Tag: ozumo

DEVELOPING: Sumo-Stablemaster Suspended Indefinitely (Updated x2)

Developing sumo news-Nikkan Sports reports Stablemaster Kokonoe has been SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY for allowing a minor (underage) wrestler, who was not identified due to age, to drink alcohol while accompanying Kokonoe on the current autumn tour (exhibition events held throughout Japan in even months between Grand Sumo tournaments). Kokonoe was acting as deputy director for the tour. The minor wrestler is also suspended indefinitely. No word yet on if this will include the November tournament in Fukuoka. Both Kokonoe and the wrestler have apologized in person to the Japan Sumo Association.

UPDATE: According to Nikkan Sports and YouTube channel “Chris Sumo”, the latter being a reliable English-language sumo news source with insider connections, the wrestler was identified as Chiyoshishi. He is 18, which is underage for alcohol consumption in Japan (legal age is 20 or 21), and currently ranked in the Sandanme, but having gone 6-1 at Sd68 in September he would have a slight chance to reach Makushita in November. If he is not suspended for the November Tournament that is. He almost certainly would be above his career best rank so far which is Sd33 in 14 career tournaments (including one Absent tournament). He is definitely done until then-hospitalized for alcohol poisoning and sent home.

UPDATE 2: Chris Sumo now reports Chiyoshishi has retired from sumo. Personal decision and not forced. His latest YouTube video update essentially translates the earlier Nikkan Sports report into English.

Sumo-September 2023 Tournament Final Day Results

Here are the quick results from today’s Final Day of the September 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Going in, the leader was Atamifuji at 11-3 with 4 at 10-4. If Atamifuji wins, he is the champion. Otherwise there is a playoff and could be up to a 4-way playoff…
Nishikifuji (M13) beat Mitakeumi (M11)
Endo (M10) beat Kotoshoho (M14)
Myogiryu (M13) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Aoiyama (M14)
Kagayaki (M16) beat Oho (M7)
Chiyoshoma (M15) beat Ryuden (M6)
Onosho (M6) beat Tsurugisho (M16)
Sadanoumi (M12) beat Shonannoumi (M5)
Takanosho (M4) beat Daishoho (M17)
Hiradoumi (M8) beat Tamawashi (M3)
Shodai (M3) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Asanoyama (M2) beat Atamifuji (M15). PLAYOFF!!!
Meisei (M1) beat Kotoeko (M8)
Abi (M2) beat Hokutofuji (M1)
Gonoyama (M5) beat Tobizaru (K)
Ura (M4) beat Nishikigi (K)
Kotonowaka (S) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Hokuseiho (M6). Hokuseiho OUT and Hoshoryu avoids kadoban in his Ozeki debut
TakakeishO (O) beat Daieisho (S). Takakeisho in playoff!
Kirishima (O) beat Takayasu (M7). Takayasu OUT…once again so close and yet so far away…
PLAYOFF: Takakeisho (O) beat Atamifuji (M15). TAKAKEISHO YUSHO! The 4th career Emperor’s Cup for the Ozeki! (8th overall championship) And now, you know what that means come November…Takakeisho Yokozuna chance? He was here in May but had to withdraw halfway through due to injury. With rumors of this being the end of the road for Terunofuji (maybe retiring after November), can we finally see Takakeisho break through at last?
SPECIAL PRIZES:
Outstanding Performance (wrestler with winning record and most wins vs. Yokozuna/Ozeki): None. That surprised me, I thought Hokutofuji had it locked up after he beat all 3 Ozeki the first 3 days. Maybe because he only went 8-7…
Fighting Spirit (wrestler with winning record judged to show best fighting spirit): Atamifuji
Technique (wrestler with winning record with most different winning techniques): None

Juryo:
Going in there was a tie at the top between Ichiyamamoto & Onosato at 12-2.
If one win and the other lost, the winner is the champion. If both win or lose, playoff. They met earlier in the tournament and Ichiyamamoto won.
Shimanoumi (J12) beat Takakento (J9)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Chiyosakae (J8)
Azumaryu (J6) beat Akua (J9)
Shimazuumi (M6) beat Takahashi (J12)
Bushozan (J5) beat Chiyomaru (J10)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Churanoumi (J5)
Shishi (J8) beat Oshoma (J4)
Tenshoho (J14) beat Mitoryu (J3)
Tomokaze (J3) beat Asakoryu (J13)
Ichiyamamoto (J7) beat Daiamami (J2)
Tokihayate (J11) beat Kitanowaka (J2)
Tamashoho (J1) beat Shiden (J11)
Roga (J1) beat Onosato (J14). ICHIYAMAMOTO JURYO YUSHO! 2nd Juryo championship and 3rd career championship.

