Tag: grand sumo

I missed the first week due to travel and limited internet access, but here is a quick recap from the first week of the May 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo and notes from the first week so far:

Continue reading “Sumo-May 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 8 (Halfway Point) Results & Notes”

It’s a day later than it usually would be, but the Japan Sumo Association has just announced the Banzuke (rankings) for the May 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. Here are the rankings for the top 2 tiers and other notes:

Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Terunifuji
Ozeki-Hoshoryu, Kotozakura, Kirishima, Takakeisho
Sekiwake-Wakamotoharu, Abi
Komusubi-Asanoyama, Onosato
Maegashira 1-Atamifuji, Daieisho
Maegashira 2-Hiradoumi, Gonoyama
Maegashira 3-Takayasu, Tobizaru
Maegashira 4-Oho, Ura
Maegashira 5-Onosho, Meisei
Maegashira 6-Takerufuji (March Champion), Midorifuji
Maegashira 7-Nishikigi, Mitakeumi
Maegashira 8-Takanosho, Kotoshoho
Maegashira 9-Tamawashi, Shodai
Maegashira 10-Shonannoumi, Kinbozan
Maegashira 11-Sadanoumi, Hokutofuji
Maegashira 12-Ichiyamamoto, Nishikifuji
Maegashira 13-Mitoryu (March Juryo Champion), Churanoumi
Maegashira 14-Ryuden, Oshoma
Maegashira 15-Tokihayate, Roga
Maegashira 16-Tomokaze, Takarafuji
Maegashira 17-Tsurugisho
Early notes: Asanoyama may be an early withdrawal due to an ankle injury suffered last week on the tour, which is expected to keep him out 3 weeks. If that holds, that would mean he could miss most of the first week (roughly 4-5 days). Kotozakura is now a “Kaimei”rikishi, one who has undergone a shikona or name change as he will no longer be Kotonowaka going forward, inheriting his grandfather’s ring name as expected. There have been rampant rumors this will be the final tournament for Terunofuji before retirement due to continued injury & health issues, so perhaps the Yokozuna’s last chance to get to his stated goal of 10 top tier championships. Kirishima is in kadoban status, meaning he must win at least 8 matches or he will be demoted from Ozeki. Onosato makes his Sanyaku debut after back-to-back runner-up finishes while March champion Takerufuji makes not quite as big a jump as I expected, going from M17 up to M6.
Newcomers/returners are Mitoryu after winning the Juryo in March, Oshoma finally breaking through to the top tier, Takarafuji back up after one tournament and Tomokaze also returns.

Juryo:
Juryo 1-Daiamami, Myogiryu
Juryo 2-Bushozan, Daishoho
Juryo 3-Endo, Chiyoshoma
Juryo 4-Tohakuryu, Asakoryu
Juryo 5-Kagayaki, Kitanowaka
Juryo 6-Shirokuma, Wakatakakage
Juryo 7-Shishi, Shimazuumi
Juryo 8-Hidenoumi, Hakuoho
Juryo 9-Chiyosakae, Tamashoho
Juryo 10-Shiden, Hakuyozan
Juryo 11-Shimanoumi, Aoiyama
Juryo 12-Onokatsu, Tsushimanada
Juryo 13-Oshoumi, Chiyomaru
Juryo 14-Tochitaikai, Kazekeno (March Makushita Champion)
Notes: Tochitaikai is another name change for this tournament, formerly being Tsukahara. The big story here are the top-tier demotions from last time, including longtime mainttays Myogiryu & Endo. Shimazuumi also was demoted after finishing March the equivalent of 0-15 due to injury. Shirokuma was also demoted for the first time in his career due in part to missing 2 days, while both Wakatakakage & Hakuoho take small steps closer to the top tier. March Makushita Champion Kazekeno is also Shin-Juryo this time along with ONokatsu.

