Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13 (Lower Tier Championship Day) of the January 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Margashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jobokuchi
Makuuchi (Top tier):
Tohakuryu (H2) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Onosato (M15) beat Takanosho (M12)
Sadanoumi (M10) beat Tomokaze (M15)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Meisei (M9) beat Kotoshoho (M14)
Shimazuumi (M17) beat Mitakeumi (M9)
Oho (M11) beat Hiradoumi (M8)
Shonannoumi (M6) beat Bushozan (M16)
Endo (M13) beat Ryuden (M10)
Tsurugisho (M11) beat Shodai (M4)
Asanoyama (M7) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Abi (M2) beat Ichiyamamoto (M7)
Midorifuji (M2) beat Myogiryu (M12)
Atamifuji (M1) beat Kinbozan (M6)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Onosho (M14)
Ura (K) beat Tobizaru (M4)
Nishikigi (M5) beat Daieisho (S)
Kirishima (O) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Kotonowaka (S)
Leader: Terunofuji, Kotonowaka, Kirishima (11-2)
Of note: RARE KIMARITE ALERT!!! Kirishima beat Hosboryu with a very rare technique called nimaigeri, or ankle kicking twist down. Along the lines of other things that haven’t happened in a long time, the end of a long top-tier tenure, and maybe a career, is potentially near for Takarafuji. He hasn’t been demoted from the top tier in over 12 years but at 5-8 now at M16, that streak is all but over. Another loss and he will definitely be demoted to Juryo for the first time since 2012. Tomokaze will also be demoted along with Aoiyama (absent for the most part) and possibly Endo if he loses out to finish 4-11 at M13. I also would not be surprised if Kinbozan decides to withdraw instead of trying to salvage promotion on his injured right knee, he is 6-7 and clearly affected by the injury..
Yokozuna Watch: Kirishima got the opening he needed with Terunofuji winning. Now if he can beat Kotonowaka tomorrow he can all but clinch promotion. If he wins his last 2 matches he should also get it because that would mean either a second straight championship or, at worst, a playoff.
Ozeki Watch: Kotonowaka still has a chance. He probably needs to win his last 2 matches to guarantee it or, at a minimum, beat Kirishima tomorrow. If he is not promoted this time, he’s looking at probably needing 10-11 wins in March for another chance.
Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage FOR FREE tomorrow beginning at 12:10 AM PT/3:10 AM ET. The network is available online and on mobile/tablet/smart TV apps and is free to download/watch with no restrictions and no payments/accounts needed
Juryo:
Hakuoho (Ms5) beat Chiyomaru (J12)
Takerufuji (J10) beat Tenshoho (J12)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Daishoho (J9)
Oshoumi (J13) beat Asakoryu (J9)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Shiden (J8)
Shishi (J7) beat Akua (J8)
Chiyoshoma (J5) beat Tochimusashi (J14)
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Kotoeko (J4)
Tamashoho (J4) beat Yuma (J13)
Kitanowaka (J3) beat Tokihayate (J6)
Oshoma (J5) beat Roga (J3)
Nishikifuji (J2) beat Shirokuma (J6)
Kagayaki (J7) beat Mitoryu (J1)
Daiamami (J1) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Leader: Takerufuji (11-2)
Of note: And just like that Takerufuji is back on the cusp of the championship. If he beats Chiyosakae tomorrow, which would demote Chiyosakae to Makushita. Takerufuji is the champion. If not, it will have to wait until the Final Day because the Hakuyozan-Kitanowaka winner would be 10-4 and can still force a playoff. There is a chance of a 3-way or 4-way playoff too depending on results and final day matches.
Hakuoho was the Makushita man of the day in Juryo and will finish 6-1 with today’s win. That should be enough to see him return to Juryo from Ms5 but it also will depend on the numbers game-working in his favor is that Wakatakakage is likely the only other promotion coming from Makushita (from Ms1) and there will be at least 2 demotions from Juryo (Tochimusashi & Yuma, there could be as many as 4 more depending on the last 2 days’ outcomes).
Makushita:
Wakatakakage (Ms1) beat Haruyama (Ms41). WAKATAKAKAGE MAKUSHITA YUSHO!!! The former Sekiwake wins his 4th career championship, 2nd Makushita, and will be promoted back to Juryo in March.
Sandanme:
Fujiseiun (Sd26) beat Takashoki (Sd44). FUJISEIUN SANDANME YUSHO!!! The former Juryo man wins his 3rd career championship, 2nd Sandanme, and will be promoted back to Makushita in March. (He was last in Juryo on July when he was absent for the first of 3 straight tournaments)
Jonidan:
Chiyotaiko (Jd74) beat Hokuomaru (Jd58)
Aonishiki (Jd10) beat Mogamizakura (Jd16). PLAYOFF!!! With Chiyotaiko winning earlier, that means the Aonishiki-Mogamizakura match was to determine who would be the second half of a playoff for the championship. That match should happen on the Final Day and will be Chiyotaiko vs. Aonishiki, both 7-0.
Jonokuchi:
Anhibiki (Jk15) beat Asashorei (Jd92). ANHIBIKI JOBOKUCHI YUSHO!!! He wins his debut tournament for his first career championship. This match was in the Jonidan.
UPDATE: Hoshoryu has WITHDRAWN. Knee. Terunofuji gets a free win tomorrow and will remain at least a co-leader going into the Final Day. Status for Final Day uncertain but it unfortunately takes Hoshoryu out of the championship race. He does have 10 wins already so his Ozeki ranking is safe going into March.
