Musashikuni Mamu completed his Aki Basho 2018 performance on Day 14, finishing with a 3-4 record. His performance was pretty solid. I predicted that he would have a 4-3 record, with a chance of either a 5-2 or a 3-4 performance. It seems that luck unfortunately veered him toward the latter outcome. Of course, I’m sure he wanted to get a kachi-koshi (more wins than losses), but a 3-4 record isn’t terrible. It is about par for Musashikuni, who is currently a low- to mid-makushita rikishi (sumo wrestler).
Musashikuni will only go down in the rankings somewhat. His current ranking was makushita 42, and he’ll be around makushita 52 for the next basho. The pressure will then be on Musashikuni, however. If Musashikuni receives a make-koshi (more losses than wins) during the next basho, he will probably get demoted back to sandanme. This would derail his current progress progress up the makushita division, where he has competed in five of the last six bashos. I don’t think this is likely, but he really needs to work hard to ensure that it doesn’t happen.
Below is a table that summarizes Musashikuni Mamu’s Aki Basho 2018 performance, followed by gifs of his matches. I provide some commentary after the gifs, and I provide links to the matches at the bottom of the page. If you would like to see anything else involving Musashikuni’s performance in the Aki Basho 2018, please contact me at NorthAmericanSumo@Gmail.com.
|
Opponent |
Ranking |
Current Record |
Result |
Method |
|
43 East |
5-2 |
Win! |
Kimedashi |
|
|
41 West |
3-4 |
Win! |
Yorikiri |
|
|
43 West |
6-1 |
Loss |
Oshidashi |
|
|
39 West |
3-4 |
Loss |
Tsukiotoshi |
|
|
49 West |
4-3 |
Loss |
Yoritaoshi |
|
|
42 East |
3-4 |
Win! |
Oshidashi |
|
|
37 East |
4-3 |
Loss |
Yorikiri |
Musashikuni Mamu Match 1 Gif – Aki Basho 2018
Musashikuni had an amazing start to the Aki Basho 2018. He showed a very strong skillset, especially in this match. He started with a series of slaps, followed by a very strong grip for the pushout. I want to see more of this Musashikuni!
Musashikuni Mamu Match 2 Gif – Aki Basho 2018
Again, a very strong performance. Musashikuni started with the slaps and followed with the grip and pushout – the same approach as the first match.
Musashikuni Mamu Match 3 Gif – Aki Basho 2018
Musashikuni tried to change up his strategy, which is a very good thing. If you always throw rock, people will start countering with paper. However, it didn’t pay off for him this time. Tsushimanada was too agile and resisted the throwdown, giving Musashikuni his first loss of the basho.
Musashikuni Mamu Match 4 Gif – Aki Basho 2018
Musashikuni’s unstable base betrayed him this time. He was looking solid, went for the push, and allowed himself to get easily throwndown.
Musashikuni Mamu Match 5 Gif – Aki Basho 2018
I really thought Musashikuni was going to win this match, after he seemingly went back to the solid strategy of his first and second matches – slap then push. Unfortunately, his opponent was able to counter Musashikuni’s attempt (and his opponent’s loose mawashi may have played a role, too). Musashikuni still almost won, but he wasn’t able to keep his feet in for another split second.
Musashikuni Mamu Match 6 Gif – Aki Basho 2018
I sadly don’t have video of Musashikuni’s sixth match, which was a win. My normal sources either didn’t upload the makushita division or only uploaded the latter half the division on Day 13. If you know of a source, please email me at NorthAmericanSumo@Gmail.com! Please!
Musashikuni Mamu Match 7 Gif – Aki Basho 2018
Musashikuni seemed determined, and I thought he was going to win with the neck grip. Unfortunately, his opponent was able to turn and push him for the win. This ended Musashikuni’s Aki Basho 2018 performance, giving him a 3-4 record.
I’m sure that Musashikuni will do better during the next basho. He is a skilled rikishi, and I think he can bounce back from two make-koshis in a row. Maybe he can even get a 5-2 performance to put him back to where he was four months ago!
Links to Musashikuni Mamu’s Aki Basho 2018 Matches
Match 1 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2tBQI5vWCg&t=1506s
Match 2 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUQP5dai1hc
Match 3 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiwT6eEMLdI
Match 4 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm_b82ssdL0&feature=youtu.be&t=23m28s
Match 5 – https://youtu.be/O3ceWWiS9-w?t=18m55s
Match 6 – I could not locate Musashikuni’s 6th match of the Aki Basho 2018. If you can find it, please email me at NorthAmericanSumo@Gmail.com!
Match 7 – https://youtu.be/IUlehrGZo30?t=13m42s
North American Sumo 
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