November 2021 Basho--DAY 8--NOVEMBER 21, 2021--NABAKI (MIDDLE DAY)
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November (Kyushu) Basho
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Day 8--November 21, 2021 (Nabaki--Middle Day)
Day 9 Schedule (Sumo Reference)
Day 8 Recap and statistics
Video: Note: NHK videos will be available on demand until 2 weeks after the end of the Basho (Tournament). 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).
JSA Youtube offers selected full matches on its Youtube and Website channel. They are usually Makuuchi (Top Division) bouts, but sometimes there are Juryo (2nd Division) bouts as well.
Endo (M8w) at the time, defeated both Takakeisho (O1w) and Terunofuji (O2w) on Day 13 and 14 of the May 2021 Basho. The wins were largely responsible for the Final Day, in which the two Ozeki met in a playoff for the Yusho (Championship). These were two of Endo's finest performances, highly remarked upon at the time. Both matches were filmed and presented on Chris Sumo's Youtube Channel. The Day 13 match is seen at the beginning of the video and the Day 14 match at 4:50 on the video (beginning with some great background on Endo). This is what he is capable of. Could he turn in such a performance today? Watch and see.
Takakeisho received a gift today, a Honsuku (disqualification) of his opponent. After a long, drawn out match, Ichinojo won by throwing Takakeisho out of the Dohyo (ring). But a mono-ii (Judges conference) was convened and it was determined that much earlier in the match, Ichinojo had accidentally pulled on Takakeisho's top knot. Watch the bout closely to see if you can identify the violation. Even though it had no effect on the outcome, the decision was given to the Ozeki, keeping him in a tie for 1st place with Terunofuji. The match couldn't be stopped before that because apparently there is a need for the Judges to convene and come to a consensus on such a decision. In any event, the match showed what can happen if Takakeisho's plan A, push, thrust, crush, or blast the opponent out in the first 5 seconds, doesn't work. Listen to the breathing of the two Rikishi (wrestlers) and you will begin to understand why short matches are the rule in this sport.
25 year old Bushozan, who began his career in March 2014, and took exactly 7 years to reach Juryo (2nd Division--salary), has been rising quickly since, on the back of a 33-27 record in the last 4 Basho, promoting him to J3w, a position from which a Yusho could promote him to Makuuchi (Top Division). Today he ran up against the hottest Rikishi in Juryo, Oho (discussed in the Day 6 Post). Several of the recent Juryo Basho have resulted in single or multiple participant playoffs, demonstrating how much parity there is in the Division. But this time, Oho came into today's match with a 7-0 record, looking to run the table, not only to win, but to win without defeat. Even should he do so, his rank will most likely keep him from progressing to the top Division. However, it will promote him to a rank (J1-3) that will allow him to move up, if he a) completes a great Basho here, and b) completes another great Basho in January. Judging by the way he fought today, he is quite aware of that.
The stakes couldn't be higher in this match, and that is symbolized by the mawashi (belts) and fronds (sagari) of the Rikishi. This was a match in which a high ranking Makushita (Division 3--no salary) was called on to replace an injured or otherwise missing Juryo (Division 2--salaried) contestant, just as there are Juryo substitutes who come up to the Top Division. Tokaharyu is wearing the beautiful silk mawashi with stiff fronds that a salaried Rikishi wears. However at his rank, he is in danger of losing his salary if he has a poor Basho. Kitanowaka, on the other hand, wears a cotton mawashi with small stringy fronds. He is on the way up, and at his rank, an excellent Basho could promote him to the salaried ranks. In fact, given the right circumstances, the two could switch positions, possibly as soon as January. The Juryo man came into this bout with a 4-3 record, needing 4 more victories to definitely keep his salary. The Makushita man came with no salary, but a 3-1 record, hoping for 2 more wins and a possible date with disgraced and demoted Ryuden (Ms47w), a long time Top Division man who was suspended and now finds himself tied for the Makushita lead at 4-0. Both contestants had great motivation to win this match (the lower division Rikishi's record is determined by whoever he faces, but a match against a higher division foe is always a great opportunity). These sub-plots are what makes these matches so fascinating.
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). The Jonokuchi Basho, as with all Division 3-6 Basho, consist of 7 matches over the 15 Day Tournament.
Jonokuchi Match Day 4 (consisting of selected Day 7 and Day 8 matches and commentary). Today's 4 videos feature the 3 matches between contestants who are still undefeated, and one other match, an unbelievable 4 minute match, between 2 fairly skilled contestants, who gave it their all.
