January 2022 Basho (Hatsu)--DAY 15--January 23, 2022--Sensurako (Final Day)

Links to selected Basho (Tournament) Blog Posts--March 2020--Present

NOTE: CHRIS SUMO YOUTUBE HAS ORGANIZED ALL OF HIS VIDEOS FOR THIS BASHO INTO A PLAYLIST:

JANUARY 2022 SUMO: THE FULL 15! (23 VIDEOS, ALMOST ALL LESS THAN 10 MINUTES. REQUIRED VIEWING FOR NEW (AND NOT SO NEW) SUMO FANS.

THE PLAYLIST IS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER AND INCLUDES HIS DAILY REPORTS AND BEST LOWER DIVISION BOUTS REPORTS. 

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For Video Links to Division 3-6 Championship Matches click on the Day 13 link below (scroll past Part A: Videos and Photos to "SPECIAL SECTION"). For Video Links to Division 2 (Juryo) and 4 (Sandanme) Playoffs, see below.

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January 2022 (Hatsu) Basho (Tournament)

Introduction and Previews (including 2 Fred Pinkerton height x weight scatter plots)--links to all player information (ranking, prefecture or country of origin, date of birth, stable height, weight)

Day 1; Day 2; Day 3; Day 4; Day 5

Day 6; Day 7; Day 8; Day 9; Day 10

Day 11; Day 12; Day 13; Day 14; Day 15 

Summary; Cumulative Statistics; Selected Comparisons with November 2021 Basho and Index to all Videos and Photos (Scroll to the bottom of the page)

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Day 15--January 23, 2022--Sensurako (Final Day)

Recap and statistics

A. Video and Photo

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NHK Full match videos

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).

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 15 video should by available by 12:30 the next day. It might be available before that, so check).

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Japan Sumo Association 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. There is no commentary.

1. Terunofuji (Y1e) (11-3--11-4) v Mitakeumi (S1e) (12-2--13-2)  (Match Video) 

Terunofuji is on the left.

2. Abi (M6w) (11-3--12-3) v Kotonowaka (M14e) (11-3--11-4) (Match Video) 

Abi is on the right. 

3. Ura (M2e) 7-7 v Chiyomaru (M13e) 7-7 (Match Video)

Ura is on the left.

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Chris Sumo Youtube. Chris Gould is a long time free lance Sumo journalist and videographer. His videos are shot at the venue.

January 2022 Sumo, Day 15: Life-changing feats 

Today's coverage includes of the big battles of the day, and then some.

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Photos:

Photo of the day:  Mitakeumi (S1e) (13-2), soon to be Ozeki, receiving the Emporer's Cup as the 2022 Hatsu (New Year) Basho Makuuchi (Top Division) Champion. The presenter is Japan Sumo Association President Hakkaku (who was also the 61st Yokozuna--Hokutoumi)

Nikkan Sports Day 15 Photo Feature: here are photos today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi (wrestler) quotes. 

Sumo Forum's daily Photo Features are appearing on a one day delay at present

Sumo Forum Day 14 Photo Feature

Sumo Forum Day 15 Photo Feature (Added January 24, 2022)

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SPECIAL SECTION:  Juryo (2nd Division--salaried) and Sandanme (4th Division--non-salaried) Yusho (Campionship) Playoffs.

In these two Divisions, the Basho ended in a tie for Yusho. They were decided by Playoffs on Day 15.

JURYO-DIVISION 2 YUSHO: KOTOSHOHO (J2w)

Kotoshoho (11-4) defeated Yago (11-4) by Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out)

Direct link to full match video (Japan Sumo Association, no commentary)

Kotoshoho is on the left.

Another view: (Chris Sumo Youtube)

Quotable: "I was too tense against Nishikifugi (J9e--10-5) (a lost chance at the Yusho previously) But against Yaho I focused on the charge and earnestly drove forward."

