Here we go, Day 2 of the 2019 Aki basho. Let's get on with the fun.
- Yutakayama opens the show against Takagenji, who will need to do better than he did against Chiyomaru in order to save his Makuuchi status. This is better from Takagenji, who's able to stay in there for awhile against Yutakayama, but in the end it's a Yorikiri victory for Yutakayama.
- Tochiozan will also need better performances to save his Makuuchi status, and today he'll have to start doing better by beating Juryo contestant Daiamami, making a cameo appearance today. He's spent the last 3 tournaments in the Juryo ranks, going 11-4 in the summer. This is also better from Tochiozan, but just like Takagenji before him, he falls to a Yorikiri from Daiamami.
- Tsurugisho is next, the Juryo champion from the summer, taking on Ishiura. Tsurugisho charges out of the gate, but Ishiura counters it, grabs from behind, and Tsurugisho is in all kinds of trouble! Ishiura takes him out of the ring, and wins the bout.
- Azumaryu takes to the dohyo now to take on Toyonoshima. Very slow bout so far, both men standing their ground in the center. Toyonoshima tries to get Azumaryu out, but can't quite do it. Azumaryu is then able to pull Toyonoshima down for the victory. Azumaryu, who I criticized before the tournament, is 2-0. Shows what I know, right?
- Next bout is Shohozan vs Kagayaki. Kagayaki leads the lifetime series 7-5. Kagayaki initially tries to slap his way to victory, but Shohozan holds firm. Very nice back and forth here with both men on the brink for several seconds. In the end, Yorikiri victory for Kagayaki. Both fighters move to 1-1.
- Nishikigi faces Daishoho next. Nishikigi owns wins in the only two times they've faced off. Big thud as they crash into each other, with Daishoho not able to finish it quickly. This becomes a battle of who will flinch first, as they fight for position on each other's mawashi. After a prolonged struggle, Nishikigi gets Daishoho's mawashi and is able to lift him out.
- Pair of fighters who lost on day 1 up now, as Sadanoumi battles Onosho. Onosho almost makes quickwork of Sadanoumi, but good balance shown to stay in the bout, and turn the tide around, forcing Onosho out. Sadanoumi winner.
- The Enho fan club is in full voice again! Our little big man takes on Meisei today. Enho ducks the initial charge and gets his hands on the mawashi! Meisei re-takes control, but Enho's quickness turns the tide and he is just strong enough to take Meisei out of the ring! Enho does it again, and he's 2-0!
- Cue the huge rice throw! It's Terutsuyoshi time! The hero of the summer takes on Okinoumi. They battle in the middle for a bit, but Okinoumi uses his size and just overpowers Terutsuyoshi, literally shoving him to the ground. Victory for Okinoumi, and for Terutsuyoshi...back to the drawing board.
- If Kotoyuki is going to post back to back to back 11-win tournaments, he'll have to start winning fairly soon. It would then be a good idea to start winning today by beating Takarafuji. Kotoyuki apparently took my advice, as he went on the attack early and knocked Takarafuji off balance and out of bounds for the victory.
- Shimanoumi and Kotoshogiku take to the ring next. Kotoshogiku needed to be better today, but he wasn't. Shimanoumi got his opponent off balance on the edge of the ring, and was able to finish the job with relative ease.
- In the ring now are Kotoeko and Myogiryu...and in the blink of an eye it's over! Kotoeko putting up literally zero resistance against Myogiryu's slap attack. This one was a "blink and you'll miss it" match, and I blinked...and thus missed it.
- Tamawashi & Chiyotairyu are next. This is their 18th meeting...and I bet the first 17 weren't as quick as this one. Tamawashi used a few slaps, and it was over. Another "blink and you'll miss it" bout. Once again I blinked.
- Next up is Ryuden & Shodai. This one goes a little longer than the last two bouts combined. They battle for position in the middle. Shodai does a twirl on the edge and Ryuden goes out...and so does Shodai. Shodai apparently tripped over Ryuden's foot. Both took a pretty nasty spill. Ryuden is up almost immediately, Shodai a little slower to get back to his feet. Upon further review, Ryuden apparently dragged Shodai out with him. Once again it's take a sumo wrestler home with you night here at the fights.
- After the mayhem of that match, we move on to Tomokaze vs Endo. Endo will look to build on what was a decent effort agaisnt Kakuryu and put on a winning performance here. This is good from Endo, he's aggressive and has Tomokaze on the backfoot. Tomokaze tries to fight back, but Endo just wants it more. Endo is able to shove him out.
- Mitakeumi faces Daieisho now, and he'll need to do better today. Promising start from Mitakeumi as he tries to use an effective slap tactic. Daieisho is fighting back however, and tries to charge him out of the ring. However, his efforts are countered as Mitakeumi lets him go to the ground just before he steps out of bounds! Mitakeumi is the winner in a fun bout.
- Takakeisho needs 9 more wins to regain Ozeki rank after his opening day victory. Today's opponent is Aoiyama. Takakeisho is very aggressive here, looking to put Aoiyama away with a mix of slaps and shoves, and he does. Excellent sumo from Takakeisho, who looks in very good form after being absent in the summer.
- Ichinojo faces his second Ozeki in a row today, as standing in front of him is Goeido. I don't think Goeido is going to lay down and die like Tochinoshin did yesterday. Good effort from Ichinojo here, but Goeido was never really in danger, and exerted himself with a force out victory.
- Tochinoshin, who put up zero resistance yesterday, is going to have to do a lot better today against Asanoyama if he wants to have any thoughts about retaining his rank. That right leg is still heavily taped. A little more effort shown from Tochinoshin, but he still looks very bad. Victory for Asanoyama via Yorikiri. Tochinoshin has the look of a man who does not want to be there. Perhaps retirement is the best option if that's the case.
- Main Event time! You'll figure out why after this one, unless you know already. Kakuryu goes against Hokutofuji. Hokutofuji got a kinboshi bonus yesterday for knocking off Hakuho, so he's already in the money. Wouldn't it be something for him to knock off Kakuryu too? However, it's not meant to be as Kakuryu uses some good slaps to knock Hokutofuji off balance and down to the clay.
- This WAS supposed to be the main event of the evening, but instead we have a guy with a paper in the middle of the ring. As you know from last night, Hakuho has withdrawn from the tournament due to a broken finger. I don't think he sustained this in the bout with Hokutofuji, rather it was injured when he fought Shodai on Day 8 in the summer. Reportedly, Hakuho could not use his hand at all yesterday and just wanted to show up, fight, and hope for the best. Abi steps into the ring to collect his win, but no money. Didn't he do this last summer? Poor Abi...he comes to work and doesn't get paid. He really should sue for back wages.
Looking at the board after the 2nd day of competition, we see 11 fighters at 2-0, including Kakuryu, Goeido, Takakeisho, and Enho. What will day 3 bring us? Find out tomorrow.
Hakkeyoi!