Yoshinofuji Upsets Onosato on Day 1 After Close Monoii
Komusubi Yoshinofuji, 25 (Isegahama), the Uto, Kumamoto, native, beat yokozuna Onosato, 26 (Nishonoseki), by tsukiotoshi in Kyushu Day 1's musubi at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, handing the Aki champion an opening loss as he chased back-to-back titles. Yoshinofuji used a right nodowa, was driven back to the edge, then reversed it with a left tsukiotoshi. The gunbai went to Yoshinofuji, a monoii was called, and after deliberation — including a video-room check — the original call stood. 'I didn't know if I was first. I could see him going down, but it was so sudden for me too,' Yoshinofuji told Sponichi. Sports Hochi quoted him saying he 'had no idea' who had touched first; Sankei Sports similarly reports a reflex finish at the edge.
Sponichi and Sankei say the win made him 5-1 against Onosato, including one fusensho. Onosato, who had forced the action to the edge before going down by a hand, told Nikkan Sports, 'I didn't get the win, so I'll switch gears properly tomorrow.'
Judging department head Asakayama (former ozeki Kaio) explained that Yoshinofuji's left foot remained in and his heel was not out, and Onosato's hand appeared to touch first, so the gunbai decision stood. Asakayama added that Onosato's right hand seemed to sweep the dohyo earlier in the bout, but the video showed Onosato had still been standing then; only the final moment was reviewed. The 40th Kimura Shonosuke, 63 (Kasugano), in his first bout after assuming the chief gyoji rank, had raised the gunbai for Yoshinofuji. He told Nikkan Sports he had seen Yoshinofuji's foot stay in and Onosato's hand touch down first: 'If Yoshinofuji's foot had left the dohyo I might have hesitated.' He joked about the tate-gyoji dagger — 'I thought I might have to cut my belly right away' — then added he had fair confidence the call would not be reversed. The Japan Sumo Association posted a photo of Onosato's right hand on the straw bales while Yoshinofuji was still in; NHK analyst Kotokaze also praised the call.
Sankei Sports profiles Yoshinofuji after the win as a hometown quake survivor: he was home in late July when the major quake struck; Uto saw a lower-6 intensity and his family home was ruled a total loss. A shindo 4 quake hit Kumamoto before 11 a.m. on Day 1, and he said, 'I'm worried.' A first-ever send-off party was held in Kumamoto before the basho, and he said, 'I strongly want to make people happy.' His oyakata, Isegahama (ex-yokozuna Terunofuji), told him he lacks stability, and Yoshinofuji said he must stay alert over the remaining 14 days. He also said relatives of his maternal grandmother were in the crowd.
Sources: Yahoo! Japan Sports · Yahoo! Japan Sports · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Sankei Sports) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Chunichi Sports)