March 2022 Basho (Haru)--DAY 7--March 19, 2022

Links to selected Basho (Tournament) Blog Posts--March 2020--Present

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March 2022 (Haru) Basho

Introduction and Previews (including 2 Fred Pinkerton height x weight scatter plots)--links to all player information (ranking, prefecture or country of origin, date of birth, stable height, weight)

Day 1; Day 2;  Day 3; Day 4; Day 5

Day 6; Day 7; Day 8; Day 9; Day 10

Day 11; Day 12; Day 13; Day 14; Day 15 

Summary; Cumulative Statistics; Selected Comparisons with January 2022 Basho and Index to all Videos and Photos (Scroll to the bottom of the page)

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Day 7--March 19, 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 7 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) (4-2--5-2) v Tamawashi (M2w)  (3-3--3-4) (Match Video) Takakeisho is on the right.

2.  Wakatakakage (S1e) (5-1--6-1) v Daieisho (M1e) (4-2--4-3) (Match Video) Wakatakakage is on the left.

Wakatakakage used a Kimarite not seen since 2007 in the Top Division: Okuritsuriotoshi (Rear Lifting Body Slam). He lifted Daiesho (M1e) by the front of his mawashi (belt),slightly low on the belt, before slamming him down. Perfectly legal. Ouch! On Day 12 of September 2007, 70th Yokozuna (Ozeki at that time, with Ring Name Ama) Harumafuji, used the move on recently retired Ozeki Goido (M14 at that time). (Match Video for the September 2007 Match). According to Chris Sumo Wakatakakage said he had viewed the match. Chris Sumo attended the match (see below).

3. Abi (S1w) (4-2--5-2) v Ura (M1w) (1-5--1-6) (Match Video) Abi is on the right. The Gyoji (Referee) ruled in favor of Abi. There was a mono--ii (Judges Conference) after the decision. The question issue was Abi possibly pulling Ura's topknot earlier in the match (disqualification). The Judges ruled he had not, and the match decision was confirmed.

4. Hokutofuji (M6e) (3-3--3-4) v Takayasu (M7e) 6-0--7-0) (Match Video) Hokutofuji is on the left.

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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 7: Strange day, great moves. Today's video features 5 Juryo (2nd Division) matches, each won by the Rikishi on the West (right) side. The West side won 13 of the 14 matches today. The West (right side took all 12 of the matches on Day 6 of the November 2000 Basho (see under "Rikishi 2"--the white circles are wins). In the two cases where "e" ranked Rikishi show up on the West side, it is because they were fighting "e" ranked Rikishi. Today's Top Division Match video that was not covered by the JSA site above : 

 Takanosho (K1e)  (1-5--1-6) v Hoshoryu (K1w)  (3-3--4-3).

(Direct Link to Match Video)

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Photos:

Nikkan Sports Day 7 Photo Feature: There are photos today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi quotes. (Japanese)

Mainichi Shimbun Photography Day 7 Feature (Japanese)

There was no Photo Feature for Day 7

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

Sumo Forum Day 6 Photo Feature

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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: 

As the Basho neared it's half-way point, Ex Ozeki Takayasu (M7e) won his 7th consecutive match and remains in the lead by one match over Mitakeumi (O2w), Wakatakakage (S1e), and Kotonowaka (M6w). Tomorrow Takayasu faces Wakamotoharu (M9w) 5-2 (older brother of Wakatakakage). If Takayasu wins that match, he not only stays undefeated, but will become the first Rikishi in the Basho to earn Kachi-koshi (8 wins, a guaranteed winning record and promotion in rank). The magnitude of his promotion will  depend on how he finishes. If he wins the Yusho (Championship) with a perfect or near perfect record, there is a possibility that he might catapult all the way to san'yaku (Top Rank--Komusubi or Sekiwake). Abi (S1w) was promoted to Sekiwaki after a 12-3 Jun-Yusho (second place finish) in January 2022 as a Maegashira--[Rank and Filer] M6w). But Day 15 is a long way off and Takayasu has had a difficult experience. 

Just a year ago in this very tournament he lost his first match, then won 9 in a row to take the lead. He split his next two matches and had a 10-2 record with only Terunofuji (S1e at the time) within one match of him. But Takayasu lost his last three consecutive matches, losing more confidence with each defeat. He was a shell of his former self by the end of the Basho, and he has slipped to mid-Maegashira since then. So all eyes will be on him as he enters the 2nd half of the Basho. He has a favorable schedule because of his rank, but at the end, the contenders fight each other no matter what their rank. So he will most likely battle a combination of the two contending Ozeki (Mitakeumi [O2w] and Takakeisho [O1w]), and one or both Sekiwake (Wakatakakage [S1e] and Abi [S1w]). There is a long way to go but Takayasu has a lot of extra motivation to win. And it makes for a very intriguing 2nd half.