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SANDANME-DIVISION 4 YUSHO: MUKAINAKANO (Sd81w)

Mukainakano (7-0) defeated Osani (Sd19e)  (7-0) by Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out)

Direct link to full match video (Chris Sumo Youtube)

Quotable: "I get nervous easily, particularly in front of a big crowd. And so narrowed things down to one strategy and went for the blast out. I now want to push my way to Division 2 this year." 

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B. Notable and Quotable

Notable: 

For Day 15 and the whole Basho, see the Notable section of the Summary and Index of Videos and Photos, which will be available soon.

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Today's Kachi-koshi 

Ura (M2e) 8-7; Ichinojo (M2w) 8-7; Sadanoumi (M11e) 8-7

Today's Make-koshi

 Chiyomaru (M13e) 7-8; Tochinoshin (M15w) 7-8; Oho (M18e) 7-8

Today's matches were completed in 2 minutes 52.9 seconds of fighting time, making the total for the Basho (291 matches) 52 minutes 7.6 seconds. November Basho (Tournament)  time was 1 hour, 37.3 seconds (60 minutes, 37.3 seconds) seconds, in 299 matches. 

There were 10 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today, for a total of 27 winning Kimarite in the Basho.  In November the number of Kimarite was 30. Of 291 matches 149 were won by the two dominant Kimarite (Yorikiri--Frontal Force Out, and Oshidashi--Frontal Push Out). 141 were used in the 299 matches in November. 42 throws, sweeps, and swings were used in this Basho. 38 were won by throws, sweeps, and swings in November.

Top Rankers were 4-2 today, finishing with a record record to 50-34-11. In November they were 65-40. The composition of the Top Rank (1 Yokozuna, 1 Ozeki, 2 Sekiwake, and 2 Komusubi) began at 7 and ended at 6. In November it was 7.

Rank and Filers (Maegashira) were 0-2, against san'yaku today.  They finished at  30-34 against their betters. In November they finished at 21-46. In terms of Days won, Maegashira were 5-7-3. In November they were 2-13. 

The two Rookies split their matches today, making them 16-14 overall.  One of the wins was a forfeit. Wakamotoharu (M15e) finished 9-6 after a 2-4 start. Unfortunately Oho (M18e) lost today, squandering 7-3 start and finishing 7-8. Because he was at the bottom of the Banzuke (Rankings) he will be demoted back to Juryo (2nd Division). 

Kotokuzan  (J4w) 2-0 as a substitute and 10-5 overall in the Juryo Basho, defeated Tsurugisho (M14w) (6-9). The Juryo substitutes dominated the lower Maegashira, winning 7 of 10 bouts. In November they were 1-2.   

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Quotable (all, except where specifically noted, are from Chris Sumo Youtube). 

"Would spectators raising their voices please refrain from doing so!"

Public address announcement after a couple of fans got a little too boisterous. All Basho since the beginning of the Pandemic have had rules about noise as a possible vector. They have asked fans to yell and cheer with their hands only. Note the response to the announcement in the Chris Sumo video.

"It felt long. Normally when I'm winning, 15 days seem to fly by but...this tournament felt so long that I wondered if I'd hold up mentally." In addition to winning the Yusho as a Sekiwaki for the third time, a feat never before achieved, Mitakeumi received a Gino-sho--Technique Prize.

Mitakeumi, Yusho, January 2022 Hatsu Basho

"My focus was on executing my style of sumo today I wanted to go forward and give my best. It's been a long time, and it's great to hear the response from the crowd. This tournament seemed particularly long. My goal was to win 10 bouts for the second straight tourney. All in all, it was really fun." (Kyodo News)

Mitakeumi

"Delighted (to receive a Shukun-sho--Outstanding Performance Prize). I feel I showed you the real me."

Abi,after his win over Kotonwaka that kept him in the Yusho race at the time.

"This tournament I was able to do all the things I'm capable of." (Kyodo News)

Abi

"It's tough to fall at the final hurdle, but I will use this feeling as a springboard to try and win more."

Kotonowaka who won a Kanto-Sho--Fighting Spirit Prize, some consolation for his being knocked out of the Yusho race with this loss.  

"I needed to do a better job of going forward."

