Day 15 results, yusho and sansho

[Doitsuyama 1,178]

Hakuho won the much anticipated yokozuna yusho decider between the two 13-1 yokozuna to win his third consecutive yusho and fifth yusho in the last six basho, only missing out in his yokozuna debut. This was the first 13-1 yusho decider in the musubi-no-ichiban since Natsu 1995 when Takanohana beat Akebono.

Takekaze won his fifth straight while Kakuryu lost to Ama, making it one rikishi at each win count beyond ten wins. Both rikishi got a sansho, kanto-sho for Takekaze and gino-sho for Kakuryu, the first career sansho for both rikishi. Takekaze also should get a well-deserved promotion to get a komusubi debut next basho as Asasekiryu lost to Kotoshogiku to finish 10-5. Asasekiryu is ranked higher, but his record against sanyaku this basho is much worse than Takekaze's, 0-3 for Asasekiryu against 2-0 for Takekaze. Ama and Kisenosato were the only rikishi with a win against the yokozuna and both got the shukun-sho for that. This is Ama's third consecutive shukun-sho, along with his three basho win streak against Hakuho.

Kotooshu will be the top ozeki next basho, beating Kaio for this honour. Kotomitsuki will stay O1w as he won against slumping Aminishiki to avoid the kadoban tag next basho. Ama and Kotoshogiku will be sekiwake with Kisenosato and probably Takekaze as komusubi followed by Asasekiryu and Kakuryu at M1.

Tosanoumi won his last two bouts to limit his fall but it's too late as he should be in juryo with Tamanoshima and Shimootori. He should have started winning earlier like Kakizoe who won his last four bouts to finish 6-9. Well, maybe Tosanoumi still is really lucky as there aren't many hot promotion candidates from juryo.

Tochinoshin capped a great sekitori debut basho with a yorikiri win against Sakaizawa to finish 12-3 and get the juryo yusho. The 20 years old Georgian is the youngest juryo rikishi by far, being three years younger than Tamawashi, another foreign shin-juryo who had a great basho, finishing 10-5 with a loss to Mokonami. Also 23 years old are Hoshihikari, Masatsukasa, Mokonami, Wakakoyu and Koryu. All but the last two were kachi-koshi this basho, but the two make-koshi were especially hurting as Koryu missed a makuuchi promotion and Wakakoyu probably is back to makushita with the last day losses meaning a 7-8 for both.

Speaking of promotion to makuuchi, Sakaizawa should be a sure promotion despite his loss today. Ryuo, Otsukasa and Hakuba all can hope for a second or third open spot in makuuchi, but it's not sure who gets the nod. My guess is that Ryuo and Otsukasa will make it, which would mean an 11th promotion to makuuchi for 36 years old Otsukasa (37 years by banzuke publication), especially amazing as his makuuchi debut was only at an age of 28 years.

Kirinowaka probably saved his juryo spot with the win against Koryu, his fifth consecutive win, and unexpectedly so after the 1-7 and 2-8 start. There are no clear cut demotions (except Tochinohana's intai of course) as Wakakoyu, Satoyama and Asofuji just have one win too few but still can hope for banzuke luck to stay. Along with the makushita results that's a big bunch of rikishi targeted for Ms1 and Ms2 on the next banzuke and some will be lucky and others will get a bad break.

Day 15

Juryo

Ms1e   Kyokunankai (5-2)   uwatenage	  J14e   Wakakoyu (7-8)
J12e   Satoyama (6-9)	  oshidashi	  Ms5e   Yoshiazuma (1-6)
J9e	Katayama (5-10)	 tsukiotoshi	Ms3e   Wakatenro (4-3)
J7w	Shunketsu (5-10)	tsukiotoshi	J11w   Kimurayama (6-9)
J7e	Mokonami (9-6)	  uwatedashinage J13w   Tamawashi (10-5)
J8w	Hakuba (11-4)	   okuridashi	 J6e	Ushiomaru (5-10)
J5w	Hoshihikari (9-6)   uwatenage	  J10e   Masatsukasa (8-7)
J4w	Otsukasa (9-6)	  okuridashi	 J11e   Kitataiki (8-7)
J4e	Kotokasuga (8-7)  shitatedashinage J5e	Hochiyama (7-8)
J3w	Hakurozan (8-7)	 uwatenage	  J9w	Shirononami (8-7)
J12w   Tochinoshin (12-3)  yorikiri	   J3e	Sakaizawa (9-6)
J8e	Kitazakura (10-5)   oshidashi	  J2w	Ryuo (8-7)
J10w   Asofuji (5-10)	  yorikiri	   J2e	Chiyohakuho (5-10)
J13e   Kirinowaka (7-8)	oshidashi	  J1w	Koryu (7-8)
J6w	Toyozakura (7-8)	fusen		  J1e	Kasuganishiki (4-11)