For the Day: (san'yaku) 

Yokozuna Terunofuji (Y1e)--Out of the Basho with right heel and left knee problems

Ozeki: 2-1 Mitakeumi is now 6-1, Takakeisho 5-2  

Sekiwake: 2-0 Wakatakakage 6-1, Abi 5-2

Komusubi: 1-1 Hoshoryu (K1w) 4-3, Takanosho (K1e) 1-6

Through 7 Days Top Rankers are 32-23-1 (absence) (including 1 forfeit)

Through 7 Days in January:27-19-3

The Maegashira had a bad day at the office against san'yaku today, losing all four of their matches. 

Through 7 Days: Maegashira are 14-22 v san'yaku

Through 7 Days in January: 13-21

Rookie Kotokuzan (M16w) dispatched Kotoeko (M12e) in less than 2 seconds. The win put him over .500 for the first time. At 4-3, he needs 4 wins in his last 8 matches for Kachi-koshi and a second consecutive Top Division Basho. After fighting 12 years to get to Top Division, he has a lot of incentive to do well in the second half.

There were no Juryo substitutes today, but with Chiyonokuni (M13w) now out of the Basho after forfeiting today, there will be an uneven number of Rikishi again and tomorrow's substitute will be Azumaryu (J2e). He will face Rookie Kotokuzan. Azumaryu brings a 5-2 record into the match. His result will be added to his Juryo record. He needs 3 wins to book a slot in the Top Division for the next Basho, if slots are available. It is the first match on the schedule and could be quite a match. 

There were 11 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today, including 3 throws

Through 7 Days: 21 Kimarite, 8 throws.

Through 7 Days in January: 20 winning and 2 non-winning (losing); 5 throws one swing.

Average Fighting Time

Through 7 Days: 9.2 seconds (143 matches)

Through 7 Days in January: 9.4 seconds (139 matches)

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Quotable (Source for all, unless otherwise specifically noted, is Chris Sumo Youtube):

"A loss is a loss. My legs just didn't get moving, did they? 

Onosho (M3e) on his loss to Mitakeumi (O2w). Onosho handed Mitakeumi one of his two January 2022 losses. 

"I kind of knew my feet were in. But I did wonder if a finger had sliced through his hair." 

Abi, on his win over Ura.

I'm certainly not getting out moved. And I'll be giving lots more yet."

Hoshoryu (K1w) on his win over Takanosho (K1e).

"I actually hit well at the start, but saw him slip and got too casual when going for the slap down.

Hokutofuji, on his 7th consecutive loss to Takayasu.

"I feel I've struck the optimum on-off balance. I really relax when I'm not fighting. Which means that when tournaments come, I can't wait to be in that ring every single day. And I happen to be in high spirits too." 

Takayasu, at 7-0 and leading the Basho.

Day 7 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 (20 matches)

Key: Time of Match--s=seconds; Rank; Winner; Basho Record; Finishing Move;  Rank; Loser; Basho Record

Day 7

Partial or complete absences from this Basho

Ishiura (M5w)     (1-3-3) (including 1 forfeit loss)

Terunofuji (Y1e)  (3-3-1) (including 1 forfeit loss)

Chionokuni (M13w)   (4-3) (including 1 forfeit loss)

03.9s M17w Ichiyamamoto (2-5) oshidashi        M15e Akua (1-6)

06.3s M14e Kotoshoho (4-3)    yorikiri         M17e Kagayaki (4-3)

19.7s M13e Chiyomaru (3-4)    yorikiri         M15w Tochinoshin (4-3)

02.4s M12w Chiyotairyu (3-4)  tsukidashi       M14w Yutakayama (3-4)

01.9s M16w Kotokuzan (4-3)    hatakikomi       M12e Kotoeko (4-3)

----- M11w Terutsuyoshi (4-3) fusen            M13w Chiyonokuni (4-3)

02.1s M16e Nishikigi (5-2)    oshidashi        M10w Aoiyama (3-4)

02.9s M9e  Tobizaru (4-3)     tsukiotoshi      M11e Myogiryu (3-4)

09.8s M9w  Wakamotoharu (5-2) yorikiri         M8e  Chiyoshoma (2-5)

07.0s M10e Shimanoumi (3-4)   hikiotoshi       M7w  Okinoumi (1-6)

02.4s M6w  Kotonowaka (6-1)   okuridashi       M8w  Sadanoumi (2-5)

