Kirikaeshi!

His signature move!

Dashinage, pulling throw!

This time, DOSUKOI Sumo Salon is all about the Technique Prize,

which goes to rikishi who display exceptional technique.

At the 2022 January Tournament, the winner was Mitakeumi.

He was also awarded the Technique Prize for his skillful pushing and thrusting.

To receive the Technique Prize... you have to master a single technique or approach.

I mastered the push-and-thrust-style. That's why I got the prize.

The Technique Prize is the award I'm happiest about.

But the prize is shrouded in mystery.

How are recipients selected, and by whom?

What criteria?

We asked an oyakata with firsthand insight into the selection process.

Some rikishi demonstrate technique in a subtle way.

So there are many layers to the Technique Prize.

A deeper understanding of the Technique Prize is sure to enhance the sumo-watching experience!

It's time for DOSUKOI Sumo Salon.

Welcome to DOSUKOI Sumo Salon.

Today we're talking about the Technique Prize.

And here with us in the studio - we are honored to welcome actor Kuroki Hitomi!

Good to be here!

Are you a sumo fan?

I remember when I was little, my grandmother would always watch Grand Sumo tournaments with sake in hand.

- So I grew up thinking sumo was essential viewing.
- I see.

And my family would always get box seats for the January Tournament.

You watched it live!

It was our New Year's tradition.

Wow. Do you have an image of the kind of rikishi who win the Technique Prize?

The real thrill of sumo is watching David take on Goliath and win.

It's like, "Whoa, how did he do that?"

- Giant-killers dazzle you with technique.
- Yes, for sure.

So I think the prize goes to rikishi who display that technical skill.

Right, I feel the same way.

And also with us is a play-by-play veteran.

- Yoshida Masaru! Welcome!
- Thank you.

- Yoshida-san.
- Yes.

I hear you're involved in the Technique Prize selection.

I choose who gets it.

- What?
- Come again?

Reporters and announcers like me who cover sumo and belong to the sumo press club

get appointed to the job by the Japan Sumo Association.

They send you one of these.

Ah! A letter of appointment.

Yes. The press club recommends you for the job, and the chairman approves and appoints you.

- But you're not choosing on your own!
- Of course not!

- Can you get me in?
- That's not how it works!

It's not some members-only restaurant.

Finally, joining us as always is the 72nd Yokozuna Grand Champion, Nishonoseki Oyakata.

Glad to be here.

OK, Oyakata, did you ever receive the Technique Prize when you were active?

I did... just once.

- One time.
- Yes, I remember being very pleased with myself.

Do you have a sense of why you got it?

It was the tournament that guaranteed my promotion to Ozeki.

So I imagine they gave it to me as a kind of reward.

- While you were still eligible.
- Right.

It felt to me like I got it because there was nothing else they could give.

But I was very happy about it.

So what exactly is the Technique Prize? Check this out.

In 1947, Grand Sumo introduced three prizes - collectively known as "sansho" - in a bid to boost the sport's popularity.

The Outstanding Performance Award, the Fighting Spirit Prize, and the Technique Prize.

To be eligible for the Technique Prize, you must be ranked Sekiwake or lower,

finish with a winning record, and demonstrate exceptional technique.

The three prizes are awarded by a selection committee.

That includes the head judge and other members of the association.

Plus appointees from the sumo press club like Yoshida-san.

Plus representatives from local sumo support associations, whose members are a regular ringside fixture.

Support association!

- The committee convenes on Day 15 at 12:45 p.m.
- Uh-huh...

- We meet before the day's matchups.
- Ah!

- You decide based on what you've seen so far.
- Exactly.

We get together after 14 days of bouts, select the prize-winners, and announce them before the final day begins.

- Whoa!
- I see!

Since January 2022, these rikishi have been awarded the Technique Prize.

Mitakeumi received his third Technique Prize at the 2022 January Tournament.

And he defeated Yokozuna Terunofuji to clinch the championship and ensure his promotion to Ozeki.

"Wow."

Mitakeumi wins the championship!

What made his technique stand out from the field?

We asked committee member Isegahama Oyakata, who was in the judging department at the time.

After making initial contact, he used ottsuke.

He used it quite effectively against his opponents.

In fact, he used it in pretty much every bout.