Makuuchi

M11e   Kakizoe (6-9)	   okuridashi	 M16w   Kaiho (8-7)
M10e   Wakanoho (10-5)	 yorikiri	   M11w   Kasugao (8-7)
M12w   Tosanoumi (5-10)	okuridashi	 M9w	Wakakirin (4-11)
M9e	Kokkai (9-6)		oshidashi	  M15e   Tochiozan (8-7)
M8w	Toyohibiki (6-9)	oshidashi	  M13w   Tamanoshima (3-12)
M7w	Homasho (4-11)	  yoritaoshi	 M15w   Yoshikaze (8-7)
M7e	Takekaze (12-3)	 oshidashi	  M16e   Ichihara (8-7)
M6w	Hokutoriki (7-8)	hatakikomi	 M10w   Kyokutenho (10-5)
M6e	Baruto (7-8)		uchimuso	   M12e   Futeno (8-7)
M14e   Takamisakari (8-7)  yorikiri	   M5e	Roho (7-8)

M4e	Wakanosato (7-8)	sukuinage	  M13e   Iwakiyama (9-6)
M2w	Miyabiyama (7-8)	oshidashi	  M3w	Tochinonada (5-10)
M2e	Toyonoshima (6-9)   oshidashi	  M3e	Goeido (5-10)
M1e	Kisenosato (10-5)   oshidashi	  M1w	Tokitenku (6-9)
M5w	Tamakasuga (4-11)   hikiotoshi	 K1w	Dejima (3-12)
K1e	Kotoshogiku (9-4-2) yorikiri	   M4w	Asasekiryu (10-5)
S1w	Ama (9-6)		   oshidashi	  M8e	Kakuryu (11-4)
O2w	Kotooshu (9-6)	  yorikiri	   O2e	Kaio (8-7)
O1w	Kotomitsuki (8-7)   yorikiri	   S1e	Aminishiki (5-10)
Y1e	Hakuho (14-1)	   uwatenage	  Y1w	Asashoryu (13-2)

List of Yusho

Makuuchi  Hakuho (6th)
Juryo	 Tochinoshin (1st)
Makushita Yamamotoyama
Sandanme  Terashita
Jonidan   Wakaryoma
Jonokuchi Ogata

List of Sansho

Gino-sho   Kakuryu (1st)
Shukun-sho Ama (3rd), Kisenosato (2nd)
Kanto-sho  Takekaze (1st)

[Mark Buckton 1]

Takekaze won his fifth straight while Kakuryu lost to Ama, making it one rikishi at each win count beyond ten wins. Both rikishi got a sansho, Ama and Kisenosato were the only rikishi with a win against the yokozuna and both got the shukun-sho for that.

You might be a little confused there - from the press box today - Ama got the shukun-sho 'partly' for beating Hakuho but it was not a given - he was confirmed as winning said prize only after Hak beat Asa.

[Doitsuyama 1,178]

Takekaze won his fifth straight while Kakuryu lost to Ama, making it one rikishi at each win count beyond ten wins. Both rikishi got a sansho, Ama and Kisenosato were the only rikishi with a win against the yokozuna and both got the shukun-sho for that.

You might be a little confused there - from the press box today - Ama got the shukun-sho 'partly' for beating Hakuho but it was not a given - he was confirmed as winning said prize only after Hak beat Asa.

Think again - without the win over the yokozuna both wouldn't have gotten the shukun-sho (I'm reasonably sure about that). If you'd read more carefully I never claimed that was the sufficient condition - but a necessary condition it was.

