Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14 of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Kinbozan (J5)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Azumaryu (M14)
Hiradoumi (M10) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Mitoryu (M15) beat Takanosho (M9)
Takarafuji (M16) beat Hokutofuji (M6)
Ryuden (M5) beat Chiyoshoma (M11)
NIshikigi (M5) beat Aoiyama (M10)
Oho (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Sadanoumi (M4) beat Chiyomaru (M16)
Endo (M9) beat Abi (M3)
Mitakeumi (M2) beat Ura (M7)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Daieisho (M1)
Kiribayama (K) beat Onosho (M8)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Tamawashi (M2)
Myogiryu (M6) beat Meisei (K)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Shodai (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Leader: Takakeisho, Kotoshoho (11-3)
Of note: And The Final Is Set! Will Kotoshoho extend the recent Maegashira Championship streak to 4 or is this perhaps the moment Takakeisho becomes Yokozuna? If Takakeisho emerges victorious it will be his 3rd Emperor’s Cup while Kotoshoho is going for his first. It’s all about Takakeisho and Yokozuna consideration though, because a loss would mean a second straight runner-up finish. Last time it was enough wins to equal a championship because of a playoff, this time a loss means runner-up. So in reality Takakeisho must win.
As far as the rest of Sanyaku, Wakatakakage saved his Sekiwake rank today with win 8 and will stay there for the 7th straight tournament in March. But Ozeki is all but out of reach in March unless he can win the championship, remember he did win his first title in March of last year though. If he wins his final match tomorrow he’ll need 13 wins in March to meet the criteria, otherwise it’s 14 so it’ll be more about trying to set himself up for a better chance in May. With his 4th straight loss today (including an absent), Hoshoryu is now in danger of losing his Sekiwake rank and starting over to reach Ozeki, but maybe it’s better to and recover from the sprained ankle that cost him the last few days. It’ll be tough tomorrow as his final opponent is Onosho. The loss today means Shodai is demoted from Sekiwake and virtually guarantees Kiribayama finally gets promoted there in March, and there could be two Wakas at Sekiwake too-Wakamotoharu got his 8th win as Shin Komusubi today, a 9th win should give him a chance to join his younger brother at the 3rd highest rank. Kotonowaka will stay at Komusubi if he can beat Hokutofuji while Meisei will be demoted. In the lower rank, the post-championship curse seems to be continuing as Abi started hot again but has now slumped to needing to win tomorrow to get promotion-a loss means demotion. He started 5-0 but is 2-7 since.
Key match tomorrow: Takakeisho-Kotoshoho for the Emperor’s Cup. Final Match.
Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage, including the final matches, championship ceremony and champion’s interview, beginning tonight at 11:30 PM PT/2:30 AM ET. I may try and do live results for the broadcast portion If I can manage watching this, Pro Wrestling NOAH and New Japan Pro Wrestling all live at the same time (between a laptop, smart TV, tablet and mobile phone it’s doable).
Juryo:
Roga (J9) beat Chiyosakae (J11)
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Shimanoumi (J9)
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Chiyonokuni (J7). ASANOYAMA JURYO YUSHO! Because Kinbozan was in the top tier today, his loss clinched the championship for the former Ozeki. It’s Asanoyama’s 4th career championship overall.
Kaisho (J13) beat Churanoumi (J6)
Takakento (J12) beat Kotokuzan (J5)
Daishoho (J6) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Enho (J4)
Oshoma (J3) beat Shimazuumi (J11)
Hokuseiho (J2) beat Gonoyama (J10)
Daiamami (J2) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Terutsuyoshi (J10) beat Akua (J1)
Bushozan (J1) beat Hidenoumi (J9)
CHAMPION: Asanoyama (13-1)
Of note: Now the only question is will 13, or potentially 14 wins if he wins tomorrow be enough to get Asanoyama from J12 to the top tier? If he ends at 14, it’s a coin flip, but either way I am leaning very slightly towards no. I think he’ll be at J1 in March, meaning a winning records gets him back in May. Bushozan & probably Hokuseiho are headed to the top tier and Kinbozan has a chance (even better if he can win his final match). And a big shout-out to Shonannoumi who will finish his Juryo debut with at least 11 wins, a very impressive performance. Terutsuyoshi may have saved his Juryo status and epic salt throws for March with his 5th win today, if he can win his finale I think he’s safe as it would drop him to J12 or J13. If he loses tomorrow it’s a toss-up between J14 and Makushita.
As is tradition on the Final Day there will be 2 Makushita men in Juryo tomorrow-Tsukahara, who is at Ms5 and comes in with a chance at promotion to Juryo with a 5-1 record so far. If he beats Takakento tomorrow Tsukahara should be Shin Juryo in March, but he still has a chance with a loss. Also up tomorrow is November Makushita Champion Tamashoho, he’s 3-3 so a win gets him from Ms1 to Juryo. He’s got Terutsuyoshi. As for Kinbozan, he’s got a tough potential final step to the top tier tomorrow-Shonannoumi. That match will be for the runner-up finish. Asanoyama will go for 14-1 against Hokuseiho. If Asanoyama wins, he will be on an incredible 33-3 run since returning from a one-year suspension. If he loses, it’s still a just-as-incredible 32-4 mark since with 2 championships.
