May 2022 Basho (Natsu--Summer)--DAY 8 (Nakabi--Middle Day)--May 15, 2022

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

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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 March 2022 Basho and Index to all Videos and Photos (Scroll to the bottom of the page)

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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 8 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) (5-2--5-3) v Takanosho (M4w) (5-2--6-2) (Match Video) Terunofuji is on the left. 

2. Takakeisho (O2w) (4-3--5-3) v Daieisho (K1w) (5-2--5-3)  (Match Video) 

Takakeisho is on the right.

3. Wakatakakage (S1e) (3-4--3-5) v Kotonowaka (M2w) (3-4--4-4) (Match Video)

Wakatakakage is on the left.

4. Kotoshoho (M9e) (4-3--5-3) v Oho (M14e) (4-3--4-4) (Match Video) Kotoshoho 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: The Top Stories

Day 8: Title race chaos +judging controversies

Day 8 ensured the title race is completely different to what we imagined. And the judging controversies continue as our slow-motion replay shows! Bouts from all six divisions covered.

Matches not covered by JSA

Shodai (O1w) (1-6--2-6) v Hoshoryu (K1e) (5-2--5-3) (Direct Link to Match Video)

Tamawashi (M3w) (5-2--6-2) v Tobizaru (M5w) (5-2--5-3) (Direct Link to Match Video)

Wakamotoharu (M6w) (4-3--5-3) v Aiyoyama (M11e) (6-1--6-2) (Direct Link to Match Video)

Ichiyamamoto (M15w) (5-2--6-2) v Sadanoumi (M12w) (6-1--6-2) (Direct Link to Match Video)

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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 3 and 4, covering Days 5-8.  Today's installment includes 4 Jonokuchi matches. It features Division leaders Yamato (Jk10w) and Kazekeno (J22e). The highlight is Yamato's victory over Sato (J16e) in a re-match after the first match was too close to call. He used the rare Kimarite (finishing move), Tasukizori, (Reverse Backwards Body Drop) which has an overall rate of 0.06%. Since 2000, the Kimarite has been used 21 times (all divisions). This is the only time so far it has been used in this Basho.

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Photos:

Nikkan Sports Day 8 Photo Feature: There are photos of today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi quotes. (Japanese) (27 photos)

Mainichi Shimbun Day 8 photo feature (Japanese) (9 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 7 Photo Feature: Note: these photographs are one day behind, but are certainly worth the wait. (English, from various sources) (108 photos)

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B: Notable and Quotable:

Notable: 

As the Basho hit its midway point, it looked more like a Juryo (2nd Division) Basho headed for a 5 way playoff than a normal Top Division competition. Five Maegeshira (Rank and Filers) were tied for 1st place at 6-2: Tamawashi (M3w), Takanosho (M4w), Aoiyama (M11e), Sadanoumi (M12w), and Ichiyamamoto (M15w). Another 11 were tied for 2nd at 5-3. And another 12 were tied for 3rd at 4-4. Meaning that of the 39 Rikishi competing, 28 (.717) are still in serious contention. By this standard all but two of the san'yaku (Top Rankers) are still in contention. Five of them, including Terunofuji (Y1e) are only one win off the pace. 

Terunofuji, however, looked very un-Yokozuna like today after being shoved out by Takanosho in 3.4 seconds. The Ozeki all won today, only the 2nd time that has happened in this Basho. 

It should be a wild ride during the 2nd half of the Basho. 

For the Day: (san'yaku) 

Yokozuna: Terunofuji (Y1e)--(L) (5-3)

Ozeki: 11-13: Mitakeumi (O1e) (W) (4-4); Shodai (O1w) (W) (2-6); Takakeisho (O2w) (W) (5-3) 

Sekiwake: 8-8: Wakatakakage (S1e) (L) (3-5), Abi (S1w) (W) (5-3)

Komusubi: 10-6 Hoshoryu (K1e) (L) (5-3); Daieisho (K1w) (L) (5-3) 

Top Rankers finished 4-4 (.500) Today; In March they were 5-2 (.714). 