Makushita:
There were 7 after Day 13 tied at 6-1. Rare nobody finishes 7-0 but that also means…not 1, not 2, not even 3, but…SEVEN-WAY PLAYOFF!!!????!!!!
Playoffs:
Kitadaichi (Ms17) beat Asahakuryu (Ms27)
Hitoshi (Ms3) beat Onojo (Ms53)
Kayo (Ms23) beat Chiyoarashi (Ms47)
Hitoshi (Ms3) beat Kitadaichi (Ms17)
Kayo (Ms23) beat Daiseizan (Ms50)
Hitoshi (Ms3) beat Kayo (Ms23). HITOSHI MAKUSHITA YUSHO! 1st Makushita championship and 4th career championship. He’s headed to Juryo in November.

Sandanme:
CHAMPION: Kitaharima (Sd2). First career championship for the 21-year veteran who had a cup of coffee in the top tier in his prime, reaching Maegashira 15 for one tournament (demoted after going 6-9). He has only been in Juryo once since late 2017 (one tournament in 2020).

Jonidan:
Playoff: Anosho (Jd14) beat Oki (Jd76). ANOSHO JONIDAN YUSHO! 1st Jonidan championship and 2nd career championship for the 18-year-old in his first 2 tournaments. He’s headed to the Sandanme in November.

Jonokuchi:
CHAMPION: Shiroma (Jk18). 1st career championship. Technically this was his 2nd career tournament but he was Absent in his debut tournament in July.

The next tournament is November 12-26 at Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka. Advance tickets are on sale now.

Sumo-September 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 2 Results (9/11/23) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 2 of the September 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top tier):
Tsurugisho (M16) beat Kagayaki (M16)
Atamifuji (M15) beat Daishoho (M17)
Kotoshoho (M16) beat Chiyoshoma (M16)
Nishikifuji (M13) beat Myogiryu (M13)
Sadanoumi (M12) beat Aoiyama (M14)
Mitakeumi (M11) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Hokuseiho (M11) beat Endo (M10)
Kinbozan (M10) beat Kotoeko (M8)
Hiradoumi (M8) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Onosho (M6) beat Oho (M7)
Takayasu (M7) beat Ryuden (M6)
Shonannoumi (M5) beat Takanosho (M4)
Ura (M4) beat Gonoyama (M5)
Tobizaru (K) beat Tamawashi (M3)
Daieisho (S) beat Shodai (M3)
Asanoyama (M2) beat Kotonowaka (S)
Abi (M2) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Kirishima (O) beat Meisei (M1)
Hokutofuji (M1) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Takakeisho (O) beat Nishikigi (K)

Juryo:
Onosato (J14) beat Yuma (Ms1)
Tenshoho (J14) beat Asakoryu (J13)
Kiho (J13) beat Shimanoumi (J12)
Takahashi (J12) beat Tokihayate (J11)
Shiden (J11) beat Chiyomaru (J10)
Akua (J9) beat Hakuyozan (J10)
Shishi (J8) beat Takakento (J9)
Ichiyamamoto (J7) beat Chiyosakae (J8)
Churanoumi (J5) beat Azumaryu (J6)
Bushozan (J5) beat Shimazuumi (J6)
Tomokaze (J3) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Mitoryu (J3) beat Oshoma (J4)
Roga (J1) beat Daiamami (J2)
Kitanowaka (J2) beat Tamashoho (J1)

RETIREMENT: Tokushoryu (Ms37). After withdrawing from the tournament and being absent this time for the first time in his career, the 20-year veteran has called it a career. Nikkan Sports reports he will become Sendagawa Oyakata and remain in Kise Beya as a coach. The Japan Sumo Association will make the formal announcement in the coming days.
Tokushoryu reached a highest career rank of Maegashira 2 after winning the January 2020 Tournament with a 14-1 record for his only Emperor’s Cup (he was ranked Maegashira 17 then). That also yielded his 2 career Special Prizes (Outstanding Performance, Fighting Spirit) and 1 Kinboshi. He finishes with a career record of 553-570, 211-269 in the top tier, not including the only 2 Absent days of his career in this tournament, and a total of 4 championships.

