Grand Sumo News (November tournament Day 3 of 15):
West ozeki Asanoyama has withdrawn from the current Kyushu basho (still in Tokyo's Kokugikan because of the pandemic) because of a deltoid muscle injury to his right shoulder, and will be sidelined for approximately 4 weeks. This leaves only east ozeki Shodai—the Aki basho yusho winner—and east ozeki Takakeisho as the remaining highest-ranked rikishi participating in the current November basho (Shodai was promoted to ozeki as a result of his yusho, his first ever). Both yokozuna—Hakuho (east) and Kakuryu (west)—in the makunouchi have not played in September's Aki basho due to their injuries and are not expected not participated in the current basho before it's completed on the 22nd.
More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
*: Taped highlights are also broadcast on NHK-World everyday during the basho with multiple airings per day. Check your local cable/sat provider if they carry the channel, and if so, check your on-screen programming guide for exact times (search "Grand Sumo Highlights"); initial airing time for each day's highlights is at 12:30pm EST. There will also be a live (non-highlight) airing on the final day, Nov 22 (most likely beginning at 3:30am EST). Again, check your local listings for details. Also check: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nh...d/program/video/sumolive/
Grand Sumo November Tournament Day 4 (of 15) Update:
There are 7 leaders sharing a 4-0 record for the basho. Listed in ranking order (highest to lowest) are: Takakeisho, Terunofuji, Hokutofuji, Endo, Kotoeko, Chiyonokuni, and Shimanoumi.
Shin-ozeki Shodai has withdrawn from the basho due to an ankle injury. This will make things interesting as both he and west ozeki Asanoyama will have to get some wins in the January 2021 basho to keep their rankings, as well as both yokozuna, Hakuho (east) and Kakuryu (west), will have to participate to maintain their careers.
More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
*: Taped highlights are also broadcast on NHK-World everyday during the basho with multiple airings per day. Check your local cable/sat provider if they carry the channel, and if so, check your on-screen programming guide for exact times (search "Grand Sumo Highlights"); initial airing time for each day's highlights is at 12:30pm EST. There will also be a live (non-highlight) airing on the final day, Nov 22 (most likely beginning at 3:30am EST). Again, check your local listings for details. Also check: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/sumolive/
Location: i love how not saying dumb things on the internet was never an option. Joined: 09.29.2005
Nov 12 @ 7:33 PM ET
Grand Sumo November Tournament Day 4 (of 15) Update:
There are 7 leaders sharing a 4-0 record for the basho. Listed in ranking order (highest to lowest) are: Takakeisho, Terunofuji, Hokutofuji, Endo, Kotoeko, Chiyonokuni, and Shimanoumi.
Shin-ozeki Shodai has withdrawn from the basho due to an ankle injury. This will make things interesting as both he and west ozeki Asanoyama will have to get some wins in the January 2021 basho to keep their rankings, as well as both yokozuna, Hakuho (east) and Kakuryu (west), will have to participate to maintain their careers.
More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
*: Taped highlights are also broadcast on NHK-World everyday during the basho with multiple airings per day. Check your local cable/sat provider if they carry the channel, and if so, check your on-screen programming guide for exact times (search "Grand Sumo Highlights"); initial airing time for each day's highlights is at 12:30pm EST. There will also be a live (non-highlight) airing on the final day, Nov 22 (most likely beginning at 3:30am EST). Again, check your local listings for details. Also check: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/sumolive/ - Bendecko
SumoBuzz: Grand Sumo November Tournament Day 5 (of 15) Update:
The leaders are now down to 4 sekitori, sharing a 5-0 record for the basho. Listed in ranking order (highest to lowest) are: Takakeisho, Terunofuji, Chiyonokuni, and Shimanoumi.
The highlight of Day 5 was a match of two Day 4 leaders, Terunofuji and Hokutofuji (both 4-0 after Day 4). Terunofuji won the bout with a powerful uwatenage (over arm throw) kimarite that completely lifted the 162 kg (357 lb) Hokutofuji off the dohyo and tossed him aside like a sack of garbage. Take a look (Terunofuji on the left, Hokutofuji on the right):
All of the Day 5 highlights can be viewed here, but the play-by-play is in Japanese, not in English (as is the NHK-World highlights broadcast).
A surprise showing in the basho is the undefeated co-leader Shimanoumi, who started at the bottom of the banzuke as an east maegashira #17. He defeats west maegashira #14 Kotonowaka (who now falls to 3-2 in the basho after Day 5) with a yorikiri (frontal force out) kimarite; a comeback win after Kotonowaka started strong from the tachiai. Their bout starts at 0:47 in the highlights video.
Another bright spot is west maegashira #14 Chiyonokuni, who was recently promoted back into the makunouchi from the juryo after overcoming a number of injuries that has been a significant career set-back. He too remains undefeated after winning his Day 4 bout with east maegashira #11 Sadanoumi (who is now a disappointing 1-4 in the basho after Day 5) with a hatakikomi (slap down) kimarite. Their bout starts at 6:20 in the highlights video.
Bouts to watch for on Day 6:
• East ozeki Takakeisho (5-0) versus west maegashira #3 Kagayaki (2-3): Kagayaki has a 4-2 career advantage over the basho's top-ranking co-leader.
• East maegashira #4 Hokutofuji (4-1) versus west sekiwake Takanosho (3-2): Can Hokutofuji work his way back to the basho leaderboard? He does hold a 2-0 career advantage over Takanosho.
• East maegashira #6 Takarafuji (4-1) versus west maegashira #4 Tobizaru (1-4): After an excellent makunouchi debut in the September basho, can Tobizaru come out of his apparent sophomore slump? This will be a first time meeting between him and Takarafuji.
• East maegashira #7 Endo (4-1) versus west maegashira #5 Kotoshoho (2-3): Another first-time matchup between rikishi. Can Endo make a go for the leaderboard (and the yusho)? Despite the one-match loss, his sumo is the best I've seen from him this basho. He's also in excellent shape.
