Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 of the January 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ma-Makushita
Makiuchi (top tier):
Takanosho (M12) beat Kotoshoho (M14)
Tsurugisho (M11) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Shimazuumi (M17) beat Sadanoumi (M10)
Meisei (M9) beat Endo (M13)
Hiradoumi (M8) beat Bushozan (M16)
Ichiyamamoto (M7) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Tomokaze (M15) beat Shonannoumi (M6)
Kinbozan (M6) beat Myogiryu (M12)
Mitakeumi (M9) beat Nishikigi (M5)
Gonoyama (M3) beat Ryuden (M5)
Tobizaru (M4) beat Midorifuji (M2)
Atamifuji (M1) beat Shodai (M4)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Tamawashi (M10)
Abi (M2) beat Ura (K)
Kotonowaka (S) beat Oho (M11)
Kirishima (O) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Onosato (M15)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Onosho (M14)
Leader: Kotonowaka (10-1)
Of note: It’s likely down to Sanyaku for the championship with a Sekiwake leading then the Yokiozuna & 2 Ozeki one back. Onosho & Onosato are now both in a group 2 back after losses today, which includes Wakamotoharu after he clinched promotion and a return to Sanyaku in March. Also, Asanoyama has now missed enough time with injury that despite starting 7-1 he is now out of title contention even if he returns. Tomorrow might be the last kinboxhi chance this time for anyone when Terunofuji faces Onosato, as I expect all of Sanyaku to face each other based on the standings as we go into the final 3 days. As for Hoshoryu, who is also right there at 9-2, he has Takanosho tomorrow.
Yokozuna Watch: Kirishima hasn’t faced any Sanyaku yet except Daieisho so that’s probably coming after tomorrow. That will decide potential promotion but he still is very much in it. He has Tamawashi tomorrow.
Ozeki Watch: Kotonowaka continues to control his fate but he’s getting closer, now just needing to hold on for his first championship or get 3 more wins. Next up is Onosho.
Juryo:
Tenshoho (J12) beat Chiyonoumi (Ms4)
Daishoho (J9) beat Tochimusashi (J14)
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Asakoryu (J9)
Oshoumi (J13) beat Shiden (J7)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Yuma (J13)
Chiyomaru (J12) beat Shishi (J7)
Oshoma (J5) beat Akua (J11)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Tamashoho (J4)
Kitanowaka (J3) beat Takerufuji (J10)
Roga (J3) beat Chiyoshoma (J5)
Togakuryu (J2) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Kagayaki (J7) beat Nishikifuji (J2)
Mitoryu (J1) beat Shirokuma (J6)
Tokihayate (J6) beat Daiamami (J1)
Leader: Roga, Tokihayate, Takerufuji (9-2)
RE-ENTRY: Kotoeko (J4). Will return tomorrow. Missed the last 3 days after withdrawal on Day 9 (flu). Any wins he can get now should prevent potential demotion to Makushita as he is the equivalent of 1-10.
Of note: Out of gas? That’s 2 straight losses and lead lost for Takerufuji after a 9-0 start in his Juryo debut, and it’s now a 3-way tie for the lead. With his 9th win, Roga will probably return to the top tier in March for a second chance after demotion in his first try (if he wins at least one more match he will definitely go back up). On the flip side, Tochimusashi will be demoted back to Makushita after an 8th loss today along with Yuma. He won’t avoid the 3:10 to demotion this time unless he wins out to get to 7-8.
Lower tier notes: It will be Wakatakakage vs. Haruyama for the Makushita Championship with both emerging from today at 6-0. Haruyama beat Tanji (a Sandanme man) then Wakatakakge beat Dewanoryu. Wakatakakage will be going for his 4th championship and second in Makushita before he returns to Juryo in March while Haruyama will be going for his second championship. At 5-1 at Ms5, Hakuoho will also have a chance to return to Juryo in March (a 6th win should make it certain). In the Sandanme, it will be Fujiseiun vs. Takashoki for the championship, with Fujiseiun going for his 3rd championship (second in Sandanme) and Takashoki going for his first career title. The Jonidan may need a playoff as 3 remain tied at 6-0, while in the Jonokuchi Anhibiki (6-0) will be the champion is he wins his final match.
