Tag: grand 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).

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 2 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 Endo (M16)
Myogiryu (M15) beat Daiamami (M16)
Roga (M15) beat Kitanowaka (M14)
Ryuden (M13) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Shonannoumi (M12) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Shimazuumi (M12)
Ichiyamamoto (M11) beat Shodai (M10)
Kotoshoho (M9) beat Mitakeumi (M10)
Onosho (M8) beat Hokutofuji (M9)
Takayasu (M8) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Tsurugisho (M6) beat Kinbozan (M7)
Onosato (M5) beat Gonoyama (M6)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Tobizaru (M4)
Takanosho (M3) beat Hiradoumi (M4)
Oho (M3) beat Daieisho (S)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Meisei (M2)
Atamifuji (M2) beat Kirishima (O)
Asanoyama (M1) beat Kotonowaka (O)
Abi (K) beat Takakeisho (O)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Nishikigi (K)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Ura (M1)

Juryo:
Chiyomaru (Ms1) beat Kiraharima (J14)
Hakuoho (J13) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Akua (J13) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Aoiyama (J11) beat Tsushimanada (J12)
Shiden (J10) beat Oshoumi (J11)
Wakatakakage (J10) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Shimanoumi (J9)
Shishi (J8) beat Daishoho (J7)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Shirokuma (J5) beat Chiyoshoma (J6(
Bushozan (J5) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Oshoma (J4) beat Tomokaze (J3)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Tokihayate (J1)
Takarafuji (J1) beat Tohakuryu (J2)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 1-Opening Day-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 Daiamami (M16)
Roga (M15) beat Endo (M16)
Myogiryu (M15) beat Kitanowaka (M14)
Churanoumi (M13) beat Nishikifuji (M14)
Ryuden (M13) beat Shimazuumi (M12)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Shonannoumi (M12)
Mitakeumi (M10) beat Ichiyamamoto (M11)
Shodai (M10) beat Kotoshoho (M9)
Takayasu (M8) beat Hokutofuji (M9)
Onosho (M8) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Gonoyama (M6)
Onosato (M5) beat Tsurugisho (M6)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Midorifuji (M5)
TObizaru (M4) beat Takanosho (M3)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Oho (M3)
Meisei (M2) beat Daieisho (S)
Kotonowaka (O) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Takakeisho (O) beat Asanoyama (M1)
Ura (M1) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Abi (K) beat Kirishima (O)
Nishikigi (K) beat Terunofuji (Y)

Juryo:
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Tenshoho (Ms1)
Hakuoho (J13) beat Kitaharima (J14)
Tsushimanada (J12) beat Akua (J13)
Aoiyama (J11) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Wakatakakage (J10) beat Oshoumi (J11)
Shiden (J10) beat Tamashoho (J9)
Shishi (J8) beat Shimanoumi (J9)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Daishoho (J7)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Hidenoumi (J7)
Shirokuma (J5) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Oshoma (J4) beat Bushozan (J5)
Tomokaze (J3) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Tokihayate (J1) beat Takarafuji (J1)

Nikkan Sports reports a sumo story that will have some major implications for wrestlers-MIchinoku Beya (stable/room), currently boasting Ozeki and Yokozuna candidate Kirishima, will be closing in April and will cease to exist after roughly 50 years. The closing is because the current stablemaster Michinoku (former Ozeki Kirishima, not the current one) turns 65 on April 2, which means per Japan Sumo Association rules he must retire (65 is the mandatory retirement age in sumo), and there is no successor to inherit the stable. The current Kirishima will at least temporarily transfer to Otowoyama Beya, the new stable run by former Yokozuna Kakuryu, who left Michinoku last year to form his own stable, but later on he and perhaps other MIchinoku wrestlers could transfer to Tokitsukaze Beya, but those plans will be determined after the March tournament. Michinoku currently has 8 wrestlers, with Kirishima the only one ranked above the Sandanme division, and also one Yobidashi (staff/usher/announcer) for Makushita division.
Tokitsukaze, for those who may go there, currently has 17 rikishi with the highest ranked being Shodai at Maegashira 10 (formerly Ozeki) and Tokihayate at Juryo 1. The current stablemaster is 38 and reached a highest rank of Maegashira 1.
Otowayama stable, run by Kakuryu, currently has 3 rikishi, one in the Sandanme and a second in Jonokuchi. A third rikishi is either unranked or has yet to make his pro debut.
Said transfers will not happen until after the March Tournament.

