Public League Leaderboard
Scores from Fantasizr.
Yusho Arasoi
11 Wins
05 Sekiwake #1 West Onosato
9 Wins
06 Sekiwake #2 East Kirishima
35 Maegashira #13 West Nishikigi
38 Maegashira #15 East Takayasu
Notable Maneuvers
Uwatenage. As frequently happens now, Shodai looked like he was about to get overwhelmed, but rebounded against Gonoyama. Then he finished his comeback with a nasty overarm throw for the win.
Match of the Day
These two were competing to stay in the squint-and-you-have-a-yusho-shot group. They started by locking up almost in a kind of gentleman's agreement they would both get a grip. Wakatakakage had his left deep on Nishikigi's mawashi, while Nishikigi got both arms around Wakatakakage's as he likes. This became a stalemate where they seemed to be sliding down as they held on. Wakatakakage eventually got the initial momentum, but Nishikigi used it to turn Wakatakakage and with with a kotenage.
Recap
Onosato actually had a minor scare, which seemed to enliven things just slightly. Kotoshoho began to push him aside as he was getting pushed out. But the gyoji pointed towards Onosato since Kotoshoho stepped out just before Onosato went down. The shimpan checked it with a mono-ii, but pretty quickly confirmed the Onosato win. That means he is still undefeated, still has a two-win lead in the yusho race, and still controls the basho.
Kirishima, Nishikigi, and Takayasu are the three rikishi with some kind of a shot at making things interesting. At a bare minimum, they need to win out over the last four days, while Onosato goes 2-2 or worse. So it is very much a long shot, but there are some complications. Nishikigi and Takayasu already faced off on Day Four in a Nishikigi win. They get the Komusubi pair of Daieisho and Hiradoumi respectively on Day Twelve. They survive those matches, and Kirishima and Onosato are presumably two of their last three matches. The other one is a wild card of someone else doing fairly well.
Kirishima sees Kotozakura on Day Twelve, one day after a loss to Daieisho that essentially sealed his yusho chances. One more Onosato win, and his chances are gone mathematically. That makes Kotozakura an Ozeki playing spoiler, which he absolutely could do. Based on recent form, however, Kirishima is certainly a favorite in their matchup. He recovered from getting blasted by Abi's thrusting attack on Day Eleven and is in the driver's seat for a Jun-Yusho. If it weren't for Onosato, we'd be marveling at Kirishima's comeback much more.
If you want some interest besides the yusho race, the bottom of the Banzuke is fully unsettled at this point. Shirokuma, Kitanowaka, and Nishikifuji are all below .500 without yet sealing a kachi-koshi while in the last three spots on the Banzuke. Additionally, Kagayaki is at 1-10 from Maegashira #11. That is a possible Juryo demotion performance. The top of Juryo also isn't full of dominant performances that will guarantee lots of rikishi falling. (Takerufuji is at 10-1, but from Juryo #11. He wins out and probably does come back up.)
There are also Special Prizes up for grabs. Onosato is on pace to possibly get two and maybe all three. He is dominating a Yokozuna-less basho. Additionally, he is very likely to make it to Ozeki after this basho, so this could be his last chance to win any Special Prizes. Otherwise, there's Kirishima, Nishikigi, and Takayasu, all of whom are veteran rikishi with previous standout performances. Those are not usually Special Prize candidates. It's unquestionably Onosato's basho, and the biggest question remaining may be how much he can put himself over the top in his last four matches.
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