Genki ozeki and ozeki returnees day 11

[Kaikitsune Makoto]

Ozeki and former ozeki earned their money today. KaioU's slow motion pressing uwatenage after a big beefy bout against Wakanosato started the trend. Then came the genkiest ever Musoyama who is ridiculing people who think he is ready for intai. Nothing ready in that package. Tenho got his favourite stance and Muso was upright, yet Muso was able to launch a shitatenage of attitude. Awesome sumo by Muso and 8-3 at this point. He is hot now. Chiyotaikai walked over Hokutoriki who collapsed.

And soon to be ozeki again Tochiazuma annihilated the yokozuna and now hanging from mawashi this time.

Very good performances by all more or less critizised ozeki today. Yusho race is wide open now.

[Guest Onigashima]

I love Asa, but it was great to see Tochiazuma dominate that match from start to finish. Here's to a healthy return to Ozeki. (Blinking...)

I thought Musoyama was finished midway through his match, but it was great to see him pull it out.

I hope the current Ozeki stick around long enough so that the young crop of rikishi, such as Hagiwara, Kotooshu, et al get a chance to test their mettle against the old guard.

[Stephanoshima]

Then came the genkiest ever Musoyama who is ridiculing people who think he is ready for intai.

Unfortunately, he is just as good at ridiculing people who think he's a contender for the next yusho after finishing strong in one basho.

[Kintaro]

It

[Fujisan]

Who will bet with me that Musoyama will limp the whole of next basho? (Blinking...)

[sekihiryu]

That was smart sumo by zuma, he burrowed down and kept moving foward, the whole time Asa was trying for a grip on the Mawashi. The grip was not forthcoming and by the time he realised zuma was not going to give him access it was all too late to recover. sloppy sumo from Asa, neverthless kudos to Tochiazuma.

Asa really needs to figure out Zuma, at 6 -7 now Zuma has proven to be Asa's arch rival, the only guy who has shown he can consistently challenge ( and beat) him of late.

All in all great for Sumo all round, hope his shoulder is sound and he can build on his progress so far. I have given him the kiss of death but he has proven me wrong totally so far (Blinking...)

[Kashunowaka]

Very good performances by all more or less critizised ozeki today. Yusho race is wide open now.

I beg to disagree with the last sentence. (Blinking...) It's still Asashoryu's yusho to lose. If he loses once, Chiyotaikai and Tochiazuma might have a chance. Forget Miyabiyama. I don't think Chiyotaikai can do it - he is consistently the best ozeki against maegashira, but the weakest when facing the other ozeki. Tochiazuma has the best shot, but I wouldn't call the yusho race wide open. I absolutely do not expect Asashoryu to invite the rest of the contenders by losing twice.

[Manekineko]

Wow, Azuma did it! Just one more win now... fingers crossed that the Hobbit® makes it. (In love...)

And Muso - well, I can only say "I told you so." (Blinking...)

(Bouncing group)

[Yoavoshimaru]

Even for someone like me who's not a big fan of any of the current ozeki, this was a great day to watch for good sumo all-around, in attitude as well as execution. Let's hope for more.

[AsaMoe]

Tochiazuma did it ! (In love...)

And in man to man combat ! (Blinking...)

It looks like his shoulder will do the work again.

Most of us did not expect him to come back, but now, the ozeki come back is almost sure with three "lower" ranked opponents.

I will celebrate the win with some friends and much sparkling wine.

(thats a lie for the friend part. In Germany you dont have friends, who are interested in Sumo.)

[Naifuzan]

Great bout by Azuma. It looked like he had Asashoryu totally figured out and Shoryu had no idea what to do at any point of the bout.

Look for Asashoryu to seek out Tochiazuma for keiko before next basho (Blinking...)

[hoshidango]

Very good performances by all more or less critizised ozeki today. Yusho race is wide open now.

I beg to disagree with the last sentence. :-)

Likely so. Yet this is also my wishful thinking.