Author: Andy

Tokyo July Basho Day 10 Highlights

Andy Abi (阿炎), Aoiyama, Asanoyama (朝乃山), Chiyomaru, Chiyotairyū (千代大龍), Daieisho (大栄翔), Endo (遠藤), Enho, Hakuho (白鵬), Hokutōfuji (北勝富士), Ikioi (勢), Ishiura (石浦), Kagayaki (輝), Kaisei (魁聖), Kakuryu (鶴竜), Kiribayama (霧馬山), Kotoeko, Kotonowaka, Kotoshogiku (琴奨菊), Kotoshoho, Kotoyuki, Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Myogiryu (妙義龍), Nishikigi, Okinoumi (隠岐の海), Ryuden (竜電), Sadanoumi (佐田の海), Shimanoumi, Shohozan, Shōdai (正代直也), Takakeishō (貴景勝), Takanosho, Takarafuji (宝富士), Takayasu (高安), Tamawashi (玉鷲), Terunofuji (照ノ富士), Terutsuyoshi, Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Tokushoryu, Tokyo July Basho, Wakatakakage, Yutakayama, Ōnoshō (阿武咲) , ,

We’re here. Shaken AND stirred. It’s Day 10. The close of Act 2 is upon us and the sumo gods have brought us a doozy. I’m going to bed but I’m sure sleep is a long way off. What on Earth have I just witnessed?

Highlight Matches

Kotoeko (7-3) defeated Meisei: Kotoeko on the defensive from Meisei’s strong tachiai. An oshi-tsuki battle, Meisei drove Kotoeko back to the bales. He couldn’t get him over so he grabbed the arm and attempted a throw. Kotoeko survived just to get charged back across the ring. At the opposite bales Kotoeko finally struck decisively, driving Meisei down to the clay. Kotoeko escaped with a sigh of relief! Hatakikomi

Wakatakakage (6-4) defeated Takayasu (5-5): Wakatakakage stepped to the side at the tachiai and (grabbing that weak left arm) pulled Takayasu down. Tsukiotoshi.

Chiyomaru (3-7) defeated Sadanoumi (4-6): A slapfest played into Chiyomaru’s hands. Chiyomaru sidestepped the tachiai but Sadanoumi recovered to face a barrage of Chiyomaru thrusts. At the decisive moment, Chiyomaru timed his pull well and forced Sadanoumi down. Hikiotoshi.

Terunofuji (9-1) defeated Shohozan (2-8): Terunofuji didn’t like the stare down and forced a reset. Finally with breathing in sync, Shohozan met Terunofuji head on and immediately Terunfouji got low, fishing for that belt. Shohozan pulled and tried to push Terunofuji down but Terunofuji maintained his balance and countered by driving Shohozan down. Hikiotoshi.

Nishikigi (4-6) defeated Shimanoumi (2-8): An entertaining and evenly matched back-and-forth ensued after the initial charge. Neither man would maintain a belt grip for long, twisting and turning at the center of the ring. Shimanoumi drove Nishikigi forward but Nishikigi twisted to his left, grabbed his opponent’s belt and drove Shimanoumi out. Yorikiri.

Kotoyuki (4-6) defeated Tochinoshin (6-4): Kotoyuki charged but Tochinoshin slipped to the side in retreat. Driven back to the bales, Tochinoshin chose the wrong time  to try a pull. Kotoyuki obliged, helping push the Georgian out. Oshidashi.

Kaisei (4-6) defeated Kotoshoho (7-3): Kotoshoho pulled at the tachiai and went of the offensive but Kaisei defended well. Kotoshoho was the first to the belt, dragging Kaisei across the dohyo. Kaisei was a bit off balance while seeking that left-hand grip but hopping across he stayed up. Once he found that left-hand grip, he used the advantage to drive into Kotoshoho, force him to the edge and then throw him down. Shitatedashinage.

Ishiura (4-6) defeated Kotoshogiku (7-3): I think everyone was surprised when Ishiura met Kotoshogiku head on. Kotoshogiku used his gabburi action to drive Ishiura back but Ishiura resisted at the bales. Kotoshogiku went for a second attempt but in a deft maneuver, stepped to the side and threw Giku with the left-handed throw. Uwatedashinage.

