Analysis15
Do rikishi who rely on pulls lose more?
Conclusion
Rikishi who earned more than 25% of their wins with pulling techniques such as hatakikomi and hikiotoshi had a 46.2% Makuuchi win rate. Those below 12% were at 50.1%. This shows an association, not that pulling itself causes losses.
How to read this number
Rikishi taking more than 25% of their wins by pulling posted a 46.2% Makuuchi win rate, against 50.1% for those below 12%. The correlation between pull share and win rate is negative as well.
This is an association, not a cause. The data cannot tell whether pulling produces losses or whether rikishi who are already being driven backward have no option but to pull. The second order of events may well be the more natural reading.
Coaches warn against pulling because it hands the opponent the initiative. What the data shows is consistent with that advice, without proving that the technique itself is the problem.
Methodology
- Period
- Hatsu 2000 through Natsu 2026
- Sample
- Win is 50 bouts or more and Makuuchi Kunio participates in 100 bouts or more.
- Sample size
- Pulling Technique: 45 people, 45 people
- Calculation
- 25% or more of Win is the top 25% of Pulls and sidesteps. Makuuchi KunioWin rate46.2%
- comparison
- The bottom 25% group with pulls and sidesteps of 12% or less was 50.1%. Correlation coefficient −0.202
How to read this
It is not the cause and effect of the pull technique that causes the loss, but the correlation between the pull technique and the CareerWin rate.