Now that the March Grand Sumo Tournament is over and most of the post-tournament meetings have been held, here are the final standings for the top 2 tiers and early news updates:
First up, after his 3rd Emperor’s Cup victory it’s now official-Kirishima has been re-promoted to Ozeki. He was last promoted to the rank in July 2023, but went into kadoban status immediately due to missing 3 days with injury and finishing 6-7-2, but protected his rank with a 9-6 second effort then won bis second championship in November 2023 to get into Yokozuna contention. But he then went 11-4 to miss out, then 5-10 and 1-6-8 and was demoted after May 2024. He’ll be back after 2 years and never fell below Maegashira 2.
Next, here is the final Hoshitori (Tournament Records) based on the Banzuke for the top 2 tiers (records are in win-loss-absent format, for ranking purposes absent is treated as a loss):
Makiuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Hoshoryu (11-4), Onosato (0-4-11)
Ozeki-Aonishiki (7-8), Kotozakura (10-5)
Sekiwake-Kirishima (12-3, Champion), Takayasu (7-8)
Komusubi-Wakamotoharu (3-12), Atamifuji (9-6)
Maegashira 1-Wakatakakage (8-6-1), Yoshinofuji (7-8)
Maegashira 2-Fujinokawa (8-7), Churanoumi (4-11)
Maegashira 3-Hiradoumi (7-8), Oho (7-8)
Maegashira 4-Daieisho (7-8), Takanosho (9-6)
Maegashira 5-Abi (4-6-5), Kotoshoho (11-4)
Maegashira 6-Ichiyamamoto (9-6), Onokatsu (1-6-8)
Maegashira 7-Oshoma (6-9), Hakunofuji (5-6-4)
Maegashira 8-Ura (5-10), Shodai (8-7)
Maegashira 9-Tokihayate (5-10), Tamawashi (5-10)
Maegashira 10-Gonoyama (10-5), Roga (5-10)
Maegashira 11-Shishi (6-9), Oshoumi (5-10)
Maegashira 12-Asakoryu (9-6), Asanoyama (8-7)
Maegashira 13-Tobizaru (6-9, Fujiseiun (10-5)
Maegashira 14-Chiyoshoma (10-5), Nishikifuji (9-6)
Maegashira 15-Midorifuji (Absent), Mitakeumi (8-7)
Maegashira 16-Asahakuryu (10-5), Kinbozan (9-6)
Maegashira 17-Fujiryoga (7-8), Kotoeiho (9-6)
Notes: The biggest surprise comes at the top when, after 2 straight championships and expectations of being considered as a new Yokozuna mow, Aonishiki instead is in kadoban status after the first losing tournament of bis career. He now must win at least 8 matches in May or he will be demoted to Sekiwake. I think it was equally bad luck and being figured out at last, no injury concerns. This was also the first time Kotozakura reached 10 wins since he won his first championship back in 2024 after going 14-1, although he was his usual streaky self-started 3-0, then fell to 0-3, 4-4 at halfway but then went 6-1 in the second week. Onosato pulled out early due to a shoulder injury also resulting in his perfect career mark of no losing tournaments ending. Hopefully he will be good for May as the initial report was out 3 weeks. With Kirishima promoted and Takayasu likely demoted, Atamifuji should be promoted to Sekiwake for the first time, Wakatakakage had a chance before being injured on Day 13 when he clinched promotion and right now should be both Komusubi and a toss-up for May as his elbow injury reportedly has him out 6 weeks. Takayasu will probably stay Sanyaku while his Final Day win should get Fujinokawa up to M1, another career best. Another championship-contending performance has me thinking Kotoshoho also gets back up to M1 with Ichiyamamoto & Takanosho right behind. The demotions start with Midorifuji, but that’s secondary to his health concerns as he sat out due to heart failure. Treatment was to keep him out a month so let’s hope for the best with him because that’s scary considering he’s only 29. Fujiryoga probably will go down too after a good debut effort but with a chance to quickly return. Onokatsu is a toss-up with two withdrawals due to injuries but I think the one win he got will be enough to save his top tier position.