Chiyotairyu (5-5) defeated Myogiryu (7-3): Chiyotairyu drove Myogiryu back and into the air with a strong shoulder blast. Myogiryu had no chance to recover as Chiyotairyu advanced, shoving Myogiryu out. Oshidashi.

Tamawashi (7-3) defeated Terutsuyoshi (5-5): Tamawashi charged out too quickly so the pair reset. Tamawashi absorbed Terutsuyoshi’s initial charge. With several thrusts and slaps, the former yusho winner tried to force Terutsuyoshi to stay high. After two unsuccessful pull attempts, Tamawashi was finally successful on the third, pulling his smaller opponent’s left arm to the side and thrusting his aite down as Terutsuyoshi moved forward. Hikiotoshi.

Tokushoryu (6-4) defeated Ikioi (2-8): Bravely, Ikioi charged forward, not knowing what lie in wait. Tokushoryu swung Ikioi around by the left arm, throwing Ikioi clear off the surface of the dohyo. Tottari.

Halftime

Kagayaki (4-6) defeated Enho (4-6): It always amazes me when Enho charges forward into such larger opponents. Kagayaki forced Enho back to the other side of the ring and effectively corralled the Hakuho’s deshi. Enho tried an ashitori but why is he trying to grab the other leg with the other arm? Won’t that just keep…? Oooo. Hataki-squish-ikomi.

Ryuden (4-6) defeated Kiribayama (4-6): Ryuden charged forward, securing a right handed belt grip while Kiribayama was still reaching for his own grip. Ryuden wasn’t going to just wait around and let him in so he used that right arm grip to throw Kiribayama into the center of the ring. Uwatenage

Endo (4-6) defeated Onosho (0-10): There are no outward signs of injury from Onosho. He moves well around the dohyo before the bout. But he also let Endo move easily inside to secure a belt grip. Onosho pushed Endo back to the bales but couldn’t drive him over. Onosho slid slightly as Endo pushed forward from the tawara. This left Onosho off-balance and susceptible to Endo’s quick throw. Uwatenage.

Takarafuji (4-6) defeated Yutakayama (1-9): Yutakayama showed the initiative in this bout. While Takarafuji was still pushing forward trying to get a belt grip, Yutakayama pulled and twisted, forcing Takarafuji to the ground. But wait! Mono-ii ensued as Yutakayama’s right foot rolled over as Takarafuji drove him forward? What? I sense much confusion coming from this decision. I need more replays. No, I really don’t. “Yoritaoshi.”

Sanyaku

Okinoumi (5-5) defeated Takanosho (5-5): Takanosho drove forward into Okinoumi at the initial charge. The pull attempt was ill-timed so Takanosho drove Okinoumi back to the edge. Okinoumi countered and drove back, reaching up and over his aite with the right arm and bringing it down on Takanosho’s back. Katasukashi.

Daieisho (6-4) defeated Shodai (8-2): Shodai was on the defensive from the outset as Daieisho charged forward. His pull attempt was snuffed out quickly as Daieisho maintained pressure. Once on the bales, Daieisho thrust out. It seemed like Shodai was waiting for an ACME package that never came. I hear there are still some Amazon delays? Or maybe his shipment was coming from the US and is waiting at the port for this quarantine. Tsukidashi.

Takakeisho (7-3) vs Aoiyama (3-7): Are we going to have a belt battle here? No. Lots of slaps as the two charge at each other time and time again. Aoiyama’s pull failed as Takakeisho drove forward. At the bales Takakeisho went into retreat and Aoiyama pursued. Takakeisho timed his decisive pull well and drove Aoiyama down. Hikiotoshi.

Mitakeumi (8-2) defeated Asanoyama (9-1): Asanoyama couldn’t get that left-hand on the belt but he charged forward into his opponent nonetheless. Mitakeumi pivoted, forcing Asanoyama to the outside along the bales. As he got his left hand on Asanoyama’s belt, his right snugly tucked under Asanoyama’s armpit. In retreat, Mitakeumi executed a throw and rolled Asanoyama off the dohyo. Uwatenage.

