Asashosakari

And the ex-sekitori scores through Day 10. new KK: Seiro, Takaryu, Chiyoarashi, Amakaze new MK: Tokushinho, Dewahayate (withdrawn), Asabenkei, Tochihiryu, Keitenkai, Kaonishiki I suspect I overrated Asabenkei's chances of a successful push for a juryo return... Former one-time juryo Keitenkai is makekoshi for the fourth straight basho. Record Rank Shikona Heya Age Out 3-3 Ms2e Fujiazuma Tamanoi 31 12 3-2 Ms3e Jokoryu Kise 30 1 4-1 Ms3w Seiro Shikoroyama 30 3 5-0 Ms5e Churanoumi Kise 25 4 1-4 Ms6w Tokushinho Kise 34 20 3-2 Ms9e Kizenryu Kise 33 4 1-3-1 Ms9w Dewahayate Dewanoumi 30 16 2-3 Ms10e Sagatsukasa Irumagawa 37 30 2-3 Ms11e Akua Tatsunami 28 3 3-2 Ms11w Toyohibiki Sakaigawa 34 7 2-3 Ms12w Sakigake Shibatayama 32 25 1-4 Ms13w Asabenkei Takasago 30 5 1-4 Ms18e Tochihiryu Kasugano 31 7 3-2 Ms20e Gokushindo Nishikido 22 2 3-2 Ms23w Asahisho Tomozuna 29 11 2-3 Ms25w Kagamio Kagamiyama 31 17 4-1 Ms26e Chiyootori Kokonoe 26 8 3-2 Ms29e Nionoumi Yamahibiki 32 34 5-0 Ms30w Kitaharima Yamahibiki 32 9 2-3 Ms34w Higonojo Kise 34 29 2-3 Ms35w Chiyonoo Kokonoe 27 2 kyujo Ms36w Ura Kise 26 7 1-4 Ms40e Keitenkai Onomatsu 29 39 4-1 Ms41w Takaryu Kise 26 22 4-1 Ms50e Chiyoarashi Kokonoe 27 34 3-2 Ms52w Tenkaiho Onoe 34 17 3-2 Ms57e Masunoyama Chiganoura 28 24 1-4 Sd3e Kaonishiki Azumazeki 40 45 1-4 Sd7w Dairaido Takadagawa 38 75 kyujo Sd17e Homarefuji Isegahama 33 4 3-2 Sd34e Yamaguchi Miyagino 29 7 2-3 Sd35w Yoshiazuma Tamanoi 41 27 2-3 Sd50e Hitenryu Tatsunami 34 45 5-0 Jd48w Terunofuji Isegahama 27 5 4-1 Jd50w Amakaze Oguruma 27 6

Juryo yusho race: 9-1 J1e Shimanoumi 8-2 J12w Arawashi 7-3 J1w Chiyomaru, J7w Sokokurai The frontrunner and his sole direct pursuer both marched on and looked good doing so, Shimanoumi against Takagenji and Arawashi against Mongolian compatriot Azumaryu. The three-defeats group suffered heavy losses, however, with only 2 of the erstwhile 6 members successful today. Only one matchup among the main contenders has been realized so far, namely the meeting of the two J1's (already back on Day 3). We're getting another one tomorrow with Chiyomaru-Sokokurai, while Shimanoumi goes against Kyokushuho (J6e 6-4) and Arawashi faces Aminishiki (J11w 5-5). Lower division yusho races (Day 9 results): 5-0 Ms5e Churanoumi (Kise) 4-1 Ms13e Ichiyamamoto (Nishonoseki) 4-1 Ms26e Chiyootori (Kokonoe) 5-0 Ms30w Kitaharima (Yamahibiki) 4-1 Ms38w Tsurubayashi (Kise) 5-0 Ms51e Naya (Otake) 5-0 Ms58w Kotoseigo (Sadogatake) 4-1 Sd2e Honda (Nishikido) 4-1 Sd14e Kamito (Tatsunami) 5-0 Sd22e Kotohayato (Sadogatake) 4-1 Sd30w Fujita (Shikoroyama) 5-0 Sd39w Karatsuumi (Tamanoi) 4-1 Sd44e Wagurayama (Musashigawa) 5-0 Sd54e Taichiyama (Chiganoura) 4-1 Sd61e Fukunofuji (Isegahama) 5-0 Sd72e Sazanami (Isenoumi) 4-1 Sd84e Yuma (Onomatsu) 5-0 Sd88w Asanojo (Takasago) 5-0 Sd94e Kotomiyakura (Sadogatake) 4-1 Jd8e Tsugaruumi (Tamanoi) 5-0 Jd15w Roga (Futagoyama) 4-1 Jd25w Rendaiyama (Kise) 5-0 Jd30e Wakayamanaka (Nishonoseki) 4-1 Jd43w Umizaru (Miyagino) 5-0 Jd48w Terunofuji (Isegahama) 4-1 Jd54w Mimurodake (Isegahama) 4-1 Jd61w Daiyusho (Oitekaze) 5-0 Jd74w Narumi (Onomatsu) 5-0 Jd82e Shimomura (Sakaigawa) 5-0 Jd84w Sadatsuyoshi (Sakaigawa) 4-1 Jd98e Zendaisho (Takadagawa) 4-1 Jd104e Adachi (Tagonoura) 4-1 Jk9w Hanashi (Musashigawa) 5-0 Jk19w Terasawa (Takasago) Frequently at least one 4-0 matchup is held back to Day 10, but this basho the entire slate was scheduled for Day 9, and the results have left us with pretty divisional breakdowns. Makushita has its customary 4 unbeaten 5-0 rikishi thanks to Kotoseigo defeating Honda, with the sandanme division still maintaining 6 undefeated scores (from 12) via Kotomiyakura's victory over Tsugaruumi, which has served to put jonidan at 6 zensho records as well (from 13). Kitaharima's having a surprisingly strong run, considering he has had only two KK in his last year and a half of action (and those were mere 4-3's). But, given that recent history he's almost certainly a big underdog against Churanoumi who's been ranked at Ms15 and above for the last two years now. I hesitate to call the other makushita match in any way, as youngster Naya has had his share of disappointing losses in the last few tournaments at this same level. That being said, Kotoseigo's 5-0 has to be rated as a massive surprise, considering he had previously bounced off the wall in high sandanme repeatedly (and usually bounced into some sort of major injury, to boot). I reckon we'll see Churanoumi-Naya as the yusho decider, but it's makushita where surprises are frequent. The sandanme race arguably has no discernible frontrunner at all. Karatsuumi is the one with the greatest career success and in fact won a sandanme yusho just 10 months ago (which was his second), but his days as a mid-makushita regular are long gone and he's really not significantly ahead of the field. Barring any further worthwhile observations, I'll just say that I'm either rooting for the Sadogatake do-beya playoff, or for a Sazanami teenager yusho. Round 5 in jonidan saw a slightly distorted schedule due to neighbouring pairs of Isegahama and Sakaigawa rikishi, but only the latter duo managed to come through unscathed. Obviously Terunofuji is the name being watched by most here, but he's hardly looked the part of an ex-ozeki in this basho, and I'm inclined to declare last basho's jonokuchi champion Roga as the #1 contender, who already took a significant scalp with makushita-sandanme elevator guy Rendaiyama yesterday. The presence of the two Sakaigawa deshi means another schedule adjustment for Day 11, and contrary to convention they're both facing higher-ranked opponents in order to keep this race confined within the division. Terunofuji has arguably avoided the tougher possible opponent because of this, as he's getting rookie Shimomura now rather than mid-sandanme regular Narumi. Either way, if we're seeing some other assemblage than Roga/Terunofuji/Narumi here at 5-0, I'll be shocked. And finally, it came to exactly nobody's surprise that former collegiate rikishi Terasawa prevailed over lower jonidan dweller Hanashi. He's getting a 4-1 opponent next, veteran ex-persister Jk1w Oatari, and should be in line for a one-loss opponent in the last round as well.

