Open The Forbidden Gate

Here are the final standings from the Top 2 Tiers of the September 2022 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo, based on the Banzuke (Rankings) going in, and some thoughts on how the November Banzuke will look (records are in win-loss-absent [if applicable] format, absent is treated as a loss for ranking purposes):
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Yokozuna-Terunofuji (5-5-5)
Ozeki-Takakeisho (10-5), Shodai (4-11), Mitakeumi (4-11)
Sekiwake-Wakatakakage (11-4), Hoshoryu (8-7), Daieisho (7-8)
Komusubi: Abi (Absent, 0-0-15), Ichonojo (6-9), Kiribayama (9-6)
Maegashira 1-Tobizaru (10-5), Midorifuji (7-8)
Maegashira 2-Kotonowaka (8-7), Meisei (8-7)
Maegashira 3-Tamawashi (13-2, CHAMPION), Ura (8-7)
Maegashira 4-Nishikigi (6-9), Takayasu (11-4)
Maegashira 5-Takaraduji (5-10), Sadanoumi (9-6)
Maegashira 6-Wakamotoharu (10-5), Endo (7-8)
Maegashira 7-Aoiyama (6-9), Onosho (5-10)
Maegashira 8-Tochinoshin (7-8), Hokutofuji (10-5)
Maegashira 9-Myogiryu (8-7), Kotoeko (6-9)
Maegashira 10-Nishikifuji (10-5), Takanosho (8-7)
Maegashira 11-Kotoshoho (7-8), Chiyotairyu (6-9)
Maegashira 12-Okinoumi (6-9), Ryuden (11-4)
Maegashira 13-Ichiyamamoto (6-9), Oho (7-8)
Maegashira 14-Chiyoshoma (9-6), Yutakayama (4-11)
Maegashira 15-Terutsuyoshi (6-9), Tsurugisho (5-10)
Maegashira 16-Mitoryu (5-10), Hiradoumi (7-8)
Those with a winning record (8-7 or better) stand to be promoted and move up in the rankings (except Sekiwake, Ozeki & Yokozuna) while those with a losing record (7-8 or worse) stand to be demoted and move down (except Yokozuna). As a Yokozuna, Terunofuji can never be demoted even though he finishes the equivalent of 5-10 due to having to withdraw after Day 9 due to injuries. A big Sanyaku shakeup is coming again because, after an unusual 3rd straight losing tournament at that rank, Mitakeumi will be demoted from Ozeki to Sekiwake (normally an Ozeki is demoted after 2 straight losing tournaments, but due to massive coronavirus-related withdrawals in July Mitakeumi got a second chance in Kadoban status, which is when an Ozeki has a losing record-another losing record in the next tournament and you lose the rank). But he can get back to Ozeki with at least 10 wins in November. Shodai will also be Kadoban for the 5th time, and he has been there every possible time this year with alternating winning and losing tournaments (in fact, he has had no consecutive winning tournaments since May-November 2021, and based on his career records he has had a winning record in only 7 of 12 tournaments since promotion to Ozeki after winning the September 2020 Tournament). Takakeisho will remain a full Ozeki. While there have been rumblings of Wakatakakage being in consideration for Ozeki promotion, based on his last 3 tournaments I think he is 2 wins short of it this time. The criteria for making Ozeki as a Sekiwake is either win 2 straight tournaments OR 3 consecutive winning records with a cumulative total of at least 30 wins-Wakatakakage won the March tournament but, in both qualifying periods since promotion to Sekiwake in March, has managed only 28 wins. Hoshoryu will stay Sekiwake but Daieisho will be demoted. Ichinojo, the July champion, will be demoted from Komusubi, probably to Maegashira 3, Abi likely will be demoted while Kiribayama has a chance for promotion to Sekiwake. In the rank-and-file Maegashira, Tobizaru should be promoted to Sanyaku, as should new champion Tamawashi. Midorifuji will be demoted from M1, with Kotonowaka & Meisei possibly moving up to M1 (would be a career best for Kotonowaka). Ura should move up to M2 along with tournament runner-up Takayasu. Wakamotoharu will move up a few spots and move perhaps closer to a someday showdown between the Waka Bros (extremely unlikely because they are brothers and they are from the same beya, this probably would only happen if it was to decide the championship) while Hokutofuji will make a nice move up after a 10-5 finish, but he struggled mightily down the stretch after a 9-0 start. Towards the bottom, Ryuden will make a nice move up after an 11-4 mark in his top-tier return from M12 while everyone at M14 and below, with the exception of 9-6 Chiyoshoma, will either be demoted to or is in danger of demotion to Juryo. A real bummer for M15 Terutsuyoshi as fans would have to arrive earlier to witness his epic salt throws. Mitoryu won his top-tier debut match but unfortunately is headed back to Juryo for now. Same for Hiradoumi, but he could be back sooner as he managed 7 wins so he should be back with 8 in November.

