2024 Kyushu Basho: Day 13 results and analysis

Spoilers coming at ya.

This tournament has been a lot of fun and I’m thrilled about how it’s trending with just two days left.

This is the first time in a while that we’ve had two of the best deadlocked for so long.

On Day 13 the deadlock was tested with Hoshoryu vs. Onosato and Kotozakura vs. Takanosho.

Scroll down to see those bouts and read my breakdowns on what happened. There’s also the full top division results and plenty of other full match replays and highlights to check out.

Don’t forget, I’m giving away a Takakeisho tegata at the end of this tournament. If you want a chance to win that artefact sign up for a paid subscription before the end of the month!

Bonus gif today is Hoshoryu checking his fit.

Born ready.

SPOILERS BELOW

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Results

• Kitanowaka (8-5) def. Shishi (3-10) via kotenage (arm lock throw)*

• Sadanoumi (4-9) def. Bushozan (1-8-4) via yorikiri (frontal force out)

• Nishikifuji (5-8) def. Meisei (7-6) via yorikiri

• Tamawashi (8-5) def. Asakoryu (5-8) via oshidashi (frontal push out)

• Tokihayate (6-7) def. Ichiyamamoto (7-6) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)*

• Chiyoshoma (9-4) def. Takayasu (8-5) via hatakikomi (slap down)*

• Midorifuji (6-7) def. Hokutofuji (5-8) via yorikiri*

• Roga (6-7) def. Ryuden (3-10) via yorikiri

• Mitakeumi (7-6) def. Shonannoumi (8-5) via oshidashi

• Takarafuji (8-5) def. Endo (6-7) via tsukiotoshi

• Abi (10-3) def. Takerufuji (8-5) via hatakikomi*

• Ura (5-8) def. Nishikigi (4-9) via yorikiri

• Wakatakakage (9-4) def. Onokatsu (8-5) via yorikiri

• Hiradoumi (2-11) def. Kotoshoho (3-10) via hikiotoshi (hand pull down)*

• Atamifuji (7-6) def. Oho (4-9) via oshidashi

• Tobizaru (7-6) def. Shodai (4-9) via oshidashi

• Wakamotoharu (8-5) def. Churanoumi (3-10) via oshidashi

• Daieisho (7-6) def. Oshoma (3-10) via oshidashi

• Gonoyama (10-3) def. Kirishima (6-7) via oshidashi*

• Hoshoryu (12-1) def. Onosato (8-5) via tottari (arm bar throw)*

• Kotozakura (12-1) def. Takanosho (10-3) via uwatenage (under arm throw)*

  *Must see bouts!

Leaderboard

• O1e Kotozakura, O1w Hoshoryu: 12-1

• M3e Abi, M6e Takanosho, M8w Gonoyama: 10-3

Analysis

We’ve got something special brewing in Kyushu.

We’re very close to a grandstand finish at the end of this basho between Hoshoryu and Kotozakura. They both won on Day 13 and it didn’t come easy for either of them.

Last night Hoshoryu was tested by Onosato, someone who has shot through the ranks and overshadowed him for much of the year. In their first three meetings, Hoshoryu had let Onosato come to him before throwing him over his hip. In the last meeting, Onosato was able to block his throw and force him out.

In this match, Hoshoryu was the aggressor (as he has been against larger opponents this basho). He bent Onosato back off the tachiai with a shot to his throat. He tried to hit him with another one, but Onosato braced and then used his strength advantage to turn the tides on Hoshoryu. He made Hoshoryu fly backwards with a pair of thrusts and then charged in for the kill. However, Hoshoryu was able to grab his arm and drag him past him and off the dohyo.

Surprisingly there was no mono-ii (judges review) of this bout. The replay showed the gyoji got the decision right. But the replay also showed that Hoshoryu was agonizingly close to touching his heel down outside of the straw.

This sequence might look a little familiar. It’s nearly identical to how Hoshoryu beat Atamifuji on Day 6. Check out the replays below (and notice how in both instances Hoshoryu sweeps his right leg inwards looking to generate extra hang-time).

After Hoshoryu beat Onosato, all the pressure was on Kotozakura.