Day 10 (results, text-only results) 10-0 Ye Hakuho 9-1 M4w Ichinojo, M7e Aoiyama 8-2 Yw Kakuryu, O1e Takayasu, O1w Goeido, Se Takakeisho, M8w Kotoshogiku 10-0 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 8-2 8-2 Takayasu O1 Goeido 8-2 6-4 Tochinoshin O2 8-2 Takakeisho S Hakuho continues to be unbeaten, although today's victory over Tamawashi was his closest call yet - we've seen rikishi win by sidestepping a bullrushing-from-behind opponent before, but I'm not sure anyone's ever made it look quite so intentional as the yokozuna did here. Kudos for that. Doesn't change the fact that it was far from convincing sumo though, and not exactly for the first time this basho. Meanwhile, the pursuer spots have become a high ranker-free zone after yokozuna Kakuryu fell victim to some trademark Takakeisho sumo and Takayasu was simply overpowered by Ichinojo. Alongside Takakeisho Day 10 also saw KKs being secured by Goeido, defeating fellow ozeki Tochinoshin, and by Kotoshogiku who had an easy time against Onosho. It's the ex-ozeki's earliest kachikoshi since Hatsu 2016, his yusho-winning tournament. Aoiyama looked impressive against Shohozan as well and forms a big-man duo with Ichinojo at 9-1 for now. The sole winner among the three lower sanyaku in trouble was Mitakeumi today with victory over Endo, whose timing just seems off in nearly every bout this basho. Hokutofuji has one foot back down in the maegashira ranks now after surprise package Daieisho levelled his score at the komusubi's expense. S Tamawashi 4-6 4-6 Mitakeumi K Hokutofuji 3-7 M1 Endo 3-7 5-5 Daieisho M2 Myogiryu 4-6 (x) 2-8 Nishikigi M3 M4 Ichinojo 9-1 6-4 Chiyotairyu M5 Onosho 4-6 5-5 Okinoumi M6 9-1 Aoiyama M7 Takarafuji 4-6 (x) 7-3 Asanoyama M8 Kotoshogiku 8-2 ... 7-3 Ryuden M11 Big matchup for the pursuing duo tomorrow as Aoiyama's time slumming it against middle-rankers comes to an end; only one of he and Ichinojo will be moving up to 10-1. It could be good for the shared lead if ozeki promotion hopeful Takakeisho manages to take his second yokozuna scalp against Hakuho. Takayasu will do battle with kadoban Tochinoshin, while Goeido and Kotoshogiku will have comparatively easier pairings with Chiyotairyu and Ishiura, respectively. Calf-bandaged Abi finally won again after four days and should be safe for the next tournament now with this shiroboshi over Sadanoumi; it's probably all damage control from here on for the obviously ailing pusher-thruster. Ikioi carries matching taping, albeit on the other lower leg, and like Abi he appears seriously impaired when it comes to their ability to project power into the ground - both have struggled massively trying to resist pushing attacks this basho. Although one of Ikioi's better efforts, today's bout against Yoshikaze was no different and he falls to 1-9. Even with lots of banzuke space to spare it's getting rather dangerous for the veteran now and his time in makuuchi may be coming to at least a temporary end after 6 and a half years. However, it wasn't a great day altogether for the demotion zone maegashira. The baker's dozen of at-risk rikishi only managed to collect 4 wins, and all of these came in head-to-head action among them. Joining Abi on the winner's slate were Chiyoshoma (against Tomokaze), Kagayaki (over Terutsuyoshi, now MK) and Toyonoshima (versus Yago). Chiyomaru, already close to a makuuchi return two months ago, is in an increasingly good position to clinch the promotion this time around. He already got a renewed taste of the top division today and made the most of it with a convincing victory over Daishoho. Enho wasn't able to join him as he lost a rather wacky bout to Daishomaru, of all people. Sokokurai was victorious for the fourth straight day, this time against Mitoryu, and is officially our 4th-best promotion candidate at the moment. Everybody else will need to win all five remaining matches to present a respectable final record, or already needs to rely on banzuke luck. M6 Abi 3-7 (o) ... (1) 3-7 Sadanoumi M9 Ikioi 1-9 (3) M10 Yago 3-7 (2) M11 (x) kyujo Chiyonokuni M12 (1) 5-5 Tomokaze M13 Kagayaki 6-4 (o) (4) 2-8 Terutsuyoshi M14 Toyonoshima 3-7 (4) (1) 6-4 Ishiura M15 Kotoeko 6-4 (1) (3) 4-6 Daishoho M16 Yutakayama 3-7 (5) (2) 6-4 Chiyoshoma M17 --- (o) 9-1 Shimanoumi J1 Chiyomaru 7-3 (1) (~) 3-7 Kotoyuki J2 Enho 6-4 (3) (x) 3-7 Hakuyozan J3 Daiamami 3-7 (~) (5) 5-5 Takagenji J4 Tokushoryu 5-5 (5) (5) 5-5 Wakatakakage J5 (5) 6-4 Kyokushuho J6 (x) 4-6 Azumaryu J7 Sokokurai 7-3 (4) (~) 6-4 Gagamaru J8 Chiyonoumi 6-4 (~) (~) 6-4 Kyokutaisei J9 (x) 6-4 Hidenoumi J10 J11 J12 Arawashi 8-2 (~) Daiseido found himself the target of a Kyokushuho henka and quickly lost for the fifth day in a row, and is now in major trouble and likely to become our first demotee. Fellow juryo returnee Takanofuji has given himself some breathing room with a hard-fought defeat of Chiyonoumi, but still needs to win the majority of his five remaining matchups. The trio of Wakamotoharu, Tobizaru and Kiribayama, who all entered Day 10 requiring three more wins, were successful all around and have a much improved outlook for the closing days of the basho after today. Takanosho's shiroboshi came at the expense of visiting Fujiazuma, whose first of two KK opportunities has thus gone begging. He'll likely have to deal with another juryo opponent in the other one. J5 Daishomaru 3-7 (o) J6 Tsurugisho 3-7 (1) J7 J8 J9 Akiseyama 4-6 (1) J10 Wakamotoharu 4-6 (2) (2) 4-6 Tobizaru J11 Aminishiki 5-5 (1) (2) 5-5 Mitoryu J12 (1) 6-4 Takanosho J13 Takanofuji 4-6 (3) (5) 3-7 Daiseido J14 Kiribayama 6-4 (2) 4-1 Irodori Ms1 3-3 Fujiazuma Ms2 3-2 Jokoryu Ms3 Seiro 4-1 2-3 Kaisho Ms4 Kotodaigo 2-3 5-0 Churanoumi Ms5 Kotokamatani 3-2 Due to Hakuyozan's withdrawal from the basho there's now no need for makushita fill-ins for the juryo schedule, so barring another exit we're unlikely to see further crossover matches before Day 13, and possibly not even until the weekend.

