Here are the quick results from today’s Day 6 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):
Mitoryu (M17) beat Oho (M15)
Shonannoumi (J3) beat Bushozan (M15)
Daishoho (M13) beat Hokuseiho (M15)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Kinbozan (M14)
Tsurugisho (M16) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Myogiryu (M10) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Aoiyama (M9) beat Nishikifuji (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Takanosho (M11)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Ura (M8)
Takayasu (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Endo (M6)
Meisei (M4) beat Sadanoumi (M6)
Abi (M2) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Shodai (M1) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Tobizaru (K)
Daieisho (K) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Onosho (M4)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Ryuden (M2)
Kiribayama (S) beat NIshikigi (M3)
Mitakeumi (M3) beat Takakeisho (O)
Leader: Takayasu, Midorifuji, Daieisho (6-0)
Of note: We can say with 99% certainty it’s over for Takakeisho. He will not be promoted to Yokozuna after this tournament-at this point to have even the slightest chance he must win out. The tweaked knee a couple days ago was the end, it’s affecting him too much. Also of concern is Kirabayama potentially suffering an elbow injury in his win-after taking Nishikigi down with a sotogake (inside leg trip), Nishikigi was holding Kiribayama’s arm going down and twisted his elbow awkwardly as he went down. Not intentional by any means but Kiribayama stayed down on his knees for several moments and was clearly favoring his left elbow. For now he’s likely going to give it a go on Day 7. The only change at the top was Nishikifuji falling from the unbeatens, but tomorrow somebody’s 0 Has Got To Go because Takayasu faces Midorifuji. Daieisho gets Wakamotoharu. Chiyomaru is the Juryo man up tomorrow but he’s 0-6 and badly slumping, which could be good news for opponent Kinbozan. Elsewhere Wakatakakage finally got on the board with his first win and Hoshoryu got a needed victory albeit unpopular because of the HENKA! Kotoshoho & Azumaryu remain a disappointing winless, both 0-6. Azumaryu may have forgotten to show up after his first winning record in the top tier last time out, he could be headed back to Juryo without wins.
Juryo:
Tomokaze (M13) beat Tamashoho (J13)
Kawazoe (Ms3) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Takakento (J12) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Ochiai (J14) beat Churanoumi (J10)
Hakuyozan (J9) beat Tsushimanada (J9)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Akua (J7) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Hidenoumi (J8) beat Daiamami (J6)
Enho (J5) beat Roga (J5)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Oshoma (J5)
Tochinoshin (J2) beat Chiyonokuni (J4)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Leader: Ichinojo (6-0)
Of note: Looks like it’s Ichinojo’s to lose now. He is in control as the only unbeaten but if he stumbles, 5 including Asanoyama are right there at 5-1, also including Juryo newcomer Ochiai who is having an excellent debut. Kawazoe, the human slinky in Makushita, earned his 4th win today making him the first rikishi in any tier this tournament to clinch a promotion and winning record. He’ll probably get a couple days’ rest now as the rest of Makushita just finished its 3rd round. One more win and he should be Juryo in May, potentially replacing (among others) Tochimusashi, who has gone from Juryo champion last summer to likely demotion at 0-6 now. And Ochiai could put him on the brink at 0-7 tomorrow. Mineyaiba will be the Makushita man up tomorrow from Ms4, he is currently 1-2 and gets Kitanowaka. For those curious about Terutsuyoshi, he is 1-2 at Ms1 and needs to finish 4-1 or 5-0 to return to Juryo.
In the Makushita, 14 go into the halfway days at 3-0 and looking to join Kawazoe as co-leaders and earn promotions at first chance. In the Sandanme, 21 are currently 3-0 and looking to earn promotions, some possibly to Makushita, as well as staying atop the leaderboard. The Jonidan has 25 currently at 3-0 while the Jonokuchi has 3 sharing the lead at 3-0.
For the night owls, a reminder that NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage on Day 8 beginning Sunday at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET. The network is available online and on tablet/smartphone/smart TV apps and is COMPLETELY FREE to watch. No account creation or cable/satellite TV provider is necessary.
UPDATE: Potential nightmare future scenario for the Nihon Sumo Kyokai at the top of the rankings…it is officially over for Takakeisho. He is OUT going into Day 7. Left meniscus (knee). Likely done for the tournament. Said nightmare scenario is because of the continued absence of Terunofuji-if worst-case happens and he is forced to retire, there would be ZERO YOKOZUNA active. And potentially zero Ozeki depending on what happens with Takakeisho. If he can’t return by Day 11 he goes into kadoban status (8+ losses as Ozeki) in May, meaning he must get at least 8 wins or be demoted. Nishikigi gets the free win today as a result.