He was chosen for his ottsuke, that is, his forearm block technique.

Ottsuke involves clamping down on your opponent's arm as he tries to go for your mawashi.

It's a basic technique used to neutralize an attack.

I received the prize for a low-key technique like that...

So it felt like my efforts as a pusher-thruster all these years had been recognized.

It's like people understood the technique that goes into what I do.

So out of the three prizes... that one means the most to me.

The prize with... the most significance.

Fascinating. Isegahama Oyakata had high praise for his ottsuke.

Oyakata, what do you think?

This topic is right up my alley.

Ottsuke.

Ottsuke involves many elements.

You have to be on the defensive, but also on the offensive, and you have to neutralize your opponent.

It's a move that involves all those things.

It's like opening a bottle cap - you must be well-balanced, otherwise you won't get a good clamp down.

If you're wobbling, you won't be able to get any leverage.

- Right. So the key is to lock your arm in position.
- I see.

That's the position you want.

- As you see here, he's completely neutralized Takarafuji's left arm.
- Ah, yes.

Your opponent starts to straighten up.

- At that point, what felt like 160 kilos of body mass starts to feel like 60 or 70.
- Fascinating.

That's how technique can overcome physical strength, and as Kuroki-san said earlier, how David beats Goliath.

I had no idea!

Yes, I've always wondered how they manage to win!

A lot of subtle techniques.

- And a strong lower body.
- Right.

We saw him push - he clamped shut down the Yokozuna's forearm and pushed his opponentm out with his lower body strength.

A solid center of gravity.

Techniques that are flashy or uncommon can really dazzle us spectators,

but the selection committee also looks for fundamental techniques that are performed at a really high level.

That's right.

OK. Moving on, we have a group of fans who have something to say about our topic.

We assembled a trio of sumo enthusiasts from Japanese showbiz to talk about the Technique Prize.

Nomachi Mineko, a frequent guest on the show.

She knows her stuff!

Comedian Nishida Atsuhiro, who's on friendly terms with former Yokozuna Hakuho.

And Yamane Chika, who regularly posts sumo commentary on her blog during tournaments.

Together they're our DOSUKOI Selection Committee!

Our first topic of discussion: the 2022 January Tournament.

I have no objections to Mitakeumi.

I thought he deserved it.

But... I wish they could've given it to Ishiura, too.

He was just as good.

Absolutely.

You said it!

Strong agree.

You're both with me.

- He had double-digit wins!
- Right.

- His most wins ever. 11.
- Yes.

He couldn't have been more deserving.

I felt the same way.

Our three panelists all nominate Ishiura.

He posted 11 wins using a variety of winning techniques - but was not awarded the prize.

He looks deserving to me!

He'd get a belt grip with his left and just seize the initiative.

He has a signature style.

Doesn't it feel like it's hard to get a prize unless you're in the running for the championship?

- Yes!
- That has to be part of it.

If we look at the three rikishi who were awarded a sansho, they were still in contention for the title at the end of Day 14.

Is there a connection between the title race and the Technique Prize?

Shitatehineri, twisting underarm throw!

- Well, Yoshida-san?
- They're connected.

- So yes?
- Yes.

- But I have to say, I didn't expect to get called out on it!
- I bet!

They thought it should've gone to Ishiura.

Those three rikishi were in the title race, along with Yokozuna Terunofuji.

So our thinking was those three deserve some recognition.

Mitakeumi's looking good, it should be him.

But wait, Kotonowaka is deserving as well.

That kind of discussion.

The first candidates who come up in our discussion are the ones in contention for the title in the final days.

So was Ishiura's name thrown around too?

- He didn't come up.
- Ah.

- So the selection committee first looks at the rikishi who are in the title race.
- Yes.

Watching Ishiura's matches just now, he was impressive.

If he won 11 bouts like that, I can understand wanting to give it to him.

Oyakata, what do you think?

- So, I actually sat in on the meeting.
- Oh?

I had a strong feeling Ishiura would win either the Fighting Spirit Prize or Technique Prize.

- Ishiura?
- Yes.

Yoshida-san!

I was wondering why Yoshida-san didn't bring him up!

Kuroki-san, your thoughts?

- The winner is crowned at the end of Day 15.
- Right.