Lower tier notes:
Np epic salt throws for the first time in a long time as Akua was demoted to Makushita 1, unless he’s up in Juryo for a day. Kotoeko was demoted out of the top 2 tiers for the first time in almost 15 years, 2 injury-riddled tournaments dropping him to Makushita 11. The Sandanme has the new-normal 90 ranks again and of note is Kiho has changed his name back to his prior name Kawazoe, which he changed under ex-Hakuho as he got close to Juryo but has plunged due to injuries. The Jonidan expanded back to up 100 ranks plus one at 101 and fan favorite Enho held on to a ranking there at Jonidan 100, but it’s not yet known if he’ll begin his comeback as he tries to reach Juryo one more time in his career to qualify for elder stock. Finally, the Jonokuchi has 20 ranks with 39 wrestlers total.

The May Tournamend runs May 12-26. For the first week of the tournament I will not be able to post daily results as I will be traveling with no internet.

Now that everything seems to be settled post-tournament, here is the final wrap-up of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:

Continue reading “Sumo-March 2024 Tournament Final Standings & Post-Tournament News”

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 15-the Final Day-of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (top tier):
Churanoumi (M13) beat Kitanowaka (M14)
Ichiyamamoto (M11) beat Ryuden (M13)
Mitakeumi (M10) beat Endo (M16)
Shodai (M10) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Kotoshoho (M9) beat Roga (M15)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Shonannoumi (M12)
Takayasu (M8) beat Daiamami (M16)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Myogiryu (M15)
Takerufuji (M17) beat Gonoyama (M6). TAKERUFUJI YUSHO!!!
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Onosho (M8) beat Tobizaru (M4)
Meisei (M2) beat Takanosho (M3)
Oho (M3) beat Ura (M1)
Nishikigi (K) beat Kinbozan (M7)
Abi (K) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Asanoyama (M1)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Onosato (M5)
Kirishima (O) beat Kotonowaka (O)
CHAMPION: Takerufuji (13-2). 1st career Emperor’s Cup, 4th career championship and second straight after winning Juryo in January. His career mark through 10 tournaments is now an astounding 69-10. He also becomes the first top tier rookie in 110 years to win his debut tournament in Makuuchi.
Of note: Elsewhere…RARE KIMARITE ALERT! There was good stuff on the undercard today too, including Kotoshoho winning with a rare technique I’ve never seen before-amiuchi-the fisherman’s throw. It looked like a middle-range arm throw as Roga was already losing his balance and falling down. That fishing effort netted Kotoshoho a promotion. That aside, for all the concerns about dwindling ranks and fewer newcomers in sumo, at the top the time is now for the youth movement. Hakkaku may be very worried about a Yokozuna-less time around the corner but with Takerufuji, Atamifuji and Onosato the future is very bright with 3 wrestlers who should be Yokozuna and Ozeki before too long. And Takerufuji came back from a right ankle injury yesterday to gut it out and show true heart of a champion by returning to compete today. He would have won anyway after Onosato lost to Hoshoryu, but back-to-back runner-up finishes for the top-tier sophomore may see him in Sanyaku in May. The final match saw the chief referee clearly blow another call as he ruled Kotonowaka the winner but replays show he clearly went out before Kirishima and the judges overturned the call. Kirishima will still be kadoban in May while the Sanyaku shakeup will see Daieisho demoted from Sekiwake for the first time in over a year, Wakamotoharu will stay Sekiwake, Abi may be promoted to Sekiwake, Asanoyama should return to Komusubi will Nishikigi will be demoted big-time.

SPECIAL PRIZES:
Outstanding Performance (best record with most wins against Yokozuna and/or Ozeki): Takerufuji
Fighting Spirit (winning record with judged to show best fighting spirit): Takerufuji, Onosato
Technique (winning record with best technique and/or most different winning techniques): Takerutufji, Onosato

Juryo:
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Nabatame (Ms5)
Tenshoho (Ms1) beat Kitaharima (J14)
Tsukahara (Ms4) beat Akua (J13)
Shishi (J8) beat Wakatakakage (J10)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Kotowko (J12)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Hakuoho (J13)
Hakuyozan (J6) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Bushozan (J4) beat Asakoryu (J8)
Oshoma (J4) beat Tsushimanada (J12)
Kagayaki (J3) beat Shimanoumi (J9)
Tomokaze (J3) beat Daishoho (J7)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Aoiyama (J11). MITORYU JURYO YUSHO!!!
Tohakuryu (J2) beat Oshoumi (J11)
Takarafuji (J1) beat Shiden (J10)
Tokihayate (J1) beat Shirokuma (J5)
CHAMPION: Mitoryu (12-3). 2nd career championship, both in Juryo

Jonidan:
Playoff: Tochimaru (Jd47) beat Ryuo (Jd6). TOCHIMARU JONIDAN YUSHO!!! The 2nd career championship and first Jonidan for the popular machine-gun-thruster veteran, who was demoted from Makushita to Jonidan after missing the last 3 tournaments due to injuries.