Day 9 (results, text-only results) 9-0 Ye Hakuho 8-1 Yw Kakuryu, O1e Takayasu, M4w Ichinojo, M7e Aoiyama 7-2 O1w Goeido, Se Takakeisho, M8w Kotoshogiku 9-0 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 8-1 8-1 Takayasu O1 Goeido 7-2 6-3 Tochinoshin O2 7-2 Takakeisho S Rather easy matches for both yokozuna, tough challenges for the ozeki trio. Goeido ended up as the only loser among this fivesome, although he didn't do much wrong - rejuvenated Ichinojo was simply better. Not many other changes in the yusho-arasoi beyond that; low-ranked Ryuden and Kotoeko fell to 6-3 and were clipped off the listing. Kadoban Tochinoshin's hard-fought victory over still winless Shodai has concluded the easy(ish) part of the basho for him. He'll need to win at least two out of six against the Y/O/S crowd. With everybody bar Tamawashi in the yusho race this isn't gonna be easy. (And Tamawashi tends to be the type of rikishi who fights to the death no matter the circumstances, so that one's not a gimme either.) Speaking of Tamawashi, losses all around for him and the two komusubi today, putting us at least provisionally on course to perhaps see all four lower sanyaku spots refilled for the May tournament. Ichinojo is KK already, but beyond him only Endo and Nishikigi were successful among the M1-5 crowd, and they've got a long way to kachikoshi. As it stands the second-best candidate for a promotion would be Aoiyama, last seen in sanyaku over four years ago. S Tamawashi 4-5 3-6 Mitakeumi K Hokutofuji 3-6 (x) 1-8 Kaisei M1 Endo 3-6 4-5 Daieisho M2 Myogiryu 3-6 2-7 Nishikigi M3 M4 Ichinojo 8-1 5-4 Chiyotairyu M5 Onosho 4-5 5-4 Okinoumi M6 8-1 Aoiyama M7 Takarafuji 4-5 6-3 Asanoyama M8 Kotoshogiku 7-2 ... 6-3 Ryuden M11 We're hitting the meaty part of the basho now, and the high-ranker matchups are being started off with a pair of yokozuna-sekiwake meetings in Kakuryu-Takakeisho and Hakuho-Tamawashi, along with the clash of ozeki duo Goeido and Tochinoshin. Also relevant for the yusho race: Takayasu against Ichinojo in a pursuer head-to-head, while Aoiyama meets Shohozan. One demotion-threatened maegashira was set to have a good Day 9 as Daishoho and Toyonoshima battled things out - with the better end for the Mongolian debutant after a nice recovery at the edge. The other pair of most endangered rikishi, Terutsuyoshi and Yutakayama, failed to be successful against Yago and visiting Shimanoumi respectively, so with 6 days to go we have three serious candidates for a trip to juryo, all requiring more wins than losses on the home stretch. Daishoho "only" needs to go 3 and 3 now, a situation he's joined in by Ikioi and bottom-ranked Chiyoshoma who were both defeated today. Shimanoumi for his part has clinched the very early kachikoshi at the top of juryo, so the 29-year-old late bloomer is certain to make his top division debut in May. Congrats! It's been quite a winding road for this rikishi who looked promising early on but found himself derailed badly right as he was first knocking on the door to juryo six years ago. Elsewhere, Chiyomaru and Enho both helped their own promotion causes with victories over Wakatakakage and Tokushoryu. We'll see if anybody else can get into contention (it's looking rather bleak, as mentioned yesterday), or if all available banzuke luck will go the makuuchi incumbents' way this basho. M6 Abi 2-7 (1) ... (1) 3-6 Sadanoumi M9 Ikioi 1-8 (3) M10 Yago 3-6 (2) M11 Meisei 5-4 (o) (x) kyujo Chiyonokuni M12 Yoshikaze 6-3 (o) (1) 5-4 Tomokaze M13 Kagayaki 5-4 (1) (4) 2-7 Terutsuyoshi M14 Toyonoshima 2-7 (5) (1) 6-3 Ishiura M15 Kotoeko 6-3 (1) (3) 4-5 Daishoho M16 Yutakayama 3-6 (5) (3) 5-4 Chiyoshoma M17 --- (o) 8-1 Shimanoumi J1 Chiyomaru 6-3 (2) (~) 2-7 Kotoyuki J2 Enho 6-3 (3) (6) 3-6 Hakuyozan J3 Daiamami 3-6 (6) (5) 5-4 Takagenji J4 Tokushoryu 4-5 (6) (6) 4-5 Wakatakakage J5 (6) 5-4 Kyokushuho J6 Tsurugisho 3-6 (x) (~) 4-5 Azumaryu J7 Sokokurai 6-3 (5) (~) 5-4 Gagamaru J8 Chiyonoumi 6-3 (6) (6) 6-3 Kyokutaisei J9 Akiseyama 4-5 (x) (~) 6-3 Hidenoumi J10 J11 J12 Arawashi 7-2 (~) It wasn't a particularly productive day for those juryo rikishi trying not to get sent back to makushita. If you were one of the 8 rikishi in need of at least two more wins and your name wasn't Aminishiki or Wakamotoharu, you still need those same wins now. Plenty of guys who only required one more shiroboshi for safety did win today, however, so the list of demotion candidates will be much shorter for tomorrow. The race for promotion from makushita looks to be a high-quality affair this month, with no less than 5 strong contenders following the Day 9 action. Jokoryu found himself up in juryo for the second time in the basho and did better than in his Day 5 loss to Arawashi, beating Takanofuji this time around. Fujiazuma defeated Kotodaigo and is close to a return to sekitoridom after two years, while Seiro beat Kotokamatani in another promotion zone matchup and has already secured his kachikoshi. Rounding things out among the main contenders is Churanoumi who also remains in the makushita yusho race, unlike his vanquished opponent Ichiyamamoto. (o) 2-7 Kotoyuki J2 ... J5 Daishomaru 2-7 (1) J6 Tsurugisho 3-6 (1) J7 (o) 5-4 Gagamaru J8 J9 Akiseyama 4-5 (1) (o) 6-3 Hidenoumi J10 Wakamotoharu 3-6 (3) (3) 3-6 Tobizaru J11 Aminishiki 5-4 (1) (2) 5-4 Mitoryu J12 Arawashi 7-2 (o) (2) 5-4 Takanosho J13 Takanofuji 3-6 (4) (5) 3-6 Daiseido J14 Kiribayama 5-4 (3) 4-1 Irodori Ms1 3-2 Fujiazuma Ms2 3-2 Jokoryu Ms3 Seiro 4-1 2-3 Kaisho Ms4 Kotodaigo 2-3 5-0 Churanoumi Ms5 Kotokamatani 3-2 ... (x) 4-1 Ichiyamamoto Juryo yusho race: 8-1 J1e Shimanoumi 7-2 J12w Arawashi 6-3 J1w Chiyomaru, J2w Enho, J7w Sokokurai, J8w Chiyonoumi, J9e Kyokutaisei, J10e Hidenoumi Much like in makuuchi, the only significant change was that a few low-ranked rikishi fell out of contention, namely Mitoryu, Takanosho and Kiribayama who dropped to 5-4. Not even a maegashira opponent was able to stop Shimanoumi and unless he takes his foot off the gas now with his promotion secured, it's looking rather likely that he'll stay in the driver's seat here at least to the final weekend, if not all the way.

