Here are the quick results from today’s Day 5 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):
Ichinojo (J3) beat Hokuseiho (M15)
Mitoryu (M17) beat Bushozan (M14)
Konbozan (M14) beat Hokuseiho (M16)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Chiyoshoma (M16)
Oho (M15) beat Daishoho (M13)
Takanosho (M11) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Nishikifuji (M10) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Apiyama (M9) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Takayasu (M7) beat Ura (M8)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Sadanoumi (M6)
Endo (M6) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Abi (M2) beat Meisei (M4)
Daieisho (K) beat Shodai (M1)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Onosho (M4) beat Kiribayama (S)
Nishikigi (M3) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Ryuden (M2)
Leader: Daieisho, Midorifuji, Takayasu, Nishikifuji (5-0)
Of note: Ryuden made it very easy for Takakeisho, suspiciously offering no resistance and letting the Ozeki have an easy win and not go too hard on his potentially injured knee. That gets Takakeisho to 3-2 and still in yokozuna contention. Surprises at the top as two Isegahama rikishi join Daieisho and a resurgent Takayasu at 5-0. Takayasu continues to look like his old strong self clming back from injury, if he keeps this up he could finally claim his first Emperor’s Cup after being so close so many times. On the flip side several are in real trouble-among the 0-5 starters are Kotoshoho, Azumaryu and Wakatakakage, who now has a very uphill climb just to stay at Sekiwake a year after winning this tournament. Hoshoryu struggled again today to fall to 2-3, meaning his Ozeki hopes are probably gone if he doesn’t win out. This could open the door to promotion for Kotonowaka to the 3rd highest rank if he continues to build on a solid 4-1 start.
Takakeisho draws Mitakeumi tomorrow, who if he shows up unmotivated could be another important win for Takakeisho. At the top, Daieisho gets the tough draw for 6-0 as he faces Kotonowaka while Midorifuji also has a tough one against 4-1 Endo. Takayasu gets a badly struggling Ichiyamamoto (0-5) while Nishikifuji gets Aoiyama (3-2).
Shonannoumi is the Juryo man up for the day tomorrow and draws Bushozan. The Juryo man is 4-1 and a win could help catapult him into the top tier in May if he keeps winning.
Juryo:
Ochiai (J14) beat Tomokaze (J13)
Takakento (J12) beat Tokihayate (Ms3)
Tokushoryu (J14) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Tamashoho (J13) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Churanoumi (J10) beat Tsushimanada (J9)
Hakuyozan (J9) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Akua (J7) beat Atamifuji (J8)
Gokoyama (J6) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Roga (J5) beat Daiamami (J6)
Enho (J5) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Chiyonokuni (J2) beat Oshoma (J4)
Tohakuryu (J1) beat Shonannoumi (J3)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Tochinoshin (J2)
Leader: Ichinojo (5-0)
Of note: Asanoyama quickly bounced back from a loss to Ichinojo yesterday in easily winning the former Ozeki showdown with Tochinoshin, dropping the Georgian to 1-4 after his first win yesterday. He may not admit it but sadly it’s all over with him-he all but needs to retire after the tournament as his lower body has nothing left after recent injuries. Asanoyama is now halfway to promotion back to Makuuchi and has a very favorable match tomorrow against 0-5 Chiyomaru. Ichinojo was back in the top tier today and won to become the only unbeaten left in Juryo after Shonannoumi lost today and seems well on his way to a top tier return in May. He’ll go for 6-0 against Tohakuryu who is 2-3. Shonannoumi gets the top tier appearance tomorrow and it’s a favorable one on paper against Bushozan, who is 1-4.
Rising star Kawazoe, the human slinky who greatly impressed in his career debut despite a loss to Asanoyama in September and is in only his 4th career tournament, slowly moving up after debuting at Makushita 15, is the Makushita man coming up tomorrow. Because he is 3-0 in Makushita, a win tomorrow against the likely Makushita-bound Tochimusashi (0-5) will clinch a promotion and gives him a chance at a Juryo debut in May, but he probably will need at least 2 more wins to clinch it. 4-3 will likely only get him to Makushita 1.
