Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 of the May Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (top tier):
Churanoumi (M13) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Mitoryu (M13) beat Tsurugisho (M17)
Tokihayate (M15) beat Nishikifuji (M12)
Oshoma (M14) beat Ichiyamamoto (M12)
Ryuden (M14) beat Hokutofuji (M11)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Tomokaze (M16)
Shonannoumi (M10) beat Roga (M15)
Mitakeumi (M7) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Kotoshoho (M8) beat Nishikigi (M7)
Midorifuji (M6) beat Shodai (M9)
Meisei (M3) beat Tamawashi (M9)
Takanosho (M8) beat Ura (M4)
Gonoyama (M2) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Atamifuji (M1) beat Daieisho (M1)
Hiradoumi (M2) beat Onosato (K)
Oho (M4) beat Abi (S)
Kotozakura (O) beat Onosho (M5)
Takayasu (M3) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Leader: 5 at 7-2
Of note: Still no promotions clinched yet because Onosato & Takarafuji both lost today. Mitakeumi was back despite injury concerns yesterday with a taped left thigh/upper leg and still affected by it post-match, fortunately he won quickly & easily. If he gets to promotion he might just give up championship chances and withdraw to prevent further injury. And while he hasn’t dropped out of contention yet, today was a 3rd straight loss for Ura after a career-best 6-0 start.
And it’s now official-with the equivalent of 8 losses for the second straight tournament, Kirishima will be demoted from Ozeki after one year, one championship and Yokozuna contention. More than anything it seems to be injuries doing him in. But he’ll have one chance at a quick return if he can return in July at Sekiwake and finish with at least 10 wins. Also being demoted is Tomokaze, who with 8 losses now is headed back to Juryo in July.
Juryo:
Daiseizan (Ms3) beat Kazekeno (J14)
Shimanoumi (J11) beat Chiyomaru (J13)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Tochitaikai (J14)
Shiden (J10) beat Oshoumi (J13)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Tsushimanada (J12)
Onokatsu (J12) beat Chiyosakae (J9)
Aoiyama (J11) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Asakoryu (J4) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Chiyoshoma (J7) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Endo (J3) beat Shishi (J7)
Wakatakakage (J6) beat Daishoho (J2)
Kitanowaka (J5) beat Bushozan (J2)
Kagayaki (J5) beat Myogiryu (J1)
Daiamami (J1) beat Shirokuma (J6)
Leader: Endo (9-0)
Of note: Maybe demotion is what Endo needed to right the ship as he remains the sole unbeaten and is all but headed back to the top tier in July. At this point I think one more win clinches it. It’s also nice to see Shimanoumi off to a great start after really struggling the last couple years-he clinched a promotion today and is in a group at 8-1, including Wakatakakage who also will have a chance at a top tier return if he keeps winning. Not going back up is Myogiryu, the first demotion at now 1-8. Also, Onokatsu has clinched promotion in his Juryo debut with an 8-1 mark so far.
Lower tier notes:
So far the Makushita has 4 unbeatens left at 5-0, including rookie Kusano who got a coveted Makushita 60 debut ranking due to amateur/school accomplishments. I’m surprised he still hasn’t gotten a “fuji” ring name yet as an Isegahama wrestler. In the Sandanme, 5 are currently tied for the lead at 5-0. In the Jonidan, 6 are tied at 5-0 while in the Jonokuchi there are now no unbeatens left…3 are tied at 4-1 with 6 more at 3-1.