05.6s M7e  Takayasu (7-0)     tsukidashi       M6e  Hokutofuji (3-4)

10.3s M4w  Endo (5-2)         shitatedashinage M5e  Takarafuji (1-6)

82.5s M4e  Kiribayama (5-2)   okuridashi       M2e  Ichinojo (4-3)

16.3s K1w  Hoshoryu (4-3)     uwatenage        K1e  Takanosho (1-6)

06.4s S1w  Abi (5-2)          uwatenage        M1w  Ura (1-6)

07.4s S1e  Wakatakakage (6-1) okuritsuriotoshi M1e  Daieisho (4-3)

04.1s O2w  Mitakeumi (6-1)    hikiotoshi       M3e  Onosho (3-4)

02.2s O1w  Takakeisho (5-2)   oshidashi        M2w  Tamawashi (3-4)

10.2s O1e  Shodai (2-5)       sukuinage        M3w  Meisei (1-6)

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--146 Total) Note: finishing move links below link to short NHK videos demonstrating the technique. 

Source: Sumo Ref. BoutQuery..D7;(All) (divide # by 2)

Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................3(37)

Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................3(32)

Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................2 (6)

Rear Push Out (Okuridashi)...................2 (6)

Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............2 (7)

Over Arm Throw Uwatenage)....................2(10)

Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................1(13)

Rear Lifting Body Slam (Okuritsuriotoshi)....1 (1)

Pulling Under Arm Throw (Shitatedashinage)...1 (1)

Beltless Arm Throw (Sukuinage)...............1 (4)

Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................1 (7)

Fusen (Forfeit)..............................1 (3)

Totals for Basho

Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)...............7

Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)...............3

Under Arm Throw (Shitatenage)................2

Arm Grabbing Force Out (Hikkake).............1 

Twisting Backward Knee Trip (Kirikaeshi).....1

Arm Lock Throw (Kotenage)....................1 

Head Twisting Throw (Kubihineri).............1

Head Lock Throw (Kubinage)...................1

Frontal Lift Out (Tsuridashi)................1

Pulling Over Arm Throw (Uwatedashinage)......1

Out 10(87), Down 9(56), Fusen (forfeit) 1(3)  

Frontal 8(87), Rear 3(6), Beltless 1(4), Lifting 1(1), Pulling 1(2), Grabbing 0(1), Lock 0(2), Twisting 0(1), Twisting Backward 0(1) 

 

Push 5(50), Throw 4(21), Force 3(33), Thrust 3(14), Pull 2(6), Slam 1(1), Slap 1(13), Crush, 0(3), Lift 0(1), Twist 0(1)  

143 out of a total of 146 decisions) (3 fusen--forfeit)        

Under 1(3), Over 2(10)   

Arm 4(20), Body 1(1), Hand 1(5), Head 0(2), Knee 0(1)

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E. Match Time

Day 7(19 matches) (1 fusen--forfeit)

Total Time: 3 minutes 23.4 seconds (203.4)

Longest Match: 82.5 s (Kiribayama v Ichinojo)

Shortest Match: 1.9 s (Kotokuzan[2] v Kotoeko[2])

Average (19 matches): 10.7 s

Total (143 Matches--3 fusen [forfeit])

Total Time: 21 minutes 57.3 seconds (1,317.3)

Longest Match: 82.5 s (Kiribayama v Ichinojo) (Day 7)

Shortest Match: 0.7 s (Meisei v Takanosho ) (Day 1); (Myogiru v Aoiyama) (Day 4)

Average (143 matches): 9.2 s 

Daily Total Average: (6.8; 8.6; 8.8; 8.4; 8.5; 9.0; 9.2)

Time/Matches Day 7(cumulative)

0-4.9 seconds:       8(63)  

5-9.9 seconds:       6(46)    

10-19.9 seconds:     4(20)

20-29.9 seconds:     0 (6)

30-39.9 seconds:     0 (3)

40-49.9 seconds:     0 (2)

50-59.9 seconds:     0 (2)

80-89.9 seconds:     1 (1)

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F. Kachi-koshi/Make-koshi (8 or more wins--promotion in rank/8 or more losses--demotion)  

Key: Basho Day on which the minimum record was achieved; Rikishi; Rank; Current Record

None until Day 8 at the earliest.

