With the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament now in the books, below is the final Hoshitori, the standings listed in order of the Banzuke (rankings, records are displayed as win-loss-absent) then some final thoughts…and first things first, no Kiribayama promotion to Ozeki announcement yet:
Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Terunofuji (14-1, Champion)
Ozeki-Takakeisho (8-7)
Sekiwake-Kiribayama (11-4, Technique Prize), Hoshoryu (11-4), Daieisho (10-5), Wakamotoharu (10-5, Technique Prize)
Komusubi-Kotonowaka (8-7), Shodai (6-9), Wakatakakage (Absent/0-0-15)
Maegashira 1-Abi (8-7), Midorifuji (6-9)
Maegashira 2-Takayasu (3-3-9), Endo (0-7-8)
Maegashira 3-Tobizaru (8-7), Nishikifuji (3-12)
Maegashira 4-Ura (7-8), Nishikigi (9-6)
Maegashira 5-Kinbozan (4-11), Kotoshoho (2-10-3)
Maegashira 6-Meisei (8-7), Mitakeumi (9-6)
Maegashira 7-Hokutofuji (6-9), Tamawashi (7-8)
Maegashira 8-Tasanoumi (7-8), Takanosho (7-8)
Maegashra 9-Onosho (8-7), Hiradoumi (9-6)
Maegashira 10-Ryuden (5-10), Takarafuji (5-10)
Maegashira 11-Hokuseiho (8-7), Daishoho (6-9)
Maegashira 12-Aoiyama (5-10), Kotoeko (8-7)
Maegashira 13-Chiyoshoma (8-7), Ichinojo (Retired)
Maegashira 14-Asanotyama (12-3), Myogiryu (9-6)
Maegashira 15-Ichiyamamoto (4-11), Tsurugisho (9-6)
Maegashira 16-Mitoryu (5-10), Oho (11-4)
Maegashira 17-Kagayaki (7-8)
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Gonoyama (14-1, Champion), Shonannoumi (11-4)
Juryo 2-Azumaryu (2-13), Tohakuryu (4-11)
Juryo 3-Bushozan (10-5), Enho (0-10-5)
Juryo 4-Oshoma (7-8), Roga (9-6)
Juryo 5-Tochinoshin (0-6, Retired), Akua (5-10)
Juryo 6-Hakuyozan (6-8-1), Shimazuumi (8-7)
Juryo 7-Takakento (6-9), Churanoumi (7-8)
Juryo 8-Atamifuji (13-2), Ochiai (14-1)
Juryo 9-Daiamami (7-8), Chiyonokuni (0-10-5)
Juryo 10-Chiyomaru (6-9), Kitanowaka I8-7)
Juryo 11-Hidenoumi (6-9), Tamashoho (9-6)
Juryo 12-Tomokaze (8-7), Chiyosakae (8-7)
Juryo 13-Fujiseiun (9-6), Shimanoumi (8-7)
Juryo 14-Tokihayate (6-9), Tsushimanada (8-7)
Final thoughts: Although it didn’t earn him a Special Prize, big shoutout to Nishikigi for his finish. He started 1-6 and seemed headed for demotion, but then he won his last 8 matches and earned a promotion. Meisei was lucky to win Outstanding Performance as he was 8-1 after beating Terunofuji, then finished 0-6. Takakeisho managed to get out of kadoban status and will remain Ozeki, but opted to stay in for the final 2 days and lost his last two, the finale being a painful-looking spill in his loss to Terunofuji. In Sanyaku, Abi should be promoted back to Komusubi while Shodai will be demoted as will Wakatakakage due to being absent. At the bottom, based on finishes I see Asanoyama potentially jumping up to M5 for July, while Kinbozan’s sophmore slump will see him fall from M5, I could see him going back down to as low as M14 but more reasonably to M11. I forgot about Ichinojo’s retirement when guessing on if Ochiai will be promoted to the top tier, that means at least 4 top tier spots should be opening so Gonoyama and Shonannoumi take 2 with their promotions, that could also open the door for an Atamifuji potential return after he went 13-2 at J8. Or more likely Bushozan, who went 10-5 at J3, at worst he’ll go to J1. Chiyonokuni will be demoted to Makushita but likely will be absent in July.
As far as Ozeki Watch for July assuming Kiribayama is promoted, the magic number for the other Sekiwake to be promotion eligible is as follows (33 wins over the last 3 tournaments at Komusubi or Sekiwake or win 2 straight tournaments, the latter is not a requirement):
Hoshoryu-12 (had 21 wins between March & May)
Daieisho-11 (had 22 wins between March & May). He may have missed potential promotion this time by just one win
Wakamotoharu-12 (had 21 wins between March & May)
If Kotonowaka is promoted to Sekiwake after his 3rd straight winning record at Komusubi, his only hope for potential Ozeki promotion is a championship. He would otherwise need 16 wins to be eligible as his March/May total was only 17 wins. And if Kiribayama somehow does not reach Ozeki this time, his July magic number would be 9.
In the Makushita, look for Kawazoe and possibly Shishi to be shin-Juryo in July, and Shiden should be sai-Juryo. March champion Ryuo will take a big fall after going 1-7 at Ms3. A fun side note from the Sandanme-champion Sazanami has gained a lot of fans through his appearance on the “Sumo Prime Time” YouTube program as the assistant trainer in exercise-themed episodes with host Hiro Morita, and that was noted on the last episode so congrats again to to-be-Makushita man Sazanami.
The Banzuke for July will be announced on June 26.
UPDATE: The earliest potential Kiribayama promotion announcement could be Wednesday. That’s when the ranking committee will next meet to determine the July tournament rankings
