March 2022 Basho (Haru)--DAY 15--March 27, 2022--Sensurako (Final Day)
NOTE: CHRIS SUMO YOUTUBE HAS ORGANIZED ALL OF HIS VIDEOS FOR THIS BASHO INTO A PLAYLIST:
MARCH SUMO: ON LOCATION! (13 VIDEOS, ALMOST ALL LESS THAN 10 MINUTES).
The Playlist videos cover each Day from Day 3-15, in chronological order. All major Top Division and numerous lower division bouts are analyzed.
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March 2022 (Haru) Basho
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Day 15--March 27, 2022--Sensurako (Final Day)
Makuuchi [Top Division] Basho Standings FINAL--8 wins or more (Kachi-koshi)
Key: Rikishi; Rank; Number of wins (n* = fusen--forfeit) (Strike through=eliminated from contention)
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Playoff
Wakatakakage(S1e) 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 12 1
Takayasu(M7e) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 12 12 12 0
Kotonowaka(M6w) 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11
Mitakeumi(O2e) 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11
Kiribayama (M4e) 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 10
Shodai (O1e) 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 9
Ichinojo(M2e) 0 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 9 9
Wakamotoharu(M9w) 0 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 8 9
Kotoeko (M12e) 0 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 7 8 9 9
Tochinoshin(M15w) 1 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 8 8 9 9
Nishikigi (M16e) 1 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 7 8 9 9
Takakeisho(O1w) 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 8 8 8 8
Abi (S1w) 0 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 8
Hoshoryu (K1w) 0 0 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 5 6 6 7 8
Daieisho (M1e) 1 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 7 8
Endo (M4w) 0 1 2 3*3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 7 8
Shimanoumi (M10e) 0 0 1 2 2 2 3 4 5 6 6 6 7 7 8
Terutsuyoshi (M11w) 1 1 2 2 2 3 4*4 5 6 6 6 7 8 8
Ichiyamamoto (M17w) 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 4 5 6 7 8
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Juryo (Division 2) Basho Standings FINAL: 8 wins or more (Kachi-koshi)
Key: Rikishi; Rank; Number of wins (Strike through=eliminated from contention)
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ryuden (J13e) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 8 9 10 11 12 13
Midorifuji (J6e) 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 10 11 12
Kitanowaka (J10e) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 9 10 11
Oho (J1e) 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 10
Azumaryu (J2e) 0 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 10 10
Mitoryu (J7e) 1 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 9 10 10
Daishoho (J9e) 0 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10
Enho (J11w) 1 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 9 10
Hidenoumi (J2w) 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 8
Yago (J8e) 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 8
Shimazuumi (J13w) 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8
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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 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.
PLAY OFF (Yusho=Playoff Winner and Tournament Champion; JUN-YUSHO (2ND PLACE)
1. Wakatakakage (S1e) (12-3--YUSHO) v Takayasu (M7e) (12-3--JUN-YUSHO) (Match Video) Wakatakakage is on the left.
Wakatakakage Post Match: Includes the full match, from a closer angle, the Champion receiving the Emperor's Cup, (about 29 Kg--about 64 pounds), and an interview with the Champion (Japanese)
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3. Takakeisho (O1w) (8-6--8-7) v Mitakeumi (O2w) (10-4--11-4) (Match Video) Takakeisho is on the right.
5. Hoshoryu (K1e) (7-7--8-7) v Kotonowaka (M6w) (11-3--11-4) (Match Video) Hoshoryu 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.
"Would Takayasu finally end the jinx? Or would it consume him just as before? A final day high on emotion brought to you here, with focus on title bouts from divisions 6, 5, 2, and, of course, 1."
All of the above linked matches are also shown here, with analysis.
Divsional Championships (see also Day 13) but I will repeat the links here.
Yusho=Playoff winner; Jun-Yusho (2nd Place); Divisions 3-6 are non-salaried
Day 15: JURYO (Division 2) (Division Championship winning Match) Ryuden (J13e) (12-2--13-2) v Mitoryu (J7e) (10-4--10-5). Since coming back from a six month suspension, 31 year old, 16 year veteran Ryuden has gone 13-1 in two Division 3 Basho, with one Yusho, and 13-2 in this Basho. Because of his rank, he may have to spend another Basho in Juryo, but that will surely be his last. He was a Top Division staple from January of 2018 until his suspension beginning in May 2021. He reached as high as Komusubi (Top Rank) and has earned two Special Prizes. This is his first salaried Yusho (he has won Yusho in every other Division except Top Division). He is not a stranger to overcoming obstacles. Injury knocked him all the way from Juryo 12 to Division 6 early in his career, where in four consecutive Basho he had to come out and fight one bout (winning them all), in order to keep from being dropped completely and having to re-start his career. He is nothing if not a survivor, and this is one fan who will be happy to see him back where he belongs in July.
