Here are the quick results from today’s Final Day of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo (Click below to read, breaking up post for front page display due to length):
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Chiyomaru (M16) beat Daiamami (J2)
Oho (M8) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Ura (M7) beat Azumaryu (M14)
Sadanoumi (M4) beat Chiyoshoma (M11)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Mitoryu (M15) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Abi (M3) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Hiradoumi (M10)
Mitakeumi (M2) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Daieisho (M1) beat Aoiyama (M10) (The live broadcast on NHK World Japan began after this match)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Endo (M9)
Meisei (K) beat Takanosho (M9)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Hokutofuji (M6)
Kiribayama (K) beat Ryuden (M5)
Myogiryu (M6) beat Shodai (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Onosho (M8) by DQ/foul…HANSOKU!!! Onosho won but, even though it may have been unintentional, grabbed the topknot and that’s illegal. Judges reversal.
Wakatakakage (S) beat Nishikigi (M5)
Takakeisho (O) beat Kotoshoho (M13). TAKAKEISHO YUSHO!
CHAMPION: Takakeisho (12-3). 3rd career Emperor’s Cup
SPECIAL PRIZES:
Outstanding Performance: None. Kotoshoho would have won it if he won today
Fighting Spirit: Kotoshoho. Onosho also would have won it if he won today but he lost it on DQ
Technique: Kiribayama
Both Kotoshoho & Kiribayama win their first career Special Prizes.
Final Thoughts: Now we wait for the burning question to be answered over the next month-plus until the March Banzuke is announced…Takakeisho Yokozuna? It’s not all about performance/records but he has now met that criteria as over the last 2 tournaments he has a number of wins equal to winning the championship (12) and a championship (he lost in a 3-way playoff in November). So now we wait to find out if he is promoted and becomes the 74th Yokozuna in history. That would also mean 2 Yokozuna assuming Terunofuji is able to return in March (injuries/surgery after September 2022 Tournament) and no Ozeki.
As for the next Sanyaku Shakeup, Hoshoryu & Wakatakakage managed to protect their Sekiwake rankings and thanks to that, Hoshoryu can hopefully heal up after a sprained ankle on Day 10 derailed his Ozeki hopes and sent him to 4 straight losses before an all-or-nothing win today. He will again need 11+ wins in March to be eligible. Wakatakakage needs another championship or at least 13 wins, but last year he won the March tournament. Shodai (6-9) and Takayasu (withdrawal early) will both be demoted. Expect Kiribayama to be promoted to Sekiwake and possibly Wakamotoharu while Kotonowaka will remain at Komusubi with a nice comeback from an 0-4 start to finish 8-7. Meisei will be demoted and Daieisho should return to Komusubi.
At the bottom the biggest question mark is Tochinoshin-the former Ozeki was unable to return from a dislocated shoulder that cost him the second half of the tournament so he has to likely decide between demotion to Juryo and retirement. Chiyomaru will be demoted to Juryo after a 4-11 finish at M16 while Tsurugisho is a coin flip after going 7-8 at M15. Kotoshoho will be a big mover up from M13 and his first career promotion in the top tier should get Azumaryu up from M14 to maybe M10 or M11.
Juryo:
Takakento (J12) beat Tsukahara (Ms5)
Tamashoho (Ms1) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10)
Gonoyama (J10) beat Roga (J9)
Shimazuumi (J11) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Daishoho (J6) beat Hakuyozan (J14)
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Churanoumi (J6)
Kaisho (J13) beat Kotokuzan (J11)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Kinbozan (J5)
Hidenoumi (J9) beat Enho (J4)
Tohakuryu (J4) best Shimanoumi (J8)
Oshoma (J3) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Hokuseiho (J2)
Bushozan (J1) beat Chiyonokuni (J7)
Chiyosakae (J11) beat Akua (J1)
CHAMPION: Asanoyama (14-1)
Final Thoughts: The real question is will 14-1 get Asanoyama from J12 back to the top tier? It’s about as 50-50 as can be but I lean very slightly towards no. I think he’ll be J1 or maybe J2 and in position to get back in May. I thought Kinbozan was a lock for the top tier but finishing with 2 straight losses now shift my thought to questionable, he might have to try again from J1. Bushozan will be promoted to the top tier for a March debut while Hokuseiho has a chance to debut as well despite losing to Asanoyama. It’s a matter of whether 9-6 at J2 is enough. The big disappointments at the top are Akua again collapsing at J1 with a 3-12 finish and, after a strong 4-1 start after bulking up just a little and looking good, Enho slumped to 7-8 and demotion from J4 on the final day. At the bottom, Terutsuyoshi rallied in the second half to finish 5-10, which may be enough to stay in Juryo from J10 but it’s a toss-up. An excellent debut from Shonannoumi at J13 will see him make a big move up after 12 wins. Expect Kaisho and maybe Chiyosakae to be demoted to Makushita while his win today should get November Makushita Champion Tamashoho to Juryo in March.
Tournament Champions:
Makuuchi: Takakeisho (3rd career Emperor’s Cup, 7th overall)
Juryo: Asanoyama (1st Juryo title, 4th career)
Makushita: Ochiai (Debut Tournament)
Sandanme: Kaizen (1st career title)
Jonidan: Takerufuji (1st Jonidan title, 2nd career in 2nd tournament)
Jonokuchi: Kazenoumi (Debut Tournament). Won 3-way playoff
The next tournament is the March Tournament from 3/12-3/26 at Osaka Prefectural Gym in Osaka. Tickets go on sale on 2/5. The Banzuke will be announced on 2/27. Until it’s over, Takakeisho will now be the featured wrestler on the Nihon Sumo Kyokai website’s front page as the latest Makuuchi champion, and we will wait to see if he is promoted to Yokozuna.