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS:
Makuuchi-Takerufuji (M17). 1st Emperor’s Cup, 4th career championship
Juryo-Mitoryu (J2). 2nd career championship, 2nd Juryo championship
Makushita-Kazekeno (Ms13). 2nd career championship, 1st Makushita championship
Sandanme-Nagamura (Sd3). 1st career championship
Jonidan-Tochimaru (Jd47). 2nd career championship, 1st Jonidan championship
Jonokuchi-Chiyooga (Jk3). 1st career championship

The next tournament is May 12-26 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Advance tickets go on sale April 8. Before then, in April there will be a special exhibition tournament held as a fundraiser for Noto Peninsula Earthquake relief efforts. The final wrap-up post with hopefully details on early promotions/demotions and more will come later this week.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14-the penultimate day-of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Myogiryu (M15) beat Tokihayate (J1)
Endo (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Shonannoumi (M12) beat Shodai (M10)
Mitakeumi (M10) beat Ryuden (M13)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Daiamami (M16)
Kotoshoho (M9) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Takayasu (M8) beat Roga (M15)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Kitanowaka (M14)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Onosho (M8) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Tobizaru (M4) beat Kinbozan (M7)
Meisei (M2) beat Ichiyamamoto (M11)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Ura (M1) by foul/judges reversal…HANSOKU!!! Ura originally won but grabbed the topknot/hair of Hiradoumi in the process of doing so, which is illegal whether intentional or not. So that’s a disqualification and the result was overturned much to the pro-Ura crowd’s dismay.
Asanoyama (M1) beat Takerufuji (M17)
Onosato (M5) beat Abi (K)
Oho (M3) beat Nishikigi (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Takanosho (M3)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Kirishima (O) beat Takakeisho (O) by default/withdrawal
Kotonowaka (O) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Leader: Takerufuji (12-2)
WITHDRAWAL: Takakeisho (O). Right pectoral muscle. Tournament over. Thankfully he just got his 8th win so he keeps his Ozeki rank in May.
Of note: Not today, but…the crowd was holding its collective breath because after the loss Takerufuji came up almost limping and moving very slowly. Possibly a foot injury but hopefully he can make it through the Final Day. The championship is down to Takerufuji & Onosato (11-3). Takerufuji is to face Gonoyama tomorrow, Onosato is to face Hoshoryu. If Takerufuji wins or Onosato loses, Takerufuji is the champion. If Takerufuji loses and Onosato wins, there will be a playoff. If Takerufuji withdraws and can’t compete, Onosato still must win otherwise Takerufuji would still be champion.
(Quick Takerufuji update: Nikkan Sports reports he was hospitalized right away for examination. Right ankle. In a cast from the knee down. At this moment he remains in for tomorrow)

