Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 of the January 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (top tier):
Endo (M13) beat Tomokaze (M15)
Myogiryu (M12) beat Bushozan (M16)
Takanosho (M12) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Shimazuumi (M17) beat Oho (M11)
Kotoshoho (M14) beat Sadanoumi (M10)
Onosato (M15) beat Meisei (M9)
Churanoumi (M13) beat Mitakeumi (M9)
Onosho (M14) beat Asanoyama (M7) by default/withdrawal
Taurugisho (M11) beat Ichiyamamoto (M7)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Shonannoumi (M6)
Kinbozan (M6) beat Hiradoumi (M8)
Tobizaru (M4) beat Hokutofuji (M3) by default/withdrawal
Abi (M2) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Midorifuji (M2)
Ura (K) beat Atamifuji (M1)
Kotonowaka (S) beat Daieisho (S)
Kirishima (O) beat Shodai (M4)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Ryuden (M5)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Nishikigi (M5)
Leader: Kotonowaka, Onosho, Onosato (8-1)
WITHDRAWALS: Hokutofuji (M3), Asanoyama (M7). Hokutofuji-Knee. If it’s as bad as it looked, tournament over and he will be demoted with the equivalent of a 4-11-record. Asanoyama-ankle. Status uncertain. Seems day-to day based on what Nikkan Sports reported and it was a last-second withdrawal. It cost him a share of the lead and potentially a championship as he was 7-1 coming in to today.
Of note: The first promotions were earned today with Kotonowaka again protecting his Sekiwake rank, Onosato earning promotion in his top tier debut and Onosho getting the freebie due to Asanoyama withdrawing. But so were the first demotions, to Shonannoumi and Tomokaze as both are 1-8 (Tomokaze could be demoted back to Juryo unless he wins out). Ura staved off demotion again by ending Atamifuji’s 4-match winning streak.
Yokozuna Watch: Kirishima remains one off the pace at 7-2 and faces a must-win tomorrow against Onosho. A win protects his Ozeki rank and keeps him in what would be a group of at least 3 one back.
Ozeki Watch: With his Sekiwake rank now protected again, Kotonowaka remains in promotion contention as co-leader. He needs 5 more wins or the championship.
Key matches tomorrow: Kotonowaka-Onosato, Onosho-Kirishima. The winner of the former will be the sole leader or co-leader.
Juryo:
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Tochimusashi (J14)
Takerufuji (J10) beat Oshoumi (J13)
Daishoho (J9) beat Yuma (J13)
Asakoryu (J9) beat Chiyomaru (J12)
Shiden (J8) beat Tenshoho (J12)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Akua (J11)
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Shishi (J7)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Tokihayate (J6)
Kagayaki (J7) beat Tamashoho (J4)
Roga (J3) beat Shirokuma (J6)
Tohakuryu (J2) beat Kotoeko (J4) by default/withdrawal
Nishikifuji (J2) beat Kitanowaka (J3)
Mitoryu (J1) beat Oshoma (J5)
Chiyoshoma (J5) beat Daiamami (J1)
Leader: Takerufuji (9-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Kotoeko (J4). Flu. Return uncertain. Will be demoted due to being the equivalent of 1-8. Maybe a chance he returns for the final day or two. He might need that to keep his Juryo ranking and salary.
Of note: Takerufuji is now 2 clear of the field, which includes stablemate Nishikifuji at 7-2. He faces Roga tomorrow with the Russian looking for promotion (currently also 7-2) and a return to the top tier and the leader trying to stay 2 ahead of the Nishikifuji-Tokihayate winner. Tokihayate has now lost 2 straight after opening 7-0.
