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Day 3 Comments (Mike Wesemann reporting)
I've said it before, but it seems as if the basho in Tokyo are more stable and produce better sumo. We've definitely seen that so far through the first three days of the tournament. Asashoryu has been nicked once already, but we haven't had a 15-0 performance in a year, so don't start getting your hopes up until he suffers his third loss. It's fine to root for the Yokozuna to lose, but what you want to see is rikishi beat them who actually have a shot at the yusho. Kisenosato did a good job of blowing it yesterday, and I don't even dare mention the name of the other non-Yokozuna who has a shot because Kotooshu hasn't proven himself well in those situations. There's a 95% chance that one of the Yokozuna will yusho, but it still doesn't mean we can't enjoy some of the younger rikishi coming of age and the aforementioned Ozeki coming out of his funk. With that said, let's get right to another solid day of sumo.

M16 Hakuba creeped into the moro-zashi position at the tachi-ai, but he didn't demand the pose with a solid charge that forced M15 Hakurozan upright, so the result was two firm outer grips from Hakurozan who was able to bring Hakuba in so close that the rookie's chin was resting on Hakurozan's shoulder. After a brief tsuri attempt and a force out charge that was going nowhere from Hakuba, Hakurozan pivoted towards the straw and swung Hakuba wildly out with a left uwate-nage. Good stuff from Hakurozan who picks up his first win while Hakuba falls to 0-3. The rookie needs another loss like I need a bigger forehead, but it doesn't look as if either of us will turn things around soon.

Call me crazy, but the best bout of the basho so far was today's M14 Tochinoshin - M16 Kotokasuga affair, a battle of two rookies. Kotokasuga played it perfect from the tachi-ai keeping his arms tight on the inside looking for moro-zashi. Shin fought it off well and managed a left outer grip, but Kotokasuga shook that ass a few times breaking off the grip and managing a left outer of his own now forcing Tochinoshin to grapple for position. The Georgian settled for a firm right inside grip that he wasted no time to use in a throw attempt. The throw didn't fell Kotokasuga to the dirt, but it knocked him off balance to where Tochinoshin could secure morozashi and execute the subsequent force-out. Why was this the best bout so far? Because you had the veteran Japanese rikishi who knew he was overmatched, so he employed a tactical tachi-ai and stuck to his guns throughout the bout keeping Tochinoshin upright and away from a smothering outer. On the flip side, you had a patient Tochinoshin who countered so well, and who was so smooth in the dohyo, you could just see that he was raised properly in his stable. Great stuff in only our second bout of the day. Tochinoshin is on a roll at 3-0 while Kotokasuga falters to 1-2.

Leave it to a crafty old veteran to stop M15 Toyohibiki's streak. The Nikibi opened up with his usual tsuppari, but M13 Tamanoshima kept his arms in tight and didn't necessarily block the thrusts, but he swiped at them enough to keep Toyohibiki from driving him back. After about six seconds of the chess match, Tamanoshima timed a perfect swipe at Toyohibiki that knocked him slightly off balance and allowed the veteran to jump into the morozashi position from where he felled Toyohibiki with a nice scoop throw. Both dudes stand at 2-1.

M13 Kakizoe repented of his mistakes yesterday and never relented in his tsuppari attack of M14 Yoshikaze. Zoe drove Yoshikaze back towards the straw straight from the tachi-ai, but his opponent countered briefly at the edge with a shove of his own and then movement to his left, but instead of swiping at Yoshikaze sideways as he did to Tamanoshima yesterday, Kakizoe positioned himself in front of his opponent and drove him back. With Yoshikaze on the move, there was nowhere to go for him now but back and out. Good, persistent win from Kakizoe today who improves to 2-1 while Yoshikaze is 1-2.

M11 Homasho failed to make an impact from the tachi-ai today against M12 Tamakasuga, but he grounded himself well enough to the dohyo and kept his arms extended and moving just enough to thwart a serious counter tsuppari attack from the King. As the two circled slowly in the center of the ring looking for an opening, the younger Homasho got it first and pounced in for a solid grip with the left hand, which he smartly used to drive Tamakasuga straight back and out with. Shikoroyama-oyakata would be the first to say that Homasho's gotta work on his tachi-ai. He got away with it today as he usually will at this position in the ranks, but he can't survive with that tachi-ai much higher up. He'll breathe easy at 2-1 while the King falls to 1-2.

And speaking of tachi-ai that have lost their punch, M12 Tosanoumi failed to budge M11 Iwakiyama in their bout today. The gorilla just stood his ground as Tosanoumi spun his wheels pushing into Iwakiyama's chest, and after about three seconds of the nonsense, Iwakiyama delivered one one of those rogue barrels that come crashing down in a random course that always crush poor Mario to the dirt. Iwakiyama moves to 2-1 with the hataki-komi win while Tosanoumi ails at 1-2.

Good ole Roho....going for a pull of his opponent at the worst time. Today against M10 Wakanosato, the Russian had good intentions charging straight and a bit low to cut of any sorta inside position from Wakanosato, but it took all of two seconds to panic and go for a pull down that Wakanosato was waiting for and used to seize the inside position forcing Roho back and out with little fanfare. I think I can actually see both Hakurozan and Roho making a bit of an effort to return to sound sumo, but the crap sumo is so ingrained into them at this point, it's prolly hopeless. Both rikishi are 2-1.

