Here are the quick results from today’s Day 15-the Final Day-of the May 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi
Makuuchi (top tier):
Roga (M15) beat Tokihayate (M15)
Hokutofuji (M11) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Ryuden (M14) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Oshoma (M14) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Shodai (M9) beat Tomokaze (M16)
Ichiyamamoto (M12) beat Tamawashi (M9)
Nishikigi (M7) beat Tsurugisho (M17)
Meisei (M5) beat Shonannoumi (M10)
Onosho (M5) beat Nishikifuji (M12)
Oho (M4) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Takayasu (M3) beat Gonoyama (M2)
Hiradoumi (M2) beat Mitakeumi (M7)
Daieisho (M1) beat Kotoshoho (M8)
Takanosho (M8) beat Atamifuji (M1)
Ura (M4) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Onosato (K) beat Abi (S). ONOSATO YUSHO!!!
Kotozakura (O) beat Hoshoryu (O)
CHAMPION: Onosato (12-3). First career Emperor’s Cup. 1st career championship
Final thoughts: This guarantees Onosato will be in Ozeki contention next time out, but since this was his first Sanyaku tournament he almost certainly must win the championship again to earn promotion. He’ll be at Sekiwake with a big head start towards the second highest rank. So close once again for Kotozakura as a late loss yesterday proved costly in another runner-up finish and Onosato winning ending hopes of what would have been a 4-way playoff with Abi & Daieisho included. With 10 wins this time Abi will have a slim chance at Ozeki promotion in July as well, but he’ll need to win the championship or finish with at least 14 wins. And thankfully Ura managed to win his final bout to cap off what was, on paper, an incredibly disappointing 7-8 finish, he started 6-0 and was the sole leader but then lost his next 8 to wind up with demotion. Just very bad luck.
We’ll be down to just 3 Ozeki in July as Kirishima will be demoted to Sekiwake and Takakeisho will be in kadoban status once again due to a very early injury withdrawal. Kirishima can be promoted back to Ozeki in September if he gets at least 10 wins at Sekiwake in July. Daieisho may be promoted back to Sekiwake along with Abi & Onosato, Wakamotoharu will be demoted from Sanyaku and Hiradoumi should be promoted to Komusubi for the first time in his career. Being demoted to Juryo for sure are Tsurugisho, Tomokaze and possibly Tokihayate, while Roga will be a toss-up after a 7-8 finish at M15.
SPECIAL PRIZES:
Outstanding Performance (best record with most wins vs. Yokozuna & Ozeki): Onosato. 2 others had a chance at the prize with wins but didn’t get it
Fighting Spirit (best display of fighting spirit among lower ranked wrestlers): Oshoma. Shonannoumi would’ve won this too with a win
Technique (winning record with best technique display): Onosato. 2nd straight prize
In fact, Onosato has now won FIVE Special Prizes in just the last 3 tournaments-1 Outstanding Performance, 2 Fighting Spirit and 2 Technique.
Juryo:
Nabatame (Ms2) beat Kazekeno (J14)
Kitaharima (Ms4) beat Chiyomaru (J13)
Kiryuko (Ms3) beat Oshoumi (J13)
Hakuoho (J8) beat Akua (Ms1)
Wakatakakage (J6) beat Tsushimanada (J12). WAKATAKAKAGE JURYO YUSHO!!!
Shirokuma (J6) beat Hakuyozan (J10)
Kitanowaka (J5) beat Aoiyama (J11)
Kagayaki (J5) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Onokatsu (J12) beat Asakoryu (J4)
Shimanoumi (J11) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Chiyoshoma (J3) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Shiden (J10) beat Endo (J3)
Daishoho (J2) beat Chiyosakae (J9)
Bushozan (J2) beat Shishi (J7)
Hidenoumi (J8) beat Myogiryu (J1)
Shimazuumi (J7) beat Daiamami (J1)
CHAMPION: Waktakakakage (14-1). 5th career championship, first Juryo
Of note: 12 straight wins to finish and only a Day 3 loss to Kagayaki capped the former Sekiwake’s best post-injury tournament and will see him promoted back to the top tier as he won to deny rookie Onokatsu a playoff as Endo dropped out of it on the final day. Endo will also return to the top tier after one tournament down and, at 13-2 from J12 along with Chiyoshoma who went 12-3, Onokatsu will have a chance too. I think Onokatsu’s hopes depend on whether or not Roga is demoted down. Numbers may work against him so worst-case is probably J1. Kazekeno will be demoted to Makushita along with Oshoumi, Chiyomaru and possibly Myogiryu, who was demoted from the top tier and went 3-12 at J1. Hakuoho will also be dropped to neat the borttom of Juryo after essentially going 5-10, but he missed 5 days due to coronavirus.
From the Makushita, Kayo will be promoted to Juryo after going 5-2 at Ms1, Nabatame should be promoted with the same record at Ms2 while while Kiryuko, who did similar at Ms3, will have a chance too. Those who make it will be going up for the first time in their careers.
Sandanme:
Playoff-Kyokukaiyu (Sd87) beat Sadanohikari (Sd29). KYOKUKAIYU SANDANME YUSHO!!! 1st career championship in 3rd career tournament. May be promoted to Makushita in July.
Jonokuchi:
Playoff-Noda (Jk5) beat Seihakuho (Jk3). NODA JONOKUCHI YUSHO!!! 1st career championship in debut tournament.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS:
Makuuchi: Onosato (K). 1st career
Juryo: Wakatakakage (J6). 5th career, 1st Juryo
Makushita: Fujiseiun (Ms11). 4th career, 1st Makushita
Sandanme: Kyokukaiyu (Sd87). 1st career
Jonidan: Asaazuma (Jd83). 1st career
Jonokuchi: Noda (Jk5). 1st career
The next tournament is July 14-28 at Aichi Prefectural Gym in Nagoya. The Banzuke will be announced at the start of July although the actual rankings will be determined later this week. The usual post-tournament news & early headlines will be coming in a few days as well.
