May 2022 Basho (Natsu--Summer)--DAY 9--May 16, 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 9 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.
Takakeisho is on the right.
Mitakeumi is on the left.
Juryo
4. Shimazuumi (J10e) (5-3--5-4) v Atamifuji (J12w) (6-2--7-2) (Match Video) Shimazuumi is on the left
Atamifuji, 19 years old, and in just his 2nd Juryo Basho after rocketing up the Banzuke [Rankings] with a 40-9 record and 2 Yusho (Championships) in his first 8 Basho, was a feature JSA video match on Days 5 and 6 (see Day links above). His win today moves him into a tie for first place with Tokushoryu (J8e), who was the surprise winner of the January 2020 Makuuchi (Top Division) Basho. He was M17w, the lowest rank in the Top Division, at the time.
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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.
From the very first to the very last bout did we get high-octane sumo action in one of the best overall days I can remember. Here's the best of it from across the six divisions!
Matches not covered by JSA
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Photos:
Nikkan Sports Day 9 Photo Feature: There are photos of today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi quotes. (Japanese) (25 photos)
Mainichi Shimbun Day 9 photo feature (Japanese) (23 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 8 Photo Feature: Note: these photographs are one day behind, but are certainly worth the wait. (English, from various sources) (109 photos)
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B: Notable and Quotable:
Notable:
Terunofuji (Y1e) used his signature Kimedashi (Arm Barring Force Out) to escort Tobizaru (M5w) off the premesis and improve his record to 6-3 today, after a long (31 seconds) battle. He is lurking in the shadows of this Basho, not nearly at his best due to the lingering effects of heel and knee injuries, but he is just one match off the four pace setters (all Maegashira--Rank and Filers). The Yokozuna has won 6 matches with 6 different Kimarite (finishing moves).
One of the leaders, Takanosho (M4w) won his 6th consecutive match today, and has already earned a Kinboshi (Gold Star win over a Yokozuna). He is 4-1 v san'yaku (Top Rankers), and with his win over Mitakeumi (O1e) today, he has swept the three Ozeki. His average match time in those 4 wins has been 4.3 seconds. Today he won in an eye blink, 2.2 seconds. Since his most recent promotion to the Top Division (November 2019), he has reached as high as Sekiwake, and compiled a 125-96 record with one Jun-Yusho (Second Place) and two special prizes. But he slumped badly in his last two Basho, 11-19, the first dropping him to Komusubi, the second to Maegashira. His 4-11 in March was tied for his worst ever Basho. He lost 2 of his first 3 in this Basho, but has been almost untouchable since. It will be interesting to see how far he will go. His Kinboshi was his first. A Top Division Yusho would also be a first. A career first in any Division.
For the Day: (san'yaku)
Yokozuna: Terunofuji (Y1e)--(W) (6-3)
Ozeki: 12-15: Mitakeumi (O1e) (L) (4-5); Shodai (O1w) (W) (3-6); Takakeisho (O2w) (L) (5-4)
Sekiwake: 9-9: Wakatakakage (S1e) (W) (4-5), Abi (S1w) (L) (5-4)
Komusubi: 11-7 Hoshoryu (K1e) (W) (6-3); Daieisho (K1w) (L) (5-4)
Top Rankers finished 4-4 (.500) Today; In March they were 3-4 (.428).
Top Rankers are 38-34 (.528) through Day 9. In March they were 40-29 (.580).
Maegashira (Rank and File) were 2-2 (.500) against san'yaku today. In the Day standings Maegashira are 1-2-6 (.333--not counting ties)--against the Top Rankers. In March they were 3-2 (.600) in matches and 1-4-4 in the Day standings. (.200--not counting the tie). For the Basho they are 19-23 (.452). In March they were 18-28 (.391). One of the wins was a fusen (forfeit).
There were 12 Kimarite (finishing moves) used today, including 3 types of throws. In March there were 10, including 2 types of throws.
In Juryo (2nd Division), there were 7 Kimarite used today, including 1 type of throw. In March: 7, with 1 type of throw.
Fighting Time Today :
Makuuchi (Top Division)
Average: 14.7 seconds. In March: 18.2 seconds
Median Fighting Time: 5.5 seconds
Juryo (2nd Division) (see time-keeping caveats below)
Average: 8.3
Median: 4.4
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Quotable:
"I'm in a good spot right now mentally. Even though I'm at 7-2, I still haven't gotten a winning record, so that's my next goal."
Takanosho (M4w), keeping his eye on the present, after his win over Mitakeumi (O1e) moved him into a tie for the lead. (Kyodo News)
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"I'm just trying to maintain my focus despite my disappointing run. I'm trying to take it day by day."
Wakatakakage (S1e), March Basho Champion (12-3), also trying to take it one day at a time, after his win over Takakeisho (O1w) moved him to 4-5.
