Open The Forbidden Gate

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the September 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Takarafuji (M15) beat Shishi (J2)
Nishikifuji (M17) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Onokatsu (M14)
Roga (M10) beat Shirokuma (M16)
Ichiyamamoto (M9) beat Kitanowaka (M16)
Misorifuji (M8) beat Ryuden (M14)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Bushozan (M12)
Meisei (M6) beat Kagayaki (M11)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Oshoma (M9)
Ura (M5) beat Endo (M8)
Shonannoumi (M5) beat Kinbozan (M12)
Kotoshoho (M4) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Oho (M2) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Wakamotoharu (M3) beat Takanosho (M1)
Shodai (M4) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Daieisho (K) beat Nishikigi (M13)
Takayasu (M15) beat Hiradoumi (K)
Wakatakakage (M7) beat Onosato (S)
Kirishima (S) beat Kotozakura (O)
Abi (S) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Leader: Onosato (11-1)
Of note: No 15-0 here either. And now the lead is down to one so Onosato can’t clinch the championship tomorrow against Kotozakura, who still needs a win to secure a winning record. Kirishima, now back in it and with a solid 10 wins, has Hosboryu who is struggling at 6-6 (granted the Ozeki fell to a HENKA! from a clearly desperate Abi who will be demoted from Sekiwake and possibly Sanyaku at 3-9) Takayasu, back in form at 10-2 and with that elusive first championship still within reach, faces Daieisho. Wakatakakge still has a chance as well for what wiuld be his second Emperor’s Cup. Despite a loss today, Nishikigi also still is in it at 9-3. At the bottom, Onokatsu & Shirokuma will be demoted in their first top tier efforts, the latter possibly back to Juryo if he can’t get 3 more wins. The thinking is that Kagayaki will also be demoted to Juryo, at least if he keeps losing as he is now 1-11.

Juryo:
Chiyomaru (Ms3) beat Oshoumi (J14)
Apiyama (J13) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Daiseizan (J12)
Hakuyozan (J8) beat Kayo (J14)
Mitoryu (J7) beat Tomokaze (J11)
Kiryuko (J12) beat Hidenoumi (J6)
Fujiseiun (J10) beat Daiamami (J5)
Shimanoumi (J4) beat Daishoho (J9)
Tamashoho (J3) beat Hakuoho (J5)
Tokihayate (J2) beat Shiden (J6)
Takerufuji (J11) beat Chiyoshoma (J1)
Leader: Takerufuji (11-1)
RE-ENTRY: Tsurugisho (J7). Will return tomorrow. Missed 2 days for unknown reasons. Will be the equivalent of 5-7 so he can still save promotion by winning his last 3 matches.
Of note: It’s all but over now. Takerufuji can clinch the championship-and a potential top tier return-tomorrow if he wins and Chiyoshoma loses. Either happening (but not both) means worst-case is a playoff. Takerufuji faces Shishi tomorrow, the latter needing one more win for promotion and possibly to the top tier but those hopes faded slightly with a loss today in the top tier. Chiyoshoma faces Tomokaze.

UPDATE: Shirokuma has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 13. Right ankle. He was noticeably limping after his loss today. Tournament over. Out at least 3 weeks. Guarantees demotion back to Juryo for the July champion. Takarafuji will get the fusen tomorrow. Mitoryu is also out of Juryo. Right knee injury and right thigh contusion. Tournament over. Out about 3 weeks. Will finish the equivalent of 6-9 and be demoted but stay in Juryo. Kiryuko gets the fusen tomorrow, which will keep his faint hopes of staying in Juryo alive despite being 4-9.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 10 of the September 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Shirokuma (M16) beat Onokatsu (M14)
Kitanowaka (M16) beat Kinbozan (M12)
Takarafuji (M13) beat Bushozan (M12)
Nishikifuji (M17) beat Kagayaki (M11)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Hokutofuji (M13) by default/withdrawal
Ichiyamamoto (M9) beat Ryuden (M14)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Midorifuji (M8)
Takayasu (M15) beat Endo (M8)
Roga (M10) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Nishikigi (M13) beat Wakatakakage (M7)
Oshoma (M9) beat Meisei (M6)
Shodai (M4) beat Gonoyama (M6)
Wakamotoharu (M3) beat Shonannoumi (M5)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Oho (M2) beat Takanosho (M1)
Atamifuji (M2) beat Hiradoumi (K)
Kirishima (S) beat Abi (S)
Onosato (S) beat Kotoshoho (M4)
Ura (M5) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Daieisho (K) beat Kotozakura (O)
Leader: Onosato (11-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Hokutofuji (M13). Right knee (re-aggravated old injury). Status uncertain. Would finish the equivalent of 6-9 if he can’t return as he was 6-4 going into today. Tamawashi got the fusen as a result.
Of note: Onosato is all but certain to be promoted to Ozeki now. He’s still 2 wins ahead and is now at 32 wins and a championship over the last 3 tournaments and possibly now a second championship. Another title would certainly help with going for Yokozuna, plus no Terunofuji in November is a safe bet. Kirishima, Nishikigi and Takayasu are 2 back. Kotozakura will now have to try again for that elusive first title as he is now 4 back with only 4 matches left. There are rumors Hoshoryu is dealing with a hip injury, which may partly explain his struggles at only 6-5.
Onosato has Wakatakakage tomorrow while Kirishima faces Kotozakura and Takayasu gets Hiradoumi, so tomorrow Onosato can all but clinch the championship (a win plus losses by Kirishima and Takayasu mean worst-case would be a playoff).

