May 2022 Basho (Natsu--Summer)--DAY 12--May 19, 2022
Links to selected Basho (Tournament) Blog Posts--March 2020--Present
===============================
===============================
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 10
Terunofuji (Y1e) 0 1 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 9
Ura (M6e) 0 1 2 3 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Sadanoumi (M12w) 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 9
Daieisho (K1w) 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 7 8
Kiribayama (M2e) 1 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8
Tochinoshin (M9w) 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8
Aiyoyama (M11e) 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8
Ichiyamamoto (M15w) 1 2 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 8 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
----
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) * after the number=Fusen (Forfeit)
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 9
Tokushoryu (J8e) 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 8 9
Ryuden (M3w) 1 2 3 4 5 6*6 6 6 6 7 8
Daiamami (J6e) 0 1 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 8
Nishikifuji(J6w) 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 7 8
FULL JURYO (DIVISION 2) BANZUKE (RECORD BY RANK) (Source: Sumo Reference) See legend at the bottom of the link for key to abbreviations.
===============================
===============================
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 12 video should by available by 12:30 the next day. It might be available before that, so check).
----
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. Terunofuji (Y1e) (8-3--9-3) v Wakatakakage (S1e) (6-5--6-6) (Match Video) Terunofuji is on the left.
2. Shodai (O1w) (4-7--5-7) v Tobizaru (M5w) (5-6--5-7) (Match Video) Shodai is on the right. This was Tobizaru's 6th consecutive loss.
Takakeisho is on the right. This was Ura's 6th consecutive win.
Kiribayama is on the left. His 7 match winning streak came to an end.
----
Chris Sumo Youtube. Chris Gould is a long time free lance Sumo journalist and videographer. His videos are shot at the venue.
Drama in the top-division title race as key names fall and technical maestro Ura mounts his late challenge for glory! Plus, awesome moves galore and the ultimate Little v Large contest.
Matches not covered by JSA
----
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 6, covering Days 11-12. Today's installment includes 2 Jonokuchi Matches: Kazakeno (Jk22e) (5-0--6-0) v Hitoshi (Jk4w) (4-1--4-2), and Toseiryu (Jd80w--Jonidan--Division 5) (5-0--6-0) v Yamato (5-0--5-1).
++++
Photos:
Nikkan Sports Day 12 Photo Feature: There are photos of today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi quotes. (Japanese) (29 photos)
Mainichi Shimbun Day 12 photo feature (Japanese) (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. (Japanese)
Sumo Forum Day 11 Photo Feature: Note: these photographs are one day behind, but are certainly worth the wait. (English, from various sources) (130 photos)
++++
Notable:
Terunofuji (Y1e) clamped Wakatakakage's (S1e) arms and Kimedashe'd (Arm Barring Force Out) him in a 49 second marathon in which the March Champion's arms were crushed against his ribs for more than a few seconds. It must be a helpless (and not a little painful) way to be defeated. Terunofuji is out there, having now won 4 in a row, just one match off the pace, with matches against a pretty woeful Ozeki crew to come. For Wakatakakage it was a crushing blow in more ways than one, as it further drained his disappearing Ozeki hopes, his record falling to 6-6.
Takanosho (M4w) won his 8th consecutive match to hold on to the lead at 10-2. Terunofuji is now joined by only 2 others one match behind and and 5 at 8-4, two matches behind. 18 chasers on Day 10, 11 on Day 11, and now 8 on Day 12. Of the 8, not counting the Yokozuna, there is only one san'yaku (Top Ranker), Daieisho (K1w) (Japan Sumo Association).
But it is Terunofuji who is beginning to loom. After 8 matches he was 5-3 and hobbling, had conceded two Kinboshi (Maegashira Gold Star wins over a Yokozuna), and there was much speculation that, with lingering knee and heel problems, he would drop out. But he did not, and, certainly not at his best, has won 4 in a row since. It has not been an easy road, as today's match time shows, but he is resourceful, having used 8 different Kimarite (finishing moves) in his 9 wins. And the one he used twice is one of the most powerful, painful, intimidating of all. Just look at Wakatakakage, a tremendously strong Rikishi in his own right, after his arms went through the Kimedashi meat grinder.
