Aki Basho: Day 1 Results and insight
Newly promoted Hoshoryu wins his first day’s bout as an Ozeki. Hokutofuji pulls upset.
Hoshoryu smiled on the dohyo (ring) as his banner was hung to the rafters of Kokugikan as the newly promoted Ozeki prepared for his first day’s work in the Aki Basho. “I take my sumo seriously, but when I see something like this happens, you can’t help but smile,” said Hoshoryu, “It’s very hard work that gets you to this point in sumo.” It was a sterling day for some of lower ranked wrestlers as well as returning 21-year-old Atamifuji who was very giddy after his win against Kotoshoho. “Off the initial charge, I thought I made a mistake but I was smart after the push,” explained Atamifuji, “but winning that match helped my confidence.”
Tamawashi wrestled in his 1,523rd consecutive match. Barring injury through the 15 days, the 38-year-old wrestler should be at 1537 and 93 matches away from the record held by the former Sekiwake Aobajo who wrestled in 1630 consecutive matches.
Final Results from Day 1 with winning kimarite.
Maegashira 16 East Kagayaki defeats Maegashira 17 East Daishoho
Winning Kimarite: Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out)
Maegashira 15 West Chiyoshoma defeats Maegashira 16 West Tsurugisho
Winning Kimarite: Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out)
Maegashira 15 East Atamifuji defeats Maegashira 14 West Kotoshoho
Winning Kimarite: Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out)
Maegashira 13 East Myogiryu defeats Maegashira 14 East Aoiyama
Winning Kimarite: Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out)
Maegashira 13 West Nishikifuji defeats Maegashira 12 West Sadanoumi
Winning Kimarite: Okuridashi (Rear Push Out)
Maegashira 12 East Takarafuji defeats Maegashira 11 West Hokuseiho
Winning Kimarite: Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out)
Maegashira 11 East Mitakeumi defeats Maegashira 10 West Endo
Winning Kimarite: Oshidashi (Frontal Push Out)
Maegashira 10 East Kinbozan defeats Maegashira 9 East Midorifuji
Winning Kimarite: Oshidashi (Frontal Push Out)
Maegashira 8 East Kotoeko defeats Maegashira 8 West Hiradoumi
Winning Kimarite: Sukuinage (Beltless Arm Throw)
Maegashira 7 East Takayasu defeats Maegashira 7 West Oho
Winning Kimarite: Oshidashi (Frontal Push Out)
Maegashira 6 East Onosho defeats Maegashira 6 West Ryuden
Winning Kimarite: Oshidashi (Frontal Push Out)
Maegashira 5 East Gonoyama defeats Maegashira 5 West Shonannoumi
Winning Kimarite: Oshidashi (Frontal Push Out)
Maegashira 4 Takanosho defeats Maegashira 4 West Ura
Winning Kimarite: Okuridashi (Rear Push Out)
Komusubi East Nishikigi defeats Maegashira 3 Tamawashi
Winning Kimarite: Okuridashi (Rear Push Out)
Sekiwake 2 East Kotonowaka defeats Maegashira 3 East Shodai
Winning Kimarite: Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out)
Maegashira 2 West Asanoyama defeats Sekiwake 1 West Wakamotoharu
Winning Kimarite: Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out)
Maegashira 1 West Meisei defeats Sekiwake 1 East Daieisho
Winning Kimarite: Hatakikomi (Slap Down)
Ozeki 2 West Hoshoryu defeats Maegashira 2 East Abi
Winning Kimarite: Tottari (Arm Bar Throw)
Maegashira 1 East Hokutofuji defeats Ozeki 1 West Takakeisho
Winning Kimarite: Hatakikomi (Slap Down)
Replay review required (Mono-ii) – Verdict: Torinaoshi (Re-match)
Ozeki 1 East Kirishima defeats Komusubi 1 West Tobizaru
Winning Kimarite: Tsuridashi (Lift Out)
—
Ozeki Hoshoryu picked up a big win in his debut at the champion level with a Tottari arm bar throw but didn’t seem pleased with the result. “While it is a win, I almost made a mistake because I started to retreat,” Ozeki said with disappointment, “but I regained the upper hand and finished my opponent.”
Ozeki Kirishima felt a very big sense relief after his grateful opponent Tobizaru was defeated by him. Kirishima, who is kadoban (in danger of demotion) for this tournament needs the required 8 wins to retain his rank and getting the first one was important to him. “Boy, that’s a load off of my mind!” says Kirishima, “Tobizaru even came by and patted my shoulder on the win.” Kirishima’s first win netted him the largest payout of the day at $25,000.
Maegashira 1 Hokutofuji pulled off an upset over Kadoban Ozeki Takakeisho who needs the required 8 wins to prevent demotion. “I don’t know what I did wrong to lose the match,” said a dejected Takakeisho, “it happens but I know that I will get the required 8 to keep my rank.”
Day 2 results to be posted later today.