Kotonowaka (Kyodo News)

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C. Condensed results (19 matches)

Key: Time of Match--s=seconds; Rank; Winner; Basho Record; Finishing Move;  Rank; Loser; Basho Record

Day 15

Partial or complete absences from this Basho

Wins-Losses-Absences

M7e---Takayasu  (0-0-15)

M8e---Hidenoumi (0-0-15)

O1e---Takakeisho (1-3-11) (including 1 forfeit loss) 

M9w---Shimanoumi (5-6-4) (including 1 forfeit loss)

M10e---Myogiryu (5-6-2) (including 1 forfeit loss) Myogiryu rejoins the Basho on Day 14

M17w---Kaisei  (5-7-3) (including 1 forfeit loss)

09.1s J4w  Kotokuzan (10-5)    okuridashi  M16w Tsurugisho (6-9)

05.9s M11e Sadanoumi (8-7)     yoritaoshi  M18e Oho (7-8)

04.5s M15e Wakamotoharu (9-6)  yoritaoshi  M10w Akua (4-11)

07.7s M14w Ichiyamamoto (5-10) yorikiri    M10e Myogiryu (5-8-2)

09.7s M9e  Chiyonokuni (4-11)  tsukidashi  M17e Kotoeko (8-7)

02.9s M12w Chiyotairyu (7-8)   okuridashi  M8w  Tobizaru (6-9)

15.4s M6w  Abi (12-3)          hikiotoshi  M14e Kotonowaka (11-4)

11.2s M6e  Hoshoryu (11-4)     shitatenage M16e Aoiyama (8-7)

04.2s M11w Terutsuyoshi (7-8)  katasukashi M4w  Hokutofuji (6-9)

08.7s M3w  Endo (7-8)          oshidashi   M13w Yutakayama (6-9)

03.0s M12e Ishiura (11-4)      yorikiri    M3e  Tamawashi (8-7)

47.4s M2w  Ichinojo (8-7)      yorikiri    M15w Tochinoshin (7-8)

03.0s M2e  Ura (8-7)           oshitaoshi  M13e Chiyomaru (7-8)

14.2s M1w  Kiribayama (6-9)    okuridashi  M4e  Okinoumi (4-11)

06.6s M1e  Wakatakakage (9-6)  katasukashi M5e  Onosho (10-5)

01.7s K1w  Daieisho (7-8)      oshidashi   K1e  Meisei (5-10)

06.0s S1w  Takanosho (7-8)     oshidashi   M7w  Takarafuji (9-6)

04.7s O1w  Shodai (6-9)        kotenage    M5w  Chiyoshoma (4-11)

07.0s S1e  Mitakeumi (13-2)    yorikiri    Y1e  Terunofuji (11-4)

Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and Nikkansports.com length of bouts data (see result sources below)

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D. Finishing Moves (19 matches--291 total) Note: finishing move links below link to short NHK videos demonstrating the technique.  

Note: finishing move links below link to short NHK videos demonstrating the technique. 

Source: Sumo Ref. Bout Query.................D15;(All)(divide # by 2)

Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................4(73)

Rear Push Out (Okuridashi)...................3(12)

Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................3(76)

Under Shoulder Swing Down (Katasukashi)......2(6)

Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)...............2(11)

Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................1(14)

Arm Lock Throw (Kotenage)....................1(3)

Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)...............1(9)

Under Arm Throw (Shitatenage)................1(7)

Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............1(9)

Totals for Basho

Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................18

Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................15

Over Arm Throw (Uwatenage)...................12

Pulling Over Arm Throw (Uwatedashinage)......5

Beltless Arm Throw (Sukuinage)...............4

Rear Push Down (Okuritaoshi).................2

Twisting Under Arm Throw (Shitatehineri).....2

Frontal Lift Out (Tsuridashi)................2

Leg Pick (Ashitori)..........................1

Minor Inner Foot Sweep (Kekaeshi)............1

Twisting Backward Knee Trip (Kirikaeshi).....1

Head Lock Throw (Kubinage)...................1

Twist Down (Makiotoshi)......................1

Outside Leg Trip (Sotogake)..................1

Rear Foot Sweep (Susoharai)..................1

Frontal Thrust Down (Tsukitaoshi)............1

Thigh Grabbing Push Down (Watashikomi).......1

Non-Technique (Losing Technique)

