He and Hakuoho did put on a classic, which resulted in them standing on an 11 win tie. This provided an opening for both Nishikigi and Hoshoryu. Nishikigi could not step back into the leadership spot after Ryuden threw him over and down at the edge. Hoshoryu did take his share of the lead by grabbing and throwing around a flying Wakamotoharu.

Nishikigi is one win back, but like Kotonowaka and Ryuden he is actually not in with a chance at the yusho. Although they are mathematically in it, the matchups made it clear twelve wins is needed for an Emperor's Cup. Hakuoho and Hoshoryu will clash in the next-to-last match of the basho. Since one man needs to win, there will be a 12 win rikishi at the end of the day. Hokutofuji can join a playoff if he beats Nishikigi in the middle of the Makuuchi Torikumi. Someone will take their very first yusho, and it will be a fantastic career topper (Hokutofuji), an exclamation point on an Ozeki run (Hoshoryu), or an historic win by a Makuuchi debutant (Hakuoho.)

The yusho race might be the only thing truly up for grabs on Day Fifteen. The demotion scenarios are limited. Wakatakakage is still absent and will finally go down. Bushozan has had a disastrous basho at Maegashira #16, so he's headed to Juryo as well. The next rikishi underwater is Daishoho at 5-9, who is up at Maegashira #14 East. He gets Juryo Roga in what might be an exchange match. There is only one matchup of 7-7 rikishi, between Kinbozan and Meisei. The other wrestlers on seven wins are Asanoyama and Takanosho. None of them will see a big up-and-down in their rank for September no matter what they do on the final day.

The Special Prizes will probably need to go to Hoshoryu, Nishikigi, Hokutofuji, and Hakuoho in some form. Additionally, Tobizaru will get an Outstanding Performance Prize, since he beat a Yokozuna and will have a winning record. Perhaps there will be some conditional prizes, but there are few other candidates that could earn a Sansho. Kirishima will be kadoban after his first Ozeki tournament, Daieisho and Wakamotoharu won't make Ozeki, and Abi will crash out of Sanyaku. NIshikigi and Tobizaru will probably claim the Komusubi slots in September.

All eyes will be on the yusho race, but that's going to be worth watching. Hoshoryu, Nishikigi, Hokutofuji, and especially Hakuoho have all performed well all tournament. They will be the ones who have the most to fight for on the final day, and will also make the biggest impact on who wins the yusho. A Nishikigi-Hoshoryu double win will be the least dramatic result, but also satisfying in its own way. Yet a Hokutofuji win means playoff, and a Hakuoho win means history. So enjoy the conclusion to this Nagoya basho.