Here are the quick results from today’s Day 6 of the September 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (top tier):
Ryuden (M14) beat Shirokuma (M16)
Onokatsu (M14) beat Kitanowaka (M16)
NIshikigi (M13) beat Nishikifuji (M17)
Takayasu (M15) beat Bushozan (M12)
Kinbozan (M12) beat Takarafuji (M15)
Hokutofuji (M13) beat Kagayaki (M11)
Oshoma (M9) beat Tamawashi (M10)
Endo (M8) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Roga (M10) beat Midorifuji (M8)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M9)
Ura (M5) beat Gonoyama (M6)
Shonannoumi (M5) beat Meisei (M6)
Kotoshoho (M4) beat Wakatakakage (M7)
Takanosho (M1) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Daieisho (K) beat Hiradoumi (K)
Onosato (S) beat Shodai (M4)
Wakamotoharu (M3) beat Abi (S)
Kirishima (S) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Kotozakura (O) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Oho (M2) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Leader: Onosato (6-0)
Of note: Hoshoryu possibly got a good talking-to after his loss to Oho, as he didn’t do the customary post-match bowing and tried just storming off to the dressing room, clearly in frustration over another loss that dropped the Ozeki to 2-4. He had to be summoned back to bow and the first time he did, the chief referee had his back turned and he had to do it again after what looked like quite the side-eye glare from the referee. Now do keep in mind he is the nephew of the fiery former rule-bender/breaker Yokozuna Asashoryu and this isn’t unusual behavior for either of them, but it certainly doesn’t help his eventual promotion hopes. Meanwhile, Oho should be in Outstanding Performance Prize contention if he can finish with a winning record, and ideally 10+ wins, because he now has beaten both Ozeki (and consecutively). As the only 6-0 wrestler, Onosato could be well on his way to promotion, he needs 6 more wins to reach the unofficial 33 for consideration (not an official requirement, promotions have happened with as few as 28) and a second championship in 3 tournaments here could give him a big head start towards Yokozuna. And while nothing short of a championship may get him back to Ozeki this time, Kirishima is clearly looking like his old self again, now sitting in a tie for second at 5-1.
Juryo:
Oshoumi (J14) beat Kayo (J14)
Takerufuji (J11) beat Aoiyama (J13)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Daiseizan (J12)
Fujiseiun (J10) beat Kiryuko (J12)
Tomokaze (J11) beat Tsurugisho (J7)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Mitoryu (J7)
Hidenoumi (J6) beat Daishoho (J9)
Shiden (J6) beat Hakuyozan (J8)
Hakuoho (J5) beat Shimazuumi (J4)
Tamashoho (J3) beat Daiamami (J5)
Shishi (J2) beat Tokihayate (J2)
Chiyoshoma (J1) beat Shimazuumi (J4)
Leader: Chiyoshoma, Takerufuji (6-0)
Of note: Kayo dropped from the unbeaten ranks today with his first loss. It’s safe to say Takerufuji is back to full health as he’s off to another impressive start-from J11 to get back to the top tier with a championship will probably require going 15-0. But since he’s an Isegahama wrestler, maybe 14-1 will do it. Chiyoshoma is now just 2 wins from a top tier return after being demoted after July following a late entry last time due to injuries (missed the first 5 days due to back surgery but did manage to go a respectable 5-5 upon returning)). On the flip side, it’s looking bad for Aoiyama, as at 1-5 the longtime veteran is facing demotion to Makushita and possibly the end of his career.
Lower tier notes:
Entering “Promotion Day” tomorrow where the first 4-0 records and subsequent promotions will be secured, Enho is among the Jonidan leaders at 3-0 so one more win means another promotion, and 2 or more wins should secure promotion to the Sandanme in November. He could make it back to Makushita as soon as January but March seems more likely, giving him a chance to make it back to Juryo around this time next year as long as he avoids demotion. When/if he does make it back to the second tier he will become eligible for elder stock upon retirement with what would be his 30th tournament (5 years total) in the top 2 tiers.
The Makushita currently has 15 wrestlers at 3-0. This includes recent Juryo demotions Chiyomaru & Kazekeno (the former is at Ms3 and could get back up with at least 5 wins, the latter probably needs to win the championship at Ms14). The Sandanme has 20 at 3-0. The Jonidan has 25 including Enho at 3-0 (Enho is at Jd32 so probably needs 5 wins for Sandanme). The heavily depleted Jonokuchi has 3 at 3-0.