"I'm happy simply to be fighting and want to keep such gratitude in mind going forward. This time it was good I demanded high standards of Sumo from myself."
Ryuden
Day 13: MAKUSHITA (Division 3) (Division Championship winning match) Kinbozan (Ms34w) (6-0--7-0) v Chiyonoumi (Ms6e) (6-0--6-1). Kazakhstan born 23 year old Kinbozan was a university star who joined Sumo immediately ranked in Division 4. In three Basho he is 19-2 with Yusho in Divisions 4 and 3. At this pace, if he can keep it up, he will, within a short time, reach salaried status.
"He's a thruster like me so my plan was to knock him off his stride"
Kinbozan (Division 3 Yusho).
Day 13: SANDANME (Division 4) (Division Championship winning match) Kanzaki (Sd100TD) (6-0--7-0) v Kiryuko (Sd29w) (6-0--6-1), This was 22 year old Kanzaki's first professional Basho. As a university star, he has been immediately ranked in Division 4.
"Even though I repelled him and tried to keep distance, he got on the inside, but I held my nerve."
Kanzaki (Division 4 Yusho)
Day 15: JONIDAN (Division 5 Playoff): Kotetsu (Jd62e) (7-0--Yusho) v Nakashima (Jd13e) (7-0--Jun-Yusho). 20 year old Kotetsu has already been on the yo-yo from Division 6 to Division 4, and back to Division 6 due to injury, before beginning to make his way back again. 23 year old Nakashima has also been on the yo-yo, reaching as high as Division 3 before injury knocked him all the way back to Division 6. A Yusho there in January brought him all the way back to his present rank, but this loss may mean one more Basho in Division 5 for him.
"I'm sorry to all those I put out when recovering from injury (was out 6 months with a knee injury). I'm happy to have repaid some of that support with this title. I still want to aim for Division 3 or even Division 2 (salaried) with my own style."
Kotetsu
Day 15: JONOKUCHI (Division 6 Playoff): 18 year old Kototebekari (Jk10e) (7-0--Yusho) v 18 year old Kotokenru (Jk13e) (7-0--Jun Yusho). Both were competing in their first professional Basho. They are also stablemates. Kotobekari is the younger brother of 22 year old Kotoshoho (M14e), who had a successful Top Division Basho after a one year exile to Juryo at 9-6.
"I told myself not to be nervous before the crowd. But there were butterflies. He can do various tachiai (initial charge) so I just focused on getting mine across, and once I hit that stance (right belt grip) I thought I could take him."
Kotobekari
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Photos:
Nikkan Sports Day 15 Photo Feature: There are photos today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi quotes. (Japanese). Today's feature includes photos from the Division 3 and 4 Championship matches.
Mainichi Shimbun Day 15 photo feature (15 photos)
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.
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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:
The Basho came to a fantastic conclusion, with a 19 second playoff in which Wakatakakage (S1e) literally plucked victory from the hands of defeat by Uwatedashinage (Pulling Overarm Throw) over Takayasu (M7e). Both had lost their regular matches to finish the Basho at 12-3. The winner became the first Shin-Sekiwake (first Basho at the rank) Yusho since Futabayama, who achieved the feat in 1936, as part of his still standing record of 69 consecutive victories). He also became the first Fukushima native to win since Tochiazuma (Wikipedia) in 1972 (using the same finishing move).
It concluded a great Basho for the Sekiwake, who is now on an "Ozeki run" (33 wins in 3 consecutive Basho). At the heart of the run was an 8 match winning streak from Day 5-12, which left him at 11-1. He then lost two of his last three, but won the "big one." For Takayasu, it was another heart breaking result at this venue. Last year he started this Basho 9-1 and 10-2 before losing his last 3 matches. This year he started this Basho at 10-0 (the longest winning streak of the Basho) and 12-1 before losing his last two to help force the playoff. The ex-Ozeki is still looking for his first Makuuchi (Top Division) championship, having finished second 5 times.
The third contender, Kotonowaka (M6w), was in contention until his last match (a loss), that ended his Basho tied for third with 11 wins. He began the Basho 9-1 before losing 3 of his last 5. Mitakeumi (O2w), in his Shin-Ozeki Basho, finished also finishied 11-4. began with 9 wins in his first 11 matches.
