Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13-Championship Day-of the January 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi
Makuuchi (top tier):
Tamashoho (M16) beat Nishikigi (M12)
Midorifuji (M11) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Onokatsu (M12)
Oshoma (M9) beat Tokihayate (M17)
Nishikifuji (M17) beat Churanoumi (M9)
Kagayaki (M16) beat Takarafuji (M8)
Meisei (M10) beat Mitakeumi (M7)
Shonannoumi (M13) beat Endo (M7)
Hakuoho (M15) beat Hiradoumi (M5)
Oho (M3) beat Ura (M4)
Tobizaru (M2) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Kirishima (M1) beat Takayasu (M6)
Takanosho (M1) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Shodai (M4)
Takerufuji (M11) beat Abi (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Chiyoshoma (M5)
Ichiyamamoto (M5) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Onosato (O)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Kotozakura (O). Oh no…2 months ago he finally won the Emperor’s Cup and seemed to be on track to be the next Yokozuna at about this time. And now…Kotozakura kadoban…a 1-5 start did him in and means his first losing tournament since July 2022 (although that was only because he missed the last 5 days after being 7-3 to that point and that was during Covid). That one aside, his last full losing tournament was way back in November 2021. Now he must win 8 or more matches in March to avoid demotion.
Leader: Kinbozan (11-2)
Of note: Kinbozan cannot clinch the championship tomorrow because of Takerufuji-Hoshoryu, the winner there can still force a playoff. On another interesting side note, if Kirishima wins the championship he would be the first to do so after starting 0-3. That’s now 10 straight wins since that happened. And Kirishima’s opponent tomorrow? Kinbozan. Also still with a chance is Oho who is also 10-3, he gets Takanosho. At the bottom, Tokihayate will be demoted to Juryo after an 8th loss today.
Yokozuna Watch: Hoshoryu must beat Takerufuji tomorrow to keep hopes alive. A Kinbozan loss would certainly help.
Juryo:
Daiamami (J11) beat Kusano (Ms3)
Shimazuumi (J10) beat Kotokuzan (Ms2)
Oshoumi (J9) beat Daishoho (J14)
Daiseizan (J9) beat Tohakuryu (J11)
Mitoryu (J8) beat Kiryuko (J12)
Shimanoumi (J5) beat Hakuyozan (J10)
Nabatame (J14) beat Shishi (J4)
Shirokuma (J4) beat Hidenoumi (J6)
Hatsuyama (J12) beat Tsurugisho (J3)
Ryuden (J3) beat Aonishiki (J5)
Fujiseiun (J8) beat Asakoryu (J2)
Shiden (J2) beat Tomokaze (J6)
Kotoeiho (J13) beat Kayo (J1)
Sadanoumi (J1) beat Tochitaikai (J7)
Leader: Ryuden, Shishi (11-2)
Of note: And it’s wide open again after Ryuden won and Shishi lost. Today’s results keep Aonishiki in it despite losing to Ryuden but also open the door to Kotoeiho & Nabatame now having chances as all are now 10-3. Kotoeiho draws Ryuden tomorrow while Nabatame gets Shishi so there could very well be a 3 or 5-way tie going into the final day. Aonishiki faces Shirokuma tomorrow, who just clinched promtoion.
Makushita:
Mudoho (Ms44) beat Ishizaki (Ms8). MUDOHO MAKUSHITA YUSHO!!! 1st career championship. His career high rank is Ms12 so this may get him back close to that. Ishizaki may possibly miss out on promotion to Juryo because of this.
Sandanme:
Noda (Sd8) beat Daikisho (Sd36)
Daimasakari (Sd32) beat Chiyodaigo (Sd7). DAIMASAKARI SANDANME YUSHO!!! First career championship. Also averts what would have been a 9-WAY PLAYOFF! This could have happened because Daimasakari & Daikisho, who were the only 6-0 wrestlers left, are stablemates (Oitekaze Beya), so they could not face each other unless it was a playoff despite that situation. But had Daikisho also won, the stablemates would have had said playoff Sunday. This win also denies Enho a spot in the playoff, he won his last match for another 6-1 finish and will be promoted to Makushita.
Jonidan:
Yago (Jd19) beat Sekimoto (Jd60). YAGO JONIDAN YUSHO!!! 2nd career championship & 1st Jonidan. He fell all the way down to Jonidan from Makushita due to missing the last 3 tournaments. This will promote him back to the Sandanme as he tries to climb back up the ladder-he has reached the top tier for 4 tournaments before.
Jonokuchi:
Daikisho (Jk4) beat Wakahizen (Jd84). DAIKISHO JONOKUCHI YUSHO!!! 1st career championship. He was demoted from Makushita due to missing the last 4 tournaments.