This will also affect the Association’s corporate ranks as Michinoku, real name Kazumi Yoshinaga, is a director. It also could open up elder stock, allowing an eligible retired rikishi to remain in the Association as an Oyakata, starting out as an usher and working up the ranks to coach and maybe eventually a stablemaster, also serving as a judge during tournaments.

It’s that exciting time of the even-numbered month again: The Japan Sumo Association has announced the Banzuke (rankings) for the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka. Here’s the full rankings for the top 2 tiers and other notes (it should be cautioned that the rankings were actually determined shortly after the January tournament so they do not take into account recent events such as Hokuseiho’s forced retirement last week, the Banzuke is not announced to the public and wrestlers until 2 weeks before the next tournament-only promotions from Makushita, the 3rd highest division, to Juryo, the second highest, are announced early as well as Ozeki promotions):

Continue reading “Sumo-March 2024 Banzuke Announced (Updated)”

Nikkan Sports reports on another troubling case of bullying/violence in sumo by more experienced rikishi towards younger and lower ranked subordinates…this is especially troubling as it involves Miyagino stable, now owned and operated by former Yokozuna Haluho, the greatest Yokozuna of all time. Specifically it involves his highest ranked wrestler Hokuseiho, who at 6’10” is maybe the tallest wrestler in all of sumo. Apparently Hokuseiho not only bullied and was physically violent towards subordinates, but also stole money from them.

Here’s what I’ve been able to figure out punishment-wise from translation, from the Compliance Committee of the Japan Sumo Association: Miyagino/Hakuho has been given a 2-level demotion in ranking among senior stablemasters/oyakata, which is a severe penalty that is just short of the only worse sanctions-dismissal and then forced retirement. Hokuseiho has been reportedly suspended since after the January tournament according to reliable YouTube reporter “Chris Sumo”, and at an extraordinary board meeting on Friday it probably will be recommended that Hokuseiho be forced to retire, meaning if true his career is over. Possibly also disciplined to a lesser extent, or at least mentioned in this, is the current Magaki Oyakata, the former wrestler Ishiura who was forced to retire this past year due to injury.

If this is the end for Hokuseiho, the 22-year-old from Hokkaido will be done after just short of 4 years with a career record of 134-72-44, 41-40-9 in 6 top tier tournaments, and a 2-4-9 (win-loss-absent) record in his final tournament in January, cut short due to injury. He withdrew after his second win on Day 5. His career highest rank was Maegashira 6, he was at Maegaahira 8 in January. He will mot be eligible for elder stock, a retirement ceremony at Ryoogku Kokugikan or other benefits (as well as staying on as a coach/oyakata) because he only had 2 years total in the top 2 tiers-you need 5 years (30 total tournaments) at Makuuchi or Juryo. Hokuseiho only appeared in 23 total tournaments.

More as it becomes available. The original article (in Japanese) is below:
https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202402210001519.html

UPDATE: Hokuseiho will retire. Nikkan Sports reports he gave notice ahead of tomorrow’s meeting to determine discipline. He was the highest ranked wrestler in the stable.

UPDATE 2: Miyagino/Hakuho will also lose his stablemaster role for a while. For the March Tournament and into April, an interim stablemaster from Isegahama stable will be appointed and the stable and association will assume oversight of Miyagino stable. As far as stablemaster rankings go the demotion puts him at the bottom pf the seniority list.