Recently also brought up elsewhere (though this thread here is probably better for general discussion about it): I had no recollection that I'd already posted the list here six years ago, too.

And also a day late, the ex-sekitori results through Day 8. Only 4 former sekitori in the makushita top 5 promotion zone is the lowest amount since Aki 2016. The overall first-week results are pretty average at a combined record of 70-62, but it was nice to see four straight KKs against only one 0-4 start. Additional notes in the opening post in the basho banzuke thread. Record Rank Shikona Heya Age Out 2-2 Ms2e Fujiazuma Tamanoi 31 12 2-2 Ms3e Jokoryu Kise 30 1 3-1 Ms3w Seiro Shikoroyama 30 3 4-0 Ms5e Churanoumi Kise 25 4 1-3 Ms6w Tokushinho Kise 34 20 2-2 Ms9e Kizenryu Kise 33 4 1-3 Ms9w Dewahayate Dewanoumi 30 16 2-2 Ms10e Sagatsukasa Irumagawa 37 30 2-2 Ms11e Akua Tatsunami 28 3 3-1 Ms11w Toyohibiki Sakaigawa 34 7 1-3 Ms12w Sakigake Shibatayama 32 25 1-3 Ms13w Asabenkei Takasago 30 5 1-3 Ms18e Tochihiryu Kasugano 31 7 3-1 Ms20e Gokushindo Nishikido 22 2 2-2 Ms23w Asahisho Tomozuna 29 11 2-2 Ms25w Kagamio Kagamiyama 31 17 4-0 Ms26e Chiyootori Kokonoe 26 8 2-2 Ms29e Nionoumi Yamahibiki 32 34 4-0 Ms30w Kitaharima Yamahibiki 32 9 2-2 Ms34w Higonojo Kise 34 29 1-3 Ms35w Chiyonoo Kokonoe 27 2 kyujo Ms36w Ura Kise 26 7 1-3 Ms40e Keitenkai Onomatsu 29 39 3-1 Ms41w Takaryu Kise 26 22 3-1 Ms50e Chiyoarashi Kokonoe 27 34 2-2 Ms52w Tenkaiho Onoe 34 17 3-1 Ms57e Masunoyama Chiganoura 28 24 1-3 Sd3e Kaonishiki Azumazeki 40 45 0-4 Sd7w Dairaido Takadagawa 38 75 kyujo Sd17e Homarefuji Isegahama 33 4 2-2 Sd34e Yamaguchi Miyagino 29 7 2-2 Sd35w Yoshiazuma Tamanoi 41 27 1-3 Sd50e Hitenryu Tatsunami 34 45 4-0 Jd48w Terunofuji Isegahama 27 5 3-1 Jd50w Amakaze Oguruma 27 6

Juryo yusho race: 7-1 J1e Shimanoumi 6-2 J12w Arawashi 5-3 J1w Chiyomaru, J2w Enho, J7w Sokokurai, J8w Chiyonoumi, J9e Kyokutaisei, J10e Hidenoumi, J12e Mitoryu, J13e Takanosho, J14w Kiribayama This is pretty much down to whether or not Shimanoumi falters during week two. He'll need to lose quite a few matches though as it appears unlikely that anybody else will finish better than 11-4 from here. Lower division yusho races (Day 7/8 results): 4-0 Ms5e Churanoumi (Kise) 4-0 Ms13e Ichiyamamoto (Nishonoseki) 4-0 Ms26e Chiyootori (Kokonoe) 4-0 Ms30w Kitaharima (Yamahibiki) 4-0 Ms38w Tsurubayashi (Kise) 4-0 Ms51e Naya (Otake) 4-0 Ms58w Kotoseigo (Sadogatake) 4-0 Sd2e Honda (Nishikido) 4-0 Sd14e Kamito (Tatsunami) 4-0 Sd22e Kotohayato (Sadogatake) 4-0 Sd30w Fujita (Shikoroyama) 4-0 Sd39w Karatsuumi (Tamanoi) 4-0 Sd44e Wagurayama (Musashigawa) 4-0 Sd54e Taichiyama (Chiganoura) 4-0 Sd61e Fukunofuji (Isegahama) 4-0 Sd72e Sazanami (Isenoumi) 4-0 Sd84e Yuma (Onomatsu) 4-0 Sd88w Asanojo (Takasago) 4-0 Sd94e Kotomiyakura (Sadogatake) 4-0 Jd8e Tsugaruumi (Tamanoi) 4-0 Jd15w Roga (Futagoyama) 4-0 Jd25w Rendaiyama (Kise) 4-0 Jd30e Wakayamanaka (Nishonoseki) 4-0 Jd43w Umizaru (Miyagino) 4-0 Jd48w Terunofuji (Isegahama) 4-0 Jd54w Mimurodake (Isegahama) 4-0 Jd61w Daiyusho (Oitekaze) 4-0 Jd74w Narumi (Onomatsu) 4-0 Jd82e Shimomura (Sakaigawa) 4-0 Jd84w Sadatsuyoshi (Sakaigawa) 4-0 Jd98e Zendaisho (Takadagawa) 4-0 Jd104e Adachi (Tagonoura) 4-0 Jk9w Hanashi (Musashigawa) 4-0 Jk19w Terasawa (Takasago) I'll save my comments for the Day 9 update.

