Tag: grand sumo

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).

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the halfway point-of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Mitoryu (J2) beat Roga (M15)
Takerufuji (M17) beat Ryuden (M13)
Churanoumi (M13) beat Myogiryu (M15)
Shonannoumi (M12) beat Kitanowaka (M16)
Ichiyamamoto (M11) beat Endo (M16)
Daiamami (M16) beat Shodai (M10)
Mitakeumi (M10) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Hokutofuji (M9)
Kotoshoho (M9) beat Onosho (M8)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Takayasu (M8)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Onosato (M5) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Meisei (M2) beat Hiradoumi (M4)
Abi (K) beat Ura (M1)
Asanoyama (M1) beat Nishikigi (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Takakeisho (O) beat Oho (M3)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Takanosho (M3)
Tobizaru (M4) beat Kirishima (O)
Kotonowaka (O) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Leader; Takerufuji (8-0)
Of note: The rookie is the first top tier newcomer since Kaisei in 2011 to begin his Makuuchi career with 8 straight wins, and thus a quick promotion. That means Takerufuji gets to step up and face the big boys, starting tomorrow with Abi. Note that, had Terunofuji stayed in the tournament, the only way Takerufuji would have faced the Yokozuna would have been in a playoff for the championship as they are both from Isegahama Beya (stablemates don’t face each other during tournaments unless it’s to decide the champion). Elsewhere, quite a trend as the total number of days so far where all 4 Ozeki have won the same day is…ZERO. And Kirishima is an alarming 2-6. This is bad for him…the other 3 Ozeki are 6-2 with Takakeisho 2 wins away from getting back to full Ozeki status in March.

Juryo:
Akua (J13) beat Kitaharima (J14)
Hakuoho (J13) beat Shiden (J10)
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Wakatakakage (J10)
Tsushimanada (J12) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Shiden (J8) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Oshoumi (J11)
Daishoho (J7) beat Aoiyama (J11)
Shimanoumi (J9) beat Chiyoshoma (J6)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Shirokuma (J5) by default/withdrawal
Tomokaze (J3) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Tohakuryu (J2) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Bushozan (J6) beat Tokihayate (J1)
Oshoma (J4) beat Takarafuji (J1)
Leader: Asakoryu (8-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Shirokuma (J5). Lower back. Status uncertain. It’s the first time the former Takahashi has been forced to withdraw in his career. If he can’t return before Day 12 it would be his first career demotion.
Of note: Wakatakakage took his first loss today so promotion has to wait, and he lost the lead because Asakoryu got a free win today, and a free promotion too. The sole leader gets Kagayaki tomorrow while Wakatakakage tries to bounce back against Akua.

Lower tier notes:
With the halfway point now in the books, the first promotions have been earned. In the Makushita, 7 are at 4-0 with at least 2-Kiryuko & Kazekeno-being ranked high enough to have a chance at Juryo if they go 7-0. In the Sandanme, 11 are at 4-0 including unbeaten Aonishiki, looking to begin his career with 3 straight championships. He’s all but Makushita-bound in May. In the Jonidan, 11 are at 4-0 so far, and in the Jonokuchi 2 are tied at 4-0.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 7 of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Tohakuryu (J2) beat Endo (M16)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Myogiryu (M15)
Daiamami (M16) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Roga (M15) beat Ryuden (M13)
Takerufuji (M17) beat Shonannuomi (M12)
Shodai (M1)) beat Kitanowaka (M14)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Kotoshoho (M9)
Mitakeumi (M10) beat Hokutofuji (M9)
Takayasu (M8) beat Ichiyamamoto (M11)
Onosho 9M8) beat Onosato (M5)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Gonoyama (M6)
Oho (M3) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Ura (M1)
Asanoyama (M1) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Abi (K)
Takanosho (M3) beat Kirishima (O)
Kotonowaka (O) beat Meisei (M2)
Takakeisho (O) beat Nishikigi (K)
Tobizaru (M4) beat Terunofuji (Y) by default/withdrawal. No Kinboshi because it was a fusen.
Leader: Takerufuji (7-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Terunofuji (Y). Lower back. Tournament over. Will be back in May according to his stablemaster, but he also said this may very well be it for the Yokozuna, as it sounds like retirement will follow and, much to Hakkaku’s dismay, will leave sumo Yokozuna-less unless an Ozeki wins the next 2 tournaments.
RE-ENTRY: Kinbozan (M7). Will return tomorrow. Missed the last 3 days due to whiplash. He is now the equivalent of 1-6 so still a chance to salvage promotion.

