maegashira Endo blew the title race wide open by emphatically flooring runaway leader
ozeki Terunofuji on Saturday, the penultimate day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, with ozeki Takakeisho also staying in the mix.
Terunofuji (12-2) held a two-win lead over his two closest rivals entering the penultimate day of the 15-day event at Ryogoku Kokugikan, but Endo and Takakeisho have now moved within a win at 11-3, meaning a loss by Terunofuji on Sunday could result in two- or three-way playoff.
Endo was at his bullish best as he barged into the bigger Terunofuji’s frame, getting his head against the ozeki’s chest and forcing Terunofuji to resort to his forceful swing with his powerful left arm.
Jan 20, 2021
Last week’s column ended with a lament over the fact that sumo continues “to chew up and spit out young kids without consequence.”
It took less than six days for further evidence of the sport’s callousness toward its participants to be splashed across TV screens nationwide.
On Day 10 of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, third-tier wrestler Shonannoumi clashed heads with his opponent during a false start and immediately crumpled to the clay. Clearly concussed, the 22-year-old made a couple of unsuccessful attempts to get back on his feet for the restart before collapsing once again.
As the Takadagawa stable youngster struggled to get upright, the referee and ringside judges were all looking at each other, clearly unsure of what to do before eventually calling for a mid-ring conference. As they talked things over, Shonannoumi regained enough control to indicate he was able to continue and the fight went ahead.