January 2022 Basho (Hatsu)--DAY 9--January 17, 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 9--January 17, 2022

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 9 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) (7-1--8-1) v Hakutofuji (M4w) (3-5--3-6) (Match Video) 

Terunofuji is on the left.

2. Shodai (O1w) (4-4--4-5) v Meisei (K1e) (3-5--4-5) (Match Video) 

Shodai is on the right. 

3. Mitakeumi (S1e) (7-0--8-0) v Okinoumi (M4e) (2-6--2-7) (Match Video) 

Mitakeumi is on the left. 

4. Daieisho (K1w) (3-5--3-6) v Kiribayama (M1w) (2-6--3-6) (Match Video)

Daieisho is on the right.

5. Terutsuyoshi (M11w) (3-5--3-6) v Wakamotoharu (M15e) (4-4--5-4) (Match Video)

Terutsuyoshi 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.

1. January 2022 Sumo, Day 9: Great bouts and dangerous seats.

Includes footage from selected matches in Divisions 1 (Makuuchi), 2 (Juryo), and 3 (Makushita--non salaried). And chronicles one unfortunate fan's day in the ringside seats. Ouch, ouch, ouch!

2. Best lower division bouts Division 4 (Sandanme), 5 (Jonidan), and 6 (Jonokuchi)--all non salaried. 

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Photos:

Photo of the day: Ishiura (M12e--172 cm [5 feet 8 inches, 118 kg [260 pounds) (5-4) executes a beautiful Shitatehineri (Twisting Under Arm Throw) , to beat Tsurugisho (M16w--184 cm [6 feet 0 inches], 200 kg, [440 pounds]) 3-6 . On Day 7 Ishiura used a Susoharai (Rear Foot Sweep--see below for link to the technique), to beat Akua (M10w--184 cm [6 feet 0 inches], 167 kg [368 pounds]).  The Shitatehineri was only the second one executed in any of the 6 Division Basho so far. This Susoharai was and still is the first use of this Kimarite (winning technique) in any of the 6 Divisions Basho so far.  Which shows that a Rikishi (wrestler) with a repertoire can not only pull of some of the most exciting moves in the sport, but also use that repertoire to beat Rikishi who have large height and tremendous weight advantages over him. (Nikkan Sports).

Match video (Chris Sumo Youtube)

Nikkan Sports Day 9 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 8 Photo Feature

Tamawashi goes down (a different angle from yesterday's photo)  (Jiji.com)

Note: that is 166 kg (366 pounds) of already defeated Hokutofuji on the other end of that thrust. But it didn't keep didn't keep Tamawashi from participating in his 1,400th consecutive bout today. (See below).

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B. Notable and Quotable

Notable:

Terunofuji (Y1e) clinched a Kachi-koshi (winning record--8-1) today with a hard fought (over 18 second) win over Hokutofuji (M4w). That was just a small blip on his radar. He needed the win to stay within one match of Basho leader Mitakeumi (S1e), who stayed perfect (9-0) with a very quick and easy victory over Okinoumi (M4e). Through 9 matches Mitakeumi has used only two finishing moves, the most utilized moves: Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out) and Oshidashi (Frontal Push Out). Terunofuji added his 6th Kimarite in his 8 wins, his second throwing Kimarite.

Ozeki Shodai followed up yesterday's effective win with another shoddy performance in a loss to Meisei (K1e). The winner finishied the 9 second battle with a Yoritaoshi (Frontal Crush Out). To add insult to injury, the Gyogi (Referee) initially pointed to Shodai as the winner. That decision was quickly overturned by the judges. The loss leaves Shodai at 4-5, a very poor record for an Ozeki. He needs 4 wins from his 6 remaining matches to avoid Kadoban (needing a winning record to keep Ozeki rank). The fact that both Ozeki may be Kadoban (Takakeisho already is due to injury), says much about the state of the Ozeki rank at the moment. Only Ozeki can be promoted to Yokozuna (usually by winning consecutive Basho as Ozeki). It's looking like it may be a while before there is another Yokozuna.

Interestingly (see the Chris Sumo Youtube video), the same fan, sitting in a ring side seat, was bowled over by 3 different Rikishi today. He looked no worse for wear after his collisions. Also, Ichinojo gave Ura a bit of an unnecessary assist off the clay in his win. Ura crashed into a photographer, knocking him over, but not keeping him from flashing pictures of the defeated Rikishi.

Akua (M10w) joined the ranks of the Make-koshi (1-8) today. He is probably at high enough rank to remain in the Top Division, but a few wins would certainly help his cause.