Juryo:
Hakuoho (J13) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Aoiyama (M11)
Kitaharima (J14) beat Shiden (J10)
Tsushimanada (J12) beat Shishi (J8)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Ura (J13)
Daishoho (J7) beat Oshoumi (J11)
Wakatakakage (J10) beat Hidenoumi (J7)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Shimanoumi (J9) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Shirokuma (J5) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Tomokaze (J3)
Takarafuji (J1) beat Bushozan (J5)
Oshoma (J4) beat Tokihayate (J1)
Leader: Wakatakakage, Asakoryu (7-0)

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage FOR FREE tomorrow beginning at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET. The channel is available worldwide online and on mobile/tablet/smart TVs and is completely free to watch with no limits/restrictions.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 6 of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier:
Daiamami (M16) beat Takarafuji (J1)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Eoga (M15)
Myogiryu (M15) beat Ryuden (M13)
Takerufuji (M17) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Shonannoumi (M12) beat Endo (M16)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Kitanowaka (M16)
Ichiyamamoto (M11) beat Hokutofuji (M9)
Onosho (M8) beat Shodai (M10)
Mitakeumi (M10) beat Takayasu (M8)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Kotoshoho (M9)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Onosato (M5) beat Meisei (M2)
Atamifuji (M2) beat Asanoyama (M1)
Daieisho (S) beat Ura (M1)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Nishikigi (K)
Kirishima (O) beat Oho (M3)
Kotonowaka (O) beat Abi (K)
Takakeisho (O) beat Hiradoumi (M4)
Tobizaru (M4) beat Hosboryu (O)
Takanosho (M3) beat Terunofuji (Y). KINBOSHI!!! The second career Gold Star Victory for Takanosho!
Leader: Takerufuji, Onosato (6-0)
Of note: This may be it for Terunofuji for March. The knees are gone, or that’s what NHK World Japan’s English daily highlights program led us to believe. 3 straight Kinboshi are good for all but Yokozuna but clearly #10 will have to wait. If Terunofuji continues, he would face Tobizaru tomorrow. The Flying Monkey beat the Yokozuna in July but Terunofuji won their last match in January. If he’s done, 2-13 for March (technically 2-5-8).

Juryo:
Akua (J13) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Kitaharima (J14) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Shiden (J10) beat Tsushimanada (J12)
Wakatakakage (J10) beat Hakuoho (J13)
Shimanoumi (J9) beat Oshoumi (J11)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Aoiyama (J11)
Shishi (J8) beat Hidenoumi (J7)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Daishoho (J7) beat Chiyoshoma (J6)
Bushozan (J5) beat Shirokuma (J5)
Tohkuryu (J2) beat Oshoma (J4)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Tokihayate (J1) beat Tomokaze (J3)
Leader: Wakatakakage, Asakoryu (6-0)
Of note: That’ll pretty much do it for chances of Hakuoho returning to the top tier in May. He has now lost 3 straight since a 3-0 start. The lead is quickly becoming between Wakatakakage & Asakoryu, only Shiden is within one now at 5-1.

Tomorrow starts the traditional Promotion Day in the lower 4 tiers, where the leaders will be 4-0 and clinch promotions over the next 2 days.

UPDATE: Nikkan Sports reports Terunofuji has WITHDRAWN for Day 7. Unspecified as to exactly why yet. If true, Tobizaru gets a free win but no Kinboshi.

Here are the quick results from yesterday & today’s Day 4 & 5 of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Continue reading “Sumo-March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 4 & 5 Results (Top 2 Tiers)”

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 3 of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Takerufuji (M17) beat Roga (M15)
Endo (M16) beat Myogiryu (M15)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Daiamami (M16)
Kitanowaka (M14) beat Ryuden (M13)
Churanoumi (M13) beat Shimazuumi (M12)
Shonannoumi (M14) beat Ivhiyamamoto (M11)
Mitakeumi (M10) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Shodai (M10) beat Hokutofuji (M9)
Takayasu (M8) beat Kotoshoho (M9)
Onosho (M8) beat Kinbozan (M7)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Tsurugisho (M6) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Onosato (M5) beat Hiradoumi (M4)
Tobizaru (M4) beat Oho (M3)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Takanosho (M3)
Abi (K) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Atamifuji (M1)
Ura (M1) beat Kirishima (O)
Kotonowaka (O) beat Nishikigi (K)
Takakeisho (O) beat Meisei (M2)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Asanoyama (M1)

Juryo:
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Kitaharima (J14)
Hakuoho (J13) beat Yuma (Ms2)
Kotoeko (J12) beat Tsushimanada (J12)
Alua (J13) beat Aoiyama (J11)
Wakatakakage (J10) beat Shiden (J10)
Oshoumi (J9) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Shishi (J8)
Daishoho (J7) beat Shimanoumi (J9)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Shirokuma (J5) beat Hidenoumi (J7) by default/withdrawal
Kagayaki (J4) beat Oshoma (J4)
Tonokaze (J3) beat Bushozan (J5)
Takarafuji (J1) beat Mitoryu (J2)
Tokihayate (J1) beat Togakuryu (J2)
WITHDRAWAL: Hidenoumi (J7). Head. Will return tomorrow. Since he will have only missed today, this will be recorded as a loss. Based on what I was able to find from Nikkan Sports, it sounds like he hit the back of his head hard on the side of the ring area (which is made of dirt/mud) and was hospitalized as a precaution.

UPDATE: Shimazuumi (M12) has WITHDRAWN on Day 4. Unknown why yet. Nishikifuji gets the fusen as a result (free win).