Bout No. 14

Takagenji versus Kizenryu

In higashi-kata (the eastern side of the dohyo) is

Takagenji.

He is ranked as

Juryo(11w)

His challenger today is

Kizenryu.

Kizenryu

 is ranked as

Juryo(14w)

Kizenryu is taller but Takagenjiis the heavier rikishi.

The best chance for

Takagenji

 may be his excellent

speed.

We are ready for the tachiai…

The rikisi smash together, their heads meeting like rams!

The rikishi move their great frames to the starting lines…

Takagenji

unbalances his opponent.

Takagenji

stayed very low

as did his opponent.

Takagenji

delivered his shoulder to the throat of

Kizenryu

whose blows did not land as intended

They immediately come together once more…

Takagenji

is forcing his way forward.

Kizenryu

is unbalanced and is forced back.

as he tried to grab the mawashi.

After that flail of arms the fighters remain apart.

Takagenji works him to the edge and then mercilessly dispatches him over the rope and into the judges!

A win by Oshitaoshi

Kizenryu literally never got to grips with his opponent.

 

Bout No. 13

Yamaguchi versus Akua

On our left is the formidable

Yamaguchi.

He is from the

Miyagino heya.

Opposite him will be

Akua.

Akua

 trains at the

Tatsunami stable.

Akua is taller and heavier than Yamaguchi.

The best chance for

Akua

 may be his excellent

technique.

The crowd fall silent as the rikishi crouch…

Nokotta!

only the screams of the referee match the energy of the tachiai!

Akua

wins the tachiai.

Akua

stayed very low

whereas

Yamaguchi

sprung up.

Akua

uses hazuoshi (lifting push under armpit) technique to push back

Yamaguchi

whose blows did not land as intended

They immediately come together once more…

Yamaguchi

slaps down on his opponent and moves.

Akua

over committed trying to

connect cleanly with his thrust.

The bout remains at distance.

Yamaguchi drives his opponent back.

Akua couldn’t get a hand on him today!

He cant hang on much longer, surely?

The bout remains at distance.

Yamaguchi was in no mood to continue and there may have been an air of malice in the way his put his opponents into the crowd!

A win by Oshitaoshi

Akua was striving to get a hold.

 

Bout No. 12

Daishoho versus Tochihiryu

In higashi-kata (the eastern side of the dohyo) is

Daishoho.

He is from the

Oitekaze heya.

He has been matched today with

Tochihiryu.

Tochihiryu

 trains at the

Kasugano stable.

Daishoho is taller and heavier than Tochihiryu.

The best chance for

Daishoho

 may be his excellent

technique.

The wrestlers squat, eying one another…

Nokotta!

both rikishi launch forwards!

Tochihiryu

looks to have the advantage.

Tochihiryu

more or less stood up

whereas

Daishoho

stayed close to the ground - what might be called "hira-gumo" or "low spider" technique .

Tochihiryu

exchanges slaps while improving his dohyo position over

Daishoho

whose thrusts lacked direction.

They immediately come together once more…

Tochihiryu

pulls his opponent off balance.

Daishoho

can't keep his balance!

Graceful movement of both feet and hands by

Tochihiryu

who wins by

Hatukikomi

 

Bout No. 11

Takanosho versus Mitoryu

 

Bout No. 11

 

Takanosho versus Mitoryu

 

On our left is the formidable

 

Takanosho.

 

He is from the

 

Chiganoura heya.

 

His opponent today is

 

Mitoryu.

 

Mitoryu

 

 trains at the

 

Nishikido stable.

 

 

Mitoryu is taller and heavier than Takanosho.

 

The best chance for

 

Mitoryu

 

 may be his excellent

 

technique.

 

 

The ceremony is over, we are about to begin…

 

The rikishi smash together, their heads meeting like rams!

 

the sound of the tachiai echoes through the hall!

 

Mitoryu

 

unbalances his opponent.

 

Mitoryu

 

stayed very low

 

as did his opponent.

 

Mitoryu

 

lets lose harite, a fury of slaps against the face of

 

Takanosho

 

whose oshi-zumo was not very effective.