M9 Kasugao showed just how uncomfortable he is fighting from the migi-yotsu position today against M10 Dejima who charged low but was unable to force Kasugao back. The Korean grabbed a left outer grip and attempted a force-out charge but was rebuffed rather easily at the tawara by Dejima. As the action slid back into the center of the ring the stalemate was on causing me reach for my Wish You Were Here CD. After listening to both Shine on You Crazy Diamond tracks, I returned my gaze to the television just in time to see Kasugao go for a left belt throw this time aiding the attack with his left leg planted firmly inside of Dejima's right using the leg to flip Dejima over and down as he threw him. Good stuff....in the end. Both rikishi are 1-2.

M8 Takekaze really looks lost this basho. At the starting lines, M7 Goeido was hunkered down and ready to go while Takekaze was still upright and as shifty as a shoplifter before he purloins the goods. When the two did attack, Takekaze merely put both hands weakly at Goeido's shoulders offering no force upon impact, so Goeido just pivoted to his left and slapped Takekaze's ass down to the dohyo. My guess is that the pull sumo was the result of fear of a tachi-ai henka from Takekaze. Nonetheless, Goeido quietly moves to 3-0 while Takekaze drops to 0-3. In the booth today, Kariya Announcer was flanked by Oguruma-oyakata, who musta had a rough day watching both of his Makuuchi rikishi get their asses kicked. Course, when Yoshikaze and Takekaze are your only two dudes, you're gonna have those days more often than not.

M7 Takamisakari committed a false start today against M8 Tochinonada drawing huge laughter from the Kokugikan crowd, but the Japanese will laugh at anything (believe me...I've watched their "variety" shows before). When the two finally did hook up Tochinonada enjoyed the firm left inside position, which he used to swing the Cop over to the edge but not out. With a right outer grip of his own, the gangly Sakari countered nicely forcing the action back into the middle of the ring where it was his turn to attack, and he did so brilliantly first lifting up at Nada's left side by the belt keeping Tochinonada from planting his left leg and attempting another charge of his own, and second by pinching inwards on Tochinonada's left arm near the straw disabling any sorta counter position. Great stuff today as the Cop picks up his first win. Too bad his quirkiness overshadows his great counter sumo for most observers. Tochinonada falls to 2-1.

After too long of a pause by M6 Hokutoriki at the starting lines against M5 Toyonoshima, you just knew he was thinking of something. That something was a weak henka to his right where Jokutoriki went for a meager shoulder slapdown that failed miserably and setup Toyonoshima with the inside position, a stance that allowed the Tokitsukaze-beya prodigy to waste no time in driving Hokutoriki across the ring and out. Toyonoshima stays perfect while Hokutoriki is winless.

M5 Tochiohzan and M6 Futenoh created medium impact at the tachi-ai that saw Futenoh grab his favored inside position with the left, but gaining no momentum from the tachi-ai, Tochiohzan was able to hold his ground and grab a right outer grip in the process. Oh first looked to hunker down and plant his head into Futenoh's jaw, but Futenoh brushed him off like a dog shaking fleas breaking Tochiohzan's outer grip in the process. With nothing to hold onto and counter with, Tochiohzan was as easy as Paris Hilton leaving Futenoh the clear force-out path from there. Don't look now but Fruitenoh is 3-0 from the M6 slot while Tochiohzan needs to rethink things at 0-3.

M4 Aminishiki and M3 Kakuryu traded a flurry of weak tsuppari from the tachi-ai, shoves that were more of an attempt to feel the other guy up--I mean out--and set up an attack. Aminishiki pounced first grabbing a left outer grip in the melee and using it straightway to drag Kakuryu over to the ring's edge and hoist him out from there in spectacular fashion. Kakuryu (0-3) has gone soft on us again while Aminishiki's experience in these parts was on full display. He moves to 2-1.

Sekiwake Kotoshogiku had to have been aware of his 3-10 history coming in against M4 Tokitenku because he was tentative at the charge. It didn't help that Tokitenku connected with a perfect hari-te with the left hand that setup the quick outer grip on the same side. The Geeku tried to dig in with the right on the inside, but his left was nowhere near an outer grip due to Tokitenku's height and positioning, so Tenku wasted no time in using that left outside position to mount a solid yori-kiri charge. Make that 3-11 as Kotoshogiku suffers his first loss. Tokitenku is a quiet 2-1 as well.

A fairly good day--no make that basho so far--of tactical sumo was ruined at this point by a tachi-ai henka from Komusubi Asasekiryu against Sekiwake Ama. Asasekiryu barely moved to his right but jumped straight up in the air and just mounted Ama from up top driving him down to the clay in an ugly affair. Ama was stretching his elbow afterwards, so let's hope he's alright. His 2-1 record is no consolation for being done like that. Asasuckiryu moves to 2-1 as well.

At least Komusubi Kisenosato salvaged a bit of pride for the rank as he pounded Ozeki Kaio grabbing an early right grip from the tachi-ai and using his left arm to cut off Ozeki's right. Kaio shifted a bit to counter, but the Kid drove him back towards the straw where a nonsensical pull attempt from Kaio was all Kisenosato needed to deliver that final force-out blow. Kisenosato improves to 2-1 after having fought one Yokozuna and two Ozeki and is prolly still kicking himself for blowing that bout against Chiyotaikai yesterday. Kaio suddenly looks shaky at 1-2.

