Here are the quick results from today’s Day 4 of the July 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Aoiyama (M17) beat Endo (M16)
Hakuoho (M17) beat Bushozan (M16)
Takarafuji (M15) beat Daishoho (M14)
Gonoyama (M13) beat Ryuden (M15)
Shonannoumi (M14) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Kotoeko (M11) beat Chiyoshoma (M12)
Tsurugisho (M11) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Takaysu (M7) beat Takanosho (M9)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Nishikifuji (M8)
Oho (M6) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Hokuseiho (M6) beat Hiradoumi (M5)
Asanoyama (M4) beat Onosho (M5)
Ura (M4) beat Meisei (M3)
Abi (K) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Nishikigi (M1) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Kirishima (O) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Shodai (M2) beat Terunofuji (Y) by default/withdrawal
Leader: Gonoyama, Takayasu, Nishikigi (4-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Terunofuji (Y). Lower back (hernia/lumbar disc). Out 4 weeks. Done for the tournament. Because the win today was by withdrawal and thus thr match didn’t actually happen, no Kinboshi for Shodai.
Of note: No apparent injury issues for Kirishima in his Ozeki debut today in a fairly quick win against Kotoshoho. He still has plenty of time to get to 8 wins to avoid kadoban status in September and can still manage 12 if he wins out. He’s now the highest-ranked wrestler left after Terunofuji pulled out, he is expected to miss a month but should be on the August tour circuit and back for September in Tokyo.
Ozeki Watch: 2 out of 3 Sekiwake won today but Daieisho lost so all are at 3-1. Daieisho’s magic number for potential promotion remains 8 while Hoshoryu & Wakamotoharu drop their numbers down to 9. It gets tougher tomorrow-Hoshoryu has Abi, Wakamotoharu draws Nishikigi (who now has won 13 straight matches) and Daieisho draws Meisei. Kirishima goes for win #2 against Tobizaru.
Roga, the rikishi from Russia, will make his top tier debut tomorrow as the Juryo man of the day and faces Bushozan. Roga is currently 1-3 at J2.
On a fun historical side note, Nikkan Sports reports Tamawashi competed in his 886th straight match today without being absent due to injury or suspension (he only missed a couple days last year due to coronavirus protocols and apparently those don’t count), now ranking him 9th all time. The all-time record is 1231, meaning Tamawashi would have to compete every day for 6 more years to get there. The current active Iron Man leader is Takarafuji, whose streak is now at 934, meaning he could get the mark in November 2026 if he keeps going.
Juryo:
Tochimusashi (Ms2) beat Yuma (J14)
Kiho (J13) beat Chiyonoumi (J14)
Shishi (J13) beat Shiden (J13)
Hidenoumi (J12) beat Tsushimanada (J11)
Daiamami (J9) beat Chiyomaru (J11)
Tomokaze (J9) beat Shimanoumi (J10)
Akua (J8) beat Chiyosakae (J10)
Hakuyozan (J7) beat Takakento (J8)
Tamashoho (J5) beat Azumaryu (J6)
Kitanowaka (J6) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Oshoma (J4) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Roga (J2) beat Shimazuumi (J3)
Kagayaki (J1) beat Ichiyamamoto (J3)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Atamifuji (J1)
Leader: Tomokaze (4-0)
UPDATE: Ichiyamamoto has WITHDRAWN from Juryo ahead of Day 5. Left knee issue per Nikkan Sports. Out about 2 weeks so he is probably done for the tournament with the equivalent of 0-15. He was at Juryo 3, based on what happened to Enho that might see him get demoted to Makushita, best case may be Juryo 14 in September (the bottom). Potential freebie for Atamifuji.
