Nishikifuji lost the battle against Kotoeiho of an impressive "who can throw who first" competition at the end of that bout. I'm always impressed at how big those guys can get tossed without injury, until they actually get injured of course.

Good movement from Tokihayate against the bales. Asanoyama had good positioning right along until Toki was able to slip it right at the end and force Asa out.

Ura with the big shitatenage that looked almost like an utchari. Two days in a row he had his back bent but today he came out on top.

Oshoma had patience to keep Ichiyamamoto's hand locked up for the entire long lock up in the middle. Ichi tried a leg hook at the end but Oshoma got around it and threw for the win.

Yoshinokawa still seeming dominant over battle of the up and comers with Fujinokawa. Fuji's speed couldn't save the strong tachiai that Yoshi just kept driving off.

Churanoumi looked good off the tachiai but WMH stepped back to create space and pivoted to send Churano flying off the ring.

Former ozeki double 6-1 battle with Takayasu and Wakataka. Papa gets spun a couple of times, once almost to his back, but recovers for a stalemate in the middle where WTK has better position but Papa gets one hand on the front of the belt. After a bit of back and forth Taka gets a better front facing position just as WTK throws him down. Great sumo from Takayasu this basho but the elusive yusho still remains out of his grasp in his career.

Hiradoumi works attacks changing angles from the tachiai and Kotozakura can't seem to figure out where the attack is coming from. Not a great tourney for the ozeki this time so far.

Some big shoves and fast recoveries from both men with Daieisho agains Hoshoryu. Great drag by Daieisho at the end to set up the throw down against the yokozuna.

Takanosho's approach to Aonishiki also looks solid. Tsuppari to play for time and keep him out of belt-range, then when he starts to go for that head-under-chin position you hit him with the uber slap-down before he can get locked in. I guess it's risky because you only have like a tenth of a second to get the hatakikomi win before he gets in his steamroller position and you've lost.

Yeah it's not a bad strategy... I seem to remember someone (possibly Takayasu?) trying that against Aonishiki in a recent tourney but it didn't work. Maybe they got the timing right this time, or maybe Aonishiki's getting flustered.

I’m always impressed at how big those guys can get tossed without injury, until they actually get injured of course.

They might actually be injured. I think Sumo's like the opposite of football/soccer. In football if you get a slight bump, the pros fall to the ground and scream like they've just lost a limb. In sumo, they can have a major muscle tear and they're expected to stoically deal with it, maybe with a slight look of discomfort at most.

Ura with the big shitatenage that looked almost like an utchari. Two days in a row he had his back bent but today he came out on top.

I can't believe he bends his back like that, while throwing all that weight. He looked really happy afterwards too.

Fuji’s speed couldn’t save the strong tachiai that Yoshi just kept driving off.

Funijokawa looked kinda bad, which is a shame bc he's so skilled, I was hoping for a longer fight.

Former ozeki double 6-1 battle with Takayasu and Wakataka.

Epic battle. Too bad for Takayasu.

Great drag by Daieisho at the end to set up the throw down against the yokozuna.

I think what happened was, Hoshoryu was diving for the leg, and Daieisho jumped/spun out of the way in a last-minute desperation move, and the timing just worked for him. Wait, now that you mention it, Daieisho was indeed dragging Hoshoryu just before that. Wow, there was a lot going on in those few seconds.

Ura faces the crowd after his win on Day 8.

yesterday's forced stretching might be the secret ☞