May 2022 Basho (Natsu--Summer)--DAY 11--May 18, 2022
Links to selected Basho (Tournament) Blog Posts--March 2020--Present
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Makuuchi [Top Division] Basho Standings--8 wins or more (Kachi-koshi)
Key: Rikishi; Rank; Number of wins (* after the number=Fusen [Forfeit]) (Strike through=eliminated from contention) (Rikishi links link to their individual Basho, match by match, white circles= wins, black circles= losses, white or black squares=fusen. From the match by match link, simply click on Rikishi name for a link to career information)
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Takanosho (M4w) 0 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Terunofuji (Y1e) 0 1 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 8
Kiribayama (M2e) 1 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sadanoumi (M12w) 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 8
Ichiyamamoto (M17w) 1 2 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 8 8
FULL MAKUUCHI (TOP DIVISION) BANZUKE (RECORD BY RANK) (Source: Sumo Reference) See legend at the bottom of the link for key to abbreviation
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Juryo (Division 2) Basho Standings--8 wins or more (Kachi-koshi)
Key: Rikishi; Rank; Number of wins (* after the number=Fusen [Forfeit]) (Strike through=eliminated from contention)
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Tsurugisho (J2w) 1 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 8
Tokushoryu (J8e) 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 8
FULL JURYO (DIVISION 2) BANZUKE (RECORD BY RANK) (Source: Sumo Reference) See legend at the bottom of the link for key to abbreviations.
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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.
Hoshoryu is on the left. This was Takanasho's 8th consecutive win.
Kiribayama is on the left. This was his 7th consecutive win. Note: this video is mis-named. As is the one below.
Ura is on the left. This was Ura's 5th consecutive win. Note: this video is mis-named. As is the one above.
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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 bouts from title races at every level. Whose unbeaten run dramatically ended? Whose still continues? Can sumo's heaviest man win his division? And why are there more reviews of referee decisions? All answers here
Matches not covered by JSA
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Photos:
Nikkan Sports Day 11 Photo Feature: There are photos of today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi quotes. (Japanese) (28 photos)
Mainichi Shimbun Day 11 photo feature (Japanese) (10 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. (Japanese)
Sumo Forum Day 10 Photo Feature: Note: these photographs are one day behind, but are certainly worth the wait. (English, from various sources) (128 photos)
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Notable:
And then there was one. With Ichiyamamoto's (M15w) loss and Takanosho's (M4w) 8th consecutive win, the Basho now has one leader, with a 9-2 record. Terunofuji (Y1e) destroyed Abi (S1w) in just over 3 seconds, for his 3rd consecutive win (4 of the last 5) to move into a five way tie for second place, Five others have 7 wins, so that 11 Rikishi are within two matches of the lead. The contenders have now been pared down by 7 from Day 10. Surprisingly, four of these contenders are ranked M10 or lower. And only one other san'yaku (Top Ranker) Daieisho (K1w) is among them.
March Champion Wakatakakage (S1e) (who won with a brilliant Playoff victory) has won 3 in a row to improve his record to 6-5, but really needs to win out to have a reasonable chance at Ozeki promotion in July. His 12 wins in March, plus a possible 10 here, would put him in a position where 11 wins in July would give him the 33 in 3 Basho he needs to guarantee promotion. Each added loss in this Basho makes his climb that much harder. And for a san'yaku, the 2nd week is always the toughest because they face each other down the stretch. To his credit, he has now beaten two Ozeki in two days, but still must face the Yokozuna and his compatriot Sekiwake Abi (S1w). So he still has a large hill to climb.