Hakuho (10-0) defeated Hokutofuji (6-4): Hakuho cast Hokutofuji from his dohyo. Tsukidashi.

Winning In Sumo. “Simple” Sport?

Andy Rules Of Sumo, Sumo Topics

OK. Please bear with me for a few paragraphs. I have been hesitant to write this up because this is strictly opinion and I hate writing strictly opinion because I can be (and often am) wrong about things (not just sumo related). Also, sometimes I have been known to beat a dead horse after the worms already got to it and turned it to dust. So if this discussion bores you, I’m not hurt by you ignoring me. But, as a sumo fan, I have come to understand that the sport is NOT as clear cut as, “Winner touches last.”

One good example of the hidden complexity of the sumo rules is clear after the Hattorizakura/Ishihara bout. Thanks to Jake, Leonid, and John Gunning explaining this…but like Leonid mentioned on Twitter, I like to see rules written down. There’s an NHK Sumopedia video explaining tsuridashi. But what is the rule? Tsuridashi, according to the Sumo Kyokai website, does not mention that a wrestler is allowed to walk out.

A bout is won by forcing the opponent out of the inner circle or throwing him in the dohyo. To lose the match, it is not necessary to fall in the circle or to be pushed completely out. The rikishi who touches the ground with any part of his body, his knee or even the tip of his finger or his top-knot, loses the match. Or he need only put one toe or his heel over the straw bales marking the circle.

“The Sumo” pg 3 by NSK

Unfortunately, Sumo Kyokai documentation is not quite as clear to explain. The text above is from the English-language pamphlet on the Sumo.or.jp website. USAsumo also claims that the rules “in both pro and international sumo” are “very simple”. “Either force your opponent out of the 15-foot diameter “dohyo” (sumo ring) or make your opponent touch the ground with any part of the body other than the soles of the feet.” Takakeisho did this last night to Enho. Enho did NOT do this to Takakeisho.

In a strict interpretation of the English as I’m still trying to find the Japanese, in neither case does it say, “when”. If my opponent forces me out but I land last, perhaps because I fell a farther distance (as in over the side of the dohyo), he still forced me out. In the case of Enho, the decisive move was the force applied by Takakeisho which resulted in Enho falling back and out. Enho’s mawashi touch (which connected) and the attempted trip (which missed completely) had nothing to do with Takakeisho’s trajectory out of the ring.

Anyway, we also see instances of wrestlers leaping beyond the plane of the dohyo or cases like last night’s Enho bout. Whether it be the “dead body rule” or another rule for these certain special occasions, it is clear that what should be simple, isn’t. But it can still be logical and does not have to be at the whim of whomever is enforcing the rule at the moment. I find this a favorable interpretation because (to me) it is just. But I could be wrong and when I am, I like to be skewered with indisputable evidence. Thank you for sticking with my train of thought and making it this far. :) Feel free to skewer me in the comments.

Tokyo July Basho Day 9 Highlights

Andy Abi (阿炎), Aoiyama, Asanoyama (朝乃山), Chiyomaru, Chiyotairyū (千代大龍), Daieisho (大栄翔), Endo (遠藤), Enho, Hakuho (白鵬), Hokutōfuji (北勝富士), Ikioi (勢), Ishiura (石浦), Kagayaki (輝), Kaisei (魁聖), Kakuryu (鶴竜), Kiribayama (霧馬山), Kotoeko, Kotonowaka, Kotoshogiku (琴奨菊), Kotoshoho, Kotoyuki, Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Myogiryu (妙義龍), Nishikigi, Okinoumi (隠岐の海), Ryuden (竜電), Sadanoumi (佐田の海), Shimanoumi, Shohozan, Shōdai (正代直也), Takakeishō (貴景勝), Takanosho, Takarafuji (宝富士), Takayasu (高安), Tamawashi (玉鷲), Terunofuji (照ノ富士), Terutsuyoshi, Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Tokushoryu, Tokyo July Basho, Wakatakakage, Yutakayama, Ōnoshō (阿武咲) , , ,

Not much commentary from me to start off. The first half will be a quick read but I’ll make up for it in the description of the sanyaku highlights. Just like today’s broadcast, I go a bit long after the break. A fun, controversial, and complicated day today toward the end. I will just leave this tweet from the Kyokai here. No reason. Now, on to the highlights.