Juryo:
Kayo (Ms3) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Chiyomaru (Ms1) beat Akua (J13)
Shimanoumi (J9) beat Kitaharima (J14)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Shishi (J8)
Tsushimanada (J12) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Shiden (J10)
Bushozan (J5) beat Hidenoumi (J7)
Shirokuma (J5) beat Oshoumi (J11)
Kagayaki (J3) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Oshoma (J4) beat Asakoryu (J8)
Wakatakakage (J10) beat Tomokaze (J3)
Aoiyama (J11) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Hakuoho (J13)
Daishoho (J7) beat Takarafuji (J1)
Leader: Mitoryu (11-3)
Of note: Well, it’s a Mongolian winning no matter what. Here’s how it looks: With Daishoho and Oshoma at 10-4, both are up first. Oshoma is first and will face Tsushimanada (7-7), then Daishoho will face Tomokaze (8-6). If both lose, Mitoryu is the champion. If one or both win, Mitoryu is still the champion if he beats Aoiyama. If Miroryu loses and one or both Daishoho and/or Oshoma win, there will be a playoff and it could be a 3-way playoff. Mitoryu will be promoted back to the top tier in May, any others come down to tomorrow as Takarafuji & Tokihayate-both J1-are 7-7 so win and they go up, lose and they get demoted. As for Aoiyama, he is 7-7 at J11 so win or lose he’ll stay in Juryo. Elsewhere, Akua may be demoted to Makushita depending on tomorrow while, with his 4th win today, Chiyomaru will be promoted back to Juryo in May.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage of the Final Day, including the likely championship deciding matches, playoff if needed, awards ceremony and champion’s interview, tomorrow beginning at 12:30 AM PT/3:30 AM ET.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13-Championship Day in the lower tiers-of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (top tier):
Daiamami (M16) beat Shirokuma (J5)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Shonannoumi (M12)
Roga (M15) beat Ichiyamamoto (M11)
Churanoumi (M13) beat Mitakeumi (M10)
Shodai (M10) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Kotoshoho (M8) beat Myogiryu (M15)
Ryuden (M13) beat Onosho (M8)
Endo (M16) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Takayasu (M8) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Takanosho (M3) beat Hokutofuji (M9)
Oho (M3) beat Kitanowaka (M14)
Atamifuji (M2) beat Hiradoumi (M4)
Tobizaru (M4) beat Ura (M1)
Nishikigi (K) beat Meisei (M2)
Asanoyama (M1) beat Abi (K)
Takerufuji (M17) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Onosato (M5) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Gonoyama (M6)
Takakeisho (O) beat Kotonowaka (O)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Kirishima (O)
Leader; Takerufuji (12-1)
Of note: It could end tomorrow and the potential setup for it is very simple. If Takerufuji beats Asanoyama, OR if Takerufuji loses AND both Hoshoryu and Onosato lose, the rookie is the champion. It would be the first time in well over 100 years that’s happened. Onosato has Abi while Hoshoryu faces Kotonowaka. If Takerufuji loses and either Hoshoryu or Onosato win, it goes to the final day and could result in a playoff. Elsewhere, Takakeisho finally got win 8 so he gets back to full Ozeki Nishikigi also snapped his 11 match losing skid, his only other win was against Terunofuji on Day 1 (not a Kinboshi because Nishikigi is at Komusubi). Elsewhere, a big Sekiwake shakeup-Daieisho will be demoted for the first time in over a year as his Sekiwake run ends at 6 tournaments with an 8th loss today. Wakamotoharu isn’t safe yet as he is now at 7-6. Abi could be promoted to Sekiwake if he can get can get one more win and Asanoyama should return to Sanyaku in May with promotion now secured. We could also be seeing the end of the road for Myogiryu, as if he loses one or both of his last 2 matches he could be demoted to Juryo for the first time since January 2018, but the last time that happened he came right back with the latest of his 3 Juryo Championships. That last demotion happened at M15 when he went the equivalent of 6-9 (including 1 Absent), so he needs to win out and get to 7-8 to probably be safe. Kitanowaka is probably being demoted back to Juryo again. And finally…remember Hoshoryu-Gonoyama from January with the EPIC MARATHON STAREDOWN? No repeat this time, in part because they heard from the higher-ups about it.

Juryo:
Oshoumi (J11) beat Akua (J13)
Hakuoho (J13) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Shimanoumi (J9)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Tsushimanada (J12)
Kitaharima (J14) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Bushozan (J5) beat Shiden (J10)
Oshoma (J4) beat Wakatakakage (J10)
Aoiyama (J11) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Tomokaze (J3) beat Asakoryu (J8)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Shishi (J8)
Tohakuryu (J2) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Takarafuji (J1) beat Hidenoumi (J7)
Tokihayate (J1) beat Daishoho (J7)
Leader; Mitoryu (10-3)
Of note: Now the 3-way tie is for 2nd as Mitoryu pulled one clear. Mitoryu can’t win the title tomorrow because Oshoma & Asakoryu, 2 of the 3 at 9-4, face each other and Daishoho faces Takarafuji. Wakatakakage is now all but out of it. Mitoryu has Hakuoho tomorrow, who despite second week struggles (and first week after a 3-0 start) clinched promotion today but will stay in Juryo in May. Takarafuji will be motivated more against Daishoho because he is one win from promotion back to the top tier. If Mitoryu wins tomorrow, that means at worst he’ll be in a playoff Sunday for the championship. Otherwise there could be a 3-way tie again. At the bottom, Aoiyama has probably saved his Juryo spot even though he could still wind up 6-9. Only if he loses his last 2 should there be worry but with how Makushita is looking promotion-wise, I’ll call him safe if he chooses to continue.

