[Magus978]

It's time for day 6 action from Aki. Let's have at it.

- Starting things off in Makuuchi competition today is a match that doesn't involve a Makuuchi competitor. Yutakayama (3-2) opens the show against Juryo contender Takanosho (4-1). Takanosho gets off well, Yutakayama looks a bit stunned, and the Takanosho slap attack is enough to get his opponent out of the ring. Victory for Takanosho in the somewhat mild upset.

- Ishiura (4-1) is just 1 behind the leaders. Tochiozan (3-2) is en route to his first kachi-koshi in a year. Which one takes a step closer to their goals today? Ishiura ducks the initial attack and sends an overzealous Tochiozan to the clay.

- Our next match involves two wrestlers who desperately need to start winning to keep their Makuuchi status. Takagenji & Toyonoshima are both 1-4 and if things keep as they are, at least one, maybe both, could end up in Juryo for the winter. Pretty good bout between two desperate fighters. This prolonged battle for grip ends with Takagenji taking his opponent out of the ring. Takagenji the winner by Yorikiri.

- Azumaryu (3-2) steps in to face Nishikigi (2-3). After starting 3-0, Azumaryu's lost two straight, while Nishikigi has lost 3 straight. Nishikigi gets the better of the charge and with the superior technique, he takes Azumaryu out. Nishikigi the winner via Kimedashi. Both move to 3-3.

- Pair of 3-2's up now, as Shohozan takes on Tsurugisho. Shohozan looked to have Tsurugisho on the backfoot, but Tsurugisho turned the fight around and then took Shohozan out of the ring. Tsurugisho's 4-2 and still on the fringes of the contenders.

- Now to two rikishi who are not on the fringes of the contenders. Onosho (2-3) steps in against Daishoho (0-5). Daishoho looks good early on, having Onosho on the backfoot, but the battle turns so quickly here, and Onosho forces his opponent onto the backfoot and scores the win.

- Enho fan club represent! Today, the task for Enho (4-1) is to beat Kagayaki (3-2). They've only met one other time, with Kagayaki winning. Kagayaki being taller and heavier is pushing Enho around early, but can't quite get him out of the ring. Fancy footwork by Enho to stay in the bout. Kagayaki is off balance, and Enho actually goes for the leg like an amateur wrestler would! That gets Kagayaki even more off balance and eventually the dogged determination of Enho pays off! Another exciting bout, another victory for the little big man who goes to 5-1!

- Big salt toss from the bigly disappointing Terutsuyoshi (1-4). He's in there against Sadanoumi (2-3). After an opening day win, Terutsuyoshi has lost 4 straight and needs to stop the rot now. Terutsuyoshi gets off well and overwhelms Sadanoumi. Much better from Terutsuyoshi today and he goes to 2-4.

- After his 4-11 Summer, it's surprising to see Meisei (4-1) among the pack near the top of the standings. He'll look to continue his winning ways today against Kotoyuki (2-3). Kotoyuki looks like he got the better of the charge, but the moment Meisei turns it around, this one is over. Kotoyuki goes flying out of self-preservation, and Meisei goes to 5-1.

- Kotoshogiku (3-2) has won 3 straight since starting 0-2. The former Ozeki looks to stay on track against Takarafuji (2-3). Kotoshogiku gets off well, but Takarafuji takes advantage of the aggression, lets him go to the ground, and they both take a spill into the front row! They both look okay though, as both fighters move to 3-3.

- Shimanoumi (2-3) steps in now against one of the co-leaders, Okinoumi (5-0). Shimanoumi won the only meeting between the two. After a short struggle in the middle, Okinoumi turns the bout on its head and overwhelms Shimanoumi on his way to victory. Okinoumi the first to 6 wins, and looking very strong.

- Speaking of looking very strong, Chiyotairyu is not. At 1-4, he needs to start winning. Tough task today against Myogiryu (4-1), who may be back on form. It's a blink and you'll miss it bout, as Chiyotairyu has a sense of urgency, but is maybe too urgent and falls over. Myogiryu wins via opponent incompetence.

