Basho Report ・ 場所レポート
Torikumi for this day →Akebono wins the playoff and the championship
May (Natsu) 1997 has completed final day. Akebono, Takanohana finished level at 13-2, and Akebono won the playoff to take the championship.
Championship Race
For Takanohana, level after regulation, one bout decided everything.
- Yokozuna Akebono13-2 ・ W9
- Yokozuna Takanohana13-2
Ozeki Watch
Ozeki Musashimaru's yokozuna bid is over at 9-6 — the 13-win benchmark is out of reach.
Kadoban ozeki Wakanohana has been absent since day one. With no path to a winning record, demotion to sekiwake is certain.
解説 ・ InsightMusashimaru's last two basho: 12 wins, then 12 — 24 in total. Against the "back-to-back championship-level" standard, another title-class run is required here.
This is kadoban No. 4 — he survived 2 of 3, and fell 1 time.
At 2428, his rating remains near his career peak of 2458 — no sign of decline in the data.
- Ozeki Musashimaru9-6 ・ yokozuna bid
- Ozeki Wakanohana0-0-15 ・ kadoban #4―――――――――――――――
Records Decided Today
6 rikishi had their winning or losing records decided today.
解説 ・ InsightAkinoshima came into the final day at 7-7 and lost the bout that mattered most.
- Maegashira 12 Minatofujikachi-koshi (8-7)
- Maegashira 11 Kenkokachi-koshi (8-7)
- Maegashira 9 Higonoumikachi-koshi (8-7)
- Maegashira 2 Akinoshimamake-koshi (7-8)
- Maegashira 1 Tamakasugakachi-koshi (8-7)
- Maegashira 6 Aogiyamakachi-koshi (8-7)
Special Prizes
Outstanding Performance: Tamakasuga; Fighting Spirit: Tochiazuma, Tosanoumi; Technique: Oginishiki.
- Maegashira 5 OginishikiTechnique・11-4
- Maegashira 1 TamakasugaOutstanding Performance・8-7
- Maegashira 6 TochiazumaFighting Spirit・11-4
- Sekiwake TosanoumiFighting Spirit・10-5