March 2022 Basho (Haru)--DAY 10--March 22, 2022
Links to selected Basho (Tournament) Blog Posts--March 2020--Present
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March 2022 (Haru) Basho
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Day 10--March 22, 2022
Recap and statistics
A. Video and Photo
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 10 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. Mitakeumi (O2w) (8-1--8-2) v Hokutofuji (M6e) (4-5--5-5) (Match Video) Mitakeumi 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.
"A day of especially rough action on the dohyo summarized, with Takayasu's crucial bout with Hoshoryu the highlights."
Today's Top Division Match videos that were not covered by the JSA site above.
Kotoeko (M12e)(6-3--7-3) v Ichiyamamoto (M17)(3-6--3-7) (Direct Link to Match Video) Koteko is on the left side.
Chiyoshoma (M8e)(3-6--4-6) v Myogiryu (M11e)(4-5--4-6) (Direct Link to Match Video) Chiyoshoma is on the left.
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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 5 (consisting of Day 9 and Day 10 matches).
There is one Jonokuchi match video today.This was a Jonokuchi substitute in the Jonidan (Division 5--non salaried) Basho
Asonotosa (Jd79w) (4-0--4-1) v Kototebakari (Jk10e) (4-0--5-0)
Asonotosa is on the right. A match of the "back in the day", Asonotosa who began his career before Kototebakari was born, and the young up and comer in his first Basho. The win kept Kototebakarai tied for the Jonokuchi Basho lead. It knocked Asonotosa out of a tie for the Jonidan Basho lead.
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Photos:
Nikkan Sports Day 10 Photo Feature: There are photos today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi quotes. (Japanese)
Mainichi Shimbun Photography Day 10 Feature 23 photos (captions in Japanese)
Japanese Sumo Association Twitter Feed provides a steady stream of great photos throughout the Basho. Look for the dates on the tweets for the latest ones.
Sumo Forum's daily Photo Features are appearing on a one day delay at present
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B. Notable and Quotable
Note: Rikishi names that are not linked are those who are linked above in the videos.
Notable:
Injury return:
Ishiura (M5w) (1-3-6), who dropped out of the Basho due to a neck injury that was supposed to keep him out for two weeks (the rest of the Basho), is returning after one. It has been suggested that although his is already Make-Koshi (6 possible wins--absences are counted as losses), the chance of some victories in the final week could cushion the fall in rank. There is, of course, risk involved, but it won't be the first time a Rikishi has fought with a significant injury. Hopefully he will not re-injure himself.
Takayasu (M7w) won again today, improving his record to 10-0. He still has a one match lead over Wakatakakage (S1e) and Kotonowaka (M6w), but increased his lead over Mitakeumi (O2w) when the latter was beaten by Hokutofuji (M6e). Five Rikishi have 7-3 records, but their chances are exceedingly slim. Takayasu will battle Wakatakage tomorrow in a match that has huge Yusho (Championship) implications. Is the Shin-Sekiwake ready for the big stage? He has a 5-2 career record against the ex-Ozeki.
In other matches of great interest, Kotonowaka is paired with Takakeisho (O1w), who, although at 7-3 is pretty much out of contention, needs 8 wins to escape "Kadoban" (2 consecutive losing records for an Ozeki, leads to loss of rank). That is a very large motivation. And Mitakeumi, now 2 matches behind, takes on Abi (S1w), whose 2 match losing streak has dropped his record to 6-4. He too needs 8 wins to keep his rank.
On another front, Shodai (O1e), also "Kadoban" and a certainty to lose rank just a short time ago, has come roaring back with 4 consecutive wins (and 5 of his last 6), to reach parity at 5-5. Tomorrow he fights Takarafuji (M5e), against whom he has a career record of 15-3. To charge back from 1-5 to save his rank, if he is able to do so, would be one of the great stories of the Basho.
The Kachi-koshi (winning record)-Make-koshi (losing record) story is beginning to come into focus, with four Kachi-koshi and six Make-koshi determined after 10 days. Not counting the Rikishi that have bowed of the Tournament, that means 29 Rikishi still could go either way. The situation is identical to the same Day in January, when 10 Rikishi were determined and 29 were not. One of the interesting things about the sport is that there are always fascinating sub-plots to watch for, even if your favorite Rikishi is not going to take home the Emperor's Cup on Sunday.
Kachi-Koshi (8 wins) Today:
None
Make-Koshi (8 losses) Today:
Sadanoumi (M8w) 2-8; Akua (M15e) 2-8
For the Day: (san'yaku)
Yokozuna Terunofuji (Y1e)--Out of the Basho with right heel and left knee problems
Ozeki: 2-1 Mitakeumi (L) is now 8-2, Takakeisho (W) 7-3, Shodai (W) 5-5
Sekiwake: 1-1 Wakatakakage 8-1 defeated Abi 6-4
Komusubi: 1-1 Hoshoryu (L) 4-6, Takanosho (W) 2-8
Through 10 Days Top Rankers are 44-32-4(absences) (including 1 forfeit)
Through 10 Days in January: 36-28-6
The Maegashira got help today from Hokutofuji and Takaysu but still came up short against the san'yaku the day against the san'yaku, winning 2 of 5 matches. In the Day standings they are now 1-5-4 against the Top Rankers
Through 10 Days: Maegashira are 20-31 v san'yaku
Through 10 Days in January: 19-27
Rookie Kotokuzan (M16w) lost today to Kotoshoho (M14e) today, dropping to 5-5. He needs to win three of his last five to earn Kashi-koshi and be promoted, which means he would stay in the Top Division. A losing record will almost certainly drop him back to Juryo (2nd Division). Kotoshoho, also promoted from Juryo for this Basho, but not a rookie, improved to 6-4 in his quest for the 8 wins he needs to guarantee another Top Division Basho.
