Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tourbament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Ichinojo (J3) beat Bushozan (M14)
Mitoryu (M17) beat Takanosho (M11)
Azumaryu (M11) beat Oho (M15)
Nishikifuji (M10) beat Hokuseiho (M15)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Tsurugisho (M16) beat Aoiyama (M9)
Ura (M8) beat Daishoho (M13)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Takayasu (M7) beat Chiyoshoma (M16)
Nishikigi (M3) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Sadanoumi (M6) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Shodai (M1) beat Ryuden (M2)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Abi (M2) beat Tobizaru (K)
Daieisho (K) beat Meisei (M2)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Kiribayama (S) beat Endo (M6)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Leader: Daieisho (11-2)
Of note: Another Isegahama collapse complete. A few tournaments ago it was Hokutofuji unbeaten and in control going into the final stretch before he collapsed over the final 5 days. Now it’s Midorifuji who has now lost 3 straight and the lead to Daieisho. And history indicated he was the heavy favorite against Hoshoryu, having won 5 of their 6 prior meetings. Of all with a chance still, Daieisho is the only former champion as he is perhaps 2 days away from his second Emperor’s Cup and almost certainly a return to Sekiwake. Snayaku will be roadblocked again outside of Komusubi because all the 4th highest ranked wrestlers except To izaru have winning records but are looking at not being promoted just because of numbers unless Hoshoru is promoted to Ozeki-slim chances but still possible with an 11-4 finish. Ichinojo keeps the Juryo lead with his win as it’s now down to him and Asanoyama before both return to the top tier in May.
Key match tomorrow: Daieisho-Midorifuji. If Daieisho wins, then Kiribayama loses (Wakatakakage) and Wakamotoharu loses (Hosboryu), Daieisho is the champion. If Midorifuji wins, that potentially all but guarantees a playoff on the Final Day.
Juryo:
Tokihayate (Ms3) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Tamashoho (J14) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Hakuyozan (J9) beat Tomokaze (J13)
Ochiai (J14) beat Tsushimanada (J9)
Takakento (J13) beat Atamifuji (J8)
Daiamami (J6) beat Kitanowaka (J11)
Roga (J5) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Churanoumi (J1) beat Oshoma (J4)
Chiyomaru (J4) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Shonannoumi (J3) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Shinazuumi (J7) beat Tochinoshin (J2)
Enho (J5) beat Chiyonokuni (J2)
Tohakuryu (J1) beat Gonoyama (J6)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Akua (J7)
Leader: Ichinojo (12-1)
Of note: It’s down to two. If Ichinojo wins tomorrow (Enho) and Asanoyama loses tomorrow (Shimazuumi), Ichinojo is the champion. One of them takes a second tier title with them back to the top tier in May.
Makushita:
Ryuo (Ms26) beat Kaizen (Ms50). RYUO MAKUSHITA YUSHO! It’s his first championship at any level in his 11-year career. This will vault him right to the top of Makushita as usually the champion moves up 30 spots in the rankings. Could that mean Shin Juryo? We’ll see but I’m leaning no. Kaizen was looking for his second straight championship after winning the Sandanme in January.
Sandanme:
Kiyonoumi (Sd80) beat Amakaze (Sd56)
Toshunryu (Sd25) beat Shosei (Sd35). PLAYOFF! That means with two at 7-0, Kiyonoumi vs. Toshunryu will happen as a playoff to determine the champion. AND it’s stablemate vs. stablemate! Both are from Tamanoi Beya and this is the only situation in which stablemates face each other in a tournament.
Jonidan:
Suguro (Jd60) beat Mishima (Jd40). SUGURO JONIDAN YUSHO! It’s his first championship and comes after he missed the last 3 tournaments, which dropped him from Makushita to Honidan. He should be back in the Sandanme in May.
Asahakuryu (Jk11) beat Takashoki (Jd87). ASAHAKURYU JONOKUCHI YUSHO! He wins the title in his Debut tournament.
Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE Day 14 top-tier coverage beginning tomorrow at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET. Tune in FOR FREE to see if Daieisho will win the Emperor’s Cup for the second time or if it goes to the Final Day!
UPDATE: Breaking…Sanyaju shakeup coming because Wakatakakage has WITHDRAWN going into Day 14. If he misses the Final Day that means he will be demoted from Sekiwake after over a year. More as it becomes available/. That means Kiribayama gets the free win and goes to 11-3.