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"I'm able to fight my sumo on the move. I can't adapt to absolutely everything someone throws at me, but I feel I'm reacting pretty well"
Sadanoumi (M12w) on his win over Kagayaki (M17w), which kept him tied for the lead at 7-2.
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"I thought he'd reel me in by the arm but it was good I kept plowing forward. I'm good."
Ichiyamamoto (M15w) on his win over Chiyoshoma (M11w), which kept him tied for the lead at 7-2.
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C. Condensed results (20 matches--180 total)
Key: Time of Match--s=seconds; Rank; Winner; Basho Record; Finishing Move; Rank; Loser; Basho Record
Day 9
Makuuchi (Top Division)
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Ichinojo (M1w) 0-0-9 (Covid)
Ishiura (M16e) 0-0-9 (Neck injury)
Onosho (M5e) 2-4-3 (including 1 forfeit loss) (Broken Rib)
13.8s M16w Midorifuji (5-4) sukuinage J2e Chiyonokuni (2-7)
05.8s M14e Oho (4-5) tsukidashi M17e Kotokuzan (1-8)
03.0s M13w Meisei (5-4) yoritaoshi M13e Chiyotairyu (5-4)
03.5s M12w Sadanoumi (7-2) oshidashi M17w Kagayaki (3-6)
04.3s M15w Ichiyamamoto (7-2) tsukidashi M11w Chiyoshoma (4-5)
79.8s M15e Azumaryu (5-4) hatakikomi M9e Kotoshoho (5-4)
04.8s M14w Yutakayama (4-5) okuridashi M8w Terutsuyoshi (2-7)
54.9s M8e Shimanoumi (5-4) tsukiotoshi M12e Myogiryu (4-5)
08.4s M11e Aoiyama (7-2) kotenage M7w Kotoeko (4-5)
06.9s M7e Takarafuji (1-8) yorikiri M10w Nishikigi (4-5)
35.7s M9w Tochinoshin (5-4) abisetaoshi M6w Wakamotoharu (5-4)
02.9s M6e Ura (6-3) oshidashi M10e Okinoumi (4-5)
04.2s M4e Endo (4-5) oshidashi M3w Tamawashi (6-3)
04.2s M2w Kotonowaka (5-4) tsukiotoshi M3e Hokutofuji (2-7)
09.6s M2e Kiribayama (6-3) oshidashi K1w Daieisho (5-4)
05.1s K1e Hoshoryu (6-3) tottari M1e Takayasu (2-7)
03.3s O1w Shodai (3-6) oshidashi S1w Abi (5-4)
02.2s M4w Takanosho (7-2) yorikiri O1e Mitakeumi (4-5)
11.1s S1e Wakatakakage (4-5) hatakikomi O2w Takakeisho (5-4)
30.9s Y1e Terunofuji (6-3) kimedashi M5w Tobizaru (5-4)
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--123 total)
Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Kitanowaka (J5e) 1-5-3 (including 1 forfeit loss) (Thigh tendon injury)
04.2s J13w Tochimaru (6-3) tsukidashi J11w Daishomaru (2-7)
04.6s J11e Hiradoumi (6-3) yorikiri J12e Shohozan (3-6)
02.8s J13e Chiyoarashi (3-6) oshitaoshi J10w Bushozan (3-6)
14.3s J12w Atamifuji (7-2) yorikiri J10e Shimazuumi (5-4)
03.1s J14e Takakento (5-4) oshidashi J9e Kaisho (4-5)
04.9s J8w Asanowaka (6-3) okuridashi J14w Churanoumi (5-4)
03.0s J4w Tohakuryu (5-4) oshidashi J6w Nishikifuji (6-3)
34.1s J4e Akua (3-6) yorikiri J9w Kaisei (2-7)
02.1s J8e Tokushoryu (7-2) hikiotoshi J3w Ryuden (6-3)
03.5s J3e Mitoryu (4-5) yorikiri J7w Yago (2-7)
21.4s J7e Enho (4-5) shitatedashinage J2w Tsurugisho (6-3)
04.4s J1w Hidenoumi (5-4) oshidashi J5w Daishoho (5-4)
05.7s J6e Daiamami (6-3) yorikiri J1e Chiyomaru (5-4)
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)
12 Finishing Moves Today, 24 Total (including 1 non-technique--losing technique, and 1 fusen [forfeit])
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi).................5(50)
Slap Down (Hatakikomi).......................2(14)
Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi)..............2(10)
Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)....................2(16)
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri).................2(31)
Backward Force Down (Abisetaoshi)............1(1)
Arm Barring Force Out (Kimedashi)............1(1)
Arm Lock Throw (Kotenage)....................1(8)
Rear Push Out (Okuridashi)...................1(8)