Autumn Basho: Wakatakakage Upsets Onosato to Set up a Dramatic Final 3 Days

Wakatakakage threw the Autumn Basho into a state of uncertainty when he upset sole leader Onosato on Thursday, September 19 in a stunning turn of events.

In the first meeting between the two grapplers, Onosato was able to move Wakatakakage to the edge but the more experienced No 7 maegashira stunned his opponent with an impressive last-gasp move.

Despite a 47-kilogram weight disadvantage, Wakatakakage got both hands on the belt of Onosato and spun the sekiwake out, sending him to his first loss of the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Wakatakakage improved to 9-3 while dropping Onosato to 11-1 with just three days left in the tournament. 

Onosato had looked unbeatable up until Thursday's bout but struggled to finish Wakatakakage off when he had a chance. 

Wakatakakage also denied Onosato a vital 12th win that he needs to reach the benchmark of 33 wins over three consecutive tournaments required for promotion to ozeki. 

Kirishima, Takayasu Raise Records to 10-2

In other major bouts at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, sekiwake Kirishima used a powerful arm throw of ozeki Kotozakura and pulled within one win of Onosato.

Kirishima improved to 10-2 while Kotozakura dropped to 7-5.

Veteran Takayasu exchanged a series of arm thrusts and slaps to the upper body with Hiradoumi (6-6) before sending the komusubi over the edge to also stay in contention at 10-2. 

In the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan, it was a case of desperate times calling for desperate measures when sekiwake Abi dodged to his left at the face-off and shoved out Hoshoryu.

Abi improved to 3-9 with the evasive move while Hoshoryu dropped to 6-6.

Komusubi Daieisho used his trademark arm thrusts to send Nishikigi over the edge while knocking the No 13 maegashira off the leaderboard.

Daieisho moved to 7-5 while Nishikigi dropped to 9-3.

Wakamotoharu Clinches Winning Record

Wakamotoharu shoved out struggling Takanosho to secure a winning record at 8-4 and bolster his chances of returning to the sanyaku ranks.

Top maegashira Takanosho went all the way to the final bout in the previous tournament where he lost to Terunofuji but has struggled in this meet and dropped to 3-9.

"I've done a good job of executing my brand of sumo in this tournament," third-ranked maegashira Wakamotoharu said. "If I can do my best, I think moving up the ranks will take care of itself."

Fifth-ranked Ura wrapped up his first winning record this year when he launched a pushing attack against Endo and shoved the No 8 maegashira out to move to 8-4. Endo fell to 7-5.

Takarafuji Stays Strong in Autumn Basho

In the day's first bout, Takarafuji thrust down Ukrainian Shishi, a second-tier grappler who was making his first ever appearance in the top division.

No 15 maegashira Takarafuji wrapped up a winning record after improving to 8-4 while No 2 juryo wrestler Shishi fell to 7-5.

"I fought to the end and didn't give up," said Takarafuji. "I've been telling myself to keep moving forward in every match and I just want to finish strong over the last three days."

Shishi went an impressive 11-4 as a juryo No 10 in the July tournament. He could wrap up a winning record in this meet on Friday when he returns to the second tier.

Takerufuji, who won the Emperor's Cup in the March tournament, leads the juryo division with an 11-1 after he defeated Chiyoshoma on Day 12.

RELATED:

• Onosato Escapes Close Call to Maintain Undefeated Run at the Autumn Basho
• Onosato Opens Up a 2-Win Cushion at the Autumn Basho

Author: Jim Armstrong

The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook.