Public League Leaderboard
Scores from Fantasizr.
Yusho Arasoi
5 Wins
17 Maegashira #4 West Ura
23 Maegashira #7 West Mitakeumi
41 Maegashira #16 West Takarafuji
4 Wins
03 Ozeki #1 West Kotozakura
09 Komusubi West Onosato
11 Maegashira #1 West Daieisho
28 Maegashira #10 East Shonannoumi
36 Maegashira #14 East Ryuden
37 Maegashira #14 West Oshoma
Notable Maneuvers
So Hoshoryu technically won with a yorikiri, but the way he grabbed Gonoyama (who looked like he may have jumped early) and pushed him straight back out was wildly impressive.
Match of the Day
Ura began the match with the straight-ahead power he's been displaying this basho. That nearly got him a quick yorikiri. But Nishikigi planted his feet wide at the edge and stopped the momentum, as he is very good at doing. That turned the match the other way, at which point, Ura pulled on Nishikigi's arm and won with a heavy katasukashi, or under-shoulder swing down, to keep his perfect record.
Recap
Ura, Mitakeumi, and Takarafuji are leading the basho, and looking quite good. In the Reiwa era. This basho is surprising in ways other recent surprising basho haven't been. None of that trio had a stellar track record in recent tournaments, but they're all veterans who absolutely know what they are doing. Takarafuji will see a sharp upgrade in competition soon. Not only is he the second-lowest ranked Maegashira, but he has only faced one rikishi with a winning record in the first five days. Day Six brings 4-1 Oshoma. His first loss may be incoming soon.
Either Ura or Mitakeumi will pick up a loss on Day Six, as they face each other. This is not the schedule getting bent to make an all-undefeated matchup. Ura faced Maegashira #7 East Nishikigi on Day Five, and on Day Six he moves to the Maegashira #7 West Mitakeumi. It just happens to be the signature match of the day. Ura and Mitakeumi have both battled injuries and seem to have found ways to make their sumo work better now. Ura has simplified things to deploy power more than tricks when he gets an advantage. Mitakeumi has absolutely refused to let anyone get away from right in front of him. Those approaches will keep working for one of them on Day Six.
While there is a leading trio, the favorites for the Emperor's Cup are more likely in the group one loss off. In particular, Kotozakura, Onosato, and Daieisho are all performing well. Kotozakura took on Tobizaru's up-and-under with calm and controlled his match with the Flying Monkey. Onosato overpowered Kirishima (who is easier to overpower right now) in his first match against the Ozeki. Daieisho took his pushing attack to Abi so effectively that Abi couldn't get going. No one should want to face any of them.
But Kotozakura and Onosato will face each other on Day Six. Kotozakura won their two previous meetings, which happened in the two previous basho. This is a huge test for whether Onosato will threaten Ozeki in a matter of months or needs a year or two. Onosato seems like he will get there sooner rather than later, so Day Six of this Natsu Basho might show he's ready. What will definitely happen is one of these rikishi will be in an even better position to challenge for their first yusho.
The other one won't be out of it, though. Even in the 3-2 crowd, there are threats to win it all. Wakamotoharu is a tough out who can beat anybody on his day. Hoshoryu is an Ozeki with one yusho under his belt who has turned around from losing his first two matches to be as impressive as anyone the last three days. Along with Kotozakura, Onosato, and Daieisho, they'll be waiting to square off with whoever emerges from the undefeated trio. And then, of course, at some point they'll start facing each other.
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