Juryo:
Juryo 1-Shimanoumi (4-11), Chiyomaru (7-8)
Juryo 2-Chiyonokuni (6-9), Azumaryu (9-6)
Juryo 3-Atamifuji (8-7), Tohakuryu (8-7)
Juryo 4-Kagayaki (9-6), Bushozan (8-7)
Juryo 5-Hidenoumi (8-7), Asanowaka (Absent, 0-1-14)
Juryo 6-Akua (8-7), Churanoumi (9-6)
Juryo 7-Kotokuzan (7-8), Enho (6-9)
Juryo 8-Daiamami (7-8), Daishoho (7-8)
Juryo 9-Hokuseiho (9-6), Kaisho (7-8)
Juryo 10-Shimazuumi (6-9), Tokushoryu (7-8)
Juryo 11-Chiyosakae (8-7), Kitanowaka (10-5)
Juryo 12-Gonoyama (6-9), Kinbozan (10-5)
Juryo 13-Oshoma (8-7), Tochimaru (2-13)
Juryo 14-Tochimusashi (11-4, CHAMPION), Takakento (9-6)
Juryo was surprisingly competitive, as just 3 of the 28 finished with more than 9 wins and only 5 others even managed 9 wins. When you drill down even further, roughly half the division was 8-7 or 7-8 (13 in all). As the champion in his Juryo debut, Tochimusashi will make a big move up, but it could have been bigger had he not lost his final 2 matches. I predict he’ll land at roughly J5. Also making a likely big move up is Kinbozan, the first rikishi from Kazakhstan to reach the top 2 tiers-10 wins and a runner-up finish in his Juryo debut should move him up from J12 to around J7. At the top, a 9-6 mark at J2 gives Azumaryu a chance to return to the top tier, while Shimanoumi will continue his steep drop from top tier and fall further down the Juryo ranks. He did manage 4 wins but 3 came in the first few days. Figure on a fall to around J9. Asanowaka could completely fall out of Juryo after being absent. Also going down to Makushita is Tochimaru, the popular wrestler whose lightning-fast nonstop pushing/thrusting style makes for must-see sumo, he had a rough go ending 2-13 at J13.
Of note from the lower tiers-Roga, a rikishi from Russia who was Makushita 1, should make his Juryo debut in November after going 4-3. There could be an interesting backstory if he ever faces Makushita wrestler Shishi, who originally is from Ukraine and has become a fan favorite as a result. I’ll leave that there. Former Ozeki Asanoyama has a slim chance to reach Juryo after going 6-1 at Makushita 15, but I think he’ll settle in at perhaps Makushita 5, setting up a potential January Juryo return.
If you missed it, the day after the Banzuke was released former Sekiwake Kaisei retired, he still appeared despite not competing and would have been at Makushita 1. He became an oyakata, following in the footsteps of recent former oyakata Magaki (I think), who is now Heya (Stablemaster) Miyagino, previously the former Yokozuna Hakuho. It appears he will remain in Japan and move towards becoming a coach or stablemaster instead of returning to his native Brazil.

Unless there is major breaking news, sumo coverage here will resume at the end of October when the November Banzuke is announced on October 31 (Japan time).