More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
*: Taped highlights are also broadcast on NHK-World everyday during the basho with multiple airings per day. Check your local cable/sat provider if they carry the channel, and if so, check your on-screen programming guide for exact times (search "Grand Sumo Highlights"); initial airing time for each day's highlights is at 12:30pm EST. There will also be a live (non-highlight) airing on the final day, Nov 22 (most likely beginning at 3:30am EST). Again, check your local listings for details. Also check: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/sumolive/
SumoBuzz: Grand Sumo November Tournament Day 6 (of 15) Update:
The leaders are now down to 3 rikishi, sharing a 6-0 record for the basho. Listed in ranking order (highest to lowest) are: Takakeisho, Terunofuji, and Chiyonokuni.
Runner's up at 5-1 are: Shimanoumi, Ryuden, and Takarafuji. (And a bunch more at 4-2...)
Poor diminutive Enho. Looks like he'll be the first to reach makekoshi, and will soon be demoted to the juryo division if he can't find his sumo in a hurry and get some wins.
2) Tochinoshin versus Kotoeko
This was the most spirited torikumi of the day. When he was in his prime as a former ozeki (and champion of the 2018 Hatsu basho), Tochinoshin, who hails from Georgia, would have made quick work of his opponent with the powerful tachiai of his that we see here. Kudos to Kotoeko for making it a battle, but in the end, despite the past injury struggles and demotions signaling the twilight of his career, Tochinoshin finds a little more extra power in his sumo to finish him off with an uwatenage.
3) Terunofuji versus Kiribayama
It's a quick one, and Kiribayama shouldn't have done what he did—let Terunofuji get the outside grip of the mawashi with both hands. But it's always enjoyable to see a yorikiri so pronounced that the losing rikishi is literally carried out of the dohyo by the victor.
Now we'll finally starting to see the yusho race heat-up...
3 torikumi I'm looking forward to watching for on Day 7 (matches are listed as east versus west):
• Terunofuji versus Wakatakakage
• Hoshoryu versus Chiyonokuni
• Takakeisho versus Okinoumi
In other sumo news, former ozeki Kotoshogiku has decided to retire after a 1-5 start down in the juryo ranks, according to Tachiai.org.
More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
*: Taped highlights are also broadcast on NHK-World everyday during the basho with multiple airings per day. Check your local cable/sat provider if they carry the channel, and if so, check your on-screen programming guide for exact times (search "Grand Sumo Highlights"); initial airing time for each day's highlights is at 12:30pm EST. There will also be a live (non-highlight) airing on the final day, Nov 22 (most likely beginning at 3:30am EST). Again, check your local listings for details. Also check: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/sumolive/
SumoBuzz: Grand Sumo November Tournament Day 7 (of 15) Update: PROGRAMMING ALERT: NHK-World Japan will be airing live sumo for Nakabi/Day 8 (tournament mid-point). Airtime is Sunday 11/15 at 3:10am EST for 50min. Check your local provider for channel number. For details of the live sumo coverage, go here: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/qa/ Meanwhile, Takakeisho and Terunofuji remain the only remaining unbeaten rikishi (at 7-0). Takarafuji, Chiyonokuni, Shimanoumi are runner's up at 6-1.
Highlights video (play-by-play calling is in English). The 3 entertaining matches of Day 7 for me:
This was definitely a crowd-pleaser. The bout could have went either way. Both rikikshi battled it out and each flirted with getting taken-out by the other a couple of times. Daieisho get his 200th victory in the makunouchi.
2) Terunofuji versus Wakatakakage
The co-leader of the basho almost wasn't the co-leader in this one. Great comeback rally to get the win.
Torikumi I'm looking forward to watching for on Nakabi/Day 8:
• Co-leaders Takakeisho and Terunofuji (7-0) both take on opponents with 4-3 records: Hokutofuji and Daieisho, respectively.
• Takarafuji (6-1) versus Kotoeko (5-2), Chiyonokuni (6-1) versus Endo (4-3), Shimanoumi (6-1) versus Chiyomaru (5-2)
• Ryuden (5-2) versus Chiyotairyu (5-2), Tokushoryu (4-3) versus Tamawashi (5-2), Tochinoshin (4-3) versus Meisei (4-3) Day 6 highlights (in English) are now available for viewing at: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/tournament/202011/day6.html More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
*: Taped highlights are also broadcast on NHK-World everyday during the basho with multiple airings per day. Check your local cable/sat provider if they carry the channel, and if so, check your on-screen programming guide for exact times (search "Grand Sumo Highlights"); initial airing time for each day's highlights is at 12:30pm EST. There will also be a live (non-highlight) airing on the final day, Nov 22 (most likely beginning at 3:30am EST). Again, check your local listings for details. Also check: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/sumolive/
Takakeisho takes the sole place as leader, getting his kachikoshi and remaining the only unbeaten sekitori at the basho. Terunofuji, Takarafuji, and Shimanoumi in the yusho race at 7-1.
Shimanoumi almost had Chiyomaru beat a couple of times, including almost pushing out the latter, but the big guy found a way to stay in for a little while. Unfortunately, the big guy soon got tired, letting Shimanoumi finally get the win with a Yorikiri. An entertaining bout, nonetheless
Day 7 highlights (in English) are now available for viewing at: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/tournament/202011/day7.html Programming Note: It looks like live coverage of the upcoming final day of the November basho on 11/22 will be broadcast on NHK-World Japan at 2:30am EST. My on-screen guide is saying that it's the "July" tournament, but that appears to be in error. Check you local listings for details, and check with your cable/satellite provider for channel number assignment. More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
*: Taped highlights are also broadcast on NHK-World everyday during the basho with multiple airings per day. Check your local cable/sat provider if they carry the channel, and if so, check your on-screen programming guide for exact times (search "Grand Sumo Highlights"); initial airing time for each day's highlights is at 12:30pm EST. There will also be a live (non-highlight) airing on the final day, Nov 22 (most likely beginning at 2:30am EST). Again, check your local listings for details. Also check: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/sumolive/
Stunning upset today! There are now no unbeaten sekitori left in the basho, so Takakeisho gives up his sole leadership. Takarafuji and Shimanoumi improve their records to 8-1 to share the lead with the only remaining ozeki (and highest ranked rikishi since both yokozuna are also out). Terunofuji, Ryuden, and Chiyonokuni are just behind at 7-2.
