Here are the quick results from today’s Day 15-the Final Day-of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi
Makuuchi (top tier):
Churanoumi (M13) beat Kitanowaka (M14)
Ichiyamamoto (M11) beat Ryuden (M13)
Mitakeumi (M10) beat Endo (M16)
Shodai (M10) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Kotoshoho (M9) beat Roga (M15)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Shonannoumi (M12)
Takayasu (M8) beat Daiamami (M16)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Myogiryu (M15)
Takerufuji (M17) beat Gonoyama (M6). TAKERUFUJI YUSHO!!!
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Onosho (M8) beat Tobizaru (M4)
Meisei (M2) beat Takanosho (M3)
Oho (M3) beat Ura (M1)
Nishikigi (K) beat Kinbozan (M7)
Abi (K) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Asanoyama (M1)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Onosato (M5)
Kirishima (O) beat Kotonowaka (O)
CHAMPION: Takerufuji (13-2). 1st career Emperor’s Cup, 4th career championship and second straight after winning Juryo in January. His career mark through 10 tournaments is now an astounding 69-10. He also becomes the first top tier rookie in 110 years to win his debut tournament in Makuuchi.
Of note: Elsewhere…RARE KIMARITE ALERT! There was good stuff on the undercard today too, including Kotoshoho winning with a rare technique I’ve never seen before-amiuchi-the fisherman’s throw. It looked like a middle-range arm throw as Roga was already losing his balance and falling down. That fishing effort netted Kotoshoho a promotion. That aside, for all the concerns about dwindling ranks and fewer newcomers in sumo, at the top the time is now for the youth movement. Hakkaku may be very worried about a Yokozuna-less time around the corner but with Takerufuji, Atamifuji and Onosato the future is very bright with 3 wrestlers who should be Yokozuna and Ozeki before too long. And Takerufuji came back from a right ankle injury yesterday to gut it out and show true heart of a champion by returning to compete today. He would have won anyway after Onosato lost to Hoshoryu, but back-to-back runner-up finishes for the top-tier sophomore may see him in Sanyaku in May. The final match saw the chief referee clearly blow another call as he ruled Kotonowaka the winner but replays show he clearly went out before Kirishima and the judges overturned the call. Kirishima will still be kadoban in May while the Sanyaku shakeup will see Daieisho demoted from Sekiwake for the first time in over a year, Wakamotoharu will stay Sekiwake, Abi may be promoted to Sekiwake, Asanoyama should return to Komusubi will Nishikigi will be demoted big-time.
SPECIAL PRIZES:
Outstanding Performance (best record with most wins against Yokozuna and/or Ozeki): Takerufuji
Fighting Spirit (winning record with judged to show best fighting spirit): Takerufuji, Onosato
Technique (winning record with best technique and/or most different winning techniques): Takerutufji, Onosato
Juryo:
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Nabatame (Ms5)
Tenshoho (Ms1) beat Kitaharima (J14)
Tsukahara (Ms4) beat Akua (J13)
Shishi (J8) beat Wakatakakage (J10)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Kotowko (J12)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Hakuoho (J13)
Hakuyozan (J6) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Bushozan (J4) beat Asakoryu (J8)
Oshoma (J4) beat Tsushimanada (J12)
Kagayaki (J3) beat Shimanoumi (J9)
Tomokaze (J3) beat Daishoho (J7)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Aoiyama (J11). MITORYU JURYO YUSHO!!!
Tohakuryu (J2) beat Oshoumi (J11)
Takarafuji (J1) beat Shiden (J10)
Tokihayate (J1) beat Shirokuma (J5)
CHAMPION: Mitoryu (12-3). 2nd career championship, both in Juryo
Jonidan:
Playoff: Tochimaru (Jd47) beat Ryuo (Jd6). TOCHIMARU JONIDAN YUSHO!!! The 2nd career championship and first Jonidan for the popular machine-gun-thruster veteran, who was demoted from Makushita to Jonidan after missing the last 3 tournaments due to injuries.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS:
Makuuchi-Takerufuji (M17). 1st Emperor’s Cup, 4th career championship
Juryo-Mitoryu (J2). 2nd career championship, 2nd Juryo championship
Makushita-Kazekeno (Ms13). 2nd career championship, 1st Makushita championship
Sandanme-Nagamura (Sd3). 1st career championship
Jonidan-Tochimaru (Jd47). 2nd career championship, 1st Jonidan championship
Jonokuchi-Chiyooga (Jk3). 1st career championship
The next tournament is May 12-26 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Advance tickets go on sale April 8. Before then, in April there will be a special exhibition tournament held as a fundraiser for Noto Peninsula Earthquake relief efforts. The final wrap-up post with hopefully details on early promotions/demotions and more will come later this week.