9/28 UPDATE: The Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) has announced the first list of retired rikishi post-tournament, all were in the lower half of the rankings. Most were Jonidan & Jonokuchi (the bottom 2 tiers) with a couple of Sandanme and 2 Makushita, including one notable name-Jokoryu, who was at Makushita 33 and competed in 15 top-tier tournaments in his career. His highest ranking was Komusubi in September 2014 and he won 5 career tournaments (1 Juryo, 1 Makushita, 2 Sandanme, 1 Jonokuchi) along with one Kinboshi. He had been in Makushita the last 6 tournaments without a winning record, including 1-6 in this tournament before he retired after his final match on Day 13.

Here are the quick results from Day 15-the Final Day-of the September 2022 Grand Sumo Tournament from Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Yutakayama (M14)
Ichiyamamoto (M13) beat Mitoryu (M16)
Ryuden (M12) beat Terutsuyoshi (M15)
Kotoeko (M9) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Aoiyama (M7) beat Hiradoumi (M16)
Takaradufji (M6) beat Okinoumi (M12)
Nishikigi (M4) beat Chiyotairyu (M11)
Ura (M3) beat Oho (M13)
Meisei (M2) beat Kotohsoho (M11)
Nishikifuji (M10) beat Kotonowaka (M2)
Mirodifuji (M1) beat Onosho (M7)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Takanosho (M10)
Tamawashi (M3) beat Takayasu (M4). TAMAWASHI YUSHO! Because of this win, Tamawashi is the September Tournament Champion!
Kiribiyama (K) beat Myogiryu (M9)
Tochinoshin (M8) beat Ichinojo (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Hokutofuji (M8)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Endo (M6)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Sadanoumi (M5)
Wakamotoharu (M6) beat Mitakeumi (O)
Takakeisho (O) beat Shodai (O)
CHAMPION: Tamawashi (13-2). 2nd career top-tier championship
Special Prizes:
Outstanding Performance (most wins by a Maegashira against Ozeki & Yokozuna ranks): Tobizaru, Tamawashi
Fighting Spirit: Takayasu
Technique (most different winning techniques throughout the tournament): Wakatakakage

Juryo:
Kinbozan (J12) beat Tochimusashi (J14)
Tsukahara (Ms4) beat Gonoyama (J12)
Chiyosakae (J11) beat Enho (J7)
Oshoma (J13) beat Kotokuzan (J7)
Akua (J6) beat Tokushoryu (J10)
Hidenoumi (J5) beat Kaisho (J9)
Bushozan (J4) beat Daiamami (J8)
Churanoumi (J6) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Tohakuryu (J3)
Takakento (J14) beat Atamifuji (J3)
Azumaryu (J2) beat Hokuseiho (J9)
Chiyonokuni (J2) beat Tochimaru (J13)
Chiyomaru (J1) beat Shimazuumi (J10)
Daishoho (J8) beat Shimanoumi (J1)
CHAMPION: Tochimusashi (11-4). 1st career championship. But he lost his last 2 matches after clinching before his Day 13 match, allowing Kinbozan and Kitanowaka to almost catch up. Of note is that Kinbozan, the first rikishi from Kazakhastan to reach this rank, was a solid 10-5 in his Juryo debut.

Asanoyama Watch: The former Ozeki easily won his final match to finish 6-1 at Makushita 15, so he will be promoted again. It’s very unlikely he reaches Juryo in November though. Asanoyama is 13-1 since returning from a 1-year suspension that cost him his Ozeki rank.

Other Champions:
Makushita: Daiseiryu (Ms36), 7-0. 1st career Championship. He should stay in Makushita but is in a position to reach Juryo in January
Sandanme: Oshoumi (Sandanme 78), 7-0. 2nd career Championship. He has a chance to return to Makushita after falling all the way to Jonidan because he essentially missed 3 straight tournaments (only had one match in January before withdrawing).
Jonidan: Takahashi (Jonidan 74), 7-0. 2nd career Championship in just 2 tournaments (won Jonokuchi in his Debut in July). He should be promoted to the Sandanme in November
Jonokuchi: Otani (Jonokuchi 16), 7-0. 1st career Championship. This was his Debut tournament. He’ll be promoted to Jonidan

The next tournament is the November Tournament from 11/13-11/27 at Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka, Japan. Advance tickets are now on sale. The Banzuke (Rankings) will be announced on October 31.