So why not decide the prizes after that?

- Be on the lookout for potential nominees along the way.
- Yes.

- And then announce your final choices at the end of Day 15.
- Yes.

Press club members play a key role.

After Day 15, we're all focused on writing articles about the tournament winner.

You're on a tight schedule.

Stablemasters are busy too, so it's no easy task to reconvene the committee.

That's why it's always been this way.

I see.

- What's interesting is sometimes they select a provisional winner.
- Oh?

You get the Technique Prize if you win on Day 15.

So they can name someone after Day 14.

But they have to win on Day 15.

It adds to the thrill, but for the rikishi in question it's not what they want to hear.

The prize is on the line!

It's actually quite common.

The committee can select a provisional prize winner, pending Day 15 results.

And it's not just when the rikishi is battling for a majority of wins.

It's Toyonoshima!

If Toyonoshima wins, he gets
the Technique Prize.

He's 10 and 4.

They can get the provisional treatment even when they've secured a winning record.

Yorikiri, frontal force out.

He'll finish with 11 and 4,
and the Technique Prize.

Our DOSUKOI Selection Committee took issue with this practice.

Yamane-san, your thoughts?

I think it's mean.

I feel you.

It's mean to pile on the pressure on day 15.

It is.

I agree, it's a cruel system.

What I don't understand is, let's say he's got 9 wins and they name him provisionally.

That means they already think he's demonstrated excellent technique.

And are they saying it's OK if he gets the final win with a basic slap down?

Our research team found that over the past decade,

7 rikishi were selected for the Technique Prize provisionally even though they had 8 or more wins after Day 14.

What's the rationale behind this practice? We asked Isegahama Oyakata.

There are rikishi who consistently display a technical style and then get the Technique Prize with 9 or 10 wins.

After that you can't reward them a second time if they only have 8 wins.

So you stipulate one more win as a condition.

At the 2021 January Tournament, Terunofuji went into Day 15 with a 10 and 4 record.

But with two Technique Prizes already under his belt, the committee decided 10 wins was not enough to merit a third.

That gives Terunofuji 11 wins
and the Technique Prize.

In a nutshell, the Technique Prize is fundamentally about techniques that get you the win.

So even if you're winning with slap downs and hand pull downs, those are legitimate techniques.

He says that racking up a high number of wins is an indicator of a high level of technique.

Can't argue with that.

At the same tournament, two other rikishi were in contention for their first Technique Prize, pending Day 15 results.

With 8 wins, top-division debutant Midorifuji needed one more win.

Katasukashi, under shoulder swing down.
He gets the Technique Prize.

With an Outstanding Performance Award already guaranteed, Daieisho needed a title win for the Technique Prize.

Oshidashi, frontal push out.
Daieisho wins his first championship!

All three rikishi were successful, and for the first time ever, three Technique Prizes were awarded at the same time.

They all looked very pleased!

I've heard announcers on TV say "If he wins, he gets the Technique Prize."

Now I know what they mean!

And to think, three recipients!

It was a first to have 3 Technique Prize winners in one tournament.

And for all three to have been provisional winners is remarkable.

Daieisho defeated all the top rankers, so we gave him Outstanding Performance, but then we thought, doesn't he deserve one more?

So that's how it works! Doesn't he deserve one more?

And so, what do we give him?

The Technique Prize.

But first, he's gotta win the title.

That was our first decision.

Sounds very complex!

As for Midorifuji, he'd secured a winning record, and four of those wins were by an under shoulder swing down.

He wasn't in the title race, but he was a deserving nominee in his own right.

Thing is, 8 wins is not that impressive.

Well... You don't think so?

It is lacking.

But even with 10 or 11 wins, you attach a condition.

The rules should be clear.

Yes, exactly.

- Establish clear criteria for the Technique Prize.
- I agree.

Superior technique is a must.

I don't know... my sense is the process is much fuzzier than that.

Oyakata, have you ever been awarded one of the three prizes provisionally?

Yes, I have.

But for me there were two times when I had an 11 and 4 record and wasn't selected for any prize.

That actually made me happy, like I'd already made it, like they already knew I was the real deal.

- You saw it as a positive.
- Yes.

So not being named for a prize actually gave me confidence.

Interesting.