Forward Step Out (Isamiashi).................1

Hand Touch Down (Tsukite)....................1

Fusen (Forfeit)..............................4

Out 13(183), Down 6(106), Non-technique 0(2), Forfeit 0(4)   

Frontal 10(173), Rear 3(13), Backward 0(1), Beltless 0(4), Grabbing 0(1), Minor Inner 0(1), Outside 0(1), Pulling 0(5), Twisting 0(3)   

Force 4(73), Push 7(100), Crush 2(11), Swing 2(6), Throw 2(34), Pull 1(14), Thrust 1(25), Slap 0(18), Lift 0(2), Pick 0(1), Sweep 0(2), Trip 0(2), Twist 0(1)    

Under 3(14), Over 0(17)   

Arm 2(33), Shoulder 2(6), Hand 1(14), Foot 0(2), Knee 0(1), Leg 0(1), Thigh 0(1)  

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E. Match Time

Day 15 (19 matches)

Total Time: 2 minutes 52.9 seconds (172.9)

Longest Match: 47.4 s (Ichinojo[5] v Tochinoshin[4])

Shortest Match: 1.7 s (Daieisho[2] v Meisei[2])

Average (19 matches): 9.1 s

Total (291 Matches)

Total Time: 52 minutes 7.6 seconds (3127.6)

Longest Match: 178.4 s (Ichinojo v Takarafuji) (Day 12)

Shortest Match: 0.8 s (Hoshoryu v Takanosho) (Day 11)

Average (291 matches): 10.7 s 

Time/Matches Day 15(cumulative)

0-4.9 seconds:        7(98)  

5-9.9 seconds:        8(99)    

10-19.9 seconds:      3(60)

20-29.9 seconds:      0(20)

30-39.9 seconds:      0(5)

40-49.9 seconds:      1(5)

50-59.9 seconds:      0(2)

90-99.9 seconds:      0(1)

170-179.9 seconds:    0(1)

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F. Kachi-koshi/Make-koshi (8 or more wins--promotion in rank/8 or more losses--demotion)

Key: Basho Day on which the minimum record was achieved; Rikishi; Rank; Current Record

Kachi-koshi

Day 8: Mitakeumi (S1e) 13-2

Day 9: Terunofuji (Y1e) 11-4

Day 10: Abi (M6w) 12-3; Takarafuji (M7w) 9-6

Day 11: Kotonowaka (M14e) 11-4; Kotoeko (M17e) 8-7

Day 12: Onosho (M5e) 10-5; Hoshoru (M6e) 11-4; Ishiura (M12e) 11-4

Day 13: Aoiyama (M16e) 8-7

Day 14: Waktakakage (M1e) 9-6; Tamawashi (M3e) 8-7; Wakamotoharu (M15e) 9-6

Day 15: Ura (M2e) 8-7; Ichinojo (M2w) 8-7; Sadanoumi (M11e) 8-7

Make-koshi

Day 8: Chiyonokuni (M9e) 4-11; Takakeisho (O1e) 1-3-11; Takayasu (M7e) 0-0-15; Hidenoumi (M8e) 0-0-15 

Day 9: Akua (M10w) 4-11

Day 10: Okinoumi (M4e) 4-11

Day 11: Daieisho (K1w) 7-8; Shimanoumi (M9w) 5-6-4 

Day 12: Chiyoshoma (M5w) 4-11; Chiyotairyu (M12w) 7-8; Yutakayama (M13w) 6-9; Ichiyamamoto (M14w) 5-10; Kaisei (M17w) 5-7-3

Day 13: Shodai (O1w) 6-9; Meisei (K1e) 5-10; Kiribayama (M1w) 6-9; Endo (M3w) 7-8; Hokutofuji (M4w) 6-9; Myogiryu (M10e) 5-8-2; Tsurugisho (M16w) 6-9

