With the July Grand Sumo Tournament starting tomorrow, the first 2 days’ matches for the top 2 tiers have been announced, as well as the early injury withdrawals. There was a major one in the top tier-Ozeki Takakeisho is OUT. Meniscus/knees. Out 3 weeks. That means he’ll be back in kadoban status in September where he’ll need 8+ wins again to avoid demotion. As expected, Wakatakakage is also out due to injury (still out anywhere from 2-8 more months) so he’ll be demoted from Maegashira 12 out of the top tier. Fujiseiun, at Juryo 6, has also withdrawn (unknown). If he misses the whole tournament odds are he’ll be demoted back to Makushita.
The first day matchups are as traditional, generally against the current or next rank up, so Hakuoho (former Ochiai) makes his top tier against Aoiyama, fighting to stay in the top tier at Margashira 17, while May Juryo Champion Gonoyama devuts against Kotoshoho. At Maegashira 4 Asonoyama will first face Maegashira 3 Meisei. New Ozeki Kirishima (former Kiribayama) starts with Nishikigi (Maegashira 1) while Yokozuna Terunofuji first gets Abi, who is back at Komusubi.
With Fujiseiun out of Juryo at the start, Tokihayate moves up as the Makushita man on Day 1, he will face Chiyonoumi. At Makushita 1 Tokihayate can get back to Juryo with 4+ wins, he was demoted after a 6-9 Juryo debut effort in May.
UPDATE: The rest of the pre-tournament withdrawals from the lower tiers have been announced. Notable Makushita withdrawals include Enho & Chiyonokuni, both demoted from Juryo and not coming back up in September.
