May 2022 Basho (Natsu--Summer)--DAY 6--May 13, 2022
Links to selected Basho (Tournament) Blog Posts--March 2020--Present
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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 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. Terunofuji (Y1e) (4-1--4-2) v Tamawashi (M3w) (4-1--5-1) (Match Video) Terunofuji is on the left.
Wakatakakagi is on the left.
3. Aiyoyama (M11e) (5-0--6-0) v Ichiyamamoto (M15w) (5-0--5-1) (Match Video) Aiyoyama is on the left.
Juryo
4. Bushozan (J10w) (3-2--3-3) v Atamifuji (J12w) (3-2--4-2) (Match Video) Bushozan is on the right.
Atamifuji, who was featured in the Day 5 Post (see link above), the 19 year old with great potential, got up off the floor after his defeat at the hands of veteran Tochimaru yesterday and defeated Bushozan, to improve his record to 4-2. He is now in third place, behind three Rikishi at 5-1, and leader Ryden (J3w), 6-0.
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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.
"Who's luck was in on Friday 13th? And who's was definitely out? Bouts from all six divisions + pre-sumo + strange happenings all featured!"
Matches not covered by JSA
Sadanoumi (M12w) (4-1--5-1) v Kotokuzan (M17e) (0-5--0-6) (Direct Link to Match Video)
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Photos:
Nikkan Sports Day 6 Photo Feature: There are photos of today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi quotes. (Japanese) (27 photos)
Mainichi Shimbun Day 6 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 5 Photo Feature: Note: these photographs are one day behind, but are certainly worth the wait. (English, from various sources) (124 photos)
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Injury News:
Both Onosho (M5e) (Makuuchi--Top Division) and Kitanowaka (J5e) (Juryo--2nd Division) have been ruled out of the rest of the Basho, due to Rib fracture and Thigh tendon injury respectively. Thus they end the Basho 2-4-9, and 1-5-9 respectively. Onosho will probably stay in the Top Division, but Kitanowaka's may drop out of Juryo because he has fewer Rikishi below him. And that would be very unfortunate, because he would lose his salary to an injury suffered while trying his best to win a match.
Notable:
Terunofuji (Y1e) lost to Tamawashi (M3w) for his second loss. It was the third consecutive Kinboshi (Gold Star Win) by a Maegashira (Rank and Filer) over a Yokozuna, the first time that has happened since January, March, and July of 1965, when Daigo defeated 49th Yokozuna Tochinoumi (who died in 2021 at the age of 82, 2nd oldest Yokozuna of all time after 15th Yokozuna Umagatani I (1845-1928).
(Daigo lost to the Yokozuna in May 1965, but he was Komusubi (san'yaku--Top Ranker) for that Basho. Only Maegashira can earn Kinboshi.)
Aiyoyama (M11e) defeated Ichiyamamoto (M15w) to take the sole lead at 6-0. Four rank and filers are in second place at 5-1. The highet san'yaku (Terunofuji, Abi (S1w), Hoshoryu (K1e) and Daieisho [K1w]) are 4-2. The other Sekiwake, March Champion Wakatakakage (S1e) is 3-3. And the three Ozeki are a combined 7-11.
Which is the real story of this Basho so far. Only Ozeki can become Yokozuna, by winning consecutive Basho (or close to it, as Terunofuji lost his 2nd consecutive Basho in a Playoff against recently retired 69th Yokozuna Hakuho, but was promoted anyway). The sport desperately needs Yokozuna, as they are the "flagship" of the fleet. Terunofuji is excellent, and at 30 years of age (he will be 31 in November), seemingly in a good position to win many Basho in the future. But his knees are notoriously frail (he has lost much time to knee injuries already) and one bad fall off the dohyo (ring) could mean no more Yokozuna. None of the present Ozeki show the ability (or, in one case, seemingly, the inclination) to become Yokozuna.
The road to Ozeki is arduous (3 consecutive tournaments with (usually) 33 victories from san'yaku rank). Right now. Wakatakage, who won 12 (not counting the playoff) in March, needs 21 wins May and July. He is presently 3-3, which means he has 24 matches to earn 18 wins. With each loss, the clock ticks over to the next Basho, and the next. There is talent below, lots of it, and it is great to watch it develop. But a top heavy sport is in a difficult situation, in my opinion, because the top slots are so vulnerable. Granted, I have not been watching the sport long enough to have a proper context, and maybe this has happened many times before. After all, there have only been 73 Yokozuna since the 1750s. So there probably were other times when there were no Yokozuna. But in modern times (the 6 Basho per year era), this is not a recipe for the sport's long term health. Hopefully, all this will begin to change starting tomorrow, and the Ozeki will begin to perform like Ozeki. And that would be great.