Ozeki Kotomitsuki hooked up with M2 Kyokutenho in the gappuri migi-yotsu position from the tachi-ai, but when Kyokutenho tries as he's done the last coup'la basho, the only rikishi who I'd favor over him in a gappuri yotsu contest are Hakuho, Kotooshu, and Baruto. If I left Asashoryu off of that list then you know Kotomitsuki won't be on it either, and today was the perfect example why. The Ozeki knew he was had early on as he abandoned first his inner grip only to grab it again and next his outer grip only to grab that again as well. Kyokutenho is so good in this position because of his height advantage, and he just smothered Kotomitsuki disallowing any hopes of escape or a counter maki-kae. The damage was done in a matter of seconds as Kyokutenho picks up his first one while handling Mitsuki is first loss.

Ozeki Kotooshu continued his roll today against M3 Miyabiyama opting for a tsuppari tachi-ai...something I think all tall rikishi should implement from the start. Miyabiyama tried to counter with tsuppari of his own, but Kotooshu dug in, kept his chin up, and shortly found an opening that knocked Miyabiyama to the side and off balance. With his lower body sufficiently grounded from the get-go, Oshu was ready to pounce and drove Miyabiyama back and into the second row for good measure. A rare oshi-dashi win for Kotooshu (3-0), but he continued his spotless sumo again today. Just keep it up AFTER picking up that eight win...that's all I ask. MiFlobbiyama is 0-3.

Just how impotent Ozeki Chiyotaikai has become was on display today against M2 Wakanoho, who showed great maturity to just stand his ground at the tachi-ai and time a perfect slap to the side of the Pup's face with the right hand that sent the Ozeki sprawling as an Ozeki never should. Not much more to it than that as Wakanoho picks up a solid win moving to 1-2. Chiyotaikai suffers his first loss after lucking out yesterday.

In the most compelling bout of the day, Yokozuna Hakuho hit M1 Baruto at the tachi-ai harder than I've ever seen anyone else do it. The Estonian just bounced off of the Yokozuna the attack was that good. With Baruto having been knocked straight up and a step back, Hakuho slapped him ferociously to the side and then assumed the manlove position. The fun only lasted for a second though as Hakuho just dragged Baruto backwards by the front of the mawashi spilling him awkwardly to the clay causing me to flinch just a bit, but when he stood back up he seemed fine. Considering his competition, it's okay for Baruto to be 0-3 at this point, but is it me or does he look like an old man out there the way he moves? He may never fully recover from that knee injury. As for Hakuho, he sent a message today moving to 3-0, but we still have a lot of territory to cover.

In the day's final bout, Asashoryu did an awkward hop from the tachi-ai that M1 Kokkai didn't make him pay for, so the Yokozuna followed that with a late kachi-age using the right arm. The blow was effective enough that Asashoryu was able to stand Kokkai upright just a bit and then move to his right causing Kokkai to stumble forward as he reloaded. With the Georgian now fumbling forward, he was the easy pushout fodder from behind. Clancy mentions this oft, but Asashoryu coulda really sent Kokkai packing in their bout today, but he mercifully kept him atop the clay mound in the win today. Like Baruto, there's no real shame in Kokkai's 0-3 start, but these two sure could have added more excitement these first few days with better efforts. Asashoryu moves to 2-1 and has already faced his toughest competition until he greets Kotooshu next Wednesday or so.

Three days in, and I've really been encouraged by the sumo we've seen so far. Let's hope Kitanofuji's fears can be allayed by some of these horses keeping pace with the two Yokozuna. If I need a break from myself, then so do you. Mark gives it to you tomorrow.

Day 2 Comments (Mike Wesemann reporting)
One of the best parts of the day 1 broadcast is the minute or so before the rikishi step atop the dohyo for the first Makuuchi bout of the day. The dohyo-iri and other hype is all out of they way, and NHK puts the focus on Fujii Announcer and Kitanofuji in the booth as the two enjoy a candid conversation about the basho. Being the professional that he is, Fujii Announcer wasted none of the conversation on who was going to yusho as it's pointless before the whole thing starts to debate between Asashoryu and Hakuho, so instead he asked Kitanofuji about potential jun-yusho rikishi. Kitanofuji paused a bit and then frankly replied, "the problem is none of the Ozeki can win 13 bouts right now." It was a brilliant remark and probably one made out of frustration that there is no clear cut number three guy in sumo these days.

Back when Takanohana was dominating in the mid-nineties, you always had other rikishi just one or two off the pace in the end. Musashimaru...Takanonami...Wakanohana...and of course Akebono. And even after Asashoryu was crowned Yokozuna, the Ozeki still gave the Yokozuna a run for his money and took every other yusho for that first year and change. One of the problems with sumo right now is that the Ozeki collectively are weak, and any potential candidates for the rank peter out faster than Vanilla Ice's career. Having said that, it was nice to see the Ozeki get off to a good start on day 1 because they really are key to adding excitement to a basho the first 14 days. Let's get to the day 2 bouts going in chronological order.

M15 Toyohibiki showed great de-ashi from the start as he used his tsuppari attack to drive M16 Kotokasuga around the ring and to the edge, but as happens in seemingly every bout with the Nikibi, he gave up the advantage at the edge allowing Kotokasuga to slip into the moro-zashi position. The rookie turned the tables quickly and looked to force Toyohibiki out that last step, but the Nikibi lifted up at Kotokasuga's left arm and evaded to his right dumping Kotokasuga across the straw for a nifty hiki-otoshi win...not to mention a 2-0 start. Kotokasuga suffers his first loss in the tough luck bout.

