Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashita, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiawke, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi )Top Tier):
Shonannoumi (J3) beat Mitoryu (M17)
Oho (M15) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Nishikifuji (M10) beat Tsurugisho (M16)
Aoiyama (M9) beat Bushozan (M14)
Hokuseiho (M15) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Ura (M8) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Takayasu (M7) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Kagayaki (M9)
Takanosho (M11) beat MItakeumi (M3)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Abi (M2)
NIshikigi (M3) beat Ryuden (M2)
Sadanoumi (M6) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Shodai (M1) beat Daishoho (M13)
Tobizaru (K) beat Mesei (M4)
Daieisho (K) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Endo (M6) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Kiribayama (S) beat Wakatakakage (S) by default/withdrawal
Hoshoryu (S) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Leader: Daieisho (12-2)
WITHDRAWAL: Wakatakakage (S). Right leg injury. Out the Final Day, meaning there is a real chance he will be demoted after over a year at Sekiwake as his final record will be the equivalent of 7-8 (7-7-1).
Of note: Another Isegahama collapse officially complete. It’s over for Midorifuji after his 4th straight loss takes him from 10-0 and a 2 win lead to 10-4 and now out of it. It’s down to Daieisho vs. Kiribayama tomorrow. If Daieisho wins, he is the champion for the second time. If Kiribayama wins, there will be a playoff and immediate rematch for the championship. A Kiribayama win in his Sekiwake debut would jump-start his Ozeki hopes and could get him there after May if he can duplicate this performance. Hoshoryu still has a chance at Ozeki contention if he can win his final match (Takayasu) as that would be 30 wins over the last 3 tournaments. Today’s win also gives Kinbozan a chance at a Special Prize, likely Fighting Spirit, and a win over Takanosho tomorrow should lock it up as he would finish 11-4 with that win.
Juryo:
Shimanoumi (J11) beat Kawazoe (Ms3)
Ochiai (J14) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Tamashoho (J13) beat Tsushimanada (J9)
Tomokaze (J13) beat Atamifuji (J8)
Akua (J7) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Takakento (J12)
Roga (J5) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Daiamami (J6) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Oshoma (J4) beat Kitanowaka (J11)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Enho (J5)
Churanoumi (J5) beat Chiyonokuni (J2)
Tochinoshin (J2) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Hakuyozan (J9) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Leader: Ichinojo (13-1)
Of note: It all depends on Ichinojo. If he wins his match tomorrow, or if he loses but Asanoyama also loses, Ichinojo is the champion. If Ichinojo loses and Asanoyama wins, playoff rematch. On paper tomorrow, very heavy advantage Ichinojo because he draws Tsushimanada (4-10). Asanoyama will know his fate before the final match and he has the much tougher draw in Ochiai (10-4), who seems to have recovered from an earlier elbow injury that led to a 3-match losing streak after an 8-1 start and is finishing strong with 2 straight wins. And Kawazoe, the Makushita Human Slinky, was just that again in a very tough loss to Shimanoumi that will probably keep him in Makushita in May despite a promotion already clinched (he’ll finish 4-3 but from Ms3 that probably only gets him so Ms1). He certainly gained a lot more fans in replicating his career debut performance against Asanoyama. The way he can bend so far back before going down is just unhuman! He deserved the loud cheers and applause from the fans.
Nobody in the top tier tomorrow due to another withdrawal but as is tradition a couple of Makushita men near the top rankings get to come up for bouts tomorrow-Tsukahara (Ms1 but already demoted at 2-5) and Chiyonoumi (Ms5 and going for promotion at 3-3).
Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage tomorrow FOR FREE, including the final matches, awards ceremony and champion’s interview, beginning tomorow at 12:30 AM PT/3:30 AM ET.
