March 2022 Basho (Haru)--DAY 4--March 16, 2022
Links to selected Basho (Tournament) Blog Posts--March 2020--Present
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March 2022 (Haru) Basho
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Day 4--March 16, 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 4 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.
There was no Terunofuji (Y1e) video today, either from this source, or Chris Sumo Youtube (see below).
2. Takakeisho (O1w) (1-2--2-2) v Daieisho (M1e) (2-1--2-2) (Match Video) Takakeisho is on the right.
4. Kotonowaka (M6w) (3-0--3-1) v Takayasu (M7e) 3-0--4-0) (Match Video) Kotonowaka 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.
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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 2 (consisting of Day 3 and Day 4 matches).
Three Jonokuchi and one Makushita (Division 3--non salaried) bouts are featured today. An interesting Jonokuchi to watch is Kototebakari (Jk10e), the younger brother of Kotoshoho (M14e). This is Kotobakari's debut Basho. His is the 2nd bout in the 2nd video.
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Photos:
Nikkan Sports Day 4 Photo Feature: There are photos today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi quotes. (Japanese)
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
At the end of 4 Days, only two Rikishi are still undefeated: Shin-Ozeki (newly promoted) Mitakeumi (O2w) and surprising Takayasu (M7w). 11 Rikishi are one behind at 3-1, including Terunofuji (Y1e), Wakatakakage (S1e),and Abi (S1w). The other san'yaku (Top Rankers--Yokozuna, Ozeki, Sekiwake, and Komusubi) are further back: Takakeisho (O1w) and Hoshoryu (K1w) at 2-2, Takanosho (K1e) 1-3, and hapless Shodai (O1e) 0-4.
To reiterate, Takakeisho and Shodai are "Kadoban", meaning they must win at least 8 of their 15 bouts in order to avoid demotion from Ozeki (the only rank that Yokozuna can be attained from). If they drop, they get one more Basho in which they must win 10 in order to get re-promoted. Failing that, they will have to repeat the process that got them to Ozeki in the first place. In most cases that means 33 wins in 3 consecutive Basho from san'yaku. So that can mean a long slog that could take years to get back to Ozeki.
Takayasu became Ozeki in July 2017 after a 12 year battle. He was demoted in January 2020 due to injuries that caused him to miss 26 matches in the three previous Basho. More injury woes caused him to drop as low as M13e before he started the long road back. He made it back as far as S1e before injuries again dropped him to Maegashira. At 32 he is still fighting hard to get back. A year ago he had a terrific Basho, winning 10 of his first 12, including 9 in a row. But he collapsed late, losing his last 3 matches and 4 of his last 5. He was K1e at the time, and in the middle of the winning streak, there was much talk of an Ozeki run. His story is a cautionary tale about just how important Ozeki rank is, and how difficult it can be to get back after losing it.
Takakeisho seems to understand that tale, and after a couple of attempts to belt wrestle, today he went back to his Push and Thrust style against one of the better pusher-thrusters, Daieisho (winner of the January 2021 Basho). The Ozeki was 1-2 going in and the now High Maegashira was 2-1. They engaged in a brutal Push and Thrust battle, which Takakeisho won by Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi). Frontal Push out is a rather genteel way to describe what Takakeisho did, which was to "Push Out" Daieisho by the throat. This kind of "not exactly" choke hold (Nodawa) is perfectly legal in Sumo, and Takakeisho executed it to perfection. As I watched, I was hoping Daieisho would leave the dohyo (ring) before he was seriously injured. He did, but it seemed like ages before he did. The whole thing took 10 1/2 seconds. It showed me just how deadly serious Takakeisho is about retaining his rank.
Shodai, on the other hand, seems to be running on fumes, and there is speculation that he is suffering from Long Covid. There is some talk that he should drop out of the Tournament, try to regain his health, and go for 10 wins in May. He seems no more than a shadow of himself, with confidence completely ebbing away with each loss. It is very difficult to watch.
On the Day: Yokozuna 1-0, Ozeki 2-1, Sekiwake 1-1, and Komusubi 1-1. The Top Rankers are now 18-14 through four Days. In January they were 17-11.
San'yaku again got the better of Maegashira (Rank and Filers) in their battles, by a score of 4-2. The Day score is now S 2-0-2, M 0-2-2. The Maegashira have an overall record 10-14. At the same juncture in January their record was 7-13.
Rookie Kotokuzan (M16w), now 2-2, knocked off previously undefeated Yutakayama (M14w).
