Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13-Championship Day 1-of the July 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi
Makuuchi (Top tier):
Aoiyama (M17) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Takarafuji (M15) beat Chiyoshoma (J12)
Gonoyama (M13) beat Tsurugisho (M11)
Kotoeko (M11) beat Bushozan (M16)
Ryuden (M15) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Endo (M16)
Sadanoumi (M8) beat Daishoho (M14)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Hokuseiho (M6)
Takanosho (M9) beat Onosho (M5)
Meisei (M3) beat Oho (M6)
Takayasu (M7) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Hiradoumi (M5) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Asanoyama (M4) beat Shodai (M2)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Ura (M4)
Hakuoho (M17) beat Nishikigi (M1)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Abi (K)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Kirishima (O)
Leader: Hokutofuji (11-2)
Of note: Massive late shakeups today now have Hokutofuji possibly in position for his first championship after Nishikigi took his second straight loss. But Nishikogi, Hoshoryu & Hakuoho all still have a chance at 10-3. If the super-rookie Hakuoho wins it all, he will become the second-youngest rikishi ever to win the Emperor’s Cup. And while he can only hope to force a playoff, that’s 9 straight wins for Ryuden after an 0-4 start. Kirishima’s loss now means he must win his last 2 to avoid kadoban status, and tomorrow brings a tough one in (a banged up) Asanoyama, who is fighting to save promotion.
Ozeki Watch: It’s probably over for Daieisho. His loss to Wakamotoharu means he can’t get to 33 wins or win the tournament. 10-5 is now the best he can do. Wakamotoharu still has a very slim chance to win the championship at 11-4, but otherwise it’s all on Hoshoryu. If he wins his last 2 he gets to 33 wins and he still can win the championship. Next up is his first Sekiwake Showdown tomorrow with Wakamotoharu. Final Day foe would depend on tomorrow’s results.
Key matches tomorrow: Hoshoryu-Wakamotoharu, Hokutofuji-Hakuoho, Nishikigi-Ryuden. If Hokutofuji, Ryuden and Wakamotoharu all win tomorrow, Hokutofuji is the champion. Otherwise it goes to the Final Day.
Juryo:
Ishizaki (Ms5) beat Hidenoumi (J12)
Shiden (J13) beat Akua (J8)
Chiyonoumi (J14) beat Takakento (J8)
Hakuyozan (J7) beat Yuma (J14)
Shimanoumi (J10) beat Kitanowaka (J5)
Shishi (J12) beat Tamashoho (J5)
Churanoumi (J7) beat Oshoma (J4)
Shimazuumi (J3) beat Chiyomaru (J11)
Ichiyamamoto (J3) beat Tsushimanada (J11)
Chiyosakae (J10) beat Mitoryu (J2)
Roga (J2) beat Azumaryu (J6)
Atamifuji (J1) beat Tomokaze (J9)
Daiamami (J9) beat Kagayaki (J1)
Leader: Atamifuji, Tomokaze (10-3)
Of note: The championship will now go to the Final Day. Mathematically 7 still have a chance but realistically it’s down to the co-leaders and 9-4 Daiamami. And Daiamami faces Atamifuji tomorrow in an eliminator. Tomokaze faces Kagayaki, who with a win and Daiamami win would keep his faint playoff hopes alive. At the bottom, Tsushimanada looks headed to Makushita at 2-11, even 4 wins at J11 would probably not be enough. Ishizaki won today to likely finish 5-2, he’s a toss-up reach Juryo from Ms5 but I don’t think he will get there in September (there will be 2 Juryo demotions for sure-maybe 3 with Kiho withdrawing on Day 12 but I think 7-8 at J13 keeps him at J1). He would probably need one more match which happens on rare occasion for those not in title contention. However, of the top 4 Makushita ranks only one will be promoted for sure (Tokihayate at Ms1) and only one has a guaranteed promotion (Takahashi, 4-2 at Ms4). May depend on if Takahashi wins his last match and how many top tier demotions there are (right now there will be 2 for sure-Bushozan and the absent Wakatakakage-and could be up to 2 more).
Makushita:
Tokihayate (Ms1) beat Tochiseiryu (Ms54). TOKIHAYATE MAKUSHITA YUSHO! The first career championship for Tokihayate, who will be promoted back to Juryo in September.
Sandanme:
Wakaikari (Sd86) beat Haruyama (Jd15)
Asahakuryu (Sd44) beat Fujitoshi (Sd8)
PLAYOFF! Wakaikari vs. Asahakuryu will be held on the Final Day for the Sandanme championship.
Jonidan:
Oginosho (Jd38) beat Kazeyuki (Jd87). And because Haruyama then lost in the Sandanme…OGINOSHO JONIDAN YUSHO! The first career championship for Oginosho, who will be promoted to the Sandanme.
Jonokuchi:
Anosho (Jk18) beat Masarufuji (Jk4). ANOSHO JONOKUCHI YUSHO! First championship in his Debut.
RETIREMENT: Chiyonokuni (Ms5). Nikkan Sports reports he retired today and will become Sanoyama Oyakata & mentor subordinates. A series of retirements set this up and Chiyonokuni is expected to eventually become a mentor at Kokonoe Beya, his stable. He had been inactive since withdrawing on Day 10 of the May tournament due to injuries (knees). He finishes his career with a record of 539-452-180 (win-lose-absent), 199-216-95 in the top tier, 7 championships (3 Juryo, 2 Makushita, 1 Sandanme, 1 Jonidan), 2 Special Prizes (both Fighting Spirit) and 1 Kinboshi. He debuted in 2006 and reached a career highest ranking of Maegashira 1.
The former Sanoyama Oyakata will now become Toshiyori “Hokujin”. (UPDATE: The Nihon Sumo Kyokai has confirmed this in a Twitter post)
