March 2022 Basho (Haru)--DAY 11--March 23, 2022
Links to selected Basho (Tournament) Blog Posts--March 2020--Present
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March 2022 (Haru) Basho
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Day 11--March 23, 2022
Basho Standings (still in mathematical contention for outright Yusho [Championship])
Key: Rikishi; Rank; Number of wins (n* = fusen--forfeit)
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Wakatakakage(S1e) 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Takayasu(M7e) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10
Mitakeumi(O2e) 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 8 9
Kotonowaka(M6w) 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9
Takakeisho(O1w) 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 8
Tochinoshin(M15w) 1 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8
Ichinojo(M2e) 0 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7
Kiribayama(M4e) 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 7
Endo (M4w) 0 1 2 3*3 4 5 5 6 6 7
Wakamotoharu(M9w) 0 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 6 6 7
Kotoeko (M12e) 0 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 7
Nishikigi (M16e) 1 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 7
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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 11 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. Takakeisho (O1w) (7-3--8-3) v Kotonowaka (M6w) (9-1--9-2) (Match Video) Takakeisho is on the right.
2. Wakatakakage (S1e) (9-1--10-1) v Takayasu (M7e) (10-0--10-1) (Match Video) Wakatakakage is on the left.
3. Terutsuyoshi (M11w) (6-4--6-5) v Tochinoshin (M15w) (7-3--8-3)
(Match Video) Terutsuyoshi is on the Right.
Tochinoshin earned his Kachi-kochi (winning record--1st since November 2020) in style, with his signature Kimarite (winning move): Tsuridashi (Frontal Lift Out), his career 28th. That accounts for 4.32% of all his wins, almost 19 times the overall rate for that Kimarite. This was the 2nd Tsuridashi in the Top Division Basho, and 5th overall. Lift off! (For more on Tochinoshin see Day 1).
4. This was a Juryo (2nd Division) Match
Oho (J1e) (8-2--8-3) v Midorifuji (J6e) (8-2--9-2) (Match Video) Oho is on the left.
In a match with Yusho implications (Oho is already on his way back to Makuuchi--Top Division--based on his rank and Kachi-koshi), David (Midorifuji--112 kg--246 pounds) defeated Goliath (181 kg, 399 pounds) with a stylish Katasukashi (Under Shoulder Swing Down). It was his 6th different Kimarite. 3 of them were Katsukashi. In fact Midorifuji is "Mr. Katasukashi", using the move to win 43 times, 24.29% of all of his wins--26 times the overall rate for the move. The win kept Midorifuji tied for the lead and dropped Oho one match off the pace.
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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.
"Key title action for you today from the top three divisions, plus an incredible battle in division four. Could Takayasu stay unbeaten?"
Today's Top Division Match videos that were not covered by the JSA site above.
Mitakeumi (O2w) (8-2--9-2) v Abi (S1w) (6-4--6-5) (Direct Link to the Video Match). Mitakeumi is on the right.
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Photos:
Nikkan Sports Day 11 Photo Feature: There are photos today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi quotes. (Japanese)
Mainichi Shimbun Photography Day 11 Feature 7 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:
Chiyonokuni (M13w), who dropped out of the Basho on Day 7 due to ongoing shoulder problems, has re-entered. Like Ishiura (M5w) yesterday, he is taking a calculated risk that he can amass some wins to either stay at his present rank or cushion the fall. Fans hope he can some how win with the injury, but mostly they hope he does not aggravate it.
Today was a lynch pin day in the Yusho race. Takayasu's (M7w) 10 match winning streak was shattered by Wakatakakage (S1e). The win moved Wakatakakage into a 1st Place tie with the Maegashira and was the Sekiwake's 7th in a row. Kotonowaka (M6e) was dispatched by Takakeisho (O1w), to leave both of them at 9-2. Tomorrow Takayasu (10-1) takes on Mitakeumi (O2w) (9-2), while Wakatakakage (10-1) will fight Kotonowaka (9-2). In the most intriguing possibility, wins by Mitakeumi and Kotonowaka would create a four way tie at the top at 10-2. And lurking in the shadows, in a most pleasant and surprising development, is Tochinoshin (M15w) at 8-3. Takakeisho (O1w), also 8-3, earned his Kachi-Koshi today to break "Kadoban" (2 consecutive Ozeki losing records and loss of rank), and protect his Ozeki rank. Shodai (O1e), who started off at 1-5, has now won 5 consecutive matches and needs to win 2 of his last 4 to also break "Kadoban." The two Ozeki face off tomorrow. For Shodai, it is about survival as an Ozeki. For Takakeisho, it is about Yusho aspirations. Because if he wins, he will most likely get one or more of the leaders on his schedule for the last 3 days. And what more can one ask than to control one's destiny?
This, along with the fact that 16 Rikishi are either 6-5 or 5-6 sets up a cornucopia of possibilities for the match makers. How many Darwin matches on Day 15 (7-7 records, fighting for Kachi-koshi, some against each other) will be contested? That is always one of the underlying sub-texts of these Basho. Also who will be demoted to Juryo and which Juryo men will be promoted to Top Division? And at one level lower, there is the existential issue of who is dropped from Juryo to Makushita (Division 3) and loses their salary? And who comes up to Juryo and gets a salary?
So there is a lot to fight for in the last four days, and the Yusho possibilities at the top (including a possible playoff), make the rest of this Basho required viewing for fans of the sport.
