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July 2021 Basho
Introduction and Previews (including 2 new Fred Pinkerton height x weight scatter plots)--links to all player information (ranking, prefecture or country of origin, date of birth, stable, height, weight)
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Video: Note: NHK videos will be available on demand until 2 weeks after the end of the Basho. 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.
Day 8 Video highlights (replays of all 20 matches--NHK) (27:00)
Chris Sumo Youtube
Japanese Sumo Association Youtube
JSA Youtube has offered 2 full matches on its Youtube channel. Hopefully they will do this every day. It is a live feed, no commentary, but it gives another perspective on these matches.
1. Daieisho (M1w) v Meisei (K1w) The Komusubi wins the battle of pusher-thrusters, and sends January 2021 Basho Yusho (Champion) Daieisho to his 7th loss in 8 matches.
2. Abi (J14e--7-0) v Kaisho (J13e)-6-1)-this is a Juryo (2nd Division) match. Abi begins on the right.
For more on Kaisho, see Day 6 Post. For more on Abi see Day 7 Post.
Abi's 20 match winning streak since coming back from suspension came to a quick end as Kaisho easily forced him out. Abi's left calf was heavily taped today. It was not taped yesterday. He seemed not to be able to put any weight on it as he tried to resist the force out.
Tachiai.org is following the Jonokuchi Division Basho of this Tournament. Jonokuchi is Division 6, the lowest division, non salaried.
Today there is video for the following matches:
Daitensho (Jk23--0-2) v Byakuen (Jk25e--1-2)
For more on Byakuen see Day 1 and Day 3 Posts.
Arikawa (J17e--2-1) v Kiryuko (J24e--3-0)
Arikawa is 32 years old. He has been a Sumo wrestler since May 2009. He has progressed as high as Sandanme 76e (Division 4--non salary). He has fought 476 matches in 76 Basho, with an overall record of 243-244 (16 absences).
Tanaguchi (Jk6w--3-0) v Mogamizakura (Jk4w--3-0)
Abe (Jk9e--3-0) v Shunrai (Jk23w--3-0)
Note not only the youth of (most of) the Rikishi, but also the Gyogi (Referee) and Yobidashi (Ring Announcer who sings the announcements). These also are attached to stables and are ranked.
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Notable
As the first half of the Basho came to an end, nothing changed on the leaderboard. Hakuho (Y1e) and Terunofuji (O1e) both ran their winning streaks to 8. The win marked the 51st Basho in which the Grand Champion opened with 8 consecutive wins. For the first time he used a kimarite (finishing move)--Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out) that he had already used before.
The two also became the first Rikishi to earn a Kachi-koshi (winning record). Outside of those who have retired hurt or suspended, there is no Make-koshi (losing record) as of the first Day that is possible.
Takayasu (S1e) and Mitakeumi (S1w) fought the longest match of the Basho so far, a 79.9 second marathon, finally won by Takayasu
Ichiyamamoto (M17e) the Basho's only Rookie, won his 6th match, beating Kaisei (M11e) by Yorikiri, one of 7 Yorikiri (the third day in a row with 7 Yorikiri). He is now two short of a winning Basho on debut
Once again the Magaeshira (Rank and Filers) were dominated by the san'yaku (Top Rankers) 4 matches to 1. Only Ichinojo (M2w) won, beating Wakatakakage (K1e). Ichinojo is the only Maegashira with a winning record against san'yaku (5-3). Overall, Maegashira are 12-29 (.293) against their betters in the first half
In Juryo (2nd Division) news, Kaisho (J13e--now 7-1) ended Abi's (J14e) winning streak at 21.
Quotable (Source for all quotes: Chris Sumo Youtube)
I didn't persevere enough. He's a difficult foe to handle, but I'll use this bout as a reference when plotting strategies in future. I learned a lot today.
I don't look on 4-4 as anything to shout about. I'd rather say "I've slipped to 4-4." And no, being back in Divsion 1 is not fun.
Ura (13w) after losing to Ishiura (M1w), who knocked him off balance with an open hand right hook that would have done a professional boxer proud. It was Ishiura's 5th consecutive win after beginning the Basho with 3 consecutive losses.
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I got the belt and made sure to set myself up properly. And I feel my condition improving with each day.
Takayasu (S1e) on his victory over Mitakeumi (S1w) after an epic 1 minute 20 second battle.
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It was all about keeping cool and keeping him in front of me. He's a good mover, so I have to watch him well too.
Terunofuji (O1e) on his 8th straight victory, a no nonsense thrashing of Tobizaru (M3w). The Ozeki was less patient than Hakuho was yesterday.
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I guess that's the first hurdle cleared. It was my first Tournament match with Kotoeko, but I'm pretty sure I've trained with him before. Today I just slid my body in tight and went forward with decent timing. But I tell you, you couldn't picture this five weeks ago, given the condition I was in.
Hakuho (Y1e) on his decisive win over Kotoeko (M4e). For the second day in a row and 53rd time, he won a "first match against a Yokozuna."
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Partial or complete absences from this Basho
Wins-Losses-Absences
O1w---Takakeisho (1-2-12) (including 1 forfeit loss)
O2w---Asanoyama (0-0-15)
S1e---Takayasu (2-1-2)
M1e---Endo (1-4-10) (including 1 foreit loss)
Condensed results (20 matches)
Key: Time of Match--s=seconds; Rank; Winner; Basho Record; Finishing Move; Rank; Loser; Basho Record
Day 8 Condensed results
06.6s J2w Akua (5-3) hatakikomi M15w Tokushoryu (3-5)
02.8s M15e Tsurugisho (5-3) tsukiotoshi M13e Chiyomaru (3-5)
17.6s M16w Ishiura (5-3) oshidashi M13w Ura (4-4)
07.5s M12e Tochinoshin (3-5) shitatenage M14e Daiamami (2-6)
06.4s M17e Ichiyamamoto (6-2) yorikiri M11e Kaisei (3-5)
24.0s M14w Chiyonoo (3-5) uwatenage M11w Kotonowaka (6-2)
05.1s M10e Tamawashi (6-2) oshidashi M16e Chiyonokuni (5-3)
23.7s M9w Shimanoumi (5-3) yorikiri M12w Kagayaki (4-4)
04.2s M10w Terutsuyoshi (3-5) yorikiri M7e Myogiryu (1-7)
12.7s M9e Hidenoumi (4-4) kotenage M6e Onosho (2-6)
37.9s M8e Takarafuji (5-3) yorikiri M6w Kiribayama (5-3)
06.9s M5e Okinoumi (5-3) uwatenage M7w Chiyoshoma (4-4)
03.5s M8w Aoiyama (4-4) hatakikomi M5w Hoshoryu (5-3)
06.9s M2e Takanosho (4-4) yorikiri M4w Chiyotairyu (2-6)
02.6s M2w Ichinojo (5-3) hatakikomi K1e Wakatakakage (3-5)
11.2s K1w Meisei (4-4) tsukiotoshi M1w Daieisho (1-7)
79.9s S1e Takayasu (4-2-2) yorikiri S1w Mitakeumi (5-3)
02.8s O2e Shodai (4-4) sukuinage M3e Hokutofuji (4-4)
09.5s O1e Terunofuji (8-0) hatakikomi M3w Tobizaru (3-5)
07.6s Y1e Hakuho (8-0) yorikiri M4e Kotoeko (2-6)
Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and Nikkansports.com length of bouts data (see result sources below)
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Finishing Moves (20 matches--161 TOTAL) Note: finishing move links below link to short NHK videos demonstrating the technique.
Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri)............7-49
Slap Down (Hatakikomi)..................4-13
Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi)............2-31
Thrust Down (Tsukiotoshi)...............2-13
Over Arm Throw (Uwatenage)..............2--8