Almost to halfway through the basho, expectations exist for each match based on
M16w Ishiura (3-4) wins by shitatehineri over M17e Chiyoshoma (3-4)
Ishiura did the half-henka, where he jumped to the side to grab Chiyoshoma's belt. That sort of worked, because it ended in a stalemate that was odd, but to Ishiura's advantage. He won with a "shitatehineri," a twisting underarm throw, because that was all he could do in his position.
M15e Terutsuyoshi (3-4) wins by susoharai over M14w Enho (5-2)
Enho took his usual approach, attempting to get well underneath his opponent. Terutsuyoshi is only 1 cm taller, though, and that gave him a strange advantage. Eventually, Terutsuyoshi got Enho out, which meant Enho's back was to Terutsuyoshi. From there, Terutsuyoshi executed the unusual rear leg trip, accompanied by a pull on the knot of the mawashi.
M16e Daishoho (4-3) wins by hatakikomi over M14e Tokushoryu (2-5)
Tokushoryu looked like he had the initial advantage, but Daishoho held up well enough to even odds. That actually put Tokushoryu a little off balance, which gave Daishoho the simple slap down opportunity for the win.
M15w Kotoeko (5-2) wins by oshidashi over M13w Sadanoumi (3-4)
Sadanoumi looked like he would bulldoze Kotoeko, but Kotoeko regrouped towards the tawara. Kotoeko got lower and put on the strength to powerfully push Sadanoumi out.
M11e Shohozan (4-3) wins by yorikiri over M13e Chiyomaru (3-4)
Shohozan is usually not one to grab an opponent's mawashi or grapple in any way, but Chiyomaru stood up and proved vulnerable. Chiyomaru's early basho magic is gone and now the Eternally Round is in trouble.
M10w Onosho (4-3) wins by tsukiotoshi over M12w Yago (3-4)
Onosho has been caught a few times going too far forward, ending up almost horizontal and out of a match. Today, he regrouped after an even tachiai, which allowed him to catch Yago coming forward and send him to the clay.
M12e Shimanoumi (3-4) wins by oshidashi over M10e Kagayaki (1-6)
If Kagayaki does not have a minor, undisclosed injury, then his sumo is at a very strange place. He had so little that a struggling Shimanoumi absolutely dominated him.
M11w Tochiozan (5-2) wins by hatakikomi over M9w Tomokaze (4-3)
Tomokaze has a bright future, and he could still get a good win total in May. On Day Seven, though, he faced a veteran who caught him being too aggressive, giving Tochiozan the simple slap down win.
M9e Nishikigi (3-4) wins by kotenage over M7e Shodai (4-3)
Nishikigi is a sekitori with a preferred grip, barring his opponents' arms in front of him. Shodai is a reactive sekitori, fending off what his opponent gives him. Nishikigi got his grip and was able to win with the arm throw.
M8w Asanoyama (6-1) wins by oshidashi over M6w Yoshikaze (2-5)
Yoshikaze got the alert to prevent Asanoyama from getting a left-hand grip. Unfortunately for Yoshikaze, Asanoyama kept pushing forward while looking for his grip and got the win with relentless forward motion.
M5w Ryuden (5-2) wins by hatakikomi over M8e Kaisei (3-4)
Ryuden had trouble with Kaisei's bulk, which caused him to slowly go back towards the tawara. At that point, he pulled a miracle, pulling on Kaisei and slapping him to the clay while also deflty avoiding stepping outside the dohyo.
M7w Meisei (3-4) wins by oshidashi over M5e Myogiryu (2-5)
Meisei won a rather simple match by just getting the extra step at the tachiai and never letting up.
M4e Okinoumi (2-5) wins by tsukiotoshi over M6e Takarafuji (4-3)
Okinoumi got his second win of the basho by taking advantage of Takarafuji getting off balance. Probably not his preferred way to win, but it's a victory nonetheless.
M4w Abi (5-2) wins by oshidashi over M2e Endo (2-5)
Abi is being much more successful this tournament by not just putting both hands on his opponents' throat, but genuinely shoving his opposite with both hands. Endo withstood a few shoves, but he could never appropriately recover in time before the next one arrives.
K1w Mitakeumi (5-2) wins by oshidashi over K1e Aoiyama (1-6)
Mitakeumi's best sumo occurs when he gets the half-step advantage at the tachiai to set himself just under his opponent. Aoiyama essentially let his fellow Komusubi do this, and despite a furious shoving attack he had no place to win from.
S1w Tochinoshin (7-0) wins by yorikiri over M1w Kotoshogiku (2-5)
Both men half-got their preferred grip, with Tochinoshin placing his right hand outside grip and Kotoshogiku somewhat having his hands under Tochinoshin's armpits. Tochinoshin was the one able to shift best, which allowed him to fully grab Kotoshogiku's mawashi and earn his seventh win. He is now just three away from being an Ozeki again in Nagoya.
M1e Hokutofuji (3-4) wins by oshidashi over S1e Ichinojo (2-5)
It might be time to officially announce that the March Ichinojo has gone and been replaced by the sleepy Ichinojo. Hokutofuji landed a nodowa almost immediately, which pushed Ichinojo backwards straight to the tawara and out.
O1e Goeido (4-3) wins by oshidashi over M3w Tamawashi (3-4)
Goeido is at his best when he can charge low and hard from the tachiai. That wasn't quite what happened against Tamawashi, who landed some rather vicious blows initially, but he finally did what was needed for a win.
O1w Takayasu (4-3) wins by oshidashi over M2w Daieisho (3-4)
Takayasu is still off-balance at the tachiai, but he has enough other skills to compensate. He was very much compensating against Daieisho, but a win is a win.
Y1w Kakuryu (7-0) wins by yorikiri over M3e Chiyotairyu (2-5)
Kakuryu had a fairly easy win against Chiyotairyu, getting forward momentum from the start and easily showing Chiyotairyu the way out.
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