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G1. Top Rank Wins (san'yaku--Yokozuna, Ozeki, Sekiwake, Komusubi)

G2. Maegashira v san'yaku Standings (Rank and File [M1-18] v san'yaku [Yokozuna, Ozeki, Sekiwake, Komusubi])

G3. Rookies

G4. Juryo Substitute Standings

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G1. Top Rank Wins 

6-1:   Mitakeumi (O2w); Wakatakakage (S1e) 

5-2:   Takakeisho (O1w); Abi (S1w)

4-3:    Hoshoryu (K1w)

3-3-1: Terunofuji (Y1e) (including 1 forfeit loss)

2-5:    Shodai (O1e)

1-6:   Takanosho (K1e)

 

Day 7 Total: 32-23 (including 1 forfeit loss)(.582)

Day 6 Total: 26-22 (including 1 forfeit loss)(.542)

Day 5 Total: 22-18 (.550)

Day 4 Total: 18-14 (.563)

Day 3 Total: 13-11 (.542)

Day 2 Total:  8--8 (.500)

Day 1 Total:  4--4 (.500)

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G2. Maegashira v san'yaku (defined as Komusubi, Sekiwake, Ozeki, and Yokozuna for these purposes) 

Day 7

*=Kinboshi--Gold Star Win over Yokozuna

#f=fusen (forfeit)

Kiribayama (M4e)   0-0(3-2)

Ichinojo (M2e)     0-0(2-2)

Onosho (M3e)       0-0(2(1f)-2)

Tamawashi* (M2w)   0-1(3-4)

Daieisho* (M1e)    0-1(2-3)

Ura (M1w)          0-1(1-4)

Meisei (M3w)       0-1(1-5)

Win and Loss by Days 

Maegashira 0-3-4, san'yaku 3-0-4 

Day 7 Total  14-22 (.389)

Day 6 Total  14(1f)-18 (.437)

Day 5 Total  12-16 (.429)

Day 4 Total  10-14 (.417)

Day 3 Total   8-10 (.444)

Day 2 Total   6--6 (.500) 

Day 1 Total   3--3 (.500)

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G3. Rookies

Kotokuzan (M16w) (0-1; 1-1; 1-2; 2-2; 2-3; 3-3; 4-3)

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G4. Juryo (2nd Division) Substitutes

Day 1: None

Day 2: None

Day 3: None

Day 4: None

Day 5: Oho (J1e) (1-0, 4-1) defeated Ichiamamoto (M17w) (1-4)

Day 6: Tsurugisho (J1w) (1-0, 3-3) defeated Kagayaki (M17e) (4-2)

Day 7: None

Total Day 6: 2-0

Total Day 5: 1-0

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H. Results

Day 7: March 19: (Sumo Reference)--includes Standings--see left side of the page

Makuuchi (Top Division) Basho Cumulative Win-Loss Martrix (Sumo Reference)

Juryo (Second Division) Basho Cumulative Win-Loss Matrix (Sumo Reference)

Sekitori  Basho Cumulative Win-Loss Matrix (Makuuchi and Juryo--all salaried rikishi)

Day 7:  (Japanese Sumo Association) (click on rikishi name for relevant data including percentage of each Kimarite (finishing) move used, rank and full results of last 5 tournaments, all on one page)

Day 7 Time of Each Match: (nikkansports.com) (in Japanese,use Google Translate) Matches are in order from lowest rank to highest. 

Day 7 Heya Watch (wins by Stable) Cumulative daily; all Divisions added together (source: sumoforum.net Hatsu Heya Watch thread) 

Day 7 Kensho:  Mitakeumi added 12 envelopes and takes the lead with 84. Terunofuji has withdrawn and falls to second place with 74. Takakeisho added 14 envelopes and remains in third place with 55.  Each envelope represents about $632 US, although it actually contains half that amount (See introduction for explanation).

Absent rikishi information (Japanese Sumo Association)

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I. Articles:

Tachiai.org Day 7 Preview

Tachiai.org Day 7 Recap

Tachiai.org Makushita (Division 3) Sweet 16

Kyodo News

Takayasu stays one win ahead of pack in Osaka

Nikkansports.com carries the most exhaustive coverage of Sumo that I have seen. It publisles about the Basho.

All coverage is in Japanese and can be accessed from the Nikkan Sports News Page. It can be easily (if not well) translated by Google Translate browser for seamless "translation." 

Google Translate

Or try

Deepl Translate: Cut and Paste Stories into the Translate Box.

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March 2022 (Haru) Basho

Introduction and Previews (including 2 Fred Pinkerton height x weight scatter plots)--links to all player information (ranking, prefecture or country of origin, date of birth, stable height, weight)

Day 1; Day 2;  Day 3; Day 4; Day 5

Day 6; Day 7; Day 8; Day 9; Day 10

Day 11; Day 12; Day 13; Day 14; Day 15 

Summary; Cumulative Statistics; Selected Comparisons with January 2022 Basho and Index to all Videos and Photos (Scroll to the bottom of the page)

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