Day 14: Takanosho (S1w) 7-8; Tobizaru (M8w) 6-9; Terutsuyoshi (M11w) 7-8

Day 15: Chiyomaru (M13e) 7-8; Tochinoshin (M15w) 7-8; Oho (M18e) 7-8 

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G1. Top Rank Wins (san'yaku--Yokozuna, Ozeki, Sekiwake, Komusubi)

G2. Maegashira v san'yaku Standings (Rank and File [M1-18] v san'yaku [Yokozuna, Ozeki, Sekiwake, Komusubi])

G3. Rookie

G4. Juryo Substitute Standings

G1. Top Rank Wins

13-2: Mitakeumi (S1e)

11-4: Terunofuji (Y1e)  

7-8: Takanosho (S1w); Daieisho (K1w)

6-9: Shodai (O1w)

5-10: Meisei (K1e)

1-3-10: Takakeisho (O1e) (including 1 forfeit loss) 

Day 15 Total: 50--44--11 (.532)

Day 14 Total: 46--42--10 (.523)

Day 13 Total: 44--38---9 (.537)

Day 12 Total: 41--35---8 (.539)

Day 11 Total: 38--32---7 (.543)

Day 10 Total: 36--28---6 (.563)

Day  9 Total: 34--24---5 (.586)

Day  8 Total: 30--22---4 (.577)

Day  7 Total: 27--19---3 (.587)

Day  6 Total: 23--17---2 (.575)

Day  5 Total: 21--13---1 (.618)

Day  4 Total: 17--11 (.607)

Day  3 Total: 14---7 (.667)

Day  2 Total:  9---5 (.643) 

Day  1 Total:  4---3 (.571)

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G2. Maegashira v san'yaku (defined as Komusubi, Sekiwake, Ozeki, and Yokozuna for these purposes) 

Day 15(cumulative)

*=Kinboshi--Gold Star Win over Yokozuna

Tomawashi beat Terunofuji on Day 6

Abi beat Terunofuji on Day 14

Hoshoryu (M6e)      0-0(2-0)

Kotonowaka (M14e)   0-0(1-0)

Tamawashi* (M3e)    0-0(4-2)

Onosho (M5e)        0-0(4-2)

Abi (M6w)*          0-0(2-1)

Ichinojo (M2w)      0-0(3-3)

Kiribayama (M1w)    0-0(3-4)(including 1 forfeit win)

Ura (M2e)           0-0(3-4)  

Endo (M3w)          0-0(2-3) 

Hokutofuji (M4w)    0-0(2-3)

Takarafuji (M7w)    0-1(1-2) 

Wakatakakage (M1e)  0-0(2-5)

Okinoumi (M4e)      0-0(1-3)

Myogiryu (M10e)     0-0(0-1)

Chiyoshoma (M5w)    0-1(0-3)

Win and Loss by Days 

Maegashira 5, san'yaku 7, 3 tied

Day  15 Total 30-36 (.455)

Day  14 Total 30-34 (.469)

Day  13 Total 26-32 (.448)

Day  12 Total 24-30 (.444)

Day  11 Total 22-28 (.440)

Day  10 Total 19-27 (.413)

Day   9 Total 16-26 (.381)

Day   8 Total 15-23 (.395)

Day   7 Total 13-21 (.382)

Day   6 Total 12-18 (.400)

Day   5 Total  9-17 (.346)

Day   4 Total  7-13 (.350)

Day   3 Total  4-11 (.267)

Day   2 Total  3--7 (.300)

Day   1 Total  2--3 (.400)

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G3. Rookies

F=fusen (forfeit)

Wakamotoharu (M15e) (1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-2; 2-3; 2-4; 3-4; 4-4; 5-4; 5-5; 6-5F; 7-5; 7-6; 8-6, 9-6)

Oho (M18e) (1-0; 2-0; 3-0; 3-1; 3-2; 4-2; 4-3; 5-3; 6-3; 7-3; 7-4; 7-5; 7-6; 7-7; 7-8)