 

They immediately come together once more…

 

Mitoryu

 

shows top oshi-zumo skills, forcing his opponent back.

 

Takanosho

 

rocks back and tries to hold

 

as he tries to pull his opponent's arm.

 

 

The thrusting tactics have dominated the start of this bout.

 

Takanosho is moving like a bee to unsettle his opponent.

 

Mitoryu was unable to get in a telling shove.

 

He didn't connect and has lost balance!

 

 

The rikishi remain separated.

 

Takanosho gets in the more effective thrusts.

 

Mitoryu landed ineffective slaps.

 

He is really up against it now!

 

 

The fight remains at length - will this suit the taller man?

 

Mitoryu powers into his opponent, knocking him back.

 

Takanosho was trying to force his opponent back.

 

 

 

Neither man has secured any sort of grip.

 

Takanosho works him to the edge and then mercilessly dispatches him over the rope and into the judges!

 

Takanosho wins by Oshitaoshi

 

Mitoryu showed energy but it was misdirected.

Bout No. 10

Sadanoumi versus Amakaze

Preparing to fight now is

Sadanoumi.

He has a record of 3 wins and 0 loses.

Facing him is

Amakaze.

Amakaze

 has a score of

3 wins and 0 loses.

Amakaze is taller and heavier than Sadanoumi.

The best chance for

Amakaze

 may be his excellent

balance.

They position themselves for the tachiai…

Nokotta!

only the screams of the referee match the energy of the tachiai!

Sadanoumi

wins the tachiai.

Sadanoumi

more or less stood up

whereas

Amakaze

stayed very low.

Sadanoumi

slaps down and retreats, unbalancing

Amakaze

whose thrusts lacked direction.

They immediately come together once more…

Sadanoumi

circles back, pulling at a leading arm and gains the advantage.

Amakaze

has been outmanoeuvred!

Wonderful hataki by

Sadanoumi

who wins by

Hatukikomi

 

Bout No. 9

Takanoiwa versus Osunaarashi

Preparing to fight now is

Takanoiwa.

He is ranked as

Juryo(3e)

Opposite him will be

Osunaarashi.

Osunaarashi

 is ranked as

Juryo(8w)

Osunaarashi is taller and heavier than Takanoiwa.

The best chance for

Osunaarashi

 may be his excellent

technique.

The referee calls them to the centre of the dohyo…

Nokotta!

gasps from the crowd as they slam together!

Takanoiwa

wins the tachiai battle.

Takanoiwa

more or less stood up

whereas

Osunaarashi

stayed close to the ground - what might be called "hira-gumo" or "low spider" technique .

Takanoiwa

slaps down and retreats, unbalancing

Osunaarashi

whose oshi-zumo was not very effective.

They immediately come together once more…

Takanoiwa

pulls his opponent off balance.

Osunaarashi

can't keep his balance!

Wonderful hataki by

Takanoiwa

who wins by

Okuridashi

 

Bout No. 8

Meisei versus Toyohibiki

Preparing to fight now is

Meisei.

He is ranked as

Juryo(4w)

He has been matched today with

Toyohibiki.

Toyohibiki

 is ranked as

Juryo(9w)

Toyohibiki is taller and heavier than Meisei.

The best chance for

Meisei

 may be his excellent

speed.

The two stare at each other before the tachiai…

Nokotta!

the rikishi smash into each other!

Toyohibiki

has the upper hand.

Toyohibiki

stayed very low

whereas

Meisei

stayed close to the ground - what might be called "hira-gumo" or "low spider" technique .

Toyohibiki

delivered his shoulder to the throat of

Meisei

whose thrusts lacked direction.

They immediately come together once more…

Toyohibiki

gets an excellent rear belt hold with his left hand.

Meisei

can't recover from this!

A display of technical speed from

Toyohibiki

who wins by

Yoritaoshi

 

Bout No. 7

Tsurugisho versus Gagamaru

Now we see

Tsurugisho.

He is from the

Oitekaze heya.

