Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8 of the November 2022 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, the halfway point of the tournament:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Okinoumi (M13) beat Yutakayama (J4)
Oho (M13) beat Atamifuji (M15)
Hiradoumi (M16) beat Kotoeko (M12)
Kagayaki (M15) beat Chiyotairyu (M12) by default/withdrawal
Onosho (M11) beat Terutsuyoshi (M16)
Kotoshoho (M11) beat Ichiyamamoto (M14)
Azumaryu (M14) beat Chiyoshoma (M10)
Aoiyama (M10) beat Takarafuji (M8)
Abi (M9) beat Endo (M7)
Ryuden (M6) beat Tochinoshin (M8)
Hokutofuji (M5) beat Myogiryu (M7)
Nishikifuji (M5) beat Takanosho (M9)
Midorifuji (M3) beat NIshikigi (M6)
Ura (M3) beat Ichinojo (M2)
Takayasu (M1) beat Kiribayama (K)
Meisei (M2) beat Tamawashi (K)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Daieisho (K)
Kotonowaka (M1) beat Mitakeumi (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Tobizaru (K)
Takakeisho (O) beat Wakamotoharu (M4)
Sadanoumi (M4) beat Shodai (O)
WITHDRAWAL: Chiyotairyu (M12). RETIRED. Reportedly wants to open his own restaurant in Tokyo. He will finish the tournament with a final record of 2-6-7.
Leader: Hoshoryu, Takayasu, Abi, Oho (7-1)
On the flip side, there have been 2 demotions officially handed out today, both Takarafuji & Terutsuyoshi are now 0-8 and are assured losing records. Enjoy those last few top-tier epic salt throws because Terutsuyoshi will be demoted to Juryo in January. Ura staved off demotion today but must win out to avoid it.
Halfway observations: Watch Oho the rest of the way, his fast starts have generally followed by severe second half slumps. Abi & Takayasu have both been here before and look to be in top form. Hoshoryu is the wild card, but if he can keep this up the grandson of former Yokozuna Asashoryu may be positioning himself for not only his first championship, but a chance at Ozeki promotion by March. On the flip side, the recent championship curse continues-September champion Tamawashi is now 1-7.
Ozeki Watch: Takakeisho is in great shape, just one win off the lead, while Shodar will have to finish 4-3 or better to get out of Kadoban status and avoid demotion. At Sekiwake, Mitakeumi must finish 6-1 or 7-0 to get back to Ozeki, while Wakatakakage will need the same for a promotion chance (Wakatakakage needs at least 11 wins for the minimum 30 over the last 3 tournaments required).
Juryo:
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Shiden (Ms1)
Chiyosakae (J10) beat Shimazuumi (J13)
Oshoma (J12) beat Kaisho (J10)
Daishoho (J9) beat Roga (J13)
Gonoyama (J14) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Kotokuzan (J8) beat Tokushoryu (J12)
Tochimusashi (J7) beat Takakento (J11)
Kinbozan (J7) beat Enho (J11)
Kitanowaka (J6) beat Daiamami (J9)
Hokuseiho (J6) beat Tsurugisho (J3)
Churanoumi (J2) beat Mitoryu (J3)
Bushozan (J2) beat Chiyonokuni (J5)
Akua (J5) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Hidenoumi (J4) beat Chiyomaru (J1)
Leader: Akua (7-1). No more Juryo man appearances in the top tier for now following Chiyotairyu’s retirement unless there is another withdrawal before the final day.
Asanoyama Watch: As expected, no match today. The former Ozeki is one of 8 Makushita men at 5-0 and will face fellow unbeaten Shonannoumi, who at Makushita 1 will be promoted to Juryo in January for the first time in his career, tomorrow. A win may be enough for Asanoyama to return to Juryo in January, at worst he would be Makushita 1. I still believe he will need at least 2 more wins.
In the Sandanme, 11 are at 4-0 going into the second half of the tournament. In the Jonidan, 12 are 4-0 while in the Jonokuchi, former Maegashira 8 Kyokutaisei is tied with Takerufuji, who is also 4-0 in his Debut tournament, at the top. Takerufuji competes tomorrow while Kyokutaisei is in the Jonidan. At this point it’s virtually guaranteed Kyokutaisei will be promoted back to Jonidan in January, a pace that could put him back in Makushita in May and Juryo by September.