The Ozeki improved today, winning two of their three matches to improve their total record to 15-18. Shodai (O1w) saved his rank and improved to 4-7, but still is teetering on the edge of Kadoban (losing record, another in July will cost him his rank). Mitakeumi (O1e), January 2022 Champion with a fabulous win over the Yokozuna on Day 15, a win that promoted him to Ozeki, and an excellent 11-4 record in March, came into this Basho flying high, but his loss today put him under water at 5-6. He needs 3 wins in his last 4 to avoid Kadoban. And Takakeisho (O2w), who, after dropping out with injury in January and barely surviving Kadoban in March (8-7 where he lost his last 4 matches after achieving his 8th win), won today to advance his record to 6-5, hardly Ozeki class wrestling. There is a small chance that all three Ozeki could finish this Basho Kadoban, which would put them all in survival mode in July. None of the Ozeki look remotely like becoming Yokozuna (they would need to win 2 consecutive Basho at Ozeki rank) anytime soon. And with no one really challenging to become Ozeki at present, Terunofuji looks to be a lonely Yokozuna for the foreseeable future. And a fragile one as well, with bad knees that could give out at any time.
So there is trouble in paradise at the top, but it makes for exciting races from down below. It will be fascinating to see how this one works out.
For the Day: (san'yaku)
Yokozuna: Terunofuji (Y1e)--(W) (8-3)
Ozeki: 15-18: Mitakeumi (O1e) (L) (5-6); Shodai (O1w) (W) (4-7); Takakeisho (O2w) (W) (6-5)
Sekiwake: 11-11: Wakatakakage (S1e) (W) (6-5), Abi (S1w) (L) (5-6)
Komusubi: 13-9 Hoshoryu (K1e) (L) (6-5); Daieisho (K1w) (W) (7-4)
Top Rankers finished 5-3 (.625) Today; In March they were 5-2 (.714).
Top Rankers are 47-41 (.534) through Day 11. In March they were 49-34 (.590).
Maegashira (Rank and File) were 1-3 (.250) against san'yaku today. In the Day standings Maegashira are 1-3-7 (.250--not counting ties)--against the Top Rankers. In March they were 1-4 (.200) in matches and 1-6-4 in the Day standings. (.142--not counting the ties). For the Basho they are 22-28 (.440). In March they were 21-35 (.375). One of the wins was a fusen (forfeit).
There were 9 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today, including 2 types of throws. In March there were 13, including 3 types of throws.
In Juryo (2nd Division), there were 6 Kimarite used today, including 1 type of throw. In March: 8, with 1 type of throws.
Fighting Time Today :
Makuuchi (Top Division)
Average: 14.5 seconds. In March: 10.5 seconds
Median Fighting Time: 8.7 seconds
Juryo (2nd Division) (see time-keeping caveats below)
Average: 10.4
Median: 4.8
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Quotable:
"Today I was able to properly attack with a nice forward step."
Wakatakakage (S1e) on his win over Mitakeumi (O1e). It was his 3rd win in three days over Ozeki opponents. (Kyodo News)
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"Tobizaru (M5w) defeats me a lot so this was a very good result."
Kiribayma (M2e), who moved into a 2nd Place tie with the win. It was Tobizaru's 5th consecutive loss.
"I realize (I have a shot at the title) but I'm not thinking about it too much. I'm just taking it one bout at a time."
Kiribayama, keeping his focus on the present. (Kyodo News)
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"I never thought I'd be doing this well. I'll do my best to stay in the running."
Ura (M6e) after his 5th consecutive win moved him into a tie for 2nd Place.
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"It's great to get the winning score so early. and my body, despite being 35, is in good shape due to doing the right things every day."
Sadanoumi (M12w), slowly realizing that he can be a real factor in the Yusho (Championship) race after defeating Wakamotoharu (M6w).
"I only have myself to blame. I've been going forward so well of late with my pushing attacks. Yet for some reason today I step back half-heartedly try for the belt, then fall over. Focus, Focus."
Ichiamamoto (M15w), discussing his disappointing loss to Shimanoumi (M8e). The loss knocked him out of a tie for 1st Place.