Against Takanosho he was able to withstand his opponent’s strength long enough to lock up the hold he needed for the uwatenage. Takanosho did not lead with his nodowa (throat thrust) off the tachiai, something that had been working well for him this tournament. Instead Takanosho invited a belt-battle with Kotozakura, who gladly accepted.

Takanosho was able to move Kotozakura while going chest-to-chest, which in itself is a pretty big accomplishment. However, the longer you spend tied up with Kotozakura the longer you give him to get his hands and feet right for a finishing throw or pull down.

In the replay you can see how composed Kotozakura is, a luxury granted by his size and strength. While Takanosho was only thinking “push forwards” Kotozakura was thinking “find the edge, grab the belt, circle off, drive down”. That’s why Kotozakura is different from the majority of wrestlers who are blessed with his size. He could coast by on his size alone, but he so clearly wants to be the best he can be (having a yokozuna for a grandfather will probably do that for you).

Also, I harp on about Kotozakura’s elite foot skimming all the time. But watch his feet people!

Despite the loss, Takanosho still has a mathematical chance of winning the title. A lot would need to happen for that to come into play, though.

The only other wrestlers with that same chance are Abi and Gonoyama. They both scored quick wins on Day 13.

Abi unleashed his henka for the first time this basho. His victim was Takerufuji. There’s really no one better when it comes to this move (which is perfectly acceptable in my books).

Gonoyama used brute force to get out Kirishima. Kirishima tried to get cute by tying Gonoyama up off the tachiai, but he exposed his chest too much. Gonoyama’s opening thrust pushed Kirishima too far back for him to respond with any kind of counter.

Two wrestlers who are having good tournaments, despite being nowhere near the title challengers, are Chiyoshoma and Takayasu. When the veterans met on Day 13 Chiyoshoma scored the victory via slap down.

Chiyoshoma has been very bold with his movement in this tournament, taking long, wide and risky steps to set up throws. He likes to create a lot of space between his legs. Then, when he has a hold of someone, he can close that gap really quickly to pull them off balance. That win gave Chiyoshoma a 9-4 record.

Kotoshoho and Hiradoumi are at the other end of the spectrum. They only have four wins between them in this tournament. Their bout was exciting, as you’d expect from these two, with Hiradoumi able to stay up just long enough for Kotoshoho to land belly first on the dirt.

This resulted in one of the loudest crowd pops of the night. Hiradoumi literally means “Sea of Hirado”. His hometown of Hirado is just two hours from Fukuoka. He’s had local supports, fan club members and probably friends and family in the stands every night and they’ve had precious little to celebrate this month. Hopefully he can get another two wins over the weekend to salvage a little pride from what has been a pretty disastrous tournament for the young man.

Poor Shishi is also not doing great. He’s been rag-dolled a lot in this tournament. Last night was the turn of Kitanowaka (who will likely take Shishi’s place in makuuchi in the new year).

The penultimate day of the Kyushu basho promises some high drama. To set up a grand finish on the final day both Hoshoryu and Kotozakura need to win.

Hoshoryu will have to get past his ‘frenemy’ Kirishima. If Kirishima loses that will be his make-koshi and mean a demotion from sekiwake. Their head-to-head record is currently locked at 9-9. Hoshoryu won the last contest with a slick kirikaeshi (twisting backward knee trip).

Kotozakura will face Onosato. Onosato, at 8-5, is playing for just pride. Kotozakura has a 3-2 record against Onosato. He lost their last bout, on Day 13 of the aki basho. Though, I think Kotozakura was a little banged up at that point in the tournament.

The JSA have separated Abi, Takanosho and Gonoyama. This means neither of them are guaranteed to reach 11-3 tomorrow (a record that could make things very interesting if both Hoshoryu and Kotozakura lose and drop down to 12-2).

Abi will fight Atamifuji. Those two are tied 3-3.

Takanosho meets Daieisho. Those two are tied 9-9 (and Daieisho’s won the last two bouts).

And Gonoyama will take on Wakamotoharu. He’s 1-2 against the current komusubi.

I’m really hoping the results tomorrow lead to Hoshoryu vs. Kotozakura for all the marbles on Day 15.

What about you?