The three top finishers, not counting the playoff, lost four of their last 6 matches. Wakatakage, fighting the last match of the day knowing the Basho was his if he won, lost to Shodai (O1e) (9-6)--more on him below. Takayasu lost his last match to Abi (S1w) (8-7) who retained his Rank in his Shin-Sekiwake Basho. He also lost Shodai on Day 14. Kotonowaka lost to Hoshoryu (K1) (8-7) in a match that the winner retained his Rank in his Shin-Komusubi Basho. On Day 14 he lost to Mitakeumi (O2w). So the two Maegashira (Rank and Filers) were 0-4 against Top Rankers (Komusubi, Sekiwake, and Ozeki) at the end of the Basho. All of the two Maegashira contenders' defeats came at the hands of Top Rankers.
The untold story of this Basho has to be Shodai. Entering this Basho "Kadoban" (on the heels of a losing Basho, with the knowledge that another one would cost him his Ozeki Rank, the only Rank that can be promoted to Yokozuna), his 4th Kadoban Basho since his promotion to Ozeki in November 2020 (8 Basho), he knew the stakes. Six days in, he was 1-5, had the body language of a totally defeated Rikishi, and was certainly going to be Sekiwake Shodai in May. Speculation swirled among fans and some experts that he was still suffering from the effects of a recent bout with Covid. Drop out, they said. Get well and come back as Sekiwake in May (and exploit the loophole in the relegation--an ex-Ozeki has one Basho to win 10 or more matches to regain his rank--if he fails, then he has to go through the 33 in 3 merry-go-round). To this Shodai answered with 8 wins in his final 9 matches, including wins over both playoff contestants and a win in his one O v O bout. It was an astonishing display that not only retained his rank, but turned the Basho on its head twice in the last two days. He seemed to become stronger with each passing day. Perhaps it was the waning of his Covid battle. But perhaps it was also it was something more, a Rikishi clearly lost in confidence, reaching deep down to show everyone why he attained Ozeki in the first place.
Special Prizes:
Shukun-Sho (Outstanding Performance Prize) None
Gino-Sho (Technique Prize): Wakatakakage (S1e) (his 3rd)
Kanto Sho: (Fighting Spirit Prize) Takayasu (M7e) (his 5th); Kotonowaka (M6w) (his 3rd, 2nd consecutive)
Kachi-koshi (8 wins) today:
Abi (S1w)
Hoshoryu (K1w)
Daieisho (M1e)
Endo (M4w)
Shimanoumi (M10e)
Ichiamamoto (M17w)
Make-koshi (8 losses) today; R=Rookie:
Tamawashi (M2w)
Aioyama (M10w)
Yutakayama (M14w)
Kotokuzan (M16w) (R) 7-8
For the Day: (san'yaku)
Yokozuna Terunofuji (Y1e)--Out of the Basho with right heel and left knee problems: 3-3-9
Ozeki: 2-1: Shodai (W) 9-6; Takakeisho (L) 8-7 Mitakeumi (W) 11-4
Sekiwake: 2-1 Wakatakakage (L) 12-3, Abi (W) 8-7; Wakatakakage (W) 1-0 (Playoff)
Komusubi: 1-1 Takanosho (L) 4-11 Hoshoryu (W) 8-7 (W)
Top Rankers finished 64-48-9 (absences) (including 1 forfeit) (.571)
In January: 50-44-11 (.532)
The Maegashira (Rank and File) lost all 4 to san'yaku today. Takayasu (M7w) and Kotonowaka (M6w) lost to Sekiwake and Komusubi respectively, in crucial matches. In the Day standings Maegashira finished 3-8-4 against the Top Rankers. In January they finished 5-7-3.
Maegashira finished: 29-46 (.387) v san'yaku
Through 14 Days in January: 30-34 (.455)
Rookie Kotokuzan (M16w) (7-8) fell one match short of his Kachi-koshi, losing an 11 second battle to Shimanoumi (M10e) (8-7) in a "Darwin" bout. With the Make-koshi, at his rank, he will most likely be demoted to Juryo (2nd Division). His chances were also dealt a blow by Ichiamamoto's (M17w) 5 consecutive wins at the end of the Basho that gave him a Kachi-koshi. The rookie was never more than 1 match above or below parity. After his 12 year battle to get to the top Division, I hope he gets back soon. Unless...
In today's Juryo Substitute match Hidenoumi, fighting in his second consecutive Substitute match (J2w) (8-7, 1-2) lost to above mentioned Ichiyamamoto (M17w) (8-7). Substitutes won 5 of the 9 Makuuchi (Top Division) matches. In January the substitutes were 7-3 (including 1 forfeit). Nishikigi (M16e) (9-6), Kotokuzan (M16w) (7-8) and Kagayaki (M17e) (7-8), Juryo Substitutes in that Basho, were responsible for 5 of them, plus the forfeit.
There were 8 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today, including 4 throws, inlcuding the playoff winner.