So for some rikishi, there's a sense you've moved beyond it.

Next, let's look at what type of rikishi win the Technique Prize.

We asked sumo fans for their thoughts.

It's for rikishi with a smaller build.

Technicians.

The belt-fighting style has more techniques.

So I think those rikishi have a higher chance of winning it than pusher-thrusters.

That prompted us to ask our DOSUKOI Selection Committee to categorize notable Technique prize-winners by type.

First of all, you have obvious winners.

Everyone agrees.

I'm thinking...

- Mainoumi.
- And him, him...

Hoshoryu too.

Yeah, I suppose so.

Ah, makes sense!

These four, including the "Department Store of Techniques" himself, Mainoumi, were selected as "obvious."

Neko-damashi, hand-clap feint!

Their dazzling array of spectacular winning techniques earned them a Technique Prize.

Sotomuso, outer thigh propping
twist down.

Kyokushuzan wins!

Ah, obvious.

Type number two includes rikishi like current Ozeki Takakeisho.

Pusher-thrusters.

Mitakeumi, who we looked at earlier, is another example.

This category is currently on the rise!

That left 8 rikishi on our committee's list.

Most have strong belt-fighting techniques, but not all.

What is the common thread that ties them together?

They go for it.

Good belt technique.

They've got great fundamentals.

They're just good at sumo!

Ah, I know what you mean.

They all have strong sumo.

In a sense, they're each their own unique type.

Good point.

Their own style.

Exactly. A clear style.

They do their own thing.

They go their own way.

- That's it!
- Yes!

So what's the verdict?

Well, why don't we go with... "Under Discussion?"

Sounds good.

Don't leave us in suspense!

The committee defers to our studio panel to choose a name!

Oyakata, what do you think about this group of rikishi?

This particular group of rikishi...

they're all good at neutralizing their opponents and then taking control.

I've faced all of them except for Wakatakakage, and they're all tricky opponents.

They don't let you get a foothold.

You don't get a chance!

Kuroki-san, what do you think of this type?

- What they do is very skillful.
- Definitely.

- They use their opponent's power against them.
- Yes.

- They're "Users."
- "Users."

Hmm, I don't know if they'd be happy with that name.

Good point.

It's not exactly a positive.

- OK, Oyakata.
- Yes.

What name would you give this group?

- The dexterous type.
- Ah! All right, let's go with that.

OK, "The dexterous type" it is!

Now for a game of "let's guess."

What is the average height and weight of Technique Prize winners?

I'm guessing they're on the smaller side.

What do you think, Kuroki-san?

- The average?
- Yes.

Height 175, weight 120.

OK. Oyakata, how about you?

I'd say 175 and about 140.

So, a little bit heavier.

OK, time to reveal the answer!

Huh? This is unexpected.

Huh? Oyakata!

- Classic Oyakata!
- Oyakata.

- My guess threw him off.
- Yes!

- You got the weight...
- Really close.

Oyakata, weight of prize winners, 140.

The weight I had a good feeling about, yes.

If you say so. So they're not as small...

...as we thought.

- We had it wrong.
- Right.

The type of rikishi the committee called "obvious choices" earlier - they're on the small side.

When giant-killers perform well, they stand out, they leave an impression.

Exactly. Yes.

But on the whole, most of them belong to that last category...

The dexterous type.

They're the biggest group.

They hone their technique and get recognized for it.

So their average size is not that unusual.

Next, our research team looked at which rikishi have won the most Technique Prizes.

Here's the top six.

We noticed an interesting connection between two of these rikishi.

Here's Tsurugamine, who won a record 10 prizes.

He charges. Morozashi,
double inside grip.

He has the advantage.

Gaburiyori, belly bump.

Yoritaoshi, frontal crush out.

And here's Kakuryu, who won 7 prizes.

Kakuryu with the morozashi,
double inside grip.

He pushes forward.

Yorikiri, frontal force out.

Both of them were recognized for their morozashi, a technique that involves a double inside grip.

What a deep grip!

What's more, Tsurugamine's son and apprentice Sakahoko was also a morozashi specialist, with 4 career Technique Prizes.

And Sakahoko, in turn, trained Kakuryu.

The morozashi technique has been handed down from generation to generation.

So what's the key to getting a double inside grip?

