September 2021 Basho--DAY 6--SEPTEMBER 17
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September 2021 (Aki) Basho
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DAY 6--September 17, 2021
Video: Note: NHK videos will be available on demand until 2 weeks after the end of the Basho. After that, they will be removed from the site. They are usually available for on demand viewing about 1 day after the matches. Note that "highlights" means complete full match video of all daily Makuuchi matches.
NHK match highlights (condensed, all matches in their entirety, the highlights are 27 minutes long).
All NHK Video Highlights from one link (latest day should be uploaded by about 12:30 am Central Daylight Time the next day (i.e. Day 6 video should by available by 12:30 am Day 7. It might be available before that, so check.
Chris Sumo Youtube
Japanese Sumo Association Youtube
JSA Youtube has offered 2 full matches on its Youtube channel. Hopefully they will do this every day. It is a live feed, no commentary, but it gives another perspective on these matches.
1. Terunofuji (Y1w) v Wakatakakage (M3e) (Terunofuji is on the right)
2. Ura (M6e) v Aoiyama (M9e) (Ura is on the left)
Tachiai.org coverage of the Jonokuchi (Division 6--non salaried, lowest division) Basho. Note: The Japan Sumo Association links to all Jonokuchi Rikishi in its daily accounting of the Basho. (Under Banzuke, arrow to Jonokuchi)
Jonokuchi Match Day 3 (consisting of Day 5 and Day 6 matches) Today's report features video of selected Jonokuchi and Jonidan (Division 5) matches.
In other Jonokuchi news Kato (Jk10e) (see Day 2), Tachiai.org's possible next Shonanzakura, won his first match of the Basho today. It was also his 4th career win against 13 losses. In doing so he surpassed Shonanzakura's entire victory output during his 6 year career (3-238-4). Kato beat Higohikari (Jk11w), who has an interesting history.
Higohikari might be the Rikishi (wrestler) who Shonanzakura hoped he could become. Higohikari is 33 years old and has been in Sumo since March 2003. In that time he has amassed a record of 249-496-9 and has risen as high as Jonidan 57 (5th Division--non salaried, just above Jonokuchi). He has fought 745 bouts in 110 Basho, all in the bottom two divisions (42 in Jonidan and 66 in Jonokuchi). He had to fight two Mae-zumo Basho (new recruits initiation Tournaments) due to the fact that he missed an entire Jonokuchi Basho. From his rank at the time, he was dropped from Sumo. This happened in 2018, his 15th year. But he didn't let this stop him. He started his career anew with a Mae-zumo Basho in which he was 1-5. Since then he has reached as high as Jonidan 83w (January 2020), but went 0-7 in that Basho, and has been in Jonokuchi ever since. His record has been 13-48 in the 9 tournaments since then.
He has fought for 18 years without getting anywhere near a salary, only a small stipend and room and board. And by the way, not counting the Basho he missed, he has missed 2 matches in his career.
Kato v Higohikari (Kato is on the left)
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Notable:
Terunofuji (Y1w) continued his march toward Yusho (championship) with his 6th consecutive victory, this time over Wakatakakage (M3e). He used one of the most devastating Kimarite (winning moves), an arm barring forceout (Kimedashi--see video above). It is the most raw of power moves, literally removing the arms of the opponent. Four of his six finishing moves so far have involved the prefix "yori" (force out, crush out, or arm bar). One of the interesting aspects of his wins has been the times they have taken. 4.1, 10.3, 11.7, 11.3. 68.5, and 16.5 seconds, for a median of 11.5 seconds (the average is bloated by the long match to 20.4 seconds). The finishing moves that he uses are power, dominant moves, but the time he has been taking shows that he also has the patience to wait for his opening. He has seen little "trouble" (i.e. the possibility of defeat) in any of these matches. His analysis of his matches has been quite succinct. Do what is necessary. It is a lesson in a different kind of dominance, but dominance nonetheless. It will be interesting to see if he maintains this patience throughout the Basho.
Terunofuji also took over sole possession of first place, as Chiyonokuni (M17e) was defeated by Juryo substitute du jour Sadanoumi (J3w). The Yokozuna has a one match lead over five Rikishi and a two match lead over six. Of the 11 trailers, only two are san'yaku (Top Rank): Mitakeumi (S1e--5-1) and Shodai (O1e--4-2).
