Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 of the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (top tier):
Oho (M16) beat Myogiryu (M14)
Kotoeko (M12) beat Mitoryu (M16)
Apiyama (M12) beat Kagayaki (M17)
Daishoho (M11) beat Ichiyamamoto (M16)
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Takarafuji (M10)
Asanoyama (M14) beat Ryuden (M10)
Hokuseiho (M11) beat Onosho (M9)
Chiyoshoma (M13) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Takanosho (M8) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Sadanoumi (M8) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Mitakeumi (M6) beat Ura (M4)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Nishikifuji (M3)
Shodai (K) beat Midorifuji (M1)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Abi (M1)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Kiribayama (S) beat Daieisho (S)
Nishikigi (M3) beat Takakeisho (O)
Meisei (M6) beat Terunofuji (Y). KINBOSHI!!! The first career Gold Star Victory for Meisei! (Awarded when a Maegashira beats a Yokozuna in a tournament)
Leader: Terunofuji, Meisei, Asanoyama (8-1)
Of note: It’s a 3-way tie again after Meisei upset Terunofuji and also clinched promotion, as did Asanoyama. But now the letdown must be avoided and it won’t be easy as the giant (killer) Hokuseiho awaits tomorrow for Meisei. On the flip side, Kotoshoho’s post-near January title slump continues as he is the first to what is now a second straight demotion with his 8th loss.
Ozeki Watch: We had 2 of the 3 Sekiwake Showdowns today with Kiribayama beating Daieisho and Wakamotoharu beating Hoshoryu. The trio wraps up tomorrow with Kiribayama-Wakamotoharu. Kiribayama now needs to finish 3-3 or better for likely Ozeki promotion while Wakamotoharu still needs to go 6-0 or win the championship. Kiribayama & Wakamotoharu are both 7-2 with Daieisho & Hoshoryu at 6-3 and both probably needing to win out for promotion chances.
Key matches tomorrow: Terunofuji-Kotonowaka, Meisei-Hokuseiho, Asanoyama-Hiradoumi, Kiribayama-Wakamotoharu (Wakamotoharu probably can’t be promoted to Ozeki this time if he loses).
Juryo:
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Tochimusashi (Ms4)
Tokihayate (J14) beat Tamashoho (J11)
Shimanoumi (J13) beat Kitanowaka (J10)
Fujiseiun (J13) beat Chiyonokuni (J9)
Chiyosakae (J12) beat Daiamami (J9)
Ochiai (J8) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Tomokaze (J12) beat Atamifuji (J8)
Churanoumi (J7) beat Chiyomaru (J10)
Takakento (J7) beat Enho (J3)
Oshoma (J4) beat Bushozan (J3)
Roga (J4) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Hakuyozan (J6) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Shonannoumi (J1) beat Shimazuumi (J6)
Gonoyama (J1) beat Akua (J5)
Leader: Gonoyama, Ochiai (9-0)
Of note: No new promotions earned today as the co-leaders are now 2 wins clear of the field and still on a championship collision course. But Shonannoumi is now just one win away from the top tikuahimself with his 7th win today. Alua joined Enho & Chiyonokuni in demotion territory with his 8th loss, both Enho & Chiyonokuni are 0-9.
Key matches tomorrow: Ochiai-Bushozan, Gonoyama-Atamifuji.
Hayatefuji is the Makushita man up tomorrow, at 3-2 so far he’ll be going for a promotion.
Lower tier notes: As expected the 8 Makushita unbeatens are now down to 4, and a potential awkward Juryo July is being set up because Shishi, 5-0 at Ms2, is almost certainly going to Juryo and could be on track to face Roga there. That would mean a Ukraine-Russia sumo match against the backdrop of their ongoing real-life war (Shishi is from Ukraine, Roga is from Russia). In the Sandanme, 5 are at 5-0 so far while the Jonidan has 6 at 5-0. In the Jonokuchi, Reonmaru is the sole leader at 5-0 while Haruyama is 4-0.
UPDATE: 2 Juryo withdrawals ahead of Day 10-Enho and Chiyonokuni are both out. Unknown. Both will finish the equivalent of 0-15 as a result. Chiyonokuni almost certainly will be demoted to Makushita as he was J9 while Enho should stay at Juryo given he was at J3. Tomokaze gets a free win over Chiyonokuni to go to 4-5 while Akua gets the freebie over Enho to go to 2-8.
Subsequent Update: Nikkan Sports reports Enho is out due to a herniated cervical disc. Out at least 3 months, meaning he’ll miss the July tournament and almost certainly be demoted from Juryo to Makushita. As for Chiyonokuni, knees-both meniscus and left knee osteoarthritis (the latter condition is part of what kept Terunofuji out most of the last year). Out indefinitely.