In a compelling match early on, the two remaining rookies, M14 Tochinoshin and M16 Hakuba, bumped chests in a solid bout of sumo. The two hooked up immediately in the migi-yotsu position from the tachi-ai with both enjoying left outers, a stance that obviously favors the taller Tochinoshin. The Georgian swiftly forced Hakuba back to the edge, but Hakuba wouldn't go easily unleashing a swell scoop throw attempt with the right arm that nearly threw Tochinoshin to the brink, but the younger Shin showed excellent ring presence as he was able to plant his right foot and loft Hakuba across the straw as he himself flew completely off the dohyo. It was close, but gunbai to Tochinoshin who has looked great the first two days. Unlike most of the other Eastern European rikishi, this guy has a lot of potential. His sumo is based from the ground up, and he can't spell the word h-i-k-u. I attribute his sound sumo to his hailing from the Kasugano-beya, an established stable with a handful of good sekitori and a sharp oyakata in the former Tochinowaka. Shin's a keeper for sure at 2-0 not to mention that this kid is only a score and six months old! Hakuba has now lost to his fellow rookies on consecutive days.

The brother's Ho just don't get it. You don't give away your size and strength advantage by pulling your opponent two seconds in, especially when he's M1`4 Yoshikaze, but that's exactly what M15 Hakurozan did today. After a solid tachi-ai, he immediately went for the pull with the right hand, but Yoshikaze (1-1) was onto it like flies to stink, and Hakurozan couldn't recover as he was pushed out in four uneventful seconds or so to an 0-2 record.

In battle of crusty ole veterans, M13 Tamanoshima looked to have pull on his mind from the get-go because a half second after the two bumped chests, Peter evaded to his left pulling M12 Tosanoumi in the process. Tosanoumi kept his feet and looked to briefly have a shot at survival as he countered at the edge, but Tamanoshima was too swift in his attack has he danced back around the straw and pulled the Blue Collar Man down for good. I didn't like Tamanoshima's tactic today of immediately going for pull sumo, but he gave Tosanoumi a fair fight. A stronger tachi-ai from Tosanoumi would have worked today, but he kept his head too low and didn't generate enough impact. Both dudes are 1-1.

M13 Kakizoe timed his tachi-ai perfectly and used his tsuppari to drive M12 Tamakasuga back to the straw in a flash, but they don't call him the King for nuthin'. With his right foot braced against the straw, KingTama looked as if he'd evade to his right, so Kakizoe complied by shoving him that way instead of back and out that last step. With Tamakasuga now dancing along the edge and Kakizoe in tow, the latter was too low in his attack, and Tamakasuga was able to drag him down for the improbable win after that tachi-ai. Both rikishi rest on 1-1.

M10 Dejima jumped for the bottom hammer against M11 Iwakiyama today looking to grab an insurmountable inside position, but Iwakiyama kept him it bay with a solid tsuppari attack, and after about three seconds in, I-Kong took the initiative and just barreled Dejima back and out despite the latter briefly grabbing moro-zashi at the edge. This was good stuff from Iwakiyama who takes the girl to the next level at 1-1. Dejima (1-1) better figure out how to punch out those yellow rivets tomorrow.

In a battle of likeable rikishi, one old and one new, M11 Homasho was his usual passive self at the tachi-ai against M10 Wakanosato, but you never want to let Wakanosato get the early position because he can beat anybody not named Khan once you give him the inside position. He got it with the left arm and quickly drove Homasho back to the straw where Homie briefly tried an utchari counter-throw, but Wakanosato's grip was too smothering, and Homasho only lifted his opponent back and on top of him in a bout that equated to an ass-kicking. Both rikishi are 1-1.

Just a side comment here, but who relegated the man in the gold top hat to the seats along the hanamichi instead of his usual cushion four rows back on the muko-jomen side? For the second day in a row, top hat has actually had to use the stairs to get to his seat. He musta pissed somebody off at the Association. Prolly got caught rooting for Asashoryu.

Anyway, in a battle of yotsu heavy-weights, the solid sumo contest would not pan out as M8 Tochinonada slipped back and to his left at the tachi-ai in an effort to deny M9 Kasugao anything with the right hand. Kasugao kept his footing after the henka and charged low into Tochinonada, but pull sumo was on Nada's mind, and he was able to dance backwards and keep Kasugao guessing. After five seconds or so of sloppy sumo, the two rikishi became separated and standing upright. In this position, Tochinonada just lunged forward this time using a sound attack by pushing at Kasugao's right side with his left arm knocking the Korean off balance to where he was pull-down material in the end. Wasn't pretty 'tall but I guess Nada will take that 2-0 start. Kasugao is winless.

Clancy's definition of M9 Roho's shikona held true again today against M8 Takekaze as he struck and immediately moved out to his left pulling at his opponent in the process. Takekaze, probably sensing a henka, didn't pop the Russian as sufficiently at the tachi-ai as he needed to resulting in an easy pull-down win for Roho. It was ugly again for Roho, but he is 2-0. Takekaze is still an o'fer.

M7 Takamisakari celebrated his 32nd birthday today against M6 Futenoh and was obviously in a giving mood because he didn't do anything at the tachi-ai except stand straight up and allow Futenoh the solid morozashi position, which he promptly used to drive the Cop straight back and out in two seconds. I initially thought that Takamisakari wasn't ready and was caught off guard from a false start by Futenoh, but after watching the replays, it was sound. Takamisakari just got caught napping today and falls to 0-2 fer the lapse. Fruitenoh is 2-0.

