Open The Forbidden Gate

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 of the November 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Joryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Shishi (M17)
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Tokihayate (M15)
Asakoryu (M16) beat Ryuden (M13)
Ichiyamamoto (M10) beat Shonannoumi (M13)
Takayasu (M9) beat Sadanoumi (M12)
Gonoyama (M8) beat Takerufuji (M16)
Hokutofuji (M12) beat Roga (M8)
Tamawashi (M11) beat Mitakeumi (M7)
Endo (M7) beat Meisei (M11)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Churanoumi (M4) beat Nishikigi (M6)
Onokatsu (M15) beat Abi (M3)
Wakatakakage (M2) beat Takarafuji (M10)
Ura (M2) beat Hiradoumi (M1)
Oshoma (M4) beat Oho (M1)
Atamifuji (M3) beat Shodai (K)
Kirishima (S) beat Tobizaru (M5)
Kotozakura (O) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Takanosho (M6) beat Onosato (O)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Daieisho (S)
Leader: Kotozakura, Hoshoryu, Takanosho (10-1)
RE-ENTRY: Bushozan (M17). Will return tomorrow. Missed the last 5 days due to injury. Will be the equivalent of 1-10 and still should be demoted to Juryo.
Of note: Best of 3? Ura & Hiradoumi had not one, not two, but THREE matches today! Hiradoumi initially was declared the winner on a close call, but after a Momo-ii there was a rematch. Close call again favoring Hiradoumi but another Momo-ii…ANOTHER rematch! Third time was the charm for Ura with a decisive win. So Hiradoumi won 2 but Ura gets the win that counts most. Elsewhere, there were hopes that new Ozeki Onosato would be the first newly promoted Ozeki to win the championship since Hakuho in 2006. That almost certainly will not happen as he is now 7-4 and 3 back, while the leading trio has pulled 2 in front. The Ozeki showdown between Kotozakura & Hoshoryu may wait until the last day and could wind up being for the championship, tomorrow Hoshoryu has Shodai while Kotozakura faces Daieisho. Takanosho gets Kirishima. Onosato has the final match of the day against Takerufuji, who is now 2 back at 8-3.

Juryo:
Aonishiki (J11) beat Chiyomaru (J11)
Tochitaikai (J12) beat Onosho (J10)
Kotoeiho (J13) beat Daishoho (J9)
Nabatame (J14) beat Daiamami (J9)
Wakaikari (J13) beat Hakuyozan (J8)
Daiseizan (J12) beat Mitoryu (J8)
Shiden (J6) beat Oshoumi (J14) by default/withdrawal
Fujiseiun (J10) beat Tamashoho (J4)
Kayo (J3) beat Shimazuumi (J5)
Shirouma (J3) beat Shimanoumi (J4)
Hakuoho (J2) beat Hidehoumi (J7)
Kagayaki (J2) beat Tomokaze (J5)
Tsurugisho (J7) beat Kinbozan (J1)
Kitanowaka (J1) beat Tohakuryu (J9) by disqualification/judges reversal…HANSOKU! Tohakuryu won iniitially but it was ruled he grabbed Kitanowaka’s eyelashes and thus he was DQ’d. Usually DQ’s happen for grabbing hair/topknots but any type of hair grabbing is illegal.
Leader: Tsurugisho (10-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Oshoumi. Left shoulder (labrum). Out 1 week. Sadly, tournament likely over, which is beyond horrible timing as he took his first loss yesterday and was still co-leader coming in to today, but his title hopes have been dashed and if he can’t return he will finish the equivalent of 9-6. But he did manage enough wins to secure promotion beforehand. Shiden got the fusen as a result.
Of note: While the Oshoumi injury takes him out of it and has all but handed the championship to Tsurugisho, it’s not over yet despite the 2 win margin he now has after beating Kinbozan. Tsurugisho has now won 7 straight since his only loss and, if he holds on, would win his 3rd Juryo championship and will have a chance at promotion back to the top tier. He has Kayo tomorrow while Kinbozan faces Mitoryu in a must-win.

