Basho Report ・ 場所レポート
Torikumi for this day →Kotonishiki takes a gold star off yokozuna Akebono
May (Natsu) 1998 has completed day 8. Kotonishiki (Maegashira 2) defeated yokozuna Akebono by Yorikiri for a kinboshi gold star. It is career kinboshi No. 4. Takatoriki (Maegashira 5) leads alone at 8-0.
Championship Race
Takanohana, Akinoshima trail by one. 7 days remain.
解説 ・ InsightIf Takatoriki holds on, it would be the first maegashira championship since Mitoizumi in July (Nagoya) 1992.
Takatoriki is yet to taste defeat — the opening streak now stands at 8.
- Maegashira 5 Takatoriki8-0 ・ W8
- Yokozuna Takanohana7-1
- Komusubi Akinoshima7-1 ・ W5
Today's Kinboshi
Kotonishiki (Maegashira 2) defeated yokozuna Akebono by Yorikiri for a kinboshi gold star. It is career kinboshi No. 4.
Upsets
Oginishiki (Maegashira 3) beat Takanonami (Ozeki) by Shitatenage — pre-basho ratings gave just a 25% chance. He had trailed their head-to-head 6-10, which makes it count double.
Gojoro (Maegashira 7) beat Tosanoumi (Maegashira 2) by Hatakikomi — pre-basho ratings gave just a 31% chance.
Ozeki Watch
Ozeki Wakanohana, bidding for yokozuna, stands at 6-2 — 7 wins short of the 13-win benchmark.
解説 ・ InsightWakanohana's last two basho: 10 wins, then 14 (champion) — 24 in total. Against the "back-to-back championship-level" standard, another title-class run is required here.
His rating of 2449 is at career-peak level (2458) — the rating says he is knocking on the door.
- Ozeki Wakanohana6-2 ・ yokozuna bid
Records Decided Today
2 rikishi had their winning or losing records decided today.
解説 ・ InsightTakatoriki clinched at 8-0 — the fastest kachi-koshi possible in a 15-day basho.
- Maegashira 5 Takatorikikachi-koshi (8-0)
- Maegashira 1 Aogiyamamake-koshi (0-8)
Tomorrow’s Bouts to Watch
- Akebono (Yokozuna, 5-3) vs Kaio (Sekiwake, 4-4) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 25-6; the rating model gives Akebono 77%
- Minatofuji (Maegashira 4, 2-6) vs Takanohana (Yokozuna, 7-1) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 10-2; the rating model gives Minatofuji 17%
- Kotonishiki (Maegashira 2, 6-2) vs Takatoriki (Maegashira 5, 8-0) →head-to-head: Kotonishiki leads 28-18; the rating model gives Kotonishiki 62%