Sumo-September 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 1 (Opening Day) Results (9/10/23) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 1-Opening Day-of the September 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Kagayaki (M16) beat Daishoho (M17)
Chiyoshoma (M15) beat Tsurugisho (M16)
Atamifuji (m15) beat Kotoshoho (M14)
Myogiryu (M13) beat Aoiyama (M14)
Sadanoumi (M12) beat Nishikifuji (M13)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Hokuseiho (M11)
Mitakeumi (M11) beat Endo (M10)
Konbozan (M10) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Kotoeko (M8) beat Hiradoumi (M8)
Takayasu (M7) beat Oho (M7)
Onosho (M6) beat Ryuden (M6)
Gonoyama (M5) beat Shonannoumi (M5)
Takanosho (M4) beat Ura (M4)
Nishikigi (K) beat Tamawashi (M3)
Kotonowaka (S) beat Shodai (M3)
Asanoyama (M2) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Meisei (M1) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Abi (M2)
Hokutofuji (M1) beat Daieisho (O)
Kirishima (S) beat Tobizaru (K)
WITHDRAWAL (Pre-Tournament): Terunofuji (Y), Hakuoho (M9). Terunofuji-Back. Not expected to compete and his career may be done as there are rumors he’ll retire after the November tournament (if he competes). Hakuoho-Shoulder surgery. Out the rest of the year and hoping to return for the January tournament. He may be demoted to Juryo in November as a result.

Juryo:
Tenshoho (J14) beat Tsukahara (Ms1)
Onosato (J14) beat Asakoryu (J13)
Takahashi (J12) beat Kiho (J13)
Tokihayate (J11) beat Shimanoumi (J12)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Shiden (J11)
Chiyomaru (J10) beat Akua (J9)
Takakento (J9) beat Chiyosakae (J8)
Ichiyamamoto (J7) beat Shishi (J8)
Shimazuumi (J6) beat Azumaryu (J6)
Churanoumi (J5) beat Bushozan (J5)
Oshoma (J4) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Mitoryu (J3) beat Tomokaze (J3)
Kitanowaka (J2) beat Daiamami (J2)
Roga (J1) beat Tamashoho (J1)
WITHDRAWAL (Pre-Tournament): Wakatakakage (J7). Continued recovery from knee surgery after the March tournament. Probably will not compete this tournament. Will be demoted to Makushita in November if he sits out the entire tournament.

Sumo-September 2023 Banzuke Announced (Updated 9/3)

The Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) has announced the Banzuke (rankings) for the September 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. Here are the rankings for the top 2 tiers then some other notes:

Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Terunofuji
Ozeki-Kirishima, Takakeisho, Hoshoryu (July Tournament Champion)
Sekiwake-Daieisho, Wakamotoharu, Kotonowaka
Komusubi-Nishikigi, Tobizaru
Maegaahira 1-Hokutofuji, Meisei
Maegashira 2-Abi, Asanoyama
Maegashira 3-Shodai, Tamawashi
Maegashira 4-Takanosho, Ura
Maegashira 5-Gonoyama, Shonannoumi
Maegashira 6-Onosho, Ryuden
Maegashira 7-Takayasu, Oho
Maegashira 8-Kotoeko, Hiradoumi
Maegashira 9-Midorifuji, Hakuoho
Maegashira 10-Kinbozan, Endo
Maegashira 11-Mitakeumi, Hokuseiho
Maegashira 12-Takarafuji, Sadanoumi
Maegashira 13-Myogiryu, Nishikifuji
Maegashira 14-Aoiyama, Kotoshoho
Maegashira 15-Atamifuji (July Juryo Champion), Chiyoshoma
Maegashira 16-Kagayaki, Tsurugisho
Maegashira 17-Daishoho
Notes: Hoshoryu is making his Ozeki debut and is the only Ozeki not in kadoban status-Kirishima & Takakeisho both must finish with winning records to avoid demotion. Kotonowaka is newly promoted to Sekiwake after 4 straight tournaments at Komusubi. Nishikigi is among the oldest rikishi to ever debut in Sanyaku, I believe he is the 4th-oldest ever. July runner-up Hokutofuji was perhaps the biggest mover up as he jumped all the way back up to M1, but the 3 July rookies (Gonoyama, Shonannoumi, Hakuoho) also made big jumps. Mitakeumi was the biggest loser after a difficult July that saw his father pass away just before the tournament, and he falls to M11 following a 2-13 finish.
Now for other notes/topics-according to YouTuber “Chris Sumo”, a reliable news source with insider contacts, Terunofuji may sit out September due to back issues and could possibly retire by year’s end. He also says Daieisho & Hakuoho are possibly injured with the latter probably needing shoulder surgery eventually per his stablemaster Miyagino (the former Hakuho). Hakuoho may specifically have a dislocated shoulder, an injury that predates his brief sumo career. As far as potential Ozeki candidates this time, all 3 Sekiwake need to win the tournament to have reasonable chances at promotion, but all could also get there with a 14-1 record (that would get them to the so-called magic number of 33 wins over the last 3 tournaments).
Atamifuji & Kagayaki return to the top tier, Atamifuji for his second career appearance after winning the July Juryo Championship.

Juryo:
Juryo 1-Roga, Tamashoho
Juryo 2-Kitanowaka, Daiamami
Juryo 3-Tomokaze, Mitoryu
Juryo 4-Oshoma, Tohakuryu
Juryo 5-Churanoumi, Bushozan
Juryo 6-Shimazuumi, Azumaryu
Juryo 7-Wakatakakage, Ichiyamamoto
Juryo 8-Shishi, Chiyosakae
Juryo 9-Takakento, Akua
Juryo 10-Chiyomaru, Hakuyozan
Juryo 11-Shiden, Tokihayate (July Makushita Champion)
Juryo 12-Shimanoumi, Takahashi
Juryo 13-Kiho, Asakoryu
Juryo 14-Onosato, Tenshoho
Notes: Wakatakakage will again be absent due to injury. Roga just missed out on making the top tier and will try again this time, needing just a winning record. There are 4 Shin-Juryo rikishi including 2 with new shikona (name changes)-Takahashi, Asakoryu (former Ishizaki), Onosato, Tenshoho (former Mukainakano), while Tokihayate is Sai-Juryo as a returner to the second tier. Kiho maintained his rank despite potential demotion after missing the last 2 days, he had been 7-6 but that left him the equivalent of 7-8.

Other notes: Former top tier rikishi and popular old-timer Akiseyama retired earlier this month despite coming off a promotion to what would have been Makushita 6 after a 5-2 July. He will now become Izutsu Oyakata and mentor subordinates. He finishes his career with a 472-473-29 record (win-loss-absent) in 15+ years, 21-32-7 in 4 top tier tournaments and a highest rank of Maegashira 12. There have been rumors from Chris Sumo that Enho, who was demoted to Makushita 41 after being absent in July (cervical spine injury, which recently ended stablemate Ishiura’s career after over a year on the sidelines) and likely will be out again, may retire too but in a bad scenario because reportedly he was ONE Makuuchi/Juryo appearance short of meeting elder criteria (30 career tournaments in the top 2 tiers, Enho has 29). In other words, he perhaps needed just one win in May before having to withdraw and finish 0-15. Finally, traditional daily closing ceremony performer Satonofuji was demoted to Jonokuchi for this tournament.

The September Tournament begins on 9/10 in Tokyo. All tickets are already sold out.

