Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Hokuseiho (M15)
Bushozan (M14) beat Tsurugisho (M16)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Oho (M15)
Mitoryu (M14) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Takanosho (M11) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Nishikifuji (M10) beat Kinbozan (M14)
Myogiryu (M10) beat Daishoho (M13)
Takayasu (M7) beat Aoiyama (M9)
Sadanoumi (M6) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Endo (M6) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Ura (M8)
Ichiyamamoto (M8) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Onosho (M4) by default/withdrawal
Mitakeumi (M3) beat Nishikigi (M3)
Daieisho (K) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Shodai (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Abi (M2)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Tobizaru (K)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Meisei (M4)
Kiribayama (S) beat Ryuden (M2)
WITHDRAWAL: Onosho (M4). Right knee. Status unknown but with 5 days left he’s probably done for the tournament and will finish the equivalent of 4-11 if that’s the case and will be demoted in May. He’ll stay in the top tier though.
Leader: Midorifuji (9-0)
Of note: The incredible run continues for Midorifuji as he pulled out another one today against the always-tricky Ura. He’ll have to stay on his toes tomorrow as he’ll go for 10-0 against Tobizaru, who had the rare case of a HENKA! backfiring as he tried it on Hosboryu, but the zsekiwake hit the brakes in time and came back to dispose of the flying monkey for another big win. Daieisho also clinched his winning record today to stay one back of Midorifuji, and he’ll try to keep pace tomorrow against Hoshoryu. And it could be another second half miracle for Wakatakakage as he tries to save his Sekiwake rank following another disastrous 0-5 start…he’s now won 4 straight and a now-demoted Kotoshoho tomorrow offers a chance to get back to .500. Ryuden will see a long streak (over a year) of winning tournaments end as he’ll be demoted after an 8th loss.
We’ll see the Juryo man cycle resume tomorrow because of Onosho’s withdrawal as Tohakuryu will be up from J1 to face Mitoryu, both 4-5. Mitoryu is also on a winning streak after a poor start.
Juryo:
Takakento (J12) beat Churanoumi (J10)
Kotokuzan (J10) beat Tomokaze (J13)
Ochiai (J14) beat Hakuyozan (J9)
Tochimusashi (J12) beat Tsushimanada (J9)
Tamashoho (J13) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Shimazuumi (J7) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Akua (J7) beat Kitanowaka (J11)
Daiamami (J6) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Gonoyama (J6)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Oshoma (J4)
Chiyomaru (J4) beat Tochinoshin (J2)
Shonannoumi (J3) beat Chiyonokuni (J2)
Enho (J5) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Roga (J5)
Leader: Asanoyana, Ichinojo, Ochiai (8-1)
Of note: He’ll Be Back! Asanoyama has completed the climb back to the top tier as with his 8th win today the former Ozeki has clinched promotion in May. Now there’s still the matter of trying to win his 3rd tournament championship in the 5 tournaments since his return from suspension, and every win now moves him further up the Makuuchi rankings-to-be. Ichinojo now has a promotion as well but probably needs at least one more win, ideally two more, to also return to the top tier. And congrats to Ochiai for a promotion in his Juryo debut (and only his second career tournament) and he’s still in the yusbo race! He hasn’t really shown any ill effects from the elbow injury a couple days ago but the important thing now is he’s got the winning record. Tochimusashi staved off demotion for another day with now 2 straight wins, but needs more to stay in Juryo-I think he’ll need 4 more to avoid Makushita.
With a top tier withdrawal today we’ll see resumption of a Makushita man coming up each day to Juryo tomorrow, this time it’ll be Kaisho, who was demoted to Makushita this tournament. He’s 2-3 meaning he’ll be demoted again of he loses to Tokushoryu tomorrow, who is also in danger of demotion back to Makushita at 3-6.
Key matches tomorrow: Ochiai-Atamifuji, Ichinojo-Roga, Asanoyama-Enho.