There were 12 Kimarite (winning moves) employed today, including three throws. For the Basho, through 4 Days, there have been 18, including 7 throws in 83 matches. Through 4 Days in the January Basho, there were 17, including 5 throws and a swing in 79 matches.
Average fighting time through 4 Days is 8.4 seconds. In January it was 9.1.
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Quotable: (Source for all, unless otherwise specifically noted, is Chris Sumo Youtube).
"His body and mind are all over the place."
Ringside Judge Fujishima Stable Master at the Stable of the same name, (Japan Sumo Association) on Shodai's performance in his loss today.
"But one win could change it all. At least let him show us the spirit to go for that."
Japan Sumo Association Chair Hakaku (who was the 61st Yokozuna under the name Hokutoumi), discussing Shodai's prospects.
"Look. I did well to get him just to there. Because often I just pull him in and invite defeat."
Takanosho (K1e), on his defeat at the hands of Mitakeumi (O2w), after having an advantage for much of the match.
"It was all about not letting into his favorite stance. Nullifying his good points. Because this guy is going to go far, and I had to hassle him from the off."
Takayasu (M6e) on his great throw to beat Kotonowaka (M7e) after an epic 53 second battle. Both Rikishi came into this match at 3-0.
"Day 4 Rikishi Talk" (compiled and translated by a poster at Sumo Forum
Note: Gambarize means "do my best." For more on the etymology of this word in a Sumo context, see the entry at Urban Dictionary.
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C. Condensed results (21 matches)
Key: Time of Match--s=seconds; Rank; Winner; Basho Record; Finishing Move; Rank; Loser; Basho Record
Day 4
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Ishiura (M5w) (1-3) (including 1 forfeit)
05.3s M17e Kagayaki (3-1) yorikiri M16e Nishikigi (3-1)
10.1s M15w Tochinoshin (2-2) kubihineri M17w Ichiyamamoto (1-3)
06.3s M16w Kotokuzan (2-2) hikiotoshi M14w Yutakayama (3-1)
04.7s M13w Chiyonokuni (3-1) kirikaeshi M15e Akua (1-3)
06.7s M12e Kotoeko (2-2) yorikiri M13e Chiyomaru (0-4)
03.4s M12w Chiyotairyu (2-2) tsukidashi M14e Kotoshoho (1-3)
04.1s M10e Shimanoumi (2-2) hatakikomi M11w Terutsuyoshi (2-2)
00.7s M11e Myogiryu (3-1) tsukiotoshi M10w Aoiyama (2-2)
03.9s M8w Sadanoumi (1-3) yoritaoshi M9w Wakamotoharu (2-2)
01.9s M9e Tobizaru (2-2) hatakikomi M7w Okinoumi (1-3)
03.4s M6e Hokutofuji (2-2) oshidashi M8e Chiyoshoma (2-2)
53.1s M7e Takayasu (4-0) uwatenage M6w Kotonowaka (3-1)
----- M4w Endo (3-1) fusen M5w Ishiura (1-3)
04.5s M3e Onosho (2-2) yorikiri M5e Takarafuji (1-3)
04.0s K1w Hoshoryu (2-2) okuridashi M2w Tamawashi (1-3)
05.5s M4e Kiribayama (3-1) hatakikomi S1e Wakatakakage (3-1)
02.5s S1w Abi (3-1) kotenage M3w Meisei (1-3)
04.7s O2w Mitakeumi (4-0) hatakikomi K1e Takanosho (1-3)
10.6s O1w Takakeisho (2-2) oshidashi M1e Daieisho (2-2)
03.4s M1w Ura (1-3) okuridashi O1e Shodai (0-4)
03.0s Y1e Terunofuji (3-1) yorikiri M2e Ichinojo (2-2)
Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and Nikkansports.com length of bouts data (see result sources below)
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D. Finishing Moves (21 matches--84 Total) Note: finishing move links below link to short NHK videos demonstrating the technique.
Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................4 (6)
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................4(16)
Rear Push Out (Okuridashi)...................2 (3)
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................2(24)
Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................1 (3)
Twisting Backward Knee Trip (Kirikaeshi).....1 (1)
Arm Lock Throw (Kotenage)....................1 (1)
Head Twisting Throw (Kubihineri).............1 (1)
Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............1 (3)
Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................1 (4)
Over Arm Throw (Uwatenage)...................1 (6)
Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)...............1 (3)
Fusen (Forfeit)..............................1 (1)
Totals for Basho
Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)...............5
Under Arm Throw (Shitatenage)................2