Day 2 - comments & observations

[Roxanne Pierce <r2sys@r2systems.com>]

Kirishima v. Tomonohana:  With a nice pushing attack, Tomonohana got right in, grabbed Kirishima's arm, and flung him out of the ring.  Very fast, very hard!  The ex-Ozeki really didn't have a chance.

Daishi v. Mainoumi:  The announcers speculated extensively about Mainoumi's future, given that his only two winning bashos in the last year were at the lower Maegashira ranks.  But, as if to show the announcers, Mainoumi showed a tremendous amount of energy, got inside Daishi almost immediately, and actually powered him out of the ring!  Another exciting match.

Kasugafuji v. Asanowaka:  Weird little one second match: Kasugafuji sort of jumped up and sideways at the same time, pushing on Asa's head and Asa fell face down. Asa might have had a better chance if he had ever looked up.

Haminoshima v. Oginishiki: The announcers noted that Haminoshima performed very good textbook sumo, but didn't have a textbook body, being too small.  The two rikishi met hard in the middle of the ring, immediately fastening on each other's belts.  After a little pushing forward and back, Oginishiki eventually picked up Haminoshima and lifted him out of the ring.

Konishiki v. Aogiyama: Aogiyama met Konishiki in the middle, but immediately sidestepped.  Konishiki, caught sideways, was unable to turn to meet him.  Aogiyama came right back at Konishiki while he was upright and close to the edge of the dohyo, pushing the former Ozeki out.  Textbook method of "how to beat Konishiki".

Oginohana v. Daishoho: Very fast match. The two met, spun, and Daishoho used his outside grip to keep Oginohana spinning right out of the ring.

Naminohana v. Kotobeppu: Naminohana moved a little to the side after the tachi-ai, catching Kotobeppu sideways and pushing him out of the ring.  Similar to the Konoshiki loss.

Kotonowaka v. Asanosho: Strong, slapping tachi-ai; another short match.  Asanosho had the stronger slaps, stood up Kotonowaka and then slapped him down into the ring for the win.

Terao v. Kotoinazuma: Rather a one-sided match. Terao straightened up Kotoinazuma at the tachi-ai, shifted a little to the left, and slapped Koto down to the ring. Very fast; classic Terao.

Minatofuji v. Takatoriki:  Minatofuji came in hard, pushing Takatoriki back against the edge. Taka used the edge to push back, though, and when Minatofuji slid backwards, Taka reached up and pulled Mina forward and down for the victory.

Mitoizumi v. Misugisato:  The two rikishi clunked together at the tachiai and had a short fight for the belt.  Mitoizumi finally succeeded in getting the advantage over Misugisato, and pushed Misugisato out of the ring.  Note: The two rikishi appeared to step down out of the ring simultaneously, but the judges didn't call for a conference. Maybe it was because Mitoizumi was so obviously in charge?

Kaoi v. Akinoshima: Akinoshima hit Kaio hard at the tachi-ai, but Kaio withstood it like a rock.  Kaio managed to get the belt, then muscled Akinoshima out.

Kenko v. Kotonishiki:  Kotonishiki came in like a bull, kept up the pressure, and pushed Kenko out with little apparent effort.  Very short, one-sided. The announcers feel Kenko simply needs a better tachi-ai.

Wakanohana v. Musoyama:  A great roar from the crowd greeted these two, and I counted 10 banners going around the ring - a very large number for so early in the basho. The heads clunked at the tachi-ai: the sound hurt.  The two momentarily stabilized in the middle, but then Musoyama surged forward, showing great power, with a good left hand grip, broke Waka's balance and *pushed* him out of the ring, with such force that Waka fell entirely off.  The most power I've seen out of Musoyama for a long time. The loss left Waka at 0-2, Musoyama at 1-1.

Takanonami v. Tochinowaka: The two met in the middle in an unimpressive tachi-ai, with Takanonami getting his trademark armbar on Tochi.  They stayed stationary for a few seconds, then Takanonami sort of lifted and pushed Tochinowaka out.  While there was no real challenge to Takanonami from Tochi, the announcers were quite disappointed with the quality of the match.

Musashimaru v. Asahiyutaka:  Musa came out thrusting, chasing Asa around the ring.  They stabilized in the middle for a fight for a hold on the belt, then Musa broke the stasis, pushing Asa again. Both men lost balance, falling to the ring.  The gyoji gave the win to Asahiyutaka, and after glancing at the judges to see if a conference would be called, the gyoji's call stood.  Quite an upset, and although I viewed the fall several times, I couldn't see who hit first.

Takanohana v. Kitakachidoki (I love saying that name!): Taka and Kita met in the middle, momentarily disputed over the belt, but Taka gave a push, then pulled Kita's arm, and Kita was out of the ring. Routine win for Taka.

Akebono v. Tosanoumi: Akebono came out like he was going to thrust, but after two not-very-effective thrusts, changed it to an attempted slap-down by pulling down on Tosanoumi's head.  Akebono's change in direction gave Tosanoumi the opportunity to move forward on him, and he just kept going, pushing Akebono *decisively* out of the ring.  Very fast, and showed the great reaction time and stability of Tosanoumi.  Akebono, in contrast, simply didn't look very good.

A much more interesting night than opening night.

Roxanne and John Pierce