Autumn Sumo Tournament: Day 10 Highlights

Takafuji Suffers First Defeat in Autumn Sumo Tournament

Takafuji, a former Makuuchi player from the 11th Nishi Juryo team, lost to Higashi Hakuryu on the 10th day of the Autumn Sumo Tournament. This marks his first defeat in the tournament, which he participated in from the first day for the first time in three places since winning the Shin-Imaku Maku championship at Spring Place.

During the match, Takafuji anticipated his opponent’s two-handed lunge and reached out with both hands from beneath his standing position. However, he was unable to keep up with the pull of his opponent’s legs as he moved to the left, and fell slightly onto his stomach before his opponent could leap out of the ring.

Despite having watched his opponent’s moves since he was a student, Takafuji acknowledged that his loss was not unexpected. “A loss is a loss. There are still five days to go, so I want to make amends,” he said, looking ahead to the remaining days of the tournament.

Takafuji’s last defeat in sumo was 178 days ago, during the Spring Tournament, where he injured his right ankle in a match against Asanoyama. His current record as a Sekitori stands at 37 wins and 5 losses, excluding suspensions and byes.

Notable Records and Statistics

• Takafuji’s first defeat in the Autumn Sumo Tournament marks a “devil’s tenth day,” where he lost on the tenth day after winning nine consecutive matches from the first day.
• Takafuji’s current record as a Sekitori stands at 37 wins and 5 losses, excluding suspensions and byes.