The match yesterday between Mitakeumi v Takayasu was an awesome affair with both men really pouring their souls into the matchup. Sumo is a very traditional sport with most time spent appeasing the rituals and spirit of the art as opposed to actually conducting it. The matchups themselves usually last for no more than a few minutes within the 'honbasho', or (in English) tournament style games.
Mitakeumi came into this matchup as an 11-0 wrestler whereas Takayasu was a not so good 7-4. In Sumo, one ranks up based on wins throughout given tournaments in the season, but there is also the 'kachi-koshi' to chase which is an honor given to the sportsman with the most wins in a single tournament. These honors help the judging panel when actually granting a higher rank to a Sumo wrestler.
Before I get into the winner of yesterday's matchup, let us just clarify the Sumo ranks quickly. Wrestlers just starting out with have to be aligned with the traditional poses and stances of the art, and the titles Maegashira and Komusubi willl be granted to those who pass those initial phases. In actualy competition at the national level, the ranks of Sekiwake and Ozeki will be attained. Ozeki for many years was the highest rank for a Sumo wrestler, and it requires 33 wins over the span of 3 tournaments...
...but in the 19th century a somewhat familiar term in 'Yokozuna' arrived, and it declared a wrestler of an even higher caliber. As soon as a Sumo reaches the rank of Ozeki, he is consistently training to become a Yokozuna or he will face de-rank! Matchups between two Ozeki's (such as yesterday's) are always the best since both men must win or face the challenges of yet again becoming a Sekiwake. These are dire matches with a lot of power and ferocity, and the pit with Mitakeumi v Takayasu was no different.
Both men actually gave each other immense problems and stalled the action with both pushing forward. Mitakeumi was the slightly stronger man and had shown impeccable technique of planting himself over the 11 wins and 0 losses he attained. The only problem was that Takayasu seemed to be moving the momentum back onto Mita as soon as he began to charge.
The method of bullrushing and overpowering that worked 11 times and failed none finally failed yesterday evening. The 7-4 underdog in Takayasu rode the bull and guided him out of the ring with style. Here is the matchup itself if you wanted to take a look; it is a very short and enjoyable matchup with both men showing a lot of strength.
Takayasu moves on!
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