Top Rankers are 34-30 (.531) through Day 8. In March they were 37-25 (.597). 

Maegashira (Rank and File) were 2-2 (.500) against san'yaku today. In the Day standings Maegashira are 1-2-5 (.333--not counting ties)--against the Top Rankers. In March they were 1-4 (.200) in matches and 0-4-4 in the Day standings. (.000--not counting the tie). For the Basho they are 17-21 (.447). In March they were 15-26 (.366). One of the wins was a fusen (forfeit).

There were 10 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today, including 1 type of throw. In March there were 11, including 3 types of throws.

In Juryo (2nd Division), there were 6 Kimarite used today, including 1 type of throw. In March: 8, with 2 types of throws.

   

Fighting Time Today :

Makuuchi (Top Division) 

Average: 15.0 seconds. In March: 10.2 seconds 

Median Fighting Time: 5.1 seconds

Juryo (2nd Division) (see time-keeping caveats below)

Average: 7.3

Median:  5.8

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Quotable: 

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"I'm really happy. I just tried to give all I have and move forward against a stronger opponent. I could straighten up his upper body and get inside. I wanted to finish things in a flash as I knew I'd feel his weight if I stopped."

Takanosho (M4w) on his win over Terunofuji (Y1e) It was Takanosho's first career Kinboshi (Gold Star win by a Maegashira [Rank and Filer] v Yokozuna. (Kyodo News)

"I just tried to raise his upper body. I beat him with good sumo and that breeds confidence."

Takanosho

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"He's a huge guy so all I could think about was hitting hard and driving constantly. My legs really go going and my arm block really got results."

Wakamotoharu (M6w) on his win over Aiyoyama (M11e) that reduced the big man to 6-2 and a share of the lead. 

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"Don't ask me. At that point I had no idea what had happened. My losing runs tend to drag on so it's good to end this one at two."

Ichiyamamoto (M15w) on his miraculous finish, beating Sadanoumi (M12w), to claim a share of the lead at 6-2.

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C. Condensed results (20 matches--160 total)

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

Day 8

Makuuchi (Top Division)

Partial or complete absences from this Basho

Ichinojo (M1w) 0-0-8 (Covid)

Ishiura (M16e) 0-0-8 (Neck injury)

Onosho (M5e)   2-4-2 (including 1 forfeit loss) (Broken Rib)

05.1s M17e Kotokuzan (1-7)    tsukidashi  J1w  Hidenoumi (4-4)

04.2s M13e Chiyotairyu (5-3)  oshitaoshi  M15e Azumaryu (4-4)

01.9s M13w Meisei (4-4)       tsukite     M16w Midorifuji (4-4)

19.1s M14w Yutakayama (3-5)   okuridashi  M12e Myogiryu (4-4)

03.5s M15w Ichiyamamoto (6-2) hatakikomi  M12w Sadanoumi (6-2)

06.9s M10w Nishikigi (4-4)    hatakikomi  M17w Kagayaki (3-5)

19.1s M9e  Kotoshoho (5-3)    oshidashi   M14e Oho (3-5)

18.3s M8e  Shimanoumi (4-4)   oshidashi   M8w  Terutsuyoshi (2-6)

123.8sM11w Chiyoshoma (4-4)   yorikiri    M7e  Takarafuji (0-8)

35.2s M10e Okinoumi (4-4)     yoritaoshi  M7w  Kotoeko (4-4)

18.1s M6e  Ura (5-3)          katasukashi M9w  Tochinoshin (4-4)

03.8s M6w  Wakamotoharu (5-3) oshidashi   M11e Aoiyama (6-2)

05.1s M3w  Tamawashi (6-2)    oshidashi   M5w  Tobizaru (5-3)

03.0s M2e  Kiribayama (5-3)   oshidashi   M3e  Hokutofuji (2-6)

14.7s M2w  Kotonowaka (4-4)   shitatenage S1e  Wakatakakage (3-5)

06.6s S1w  Abi (5-3)          oshidashi   M1e  Takayasu (2-6)

00.9s O1e  Mitakeumi (4-4)    hatakikomi  M4e  Endo (3-5)

