Here are the quick results from today’s Day 10 of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Azumaryu (M14) beat Daiamami (J2)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Mitoryu (M15)
Hiradoumi (M10) beat Ichiyamamoto (M14)
Endo (M9) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Taurugisho (M15) beat Oho (M8)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Ura (M7)
Hokutofuji (M6) beat Aoiyama (M10)
Myogiryu (M6) beat Chiyomaru (M16)
Nishikigi (M5) beat Takanosho (M9)
Onosho (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Abi (M3) beat Ryuden (M5)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Daieisho (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Mitakeumi (M2) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Kiribayama (K) beat Hoshoryu (S) by default/withdrawal
Sadanoumi (M4) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Shodai (S) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Takakeisho (O) beat Meisei (K)
Leader: Takakeisho (9-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Hoshoryu (S). Sprained ankle suffered yesterday. Will return tomorrow.
Of note: With Hoshoryu out today but back tomorrow, he still has a chance at Ozeki promotion in March but he must go 5-0 the rest of the way. Wakatakakage can’t make Ozeki again now as 10 wins is the best he can do and he needed at least 11. Could there be no Ozeki in March? If Takakeisho keeps winning that is possible as each win now moves him ever so closer to Yokozuna consideration. Elsewhere, Kotoshoho and Onosho clinched promotions today and remain one win off the lead. While Chiyomaru will be demoted to Juryo unless he maybe wins out as he took his 8th loss. Oho dropped to a shocking 1-9 today but compared to recent demotions one win and being at M8 is probably enough to keep him in the top tier but not a guarantee. I’d say he needs at least two more wins to be safe. Daiamami’s loss means he will remain a Juryo man in March.
Key matches tomorrow: Onosho-Kotoshoho, Takakeisho-Kotonowaka. The first could all but drop the loser out of yusho contention while Takakeisho needs to win to maintain the lead. Hoshoryu is scheduled to face Nishikifuji.
Juryo:
Takakento (J12) beat Chiyonoo (Ms3)
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Chiyosakae (J11)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Roga (J9)
Hidenoumi (J9) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Kaisho (J13)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10)
Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Gonoyama (J10)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Enho (J4) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Shinazuumi (J11) beat Atamifuji (J3)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Oshoma (J3)
Daishoho (J6) beat Hokuseiho (J2)
Akua (J1) beat Churanoumi (J6)
Bushozan (J1) beat Kotokuzan (J5)
Leader: Asanoyama (10-0)
Of note: 5 to go for the former Ozeki as Asanoyama is 2/3 of the way to a perfect tournament. At this point he would likely move up to J6 in March if he finished with 10 wins. Kinbozan at 9-1 is on the brink of reaching the top tier based on his performance so far-if he manages 1 more win, ideally at least 2 more, he may be there in March. On the flip side, Terutsuyoshi saw his win overturned on judge’s conference after a spectacular looking close call victory, but replays show it was the right call as his elbow touched down first so unfortunately that’s another demotion. He probably needs at least 3 more wins to stay in Juryo and continue his epic salt throws in March. Another big winner today was Shonannoumi, who clinched a winning record and promotion in his Juryo debut.
Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Daishoho, Kinbozan-Tohakuryu. Daishoho is now 8-2.
Lower tier notes: The Makushita has 4 remaining at 5-0 headed into the final 2 rounds, including newcomer Ochiai. As is common, tomorrow’s matches have the unbeatens face each other to set up the championship match for Day 13. The Sandanme is getting interesting as they have 5 at 5-0 but more because 3 of the 5 are from Sadogatake Beya. That means if at least 2 of those 3 win there is a potential of having to face each other in a playoff for the championship, the only scenario in which stablemates face each other in a tournament (they can face off in special touring events that feature informal exhibition matches-one between the last few tournaments saw an only-there exhibition between brothers Wakamotoharu & Wakatakakage). The Sandanme could still have 3 unbeatens going into the final day because of this and if that includes all 3 of the stablemates, odds of a playoff between them are high.
The Jonidan has 6 at 5-0. In Jonokuchi Okano is the only 5-0 left and is the sole leader.
