Author: Admin

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13-Championship Day 1-of the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (top tier):
Oho (M16) beat Aoiyama (M12)
Myogiryu (M14) beat Takarafuji (M10)
Ryuden (M10) beat Ichiyamamoto (M15)
Onosho (M9) beat Kagayaki (M17)
Takanosho (M8) beat Myogiryu (M16)
Chiyoshoma (M13) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Ura (M4) beat Daishoho (M11)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Kotoeko (M12)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Takayasu (M2)
Midorifuji (M1) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Abi (M1) beat Nishikifuji (M3)
Nishikigi (M4) beat Shodai (K)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Mitakeumi (M6) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Kiribayama (S) beat Hokuseiho (M11)
Takakeisho (O) beat Meisei (M6)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Asanoyama (M14)
Leader: Terunofuji (12-1)
Of note: It all comes down to Terunofuji-Kiribayama tomorrow. If Terunofuji beats Kiribayama, he is the champion. If Kiribayama wins, it goes down to the Final Day and could set up a playoff rematch. Asanoyama can stay in it as well with a Kiribayama win assuming he also beats Shodai. But including today, Asanoyama is now 0-6 all time against Terunofuji so history does not favor him. For tomorrow, history favors Terunofuji as he is 3-0 against Kiribayama.
Kiribayama was almost gifted a win against Hokuseiho when during a close stalemate Hokuseiho lost focus and reached to adjust the sagari on his mawashi. When his hand moved, Kiribayama took advantage of that loss of focus with a sotogake (outside leg trip) for victory.
Ozeki Watch: Meisei didn’t withdraw but Takakeisho’s win means 8 and a winning record, so he is out of kadoban status and will remain Ozeki in July. Expect a withdrawal at this point to begin rest and treatment for knee injuries. Too early to think about July but worst case if Takakeisho has to sit out is back to kadoban in September. Kiribayama getting win 11 today should guarantee Ozeki promotion at this point if he doesn’t win the championship as that’s now 34 wins in the last 3 tournaments. If Takakeisho does withdraw, Wakamotoharu gets the free win tomorrow.
Also, according to the Absent Rikishi Info, Kotoshoho will return tomorrow after withdrawing on Day 10. He will face Takarafuji and will look to pick up another win or two to soften the blow of another demotion as he is currently the equivalent of 1-12. He’ll likely stay in the top tier but his drop from M5 right now would be probably to M14 or M15. A huge fall since nearly winning the January championship. Finally, a big shoutout to Nishikigi, a week ago he was 1-6 and seemingly headed for demotion. But he has now won 6 straight and can get promotion with one more win, with the first try tomorrow against Abi.
We’re also going to see Kagayaki & Mitoryu demoted to Juryo at this point. That’s probably going to be it for demotions with Gonoyama promoted from Juryo for sure (Wakatakakage will miss July with injuries but his next demotion is from Komusubi so he’ll stay top tier).
We’ll find out more late tomorrow but if he can get one more win, I can see Tsurugisho being on position for a Special Prize, namely the Fighting Spirit Prize as he could have 10 or 11 wins at Ms15. I wouldn’t rule out Ura for the Technique Prize, but he first needs one more win as a winning record is required for a Special Prize.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage, including Terunofuji-Kiribayama, tomorrow beginning at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET. You can watch FOR FREE online or on their smart TV/mobile app.

Juryo:
Kawazoe (Ms1) beat Tomokaze (J12)
Chiyomaru (J10) beat Tokihayate (J14)
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Daiamami (J9)
Chiyosakae (J12) beat Takakento (J7)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Churanoumi (J7) beat Akua (J5)
Roga (J4) beat Fujiseiun (J13)
Shimanoumi (J13) beat Oshoma (J4)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Bushozan (J3)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Ochiai (J8) beat Shonannoumi (J1)
Gonoyama (J1) beat Shimazuumi (J6)
Leader: Gonoyama, Ochiai (12-1)
Of note: Still seems like we’re headed for a playoff rematch as Gonoyama and Ochiai remain tied and only Atamifuji has a chance to join or pass them. Atamifuji is up first and gets Shimanoumi, who today clinched his first promotion in over a year. Ochiai draws Roga and Gonoyama has Tamashoho, both now promoted as well. The other real question pending his last 2 matches is will Ochiai reach the top tier in July? He could still finish 14-1 at J8, and if Asanoyama could go 14-1 at a lower rank and get to J1 (albeit with a championship) it’s possible. The argument against it probably will be numbers-the top tier is capped at 42 wrestlers total, 2 will be demoted but 2 Juryos will be promoted so far (Gonoyama & Shonannoumi). Ultimately I think Ochiai’s fate will be in the hands of Ichiyamamoto, who is 4-9 at M15. Ochiai really needs Ichiyamamto to lose one or ideally both his remaining matches and Ochiai win his last two, excluding a potential playoff. The good for tomorrow is Ichiyamamoto is 0-2 career against his foe, Takanosho.
As far as leaders go, Ochiai-Roga & Gonoyama-Tamashoho are first time meetings. Atamifuji-Shimanoumi is 1-1 but Shimanoumi’s win was a freebie due to an Atamifuji withdrawal.

