Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14-the penultimate day-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 Tokihayate (J1)
Endo (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Shonannoumi (M12) beat Shodai (M10)
Mitakeumi (M10) beat Ryuden (M13)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Daiamami (M16)
Kotoshoho (M9) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Takayasu (M8) beat Roga (M15)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Kitanowaka (M14)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Onosho (M8) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Tobizaru (M4) beat Kinbozan (M7)
Meisei (M2) beat Ichiyamamoto (M11)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Ura (M1) by foul/judges reversal…HANSOKU!!! Ura originally won but grabbed the topknot/hair of Hiradoumi in the process of doing so, which is illegal whether intentional or not. So that’s a disqualification and the result was overturned much to the pro-Ura crowd’s dismay.
Asanoyama (M1) beat Takerufuji (M17)
Onosato (M5) beat Abi (K)
Oho (M3) beat Nishikigi (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Takanosho (M3)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Kirishima (O) beat Takakeisho (O) by default/withdrawal
Kotonowaka (O) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Leader: Takerufuji (12-2)
WITHDRAWAL: Takakeisho (O). Right pectoral muscle. Tournament over. Thankfully he just got his 8th win so he keeps his Ozeki rank in May.
Of note: Not today, but…the crowd was holding its collective breath because after the loss Takerufuji came up almost limping and moving very slowly. Possibly a foot injury but hopefully he can make it through the Final Day. The championship is down to Takerufuji & Onosato (11-3). Takerufuji is to face Gonoyama tomorrow, Onosato is to face Hoshoryu. If Takerufuji wins or Onosato loses, Takerufuji is the champion. If Takerufuji loses and Onosato wins, there will be a playoff. If Takerufuji withdraws and can’t compete, Onosato still must win otherwise Takerufuji would still be champion.
(Quick Takerufuji update: Nikkan Sports reports he was hospitalized right away for examination. Right ankle. In a cast from the knee down. At this moment he remains in for tomorrow)
Juryo:
Kayo (Ms3) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Chiyomaru (Ms1) beat Akua (J13)
Shimanoumi (J9) beat Kitaharima (J14)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Shishi (J8)
Tsushimanada (J12) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Shiden (J10)
Bushozan (J5) beat Hidenoumi (J7)
Shirokuma (J5) beat Oshoumi (J11)
Kagayaki (J3) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Oshoma (J4) beat Asakoryu (J8)
Wakatakakage (J10) beat Tomokaze (J3)
Aoiyama (J11) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Hakuoho (J13)
Daishoho (J7) beat Takarafuji (J1)
Leader: Mitoryu (11-3)
Of note: Well, it’s a Mongolian winning no matter what. Here’s how it looks: With Daishoho and Oshoma at 10-4, both are up first. Oshoma is first and will face Tsushimanada (7-7), then Daishoho will face Tomokaze (8-6). If both lose, Mitoryu is the champion. If one or both win, Mitoryu is still the champion if he beats Aoiyama. If Miroryu loses and one or both Daishoho and/or Oshoma win, there will be a playoff and it could be a 3-way playoff. Mitoryu will be promoted back to the top tier in May, any others come down to tomorrow as Takarafuji & Tokihayate-both J1-are 7-7 so win and they go up, lose and they get demoted. As for Aoiyama, he is 7-7 at J11 so win or lose he’ll stay in Juryo. Elsewhere, Akua may be demoted to Makushita depending on tomorrow while, with his 4th win today, Chiyomaru will be promoted back to Juryo in May.
Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage of the Final Day, including the likely championship deciding matches, playoff if needed, awards ceremony and champion’s interview, tomorrow beginning at 12:30 AM PT/3:30 AM ET.
