Here are the quick results from today’s Day 10 of the January 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ma-Makushita
Makiuchi (top tier):
Shimazuumi (M17) beat Myogiryu (M12)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Tsurugisho (M11)
Sadanoumi (M10) beat Bushozan (M16)
Takarafuji (M16) beat Mitakeumi (M9)
Tomokaze (M15) beat Hiradoumi (M8)
Ichiyamamoto (M7) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Endo (M13) beat Shonannoumi (M6)
Meisei (M9) beat Nishikigi (M5)
Takanosho (M12) beat Tobizaru (M4)
Gonoayama (M3) beat Shodai (M4)
Abi (M2) beat Ryuden (M5)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Oho (M11)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Atamifuji (M1)
Midorifuji (M2) beat Ura (K)
Kotonowaka (S) beat Onosato (M15)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Daieisho (S)
Kirishima (O) beat Onosho (M14)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Kinbozan (M6)
Leader: Kotonowaka (9-1)
Of note: The battle for sole leadership was a no-contest as Kotoshoho easily dispatched rookie Onosato, but it’s far from over. Onosato remains in a group of 5 that are one win back at 8-2, including Onosho who took a tough loss to Kirishima. And Terunofuji is lurking in that group too eith a winning record secured. Elsewhere, the Sanyaku shakeup is set as Ura will be demoted, meaning no Komusubi holdovers in March. Wakamotoharu is now one win away from returning to Sanyaku after being demoted from Sekiwake this time.
Yokozuna Watch: It wasn’t his best showing but that win keeps Kirishima’s hopes alive as he is in the 8-2 group, and more importantly he has protected his Ozeki rank as has Hoshoryu. But on the flip side, now that he has missed a week with onjury…Takakeisho kadoban…
Ozeki Watch: It’s almost Kotonowaka’s promotion to lose now. He’s not there yet but continues to lead the standigs and looks strong. Probably needs 4 more wins to clinch if he doesn’t get the championship.
Key matches tomorrow: Onosato-Hoshoryu, Terunofuji-Onosho. The losers are all but out of the championship race. Kotonowaka has Oho (who tends to fade in the second week) while Kirishima faces Daieisho. Among those matches, all but Kirishima-Daieisho are first ever meetings. Over the last year, Kirishima is 4-2 against Daieisho.
Juryo:
Yuma (J13) beat Kitaharima (Ms2)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Tenshoho (J12)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Chiyomaru (J12)
Asakoryu (J9) beat Tochimusashi (J14)
Daishoho (J9) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Oshoumi (J13) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Shiden (J8) beat Akua (J11)
Shishi (J7) beat Tamashoho (J4)
Roga (J3) beat Takerufuji (J10)
Kitanowaka (J3) beat Kagayaki (J7)
Tokihayate (J6) beat Nishikifuji (J2)
Shirokuma (J6) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Oshoma (J5) beat Daiamami (J1)
Chiyoshoma (J5) beat Mitoryu (J1)
Leader: Takerufuji (9-1)
Of note: No perfect run for Takerufuji, loss 1 came today so his lead is down to 1. Tokihayate & Roga clinched promotions today, with the Russian at J3 now having a chance to return to the top tier with one more win (ideally at least 2 more). Amazongly, aside from Kotoeko there are still no other demotions yet. That will almost certainly change tomorrow though.
Lower tier notes: With 3 left at 5-0, half of the potential Makushita Championship will be determined tomorrow as Wakatakakage faces Dewanoryu. The other unbeaten, Haruyama, faces Tanji first (a Sandanme man who is also 5-0). If Haruyama loses, the Wakatakakage-Dewanoryu winner only has to win their final match to be champion. If Haruyama wins, the latter sets up the championship match on Day 13. The Sandanme has 6 at 5-0 so a playoff may be needed depending on what happens tomorrow. There are also 6 left in the Jonidan at 5-0, while Anhibiki only needs to win out to claim the Jonokuchi championship as the only 5-0 left.