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Latest News:
Toyonoumi , a Rikishi who fought from 1981-1999, passed away at the age of 56. He was in Makuuchi from 1988-1994, reaching as high as M1. (Kyodo News)
New Sumo Elder Magaki (ex-Yokozuna Hakuho) tried his hand at Sumo Commentary on NHK for the first time today. He handled the Makuuchi Basho Commentary.
"It was so quick. I'm sweating," he commented after. (Nikkan Sports, "translated" to English by Google.
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Notable:
Both Terunofuji (Y1e) and Takakeisho (O1w) marched on today, one with a dominant victory, the other with a gifted disqualification. No matter. They are now both 8-0, the first to reach Kachi-koshi (winning score). Mitakeumi (S1e) and Abi (M15w) are in 2nd place at 7-1. Four Rikishi have 6 wins.
There were 10 Kimarite (finishing moves) today. The total for the Basho is now 24 Kimarite. There were 17 at this juncture in September
The total time for this Basho is 36 minutes, 23.9 seconds (159 matches, average 13.7 seconds). After 8 Days in September the total time was 30 minutes, 43.6 seconds (154 matches, 12.1 seconds). Interestingly, today there were 2 matches that lasted less than 1 second.
Today Maegashira (Rank and Filers) were shut out by san'yaku (Top Rankers), the second time this has happened. Maegashira have won 1 day and lost 7. Their cumulative record is now 11-29 (.275). In September, after 8 Days they were 4-4 with a cumulative record of 16-24 (.400).
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Condensed results (20 matches)
Key: Time of Match--s=seconds; Rank; Winner; Basho Record; Finishing Move; Rank; Loser; Basho Record
Day 8 Condensed results
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Wins-Losses-Absences
M10w---Asanoyama (0-0-15)
M13w--Tochinoshin (2-3-3) (including 1 forfeit)
01.6s M16w Sadanoumi (6-2) tsukiotoshi M17w Shohozan (1-7)
13.0s M17e Kaisei (4-4) hikiotoshi M14e Kagayaki (3-5)
01.9s M16e Akua (4-4) oshidashi M13w Tochinoshin (2-3-3)
06.8s M15e Chiyomaru (4-4) tsukidashi M12e Ishiura (3-5)
02.2s M12w Hokutofuji (6-2) oshidashi M14w Chiyonokuni (4-4)
12.0s M11e Kotonowaka (3-5) yorikiri M13e Yutakayama (2-6)
05.6s M15w Abi (7-1) yorikiri M9w Hidenoumi (5-3)
00.4s M8e Kotoeko (1-7) hatakikomi M11w Terutsuyoshi (3-5)
00.8s M7e Ura (6-2) katasukashi M10e Chiyotairyu (5-3)
20.1s M6e Shimanoumi (3-5) yorikiri M9e Aoiyama (3-5)
15.2s M8w Tobizaru (5-3) kekaeshi M6w Tamawashi (6-2)
11.6s M5e Takayasu (5-3) yorikiri M7w Chiyoshoma (4-4)
02.8s M5w Hoshoryu (4-4) katasukashi M2e Onosho (2-6)
06.2s M2w Takanosho (5-3) oshidashi M1w Wakatakakage (2-6)
05.6s K1w Kiribayama (2-6) tsukiotoshi M1e Daieisho (3-5)
04.8s S1e Mitakeumi (7-1) yorikiri M3e Okinoumi (2-6)
12.9s S1w Meisei (4-4) yoritaoshi M4e Takarafuji (3-5)
02.4s O1e Shodai (5-3) tsukiotoshi M3w Myogiryu (2-6)
166.8s O1w Takakeisho (8-0) hansoku K1e Ichinojo (3-5)
03.4s Y1e Terunofuji (8-0) oshidashi M4w Endo (4-4)
Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and Nikkansports.com length of bouts data (see result sources below)
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Finishing Moves (20 matches--160 total) Note: finishing move links below link to short NHK videos demonstrating the technique.
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................5(37)
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................4(38)
Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................3(15)
Under Shoulder Swing Down (Katasukashi)......2(2)
Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................1(13)
Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................1(9)
Minor Inner Foot Sweep (Kekaeshi)............1(1)
Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............1(8)
Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)...............1(3)
Disqualification (honsoku)...................1(1)
Totals for Basho
Rear Push Out (Okuridashi)...................4
Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)...............4
Pulling Over Arm Throw (Uwatedashinage)......4
Over Arm Throw (Uwatenage)...................4
Under Arm Throw (Shitatenage)................3
Leg Pick (Ashitori)..........................2
Arm Lock Throw (Kotenage)....................2