May 2022 Basho (Natsu--Summer)--DAY 4--May 11, 2022
May 2022 (Natsu) Basho
===============================
===============================
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).
----
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) (2-1--3-1) v Kotonowaka (M2w) (3-0--3-1) (Match Video) Terunofuji is on the left.
----
Chris Sumo Youtube. Chris Gould is a long time free lance Sumo journalist and videographer. His videos are shot at the venue. Day 4: Fans make some noise!
"The return of a certain wrestler's fan army took the arena back to pre-pandemic times - the electricity returned. Bouts from all six divisions, plus pre-sumo!"
Matches not covered by JSA links above
Wakamotoharu (M6w) (2-1--3-1) v Terutsuyoshi (M8w) (2-1--2-2) (Direct Link to Match Video)
After today's matches the older brother of March Champion Wakatakakage is above his brother in the standings (3-1 to 2-2). Brothers do not fight each other in Basho, unless the championship is at stake.
----
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 Today's installment includes 3 Jonokuchi matches and 4 maezumo ("Before Sumo") matches (see Day 3 Post for more on maezumo).
++++
Photos:
Nikkan Sports Day 4 Photo Feature: There are photos of today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi quotes. (Japanese). (29photos)
Mainichi Shimbun Day 4 photo feature (Japanese) (12 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 3 Photo Feature: Note: these photographs are one day behind, but are certainly worth the wait. (English, from various sources) (140 photos)
++++
B. Notable and Quotable
Note: Rikishi names that are not linked are those who are linked above in the videos.
Notable:
A sense of normalcy returned to the Basho today, as san'yaku (Top Rankers) went 6-2, as well as shutting out Rank and Filers (Maegashira) 4-0. The number of undefeated Rikishi dwindled to 3: Tobizaru (M5w), Aiyoyama (M11e) and Ichiamamoto (M15w), who quietly won his 9th consecutive match going back to the March Basho, when he saved his rank by rallying from a 3-7 record, winning his last 5. It is unlikely that any of these Rikishi will be in the Championship picture come next week at this time. Three Rikishi, Terunofuji (Y1e), Abi (S1w), and Daieisho (K1w) are one match behind. Terunofuji looked impressive today, easily defeating previously undefeated Kotonowaka, who was coming off 3 wins against the Ozeki to begin his Basho. It is good to see the Top Rankers being Top Rankers and hopefully that will continue.
For the Day: (san'yaku)
Yokozuna: Terunofuji (Y1e)--(W) (3-1)
Ozeki: 5-7: Mitakeumi (O1e) (W) (2-2); Shodai (O1w) (W) (1-3); Takakeisho (O2w) (W) (2-2)
Sekiwake: 5-3: Wakatakakage (S1e) (L) (2-2), Abi (S1w) (W) (3-1)
Komusubi: 5-3 Daieisho (K1e) (W) (3-1); Hoshoryu (K1w) (L) (2-2)
Top Rankers finished 6-2 (.750) Today; In March they were 5-3 (.625).
Top Rankers are 18-14 (.563) through Day 4. In March they were also 18-14.
Maegashira (Rank and File) were 0-4 (.000) against san'yaku today. In the Day standings Maegashira are 1-2-1 (.333--not counting ties)--against the Top Rankers. In March they were 2-4 (.333) in matches and 0-2-2 in the Day standings. (.000--not counting the tie). For the Basho they are 9-13 (.409). In March they were 10-14 (.417).
There were 10 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today, including 2 types of throws. In March there were 13, including 3 types of throw.
In Juryo (2nd Division), there were 9 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today, including 2 types of throws. In March: 8, with 3 types of throw.
Fighting Time Today :
Makuuchi (Top Division)
Average: 9.3 seconds. In March: 7.1 seconds
Median Fighting Time: 6.9 seconds
Juryo (2nd Division) (see time-keeping caveats below)
Average: 11.4
Median: 7.6
----
Quotable: (Source for all, unless specifically stated, is Chris Sumo Youtube)
"I enjoy facing a younger guy who's getting stronger and gaining momentum. That's what brought the requisite power from me. Not that I'm so old myself though. You're as young as the way you fight, I guess.
Terunofuji (Y1e), giving a veritable lecture on his inner Yokozuna, after his 7 second steam roll over hot favorite and previous conqueror of thee Ozeki in consecutive matches, Kotonowaka (M2w). No Gold Star today for the youngster.
============================
"He's hard to thrust at, and at first I just couldn't extricate my arms, even though I tried to create the distance. But transitioning to the grapple mid-bout is something I've worked on and whereas I'd have tried to throw in the past, now I can do the force out."
Abi (S1w), known for his long arms and disruptive pusher-thruster style, on how he did something else in order to win agains Endo (M4e).
============================
============================
"I encroached well at the tachiai (initial charge) and flowed well from there. I've been working a lot on that in training."
Daieisho (K1w) on the key to his win over March Champion Wakatakakage (S1e).
"He got forward first, that's all there is to it."
Wakatakakage
============================
============================
I expected the pull after he stood me up, but happily remained calm. Then turn things around with the right grip. The ending just flowed from that."
Takanosho (M4w), after removing Tamawashi (M3w) from the ranks of the undefeated.
============================
"I thought there might be a sidestep and so elected to rise late. It was nervy when he tugged. For a moment I thought it would go the way of last time." (Terutsuyoshi beat Wakamotoharu with a Katsukashi (Under Shoulder Swing Down) when they fought in March)
Wakamotoharu (M6w), analyzing his win over Terutsuyoshi (M8w).
