Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 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):
Chiyomaru (M16) beat Mitoryu (M15)
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Atamifuji (J3)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Azumaryu (M14)
Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Hiradoumi (M10) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Aoiyama (M10)
Endo (M9) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Myogiryu (M6) beat Takanosho (M9)
Onosho (M8) beat Hokutofuji (M6)
Nishikigi (M5) beat Oho (M8)
Ura (M7) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Midorifuji (M3) beat Abi (M3)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Mitakeumi (M2) beat Meisei (K)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Daieisho (M1)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Ryuden (M5)
Shodai (S) beat Kiribayama (K)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Leader: Takakeisho (8-1)
Of note: The most immediate concern is Hoshoryu, who appeared to suffer a leg/foot injury and was notably limping after his loss. If he has to withdraw and misses more than 1 day, his Ozeki hopes are over for now (he is at 6-3 and must finish with at least 11 to meet the criteria) and he’ll have to start over. Wakatakakage has kept his Ozeki hopes alive this time but still needs to finish 6-0. On the flip side, Oho becomes the first demotion after an unlikely 1-8 start so far, opposite of what he’s done so far while Kotonowaka seems to be shaking off the Shin Komusubi struggles-he’s now 4-1 after an 0-4 start to improve to 4-5. January Champion Abi is falling out of contention as he has dropped to 5-4 after a fast start. As for Takakeisho, if he can manage at least 5 more wins Yokozuna should be in reach for March. 4 more for 12 total may be enough too if it results in a championship or another runner-up finish. He showed no ill effects from another bloody nose suffered in a physical match yesterday and had an easy victory today. At worst he will maintain his Ozeki standing with another winning record.
Key matches tomorrow: Takakeisho-Meisei, Onosho-NIshikifuji, Kotoshoho-Ura
Juryo:
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Tokushoryu (Ms2)
Terutsuyoshi (J10) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Gonoyama (J10) beat Kaisho (J13)
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Hidenoumi (J9)
Roga (J9) beat Takakento (J12)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Chiyosakae (J11) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Shimazuumi (J11) beat Chiyonokuni (J7)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Daishoho (J6) beat Oshoma (J3)
Churanoumi (J6) beat Daiamami (J2)
Kotokuzan (J5) beat Hokuseiho (J2)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Bushozan (J1)
Akua (J1) beat Enho (J4)
Leader: Asanoyama (9-0)
Of note: 6 to go for the former Ozeki as Asanoyama ran his opening win streak to 9, every win he gets now will move him further up the rankings. Kinbozan became the second to clinch promotion this time around with his 8th win, staying one off the pace. Although already demoted, Akua got his first win today, not a popular one because he handed Enho a 4th straight loss-he is now 4-5 after a hot 4-1 start. Also on the verge of demotion is Daiamami after a 7th straight loss and, for the second straight time, Tochimusashi. After winning the Juryo championship in his debut in September, he is now 2-7. Last time he maintained his rank despite a 7-8 November.
Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Tohakuryu, Kinbozan-Oshoma. It should be noted the last couple tournaments 11 wins was either enough for the championship or one off the pace and resulted in a roughly 9-10 spot jump in the rankings, so with a win tomorrow Asanoyama is looking at a move up to, at worst, J5 in March. If he can get to a minimum of 13, the top tier is in reach but I still think it’s a longshot and 15-0 would still only get him to perhaps J1 but we’ll see what happens.
UPDATE: Hoshoryu has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 10. His quest to earn promotion to Ozeki this tournament is over. If he misses more than 4 of the 6 days remaining he will also likely be demoted, meaning he would have to start over by getting back to Sekiwake then getting the 30+ wins or 2 championships over 3 consecutive tournaments. This means Kiribayma will get a free victory today.
