Aonishiki Wins With His Favorite Uchimusobo Over Yoshinofuji for First Win
Ozeki Aonishiki, 22 (Ajigawa), got his first win of the Kyushu basho on Day 2 by uchimusobo over Komusubi Yoshinofuji, 25 (Isegahama), who beat Onosato on Day 1. Nikkan Sports says Yoshinofuji came in with a kachiage and took a right outer grip while Aonishiki, head down, could not get the outer grip. Just when Yoshinofuji looked ahead, Aonishiki grabbed a left inner grip, twisted, and swept the left leg with his right hand.
Jiji Press says it is the technique he used when winning last year's Kyushu basho and earning ozeki promotion, and it is his first uchimusobo since. 'I was thinking I'd attack from my side whatever it took,' he said. 'Not a power contest; I'll keep moving myself.' Yoshinofuji, it adds, is an unfavorable opponent for him.
NHK commentator Kasugano (ex-Tochinowaka) said Aonishiki won but 'was in danger after Yoshinofuji built a favorable position.' On social media, fans wrote 'It looks like he cast a spell and Yoshinofuji just fell over,' 'Beautiful,' 'The family treasure' and 'Here comes the Aonishiki special!' (Nikkan Sports).
In a Sponichi column, former ozeki and Tamanoi oyakata (ex-Tochiazuma) says the key was taking the left inner grip right after the tachi-ai. Aonishiki stayed low against the kachiage and drew Yoshinofuji's attention to that side while sweeping the inside of his left leg. Once the left inner grip is taken, he says, Aonishiki is at his best, and Yoshinofuji should have avoided that at all cost; his tachi-ai was fine but he stopped moving. The oyakata expects the win to build momentum for the ozeki after his Day 1 loss to Asanoyama.
Sources: Yahoo! Japan Sports (Nikkan Sports) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Jiji Press) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Sponichi / Tamanoi)