« Remember who's the Yokozuna | Main | Happy Rosh Hashanah! Sad Yom Kippur? »
September 27, 2005
Asashoryu come-from-behind win! Asa Slam!
OK, final wrap-up on the Fall Sumo tournament in Tokyo.
Asashoryu won both of his last matches against the Ozeki's. Both were pretty easy. His match against Tochiazuma on the last day was so easy, it seemed almost like a dive. One hit to the side of the head and Tochiazuma crumpled.
Meanwhile, though I predicted 2 losses, Koto'oshu managed to win on day 15 to force a playoff. Unfortunately, Asashoryu was too strong for him in the playoff, winning pretty easily by pushing Koto'oshu out. Asashoryu won his 6th in a row (only ever been done by one other wrestler) and his 14th overall (5th place all time).
Koto'oshu and Kisenosato, who won on day 15 to give himself a chance at the tournament at 12-3, both won Fighting Spirit prizes.
Final scores:
Yokozuna Asashoryu 13-2
Ozeki Tochiazuma 10-5
Ozeki Chiyotaikai 10-5
Sekiwake Koto'oshu 13-2
Komusubi Kotomitsuki 9-6
Komusubi Futeno 5-10 (ouch)
Maegashira #1 Hakuho 10-5 (will return to the top ranks next tournament)
Maegashira #5 Takamisakari 5-10 (back to the bottom of the rankings and a probable 9-6 record next tournament)
Maegashira #10 Asasekiryu 6-2-7 (too bad he got hurt, because he looked good when he was there. if he's healthy, he'll kick ass at the bottom of the list next tournament.)
Maegashira #11 Ama 9-6 (smallest wrestler might be overmatched next tournament)
Maegashira #16 Kisenosato 12-3 (would have been the youngest ever to win. we'll see if he's for real in the middle of the rankings next tournament.)
In Juryo, Baruto finished 12-3 and was the only wrestler to beat Juryo champion Toyonoshima. Expect him in the majors soon.
Posted by JoshHornik at September 27, 2005 06:05 PM