Author: Admin

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the November 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Shimanoumi (J4) beat Asakoryu (M17)
Ryuden (M13) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Hokutofuji (M12) beat Bushozan (M17)
Tokihayate (M15) beat Sadanoumi (M12)
Tamawashi (M11) beat Shishi (M16)
Chiyoshoma (M9) beat Midorifuji (M14)
Roga (M6) beat Onokatsu (M15)
Gonoyama (M8) beat Takarafuji (M10)
Shonannoumi (M13) beat Endo (M7)
Meisei (M11) beat Mitakeumi (M7)
NIshikigi (M6) beat Ichiyamamoto (M10)
Takayasu (M9) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Abi (M3) beat Wakatakakage (M2)
Ura (M2) beat Oshoma (M4)
Oho (M1) beat Churanoumi (M4)
Atamifuji (M3) beat Hiradoumi (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Tobizaru (M5)
Kirihsima (S) beat Takanosho (M6)
Kotozakura (O) beat Daieisho (S)
Onosato (O) beat Takerufuji (M16)
Leader: Kotozakura, Hoshoryu (11-1)
Of note: It was revealed on the NHK World Japan highlights program that the Bushozan withdrawal was due to illness-hand, foot & mouth disease. He missed 5 days before returning today. He almost certainly was going to be demoted back to Juryo anyway because he was the equivalent of 1-10 coming in and is now essentially 1-11. Also going down will likely be Shishi who is now at 6-9 and Asakoryu must win out to stay up as well. Interesting potential January for the former-with Aonishiki moving up to Juryo could we see the first all-Ukraine showdown in the ring? As for Tamawashi, the Iron Man is now (I believe) up to #6 all time for total career matches with 1856, with 1360 in the top tier. And ouch, just ouch for Hiradoumi. The effort has very much been there but the results have not, a disastrous 1-11 is going to send the September Sanyaku debutant plummeting down the rankings.
The Ozeki showdown between Kotozakura & Hoshoryu won’t come until the weekend, to keep it for potentially the championship they need to keep winning. Hoshoryu has Onosato tomorrow, who can still force a playoff but at least now has 8 wins and protected his rank, while Kotozakura has Takanosho who after losing a spirited if not intense battle with Kirishima today (Kirishima gave him the Hoshoryu Death Stare afterwards) can get right back in it. If either Ozeki win Onosato is out of the title race.

Juryo:
Aonishiki (J11) beat Wakaikari (J13)
Kotoeiho (J13) beat Onosho (J10)
Fujiseiun (J10) beat Nabatame (J14)
Daiamami (J9) beat Chiyomaru (J11)
Daiseizan (J12) beat Daishoho (J9)
Tochitaikai (J12) beat Shimazuumi (J5)
Tamashoho (J4) beat Hakuyozan (J7)
Kayo (J3) beat Tsurugisho (J7)
Kagayaki (J2) beat Tohakuryu (J6)
Hakuoho (J2) beat Tomokaze (J5)
Kitanowaka (J1) beat Shiden (J6)
Kinbozan (J1) beat Mitoryu (J8)
Leader: Tsurugisho (10-2)
Of note: It’s still hard to not feel bad for Oshoumi having to withdraw, today’s result means despite the absent he still is just one off the lead with Tsurugisho losing, which keeps Kinbozan in the title race. Oshoumi is expected to miss a week with a left shoulder injury, but at least he already clinched promotion and will stay in Juryo in January. But I think we’re now seeing the end of Onosho, who may be demoted out of Juryo at 2-10, and the other question is can Chiyomaru avoid the apocalyptic 0-15? He’s 3 away. Elsewhere, Kitanowaka & Hakuoho can each earn promotion back to the top tier now with one more win (Kitanowaka for sure, Hakuoho may need 2 more) while Tsurugisho will still have a chance if he can win our or at least get to 12 wins.