Lower tier notes:
The Makushita Championship is set for Friday, it will be Hokutomaru vs. Osanai. The Sandanme Championship is also set and Enho will go for 7-0 and almost certain promotion to Makushita against Fujitoshi. The Jonidan may need a playoff to settle things as 3 go into the final days at 6-0 while in the Jonokuchi Gonoumi only needs to win his last match to finish 7-0 and clinch the championship after winning his match today, which was in the Jonidan. If he loses his last match, a playoff could happen.

Obituary: Kasuaki Takizawa, a sumo commentator for NHK who was the 52nd Yokozuna Kitanofuji, has died. He was 82. The cause of death appears to be an unspecified illness for which he was hospitalized after the September tournament according to Nikkan Sports. He was promoted to Grand Champion in the 1970s and won 10 Emperor’s Cups, was director of the referees association for 8 years and also trained wrestlers for several years including two Yokozuna, one of which is the current Hakkau (Chairman of the Japan Sumo Association). He even was a singer whose debut sold 500,000 copies in Japan. Services are planned for December in Tokyo.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 10 of the November 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Shonannoumi (M13) beat Shishi (M16)
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Hokutofuji (M13)
Asakoryu (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M12)
Takerufuji (M16) beat Meisei (M11)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Tokihayate (M15)
Takayasu (M9) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Ichiyamamoto (M10) beat Roga (M8)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Ryuden (M13)
Tamawashi (M11) beat Endo (M5)
Mitakeumi (M7) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Takanosho (M6) beat Onokatsu (M15)
Nishikigi (M6) beat Atamifuji (M3)
Wakatakakage (M2) beat Oho (M1)
Abi (M3) beat Hiradoumi (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Oshoma (M4)
Shodai (K) beat Ura (M2)
Kirishima (S) beat Churanoumi (M4)
Daieisho (S) beat Onosato (O)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Kotozakura (O) beat Tobizaru (M5)
Leader: Kotozakura, Hoshoryu, Takanosho (9-1)
Of note: No changes at the top but Onosato’s loss now puts him 2 back and means any chances of Yokozuna consideration after this tournament, which would have required a championship among other things, are pretty much gone. There are now just 2 at 8-2 including Takerufuji, who has clinched promotion in his second top-tier tournament and remains in contention for hsi second Emperor’s Cup. Onosato’s best chance at a title, or getting back in contention, may come tomorrow when he gets Takanosho. Hoshoryu has Daieisho while Kotozakura draws Wakamotoharu. But we also haven’t gotten to the Ozeki showdowns yet this time, which may very well determine the champion. At the bottom of the rankings, it could be a quick one-and-done for Shishi as following a 2-0 start he has since gone 1-7 and is on the verge of demotion. He must best Nishikfuji tomorrow or he’s all but headed back to Juryo.