Day 8 (results, text-only results) 8-0 Ye Hakuho 7-1 Yw Kakuryu, O1e Takayasu, O1w Goeido, M4w Ichinojo, M7e Aoiyama 6-2 Se Takakeisho, M8w Kotoshogiku, M11e Ryuden, M15w Kotoeko 8-0 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 7-1 7-1 Takayasu O1 Goeido 7-1 5-3 Tochinoshin O2 6-2 Takakeisho S Full attendance and lots of strong mid-basho results in the high ranks - we haven't had much of that in recent times. And while it's yokozuna Hakuho frontrunning the whole thing, the top performer thus far has arguably been...Goeido? He's looked quite dominant in most of his matches, vaguely reminiscent of that one basho he once had. And in the current "anyone can win a title" mini-era, who knows? Maybe he'll make it six straight different champions. Of course, probably more than anyone else in sanyaku Goeido and his sumo can also fall apart at a moment's notice. Takakeisho's ozeki run remains in full flow, and although he's still got plenty of work to do it doesn't look half bad for him at this stage. 11 wins will surely do it, and I wouldn't be too surprised if 10 are deemed sufficient - the big knock on his two strong scores in Kyushu and Hatsu was that half the top rankers were bad or not there at all. If he can still get double-digits with all of them on deck, I'd say it would go a long way towards demonstrating his viability as ozeki. As discussed before the basho there is/was even more potential movement around the ozeki rank with defending champion Tamawashi also on sort of a promotion run and incumbent Tochinoshin kadoban. Tamawashi is pretty much toast at 4-4, however (and I've already "demoted" him to the rank-and-filer section), while the big Georgian had looked rather shaky. We'll see if 5-3 against the soft part of his schedule ends up as a strong enough foundation for a kachikoshi. For about four days it looked like the secret ingredient to Mitakeumi's future superstardom will be "just don't train at all", but reality has caught up to him now and a four-day losing streak has him closer to the maegashira ranks than to a renewed promotion push. Sanyaku debutant Hokutofuji has possibly looked better but has even less to show for it at 2-6. And as usual when the yokozuna and ozeki are doing well, it's been carnage among the maegashira-joi. The unexpected highlight thus far has been Daieisho with an even 4-4 record and two ozeki scalps. He's not the main contender for sanyaku promotion, though - that's Ichinojo, who got to start off against seven straight maegashira opponents and is currently in the midst of facing all three ozeki (Goeido and Tochinoshin due to same-stable considerations, and Takayasu...well, because they can). Daieisho is arguably still a less than 50% shot to finish kachikoshi from 4-4, so if two sanyaku spots need to be filled - or even three with a Takakeisho ascent - we could have some rather surprising contenders for that. We'll know more by about Day 12, I reckon. S Tamawashi 4-4 3-5 Mitakeumi K Hokutofuji 2-6 1-7 Kaisei M1 Endo 2-6 4-4 Daieisho M2 Myogiryu 3-5 1-7 Nishikigi M3 Shodai 0-8 (x) (x) 1-7 Tochiozan M4 Ichinojo 7-1 5-3 Chiyotairyu M5 Onosho 4-4 4-4 Okinoumi M6 7-1 Aoiyama M7 Takarafuji 4-4 5-3 Asanoyama M8 Kotoshogiku 6-2 ... 6-2 Ryuden M11 It's been a mixed bag for this basho's five promotees from juryo so far. Ishiura has reasserted himself in the form that has made him a maegashira mostly-regular for the last two years and appears likely to remain in the top division for May, and rookie Tomokaze, while definitely having his hands full at this level, seems a decent bet for survival as well, at least for this basho. (The jury's still out on his long-term chances, although I feel he's gonna establish himself in the mid ranks.) Things haven't been so rosy for his fellow debutants Daishoho and Terutsuyoshi, both of whom have looked rather outclassed in the majority of their matches. 