What a huge upset by Tobizaru. What a good oshi battle by both, but the young rikishi stood his ground against the big ozeki and got the win by hatakikomi (slap down).
2) Takarafuji versus Okinoumi (disregard the video title below; Takarafuji starts on the left)
Great comeback win at the end with the tsukiotoshi (thrust down) for Takarafuji when Okinoumi had him on the edge. Again, it's great to see a rikishi use the tawara not only to prevent a defeat, but to turn things around for the victory.
A crowd pleaser and a bit of wonderment at the end. The NHK-World announcer was guessing if there would be a mono-ii, but the replay here shows Hoshoryu's head hitting the dirt just before Kotonowaka's left hand resulting in a sukuinage (beltless arm throw) win for the latter. So a good call by the gyoji. Day 10 Preview: http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/torikumi/1/10/
Some of the matches I'm looking forward to on Day 10:
• Terunofuji (7-2) versus Tobizaru (3-6)
• Chiyonokuni (7-2) versus Shimanoumi (8-1)
• Okinoumi (5-4) versus Daieisho (6-3) Day 8 highlights (in English) are now available for viewing at: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/tournament/202011/day8.html Programming Note: It looks like live coverage of the upcoming final day of the November basho on 11/22 will be broadcast on NHK-World Japan at 2:30am EST. My on-screen guide is saying that it's the "July" tournament, but that appears to be in error. Check you local listings for details, and check with your cable/satellite provider for channel number assignment. More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
*: Taped highlights are also broadcast on NHK-World everyday during the basho with multiple airings per day. Check your local cable/sat provider if they carry the channel, and if so, check your on-screen programming guide for exact times (search "Grand Sumo Highlights"); initial airing time for each day's highlights is at 12:30pm EST. There will also be a live (non-highlight) airing on the final day, Nov 22 (most likely beginning at 2:30am EST). Again, check your local listings for details. Also check: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/sumolive/
Co-leaders at 9-1: Takakeisho and Shimanoumi; Runners-up at 8-2: Terunofuji, Takarafuji, and Ryuden.
Kachikoshi (winning record for the basho): All above co-leaders and runners-up.
Makekoshi (losing record for the basho): Wakatakakage, Terutsuyoshi, Enho, Sadanoumi, and Kiribayama.
What can I say? This was a nice long battle. Both rikishi were locked in an extra long stalemate. Hokutofuji was really winded, and with the crowd all hushed, his heavy breathing was all that could be heard (besides the gyoji urging them to get out of the stalemate). After a few minutes, Takarafuji makes a move to throw Hokutofuji out of the dohyo, but the latter takes the former with him. It seems that Hokutofuji might have landed last, but a monoii is called with the gyoji and shimpan, and a rematch is called. So these big rikishi, despite being winded from a long match already, managed to make the rematch another battle like the first. This time, however, Hokutofuji brushes aside Takarafuji's attack and manages to push the latter out of the dohyo—a win by oshidashi.
2) Terunofuji v Tobizaru
Not good sumo by Tobizaru. He lets Terunofuji immediately get a double outside grip on him, locking his arms up. With the size disadvantage, Terunofuji simply lifts Tobizaru off his feet and out of the dohyo—a tsuridashi win, and kachikoshi for the komusubi.
3) Chiyotairyu v Enho (disregard the video title below; Chiyotairyu starts on the left)
OK. This was a quick one. But an interesting one for the Mexican standoff at the tachiai (or rather in place of it). Even the gyoji was surprised. But the attack soon commenced. Without any resistance by Chiyotairyu, Enho quickly manages to hook his left hand onto his opponent's shoulder and pull him down to the dirt—tsukiotoshi, and two wins in a row by the diminutive Enho. He'll need at least three more to avoid demotion. Four would be better.
Honorable mention goes to Aoiyama v Kaisei (the Bulgarian v Brazilian). Mainly because of the odd start. Both hesitated at the tachiai, each thinking that there was a matta (false start) by the other. However, according to the rules, since there was already contact, the gyoji rightly told them to keep going. So it was a false matta, if you will. Kaisei got the win by yorikiri. Day 11 Preview:
• https://tachiai.org/2020/11/17/tokyo-november-day-11-preview/
• http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/torikumi/1/11/
Some of the matches I'm looking forward to on Day 11:
• The co-leaders: Takakeisho (9-1) v Kotoshoho (6-4) and Hoshoryu (6-4) v Shimanoumi (9-1)
• Takarafuji (8-2) v Ryuden (8-2): The loser will fall-back farther from the yusho race with the outcome of this match.
• Terunofuji (8-2) v Myogiryu (3-7): Can the komusubi also make any headway in the yusho race?