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Ryuden (9-6), Sadanoumi (7-8)
Juryo 2-Asasuiryu (6-9), Tomokaze (6-9)
Juryo 3-Daiseizan (8-7), Wakanosho (11-4)
Juryo 4-Nishinoryu (6-9), Takerufuji (8-7)
Juryo 5-Kagayaki (7-8), Shirokuma (7-8)
Juryo 6-Hitoshi (5-10), Kayo (7-8)
Juryo 7-Meisei (8-7), Kyokukaiyu (9-6)
Juryo 8-Shonannoumi (8-7), Kitanowaka (9-6)
Juryo 9-Tamashoho (6-9), Hatsuyama (10-5)
Juryo 10-Dewanoryu (11-4, Champion), Tohakuryu (8-7)
Juryo 11-Kazuma (10-5), Toshinofuji (10-5)
Juryo 12-Nishikigi (8-7), Tsurugisho (0-15)
Juryo 13-Shinazuumi (2-9-4), Fujitensei (5-10)
Juryo 14-Kazekeno (9-6), Kotokuzan (4-11)
Notes: Ryuden is headed back up to the top tier again and I expect Wakanosho to join him for his top tier debut in May. Despite a championship 11 wins won’t get Dewanoryu up but he’ll set up for a good chance in May. Kazuma & Toshinofuji should be within reach of the top tier too. Demotions will include Shimazuumi, Fujitensei, Kotokuzan and the likely-retiring Taurugisho, who potentially crashes out of sumo with a disastrous 0-15 finale. Nishikigi saved his spot-and maybe career-with a late winning streak and promotion on the final day.
This will be updated when the Shin-Juryo and Sai-Juryo rikishi are announced.
Also two official retirements: Hidenoumi (Ms3) and Chiyomaru (Sd1) as noted before. Chiyomaru will become Wakaimonogashira and work in a youth/lower tier development role with the Association. Hidenoumi appears to be leaving even though he qualifies for elder stock.
Further updates to come. Pushing this out early due to the confirmation of Kirishima promotion.
UPDATE: The Shin-Juryo & Sai-Juryo rikishi are as follows: As expected, the one Shin-Juryo rikishi is Okaryu, who will make 3 Tatsunami wrestlers in the top 2 tiers when he makes his Juryo debut in May. The Sai-Juryo rikishi this time are Tochitaikai, Hakuyozan and…exhale now…Enho!!! This means that, after potentially falling just one win short of it before he was injured and plunging down the ranks to Jonidan, Enho will now qualify for elder stock when he retires as this will be his 30th tournament in the top 2 tiers. He also reportedly become the first ever former top tier wrestler to be demoted all the way to Jonokuchi then climb back up to Juryo. (Terunofuji was only demoted to Jonidan before his rise to Yokozuna)
Also, the official retirement total is now at 11 per Nikkan Sports.
UPDATE 2: The 11 retirements include pre-tournament retirements of Daishoho & Shiden, the Day 13 retirement of Chiyosakae, Chiyomary & Hidenoumi and now 6 more-one Makushita, one Sandanme, 2 Jonidan and 2 unranked wrestlers. But, at least not yet, no Tsurugisho. Maybe trying to get a couple more months’ pay before he loses it after the next Banzuke announcement in late April.
Also today was a second press conference which was at Tatsunami Beya for the promotion of Okaryu to Juryo for the first time. This was along with one at Otowayama Beya for Kirishima’s re-promotion to Ozeki, the first one since the former Yokozuna Kakuryu opened his stable after Michinoku Beya had to shut down due to nobody able to take over when the last stablemaster had to step down due to turning 65, the mandatory retirement age in sumo. Various Japanese news channels covered the Kirishima one and video can be found FOR FREE on YouTube.
UPDATE 3: Nikkan Sports reports the Isegahama punishment will be decided on and announced on 4/9.