March 2022 Basho (Haru)--DAY 6--March 18, 2022
Links to selected Basho (Tournament) Blog Posts--March 2020--Present
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March 2022 (Haru) Basho
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Day 6--March 18, 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 6 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) (3-2--4-2) v Kiribayama (M4e) (4-1--4-2) (Match Video) Takakeisho is on the right.
3. Aoiyama (M10w) (3-2--3-3) v Terutsuyoshi (M11w) (2-3--3-3) (Match Video) Aoiyama is on the right. This was truly a David v Goliath match. Terutsuyoshi is 169 cm (5'7"), 117 kg (258 pounds). Aoiyama is 190 cm (6'3"), 183 kg (403 pounds).
4. A Juryo (2nd Division) match:
Takakento (J14e) (3-2--3-3) v Tochimaru (Ms1w) (3-0--4-0), a Makushita (Division 3--non salaried) substitute. Takakento is on the left, in the green silk Mawashi (belt) with the firm sagari (sticks). Tochimaru wears the drab, dark colored cotton Mawashi with string sagari that all non-salaried Rikishi wear.
This match, though far under the radar of big time Sumo, had important ramifications for both Rikishi. 29 year old Tochimaru's win guaranteed him a Kachi-koshi (winning record) in the seven match Makushita Basho. That guarantees a promotion, which for him means Juryo, a salary, the promised land that he has been struggling to find since he began his career in July 2011. How high the promotion goes depends on how he finishes the Basho. If he wins out (7-0), he might achieve a high enough Juryo ranking to insure "safety" if he has a good enough Make-koshi (losing record, say, 7-8) in his first Juryo Basho in May. If he finishes 4-3 or 5-2, he will probably only be promoted to Juryo 13 or 14, from which a 7-8 record would drop him back to Makushita directly.
Takakento has had a similar career track. He began his career in March 2014 and reached salaried level in March 2021. He dropped back down once, but was quickly re-promoted. He must attain a winning record (8-7) in order to stay salaried. He still has more than 1/2 Basho to take care of business. But today's match did not help him achieve that goal. These kinds of stories, these kinds of dedicated Journeymen who will probably never appear on the NHK main broadcasts, form one of the interesting subtexts to this many layered, highly stratified sport. (Match Video)
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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.
Day 6: Getting psyched for the challenge. Selected bouts from various divisions are featured today.
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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 3 (consisting of Day 3 and Day 4 matches).
Three Jonokuchi and one Makushita (Division 3--non salaried) bouts are featured today. Today's video features a match from each of the bottom 3 Divisions (all non-salaried)--Jonokuchi (6), Jonidan (5), and Sandanme (4)
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Photos:
Nikkan Sports Day 6 Photo Feature: There are photos today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi quotes. (Japanese)
Mainichi Shimbun Photography Day 6 Feature (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:
Injury news:
Chiyonokuni (M13w) has withdrawn of the Basho, due to recurring shoulder injury. His left shoulder had been heavily taped and a less than 4 second slap down (hatakikomi) loss at the hands of Rookie Kotokuzan spelled the end of Chiyonokuni's Basho. He went into this match at 4-1 and in contention. Nikkan Sports reported the withdrawal (Japanese).
Ex Ozeki Takayasu (M7e) remained undefeated at 6-0 with a dominant 3.3 second push out of Shimanoumi (M10e). Three Rikishi, (Mitakeumi [O2w],(Wakatakakage [S1e], and Kotonowaka [M6w]) all won to remain 1 match behind. Takakeisho (O1w) won his 4th in a row to join 11 other Rikishi (including Abi [S1w--who lost] 2 matches behind. The other san'yaku (Top Rankers) still in the Basho are further back: Hoshoryu (K1w--3-3) and Shodai (O1e) & Takanosho (K1e) at 1-5. Takanosho lost his 4th consecutive match today, and Shodai, after rallying yesterday, was dominated today by Tamawashi (M2w).
For the day: Yokozuna Terunofuji (Y1e)--withdrawn due to injury (3-3-1); Ozeki 2-1, Sekiwake 1-1, Komusubi 1-1. San'yaku were 4-4 (including Terunofuji's obligatory fusen (forfeit). They are now 26-22 through 6 Days. In January at this juncture they were 23-17-2.