• Tamawashi (6-4) v Daieisho (7-3), and Chiyonokuni (7-3) v Meisei (5-5): Can Daieisho and Chiyonokuni make kashikoshi? Day 9 highlights (in English) are now available for viewing at: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/tournament/202011/day9.html Programming Note: It looks like live coverage of the upcoming final day of the November basho on 11/22 will be broadcast on NHK-World Japan at 2:30am EST. My on-screen guide is saying that it's the "July" tournament, but that appears to be in error. Check you local listings for details, and check with your cable/satellite provider for channel number assignment. More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
*: Taped highlights are also broadcast on NHK-World everyday during the basho with multiple airings per day. Check your local cable/sat provider if they carry the channel, and if so, check your on-screen programming guide for exact times (search "Grand Sumo Highlights"); initial airing time for each day's highlights is at 12:30pm EST. There will also be a live (non-highlight) airing on the final day, Nov 22 (most likely beginning at 2:30am EST). Again, check your local listings for details. Also check: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/sumolive/
Co-leaders at 10-1: Takakeisho and Shimanoumi; Runners-up at 9-2: Terunofuji and Ryuden.
Kachikoshi (basho winning record): All above co-leaders and runners-up; plus: Daieisho and Takarafuji, both at 8-3
Makekoshi (basho losing record): At 3-8: Myogiryu, Wakatakakage, Terutsuyoshi, and Sadanoumi; Enho (2-9) and Kiribayama (1-10).
This was a good back and forth battle, and it was much evident that both rikishi don't want to lose it (and lose ground in the yusho race). In the end, Takarafuji must have got exhausted (remember he had that long and tiring "double-match" with Hokutofuji yesterday/Day 10), allowing Ryuden to finally get a lock on his left elbow, turn him around, and get the win with the okuritaoshi (rear push down). Ryuden knocks Takarafuji off the leader board and himself stays just one win behind the leaders at 9-2.
2) Hokutofuji v Endo (NHK World's First "Bout of the Day")
Just like Day 10's "double-match" with Takarafuji, this was another marathon match for Hokutofuji, including another period of stalemate where both he and Endo try to catch their breath. Again Hokutofuji finds a little extra reserve strength to outlast his opponent, besting Endo with a tsukiotoshi (thrust down). He improves to 7-4, so one win away from a kachikoshi.
3) Takakeisho v Kotoshoho (NHK World's Final "Bout of the Day")
This was a first-time meeting between the two. This looked like an easy one for Takakeisho. However, he actually had his work cut out for him, as Kotoshoho had the better tachiai. (Statistically about 80% of all matches outcomes are determined at the tachiai, with the rikishi who "wins" the tachiai having the better odds at winning the torikumi.) Both rikishi got into an oshi battle, with Kotoshoho standing up to Takakeisho's tsuppari. However, Kotosho got over-eager/distracted that he wasn't prepared for that side-step by the ozeki at the end. Takakeisho gets the win with a tsukiotoshi (thrust down) and improves to 10-1, staying in the co-lead with Shimanoumi. In other sumo news, former komusubi Gagamaru, has also announced his retirement (in addition to the previously mentioned Kotoshogiku). Despite not competing since January 2020, he was a popular rikishi in his own right, being only the third rikishi from Georgia to compete in the makuuchi division after Kokkai and Tochinoshin:
• https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20201117/p2g/00m/0sp/131000c
• https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2020/11/18/sumo/kotoshogiku-gagamaru-retire/ Day 12 Preview: http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/torikumi/1/11/
Some of the matches I'm looking forward to on Day 12:
• Ryuden (9-2) v Shimanoumi (10-1)
• Takakeisho (10-1) v Takarafuji (8-3)
• Mitakeumi (6-5) v Terunofuji (9-2)
(The above are all the leaders for the yusho race, obviously, and I think the Ryuden v Shimanoumi will be the best of them.)
• Daieisho (8-3) v Takayasu (6-5): Daieisho not only just made kachikoshi on Day 11, he's on a 5 match winning-streak. Can he keep it up? Day 10 highlights (in English) are now available for viewing at: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/tournament/202011/day10.html Programming Note: It looks like live coverage of the upcoming final day of the November basho on 11/22 will be broadcast on NHK-World Japan at 2:30am EST. My on-screen guide is saying that it's the "July" tournament, but that appears to be in error. Check you local listings for details, and check with your cable/satellite provider for channel number assignment. More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
*: Taped highlights are also broadcast on NHK-World everyday during the basho with multiple airings per day. Check your local cable/sat provider if they carry the channel, and if so, check your on-screen programming guide for exact times (search "Grand Sumo Highlights"); initial airing time for each day's highlights is at 12:30pm EST. There will also be a live (non-highlight) airing on the final day, Nov 22 (most likely beginning at 2:30am EST). Again, check your local listings for details. Also check: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/sumolive/
A quick look at the leaderboard for the yusho:
• Takakeisho and Shimanoumi are still co-leaders, improving to 11-1.
• Runner-up Terunofuji improves to 10-2.
• Ryuden is now at 9-3, but still in the hunt for now.
Kachikoshi (basho winning record):
• All above on the yusho leaderboard
• Four at 8-4: Takarafuji, Daieisho, Hokutofuji, and Chiyonokuni (juryo #4)
Makekoshi (basho losing record):
• Five at 4-8: Chiyonoo (juryo #1), Aoiyama, Yutakayama, Tobizaru, Wakatakakage
• Three at 3-9: Terutsuyoshi, Myogiryu, and Sadanoumi
• Kiribayama and Enho both now at 2-10.
Official leader list (as of Day 12), including their current rankings and heya (stables): http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/leaders/ The 3 entertaining matches of Day 12 for me:
1) Ryuden v Shimanoumi (NHK World's First "Bout of the Day")
Excellent sumo in this one by Shimanoumi. Ryuden wanted a left-hand inside grip on him, but Shimanoumi was able to keep breaking it off—good defensive sumo here. In turn, Shimanoumi wanted to get his dominant right-handed grip on Ryuden's mawashi. But he couldn't get into position as he tries to raise himself up against Ryuden with ottsuke. So Shimanoumi goes to a left-hand inside grip to execute the winning move: a sh¡tatedashinage (pulling underarm throw). Shimanoumi stays in the lead he shares with Takakeisho, while Ryuden falls one behind runner-up Terunofuji.
