Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 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):
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Oshoma (J3)
Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Mitoryu (M15) beat Hiradoumi (M10)
Takarafuji (M16) beat Aoiyama (M10)
Endo (M9) beat Azumaryu (M14)
Chiyomaru (M16) beat Oho (M8)
Onosho (M8) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Ura (M7)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Myogiryu (M6)
Takanosho (M9) beat Hokutofuji (M6)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Nishikigi (M5)
Ryuden (M5) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Abi (M3)
Daieisho (M1) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Meisei (K) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Shodai (S) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Kiribayama (K) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Takakeisho (O)
Leader: Takakeisho, Onosho (9-2)
Of note: It’s bot over yet as Takakeisho took only his second loss today. He still has a chance at Yokozuna but now has to go either 3-1 or 4-0 the rest of the way. Onosho is now ties for the lead with Kotoshoho & Tamawashi one off the pace. Hoshoryu fought through a sprained ankle to keep his Ozeki hopes alive, but he’a gotta tough it out and win his last 4 matches.
Key matches tomorrow: Onosho-Tamawashi, Takakeisho-Kiribayama. One more win over the final 4 days should FINALLY get Kiribayama to Sekiwake in March. He’s just been blocked by the numbers game in front of him.
Juryo:
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Tochikamiyama (Ms3)
Terutsuyoshi (J10) beat Kaisho (J13)
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Gonoyama (J10)
Hidenoumi (J9) beat Takakento (J12)
Roga (J9) beat Shimazuumi (J11)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Daishoho (J6) beat Asanoyama (J12)
Enho (J4) beat Chiyosakae (J11)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Atamifuji (J3) by default/withdrawal
Daiamami (J2) beat Kotokuzan (J5)
Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Hokuseiho (J2)
Bushozan (J1) beat Churanoumi (J8)
Tochimusashi (J7) beat Akua (J1)
Leader: Asanoyama, Kinbozan (10-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Atamifuji (J3). Flu. Probably done for the tournament and now officially demoted so no return to the top tier in March.
Of note: DENIED! No 15-0 for Asanoyama after Daishoho basically manhandled the former Ozeki. That means now virtually zero chance of a top tier return in March even with a 14-1 finish. But each of the last 2 tournaments Asanoyama lost right about now in the Makushita so perhaps he was due. The big winner there is Kinbozan, who once again goes into the final stretch tied for the lead. A couple more wins could make him the first rikishi from Kazakhstan to reach the top tier in March. Also right there is Bushozan, with 7 wins at J1 he needs just one more win to set up his top tier debut in March.
Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Shonannoumi (first match), Kinbozan-Roga.
Lower tier notes: The Makushita final is now set, it will be Ochiai in his debut tournament vs. Kazekeno in his 5th and going for his 2nd career championship (worth noting that in each of his first 4 tournaments Kazekeno finished 6-1). Ochiai could jump to Juryo if he wins the championship from Ms15 while Kazekeno would be looking at a jump to roughly Ms10 if he wins (he is currently at Ms40). In the Sandamne, a potential all-Sadogatake Beya final and/or playoff will not happen as all 3 of their 5-0 wrestlers lost today. That sets up a final of Wakanosho vs. Kaizen, both 6-0. The Jonidan has 3 at 6-0 and may need a playoff to determine the champion while in the Jonokuchi Okano is the only 6-0 and just needs to win his final match to claim the championship.
