Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 of the May 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (top tier):
Chiyoshoma (J3) beat Tsurugisho (M17)
Tomokaze (M16) beat Tokihayate (M15)
Ichiyamamoto (M12) beat Mitoryu (M13) by default/withdrawal
Ryuden (M14) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Shonannoumi (M10) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Shodai (M9) beat Roga (M15)
Tamawashi (M9) beat Nishikifuji (M12)
Oshoma (M14) beat Kotoshoho (M8)
Takanosho (M8) beat Hokutofuji (M11)
Mitakeumi (M7) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Nishikigi (M7)
Midorifuji (M6) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Gonoyama (M2) beat Oho (M4)
Daieisho (M1) beat Ura (M4)
Takayasu (M3) beat Atamifuji (M1)
Abi (S) beat Onosho (M5)
Hiradoumi (M2) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Kotozakura (O) beat Meisei (M3)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Onosato (K)
Leader: Shonannoumi (9-2)
WITHDRAWAL: Mitoryu (M13). Knees-osteoarthritis in both. Tournament likely over. Will be demoted to Juryo.
Of note: It perhaps was a highlight day for Chiyoshoma in multiple ways-not only did he probably clinch promotion back to the top tier, but it also comes on the day he officially gained Japanese citizenship. That will probably open the door to elder stock for the Mongolian upon his retirement, or at the very least being able to stay in Japan. At the top, we have a sole leader and a chance for more record-breaking: If Shonannoumi can hold on to win his first Emperor’s Cup, it would be the first time a rikishi from Kanagawa Prefecture (eastern Japan, next to Tokyo and home to Yokohama) has won the top-tier championship in 65 years. Elsewhere, Daieisho clinched a probable Sanyaku return today with a promotion while dropping Ura to a disastrous 5th straight loss after a 6-0 start. Wakamotoharu will be demoted from Sekiwake again due to the equivalent of 8 losses thanks to 4 missed days. And how about Takayasu? He’s on pace for the odd statistic of winning every match he competed in but all his losses are due to being absent several days due to injury. As always seems to be the case, what could have been as that first career top-tier championship remains oh-so-elusive as he keeps coming so close. 9-6 won’t win the championship by any stretch but at least for one more day he still mathematically has a chance. In his first tournament post-name change, Kotozakura has protected his Ozeki status with another 8-win effort to stay in a group of 6 just one win off the lead, and a thirs straight win in their series-all amazingly by shitatenage including today has Hoshoryu still in it at 7-4. He dropped Onosato into the 8-3 group.
Tomorrow Shonannoumi goes for a 10th win against Abi while a potential title eliminator sees Takaraduji vs. Onosato that could drop the loser out of it. Also, no more Juryo man being up starting tomorrow.
Juryo:
Onokatsu (J12) beat Chiyomaru (J13)
Aoiyama (J11) beat Tsushimanada (J12)
Shiden (J10) beat Kazekeno (J14)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Shimazuumi (J7) beat Oshoumi (J13)
Kagayaki (J5) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Chiyosakae (J9) beat Asakoryu (J4)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Wakatakakage (J6) beat Endo (J3)
Kitanowaka (J5) beat Daishoho (J2)
Hidenoumi (J8) beat Bushozan (J2)
Shirokuma (J6) beat Myogiryu (J1)
Daiamami (J1) beat Shishi (J7)
Leader: Onokatsu, Wakatakakage, Endo (10-1)
Of note: No Zensho Yusho. Endo took his first loss today and it means a 3-way tie for the lead again, and also increases Wakatakakage’s top-tier return chances (every win now helps). Onokatsu also remains in it in his Juryo debut. But on the flip side, we’ll probably see Oshoumi demoted back to Makushita and Chiyomaru going back down with him. No faceoffs on Day 12 between any of the top 3.
