Shonannoumi

Natsu 2024: Day 11 Highlights

Andy Natsu 2024, Natsu Basho , , ,

News from the infirmary today is that Mitoryu is out, Ichiyamamoto will get the default win. Wakamotoharu is back and will face Hiradoumi. Makuuchi videos from NHK for Day 11 action are available here: Part I and Part II.

In Juryo, Wakatakakage quickly found Endo was pitched too far forward and rotated away for the easy katasukashi victory. Both men are tied with debutant Onokatsu at 10-1. Juryo action is available here: Part I and Part II.

Kakuryu is in the NHK broadcast booth tonight, with Tochiozan as a guest ringside. People forget that when Kyokutenho won his famous yusho, it was in a playoff with Tochiozan. And by “people,” I mean me. I am people. So Tochiozan was very close to his own yusho. He defeated Kakuryu on his path to that playoff.

Pop quiz: You’re not paying attention to the action because you are writing. You get thirsty and wonder if there is time to run to the fridge and grab more tea. Hiradoumi and Wakamotoharu are standing, face-to-face, about to crouch down at the shikirisen. How can you tell if they are about to fight, or if you have time to grab some tea?

The Action

Chiyoshoma (Juryo 9-2) defeated Tsurugisho (3-8). Chiyoshoma walked Tsurugisho straight back and out. Yorikiri. Tsurugisho is now makekoshi and staring at demotion to Juryo.

Tomokaze (2-9) defeated Tokihayate (4-7). Tokihayate allowed Tomokaze’s tsuppari to push him back to the edge. It seemed like he wanted to try a slapdown with his left hand at the edge but when he pivoted, his foot went out. Oshidashi.

Ichiayamamoto (5-6) default, fusen win. Mitoryu (2-9) kyujo. A (2-9-4) record should be enough for a ticket to Juryo in July.

Ryuden (7-4) defeated Kinbozan (6-5). Kinbozan struck out with some strong tsuppari but Ryuden got his preferred left hand over arm grip. He rotated and brought Kinbozan down. Uwatenage.

Shonannoumi (9-2) defeated Takarafuji (8-3). As Takarafuji pressed forward, Shonannoumi slipped to his left and slapped Takarafuji down. Kotenage. Though the kimarite call was kotenage, it was one of those that seem a hair’s breadth from katasukashi or hatakikomi. Shonannoumi is now the lone dark horse in the yusho race. Depending on the outcome of Onosato’s bout, he may be the sole leader or co-leader with Onosato. Speaking of the komusubi, he will face Takarafuji tomorrow while Shonannoumi will face Abi.

Shodai (5-6) defeated Roga (4-7). Smart Shodai hugged Roga with both hands inside and pressed forward but did not get ahead of himself. He paused his forward progress a bit near the bales and adjusted as Roga shifted left along the bales. Shodai applied gentle pressure so as not to fall victim to a slapdown or twisting throw. Yorikiri.

Tamawashi (4-7) defeated Nishikifuji (4-7). Brutal Tamawashi launched out with strong tsuppari. Possibly angry that there were no sponsors, and thus no kensho on the bout. Poor Nishikifuji. Tamawashi battered him until he was safely out of the ring. Oshidashi.

Oshoma (8-3) defeated Kotoshoho (7-4). Kotoshoho started out with strong tsuppari but tired quickly. Oshoma was then able to reach in and get a left-hand over arm grip. Kotoshoho tried to keep Oshoma’s right arm from locking in but Oshoma wrapped him up and drove Kotoshoho back and out. Yorikiri. Oshoma put an end to Kotoshoho’s impressive streak of wins and picked up his kachi-koshi in his debut tournament.

Takanosho (5-6) defeated Hokutofuji (5-6). Takanosho overcame Hokutofuji’s oshi attack by shoving his right arm into Hokutofuji’s jaw, driving Hokutofuji back to the bales. Hokutofuji tried to counter with his own nodowa but Takanosho continued to press forward, sending Hokutofuji over the edge. Oshidashi.

Mitakeumi (8-3) defeated Churanoumi (7-4). Churanoumi pulled and Mitakeumi ran him out. Yorikiri. Safely kachi-koshi, I wonder if kyujo is in the plan to rest his foot since it’s still injured.

Halftime.

Sadanoumi (6-5) defeated Nishikigi (3-8). Nishikigi resisted at the edge but Sadanoumi was too strong and focused. He did not allow Nishikigi to pivot and pressed straight forward. Yorikiri.

Midorifuji (5-6) defeated Tobizaru (4-7). Tobizaru struck out at Midorifuji but Midorifuji slapped him down. Tobizaru nearly touched the clay at the first slapdown but Midorifuji finished him off by forcing him to the floor. Hatakikomi.

