Here are the quick results from today’s Day 7 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):
Oho (M15) beat Tsurugisho (M16)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Mitoryu (M17) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Bushozan (M14) beat Daishoho (M13)
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Takanosho (M11) beat Hokuseiho (M15)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Ura (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M10)
Ichiyamamoto (M8) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Endo (M6) bat Aoiyama (M9)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Takayasu (M7)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Sadanoumi (M6)
Meisei (M4) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Shodai (M1) beat Abi (M2)
Tobizaru (K) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Kiribayama (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Ryuden (M2)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Onosho (M4)
Nishikigi (M3) beat Takakeisho (O) by default/withdrawal
WITHDRAWAL: Takakeisho (O). Meniscus/knee injury suffered a couple days ago. Out the rest of the tournament and should be back in May.
Of note: With Takakeisho officially out, it’s the first time in a VERY LONG time that a tournament will finish, let alone reach halfway, with no Yokozuna and no Ozeki in it. Takakeisho will go from Yokozuna candidate to kadoban status in May, needing a winning record to avoid demotion. At the top…well well, who had the littlest man in the top tier the only one at 7-0? That’s where Midorifuji is now all by himself, now one ahead of Takayasu & Daieisho. He’ll go for the first promotion of the tournament tomorrow and try and work his magic against Aoiyama. Kotoshoho & Ichiyamamoto are finally on the board with their first wins today and Wakatakakage now has consecutive wins as he tries to stay at Sekiwake for May, bur Azumaryu is now on the verge of a disappointing demotion after his first winning record in the top tier last time. He’ll try to avoid that against top-tier rookie Bushozan, who is 2-5.
Juryo:
Ochiai (J14) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Mineyaiba (Ms4)
Tomokaze (J13) beat Churanoumi (J10)
Tokushoryu (J14) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Hakuyozan (J9) beat Tamashoho (J13)
Hidenoumi (J8) beat Takakento (J12)
Shimanoumi (J11) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Tsushimanada (J9) beat Akua (J7)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Daiamami (J6)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Ichinojo (J3)
Tochinoshin (J2) beat Enho (J5)
Chiyonokuni (J2) beat Roga (J5)
Tohakuryu (J1) beat Oshoma (J4)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Shonannoumi (J3)
Leader: 5 at 6-1
Of note: The last unbeaten went down today as Gonoyama upset Ichinojo, making it wide open heading to the halfway point. Although he won to share the lead there is concern about Ochiai as he potentially injured his elbow-possibly hyperextended as Tochimusashi was really pulling his arm hard as he went down. He was favoring his left elbow after the match. Hopefully he’ll be able to continue but at 6-1 in his Juryo debut he’s in great shape although missing more than a day would probably take him out of the yusho race. 2 more to go for Asanoyama as it now seems like he’ll be back in the top tier in May. Tochinoshin is almost back to .500 although he had it almost too easy against Enho, with what looked like a stiff forearm at the initial charge that put the popular small wrestler right on his butt hard. Ouch. Along with Tochimusashi, Daiamami is on the verge of demotion as he is also 0-7. No more Makushita man up in Juryo with the withdrawal of Takakeisho today unless a Juryo man withdraws.
None of the co-leaders face off on Day 8. If Ochiai is okay he has the most favorable draw in Shimanoumi.
Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage tomorrow morning at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET.