Juryo:
Oshoumi (J14) beat Kiryuko (J12)
Kayo (J14) beat Fujiseiun (J10)
Daiseizan (J12) beat Daishoho (J9)
Haluyozan (J8) beat Aoiyama (J13)
Tomokaze (J11) beat Asakoryu (J8)
Takerufuji (J11) beat Ahimazuumi (J4) by default/withdrawal
Shimanoumi (J4) beat Tsurugisho (J7) by default/withdrawal
Mitoryu (J7) beat Tamashoho (J3)
Shishi (J2) beat Shiden (J6)
Tokihayate (J2) beat Hakuoho (J5)
Hidenoumi (J6) beat Chiyoshoma (J1)
Leader: Takerufuji (10-1)
WITHDRAWALS: Shimazuumi (J4), Tsurugisho (J7). Unknown for both. Statuses uncertain. Important today because one of the fusen went to Takerufuji. Shimanoumi got the other. Shimazuumi was 6-4 coming in, Tsurugisho was 5-5.
Of note: A potentially big free win for Takerufuji today as Chiyoshoma took a loss, especially important because they face off tomorrow. A Takerufuji win would mean a 2-win lead with just 3 days left. Elsewhere, it may now be the end for Aoiyama. Demotion is coming after an 8th loss today. His only hope of staying in Juryo is to win his last 4 and get to 7-8, maybe 3 wins for 6-9. Kayo clinched promotion and will stay in Juryo but Kiryuko likely will be demoted to Makushita. With a top tier withdrawal again, Shishi will be the Juryo man in the top tier tomorrow with a chance at promotion if he can beat Takarafuji. Chiyomaru, who has a chance at promotion from Makushita, faces Oshoumi tomorrow needing a win to have a chance to return to Juryo. It will also depend on how Tochitaikai and Wakaikari fare in their last match as Ms1 & Ms2 respectively. Both are 3-3 so the former is Juryo-bound with a win. It also will depend on Aonishiki at Ms4, who is 5-1 with one match left.

Lower tier notes: Most of the championship matches are now set. Enho will not be among them as he lost today and is 5-1 in Jonidan. The Makushita championship match Friday will be Hatauyama vs. Asakoki. If Hatsuyama wins, he will have a chance at promotion to Juryo from Ms16. Asakoki is Ms55 and would be in line to jump up to around Ms25 if he wins. The Sandanme championship will be Kiyonoumi vs. Kawazoe with both likely promoted to Makushita regardless. The Jonidan may need a playoff because there are 3 at 6-0. In the Jonokuchi, Goseizan beat Aoifuji today and now only needs to win his last match to be champion. If he loses, a playoff is possible.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 10 of the September 224 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Takayasu (M15) beat Nishikifuji (M17)
Shirokuma (M16) beat Bushozan (M12)
Onokatsu (M14) beat Kinbozan (M12)
Kitanowaka (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Nishikigi (M13) beat Kagayaki (M11)
Takarafuji (M15) beat Roga (M10)
Ichiyamamoto (M9) beat Hokutofuji (M13)
Oshoma (M9) beat Ryuden (M14)
Wakatakakage (M7) beat Endo (M8)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Shonannoumi (M5) beat Midorifuji (M8)
Shodai (M4) beat Meisei (M6)
Wakamotoharu (M3) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Takanosho (M1) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Oho (M2) beat Daieisho (K)
Hiradoumi (K) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Onosato (S) beat Kirishima (S)
Ura (M5) beat Abi (S)
Kotozakura (O) beat Gonoyama (M6)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Kotoshoho (M4)
Leader: Onosato (10-0)
Of note: It seems like only a disastrous collapse will keep Onosato from both a second championship and Ozeki promotion. He’s now 2 ahead with 5 days left and he’s now at 31 wins and a championship the last 3 tournaments after dispatching Kirishima, who falls to 8-2 after trying a HENKA! that completely backfired and is now tied with Takayasu, Nishikigi & Wakatakakage for 2nd (and all 3 clinched promotions today). Kotozakura still has a chance for his elusive first title but at 7-3 it’s not looking good. Tomorrow Onosato has Kotoshoho, who is currently 5-5. Abi will now be demoted from Sekiwake after falling to 2-8, opening the door for Hiradoumi to have a chance at promotion if he can finish with 8+ wins, he currently is 6-4.

Juryo:
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Takerufuji (J11)
Daishoho (J9) beat Oshoumi (J14)
Hakuyozan (J8) beat Daiseizan (J12)
Aoiyama (J13) beat Hidenoumi (J6)
Daiamami (J5) beat Kiryuko (J12)
Kayo (J14) beat Hakuoho (J5)
Tomokaze (J11) beat Shimanoumi (M4)
Fujiseiun (J10) beat Shimazuumi (J4)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Tamashoho (J3)
Tokihayate (J2) beat Mitoryu (J7)
Shishi (J2) beat Tsurugisho (J7)
Chiyoshoma (J1) beat Shiden (J6)
Leader: Takerufuji, Chiyoshima (9-1)
Of note: No 15-0. Takerufuji took his first loss and that allowed Chiyoshoma to reclaim a share of the lead. It also makes the climb back to the top tier much tougher for Takerufuji, although 12+ wins and a championship should be enough with the Isegahama pull, but 13-14 is ideal. Elsewhere, Aoiyama staved off demotion for another day with a win but still must win out to avoid a losing record. Tomorrow Takerufuji faces Shimazuumi while Choyoshoma has Hidenoumi. If one or both win, they would remain 2 clear of second, currently a 3-way tie that will be narrowed down tomorrow when Tomokaze faces Asakoryu (both 7-3) in a match also for promotion. Kayo is also 7-3 and faces Fujiseiun, a win keeps Kayo in Juryo in November.