2) (Actually got a double-header in a tie for this spot):
Another crowd pleaser, including Terutsuyoshi's trademark pre-match salt throw. Terutsuyoshi had a good tachiai, but Hoshoryu recovers and slams right back into Terutsuyoshi, pushing him to the dohyo's edge, and then down. Hoshoryu wins with a rare abisetaoshi (backward force down) looking Hoshoryu's facial expression at the end, you can see he felt good about his sumo today.
This was a first-time meeting for the two rikishi. Both went into the match with a 6-5 record, and both are the same age. Interestingly, Akua is known to normally be an oshi guy but lately he's been going to the mawashi in most of his matches so far this basho. This time he quickly gets a left-hand inside grip on Endo's belt and uses that to execute a yoritaoshi (frontal crush out) for the win. And look at that flare with his little celebratory gesture immediately afterward. That's the closest thing to a fist pump we'll ever see in professional sumo. Endo had that wry smile after returning to the dohyo for the gyoji's announcement of the winner. I can only imagine that he was also wondering what Akua was up to in terms of Akua's ambiguous style of sumo of late, as he was face down when Akua had that little celebration at the end. Akua now goes to 7-5, so he's one win away from kachikoshi.
3) Daieisho v Takayasu (disregard the video title below; Daieisho starts on the left)
Both of these guys have been doing some good sumo of late. Daieisho starts out with a good shoving tachiai, but Takayasu turns it right around with a fast thrust attack. Takayasu keeps going to Daieisho's throat, forcing Daieisho to go on the defensive by running backwards. Takayasu finally has enough of that, steps to Daieisho's side as the latter moves back, and gets Daieisho down to the clay with a hatakikomi (slap down) for the win. Takayasu goes to 7-5 and one win from a kachikoshi. Meanwhile, Daieisho, already with his kachikoshi at 8-4, is now 3-9 for all time against Takayasu. Day 13 Preview:
• https://tachiai.org/2020/11/19/tokyo-november-day-13-preview/
• http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/torikumi/1/13/
Some of the matches I'm looking forward to on Day 13:
• Takakeisho (11-1) v Shimanoumi (11-1): YES! Finally a meeting of co-leaders as the top match. This may be the one that determines the winner of the basho (and yusho) this Sunday.
• Terunofuji (10-2) v Ryuden (9-3): If Ryuden wins, he knows he'll stay in third place, but at least he knows Terunofuji will also be in third place (with the top match loser becoming the lone rikishi in 2nd place). Terunofuji can't gain ground on the winner of the top match but if he wins he know's he'll still be in the runner-up spot, albeit with the loser of the co-leader top match (whose match is the last for the day). This will be their first ever meeting.
• Takarafuji (8-4) v Daieisho (8-4): See it? With equal records going into the match, the loser of this one will be knocked out of the yusho race. Not only that, but there are two other rikishi at 8-4: Hokutofuji and Chiyonokuni, each facing Tokushoryu (7-5) and Yutakayama (4-8), respectively. The 9-4 basho record could become a crowded one after tomorrow. Day 11 highlights (in English) are now available for viewing at: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/tournament/202011/day11.html Programming Note: It looks like live coverage of the upcoming final day of the November basho on 11/22 will be broadcast on NHK-World Japan at 2:30am EST. My on-screen guide is saying that it's the "July" tournament, but that appears to be in error. Check you local listings for details, and check with your cable/satellite provider for channel number assignment. More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
*: Taped highlights are also broadcast on NHK-World everyday during the basho with multiple airings per day. Check your local cable/sat provider if they carry the channel, and if so, check your on-screen programming guide for exact times (search "Grand Sumo Highlights"); initial airing time for each day's highlights is at 12:30pm EST. There will also be a live (non-highlight) airing on the final day, Nov 22 (most likely beginning at 2:30am EST). Again, check your local listings for details. Also check: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/sumolive/
A quick look at the yusho leaderboard:
• Takakeisho in the sole lead at 12-1.
• Terunofuji and Shimanoumi still the hunt at 11-2.
• All the other sekitori are eliminated. They will fight for their final record/position in the basho which will affect promotion/demotion (with the banzuke for the January 2021 basho). They will also battle for pride.
Before moving on, this best explains how yusho race will play out for the final two days of the basho:
And then there were 3. Ozeki Takakeisho is the sole leader at 12-1. One win back are the man he defeated today, M17 Shimanoumi, and the man we thought would be his main challenger, Komusubi Terunofuji. The chasers are matched up tomorrow, while the leader will face ailing Sekiwake Mitakeumi (6-7), who’ll be trying to play spoiler while avoiding make-koshi. A win by the Ozeki will ensure at least a playoff spot for him and eliminate the loser of the Terunofuji-Shimanoumi bout. Should Takakeisho lose and Terunofuji win, the final bout of the tournament between the two will be for all the marbles. If we get two upsets tomorrow, all three men will stay in contention going into Day 15, with a 3-way playoff in the cards, and Shimanoumi's uncertain senshuraku opponent (one of the Sekiwake? Takayasu? Daieisho? Hokutofuji?) would have a lot to say about the final outcome.