Juryo substitutes lost their second match against Top Division men today and are now 3-2 for the Basho. In today's match ex- Ozeki Tochinoshin (M15w) (7-3) defeated Kaisei (J3e) (4-6), a Top Division staple, for the most part, since May 2011, who was demoted after the January Basho. Juryo substitutes are now 3-2 v Top Division.
There were 8 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today, including 3 throws and 1 swing. Today also witnessed the Basho's first non-technique (losing technique). Two previously unused techniques were used: Katasukashi(Under Shoulder Swing Down), and Tottari (Arm Bar Throw). Terutsuyoshi (M11w), subject of yesterday's Kimarite discussion, employed one of two Katasukashi used today.
Through 10 Days: 25 winning and 1 non-winning (losing) 8 throws, one swing.
Through 10 Days in January: 24 winning and 2 non-winning (losing); 6 throws, one swing.
Average Fighting Time
Through 10 Days: 10.6 seconds (203 matches)
Through 10 Days in January: 10.2 seconds (199 matches)
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Quotable (Source for all, unless otherwise specifically noted, is Chris Sumo Youtube)
"I just stuck to him tight and neutralized his power. But I can't bask in the glory. I have to build on this now."
Hokutofuji (M6e) on the way he completely neutralized Shin-Ozeki Mitakeumi (O2w), putting a dent in his Yusho (Championship) hopes.
"I knew the Ozeki's initial charges were strong. I was intent on getting them head-on before countering while moving to a position I like. It was great to win as it was my son's first birthday today.
Hokutofuji (Kyodo News)
"I was thinking of doing the Belt Sumo I've been working on in practice. But the first charge was a false start and the second time around I was late rising."
Abi (S1w), analyzing his defeat at the hands of Wakatakakage (S1e)
"He's surely gotten stronger. Abi's thrusts moved him so little. It was like he was rooted to that Dohyo (ring). He's a true Ozeki contender now.
Match Judge Fujishima (formerly Ozeki Musoyama), now
Master of Fujishima Stable) (Japanese Sumo Association), with an unbiased opinion on Wakatagakake's improvement and future prospects.
"I conducted the fight in my own space. Just project your power from the front is what my Master (Satogatake Stable) (JSA)
says, and that's what I do, as I can't tempt further injury through risky sumo."
Kotonowaka (M6w), doing a deep dive analysis of his impressive victory over Daieisho (M1e).
"A title or runner-up this week will give him the belief to regain Ozeki. Anything less though, and he'll forever be an ex-Ozeki."
A "famous pundit" according to Chris Sumo, discussing the gravity of the next 5 matches for Takayasu (M7e).
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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 10
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Ishiura (M5w) (1-3-6) (including 1 forfeit loss)
Terunofuji (Y1e) (3-3-4) (including 1 forfeit loss)
Chionokuni (M13w) (4-3-3) (including 1 forfeit loss)
23.5s M15w Tochinoshin (7-3) yorikiri J3e Kaisei (4-6)
03.7s M14e Kotoshoho (6-4) oshidashi M16w Kotokuzan (5-5)
03.2s M14w Yutakayama (5-5) tsukihiza M15e Akua (2-8)
01.7s M16e Nishikigi (7-3) kotenage M13e Chiyomaru (4-6)
19.8s M12e Kotoeko (7-3) sukuinage M17w Ichiyamamoto (3-7)
17.4s M10e Shimanoumi (6-4) tottari M17e Kagayaki (4-6)
02.7s M9e Tobizaru (5-5) oshidashi M12w Chiyotairyu (4-6)
05.0s M11w Terutsuyoshi (6-4) katasukashi M9w Wakamotoharu (6-4)
18.5s M8e Chiyoshoma (4-6) hatakikomi M11e Myogiryu (4-6)
08.4s M10w Aoiyama (4-6) yorikiri M8w Sadanoumi (2-8)
13.6s M4e Kiribayama (7-3) sukuinage M3e Onosho (4-6)
08.1s M7w Okinoumi (2-8) yorikiri M3w Meisei (1-9)
06.8s M2e Ichinojo (6-4) yorikiri M2w Tamawashi (4-6)
05.2s M6w Kotonowaka (9-1) hatakikomi M1e Daieisho (5-5)
04.7s K1e Takanosho (2-8) oshitaoshi M1w Ura (1-9)
70.2s M7e Takayasu (10-0) yorikiri K1w Hoshoryu (4-6)
06.7s S1e Wakatakakage (9-1) yorikiri S1w Abi (6-4)
05.1s M6e Hokutofuji (5-5) yorikiri O2w Mitakeumi (8-2)
13.8s O1w Takakeisho (7-3) katasukashi M5e Takarafuji (3-7)
05.2s O1e Shodai (5-5) oshidashi M4w Endo (6-4)
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--206 Total) Note: finishing move links below link to short NHK videos demonstrating the technique.
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................7(50)
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................3(49)
Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................2(19)
Under Shoulder Swing Down (Katasukashi)......2 (2)