We asked Kakuryu Oyakata himself.

It has to be one smooth motion.

If you both have a left or right inside grip and then you try to get your outside arm inside, your opponent is able to react.

They can counter the move.

So instead, say you start with a barrage of tsuppari thrusts, and then your opponent goes for an inside grip.

The second they get that inside grip, you slip your arm inside before they have time to react.

He says the key is quickness and timing.

Kisenosato tries to switch grips, but
Kakuryu pushes forward with morozashi.

Yorikiri, frontal force out.

Let's ask Nishonoseki Oyakata what it was like to be on the receiving end of Kakuryu's morozashi.

- Oyakata, I'm sorry to put you on the spot like this.
- I'm ready.

What was it like fighting Kakuryu?

His morozashi was a killer technique.

Oh yeah?

First of all, Kakuryu's morozashi...

He would be able to spot a tiny opening and seize the double grip.

He was so good at creating those openings.

And by the time he became Yokozuna he'd bulked up, and he'd lean with a push.

He'd create space, which made it easy for him to get a morozashi.

And that double grip would put you at a considerable disadvantage.

So you had to get right up against him in order to beat him.

I see. But focusing only on his morozashi leaves you vulnerable to other attacks.

- He'd apply pressure by pushing and thrusting.
- Ah.

Which would create another opening.

Wow.

He was a tricky, tricky opponent.

I can see you have some painful memories.

At the end there you could see the look of defeat on my face.

Now let's shift our focus to winning techniques.

What winning techniques are favored by Technique Prize winners?

Let's ask our DOSUKOI Selection Committee.

I'm thinking shitatenage.

Interesting!

I know what you mean.

I have a feeling it's a pulling throw.

Ah, right.

Shitatenage, yes, but maybe also shitatedashinage or uwatedashinage.

I've got this one figured out.

Really?

It's yoritaoshi.

Ah!

They're locked together at the edge, and it ends with a frontal crush out.

Good point.

Right?

- That might be it.
- Yeah.

It's gotta be yoritaoshi!

What's the Oyakata's guess?

- Oyakata, your thoughts?
- Too easy.

- Oh!
- Can I call it?

Are you sure you want to play that game?

Ah, forgive me.

Your answer?

- Sukuinage.
- Sukuinage.

You get your arms under with morozashi or something, then execute sukuinage.

- Smaller rikishi get in there for a throw.
- All right.

And here are the rankings.

Comparing all top-division rikishi to Technique Prize winners,

we can see that the top two most common winning techniques are the same.

Nishida's guess, yoritaoshi, moved up from No.5 to No.3.

Look at that!

- Yoritaoshi is No.3.
- Yes!

Good call.

I knew it!

That's annoying...

It's all about yoritaoshi.

Meanwhile, the Oyakata's guess, sukuinage, dropped four places.

This seems strange.

- Not a high ranking, Oyakata!
- No.

That's what happens when you talk big.

I just keep failing!

Nomachi's guess, shitatenage, went up one place.

And Yamane's guess, uwatedashinage, rose four places!

They use more pulling throws.

A pulling overarm throw is a complicated technique.

They go like this, and pull across.

At least, that's what it looks like.

We're all talking at random!

And so, we turned to this man!

Hey everyone!

It's been a while.

It's me, DOSUKOI superfan Ajigawa.

"Always so dramatic!"

Fighting as Aminishiki, he was great at uwatedashinage and won six Technique Prizes.

Uwatedashinage, pulling overarm throw!

He crowns his Technique Prize with
another win!

Why is uwatedashinage a common technique among Technique Prize winners?

It looks impressive, I guess?

You're in a defensive position, so you have to figure out a way to break your opponent.

You put your head up against them to apply pressure and keep them upright.

Then use that recoil to pull them downwards.

In order to make all of that happen you have to battle through.

There's a lot of steps involved in the technique.

He says he learned uwatedashinage as a boy,

when he was a member of his local sumo club in Aomori Prefecture.

The town I grew up in, in Aomori, was committed to drilling that technique into you.

From a young age, you learned to lower your head.

Then grab the mawashi, and execute a dashinage.

That was the style you were taught.

Even at home, I had family members saying do it this way or do it that way - as if I was being hypnotized.

That was the environment I grew up in.