Kachikoshi (basho winning record):
• All above on the yusho leaderboard
• Four at 9-4: Ryuden, Takarafuji, Hokutofuji, and Chiyonokuni
• Four at 8-5: Daieisho, Chiyotairyu, Meisei, and Chiyomaru (juryo #4)
Makekoshi (basho losing record):
• Five at 5-8: Aoiyama, Tobizaru, Okinoumi, Kagayaki, and Wakatakakage
• Two at 4-9: Yutakayama and Sadanoumi
• Three at 3-10: Terutsuyoshi, Myogiryu, and Kiribayama
• Enho the sole rikishi at 2-11
Official leader list (as of Day 13), including their current rankings and heya (stables): http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/leaders/ The Today there were four entertaining matches of Day 13 for me. I'll list them from least to most significant in terms of the yusho race:
This one really has no bearing on the yusho, I just included it because it was fun match to watch, particularly for the kimarite used to win the match by Tobizaru. He started with a good tachiai, coming in neither too high or too low. There was a tsuppari battle in the beginning and Tobizaru tries to pull Takayasu down. Takayasu stays on his feet and locks Tobizaru's arms. What is Tobizaru going to do? He tries to get on Takayasu's mawashi, but to no avail. He somehow is able to separate from Takayasu and they both go back to some oshi, where Tobizaru tries to sweep Takayasu's feet twice—the second time being the charm, with a slight pull-down on Takayasu's upper arms. So it's a hardly seen kekaeshi (minor inner foot sweep) to give the win to 5-8. He's not having a good sophomore effort in the makuuchi this basho but The Flying Monkey still fun to watch. Meanwhile, Takayasu, who finishes the day at 7-6, will have to wait another day to get his kachikoshi.
This is another that really has no bearing on the yusho race. It's just great because it's a sekiwake showdown! And one where they go into the match both at 6-6. So it was an important one for both of them as the winner likely get's to keep his rank while the loser will probably drop down to komusubi. Both start with a nice hard tachiai, but Takanosho gets the edge by coming in low and inside and quickly raising the upper body of Mitakeumi. This leaves Mitakeumi without answer. Takanosho takes it from there, using that inside advantage to quickly push Mitakeumi down and out. Mitakeumi gets manhandled by the shin-sekiwake (junior). Takanosho with some fine sumo to get the personally important win by opoopaoshi (frontal push down).
3) Terunofuji v Ryuden (The second-most important match today and NHK World's "First Bout of the Day")
A first time meeting between the two, this one was important because it was an elimination match, thee loser becoming unable to win the yusho. We start by seeing Ryuden continue his weird "twerking" as he got set for the tachiai. Although Terunofuji has the tachiai advantage, he comes in a bit too high, allowing Ryuden to make it interesting by absorbing Terunofuji's hard hit and get some advantage with an inside position. But Terunofuji quickly gets a strong right-hand outside grip on his opponent's mawashi. In turn, Ryuden gets a left-hand inside grip on Terunofuji's mawashi, but it's already too late, as the The Kaiju Komusubi has turned the match into an upper body battle at that point, something that Terunofuji will dominate each and every time, in spite of his bad knees. He pushes Ryuden back and thrusts him over the edge of the dohyo for the oshidashi (frontal push out) win. Ryuden gets eliminated from the yusho race.
4) Takakeisho v Shimanoumi (The final match of the day was the most important match of the day, thus it was also NHK World's "Final Bout of the Day")
This was no doubt perhaps the bout of the basho, and it was an interesting one. To begin, note that this was a meeting between the highest and lowest ranked top-division rikishi currently in the basho. Shimanoumi is at the bottom of the makuuchi as a maegashira #17. Now they did meet once before, four years ago in the juryo division, with Takakeisho winning. This was quite an oshi battle despite its brevity. Takakeisho had the tachiai, coming in low and executing some nice rhythmic tsuppari while thrusting to push back his opponent. Shimanoumi rallies with some tsuppari and thrusting of his own, enough to get Takakeisho going backwards for a bit. They continue to go back-and-forth a little bit until Takakeisho has had enough and steps to the side. Shimanoumi overextends himself one final time and steps out with a little helpful push from Takakeisho, who wins by oshidashi (frontal push out). It was a good effort by Shimanoumi, battling with some speed, but Takakeisho found a way to dial it up another notch and come up huge. He wasn't even bothered by his bloody nose during the post match ceremony (which has been somewhat of an odd reoccurrence with many of the rikishi in this basho). Anyway, I believe that the Emperor's Cup is now Takakeisho's to lose. Day 14 Preview:
• http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/torikumi/1/14/
• (https://tachiai.org/2020/11/20/november-storylines-day-13/)
The matches to watch on Day 14 are obvious (as mentioned in the block-quoted text):
• Terunofuji (11-2) v Shimanoumi (11-2)
• Takakeisho (12-1) v Mitakeumi (6-7)
Two others to watch:
• Ryuden (9-4) v Daieisho (8-5)
• Onosho (6-7) v Hokutofuji (9-4)
The joi-jin maegashira Daieisho and Hokutofuji will be looking to win their remaining matches for promotion to the lower san'yaku (komusubi). Day 12 highlights (in English) are now available for viewing at: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/tournament/202011/day12.html Programming Note: It looks like live coverage of the upcoming final day of the November basho on 11/22 will be broadcast on NHK-World Japan at 2:30am EST. My on-screen guide is saying that it's the "July" tournament, but that appears to be in error. Check you local listings for details, and check with your cable/satellite provider for channel number assignment. More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
*: Taped highlights are also broadcast on NHK-World everyday during the basho with multiple airings per day. Check your local cable/sat provider if they carry the channel, and if so, check your on-screen programming guide for exact times (search "Grand Sumo Highlights"); initial airing time for each day's highlights is at 12:30pm EST. There will also be a live (non-highlight) airing on the final day, Nov 22 (most likely beginning at 2:30am EST). Again, check your local listings for details. Also check: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/sumolive/
SumoBuzz: Grand Sumo November Tournament Day 14 (of 15) Update:
Konnichiwa! And welcome to the penultimate day of the yusho battle. Tomorrow will be the final day of the final basho of 2020 and we will find out who will be the Emperor's Cup winner. Let's get to it...
A quick look at the yusho leaderboard:
• Takakeisho in the sole lead at 13-1.
• Terunofuji is behind at 12-2.
( All the other sekitori are eliminated. They will fight for their final record/position in the basho which will affect promotion/demotion (with the banzuke for the January 2021 basho). They will also battle for pride.)
