Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (top tier):
Myogiryu (M15) beat Tomokaze (J3)
Ryuden (M13) beat Endo (M16)
Churanoumi (M13) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Daiamami (M16) beat Ichiyamamoto (M11)
Roga (M15) beat Mitakeumi (M10)
Kotoshoho (M9) beat Kitanowaka (M14)
Takayasu (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Shonannoumi (M12) beat Onosho (M8)
Hokurofuji 9M9) beat Kinbozan (M7)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Shodai (M10)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Hiradoumi (M4)
Oho (M3) beat Takanosho (M3)
Meisei 9M2) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Ura (M1) beat Asanoyama (M1)
Takerufuji (M17) beat Abi (K)
Onosato (M5) beat Wakamoroharu (S)
Kotonowaka (O) beat Daieisho (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Tobizaru (M4)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Kirishima (O) beat Nishikigi (K)
Leader: Takerufuji (9-0)
Of note: Haku-who? Forget the former Hakuho, now seemingly out as a stablemaster due to backstage politics amidst the Hokuseiho bullying scandal at his Miyagino stable. Isegahama is where the real super-prospects seem to be, and there seemingly has been on stopping rookie Takerufuji, although Onosato has kept a strong pace despite only one loss. And tomorrow is the day to look forward to as their super-showdown is on tap, with the winner potentially being the championship favorite. Takerufuji could pull 2 clear with a win. Onosato clinched a second promotion in two top tier events today. On the flip side, the first demotions were handed out too, to Kitanowaka and Nishikigi.
Juryo:
Tsushimanada (J12) beat Kayo (Ms3)
Aoiyama (J11) beat Hakuoho (J13)
Oshoumi (J11) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Wakatakakage (J10) beat Akua (J13)
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Shiden (J10)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Kitaharima (J14)
Shimanoumi (J9) beat Bushozan (J5)
Oshoma (J4) beat Shishi (J8)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Asakoryu (J8)
Daishoho (J7) beat Mitoryu (J2)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Takarafuji (J1)
Tokihayate (J1) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Leader: Asakoryu, Wakatakakage (8-1)
Of note: No perfect champion. Asakoryu took his first loss to Kagayaki, allowing Wakatakakage to pull even again and clinch a promotion, meaning he’ll take a big step closer to a top tier return in May. But we might be seeing the last of Kotoeko, who is looking at demotion to Makushita unless he wins out to finish 7-8 or perhaps gets to 6-9. He hasn’t been outside the top 2 tiers since May 2016. Despite a big win over Hakuoho today, Aoiyama isn’t safe either at 3-6. Hakuyozan also clinched demotion today.
RETIREMENT: Terutsuyoshi (Ms36). Retired today citing health issues, namely chronic diabetes. On the smaller side at just under 5’7″ and 107 kg/about 235 pounds, he gained fans for his fighting spirit and acrobatic style as well as his LeBron James-esque epic salt throws before matches. This was the first-and ultimately only-tournament in which he did not compete (pre-tournament withdrawal). His real name is Shoki Fukuoka and he retires with a career high rank of Maegashira 3, a career record of 425-422-4 (win-loss-absent), 145-185 in the top tier, one Makushita Championship and one Fighting Spirit prize. His career lasted 14 years but it’s believed he does not have enough tournaments in the top 2 tiers to qualify for elder stock (you need 30 tournaments at Makuuchi or Juryo, I believe he had 22).
UPDATE: Nikkan Sports reports Tamawashi, originally from Mongolia, has acquired Japanese citizenship. The significance is that allows him to remain in Japan after retirement, which opens the door for elder stock and becoming an oyakata when/if he retires. He’s 39 and still going so theoretically he could go 25+ more years (65 is the mandatory retirement age in sumo).