And speaking of jumping the gun, M6 Hokutoriki looked to get the early advantage today against M7 Goeido but ended up committing a false start. In the process, though, he played his hand, and Goeido was savvy enough to make him pay for it. As the two reloaded, Goeido complied this time pounding both fists to the dirt in time with Hokutoriki, but instead of coming up out of his crouch, he just stayed low causing Hokutoriki to throw both hands into a moro-te hold that wasn't there. Goeido promptly came out of his stance at this point and bearhugged the Joker back and out in mere seconds. Wow...that was a ballsy move on Goeido's part, but it worked to perfection. Give that boy a 2-0 start while Hokutoriki has some answering to do to the missus at 0-2.

M4 Tokitenku and M5 Tochiohzan hooked up in the early migi-yotsu position that saw Tenku grab the shallow outer grip with the finger tips on his left hand, but Oh shook it off a few seconds in and grabbed a left outer of his own. Tochiohzan looked to have the advantage at this point, but Tokitenku pulled him in close and aligned chests leaving Tochiohzan more upright than he wanted to be. To his credit Tochiohzan tried to attack using the left outer position, but he had no punch, and you could just see that Tokitenku had the clear advantage. On about Tochiohzan's third force-out attempt, Tokitenku said enough of the funny bidness and just turned the tables bellying Tochiohzan around and out with his solid right inside position. It means nothing for Tochiohzan (0-2) to have good basho from low in the ranks against inferior opponents. He's gotta learn to beat the guys in the upper half of the division. Solid stuff from Tenku as he moves to 1-1.

M4 Aminishiki was proactive at the tachi-ai in using tsuppari into M5 Toyonoshima's throat to keep him at bay, but that really isn't Sneaky's game, and Toyonoshima was able to duck inside getting his left arm deep on Aminishiki's right side. As Toyonoshima immediately drove Aminishiki back, Ami went for the counter right outer grip throw, but Toyonoshima's position was too good and crushed his now committed opponent back and down into a heap in the corner of the dohyo. Toyonoshima actually has some momentum at 2-0 for the first time in a a few basho. Sneaky settles for 1-1.

Sekiwake Ama got back on track big time today against M3 Kakuryu going back to the tachi-ai that prompted talk of Ozeki in the first place. The Sekiwake used a right paw to the neck of the Kak, choking him all the way back to the edge where he used a few final shoves at the edge causing the Kak to shoot off the dohyo altogether in short order. I'm guessing Ama was confident he could use that tachi-ai today against the smaller Kakuryu, but he's gotta trust in himself and use it against all of his opponents, even the big'uns like Miyabiyama and Hakuho. Ama moves to 2-0 with the win while the Kak has barely come at 0-2.

Sekiwake Kotoshogiku showed just how to fight M3 Miyabiyama, which is to be persistent and fend off the tsuppari until you can get on the inside. These days Miyabiyama's thrusts from the tachi-ai are largely with the arms only, so you just gotta be patient. The Geeku did just that taking a few shoves to the neck before getting his left arm on the inside of the Hutt's right. He lifted up perfectly at Miyabiyama's right arm twisting the Sheriff back towards the straw and securing the insurmountable moro-zashi position. Twas swift as Kotoshogiku picks up his second win while the Miyabiyama falls to 0-2.

In the Ozeki ranks, Kotomitsuki bullied his way into the moro-zashi position from the tachi-ai against M2 Wakanoho and had the youngster forced back and across the straw without argument. The Ozeki's attack was perfect as he first secured both arms on the inside, and then lifted his opponent upright eliminating any chance of a belt grip over the top. I hope Wakanoho (0-2) brought his pencil box because school's in session this basho. Kotomitsuki was perfect as he moves to 2-0.

And speaking of perfect, Ozeki Kotooshu has been just that this basho. Today against M2 Kyokutenho he gave up the early left outer grip at the tachi-ai, but instead of panicking and retreating as he was wont to do the past...oh...two or three years, he dug in using his right arm to lift up at Kyokutenho's left side as he fished for a left outer grip of his own on the other side. After a 10-second stalemate, Kotooshu bullied his way into that left outer grip, but Kyokutenho used the shift in position to attack. It was to no avail, however, as Kotooshu dug in and used Tenho's momentum to swing him around and across the straw with the initial right inside grip. This was fabulous stuff again from Kotooshu, and the difference this basho is that his sumo has been from the legs up. He's trusting in his size and strength knowing he has the advantage in the end. My only concern is that Kotooshu (2-0) is shooting for eight wins and not higher. Guess we'll find out in week 2. Kyokutenho is 0-2.

Ozeki Chiyotaikai looked to be the first Ozeki to fall this basho as Komusubi Kisenosato laughed off the Ozeki's tsuppari from the tachi-ai and shoved him back near the tawara, but in the process the Kid gave up the sound position he had gained, and even though Chiyotaikai awkwardly stumbled off balance to his right as he evaded, Kisenosato couldn't capitalize. Chiyotaikai quickly regained his footing and used his feisty tsuppari to force Kisenosato back and upright to where Chiyotaikai actually grabbed morozashi and forced the Kid back those last few steps setting up the oshi-dashi win. The difference in this one was Kisenosato not wanting to take a few more slaps to the grill in order to get the insurmountable inside position. Credit Chiyotaikai for never giving up in this one as he moves to a shaky 2-0. Kisenosato falls to 1-1 with the ugly bout, and it goes back to Kitanofuji's initial frustration that no other rikishi besides the Yokozuna can win 13 bouts in a basho.

Rounding out the Ozeki ranks, Kaio was the first one to fall as Komusubi Asasekiryu moved to his right at the tachi-ai grabbing the back of Kaio's belt with his left hand and twisting the Ozeki around and back. Kaio actually dug in valiantly, but if he's forced to do a 360 in the ring, he ain't survivin'. Asasekiryu had him pushed back and out in about three uneventful seconds as both rikishi now stand at 1-1.

