Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 of the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (top tier):
Daishoho (M11) beat Mitoryu (M16)
Kagayaki (M17) beat Takarafuji (M10)
Ryuden (M10) beat Aoiyama (M12)
Onosho (M9) beat Myogiryu (M14)
Takanosho (M8) beat Chiyoshoma (M13)
Oho (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M15)
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Mitakeumi (M6)
Asanoyama (M14) beat Neisei (M6)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Nishikigi (M4) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Ura (M4) beat Nishikifuji (M3)
Takayasu (M3) beat Abi (M1)
Shodai (K) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Kiribayama (S) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Hokuseiho (M11)
Takakeisho (O) beat Daieisho (S)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Leader: Terunofuji, Asanoyama (10-1)
Of note: Takayasu was a surprise return today as a thigh injury suffered in morning practice before Day 1 began was expected to keep him out 3 weeks. He looked limited on his mobility but still quickly dispatched Abi. Any wins will reduce the drop he’ll take in July as he’s already got a demotion for missing 8+ days.
Ozeki Watch: It’s all but official for Kiribayama. Of course it’s up to the Japan Sumo Association to decide, but to meet the minimum 33 wins over 3 consecutive tournaments in Sanyaku eligibility criteria Kiribayama now needs just one more win the rest of the way. That or win the championship again. The other Sekiwake have pretty much been mathematically eliminated from consideration this time unless 11-4 winds up winning the championship (or 12-3 if Wakamotoharu wins out). Only Wakamotoharu seems to have any championship chance now.
Key matches tomorrow: Terunofuji-Wakamotoharu, Asanoyama-Daieisho, Kiribayama-Talakeisho. A lot on the line in that last one because Takakeisho needs one more win to get out of kadoban status and remain Ozeki. If he gets it before the final day, anticipate an immediate withdrawal to get his knees some rest and treatment.
Juryo:
Yuma (Ms5) beat Shimanoumi (J13)
Tonokaze (J12) beat Tokihayate (J14)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Fujiseiun (J13)
Kitanowaka (J10) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Chiyosakae (J12) beat Shimazuumi (J8)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Akua (J5) beat Chiyomaru (J10)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Oshoma (J4)
Roga (J4) beat Bushozan (J3)
Tohakuryu (J2) beat Daiamami (J9)
Takakento (J7) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Shonannoumi (J1) beat Churanoumi (J7
Gonoyama (J1) beat Ochiai (J8)
Leader: Gonoyama, Ochiai (10-1)
Of note: If Ochiai doesn’t reach the top tier in July, today may be why. For comparison, Asanoyama was at this spot in January, finished 14-1 and won the championship at J12 and was promoted to J1. Ochiai may be in a better place to make the leap at J8 but we’ll have to see what happens over the last 4 days.
Shiden, who has earned promotion back to Juryo in July with a 4-2 record at Makishita 1, gets the Makushita man spot tomorrow although if he loses, he could be in an odd spot as he should have one more Makushita match and could wind up 4-4.
Key matches tomorrow: Ochiai-Tamashoho, Gonoyama-Hakuyozan, Atamifuji-Shonannoumi. If both leaders lose, the Atamifuji-Shonannoumi winner will be in a 3-way tie for the lead.
Lower tier notes:
As is typically the case after Day 12, the Makushita Championship is now set for what should be Day 13: Daishomaru vs. Kiryuko. Daishomaru beat Okinohama and Kiryuko beat Shishi to set it up. Neither will be promoted to Juryo as Daishomart is at Ms42 and Kiryuko is at Ms26. But who will be promoted is Kawazoe, who got his 4th win today at Ms1 so he will be Shin-Juryo in July while despite a loss today Shiden will be Sai-Juryo, getting a second chance after being forced to moss his forst Juryo tournament.
In the Sandanme, the championship match will be Yutakasho vs. Sazanami as the last 2 at 6-0. In the Jonidan, 3 are still at 6-0 so a playoff may be needed. In the Jonokuchi, Reonmaru is the sole leader at 6-0 but 5-0 Haruyama has his 6th match tomorrow, so if Haruyama wins theu probably would face off on Day 14 as usually the lower tier wrestlers won’t conpete 3 days on a row.