Kachi-koshi (8 wins) today:
Takakeisho (O1w)
Tochinoshin (M15w)
Make-koshi (8 losses) today:
Takarafuji (M5e)
For the Day: (san'yaku)
Yokozuna Terunofuji (Y1e)--Out of the Basho with right heel and left knee problems
Ozeki: 3-0 Mitakeumi is now 9-2, Takakeisho 8-3, Shodai 6-5
Sekiwake: 1-1 Wakatakakage (W) 10-1, Abi (L) 6-5
Komusubi: 1-1 Hoshoryu (W) 5-6, Takanosho (L) 2-9
Through 11 Days Top Rankers are 49-34-5 (absences) (including 1 forfeit)
Through 11 Days in January: 38-32-7
The Maegashira lost 4 of 5 to san'yaku today. Takayasu (M7w) and Kotonowaka (M6w) both lost to Top Rankers in crucial matches. In the Day standings they are now 1-6-4 against the Top Rankers
Through 11 Days: Maegashira are 21-35 v san'yaku
Through 11 Days in January: 22-28
Rookie Kotokuzan (M16w) lost today to Aioyama (M14e) today, dropping to 5-6. He needs to win three of his last four to earn Kashi-koshi and be promoted, which means he would stay in the Top Division. He may be running into a wall at the end of the Basho. He has lost 3 of his last 4. A losing record will almost certainly drop him back to Juryo (2nd Division). Aioyama improved his record to 5-6, and he also needs 3 of his last 4 to go up in the Banzuke (Rankings). But he his closer to Top Division retention, unless he loses all 4.
With the return of Ishiura, there were no Juryo substitutes today. However, with the return of Chiyonokuni, there will be a Juryo substitute tomorrow.
There were 13 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today, including 3 throws.
Through 11 Days: 25 winning and 1 non-winning (losing); 9 throws, one swing.
Through 11 Days in January: 25 winning and 2 non-winning (losing); 6 throws, one swing.
Average Fighting Time
Through 11 Days: 10.6 seconds (223 matches)
Through 11 Days in January: 10.4 seconds (217 matches)
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Quotable (Source for all, unless otherwise specifically noted, is Chris Sumo Youtube):
"I resolved to go with all my might, whatever form that took, and I tried not to get beaten for spirit. However, I could have attacked better."
Kotonowaka (M6w) on his loss to Takakeisho (O1w)
"There's a clear difference in power there. Mitakeumi has the strength to just watch his opponent arm block and go forward comfortably."
Japan Sumo Association Chair Hakaku (who was the 61st Yokozuna under the name Hokutoumi), discussing Mitakeumi's (O2e) sumo after his win over over Abi (S1w).
"I should know how solid Takayasu is, but Waka's lower body stability is just something else. Even when presented with a sideways moving target he maintains shape."
Wakamotoharu (M9w) brother of Wakatakakage (S1e), who lost to Takayasu (M7e) on Day 8, analyzing his brother's sumo that led to the end of Takayasu's 10 match winning streak. And also tied Wakatakakage for 1st Place.
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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 11
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
*=Re-entered the Basho on Day 11
Ishiura* (M5w) (1-4-6) (including 1 forfeit loss)
Terunofuji (Y1e) (3-3-5) (including 1 forfeit loss)
Chionokuni (M13w) (4-3-5) (including 1 forfeit loss)
02.4s M17w Ichiyamamoto (4-7) oshidashi M13e Chiyomaru (4-7)
02.0s M12w Chiyotairyu (5-6) hatakikomi M16e Nishikigi (7-4)
30.1s M15w Tochinoshin (8-3) tsuridashi M11w Terutsuyoshi (6-5)
09.0s M11e Myogiryu (5-6) oshidashi M17e Kagayaki (4-7)
08.5s M10w Aoiyama (5-6) hatakikomi M16w Kotokuzan (5-6)
13.7s M15e Akua (3-8) okuridashi M9e Tobizaru (5-6)
01.9s M8w Sadanoumi (3-8) tottari M14e Kotoshoho (6-5)
39.3s M14w Yutakayama (6-5) yorikiri M8e Chiyoshoma (4-7)
07.2s M6e Hokutofuji (6-5) yorikiri M10e Shimanoumi (6-5)
05.6s M7w Okinoumi (3-8) tsukidashi M5w Ishiura (1-4-6)
04.9s M4w Endo (7-4) sukuinage M12e Kotoeko (7-4)
45.7s M9w Wakamotoharu (7-4) yoritaoshi M4e Kiribayama (7-4)
02.5s M2e Ichinojo (7-4) tsukidashi M3w Meisei (1-10)
03.2s M2w Tamawashi (5-6) kotenage M1w Ura (1-10)
02.1s K1w Hoshoryu (5-6) watashikomi M1e Daieisho (5-6)
05.5s M3e Onosho (5-6) oshidashi K1e Takanosho (2-9)
13.4s S1e Wakatakakage (10-1) yorikiri M7e Takayasu (10-1)
02.2s O1e Shodai (6-5) tsukiotoshi M5e Takarafuji (3-8)
06.4s O2w Mitakeumi (9-2) hikiotoshi S1w Abi (6-5)
03.6s O1w Takakeisho (8-3) tsukiotoshi M6w Kotonowaka (9-2)
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--226 Total) Note: finishing move links below link to short NHK videos demonstrating the technique.
Source: Sumo Ref. BoutQuery..D11;(All)(Note: I have adjusted the query so that it reflects only wins. There is no longer any need to divide the linked bout query results by two. (Corrected March 23, 2022)
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................3(52)
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................3(53)
Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................2(21)
Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............2(12)
Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................2(12)
Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................1 (8)
Arm Lock Throw (Kotenage)....................1 (4)
Rear Push Out (Okuridashi)...................1 (8)