Juryo:
Nabatame (J14) beat Chiyomaru (J10)
Daiseizan (J12) beat Onosho (J10)
Daiamami (J9) beat Kotoeiho (J13)
Wakaikari (J13) beat Daishoho (J9)
Mitoryu (J6) beat Tochitaikai (J12)
Fujiseiun (J10) beat Hakuyozan (J8)
Tsurugisho (J7) beat Oshoumi (J14)
Tamashoho (J7) beat Aonishiki (J11)
Shirokuma (J3) beat Shimazuumi (J5)
Shimanoumi (J4) beat Kayo (J3)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Kagayaki (J2)
Shiden (J6) beat Hakuoho (J2)
Kitanowaka (J1) beat Tomokaze (J5)
Kinbozan (J1) beat Tohakuryu (J6)
Leader: Oshoumi, Tsurugisho (9-1)
Of note: That first loss to Tsurugisho was indescribably costly for Oshoumi because he has now WITHDRAWN. His left shoulder was taped up today but otherwise why isn’t yet clear. That means his championship chase is over if he misses more than tomorrow although we’ll have to see what happens with Tsurugisho. Shiden will get the fusen as a result. But with 9 wins Oshoumi has at least clinched promotion so he will remain in Juryo this time without controversy. Kinbozan finally got his 8th win today and that means he’ll be promoted back tot he top tier in January. Chiyomaru is headed for demotion now at 0-10 and, in future retirement questions-to-be, Onosho is also demoted now. Back at the top, Tsurugisho has Kinbozan tomorrow so there could be co-leaders again.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 of the November 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Asakoryu (M17)
Tokihayata (M15) beat Ryuden (M13)
Takerufuji (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M12)
Shonannoumi (M13) beat Hokutofuji (M12)
Meisei (M11) beat Shishi (M16)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Tamawashi (M11)
Takarafuji (M15) beat Onokatsu (M10)
Ichiyamamoto (M10) beat Mitakeumi (M7)
Takayasu (M9) beat Endo (M7)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Nishikigi (M6)
Takanosho (M6) beat Roga (M8)
Gonoyama (M8) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Tobizaru (M5) beat Ura (M2)
Oho (M1) beat Hiradoumi (M1)
Wakatakakage (M2) beat Shodai (K)
Abi (M3) beat Daieisho (S)
Kirishima (S) beat Atamifuji (M3)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Churanoumi (M4)
Kotozakura (O) beat Oshoma (M4)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Leader: Takanosho, Kotozakura, Hoshoryu (8-1)
Of note: The leader group dropped from 4 to 3 for now with Onokatsu losing today, but with Takanosho on tap tomorrow he can get right back in it, as can any of the 5 who are currently at 7-2. The win today means Takanosho is the first in the top tier to clinch promotion this time while Kotozakura & Hoshoryu protect their Ozeki rank very early on so no last-day worries this time. Onosato remains in the group one back and can secure his rank in his Ozeki debut tomorrow against Daieisho. At the bottom, Hiradoumi is the first demotion as his disastrous November sees him fall to 1-8. There could be as many as 4 more demotions tomorrow…and why hasn’t Mitakeumi withdrawn? As for the other Ozekit omorrow, Kotozakura has Tobizaru while Hoshoryu has Kotoshoho, the latter trying to avoid demotion.

Juryo:
Wakaikari (J13) beat Kotoeiho (J13)
Oshoumi (J14) beat Fujiseiun (J10)
Daishoho (J9) beat Nabatame (J14)
Daiamami (J9) beat Tochitaikai (J12)
Hakuyozan (J8) beat Daiseizan (J12)
Tsurugisho (J7) beat Aonishiki (J11)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Chiyomaru (J11)
Shiden (J6) beat Onosho (J10)
Shimanoumi (J4) beat Mitoryu (J8)
Tohakuryu (J6) beat Shirokuma (J3)
Hakuoho (J2) beat Shimazuumi (J5)
Kagayaki (J2) beat Kayo (J3)
Tomokaze (J5) beat Kinbozan (J1)
Tamashoho (J4) beat Kitanowaka (J1)
Leader: Oshoumi (9-0)
Of note: Still all Oshoumi but the first critical bout is tomorrow as he faces Tsurugisho, who clinched promotion today and is right behind at 8-1. Kinbozan’s promotion back to the top tier won’t happen today as he took his second loss to fall 2 back. If he can’t win tomorrow the championship race may be all but down to Oshoumi & Tsurugisho.

Lower tier notes:
The Makushita is now down to 3 at 5-0, and based on their rankings Kazekeno will have a chance to return to Juryo from Ms6 depending on what happens now, one more win may clinch it but 7-0 definitely will. No Wakatakamoto though as he lost to drop out of it. In the Sandanme, Enho won and remains among 6 co-leaders at 5-0, any more wins will improve his chances of promotion to Makushita in January (one more may clinch it). No match for him tomorrow. The Jonidan has 5 remaining at 5-0 while in the Jonokuchi the sole leader is Gonoumi at 5-0 after winning the battle of the 2 remaining unbeatens. He isn’t a rookie but has missed the majority of this year due to injuries and had more absent days than wins in his career coming into the tournament (30 absent against 27 wins & 13 losses).

