Day 7 Natsu 2021
Weekend sumo watching is always more pleasurable. I have not had a day
of staring at a screen while half listening to conversations over a
phone for a start. I also feel the need to get a nice pot of
dajeeling tea (currently on a nice second flush) and relax as I enjoy
the spectacle which is sumo.
Chiyonoo is visiting from Juryo today. Ishiura, after a few boob
groping attempts lost. Chiyonoo had Ishiura in a grip which left him
powerless. A quick walk out ended the bout.
Chiyomaru made short work of Akiseyama. 3 or 4 pushes got the melted
candle out of the dohyo.
Chiyoshoma shows us all how to henka. He leapt up and to the right as
Akua launched forward. A swift hand to Akua'a head made sure his
momentum took him out. A nice skillful henka as opposed to some of the
sort which make you feel it is a cop out.
Terutsuyoshi lost in an odd way to Shimanoumi. They engaged, span a
bit and Terutsuyoshi sort of got dizzy and stepped out.
Tamawashi and Tsurugisho had a good bout. Lots of countering each
other's attacks. Tamawashi did a sort of suicidal fall hoping
Tsurugisho went first and luckily it happened, leaving Tsurugisho with
a bloody forehead.
Tochinoshin and Endo engaged in a sideways hug and as Tochi tried to
disengage, managed to step out.
Tobizaru has finished his brush with the Ozeki and faced Onosho. A
strange grapple happened with Tobizaru seemingly hoping he could twist
in the air and get Onosho to land first. However, the gyoji declared
Onosho the winner. A mono-ii declared a rematch. Bout 2 involved lots
of slapping and keeping out each other's grip. Tobizaru tries pushing
forward but Onosho decides to charge and give a single shove which
sends Tobizaru flying into the crowd. Quelle surprise!
Meisei got Wakatakakage by the throat straight away. Waka side stepped
at the edge and they engaged in a lively slap fest until a mistimed
step forward caused Wakatakakage to stumble. Meisei helped
Wakatakakage find the clay.
Hokutofuji managed to get his first win against Takayasu. Lots of arm
swinging between the pair. Grand gestures until Hokutofuji is at the
edge. A large swing knocks Takayasu off balance and he ends up out.
Hoshoryu attempted a henka against Takakeisho. Not a big enough leap
sideways and Takakeisho responded quickly. Hoshoryu found his face in
the clay rather quickly.
Terunofuji faced Takanosho. History favoured Takanosho with a 4-1
record. However, Terunofuji continued his Natsu theme and made short
work of Takanosho. He remains undefeated.
So after day 7, we are left with Terunofuji undefeated and just
Takakeisho following with a single loss. 10 follow with 2 losses.
Tomorrow marks the just over half way point and when rikishi start
achieving kachi-koshi (winning record) or ended up with make-koshi
(losing record). It sort of feels a little like a basho with a genki
Hakuho where the winner seems obvious. However, others have led from
early on but stumbled by day 10. It just feels like Terunofuji is
dominating at the moment and has his eye on the Yokuzuna rope. His
record for the past year is amazing really. He got the yusho for
July 2020 with 13-2. Aki was spent partly kyujo but still got his
kachi-koshi. November 2020 was a yun-yusho at 13-2 which was repeated
for Hatsu 2021 with 11-4. Of course, he won Haru on 12-3 and regained
Ozeki. He is fighting extremely well and deserves Yokusuna really. His
fighting spirit is simply amazing. There is always the ticking time
bomb of how long those knees can keep going but Terunofuji is making
the most of that time to do some brilliant sumo. Hakkeyoi!