Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the July Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top tier):
Oshoma (J4) beat Daishoho (M14)
Aoiyama (M17) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Myogiryu (M10) beat Takarafuji (M15)
Chiyoshoma (M13) beat Takanosho (M9)
Sadanoumi (M8) beat Bushozan (M16)
Ryuden (M15) beat Nishikifuji (M8)
Gonoyama (M13) beat Takayasu (M7)
Kotoeko (M11) beat Hokuseiho (M6)
Tsurugisho (M11) beat Onosho (M5)
Hiradoumi (M6) beat Midorifuji (M3(
Meisei (M3) beat Shodai (M2)
Ura (M4) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Shonannoumi (M14) beat Nishikigi (M1)
Asanoyama (M4) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Endo (M16)
Hakuoho (M17) beat Abi (K)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Daieisho (S)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Kirishima (O) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Leader: Nishikigi, Hokutofuji (10-2)
Of note: Huge upset in Nishikigi losing to Shonannoumi in their first meeting, with the top tier rookie also clinching a promotion thanks to the win. Hokutofuji pulled even thanks to a big upset of Hosboryu. And Hakuoho is in it after beating Abi in a match with 3 false starts, but Hakuoho went down hard on his taped left shoulder at the end so there are concerns about the super rookie.
Ozeki Watch: All 3 Sekiwake lost so on paper there is no margin of error at best. Hoshoryu and Daieisho must win their last 3 but Wakamotoharu mathematically is done, although Nikkan Sports cautioned that he still has an outside chance per comments from Nihon Dumo Kyokai Chairman Hakkaku. Plus at this point 11 wins can still mean a championship. Wakamotoharu’s loss came to new Ozeki Kirishima, who had managed to get to what essentially is 6-6 after missing the first 3 days. Elsewhere, Kotokowaka maintained his Sanyaku status with another winning record clinched. And that’s from 0-4 to promotion for Ryuden, who now has 8 straight wins.
Key matches tomorrow: Hokutofuji-Endo, Nishikigi-Hakuoho. The all-important Sekiwake Showdowns also begin tomorrow with Daieisho-Wakamotoharu while Hoshoryu faces Kirishima. Potential promotion to Ozeki may come down to these last 3 days.
Juryo:
Takakento (J8) beat Yuma (J14)
Chiyosakae (J10) beat Hakuyozan (J7)
Churanoumi (J7) beat Chiyonoumi (J14)
Azumaryu (J6) beat Taushimanada (J11)
Tomokaze (J9) beat Tamashoho (J5)
Kitanowaka (J5) beat Daiamami (J9)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Kiho (J13) by default/withdrawal
Shimanoumi (J10) beat Ichiyamamoto (J3)
Akua (J8) beat Shimazuumi (J3)
Roga (J2) beat Hidenoumi (J12)
Shiden (J13) beat Mitoryu (J2)
Chiyomaru (J11) beat Kagayaki (J1)
Atamifuji (J1) beat Shishi (J12)
Leader: Tomokaze (10-2)
WITHDRAWAL: Kiho (J13). Unknown. Status uncertain. Tough break because he was 7-4 coming into today and on the verge of promotion in his Juryo debut. If he’s done that’s potential demotion with the equivalent of a 7-8 record. Best-case is he stays at J13 or maybe J14 depending on how others fare. Worst-case is he’ll go back down to Makushita 1 but I don’t see that happening.
Of note: Tomokaze can all but clinch the championship tomorrow if he beats Atamifuji. If that happens, Tomokaze is assured of at no worse than a playoff rematch for the championship as he would be 2 wins ahead with 2 days left. And the 3:10 To Yuma is no longer delayed as Yuma now will be demoted back to Makushita as his debut will end with at least 8 losses. Chiyonoumi will also be demoted to Makushita and Tsushimanada is in danger as well with only 2 wins at J11. Ishizaki, the popular “muscle boy” in Makishita, comes up to Juryo tomorrow for his likely final match. He already has clinched a promotion from Ms5 at 4-2, a win probably won’t be enough to get him to Juryo in September.
Tomorrow will also be the Makushita Championship match between Tokihayate & Tochiseiryu, both 6-0. No matter the outcome, Tokihayate will return to Juryo in September.
