Basho Report ・ 場所レポート
Torikumi for this day →Shotenro, Kakuryu, Baruto, Hakuho share the lead at 8 wins
March (Haru) 2012 has completed day 9. Shotenro, Kakuryu, Baruto, Hakuho share the lead at 8-1.
Championship Race
Takayasu, Kotoshogiku, Harumafuji trail by one. 6 days remain.
解説 ・ InsightIf Shotenro holds on, it would be the first maegashira championship since Kotomitsuki in September (Aki) 2001.
- Maegashira 16 Shotenro8-1 ・ W7
- Sekiwake Kakuryu8-1
- Ozeki Baruto8-1 ・ W5
- Yokozuna Hakuho8-1
- Maegashira 7 Takayasu7-2
- Ozeki Kotoshogiku7-2
- Ozeki Harumafuji7-2
Upsets
Kakuryu (Sekiwake) beat Hakuho (Yokozuna) by Yorikiri — pre-basho ratings gave just a 20% chance. He had trailed their head-to-head 8-44, which makes it count double.
Ozeki Watch
Ozeki Baruto, bidding for yokozuna, stands at 8-1 — 5 wins short of the 13-win benchmark.
解説 ・ InsightBaruto's last two basho: 11 wins, then 14 (champion) — 25 in total. Against the "back-to-back championship-level" standard, another title-class run is required here.
His rating of 2784 is at career-peak level (2784) — the rating says he is knocking on the door.
- Ozeki Baruto8-1 ・ yokozuna bid
Records Decided Today
4 rikishi had their winning or losing records decided today.
- Maegashira 16 Shotenrokachi-koshi (8-1)
- Maegashira 3 Tochinoshinmake-koshi (1-8)
- Ozeki Barutokachi-koshi (8-1)
- Sekiwake Kakuryukachi-koshi (8-1)
Tomorrow’s Bouts to Watch
- Hakuho (Yokozuna, 8-1) vs Aminishiki (Sekiwake, 4-5) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 37-4; the rating model gives Hakuho 92%; Thrower vs Technician — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
- Kotoshogiku (Ozeki, 7-2) vs Harumafuji (Ozeki, 7-2) →head-to-head: Kotoshogiku leads 35-30; the rating model gives Kotoshogiku 48%; Belt Grinder vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Harumafuji
- Baruto (Ozeki, 8-1) vs Tochiozan (Komusubi, 4-5) →head-to-head: Baruto leads 16-2; the rating model gives Baruto 91%; Thrower vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Baruto