In the Yokozuna ranks, there was no way that Asashoryu was going to belly up to M1 Baruto and align chests with the Biomass, so he shifted to his right and grabbed Baruto's left arm in the kote-nage position from the tachi-ai. Baruto also stepped forward with his right foot at the start causing no bump from the tachi-ai...only some grappling with the arms for position. Asashoryu came away with the left inside position at the front of Baruto's belt, but the Estonian leaned down on top of him and countered with his right arm wrapped around Asa's left from over the top. As the two grappled for position, Asashoryu was able to work his right arm into an outer belt grip on the other side, and as Baruto adjusted his footing to counter, Asashoryu twisted him around with the inside belt grip and dumped him to the clay lifting up with the right outer. This was yet another unorthodox bout from the Yokozuna, and I still can't figure out how  he sent Baruto back on his ass without using his legs to trip him, especially when only yesterday the Yokozuna was complaining of a bad back. I mean, Asashoryu's good, but he ain't no Alexander Karelin. Nonetheless, Asashoryu picks up his first win and still controls his own destiny, which is all he can ask for. Still, judging from the first two days of sumo, Hakuho is the Yokozuna who seems better grounded in his attack.

In the day's final bout, the said Hakuho easily lunged into the left inside position from the tachi-ai and used it to lift M1 Kokkai upright to the point where he grabbed the right inside on the other side spelling moro-zashi. It was curtains at this point as Hakuho methodically drove Kokkai back and out with llittle fanfare. Hakuho has been flawless the first two days while Baruto and Kokkai haven't provided much excitement.

Two days in and the surprise so far has to be Kotooshu. It's no surprise that he's 2-0 at this point as kadoban Ozeki always seem to find ways to get their eight. What is surprising is how he's doing it...with solid, forward-moving sumo. Keep it up.

If Clancy thought Kotooshu's legs were gorgeous, wait until I flaunt mine tomorrow.

Day 1 Comments (Clancy Kelly reporting)
Hey ya'll, you are welcome to the "Natsu" basho, which means "summer" in Nipponese, and it's summer the way it ought to be. Warm all day long bordering on hot for only two hours or so in midafternoon and then cooling down at dusk with nary a mosquito in sight, and a pleasant night without the sound of those billion frogs that will invade the rice fields/ponds once everyone has planted this year's crop.

I'm going to give you two lists to read over. 1.) Dejima, Tokitenku, Takekaze, Asasekiryu, Asasekiryu, Kokkai. 2.) Kotoshogiku, Kisenosato, Kisenosato, Kakuryu, Kisenosato, Baruto. Just off the top of your noggin, which list would you rather face, given your druthers? Yeah, I thought as much. Many of you will be unsurprised to learn that List 1 is Hakuho's foes since Jan. on Days 1 and 2, while List 2 is Asashoryu's.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but the NSK will do most anything in their power to somehow subvert and derail Asashoryu, plain and simple. Many of you are probably thinking, Whoa there Kelly, the Yokozuna fight the Komusubi on Day 1 and usually the Maegashira 1 on Day 2. Right. But let's look closer. In Jan and Mar, when Asa was WY, he got for his Day 1 and Day 2 foes EK, E1, EK, W1. Now in May as EY he gets EK, W1 (with the W1 being Baruto the Biomass). I'm not going to waste bandwidth arguing what is plain to see: Of the two Yokozuna, Asa gets scheduled the tougher foes on the first two days. In not one of those matchups would you choose Hakuho's foe as the more dangerous one (yes, even in the Kak vs. Sexy March Day 2, as Sexy and Kak are, in terms of their ability to beat certain others, roughly the same guy at the moment).

There are those who will cry, Hey, myan, they want the best matchup! Right, sure, so then why in Jan did they pit Asa vs Geeku on Day 1 when Geeku had BEATEN Hakuho on Day 1 in Nov? Doesn't it stand to reason that seeing if the Geeku could do it twice in a row would be more dramatic then Hakuho vs. his purple majesty, The Degyptian? Please.

Others of you may protest that it doesn't really matter because both Yokozuna will have to fight each K and M1 during the basho anyway. Right. And have you ever stood at the startline of a relay race running Leg 1, served first in a tennis final, been first up in a porn shoot, or taken the first tee shot in a foursome with your boss and his two important clients? I have, and though I kicked ass each and every time (well, in the porn shoot I didn't exactly kick ass), that doesn't mean Asashoryu can do the same! These guys of course are going to claim it doesn't matter when they take on whom, but we all know it does, which is why every language has phrases like "butterflies, nerves, jitters, rocky start, settled down, found his rhythm, shaken off the cobwebs" et cetera. Anyone who has been in heated competition knows how vital it is to start off well, not only for your record but also for your peace of mind. Catchup is great with fries, but sucks when you're chasing Hakuho.

So did the NSK's gambit pay off today? We shall see.

First bout had Koto vs. Hak, which seems like a mindblowingly good matchup until I type the rest of their names, Kotokasuga and Hakuba. Kotokasu is the feel good story of the basho, having spent a shitload of time in the minors until getting this his first shot at Makuuchi. Took him eleven years to reach Juryo, and then three and a half to reach Maegashira. His foe is yet another Mongolian, from the same heya as former Makuuchi boy Toyozakura. Hakuba took 7 years to reach Juryo, and then only eight basho to get to the top division. East beats West in this one as Kotokasuga parlayed a stiff throat hold into an inside left which he used to perfection, lifting up Hakuba's right arm and twisting him into the clay. Good to see some new blood.