35-year-old Toyonoshima, back up in makuuchi after nearly three years, also isn't having the easiest time, with his pair of wins more due to veteran moxie than convincing sumo. Of course, it's astonishing that he's here again at all, and even if this turns out to be a one-shot deal and he "only" becomes a steady juryo wrestler for another couple of years, that'll still be a great achievement given what he's gone through. Joining Toyonoshima in massive danger is Yutakayama, who just doesn't appear to be able to get back to form since his injury-marred Aki basho six months ago. I never considered him to be all that much, but he certainly ought to be good enough to not be troubled by juryo demotion concerns. Defending juryo champion Shimanoumi has picked up where he left off in January, and while he hasn't been quite as untouchable that's arguably just because he's facing harder opponents this time around. I'm not sure if he would be the most surprising back-to-back juryo winner ever if he goes through with it, but he'd surely be up there in that ranking. Chiyomaru and Enho are the other primary promotion contenders at this point in the tournament, the rest of the juryo upper half will probably fade away from the race before too long. M6 Abi 2-6 (1) ... (1) 3-5 Sadanoumi M9 Ikioi 1-7 (3) (o) 4-4 Shohozan M10 Yago 2-6 (3) M11 Meisei 4-4 (1) (x) kyujo Chiyonokuni M12 Yoshikaze 5-3 (1) (2) 4-4 Tomokaze M13 Kagayaki 5-3 (1) (4) 2-6 Terutsuyoshi M14 Toyonoshima 2-6 (5) (2) 5-3 Ishiura M15 Kotoeko 6-2 (1) (4) 3-5 Daishoho M16 Yutakayama 3-5 (5) (3) 5-3 Chiyoshoma M17 --- (1) 7-1 Shimanoumi J1 Chiyomaru 5-3 (3) (~) 1-7 Kotoyuki J2 Enho 5-3 (4) (6) 3-5 Hakuyozan J3 Daiamami 3-5 (6) (6) 4-4 Takagenji J4 Tokushoryu 4-4 (6) (6) 4-4 Wakatakakage J5 (7) 4-4 Kyokushuho J6 Tsurugisho 3-5 (~) (7) 4-4 Azumaryu J7 Sokokurai 5-3 (6) (~) 4-4 Gagamaru J8 Chiyonoumi 5-3 (7) (7) 5-3 Kyokutaisei J9 Akiseyama 4-4 (~) (~) 5-3 Hidenoumi J10 J11 J12 Arawashi 6-2 (~) With the upper-ranked juryo rikishi posting rather middling records it's no surprise that the lower half are sporting relatively decent scores. Only three rikishi are in severe danger of receiving a ticket to makushita, those being returnees Takanofuji and Daiseido along with debuting Wakamotoharu. The other newcomer Kiribayama still needs a few more wins as well but has looked quite comfortable in competition thus far and should be odds-on to make it. An outside candidate for demotion may be Tobizaru who has arguably been worse than his 3-6 record indicates. That being said, he's been rather streaky in past tournaments so the first week may not have much bearing on how he does from here out. Super-veteran Aminishiki appeared to be on course to a probable intai early on, but has turned things around significantly with four straight wins from 0-4. However, those wins haven't come easy at all and I'm not sure how much longer he'll be able to hold things together. Over in makushita it may be time for some late vindication as 27-year-old Irodori (formerly Matsumoto) is knocking on the door to the paid ranks at last. Kachikoshi after defeating Daiseido in juryo today, all that's left for him to do is wait for a slot to open up to make it official. A nice belated present for his birthday which was on shonichi. Things have gone much worse for top prospect Ryuko, 0-4 after he barely missed out on the promotion last time, as well as Kotokuzan whose first appearance in the promotion zone has been equally disastrous. Outside of that it's the usual free-for-all with plenty of rikishi still in the running, albeit with varying likelihoods of success. This basho's outside contender is Ichiyamamoto, barely inside the top 15 ranks at Ms13, and on a rebuild from his own makushita-joi disaster, a 1-6 record half a year ago. (1) 1-7 Kotoyuki J2 ... J5 Daishomaru 2-6 (1) J6 Tsurugisho 3-5 (1) J7 (1) 4-4 Gagamaru J8 J9 Akiseyama 4-4 (1) (1) 5-3 Hidenoumi J10 Wakamotoharu 2-6 (4) (3) 3-5 Tobizaru J11 Aminishiki 4-4 (2) (2) 5-3 Mitoryu J12 Arawashi 6-2 (1) (2) 5-3 Takanosho J13 Takanofuji 3-5 (4) (5) 3-5 Daiseido J14 Kiribayama 5-3 (3) 4-1 Irodori Ms1 Ryuko 0-4 (x) 2-2 Fujiazuma Ms2 Kotokuzan 0-4 (x) 2-2 Jokoryu Ms3 Seiro 3-1 1-3 Kaisho Ms4 Kotodaigo 2-2 4-0 Churanoumi Ms5 Kotokamatani 3-1 ... 4-0 Ichiyamamoto Explanation of symbols used: numbers = wins needed until favourable outcome (getting promoted / not getting demoted) o = favourable outcome achieved x = favourable outcome definitely missed ~ = favourable outcome missed "by the numbers", but still achievable through banzuke luck