Opposite him will be

Gagamaru.

Gagamaru

 trains at the

Kise stable.

Gagamaru is taller and heavier than Tsurugisho.

The best chance for

Gagamaru

 may be his excellent

balance.

The referee calls them to the centre of the dohyo…

Nokotta!

a deafening slap of flesh as they collide!

Gagamaru

has the upper hand.

Gagamaru

stayed close to the ground - what might be called "hira-gumo" or "low spider" technique

whereas

Tsurugisho

stayed very low.

Gagamaru

makes a series of effective shoves on

Tsurugisho

Its all over!  That was quick!

Tsurugisho

is well beaten!

Gagamaru

showed incredible power through his legs with that push out.

A win by Oshidashi.

 

Bout No. 6

Chiyonoo versus Tokushoryu

On the east side we have

Chiyonoo.

He has a record of 3 wins and 0 loses.

Facing him is

Tokushoryu.

Tokushoryu

 has a score of

1 wins and 2 loses.

Tokushoryu is taller and heavier than Chiyonoo.

The best chance for

Tokushoryu

 may be his excellent

balance.

The crowd fall silent as the rikishi crouch…

Nokotta!

a huge crash fills the arena as their bodies meet!

Chiyonoo

starts best.

Chiyonoo

more or less stood up

whereas

Tokushoryu

sprung up.

Chiyonoo

exchanges slaps while improving his dohyo position over

Tokushoryu

whose blows did not land as intended

They immediately come together once more…

Tokushoryu

shows fine yotsu-zumo skills, gaining the best position.

Chiyonoo

has been brought into an unfavourable grapple - 

he was trying to avoid this contact.

The initial phase of the bout finishes and yotsu sumo begins!

Chiyonoo goes for a trip but it doesn’t work this time.

Tokushoryu couldn't get enough behind the throw.

The wrestlers continue to seek a telling grip on the other's belt.

Chiyonoo tries for a sideways throw but was unable to get enough leverage.

Tokushoryu couldn't get enough motion into his attempted throw.

The wrestlers continue to seek a telling grip on the other's belt.

Chiyonoo spins his opponent who only just keeps his footing.

Tokushoryu couldn't get enough motion into his attempted throw.

He seems bound to go down!

What a bout!  Still no breakthrough!

Chiyonoo doesn't even need a belt hold to throw his opponent on the clay!

He wins by Sukuinage

Tokushoryu twisted to try and throw his opponent but got caught out.

 

Bout No. 5

Kyokushuho versus Homarefuji

Now we see

Kyokushuho.

He is ranked as

Juryo(4e)

Opposite him will be

Homarefuji.

Homarefuji

 is ranked as

Juryo(7w)

Kyokushuho is taller than Homarefuji but Homarefuji is heavier.

The best chance for

Kyokushuho

 may be his excellent

speed.

We are ready for the tachiai…

Nokotta!

and bang!  They come together like trains!

Kyokushuho

unbalances his opponent.

Kyokushuho

more or less stood up

whereas

Homarefuji

stayed very low.

Kyokushuho

exchanges slaps while improving his dohyo position over

Homarefuji

was trying to reach his opponent's belt.

They immediately come together once more…

Kyokushuho

circles back, pulling at a leading arm and gains the advantage.

Homarefuji

isn't able to

get into position.

The thrusting tactics have dominated the start of this bout.

Kyokushuho deftly avoids an attack and has a good position.

Homarefuji showed poor instincts and got caught.

The rikishi remain separated.

Kyokushuho cleverly slaps his opponent's should, knocking him slightly off balance.

Homarefuji looked like he was trying for some sort of downward slap.

The fight remains at length - will this suit the taller man?

Kyokushuho seems very at home in these close quarter contests, finishing here with a rapid overarm throw!

A win by Uwatenage

Homarefuji was too slow.

 

Bout No. 4

Aoiyama versus Hidenoumi

Preparing to fight now is

Aoiyama.

He is ranked as

Juryo(2w)

His challenger today is

Hidenoumi.