And not so nice to see old blood. Baldurozan is back with all his glorious slop, and today it was up to The Zit to take care of bidness. After two nervous purvis false starts, Hakurozan used a tachi-ai harite which accomplished precisely zip, and as Toyohibiki, like an angry Horton came menacingly forward, the younger of the Wickersham Brothers took a shine to the slapdown, but someone forgot to tell him to keep his feet in the ring while he plays silly games, and although The Nikibi flew out, he flew out with win numero uno!

21-9 during a two basho stay in Juryo, rookie Tochinoshin from Georgia (and though looks can be deceiving, not kin to Kokkai) showed he may be Tochinoshit by niftily blocking Yoshikaze from getting the front belt grip, weathering the inevitable face/neck slapping, getting in his own face push and locking up Yoshi's left arm, which he used at the edge to wrench his foe around until he stepped out. Yoshikaze isn't the most dangerous rikishi, but he's full of piss and vinegar and was a solid first day test for Kokkai's unkin. (He also has some of the Kotooshu feel about him, given his meteoric rise and huge thighs. Let's hope he has more "head" than the Ozeki.)

Kakizoe and Peter had at it, and Zoe kept to what works for him, hard low tachi-ai then lifting up on the arms and keeping as little separation between the two as possible in order to run the other guy out. Sadly, Tamanoshima went along with this plan to the letter, letting himself be dismissed while offering only the amount of resistance Arbo offers drunken 45kg women who need rides home to their lonely apartments from his bar.

The two oldest wrestlers in the top flight locked up (no, not rigor mortis) with Tosanoumi, our boy back in Makuuchi where he belongs, doing essentially the same thing as Kakizoe did, staying low and right in on Tamakasuga and driving him out via yorikiri. King Tama put up a bit more fight than Peter did in the previous bout, but the outcome was the same.

In a bout that looked good on paper and was even better in flesh, Homasho and Iwakiyama gave us the first head cracking tachi-ai of the basho followed by some kangaroo-ish slapping. When Iwonkeykong managed to slip to his right, Homario almost tripped on one of the barrels, but righted his bad self and came back at the big ape to get the two handed inside morozashi grip. Though the elder Hutt had his arm wrapped Homa3PO's neck, the W11 kept lifting him and bouncing him and finally he backed him out. 99.999% of Earth's population would be unable to sleep from the lower back pain after lifting that weight. Nice win for Homasho.

In a match we would have been watching in the final thirty minutes four years ago, Dejima took on Wakanosato and steamrolled him out too fast for analysis. Waka actually tried to forearm Dejima to the chin. Uh, yeah, that's gonna upset a 3000 year-old man, duh!!! Put the tape of this bout in the sarcophagus already. 

I did some research between basho, and I discovered that the shikona "Roho" actually means "to yank in a downward direction, then back roughly in an upward direction in an effort to cause friction". Today he masterfully baited Kasugao into opening up and allowing the Russian a quick belt, which I must say Roho used to perfection, slinging the Korean down in a flash. Both men, however, were moving to their left at tachi-ai, so the writing is on the wall. Rasputin will be up to no good this fortnight (Mike has made that last word mandatory for all contributors this basho).

People (usually those who ate lead paint as children) go on and on about Takamisakari's pre-bout warm up ritual, with all the funny slapping and goofy eye blinking and scratching and whatnot, but if you're looking for a guy who does it cool as sheeot, look no further than the Gentle Giant himself, Tochinonada. Today he did the two handed inside knees, then outside knees, then thighs, then ass, then left shoulder, right shoulder, then the back of each hand (interesting), then slapped his hands together, brought them up to his face and pounded them flat against his face a couple of times, then whacked his belt before bending over and grabbing some salt and making this tiny throw in front and behind, so smooth you might not catch it. The man is a great sumo guy, period. And the runner stole second!

In the fight, Takekaze shot himself forward at tachi-ai, determined to bring the bout to a quick end, then swiftly changed tactics and tried to drag Tochi forward but the E8 righted the ship and then Takekaze tried a leg trip that didn't work and now they shifted to the middle of the ring and Takekaze bent down and using a decent belt grip went into the big forward push one more time but the venerable veteran vexed his foe by using his momentum against him, throwing to the dirt the W8, who won the battles but lost the war. Yes, that was one sentence.

Mr. Bean took on Goeido and while he was able to keep the young man at bay for a while, eventually Goeido got in and using a front belt grip (mae-mawashi) moved Takami to the edge where he predictably put up a stiff resistance. Goeido knew it was coming, however, and countered perfectly, pulling down and forward with that front belt grip and spilling Circus to the ground. Criticizing Takamisakari's tachi-ai is like pointing out poor locution by members of the Hee Haw troupe, so nothing to say there, but the manner in which Goeido won was not entirely unlike Asashoryu, with the lightning quick change in attack and the expert execution. Do this against Kotomitsuki and we'll talk.

Last bout of the first half had Fruitenoh and the Joker, and true to form Hokutoriki used the hand to the face at tachi-ai, but Futenoh got in under the pits and crushed him out like dried red pepper. I'd rather spend 24 years locked in a cellar with my insane, horny father than watch Hokutoriki wrestle.

Given his recent form, Tochiohzan had to be the favorite going in to his match with Toyonoshima, but Toyo got low at tachi-ai and stood his foe up, and with the morozashi, just bellied him out like Dejima or Geeku do on their good days. 

