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Tokyo Joshi Pro 11/22/24 Results

Tokyo Joshi Pro continued their fall house show tour today in Tokyo.

Today’s event was held at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo (DDT’s results page incorrectly says Korakuen Hall) and can be watched on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE.

The announced paid attendance was 429, a super full house/very near sellout.

In the opening announcements, it was announced that all 3 of the signature events next year-GRAND PRINCESS, SUMMER SUN PRINCESS, WRESTLE PRINCESS 6-will all be at Ota City General Gym in Tokyo. They will be on 3/16, 7/21 and 9/20, respectively. GRAND PRINCESS had been held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in each year of its existence, which started during the pandemic.

Match 1; HIMAWARI, Shino Suzuki & Uta Takami beat Wakana Uehara, Kira Summer & Chika Nanase. HIMAWARI beat Nanase with a single leg Boston crab.

Match 2; Pom Harajuku beat Mahiro Kiryu & Neko Haruna in a 3-way by pinning both simultaneously.

Match 3: Zara Zakher & Yuki Aino beat Mizuki & Kaya Toribami. Zakher pinned Toribami after Control Z.

Match 4: Miu Watanabe, Raku, Suzume & Moka Miyamoto beat Miyu Yamashita, Maki Itoh, Yuki Kamifuku & Yoshiko Hasegawa. Suzume pinned Hasegawa after Ring A Bell.

Match 5: Hyper Misao Return Match: Rika Tatsumi & Arisu Endo beat Hyper Misao & Shoko Nakajima. Tatsumi beat Misao with White Dragon Sleeper.

Match 6: NEXGENE Tournament ’24 Finals: Haru Kazashiro beat Toga to win the tournament. As a result, Kazashiro gets a future title shot of her choice…and immediately chose Princess Tag Team Championship with Toga as her partner. That match will happen on 12/1 at Club eX in Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo. The result definitely is an upset in my book as I had Toga winning it all.

Main Event: International Princess Champion Yuki Arai beat Shazza McKenzie to retain the title. V6 for Arai. Next up: Suzume. That match will happen at the year-opening event on 1/4 at Korakuen Hall, the traditional Tokyo Dome appetizer. This also means that, if she holds the title until then, Arai will also have the longest reign to date as 1/4 would be exactly one year.

The next event is “TJPW 11th BIRTHDAY” on 12/1 at Club eX in Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin on 11/30 at 6:30 PM PT/9:30 PM ET.

In other news, while the field for the upcoming Futari-wa Princess Max Heart Tournament in early 2025 isn’t yet set, the promotion confirmed Arai will not be part of it next year. When her January & February participation schedule was announced earlier this week it was reported she will not compete on 2/8 at Korakuen, which will be the Finals, due to schedule conflicts (likely with SKE48). She will participate on 1/4, 1/18 (Club eX), 1/25 (Shinjuku Face) and 2/22 (Ryogoku KFC Hall). But as always, her schedules are subject to change.

Sumo-November 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 13 Results (11/22/24) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13-Championship Day-of the November 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kitanowaka (J1) beat Shishi (M16)
Sadanoumi (M12) beat Bushozan (M17)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Meisei (M11)
Tamawashi (M11) beat Asakoryu (M17)
Tokihayate (M15) beat Ichiyamamoto (M10)
Chiyoshoma (M14) beat Takayasu (M9)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Hokutofuji (M12)
Roga (M8) beat Ryuden (M13)
Mitakeumi (M7) beat Shonannoumi (M13)
Takarafuji (M10) beat Endo (M7)
Abi (M3) beat Takerufuji (M16)
Ura (M2) beat Nishikigi (M6)
Wakatakakage (M2) beat Onokatsu (M15)
Hiradoumi (M1) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Atamifuji (M3) beat Oho (M1)
Tobizaru (M5) beat Shodai (K)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Churanoumi (M4)
Daieisho (S) beat Oshoma (M4)
Gonoyama (M8) beat Kirishima (S)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Onosato (O)
Kotozakura (O) beat Takanosho (M6)
Leader: Kotozakura, Hoshoryu (12-1)
Of note: It is on! The Ozeki Showdown will be on the Final Day and it’s for the championship! Either Kotozakura will finally claim his first Emperor’s Cup or Hoshoryu will claim his second. The winner could get into Yokozuna contention chances if they can repeat in January with at least this many wins or more because 13 or 14 will be what wins the championship. But first there’s tomorrow which will determine if it’s winner-take-all or if there could be a playoff. Takanosho, Gonoyama & Abi are mathematically still in it at 10-3 but because of the pending Ozeki meeting have no chance and Onosato’s playoff-only hopes were dashed when he lost to Hoshoryu. But Onosato could make it much tougher for Kotozakura by beating him tomorrow while Hoshoryu has Kirishima, who must win to stay at Sekiwake in January. Fans didn’t like Abi staying in it because he pulled the HENKA! (sidestep at the initial charge) to beat Takerufuji, who won’t win the championship again this time but has clinched promotion and will stay in the top tier. Elsewhere, Kitanowaka clinched promotion back to the top tier with his win today, although he has yet to manage a winning record while up here, while Shishi & Asakoryu will be demoted back to Juryo. The latter goes with another Tamawashi milestone-with promotion clinched today, the Iron Man now becomes just the 4th rikishi since the start of the Showa era-which dates back to at least the 1930s-to finish a top tier tournament with a winning record at age 40 or older. Elsewhere I can see Ryuden possibly being demoted to Juryo, especially if he loses out to finish 3-12, with Bushozan going out too that could free up another spot for a Juryo man. Finally, it looks like Wakatakakage will get back to Sanyaku as his comeback from injury is just about complete, I expect him to be at Komusubi in January, just one below Sekiwake where he was at when he got injured and that would mean both the Wakas are in Sanyaku together again as Wakamotoharu clinched a possible promotion to Sekiwake, but that will depend on what happens with Kirishima & Daieisho.