Maegashira (Rank and Filers) again split 4 matches with san'yaku (one was a forfeit win by Onosho [M3e] over Terunofuji. They are now 14-18 through 6 Days. In January they were 12-18.
Rookie Kotokuzan (M16w) won over Chiyonokuni to even his record at 3-3.
Juryo Substitute Tsurugisho (J1w) defeated Kagayaki (M17e) to up the Juryo men's record to 2-0 against the Top Division.
Nine Kimarite (finishing moves) were used today, including two throws. For the Basho so far (124 matches), there have been 19, including seven throws. In January (119 matches) there were 19 winning Kimarite and two losing (non-technique). There were five throws and a swing.
Average fighting time through 6 Days is 9.0 seconds. In January it was 9.2.
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Quotable (Source for all, unless otherwise specifically noted, is Chris Sumo Youtube):
"I felt connected with the tachiai (initial charge), and started getting the left inside, but just couldn't stick to him. Yes, I was blown away. And when the losses mount up, fighting becomes an ordeal."
Shodai (O1e), on his fifth loss in six matches, this time to Tamawashi (M2w)
"I get so excited when fighting the top guys and just really enjoyed it today. And I won in my style again. Believing in that style is key."
Tamawashi who has beaten the two highest ranked Rikishi in the Basho on conseuctive days, ejecting both from the dohyo (ring).
"I left everything out there and told myself to stick to those low attacks, like I said. But please, no title talk, OK?"
Wakatakakage (S1e), on his win over Takanosho (K1e)
"My tachiai was alright, actually. I just got done by his reaction speed."
Takanosho's point of view.
His hips did a fine defensive job and he got inside of me. No way should I be letting that happen."
Abi (S1w) on his loss to Hoshoryu (K1w) after being in the drivers seat for most of the match.
"A bit perilous at first, but I kept my cool--and the most important stuff lies ahead."
Hoshoryu's perspective on the match.
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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 6
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Ishiura (M5w) (1-3-2) (including 1 forfeit loss)
Terunofuji (Y1e) (3-3) (including 1 forfeit loss)
04.4s J1w Tsurugisho (3-3) yorikiri M17e Kagayaki (4-2)
05.8s M14e Kotoshoho (3-3) oshitaoshi M17w Ichiyamamoto (1-5)
04.8s M16e Nishikigi (4-2) oshidashi M14w Yutakayama (3-3)
03.8s M16w Kotokuzan (3-3) hatakikomi M13w Chiyonokuni (4-2)
02.4s M12e Kotoeko(4-2) yorikiri M15e Akua (1-5)
46.0s M15w Tochinoshin (4-2) yorikiri M12w Chiyotairyu (2-4)
39.9s M13e Chiyomaru (2-4) tsukiotoshi M11e Myogiryu (3-3)
50.1s M11w Terutsuyoshi (3-3) sukuinage M10w Aoiyama (3-3)
05.5s M8w Sadanoumi (2-4) hatakikomi M9e Tobizaru (3-3)
03.3s M7e Takayasu (6-0) oshidashi M10e Shimanoumi (2-4)
11.7s M9w Wakamotoharu (4-2) yorikiri M7w Okinoumi (1-5)
23.6s M6w Kotonowaka (5-1) uwatenage M8e Chiyoshoma (2-4)
03.0s M4w Endo (4-2) oshidashi M6e Hokutofuji (3-3)
04.1s M1e Daieisho (4-2) oshidashi M5e Takarafuji (1-5)
05.6s M2e Ichinojo (4-2) hatakikomi M1w Ura (1-5)
08.4s S1e Wakatakakage (5-1) hikiotoshi K1e Takanosho (1-5)
04.3s K1w Hoshoryu (3-3) oshidashi S1w Abi (4-2)
04.4s O1w Takakeisho (4-2) oshidashi M4e Kiribayama (4-2)
02.4s M2w Tamawashi (3-3) tsukidashi O1e Shodai (1-5)
03.6s O2w Mitakeumi (5-1) yorikiri M3w Meisei (1-5)
----- M3e Onosho (3-3) fusen Y1e Terunofuji (3-3)
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--126 Total) Note: finishing move links below link to short NHK videos demonstrating the technique.
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................6(34)
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................5(29)
Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................3(12)
Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................1 (4)
Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)...............1 (7)