UPDATE: Nikkan Sports reports Enho is done for the year. They interviewed Enho and he stated January is a targeted return date. That means he’ll return at either Sandanme or Jonidan.
Other topics/notes:
Kirishima is the 11th Ozeki to be kadoban in just his second tournament at Ozeki, the shortest possible time. It last happened in January 2021 (Shodai). Kirishima went 6-7-2 in July, missing the first 3 days due to an injury suffered the morning of Day 1.
The above post was corrected to note Kotonowaka had been Komusubi for 4 straight tournaments before promotion to Sekiwake, not 3.
Nishikigi is actually the 6th oldest rikishi to make his Sanyaku debut, not 4th. He is the 3rd slowest to get there, taking 103 tournaments (17 years).
Following up on Wakatakakage, Nikkan Sports reports he returned to practice today for the first time since his injury in March. It’s not definite he’ll miss the tournament yet. He’s on the early end of projected time missed, which was 6 months-1 year.
Takahashi is tied for 7th fastest promotion to Juryo since debuting, needing just 8 tournaments.
Onosato tied the second-fastest promotion to Juryo post-debut, needing just 2 tournaments. He debuted at Makushita 10 in May, going 6-1 and promoted to Makushita 3 in July, where he went 4-3.

9/3 UPDATE: Hakuoho is OUT the rest of the year. YouTuber Chris Sumo reports Hakuoho had long-rumored shoulder surgery in the last few days for a longstanding issue that predated his sumo career. Out 4-6 months and thus the next 2 tournaments, which may drop him back down to Makushita. Nishikigi also seems to have suffered a torn calf injury in recent joint practices and touring events and is uncertain for September. As for other potential absences, we’ll know more late this week as the next tournament begins Saturday night US time.

Sumo-July 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 14 Results (7/22/23) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14-the penultimate day-of the July 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top tier):
Tamashoho (J5) beat Bushizan (M16)
Koyoshoho (M13) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Kinbozan (M10) beat Shonannoumi (M14)
Endo (M16) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Gonoyama (M13) beat Takanosho (M9)
Hakuoho (M17) beat Hokutofuji (M9)
Aoiyama (M17) beat Nishikifuji (M8)
Daishoho (M14) beat Takayasu (M7)
Kotoeko (M11) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Tsurugisho (M11) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Meisei (M3) beat Hokuseiho (M6)
Shodai (M2) beat Oho (M6)
Sadanoumi (M8) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Ryuden (M15) beat Nishikigi (M1)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Chiyoshoma (M12)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Ura (M4)
Abi (K) beat Hiradoumi (M5)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Daieisho (S) beat Onosho (M5)
Asanoyama (M4) beat Kirishima (S). Kirishima kadoban…
Leader: Hakuoho, Hokutofuji, Hoshoryu (11-3)
Of note: There will be a first-time top tier champion tomorrow. The question is who. Here’s how it looks: Hokutofuji is up first and faces Nishikigi, who fell out of contention with his loss today. If Hokutofuji wins, there will be a playoff because Hakuoho & Hoshoryu face each other. If Hokutofuji loses, the Hakuoho-Hoshoryu winner is the champion. If Hakuoho emerges the champion, he will be the second-youngest Emperor’s Cup winner ever (he’s not even 20) and the first for former yokozuna Hakuho, the greatest ever, as a stablemaster (he is now Miyagino). If Hoshoryu wins, he is virtually guaranteed promotion to Ozeki. He also would be one step closer to achieving promotion to yokozuna like his uncle, former Grand Champion Asashoryu. If Hokutofuji wins, it will be the first time in 60 years that a rikishi whose stablemaster is the Chairman of the Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Hakkaku) won the title. Elsewhere, the final day matchups unfortunately deny Ryuden a Hail Mary chance for the championship as he now has 10 straight wins after starting 0-4. Kotonowaka should finally be promoted to Sekiwake after managing 10 wins for the first time in Sanyaku. And as noted above, unfortunately more bad news for the Kyokai-both Ozeki will be in kadoban status in September as Kirishima now can’t finish with 8 wins due to 2 days absent. Takakeisho missed the tournament due to injuries. Asanoyama managed to save promotion chances after missing 4 days with injury. But Kirishima had to withdraw last-minute on opening day due to an injury. His fighting spirit and resolve is unquestionable and admirable, but now maybe second-guessing as to was coming back on Day 4 the right call?
Ozeki Watch: It’s pretty simple now-if Hoshoryu wins tomorrow he is all but guaranteed promotion. If it means the Championship, call it definite. If it goes to a playoff and he loses to Hokutofuji, I would still call it very probably as he would be right at 33 wins and have a finish equivalent to a championship. If he loses, toss-up as he would be at 32 wins with a runner-up finish. The general benchmark is 33 but Hakkaku has cautioned that’s not set in stone. If Hoshoryu loses tomorrow and does not get promoted, the magic number in September for another chance will be 11. Wakamotoharu & Daieisho can’t make it now but Daieisho can give himself another decent chance in September with a final day win after the unpopular HENKA! for a quick win. Ironically Wakamotoharu also pulled the HENKA! but Hoshoryu caught it and still won. He will still have a chance in September but will all but have to win the championship-if he beats Asanoyama tomorrow he’ll need 13 wins. If he loses, he’ll need 14. Same for Daieisho, who faces Takanosho. Realistically, they’ll need a championship.