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C. Condensed results (20 matches--220 total)
Key: Time of Match--s=seconds; Rank; Winner; Basho Record; Finishing Move; Rank; Loser; Basho Record
Day 11
Makuuchi (Top Division)
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Ichinojo (M1w) 0-0-11 (Covid)
Ishiura (M16e) 0-0-11 (Neck injury)
Onosho (M5e) 2-4-5 (including 1 forfeit loss) (Broken Rib)
07.5s M14w Yutakayama (5-6) oshidashi J3e Mitoryu (4-7)
04.9s M11w Chiyoshoma (5-6) yorikiri M17e Kotokuzan (1-10)
25.1s M10w Nishikigi (5-6) yoritaoshi M13w Meisei (5-6)
11.9s M10e Okinoumi (5-6) kimedashi M16w Midorifuji (6-5)
15.7s M9w Tochinoshin (7-4) yorikiri M15e Azumaryu (5-6)
02.5s M13e Chiyotairyu (7-4) tsukidashi M9e Kotoshoho (5-6)
03.4s M8w Terutsuyoshi (4-7) yorikiri M12e Myogiryu (5-6)
04.3s M8e Shimanoumi (7-4) oshitaoshi M15w Ichiyamamoto (8-3)
36.7s M7w Kotoeko (5-6) sukuinage M14e Oho (5-6)
08.0s M7e Takarafuji (2-9) tsukiotoshi M17w Kagayaki (4-7)
09.4s M12w Sadanoumi (8-3) yoritaoshi M6w Wakamotoharu (6-5)
10.7s M6e Ura (8-3) yorikiri M11e Aoiyama (7-4)
28.5s M2e Kiribayama (8-3) yorikiri M5w Tobizaru (5-6)
05.1s M1e Takayasu (3-8) hatakikomi M3e Hokutofuji (3-8)
15.5s K1w Daieisho (7-4) oshidashi M2w Kotonowaka (6-5)
18.3s M4w Takanosho (9-2) yoritaoshi K1e Hoshoryu (6-5)
74.7s S1e Wakatakakage (6-5) yorikiri O1e Mitakeumi (5-6)
03.2s O2w Takakeisho (6-5) tsukidashi M4e Endo (4-7)
01.3s O1w Shodai (4-7) tsukiotoshi M3w Tamawashi (6-5)
03.1s Y1e Terunofuji (8-3) oshidashi S1w Abi (5-6)
Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and Nikkansports.com length of bouts data (see result sources below)
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Juryo (Second Division--13 matches--149 total)
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Kitanowaka (J5e) 1-5-5 (including 1 forfeit loss) (Thigh tendon injury)
04.8s J10w Bushozan (5-6) oshidashi J12e Shohozan (3-8)
26.2s J9w Kaisei (4-7) yorikiri J14w Churanoumi (6-5)
01.6s J9e Kaisho (6-5) yorikiri J11w Daishomaru (2-9)
02.3s J14e Takakento (6-5) oshidashi J7e Enho (4-7)
07.2s J6e Daiamami (7-4) yorikiri J12w Atamifuji (7-4)
23.5s J5w Daishoho (7-4) oshidashi J13w Tochimaru (6-5)
03.0s J4w Tohakuryu (7-4) hatakikomi J8w Asanowaka (7-4)
02.4s J13e Chiyoarashi (4-7) tsukiotoshi J4e Akua (3-8)
13.5s J3w Ryuden (7-4) uwatenage J11e Hiradoumi (7-4)
03.3s J2w Tsurugisho (8-3) oshidashi J8e Tokushoryu (8-3)
09.3s J2e Chiyonokuni (4-7) oshitaoshi J7w Yago (3-8)
36.3s J1w Hidenoumi (7-4) oshitaoshi J6w Nishikifuji (7-4)
01.5s J1e Chiyomaru (6-5) tsukiotoshi J10e Shimazuumi (5-6)
Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and my own calculation of times using a stop watch app. (unofficial to say the least)
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D. Kimarite (Finishing Moves)
9 Finishing Moves Today, 24 Total (including 1 non-technique--losing technique, and 1 fusen [forfeit])
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................6(41)
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................3(59)
Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)...............3(8)
Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............2(13)
Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................2(20)
Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................1(17)
Arm Barring Force Out (Kimedashi)............1(2)
Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)...............1(7)