Juryo:
Aonishiki (J11) beat Daiamami (J9)
Mitoryu (J8) beat Onosho (J10) by defaulr/withdrawal)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Nabatame (J14)
Chiyomaru (J11) beat Bushozan (J6)
Tomokaze (J5) beat Fujiseiun (J10)
Kotoeiho (J13) beat Shimazuumi (J5)
Wakaikari (J13) beat Shimanoumi (J4)
Tochitaikai (J12) beat Tamashoho (J4)
Daiseizan (J12) beat Kayo (J3)
Shirokuma (J3) beat Daishoho (J9)
Hakuoho (J2) beat Tsurugisho (J7)
Shigen (J6) beat Kagayaki (J2)
Kinbozan (J1) beat Hakuyozan (J8)
Leader: Kinbozan, Tsurugisho (10-3)
WITHDRAWAL: Onosho (J10). Right knee & right ankle among other things. Tournament over. Out at least 3 weeks. Will be demoted to Makushita for the first time since May 2016. That time he went 7-0 and was promoted back to Juryo from Ms3. Mitoryu got the fusen as a result.
RE-ENTRY: Oshoumi (J14). Will return tomorrow. Missed 3 days due to a left shoulder injury. Will be the equivalent of 9-4 and already has clinched promotion. He was expected to be out a week. And, miraculously, despite the absences he still is mathematically in the championship race, when he got injured he was still co-leader at 9-1.
Of note: Things got very interesting today with Tsurugisho losing and Kinbozan winning. Not only are they tied now, but with Oshoumi able to return tomorrow he’s going to be just one win behind despite the equivalent of 3 straight losses and thus he’s still in contention! We’ll have to wait a little longer to set up the final day scenarios because Kinbozan will be in the top tier tomorrow but a playoff will be a possibility because Kinbozan-Tsurugisho already happened (Tsurugisho won). At the bottom, even though he’ll be demoted to Makushita at least Chiyomaru won’t go winless, he avoided potential 0-15 with his first win today.

Makushita:
Osanai (Ms48) beat Hokutomaru (Ms31). OSANAI MAKUSHITA YUSHO!!! 2nd career championship and first Makushita. He’ll be promoted to around Ms20 in January.

Sandanme:
Fujitoshi (Sd18) beat Enho (Sd56). FUJITOSHI SANDANME YUSHO!!! 1st career championship. He’ll be promoted back to Makushita. Enho finishes 6-1 for the 3rd straight tournament in his comeback and will also be promoted and will have a chance to reach Makushita as well.

Jonidan:
Nakashima (Jd37) beat Seiyu (Jd39)
Nishikikuni (Jd9) beat Shimanishiki (Jd40). PLAYOFF!!! The earlier result guaranteed a playoff would be needed to decide the champion. That will happen on the Final Day.

Jonokuchi:
Gonoumi (Jk12) beat Kirinohana (Jd82). GONOUMI JONOKUCHI YUSHO!!! 1st career championship. Had he lost there would have been a 3-way playoff.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of live top tier coverage in English tomorrow FOR FREE beginning at 12:10 AM PT/3:10 AM ET.

