Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the halfway point-of the January 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (top tier):
Nishikifuji (J2) beat Bushozan (M16)
Onosho (M14) beat Shimazuumi (M17)
Takarafuji (M16) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Onosato (M15) beat Endo (M13)
Takanosho (M12) beat Tomokaze (M15)
Tsurugisho (M11) beat Myogiryu (M12)
Oho (M11) beat Kotoshoho (M14)
Sadanoumi (M10) beat Ichiyamamoto (M7)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Asanoyama (M7)
Kinbozan (M6) beat Mitakeumi (M9)
Meisei (M9) beat Shonannoumi (M6)
Nishikigi (M9) beat Hiradoumi (M8)
Abi (M2) beat Shodai (M4)
Atamifuji (M1) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Ura (K)
Kotonowaka (S) beat Takayasu (K) by default/withdrawal
Daieisho (S) beat Midorifuji (M2)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Hokurofuji (M3)
Tobizaru (M4) beat Kirishima (O)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Ryuden (M5)
Leader: Asanoyama, Kotonowaka, Onosato, Onosho (7-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Takayasu (K). Back. Second time pulling out this tournament. Status uncertain. Also, it looks like Hokutofuji may be out after today as well. Back or knee injury suffered at the end of his loss to Hoshoryu when he was pushed out and landed hard in the floor in a seated position before staying down and needing to be pushed out in a wheelchair. He appeared to be favoring his already heavily taped knee. If he can’t return, Tobizaru would get the free win tomorrow. If this is it for January, Hokutofuji would finish the equivalent of 4-11 as he is currently 4-4.
Of note: No promotions yet. Asanoyama could’ve gotten #8 but he took his first loss, causing a 4-way tie for the lead as Kotonowaka got the fusenand Onosato continues his impressive rookie campaign in the top tier alongside Onosho having a career-best start. We’re also close to demotions as well, notably Ura in his Sanyaku debut-the effort is there as always but the results just haven’t gone his way, as well as Endo & Tomokaze who are also 1-7. One of those two gets their demotion tomorrow because they face each other, with Tomokaze probably returning to Juryo if he loses. The leaderboard will thin a little tomorrow because Asanoyama faces Onosho. Onosato has Meisei while Kotonowaka will try to protect his Sekiwake rank against Daieisho in the Sekiwake Showdown. Elsewhere in Sanyaku, Kirishima faces Shodai, Hoshoryu gets Ryuden and Terunofuji has Nishikigi. Terunofuji remains in contention as well at 6-2 so far.
Yokozuna Watch: Tough loss for Kirishima and that could be the difference, but at 6-2 he remains very much in it.
Ozeki Watch: Kotonowaka is halfway there. Right now he still needs 13 wins but the championship also will do it, and the former remains within reach if he can finish 6-1 or 7-0.
Juryo:
Tsushimanada (Ms2) beat Oshoumi (J13)
Akua (J11) beat Tochimusashi (3-5)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Chiyosakae (J13)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Yuma (J13)
Tenshoho (J12) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Chiyomaru (J12) beat Shiden (J8)
Kagayaki (J7) beat Daishoho (J9)
Takerufuji (J10) beat Shishi (J7)
Shirokuma (J6) beat Asakoryu (J9)
Roga (J3) beat Tokihayate (J6)
Kitanowaka (J3) beat Chiyoshoma (J5)
Tohakuryu (J2) beat Oshoma (J5)
Daiamami (J1) beat Kotoeko (J4)
Tamashoho (J4) beat Mitoryu (J1)
Leader: Takerufuji (8-0)
Of note: Takerufuji is the first promotion in Juryo this time after Tokihayate took his first loss against Roga. Dating back to November he has now won 12 straight and 14 of his last 15 matches. If he can win out the top tier is potentially within reach. Not returning to Makuuchi will be Kotoeko, who is now 1-7 and may be lucky to avoid Makushita. Nishikifuji was in the top tier today and won as his efforts to return to the top tier are going well, he currently is 6-2.
RETIREMENT: Chiyoarashi (Ms16), who called it a career after his loss on Day 7 that secured a demotion and leaves him 0-4 in his finale. He reached a highest career rank of J10 in September 2011, last reaching Juryo in May 2022. His career ends just short of 16 years with a career record of 370-298-71 with 1 Sandanme Championship. He also had one 7-0 finish in Jonidan but lost in a playoff. He only spent about a year total in Juryo so he doesn’t qualify for elder stock/oyakata (you need the equivalent of 5 years-at least 30 tournaments-in the top 2 tiers, they do not have to be consecutive).
Lower tier notes:
Former Sekiwake Wakatakakage, demoted to Makushita after missing most of 2023 due to injury, will be promoted back to Juryo in March as he is 4-0 from Ms1 and is among 7 co-leaders. Hakuoho, also trying to climb back up after injury-related demotion, is currently 3-1 at Ms5 and still with a chance at Juryo. Based on what happened to Wakatakakage last time out, Hakuoho probably needs to finish 6-1 but may have a chance at 5-2 depending on what happens above him. In the Sandanme, 11 are tied at 4-0 including Wakatakamoto, demoted from Makushita after November but returning to the third tier and with a chance to perhaps give the Wakas 2 lower tier championships this time.In the Jonidan, 12 are tied at 4-0 including Ukrainian prospect Aonishiki, who won the Jonokuchi championship in his debut in November. The Jonokuchi has 2 left at 4-0 so it may be between Chiyodaigo, demoted from Makushita after missing 4 straight tournaments (he did return for the final day of November) and Anhibiki in his debut tournament.
UPDATE: Hokutofuji has WITHDRAWN. And, while not officially confirmed yet, Nikkan Sports reports a major pullout if true-Asanoyama. Ankle for the latter. The Nihon Sumo Kyokai’s website does not list Asanoyama as out yet. In Hokutofuji’s case, Tobizaru gets the fusen win on Day 9. If Asanoyama is indeed out, Onosho would remain co-leader and clinch promotion by getting the freebie.
UPDATE 2: Asanoyama has now officially WITHDRAWN about halfway through Day 9. Right ankle inflammation/swelling. Possibly twisted yesterday. Status uncertain. Onosho gets the fusen and promotion and will remain a co-leader or leader.
