Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14-the penultimate day-of the May 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (top tier):
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Roga (M15)
Tokihayate (M15) beat Hokutofuji (M11)
Tamawashi (M9) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Shodai (M9) beat Tsurugisho (M17)
Takanosho (M8) beat Ichiyamamoto (M12)
Takarafuji (M16) beat Kotoshoho (M8)
NIshikifuji (M12) beat Nishikigi (M7)
Ryuden (M14) beat Mitakeumi (M7)
Onosho (M5) beat Tomokaze (M12)
Meisei (M5) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Hiradoumi (M2) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Gonoyama (M2) beat Midorifuji (M6)
Atamifuji (M1) beat Ura (M4)
Daieisho (M1) beat Takayasu (M3)
Onosato (K) beat Shonannoumi (M10)
Oho (M4) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Oshoma (M14)
Abi (S) beat Kotozakura (O)
Leader: Onosato (11-3)
Of note: It’s down to 5, but with the final day matchups in reality it’s at most 3. The biggest of the remaining matches is Onosato vs. Abi tomorrow. If Onosato wins, he is the champion. If Abi wins, there will be a playoff between Onosato, Abi, the Hoshoryu-Kotozakura winner and, if he wins earlier, Daieisho (Kotoshoho) as all would be 11-4. So definitely a 3-way playoff and possibly a 4-way. Hoshoryu-Kotozakura is the last match after Onosato-Abi so the Ozeki will know their fate right before their match. Onosato & Kotozakura are both going for their first top-tier championship, Abi, Daieisho & Hoshoryu each for their 2nd. Abi probably won’t get promoted to Ozeki with a championship as he just returned to Sekiwake, but he’ll be in position to make it happen in July. Hoshoryu or Kotozakura could get into Yokozuna consideration for July although 11-4 is not an impressive championship record in what has been a very competitive tournament. Onosato will be promoted to Sekiwake no matter what.
Elsewhere…Ura, Ura, Ura…he’ll be so glad when this nightmare is over. From 6-0 and sole leader to demotion after 8 straight losses. Just very bad luck.
Juryo:
Tsushimanada (J12) beat Hakuoho (J8)
Kazekeno (J14) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Chiyosakae (J9) beat Shirokuma (J6)
Wakatakakage (J6) beat Onokatsu (J12)
Kagayaki (J5) beat Shishi (J7)
Kitanowaka (J5) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Aoiyama (J11) beat Tohakuryo (J8)
Asakoryu (J4) beat Hakuyozan (J10)
Endo (J3) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Chiyoshoma (J3) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Bushozan (J2) beat Shiden (J10)
Oshoumi (J13) beat Daishoho (J2)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Daiamami (J1)
Chiyomaru (J13) beat Myogiryu (J1)
Leader: Wakatakakage (13-1)
Of note: The championship picture tomorrow is set. First up, Wakatakakage faces Tsushimanada (7-7) then Onokatsu (12-2) faces Asakoryu (7-7) and Endo (12-2) faces Shiden (7-7). If Wakatakakage wins, he is the champion. If Wakatakakage loses, he still is the champion if both Onokatsu and Endo lose, but if one or both win in that scenario, there will be a playoff. There are no tiebreakers in sumo so even though Wakatakakage beat Onokatsu today, it only means the former Sekiwake is in the lead by himself. Both Wakatakakage & Endo will be promoted back to the top tier. Onokatsu has a slim chance if he wins the championship. I think numbers work against him though as Chiyoshoma (11-3) will also be promoted back to Makuuchi and Bushozan (8-6) has a chance, almost guaranteed if he wins, so I’ll slot Onokatsu at J1 for July. It does help that Daiamami will be demoted from J1, as will Daishoho and Myogiryu at the top (the latter having a big fall coming at 3-11). Elsewhere, newcomer Kazekeno’s promotion hopes-and keeping his Juryo spot-will go to the final day as he is 7-7. And it’s a good thing for Shimanoumi he clinched promotion already because he’s gone through another second-week collapse, after an 8-1 start he now has lost 5 straight. Newcomer Tochitaikai has clinched promotion and will maintain his Juryo spot despite losing today as he already has 8 wins.
As usual on the final day, a handful of the top Makushita men will be up for promotion chances. Akua (Ms1) will be going for re-promotion at 3-3 against Hakuoho, and it does mean one potential imitation epic salt throw for the former Juryo man at least. Nabatame, who is 4-2 at Ms2, will face Kazekeno with a chance to earn promotion to Juryo with a win, same with Kiryuko (Ms3) also at 4-2 who is facing Oshoumi. Kitaharima, who was demoted last time after making an incredible career comeback to Juryo last time out, is 3-3 at Ms4 and cam earn promotion by beating Chiyomaru, but it won’t get him back to Juryo. Finally, Kayo, who is 5-1 at Ms1, will be promoted to Juryo in July and if he follows what seems to be a Nishonoseki trend, may be in line for a name change as well as this will be his second tier debut.
Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE top-tier coverage, including the championship match, playoff if necessary, awards ceremony and champion’s interview, tomorrow beginning at 12:30 AM PT/3:30 AM ET. The network is available FOR FREE worldwide online and via mobile/tablet and select smart TV apps with no location or viewing restrictions.
Also, tickets for the July Touranement in Nagoya are now on sale.