UPDATE: Kotoshoho has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 14. Left foot. Tournament probably over with one day left afterwards. Will finish the equivalent of 3-12 if he can’t return. Oho will get the fusen as a result..

DEVELOPING: DDT Wrestler Retires

DDT has announced that Yusuke Okada, who is currently inactive due to treatment for cancer, has retired effective immediately. He has been undergoing treatment since February and is currently in remission, but due to physical problems has decided to retire. He will appear at tomorrow’s (tonight US time) event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo to address the fans.

BREAKING: Injury Report-Neppowered Down

DDT has announced some breaking injury updates and it has title implications-after missing the last event with a knee injury, more is now known about Shunma Katsumata’s status, and for The37Kamiina fans it’s bad. Ruptured left ACL and damaged LCL. Out indefinitely but it’s going to be “a while”, meaning months. Because of this, the KO-D Tag Team Championship held by Katsumata & MAO is now VACANT. Several changes were made to tomorrow’s event as a result-they were to have defended the titles against Tetsuya Endo & Yuya Koroku That match is now MAO, Yuki Ueno & To-y vs. Endo, Koroku & Yuki Iino. For Sunday, Katsumata was to have faced Keigo Nakamura. Yuki Ishida is the replacement and also added to Sunday is Akito & Moeka Haruhi vs. Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata. No word yet on plans to crown new champions.

More as it becomes available.

Stardom 11/20/24-11/21/24 Results

After a week off for a NEW BLOOD event & HISTORIC X-OVER 2, Stardom resumed the Goddess Of Stardom Tag League with events yesterday & today (yesterday’s results were not posted until a few minutes ago).

Both events can now be watched on demand on Stardom World.

Yesterday’s event was held at Aomori Budokan in Aomori.

The announced paid attendance was 421.

Match 1: Aya Sakura beat Matoi Hamabe & Lady C in a 3-way by pinning Hamabe.

Match 2: Mayu Iwatani & Momo Kohgo beat Konami & Azusa Inaba. Iwatani pinned Inaba after Dodonpa.

Match 3: Natsuko Tora, Saya Kamitani & Ruaka beat Tam Nakano, Yuna Mizumori & Sayaka Kurara. Kamitani pinned Kurara after Star Crusher.

Goddess Of Stardom Tag League:
Match 5: Blue Block: Hanan & Saya Iida beat Mei Seira & Kohaku. Hanan pinned Seira after 17.
Match 6: Blue Block: Momo Watanabe & Thekla beat Waka Tsukiyama & Rian. Watanabe pinned Rian.
Match 7: Red Block: Maika & HANAKO beat Tomoka Inaba & Ranna Yagami. Maika pinned Yagami after Michinoku Driver 2.
Match 8: Blue Block: Natsupoi & Saori Anou vs. Starlight Kid & Suzu Suzuki went to a 20 minute time limit draw.
Main Event: Red Block: Hazuki & Koguma beat AZM & Miyu Amasaki. Koguma pinned Amasaki after a diving body press.

Today’s event was held at Furusato Village Dome Theater in Akita.

The announced paid attendance was 441.

Match 1: Ruaka beat Sayaka Kurara & Lady C in a 3-way by pinning Kurara.

Match 2: Goddess Of Stardom Tag League Blue Block: Mei Seira & Cohaku beat Waka Tsukiyama & Rian. Cohaku pinned Tsukiyama.

Match 3; AZM & Miyu Amasaki beat Natsuko Tora & Azusa Inaba. Amasaki pinned Inaba.

Match 4: Tam Nakano, Natsupoi, Saori Anou, Yuna Mizumori & Aya Sakura beat Mayu Iwatani, Hanan, Saya Iida, Momo Kohgo & Motoi Hamabe. Natsupoi beat Hamabe with an armbar.

Match 5; Goddess Of Stardom Tag League Red Block: Konami & Saya Kamitani beat Tomoka Inaba & Ranna Yagami. Kamitani pinned Inaba after Star Crusher.

Match 6: Goddess Of Stardom Tag League Blue Block: Starlight Kid & Suzu Suzuki vs. Momo Watanabe & Thekla went to a double countout. That counts as a draw in the standings. 1 point for each.

Main Event: Goddess Of Stardom Tag League Red Block: Hazuki & Koguma beat Maika & HANAKO. Koguma pinned HANAKO after a diving senton.

The next event is Saturday at Aztec Museum Sendai Industrial Exhibition Hall in Sendai. There will be no live broadcast.

