It only took Yokozuna Terunofuji fourteen days to secure his sixth-ever top division tournament victory and his fourth of the year. This victory comes in the last basho of the year in a match against Maegeshira #15 Abi. With the grand champion already determined, day fifteen of the November basho will determine special prize winners and those rikishi who may earn kachi-koshi, meaning someone with more wins than losses in tournament competition.
Terunofuji Defeats Abi
The highly-anticipated matchup between Yokozuna Terunofuji and Maegeshira #15 Abi did not disappoint. Terunofuji entered the bout with a perfect tournament record of 13-0 as the sole leader on the master leader board. Abi, who entered the bout at 12-1 and had defeated Ozeki Takakeishō the day prior, was second on the master leader board.
The bout started with a solid tachiai from both men, with Abi getting the better of the initial clash. The Maegeshira #15 rikishi then pushed forward, forcing the 29-year-old Yokozuna on his heels. Abi blasted the Yokozuna to the edge of the dohyō, blading the Yokozuna and lifting him onto one foot. Terunofuji was then able to plant and crank an overhook on Abi, which he used to drive the two-time fighting spirit prize winner to the dohyō floor. The crowd erupted with Yokozuna’s clinching of his sixth top division tournament win.
Day14: Here we go! If yokozuna Terunofuji (L) beats resurgent Abi, he takes 6th yūshō – 5th since 2020. These 2 are untested, never faced off. Abi’s simian armed attack may be just the thing to keep T’s grip (or kimedashi) at bay to pull out a win. Got popcorn? #kyushubasho2021 pic.twitter.com/DMs5HS3ZY1
— Sumo Soul 相撲魂 (@TheSumoSoul) November 27, 2021
Day 15 Implications
Day 15 will see rikishi like Daieisho, Wakatakakage, Endo, and Ishiura looking to secure their eighth victory of the tournament to earn kachi-koshi status. Rikishi Tochinoshin will look to end the tournament on a high note after missing the first three days of competition due to injury. Day 15 will also see the crowning of the special prize winners. Yokozuna Terunofuji could end the tournament with zensho status dependent upon a day fifteen victory. Looking to the January basho, will Yokozuna Terunofuji earn a third straight title? Let us know what you think down below.
Featured Image courtesy of The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images
