JULY 2021 BASHO--DAY 15-JULY 18--SENSURAKU

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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)

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

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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 15 Video highlights (replays of all 20 matches--NHK) (27:00)

Chris Sumo Youtube

July 2021, Day 15: The Hakuho lecture

Here Chris Sumo  sums up the final match, the context, and just what an incredible achievement Hakuho, a now 45 time (13 more than anyone else) Yusho (Championship) winner (for the 16th time time with a perfect score), with 899 Yokozuna match wins, at age 36, has sculpted on the clay. 

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. Hakuho (Y1e) (14-0) v Terunofuji (O1e) (14-0) Hakuho is on the left

2. Ura (M13w) v Chiyoshoma (M7w) Ura is on the left

3. Mitoryu (J6w) (11-3) v Wakamotoharu (J3e) (7-7) This is a Juryo (2nd Division) match. Mitoryu on the right. 

This win,combined with Abi's (J14e) loss, clinched the Juryo Yusho for Mitoryu. It was his first Yusho. Whether that will be enough to promote him to Makuuchi (Top Division) remains to be seen.

4. Kaisho(J13e) (11-3) v Yutakayama (J1e) (10-4) Kaisho is on the right

Kaisho finished an excellent Tournament with 11 wins, just one behind Yusho winner Mitoryu. He should get a hefty promotion. Yutakayama, after a brilliant 9-1 start that put him on an inside track to the Yusho, faded, losing 4 of his last 5 matches. Still, his 10-5 score should be more than enough to promote him to Top Division.

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Notable: 

And so it came down to the final match of the final Day. And when it was over, the Boss was still the Boss. After missing all but two matches of the last five Basho due to injury, Covid, and knee surgery. After being repeatedly admonished by the Sumo Association to wrestle or retire. After having his elder stock (pension) threatened. Hakuho (Y1e) returned to action. Did he ever. He won his 45th Tournament, 13 more than any other Rikishi. He scored a perfect 15-0, the 16th time he has done that. He won with a perfect score at the age of 36. And he pretty much dismantled Terunofuji (O1e), who has been wrestling so well that he is certain to be promoted to Yokozuna in spite of the loss. 

And what did Hakuho get for his trouble? Lots of criticism of his tactics. "Unworthy of a Yokozuna" they said. Using forearm shivers and slaps are tactics "below a Yokozuna" they said. All Hakuho did was win, relentlessly win. 

The Technique Prize went to Hoshoryu (M5w) who used 6 different Kimarite (Finishing Moves) in his 10 wins. Hakuho used 11 different Kimarite in his 15 wins (.733). He forced opponents out, threw them out, hooked them down, crushed them out, and body slammed them (Abisitaoshi--Backward Force Down), among others. He out psyched them and out fought them. He was in trouble twice (see Day 1 and Day 4), but won anyway. A couple of times he played with them like a cat plays with a mouse (including once when he did this to an Ozeki). And in the final match, had not Terunofuji gone down, his arm would have been snapped like a twig.

That is what Hakuho did. And if he was "undignified" in victory (showing a bit of emotion), so be it. If they want to get rid of him so badly, let someone beat him, win a Tournament in which he participates.

Does all this have something to do with the fact that he is a "foreign born"? That is in the eye of the beholder. All that a new Sumo fan who has been priviledged to watch the tag end of the greatest career in Sumo History (look it up if you don't believe that) can say is WOW! What a performance!

Here are the other "Darwin" match RESULTS. For lower rankers, these matches were crucial in order to avoid dropping to 2nd Division (Juryo).

Meisei (K1w) (7-7) v Kagayaki (M12w) (7-7). 

Meisei's san'yaku Rank was on the line.

Meisei (K1w) (8-7); Kagayaki (M12w) (7-8)

Takanosho (M2e) (7-7) v Chiyonokuni (M16e) (7-7). 

Chiyonokuni's Top Division standing was on the line.

Takanosho (M2e) (8-7); Chiyonokuni (M16e) (7-8)

Onosho (M6e) (7-7) v Terutsuyoshi (M10w) (7-7)

Terutsuyoshi (M10w) (8-7); Onosho (M6e) (7-8)

Chiyonoo (M14w) (7-7) v Ichiyamamoto (M17e) (7-7)

Both Rikishis' Top Division stading may have been on the line. Certainly, Ichiyamamoto's was.  

Ichiyamamoto (M117e) (8-7); Chiyonoo (M14w) (7-8)

On the other side of the coin, Kotoeko (M4e), who  lost 11 consecutive matches (2-12), was desperate to finish on a high note against Tochinoshin (M12e)(6-8).

