Here are the quick results from today’s Day 15-the Final Day-of the January 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo (top tier only because Juryo was decided yesterday):
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi
Makuuchi (top tier):
Takarafuji (M16) beat Kotoshoho (M14)
Oho (M11) beat Tomokaze (M15)
Tsurugisho (M11) beat BUshozan (M16)
Onosho (M14) beat Sadanoumi (M10)
Onosato (M15) beat Tamawashi (M10)
Meisei (M9) beat Shimazuumi (M17)
Mitakeumi (M9) beat Endo (M13)
Myogiryu (M12) beat Ichiyamamoto (M7)
Churanoumi (M13) beat Shodai (M4)
Takanosho (M12) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Hiradoumi (M8) beat Abi (M2)
Kinbozan (M6) beat Midorifuji (M2)
Shonannoumi (M6) beat Atamifuji (M1)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Nishikigi (M5)
Ura (K) beat Ryuden (M5)
Daieisho (S) beat Asanoyama (M7)
Kotonowaka (S) beat Tobizaru (M4)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Kirishima (O). PLAYOFF!!!
Playoff: Terunofuji beat Kotonowaka. TERUNOFUJI YUSHO!!!
CHAMPION: Terunofuji (Y). 9th career Emperor’s Cup
SPECIAL PRIZES:
Outstanding Performance (winning record with most wins against Yokozuna & Ozeki by a Sekiwake or lower rank): Wakamotoharu
Fighting Spirit (lower ranked wrestler with winning record judged to have shown best fighting spirit): Onosato (Shimazuumi missed out on this due to his loss)
Technique (Sekiwake or lower with winning record judged to have shown best technique or most different techniques used): Kotonowaka
Of note: RARE KIMARITE ALERT! Once again Ura showed off his impressive wrestler background and wowed the fans with an incredible rare technique in victory-tsutaezori, an under arm forward body drop. Elsewhere, at the top this continues quite the trend for Terunofuji since promotion to Yokozuna-he either wins the championship or doesn’t finish the tournament. He undoubtedly was helped by the Hoshoryu withdrawal yesterday (Day 14). Had the Ozeki not pulled out, Kotonowaka would have faced him and not Tobizaru today. Terunofuji beat Kotonowaka a couple days ago and has never lost in their series to date.
Yokozuna Watch: Not going to happen this time for Kirishima. He lost his last 2 and losing to Terunofuji sealed the deal. He has never beaten Terunofuji, now 0-11 career, and will have to try again in March, his last chance before his stabemaster, the current Michinoku, must retire in April (Michinoku will turn 65, the mandatory retirement age in sumo).
Ozeki Watch: Despite the playoff loss, it sounds like Kotonowaka is going to be promoted. An extraordinary meeting will be held in the next couple days so in 2-3 days he may be promoted and will then change his shikona, or ring name, to that of his grandfather, former Yokozuna Kotozakura. Looking ahead to March, Daieisho as usual will have a chance at promotion as he maintained his Sekiwake rank, but he’s going to have to win the championship unless he goes 15-0 and somehow winds up in a playoff. And the numbers game will work against him with potentially 4 Ozeki ahead of him although Takakeisho will be in kadoban status in March due to having to withdraw early this time (injury). With both Komusubi demoted and the pending promotion of Kotonowaka, Wakamotoharu could return to Sekiwake after one tournament.
Jonidan:
Playoff: Aonishiki (Jd10) beat Chiyotaiko (Jd74). AONISHIKI JONIDAN YUSHO!!! 2nd career championship, first Jonidan, in 2 tournaments for the rookie from Ukraine.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS:
Makuuchi: Terunofuji (Y). 9th Emperor’s Cup
Juryo: Takerufuji (J10). 3rd career, 1st Juryo
Makushita: Wakatakakage (Ms1). 4th career, 2nd Makushita
Sandanme: Fujiseiun.(Sd26). 3rd career, 2nd Sandanme
Jonidan: Aonishiki (Jd10). 2nd career, 1st Jonidan
Jonokuchi: Anhibiki (Jk15). 1st career in debut tournament
That’s 2 championships this time for both Isegahama and Ajigawa Beya.
The next tournament is March 10-24 at Osaka Prefectural Gym in Osaka. Advance tickets will go on sale on 2/10. The Banzuke will be announced on 2/28. The final wrap-up post will come later this week after we get official word on Kotonowaka potentially being promoted.