Yeah, these things can be completely frivolous. Here's that aforementioned other copyright infringement notice I received a few years ago: What the heck is some apparent Bollywood song doing in a sumo livestream recording, you may wonder. It's in fact...a yobidashi's hyoshi-gi clapping. As shown on the right I actually tried to dispute that claim sometime later, mostly just to see what happens with a bogus copyright claim if you do that. My objection was dismissed by the copyright holder within minutes, probably in fully automatic fashion - I doubt any real human even saw my request that they justify their claim. After that you'd be forced to lodge a full appeal with Youtube, complete with opening yourself up to civil liability.

It's not a default message (I think), but rather what Abema specifically put as their copyright claim. Here's what I got by email: Hi Asashosakari, Due to a copyright claim, your YouTube video has been blocked. This means that your video can no longer be played on YouTube. Video title: Hatsu 2018 Basho Maezumo Day 5 Copyrighted content: タイトル(ラベリング)｜【AbemaTV】 Claimed by: Abema TV Inc The weird part is that it wasn't a DMCA takedown request but rather an (automated?) content ID match - which should mean they have submitted that video excerpt to Youtube's content database for comparison, presumably quite recently. I have no idea why they would do so for content that was broadcasted over a year ago. (Was the Hoshoryu-Naya maezumo meeting rebroadcasted in makuuchi as part of their basho coverage recently?) As for the background music - according to my Youtube status info the claim was for both audio and video data. I've had a file blocked for audio only before (an older sumo livestream clip, not Abema), and that claim looked differently. Abema didn't hit me with a copyright violation strike, by the way, so (for now) my Youtube account is unaffected. Still, I've preemptively unlisted all my clips from the Abema era outside the current basho's for the moment.

Catching up... Results and some comments have been added to Days 2 to 5 for your perusal if interested. The ichiban shusse again (now that we've lost Miselet's), replete with questionable Abema camera work: I'll endeavor to complete Days 6-9 in a relatively timely fashion. FWIW, the Kyokai has him with a slightly different first kanji, 昂.

Looks like Miselet's latest channel got killed by Abema today. I'm assuming it has disappeared because of Abema because my piddling channel actually received a copyright claim from them on Thursday as well - strangely enough not on a recent upload but rather on a maezumo clip from back in Hatsu 2018, Abema's first covered basho. And even more strangely they've specifically claimed only that portion of that video which showed the Hoshoryu-Naya bout. (With a copyrighted content claim of "title (labelling)", whatever the heck that is supposed to mean here.)

