With the November Grand Sumo Tournament now in the books, here are the final standings & other notes/early news:
Just before this was posted it became official…a new Ozeki! Aonishiki has been promoted to the second highest rank after winning his first Emperor’s Cup Sunday.
First up, here is the final Hoshitori (records listed based on the Banzuke) for the top 2 tiers, records are in win-loss-absent format):
Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Onosato (11-4*), Hoshoryu (12-3, lost in playoff)
Ozeki-Kotozakura (8-7)
Sekiwake-Aonishiki (12-3, Tournament Champion), Oho (7-8)
Komusubi-Takanosho (5-10), Takayasu (8-7)
Maegashira 1-Hakuoho (6-9), Wakatakakage (7-8)
Maegashira 2-Kirishima (11-4), Wakamotoharu (8-7)
Maegashira 3-Hiradoumi (4-11), Ura (8-7)
Maegashira 4-Tamawashi (7-8), Oshoma (4-11)
Maegashira 5-Yoshinofuji (9-6), Shodai (4-11)
Maegashira 6-Atamifuji (8-7), Onokatsu (7-8)
Maegashira 7-Churanoumi (8-7), Abi (5-10)
Maegashira 8-Ichiyamamoto (11-4), Kinbozan (7-8)
Maegashira 9-Midorifuji (6-9), Tobizaru (6-9)
Maegashira 10-Daieisho (10-5), Kotoshoho (7-8)
Maegashira 11-Shishi (6-9), Roga (8-7)
Maegashira 12-Fujinokawa (9-6), Tomokaze (7-8)
Maegashira 13-Gonoyama (9-6), Mitakeumi (7-8)
Maegashira 14-Ryuden (7-8), Tokihayate (9-6)
Maegashira 15-Nishikifuji (9-6), Shonannoumi (3-12)
Maegashira 16-Oshoumi (7-8), Sadanoumi (4-11)
Maegashira 17-Chiyoshoma (10-5), Asakoryu (8-7)
Maegashira 18-Meisei (1-5-9)
*-Onosato withdrew on the final day and as a result that is treated as a loss even though he was absent.
Notes: There’s no doubt Takayasu will stay Sanyaku thanks to clinching promotion on the final day, the only question will be Sekiwake or Komusubi. Kirishima could be back at Sekiwake after 11 wins and a Special Prize but he definitely will be Sanyaku, while Ichiyamamoto could sneak in to Komusubi following a 11-win effort and Special Prize that saw him go perfect the second half, finishing with 8 straight wins. Daieisho will also be the other big mover up after 10 wins with a 5-1 finish. I think Wakamotoharu & Ura will be the M1s while Yoshinofuji should be M2. Meisei will be demoted to Juryo but the one win he got may be enough to keep him from falling to Makushita. Sadanoumi & Shonannoumi should be demoted as well while I think Oshoumi did enough to save his spot as he went from demotion on Day 9 to then finishing with 6 straight wins once he got his footing.
The other big loser in the championship and Aonishiki promotion? Shishi. Also from Ukraine, he broke into sumo well before Aonishiki although without nearly the hype and attention/media coverage Aonishiki has received (although he often got hearty applause/support because of where he is from). Despite his size and ability he hasn’t achieved anywhere near his countrymate and has possibly peaked, seemingly destined to be a mid-carder.
Finally, also presented post-tournament was the special year-end award for the most total wins this year, excluding the London event. That went to Onosato who had 71 wins this year (71-19 record). He won at least 10 matches in every tournament. Due to Onosato being absent his stablemaster Nishonoseki accepted it on his behalf. Onosato is expected to be out 1 month due to a shoulder injury. That means he’s off the December tour but should be back for January if all goes well.