It really was drilled into me.

We just learned something new about Aomori.

The local character.

He was saying that from a young age the technique was drilled into him.

Going through the motions of dashinage, since he was little.

- It became second nature.
- Right.

He mentioned the move looks impressive.

In sumo play-by-play, when an announcer blurts out "impressive," it tends to be for a move like a pulling throw.

He also said it involves many steps to execute.

So you need that technical ability in order to set it up and pull it off.

That effort really shows.

Kuroki-san, any takeaways so far regarding the Technique Prize?

I feel like I need to hone my own craft.

Your takeaway is that you lack craft?

- Yes. I...
- You have more than enough!

- No, I practice sumo with my husband.
- Huh?

What exactly are you saying?

- You know how Mainoumi defeated Akebono in that famous bout?
- Yes.

That made me think I could defeat my husband.

You practice sumo at home?

Yes, in our living room.

- But I always lose. I can't win.
- I see.

So... I want to become stronger.

- And to do that I need to improve my technique.
- I guess you do.

I had no idea that was your perspective watching sumo.

- Today has taught me there are many techniques.
- Indeed.

In our research, we found rikishi with signature moves who never won a Technique Prize.

Case in point, Kaio.

His specialty was a powerful overarm throw, but he never received a Technique Prize.

And here's Tochiakagi.

He had a flashy style and could counter an arm bar throw, but never won a Technique Prize.

Tochiakagi would be all over the place.

Not much finesse.

And as for Kaio...

When he'd get an outside grip, the spectators would clap.

In other words he needed that grip to win.

Right before he became Ozeki, he learned how to go from a forearm block to an outside grip.

That made his outside grip unstoppable, and he rose to Ozeki.

But up until then, he'd struggle to get an outside grip.

So by the time he honed that technique, he was already Ozeki.

- Ah, I see.
- So that was a factor.

Maintaining a signature style, while striving to evolve.

One rikishi was able to do that and win a Technique Prize.

Katasukashi, under shoulder swing down.

Ura was awarded the honor for the first time at the 2021 November Tournament.

How did it feel to finally be recognized for his technique?

Hello. Thank you for having me.

Isn't he sweet!

It made me very happy.

As a rikishi I'm on the smaller side, so rather than...

strive to attain the top ranks... my sights were set on the Technique Prize.

"Every rikishi is different."

Ura had a despairing experience.

He backs up and grabs the leg.

He racked up 11 wins, but did not receive a Technique Prize.

- So he ends with 11 wins and
no special prize?
- Yes.

Why on earth not?

While he was considered, two other rikishi ended up being awarded the prize.

I was disheartened.

I even saw an article that said what I showed was not technique, but "unusual talent."

If that's the case, I thought, I'll never get the prize.

Soon after he seriously injured his right knee, and ultimately dropped as far as the fifth division.

He went through an extended rehabilitation period.

That included improving his diet and weight training to build muscle.

He really bulked up!

And in 2021, he returned to the top division after over three years.

He no longer used his old dynamic style.

Ura stays low.

Now he had a low posture and a forward-moving style.

Ura wins!

"It's a completely different style."

I still don't think I'm strong enough, but in a way, I've become able to hold my own.

Ajigawa Oyakata says that Ura displayed further evolution at the 2022 January Tournament.

Before, he saw himself as a lighter rikishi, so he'd try to go in as low as possible.

But then, I believe it was against Takakeisho, he went in chest-first.

That must've taken a lot of courage.

Ura goes in low.

In the initial clash, Ura used to go in low and headfirst.

But against Takakeisho at the 2022 January Tournament.

He went in chest-first, pitting power against power.

Ura's default stance is already on the low side.

Just being able to keep that stance is a technique in itself.

I think getting that special prize has helped him realize.

He doesn't need to go full-on acrobatic to win.

We asked Ura if there's a technique he hopes to hone moving forward.

Ah... yes, there is, but I'll keep it to myself.

I'll show you in the ring. I hope.

Kuroki-san, what do you think?

- He's just so lovable!
- Right.

The way he recovered from his injury, changed his physique, changed his style.

I think it's amazing how he continues to evolve.

Even in the face of misfortune, it's all about your resolve, and your approach to sumo.