Tochinoshin (M12e) 7-8; Kotoeko (M4e) (2-13)

Quotable (Kyodo News)

I feel really great. My right knee was not acting as I wanted, but I just wanted to focus on this one bout.

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At this age, I didn't think I would win the tournament with a perfect record. I'm just relieved.

It's wonderful. It's something I'll truly remember, a big moment in my sumo career,

I felt the pressure. I could picture the kanji characters for 'retirement' approaching right near me. So that made me more driven than I had ever been.

(Terunofuji) fought with very consistent sumo. I expect him to continue as a new yokozuna.

Hakuho (Y1e) reflecting on his 45th Yusho.

The reason I lost was that I was not good enough, I did all I could. Going forward I want to get better

Terunofuji (O1e, soon to by Y1w).

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I'm just relieved. I was starting to have some doubts (before the bout) but I was able to move around well on the dohyo,

Meisei (K1w) reflecting on the Day 15 win that earned him a Kachi-koshi in his first san'yaku (Top Rank) Basho. September will be his 2nd San'yaku Basho.

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I wasn't thinking about it (Gino-sho--Technique Prize) at the time, but I'm glad to receive it.

Hoshoryu (M5w) reflecting on his 10-5 Basho. He used 6 different Kimarite (Finishing Moves). Hoshoryu is the nephew of 68th Yokozuna Asashoryu. 

 

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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 15--Results--times

04.6s M16w Ishiura (9-6)       yoritaoshi  J2w  Akua (8-7)

08.6s M17e Ichiyamamoto (8-7)  okuridashi  M14w Chiyonoo (7-8)

05.1s M11w Kotonowaka (12-3)   yorikiri    M15e Tsurugisho (8-7)

12.9s M9e  Hidenoumi (7-8)     yorikiri    M13e Chiyomaru (6-9)

03.9s M8w  Aoiyama (7-8)       oshidashi   M11e Kaisei (6-9)

10.8s M13w Ura (10-5)          oshidashi   M7w  Chiyoshoma (8-7)

08.6s M7e  Myogiryu (5-10)     yorikiri    M14e Daiamami (4-11)

03.9s M6w  Kiribayama (9-6)    yoritaoshi  M9w  Shimanoumi (8-7)

06.8s M6e  Onosho (7-8)        oshidashi   M10w Terutsuyoshi (8-7)

17.4s M15w Tokushoryu (7-8)    tsukiotoshi M4w  Chiyotairyu (4-11)

18.2s M12e Tochinoshin (7-8)   tsuridashi  M4e  Kotoeko (2-13)

30.8s M3w  Tobizaru (4-11)     shitatenage M10e Tamawashi (11-4)

03.7s M5w  Hoshoryu (10-5)     hatakikomi  M3e  Hokutofuji (8-7)

01.9s M2w  Ichinojo (10-5)     hatakikomi  M8e  Takarafuji (8-7)

07.1s M2e  Takanosho (8-7)     oshidashi   M16e Chiyonokuni (7-8)

03.7s M1w  Daieisho (5-10)     yorikiri    M5e  Okinoumi 10)

03.4s K1w  Meisei (8-7)        hikiotoshi  M12w Kagayaki (7-8)

06.0s K1e  Wakatakakage (5-10) uwatenage   S1w  Mitakeumi (8-7)

10.8s O2e  Shodai (8-7)        okuridashi  S1e  Takayasu (7-6-2)

19.2s Y1e  Hakuho (15-0)       kotenage    O1e  Terunofuji (14-1)

Source: Sumo Reference (text results) and Nikkansports.com length of bouts data (see result sources below)

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Finishing Moves (20 matches--301 TOTAL) Note: finishing move links below link to short NHK videos demonstrating the technique.

