Torikumi

Banzuke

Yusho Arasoi

13 wins (After Playoff)

O2w Terunofuji

12 wins

O1e Takakeisho

11 wins

M8w Endo

Notable Maneuvers

Hatakikomi. After fifteen matches, nothing was decided. Terunofuji beat Takakeisho with simple slap down for the yusho in a playoff.

Match of The Day

Ozeki 1 West Takakeisho versus Ozeki 2 West Terunofuji

They had two, of course, but it's the playoff that mattered more and was more interesting. Takakeisho got his pushing battle, but he couldn't make enough of an impression on Terunofuji. Instead, the big Mongolian could withstand Takakeisho's attack enough to slap him down.

Recap

Terunofuji continues to do things no one else has done before. His return to Makuuchi a year ago was remarkable, and then he won on his ...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Yusho Arasoi

12 wins

O2w Terunofuji

11 wins

O1w Takakeisho

M8w Endo

Notable Maneuvers

They officially credited Aoiyama's win as a tsukihiza, or knee push-down. It means Akua slipped and his knee went down without a clear move from Aoiyama.

Match of The Day

Maegashira 8 West Endo versus Ozeki 2 West Terunofuji

It was the match that stood out on the Torikumi before fighting began, and it delivered. Terunofuji could seal the yusho with a win, while Endo was fighting to keep his hopes alive. Endo got inside from the jumo, and began pushing Terunofuji back to the straw bales. Of course, he isn't that easy to beat, so Terunofuji turned it around. They attempted simultaneous throws, with Endo also getting a leg trip in. The two ...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Yusho Arasoi

12 wins

O2w Terunofuji

10 wins

O1w Takakeisho

M8w Endo

Notable Maneuvers

Uwatenage. If only because Hoshoryu pulled off a beautiful one against Takanosho.

Match of The Day

Maegashira 8 West Endo versus Ozeki 1 West Takakeisho

Takakeisho has fought relatively well for Natsu, but he's looked about 85%. 100% Takakeisho would have needed two thrusts to beat Endo after the tachiai in this match. Instead, he had to regroup, and Endo did basically a mid-match henka. The sideways step by Endo just made Takakeisho go out and down.

Recap

It is not over, but it's real close. Endo's victory over Takakeisho made both men 10-3, while Terunofuji muscled out Ichinojo. (Which takes some real muscle.) In order for Takakeisho a...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Yusho Arasoi

11 wins

O2w Terunofuji

10 wins

O1w Takakeisho

9 wins

M8w Endo

Notable Maneuvers

Fusen. Default. Asanoyama withdrew from the tournament for violating COVID rules and lying about it. Takayasu gets the free win, and by extension his kachi-koshi.

Match of The Day

Maegashira 5 East Hoshoryu versus Maegashira 7 East Tochinoshin

This was a match that looked very different in slow motion. On first viewing, Tochinoshin appeared to go sideways on Hoshoryu. After they reengaged, Tochinoshin forcefully grabbed Hoshoryu's belt and sent him crashing out. In replay, it appeared Hoshoryu's feet moved much more than Tochinoshin's at first. Then, the throw at the end was so forceful because Hoshoryu nearly got off a very good ...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Yusho Arasoi

10 wins

O2w Terunofuji

9 wins

O1w Takakeisho

M8w Endo

8 wins

M6w Ichinojo

M12w Okinoumi

Notable Maneuvers

Hansoku. Foul, essentially. This is how Myogiryu gave Terunofuji his first loss. Basically, Terunofuji was busy throwing Myogiryu over, Terunofuji ended up grabbing Myogiryu's hair. That is not allowed, and is an automatic loss for the yusho leader.