You could say his injury led him to change his style, bulk up his physique, and eventually get the Technique Prize.

Misfortune led him to glory.

Yes, exactly.

Ura's injury was quite serious.

He had that acrobatic style.

And that carries a high risk of injury.

So he gave up that style and bulked up.

He built up muscle so he could surge forward.

He got back to sumo basics and reinvented himself.

For a rikishi to reinvent himself takes a lot of courage, it's incredibly difficult.

Coming back like that was an amazing feat.

Indeed.

He showed exceptional resolve.

Yoshida-san, are there other rikishi like Ura who evolved or reinvented themselves to get the Technique Prize?

- The one that comes to mind is Yokozuna Chiyonofuji.
- Ah, yes.

He had a slim build but was able to throw larger opponents.

But then, he hit a problem.

He was prone to dislocating his shoulder.

That happened when he threw his opponents.

So he reinvented himself and started going for a frontal grip.

He'd get a left frontal grip and then surge forward.

After that, he quickly rose to Sekiwake, Ozeki, then Yokozuna.

"Wow."

Right before he became Ozeki, he won four Technique Prizes in a row.

I see.

So for him too, if he wasn't prone to dislocating his shoulder,

he might not have become the great Yokozuna that we all remember.

Moving on, we asked these prize-winners straight out: how would you define the Technique Prize?

"Great question!"

Having a repertoire of many techniques is certainly one type of skill.

But so is specializing in a particular technique.

For me, it's about who was shining the brightest in the tournament.

That's the rikishi the Technique Prize should go to.

At least, that's what I think.

I believe I received the prize in recognition for my sumo, the skill I displayed.

That made me very happy, like everything I'd been through was worth it.

It felt special.

The Grand Sumo tournaments are where you get to show the fruits of your training.

And the prize is all about how well, how effectively you can execute your style of sumo in the ring.

To Isegahama Oyakata, we asked what makes a rikishi worthy of the prize?

How they use their hips, their knees, how they neutralize an opponent, how they achieve or shake off a belt grip,

how they execute moves, dashinage, shitatenage, uwatenage, the list goes on.

In summary, a rikishi who can do it all.

I hope to see someone like that emerge.

Anyone specific come to mind?

Someone who can do it all?

To my knowledge, just me.

Such great insights!

All right. Today's topic has been the Technique Prize.

I've gained a new perspective as a sumo fan.

Yes. I imagine as we watch a tournament unfold we'll have our own predictions for who might win the prize.

I'll tell Yoshida-san who to pick.

Ah, you'll put pressure on him.

I shall remain impartial.

Oyakata, your thoughts?

It's not only about the actual winning technique.

There's a whole process that comes before that.

And I think the viewers have been able to see that today.

That makes me happy.

This topic really explores the deep appeal of sumo.

Indeed. Well, I think that's about all for today.

No, Imada-san, it's that time again.

Thank you for the cue, Kuroki-san!

Today is a tough one.

The Technique Prize... is like the contestant who doesn't win the comedy competition, but becomes successful anyway.

It happens.

- The winner doesn't always become a star.
- So true!

- Oh, you know what I mean?
- Yes!

They don't win...

But become famous.

Earlier, Ura was talking about who shone the brightest.

The prize tells the rikishi that they excelled.

You deserve the Technique Prize for MCs!

Whoa, really? That makes me want to aspire to greater heights.

Oyakata, any final thoughts?

We gotta find the Audrey of the sumo world.

- Yes, when I think of comedy technique, I think of Audrey!
- Yep!

Before we go, a quick round-up of recent prize-winners.

First up, Daieisho.

Daieisho unleashes two-hand thrusts.

His distinctive pushing and thrusting earned him his second career Technique Prize.

Another thrust.
Tsukidashi, frontal thrust out.

Next, first-time prize-winner Wakamotoharu.

He presses up hard!

Wakamotoharu unleashes an incredible technique against this two-meter-tall opponent.

Utchari, backward pivot throw.
A last-ditch victory!

Lastly, Hakuoho, who was just 19.

Only his fourth tournament in Grand Sumo!

1 minute has passed.

Uchigake, inside leg trip.

The fastest path to a Technique Prize in sumo history.

Who will win the prize next?

Tune in next time to DOSUKOI Sumo Salon!