For the Day: (san'yaku)
Yokozuna: Terunofuji (Y1e)--(L) (4-2)
Ozeki: 7-11: Mitakeumi (O1e) (W) (3-3); Shodai (O1w) (L) (1-5); Takakeisho (O2w) (L) (3-3)
Sekiwake: 7-5: Wakatakakage (S1e) (W) (3-3), Abi (S1w) (W) (4-2)
Komusubi: 8-4 Daieisho (K1e) (L) (4-2); Hoshoryu (K1w) (W) (4-2)
Top Rankers finished 5-3 (.625) Today; In March they were 4-4 (.500).
Top Rankers are 26-22 (.542) through Day 6. In March they were also 26-22.
Maegashira (Rank and File) were 2-2 (.500) against san'yaku today. In the Day standings Maegashira are 1-2-3 (.333--not counting ties)--against the Top Rankers. In March they were 2-2 (.500) in matches and 0-2-4 in the Day standings. (.000--not counting the tie). For the Basho they are 13-17 (.433). In March they were 14-18 (.437). One of the wins was a fusen (forfeit).
There were 10 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today, including 4 types of throws. In March there were 10, including 2 types of throws.
In Juryo (2nd Division), there were 10 Kimarite used today, including 2 types of throws. In March: 7, with 1 type of throw.
Fighting Time Today :
Makuuchi (Top Division)
Average: 11.5 seconds. In March: 11.6 seconds
Median Fighting Time: 7.8 seconds
Juryo (2nd Division) (see time-keeping caveats below)
Average: 10.8
Median: 8.9
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Quotable: (Source for all, unless specifically stated, is Chris Sumo Youtube)
"I'm so happy, you wouldn't believe."
Tamawashi (M3w), on his win over Terunofuji (Y1e).
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"I could get myself on the front foot. It's not the first time I've done it. We aren't even halfway through yet."
Aiyoyama (M11e) on his easy win over Ichiyamamoto (M15w), stopping the younster's 10 match winning streak, as well as leaving Aiyoyama in sole possesion of 1st place with a 6-0 record. (Kyodo News)
It was good I attacked, encroached hard, and upset his balance."
Aiyoyama.
"I was wary of his pull and too hesitant going forward. I charged softly and got my feet aligned, ripe for slapping down."
Ichiyamamoto
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"He'll blow you away if he connects, so I tried to keep the angles and not take his shots directly."
Sadanoumi (M12w) on his win over Kotokuzan (M17e)
"His tugs on my right arm were very effective in thwarting my thrusts."
Kotokuzan
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C. Condensed results (20 matches--120 total)
Key: Time of Match--s=seconds; Rank; Winner; Basho Record; Finishing Move; Rank; Loser; Basho Record
Day 6
Makuuchi (Top Division)
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Ichinojo (M1w) 0-0-5 (Covid)
Ishiura (M16e) 0-0-5 (Neck injury)
Onosho (M5e) 2-4-0 (including 1 forfeit loss) (Broken Rib)
01.3s M16w Midorifuji (3-3) hatakikomi M14e Oho (2-4)
01.7s M13e Chiyotairyu (3-3) hatakikomi M14w Yutakayama (2-4)
14.0s M15e Azumaryu (3-3) uwatenage M13w Meisei (2-4)
36.2s M12e Myogiryu (4-2) katasukashi M17w Kagayaki (3-3)
12.3s M12w Sadanoumi (5-1) oshidashi M17e Kotokuzan (0-6)
04.0s M11e Aoiyama (6-0) hatakikomi M15w Ichiyamamoto (5-1)
03.9s M9e Kotoshoho (3-3) yorikiri M10e Okinoumi (2-4)
11.2s M9w Tochinoshin (3-3) kotenage M11w Chiyoshom (2-4)
04.1s M10w Nishikigi (3-3) yorikiri M8w Terutsuyoshi (2-4)
09.9s M8e Shimanoumi (3-3) yorikiri M7e Takarafuji (0-6)
10.6s M7w Kotoeko (4-2) tottari M6w Wakamotoharu (4-2)
----- M5w Tobizaru (5-1) fusen M5e Onosho (2-4)
24.9s M4e Endo (3-3) oshidashi M6e Ura (3-3)
33.7s M2e Kiribayama (3-3) okuridashi M2w Kotonowaka (3-3)
02.2s K1e Hoshoryu (4-2) yorikiri K1w Daieisho (4-2)
37.0s S1e Wakatakakage (3-3) okuridashi M1e Takayasu (1-5)
