Bout No. 21

Kotoyuki versus Daiamami

Now we see

Kotoyuki.

He has a record of 0 wins and 4 loses.

His challenger today is

Daiamami.

Daiamami

 has a score of

1 wins and 3 loses.

Daiamami is taller and heavier than Kotoyuki.

The best chance for

Daiamami

 may be his excellent

balance.

The rikishi move into tachiai position…

The rikishi smash together, their heads meeting like rams!

both rikishi launch forwards!

Daiamami

starts best.

Daiamami

stayed very low

as did his opponent.

Daiamami

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

Kotoyuki

was trying to reach his opponent's belt.

They immediately come together once more…

Kotoyuki

shows fine kumi skills, gaining the best position.

Daiamami

isn't able to

connect cleanly with his thrust.

For a moment there is space between the fighters…

Daiamami slams in low and secures the best hold.

Kotoyuki was striving to get a hold.

Now they are caught together !

Daiamami has the better position and shoulders his opponent towards the edge.

Kotoyuki did not have the momentum to shift his opponent.

Neither man can demonstrate a telling advantage.  Only their hands move.

Daiamami has the better position and shoulders his opponent towards the edge.

Kotoyuki couldn't shift his opponent.

What a bout!  Still no breakthrough!

Daiamami will try and use this two handed mawashi hold to lift him out. And he does!

Daiamami wins by Yorikiri

Kotoyuki didn't have the strength to shift him

 

Bout No. 20

Daishomaru versus Asanoyama

On the east side we have

Daishomaru.

He is ranked as

Maegashira(11w)

His opponent today is

Asanoyama.

Asanoyama

 is ranked as

Maegashira(16w)

Asanoyama is taller and heavier than Daishomaru.

The best chance for

Asanoyama

 may be his excellent

technique.

The two stare at each other before the tachiai…

Nokotta!

both rikishi launch forwards!

Daishomaru

has the advantage from the tachiai.

Daishomaru

more or less stood up

whereas

Asanoyama

stayed very low.

Daishomaru

exchanges slaps while improving his dohyo position over

Asanoyama

whose thrusts lacked direction.

They immediately come together once more…

Daishomaru

uses quick feet to gain a superior angle.

Asanoyama

can't keep his balance!

What a skilful passing move by

Daishomaru

who wins by

Kotenage

 

Bout No. 19

Sokokurai versus Ryuden

On our left is the formidable

Sokokurai.

He is ranked as

Maegashira(12e)

His opponent today is

Ryuden.

Ryuden

 is ranked as

Maegashira(16e)

Ryuden is taller and heavier than Sokokurai.

The best chance for

Ryuden

 may be his excellent

speed.

We are ready for the tachiai…

Nokotta!

and bang!  They come together like trains!

Sokokurai

starts better.

Sokokurai

more or less stood up

as did his opponent.

Sokokurai

manages passing dasinage, unsettling

Ryuden

who tried to evade.

They immediately come together once more…

Ryuden

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

Sokokurai

is knocked back

he was trying to avoid this contact.

The rikishi's bodies are pressed together.

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

Sokokurai went to throw and was caught off balance.

The two giants remain locked together.

Ryuden attempts a throw which unbalances his opponent.

Sokokurai looked like he was trying to throw him down.

The crowd applaud warmly at this prolonged effort!

Ryuden is unable to pull of the throw but still holds the best cards here.

Sokokurai was trying a throw but didn't have the strength.

He just does enough to stay up.

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

Ryuden shows enormous all round power to lean back and carry his opponent over the rope!

A win by Yorikiri

Sokokurai was trying a throw but didn't have the strength.

 

Bout No. 18

Kagayaki versus Nishikigi

Now we see

Kagayaki.

He is from the

Torafujii heya.

On the western side of the dohyo is 

Nishikigi.

Nishikigi

 trains at the

Isenoumi stable.

Kagayaki is taller than Nishikigi but Nishikigi is heavier.

The best chance for

Kagayaki

 may be his excellent

speed.

The wrestlers squat, eying one another…

The rikishi smash together, their heads meeting like rams!

a deafening slap of flesh as they collide!

Nishikigi

starts best.

Nishikigi

stayed very low

as did his opponent.

Nishikigi

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

Kagayaki

who gets an inferior hold.

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

Nishikigi

capitalises on his better hold and

raises his opponent, throwing him back to win!

He showed tremendous strength!

Kagayaki

was trying to

find a decent grip.

Nishikigi wins by

Shitatenage

Bout No. 17

 

Ishiura versus Takekaze

 

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

 

Ishiura.

