With the July 2022 Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya less than 2 weeks away, the Banzuke for July 2022 has been announced, which is as follows (going forward I’ll only be doing the top 2 tiers, to do the entire thing is too time consuming):
Makuuchi (Top 5 rankings):
Yokozuna: Terunofuji (May Tournament Champion)
Ozeki-Mitakeumi (K), Shodai (K), Takakeisho
Sekiwake-Wakatakakage, Daieisho
Komosubi-Hoshoryu, Abi
Maegashira 1-Kiribayama, Takanosho
Maegashira 2-Kotonowaka, Ichinojo
Meegashira 3-Tamawashi, Ura
Maegashira 4-Wakamotoharu, Takayasu
Maegashira 5-Endo, Sadanoumi
Maegashira 6-Aoiyama, Tobizaru
Maegashira 7-Okinoumi, Hokutofuji
Maegashira 8-Tochinoshin, Nishigiki
Maegashira 9-Shimanoumi, Kotoeko
Maegashira 10-Chiyotairyu-Meisei
Maegashira 11-Kotoshoho, Midorifuji
Maegashira 12-Terutsuyoshi, Takarafuji
Maegashira 13-Ichiyamamoto, Chiyoshoma
Maegashira 14-Myogiryu, Tsurugisho
Maegashira 15-Onosho, Oho
Maegashira 16-Yutakayama, Daiamami
Maegashira 17-Nishikifuji (Debut), Chiyomaru
Notes:
Terunofuji will be going for his second straight championship, 4th as Yokozuna, 8th Emperor’s Cup (top tier championship) and 11th overall Championship.
Nishikifuji is making his top tier debut after being the Juryo champion in May, being promoted from Juryo 6.
Both Mitakeumi and Shodai are in Kadoban Status as Ozeki, meaning if one or both lose 8 or more matches this tournament they will be demoted from Ozeki. This is only the 3rd tournament at Ozaki for Mitakeumi. Technically this is the second straight Kadoban tournament for Shodai, he was Kadoban in March but finished with a winning record.
The last time Sanyaku stayed the same in terms of wrestlers for sonecutive tournaments was November 2020 & January 2021. The only changes this time were Daieisho is promoted to Sekiwake while Abi is demoted to Komodubi.
If Wakatakakage can finish with at least 9 wins, ideally 10 or more, he has a chance at promotion to Ozeki in September. Wakatakakage won the March tournament with 12 wins and finished with 9 wins in May, so 9 wins give him the 30 minimum over 3 consecutive tournaments required for Ozeki promotion.
Daiamami is back in the top tier after a year.
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Ryuden, Hidenoumi
Juryo 2-Azumaryu, Tohakuryu
Juryo 3-Kagayaki, Daishoho
Juryo 4-Asanowaka, Mitoryu
Juryo 5-Chiyonokuni, Tokushoryu
Juryo 6-Atamifuji, Bushozan
Juryo 7-Akua, Kotokuzan
Juryo 8-Hiradoumi, Enho
Juryo 9-Kaisho, Churanoumi
Juryo 10-Shimazuumi, Ishiura
Juryo 11-Kaisei, Tochimaru
Juryo 12-Kitanowaka, Yago
Juryo 13-Oshoma (May Makushita Champion), Hokuseiho
Juryo 14-Chiyosakae, Gonoyama (name change from Nishikawa)
Notes:
Ryuden probably was one win away in May from returning to the top tier. He’ll be back in September with a winning record.
Oshoma is the first rikishi from Naruto Beya to reach Juryo.
Chiyosakae is the 4th oldest rikishi to make his Juryo debut post-World War 2 at 31 years, 11 months.
Gonoyama, who changed his name from Nishikawa after the May tournament, is making his Juryo debut. He was the January Makushita champion.
In notable items from the lower ranks, former Ozeki Asanoyama, who has completed his 1 year suspension for coronavirus protocol violations and dishonesty during subsequent investigations, should be back and will begin his climb back up to the top tier from the rank of Sandamne 22. The last time an Ozeki fell this low or even lower and climbed all the way back up? Terunofuji, who made it to Yokozune.
For the second straight tournament there are only 90 Sandanme ranks instead of the normal 100.
At the bottom of the banzuke, there are 109 ranks in the Jonidan (218 total wrestlers) and 20 ranks (40 total wrestlers) in the Jonokuchi.
Kamitani, the May Sandanme Champion, made a massive leap up from Sandanme 29 to Makushita 19. May Jonidan Champion Kototebakari likewise zooms up from Jonidan 21 to Sandanme 27 while May Jonokuchi champion Kazekeno is at Jonidan 49 after winning his Debut tournament at Jonokuchi 22, the bottom rank of the lowest division.
The July Tournament begins on July 10.
