January 2022 Basho (Hatsu)--DAY 8--Nakabi (Middle Day)--January 16, 2022

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

 

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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 8--January 16, 2022--Nakabi (Middle Day)

Recap and statistics

A. Video and Photos: 

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 8 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) (6-1--7-1) v Okinoumi (M4e) (2-5--2-6) (Match Video) 

Terunofuji is on the left.

2. Shodai (O1w) (3-4--4-4) v Endo (M3w) (2-5--2-6) (Match Video) 

Shodai is on the right. 

3. Mitakeumi (S1e) (7-0--8-0) v Daieisho (K1w) (3-4--3-5) (Match Video) 

Mitakeumi is on the left. 

4. Takanosho (S1w) (4-3--4-4) v Ura (M2e) (3-4--4-4)  (Match Video)

Takanosho is on the right.

5. Akua (M10w) (1-6--1-7) v Chiyomaru (M13e) (4-3--5-3) (Match Video)

Akua is on the right.

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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 8: What does a wrestler's face tell us?

Today Chris changed his usual format and presented match videos from 10 Top Division matches.

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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 Day 7 and Day 8 matches). Two matches with Yusho (Championship) implications are featured.

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Photos:

Photo of the day: Tamawashi, about to slam into the tawara after having beaten Hokutofuji.

Nikkan Sports Day 8 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 7 Photo Feature

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B. Notable and Quotable

Notable:

Terunofuji easily defeated Okinoumi to remain in 2nd Place at 7-1. He has now won 8 matches with 5 different Kimarite (finishing moves). He is still in a position to control his own destiny. If both he and Mitakeumi win out until Day 15, the final match will be between the two. At that point, if Terunofuji is still one match behind a win will force a playoff.

Mitakeumi retained the lead with a win over Daieisho, and earned the first Kachi-koshi (winning record) of the Basho. The last time he began a Basho at 8-0 was July 2018, when he won his 1st Top Division Yusho (Championship), along with two Special Prizes. Today he won via Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out). All 8 of his wins have been via the two most used Kimarite, Yorikiri and Oshidashi (Frontal Push Out).

Ozeki Shodai broke his three match losing streak with a well fought win over Endo. He is now 4-4, and needs 4 wins from his last 7 to retain his rank. 

Tamawashi's (M3e--6-2) win over Hakutofuji (M4w) may have been costly. In trying to save himself at the end, Hakutofuji, already pushed out, attempted to thrust Tamawashi down. The result was the winner landing hard on the tawara (rice bales), possibly injuring his ribs (according to the Chris Sumo Youtube video). The NHK bout video shows Tamawashi gasping for breath as he returns to the dressing room. If he cracked or broke a rib, his amazing 1,399 match without absence (he has never missed a match in his 18 year career) may be in jeopardy. As Nikkan Sports succinctly stated (Google Translate English) "Even an iron man hurts!" 

Fight video (Chris Sumo Youtube)  

Chiyonokuni (M9e) became the first to suffer Make-koshi (less wins than losses and demotion) (0-8) after scoring 9-6 in his last two Basho. Of course, Takayasu (M7e) and Hidenoumi (M8e) are also Make-koshi with 0-0-15 (absences) due to Pandemic issues and suspension (for suspected illegal gambling) respectively. As is Takakeisho (O1e) who pulled out of the Basho due to an ankle injury. He finished 1-3-11.

Today's matches were completed in 4 minutes 25.7 seconds of fighting time, making the total for the first eight days (159 matches) 26 minutes 11.9 seconds. At the same juncture in the November Basho (Tournament) the time was 36 minutes 23.9 seconds, also in 159 matches. 

There were 8 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today,  for a total of 22 winning Kimarite in the first eight days.  In November the number of Kimarite after eight days was 24. Of the first 159 matches 79 have been won by the two dominant Kimarite (Yorikiri--Frontal Force Out, and Oshidashi--Frontal Push Out). 75 were used in the 1st 159 matches in November. 20 throws, sweeps, and swings have been used so far in this Basho. 20 were also won by throws, sweeps, and swings in November.

Top Rankers were 3-3 today, slightly reducing their overall record to 30-22-4. In November they were 37-19 after eight days. The composition of the Top Rank (1 Yokozuna, 1 Ozeki, 2 Sekiwake, and 2 Komusubi) is now 6. In November it was 7.

Rank and Filers (Maegashira) were 2-2 against san'yaku today  Their overall record is now 15-23 against their betters. In November it was 11-29 after eight days.

The two Rookies won today, making them 9-7 overall.  