++++
C. Condensed results (20 matches--80 total)
Key: Time of Match--s=seconds; Rank; Winner; Basho Record; Finishing Move; Rank; Loser; Basho Record
Day 4
Makuuchi (Top Division)
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Ichinojo (M1w) 0-0-4 (Covid)
Ishiura (M16e) 0-0-4 (Neck injury)
13.1s M15e Azumaryu (1-3) oshidashi M17e Kotokuzan (0-4)
09.6s M17w Kagayaki (3-1) oshidashi M14w Yutakayama (2-2)
01.9s M13e Chiyotairyu (1-3) tokkurinage M16w Midorifuji (2-2)
05.8s M15w Ichiyamamoto (4-0) tsukidashi M12e Myogiryu (2-2)
04.0s M12w Sadanoumi (3-1) yorikiri M14e Oho (2-2)
04.0s M11e Aoiyama (4-0) tsukiotoshi M13w Meisei (1-3)
06.9s M10w Nishikigi (2-2) kotenage M11w Chiyoshoma (2-2)
10.4s M8e Shimanoumi (1-3) oshidashi M10e Okinoumi (1-3)
22.1s M9w Tochinoshin (1-3) yorikiri M7e Takarafuji (0-4)
03.1s M6e Ura (3-1) yorikiri M9e Kotoshoho (2-2)
04.9s M6w Wakamotoharu (3-1) oshitaoshi M8w Terutsuyoshi (2-2)
08.9s M5w Tobizaru (4-0) oshidashi M7w Kotoeko (2-2)
01.3s M3e Hokutofuji (1-3) hikiotoshi M5e Onosho (2-2)
26.5s M4w Takanosho (2-2) shitatedashinage M3w Tamawashi (3-1)
03.1s K1w Daieisho (3-1) hatakikomi S1e Wakatakakage (2-2)
10.5s S1w Abi (3-1) yorikiri M4e Endo (1-3)
07.5s O2w Takakeisho (2-2) tsukiotoshi K1e Hoshoryu (2-2)
05.8s O1w Shodai (1-3) oshidashi M1e Takayasu (1-3)
28.7s O1e Mitakeumi (2-2) kotenage M2e Kiribayama (1-3)
07.0s Y1e Terunofuji (3-1) yorikiri M2w Kotonowaka (3-1)
Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and Nikkansports.com length of bouts data (see result sources below)
Juryo (Second Division--14 matches--56 total)
31.4s J14w Churanoumi (3-1) yorikiri J12e Shohozan (2-2)
07.2s J12w Atamifuji (3-1) yorikiri J13e Chiyoarashi (0-4)
04.2s J11w Daishomaru (1-3) oshidashi J14e Takakento (1-3)
04.7s J13w Tochimaru (3-1) hikiotoshi J9e Kaisho (1-3)
17.8s J11e Hiradoumi (4-0) okuridashi J9w Kaisei (1-3)
26.7s J8w Asanowaka (3-1) sukuinage J10w Bushozan (2-2)
07.4s J10e Shimazuumi (3-1) yoritaoshi J7w Yago (0-4)
03.4s J8e Tokushoryu (3-1) oshidashi J6w Nishikifuji (3-1)
20.8s J7e Enho (3-1) shitatehineri J5w Daishoho (1-3)
04.2s J6e Daiamami (2-2) oshidashi J3e Mitoryu (1-3)
01.7s J2e Chiyonokuni (1-3) hikiotoshi J5e Kitanowaka (1-3)
11.6s J4w Tohakuryu (2-2) katasukashi J2w Tsurugisho (2-2)
10.0s J1e Chiyomaru (4-0) yoritaoshi J4e Akua (1-3)
07.9s J3w Ryuden (4-0) uwatedashinage J1w Hidenoumi (1-3)
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)
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................5(23)
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................5(16)
Arm Lock Throw (Kotenage)....................2(4)
Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................2(11)
Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................1(2)
Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................1(4)
Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)...............1(3)
Pulling Under Arm Throw (Shitatedashinage)...1(1)
Two Handed Head Twist Down (Tokkurinage).....1(1)
Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............1(6)
Totals for Basho
Under Arm Throw (Shitatenage)................3
Under Shoulder Swing Down (Katasukashi)......2
Twisting Backward Knee Trip (Kirikaeshi).....1
Pulling Over Arm Throw (Uwatedashinage)......1
Over Arm Throw (Uwatenage)...................1
Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)...............1
Out 11(46), Down 9(34)
Frontal 9(37), Lock 2(4), Pulling 1(2), Two Handed 1(1), Twisting Backward 0(1)
Push 6(26), Force 5(16), Throw 3(10), Thrust 3(17), Pull 1(4), Slap 1(2), Twist 1(1), Crush 0(1), Swing 0(2), Trip 0(1)
Under 1(5), Over 0(1)
Arm 3(10), Hand 1(4), Head 1(1), Knee 0(1), Shoulder 0(2)
----
D 2. Juryo (Second Division) Finishing Moves (14 matches--56 Total)
9 Finishing Moves Today, 14 Total
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................3(12)
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................2(13)
Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................2(5)
Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)...............2(4)
Under Shoulder Swing Down (Katasukashi)......1(1)
Rear Push Out (Okuridashi)...................1(1)
Twisting Under Arm Throw (Shitatehineri).....1(1)