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Hitoshi (2-13), Fujiseiun (8-7)
Juryo 2-Kotoeihi (9-6), Asahakuryu (10-5)
Juryo 3-Mita (0-3-12), Daiseizan (9-6)
Juryo 4-Kagayaki (9-6), Asanoyama (12-3)
Juryo 5-Hatsuyama (11-4), Tochitaikai (6-9)
Juryo 6-Kotokuzan (7-8), Nishikigi (4-11)
Juryo 7-Takerufuji (8-7), Shirokuma (9-6)
Juryo 8-Kayo (6-9), Kazekeno (6-9)
Juryo 9-Hidenoumi (5-10), Nishinoryu (8-7)
Juryo 10-Hakuyozan (4-11), Tohakuryu (7-8)
Juryo 11-Tamashoho (10-5), Tsurugisho (7-8)
Juryo 12-Kitanowaka (8-7), Asasuiryu (9-6)
Juryo 13-Himukamaru (5-10), Fujiryoga (13-2, Tournament Champion)
Juryo 14-Shiden (5-7-3), Wakanosho (8-7)
Notes: The first big question is whether or not Fujiryoga’s impressive debut effort will be enough to get him to the top tier in January. It may depend on space-Fujiseiun & Asahakuryu are going up to the top tier for the first time, Asanoyama should be back up too, Hatsuyama & Daiseizan are toss-ups but if it’s between them I’d go with Hatsuyama as he went 11-4 at J5 while Daiseizan was 9-6 at J3. I think neither will because I only expect 3 from the top tier to be demoted. That would probably make Fujiryoga a no and slot him in at J1 or J2. Mita, who had to withdraw due to injury, reportedly is out at least 3 months which would keep him out of January so, even if he’s not yet demoted to Makushita, he will be for March. Himukamaru should be demoted to Makushita along with Shiden, possibly Hakuyozan and we’ll see about Mita.
Lower tier notes: Enho went 5-2 and that will be a promotion, probably to the top 10 Makushita ranks and making promotion in March to Juryo possible. I think he could go as high as Ms5. Kyokukaiyu will be promoted back to Juryo after going 5-2 at Ms1, Dewarnoryu has a chance at 5-2 from Ms3 although a last day loss hurt his hopes (but he also had an unusually long 4 days off before that final day match), and also with a chance is Kazuma, who won the championship at Ms15. Tochimusashi could sneak into an Ms1 spot after a 6-1 at Ms9.
Just before posting this, the Shin-Juryo and Sai-Juryo rikishi for January were announced. Dewanoryu & Kazuma are Shin-Juryo, reaching the second tier for the first time in their careers, while Kyokokaiyu is Sai-Juryo, returning after a prior demotion.
Beyond Endo, there were 4 retirements announced, all in the lower tiers. (Correction-the original post stated 5 retirements but per the Japan Sumo Association app there were just 4.
UPDATE: Not on the retirement list to the surprise of some was Shimanoumi. Reliable English-language sumo YouTuber Chris Sumo hints at a possible retirement after January because at that point Shimanoumi can reportedly cash in his elder stock for Izutsu, which was formerly held by now-retired Akiseyama who cashed in when he retired. But this will be his first promotion in 4 tournaments so perhaps there’s that motivation although he will still be in Makushita in January. That being said, since winning his second caraer Special Prize in November 2020 this will be only his 8th promotion since along with 22 demotions.
UPDATE 2: On 11/27, it was announced that Tokiwayama Beya will be transferred to the current Minatogawa-the former Takakeisho-and become Minatogawa Beya on January 26, which is right after the January Tournament ends. The current stablemaster Tokiwayama will turn 65-the mandatory retirement age in sumo-on March 1, so the succession process is beginning early to avoid disruptions or potential closure (like what happened a year or so ago when Michinoku Beya had to close due to no successor in place, that forced Kirishima to move to Otowayama Beya, just opened by the former Yokozuna Kakuryu) and have it all done prior to the March Tournament. Minatogawa turns 30 in August so he potentially will be there for 35 years before he would have to retire. It was announced at least one current Tokiwayama wrestler would stay put but their referee there (a Juryo referee) would be transferred to Tamanoi Beya, the Tokoyama (lead hairdresser) would go to Kise Beya and a yobidashi (Sandanme level) would go to Shikoroyama Beya. Tokiwayama Beya currently has 10 wrestlers, most notably top tier wrestler Takanosho and Juryo man Wakanosho, it’s not known if any will be moved elsewhere as a result. In their own announcement on social media, Shikoroyama Beya announced Tokiwayama will continue to watch over their stable (many of the stables have a family-like structure and partnership/affiliation and hold group practices together between tournaments). I’m thinking this may also open up the Tokiwayama elder stock for Takanosho when he retires (he just turned 31 during the November tournament will reach 16 years active in March).