 

He is from the

 

Miyagino heya.

 

On the western side of the dohyo is 

 

Takekaze.

 

Takekaze

 

 trains at the

 

Oguruma stable.

 

 

Ishiura is taller than Takekaze but Takekaze is heavier.

 

The best chance for

 

Takekaze

 

 may be his excellent

 

balance.

 

 

They position themselves for the tachiai…

 

Nokotta!

 

a deafening slap of flesh as they collide!

 

Ishiura

 

wins the tachiai battle.

 

Ishiura

 

more or less stood up

 

whereas

 

Takekaze

 

stayed very low.

 

Ishiura

 

exchanges slaps while improving his dohyo position over

 

Takekaze

 

Its all over!  That was quick!

 

Takekaze

 

is well beaten!

 

Ishiura

 

went backwards at first but twisted his opponent out at the tawara.

 

He was always in control and secures

 

a rare kimarite, winning by Utchari.

 

 

Bout No. 16

Abi versus Yutakayama

On the east side we have

Abi.

He is ranked as

Maegashira(14e)

His challenger today is

Yutakayama.

Yutakayama

 is ranked as

Maegashira(14w)

Abi is taller than Yutakayama but Yutakayama is heavier.

The best chance for

Yutakayama

 may be his excellent

technique.

The rikishi take their positions…

The rikishi smash together, their heads meeting like rams!

a huge crash fills the arena as their bodies meet!

Yutakayama

has the advantage from the tachiai.

Yutakayama

stayed very low

as did his opponent.

Yutakayama

body charge forces back

Abi

was trying to grapple.

They immediately come together once more…

Abi

pulls his opponent off balance.

Yutakayama

loses balance trying to

connect cleanly with his thrust.

After that flail of arms the fighters remain apart.

Yutakayama shows nifty footward to find a way inside and get to the belt.

Abi failed to make an effective thrust.

This is a really bad position for him.

Now they are caught together !

Yutakayama inches him to the tawara in a series of short lifts and over!

Yutakayama wins by Yorikiri

Abi decided to go for a throw and it proved a costly mistake.

 

Bout No. 15

Aminishiki versus Daieisho

Slapping his mawashi like a drum is

Aminishiki.

He is from the

Ashaenumi heya.

Facing him is

Daieisho.

Daieisho

 trains at the

Oitekaze stable.

Aminishiki is taller than Daieisho but Daieisho is heavier.

The best chance for

Aminishiki

 may be his excellent

balance.

The wrestlers squat, eying one another…

Nokotta!

a gigantic collision as the rikishi meet!

Daieisho

looks to have the advantage.

Daieisho

more or less stood up

whereas

Aminishiki

stayed very low.

Daieisho

exchanges slaps while improving his dohyo position over

Aminishiki

attempted a belt hold.

They immediately come together once more…

Aminishiki

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

Daieisho

has been brought into an unfavourable grapple - 

he was trying to avoid this contact.

The rikishi mesh, each clasping for some sort of grip.

Daieisho tries an overarm throw but somehow his opponent hops and keeps up.

Aminishiki went to throw and was caught off balance.

They are both waiting for the other to tire.

Daieisho attempts a throw which unbalances his opponent.

Aminishiki decided to go for a throw and it proved a costly mistake.

The stalemate is unbroken.  They remain with faces pressed sideways into shoulders.

Daieisho shows enormous all round power to lean back and carry his opponent over the rope!

He wins by Yorikiri

Aminishiki couldn't get enough behind the throw.

 

Bout No. 14

Endo versus Terunofuji

On our left is the formidable

Endo.

He has a record of 0 wins and 4 loses.

He has been matched today with

Terunofuji.

Terunofuji

 has a score of

2 wins and 2 loses.

Terunofuji is taller and heavier than Endo.

The best chance for

Terunofuji

 may be his excellent

technique.

The rikishi move into tachiai position…

Nokotta!

a gigantic collision as the rikishi meet!

Terunofuji

immediately gains momentum.

Terunofuji

stayed very low

whereas

Endo

more or less stood up.

Terunofuji

works a right-arm inside grip on

Endo

who was trying to prevent that.

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

Both men are committed to grappling now.

Terunofuji inches him to the tawara in a series of short lifts and over!

Terunofuji wins by Yorikiri

Endo struggled in the grapple.

 

Bout No. 13

Okinoumi versus Chiyomaru

On the east side we have

Okinoumi.

He has a record of 1 wins and 3 loses.