Makushita:
Kazekeno (Ms13) beat Onokatsu (Ms2). KAZEKENO MAKUSHITA YUSHO!!! 2nd career championship and first Makushita. A potential 6-way (at least) playoff averted because of all the potential 6-1 runners-up, 5 won. Most faced each other. Kazekeno might be making his Juryo debut in May with this victory. At the bottom, Aoiyama has probably saved his Juryo spot even though he could still wind up 6-9. Only if he loses his last 2 should there be worry but with how Makushita is looking promotion-wise, I’ll call him safe if he chooses to continue.

Sandanme:
Ryuo (Jd6) beat Higonomaru (Sd64)
Nagamura (Sd3) beat Aonishiki (Sd16). NAGAMURA SANDANME YUSHO!!! 1st championship in his 7th career tournament. He’ll return to Makushita after demotion last time. Aonishiki takes his first career loss and is denied a 3rd championship in his first 3 tournaments, but is Makushita-bound too.

Jonidan:
Tochimaru (Jd47) beat Taranami (Jd61). Because Ryuo then won in the Sandanme…PLAYOFF!! Ryuo vs. Tochimaru will be held on Day 15 for the championship.

Jonokuchi:
Chiyooga (Jk3) beat Kiyonohama (Jd86). CHIYOOGA JONOKUCHI YUSHO!!! 1st career championship for the veteran, who was demoted from Makushita after missing the last 4 tournaments.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage on Day 14, which hopefully will include Takerufuji-Asanoyama, tomorrow beginning at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET.

UPDATE: Rank saved just in time…Takakeisho has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 14. Right pectoral muscle per Nikkan Sports. Not yet confirmed via the Jpaan Sumo Association website and mobile app. If true, Kirishima would get the fusen tomorrow, which would be only the 4th win for the Ozeki in a very disappointing March.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusuvbi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Bushozan (J5) beat Chiranoumi (M13)
Kitanowaka (M14) beat Ichiyamamoto (M11)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Daiamami (M16)
Shodai (M10) beat Ryuden (M13)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Roga (M16)
Endo (M16) beat Kotoshoho (M9)
Onosho (M8) beat Mitakeumi (M10)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Myogiryu (M15)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Shonannoumi (M12) beat Tobizaru (M4)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Oho (M3)
Ura (M1) beat Meisei (M2)
Asanoyama (M1) beat Takanosho (M3)
Abi (K) beat Takayasu (M8)
Atamifuji (M2) beat Nishikigi (K)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Daieisho (S)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Takakeisho (O)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Takerufuji (M17)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Kirishima (O)
Kotonowaka (O) beat Onosato (M5)
Leader: Takerufuji (11-1)
Of note: No perfecto. Hoshoryu finally figured Takerufuji out enough to hand the rookie his first loss. There are now 4 still with a chance to catch him at 9-3 but that will narrow tomorrow after a match between two of them-Gonoyama & Hoshoryu. Kotonowaka is also 9-3 and faces Takakeisho, trying to send the Ozeki to a 4th straight loss as he still needs just one more win to avoid demotion. Also at risk of demotion is Daieisho, now 5-7 and set to perhaps lose his Sekiwake rank after a year at the 3rtd-highest rank, and it doesn’t help that he’s got Onosato.
This all means that if Takerufuji wins tomorrow (Wakamotoharu), there is a chance he can clinch the championship on Day 14 if Kotonowaka & Onosato lose, it would depend on the Gonoyama-Hoshoryu winner.