Sumo-November 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 12 Results (11/20/24) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

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.

New Japan 11/23/24 Results

New Japan ran Day 2 of the World Tag League today, kicking off Block B action.

Today’s event was held at Funabashi Arena in Chiba and can be watched on demand on New Japan World. This was a Samurai! TV broadcast in Japan.

The announced paid attendance was 565.

Pre-show match: Yasutora Yasuda vs. Daiki Nagai went to a 10 minute time limit draw.

Match 1: Jacob Austin Young, Callum Newman & Jeff Cobb beat Katsuya Murashima, Ryusuke Taguchi & Alex Zayne. Newman pinned Murashima after a fisherman buster.

Match 2: Taiji Ishimori, Chase Owens & KENTA beat Gedo, Sanada & Gabriel Kidd. Owens pinned Gedo after C Trigger.

Match 3: BUSHI, Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi beat Shoma Kato, YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto. BUSHI pinned Kato.

Match 4: Kosei Fujita, Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr. beat Tiger Mask, Tomoaki Honma & Shota Umino. Oiwa pinned TM 4 after The Grip.

World Tag League Block B:
Match 5: Tome & Stevie Filip beat Jado & Hiroshi Tanahashi. Tome Filip beat Jado with a Figure 4.
Match 6: TAKA Michinoku & Taichi beat HENARE & Great-O-Khan. Taichi pinned Khan after Black Mephisto.
Match 7: Ren Narita & EVIL beat Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano. EVIL pinned Yano after Magic Killer.
Main Event: Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito beat Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls. Naito pinned Haste after Destino.

The next event is tomorrow at Yokohama Budokan in Yokohama with Block A. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 1:30 AM PT/4:30 AM ET. This will also be a Samurai! TV broadcast in Japan.

DDT News: Title Change Happens…

DDT earlier today posted a video on the socials showing what appeared to be Kazuki Hirata fishing on a cold, rainy night in Japan. Then Yuki Ueno showed up. I can’t embed the video below but stuff happened.

https://twitter.com/ddtproENG/status/1859235037163778254

Ueno choked out Hirata and a passerby walked by…who just happened to be referee Daisuke Kiso, and he had his referee shirt on! Which led to…

Yuki Ueno beat DDT Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion Kazuki Hirata to win the title. Ueno becomes the 1695th Champion.

God Bless DDT.

All-Japan 11/20/24 Results

All-Japan continued the World’s Strongest Tag League today in Tokyo.

Today’s event was held at Stellar Ball in Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on AJPW.TV.

The announced paid attendance was 715.

Match 1: Ryuki Honda, Ren Ayabe & MUSASHI beat Suwama, Cyrus & Ryo Inoue. MUSASHI pinned Inoue after Estrella Futuro.

World’s Strongest Tag League:
Match 2: Block B: Hikaru Sato & Yuko Miyamoto beat Kuroshio TOKYO Japan & Seigo Tachibana. Miyamoto pinned Tachibana.
Match 3: Block A: Hokuto Omori & Kumaarashi beat Shotaro Ashino & Dan Tamura. Kumaarashi pinned Ashino after a diving senton.
Match 4: Block A: Rising Hayato & Yuma Anzai beat Makoto Oishi & Mike D. Vecchio. Anzai pinned Oishi after Gimlet.
Match 5: Block A: Jun & Rei Saito beat Daisuke Sekimoto & Kengo Mashimo. Rei Saito pinned Sekimoto after BBQ Bomb.
Main Event: Block B: Kento Miyahara & Davey Boy Smith Jr. beat Yuma Aoyagi & Fuminori Abe. Miyahara pinned Aoyagi with a shutdown suplex hold.

Standings-wise, the Saitos have all but clinched a Semifinals spot (the top 2 in each block advance) as they are 4-0, 8 points with 2 matches left so they just need to win one or have other results go their way. Omori & Kumaarashi are second at 4 points but have 3 matches left. Nobody is out of it but Yoshioka & MUSASHI can’t finish first now as they are on 1 point with 3 matches left. Block B is wide open, the top 4 all are on 4 points but Miyahara & Smith still have 4 matches left while most teams have 3, but Aoyagi & Abe are in trouble despite being on 4 points because they have only 2 matches left now.

The next event is Saturday at Tokorozawa Sakura Town Japan Pavilion in Saitama. There will be no live broadcast. It should be available on demand that evening.

Sumo-November 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 11 Results (11/20/24) (Top 2 Tiers)

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.