Takanosho has control over his own fate, as he was one of the Kinboshi, has beaten two of the Ozeki, and has the benefit of the san'yaku facing each other. If he takes care of his business on Day 13-15, he will win the Yusho (Championship).
The Ozeki lost 2 of 3 matches today, reducing their overall record to 16-20. Shodai (O1w) again saved himself (now 5-7) from Kadoban, but Mitakeumi's (O1e) (Japan Sumo Association) is now staring into the abyss with the same record. And Takakeisho (O2w) is now 6-6.
For the Day: (san'yaku)
Yokozuna: Terunofuji (Y1e)--(W) (9-3)
Ozeki: 16-20: Mitakeumi (O1e) (L) (5-7); Shodai (O1w) (W) (5-7); Takakeisho (O2w) (L) (6-6)
Sekiwake: 12-12: Wakatakakage (S1e) (L) (6-6), Abi (S1w) (W) (6-6)
Komusubi: 15-9 Hoshoryu (K1e) (W) (7-5); Daieisho (K1w) (W) (8-4)
Top Rankers finished 5-3 (.625) Today; In March they were 4-3 (.571).
Top Rankers are 52-44 (.542) through Day 12. In March they were 53-37 (.589).
Maegashira (Rank and File) were 1-3 (.250) against san'yaku today. In the Day standings Maegashira are 1-4-7 (.200--not counting ties)--against the Top Rankers. In March they were 2-3 (.400) in matches and 1-7-4 in the Day standings. (.125--not counting the ties). For the Basho they are 23-31 (.426). In March they were 23-38 (.377). One of the wins was a fusen (forfeit).
There were 11 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today, including 1 type of throw. In March there were 10, including 2 types of throws.
In Juryo (2nd Division), there were 7 Kimarite used today, including 3 types of throws. In March: 7, with 2 types of throws.
Fighting Time Today :
Makuuchi (Top Division)
Average: 15.4 seconds. In March: 6.4 seconds
Median Fighting Time: 5.6 seconds
Juryo (2nd Division) (see time-keeping caveats below)
Average: 10.7
Median: 8.9
----
Quotable:
"That was the key, just removing his oblique angle."
Terunofuji (Y1e), succinct as ever, analyzing his win over Wakatakakage (S1e).
=======================
"I don't normally fight two minutes (actually 1:52.5) outside of practice. But it was not as tough as you might think."
Wakamotoharu (M6w), after a grueling win that put sand in Kiribayama's (M2e) gas tank, dropping him to 3rd Place. It also ended Kiribayama's 7 match winning streak.
=======================
"Ichiamamoto's (M15w) long arms soon push you away so I aimed to sieze the initiative. I need a big winning score to get back what I lost in March (4-11). But while other people may tip me for the title, I'll be taking things at my own pace."
Takanosho (M4w), explaining how he destroyed Ichiamamoto (who is having a great Basho), in 2.2 seconds.
=======================
"I stole the march, then got my legs forward well. That was my plan of attack from the off, and I'm delighted my coach sounded impressed on TV."
Sadanoumi (M12w), on his victory over Shimanoumi (M8e), who had won 7 of his previous 8 matches. The win kept him in the thick of the Yusho (Championship) race, just one match off the pace.
