Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the Halfway Point-of the July 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Ryuden (M15) beat Ichiyamamoto (J3)
Daishoho (M14) beat Aoiyama (M17)
Hakuoho (M17) beat Shonannoumi (M14)
Endo (M16) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Takarafuji (M15) beat Kotoeko (M11)
Tsurugisho (M11) beat Bushozan (M16)
Chiyoshoma (M12) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Myogiryu (M10) beat Gonoyama (M13)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Takayasu (M7)
Takanosho (M9) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Hokuseiho (M6) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Hiradoumi (M5) beat Nishikifuji (M8)
Oho (M6) beat Onosho (M5)
Meisei (M3) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
NIshikigi (M1) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Abi (K) beat Shodai (M2)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Ura (M4)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Asanoyama (M4) by default/withdrawal
Midorifuji (M3) beat Kirishima (O)
Leader: Hoshoryu, Nishikigi, Hokutofuji (7-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Asanoyama (M4). Left bicep. Out 4 weeks. Tournament done and will be demoted for the first time since returning from a 1-year suspension that saw him demoted from Ozeki all the way down to the Sandanme. He was 4-3 coming in to today and will finish the equivalent of 4-11, which probably will drop him down to Maegashira 11 or 12.
Of note: 3 are now on the verge of winning records and potential promotions including Hoshoryu going for his first, Hokutofuji silently contending again and Nishikigi now one win away from Sanyaku from the first time in his 17+ year career. Hoshoryu would at least protect his Sekiwake ranking with one more win. The rookie trio finished their head-to-head matches today with Hakuoho beating Shonannoumi to finish with wins against both including Gonoyama, who has now lost 3 straight. Hakuoho is among 6 one off the lead. On the flip side, Bushozan, Mitakeumi & Sadanoumi now are one loss from demotion with Bushozan all but heading back to Juryo if demoted. After his loss today, Kirishima’s long run of winning tournaments is all but over as the new Ozeki fell to the equivalent of 2-6 and now must finish 6-1 to avoid kadoban status. His fighting spirit and desire to compete is unquestionable and admirable, but maybe he should have swallowed his pride and sat out the whole tournament and have to be in kadoban anyway.
Ozeki Watch: Another clean sweep for all 3 Sekiwake although Daieisho got a freebie today due to Asanoyama withdrawing. That means Hoshoryu is 7-1 with Daieisho & Wakamotoharu at 6-2. The magic number for Ozeki promotion consideration is now 5 for Daieisho & Hoshoryu and 6 for Wakamotoharu. If they keep their first half paces up, Hoshoryu & Daieisho will get there while Wakamotoharu may just make it. Daieisho is up first tomorrow and gets Abi, Hoshoryu has the easiest draw on paper in Hiradoumi (3-5) while Wakamotoharu has Ura. Kirishima tries for win 3 against Meisei.
Juryo:
Chiyonoumi (J14) beat Shishi (J12)
Kiho (J13) beat Tsushimanada (J11)
Chiyosakae (J10) beat Yuma (J14)
Daiamami (J9) beat Shiden (J13)
Takakento (J8) beat Hidenoumi (J12)
Akua (J8) beat Chiyomaru (J11)
Hakuyozan (J7) bet Shimanoumi (J10)
Tomokaze (J9) beat Azumaryu (J6)
Tamashoho (J5) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Roga (J2) beat Kitanowaka (J5)
Oshoma (J4) beat Mitoryu (J2)
Kagayaki (J1) beat Shimazuumi (J3)
Atamifuji (J1) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Leader: Daiamami (7-1)
Of note: Although he returned from injury today, Ichiyamamoto lost in the top tier and became the first wrestler in the top 2 tiers to clinch demotion as he is now the equivalent of 0-8. He sat out 3 days due to a knee injury. Daiamami can be the first Juryo man to clinch promotion tomorrow. No Juryo man in the top tier starting tomorrow but Mukainakano will be the Makushita man up for the day as that will resume, he is at Ms3 and is currently 2-2.
Lower tier notes: With the first Promotion Round complete, 7 in Makushita are 4-0 and promoted including Tokihayate at Ms1, who will return to Juryo for a second chance in September. In the Sandanme, 11 are 4-0 so far. In the Jonidan, 13 are tied at 4-0 while the Jonokuchi has just 2 tied at 4-0 (one competes tomorrow while one does not).