07.8s M4w Takanosho (4-2) yorikiri O1w Shodai (1-5)
00.8s O1e Mitakeumi (3-3) uwatedashinage M3e Hokutofuji (1-5)
01.4s S1w Abi (4-2) hikiotoshi O2w Takakeisho (3-3)
02.0s M3w Tamawashi (5-1) oshidashi Y1e Terunofuji (4-2)
Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and Nikkansports.com length of bouts data (see result sources below)
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Juryo (Second Division--14 matches--84 total)
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Kitanowaka (J5e) 1-5-0 (including 1 forfeit loss) (Thigh tendon injury)
12.6s J11e Hiradoumi (5-1) oshidashi J14w Churanoumi (4-2)
03.7s J13e Chyoarashi (2-4) hikiotoshi J11w Daishomaru (1-5)
08.9s J10e Shimazuumi (4-2) oshidashi J13w Tochimaru (4-2)
08.6s J12w Atamifuji (4-2) tsukiotoshi J10w Bushozan (3-3)
05.5s J14e Takakento (3-3) oshitaoshi J9w Kaisei (1-5)
11.6s J8e Tokushoryu (5-1) oshidashi J12e Shohozan (2-4)
01.6s J9e Kaisho (2-4) watashikomi J7e Enho (3-3)
10.7s J6e Daiamami (3-3) yorikiri J7w Yago (0-6)
38.9s J6w Nishikifuji (5-1) yorikiri J8w Asanowaka (4-2)
----- J3w Ryuden (6-0) fusen J5e Kitanowaka (1-5)
09.1s J5w Daishoho (3-3) oshidashi J2e Chiyonokuni (1-5)
07.7s J2w Tsurugisho (4-2) uwatenage J3e Mitoryu (1-5)
02.3s J4w Tohakuryu (4-2) hatakikomi J1e Chiyomaru (4-2)
19.7s J1w Hidenoumi (3-3) sukuinage J4e Akua (2-4)
Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and my own calculation of times using a stop watch app. (unofficial to say the least)
11 Finishing Moves Today, 20 Total (including 1 fusen [forfeit])
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................5(25)
Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................3(5)
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................3(30)
Rear Push Out (Okuridashi)...................2(6)
Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................1(6)
Under Shoulder Swing Down (Katasukashi)......1(3)
Arm Lock Throw (Kotenage)....................1(7)
Arm Bar Throw (Tottari)......................1(1)
Pulling Over Arm Throw (Uwatedashinage)......1(2)
Over Arm Throw (Uwatenage)...................1(2)
Fusen........................................1(1)
Totals for Basho
Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................13
Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............6
Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)...............5
Under Arm Throw (Shitatenage)................3
Arm Barring Force Down (Kimetaoshi)..........1
Twisting Backward Knee Trip (Kirikaeshi).....1
Pulling Under Arm Throw (Shitatedashinage)...1
Two Handed Head Twist Down (Tokkurinage).....1
Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)...............1
Out 10(68), Down 9(51); Fusen 1(1)
Frontal 8(55), Rear 2(6); Bar 1(1), Lock 1(6), Pulling 1(3), Barring 0(1), Two Handed 0(1), Twisting Backward 0(1)
Push 5(41), Force 5(26), Throw 4(16), Slap 3(5), Thrust 0(19), Pull 1(6), Swing 1(3), Crush 0(1), Trip 0(1), Twist 0(1)
Under 1(6), Over 2(3)
Arm 4(17), Shoulder 1(3), Hand 1(6), Head 0(1), Knee 0(1)
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D 2. Juryo (Second Division) Finishing Moves (14 matches--84 Total)
10 Finishing Moves Today, 17 Total (including 1 fusen [forfeit])
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................4(17)
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................2(19)
Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................1(7)
Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................1(7)
Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)...............1(4)