Abi defeated Fujiseiun with a clever change of tactic ( a henka, if we're being honest..) at the start of the bout, securing his fourth win. He moved to the left while extending his right hand and holding his opponent's head down in a skillful move. "I thought about a lot of things, and then I decided to just go for it," he reflected. This brings his record to 4 wins and 4 losses. "Whether I win or lose, my movements were good. I was able to do it today because my body was moving well," he said with a satisfied expression. This gives him momentum heading into the second half of the season. Tomorrowy, he is scheduled to face Hakunofuji. (sigh..)
Tobizaru beat Ura in a fierce battle that went to a rematch, maintaining his one-loss record. Initially, Tobizaru drove his opponent to the edge of the dohyo, putting him in a bow-like position and seemingly on the verge of victory. However, Ura showed incredible tenacity, (Matrix-level, if we're being honest) and in the end, Tobizaru was pushed back to the edge of the dohyo but managed to execute a pulling technique. The gyoji initially pointing his fan (gumbai, if we're being honest) to Tobizaru, but a monoii was called, and a torinaoshi was decided (Ura was robbed, if we're being honest). In the rematch, Tobizaru took control, not letting Ura get close, and finally pushed him out of the dohyo. The arena erupted in applause (went bonkers, if we're being honest) for the intense battle. Tobizaru said, "A draw? I didn't know. I felt like I had been given another chance, so I decided to go for it." (you betcha, if we're being honest). His previous record against Ura, who is known for his fierce offense and defense, was 10 -9 However, having recently suffered five consecutive losses to him, he said, "I'm happy to have won after a losing streak," indicating he has halted his disadvantage. He is now just one win away from his first kachikoshi in four tournaments. Furthermore, Kirishima, who had been undefeated, suffered a loss, leaving him, Wakatakakage, and Kirishima with one loss each. "My technique hasn't changed, but my body is in good condition. I feel like everything is clicking without any injuries. I want to concentrate and take each match one at a time," he said, his confidence growing day by day. (probably, if we're being honest)
Fujiryouga beat on-form Kotoeihou who had only one loss, to improve his record to 6 -2. He thrust forward with a powerful left-hand grip, and nearly lost his balance at the edge of the dohyo when his opponent attempted a thrust-down, but he said, "I wanted to win no matter what," and managed to throw his opponent down, forcing him to the ground. His leg is not in perfect condition, and he appeared to be limping slightly after the match. Nevertheless, he strongly emphasized his own sumo style, saying, "Because of my injury, I want to keep moving forward. I can't do anything particularly skillful, so I want to fight with a bold, no-nonsense style until the very end."
Komusubi Wakatakakage defeated Ouhou to maintain his one-loss record. From the start of the bout, he quickly grabbed his opponent's mawashi with his left hand, then turned to the left, lifting his opponent's upper body before pushing him over in a solid finish. "I focused on doing my own sumo," he said calmly as he reflected on the match. He is now 7-1 after the halfway point of the tournament. On this day, Ozeki Kirishima suffered his first loss, adding Wakatakakage to the top of the yusho race, but Wakatakakage didn't waver, saying, "The basho isn't over yet. I'll just do my best." Nevertheless, he quietly stated, "I think I'm in good physical condition. I want to concentrate on each match one at a time," showing his fighting spirit burning within as he heads into the second half of the tournament.
Gounoyama handed the undefeated Ozeki Kirishima his first loss today. At the start of the bout, he pulled back and was quickly pushed to the edge of the dohyo when Kirishima got a migi yotsu grip. "I was thinking I had to somehow break free," he said, and after withstanding a sukuinage, he regained his balance, pushed back, and won by oshidashi. "I was losing in terms of speed, strength, and technique. It was good that I tried to attack midway through the match," he said, reflecting on the match with satisfaction. His record against Kirishima was close to even, with 4 wins and 5 losses in the past, but he had recently lost the last three matches. "I was aware that I wasn't pushing because he was shifting my position. I thought I should keep my body in front of him. " he said, describing how he achieved victory by putting his plan into action. He is now 6-2 at the halfway point of the tournament, chasing Kirishima, Wakatakakage, and Tobizaru, who all have one loss. After the match, Minatogawa Oyakata (former Ozeki Takakeishou) also visited him in the bathing area and praised his performance, saying, "It was good." With both Yokozuna Oonosato and Houshouryuu, and Ozeki Aonishiki absent, this tournament lacks a clear favorite. It wouldn't be surprising to see anyone lift the Emperor's Cup. "I'll get ahead in wins and then stay focused." It's still too early to think about the yusho, but he's unconsciously trying to ride the momentum.
Ozeki Kirishima suffered his first defeat of the tournament, against Gounoyama . He started the bout with a sharp charge and pushed forward, driving Gounoyama to the edge of the dohyo, but Gounoyama managed to circle around him and he couldn't finish him off (someone has to find a better way of saying this, to be honest). He tried a forceful throw midway through the bout, which created distance and reversed the situation. From there, he was pushed out. "I had a good start, but the throw at the end wasn't good. I rushed it a little," he said, reflecting with regret. Although he missed the opportunity to lead the tournament undefeated in the middle of the tournament, he still has a record of 7 -1 . Regarding the content of his matches, he took a positive view, saying, "My body is moving well." He is still at the forefront of the yushop race, alongside Wakatakakage and Tobizaru, but he said, "I don't want to dwell on that, I just want to concentrate on my own matches," keeping his sights set on the match in front of him. He did not lose his composure despite his first loss and calmly looked ahead to the second half of the tournament.
