Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka::
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Tohakuryu (M15) beat Shimazuumi (J2)
Tamawashi (M12) beat Oho (M12)
Tsurugisho (M13) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Hiradoumi (M11) beat Churanounmi (M15)
Takarafuji (M13) beat Myogiryu (M9)
Endo (M8) beat Kitanowaka (M17)
Hokuseiho (M7) beat Roga (M16)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Mitakeumi (M9)
Shonannoumi (M6) beat Tomokaze (M14)
Onosho (M5) beat Nishikifuji (M16)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Nishikigi (M4)
Takayasu (M3) beat Ryuden (M10)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Ura (M1) beat Shodai (M2)
Abi (K) beat Meisei (M2)
Hokutofuji (K) beat Asanoyama (M1)
Daieisho (S) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Kirishima (O) beat Kotonowaka (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Atamifuji (M8) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Leader: Kirishima, Atamifuji (10-2)
Of note: Although he won’t make Yokozuna now, Takakeisho has at least protected his Ozeki rank as all 3 now have 8+ wins, so all good going into January. But the Sanyaku Shakeup is coming because Wakamotoharu will be demoted from Sekiwake after taking his 8th loss today. This is only his second demotion since reaching the top tier at the start of 2022, which demonstrates how incredibly consistent he has been performance-wise, and snaps a run of 7 straight winning records. He did start 3-2 but has been in a 1-6 slump since, a lot of it’s just bad luck/results and not a lack of effort. Kitanowaka and Roga will both be demoted to Juryo after today as well with 8 & 9 losses, respectively. Kotonowaka & Ichiyamamoto are each one back and still in it, but need a little help. Which could happen tomorrow. Among higher-ranked wrestlers, I wouldn’t call Takarafuji safe is he loses out, but given the supposed Isegahama pull in the rankings, he’ll probably stick around. But he will lose Nishikifuji, who couldn’t stave off demotion again today and took his 8th loss and is going down to Juryo again after 9 straight tournaments in the top tier (he came up after winning the Juryo Championship in May 2022). Unfortunately good happenings outside the dohyo this year, including getting married and having his first children (twins) have not translated to good luck in the dohyo. Shimazuumi came up short in his bid to earn promotion today and will try again tomorrow in Juryo.
Ozeki Watch: While today’s loss means he can’t hit the unofficial mark of 33 wins, Kotonowaka still has a chance at promotion if he wins out, especially if he wins the tournament and finishes with 32 wins. Going 2-1 against the current Ozeki this time should help his cause.
Key matches tomorrow: Atamifuji-Takayasu, Daieisho-Kirishima. Both are tough matches for the co-leaders. Kotonowaka faces Ryuden while Ichiyamamoto has Midorifuji.
Oshoma will be the Juryo Man up tomorrow, he will now be demoted at 4-8 as he remains in a long rut of not being able to break through the upper ranks of Juryo into the top tier (he was J4 for an unprecedented 4 straight tournaments despite one 8-7 and 2 7-8 efforts and was stuck at J3 or J4 this entire year, dating back to his winning the Juryo Championship here last year).
Juryo:
Oshoumi (Ms2) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Takahashi (J9) beat Shimanoumi (M12)
Chiyomaru (J8) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Tokihayate (J8) beat Akua (J10)
Asakoryu (J13) beat Chiyoshoma (J6)
Shishi (J5) beat Tenshoho (J10)
Daiamami (J4) beat Yuma (J13)
Mitoryu (J4) beat Shiden (J12)
Hitoshi (J11) beat Kagayaki (J3)
Onosato (J5) beat Oshoma (J3)
Bushozan (J2) beat Takakento (J9)
Daishoho (J7) beat Aoiyama (J1)
Kotoshoho (J1) beat Tamashoho (J7)
Leader: Kotoshoho, Onosato (9-3)
Of note: Hitoshi’s nightmare is over for now has he snapped a 8-match losing streak that will send the September Makushita Champion back down. Takakento is also a demotion candidate now at 2-9, but this win means despite being equal to 3-9 Chiyomaru is probably safe despite injury absences. With his win as the Makushita Man in his likely final match, Oshoumi earned a 4th win and a promotion, possibly to Juryo in January. If he does, that will mean a Juryo debut as his Ms2 ranking right now is a career best. At the top, Onosato now has a chance at promotion tot he top tier depending on how he finishes. If he wins out, championship or not, I believe he gets there, but yes if he is champion.
Lower tier notes: Tomorrow is the traditional Championship Day. The Makushita Championship match will be tomorrow (Kitaharima vs. Satorufuji), along with the Sandanme Championship match (Nishida vs. Daishoryu). The Jonidan Championship may or may not be decided, depending on what happens: First up, if Dairinzan wins his last match tomorrow, a playoff Sunday is guaranteed against the Shiroma-Higonoumi winner after that. But if Dairinzan loses tomorrow, Shiroma-Higonoumi is for the championship (Dairinzan’s match is up first). The Jonokuchi leader, Aonishiki, is in Jonidan tomorrow and will win the Jonokuchi Championship with a win. If Aonishiki loses, he still is champion if both Ginseizan and Kyokushori (5-1) lose. But if either wins and Aonishiki loses, there will be a playoff and both winning would mean a 3-way playoff.