Match of The Day

Sekiwake 1 East Takayasu versus Ozeki 1 West Takakeisho

Styles make matchups, and this was a clash of styles on paper. Except that Takayasu weirdly decided to adopt Takakeisho's style on the dohyo. While Takayasu did display an impressive quick, Aoiyama-ish tsuppari, that's exactly the match Takakeisho wanted. The Ozeki was able to give one ha...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Yusho Arasoi

10 wins

O2w Terunofuji

8 wins

O1w Takakeisho

M8w Endo

Notable Maneuvers

Terutsuyoshi took a calm and measured approach, staying in on the much bigger Chiyomaru. Then, he unloaded a shitatehineri, the twisting underarm throw, to send the big man over and down.

Match of The Day

Maegashira 5 East Hoshoryu versus Maegashira 1 West Hokutofuji

Hokutofuji got the better of the tachiai, to the point that Hoshoryu looked like he might be overwhelmed. Instead, he planted his feet, held up, and went for Hokutofuji's legs. That didn't get him the win, but did get Hokutofuji sideways. From there, it was a rather easy time to get the win for Hoshoryu.

Recap

Can Endo pull the surprise? This might be the big question standin...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Yusho Arasoi

9 wins

O2w Terunofuji

7 wins

O1w Takakeisho

K1e Mitakeumi

M6w Ichinojo

M8w Endo

M14w Chiyotairyu

Notable Maneuvers

Terutsuyoshi apparently saw Hoshoryu use the uchigake, inside leg trip, on Day Eight, then decided to use his own leg throw against with a kakenage, the hooking inner thigh throw. Hoshoryu then did himself one better by beating Shodai with a sotogake, the outer leg trip.

Match of The Day

Sekiwake 1 East Takayasu versus Ozeki 2 West Terunofuji

These two didn't have the match either man wanted, but it was entertaining anyway. Neither could get a hold from the tachiai, so they kept having a half-shoving/half-trying-a-grip battle around the ring. Takayasu did get Terunofuji to the edge first, but the...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Yusho Arasoi

8 wins

O2w Terunofuji

7 wins

O1w Takakeisho

6 wins

S1e Takayasu

K1e Mitakeumi

M5w Onosho

M6w Ichinojo

M8w Endo

M12w Okinoumi

M14w Chiyotairyu

Notable Maneuvers

Hoshoryu upset Asanoyama, who is looking off his sumo this basho, with an uchigake. That's an inside leg trip, and it can easily be missed. The two awkwardly locked up, and Hoshoryu moved into Asanoyama's chest. At that point, he looped his right leg around Asanoyama's left leg, and down went the Ozeki.

Match of The Day

Sekiwake 1 East Takayasu versus Maegashira 4 East Kiribayama

These two went on forever, over two minutes. That is Takayasu's kind of match, and he waited for his opening. Kiribayama probably had a better grip, but it wasn't enough to mo...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Yusho Arasoi

7 wins

O2w Terunofuji

6 wins

O1w Takakeisho

10 rikishi tied with 5 wins

Notable Maneuvers

Chiyoshoma didn't just henka Akua, but sidestepped and let him go forward with a full ole. This might be in future videos explaining the henka. He got enough of a hand on him to call it uwatenage, but that's generous.

Match of The Day

Maegashira 5 West Onosho versus Maegashira 2 East Tobizaru

A match so nice, they did it twice. At first, Tobizaru seemed to have the upper hand, because this was a grappling match rather than a shoving match. Onosho still kept up his end of the bargain and unleashed a headlock throw. The problem for him there was it caused them to land on the clay at the same time. Torinaoshi was called, an...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Yusho Arasoi

6 wins

O2w Terunofuji

5 wins

O1w Takakeisho

S1e Takayasu

Notable Maneuvers

Okinoumi's win over Terutsuyoshi was officially credited as abisetaoshi, the backward force down. What actually happened was Terutsuyoshi attempted the ipponzeoi, or one-armed shoulder throw. Okinoumi just grabbed a sideways Terutsuyoshi and forced him down and out.