On the western side of the dohyo is 

Chiyomaru.

Chiyomaru

 has a score of

3 wins and 1 loses.

Okinoumi is taller than Chiyomaru but Chiyomaru is heavier.

The best chance for

Chiyomaru

 may be his excellent

balance.

The rikishi take their positions…

The rikishi smash together, their heads meeting like rams!

the rikishi collide in an awesome crash!

Chiyomaru

starts best.

Chiyomaru

stayed very low

as did his opponent.

Chiyomaru

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

Okinoumi

attempted a belt hold.

They immediately come together once more…

Chiyomaru

gets an excellent rear belt hold with his left hand.

Okinoumi

is knocked back

he was trying to avoid this contact.

The rikishi's bodies are pressed together.

Chiyomaru draws gaps with that ruthless slam out!  His opponent is slow to get to his feet despite the aid of those on whom he landed! 

A win by Yoritaoshi

Okinoumi looked like he was trying to throw him down.

 

Bout No. 12

Arawashi versus Shohozan

On our left is the formidable

Arawashi.

He has a record of 2 wins and 2 loses.

Facing him is

Shohozan.

Shohozan

 has a score of

2 wins and 2 loses.

Arawashi is taller than Shohozan but Shohozan is heavier.

The best chance for

Shohozan

 may be his excellent

balance.

We are ready for the tachiai…

Nokotta!

a deafening slap of flesh as they collide!

Arawashi

starts best.

Arawashi

more or less stood up

whereas

Shohozan

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

Arawashi

is quick to try hataki (slap down)on

Shohozan

who wasn't quick enough to avoid getting caught.

They immediately come together once more…

Arawashi

shows fine kumi skills, gaining the best position.

Shohozan

has been outmanoeuvred!

Wonderful hataki by

Arawashi

who wins by

Hatukikomi

 

Bout No. 11

Shodai versus Kaisei

Now we see

Shodai.

He is from the

Senkoho heya.

On the western side of the dohyo is 

Kaisei.

Kaisei

 trains at the

Tomozuna stable.

Kaisei is taller and heavier than Shodai.

The best chance for

Kaisei

 may be his excellent

technique.

The two stare at each other before the tachiai…

The rikishi smash together, their heads meeting like rams!

The rikishi move their great frames to the starting lines…

Kaisei

looks to have the advantage.

Kaisei

stayed very low

as did his opponent.

Kaisei

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

Shodai

attempted a belt hold.

They immediately come together once more…

Kaisei

gets a hold under his opponents arms and moves him towards the outside.

Shodai

is unbalanced and is forced back.

as he tries to pull his opponent's arm.

After that flail of arms the fighters remain apart.

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

Kaisei landed ineffective slaps.

The thrusting tactics have dominated the start of this bout.

Shodai would seem to be happier with his hold.

Kaisei couldn’t get a hand on him today!

He can't recover from here, surely?

Now they become enlocked.

Shodai fails with the throw but is still in change.

Kaisei couldn't get the position he needed to execute the throw.

His hand nearly brushes the floor!

What a bout!  Still no breakthrough!

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

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

He just about stay's upright!

They are leaning upon one another like rival walrus.

Shodai is not short of finishing it with that throw.

Kaisei was trying a throw but didn't have the strength.

He seems bound to go down!

The crowd applaud warmly at this prolonged effort!

Shodai attempts a throw which unbalances his opponent.

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

He is very close to going down!

Neither man can demonstrate a telling advantage.  Only their hands move.

Shodai lifts him out as he might a barrel!

Shodai wins by Yorikiri

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

 

Bout No. 10

Tochinoshin versus Chiyonokuni

Preparing to fight now is

Tochinoshin.

He has a record of 2 wins and 2 loses.

His challenger today is

Chiyonokuni.

Chiyonokuni

 has a score of

3 wins and 1 loses.

Tochinoshin is taller and heavier than Chiyonokuni.

The best chance for

Tochinoshin

 may be his excellent

technique.

The crowd fall silent as the rikishi crouch…

Nokotta!

the rikishi smash into each other!

Chiyonokuni

looks to have the advantage.

Chiyonokuni

more or less stood up

whereas

Tochinoshin

stayed very low.

Chiyonokuni

exchanges slaps while improving his dohyo position over

Tochinoshin

whose thrusts lacked direction.

They immediately come together once more…

Chiyonokuni

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

Tochinoshin

loses balance trying to

secure a belt hold.

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

Chiyonokuni combines feet and hand speed judo style to throw his opponent onto his ribs!