The Yusho Battle:
The above leaderboard sekitori will meet on the final day as the last scheduled match of the day. If Takakeisho wins, he then wins the yusho as the Emperor's Cup Champion. If Terunofuji wins, he forces a playoff match to determine the yusho winner.
For more regarding the other basho storylines going into the final day: https://tachiai.org/2020/11/21/november-storylines-day-14/ Programming Note: Live coverage of the Final Day of the November basho will be broadcast today on NHK-World Japan at 2:30am EST (4:30pm Japan Standard Time). Check you local listings for details or search your on-screen guide for "LIVE GRAND SUMO WRESTLING", and check with your cable/satellite provider for channel number assignment. (My own on-screen guide is saying that it's the "July" tournament, but that definitely is in error.) More Day 14 results:
Kachikoshi (basho winning record) for the makuuchi:
• All above on the yusho leaderboard
• Shimanoumi at 11-3
• Hokutofuji at 10-4
• Five at 9-5: Daieisho, Takarafuji, Ryuden, Chiyonokuni, and Chiyotairyu
• Eight at 8-6: Takanosho, Kotoshoho, Tamawashi, Tochinoshin, Tokushoryu, Meisei, Akua, and Chiyoshoma
Makekoshi (basho losing record) for the makuuchi:
• Six at 6-8: Kaisei, Kotoeko, Tobizaru, Onosho, Wakatakakage, and Mitakeumi
• Four at 5-9: Yutakayama, Aoiyama, Kagayaki, and Okinoumi
• Three at 4-10: Sadanoumi, Terutsuyoshi, and Myogiryu
• Kiribayama at 3-11
• Enho at 2-12
This was a fun one because it was a battle of the smallest rikishi in the makuuchi. And while these guys are small by sumo standards, they are feisty. Enho's tachiai looked promising because he got inside position on Terutsuyoshi, but he wasn't able to turn it into any offense. Terutsuyoshi soon takes care of Enho with a beautiful kimarite, a sotokomata (under thigh scooping body drop), for the win. This kimarite is extremely rare. Today was the first time it's been used in the makuuchi for 15 years. It sure made the crowd excited. Meanwhile, Enho is sure to be demoted back down to juryo. Which is a shame, because when he's on it, his sumo is fun to watch. Unfortunately, NHK World doesn't air the juryo division matches—only the makuuchi. So I'll have to now seek Enho's out online.
2) Terunofuji v Shimanoumi (NHK World's First "Bout of the Day")
This match (along with #3 below) was the biggest one of the day. The reason? The winner remains in yusho race, and the loser is out. This is their first meeting in makuuchi. They met twice before in juryo, and Shimanoumi won both matches. Terunofuji gets a strong right-hand inside grip immediately at the tachiai. Shimanoumi resists by staying low with some good defensive sumo through ottsuke with his left hand into Terunofuji's right armpit. But Terunofuji also stays low and keeps his aggressive attack up, forcing Shimanoumi to circle away while back-pedaling, unable to get any offense going of his own. Terunofuji soon gets a left-hand inside grip on Shimanoumi's mawashi. And that's The Kaiju's lethal weapon. He proceeds to get even lower, buries his head into his opponent's chest, and quickly finishes-off Shimanoumi with a yorikiri (frontal force out). So Shimanoumi not only suffers back-to-back losses, he gets elimination from the yusho race. Meanwhile, The Kaiju is on a five-win streak and will face Takakeisho tomorrow to battle for the yusho win.
3) Takakeisho v Mitakeumi (NHK World's Final "Bout of the Day")
These two are all time 8-8 against each other before today but Takakeisho is 4-1 for the last five matches. After this one he made it 5-0 for the last five matches. It's all Takakeisho from the start to finish, blowing Mitakeumi away with a tsukidashi (frontal thrust out). He will battle Terunofuji tomorrow for the Emperor's cup. If he wins their scheduled match, it's his—otherwise they'll go the extra playoff match to settle it. Like The Kaiju, Takakeisho is also on a five-win streak. Meanwhile, Mitakeumi will not keep his Sekiwake ranking, and will have to fight to stay in the san'yaku as a komusubi. Final Day Preview:
• http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/torikumi/1/15/
• (https://tachiai.org/2020/11/21/november-storylines-day-14/)
As mentioned the above, the yusho fight is Final Day match to watch:
(East) Ozeki Takakeisho (13-1) v (West) Komusubi Terunofuji (12-2); the last scheduled match of the day.
Other Final Day matches to watch regarding the san'yaku ranks (East v West):
• There'll be a battle for komusubi with these two matches: Mitakeumi v Takarafuji, and Tamawashi v Takayasu. If they win their respective matches, Mitakeumi and Takayasu will be ranked at komusubi (a demotion for the former and promotion for the latter), but will drop down to the maegashira if they lose.
• Other potential komusubi promotion related matches: Kotoshoho v Daieisho, and Hokutofuji v Ryuden. Daieisho is currently 9-5, and Hokutofuji is 10-4. If Hokutofuji wins, he'll be the top contender for any remaining available komusubi promotion; otherwise, it's not clear which of them will get it if only one komusubi slot is open (dependent on the other komusubi matches above). Day 13 highlights (in English) are available for viewing at: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/tournament/202011/day13.html More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
*: Taped highlights are also broadcast on NHK-World everyday during the basho with multiple airings per day. Check your local cable/sat provider if they carry the channel, and if so, check your on-screen programming guide for exact times (search "Grand Sumo Highlights"); initial airing time for each day's highlights is at 12:30pm EST. There will also be a live (non-highlight) airing on the final day, Nov 22 (most likely beginning at 2:30am EST). Again, check your local listings for details. Also check: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/sumolive/
Until tomorrow, when I'll come back with the final results of the basho, including the winner of the Emperor's Cup:
SumoBuzz: Grand Sumo November Tournament Final Day (Day 15) Update:
Konnichiwa! And welcome to the Final Day report for the November basho and the final battle for the November yusho winner. And what a battle it was!
