Here are the quick results from today’s Day 7 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):
Hakuoho (M17) beat Endo (M16)
Takarafuji (M15) beat Shimazuumi (J3)
Ryuden (M15) beat Aoiyama (M17)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Bushozan (M16)
Shonannoumi (M14) beat Gonoyama (M13)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Daishoho (M14)
Chiyoshoma (M12) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Tsurugisho (M11)
Takanosho (M9) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Nishikifuji (M8) beat Takayasu (M7)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Hokuseiho (M6)
Onosho (M5) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Hiradoumi (M5) beat Oho (M6)
Meisei (M3) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Shodai (M2)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Nishikigi (M1)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Abi (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Ura (M4)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Shodai (M2)
Mitakeumi (M2) beat Kirishima (O)
Leader: 4 at 6-1
Of note: Nishikigi’s 15-match win streak came to a crashing halt in an almost-no contest against Kotonowaka today, as he now falls into a 4-way tie for the lead. Mitakeumi also became the last rikishi to get a win today in dispatching Kirishima, dropping the not-100% new Ozeki to the equivalent of 2-5. He’ll now need to finish 6-2 or better to avoid kadoban status in September. But tomorrow brings a maybe more favorable match against Midorifuji, who is badly struggling again at 1-6. At the bottom of the tier, all 3 rookies are now at 5-2 heading into halfway but Gonoyama has now lost 2 straight to Hakuoho & Shonannoumi. A day after taking all the tape off his left upper body, Hakuoho had it back on today but still easily dispatched Endo. He’ll complete the rookie series tomorrow against Shonannoumi.
Ozeki Watch: All 3 Sekiwake won today with Hoshoryu now co-leader at 6-1 then Daieisho & Wakamotoharu at 5-2. The magic number is 6 for Daieisho & Hoshoryu & 7 for Wakamotoharu. Hoshoryu has Ura tomorrow, Daieisho gets Asanoyama and Wakamotoharu faces Kotonowaka.
Juryo:
Kiho (J13) beat Onosato (Ms3)
Tsushimanada (J11) beat Yuma (J14)
Chiyomaru (J11) beat Shiden (J13)
Chiyonoumi (J14) beat Shimanoumi (J10)
Hidenoumi (J12) beat Tomokaze (J9)
Takakento (J8) beat Shishi (J12)
Chiyosakae (J10) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Hakuyozan (J7) beat Akua (J8)
Daiamami (J9) beat Azumaryu (J6)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Kitanowaka (J5)
Roga (J2) beat Tamashoho (J5)
Atamifuji (J1) beat Oshoma (J4)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Kagayaki (J1)
Leader: Daiamami, Chiyomaru (6-1)
RETURN: Ichiyamamoto (J3). Will return tomorrow after withdrawing on Day 5. He will be the equivalent of 0-7 and needs to win out to avoid demotion. He probably needs a win to stay in Juryo in September.
Lower tier notes: It’s Promotion Day 1 in the 3rd tier on down, where the leaders reach 4 wins and clinch their winning records. In Makushita, 3 have gone to 4-0 in the first half of their 4th round, and since he is among those 3 it means Tokihayate will be sai-Juryo in September as he will be promoted back up from Makushita 1. He went 6-9 in his Juryo debut in May and gets a second chance after just one tournament down. The other two co-leaders for now are Kayo & Tochiseiryu. 8 others are at 3-0 and go for their promotions tomorrow. In the Sandanme, 6 are at 4-0 and promoted including May Jonidan Champion Satorufuji, who now has 15 straight wins overall, a streak dating back to his Debut in March. 10 more are at 3-0 ahead of their 4th matches tomorrow. In the Jonidan, 7 are 4-0 and promoted with another 12 going for that mark tomorrow. In the Jonokuchi, nobody has clinched promotion so far with 3 at 3-0.
Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier match coverage FOR FREE tomorrow beginning at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET. NHK World Japan is available on participating cable/satellite providers and can also be watched online and on mobile/smart TV apps FOR FREE with no login/signup required and with no viewing limits/restrictions.
UPDATE: BREAKING early Day 8 news-Asanoyama has WITHDRAWN. Left upper arm (possible bicep) injury. Out at least 4 weeks. He was 4-3 after Day 7 but will not finish the equivalent of 4-11. That will keep him in the top tier but drop him back down to around Maegashira 11 or 12 for September.