Juryo:
Hakuoho (J13) beat Tsushimanada (J12)
Aoiyama (J11) beat Oshoumi (J11)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Wakatakakage (J10)
Shishi (J8) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Akua (J13)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Kitaharima (J14)
Oshoma (J4) beat Daishoho (J7)
Tomokaze (J3) beat Chiyoshoma (J6)
Hakuyozan (J2) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Shimanoumi (J9)
Shiden (J10) beat Tokihayate (J1)
Takarafuji (J1) beat Shirokuma (J5)
Leader: Mitoryu, Daishoho, Asakoryu (9-3)
Of note: Still a 3-way tie, but a new face as Wakatakakage was beaten by Asakoryu to fall one back. Based on tomorrow’s matches it could go down to the last day and several others are still in it, but tomorrow’s Wakatakakage-Oshoma loser is probably out. What’s also going to come down to the wire is any potential promotions to the top tier except Mitoryu at J2, who should be headed back up in May. Both J1s (Takarafuji & Tokihayate) are 6-6 and Tohakuryu will be demoted from J2. This might finally opent he door for Oshoma to get past J3 into the top tier if he cam win out, or at least go 2-1. On the other side, Kotoeko is definitely demoted to Makushita and despite a win today, Aoiyama isn’t sage yet at 5-7at J11 with Kagayaki next.

Lower tier notes:
Tomorrow is Championship Day! The Makushita Championship is Kazekeno’s to lose. If he beats Onokatsu tomorrow, he is the champion as the only 7-0. If he loses, there will be AT LEAST a 7-way playoff. because there are at least 14 at 5-1 and aside from Onokatsu 12 face each other then one has a Sandanme man. The Sandanme has 3 left at 6-0, and could be interesting because 2 of the 3 are from Kise Beya, meaning if both win their matches they will have a playoff against each other for the championship. Higonomaru is up first against a Jonidan man, then stablemate Nagamura faces fellow unbeaten Aonishiki. If Higonomaru loses, the latter match is for the championship. If Higonomaru wins, there will be a playoff. Should Aonishiki be champion, that’s 3 titles in his first 3 career tournaments. The Jonidan also has 3 at 6-0, to be settled like this: First will be Tochimaru vs. Taranami. Whoever wins then must wait for Ryuo to face Higonomaru in the Sandanme. If Ryuo loses, the earlier winner is the champion. If Ryuo wins, there will be a playoff. In the Jonokuchi, sole leader Chiyooga at 6-0 just needs to beat his Jonidan opponent tomorrow to be champion. If he loses, there will be a playoff.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Roga (M15) beat Myogiryu (M15)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Oshoma (J4)
Ichiyamamoto (M11) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Kotoshoho (M9) beat Daiamami (M16)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Endo (M16)
Takayasu (M8) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Ryuden (M13)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Kitanowaka (M14)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Mitakeumi (M10)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Shodai (M5)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Onosho (M8)
Tobizaru (M4) beat Meisei (M2)
Asanoyama (M1) beat Oho (M3)
Atamifuji (M3) beat Ura (M1)
Takanosho (M3) beat Nishikigi (K)
Abi (K) beat Shonannoumi (M12)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Daieisho (S)
Wakamotohru (S) beat Kirishima (O). Kirishima kadoban…
Takerufuji (M17) beat Kotonowaka (O)
Onosato (M5) beat Talaleosho (O)
Leader: Takerufuji (11-0)
Of note: Takerufuji can’t clinch the title tomorrow but it could be all but over if he wins and Onosato loses. Worst-case then is a playoff. But the rookie has now tied the all-time record for most consecutive wins to begin a rookie top tier tournament with 11, held by legendary Yokozuna Taiho (also the grandfather of Oho). Next up on the super-rookie’s road to potential records is Hoshoryu. Onosato gets Kotonowaka tomorrow. Speaking of Ozeki, Kirishima took loss 8 today and that means he’s in trouble come May-he must finish with 8 wins or more pr he will be demoted. And Takakeisho is stuck on 7 wins after 2 straight losses now, needing just that one more win to avoid demotion. Kotonowaka & Hosboryu are good as both now have 8 wins.