- Kotoeko (1-4) & Ryuden (2-3) could both use some wins to get on track. Kotoeko looked on the frontfoot the entire bout, Ryuden fought too defensively and paid for it. Kotoeko wins this one, and they both go to 2-4.

- Battle of 2-3's now as Shodai faces Tomokaze. Shodai gets aggressive, but maybe too aggressive as he falls over just as Tomokaze is leaping out of bounds. Tomokaze wins it, but we're gonna have a mono-ii just to make sure. Looks like the referee's ruling was correct, Shodai did hit the clay just before Tomokaze went out. The decision ends up being confirmed, and Tomokaze definitely wins.

- The hapless Aoiyama (0-5) hopes to salvage a little pride today against Abi (3-2). Aoiyama was aggressive, a little better from him, but Abi lets hi be over-aggressive and runs him out of the ring. Abi wins it and goes to 4-2.

- Mitakeumi has developed a bit of a fan club...and with good reason. He's 4-1 and facing off with Hokutofuji (1-4). Hokutofuji still living off that win over Hakuho. Off the charge, Mitakeumi just overwhelms his opponent and scores the win to move to 5-1.

- Battle of contenders next, and IMO this is the unofficial main event. Endo (4-1) and Takakeisho (5-0) are on very good form and are both definitely contenders to take this tournament down. Early test for both men. Endo looks good early on, but does Takakeisho's foot touch the referee? Regardless, it might have stifled him just a bit, enough to be dropped to a knee. Victory for Endo, and they're now tied at 5-1!

- Asanoyama (3-2), flying high after beating Kakuryu yesterday, looks to keep it up against Goeido (4-1), who with a win will stay among the 1-loss chase pack. While the two struggle in the ring, the referee trips over the boudary and goes flying! I know I shouldn't, but I was laughing hysterically at this. He believed he could fly! As for the match itself, Asanoyama got the win doing something...I couldn't pay attention. I was too fixated on the referee getting in on the fun of throwing himself into the front row. Anyway, Asanoyama and Goeido are now 4-2 after this one.

- It's time to get serious again...Tochinoshin (2-3) has won 2 of his last 3 bouts and is trying to slog his way to 8 wins to stay at Ozeki. Today he has to try and fend off Tamawashi (3-2). Tochinoshin holds an 18-10 lead over Tamawashi, but those were healthier times for the Georgian. Tamawashi goes on the attack, and while Tochinoshin holds his ground, he has to backpedal some more and they both go out. Referee rules for Tochinoshin, but not so fast my friend because we're gonna have another mono-ii! From the angle presented, Tochinoshin's foot clearly hits the clay out of bounds before Tamawashi hits the clay. This should be an easy ruling...and it is. The ruling is reversed, Tamawashi is the winner. Bad luck for Tochinoshin, who falls to 2-4.

- Main Event time! Kakuryu (4-1) can move into the 1-loss chase pack by beating the struggling Daieisho (1-4). Kakuryu has Daieisho in trouble early on, but Daieisho is able to stay with it and he turns the bout around! Daieisho lands a slap that apparently takes the balance away from Kakuryu, and he is able to slap him out of the ring! Kakuryu loses for the second time this tournament...AND CUE THE PURPLE PILLOWS!!! Get that man a Kinboshi bonus! Great effort from Daieisho today to score the massive upset and maybe, just maybe, turn his tournament around! As for Kakuryu, he looks very much beatable this tournament....very unusual.

A look at the standings at the end of day 6 shows us that it's very lonely at the top...but this is good news for Okinoumi, who at 6-0 is the only undefeated rikishi left. 7 fighters sit at 5-1, and none of them are named Kakuryu, whose stumble today drops him to 4-2 along with 5 others. Down at the bottom, Daishoho and Aoiyama are still not able to get off the mark, and they will be looking to salvage some pride knowing that make-koshi is inevitable.

Another crazy day in the books! Join us tomorrow for day 7 and we'll see if Okinoumi can stay undefeated. Hakkeyoi!!!