It’s that exciting time again-now that the next tournament is less than 2 weeks away, the Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) has announced the updated Banzuke (Official Rankings) for the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. Below are the rankings for the top 2 tiers:
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Yokozuna: Terunofuji
Ozeki: Takakeisho
Sekiwake: Kiribayama (March Champion), Hoshoryu, Daieisho, Wakamotoharu
Komusubi: Kotonowaka, Wakatakakage, Shodai
Maegashira 1: Abi, Midorifuji
Maegashira 2: Takayasu, Endo
Maegashira 3: Tobizaru, Nishikifuji
Maegashira 4: Ura, Nishikigi
Maegashira 5: Kinbozan, Kotoshoho
Maegashira 6: Meisei, Mitakeumi
Maegashira 7: Hokutofuji, Tamawashi
Maegashira 8: Sadanoumi, Takanosho
Maegashira 9: Onosho, Hiradoumi
Maegashira 10: Ryuden, Takarafuji
Maegashira 11: Hokuseiho, Daishoho
Maegashira 12: Aoiyama, Kotoeko
Maegashira 13: Chiyoshoma, Ichinojo (March Juryo Champion)
Maegashira 14: Asanoyama, Myogiryu
Maegashirra 15: Ichiyamamoto, Tsurugisho
Maegashira 16: Mitoryu, Oho
Maegashira 17: Kagayaki
Initial notes/thoughts: Takakeisho is in kadoban status due to withdrawing in March due to injury, meaning he must finish May with at least 8 wins or he will be demoted from Ozeki, so obviously zero Yokozuna chances this time. All indications are Terunofuji will return from a long injury absence here. Kiribayama can be promoted to Ozeki if he wins the tournament again, along with Hoshoryu having another chance, and we still have a Waka at Sekiwake as Wakamotoharu earned promotion to the 3rd highest rank as younger brother Wakatakakage was demoted due to withdrawing on Day 14 in March with injury and finishing the equivalent of 7-8. Although at Komusubi this time, Wakatakakage will be absent this tournament (could be out up to 1 year, best-case seems to be 6 months) and further demoted. Asanoyama and Ichinojo return to the top tier (Asanoyama after nearly 2 years, Ichinojo after one tournament following a suspension), although both are one or two ranks lower than I expected given Ichinojo went 14-1 and won Juryo and Asanoyama went 13-2. Kinbozan was among the big movers up, his Fighting Spirit Prize and 11 wins in his debut effort sees him jump up to M5 while Mitoryu & Oho just hang on to their top tier spots. Ryuden was the biggest drop as a disastrous 2-13 March dropped him to Maegashira 10. And in a return to his old form after his first winning record in the top tier in his career, Azumaryu unfortunately is demoted back to Juryo.
Juryo:
Juryo 1: Gonoyama, Shonannoumi
Juryo 2: Azumaryu, Tohakuryu
Juryo 3: Bushozan, Enho
Juryo 4: Oshoma, Roga
Juryo 5: Tochinoshin, Akua
Juryo 6: Hakuyozan, Shimazuumi
Juryo 7: Takakento, Churanoumi
Juryo 8: Atamifuji, Ochiai
Juryo 9: Daiamami, Chiyonokuni
Juryo 10: Chiyomaru, Kitanowaka
Juryo 11: Hidenoumi, Tamashoho
Juryo 12: Tomokaze, Chiyosakae
Juryo 13: Fujiseiun, Shimanoumi
Juryo 14: Tokihayate, Tsushimanada
Notes/thoughts: After an impressive Juryo debut that saw him in title contention until an injury halfway through derailed him, Ochiai jumped from Juryo 14 to Juryo 8 for what will be his third career tournament. The top tier in July is probably out of reach but he’s on pace to get there in September and likely be the first to reach or return to Makuuchi since former Yokozuna Hakuho took over Miyagino Beya, unless fan favorite Enho gets back first, and he has a chance at J3. Fujiseiun & Tokihayate are the Shin-Juryo rikishi this time, making their second tier (considered pro) debuts with Fujiseiun needing about 2 1/2 years to get there and Tokihayate making it in just over 4 years. Chiyosakae is Sai-Juryo, returning to the second tier after being demoted to Makushita. As for Tochinoshin, all indications are he is not retiring and will continue competing despite injuries that saw him drop to J5 from J2, but at least one more go for the former Ozeki. With no notable names demoted from the top tier Juryo should be more competitive this time around.
Other notes: Makushita Champion Ryuo jumped up to Makushita 3 for this tournament, while the “human slinky” Kawazoe just missed Juryo and is Makushita 1, so a winning tournament gets him to the second tier along with Shiden, who is also at Makushita 1 and looking to return to Juryo (he had to sit out what would have been his second tier debut). After returning to Juryo, Tokushoryu is demoted back to Makushita, and fell to Makushita 6 this time. Terutsuyoshi was demoted to Makushita 5 after rallying to finish 3-4 after taking another demotion following a 1-4 start, but that still means no epic salt throws for another tournament. He hasn’t had a winning tournament in a year. Toshunryu, the March Sandanme champion, made a huge jump up to Makushita 15. The Sandanme remains at the “new normal” 90 rankings with former top-tier wrestler Kyokutaisei continuing his attempts to climb back to the top after demotion all the way to the bottom-he’s up to Sandanme 3, while Jonidan Champion Suguro moved up to Sandanme 60. The Jonidan will have 106 ranks this time including closing bow-twirler Satonofuji chugging along at Jonidan 85 and Jonokuchi Champion Asahakuryu starting from Jonidan 13, and finally the Jonokuchi will have 23 rankings with a total of 45 wrestlers, the majority neecomers in their debut tournament.
5/3 UPDATE: Nikkan Sports reports Takakeisho has undergone a shikona, or name change. I’m trying to nail down exactly what it is and also am awaiting confirmation from the Kyokai.