Here are the quick results from the Opening Day of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Takarafuji (M16) beat Chiyomaru (M16)
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Mitoryu (M15)
Azumaryu (M14) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Ichiyamamoto (M14)
Tochinoshin (M11) beat Chiyoshoma (M11)
Aoiyama (M10) beat Hiradoumi (M10)
Takanosho (M9) beat Endo (M9)
Onosho (M8) beat Oho (M8)
Myogiryu (M6) beat Ura (M7)
Hokutofui (M6) beat Nishikigi (M5)
Ryuden (M5) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Midorifuji (M3) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Abi (M3) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Kiribayama (K)
Mitakwumi (M2) beat Shodai (S)
Daieisho (M1) beat Takayasu (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Meisei (K)
Takakeisho (O) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
WITHDRAWALS: Terunofuji (Y), Ichinojo (M7). Terunofuji is out a second straight tournament due to recovery from double knee surgery after the September Tournament, it may have been aggravated during training recently. The hope is he’s ready for March, if not there may start to be more pressure on him to return soon or consider retiring (while Yokuzuna can never be demoted, they can be pressured or forced to retire due to consistent poor performance or extended absences). Ichinojo is suspended the entire tournament for what is being called coronavirus protocol violations, but it’s really more due to bad conduct in public since his July 2022 Championship.
Of note: Shodai must get at least 10 wins to return to Ozeki in March, otherwise the process starts over from the beginning. Wakatakakage & Hoshoryu can get into Ozeki promotion consideration if one or both finishes with at least 11 wins. Some people online think Takayasu can get back to Ozeki with the same, but in reality the only way that’s going to happen here is a Championship. Takakeisho can solidify his Yokozuna case with a runner-up finish again or at least 12 wins, while a Championship would probably seal it.
Juryo:
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Kaisho (J13)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Takakento (J12)
Shimazuumi (J11) beat Chiyosakae (J11)
Gonoyama (J10) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10)
Roga (J9) beat Hidenoumi (J9)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Daishoho (J6) beat Churanoumi (J6)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Kotokuzan (J5)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Enho (J4)
Atamifuji (J3) beat Oshoma (J3)
Daiamami (J2) beat Hokuseiho (J2)
Bushozan (J1) beat Akua (J1)
Of note: It wasn’t easy, but the former Ozeki Asanoyama pulled out the victory in his Juryo return in his 4th tournament back after a one year suspension. At J12 there is no chance he returns to the top tier after this tournament, even if he goes 15-0. He’s scheduled to face Chiyosakae tomorrow on Day 2. On the other end, that’s 17 straight losses for Terutsuyoshi, who still can’t find his form outside of his standard epic salt throws pre-match, which are numbered because they don’t get to do all that in Makushita or below.
Lower-tier notes: Former top tier mainstay Ishiura is once again a pre-tournament withdrawal due to injuries. He was in the Sandanme this time around at Sandanme 30. He was among a number of pre-tournament withdrawals in the lower 4 tiers. This is his 5th straight missed tournament and could well drop him down to Jonidan if he can return in March, if ever.
Once again there are only 90 ranks in the Sandanme as the days of the traditional 100 may be over. There are 102 in the Jonidan and 16 (31 wrestlers total) in the Jonokuchi although 7 are already withdrawals and may not be making their debuts this time.
Finally, it was announced that on January 28, just under a week after the tournament concludes, the official retirement ceremony for the former Yokozuna Hakuho will be held, including the symbolic cutting off of his topknot. After retiring last year, Hakuho became Oyakata Makagi and now is the owner/master of Miyagino Beya and thus has taken the name Miyagino.