Gonoyama (5-6) defeated Oho (4-7). Oho fought well and seems to have improved ring presence. He started with forward sumo into Gonoyama but when he pulled and rotated around the ring, Gonoyama pursued well and shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Daieisho (8-3) defeated Ura (6-5). Ura did well to resist Daieisho’s thrusts and stay in the center of the ring. Daieisho grabbed Ura by the belt and pulled him down while falling backwards. Gunbai Daieisho. No mono-ii. Uwatenage.

Takayasu (5-1-5) defeated Atamifuji (4-7). What a fantastic bout! Takayasu wrapped up Atamifuji and tried to force him over the edge but Atamifuji pressed back and rotated to keep the bout in the center. Takayasu tried again and again to push Atamifuji over. Takayasu worked Atamifuji to the bales again. Perhaps sensing he was near the end, Atamifuji tried to push Takayasu down at the edge but Takayasu maintained excellent footwork and barreled Atamifuji out. Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Abi (7-4) defeated Onosho (4-7). Basic Abi-zumo drove Onosho back and out. Abi gifted Onosho a faceful of tsuppari. In appreciation, Onosho backed up and attempted a pulldown. Abi followed up with a shoulder blast and knocked Onosho into the crowd. Oshidashi.

Hiradoumi (5-6) defeated Wakamotoharu (3-5-3) Hiradoumi hit Wakamotoharu hard at the tachiai. Wakamotoharu pivoted and tried to throw Hiradoumi twice. On the second attempt, Hiradoumi drove forward into Wakamotoharu and drove him over the edge. Excellent sumo from Hiradoumi. Yoritaoshi.

Kotozakura (8-3) defeated Meisei. Meisei successfully kept Kotozakura off the belt for a good portion of the bout and was able to drive the Ozeki back to the bales, but not out. When Meisei wore out, Kotozakura corralled him and reached in for a belt grip. Then he yanked Meisei forward to the ground. Uwatenage.

Hoshoryu (7-4) defeated Onosato (8-3). Hoshoryu grabbed Onosato’s belt with his right hand and threw him. Such a quick and beautiful move. Shitatenage.

Wrap-up

I am curious where you all feel Hiradoumi will top out. I think he might make sanyaku and may even earn a kachi-koshi record. But do you all think he is a guy like Daieisho/Wakamotoharu who can sustain a decent stretch up there? He’s earning a bit of a reputation and fans with that hard-hitting tachiai of his. I am eager to see how he develops.

Similarly, I wonder if Atamifuji will reach sanyaku. I do not think he will get there this time because he was clearly figured out by a lot of guys who were able to pull him forward. With guys surging to Ozeki and quickly tumbling from the rank, I wonder if guys like these two have what it takes to launch a successful streak like Shodai did. I mean, guys. Shodai was Ozeki. Remember that?

Well, let’s get back to the yusho race. Hoshoryu will not go quietly into that good night. What a fantastic throw to make a complete mess of this yusho. Onosato is now in the significant chase group behind…checks notes…Shonannoumi. Kotozakura leads the pack, looking for his first title. But we have a couple of seasoned yusho winners in the group, Daieisho and Mitakeumi. How is Mitakeumi still here…and in the yusho race? Along with Takarafuji, someone invited Oshoma.

Chaos, I tell you! Hoshoryu brings nothing but Chaos! For us Shodai fans, he is filling a bit of a void that we need at the rank of Ozeki by bringing the chaos. Well, I encourage a little trip down to the beaches of Shonan. Ride the Enoden, check out the Daibutsu, enjoy the sand and the sun. Somehow, I think Shonannoumi’s time here at the top will be short.

His first big test, as I mentioned, is Abi tomorrow. I imagine he’ll face Onosato afterwards? The schedulers are in for quite the debate here. When do you bring Oshoma and Mitakeumi up to fight the likes of Daieisho? Chaos!

Natsu 2024: Day 10 Highlights

Andy Natsu 2024, Natsu Basho , ,

Wakamotoharu will return from his toe injury for Day 11. Takayasu came back looking great so I hope Wakamotoharu’s rest was as effective. Frankly, there are several guys who need a rest, like Mitakeumi, Tomokaze, and Tsurugisho.

Once again, NHK videos are available for the Juryo and Makuuchi divisions. You will be able to watch Endo charge full steam ahead to 10-0 over Shimazuumi. Who knew the fountain of youth was hiding in Juryo?

The Action

Oshoma (7-3) defeated Ryuden (6-4). Oshoma enticed Ryuden into a pushing/thrusting attack. When Ryuden’s weight was extended too far forward, Oshoma shifted to his left and slapped Ryuden down. Hatakikomi.

