Here are the results from today’s Day 8 of the September Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo, the halfway point of the tournament:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Mitoryu (M16) beat Shimanoumi (J1)
Yutakayama (J14) beat Ichiyamamoto (J13)
Okinoumi (M12) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Ryuden (M12) beat Hiradoumi (M16)
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Kotoshoho (M11)
Terutsuyoshi (M15) beat Chiyotairyu (M11)
Oho (M13) beat Takanosho (M10)
Nishikifuji (M10) beat Tochinoshin (M8)
Kotoeko (M9) beat Aoiyama (M7)
Wakamotoharu (M6) beat Myogiryu (M9)
Hokutofuji (M8) beat Endo (M6)
Onosho (M7) beat Takarafuji (M5)
Tamawashi (M3) beat Sadanoumi (M5)
Kotonowaka (M2) beat Meisei (M2)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Ichinojo (K)
Mdorifuji (M1) beat Kiribayama (K)
Ura (M3) beat Hoshoryu (K)
Takakeisho (O) beat Takayasu (M4)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Mitakeumi (O)
Daieisho (S) beat Shodai (O)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Nishikigi (M4)
Leader: Hokutofuji (8-0). He is the first to clinch a winning record and what should be a promotion for the November tournament. Tamawashi can earn his promotion tomorrow with a win as he sits at 7-1. Of note is that 5 are now 1-7 and face potential demotion by finishing with losing records should they lose tomorrow…and in what’s become a recurring theme this past year, Shodai could once again find himself in Kadoban status. He will again be at risk of demotion after November if he does not win out because he has now lost 7 straight to be in the 1-7 group. Mitakeumi, currently in Kadoban, is at 3-5 and must finish 5-2 or better to avoid demotion. The first unofficial demotion came today as Abi remains absent, having now missed the first 8 days due to injury. He is probably out the entire tournament, so whether or not he gets demoted is a toss-up (it’s not always a given when absence is due to injury or coronavirus the first time, but consecutive tournaments missed does mean demotion except for Yokozuna). Regardless, he likely will fall out of Sanyaku. On the flip side, Takakeisho could have an outside shot at Yokozuna consideration if he can win out, which would put him at a final mark of 13-2. If that wins the Championship, he’ll have a strong case because he was runner-up in July. Finally, there is yet another Kinboshi chance tomorrow as Terunofuji’s scheduled opponent is Takayasu.
Juryo:
Oshoma (J13) beat Gonoyama (J12)
Takakento (J10 beat Shimazuumi (J10)
Tokushoryu (J10) beat Tochimaru (J13)
Hokuseiho (J9) beat Tochimusashi (J14)
Chiyosakae (J11) beat Kaisho (J9)
Kinbozan (J12) beat Daiamami (J8)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Daishoho (J8)
Enho (J7) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Atamifuji (J3) beat Kotokuzan (J7)
Tohakuryu (J3) beat Churanoumi (J6)
Akua (J6) beat Chiyonokuni (J2)
Hidenoumi (J6) beat Azuamryu (J2)
Chiyomaru (J1) beat Bushozan (J4)
Leader: Hokuseiho (7-1)
Asanoyama Watch: As expected, no match today. He is one of 8 tied for the Makushita lead at 4-0, potentially setting up one heck of a tongue-twister match later on with fellow Makushita Asonoyama. But there’s another potential dramatic scenario that could play out: Two of the co-leaders, Asonoyama and Shosei, are from the same beya (stable). This could set up the exceptionally rare and unusual situation where stablemates may have to face each other for the championship. Normally stablemates do not face each other in a tournament unless it’s such a scenario as this. Asanoyama will face Shonannoumi tomorrow, who is also 4-0. The 12 remaining unbeatens could be down to as few as 6 after tomorrow with 4 head-to-head matchups and 2 facing Sandanme men.
In the lower tiers, the Sandanme has 10 tied for the lead at 4-0 so far. The Jonidan has 12 tied at 4-0. Finally, the bottom tier, Jonokuchi, has 3 at 4-0.