Tomorrow is Championship Day in the lower tiers although the Jonidan may need a playoff. It’s not a given though. Here’s how it looks: Nakashima, one of 3 at 6-0, is up first. If he wins, there will be a playoff. If he loses, the winner of Shimanishiki-Nishikikuni after that will be the champion. In a playoff the winner of the latter would face Nakashima and that match would be on the Final Day. The sole Jonokuchi leader, Gonoumi, is also in Jonidan tomorrow as are those who still have a chance. If he wins OR both Raiho & Minorufuji lose before his match, he is the Jonokuchi champion. If all lose, Gonoumi is still champion. If one or both Raiho & Minorufuji win AND Gonoumi loses, there will be a playoff and it could be a 3-way playoff. The real attraction tomorrow will be Enho going for the Sandanme Championship, a perfect 7-0 and almost definite promotion back to Makushita in January, although I think 6-1 for a 3rd straight tournament in his comeback will still be enough.

UPDATE: It may be over for Onosho, he has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 13, all but sealing demotion to Makushita. Mitoryu gets the fusen as a result. Onosho last was demoted this low in May 2016…when he went 7-0 and quickly re-promoted but lost a playoff for the Makushita championship.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 of the November 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Joryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Shishi (M17)
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Tokihayate (M15)
Asakoryu (M16) beat Ryuden (M13)
Ichiyamamoto (M10) beat Shonannoumi (M13)
Takayasu (M9) beat Sadanoumi (M12)
Gonoyama (M8) beat Takerufuji (M16)
Hokutofuji (M12) beat Roga (M8)
Tamawashi (M11) beat Mitakeumi (M7)
Endo (M7) beat Meisei (M11)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Churanoumi (M4) beat Nishikigi (M6)
Onokatsu (M15) beat Abi (M3)
Wakatakakage (M2) beat Takarafuji (M10)
Ura (M2) beat Hiradoumi (M1)
Oshoma (M4) beat Oho (M1)
Atamifuji (M3) beat Shodai (K)
Kirishima (S) beat Tobizaru (M5)
Kotozakura (O) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Takanosho (M6) beat Onosato (O)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Daieisho (S)
Leader: Kotozakura, Hoshoryu, Takanosho (10-1)
RE-ENTRY: Bushozan (M17). Will return tomorrow. Missed the last 5 days due to injury. Will be the equivalent of 1-10 and still should be demoted to Juryo.
Of note: Best of 3? Ura & Hiradoumi had not one, not two, but THREE matches today! Hiradoumi initially was declared the winner on a close call, but after a Momo-ii there was a rematch. Close call again favoring Hiradoumi but another Momo-ii…ANOTHER rematch! Third time was the charm for Ura with a decisive win. So Hiradoumi won 2 but Ura gets the win that counts most. Elsewhere, there were hopes that new Ozeki Onosato would be the first newly promoted Ozeki to win the championship since Hakuho in 2006. That almost certainly will not happen as he is now 7-4 and 3 back, while the leading trio has pulled 2 in front. The Ozeki showdown between Kotozakura & Hoshoryu may wait until the last day and could wind up being for the championship, tomorrow Hoshoryu has Shodai while Kotozakura faces Daieisho. Takanosho gets Kirishima. Onosato has the final match of the day against Takerufuji, who is now 2 back at 8-3.

Juryo:
Aonishiki (J11) beat Chiyomaru (J11)
Tochitaikai (J12) beat Onosho (J10)
Kotoeiho (J13) beat Daishoho (J9)
Nabatame (J14) beat Daiamami (J9)
Wakaikari (J13) beat Hakuyozan (J8)
Daiseizan (J12) beat Mitoryu (J8)
Shiden (J6) beat Oshoumi (J14) by default/withdrawal
Fujiseiun (J10) beat Tamashoho (J4)
Kayo (J3) beat Shimazuumi (J5)
Shirouma (J3) beat Shimanoumi (J4)
Hakuoho (J2) beat Hidehoumi (J7)
Kagayaki (J2) beat Tomokaze (J5)
Tsurugisho (J7) beat Kinbozan (J1)
Kitanowaka (J1) beat Tohakuryu (J9) by disqualification/judges reversal…HANSOKU! Tohakuryu won iniitially but it was ruled he grabbed Kitanowaka’s eyelashes and thus he was DQ’d. Usually DQ’s happen for grabbing hair/topknots but any type of hair grabbing is illegal.
Leader: Tsurugisho (10-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Oshoumi. Left shoulder (labrum). Out 1 week. Sadly, tournament likely over, which is beyond horrible timing as he took his first loss yesterday and was still co-leader coming in to today, but his title hopes have been dashed and if he can’t return he will finish the equivalent of 9-6. But he did manage enough wins to secure promotion beforehand. Shiden got the fusen as a result.
Of note: While the Oshoumi injury takes him out of it and has all but handed the championship to Tsurugisho, it’s not over yet despite the 2 win margin he now has after beating Kinbozan. Tsurugisho has now won 7 straight since his only loss and, if he holds on, would win his 3rd Juryo championship and will have a chance at promotion back to the top tier. He has Kayo tomorrow while Kinbozan faces Mitoryu in a must-win.

