Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the halfway point-of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, J-Juryo
Kinbozan (M14) beat Chiyoshoma (M16)
Daishoho (M13) beat Mitoryu (M17)
Hokuseiho (M15) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Oho (M15) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Bushozan (M14) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Tsurugisho (M16) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Ura (M8) beat Takanosho (M11)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Takayasu (M7)
Ichiyamamoto (M8) beat Sadanoumi (M7)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Midorifuji (M8) beat Aoiyama (M9)
Endo (M6) beat Onosho (M4)
Meisei (M4) beat Ryuden (M2)
Daieisho (K) beat Abi (M3)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Shodai (M1) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Wakatakakage (S) beat NIshikigi (M3)
Kiribayama (S) beat Tobizaru (K)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Leader: Midorifuji (8-0)
Of note: Terunowho? It’s not the Yokozuna of Isegahama Beya at the top at halfway, but his stablemate and the smallest rikishi in the top tier having the start of his career and the first to clinch promotion. The field thinned out a little today with now only Daieisho within a win of the lead at 7-1 as he pursues his second top tier championship. On the flip side, the honeymoon comes to a crashing halt for Azumaryu, as he follows up his first winning tournament in the top tier with a guaranteed demotion at 0-8, possibly back to Juryo if he doesn’t get some wins. 4 more could be demoted tomorrow including January runner-up Kotoshoho and also Ryuden, who would see a long winning run come to an end. Tamawashi is also in the 1-7 group, the efforts have been there for the ironman but not the results.
Also noteworthy is Hokuseiho winning with a rare technique, harimanage, a technique that hasn’t been seen in the top tier in roughly 3 years. It’s basically a rear belt lifting arm throw/liftout, something I’ve never seen before. But as the tallest rikishi in the top tier it was an impressive display of the rookie’s height advantages.
Key match tomorrow: Midorifuji-Ura. Ura has the hometown crowd behind him and is always tricky & unpredictable. If Midorifuji takes his first loss Daieisho can pull back even, he’s got Tamawashi.
Juryo:
Takakento (J12) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Ochiai (J14) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Tamashoho (J13)
Tochimusashi (J12) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Tomokaze (J13) at Tsushimanada (J9)
Churanoumi (J10) beat Atamifuji (J8)
Akua (J7) beat Hakuyozan (J9)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Enho (J5) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Shonannoumi (J3)
Daiamami (J6) beat Chiyonokuni (J2)
Roga (J5) beat Tochinoshin (J2)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Oshoma (J4)
Tohakuryu (J1) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Leader: 4 at 7-1
Of note: Just one to go…Asanoyama now is just one win over the final week from a top tier return in May. Ichinojo is trending towards a return as well following a suspension-induced demotion, as both remain in a logjam at the top of the leaderboard with Gonoyama and Ochiai, sporting a notably taped elbow/arm after yesterday’s injury concerns but he toughed it out and picked up a big win, now just one win from another promotion. But at this point even 7-8 may not send him back down to Makushita. Who won’t be moving back up is Chiyomaru, the first demotion in Juryo at 0-8 now.
No co-leader faceoffs tomorrow, on paper Ochiai has the toughest draw in Hakuyozan (6-2). Asanoyama goes for promotion in his first chance tomorrow against Roga (4-4). Gonoyama gets Atamifuji while Ichinojo draws fellow Mongolian Oshoma.
Lower tier notes at halfway:
In the Makushita, 8 have clinched promotions and share the lead at 4-0 with Kawazoe having the best chance to be promoted to Juryo in May at Makushita 3. That would also make 2 straight tournaments with promotions to Juryo for the former Yokozuna Hakuho following his taking over Miyagino Beya. Shiden has a chance from Makushita 6 depending on how he does, he’d love a second chance before what would’ve been his Juryo debut last year turned out to be a missed tournament. Former Makushita Champion Yoshii is also back in the mix and would have a slight chance at reaching Juryo if he prevailed again, this time from Makushita 19. At 26 & 27 Ryuo & Kayo could guarantee Nishonoseki Beya a championship if they keep winning.
In the Sandanme, 10 are 4-0 with promotions secured at the halfway point. In the Jonidan, 13 are tied at 4-0 with at least 2 or 3 of those likely moving up to the Sandanme in May. Finally, in the Jonokuchi there are two at 4-0 with one in action tomorrow, but not both.
The Makushita already has 2 withdrawals going into Day 9 while the Sandanme has one withdrawal and one return.
UPDATE: Onosho has WITHDRAWN on Day 9. More to come later. He was 4-4 coming in to Day 9. Hokutofuji gets a free win as a result and will be 5-4.