Highlight Matches

Kotoyuki (3-6) defeated Daiamami: Straight-forward oshi/tsuki sumo from Kotoyuki today against the Juryo visitor. He tried a quick pull which Daiamami avoided. but Daiamami could not avoid the continuing onslaught and backed out. Tsukidashi.

Takayasu (5-4) defeated Chiyomaru (2-7): Takayasu absorbed Chiyomaru’s tachiai and early thrusts. A quick sidestep and forceful shove sent Chiyomaru to the clay. Hikiotoshi.

This won’t be enough to quiet the injury talk, or stop his opponents from attempting to exploit those injuries. However, it was a quick strong win from the former Ozeki.

Nishikigi (3-6) defeated Shohozan (2-7): Shohozan abandoned oshi-tsuki after the tachiai, reaching in for Nishikigi’s belt. Nishikigi was all to happy for a grapple, securing his own hold of Shohozan’s belt. Shohozan seemed lost, though, and didn’t muster much of an offense. Nishikigi took the initiative and worked Shohozan out, aggressively. Yoritaoshi.

Terunofuji (8-1) defeated Sadanoumi (4-5): Terunofuji quickly achieved his preferred belt grip and moved steadily forward. A wiggle and some resistance from Sadanoumi deflected action slightly to the side but Terunofuji’s overpowering effort forced Sadanoumi over the edge. Terunofuji kachi-koshi. WONDERFUL to see the Kaiju back. Yorikiri.

Wakatakakage (5-4) defeated Shimanoumi (2-7): At the tachiai both wrestlers settled into a grapple with opposing belt grips. Shimanoumi the early aggressor, shoving Wakatakakage around the dohyo but the straw bales offered enough resistance for Wakatakakage to stay in the ring. Wakatakakage began passively but he came up with the plan Bruce was looking for, to wait. When Shimanoumi tired out, Wakatakakage launched his own attack, patiently working Shimanoumi out. Yorikiri.

Myogiryu (7-2) defeated Kotoeko (6-3): Myogiryu kept Kotoeko off the belt but both engaged tightly. Tried an early pull which didn’t work. But his second pull forced Kotoeko out. Hatakikomi.

Kotoshoho (7-2) defeated Ikioi (2-7): Ikioi thrusted forward, looking genki. But Kotoshoho’s pull forced Ikioi off-balance. Ikioi didn’t go down at the hatakikomi attempt but his forward momentum and a last thrust from Kotoshoho launched him out of the ring. Tsukiotoshi.

Kotoshogiku (7-2) defeated Tamawashi (6-3): Oshi-tsuki vs Yotsu battle here. Early on it was an oshi battle but Kotoshogiku weathered Tamawashi’s multiple engagements. Kotoshogiku attempted a quick pull but his opponent snuffed it out. Kotoshogiku engaged again, wrapping up Tamawashi and quickly forcing him out. Yorikiri.

Tochinoshin (6-3) defeated Ishiura (3-6): Bruce did not get his wish for a repeat aggressive performance from Ishiura. A sidestep and death spin from Ishiura but Tochinoshin rolled with it, locking in with his own belt grip. With that right arm grip, Tochinoshin wore Ishiura down and walked him back and out. Yorikiri.

Terutsuyoshi (5-4) defeated Kaisei (3-6): Terutsuyoshi went after Kaisei aggressively. Kaisei maintained his balance at the early slap down attempt but he had no counter-attack. Terutsuyoshi levered into Kaisei’s armpits forcing him high and onto one leg. Terutsuyoshi kept up the pressure and pushed Kaisei out. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Chiyotairyu (4-5) defeated Ryuden (3-6): Chiyotairyu got the better of the tachiai, forcing Ryuden back a step…and then a little more as Chiyotairyu maintained his attack. Ryuden was in deep trouble and had no defense at the tawara as Chiyotairyu thrust him out. Tsukidashi.