Both Ozeki lost their matches today. The loss left Takakeisho (O1w) at 2-4, needing 6 wins from his next 9 matches to avoid losing his Ozeki rank. As recently as January, a Yusho would likely have raised him to Yokozuna. Such are the ups and downs of Sumo, particularly in an era of change.
36 year old. Tamawashi (M4e) moved into a tie for 5th place on the all time list with Dairyugawa at 1,367 bouts without missing a match. (Source: Nikkan Sports).
Maegashira (Rank and Filers) "struck back" at san'yaku today. After three days of pounding (2-13), they won 3 of 5 today, to increase their overall standing to 13-17 (.433) for the Basho.
Quotable: (Source: Chris Sumo Youtube, Nikkan Sports)
1. In fact it (a forfeit yesterday) helped me recover from my twisted leg on Day 4. I was slightly concerned by the leg today but don't feel impeded.
Takanosho (M1w) on his win over Chiyoshoma (M5e). It was Chiyoshoma's 6th consecutive loss. He is now the only Rikishi in the Basho without a win.
2. Well, if that helps get results, why change?
Terunofuji (Y1w) on yet another deep dive analysis of his sumo, as he won his 6th consecutive bout over Wakatakakage (M3e). The Yokozuna is now the only Rikishi in the Basho without a loss.
3. I'm not really conscious of recording the basics. I want to do as (well) as I can. I don't want to lose to young people. (NS)
Tamawashi (M4e) on his amazing streak of appearances.
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Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Wins-Losses-Absences
Y1e---Hakuho (0-0-15)
S2e---Asanoyama (0-0-15)
M12e--Ishiura (0-0-15)
M2e---Hokutofuji (2-3-10) (including 1 forfeit loss)
M1e---Hoshoryu (1-4--1) (including 1 forfeit loss)
Condensed results (19 matches)
Key: Time of Match--s=seconds; Rank; Winner; Basho
Record; Finishing Move; Rank; Loser; Basho Record
Day 6 Condensed results
03.8s J3w Sadanoumi (5-1) oshidashi M17e Chiyonokuni (5-1)
04.2s M13e Kagayaki (4-2) oshidashi M15e Ichiyamamoto (1-5)
16.3s M13w Tsurugisho (3-3) tsukiotoshi M16w Tokushoryu (1-5)
13.3s M12w Tochinoshin (2-4) yorikiri M14w Yutakayama (3-3)
09.6s M11e Endo (4-2) uwatedashinage M16e Chiyomaru (3-3)
10.9s M15w Chiyonoo (3-3) uwatenage M11w Kotoeko (2-4)
03.2s M10w Myogiryu (5-1) oshidashi M14e Kaisei (2-4)
01.9s M10e Chiyotairyu (3-3) oshidashi M7e Shimanoumi (3-3)
02.3s M7w Terutsuyoshi (3-3) yorikiri M9w Hidenoumi (2-4)
29.5s M6e Ura (3-3) oshidashi M9e Aoiyama (2-4)
01.9s M6w Onosho (5-1) okuridashi M8w Tobizaru (4-2)
07.8s M8e Okinoumi (4-2) yorikiri M5w Takarafuji (3-3)
10.6s M1w Takanosho (3-3) oshidashi M5e Chiyoshoma (0-6)
05.6s K1e Takayasu (2-4) tsukiotoshi K1w Ichinojo (2-4)
02.4s S1e Mitakeumi (5-1) oshidashi M3w Kotonowaka (2-4)
05.0s M4w Daieisho (4-2) hatakikomi S1w Meisei (2-4)
08.8s M2w Kiribayama (5-1) yorikiri O1e Shodai (4-2)
06.8s M4e Tamawashi (3-3) oshidashi O1w Takakeisho (2-4)
16.5s Y1w Terunofuji (6-0) kimedashi M3e Wakatakakage (3-3)
Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and Nikkansports.com length of bouts data (see result sources below)
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Finishing Moves (19 matches--116 total) Note: finishing move links below link to short NHK videos demonstrating the technique.
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi)..............8(37)
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri)..............4(19)
Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi).................2(9)
Slap Down (Hatakikomi)....................1(14)
Arm Barring Force Out (Kimedashi).........1(1)
Pulling Over Arm Throw (Uwatedashinage)...1(5)
Totals for Basho
Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)...............10
Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)............4
Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)............3
Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)...........3
Under Arm Throw (Shitatenage).............2
Rear Lift Out (Okuritsuridashi)...........1
Pulling Under Arm Throw (Shitadedashinage)1