Here are the quick results from today’s Final Day of the September 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Going in, the leader was Atamifuji at 11-3 with 4 at 10-4. If Atamifuji wins, he is the champion. Otherwise there is a playoff and could be up to a 4-way playoff…
Nishikifuji (M13) beat Mitakeumi (M11)
Endo (M10) beat Kotoshoho (M14)
Myogiryu (M13) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Aoiyama (M14)
Kagayaki (M16) beat Oho (M7)
Chiyoshoma (M15) beat Ryuden (M6)
Onosho (M6) beat Tsurugisho (M16)
Sadanoumi (M12) beat Shonannoumi (M5)
Takanosho (M4) beat Daishoho (M17)
Hiradoumi (M8) beat Tamawashi (M3)
Shodai (M3) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Asanoyama (M2) beat Atamifuji (M15). PLAYOFF!!!
Meisei (M1) beat Kotoeko (M8)
Abi (M2) beat Hokutofuji (M1)
Gonoyama (M5) beat Tobizaru (K)
Ura (M4) beat Nishikigi (K)
Kotonowaka (S) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Hokuseiho (M6). Hokuseiho OUT and Hoshoryu avoids kadoban in his Ozeki debut
TakakeishO (O) beat Daieisho (S). Takakeisho in playoff!
Kirishima (O) beat Takayasu (M7). Takayasu OUT…once again so close and yet so far away…
PLAYOFF: Takakeisho (O) beat Atamifuji (M15). TAKAKEISHO YUSHO! The 4th career Emperor’s Cup for the Ozeki! (8th overall championship) And now, you know what that means come November…Takakeisho Yokozuna chance? He was here in May but had to withdraw halfway through due to injury. With rumors of this being the end of the road for Terunofuji (maybe retiring after November), can we finally see Takakeisho break through at last?
SPECIAL PRIZES:
Outstanding Performance (wrestler with winning record and most wins vs. Yokozuna/Ozeki): None. That surprised me, I thought Hokutofuji had it locked up after he beat all 3 Ozeki the first 3 days. Maybe because he only went 8-7…
Fighting Spirit (wrestler with winning record judged to show best fighting spirit): Atamifuji
Technique (wrestler with winning record with most different winning techniques): None
Juryo:
Going in there was a tie at the top between Ichiyamamoto & Onosato at 12-2.
If one win and the other lost, the winner is the champion. If both win or lose, playoff. They met earlier in the tournament and Ichiyamamoto won.
Shimanoumi (J12) beat Takakento (J9)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Chiyosakae (J8)
Azumaryu (J6) beat Akua (J9)
Shimazuumi (M6) beat Takahashi (J12)
Bushozan (J5) beat Chiyomaru (J10)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Churanoumi (J5)
Shishi (J8) beat Oshoma (J4)
Tenshoho (J14) beat Mitoryu (J3)
Tomokaze (J3) beat Asakoryu (J13)
Ichiyamamoto (J7) beat Daiamami (J2)
Tokihayate (J11) beat Kitanowaka (J2)
Tamashoho (J1) beat Shiden (J11)
Roga (J1) beat Onosato (J14). ICHIYAMAMOTO JURYO YUSHO! 2nd Juryo championship and 3rd career championship.
Makushita:
There were 7 after Day 13 tied at 6-1. Rare nobody finishes 7-0 but that also means…not 1, not 2, not even 3, but…SEVEN-WAY PLAYOFF!!!????!!!!
Playoffs:
Kitadaichi (Ms17) beat Asahakuryu (Ms27)
Hitoshi (Ms3) beat Onojo (Ms53)
Kayo (Ms23) beat Chiyoarashi (Ms47)
Hitoshi (Ms3) beat Kitadaichi (Ms17)
Kayo (Ms23) beat Daiseizan (Ms50)
Hitoshi (Ms3) beat Kayo (Ms23). HITOSHI MAKUSHITA YUSHO! 1st Makushita championship and 4th career championship. He’s headed to Juryo in November.
Sandanme:
CHAMPION: Kitaharima (Sd2). First career championship for the 21-year veteran who had a cup of coffee in the top tier in his prime, reaching Maegashira 15 for one tournament (demoted after going 6-9). He has only been in Juryo once since late 2017 (one tournament in 2020).
Jonidan:
Playoff: Anosho (Jd14) beat Oki (Jd76). ANOSHO JONIDAN YUSHO! 1st Jonidan championship and 2nd career championship for the 18-year-old in his first 2 tournaments. He’s headed to the Sandanme in November.
Jonokuchi:
CHAMPION: Shiroma (Jk18). 1st career championship. Technically this was his 2nd career tournament but he was Absent in his debut tournament in July.
The next tournament is November 12-26 at Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka. Advance tickets are on sale now.
