Pursuers Aoiyama, Wakakoyu and Miyabiyama all won to put the pressure on yusho leader Hakuho... or not. The yokozuna secured his 21st yusho already on day 13 with a fulminant shitatenage throw on Kotooshu leaving no doubts on his ongoing status as the sole number one in Ozumo. Harumafuji beat Kotoshogiku and was the last ozeki to secure kachi-koshi while Kisenosato lost a great bout against Baruto and is only 1-3 against yokozuna and ozeki so far, and the sole win against Kotooshu was pretty lucky. While he was very solid against the lower ranked rikishi this might not be enough for ozeki promotion even if he wins his last two bouts. I think it doesn't matter much either way since he will be ozeki sooner or later anyway.
Ikioi won a yotsu tussle against lead juryo and sole pursuer Yoshiazuma and now his magic number for the juryo yusho is one more win for him or one more loss for Yoshiazuma. Shin-sekitori Tokushoryu is in sole third place at 9-4 with Tosayutaka, Nionoumi and Takanoyama getting the kachi-koshi and setting sights on makuuchi promotion.
Doitsuyama (sumoforum)