Roga (4-6) defeated Mitoryu (2-8). Mitoryu fought hard to keep Roga off his belt. But when Roga finally quit trying to reach in for that grip and settled for a pushing/thrusting attack, he quickly shoved Mitoryu over the edge. Oshidashi.

Churanoumi (7-3) defeated Tomokaze (1-9). An aggressive Tomokaze led Churanoumi backwards by his head with a brutal oshi attack. Churanoumi locked his feet at the tawara and suddenly twisted Tomokaze down with his two-handed grip on Tomokaze’s belt. Shitatedashinage.

Takarafuji (8-2) defeated Ichiyamamoto (4-6). Takarafuji outlasted Ichiyamamoto’s thrusting attack. He patiently waited until Ichiyamamoto wore himself out and gently ushered him over the straw bales. Yorikiri.

Nishikifuji (4-6) defeated Tsurugisho (3-7). Nishikifuji’s tsuppari attack kept Tsurugisho off his belt and walked him back and out. Tsukidashi.

Tamawashi (3-7) defeated Tokihayate (4-6). Tokihayate quickly drove Tamawashi to the edge but Tamawashi might have needed the stability of the bales to get his own charge started. He wrapped up Tokihayate and drove him across the ring and out. Oshidashi.

Shodai (4-6) defeated Hokutofuji (5-5). Shodai used a similar strategy to bait Hokutofuji to the edge. Then Shodai slipped to the side and shoved Hokutofuji to the bales. “Am I going to have to walk over there and push you out?” “Na, I’ll step over.” Tsukiotoshi.

Takanosho (4-6) defeated Sadanoumi (5-5). Takanosho met Sadanoumi head-on at the tachiai. But when Sadanoumi got those legs churning, Takanosho pulled to the side and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Kinbozan (6-4) defeated Nishikigi (3-7). Kinbozan withstood several attacks from Nishikigi and when Nishikigi finally shoved him to the edge, Kinbozan moved laterally to drag Nishikigi to the floor. Shitatenage.

Halftime

Kotoshoho (7-3) defeated Mitakeumi (7-3). Mitakeumi pressed forward as best he could. Kotoshoho retreated to the right, forcing Mitakeumi to move laterally. When Kotoshoho reached the bales, he shifted to the left. This forced Mitakeumi to put his weight back on the left foot and down he went. Oshidashi.

Shimanoumi (8-2) defeated Midorifuji (4-6). Solid Shonannoumi kept Midorifuji centered and when Midorifuji pulled, Shonannoumi blasted him from the fighting surface. Oshidashi.

Meisei (7-3) defeated Hiradoumi (4-6). Hiradoumi charged forward out of control. Meisei just let him go by. Hatakikomi.

Atamifuji (4-6) defeated Tobizaru (4-6). Atamifuji took his time and let Tobizaru hop around the dohyo. Tobizaru attempted an ill-advised kick because it left him over-extended and he stumbled backwards. Atamifuji pursued quickly and shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Daieisho (7-3) defeated Oho (4-6). Daieisho adjusted his usual attack by slipping to the side with a slapdown attempt and re-engaging on Oho’s left side to shove Oho out. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Onosato (8-2) defeated Gonoyama (4-6). Onosato stronk. All business today, he shoved Gonoyama backwards and cast him from the dohyo. Oshitaoshi.

Abi (6-4) defeated Ura (6-4). Abi assaulted Ura with his devastating tsuppari. Abi got his hands under Ura’s chin and tried to shove him out. Ura slipped desperately to the side but Abi followed well and forced the retreating Ura to roll away. Hard to believe Ura was leading this thing. Oshitaoshi.

Hoshoryu (6-4) defeated Onosho (4-6). Hoshoryu quickly shifted to the side and pulled Onosho down. Uwatedashinage.

Takayasu (4-5-1) defeated Kotozakura (7-3). Takayasu was aggressive today while Kotozakura was reactive and defensive. Takayasu forced the action and pressed Kotozakura around the ring. Kotozakura kept up with the pace but Takayasu used his powerful left hand grip to rotate and pull Kotozakura down. Fantastic sumo from Takayasu. Ozeki sumo from Takayasu. But why oh why does Takayasu’s color of power have to be Dook Blue? Uwatenage.

Wrap-up

Mitoryu joined Tomokaze with makekoshi records. Both men look set for a return to Juryo. Tsurugisho looks ready to purchase his ticket to Juryo mañana. Oddly, Hiradoumi is headed to a rather feisty makekoshi unless he can string together some wins in this final third of the tournament.

Takarafuji is safe and the first makuuchi man with kachi-koshi. Aside from the yusho race, any extra wins this week will obviously propel him further up the banzuke to give him breathing room. He certainly looks rejuvenated and healthy. Shonnanoumi joins him at kachi-koshi and the Kyokai are forcing them to fight each other tomorrow. The Kyokai want there to be only one dark horse in this yusho race. I would give the edge to Shonannoumi but Takarafuji has been fighting very well this tournament.