Lower tiers:
Kiryuko (Ms26) beat Daishomaru (Ms42). KIRYUKO MAKUSHITA YUSHO! That’s the first career championship for Kiryuko in his 12th career tournament and he finishes a perfect 7-0. Based on March, when the champion was at about the same rank, his rank means he’ll probably be in Makushita again in July but at a personal best ranking. I’ll slot him in at Ms3, right on the verge of Juryo. (Normally the Makushita champion moves up 30 spots in the rankings)
Sazanami (Sd42) beat Yutakasho (Sd30). SAZANAMI SANDANME YUSHO! That’s the first career championship for Sazanami in his 49th career tournament and he’ll be a Makushita man again in July, with a chance to improve on his career best rank of Ms48.
Satorufuji (Jd60) beat Mogamizakura (Jd40)
Oshoryu (Jd7) beat Hidano (Jd43). PLAYOFF! That means the last 2 7-0 Jonidan wrestlers will have a playoff on Day 14 or Day 15 for the championship.
Haruyama (Jk22) beat Reonmaru (Jk8). HARUYAMA JONOKUCHI YUSHO! He takes the title in his Debut tournament and will be promoted to Jonidan.

UPDATE: One Juryo update for the final day: Hakuyozan (J6) has WITHDRAWN. No freebies. He took his 8th loss today meaning demotion. Looks like this means Yuma gets another Juryo appearance as the 3rd Makushita man up on the final day along with Shishi (5-1 at Ms2) and Ryuo, the March Makishita champion who is 1-6 and could be demoted back to his prior rank. A win pretty much guarantees Shishi is Juryo in July. Yuma will have a chance with a win and a 6-1 finish at Ms5, but a very slim chance.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Ichiyamamoto (M15) beat Chiyoshoma (M13)
Myogiryu (M14) beat Daishoho (M11)
Takarafuji (M10) beat Myogiryu (M16)
Oho (M16) beat Onosho (M9)
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Kotoeko (M12) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Ryuden (M10)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Aoiyama (M12)
Mitakeumi (M6) beat Kagayaki (M17)
Ura (M4) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Nishikifuji (M3) beat Takanosho (M8)
Abi (M1) beat Meisei (M6)
Midorifuji (M1) beat Takayasu (M2)
Nishikigi (M4) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Shodai (K) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Daieisho (S) beat Asanoyama (M14)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Hokuseiho (M11)
Korobayama (S) beat Takakeisho (O)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Leader: Terunofuji (11-1)
Of note: ULTRA RARE PULL! As he has been known to do on occasion, Ura dazzled the crowd with an incredibly rare winning technique today-zubineri (head pivot throw). It must be seen to be believed, but it hasn’t been used to win in a match in over 25 years! Par for the course between the fan favorite and The Flying Monkey. Elsewhere, Asanoyama took his second loss as he allowed Daieisho to get his signature pusher/thruster offense going and then it was over quickly. That gave Terunofuji the sole lead but he seemed to land rough on his knees as both he and Wakamotoharu landed awkwardly at the end of their match. Monitor this going forward given his history of knee issues.
Ozeki Watch: Promotion? It seems to now be all but official for Kiribayama as he beat Takakeisho for what is now 33 wins over the last 3 tournaments at Sanyaku. That is a minimum criteria for Ozeki promotion consideration (the other is win 2 consecutive tournaments at Komusubi and/or Sekiwake, which Kiribayama can still do this time). Any more wins should be insurance and he’s still in championship contention. Takakeisho again missed an 8th win chance as a result and remains kadoban, but he may have caught the break he needed…his Day 13 opponent is Meisei, who has now lost 3 straight since beating Terunofuji. And there is concern about Meisei possibly suffering a knee injury in his loss today, leading to thoughts Takakeisho could get a freebie tomorrow with a potential Meisei withdrawal. If that happens, Takakeisho is safe at Ozeki and could withdraw himself to get treatment/rest for his knees and likely means 2 Ozeki again in July (again dependent on Kiribayama promotion, which seems a formality now).
While their Ozeki hopes for July are now gone, all the other Sekiwake have protected their rank with 8 wins so far and any further wins can help their post-July promotion chances, especially if they can get to 11 wins. Hoshoryu may be dealing with a thigh injury so that 8th win today was a big one. Elsewhere, a sophomore slump continues for Kinbozan as he will be demoted after his 8th loss today, but he’ll hopefully bounce back on July. One potential Sanyaku change is on the verge of happening too as Kotonowaka will be demoted from Komusubi if he loses again after his 7th loss today.
Key match tomorrow: Terunofuji-Asanoyama. The yusho race could be all but over if Terunofuji wins, but it also depends on Kiribayama who faces Hokuseiho. And if it happens, Takakeisho-Meisei.

Juryo:
Fujiseiun (J13) beat Shiden (Ms1)
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Tonokaze (J12)
Daiamami (J9) beat Tokihayate (J14)
Ochiai (J8) beat Tamashoho (J11)
Shimanoumi (J13) beat Takakento (J7)
Akua (J5) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Oshoma (J4) beat Chiyosakae (J12)
Kitanowaka (J10) beat Roga (J4)
Bushozan (J3) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Shimazuumi (J6) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Chiyomaru (J10) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Gonoyama (J1) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Shonannoumi (J1)
Leader: Gonoyama, Ochiai (11-1)
Of note: Rematch anyone? If Gonoyama & Ochiai keep winning, they’re on track for a playoff rematch for the championship even after Gonoyama won their match yesterday. And if Ochiai does win out, he’ll be in top tier contention. The only thing in the way of the playoff, besides themselves, is Atamifuji at 10-2.
Key matches tomorrow: Ochiai-Shonannoumi, Gonoyama-Shimazuumi, Atamifuji-Hakuyozan. Shonannoumi is 9-3 and, like Gonoyama, is headed to the top tier in July. Shimazuumi is 7-5 and going for promotion. In the latter, history favors Gonoyama as he leads the series vs. Shimazuumi 3-0. Ochiai-Shonannoumi is a first-time meeting. Hakuyozan is 6-6 and Atamifuji won their only prior meeting in March.

UPDATE: As of the start of Day 13 matches Meisei remains in the tournament. No withdrawal yet.