 

Today's Juryo Substitute, Kotoshoho (J2w) defeated Tsurugisho (M16w). The Juryo men are now 2-2 v the Top Division.

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

"You have to fill for Oki, who's totally lost that tachiai (initial charge). I think Teru's being nice to him. No one wants to see an old man bullied."

Kitanofuji (52nd Yokozuna and present day NHK commentator), on Terunofuji's win over Okinoumi.  

"Not great I pulled him in. But I reacted well to that. And from now, I want to attack more from the off."

Shodai, after breaking his three match losing streak with a victory over Endo.

"Another good fight. I hung in there well. I'm moving around great. Mentally I feel great. It's just the best place to be."

Mitakeumi, on his win over Daieisho. 

"I was able to stay patient. My body is moving well and my mind is very focused," Mitakeumi said. "I just want to do my brand of sumo. That's all I'm thinking about and the wins should come as long as I do that."

Mitakeumi (Kyodo News)

"I aimed to carry the fight, but his power was something else. He's just unshakeable, upper body so strong. You learn tons from fighting him 'Amazing' is all you can say."

Hokutofuji (M4w), on his defeat at the hands of Tamawashi (M3e). 

"It hurts. Because I'm a person." 

Tamawashi, responding to a reporter's question "Does it hurt even if you're an iron man?" (Nikkan Sports, with--apologies ahead of time--Google Translate English). According to NS, Tamawashi was laughing when he answered. As someone who has suffered cracked ribs in a fall, I wasn't laughing for six weeks :( :).

"My good point was that I watched him carefully when executing moves. He was waiting for me to invite him forwards."

Onosho (M5e) (6-2) on his win over winless Chiyonokuni (M9e)

"At the end I was so feverishly going for it, that I can't remember what happened. Let's just say I don't want to be defending up there."

Takarafuji (M7w also at 6-2, on the ups and downs of his win over Shimanoumi (M9w).

"It was not so much my movement, but the fact I stayed in under the cosh. And I was careful not to touch his top knot in the grapple"

Chiyomaru, on his intense battle with Akua.

"There was nothing good about my display. I need to attack from down low but gave him the jump on me."

Ichiyamamoto (M14w), reflecting on his defeat at the hands of Rookie Oho (M18e).

"It's not about the winning. I just want to fight well."

Oho's take on his victory. 

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C. Condensed results (20 matches)

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

Day 8

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)

12.2s J2w  Kotoshoho (7-1)    yorikiri    M16w Tsurugisho (3-5)

16.6s M14e Kotonowaka (6-2)   oshidashi   M16e Aoiyama (4-4)

02.3s M18e Oho (5-3)          tsukidashi  M14w Ichiyamamoto (4-4)

07.8s M13w Yutakayama (4-4)   yorikiri    M17w Kaisei (4-4)

34.1s M15e Wakamotoharu (4-4) hatakikomi  M12e Ishiura (4-4)

01.4s M17e Kotoeko (6-2)      tsukiotoshi M11e Sadanoumi (4-4)

15.0s M15w Tochinoshin (4-4)  yorikiri    M11w Terutsuyoshi (3-5)

20.4s M12w Chiyotairyu (3-5)  oshidashi   M10e Myogiryu (4-4)

22.5s M13e Chiyomaru (5-3)    okuritaoshi M10w Akua (1-7)

18.1s M7w  Takarafuji (6-2)   hatakikomi  M9w  Shimanoumi (4-4)

01.6s M6e  Hoshoryu (5-3)     yorikiri    M6w  Abi (6-2)

11.0s M5e  Onosho (6-2)       okuritaoshi M9e  Chiyonokuni (0-8)

07.3s M8w  Tobizaru (4-4)     yorikiri    M5w  Chiyoshoma (3-5)

16.3s M3e  Tamawashi (6-2)    oshidashi   M4w  Hokutofuji (3-5)

46.9s M1e  Wakatakakage (3-5) tsukiotoshi M2w  Ichinojo (4-4)

04.3s M1w  Kiribayama (2-6)   oshitaoshi  K1e  Meisei (3-5)

09.7s S1e  Mitakeumi (8-0)    oshidashi   K1w  Daieisho (3-5)

01.4s M2e  Ura (4-4)          ashitori    S1w  Takanosho (4-4)

07.3s O1w  Shodai (4-4)       yorikiri    M3w  Endo (2-6)

09.5s Y1e  Terunofuji (7-1)   yorikiri    M4e  Okinoumi (2-6)

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

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D. Finishing Moves (20 matches--159 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.................D8;(All)(divide # by 2)

Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................7(37)

Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................4(42)

Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................2(11)

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

Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................2(14)

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

Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)...............1(4)

Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............1(6)

Totals for Basho

Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................6

Rear Push Out (Okuridashi)...................5

Over Arm Throw (Uwatenage)...................5

Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)...............5

Under Arm Throw (Shitatenage)................4

Pulling Over Arm Throw (Uwatedashinage)......4

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

Arm Lock Throw (Kotenage)....................2

Beltless Arm Throw (Sukuinage)...............2

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

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

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

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

Frontal Lift out (Tsuridashi)................1

Non-Technique (Losing Technique)

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

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

Fusen (Forfeit)..............................1

Out 12(96), Down 8(61), Non-technique 0(2), Forfeit 0(1)   

Frontal 13(89), Rear 2(6), Backward 0(1), Beltless 0(2), Outside 0(1), Pulling 0(4), Twisting 0(1) 

Force 7(37), Push 7(53), Thrust 3(21), Slap 2(11),  Pick 1(1), Crush 0(5), Lift 0(1), Pull 0(6), Sweep 0(1), Swing 0(2), Throw 0(17), Trip 0(2)   

Under 0(6), Over 0(9)   

Leg 1(1), Arm 0(17), Foot 0(1), Hand 0(6), Knee 0(1), Shoulder 0(2) 

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E. Match Time

Day 8 (20 matches)

Total Time: 4 minutes 25.7 seconds (265.7)

Longest Match: 46.9 s (Wakatakakage v Ichinojo[2])

Shortest Match: 1.4 s (Kotoeko v Sadanoumi and Ura v Takanosho)

Average (20 matches): 13.3 s

Total (159 Matches)

Total Time: 26 minutes 11.9 seconds (1571.9)

Longest Match: 51.4 s (Yutakayama v Kotonowaka) (Day 3)

Shortest Match: 1.4 s (Kotoeko v Sadanoumi and Ura v Takanosho) (Day 8)

Average (159 matches): 9.9 s 

Time/Matches Day 9(cumulative)

0-4.9 seconds:        5(54)  

5-9.9 seconds:        5(51)    

10-19.9 seconds:      6(35)

20-29.9 seconds:      2(13)

30-39.9 seconds:      1(4)

40-59.9 seconds:      1(1)

50-59.9 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) 8-0

Make-koshi

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

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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

8-0: Mitakeumi (S1e)

7-1: Terunofuji (Y1e)  

4-4: Shodai (O1w); Takanosho (S1w)

3-5:  Meisei (K1e); Daieisho (K1w) 

1-3-4: Takakeisho (O1e) (including 1 forfeit loss) 

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 

Day 8(cumulative)

*=Kinboshi--Gold Star Win over Yokozuna

Tamawashi* (M3e)    0-0(4-2)

Ichinojo (M2w)      0-0(3-3)

Kiribayama (M1w)    1-0(2-4)(including 1 forfeit win)

Ura (M2e)           1-0(2-4)

Okinoumi (M4e)      0-1(1-2)

Wakatakakage (M1e)  0-0(2-5)

Endo (M3w)          0-1(1-3)

Win and Loss by Days 

Maegashira 2, san'yaku 5, 1 tied

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

Wakamotoharu (M15e) (1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-2; 2-3; 2-4; 3-4; 4-4)

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

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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)

Total:

2-2

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H. Results

Day 8: January 16: (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 8:  (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 8 Time of Each Match: (nikkansports.com) (in Japanese,use Google Translate) Matches are in order from lowest rank to highest. 

Day 8 Heya Watch  (wins by Stable) Cumulative daily; all Divisions added together (source: sumoforum.net Hatsu Heya Watch thread)

Day 8 Kensho (Cumulative bonus envelopes by Rikishi) (source: sumoforum.net Hatsu Kensho thread). 

Terunofuji (Y1e) added 28 envelopes and continues to lead with 193.  Mitakeumi (S1e) added 11 envelopes and remains in 2nd place with 77.  Shodai (O1w) added 19 envelopes and remains in 3rd place with 56. Each envelope represents about $632 US, although it actually contains half that amount (See introduction for explanation).

Absent rikishi information (Japanese Sumo Association)

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I. Articles:

Tachiai.org Day 8 Preview

Tachiai.org Day 8 Recap

Makushita (Division 3--non-salaried) Match Day 4: And Then There Were Seven (Day 7 and 8) 

Kyodo News 

Mitakeumi beats Daieisho, stays 1 win clear of Terunofuji

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

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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