#oshidashi

Oshidashi : "Frontal push out", a basic kimarite that requires pushing the opponent out of the ring using the arms, without holding their mawashi (belt)

Music video for Oshi Dashi by Cai Bojsen-Møller on Multiplex

Kisenosato plays spoiler today, pushing Hakuho out with shocking ease and knocking the Yokozuna off the top of the leader board. Not sure if Hakuho issn’t expecting Kisenosato to bring it or what, but his tachiai is tentative, his feet slide backwards, and he’s out in under two seconds. Kisenosato breaths a sigh of relief with his crucial eighth win.

Two of my favorite round mounds of fury, Takekaze and Kotoyuki, bounce around and use the entire real estate of the dohyo in their bout today. Takekaze executes a great bullfighter move on Kotoyuki, but the tsuppari specialist can’t be pulled down so easily and regains his footing. They get a second chance to clash, but as Kotoyuki closes the distance Takekaze deflects his charging opponent to the side with his right hand, sending Kotoyuki to the other side of the ring. Takekaze follows close behind to usher him out. Nice double-digit win record of 10-4 for Takekaze on Day 14, and Kotoyuki already has his kachi-koshi at 8-6.

Here’s the one we’ve all been waiting for, the matchup on Day 11 between the only two undefeated wrestlers left in the tournament. Ozeki Kotoshogiku has his first ever championship in his sights, and Yokozuna Hakuho stands in his way. ‘Giku charges full-throttle from the tachiai, getting his left arm deep under Hakuho’s right, and keeping the Yokozuna’s right arm elevated and away from the uwate (overhand) belt grip. It looks like he wants to get the right arm under, too, but Hakuho manages to even things up a little by keeping Kotoshogiku’s right arm on the outside. Kotoshogiku doesn’t give Hakuho a moment to adjust, frog-hopping the length of the dohyo, blocking Hakuho’s repeated attempts for the right-hand overhand grip with his high left arm, and wrapping up the Yokozuna’s left arm with a high grip on the right side. By the time they’ve circled around to Kotoshogiku’s side of the dohyo and reached the tawara, Hakuho’s posture is broken and he has no belt grip. One last mighty shove by the Ozeki seals the deal, and Kotoshogiku remains undefeated. The seat cushions come raining down to thunderous applause, as Hakuho stands below the dohyo in disbelief and Kotoshogiku soaks up the moment. A great example of a wrestler using his style and body to perfection. If Kotoshogiku can get the Yokozuna sweep tomorrow against Harumafuji, he’ll be in the driver’s seat. Could we see the first Japanese-born wrestler win a championship in ten years?

Things are not looking good for Goeido. Harumafuji drops him to his seventh loss of the tournament, one away from a losing record and kadoban status (Ozeki probation, with one chance at a winning record before losing the Ozeki rank) next tournament. With a bout tomorrow against Hakuho, and all the other Ozeki still remaining on his schedule, it’s going to be an uphill battle. Today he gets bullied by Harumafuji, who disrupts his rhythm with a slap to the face and some strong oshi. The Yokozuna reminds him who’s boss with one last unnecessary shove at the end, uncharacteristic for Harumafuji, but forgivable.

Both Ikioi and Shohozan are struggling to perform at their high ranks, Komusubi and Maegashira 1 respectively, but Shohozan has his back against the wall today trying to stave off his eighth loss of the tournament and certain demotion. He certainly came out motivated, with a good tachiai that stands up Ikioi, and a good tsuppari attack that drives his opponent straight backward for the oshidashi (push out) win. Ikioi looks like he’s just flailing, but Shohozan keeps him guessing by mixing in a lightning-quick reach for the belt that Ikioi drops his arms to defend, opening up his upper body for more tsuppari. Good performance by Shohozan. Both wrestlers are now 3-7, and will have to win the remaining five days in a row to avoid demotion.

Not sure if Kotoyuki watched Takarafuji’s bout yesterday against Tamawashi, but he didn’t make the same mistake. Like Tamawashi, he gets Takarafuji going backwards, but unlike Tamawashi he keeps his feet underneath him so Takarafuji can’t get a hold on his arm at the ring edge. Good oshi-zumo from Kotoyuki for his sixth win.