[Bealzbob 0]

Takekaze also should get a well-deserved promotion to get a komusubi debut next basho as Asasekiryu's record against sanyaku this basho is much worse than Takekaze's, 0-3 for Asasekiryu against 2-0 for Takekaze.

It will be interesting to see if this is how it plays out....

[Mark Buckton 1]

Takekaze won his fifth straight while Kakuryu lost to Ama, making it one rikishi at each win count beyond ten wins. Both rikishi got a sansho, Ama and Kisenosato were the only rikishi with a win against the yokozuna and both got the shukun-sho for that.

You might be a little confused there - from the press box today - Ama got the shukun-sho 'partly' for beating Hakuho but it was not a given - he was confirmed as winning said prize only after Hak beat Asa.

Think again - without the win over the yokozuna both wouldn't have gotten the shukun-sho (I'm reasonably sure about that). If you'd read more carefully I never claimed that was the sufficient condition - but a necessary condition it was.

ごめんなさい　－ I misunderstood the use of the words 'for that' - I thought you meant he got the sansho in question 'for beating the yokozuna' - didn't know 'for that' had a different meaning. Glad the officials here in Tokyo didn't make a mistake.

Edited January 27, 2008 by Mark Buckton

[Vikanohara 171]

Kirinowaka-Koryu was an interesting and really important bout, just as Roho-Takamisakari and of course the clash of the titans Hakuho-Asashoryu. And I liked all three of them ! Three very different bouts, but all quite balanced with some moments that could have turned out the other way.

Kirinowaka was close to losing several times, certainly here :

But probably managed to secure his stay in Juryo while Koryu missed his promotion because of it. How close can you (both of them) get ?

Takamisakari got turned around quickly by Roho, but Sakaizawa-like he managed to sneak out of this awkward situation and got his KK, while Roho had to sneak off with a MK.

And Asashoryu was able to lift Hakuho twice, but not enough to make a turn.

If only all days could have got suspense like on this final one ! (Dohyo-iri...)

[Azumashida 1]

And Asashoryu was able to lift Hakuho twice, but not enough to make a turn.

Goeido also lifted Toyonoshima a couple of times as far as I remember, so this fairly rare event (the tsuri guy eventually losing the bout) happened twice on the same day...

[Kaikitsune Makoto 206]

And Asashoryu was able to lift Hakuho twice, but not enough to make a turn.

Goeido also lifted Toyonoshima a couple of times as far as I remember, so this fairly rare event (the tsuri guy eventually losing the bout) happened twice on the same day...

This lifting thing from static posture like Shoryu did is nonsense and gives no advantage. Some basho ago (quite many) he did the exact same thing against Hakuho without any effect but some members immediately emerged saying "yaocho!" based on the fact that he lifted Hakuho and yet lost. Lifting an opponent is not that difficult, it is often nonsense and adds nothing. The things is to do it in the correct time. I am surprised that Shoryu did that like that. I don't understand what was his motive for that. He rarely does that even against weaker foes and certainly almost never without morozashi leverage. Maybe he was too worked up. Definitely a weird move. It is next to impossible to win by tsuriotoshi like that and doesn't even cause any shock effect as Hakuho just needed to wait for the landing and carry on with solid grip. Very odd to say the least. Goeido's loss from morozashi was very odd and showed he has a lot of things to work on despite his really mature sumo.

[Azumashida 1]

This lifting thing from static posture like Shoryu did is nonsense and gives no advantage. Some basho ago (quite many) he did the exact same thing against Hakuho without any effect but some members immediately emerged saying "yaocho!" based on the fact that he lifted Hakuho and yet lost. Lifting an opponent is not that difficult, it is often nonsense and adds nothing. The things is to do it in the correct time. I am surprised that Shoryu did that like that. I don't understand what was his motive for that. He rarely does that even against weaker foes and certainly almost never without morozashi leverage. Maybe he was too worked up. Definitely a weird move. It is next to impossible to win by tsuriotoshi like that and doesn't even cause any shock effect as Hakuho just needed to wait for the landing and carry on with solid grip. Very odd to say the least. Goeido's loss from morozashi was very odd and showed he has a lot of things to work on despite his really mature sumo.

