Here are the quick results from today’s Day 10 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
MItoryu (M17) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Oho (M15)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Bushozan (M14)
Tsurugisho (M16) beat Takanosho (M11)
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Daishoho (M13) beat NIshikifuji (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Azumaryu (M11) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Hokuseiho (M15) beat Ura (M8)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Aoiyama (M9)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Takayasu (M7)
Sadanoumi (M6) beat NIshikigi (M3)
Tamawashi (M1) beat Ryuden (M2)
Endo (M6) beat Shodai (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Meisei (M4)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Tobizaru (K)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Abi (M2)
Kiribayama (S) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Daieisho (K)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Leader: Midorifuji (10-0)
Of note: It may now be Midorifuji’s championship to lose. Thanks to his win and Hoshoryu, Midorifuji is now 2 wins ahead of the pack with 5 days left. Anything can happen but realistically it seems like only Daieisho and Kotonowaka still have a chance to stop him as well as Endo who is also 8-2.
Key match tomorrow: Midorifuji-Wakamotoharu. If Midorifuji wins and he gets a lot of help, he can all but clinch the championship with potentially a 3-win lead & only 4 days left. Also depends on how Endo (Hoshoryu), Daieisho (Takayasu) and Kotonowaka (Hokutofuji) fare. Also, thanks to Azumaryu getting his first win at last, nobody will go winless this tournament.
Juryo:
Tokushoryu (J14) beat Kaisho (Ms4)
Churanoumi (J10) beat Tamashoho (J13)
Shimanoumi (J11) beat Tsushimanada (J9)
Hukyozan (J9) beat Takakento (J12)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Ochiai (J14)
Shimazuumi (J7) beat Tomokaze (J13)
Tochimusashi (J12) beat Daiamami (J6)
Kotokuzan (J10) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Roga (J5)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Shonannoumi (J3)
Oshoma (J4) beat Tochinoshin (J2)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Enho (J5)
Leader: Asanoyama, Ichinojo (9-1)
Of note: Is this the end for Tochinoshin? He appeared to suffer another injury, maybe a left shoulder issue, as he was clutching his upper chest area during his match and took a loss by voluntary rear step out, a non-winning technique. So far he does not appear to have withdrawn on Day 11 but we’ll wait and see. He’ll be demoted again unless he can win out. Ochiai saw his 7-match winning streak snapped today-he’s not out of the championship race yet but he will e tomorrow if he loses to Ichinojo. And Tochimusashi has suddenly decided to try and fight off demotion-that’s 3 straight wins now after an 0-7 start.
Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Gonoyama, Ichinojo-Ochiai. Winners have the yusho advantage. If Ichinojo wins this or one more match the rest of the way, he’ll probably return to the top tier in May.
In the lower tiers, the Makushita is down to the final 4 at 5-0 and both stablemates Ryuo & Kayo remain in it along with Shiden & Kaizen. Kaizen faces Kayo tomorrow and Shiden has Ryuo. If both Ryuo & Kayo win, they’ll have to face each other for the championship. That would guarantee Nishonoseki Beya the title but maybe it’s not the most ideal scenario.
The Sandanme has 5 left at 5-0 which could mean a playoff would be required to determine the champion.
The Jonidan could have the same scenario at 6 are 5-0 so there could be 2 or more unbeatens left at the end.
In the Jonokuchi, two remained at 5-0 but in early Day 12 matches Asahakuryu beat Wakaikari in their match so Asahakuryu will be the champion if he wins his final match.