Recall that the two final contenders for the yusho, ozeki Takakeisho (13-1) and komusubi Terunofuji (12-2), meet on this final day as the last scheduled match of the day. If Takakeisho wins, he then wins the yusho as the Emperor's Cup Champion. If Terunofuji wins, he forces a playoff match, the winner of which will determine the yusho winner.
So without a moment to waste, let's get right to it:
The Yusho Match: Takakeisho v Terunofuji (NHK World's "Bout of the Day")
The last time these two met was in the September basho and Takakeisho won using his sumo with an oshidashi (frontal push out) kimarite. So there's a little payback on Terunofuji's behalf. It starts with a nuclear blast of a tachiai by both rikishi, and we see a big oshi battle ensue. Takakeisho nearly pulls Terunofuji down but the latter recovers and rebounds. Terunofuji gains inside position and tackles Takakeisho, who gets slammed hard to the dohyo. Terunofuji wins with an abisetaoshi (backward force down). What a match for his sixth straight win! With Terunofuji's win...
By now you guessed it, we have a: A Yusho PLAYOFF match!
There you have it! Takakeisho knocks Terunofuji back straight-off the tachiai, while Terunofuji in desperation tries to get an outside grapple on Takakeisho. But Takakeisho keeps attacking with bullseye tsuppari. That's some really hard thrusting from Takakeisho and he quickly forces Terunofuji out. It's an oshidashi (frontal push out) win for Takakeisho and he's the November basho champion, taking home the Emperor's Cup. This is second championship and his first as an ozeki. He won the November basho back in 2018 as a komusubi, going 13-2. He also becomes the winningest rikishi in 2020, with 51 match wins (nearest two are Shodai with 48, and Takanosho with 45). Now Takakeisho will be on the hunt for another yusho win in the January basho in order to achieve a promotion to yokozuna.
Highlights video of all matches for Day 15 (play-by-play calling is in English).
Kachikoshi (basho winning record) for the makuuchi:
• The Emperor's Cup Champion, Takakeisho at 13-2 (+P)
• Terunofuji at 13-2
• Hokutofuji and Shimanoumi at 11-4
• Daieisho and Chiyonokuni at 10-5
• Six at 9-6: Takarafuji, Tochinoshin, Ryuden, Meisei, Chiyotairyu, and Akua.
• Eight at 8-7: Takanosho, Takayasu, Kotoshoho, Endo, Tamawashi, Tokushoryu, Ichinojo, and Chiyoshoma
Makekoshi (basho losing record) for the makuuchi:
• Five at 7-8: Kotonowaka, Hoshoryu, Onosho, Mitakeumi, and Wakatakakage
• Six at 6-9: Kaisei, Yutakayama, Kotoeko, Aoiyama, Tobizaru, and Okinoumi
• Three at 5-10: Sadanoumi, Terutsuyoshi, and Kagayaki
• Myogiryu at 4-11
• Kiribayama and Enho at 3-12 Other non-yusho matches on the Final Day to watch:
1) Enho v Tobizaru
I really like these two feisty young rikishi. And Enho... Where was this sumo of his in the rest of the basho? He get's a much-needed win by yorikiri (frontal force out), and his opponent, the Flying Monkey, can't help but crack a smile afterwards. The crowd also gives him a nice round of applause. With this win, Enho breaks a five match losing streak, ending his tournament on a nice little positive note.
A mono-ii leading to a rematch, leading to another mono-ii, finally leading to an upheld decision. This was their first ever meeting to boot. In the first bout, Daieisho has an explosive tachiai which soon forces Kotoshoho to back-pedal a full lap of the dohyo before Daieisho gets a hold of him. The gyoji points his gunbai to Daieisho's side of the dohyo, but the mono-ii concludes that both went down at the same time and a rematch is necessary. This time Kotoshoho gets the tachiai advantage, forcing Daieisho to the edge, pushing him out right after Daieisho gets a headlock on Kotoshoho. Kotoshoho goes down while Daieisho flys-off the platform. In real time, it appears to happen simultaneously. But the gyoji points the gunbai to Daieisho's side again. A second mono-ii is called and the decision is upheld because the shimpan explains that Kotoshoho's hands do land on the ground first. The replay clearly affirms it. And while it also appears in real time that Daieisho was defenseless while Kotoshoho was on the offensive (which may influence a possible reversal, even if Kotoshoho was first to the dirt), the slow motion replay clearly shows that Daieisho already had a headlock on Kotoshoho before he was out, which meant he was no longer on the defense and was on the offensive at the time he went out. So the gyoji's call is upheld following the mono-ii and Daieisho gets the rematch win by kubinage (head lock throw). The November Basho Wrap-Up: https://tachiai.org/2020/11/22/november-basho-wrap-up/ Day 14 highlights (in English) are available for viewing at: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/tournament/202011/day13.html More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
One additional update in the conclusion of the November (Kyoto) basho/tournament (held in Tokyo due to the pandemic):
Here are the sansho (special prizes awarded to the rikishi for exceptional performance) results:
• Terunofuji (13-2) has been awarded the gino-sho (technique prize awarded to rikishi who display the most skillful kimarite)
• Chiyonokuni (10–5) and Shimanoumi (11–4) are both awarded the kanto-sho (fighting spirit prize awarded to rikishi who have most clearly fought tenaciously and to the best of their abilities)
• The shukun-sho (outstanding performance prize awarded to rikishi who defeat the yokozuna or the eventual tournament winner, or who otherwise display outstanding performance relative to their rank) goes unawarded. More general information can be found at:
• Japan Sumo Association: www.sumo.or.jp
• Good blog for day-to-day updates/results/new/predictions: tachiai.org
• Daily taped video highlight episodes online during the basho (lags behind a couple of days*): www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo
