Day 7 Natsu 2021

Weekend sumo watching is always more pleasurable. I have not had a day 
of staring at a screen while half listening to conversations over a 
phone for a start. I also feel the need to get a nice pot of 
dajeeling tea (currently on a nice second flush) and relax as I enjoy 
the spectacle which is sumo.

Chiyonoo is visiting from Juryo today. Ishiura, after a few boob 
groping attempts lost. Chiyonoo had Ishiura in a grip which left him 
powerless. A quick walk out ended the bout.

Chiyomaru made short work of Akiseyama. 3 or 4 pushes got the melted 
candle out of the dohyo. 

Chiyoshoma shows us all how to henka. He leapt up and to the right as 
Akua launched forward. A swift hand to Akua'a head made sure his 
momentum took him out. A nice skillful henka as opposed to some of the 
sort which make you feel it is a cop out. 

Terutsuyoshi lost in an odd way to Shimanoumi. They engaged, span a 
bit and Terutsuyoshi sort of got dizzy and stepped out. 

Tamawashi and Tsurugisho had a good bout. Lots of countering each 
other's attacks. Tamawashi did a sort of suicidal fall hoping 
Tsurugisho went first and luckily it happened, leaving Tsurugisho with 
a bloody forehead.

Tochinoshin and Endo engaged in a sideways hug and as Tochi tried to 
disengage, managed to step out. 

Tobizaru has finished his brush with the Ozeki and faced Onosho. A 
strange grapple happened with Tobizaru seemingly hoping he could twist 
in the air and get Onosho to land first. However, the gyoji declared 
Onosho the winner. A mono-ii declared a rematch. Bout 2 involved lots 
of slapping and keeping out each other's grip. Tobizaru tries pushing 
forward but Onosho decides to charge and give a single shove which 
sends Tobizaru flying into the crowd. Quelle surprise!

Meisei got Wakatakakage by the throat straight away. Waka side stepped 
at the edge and they engaged in a lively slap fest until a mistimed 
step forward caused Wakatakakage to stumble. Meisei helped 
Wakatakakage find the clay.

Hokutofuji managed to get his first win against Takayasu. Lots of arm 
swinging between the pair. Grand gestures until Hokutofuji is at the 
edge. A large swing knocks Takayasu off balance and he ends up out. 

Hoshoryu attempted a henka against Takakeisho. Not a big enough leap 
sideways and Takakeisho responded quickly. Hoshoryu found his face in 
the clay rather quickly.

Terunofuji faced Takanosho. History favoured Takanosho with a 4-1 
record. However, Terunofuji continued his Natsu theme and made short 
work of Takanosho. He remains undefeated. 

So after day 7, we are left with Terunofuji undefeated and just 
Takakeisho following with a single loss. 10 follow with 2 losses. 
Tomorrow marks the just over half way point and when rikishi start 
achieving kachi-koshi (winning record) or ended up with make-koshi 
(losing record). It sort of feels a little like a basho with a genki 
Hakuho where the winner seems obvious. However, others have led from 
early on but stumbled by day 10. It just feels like Terunofuji is 
dominating at the moment and has his eye on the Yokuzuna rope. His 
record for the past year is amazing really. He got the yusho for 
July 2020 with 13-2. Aki was spent partly kyujo but still got his 
kachi-koshi. November 2020 was a yun-yusho at 13-2 which was repeated 
for Hatsu 2021 with 11-4. Of course, he won Haru on 12-3 and regained 
Ozeki. He is fighting extremely well and deserves Yokusuna really. His 
fighting spirit is simply amazing. There is always the ticking time 
bomb of how long those knees can keep going but Terunofuji is making 
the most of that time to do some brilliant sumo. Hakkeyoi!