Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the Halfway Point-of the November 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (top tier):
Onokatsu (M15) beat Asakoryu (M17)
Takerufuji (M16) beat Ryuden (M13)
Hokutofuji (M12) beat Nishikifuji (M16)
Shishi (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M12)
Tokihayate (M15) beat Tamawashi (M11)
Meisei (M11) beat Chiyoshoma (M14)
Takarafuji (M10) beat Shonannoumi (M13)
Endo (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M10)
Takayasu (M9) beat Mitakeumi (M7)
Takanosho (M6) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Nishikigi (M6) beat Gonoyama (M8)
Roga (M8) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Abi (M3) beat Ura (M2)
Wakatakakage (M2) beat Hiradoumi (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Atamifuji (M3)
Shodai (K) beat Oho (M1)
Daieisho (S) beat Kirishima (S)
Kotozakura (O) beat Churanoumi (M4)
Onosato (O) beat Tobizaru (M5)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Oshoma (M4)
Leader: 4 at 7-1
Of note: Not much changed at the top except the 8-way tie for second is now down to 4 after today. That also means for the first time in some time all the Ozeki are in title contention, as both Kotozakura & Hoshoryu are 7-1 and Onosato is 6-2. The surprise is the other 2 co-leaders, Onokatsu and Takanosho. The former barely held on to his top tier spot this time while the latter was runner-up in July then had a disastrous September but now is back in July form. Still in the 6-2 group is March champion Takerufuji who continues to look strong. On the flip side, it looks like Hiradoumi may be the first demotion this time as he is a disastrous 1-7. And maybe because he was still in second today Mitakeumi kept going but it was another basically walkover loss to drop him to 5-3. He really needs to withdraw as that Day 6 hard landing after the win ended it for him.
Juryo:
Ohsoumi (J14) beat Daiseizan (J12)
Aonishiki (J11) beat Kotoeiho (J13)
Kotokuzan (Ms4) beat Chiyomaru (J11)
Nabatame (J14) beat Onosho (J10)
Wakaikari (J13) beat Daiamami (J9)
Hakuyozan (J8) beat Tochitaikai (J12)
Tsurugisho (J7) beat Fujiseiun (J10)
Daishoho (J9) beat Shiden (J6)
Mitoryu (J8) beat Tomokaze (J5)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Kayo (J3)
Kagayaki (J2) beat Shirokuma (J2)
Hakuoho (J2) beat Shimanoumi (J2)
Kitanowaka (J1) beat Shimazuumi (J4)
Kinbozan (J1) beat Tamashoho (J4)
Leader: Oshoumi (8-0)
RE-ENTRY: Tohakuryu (J6). Will return tomorrow. Missed 3 days for unknown reasons. Will be the equivalent of 2-6 so still a chance to salvage promotion. That means no more Makushita men up starting tomorrow until there’s either another withdrawal or the final day.
Of note: Second chance justification. After barely hanging on to his Juryo spot this time after he should have been demoted after September, that’s a promotion for Oshoumi as he stays the only unbeaten. Kinbozan is also now a win from returning to the top tier next year as he is at 7-1, with Tsurugisho also at 7-1. On the flip side, Chiyomaru is the first official demotion this time as the first to fall to 0-8. And it’s also time to begin wondering if this could be the end for Onosho, the former top-tier mainstay is now 2-6 and, if this keeps up, will be in danger of demotion to Makushita from J10. He probably needs 4 more wins, maybe 3, to be safe.
Lower tier notes:
With Promotion Day now in the books, the field will start getting further narrowed down over the next 4 days to set up the championships. In the Makushita, 7 remain at 4-0 including Wakatakamoto, the third and oldest of the Wakas (older brother to both Wakamotoharu & Wakatakakage). He’s the only one never to get above Makushita, and he wouldn’t this time even at 7-0 due to being Ms43, but it could bring hope for next year. In the Sandanme, after his win yesterday Enho is among 11 at 4-0 and will face fellow unbeaten Kyokumizuno tomorrow. One more win may be enough to get Enho promoted to Makushita in January but I think he needs 2 more to be sure. In the Jonidan, 10 are 4-0 going into the second half while in the Jonokuchi there were 2 unbeaten but as of this post their Day 9 is done and Gonoumi beat Tamaki in the unbeaten matchup so for now Gonoumi is the sole leader at what will now be 5-0. Gonoumi got as high as Makushita earlier in his career before early withdrawals and missing 3 straight tournaments got him demoted to Jonokuchi, but he returned in September for his final match and won so he now has 6 straight wins overall and is 2 wins from his first championship.