A win by Uwatenage

Tochinoshin wanted to try and close the fight.

 

Bout No. 9

Chiyotairyu versus Tochiozan

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

Chiyotairyu.

He has a record of 2 wins and 2 loses.

On the western side of the dohyo is 

Tochiozan.

Tochiozan

 has a score of

2 wins and 2 loses.

Tochiozan is taller but Chiyotairyuis the heavier rikishi.

The best chance for

Chiyotairyu

 may be his excellent

technique.

The two stare at each other before the tachiai…

The rikishi smash together, their heads meeting like rams!

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

Chiyotairyu

gets the better of the tachiai.

Chiyotairyu

stayed very low

as did his opponent.

Chiyotairyu

has a better belt hold than

Tochiozan

manages an inside grip.

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

Chiyotairyu

capitalises on his better hold and

raises his opponent, throwing him back to win!

He showed tremendous strength!

Tochiozan

couldn't

slap him off.

Chiyotairyu wins by

Yoritaoshi  (forced out and on back)

 

Bout No. 8

Kotoshogiku versus Chiyoshoma

Slapping his mawashi like a drum is

Kotoshogiku.

He is from the

Sadogatake heya.

On the western side of the dohyo is 

Chiyoshoma.

Chiyoshoma

 trains at the

Kokonoe stable.

Chiyoshoma is taller but Kotoshogikuis the heavier rikishi.

The best chance for

Kotoshogiku

 may be his excellent

balance.

The wrestlers squat, eying one another…

Nokotta!

and bang!  They come together like trains!

Chiyoshoma

looks to have the advantage.

Chiyoshoma

more or less stood up

whereas

Kotoshogiku

stayed very low.

Chiyoshoma

slaps down and retreats, unbalancing

Kotoshogiku

was trying to grapple.

They immediately come together once more…

Chiyoshoma

gains a strong outer arm grip on the mawashi.

Kotoshogiku

is knocked back

he was trying to avoid this contact.

Now they are caught together !

Kotoshogiku goes for brute force but his opponent uses the rope to hold him up.

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

This is turning into an epic bout.

Kotoshogiku is not short of finishing it with that throw.

Chiyoshoma was not strong enough today.

What a bout!  Still no breakthrough!

Kotoshogiku inches him to the tawara in a series of short lifts and over!

Kotoshogiku wins by Yorikiri

Chiyoshoma lost trying to muscle him out by his belt.

 

Bout No. 7

Yoshikaze versus Ikioi

On our left is the formidable

Yoshikaze.

He is from the

Takekuma heya.

His opponent today is

Ikioi.

Ikioi

 trains at the

Miminogawa stable.

Ikioi is taller and heavier than Yoshikaze.

The best chance for

Ikioi

 may be his excellent

technique.

The wrestlers squat, eying one another…

Nokotta!

gasps from the crowd as they slam together!

Ikioi

starts best.

Ikioi

stepped forward

as did his opponent.

Ikioi

has a favourable hold on the mawashi of

Yoshikaze

who tried to evade.

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

Ikioi

capitalises on his better hold and

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

He showed tremendous strength!

Yoshikaze

attempted to

find a decent grip.

Ikioi wins by

Uwatedashinage - (pulling over-arm throw)

 

Bout No. 6

Takarafuji versus Ichinojo

On the east side we have

Takarafuji.

He is from the

Isegahama heya.

His challenger today is

Ichinojo.

Ichinojo

 trains at the

Rumaniago stable.

Ichinojo is taller and heavier than Takarafuji.

The best chance for

Ichinojo

 may be his excellent

technique.

The ceremony is over, we are about to begin…

Nokotta!

gasps from the crowd as they slam together!

Takarafuji

has the upper hand.

Takarafuji

stayed very low

whereas

Ichinojo

kept low.

Takarafuji

has a better belt hold than

Ichinojo

whose blows did not land as intended

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

Takarafuji

uses his advantage and

is able to lift the body of his opponent to win!

He showed tremendous strength!

Ichinojo

was trying to

move him.

Takarafuji wins by

Uwatenage

 

Bout No. 5

Takayasu versus Takakeisho

Slapping his mawashi like a drum is

Takayasu.

He is from the

Tagonoura heya.

He has been matched today with

Takakeisho.

Takakeisho

 trains at the

Takanohana stable.

Takayasu is taller and heavier than Takakeisho.

The best chance for

Takakeisho

 may be his excellent

speed.

The referee calls them to the centre of the dohyo…

Nokotta!

a huge crash fills the arena as their bodies meet!

