Basho Report ・ 場所レポート
Torikumi for this day →Takanohana wins the playoff and the championship
March (Haru) 1997 has completed final day. Kaio, Musashimaru, Akebono, Takanohana finished level at 12-3, and Takanohana won the playoff to take the championship.
Championship Race
For Kaio, Musashimaru, Akebono, level after regulation, one bout decided everything.
- Maegashira 1 Kaio12-3
- Ozeki Musashimaru12-3
- Yokozuna Akebono12-3
- Yokozuna Takanohana12-3
- Maegashira 15 Oginishiki11-4 ・ W6
- Maegashira 13 Dejima11-4
- Ozeki Takanonami11-4
Ozeki Watch
Ozeki Wakanohana's yokozuna bid is over at 3-1-11 — the 13-win benchmark is out of reach.
Kadoban ozeki Takanonami reached 11-4 to clear kadoban status.
解説 ・ InsightWakanohana's last two basho: 11 wins, then 14 (champion) — 25 in total. Against the "back-to-back championship-level" standard, another title-class run is required here.
His rating of 2435 is at career-peak level (2458) — the rating says he is knocking on the door.
This is kadoban No. 2 — he survived his only previous one.
His pre-basho rating of 2241 sits 239 points below his peak of 2480 — the decline shows in the numbers.
- Ozeki Wakanohana3-1-11 ・ yokozuna bid―――――――――――
- Ozeki Takanonami11-4 ・ kadoban #2
Records Decided Today
8 rikishi had their winning or losing records decided today.
解説 ・ InsightYamato, Asanosho, Kotoinazuma, Musoyama came into the final day at 7-7 and lost the bout that mattered most.
- Maegashira 13 Hamanoshimakachi-koshi (8-7)
- Maegashira 14 Minatofujikachi-koshi (8-7)
- Maegashira 10 Mitoizumikachi-koshi (8-7)
- Maegashira 12 Yamatomake-koshi (7-8)
- Maegashira 9 Asanowakakachi-koshi (8-7)
- Maegashira 2 Asanoshomake-koshi (7-8)
- Maegashira 7 Kotoinazumamake-koshi (7-8)
- Sekiwake Musoyamamake-koshi (7-8)
Special Prizes
Outstanding Performance: Kaio; Fighting Spirit: Tamakasuga, Dejima; Technique: Dejima.
- Maegashira 6 TamakasugaFighting Spirit・10-5
- Maegashira 13 DejimaTechnique・11-4
- Maegashira 13 DejimaFighting Spirit・11-4
- Maegashira 1 KaioOutstanding Performance・12-3