Frontal Push Out (Oshidashi)............4-61

Frontal Force Out (Yorikiri)............4-91

Rear Push Out (Okuridashi)..............2--7

Frontal Crush Out (Yoritaoshi)..........2--7

Hand Pull Down (Hikiotoshi).............1-11

Slap Down (Hatakikomi)..................2-30

Arm Lock Throw (Kotenage)...............1--7

Under Arm Throw (Shitatenage)...........1--9

Thrust Down ()Tsukiotoshi...............1-18

Frontal Lift Out (Tsuridashi)...........1--1

Over Arm Throw (Uwatenage)..............1-14

Totals for Basho 

Beltless Arm Throw (Sukuinage)..........8

Frontal Thrust Out (Tsukidashi).........6

Pulling Over Arm Throw (Uwatedashinage).5

Frontal Push Down (Oshitaoshi)..........4

Under Shoulder Swing Down (Katasukashi).3

Twisting Backward Knee Trip (Kirikaeshi)2

Arm Bar Throw (Tottari).................2

Backward Force Down (Abisetaoshi).......1

Backwards belt throw (Harimanage).......1

2 Handed Arm Twist Down (Kainahineri)...1

Hooking Inner Thigh Throw (Kakenage)....1

Minor Inner Foot-Sweep (Kekaeshi).......1

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

Ovr Thigh Scooping Bdy Drp (Komatasukui)1

Twist Down (Makiotoshi).................1

Outside Leg Trip (Sotogake).............1

Backward Pivot Throw (Utchari)..........1

Twisting Over Arm Throw (Uwatehineri)...1

Non-technique (Losing Technique)

Forward Step Out (Isamiashi)............1

Disqualification (Hansoku) .............1

Fusen (forfeit).........................2

Out 13(173), Down 7(124), Disqualification 0(1); Non-technique 0(1)  

Frontal 11(167), Rear 2(7), Back 0(1), Barring 0(1), Hooking 0(1), Pivot 0(1), Scooping 0(1), Twisting 0(3)

Force 4(93), Push 6(72), Throw 3(49), Crush 2(7), Slap 2(30), Lift 1(1),Pull 1(11), Thrust 1(24), Drop 0(1), Sweep 0(1), Swing 0(3), Trip 0(3), Twist 0(2)

Under 1(14), Over 1(23) 

(Over was corrected on July 14, 6 Uwatenage [Over Arm Throws] were left out of the count before Day 7)   

Arm 3(48), Hand 1(11) Body 0(1), Foot 0(1), Knee 0(2), Leg 0(1), Shoulder 0(2), Thigh 0(1)

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Match Time

Day 15

Total Time: 3 minutes, 7.4 seconds (187.4)         

Longest Match: 30.8 s (Tobizaru(2) v Tamawashi)

Shortest Match: 1.9 s (Ichinojo(2)  v Takarafuji) 

Average (20 matches): 9.4 s

Cumulative

Total Time: 57 minutes, 50.9 seconds (3470.9)

Longest Match: 179.3 s (Kiribayama v Takayasu) (Day 12)

Shortest Match: 0.7 s (Aoiyama v Daieisho)  (Day 14)

Average Time (299 matches): 11.6 s   

Time/Matches (Day 15/Cumulative)

0-4.9 seconds:     7(100)   

5-9.9 seconds:     6(93)    

10-19.9 seconds:   6(70)

20-29.9 seconds:   0(17)

30-39.9 seconds:   1(10)

50-59.9 seconds:   0(3)

60-69.9 seconds:   0(2)

70-79.9 seconds:   0(2)

80-89.9 seconds:   0(1)

170-179.9 seconds: 0(1)

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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

*=Promoted from Juryo after the March 2021 Basho

R=Rookie

Kachi-koshi (20) (188-112)

Day 8: Hakuho (Y1e) (15-0); Terunofuji (O1e) (14-1)

Day 10: Kotonowaka (M11w) (12-3)

Day 11: Ichinojo (M2w) (10-5); Hoshoryu (M5w) (10-5); Tamawashi (M10e) (11-4)

Day 12: Kiribayama (M6w) (9-6); Takarafuji (M8e) (8-7); Ura (M13w) (10-5)

Day 13: Hokutofuji (M3e) (8-7); Terutsuyoshi (M10w) (8-7); Ishiura (M10w) (9-6)

Day 14: Mitakeumi (S1w) (8-7); Chiyoshoma (M7w) (8-7); Shimanoumi (M9w) (8-7); Tsurugisho (M15e) (8-7)

Day 15: Shodai (O2e) (8-7); Meisei (K1w) (8-7); Takanosho (M2e) (8-7); Ichiyamamoto*R  (M17e) (8-7)

Make-koshi (22) (111-180-37)

Day 8: Takakeisho (O1w) (1-2-12); Asanoyama (0-0-15); Endo (1-4-10)

Day 9: Daieisho (M1w) (5-10)

Day 10: Kotoeko (M4e) (2-13); Chiyotairyu (M4w) (4-11); Myogiryu  (M7e) (5-10); Daiamami (M14e) (4-11)

Day 11: Wakatakakage (K1e) (5-10); Tobizaru (M3w) (4-11); Tokushoryu* (M15w) (7-8)

Day 12: Aoiyama (M8w) (7-8); Tochinoshin (M12e) (7-8); Chyomaru (M13e) (6-9)

Day 13: Okinoumi (M5e) (5-10); Onosho (M6e) (7-8) 

Day 14: Hidenoumi (M9e) (7-8); Kaisei (M11e) (6-9)

Day 15: Takayasu (S1e) (7-6-2); Kagayaki (M12e) (7-8); Chiyonoo* (M14w) (7-8); Chiyonokuni (M16e) (7-8)

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Top Rank Wins

Maegashira v san'yaku Standings

Rookie

Juryo Substitute Standings

Top Rank Wins

15-0: Hakuho (Y1e); Terunofuji (O1e) 

14-1: Terunofuji (O1e)

8-7: Shodai (O2e); Mitakeumi (S1w); Meisei (K1w) (includes 1 forfeit win)

7-6-2: Takayasu (S1e)

5-10: Wakatakakage (K1e)

0-0-15: Asanoyama (O2w)

1-2-12: Takakeisho (O1w) (includes 1 forfeit loss)

Total: 66-40-29 (.623)

Maegashira v san'yaku

Day 15(Cumulative)

Onosho (M6e)     0-0(1-0)

Ura (M13w)       0-0(1-0)

Hoshoryu (M5w)   0-0(2-1)

Ichinojo (M2w)   0-0(5-3)

Kiribayama (M6w) 0-0(1-1)

Chiyotairu (M4w) 0-0(1-2)

Takanosho (M2e)  0-0(2-5)

Hokutofuji (M3e) 0-0(2-5)

Endo (M1e)       0-0(1-4) (incl forfeit loss) 

Tobizaru (M3w)   0-0(1-5)

Daieisho (M1w)   0-0(1-7)

Kagayaki (M12w)  0-1(0-1)

Okinoumi (M5e)   0-0(0-4)

Kotoeko (M4e)    0-0(0-6)

Day 15:      0--1 

Cumulative: 18-44 (.290)

Rookie 

Ichiyamamoto 

(1-0); (1-1); (2-1); (3-1); (4-1); (4-2); (5-2); (6-2)

(7-2); (7-3); (7-4); (7-5); (7-6); (7-7); (8-7)

Juryo substitutes

Day 3:  Yutakayama (J1e) (0-1) (2-1) lost to Ichiyamamoto (2-1)

Day 6:  Shohozan (J1w) (0-1) (0-6) lost to Ishiura (3-3)

Day 7:  Kyokutaisei (J2e) (0-1) (3-4) lost to Chiyonokuni (5-2)

Day 8:  Akua (J2w) (1-0) (5-3) defeated Tokoshoryu (3-5)

Day 9: Wakamotoharu (J3e) (0-1) (5-4) lost to Tsurugisho (6-3)

Day 10: Yutakayama (J1e) (1-1) (9-1) defeated Chiyonoo (4-6)

Day 11: Shohozan (J1w) (0-2) (3-8) lost to Daiamami (3-8)

Day 12: Akua (J2w) (1-1) (6-6) lost to Chiyonokumi (7-5)

Day 13: Kyokutaisei (J2e) (0-2) (7-6) lost to Tokushoryu (5-8)

Day 14: Wakamotoharu (J3e) (0-2) (7-7) lost to Daiamami (4-10)

Day 15: Akua (J2w) (1-2) (8-7) lost to Ishiura (9-6) 

Cumulative: 2-9 (.182)

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Results

Day 15: July 18: (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 15 (Japanese Sumo Association) (click on rikishi name for relevant data including percentage of each Kimarite (finishing) move used, rank and full results of last 5 tournaments, all on one page)

Day 15 Time of Each Match: (nikkansports.com) (in Japanese,use Google Translate) Matches are in order from lowest rank to highest. 

Absent rikishi information (Japanese Sumo Association)

Articles:

Tachiai.org Day 15 Preview

Tachiai.org Day 15 Recap

Looking Toward the Aki (September) Banzuke (Rankings) (Tachiai.org)

Kyodo News

Unbeaten Hakuho downs Terunofuji, wins record 45th title

Fear of retirement drove Hakuho to record 45th championship

 

Nikkansports.com carries the most exhaustive coverage of Sumo that I have seen. It publishes multiple daily articles about the Basho.

All coverage is in Japanese and can be accessed from the Nikkansports Sumo Wrestling News Page. It can be easily (if not well) translated by Google Translate, which can be easily attached to your browser for seamless "translation." It is the next best thing to being able to read Japanese.

Google Translate (directly or in a separate window/tab)

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Photos:

Nikkan Sports Day 15 Photo Feature: There are photos today's Makuuchi matches, with selected Rikishi quotes.