Now that most of the major news coming out of the January 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament has broken, here is a final recap of the standings for the top 2 tiers and news following the event:
First, here is the final Hoshitori, or final results based on the rankings for the top 2 tiers (records are in win-loss-absent format):
Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozima-Terunofuji (2-3, Retired)
Ozeki-Hoshoryu (12-3, Tournament Champion), Onosato (10-5), Kotozakura (5-10)
Sekiwake-Wakamotoharu (6-9), Daieisho (11-4)
Komusubi-Abi (7-8), Wakatakakage (7-8)
Maegashira 1-Takanosho (6-9), Kirishima (11-4)
Maegashira 2-Tobizaru (7-8), Atamifuji (5-10)
Maegashira 3-Gonoyama (8-7), Oho (12-3, lost in championship playoff)
Maegashira 4-Shodai (6-9), Ura (7-8)
Maegashira 5-Hiradoumi (7-8), Chiyoshoma (9-6)
Maegashira 6-Takayasu (8-7), Ichiyamamoto (9-6)
Maegashira 7-Endo (6-9), Mitakeumi (2-13)
Maegashira 8-Roga (0-3-12), Takarafuji (5-10)
Maegashira 9-Churanoumi (4-11), Oshoma (8-7)
Maegashira 10-Tamaashi (9-6), Meisei (6-9)
Maegashira 11-Midorifuji (7-8), Takerufuji (10-5)
Maegashira 12-Nishikigi (8-7), Onokatsu (7-8)
Maegashira 13-Shonannoumi (8-7), Kotoshoho (5-10)
Maegashira 14-Hokutofuji (Absent), Kinbozan (12-3), lost in championship playoff)
Maegashira 15-Hakuoho (10-5), Kitanowaka (4-5-6)
Maegashira 16-Tamashoho (6-9), Kagayaki (6-9)
Maegashira 17-Nishiklifuji (9-6), Tokihayate (7-8)
The major news coming out, of course, is that Hoshoryu has been promoted to The 74th Yokozuna in history, just 2 weeks after Yokozuna Terunofuji retired after Day 5. And after winning the November tournament and expected to be the one promoted to Yokozuna, Kotozakura instead will be in kadoban status in March, meaning he must win 8 or more matches or he will be demoted from Ozeki. The Sanyaku shakeup this time will leave 2 Ozeki with Hoshoryu being promoted, Daieisho will stay Sekiwake while Wakamotoharu, Abi & Wakatakakage will all be demoted. As far as Ozeki Watch goes, Daieisho will all but need to win the championship to have a chance at promotion, as mathematically he otherwise would need to go 14-1 or 15-0. Kirishima could be back at Sekiwake while Oho should be promoted to either Komusubi or Sekiwake for the first time. Abi & Wakatakakage should fall to M1 which should leave Gonoyama and possibly Chiyoshoma at M2, despite his good-looking record Chiyoshoma struggled after a 7-0 start, finishing on a 2-6 skid. Kinbozan is poised for a big move up after his playoff loss, he should be in the upper ranks. Hokutofuji, Tamashoho, Tokihayate, Kagayaki, Kitanowaka & Kotoshoho all will be or should be demoted to Juryo while toss-ups are Roga (injured) and Mitakeumi (lose his last 12 matches). Also should mean Takerufuji moves up to what will be a new career best rank and Hakuoho will move up a bit, as will Tamawashi.
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Sadanoumi (9-6), Kayo (7-8)
Juryo 2-Sjodem (5-10), Asakoryu (9-6)
Juryo 3-Ryuden (11-4), Tsurugisho (2-13)
Juryo 4-Shirokuma (9-6), Shishi (13-2, Juryo Champion)
Juryo 5-Shimanoumi (3-12), Aonishiki (12-3)
Juryo 6-Hidenoumi (7-8), Tomokaze (7-8)
Juryo 7-Tochitaikai (8-7), Bushozan (Absent)
Juryo 8-Fujiseiun (8-7), Mitoryu (8-7)
Juryo 9-Daiseizan (5-10), Oshoumi (9-6)
Juryo 10-Shimazuumi (3-12), Hakuyozan (8-7)
Juryo 11-Daiamami (4-11), Tohakuryu (8-7)
Juryo 12-Hatsuyama (6-9), Kiryuko (7-8)
Juryo 13-Wakaikari (9-3-3), Kotoeiho (10-5)
Juryo 14-Nabatame (12-3), Daishoho (1-14)
We know from below there will be at least 5 demotions-Daishoho for sure, very likely Daiamami & Shimanoumi, I expect Bushozan due to missing the tournament, probably Shimazuumi and either Tsurugisho or Shimanoumi (who maybe saved his spot with a 3-1 finish after an 0-10 start). At the top, Sdanoumi & Shishi will be promoted back to the top tier, I expect Ryuden to go back up and Aonishiki will have a chance, he’ll be J1 next time at worst. Wakaikari was this tournament’s Oshoumi, unfortunately getting injured while in title contention after a 9-1 start, that second loss saw him get injured and ended his tournament. Nabatame will make a big move up after clinching promotion in his second try.
The Shin-Juryo & Sai-Juryo rikishi for March have also been announced: The Shin-Juryo wrestlers making their second tier debuts will be Wakanosho, Kusano & Otsuji. The Sai-Juryo rikishi, returning to the second tier after demotions, will be Kazekeno & Hitoshi.
In the lower tiers, Enho will be promoted to Makushita after a 4th straight 6-1 effort in his comeback from injury after just missing this last time out and needing two tournaments to get out of the Sandanme. Although he retired before the tournament, Onosho was still ranked in the Makushita because the rankings had been set before he called it a career. Asanoyama is expected to return from injury in March, if he can he’ll be demoted to the Sandanme after missing the tournament at Ms41.
Finally, the retirements have been posted, all 9 post-tounament retirements are in the bottom 3 tiers except for 2 that are unranked, and of course Terunofuji retired during the tournament-he will keep his name for now and will become an oyakata as he has 5 years of elder stock as a Yokozuna but must find and claim an open position by then to remain as a coach/stablemaster. With the current Isegahama having to retire this summer that shouldn’t be an issue. Not among the retirements that might be a surprise? At least not yet? Satonofuji, whose bow-twirling days are over now that Isegahama Beya no longer has a Yokozuna. That is, unless he jumps to Tatsunami Beya, Hoshoryu’s stable. He went 2-5 this time and will be at the bottom of Jonidan if not demoted to Konokuchi. He turns 48 after the March Tournament and would need to keep going until next May or July to reach 30 years active.
The March Tournament will be held from 3/9-3/23 at Osaka Prefectural Gym in Osaka. Tickets go on sale on 2/8. The Banzuke will be announced on 2/25.
UPDATE: Nikkan Sports reports a Juryo referee has been SUSPENDED for the March Tournament and had his salary reduced for violence against a lower level referee during the November Tournament. The site also reports stablemaster Otowoyama, the firmer Yokozuna Kakuryu, has been appointed to oversee the referees department among other duties.