Lower tier notes:
The Makushita Championship is set for Friday, it will be Hokutomaru vs. Osanai. The Sandanme Championship is also set and Enho will go for 7-0 and almost certain promotion to Makushita against Fujitoshi. The Jonidan may need a playoff to settle things as 3 go into the final days at 6-0 while in the Jonokuchi Gonoumi only needs to win his last match to finish 7-0 and clinch the championship after winning his match today, which was in the Jonidan. If he loses his last match, a playoff could happen.

Obituary: Kasuaki Takizawa, a sumo commentator for NHK who was the 52nd Yokozuna Kitanofuji, has died. He was 82. The cause of death appears to be an unspecified illness for which he was hospitalized after the September tournament according to Nikkan Sports. He was promoted to Grand Champion in the 1970s and won 10 Emperor’s Cups, was director of the referees association for 8 years and also trained wrestlers for several years including two Yokozuna, one of which is the current Hakkau (Chairman of the Japan Sumo Association). He even was a singer whose debut sold 500,000 copies in Japan. Services are planned for December in Tokyo.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 10 of the November 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Shonannoumi (M13) beat Shishi (M16)
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Hokutofuji (M13)
Asakoryu (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M12)
Takerufuji (M16) beat Meisei (M11)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Tokihayate (M15)
Takayasu (M9) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Ichiyamamoto (M10) beat Roga (M8)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Ryuden (M13)
Tamawashi (M11) beat Endo (M5)
Mitakeumi (M7) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Takanosho (M6) beat Onokatsu (M15)
Nishikigi (M6) beat Atamifuji (M3)
Wakatakakage (M2) beat Oho (M1)
Abi (M3) beat Hiradoumi (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Oshoma (M4)
Shodai (K) beat Ura (M2)
Kirishima (S) beat Churanoumi (M4)
Daieisho (S) beat Onosato (O)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Kotozakura (O) beat Tobizaru (M5)
Leader: Kotozakura, Hoshoryu, Takanosho (9-1)
Of note: No changes at the top but Onosato’s loss now puts him 2 back and means any chances of Yokozuna consideration after this tournament, which would have required a championship among other things, are pretty much gone. There are now just 2 at 8-2 including Takerufuji, who has clinched promotion in his second top-tier tournament and remains in contention for hsi second Emperor’s Cup. Onosato’s best chance at a title, or getting back in contention, may come tomorrow when he gets Takanosho. Hoshoryu has Daieisho while Kotozakura draws Wakamotoharu. But we also haven’t gotten to the Ozeki showdowns yet this time, which may very well determine the champion. At the bottom of the rankings, it could be a quick one-and-done for Shishi as following a 2-0 start he has since gone 1-7 and is on the verge of demotion. He must best Nishikfuji tomorrow or he’s all but headed back to Juryo.