For the Basho: 29 winning and 1 non-winning (losing); 9 throws, one swing.
In January: 27 winning and 2 non-winning (losing); 7 throws, one swing.
Average Fighting Time
For the Basho: 10.3 seconds (308 matches--including the playoff)
In January: 10.7 seconds (291 matches)
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Quotable:
"I don't really have a sense of having won the championship yet. I just remember that I kept myself there, that I was at the edge but stayed inside. My family came to see me, so I wanted to show them something good."
Wakatakakage, summing up his his Yusho. (Kyodo News)
"Over these past 11 years, I really feel I've given my all for the folks back home, and that they really can see that. In the final match, somehow I stayed in, just went with the flow, really."
Wakatakakage, the first shin-Sekiwake to win a Basho in 86 years, the first Fukushima native to win a Top Division Basho in 50.
"I gave my all, and I still lost. Hence my training didn't suffice."
Takayasu (M7e) on his bitter playoff loss to Wakatakakage (S1e) in the Playoff.
"I don't really remember what I did (in the bout) but I'm just glad I won." There were more negatives than positives this meet, so I know I have a lot of things to work on."
Hoshoryu (K1w) on his win over Kotonowaka (M6w), which knocked the Maegashira out of the Yusho race. It also clinched Kachi-koshi and continued san'yaku (Top Rank) status for the winner. (Kyodo News).
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C. Condensed results (22 matches--including Playoff)
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
*=Re-entered the Basho on Day 11
**=Re-entered the Basho on Day 12
Ishiura* (M5w) (2-7-6) (including 1 forfeit loss)
Terunofuji (Y1e) (3-3-9) (including 1 forfeit loss)
Chionokuni** (M13w) (5-6-4) (including 1 forfeit loss)
22.9s M17w Ichiyamamoto (8-7) yorikiri J2w Hidenoumi (8-7)
04.0s M17e Kagayaki (7-8) yorikiri M11w Terutsuyoshi (8-7)
13.2s M11e Myogiryu (7-8) yorikiri M15w Tochinoshin (9-6)
10.9s M10e Shimanoumi (8-7) yorikiri M16w Kotokuzan (7-8)
48.6s M9w Wakamotoharu (9-6) uwatenage M16e Nishikigi (9-6)
05.6s M14e Kotoshoho (9-6) oshidashi M8e Chiyoshoma (5-10)
18.4s M6e Hokutofuji (9-6) oshidashi M14w Yutakayama (7-8)
01.3s M15e Akua (4-11) oshidashi M5w Ishiura (2-7-6)
06.7s M5e Takarafuji (6-9) oshidashi M13w Chiyonokuni (5-6-4)
03.7s M4e Kiribayama (10-5) kotenage M12e Kotoeko (9-6)
03.5s M12w Chiyotairyu (7-8) hatakikomi M3w Meisei (1-14)
06.3s M3e Onosho (6-9) oshidashi M13e Chiyomaru (5-10)
07.3s M4w Endo (8-7) yorikiri M2w Tamawashi (7-8)
35.6s M9e Tobizaru (9-6) yorikiri M2e Ichinojo (9-6)
06.9s M1w Ura (4-11) oshidashi M7w Okinoumi (5-10)
03.2s M1e Daieisho (8-7) oshidashi M10w Aoiyama (7-8)
05.1s K1w Hoshoryu (8-7) shitatedashinage M6w Kotonowaka (11-4)
13.7s M8w Sadanoumi (5-10) uwatenage K1e Takanosho (4-11)
04.6s S1w Abi (8-7) okuritaoshi M7e Takayasu (12-3)
01.1s O2w Mitakeumi (11-4) uwatedashinage O1w Takakeisho (8-7)
11.0s O1e Shodai (9-6) yorikiri S1e Wakatakakage (12-3)
Playoff
18.8s* S1e Wakatakakage (1-0) uwatedashinage (M7e) Takayasu (0-1)
*Timed on a stopwatch from the JSA video above. I could find no source of official time.
Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and Nikkansports.com length of bouts data (see result sources below)
D. Finishing Moves (22 matches--311 Total [including Playoff) Note: finishing move links below link to short NHK videos demonstrating the technique.
Source: Sumo Ref. BoutQuery..D15;(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).................7(69)
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................7(73)
Over Arm Throw (Uwatenage)...................2(15)
Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................1(31)
Arm Lock Throw (Kotenage)....................1 (6)
Pulling Under Arm Throw (Shitatedashinage)...1 (2)
Pulling Over Arm Throw (Uwatedashinage)......1 (2)
Playoff:
Pulling Over Arm Throw (Uwatedashinage)......1 (1)
Note: this Kimarite was not included in the SR Bout Query above
Totals for Basho
Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............17