Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Oshoma (J4) beat Tsurugisho (M16)
Daishoho (M13) beat Kinbozan (M14)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Takanosho (M11)
Mitoryu (M17) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Nishikifuji (M10)
Hokuseiho (M15) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Bushozan (M14)
Oho (M15) beat Aoiyama (M9)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Sadanoumi (M6)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Ryuden (M2)
Abi (M2) beat NIshikigi (M3)
Ura (M8) beat Shodai (M1)
Tamawashi (M1) beat MitakeumI (M3)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Daieisho (K) beat Takayasu (M7)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Tobizaru (K)
Kiribayama (S) beat Meisei (M4)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Endo (M6)
Leader: Midorifuji (10-1)
Of note: No 15-0. Midorifuji’s unbeaten run ended today against Wakamotoharu and while he still has the lead, the question of course is how will he respond tomorrow? This allowed Daieisho to get back to one win back while a crowded field remains 2 back. Midorifuji has to avoid the sweep by the Wakas now because he gets Wakatakakage tomorrow, who is fighting to stay at Sekiwake and is now 5-6 after starting 0-5. Daieisho gets Hokutofuji and a bunch of 8-3 key matches are headlined by the Sekiwake Showdown in the final bout, and it’s another Mongolian showdown between Hoshoryu, still with a chance at Ozeki contention, and Kiribayama, who will remain at Sekiwake in May.
Asanoyama returns to the top tier tomorrow for a second time as the Juryo man of the day and will face Oho in the first match.
Juryo:
Tomokaze (J13) beat Chiyonokuni (Ms5)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Hakuyozan (J9)
Tsushimanada (J9) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Tamashoho (J13) beat Atamifuji (J8)
Kotokuzan (J10) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Shimanoumi (J11) beat Akua (J7)
Takakento (J12) beat Enho (J5)
TochimusashI (J12) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Churanoumi (J10) beat Shonannoumi (J3)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Ochiai (J14)
Daiamami (J5) beat Tochinoshin (J2)
Tohakuryu (J1) beat Roga (J5)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Gonoyama (J6)
Leader: Asanoyama, Ichinojo (10-1)
Of note: It’s all but down to the top tier mainstays, both likely headed back there in May (Asanoyama definitely will, at this point Ichinojo probably will too). Both are now 2 wins clear and seemed headed for a playoff rematch for the championship. Only Ochiai and Kitanowaka seem to still have a chance to catch them although Gonoyama remains 2 back, but Ochiai and Gonoyama both lost today and Ochiai may be running out of steam and perhaps affected by that left elbow issue. And Ochiai faces Gonoyama tomorrow so the loser is probably out of it. Kitanowaka gets Shimazuumi (6-5) while Ichinojo gets Hakuyozan (7-4). Asanoyama is in the top tier. Tochinoshin seemed okay and competed today after another injury scare yesterday but took a demotion-sealing loss. No top tier return for the former Ozeki.
Lower tier notes: The Makushita Final is set, it’ll be Ryuo vs. Kaizen. Neither will be promoted to Juryo but Ryou may go up to Makushita 1 (he’s at 26) while Kaizen would probably jump to Makushita 20 as he’s at 50). The Sandanme may need a playoff with 3 currently at 6-0 and two are from Tamanoi Beya so an interesting potential scenario there. The Jonidan also has 3 currently at 6-0 and perhaps is playoff-bound too while Asahakuryu only needs to win his last match to be Jonokuchi Champion.