Tokushoryu (5-4) defeated Takarafuji (3-6): Tokushoryu met Takarafuji’s charge head on but shifted to the left and tried a pull. Takarafuji followed and forced Tokushoryu back to the tawara. Takarafuji looked to have Tokushoryu in a bad spot, stood up at the tawara but he couldn’t muster enough strength to force him out. Instead, Tokushoryu danced along the bales and when Takarafuji over-extended, Tokushoryu pushed him down to the clay. Hikiotoshi.

Yutakayama (1-8) defeated Onosho (0-9): The futility bout. Yutakayama showed the most aggressive attacks today. Kachiage at the tachiai and sustained nodowa and face thrusts to keep Onosho high. Yutakayama wrapped up Onosho’s head with a kubinage attempt but Onosho resisted. However, the sustained attack from Yutakayama was too much for Onosho, forced out. Oshidashi.

Endo (3-6) defeated Takanosho (5-4): Takanosho’s early pull attempt was ferreted out by Endo who was able to maintain his balance and position in the center of the ring. Endo kept Takanosho in front of him and forced Takanosho out. Though still missing that energy, Endo’s superior footwork won the day. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Hokutofuji (6-3) defeated Daieisho (5-4): Daieisho on the attack, blasted Hokutofuji back. But that was to Hokutofuji’s plan as he wrapped up Daieisho’s head during the ride. The straw bales offered just enough leverage to pivot and force Daieisho down. Both men tumbled out at the same time so we got our first mono-ii conference of the day. However, replay confirmed the gyoji’s decision that Hokutofuji had forced Daieisho down. Tsukiotoshi.

Kiribayama (4-5) defeated Mitakeumi (7-2): A strong tachiai from Mitakeumi forced Kiribayama back a step. However, impressive yotsu-zumo from Kiribayama. Mitakeumi was too high and forced back to the center of the ring by the smaller Kiribayama. If Mitakeumi hoped to wear down Kiribayama, he never got the chance as Kiribayama kept up the attack and forced Mitakeumi out. Yorikiri.

Mitakeumi’s sumo was so impotent today it will surely initiate speculation of injury. Perhaps it was just a bit of listlessness, though, after his tough loss yesterday. There were no outward signs of injury and nothing that was obviously plaguing him but we’ll keep an eye out. If it’s just a case of loss of spirit, however, he’ll need to find it in a hurry. Ozeki don’t lose hope after one difficult setback. He’ll need three more wins, at least, to call this a credible run.

Shodai (8-1) vs Kagayaki (3-6): Kagayaki was the early aggressor. With a strong tachiai he met Shodai head on and worked Shodai back to the bales. However, Shodai maintained his composure and mustered his own attack from the tawara. Shodai demonstrated impressive strength to force Kagayaki completely across the ring in the opposite direction and out. Oshidashi.

Asanoyama (9-0) defeated Okinoumi (4-5): Okinoumi showed some jitters with a false start, forcing a reset. The two settled into a grapple at the tachiai but Okinoumi strongly forced Asanoyama back. Asanoyama twisted at the bales and forced Okinoumi down. The shimpan decided they wanted to take another look. On review, it looked like Asanoyama had won as Okinoumi’s arm touched first. However, the shimpan called a torinaoshi, do-over.

The second bout was more decisive for Asanoyama. Strong tachiai wrapped up Okinoumi and pushed him to the edge but Okinoumi resisted. Then, Asanoyama lost the right-hand grip but pursued Okinoumi and blasted with the right shoulder. Again, Okinoumi did not go out but Asanoyama swung back with that left-hand grip still firm and threw Okinoumi back to the center of the ring. Uwatenage.

Takakeisho (6-3) defeated Enho (4-5): Enho’s typical stand-up tachiai works well with Takakeisho’s thrusting style. Enho was unable to get a belt grip at the beginning of the bout and Takakeisho got the thrusting machine moving in pursuit of a retreating Enho. Takakeisho forced out Enho but as he was going out, Enho reached back and touched Takakeisho’s mawashi.