Juryo:
Tochimusashi (Ms2) beat Chiyonoumi (J14)
Onosato (Ms3) beat Hidenoumi (J12)
Mukainakano (Ms3) beat Shimanoumi (J10)
Tsushimanada (J7) beat Hakuyozan (J11)
Azumaryu (J6) beat Chiyomaru (J11)
Kitanowaka (J5) beat Shiden (J13)
Akua (J8) beat Oshoma (J4)
Chiyosakae (J10) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Yuma (J14) beat Ichiyamamoto (J3)
Takakento (J8) beat Shimazuumi (J3)
Shishi (J12) beat Roga (J2)
Churanoumi (J7) beat Mitoryu (J2)
Kagayaki (J1) beat Tomokaze (J9)
Daiamami (J9) beat Atamifuji (J1)
Leader: Atamifuji, Daiamami, Tomokaze (10-4)
Of note: IT’S WIDE OPEN! Forget the 3 tied for the lead, anyone up for perhaps a SEVEN-WAY PLAYOFF?!? Thank the Kyokai because it could happen. None of the leaders face each other tomorrow, meaning the 4 at 9-5 still have a chance at a playoff. How does that happen? Here’s how: First, Shishi beats Daiamami in the second match of the day. Second, Kitanowaka then beats Tomokaze. Third, Tamashoho then beats Chiyosakae. Fourth, Akua then beats Atamifuji. Fifth and finally, Kagayaki beats Churanoumi in the final match. That would put Shishi, Daiamami, Kitanowaka, Tomokaze, Tamashoho, Atamifuji and Kagayaki all at 10-5. If any of the co-leaders win, at worst it’s a 3-way playoff.
On a side note, they also made the sumo “civil war” happen, pairing Roga, who is from Russia, against Shishi, who is from Ukraine. Ukraine won this round as Shishi beat Roga, possibly denying Roga promotion to the top tier (he can maybe still get there tomorrow is he wins his final match, putting him at 9-6 at J2 but I think he’ll still lose the numbers game with both Atamifuji & Kagayaki promoted). For the record, this was their first-ever meeting. Although all the Makushita men won, none will reach Juryo and Tochimusashi, a former Juryo champion, has already been demoted. The others finish 4-3.
Also tomorrow will be the playoff for the Sandanme championship.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE AND FREE top tier coverage of the final day, including the final matches and potential playoff, awards ceremony and champion’s interview, beginning tomorrow at 12:30 AM PT/3:30 AM ET. You can watch online and via mobile/tablet/smart TV apps. There is no login/signup required and the service is available worldwide.

UPDATE: Ahead of the top tier final matches, here are the Special Prize winners:
Outstanding Performance (winning & best record with most wins against Yokozuna & Ozeki): Nishikigi
Fighting Spirit: Hakuoho, Hokutofuji. Conditionally (must win today): Hoshoryu, Kotonowaka, Gonoyama, Shonannoumi
Technique (winning record with most different winning techniques used): Hakuoho

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