Ozeki Takakeisho secures his 4th career Yusho after an uncertain tournament ended in a playoff against young returning Atamifuji. Coming into September as kadoban, there were worries recent knee injuries might have ended Keisho’s days of dominance, and while 11-4 is a low score for a Yusho, he won it in exactly the style he is famed for. His stature masks the amount of power he can exude, and one could easily argue he has the best oshi-zumo in the top division -Daieisho being the obvious other contender- but even he was ousted by the long-term Ozeki. Through commanding push-outs and sly slap-downs, Takakeisho marched to a final day that potentially had him facing several other championship rivals, but fate decided on similarly built Atamifuji as his standalone opponent. The moment of truth came with some disappointment though, as Keisho decided to henka on the tachi-ai, a move the community has certainly taken with some disdain, especially considering the spirit of his opponent whom he had already defeated several days earlier.

Nonetheless, to me, Takakeisho remains one of the most consistent riskishi in modern sumo, with both style and performance being reliable constants in the top division. Having once again survived kadoban, he now renews yet another potential shot at Yokozuna come November. Cheers!

Day 1 vs M1 Hokutofuji 0:00
Day 2 vs K Nishikigi 0:47
Day 3 vs M1 Meisei 1:14
Day 4 vs M2 Asanoyama 1:38
Day 5 vs M2 Abi 2:09
Day 6 vs M3 Tamawashi 2:35
Day 7 vs M3 Shodai 3:15
Day 8 vs K Tobizaru 3:44
Day 9 vs M5 Gonoyama 4:23
Day 10 vs M4 Ura 4:57
Day 11 vs S Wakamotoharu 5:37
Day 12 vs S Kotonowaka 6:14
Day 13 vs M15 Atamifuji 6:55
Day 14 vs O Hoshoryu 7:24
Day 15 vs S Daieisho 8:00
Playoff vs M15 Atamifuji 8:35

свернуть