04.6s O2w  Takakeisho (5-3)   hatakikomi  K1w  Daieisho (5-3)

03.6s O1w  Shodai (2-6)       yoritaoshi  K1e  Hoshoryu (5-3)

03.4s M4w  Takanosho (6-2)    yorikiri    Y1e  Terunofuji (5-3)

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--110 total)

Partial or complete absences from this Basho

Kitanowaka (J5e) 1-5-2 (including 1 forfeit loss) (Thigh tendon injury)

12.5s J10e Shimazuumi (5-3)  yorikiri       J14e Takakento (4-4)

08.0s J14w Churanoumi (5-3)  oshidashi      J10w Bushozan (3-5)

03.2s J9e  Kaisho (4-4)      yorikiri       J13e Chiyoarashi (2-6)

08.9s J12w Atamifuji (6-2)   yorikiri       J9w  Kaisei (2-6)

07.9s J8e  Tokushoryu (6-2)  hatakikomi     J13w Tochimaru (5-3)

10.6s J8w  Asanowaka (5-3)   hatakikomi     J11e Hiradoumi (5-3)

15.1s J11w Daishomaru (2-6)  oshitaoshi     J7e  Enho (3-5)

05.7s J7w  Yago (2-6)        oshidashi      J12e Shohozan (3-5)

04.0s J3e  Mitoryu (3-5)     yorikiri       J4e  Akua (2-6)

03.1s J6e  Daiamami (5-3)    uwatedashinage J3w  Ryuden (6-2)

05.9s J2e  Chiyonokuni (2-6) yorikiri       J4w  Tohakuryu (4-4)

05.2s J2w  Tsurugisho (6-2)  yoritaoshi     J6w  Nishikifuji (6-2)

04.2s J5w  Daishoho (5-3)    yorikiri       J1e  Chiyomaru (5-3)

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)

D 1. Makuuchi (Top Division) Finishing Moves (20 matches--160 Total) 

Note: finishing move links below link to short NHK videos demonstrating the technique. Source: Sumo Reference Bout Query--D8; All (Note: the query is for wins only)

10 Finishing Moves Today, 22 Total (including 1 non-technique--losing technique, and 1 fusen [forfeit])

Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................6(45)

Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................4(12)

Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................2(29)

Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)...............2(3)

Under Shoulder Swing Down (Katasukashi)......1(4)

Rear Push Out (Okuridashi)...................1(7)

Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)...............1(6)

Under Arm Throw (Shitatenage)................1(4)

Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............1(8)

Non-Technique (Losing Technique)

Hand Touch Down (Tsukite)....................1(1)

Totals for Basho

Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................14

Arm Lock Throw (Kotenage)....................7

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

Over Arm Throw (Uwatenage)...................4

Pulling Over Arm Throw (Uwatedashinage)......3

Arm Barring Force Down (Kimetaoshi)..........1

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

Pulling Under Arm Throw (Shitatedashinage)...1

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

Two Handed Head Twist Down (Tokkurinage).....1

Arm Bar Throw (Tottari)......................1

Fusen........................................1

Out 12(92), Down 7(66); Non (Losing)1(1), Fusen 0(1) 

Frontal 12(79), Rear 1(7), Bar 0(1), Barring 0(1), Beltless 0(1), Lock 0(6), Pulling 0(4), Two Handed 0(1), Twisting Backward 0(1)

Push 8(58), Slap 4(12), Crush 2(3), Force 2(30), Swing 1(4), Throw 1(21), Thrust 1(22), Pull 0(6), Trip 0(1), Twist 0(1)

Under 2(8), Over 0(6) 

Arm 1(22), Shoulder 1(4), Hand 0(6), Head 0(1), Knee 0(1)  

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D 2. Juryo (Second Division) Finishing Moves (13 matches--110 Total) 

Source: Sumo Reference Bout Query--D8; All (Note: the query is for wins only) 

6 Finishing Moves Today, 17 Total (including 1 fusen [forfeit])

Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................6(30)

Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................2(23)

Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................2(11)

Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)...............1(5)

Pulling Over Arm Throw (Uwatedashinage)......1(2)

Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)...............1(5)

Totals for Basho

Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi)..................7

Beltless Arm Throw (Sukuinage)...............6

Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................6

Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............4

Pulling Under Arm Throw (Shitatedashinage)...3

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

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

Under Shoulder Swing Down (Katasukashi)......1

Twisting Under Arm Throw (Shitatehineri).....1

Thigh Grabbing Push Down (Watashikomi).......1

Fusen........................................1

Out 9(64), Down 4(45), Fusen 0(1) 

Frontal 10(66), Pulling 1(4), Beltless 0(6), Grabbing 0(1), Twisting 0(1)

Force 6(30), Push 3(31), Slap 2(11), Crush 1(5), Throw 1(14), Pull 0(7), Rear 0(2), Thrust 0(10), Swing 0(1) 

Under 0(5), Over 1(4)

Arm 1(15), Hand 0(7), Shoulder 0(1), Thigh 0(1)  

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E. Match Time

Makuuchi (Top Division)

Day 8 (20 matches) 

Total Time: 5 minutes 0.9 seconds (300.9) 

Longest Match: 123.8 s (Chiyoshoma v Takarafuji)

Shortest Match: 0.9 s (Mitakeumi [2] v Endo [2])

Average (20 matches): 15.0 s

Median (20 matches): 5.1 s

Total (159 Matches)

Total Time: 30 minutes 20.2 seconds (1820.2)

Longest Match: 123.8 s (Chiyoshoma v Takarafuji) (Day 8)

Shortest Match: 0.8 s (Mitakeumi v Hokutofuji) (Day 6)

Average (159 matches): 11.4 s

Median (159 matches): 6.7 s

Daily Total Average: (9.9, 9.3, 9.7, 9.6, 10.1,10.3, 10.9, 11.4) 

Daily Total Median (6.1, 6.2, 7.0, 7.0, 6.9, 7.0, 6.9, 6.7)

Time/Matches Day 8(cumulative)

0-4.9 seconds:        9 (58)  

5-9.9 seconds:        4 (51)    

10-19.9 seconds:      5 (26)

20-29.9 seconds:      0 (15)

30-39.9 seconds:      1 (5)

40-49.9 seconds:      0 (1)

70-79.9 seconds:      0 (1)

100-109.9 seconds:    0 (1)

120-129.9 seconds:    1 (1) 

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Juryo (2nd Division) Match Time (Estimates--I used a stop watch app.)

Day 8(13 matches) 

Total Time: 1 minute 34.3 seconds (94.3)

Longest Match: 15.1 s (Daishomaru v Enho)

Shortest Match: 3.1 s (Daiamami v Ryuden[2])

Average (13 matches): 7.3 s

Median (13 matches): 5.8 s

Total (109 Matches)

Total Time:  16 minutes, 21.5 seconds (981.5) 

Longest Match: 55.6 s (Takakento v Shohozan) (Day 5)

Shortest Match:  0.5 s (Chiyoarashi v Shimazuumi) (Day 5)

Average (109 matches): 9.9s

Median (109 matches): 7.3 s

Daily Total Average: (9.0, 10.6, 9.8, 10.2, 10.8, 10.8, 10.2, 9.9) 

Daily Total Median (7.2, 7.5, 7.2, 5.6, 7.4, 7.6, 7.3, 7.3)

Time/Matches Day 8(cumulative)

0-4.9 seconds:        4 (43)  

5-9.9 seconds:        6 (33)    

10-19.9 seconds:      3 (20)

20-29.9 seconds:      0 (6)

30-39.9 seconds       0 (6)

50-59.9 seconds       0 (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 

Makuuchi (Top Division)

Kachi-Koshi

Day 8: None

Make-Koshi

Day 8: Takarafuji (M7e) 0-8; Ichinojo (M1w) 0-0-15; Onosho (M5e) 2-4-9 (including 1 forfeit loss); Ishiura (M16e) 0-0-15

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Juryo (2nd Division)

Kachi-Koshi

Day 8: None

Make-Koshi

Day 8: Kitanowaka (J5e) 1-5-9 (including 1 forfeit loss)