Juryo:
Nabatame (J14) beat Chiyomaru (J10)
Daiseizan (J12) beat Onosho (J10)
Daiamami (J9) beat Kotoeiho (J13)
Wakaikari (J13) beat Daishoho (J9)
Mitoryu (J6) beat Tochitaikai (J12)
Fujiseiun (J10) beat Hakuyozan (J8)
Tsurugisho (J7) beat Oshoumi (J14)
Tamashoho (J7) beat Aonishiki (J11)
Shirokuma (J3) beat Shimazuumi (J5)
Shimanoumi (J4) beat Kayo (J3)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Kagayaki (J2)
Shiden (J6) beat Hakuoho (J2)
Kitanowaka (J1) beat Tomokaze (J5)
Kinbozan (J1) beat Tohakuryu (J6)
Leader: Oshoumi, Tsurugisho (9-1)
Of note: That first loss to Tsurugisho was indescribably costly for Oshoumi because he has now WITHDRAWN. His left shoulder was taped up today but otherwise why isn’t yet clear. That means his championship chase is over if he misses more than tomorrow although we’ll have to see what happens with Tsurugisho. Shiden will get the fusen as a result. But with 9 wins Oshoumi has at least clinched promotion so he will remain in Juryo this time without controversy. Kinbozan finally got his 8th win today and that means he’ll be promoted back tot he top tier in January. Chiyomaru is headed for demotion now at 0-10 and, in future retirement questions-to-be, Onosho is also demoted now. Back at the top, Tsurugisho has Kinbozan tomorrow so there could be co-leaders again.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 of the November 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Asakoryu (M17)
Tokihayata (M15) beat Ryuden (M13)
Takerufuji (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M12)
Shonannoumi (M13) beat Hokutofuji (M12)
Meisei (M11) beat Shishi (M16)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Tamawashi (M11)
Takarafuji (M15) beat Onokatsu (M10)
Ichiyamamoto (M10) beat Mitakeumi (M7)
Takayasu (M9) beat Endo (M7)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Nishikigi (M6)
Takanosho (M6) beat Roga (M8)
Gonoyama (M8) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Tobizaru (M5) beat Ura (M2)
Oho (M1) beat Hiradoumi (M1)
Wakatakakage (M2) beat Shodai (K)
Abi (M3) beat Daieisho (S)
Kirishima (S) beat Atamifuji (M3)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Churanoumi (M4)
Kotozakura (O) beat Oshoma (M4)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Leader: Takanosho, Kotozakura, Hoshoryu (8-1)
Of note: The leader group dropped from 4 to 3 for now with Onokatsu losing today, but with Takanosho on tap tomorrow he can get right back in it, as can any of the 5 who are currently at 7-2. The win today means Takanosho is the first in the top tier to clinch promotion this time while Kotozakura & Hoshoryu protect their Ozeki rank very early on so no last-day worries this time. Onosato remains in the group one back and can secure his rank in his Ozeki debut tomorrow against Daieisho. At the bottom, Hiradoumi is the first demotion as his disastrous November sees him fall to 1-8. There could be as many as 4 more demotions tomorrow…and why hasn’t Mitakeumi withdrawn? As for the other Ozekit omorrow, Kotozakura has Tobizaru while Hoshoryu has Kotoshoho, the latter trying to avoid demotion.

Juryo:
Wakaikari (J13) beat Kotoeiho (J13)
Oshoumi (J14) beat Fujiseiun (J10)
Daishoho (J9) beat Nabatame (J14)
Daiamami (J9) beat Tochitaikai (J12)
Hakuyozan (J8) beat Daiseizan (J12)
Tsurugisho (J7) beat Aonishiki (J11)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Chiyomaru (J11)
Shiden (J6) beat Onosho (J10)
Shimanoumi (J4) beat Mitoryu (J8)
Tohakuryu (J6) beat Shirokuma (J3)
Hakuoho (J2) beat Shimazuumi (J5)
Kagayaki (J2) beat Kayo (J3)
Tomokaze (J5) beat Kinbozan (J1)
Tamashoho (J4) beat Kitanowaka (J1)
Leader: Oshoumi (9-0)
Of note: Still all Oshoumi but the first critical bout is tomorrow as he faces Tsurugisho, who clinched promotion today and is right behind at 8-1. Kinbozan’s promotion back to the top tier won’t happen today as he took his second loss to fall 2 back. If he can’t win tomorrow the championship race may be all but down to Oshoumi & Tsurugisho.

Lower tier notes:
The Makushita is now down to 3 at 5-0, and based on their rankings Kazekeno will have a chance to return to Juryo from Ms6 depending on what happens now, one more win may clinch it but 7-0 definitely will. No Wakatakamoto though as he lost to drop out of it. In the Sandanme, Enho won and remains among 6 co-leaders at 5-0, any more wins will improve his chances of promotion to Makushita in January (one more may clinch it). No match for him tomorrow. The Jonidan has 5 remaining at 5-0 while in the Jonokuchi the sole leader is Gonoumi at 5-0 after winning the battle of the 2 remaining unbeatens. He isn’t a rookie but has missed the majority of this year due to injuries and had more absent days than wins in his career coming into the tournament (30 absent against 27 wins & 13 losses).