I missed the first week due to travel and limited internet access, but here is a quick recap from the first week of the May 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo and notes from the first week so far:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (top tier):
Leader: Onosato (K), Takarafuji (M16) (7-1)
Of note: Takarafuji leading?!? Onosato yes but the old-timer after one tournament demoted to Juryo? Until Day 7 it was Ura as the surprise leader as he started 6-0 while despite a couple losses Kotozakura is carrying the Ozeki & Sanyaku pride at 6-2 right behind the Komusubi. Ura has lost 2 straight but is also at 6-2 and still in it.
WITHDRAWALS:
Day 1: Asanoyama (K), Takerufuji (M6). Asanoyama-knee. Outside chance of appearing bthe last week but unlikely and he now will be demoted no matter what. Takerufuji-foot/ankle. Out the entire tournament and will likely be demoted back to Juryo (reliable English YouTube source Chris Sumo was told that will happen). They actually removed Takerufuji from the front page of their website because of this (the prior tournament champion is always featured) and replaced him with Kotozakura (former Kotonowaka) once the tournament began.
Day 2: Terunofuji (Y), Takakeisho (O). Terunofuji-left side (injury from during tour and March). Out 3 weeks. Tournament over. Uncertain if he’ll compete in July. Takakeisho-pectoral muscle. Status uncertain but if he doesn’t return now, but come July once again Takakeisho kadoban…
Day 3-Takayasu (M3). Back/neck. Will return on Day 9. Unfortunately pullout as he was 2-0.
Day 7-Kirishima (O), Wakamotoharu (S). Kirishima-neck/nerve. Status uncertain but since he will not return for Day 9 it means the recent Yokozuna candidate will be demoted from Ozeki after 1 year. If he competes in July he will have one chance at quick re-promotion to Ozeki if he can get 10+ wins. Wakamotoharu-toe. Status uncertain. As of Day 9 he has 2 days left to return before demotion from Sekiwake again.
Day 8/9-None yet but there is uncertainty about Mitakeumi, who came up limping badly with a possible knee/foot injury after his Day 8 win. Very bad timing because he’s in contention at 6-2.
Juryo:
Leader: Endo (J3) (8-0)
Of note: It’ll be a quick demotion for Endo as he’s already clinched promotion and, at J3, probably 2 more wins mean a top tier return. A 3-way tie for 2nd has Wakatakahage, Shimanoumi and newcomer Onokatsu at 7-1. A championship or at least 12-13 wins could get Wakatakakage (J6) back up to the top tier.
WITHDRAWALS:
Day 1-Kitanowaka (J5), Shimazuumi (J7). Unknown. Both returned on Day 4.
Day 8-Hakuoho (J8). Unknown.
RETIREMENT: Kotoeko (Ms11). Called it a career after Day 7. The former iron man hadn’t missed a day in his career until November 2023 when he was forced to withdraw due to injuries. He will cash in his elder stock and become Oguruma oyakata. His final career record over 17 years was 531-542-14 (win-loss-absent), with all 14 absent coming just this year, 188-238-9 in the top tier. He was a pre-tournament withdrawal and his final tournament record for May will be 0-0-3.