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the Halfway Point-of the November 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Onokatsu (M15) beat Asakoryu (M17)
Takerufuji (M16) beat Ryuden (M13)
Hokutofuji (M12) beat Nishikifuji (M16)
Shishi (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M12)
Tokihayate (M15) beat Tamawashi (M11)
Meisei (M11) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Takarafuji (M10) beat Shonannoumi (M13)
Endo (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M10)
Takayasu (M9) beat Mitakeumi (M7)
Takanosho (M6) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Nishikigi (M6) beat Gonoyama (M8)
Roga (M8) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Abi (M3) beat Ura (M2)
Wakatakakage (M2) beat Hiradoumi (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Atamifuji (M3)
Shodai (K) beat Oho (M1)
Daieisho (S) beat Kirishima (S)
Kotozakura (O) beat Churanoumi (M4)
Onosato (O) beat Tobizaru (M5)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Oshoma (M4)
Leader: 4 at 7-1
Of note: Not much changed at the top except the 8-way tie for second is now down to 4 after today. That also means for the first time in some time all the Ozeki are in title contention, as both Kotozakura & Hoshoryu are 7-1 and Onosato is 6-2. The surprise is the other 2 co-leaders, Onokatsu and Takanosho. The former barely held on to his top tier spot this time while the latter was runner-up in July then had a disastrous September but now is back in July form. Still in the 6-2 group is March champion Takerufuji who continues to look strong. On the flip side, it looks like Hiradoumi may be the first demotion this time as he is a disastrous 1-7. And maybe because he was still in second today Mitakeumi kept going but it was another basically walkover loss to drop him to 5-3. He really needs to withdraw as that Day 6 hard landing after the win ended it for him.

Juryo:
Ohsoumi (J14) beat Daiseizan (J12)
Aonishiki (J11) beat Kotoeiho (J13)
Kotokuzan (Ms4) beat Chiyomaru (J11)
Nabatame (J14) beat Onosho (J10)
Wakaikari (J13) beat Daiamami (J9)
Hakuyozan (J8) beat Tochitaikai (J12)
Tsurugisho (J7) beat Fujiseiun (J10)
Daishoho (J9) beat Shiden (J6)
Mitoryu (J8) beat Tomokaze (J5)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Kayo (J3)
Kagayaki (J2) beat Shirokuma (J2)
Hakuoho (J2) beat Shimanoumi (J2)
Kitanowaka (J1) beat Shimazuumi (J4)
Kinbozan (J1) beat Tamashoho (J4)
Leader: Oshoumi (8-0)
RE-ENTRY: Tohakuryu (J6). Will return tomorrow. Missed 3 days for unknown reasons. Will be the equivalent of 2-6 so still a chance to salvage promotion. That means no more Makushita men up starting tomorrow until there’s either another withdrawal or the final day.
Of note: Second chance justification. After barely hanging on to his Juryo spot this time after he should have been demoted after September, that’s a promotion for Oshoumi as he stays the only unbeaten. Kinbozan is also now a win from returning to the top tier next year as he is at 7-1, with Tsurugisho also at 7-1. On the flip side, Chiyomaru is the first official demotion this time as the first to fall to 0-8. And it’s also time to begin wondering if this could be the end for Onosho, the former top-tier mainstay is now 2-6 and, if this keeps up, will be in danger of demotion to Makushita from J10. He probably needs 4 more wins, maybe 3, to be safe.

Lower tier notes:
With Promotion Day now in the books, the field will start getting further narrowed down over the next 4 days to set up the championships. In the Makushita, 7 remain at 4-0 including Wakatakamoto, the third and oldest of the Wakas (older brother to both Wakamotoharu & Wakatakakage). He’s the only one never to get above Makushita, and he wouldn’t this time even at 7-0 due to being Ms43, but it could bring hope for next year. In the Sandanme, after his win yesterday Enho is among 11 at 4-0 and will face fellow unbeaten Kyokumizuno tomorrow. One more win may be enough to get Enho promoted to Makushita in January but I think he needs 2 more to be sure. In the Jonidan, 10 are 4-0 going into the second half while in the Jonokuchi there were 2 unbeaten but as of this post their Day 9 is done and Gonoumi beat Tamaki in the unbeaten matchup so for now Gonoumi is the sole leader at what will now be 5-0. Gonoumi got as high as Makushita earlier in his career before early withdrawals and missing 3 straight tournaments got him demoted to Jonokuchi, but he returned in September for his final match and won so he now has 6 straight wins overall and is 2 wins from his first championship.