Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the halfway point-of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (top tier):
Mitoryu (J2) beat Roga (M15)
Takerufuji (M17) beat Ryuden (M13)
Churanoumi (M13) beat Myogiryu (M15)
Shonannoumi (M12) beat Kitanowaka (M16)
Ichiyamamoto (M11) beat Endo (M16)
Daiamami (M16) beat Shodai (M10)
Mitakeumi (M10) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Hokutofuji (M9)
Kotoshoho (M9) beat Onosho (M8)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Takayasu (M8)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Onosato (M5) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Meisei (M2) beat Hiradoumi (M4)
Abi (K) beat Ura (M1)
Asanoyama (M1) beat Nishikigi (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Takakeisho (O) beat Oho (M3)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Takanosho (M3)
Tobizaru (M4) beat Kirishima (O)
Kotonowaka (O) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Leader; Takerufuji (8-0)
Of note: The rookie is the first top tier newcomer since Kaisei in 2011 to begin his Makuuchi career with 8 straight wins, and thus a quick promotion. That means Takerufuji gets to step up and face the big boys, starting tomorrow with Abi. Note that, had Terunofuji stayed in the tournament, the only way Takerufuji would have faced the Yokozuna would have been in a playoff for the championship as they are both from Isegahama Beya (stablemates don’t face each other during tournaments unless it’s to decide the champion). Elsewhere, quite a trend as the total number of days so far where all 4 Ozeki have won the same day is…ZERO. And Kirishima is an alarming 2-6. This is bad for him…the other 3 Ozeki are 6-2 with Takakeisho 2 wins away from getting back to full Ozeki status in March.
Juryo:
Akua (J13) beat Kitaharima (J14)
Hakuoho (J13) beat Shiden (J10)
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Wakatakakage (J10)
Tsushimanada (J12) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Shiden (J8) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Oshoumi (J11)
Daishoho (J7) beat Aoiyama (J11)
Shimanoumi (J9) beat Chiyoshoma (J6)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Shirokuma (J5) by default/withdrawal
Tomokaze (J3) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Tohakuryu (J2) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Bushozan (J6) beat Tokihayate (J1)
Oshoma (J4) beat Takarafuji (J1)
Leader: Asakoryu (8-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Shirokuma (J5). Lower back. Status uncertain. It’s the first time the former Takahashi has been forced to withdraw in his career. If he can’t return before Day 12 it would be his first career demotion.
Of note: Wakatakakage took his first loss today so promotion has to wait, and he lost the lead because Asakoryu got a free win today, and a free promotion too. The sole leader gets Kagayaki tomorrow while Wakatakakage tries to bounce back against Akua.
Lower tier notes:
With the halfway point now in the books, the first promotions have been earned. In the Makushita, 7 are at 4-0 with at least 2-Kiryuko & Kazekeno-being ranked high enough to have a chance at Juryo if they go 7-0. In the Sandanme, 11 are at 4-0 including unbeaten Aonishiki, looking to begin his career with 3 straight championships. He’s all but Makushita-bound in May. In the Jonidan, 11 are at 4-0 so far, and in the Jonokuchi 2 are tied at 4-0.