Since Takakeisho’s momentum carried him out and his foot touched outside before Enho fell, the shimpan wanted to review the decision. However, upon review they decided they agreed with the gyoji’s call. Gumbai dori. Enho’s body was already headed out of the dohyo when Takakeisho’s foot stepped out. I think they got this right because it would have been a very weak “win” for Enho. The win was deservedly Takakeisho’s, though it was not his best sumo. Tsukitaoshi.

As we see from time-to-time, sumo is not about “who touched first”. Usually we find this out when the dead body rule is invoked after a tawara-walker gets blasted out and takes a long fall into the crowd, not landing until after the aggressor falls on his belly. This time, though, we see that Takakeisho clearly won and forced Enho out. Enho was just nimble enough to reach back and touch the knot of Takakeisho’s mawashi but not to alter Takakeisho’s direction or attack in any way. The right call.

Hakuho (9-0) defeated Aoiyama (3-6): Hakuho’s perfect record was never in any real danger in this bout. One of the reasons I admire Hakuho’s sumo is that when he is on, he will use his opponent’s preferred styles and techniques to beat them. He “beats them at their own game.” There’s his epic sky crane battle against Tochinoshin as an example.

In contrast, Tamawashi fights hard to NOT have a belt battle. Whatever he does, he wants an oshi brawl. Kotoshogiku wants the belt. Today, Kotoshogiku’s sumo prevailed but both men wanted his bout. So, what’s Aoiyama’s usual gameplan? Oshi-tsuki sumo with hatakikomi slapdowns.

Denied a belt grip at the tachiai, Hakuho did not just weather Aoiyama’s thrusts. He went on the attack despite them, driving Aoiyama back to the edge like a battleship steaming into the heart of a hurricane. Annoyed by a nodowa, Hakuho nearly rips Aoiyama’s arm off when he pulled it down. The force pitched Aoiyama forward but he maintained his balance and set his eyes back on Hakuho. When he charged forward, that’s when Hakuho struck, using Aoiyama’s trademark parry and slapdown to force the Bulgarian to the ground. Hatakikomi.

Unfortunately, Hakuho himself landed awkwardly off the dohyo and on the gyoji from the previous bouts. This made him lose his balance and land hard in the middle of the purple mats, around the third or fourth row of phantom kyakusama. He quickly popped back up to claim his kensho stack but it did look like a hard fall.

Anyway, I look forward to reading y’all’s points-of-view down in the comments. Yes, that is the proper possessive form of “y’all”. I even looked it up.

Abi’s Night Out (Update)

Andy Tokyo July Basho ,

The Japanese media is reporting Abi will not return to the July tournament. He is also exhibiting at least one symptom of COVID, a fever. Multiple outlets report the fever was 37.6 Celsius, 99.7 degrees F. He had gone out with another wrestler from a separate heya who was already kyujo. It has now come out that the other night was not the first “adventure” for Abi, the newly wed, to “a night business” (夜の街) during this pandemic lockdown. He had gone at least once, prior to the tournament.

Night business is a euphemism for the variety of host/hostess clubs and “cabaret” clubs and night clubs around Tokyo. I do want to be clear that this does not mean that Abi went to a brothel or some red light district. A lot of these places are very PG-13 or R-rated. But they CAN be rather seedy and the point of them is to be in close contact with other people. Exactly how close, though, umm…well…that depends and is outside the scope (thankfully) of this update. Let’s just close with the certainty that they’re not the kind of place the Kyokai wants its staff frequenting during a pandemic, and they are often cited by officials as COVID hot spots.

Also, due to my misunderstanding of the type of test he had taken, I incorrectly tweeted that he’d had a PCR test because it wasn’t an antibody test. He’d had, as Herouth correctly noted, an antigen test which are often used when urgent, quick results are needed. One hopes Abi’s antics do not lead to more infections in the sumo world. It is good to see them taking this event seriously and apparently taking appropriate precautions to avoid any spread of whatever ails Abi.