Day 5 / Group B Continued full attendance in this half of the competition. Results: Mz12 Oba (2-0) Mz4 Denuma (1-1) Mz18 Asahabataki (1-1) Mz5 Matsuo (2-0) Mz19 Yanagida (2-0) Mz25 Iizuka (1-1) Mz39 Andozakura (1-1) Mz31 Yabugasaki (2-0) Mz37 Toma (2-0) Mz32 Yagi (1-1) Mz7 Yamamoto (0-2) Mz1 Ryuga (1-1) Mz20 Numano (0-2) Mz10 Wakatoriumi (1-1) Mz29 Hashimoto (0-2) Mz13 Hamasaki (1-1) Mz33 Kitajima (0-2) Mz21 Kotoegashira (1-1) Mz34 Ikegame (1-1) Mz40 Yamamotozakura (0-2) Mz18 Asahabataki (1-2) Mz4 Denuma (2-1) Mz39 Andozakura (2-1) Mz25 Iizuka (1-2) Mz1 Ryuga (1-2) Mz32 Yagi (2-1) Another odd switch of the order for Andozakura and Toma, oh well. This session was quite a bit higher in quality than the Group A second round, with the standouts being the Asahabataki-Matsuo and Kitajima-Kotoegashira tussles and Hamasaki's killer gasshohineri(??). Outside of Toma this section's early finishers are much lower on name recognition. Good showing for Yanagida who's making the transfer from a successful junior career in Olympic wrestling, although he looks quite green in sumo terms and will likely be a long-term project. The basho's sole returnee Ryuga was the lucky 6th man in the bonus session this time, but he wasn't able to finish his appearances here just yet. Standings: 2-win target achieved: #02 Mz12 Oba Otake 2-0 #04 Mz5 Matsuo Futagoyama 2-0 #06 Mz19 Yanagida Musashigawa 2-0 #08 Mz31 Yabugasaki Yamahibiki 2-0 #10 Mz37 Toma Miyagino 2-0 #12 Mz4 Denuma Futagoyama 2-1 #14 Mz32 Yagi Yamahibiki 2-1 #16 Mz39 Andozakura Shikihide 2-1 Still active: Mz1 Ryuga Nishikido 1-2 E | Mz7 Yamamoto Asahiyama 0-2 E Mz10 Wakatoriumi Nishiiwa 1-1 E | Mz20 Numano Musashigawa 0-2 E Mz13 Hamasaki Otake 1-1 W | Mz29 Hashimoto Tamanoi 0-2 E Mz18 Asahabataki Takasago 1-2 E | Mz33 Kitajima Asahiyama 0-2 E Mz21 Kotoegashira Sadogatake 1-1 W | Mz40 Yamamotozakura Shikihide 0-2 W Mz25 Iizuka Tagonoura 1-2 W Mz34 Ikegame Asahiyama 1-1 E This is the order in which the qualifiers were shown during the Day 5 presentation, and it's been confirmed by subsequent press reports. I have no real idea why or how Yagi ended up in front of Andozakura; normally the order of the full qualifiers strictly follows the order of the matches through which they qualified. Superficially it may appear to be some sort of rectification based on their incoming ranking position (i.e. correcting for the fact that Andozakura "passed" Yagi in the match-making after they had to shuffle him over to the East side on this day), but the exact same thing would apply to Oba and Matsuo and nothing was adjusted there. So, I dunno.

Day 4 / Group A Only 18 deshi present today, as the first qualifiers were determined for tomorrow's presentation. Absent were both Dewanoumi deshi Kiyoto and Okanojo, as well as Shikoroyama's Nangu. On a related note about Days 2 and 3: We have had complete maezumo results going back to Kyushu 2005 now. In all those years this basho has been the first March maezumo ever in which all registered shindeshi actually turned up for the first round of bouts. All others had rikishi joining late or not at all. Results: Mz3 Yoshii (2-0) Mz8 Maeda (1-1) Mz2 Daihisho (1-2) Mz9 Tomie (2-0) Mz15 Kitanowaka (2-0) Mz24 Ito (1-1) Mz28 Otsuji (2-0) Mz26 Wakahiroto (1-1) Mz38 Koki (2-0) Mz30 Maruyama (1-1) Mz6 Inaba (1-1) Mz11 Yatabe (0-2) Mz14 Akiyama (1-1) Mz27 Yokoyama (0-2) Mz16 Nakata (0-2) Mz41 Shioya (1-1) Mz17 Fukui (0-2) Mz35 Kawabuchi (1-1) Mz2 Daihisho (1-3) Mz8 Maeda (2-1) Mz24 Ito (2-1) Mz26 Wakahiroto (1-2) Mz6 Inaba (2-1) Mz30 Maruyama (1-2) I'm not quite sure why they flipped the order of appearance by Yoshii and Daihisho here. Surely it can't have been that they wanted much-hyped Yoshii to be the top maezumo finisher? Then again they did the same thing with Shioya and Kawabuchi in the loser's bracket for no apparent reason. No real surprises in the 2-0 qualifiers with well-regarded Yoshii, Otsuji and Kitanowaka, alongside the sole collegiate entrant Tomie (Tokyo U of Agriculture, I believe?), and even less-known Koki looked quite powerful in his pair of matches. A lucky turn for Inaba to have finished on Day 4 already. Normally the guys entering the second round on 0-1 don't get to take part in the "bonus" bouts, of course, but they needed a 6th rikishi to fill out the lineup here, and he made the most of it. Quality-wise this session wasn't much to write home about, with Ito-Wakahiroto perhaps the pick of the bunch. Standings: 2-win target achieved: #01 Mz3 Yoshii Nakagawa 2-0 #03 Mz9 Tomie Tokitsukaze 2-0 (presented as Tokisakae) #05 Mz15 Kitanowaka Hakkaku 2-0 #07 Mz28 Otsuji Takadagawa 2-0 #09 Mz38 Koki Minato 2-0 #11 Mz8 Maeda Tokitsukaze 2-1 (presented as Tomiyutaka) #13 Mz24 Ito Shikoroyama 2-1 #15 Nz6 Inaba Onomatsu 2-1 Still active: Mz2 Daihisho Oitekaze 1-3 E | Mz11 Yatabe Shibatayama 0-2 E Mz14 Akiyama Hakkaku 1-1 E | Mz16 Nakata Hakkaku 0-2 E Mz22 Kiyota Dewanoumi 1-0-1 W | Mz17 Fukui Hakkaku 0-2 E Mz26 Wakahiroto Chiganoura 1-2 W | Mz23 Okanojo Dewanoumi 0-1-1 W Mz30 Maruyama Tomozuna 1-2 W | Mz27 Yokoyama Takadagawa 0-2 E Mz35 Kawabuchi Shikoroyama 1-1 W | Mz36 Nangu Shikoroyama 0-1-1 W Mz41 Shioya Kise 1-1 E

Definitely. There hasn't been another tournament with two ex-makuuchi ranked in jonidan/jonokuchi: http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Query.aspx?show_form=0&columns=1&showhighest=on&form1_year=193405-now&form1_jd=on&form1_jk=on&sort_by=high