Juryo:
Alua (J13) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Haluoho (J13) beat Asakoryu (J8)
Daishoho (J7) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Kitahaima (J14)
Hakuyozan (J6) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Shirokuma (J5) beat Aoiyama (J11)
Tsushimanada (J12) beat Bushozan (J5)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Shiden (J10)
Tomokaze (J3) beat Oshoumi (J11)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Wakatakakage (J10)
Tohakuryu (J2) beat Shimanoumi (J9)
Shishi (J8) beat Takarafuji (J1)
Tokihayate (J1) beat Hidenoumi (J7)
Leader: Daishoho (9-2)
Of note: Well that changes everything…for the first time in several days we have a leader not named Asakoryu or Wakatakakage. That’s because Daishoho has now won 9 straight since an 0-2 start. To fans’ dismay Kitaharima will only have been back in Juryo long enough for another cup of sake as he is now being demoted back to Makushita after taking his 8th loss today, and Kotoeko being demoted to Makushita now seems official at 1-10. I think this is the end for the veteran.
Daishoho gets the Juryo gatekeeper tomorrow aka Oshoma, while Asakoryu & Wakatakakage face off in the featured match.

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kitanowaka (M14) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Daiamami (M16) beat Ryuden (M13)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Noshikifuji (M14)
Shodai (M10) beat Roga (M15)
Myogiryu (M15) beat Hokutofuji (M9)
Onosho (M6) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Takayasu (M8) beat Shonannoumi (M12)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Endo (M16)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Kotoshoho (M9)
Takerufuji (M17) beat Onosato (M5)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Tobizaru (M4) by default/withdrawal
Atamifuji (M2) beat Takanosho (M3)
Asanoyama (M1) beat Meisei (M2)
Mitakeumi (M10) beat Abi (K)
Ura (M1) beat Nishikigi (K)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Kirishima (O)
Kotonowaka (O) beat Oho (M3)
Daieisho (S) beat Takakeisho (O)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Leaser: Takerufuji (10-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Tobizaru (M4). Enteritis. Will return tomorrow. Gonoyama got the fusen today.
Of note: Can the rookie run the table? Nobody has even made Takerufuji break a sweat yet. Tomorrow will perhaps tell the tale as he’ll get Kotonowaka (who will go into his new shikona [(name change to Kotozakura] as a full Ozeki as he now has 8 wins and thus a winning record in his Ozeki debut) and, depending on Onosato, could all but clinch the Emperor’s Cup. Onosato draws Takakeisho, still looking for that critical 8th win to protect his Ozeki rank. Takerufuji could ultimately be 3 wins ahead with 4 days to go. On the flip side, Kirishima has slumped to 3-7 and now must win out or else he’s in danger in May. And still no Ozeki victory sweep days. We also may be seeing the end of Endo-8 losses at M16 likely will see him demoted to Juryo for the first time in 11 years.

Juryo:
Tsukahara (Ms4) beat Kotoeko (J13)
Apiyama (J11) beat Kitaharima (J14)
Shiden (J10) beat Akua (J13)
Oshoumi (J11) beat Shishi (J8)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Tsushimanada (J12)
Daishoho (J7) beat Wakatakakage (J10)
Bushozan (J5) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Oshoma (J4) beat Hakuoho (J13)
Tomokaze (J3) beat Shimanoumi (J9)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Motoryu (J2) beat Asakoryu (J8)
Choyoshoma (J6) beat Tokihayate (J1)
Takarafuji (J1) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Leader: Daishoho, Asakoryu, Wakatakakage (8-2)
RE-ENTRY: Shirokuma (J5). Will return tomorrow. Missed 3 days due to back pain. He will be the equivalent of 5-5 so all it did was probably take him out of championship contention, and he can still earn a promotion.
Of note: Both co-leaders lost again which allowed Daishoho to get into a 3-way tie for the lead. We also are probably seeing the last of veteran Kotoeko as his only hope of keeping his salary and Juryo rank os to win out. The best he can do is 6-9, which at J12 MAY keep him up, but any more losses and he’s going down.
Tomorrow Asakoryu faces the slumping Hakuoho (5-5), Doashoho then faces Chiyosakae (6-4) while Waktakakage gets Mitoryu (7-3).

