Things are getting tougher for Takakeisho (6-4)! I thought the Ozeki played it right vs. the taller Kinbozan (4-6), but his favored left hook of doom didn't land cleanly and Kinbozan was able to land a clean push for the win.

Tobizaru (5-5) landed an atomic pull on Midorifuji (3-7).

Daiesho (7-3) collected a fusen win as Kotoshoho (1-8) withdrew from the basho.

#sumo #hatsubasho

Terunofuji (9-1) outlasted an impressive Kotonowaka (4-6) who pressed him to the bales several times.

Asanoyama (9-1) elegantly handled the aggressive Hiradoumi (7-3)

Hokuseiho (8-2) the giant showed grace under fire with both feet on the bales to knock Meisei from the leaders (8-2).

KiriB (8-2) won a physical bout with Wakamotoharu (7-3) who took a nasty fall.

Hoshoryu (7-3) won by a hair landing a second after Nishikifuji (2-8).

#sumo #hatsubasho

People may remember this meeting between former Ozeki Asanoyama and young giant Hokuseiho!

https://youtu.be/MrkIkei1XbY

#sumo #hatsubasho

Nishikigi (2-6) flipped Wakamotoharu (6-2) off the dohyo in a big upset!

With the rust of inactivity coming off, Takakeisho (6-2) delivered "the people's tachiai" to Shodai (3-5) who found himself outside the dohyo before he knew what happened.

Hoshoryu (6-2) showed some flair with a gorgeous hip throw to beat Kotonowaka (3-5)

Kiribayama (6-2) struck first and hard to get Ura (3-5) off balance.

#sumo #hatsubasho

Takakeisho (5-2) appears to be shaking off the rust of not practicing while recovering from an MCL injury. His pushes devastated Ura (3-4) who tried to get cute at the tachiai.

Hoshoryu (5-2) collected his second fusensho, with Endo (1-6) going Kaiju.

Shodai (3-4) shocked Kiribayama (5-2) with a great effort from the tachiai, overwhelming the Ozeki hopeful.

#sumo #hatsubasho

It's a competitive basho as we close week 1:

Terunofuji (7-0) bullied Kinbozan (3-4) in the Kazakhstani's first shot at a Yokozuna. The Kaiju looks scary.

Asanoyama (7-0) is too good for his early schedule, treated Ichiyamamoto (2-5) like a child. Hasn't broken a sweat.

Daiesho (6-1) was relentless pushing Kotonowaka (3-4) off the dohyo.

Wakamotoharu (6-1) bounced back with a solid oshi win over struggling Nishikifuji (1-6).

#sumo #hatsubasho

Very much enjoyed watching #hatsubasho every day the last couple of weeks.

It's the first time I've tried to properly follow #sumo by making a point of tuning in every day and reading up on it, as opposed to just chancing upon it on TV every now and then. It's been fun!

We have a new leader in Tokyo...

Takakeisho (9-3) lost for the second consecutive day. This time by beltless arm throw to the versatile Kiribayama (8-4), who handled the Keisho tachiai and got in close enough to pull the Ozeki successfully.

Onosho (9-2) overwhelmed Tamawashi (8-4) with relentless energy to take sole leadership of the tournament.

Childhood rivals Onosho and Takakeisho now meet tomorrow in a critical Day 13 match.

#sumo #hatsubasho

We've reached Nakabi (the half way point) and while I fear jinxing it, Takakeisho (7-1) has been brilliant and leads the board with rank and filer Kotoshoho (7-1).

It's been a theme, but Keisho won ANOTHER long match today, this time slapping down Nishikifuji after an oshi battle. Questions on his stamina seem put to rest.

Hoss (6-2) shocked the crowd with henka on Sadanoumi (2-6) of all people! He even did a villain flex after too.

#sumo #hatsubasho

New candidate for fight of the basho!

- Midorifuji (4-3) survived a thunderous tachiai from Takakeisho (6-1), and a Rocky style slap fight, before succumbing to the Ozeki's arm throw. Keisho has been working on that throw for ages and it finally worked against a smaller opponent.

- Hoss (5-2) bounced back from a two day slide, absorbing Abi's (5-2) two hand tachiai and nodowa, to get close and even their records.

#sumo #hatsubasho

Just like that, the tournament is wide open!

Takakeisho (5-1) dealt Abi's (5-1) first loss of the basho. He absorbed Abi's two hand tachiai, and patiently got the 'left hook of doom' under Abi's nodowa arm to turn him, creating his opening. Keisho prepared well for an opponent that has given him fits.

Midorifuji (4-2) bested Hoss (4-2) by an elbow as they fell from the bales together in the match of the day. Worth watching!

#sumo #hatsubasho

Here's Hiro and the Sumo Primetime gang with day five''s video highlights!

https://youtu.be/ZU595Xpljok

#sumo #sumoprimetime #hatsubasho

Up top:

Hoss (4-0) got his hands under Tamawashi's (3-1) nodowa and trucked him out. He's been so impressive with variety of kimarite.

Abi (4-0) beat his Achilles heel in Shodai (1-3) with a barrage of two handed violence to keep pace

Chasing:

Takakeisho (3-1) forklifted Mitakeumi (2-2) with a well timed tachiai and aimed push.

Daiesho (3-1) very impressive overwhelming Wakatakakage (2-2). Never let him breathe.

#sumo #hatsubasho

- Takakeisho (2-1) and Daiesho (1-2) put on an oshi masterclass in the battle of super best friends. Keisho dodged deftly at the bales with a move he might have picked up from the Spider Monkey day 2.

- Hoss (3-0) looks outstanding. Took some pressure from Mitakeumi (2-1) to get his grip and then walked him out calm as you like.

- Abi (3-0) looked so physical overcoming a good tachiai from Meisei (2-1).

#sumo #hatsubasho

Official Sumo Primetime video recap for Day2 with video highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfqbdugHD0M

#sumo #hatsubasho

There has been a disturbance in the force!

- Takakeisho's (1-1) rope run takes a huge hit with an upset loss to the Spider Monkey (1-1), who used exceptional footwork exploit Keisho's aggressive charge. Its early, but a massive set back.

- Hoss (2-0) with a gorgeous turn of the hips tosses Kotonowaka (0-2) for huge win.

- Kiribayama (1-1) fierce against a hobbled Yasubear (0-2). Yasu landed hard on top of Keisho.

#sumo #hatsubasho

Looking forward to day 1 of #hatsubasho, which starts tomorrow in Tokyo!

- Kotonowaka debuts in Sanyaku against Abi, fresh off his yusho in Kyushu. Abi won't have his usual height/reach advantage here so it'll be interesting.

- Spider Monkey vs. Hoss is always a classic, a treat on day 1.

- Keisho begins his quest through the vortex against Wakamotoharu. He's under massive pressure here. Hoping he can keep spacing and WMH off his mawashi to dictate an oshi battle.

#sumo