68th All Japan rikishi 1-day tournament

[Kintamayama 47,309]

Harumafuji won the 68th one- day knockout tournament today for the second straight time and third time overall. Purse-500,000 yen. He beat Takamisakari in the semifinals and beat Iwakiyama in the finals. Asashouryuu was beaten by Bushuuyama (!!) in the second round, and Hakuhou was beaten by Tokitenkuu in the first round. The Juryo tournament was won by Hakuba.

Edited October 2, 2009 by Kintamayama

[madorosumaru 7]

For those of you that give a darn, Ozeki Harumafuji won his second consecutive All-Japan Rikishi Championship held at the Kokugikan.

In the semi-finals, he defeated Takamisakari by tsuki-dashi and followed that with a blitzkrieg yori-kiri over Iwakiyama in the finals.

Yokozuna Asashoryu lost in the second round to Kanto-sho-less Bushuyama while his fellow yokozuna Hakuho was eliminated by Tokitenku in the first round.

Ryu appeared without the taping on his right knee. "It's about 80% recovered," he said with a smile. "I don't like to have bandages and stuff on my body, so I am going to take off as much as possible during the Aki Jungyo."

The crowd was understandably disappointed when Hakuho lost so early. All the yokozuna said was "I'll be starting keiko again on the 8th."

For those who are obsessed with the financial aspect, Harumafuji earned 500,000 yen for his yusho.

And, yeah, before I forget, Hakuba won the juryo division yusho.

[Sumo Menko Man 13]

I wonder what makes Harumafuji so strong in this tournament?

[madorosumaru 7]

I wonder what makes Harumafuji so strong in this tournament?

A good favorable script.

[Kintamayama 47,309]

[madorosumaru 7]

More information on the tournament.

Iwakiyama sent fellow geezer Tamanoshima packing in the semis by okuridashi. Bye bye.

Due to the withdrawal of a major sponsor, the prize money for the winner was reduced from 2,500,000 yen in 2008 to the aforementioned 500,000 yen. That's $5,571.54 if converted today.

When the then sekiwake Ama beat Hakuho for the championship last year, he said, "I am going to use this money to eat lots of yummy food so that I can gain some weight [and challenge the big boys]." Two and half million yen enabled him to fatten up enough to be promoted to ozeki, but he can hardly take his entourage of tsukebito out to a proper dinner in Tokyo with what he received this year.

[Washuyama 662]

I like the purple mawashi much more than the silver one. Wonder if he plans to wear it for Kyushu?

[Peeter 15]

I wonder what makes Harumafuji so strong in this tournament?

We all remember his huge keikos/degeikos for last year - 50 matches per training - and we remember also yokozuna's AKI kettei-sen and interviews after that. They were very tired, I think. Harumafuji is quick & not heavy - recovering goes faster than others. One day tournaments is just for him! All depends from 1st two-three matches... (Whatever above, it is funny...)

[Kotoviki 16]

I like the purple mawashi much more than the silver one. Wonder if he plans to wear it for Kyushu?

Suggested to him more than once he insists that the purple is only for one day tourneys.... occasional jungyo....

I hate the silver one! When once with his tsukebito chatting at the coin laundry I wished I could do something to that silver mawashi so that he wouldn't wear it anymore... but then I remembered I didn't want anyone to get in trouble so I put it down & abandoned that idea of hiding it in the back of my car! LOl

[Sumo Menko Man 13]

What's the purpose of this event anyway? To raise money for something or to get more pratice for the rikishi?