23rd January 2022 - Sumo Hatsu 2022 Day 15
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Written while listening to sumo.
So here we are on the final day of Hatsu. The bout order seemed
bizarre with Abi facing Kotonowaka so early on.
Abi and Kotonowaka faced one another. Abi won through his usual choke
holds although Kotonowaka tried hard to defend against it. Both
receive well deserved special prizes. Abi was awarded the Shukun-sho
or outstanding performance award while Kotonowaka was awarded the
Kanto-sho or fighting spirit prize.
With the darwin matches, we have Tochinoshin against Ichinojo, Ura
facing Chiyomaru and Sadanoumi facing Oho. Personally, I was hoping
for Ura, Ichinojo and Oho to get their kachi-koshi. However, it seems
Oho had to let me down. Poor Oho fought hard but didn't quite manage a
winning record for his first basho in makuuchi.
Tochinoshin and Ichinojo got into a hugging match. Ichonojo tried
lifting Tochinoshin a few times but then decided being close was
hindering. They get stuck low and eventually a shove comes along and
Ichinojo claims his kachi-koshi!
Ura forced Chiyomaru to the edge where Chiyomaru buckled to the
ground. An easy win it seems for Ura.
So we get to the key match of the day. Terunofuji has to defeat
Mitakeumi if he wants a chance at the yusho in a 3 way play off.
Mitakeumi has a chance here to get his third yusho. Their record
together is 12-4 in Terunofuji's favour. In a blink of an eye, it is
over! Mitakeumi got a belt and a boob grab, lost the hold, both
struggle to get a hold but Mitakeumi has carefully been pushing
forwards until suddenly Terunofuji has stepped over the bales.
Congratulations to Mitakeumi! A well deserved yusho and he even got a
special prize (Gino-sho, technique) to top it all off.
No three way playoff this time but it has been an exciting yusho.
Now will this be enough for Mitakeumi to be promoted after 4 years in
Sanyaku? Hopefully we will see his smiley face holding some big fish
in the next couple of weeks!
