Day 5 developments -

Yesterday, I noted that Tokusegawa (EJ1/2-3) had been moved up to the big(ger) boys of the Makuuchi Banzuke, and he faced off against Koryu (EM16/1-4), pulling off an impressive force-out (yoritaoshi). However, tomorrow’s matching will bring the West Juryo #1 Sagatsukasa (4-1) to bear against the West Maegashira #16, Toyohibiki (4-1) who seems to be making up for lost matches in prior tournaments this time around.

Further up the sumo rankings, we find Kisenosato (WM3/5-0) smashing his way through the Banzuke, and as the English commentator noted, he may be mirroring his 13-2 run in the 2009 Natsu Basho (May) in which he had five straight victories from the start. Today’s fifth win comes at Yoshikaze’s (EM5/1-4) expense. Is it still too early to peg him as a potential yusho candidate..?

His victory is also noteworthy in that the only other rikishi on the Banzuke without a loss is none other than Yokozuna Hakuho who showed the unlucky Miyabiyama (WM2/1-4) the fast way out of the dohyo much as Asashoryu did yesterday…

…and as for Asashoryu - (4-1), he was handed his first loss which gave Goeido (EM2/2-3) his first kinboshi (gold star), which will put some extra spending cash into his wallet… although that win was by a hikiotoshi (stepping-back-shoulder-pull-down), a move that some might consider amateurish or henka.

My personal favourite ozeki, Kotooshu (EO/4-1) ousted the “Gorgeous Georgian” Tochinoshin (WM1/1-4) with a snappy underarm throw (shitatenage), while his fellow East Ozeki and stablemate Kotomitsuki (1-4) racked up his first win this basho against Toyonoshima (EM1/1-4) which will hopefully mark an end to his sub-par performance.

Those are the standouts… and of course, for the complete scorecard, there’s the official site.

Another one of my favourites, Baruto (ES/4-1), showed himself strong against veteran West Ozeki Kaio (2-3) with a quick blast-out yorikiri. I really hope he continues in this track towards promotion to Ozeki.