It's true that especially in Shoryu's case it didn't make much sense. I interpreted it as though he wanted to affect Hakuho's morale during the bout, but obviously it had no impact whatsoever on Hakuho, and quite on the contrary showed the younger yokozuna that Shoryu was running out of ideas if anything... Goeido was a bit more in an attacking position when he started his tsuri move, but still he was so far from the tawara that spending so much energy for that didn't make much sense either.

As for Kirinowaka I'm delighted by his resistance and his very likely stay in juryo after such a bad start.

[Vikanohara 171]

I am surprised that Shoryu did that like that. I don't understand what was his motive for that. He rarely does that even against weaker foes and certainly almost never without morozashi leverage. Maybe he was too worked up. Definitely a weird move.

Well, to me it looked as if it was a defensive move. If Asa would have been able to lift up Hakuho ten centimeters higher (the second time), he could make a turn, getting from a defensive into an offensive position. Anyway, clear win for Hakuho. Best one won. But let us hope we'll get more fights like this between them. I think many people were looking forward to it, and if they can have several more historical battles, it can only be good for sumo.

[Asashosakari 19,093]

As for Kirinowaka I'm delighted by his resistance and his very likely stay in juryo after such a bad start.

Kirinowaka and Kitataiki combined for an 8-8 in the first week, and 7-7 in the second. Of course, their individual paths were somewhat different...

I think I agree with Doitsuyama on all promotion predictions...Takekaze for komusubi (one-and-done?), Sakaizawa, Otsukasa and Ryuo for makuuchi, and Kyokunankai, Hokutokuni, Tosayutaka, and Sagatsukasa for juryo. We'll see.

[Mark Buckton 1]

This lifting thing from static posture like Shoryu did is nonsense and gives no advantage.

If properly executed a lifted rikishi can be carried all the way across the ring in a flash (I saw it happen yesterday in the lower divisions) so the actual position where the lift occurs makes little difference.

I was with Fay, perhaps half a dozen or so rows from the dohyo at the end of makushita, and Sokokurai lost in this manner - it may have been him.

[Yangnomazuma 77]

J9e Katayama (5-10) tsukiotoshi Ms3e Wakatenro (4-3)

Big ugly fracking henka probably stopped Tenro getting back to juryo.

M10e Wakanoho (10-5) yorikiri M11w Kasugao (8-7)

Showing what he is capable of. Is the silence the sound of humble pie being eaten? (Jumping in ecstasy...)

I, for one, thought that Wakanoho showed some promise. When he wasn't trying to do silly sumo, he was pretty good. Like Kokkai early this basho, when he moves forward with a strong tachi-ai, there are few in the maegashira ranks that can stop his movement. He really should stop the henka and the jumping and focus on moving forward. I might actually begin to believe he has a future beyond Roho/Kokkai if he does.

[Kaikitsune Makoto 206]

This lifting thing from static posture like Shoryu did is nonsense and gives no advantage.

Thought of you when I saw it. Of course in a sense you are right as the lifter is at an immediate disadvantage upon set-down and often thrown as Asashoryu was yesterday (btw when was the last time he lost by getting "sand on his back"?...at least we can be sure that means no yaocho (Neener, neener...) ).

Of course a yokozuna or any other rikishi doesn't do it for no reason. If properly executed a lifted rikishi can be carried all the way across the ring in a flash (I saw it happen yesterday in the lower divisions) so the actual position where the lift occurs makes little difference. I lost that way to a guy 30 kilos lighter in training last year. It ain't nonsense and it does give an advantage (winning the bout), but it takes perfect timing and execution which is why many attempts fail.

The whole point is that Shoryu's attempt was against all odds and even probably contributed to his loss. Of course lifts have a role in sumo but important is what you are writing; timing is essential and in Shoryu's case the timing seemed very very strange. Maybe his reason was desperation. Hakuho was in charge with migi-yotsu firmly on and SHoryu already had to defend quite a lot in the bout earlier on. Kind of a "I have to try something" attempt. When Hakuho did his two-phase throw Shoryu had no chance to persevare anymore.

Kirishima executed some perfectly timed tsuris but one of the all time best tsuridashi was Tenho's over Shoryu. It was like lifting a child and gently putting him off the dohyo and all thanks to absolutely perfect timing. Shoryu was in great shape too back then and hardly ever has it looked so easy to beat him.