++++
C. Condensed results (20 matches--240 total)
Key: Time of Match--s=seconds; Rank; Winner; Basho Record; Finishing Move; Rank; Loser; Basho Record
Day 12
Makuuchi (Top Division)
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Ichinojo (M1w) 0-0-12 (Covid)
Ishiura (M16e) 0-0-12 (Neck injury)
Onosho (M5e) 2-4-6 (including 1 forfeit loss) (Broken Rib)
05.7s J3w Ryuden (8-4) oshidashi M14e Oho (5-7)
07.9s M17w Kagayaki (5-7) oshitaoshi M13e Chiyotairyu (7-5)
04.0s M11e Aoiyama (8-4) tsukidashi M15e Azumaryu (5-7)
16.8s M13w Meisei (6-6) yorikiri M11w Chiyoshoma (5-7)
05.2s M10e Okinoumi (6-6) oshidashi M14w Yutakayama (5-7)
02.9s M9e Kotoshoho (6-6) yoritaoshi M16w Midorifuji (6-6)
11.3s M9w Tochinoshin (8-4) yorikiri M12e Myogiryu (5-7)
02.9s M12w Sadanoumi (9-3) oshidashi M8e Shimanoumi (7-5)
05.4s M17e Kotokuzan (2-10) tsukitaoshi M8w Terutsuyoshi (4-8)
32.5s M10w Nishikigi (6-6) uwatenage M7w Kotoeko (5-7)
02.2s M4w Takanosho (10-2) oshidashi M15w Ichiyamamoto (8-4)
09.5s M4e Endo (5-7) okuridashi M3e Hokutofuji (3-9)
112.5sM6w Wakamotoharu (7-5) yorikiri M2e Kiribayama (8-4)
18.7s M1e Takayasu (4-8) tsukiotoshi M7e Takarafuji (2-10)
05.5s K1e Hoshoryu (7-5) oshidashi M2w Kotonowaka (6-6)
01.8s K1w Daieisho (8-4) hikiotoshi M3w Tamawashi (6-6)
03.9s O1w Shodai (5-7) oshidashi M5w Tobizaru (5-7)
03.0s S1w Abi (6-6) oshidashi O1e Mitakeumi (5-7)
08.3s M6e Ura (9-3) tsukiotoshi O2w Takakeisho (6-6)
48.9s Y1e Terunofuji (9-3) kimedashi S1e Wakatakakage (6-6)
Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and Nikkansports.com length of bouts data (see result sources below)
----
Juryo (Second Division--14 matches--163 total)
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Kitanowaka (J5e) 1-6-5 (including 1 forfeit loss) (Thigh tendon injury)
He left the Basho on Day 6 and rejoined the Basho on Day 12)
21.1s J14w Churanoumi (7-5) tsukiotoshi Ms1e Chiyonoumi (3-4)
03.3s J11w Daishomaru (3-9) tsukiotoshi J10e Shimazuumi (5-7)
06.3s J7e Enho (5-7) shitatenage J13e Chiyoarashi (4-8)
06.2s J6e Daiamami (8-4) yorikiri J14e Takakento (6-6)
15.4s J6w Nishikifuji (8-4) kotenage J11e Hiradoumi (7-5)
08.2s J7w Yago (4-8) yorikiri J5e Kitanowaka (1-6-5)
27.3s J12w Atamifuji (8-4) yorikiri J5w Daishoho (7-5)
06.4s J4e Akua (4-8) uwatenage J12e Shohozan (3-9)
10.9s J13w Tochimaru (7-5) oshidashi J4w Tohakuryu (7-5)
17.8s J10w Bushozan (6-6) yoritaoshi J3e Mitoryu (4-8)
10.3s J9w Kaisei (5-7) yorikiri J2e Chiyonokuni (4-8)
04.7s J2w Tsurugisho (9-3) oshidashi J8w Asanowaka (7-5)
02.7s J8e Tokushoryu (9-3) oshidashi J1e Chiyomaru (6-6)
09.7s J9e Kaisho (7-5) yorikiri J1w Hidenoumi (7-5)
Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and my own calculation of times using a stop watch app. (unofficial to say the least)
++++
D. Kimarite (Finishing Moves)
11 Finishing Moves Today, 25 Total (including 1 non-technique--losing technique, and 1 fusen [forfeit])
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................7(66)
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................3(44)
Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................2(22)
Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................1(7)
Arm Barring Force Out (Kimedashi)............1(3)
Rear Push Out (Okuridashi)...................1(9)
Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)...............1(8)
Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............1(14)
Frontal Thrust Down (Tsukitaoshi)............1(1)
Over Arm Throw (Uwatenage)...................1(6)
Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)...............1(9)
Totals for Basho
Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................17
Arm Lock Throw (Kotenage)....................8
Under Shoulder Swing Down (Katasukashi)......6
Under Arm Throw (Shitatenage)................4