And Ishiura (see above) used another rare Kimarite to vanquish an opponent far heavier than he. He is a joy to watch when he is on his game. 

Today's matches were completed in 3 minutes 55.7 seconds of fighting time, making the total for the first nine days (179 matches) 30 minutes 7.6 seconds. At the same juncture in the November Basho (Tournament) the time was 39 minutes 33.0 seconds, also in 179 matches. 

There were 10 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today,  for a total of 23 winning Kimarite in the first nine days.  In November the number of Kimarite after nine days was 26. Of the first 179 matches 90 have been won by the two dominant Kimarite (Yorikiri--Frontal Force Out, and Oshidashi--Frontal Push Out). 86 were used in the 1st 179 matches in November. 24 throws, sweeps, and swings have been used so far in this Basho. 25 were won by throws, sweeps, and swings in 179 matches in November.

Top Rankers were 4-2 today, slightly improving their overall record to 34-24-5. In November they were 41-22 after nine 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 1-3 against san'yaku today  Their overall record is now 16-26 against their betters. In November it was 13-32 after nine days.

The two Rookies won today, making them 11-7 overall.  

 

Today's Juryo Substitute, Daiamami (J3e) defeated Aoiyama (M16e). The Juryo men are now 3-2 v the Top Division.

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

"I aimed to cut off the inside right with the arm block, but once the Yokozuna siezed me, I'm not going to win.I just don't have the ability, I'm afraid."

Hokutofuji, on the inevitability of the decision once Terunofuji establishes a mawashi (belt) grip.

"I was focused and analytical in the way I fought."

Mitakeumi, on his 9th consecutive win, a 2.3 second demolition job.

"When the referee pointed to Shodai,  I was a bit surprised, because I thought I won. I went chest to chest with the ozeki and I'm pleased to have beaten him." (Kyodo News)

Meisei (K1e). The gyogi pointed to Shodai, but said afterward that he had the correct winner but got confused and pointed in the wrong direction.    

"He's difficult to handle and throw anything at you, so I just told myself to stay calm and the fight went right to plan."

Ichinojo (M2w), on his win over the man of a thousand Kimarite, Ura (M2e). He did it by stifling his opponent, keeping him very close, for 1 minute and 38 seconds, like a boa constricting its prey.

"I did (win the Tachiai [initial charge]), which meant that even when ceding the initiative, I could still pull it back." 

Oho (M18e),  analyzing his victory over Yutakayama (M13w).  Rookie Oho, grand son of 48th Yokozuna Taiho , is now 6-3 and has reached Maakuuchi (Top Division) at the age of 21.

"I did (win the Tachiai [initial charge]). I lost simply because when he pulled me in, I didn't blow him away like I should. Ugh! Let down by my finish again."

Yutakayama, with a slightly different take on the bout. 

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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 9

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)

18.8s J3e  Daiamami (5-4)     hikiotoshi    M16e Aoiyama (4-5)

04.9s M14e Kotonowaka (7-2)   oshidashi     M15w Tochinoshin (4-5)

08.8s M18e Oho (6-3)          sukuinage     M13w Yutakayama (4-5)

09.8s M17w Kaisei (5-4)       oshidashi     M13e Chiyomaru (5-4)

09.8s M17e Kotoeko (7-2)      yorikiri      M12w Chiyotairyu (3-6)

05.5s M12e Ishiura (5-4)      shitatehineri M16w Tsurugisho (3-6)

06.2s M15e Wakamotoharu (5-4) yorikiri      M11w Terutsuyoshi (3-6)

03.1s M11e Sadanoumi (5-4)    okuridashi    M9e  Chiyonokuni (0-9)

02.9s M8w  Tobizaru (5-4)     oshidashi     M14w Ichiyamamoto (4-5)

04.5s M7w  Takarafuji (7-2)   tsukiotoshi   M10w Akua (1-8)

02.1s M6w  Abi (7-2)          hikiotoshi    M10e Myogiryu (4-5)

03.3s M5w  Chiyoshoma (4-5)   katasukashi   M9w  Shimanoumi (4-5)

07.1s M6e  Hoshoryu (6-3)     oshidashi     M3w  Endo (2-7)

98.8s M2w  Ichinojo (5-4)     yorikiri      M2e  Ura (4-5)

04.0s M1e  Wakatakakage (4-5) oshidashi     M3e  Tamawashi (6-3)

11.7s M1w  Kiribayama (3-6)   yorikiri      K1w  Daieisho (3-6)

04.3s S1w  Takanosho (5-4)    oshidashi     M5e  Onosho (6-3)

