Here are the quick results from today’s Day 3 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):
Tsurugisho (M16) beat Mitoryu (M17)
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Tochinoshin (J32)
Bushozan (M14) beat Oho (M15)
Hokuseiho (M15) beat Kinbozan (M14)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Daishoho (M13) beat Kagayaki (M13)
Nishikifuji (M10) beat Takanosho (M11)
Myogiryu (M10) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Ura (M8) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Aoiyama (M9) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Takayasu (M7) beat Sadanoumi (M6)
Endo (M6) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Meisei (M4)
Onosho (M4) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Mitakeumi (M3) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Tobizaru (K) beat Nishikigi (M3)
Daieisho (K) beat Ryuden (M2)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Abi (M2) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Kiribayama (S) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Takakeisho (O) beat Shodai (M1)
Leader: 9 at 3-0
Of note: A faster start than his opponent gave Takakeisho another big win today over a resurgent Shodai, that’s 2 straight wins after an opening day loss. He’ll need another such fast start tomorrow as his opponent is fellow relentless pusher-thruster Abi. Hoshoryu picked up an important first win but the Ozeki quest is already over for Wakatakakage, who is 0-3 and his only chance at promotion now is win the tournament (now highly unlikely). Also a surprising 0-3 is January runner-up Kotoshoho. Tochinoshin came back up as the Juryo man of the day in the top tier and did not look good at all. Given his performance so far and his knee injury history, I believe this tournament will be the end for the former Ozeki. Not retiring would shock me. 9 remain a perfect 3-0 so far and all can remain unbeaten tomorrow.
Juryo:
Fujiseiun (Ms2) beat Tomokaze (J13)
Tamashoho (J13) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Ochiai (J14) beat Takakento (J12)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Kotokuzan (J10) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Hakuyozan (J9) beat Churanoumi (J10)
Hidenoumi (J8) beat Tsushimanada (J9)
Shimazuumi (J7) beat Atamifuji (J8)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Akua (J7)
Enho (J5) beat Daiamami (J6)
Roga (J5) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Shonannoumi (J3) beat Oshoma (J4)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Chiyonokuni (J2)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Leader: 5 at 3-0
Of note: While Juryo has twice as many matches as the lower tiers, Asanoyama continues to be almost unbeatable since his return from a 1-year suspension. He seems well on the way to another 5-0/9-0 start with 3 wins already, and since his comeback is now a combined 37-3. It almost seems a lock he’ll be back at the top tier in May (he needs at least 5 more wins), but first there’s the matter of winning another tournament…and also co-leader and July top tier champion Ichinojo tomorrow. The winner could very well wind up being Juryo champion although it’s early. Tamashoho is also having a good Juryo debut so far, he’s up there in the 3-0 crowd. On the flip side, another 0-3 start has former Juryo champion Tochimusashi sliding potentially back to Makushita in May, he hasn’t had a winning record since his championship. Maybe he should’ve stayed Kanno instead of changing his name?