Takayasu

wins the tachiai.

Takayasu

stayed very low

whereas

Takakeisho

more or less stood up.

Takayasu

body charge forces back

Takakeisho

who was trying to prevent that.

They immediately come together once more…

Takayasu

is forcing his way forward.

Takakeisho

rocks back and tries to hold

as he tried to push.

The bout remains at distance.

Takayasu forces him back by his shoulder, back and out!

A win by Oshidashi

Takakeisho showed no regard for defence.

 

Bout No. 4

Tamawashi versus Mitakeumi

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

Tamawashi.

He has a record of 3 wins and 1 loses.

Opposite him will be

Mitakeumi.

Mitakeumi

 has a score of

1 wins and 3 loses.

Tamawashi is taller and heavier than Mitakeumi.

The best chance for

Mitakeumi

 may be his excellent

speed.

They position themselves for the tachiai…

The rikishi smash together, their heads meeting like rams!

Oh what a violent tachiai!

Tamawashi

has the advantage from the tachiai.

Tamawashi

stayed very low

as did his opponent.

Tamawashi

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

Mitakeumi

was trying to reach his opponent's belt.

They immediately come together once more…

Tamawashi

comes forward with a great thrusting attack.

Mitakeumi

isn't strong enough to stop him!

A great combination of force and technique by

Tamawashi

who wins by

Oshitaoshi - frontal push down.

 

Bout No. 3

Kakuryu versus Onosho

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

Kakuryu.

He is ranked as

Yokozuna(2e)

He has been matched today with

Onosho.

Onosho

 is ranked as

Kumisubi(1w)

Kakuryu is taller and heavier than Onosho.

The best chance for

Onosho

 may be his excellent

speed.

They position themselves for the tachiai…

Nokotta!

Oh what a violent tachiai!

Onosho

unbalances his opponent.

Onosho

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

whereas

Kakuryu

stayed very low.

Onosho

body charge forces back

Kakuryu

was trying to reach his opponent's belt.

They immediately come together once more…

Kakuryu

pulls his opponent off balance.

Onosho

over committed trying to

secure a belt hold.

Neither man has secured any sort of grip.

Kakuryu shows great strength and technique to get low enough to lift end then force his opponent down on his back!

He wins by Abisetaoshi

Onosho failed to make an effective thrust.

 

Bout No. 2

Kisenosato versus Hokutofuji

Preparing to fight now is

Kisenosato.

He is ranked as

Yokozuna(1w)

Opposite him will be

Hokutofuji.

Hokutofuji

 is ranked as

Maegashira(1e)

Kisenosato is taller and heavier than Hokutofuji.

The best chance for

Hokutofuji

 may be his excellent

speed.

The two stare at each other before the tachiai…

Nokotta!

the rikishi collide in an awesome crash!

Hokutofuji

looks to have the advantage.

Hokutofuji

more or less stood up

whereas

Kisenosato

stayed very low.

Hokutofuji

exchanges slaps while improving his dohyo position over

Kisenosato

whose blows did not land as intended

They immediately come together once more…

Kisenosato

gets and excellent over arm hold

Hokutofuji

is knocked back

he was trying to avoid this contact.

The rikishi's bodies are pressed together.

Kisenosato deliberately steps back and then turns, spinning his opponent over the rope and landing on top of him!

Kisenosato wins by Utchari

Hokutofuji was up against a better grip.

 

Bout No. 1

Hakuho versus Goeido

On our left is the formidable

Hakuho.

He is ranked as

Yokozuna(1e)

His challenger today is

Goeido.

Goeido

 is ranked as

Ozeki(1e)

Hakuho is taller than Goeido but Goeido is heavier.

The best chance for

Goeido

 may be his excellent

speed.

The rikishi take their positions…

Nokotta!

the sound of the tachiai echoes through the hall!

Goeido

starts better.

Goeido

more or less stood up

whereas

Hakuho

stayed very low.

Goeido

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

Hakuho

attempted a belt hold.

They immediately come together once more…

Goeido

gets and excellent over arm hold

Hakuho

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!

Goeido spins his opponent who only just keeps his footing.

Hakuho did not have the momentum to shift his opponent.

The stalemate is unbroken.  They remain with faces pressed sideways into shoulders.

Goeido fails with the throw but is still in change.

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

He is very close to going down!

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

Goeido uses his overarm hold to spin his opponent sidelong into the clay!

Goeido wins by Uwatenage

Hakuho didn't have the strength to shift him