Tokitenku had Aminishiki dead to rights at the edge, but Shneaky somehow managed to square his shoulders and push Toki away, and when the Mongolian came charging back at Shneaky, he forgot to bring his legs along and Aminishiki two-handed slapped the back of Toki's head with expert timing and moved to 1-0. Like not getting back on defense when the ref doesn't call a foul on your defender during your drive to the hoop, or blowing that second serve because your opponent called your obvious ace out, Tokitenku suffered a classic case of losing your focus because you're thinking you should have already won the bout.

(After this bout the English announcer called Aminishiki "tricky tricky". Sounds a lot like Martin's "Aminishneaky" to me. Think they nicked the idea from Laptop?)

Are we supposed to be catching wood because of all the Nipponese who are coming out to watch sumo now that it's popular again? To Hades with these fair weather freaks (who incidentally can't throw a zabuton to save their lives). I took the good times, I'll take the bad times, I'll take you just the way you are. Billy Joel is a huge sumo fan.

The Kak took on the Geek and got an inside right, and just as the forward charging Geeku grabbed for an outside left belt, the Kak shot his load at the edge, planting his left leg straight with knee locked and almost twisting down the Sekiwake. Kotoshogiku managed to keep his feet under him and blew the now flaccid Kak back and across the ring and out. Seemed to me that Kakuryu should have used his left hand to shove down on the back of Geeku's head as he tried to throw him down.

Ama pulled the first henka of the tourney, greasing Miflobby with the tachi-ai sidestep and escorting him out in the manlove position. Did the same thing to him on Day 13 of the January basho (and he manloved out Dejima in Jan. as well). What is it with Ama and the biggest, fattest of these big, fat guys? That loathsome henka carries a stink that will color my dreams tonight.

Wakanoho and Kotooshu got right off into the Big Man Classic Sumo stance, chest to chest with each guy having at least one strong belt grip. Kotooshu showed he is the stronger rikishi for now by hugging the teenager back and out in a very controlled manner. No two ways about it, Kotooshu has gorgeous legs and if they are involved in lifting people, he will win that bout nearly every time. This bout was also a bit of payback for the tough loss Kotooshu suffered to Wakanoho in Osaka, when the youngster beat him on Day 9 as if he wasn't even there.

Chiyotaikai used one of those masked henka-ish tachi-ai he is good at, throwing his tsuppari bombs while not moving forward at all and actually moving a bit to his left. This caused Kyokutenho to rush in and fall forward, but his positioning had been compromised to the point where the Ozeki was able to drive him out from the side. Looks to me like Chiyotaikai is not waving, but drowning.

Ozeki Kaio stole a page from The Pup's book, shifting cheaply at tachi-ai and flummoxing Baruto enough where he was unable to block Kaio from getting the belt, which he did and used to drive Baruto back and out, despite the Biomass' patented (and desperate) last ditch over the shoulder wedgie attempt. I'd like to praise Kaio, but tachi-ai shenanigans from an Ozeki are bush league in my book.

So Kotomitsuki had a chance to make sure the Ozeki escaped Day 1 at least 50/50 in the respectability department, and he delivered emphatically, deftly snagging an outside right (while remaining firmly in front of Kokkai and taking the blow) and torquing him around while pushing down with his hand on the back of the Georgian's neck quicker than you could say, Hakuho's Day 2 foe. I'm sure that Kublai is shitting himself worrying about tomorrow. Don't misunderstand, I dig Kokkai, love his new self, and wish him all the best. But if he beats Hakuho tomorrow I'll sleep the entire night in my bathtub, and feed a video of the feat live to Oprah's website.

So next we had Sexy dig in vs. Hakuho, who hasn't come close to beating Hakuho in a long time, and may never beat him again. Kublai used the harite and then came in and slapped the back of his head, causing the Komusubi to bend over in abject subjugation, and though he got back up but was off balance now and Hakuho just slapped him down, this time for good. I really feel that many of the wrestlers are totally at a loss as to what to do when fighting Hakuho, but they know it has to be 100%, so they get a bit wild and with Hakuho being as big and as strong as he is, he just hits/spins/swings them until they don't seem to know their up from down and then picks them off. I truly think we are only now about to see what kind of dominating Yokozuna Hakuho is going to be. His only weakness is the bane of any sportsman but Tiger Woods: Focus. He's too big and fast to take on in a belt battle, and he's too big and fast to take on in a slapping battle. If not for Asa being around, he'd be doing five or six yusho per year.

So, back to the opening question: Did the NSK get what they wanted? Yep. Asa lost the tachi-ai as Kisenosato came in with abandon, getting a quick inside right and driving Genghis back. Asa tried for the twisting throw, and even had his paw on the back of his foe's head, but The Kid did an outstanding job of pogo sticking his leg and bounding sideways into Asa, who had extended his right leg too far out underneath his body making the pivot throw, and as he tried to draw that right leg back to halt his backward momentum, he couldn't quite get it back far enough, and was damned lucky he didn't injure himself as the leg buckled and he crashed to the dirt.

Asa has no one to blame for this loss but himself, with his lack of ferociousness at tachi-ai costing him against the young and hungry youngster, who with this second win in three basho over Asashoryu may well be signaling his readiness for that long awaited Ozeki run.

It was all good for Hakuho as he strode down the hanamichi, kissed a young boy and went home to study tapes of his dangerous Day 2 opponent. Meanwhile Asa has to make absolutely sure he doesn't fugiddup vs. Landslide. 

Mike tests the pH balance of the dohyo tomorrow, while I skulk in the wings until Day 8. Skoal. 

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