It’s that exciting time again-now that we’re just under 2 weeks away from the next tournament, the Japan Sumo Association has just announced the Banzuke (rankings) for the November 2023 Tournament in Fukuoka. Click below to see the rankings for the top 2 tiers and other notes:
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Yokozuna-Terunofuji
Ozeki-Takakeisho (September Champion), Kirishima, Hoshoryu
Sekiwake-Daieisho, Wakamotoharu, Kotonowaka
Komusubi-Abi, Hokutofuji
Maegashira 1-Asanoyama, Ura
Maegashira 2-Shodai, Meisei
Maegashira 3-Takayasu, Tobizaru
Maegashira 4-Gonoyama, NIshikigi
Maegashira 5-Onosho, Midorifuji
Maegashira 6-Shonannoumi, Takanosho
Maegashira 7-Hokuseiho, Kinbozan
Maegashira 8-Endo, Atamifuji (September Runner-Up, playoff loser)
Maegashira 9-Myogiryu, Mitakeumi
Maegashira 10-Ryuden, Kotoeko
Maegashira 11-Sadanoumi, Hiradoumi
Maegashira 12-Oho, Tamawashi
Maegashira 13-Takarafuji, Tsurugisho
Maegashira 14-Tomokaze, Ichiyamamoto (September Juryo Champion)
Maegashira 15-Tohakuryu, Churanoumi
Maegashira 16-Roga, Nishikifuji
Maegashira 17-Kitanowaka
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Aoiyama, Kotoshoho
Juryo 2-Bushozan, Shimazuumi
Juryo 3-Kagayaki, Oshoma
Juryo 4-Daiamami, Mitoryu
Juryo 5-Onosato, Shishi
Juryo 6-Chiyoshoma, Hakuoho
Juryo 7-Daishoho, Tamashoho
Juryo 8-Chiyomaru, Tokihayate
Juryo 9-Takahashi, Takakento
Juryo 10-Akua, Tenshoho
Juryo 11-Hitoshi (September Makushita Champion), Hidenoumi
Juryo 12-Shimanoumi, Shiden
Juryo 13-Yuma, Asakoryu
Juryo 14-Chiyosakae, Azumaryu
Early notes: No changes at the very top, but the big story is Takakeisho is on Yokozuna Watch again. If he cam win the tournament, or finish with enough wins to be champion and make a playoff, (but ideally with more than 11 wins) he has a chance at promotion. Last time he was here earlier this year he had to withdraw due to injury. The other good news is no kadoban Ozeki as Kirishima also managed a winning record and Hoshoryu got his 8th win on the final day, so that guarantees at least 2 Ozeki in January 2024. As has been the case lately, Terunofuji is questionable amidst rumors he could retire after the tournament. No pressure from the Yokozuna Deliberation Council though even though he has barely competed in/finished half of all tournaments since promotion. He either wins the tournament or doesn’t enter (or make it all the way through). Sekiwake stays the same with the 3 probably in the same scenario as September for Ozeki promotion-at least 14 wins or a championship will be needed. A potential disappointment for Asanoyama as he only made it up to Maegashira 1, and concern because the other day he reportedly suffered a torn calf muscle on the Fall tour. That’s the same injury Nishikigi competed through, ultimately ending in demotion. Atamifuji, the runner-up in a playoff in September, jumped up to M8, a personal best. I thought he’d go a little higher but maybe he didn’t because only 11 wins was the championship mark. Ichiyamamoto also returns to the top tier after dominating Juryo in September. Roga, believed to be the first Russian rikishi to reach the top tier, slots in at M16 alongside the badly slumping NIshikifuji. And for the first time in nearly 10 years, Makuuchi will be devoid of epic man boobs as Aoiyama has been demoted to Juryo along with Kotoshoho, who hasn’t been the same since losing the championship to Takakeisho earlier this year, Kagayaki, Chiyoshoma and, as expected Hakuoho (who sat out September due to shoulder surgery). Hakuoho is at Juryo 6 but is expected to be out again in November, which almost certainly will demote him to Makushita in January when he hopes to return.
Wakatakakage also was demoted from Juryo due to being absent, but there is a chance he will be back for the November tournament. If he manages to return, the former longtime Sekiwake and one-time Emperor’s Cup winner will be at Makushita 6, making a Juryo return in January doable. September Makushita Champion HItoshi is Shin-Juryo this tournament while Yuma & Hidenoumi are Sai-Juryo, back in the second tier after brief demotions. Perhaps the luckiest one to hold on to his salary was Azumaryu, his streak of poor performances since his first, and to date only, top tier winning record sees him barely there at Juryo 14.
Lower tier notes: Fast-rsing Takerufuji just missed making Juryo this time, as he slots in at Makushita 1 alongside former top tier rikishi Hakuyozan, with Kiho demoted back to Makushita after a pair of 6-win Juryo efforts with late withdrawals. The human slinky will try to climb back up form Makushita 2. With Wakatakamoto at Makushita 26, it does open the chance of a Waka Bros playoff if both he & Wakatakakage manage to go 7-0 (Wakatakamoto is the oldest of the 3 Wakas). As he tries to climb back to the top 2 divisions, Sandanme champion Kitaharima got a huge boost in his efforts as his September championship pushed him all the way up to Makushita 11 (he’s been in Makuuchi for a cup of sake, getting up for one tournament but demoted after a 6-9 mark). As usual now there are 90 ranks in the Sandanme. The Jonidan slimmed down quite a bit to 100 ranks for this tournament, to include returning Satonofuji so he may get his end-day bow twirling duties back after losing them in September due to being in Jonokuchi. The bottom division will have 18 ranks for a total of 36 wrestlers. Fan favorite Enho, who is just one Makuuchi/Juryo tournament away from being eligible for elder status upon retirement, fell down to the Sandanme after sitting out again due to injury. He is back in training but almost certainly out again, which could send him down to Jonidan in January.
Also of note: Rule changes were made involving debut rankings for wrestlers who were amateur or high school Yokozuna, won college or All-Japan championships before turning pro. Before they could’ve started as high as Makushita 10 or 15 if they had certain accomplishments, a rank granted to notably Hakuoho (as Ochiai) and Oshoma when they debuted, and sometimes it could also mean starting at the bottom of the Sandanme. No longer for the former, meaning Hakuoho’s record of reaching Juryo just one tournament after debuting is safe for all-time unless the rule changes are undone. Now the highest possible starting rank for such a feat will likely be Makushita 60, and more likely in the Sandanme, instead of normally debuting in Jonokuchi.
The November Tournament begins on November 12 and runs through November 26 at Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka.
