With the November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament now in the books, here is the final Hoshitori (Banzuke with records) for the top 2 tiers and some early January ranking notes & thoughts:
All records are in Win-Loss-Absent format. For rankings/promotion/demotion purposes, Absent is treated as a Loss. 8-15 wins (4-7 in Makushita & below) means a wrestler will be promoted or retain their current rank. 8-15 losses (4-7 in Makushita & below) means a wrestler will be demoted, but 7-8 may keep their current rank.
Makuuchi:
Yokozuna-Terunofuji (Absent, 0-0-15)
Ozeki-Takakeisho (9-6), Kirishima (13-2, Champion), Hoshoryu (10-5)
Sekiwake-Daieisho (9-6), Wakamotoharu (6-9), Kotonowaka (11-4)
Komusubi-Abi (6-9), Hokutofuji (5-10)
Maegashira 1-Asanoyama (4-4-7), Ura (8-7)
Maegashira 2-Shodai (6-9), Meisei (4-11)
Maegashira 3-Takayasu (10-5), Tobizaru (7-8)
Maegashira 4-Gonoyama (8-7), Nishikigi (7-8)
Maegashira 5-Onosho (3-12), Midorifuji (9-6)
Maegashira 6-Shonannoumi (7-8), Takanosho (5-6-4)
Maegashira 7-Hokuseiho (7-8), Kinbozan (8-7)
Maegashira 8-Endo (5-10), Atamifuji (11-4)
Maegashira 9-Myogiryu (6-9), Mitakeumi (8-7)
Maegashira 10-Ryuden (10-5), Kotoeko (2-8-5)
Maegashira 11-Sadanoumi (8-7), Hiradoumi (9-6)
Maegashira 12-Oho (8-7), Tamaeashi (9-6)
Maegashira 13-Takarafuji (6-9), Tsurugisho (9-6)
Maegashira 14-Tomokaze (7-8), Ichiyamamoto (11-4)
Maegashira 15-Tohakuryu (5-10), Churanoumi (9-6)
Maegashira 16-Roga (5-10), Nishikifuji (6-9)
Maegashira 17-Kitanowaka (5-10)
Notes: Terunofuji will all but return in January and must do so or the Yokozuna Deliberation Council will begin the gradual process towards forced retirement (Yokozuna can never be demoted but can be pretty much forced to retire due to extended absences or poor performance). No changes at Ozeki as all 3 managed winning records, but the championship puts Kirishima on Yokozuna Watch in January. Another championship or at least a playoff will give him a chance at promotion. Kotonowaka goes into January with another chance at Ozeki promotion, needing a championship or at least 11 wins to have a chance, while Daieisho stays Sekiwake but Wakamotoharu will be demoted with only his second losing record since making the top tier. Both Komusubi will also be demoted, with the likely sure replacement being Ura, who started 0-5 but then rallied to go 8-2 and save promotion and a likely Sanyaku debut in January. If Wakamotoharu falls back to M1 or below, Takayasu is the most likely Komusubi return. Midorifuji may be back to a personal best M1 as well as Gonoyama despite going only 8-7. Atamifuji & Ichiyamamoto will be the big movers up as both were 11-4 with Special Prizes. At the bottom, the lowest 3 ranks are all probably going down except Churanoumi, while Kotoeko is a demotion toss-up due to being the equivalent of 2-13 after a Day 10 withdrawal.
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Aoiyama (8-7), Kotoshoho (12-3, Champion)
Juryo 2-Bushozan (10-5), Shimazuumi (9-6)
Juryo 3-Kagayaki (5-10), Oshoma (6-9)
Juryo 4-Daiamami (9-6), Mitoryu (9-6)
Juryo 5-Onosato (12-3), Shishi (6-9)
Juryo 6-Chiyoshoma (8-7), Hakuoho (Absent, 0-0-15)
Juryo 7-Daishoho (5-10), Tamashoho (9-6)
Juryo 8-Chiyomaru (4-7-4), Tokihayate (8-7)
Juryo 9-Takahashi (8-7), Takakento (3-12)
Juryo 10-Akua (5-10), Tenshoho (5-10)
Juryo 11-Hitoshi (2-13), Hidenoumi (6-7-2)
Juryo 12-Shimanoumi (9-6), Shiden (9-6)
Juryo 13-Yuma (7-8), Asakoryu (9-6)
Juryo 14-Chiyosakae (7-8), Azumaryu (0-2-13)
Notes: Aoiyama and Kotoshoho will be going back up to the top tier along with Bushozan and maybe Shimazuumi (first time if he makes it), while Onosato has a chance after losing in the playoff. Meanehile, Oshoma just can’t get over that proverbial final hurdle after moving up after 3 touranments at J4 and will be demoted again after starting the second half with 5 straight losses. Look for Daiamami & Mitoryu to go back up to J1, or J2 if Onosato and/or Shimazuumi don’t reach the top tier. At the botom, Chiyosakae, Azumaryu (5 straight demotions), Hitoshi (September Makushita Champion) and possibly Takakento will all be demoted. Hakuoho probably will be demoted due to being out (injured), but he will return in January and should be back up in March. Hidenoumi and Chiyomaru are toss-ups due to injury absences but I think both will be safe. Also 60-60 are Akua & Tenshoho.
Also, Nikkan Sports reports the rankings meeting for January 2024 was held yesterday. Some notes from it:
Takerufuji, as expected, and Oshoumi will be Shin-Juryo in January, while Hakuyozan, also expected, and Tochimusashi (despite only going 4-3 from Ms3) will be Sai-Juryo. Oshoumi needed just under 4 years to get this high while Takerufuji, a late starter in his career age-wise, makes it after just 7 tournaments with a 43-6 career record so far. Most notably missing out was Kayo despite going 6-1 from Ms6. He’ll probably be at Ms1 along with Wakatakakage, the former Sekiwake who returned from a long injury absence and went 5-2 at Ms6. Tsushimanada also just missed out on promotion in the numbers game but he only went 4-3 at Ms4 while Tochimusashi did similar at Ms3. A 6-1 effort should get Kitaharima from Ms11 up to Ms3 or 4 while I expect Champion Satorufuji to go from Ms42 to Ms12 after the traditional 30-spot jump for lower ranked champions.
7 retirements were also announced, all from the Sandanme & Jonidan and mostly younger rikishi although one retiree was a veteran who is 40.
The Banzuke for January will be announced on 12/25.