02.3s S1e  Mitakeumi (9-0)    yorikiri      M4e  Okinoumi (2-7)

09.1s K1e  Meisei (4-5)       yoritaoshi    O1w  Shodai (4-5)

18.7s Y1e  Terunofuji (8-1)   shitatenage   M4w  Hokutofuji (3-6)

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--179 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.................D9;(All)(divide # by 2)

Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................6(48)

Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................5(42)

Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................2(8)

Under Shoulder Swing Down (Katasukashi)......1(3)

Rear Push Out (Okuridashi)...................1(6)

Twisting Under Arm Throw (Shitatehineri).....1(1)

Under Arm Throw (Shitatenage)................1(5)

Beltless Arm Throw (Sukuinage)...............1(3)

Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................1(15)

Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)...............1(6)

Totals for Basho

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 13(109), Down 7(68), Non-technique 0(2), Forfeit 0(1)   

Frontal 12(101), Beltless 1(3), Rear 1(7), Twisting 1(2), Backward 0(1), Outside 0(1), Pulling 0(4) 

Push 7(60), Force 5(42), Throw 3(20), Pull 2(8), Crush 1(6), Swing 1(3), Thrust 1(22), Lift 0(1), Pick 0(1), Slap 0(11), Sweep 0(1), Trip 0(2)   

Under 2(8), Over 0(9)   

Arm 3(20), Hand 2(8), Shoulder 1(3), Foot 0(1), Knee 0(1), Leg 0(1)  

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E. Match Time

Day 9 (20 matches)

Total Time: 3 minutes 55.7 seconds (235.7)

Longest Match: 98.8s (Ichinojo[3]) v Ura[2])

Shortest Match: 2.1 s (Abi [2]) v Myogiryu)

Average (20 matches): 11.8 s

Total (179 Matches)

Total Time: 30 minutes 7.6 seconds (1807.6)

Longest Match: 98.8 s (Ichinojo[3]) v Ura[2]) (Day 9)

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

Average (179 matches): 10.1 s 

Time/Matches Day 10(cumulative)

0-4.9 seconds:        9(63)  

5-9.9 seconds:        7(58)    

10-19.9 seconds:      3(38)

20-29.9 seconds:      0(13)

30-39.9 seconds:      0(4)

40-59.9 seconds:      0(1)

50-59.9 seconds:      0(1)

90-99.9 seconds:      1(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) 9-0

Day 9: Terunofuji (Y1e) 8-1

Make-koshi

Day 8: Chiyonokuni (M9e) 0-9; Takakeisho (O1e) 1-3-11; Takayasu (M7e) 0-0-15; Hidenoumi (M8e) 0-0-15 

Day 9: Akua (M10w) 1-8

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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

9-0: Mitakeumi (S1e)

8-1: Terunofuji (Y1e)  

5-4: Takanosho (S1w)

4-5: Shodai (O1w); Meisei (K1e)

3-6: Daieisho (K1w) 

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

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 

Day 9(cumulative)

*=Kinboshi--Gold Star Win over Yokozuna

Tamawashi* (M3e)    0-0(4-2)

Ichinojo (M2w)      0-0(3-3)

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

Ura (M2e)           0-0(2-4)

Okinoumi (M4e)      0-1(1-3)

Wakatakakage (M1e)  0-0(2-5)

Endo (M3w)          0-0(1-3)

Hokutofuji (M4w)    0-1(0-1)

Onosho (M5e)        0-1(0-1)

Win and Loss by Days 

Maegashira 2, san'yaku 6, 1 tied

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

Wakamotoharu (M15e) (1-0; 1-1; 2-1; 2-2; 2-3; 2-4; 3-4; 4-4; 5-4)

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

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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) 

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

Total:

3-2

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H. Results

Day 9: January 17 : (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 9:  (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 9 Time of Each Match: (nikkansports.com) (in Japanese,use Google Translate) Matches are in order from lowest rank to highest. 

Day 9 Heya Watch  (wins by Stable) Cumulative daily; all Divisions added together (source: sumoforum.net Hatsu Heya Watch thread)

Day 9 Kensho (Cumulative bonus envelopes by Rikishi) (source: sumoforum.net Hatsu Kensho thread). 

Terunofuji (Y1e) added 20 envelopes and continues to lead with 213.  Mitakeumi (S1e) added 9 envelopes and remains in 2nd place with 86.  Shodai (O1w) lost but 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 9 Preview

Tachiai.org Day 9 Recap

Makushita (Division 3--non-salaried) Match Day 5: And Then There Were Three  (Day 9)

Kyodo News 

Mitakeumi eases past Okinoumi, 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 (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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