Match of The Day

Sekiwake 1 East Takayasu versus Komusubi 1 East Mitakeumi

This one was a mini-eliminator, with only one rikishi staying on one win, and they fought like it. Mitakeumi got the slightly better position after the tachiai, but not in a way that overwhelmed Takayasu. Instead, he slowly pushed him backwards, until Takayasu began his dance around the tawara. Mitak...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Yusho Arasoi

5 wins

O2w Terunofuji

4 wins

O1w Takakeisho

O2e Shodai

S1e Takayasu

K1e Mitakeumi

M5w Onosho

M6e Hidenoumi

M8w Endo

M10e Tamawashi

Notable Maneuvers

Four different rikishi won by hikiotoshi, the hand pull down. That means Kotonowaka, Kagayaki, Hidenoumi, and Onosho all won despite moving backwards and desperately grabbing at their opponents. (Levels of desperation did vary.)

Match of The Day

Maegashira 4 West Myogiryu versus Maegashira 1 West Hokutofuji

Two winless rikishi squared off, and looked like winless rikishi. They both looked like they were certain there was a false start, which meant they half-grabbed each other at the tachiai and then actually engaged. It meant neither man had a good gameplan g...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Notable Maneuvers

Technically, Chiyoshoma beat Okinoumi by uwatenage, the overarm throw. What actually happened was Okinoumi was forcefully shoving him out, and in desperation Chiyoshoma reached for the back of Okinoumi's mawashi. As the were going off the basho, Chiyoshoma kept his feet from stepping out long enough for Okinoumi's hand to touch the clay outside the dohyo.

Match of The Day

Komusubi 1 East Mitakeumi versus Ozeki 2 West Terunofuji

Once these two unbeatens were scheduled for Day Four, this match was an eliminator. After Chiyotairyu, Okinoumi, Tamawashi, and Takayasu all lost, it was for the sole lead in the yusho. The tachiai looked like Mitakeumi could begin to work his brand of sumo, with a close, leverage...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Notable Maneuvers

It was a double kotenage day in Makuuchi, as both Kotonowaka and Tamawashi pulled out the arm bar throw. Kotonowaka did the sideways approach to assist Chiyoshoma out. Tamawashi just turned Endo around to get the victory.

Match of The Day

Ozeki 1 East Asanoyama versus Maegashira 1 East Wakatakakage

Everyone in sumo knows Asanoyama wants his left hand on the mawashi, and is difficult to beat when he gets his grip. Wakatakakage took this to an extreme by launching a quick henka to turn around and be on Asanoyama's right side. Despite that, Asanoyama still worked to get an advantage with a grip, although he didn't get his left hand set. Wakatakakage just never gave up and kept moving and shifting. Eventua...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Notable Maneuvers

Ishiura won by Okuridashi, the rear push out. Although really, he did a mini-henka. Ishiura went to the side of the much, much larger Chiyomaru, grabbed his mawashi, and pushed on the Eternally Round ones hip.

Match of The Day

Komusubi East Mitakeumi versus Ozeki 1 West Takakeisho

These two are even over their career. They were weirdly even on the dohyo on Day Two. Takakeisho had the initial advantage, but he never quite got the moment that resulted in a win. Mitakeumi kept parrying and parrying and parrying Takakeisho's attacks. Finally, Mitakeumi turned it around to give the final shove to Takakeisho.

Recap

The to-plan basho that Day One appeared to be showing us went completely to hell on Day Two. I...

Torikumi

Banzuke

Notable Maneuvers

Kotoeko beat Chiyoshoma with a perfectly executed kotenage (arm lock throw), despite going backwards most of the match. Terutsuyoshi won with an ashitori (leg pick), although that seemed to be because Kotonowaka was completely surprised by it.

Match of The Day

Maegashira 2 East Meisei versus Ozeki 2 West Terunofuji

It was Terunofuji's return to Ozeki, and Meisei wasn't the easiest matchup. He's been doing his own, slower climb up the Banzuke while Terunofuji reclaimed his Ozeki status. And then Meisei seemed to get the initial advantage with a double underarm attack. Terunofuji bottled him up and worked him out. It was an impressive display of force.

Recap

It was a very straight-ahead kind of Day One f...