Torinaoshi

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'Torinaoshi' (取り直し) is a term used in sumo matches to describe a 'do-over.'

The term tori (取り) means to take and naoshi (直し) is to fix or to cure. Put together, the meaning is to do something again correctly, and is used in sumo in cases when the five judges are unable to reach a decision as to the winner in a bout. The result is that the bout starts over from the beginning with a fresh tachi-ai.

Due to the lack of instant replay in sumo, the gyoji is forced to make a spot decision as to the winner, which the judges are entitled to challenge (as are any of the active rikishi sitting on the dohyo edge awaiting their bouts, although this is an extremely rare occurrence). In the case of a challenge, the five judges step onto the dohyo and have a mono-ii (talk about things) in order to discuss the match and the result. The chief judge also can also receive advice through a microphone from a further two judges in a video room with access to replays of the bout.

The options available to the judges are to declare a winner by either agreeing with the decision of the gyoji or by reversing his call. However, in extremely close matches where both wrestler's appear to fall simulateneously, if in the judges opinion even the video replay cannot give a definitive outcome then they can declare a torinaoshi.

In making their decision the judges do not need to simply decide who fell out of the ring or touched the ground first. They can declare that one wrestler was a shini-tai (dead body) who lost by merit of his opponent's superior sumo regardless of who touched/stepped out of the dohyo first. They can also disqualify one of the wrestlers if they ajudge him to have used an illegal technique.