Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14-the penultimate day-of the July 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top tier):
Tamashoho (J5) beat Bushizan (M16)
Koyoshoho (M13) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Kinbozan (M10) beat Shonannoumi (M14)
Endo (M16) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Gonoyama (M13) beat Takanosho (M9)
Hakuoho (M17) beat Hokutofuji (M9)
Aoiyama (M17) beat Nishikifuji (M8)
Daishoho (M14) beat Takayasu (M7)
Kotoeko (M11) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Tsurugisho (M11) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Meisei (M3) beat Hokuseiho (M6)
Shodai (M2) beat Oho (M6)
Sadanoumi (M8) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Ryuden (M15) beat Nishikigi (M1)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Chiyoshoma (M12)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Ura (M4)
Abi (K) beat Hiradoumi (M5)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Daieisho (S) beat Onosho (M5)
Asanoyama (M4) beat Kirishima (S). Kirishima kadoban…
Leader: Hakuoho, Hokutofuji, Hoshoryu (11-3)
Of note: There will be a first-time top tier champion tomorrow. The question is who. Here’s how it looks: Hokutofuji is up first and faces Nishikigi, who fell out of contention with his loss today. If Hokutofuji wins, there will be a playoff because Hakuoho & Hoshoryu face each other. If Hokutofuji loses, the Hakuoho-Hoshoryu winner is the champion. If Hakuoho emerges the champion, he will be the second-youngest Emperor’s Cup winner ever (he’s not even 20) and the first for former yokozuna Hakuho, the greatest ever, as a stablemaster (he is now Miyagino). If Hoshoryu wins, he is virtually guaranteed promotion to Ozeki. He also would be one step closer to achieving promotion to yokozuna like his uncle, former Grand Champion Asashoryu. If Hokutofuji wins, it will be the first time in 60 years that a rikishi whose stablemaster is the Chairman of the Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Hakkaku) won the title. Elsewhere, the final day matchups unfortunately deny Ryuden a Hail Mary chance for the championship as he now has 10 straight wins after starting 0-4. Kotonowaka should finally be promoted to Sekiwake after managing 10 wins for the first time in Sanyaku. And as noted above, unfortunately more bad news for the Kyokai-both Ozeki will be in kadoban status in September as Kirishima now can’t finish with 8 wins due to 2 days absent. Takakeisho missed the tournament due to injuries. Asanoyama managed to save promotion chances after missing 4 days with injury. But Kirishima had to withdraw last-minute on opening day due to an injury. His fighting spirit and resolve is unquestionable and admirable, but now maybe second-guessing as to was coming back on Day 4 the right call?
Ozeki Watch: It’s pretty simple now-if Hoshoryu wins tomorrow he is all but guaranteed promotion. If it means the Championship, call it definite. If it goes to a playoff and he loses to Hokutofuji, I would still call it very probably as he would be right at 33 wins and have a finish equivalent to a championship. If he loses, toss-up as he would be at 32 wins with a runner-up finish. The general benchmark is 33 but Hakkaku has cautioned that’s not set in stone. If Hoshoryu loses tomorrow and does not get promoted, the magic number in September for another chance will be 11. Wakamotoharu & Daieisho can’t make it now but Daieisho can give himself another decent chance in September with a final day win after the unpopular HENKA! for a quick win. Ironically Wakamotoharu also pulled the HENKA! but Hoshoryu caught it and still won. He will still have a chance in September but will all but have to win the championship-if he beats Asanoyama tomorrow he’ll need 13 wins. If he loses, he’ll need 14. Same for Daieisho, who faces Takanosho. Realistically, they’ll need a championship.
Juryo:
Tochimusashi (Ms2) beat Chiyonoumi (J14)
Onosato (Ms3) beat Hidenoumi (J12)
Mukainakano (Ms3) beat Shimanoumi (J10)
Tsushimanada (J7) beat Hakuyozan (J11)
Azumaryu (J6) beat Chiyomaru (J11)
Kitanowaka (J5) beat Shiden (J13)
Akua (J8) beat Oshoma (J4)
Chiyosakae (J10) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Yuma (J14) beat Ichiyamamoto (J3)
Takakento (J8) beat Shimazuumi (J3)
Shishi (J12) beat Roga (J2)
Churanoumi (J7) beat Mitoryu (J2)
Kagayaki (J1) beat Tomokaze (J9)
Daiamami (J9) beat Atamifuji (J1)
Leader: Atamifuji, Daiamami, Tomokaze (10-4)
Of note: IT’S WIDE OPEN! Forget the 3 tied for the lead, anyone up for perhaps a SEVEN-WAY PLAYOFF?!? Thank the Kyokai because it could happen. None of the leaders face each other tomorrow, meaning the 4 at 9-5 still have a chance at a playoff. How does that happen? Here’s how: First, Shishi beats Daiamami in the second match of the day. Second, Kitanowaka then beats Tomokaze. Third, Tamashoho then beats Chiyosakae. Fourth, Akua then beats Atamifuji. Fifth and finally, Kagayaki beats Churanoumi in the final match. That would put Shishi, Daiamami, Kitanowaka, Tomokaze, Tamashoho, Atamifuji and Kagayaki all at 10-5. If any of the co-leaders win, at worst it’s a 3-way playoff.
On a side note, they also made the sumo “civil war” happen, pairing Roga, who is from Russia, against Shishi, who is from Ukraine. Ukraine won this round as Shishi beat Roga, possibly denying Roga promotion to the top tier (he can maybe still get there tomorrow is he wins his final match, putting him at 9-6 at J2 but I think he’ll still lose the numbers game with both Atamifuji & Kagayaki promoted). For the record, this was their first-ever meeting. Although all the Makushita men won, none will reach Juryo and Tochimusashi, a former Juryo champion, has already been demoted. The others finish 4-3.
Also tomorrow will be the playoff for the Sandanme championship.
Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE AND FREE top tier coverage of the final day, including the final matches and potential playoff, awards ceremony and champion’s interview, beginning tomorrow at 12:30 AM PT/3:30 AM ET. You can watch online and via mobile/tablet/smart TV apps. There is no login/signup required and the service is available worldwide.
UPDATE: Ahead of the top tier final matches, here are the Special Prize winners:
Outstanding Performance (winning & best record with most wins against Yokozuna & Ozeki): Nishikigi
Fighting Spirit: Hakuoho, Hokutofuji. Conditionally (must win today): Hoshoryu, Kotonowaka, Gonoyama, Shonannoumi
Technique (winning record with most different winning techniques used): Hakuoho