Lower tier notes: With 5 matches complete the Makushita is down to 3 at 5-0 with Wakatakamoto first facing a Sandanme man, then Asahakuryu faces Kazekeno. If Wakatakamoto wins, he’ll face the latter match winner on Day 13 for the championship. If Wakatakamoto loses, the latter winner only needs to win his final match to be champion. In the Sandanme, 6 are at 5-0 but one, Nagamura, goes up to Makushita tomorrow to face Wakatakamoto. In the Jonidan, 5 are toed for the lead at 5-0 and in the Jonokuchi, 2 are currently 5-0.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Myogiryu (M15) beat Tomokaze (J3)
Ryuden (M13) beat Endo (M16)
Churanoumi (M13) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Daiamami (M16) beat Ichiyamamoto (M11)
Roga (M15) beat Mitakeumi (M10)
Kotoshoho (M9) beat Kitanowaka (M14)
Takayasu (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Shonannoumi (M12) beat Onosho (M8)
Hokurofuji 9M9) beat Kinbozan (M7)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Shodai (M10)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Hiradoumi (M4)
Oho (M3) beat Takanosho (M3)
Meisei 9M2) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Ura (M1) beat Asanoyama (M1)
Takerufuji (M17) beat Abi (K)
Onosato (M5) beat Wakamoroharu (S)
Kotonowaka (O) beat Daieisho (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Tobizaru (M4)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Kirishima (O) beat Nishikigi (K)
Leader: Takerufuji (9-0)
Of note: Haku-who? Forget the former Hakuho, now seemingly out as a stablemaster due to backstage politics amidst the Hokuseiho bullying scandal at his Miyagino stable. Isegahama is where the real super-prospects seem to be, and there seemingly has been on stopping rookie Takerufuji, although Onosato has kept a strong pace despite only one loss. And tomorrow is the day to look forward to as their super-showdown is on tap, with the winner potentially being the championship favorite. Takerufuji could pull 2 clear with a win. Onosato clinched a second promotion in two top tier events today. On the flip side, the first demotions were handed out too, to Kitanowaka and Nishikigi.

Juryo:
Tsushimanada (J12) beat Kayo (Ms3)
Aoiyama (J11) beat Hakuoho (J13)
Oshoumi (J11) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Wakatakakage (J10) beat Akua (J13)
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Shiden (J10)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Kitaharima (J14)
Shimanoumi (J9) beat Bushozan (J5)
Oshoma (J4) beat Shishi (J8)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Asakoryu (J8)
Daishoho (J7) beat Mitoryu (J2)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Takarafuji (J1)
Tokihayate (J1) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Leader: Asakoryu, Wakatakakage (8-1)
Of note: No perfect champion. Asakoryu took his first loss to Kagayaki, allowing Wakatakakage to pull even again and clinch a promotion, meaning he’ll take a big step closer to a top tier return in May. But we might be seeing the last of Kotoeko, who is looking at demotion to Makushita unless he wins out to finish 7-8 or perhaps gets to 6-9. He hasn’t been outside the top 2 tiers since May 2016. Despite a big win over Hakuoho today, Aoiyama isn’t safe either at 3-6. Hakuyozan also clinched demotion today.

RETIREMENT: Terutsuyoshi (Ms36). Retired today citing health issues, namely chronic diabetes. On the smaller side at just under 5’7″ and 107 kg/about 235 pounds, he gained fans for his fighting spirit and acrobatic style as well as his LeBron James-esque epic salt throws before matches. This was the first-and ultimately only-tournament in which he did not compete (pre-tournament withdrawal). His real name is Shoki Fukuoka and he retires with a career high rank of Maegashira 3, a career record of 425-422-4 (win-loss-absent), 145-185 in the top tier, one Makushita Championship and one Fighting Spirit prize. His career lasted 14 years but it’s believed he does not have enough tournaments in the top 2 tiers to qualify for elder stock (you need 30 tournaments at Makuuchi or Juryo, I believe he had 22).

UPDATE: Nikkan Sports reports Tamawashi, originally from Mongolia, has acquired Japanese citizenship. The significance is that allows him to remain in Japan after retirement, which opens the door for elder stock and becoming an oyakata when/if he retires. He’s 39 and still going so theoretically he could go 25+ more years (65 is the mandatory retirement age in sumo).