Takayasu picked off Kotozakura so Onosato is the lone sanyaku wrestler remaining in the leadership group. Onosato will face Hoshoryu tomorrow. Who knows where this yusho race will go?

Updated – More thoughts on the concussion issue

Timothée Heinz Hatsu Basho 2021 , , , ,

2021’s Hatsu Basho started amid fears, if not controversy, brought by the pandemic. It ended amid true controversy, on a different, albeit also health-related, matter: brain concussion among sumo wrestlers.

Before moving on this topic, let’s have a look back at what happened.

What happened?

Makushita, day 10. Shonannoumi faces Asagyokusei. Shonannoumi botches the tachi-ai, moves forward as his opponent still stands behind the shikiri-sen. Asagyokusei raises, both collide heavily on the head, and Shonannoumi falls to the clay.

The victim: Shonannoumi


At this point, the gyoji has two options:

A) Approving the tachi-ai. In that case, Asagyokusei has to be called the winner;

B) Calling a matta. That’s what happened during the bout. The gyoji orders a redo – the shimpan judges even quickly reunite in order to discuss on that matter, only to order to proceed further.
But Shonannoumi is obviously unable to do any kind of effort whatsoever – he stands up several times, only to lose balance and fall awkwardly again and again.
Eventually, he stands on his feet, the bout is a go, and Shonannoumi even wins it. But that’s not the point at all. Obviously, his health has been seriously endangered.

Has it happened before?

Of course, the Hokutofuji bout against Ryuden, in May of 2018, springs to mind. Basically, the story is the same.

Hokutofuji also suffered from concussion, in 2018



I’d also like to mention a crazy bout where Azumaryu and Tobizaru faced each other in juryo in 2019 (on day 9 of the Nagoya basho, to be exact). After a long fight full of twists and downs, after even a mawashi matta, both sekitori send each other outside the limits of the ring, and fall heavily to the ground. The catch is, it was realistically impossible to declare a clear-cut winner, and a torinaoshi was ordered. Here, Azumaryu, and especially Tobizaru, looked too exhausted to fight once more. The latter lost the re-match without being at full capacity.

What could have been done ?

My question would rather be: does a sumo bout necessarily have to see out a winner ?
As a chess player, I know individual sports can see contests concluded without a winner. It does not happen in tennis or in Formula One, but it does happen in darts, another lesser known sport.

Anyway, if football or rugby have an extended medical protocol in case of a concussion, in my opinion a handy solution exists. If this were unfortunately to happen again in sumo (and some day, it will happen again): the reintroduction of draws in sumo.

In fact, sumo initially allowed various kinds of draw. Let’s examine them.

Firstly, azukari used to be called, when a bout’s issue was too close to call, and no clear-cut winner could be nominated.The bout then just ended in a draw.

Secondly, hikiwake used to represent the situation when the opponents fought for some time, and no one could take the advantage. Here, too, the result would just be a draw.

Obviously, both cases don’t appear any more today. Instead of an azukari, a torinaoshi would just be called; and instead of a hikiwake, the shimpan judges would raise their hands after four minutes, and a mizu-iri would be orderer: the “water break”.

To be exact, the last azukari was seen in 1951, whereas the last hikiwake could be witnessed in 1974. And, obviously, neither of these calls fit to Shonannoumi’s situation.

Thirdly, the case of a mushōbu is interesting. That call could be heard if a bout was too close to call, and if the gyoji decided not to point his gumbai to anyone. In the 1860’s, that system was replaced, and only the shimpan judges could then decide not to declare someone as the winner. And then, that system has been replaced by the torinaoshi rule.

And finally, the itamiwake is what we’re looking for. It occurred when a rikishi got injured and could not continue – usually, not taking part in a torinaoshi.

The last wrestlers to benefit from some itamiwake respite were Narutoumi and Wakabayama, back in 1958.

Couldn’t Shonannoumi benefit from such an allowance?

Let’s reintroduce itamiwake in sumo!

Update: that issue, and the Shonannoumi case have seemingly given fruits. The shimpan department has just decided to act, not allowing any more hurt rikishi to fight again. From now, rikishi suffering from concussion prior to a match (or, of course, right after a matta) will lose by default:

That may not be the end to all our problems, but that’s definitely a great start.

Kyushu 2019, Days 4-5, Bouts From The Lower Divisions

Herouth Kyushu Basho 2019 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sorry for letting life take me away from entertaining (or boring) you with bouts from the lower divisions. I’ll try to catch up over the weekend. And to do that, let’s start with a collection from days 4 and 5.

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