Here are the quick results from today’s Day 7 of the November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Tomokaze (M14) beat Roga (M16)
Tsurugisho (M13) beat Churanoumi (M15)
Takarafuji (M13) beat Kitanowaka (M17)
Oho (M12) beat Nishikifuji (M16)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Ichiyamamoto (M14)
Ryuden (M10) beat Kotoeko (M10)
Mitakeumi (M9) beat Tohakuryu (M15)
Tamawashi (M12) beat Myogiryu (M9)
Hiradoumi (M11) beat Atamifuji (M8)
Shonannoumi (M6) beat Takanosho (M6)
Hokuseiho (M7) beat Midorifuji (M5). This match went almost 7 MINUTES! Long enough they had to take a water break
Endo (M8) beat Onosho (M5)
NIshikigi (M4) beat Kinbozan (M7)
Takayasu *M3( beat Meisei (M2)
Ura (M1) beat Kotonowaka (S)
Shodai (M2) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Daieisho (S) beat Hokutofuji (K)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Abi (K)
Kirishima (O) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Takakeisho (O)
Leader: Hoshoryu, Kotonowaka, Ichiyamamoto (6-1)
RE-ENTRY: Asanouama (M1). Will return tomorrow. Missed first week due to a torn calf muscle suffered in the October tour. Will be the equivalent of 0-7, meaning either he wins out and gets promoted to Komusubi in January or will be demoted, although a 7-1 finish may keep him at M1 (he would be 7-1-7 or the equivalent of 7-8)..That could be a VERY BIG if because guess who he gets first tomorrow? Takakeisho.
Of note: That’s 2 of 3 Ozeki beaten by Gonoyama, making him an Oustanding Performance Prize candidate if he can get to promotion before it’s over (he’s currently 3-4). Hokuseiho-Midorifuji may have been one of the longest matches ever, only the second time I’ve seen a mid-match water break necessary (usually if a match goes 3 1/2-4 minutes or longer. They use salt to mark the wrestler’s positions before they break and then resume a couple minutes later). It’s worth noting they are the largest and maybe smallest rikishi in the top tier, respectively, in terms of height (Midorifuji is also the smallest currently in terms of weight. Hokuseiho is about a foot taller too, standing roughly 6’10”).
Yokozuna Watch: Takakeisho still has a chance but that loss today hurts. He’s still very much in it at 5-2 but probably has to win out. If Hoshoryu can win out or go 7-1 and win another championship now, he’ll be on the radar in January.
Ozeki Watch: Kotonowaka took his first loss today but still is very much alive if he can finish 7-1 or better or win the tournament.
Because of withdrawals & returns we’ll have a Juryo man up again starting tomorrow, and first it’ll be the recently demoted Aoiyama, who is 5-2 at J1 with a good chance right now at a January return. His demotion meant this tournament does not have a top tier rikishi from Kasugano Beya in 56 years, which was the 2nd-longest active streak in sumo. The longest active streak? Sadogatake Beya at now 59 years (since November 1964), and it’s not stopping anytime soon given their highest-ranked rikishi is now at Sekiwake (Kotonowaka) and they also have Kotoeko plus the recently-demoted Kotoshoho (we might see him up on Day 9 now). The new #2 is Tokitsukaze Beya at 28 1/2 years (May 1995).
Juryo:
Asakoryu (J13) beat Yuma (J13)
Shiden (J12) beat Kitadaichi (Ms3)
Takahashi (J9) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Tokihayate (J8) beat Hitoshi (J11)
Tamashoho (J7) beat Hidenoumi (J11) by default/withdrawal
Shimanoumi (J12) beat Daishoho (J7)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Tenshoho (J10)
Shishi (J5) beat Akua (J10)
Onosato (J5) beat Takakento (J9)
Oshoma (J3) beat Shimazuumi (J2)
Bushozan (J2) beat Kagayaki (J3)
Kotoshoho (J1) beat Mitoryu (J4)
Aoiyama (J1) beat Daiamami (J4)
Leader: Onosato (6-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Hidenoumi (J11). Torn left calf muscle suffered yesterday. Out 2 weeks. Tournament over. Will finish the equivalent of 4-11 (4-3-8), tough break because he was 4-2 after a win yesterday. Very borderline on demotion to Makushita as a result but I think that will send him down, but only to Ms1 or 2, making for a chance to return in March. But he MIGHT-emphasis on might-get pity taken on him and only fall to J14.
Lower tier notes: With a 4-0 record so far at Ms1 and promotion secured (one of 4 tied atop Makushita so far), Hakuyozan will return to Juryo in January after being demoted this time. That stops a 3 tournament losing streak that saw him demoted from J6 in May. Also still with a chance at a Juryo return is Kitaharima, the September Sandamne Champion who is also 4-0 at Ms11 (he’s had a cup of sake in the top tier, reaching M15 for one tournament in his 21-year career).
Reminder: Because tomorrow is the halfway point-Day 8-NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top-tier coverage in English tomorrow beginning at 12:10 AM PT/3:10 AM ET.