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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--There are no Rookies in this Basho

G4. Juryo Substitute Standings

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G1. Top Rank Wins 

Makuuchi (Top Division)

5-3: Terunofuji (Y1e); Takakeisho (O2w); Abi (S1w); Hoshoryu (K1e); Daieisho  (K1w)

4-4:  Mitakeumi (O1e)

3-5:  Wakatakakage (S1e)

2-6: Shodai (O1w)

Day 8: 34-30(.531)

Day 7: 30-26(.536)

Day 6: 26-22 (.542)

Day 5: 22-18 (.550)

Day 4: 18-14 (.563)

Day 3: 12-12 (.500)

Day 2: 7-9 (.437)

Day 1: 3-5 (.375)

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Juryo (Second Division) (Top 10 wins--J1-J5) 

*Demoted from Top Division after March Basho 

6-2: Tsurugisho (J2w); Ryuden (J3w) (including 1 fusen [forfeit] win) 

5-3: Chiyomaru* (J1e--M13e); Daishoho (J5w) 

4-4: Hidenoumi (J1w); Tohakuryu (J4w)

3-5: Mitoryu (J3e)  

 

2-6: Chiyonokuni* (J2e--M13w); Akua* (J4e--M15e)  

1-5-9: Kitanowaka (J5e) (including 1 fusen [forfeit] loss)

Day 8: 38-40-9 (.487)

Day 7: 34-34-9 (.500)

Day 6: 29-31 (.483)

Day 5: 24-26 (.480)

Day 4: 18-22 (.450)

Day 3: 14-16 (.467)

Day 2: 9-11 (.450)

Day 1: 5-5 (.500)

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

Day 8

*=Kinboshi--Gold Star Win over Yokozuna

#f=fusen (forfeit)

Kotonowaka  (M2w)   1-0(4-1)

Tamawashi*  (M3w)   0-0(4-1)

Takanosho*  (M4w)   1-0(3-1)

Kiribayama  (M2e)   0-0(2-3)

Endo        (M4e)   0-1(2-4)

Takayasu    (M1e)   0-1(1-5)

Hokutofuji  (M3e)   0-0(1-5)

Onosho      (M5e)   0-0(0-1)

Win and Loss by Days 

Maegashira 1-2-5, san'yaku 2-1-5

Day 8 Total  17--21 (.447)

Day 7 Total  15--19 (.441)

Day 6 Total  13--17 (.433)

Day 5 Total  11--15 (.423)

Day 4 Total   9--13 (.409)

Day 3 Total   9---9 (.500) 

Day 2 Total   7---5 (.583)

Day 1 Total   4---2 (.667)

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G4. Juryo Substitute Standings

Day 1-6: There were no Juryo Substitutes

Day 7: Chiyomaru (J1e) (1-0, 5-2) defeated Kagayaki (M17w) (3-4)

Day 8: Kotokuzan (M17e) (1-7) defeated Hidenoumi (J1w) (0-1, 4-4)

1-1

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H. Results

Day 8: May 15: (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 8: Time of Each Match: (nikkansports.com) (in Japanese,use Google Translate) Matches are in order from lowest rank to highest. (Note: there is no time listed for this match (see above).

Day 8 Heya Watch (wins by Stable) Cumulative daily; all Divisions added together (source: sumoforum.net Natsu Heya Watch thread) 

Day 8 Kensho: Terunofuji (Y1e) lost but remains in 1st place with 128 envelopes. Daieisho (K1w) lost but remains in 2nd place with 75. Mitakeumi won and added 13 to remain in 3rd place with 60.

  

Absent rikishi information (Japanese Sumo Association)

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I. Articles:

Tachiai.org Day 8 Preview 

Tachiai.org Day 8 Recap

Tachiai.org Day 8 Natsu Standings

Tachiai.org Makushita Elite 8 (Division 3--non-salaried)

Kyodo News 

Terunofuji suffers 3rd defeat as 5 wrestlers share lead at 6-2

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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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 March 2022 Basho and Index to all Videos and Photos (Scroll to the bottom of the page)

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