Here are the quick results from today’s Day 2 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Mitoryu (M17)
Tsurugisho (M16) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Oho (M15)
Hokuesiho (M15) beat Bushozan (M14)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Daishoho (M13) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Takanosho (M11) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Nishikifuji (M10) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Ura (M8) beat Aoiyama (M9)
Takayasu (M7) beat Endo (M6)
Sadanoumi (M6) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Onosho (M4)
Meisei (M4) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Nishikigi (M3)
Tobizaru (K) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Ryuden (M2)
Daieisho (K) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Shodai (M1) beat Kiribayama (S)
Abi (M2) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Of note: Takakeisho came back strong after a surprise opening day loss and easily beat back the ironman Tamawashi, but he has to be careful tomorrow as next is Shodai, who looks like the old Ozeki Shodai at an impressive 2-0. It’s not looking good early for Ozeki chances at Sekiwake as both Wakatakakage & Hoshoryu are 0-2. To have any chance at promotion Wakatakakage now must win out and probably win the tournament while Hoshoryu needs to go 11-2.
Former Ozeki Tochinoshin, who decided to give it a go at Juryo following demotion to the second tier this time after withdrawing during January because of injury, gets the top-tier return match tomorrow and will face Chiyoshoma. The Georgian is struggling early at 0-2 and his days as an active rikishi may be numbered, as no doubt his long career and persistent left injury issues are weighing him down.
Juryo:
Tokushoryu (J14) beat Terutsuyoshi (Ms1)
Tamashoho (J13) beat Ochihi (J14)
Takakento (J12) beat Tomokaze (J13)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Churanoumi (J10) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Tsushimanada (J9) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Hakuyozan (J9)
Hidenoumi (J8) beat Akua (J7)
Shimazuumi (J7) beat Daiamami (J6)
Roga (J5) beat Gonoyama (J6)
Oshoma (J4) beat Enho (J5)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Shonannoumi (J3) beat Tochinoshin (J2)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Chiyonokuni (J2)
Of note: 1/4 of the way there…just another day at the office for Asanoyama as the former Ozeki easily won again to go to 2-0, now just 6 wins away from a top tier return in May. Terutsuyoshi was back up in Juryo today but no epic salt throw, in fact a more standard one that was very subdued by his standards. But he’s already 0-2 now in Makushita and thus halfway to demotion. Ichinojo is a quick 2-0 as well in his return to action following suspension in January, leaving Tochinoshin alone at 0-2 among the former top-tier guys at the top of Juryo and potentially as the only one who may not be back in Makuuchi in May. Tomorrow Asanoyama has Tohakuryu while Fujiseiun will be the Makushita man up for the day, he’s 1-0 at Makushita 2 and will face Tomokaze.