Hidenoumi

 is ranked as

Juryo(3w)

Aoiyama is taller and heavier than Hidenoumi.

The best chance for

Aoiyama

 may be his excellent

technique.

They position themselves for the tachiai…

Nokotta!

a huge crash fills the arena as their bodies meet!

Aoiyama

unbalances his opponent.

Aoiyama

sprung up

whereas

Hidenoumi

stayed close to the ground - what might be called "hira-gumo" or "low spider" technique .

Aoiyama

shows speed and technique to secure a hold on the belt of

Hidenoumi

whose oshi-zumo was not very effective.

The wrestlers search for good holds and positions in the yotsu-zumo.

The rikishi are locked together.

Aoiyama is trying to throw his opponent but can quite execute.

Hidenoumi lost trying to muscle him out by his belt.

He seems bound to go down!

The two giants remain locked together.

Aoiyama seems to rest before launching a supreme pushing attack, winning by force!

He wins by Oshidashi

Hidenoumi will wonder if he had a good enough grip to try lifting him out.

 

Bout No. 3

Azumaryu versus Seiro

Now we see

Azumaryu.

He is ranked as

Juryo(2e)

Opposite him will be

Seiro.

Seiro

 is ranked as

Juryo(10e)

Azumaryu is taller and heavier than Seiro.

The best chance for

Azumaryu

 may be his excellent

technique.

The referee calls them to the centre of the dohyo…

Nokotta!

only the screams of the referee match the energy of the tachiai!

Azumaryu

wins the tachiai battle.

Azumaryu

stayed very low

whereas

Seiro

sprung up.

Azumaryu

has a favourable hold on the mawashi of

Seiro

who was trying to prevent that.

The wrestlers search for good holds and positions in the yotsu-zumo.

Azumaryu

capitalises on his better hold and

walks his opponent to the edge of the ring to win!

He showed tremendous strength!

Seiro

helplessly tried to

improve his hold on the mawashi.

Azumaryu wins by

Yoritaoshi

 

Bout No. 2

Kyokutaisei versus Kotoeko

On the east side we have

Kyokutaisei.

He is from the

Tomozuna heya.

Opposite him will be

Kotoeko.

Kotoeko

 trains at the

Sadogatake stable.

Kyokutaisei is taller and heavier than Kotoeko.

The best chance for

Kyokutaisei

 may be his excellent

balance.

The ceremony is over, we are about to begin…

Nokotta!

gasps from the crowd as they slam together!

Kyokutaisei

looks to have the advantage.

Kyokutaisei

more or less stood up

as did his opponent.

Kyokutaisei

exchanges slaps while improving his dohyo position over

Kotoeko

who tried to evade.

They immediately come together once more…

Kyokutaisei

shows fine yotsu-zumo skills, gaining the best position.

Kotoeko

has been brought into an unfavourable grapple - 

he was trying to avoid this contact.

The initial phase of the bout finishes and yotsu sumo begins!

Kyokutaisei walks him out as easily as pushing a wheelbarrow! 

He wins by Oshidashi

Kotoeko was not well enough placed to pull off a throw.

Bout No. 1

Myogiryu versus Ura

Slapping his mawashi like a drum is

Myogiryu.

He is ranked as

Juryo(1e)

His opponent today is

Ura.

Ura

 is ranked as

Juryo(11e)

Myogiryu is taller and heavier than Ura.

The best chance for

Myogiryu

 may be his excellent

technique.

The referee calls them to the centre of the dohyo…

Nokotta!

and bang!  They come together like trains!

Myogiryu

gets the better of the tachiai.

Myogiryu

more or less stood up

whereas

Ura

stayed close to the ground - what might be called "hira-gumo" or "low spider" technique .

Myogiryu

manages passing dasinage, unsettling

Ura

attempted a belt hold.

They immediately come together once more…

Myogiryu

shows fine kumi skills, gaining the best position.

Ura

isn't able to

get into position.

Neither man has secured any sort of grip.

Myogiryu demonstrates lovely nage technique with that under arm throw!

He wins by Shitatenage

Ura took too long to decide what to do.