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G4. Juryo (2nd Division) Substitutes

Day 1: None

Day 2: None

Day 3: None

Day 4: None

Day 5: Kagayaki (J1e) (1-0; 3-2) defeated Oho (M18e) (3-2) 

Day 6: Kaisei (M17w) (4-2) defeated Bushozan (J1w) (0-1; 0-6)

Day 7: Kotoeko (M17e) (5-2) defeated Nishikigi (J2e) (0-1; 3-4)

Day 8: Kotoshoho (J2w) (1-0; 7-1) defeated Tsurugisho (M16w) (3-5) 

Day 9: Daiamami (J3e) (1-0; 5-4) defeated Aoiyama (M16e) (4-5)

Day 10: Tochinoshin (M15w) (5-5) defeated Shohozan (J3w) (0-1;3-7)

Day 11: Kotokuzan (J4w) (1-0; 7-4) defeated Oho (M18e) (7-4)

Day 12: Kagayaki (J1e) (2-0; 8-4) defeated Kaisei (M17w) (5-6-4) by forfeit

Day 13: None

Day 14: Nishikigi (J2e) (1-1; 8-6) defeated  Ichiamamoto (M14w) (4-10)

Day 15: Kotokuzan (J4w) (2-0; 10-5) defeated Tsurugisho (M16w) (6-9)

Total:

7-3 (including 1 forfeit win)

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H. Results

Day 15: January 23: (Sumo Reference)--includes Standings--see left side of the page

Makuuchi (Top Division) Basho Cumulative Win-Loss Martrix (Sumo Reference)

Juryo (Second Division) Basho Cumulative Win-Loss Matrix (Sumo Reference)

Sekitori  Basho Cumulative Win-Loss Matrix (Makuuchi and Juryo--all salaried rikishi)

Day 15:  (Japanese Sumo Association) (click on rikishi name for relevant data including percentage of each Kimarite (finishing) move used, rank and full results of last 5 tournaments, all on one page)

Day 15 Time of Each Match: (nikkansports.com) (in Japanese,use Google Translate) Matches are in order from lowest rank to highest. 

Day 15 Heya Watch  (wins by Stable) Cumulative daily; all Divisions added together (source: sumoforum.net Hatsu Heya Watch thread)

Cumulative Ichimon (Stable Groups) Results

Heya Watch Summary March 2021 to January 2022 (sorted by winning percentage)

Day 15 Kensho (Cumulative bonus envelopes by Rikishi) (source: sumoforum.net Hatsu Kensho thread). 

Terunofuji (Y1e) lost finished with the most envelopes with 288. Mitakeumi (S1e) added 55 envelopes and finished in 2nd place with 187. Abi (M6w) added 12 envelopes and finished in 3rd place with 93.

Absent rikishi information (Japanese Sumo Association)

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I. Articles:

Tachiai.org Day 15 Preview

Tachiai.org Day 15 Recap

2022: Mitakeumi Yusho!

Hatsu Special Prizes

Kyodo News 

Mitakeumi makes case for ozeki promotion with 3rd championship

Nikkansports.com carries the most exhaustive coverage of Sumo that I have seen. It publishes multiple daily articles about the Basho.

All coverage is in Japanese and can be accessed from the Nikkan Sports News Page. It can be easily (if not well) translated by Google Translate, which can be easily attached to your browser for seamless "translation." It is the next best thing to being able to read Japanese.

Google Translate.

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January 2022 (Hatsu) Basho (Tournament)

Introduction and Previews (including 2 Fred Pinkerton height x weight scatter plots)--links to all player information (ranking, prefecture or country of origin, date of birth, stable height, weight)

Day 1; Day 2; Day 3; Day 4; Day 5

Day 6; Day 7; Day 8; Day 9; Day 10

Day 11; Day 12; Day 13; Day 14; Day 15 

Summary; Cumulative Statistics; Selected Comparisons with November 2021 Basho and Index to all Videos and Photos (Scroll to the bottom of the page)

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