Tag: sumo

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 3 of the November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi. S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Nishikifuji (M16) beat Roga (M16)
Churanoumi (M15) beat Kitanowaka (M17)
Tomokaze (M14) beat Tohakuryu (M15)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Tsurugisho (M13)
Takarafuji (M13) beat Oho (M12)
Tamawashi (M12) beat Hiradoumi (M11)
Ryuden (M10) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Mitakeumi (M9) beat Kotoeko (M10)
Myogiryu (M9) beat Endo (M8)
Atamifuji (M8) beat Kinbozan (M7)
Shonanoumi (M6) beat Hokuseiho (M7)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Takanosho (M6)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Onosho (M5)
Nishigiki (M4) beat Abi (K)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Daieisho (S) beat Takayasu (M3)
Kotonowaka (S) beat Meisei (M3)
Kirishima (O) beat Shodai (M2)
Takakeisho (O) beat Ura (M1)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Hokutofuji (K)
Leader: 10 at 3-0
Of note: Rare Technique Alert! Kotonowaka won by Osakate, a twisting backwards over arm throw, which has not been used in the top tier in 13 years.

Juryo:
Asakoryu (J13) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Yuma (J13) beat Shiden (J12)
Shimanoumi (J12) beat Tenshohp (J10)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Akua (J10)
Hitoshi (J11) beat Takakento (J9)
Tokihayate (J8) beat Chiyomaru (J8)
Takahashi beat Tamashoho J7)
Daishoho (J7) beat Shishi (J5)
Onosato (J5) beat Chiyoshoma (J6)
Oshoma (J3) beat Mitoryu (J4)
Daiamami (J4) beat Kagayaki (J3)
Kotoshoho (J1) beat Shimazuumi (J2)
Bushizan (J2) beat Aoiyama (J1)
Leader: Bushozan, Onosato, Yuma (3-0)
Of note: Chiyomaru may have been injured in his match against Tokihayate. Had to be helped up and possibly wheelchaired out afterwards with an apparent left arm/elbow injury. Status uncertain.

UPDATE: Chiyomaru has WITHDRAWN on Day 4.

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

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

Juryo:
Takerufuji (Ms1) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Yuma (J13) beat Shimanoumi (J12)
Shiden (J12) beat Azumaryu (J14) by default/withdrawal
Asakoryu (J11) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Akua (J10) beat Hitoshi (J11)
Takakento (J9) beat Tenshoho (J10)
Takahashi (J9) beat Chiyomaru (J8)
Tamashoho (J7) beat Tokihayate (J8)
Onosato (J5) beat Daishoho (J7)
Shishi (J5) beat Chiyoshoma (J6)
Mitoryu (J4) beat Kagayaki (J3)
Daiamami (J4) beat Oshoma (J3)
Shimazuumi (J2) beat Aoiyama (J1)
Bushozan (J2) beat Kotoshoho (J1)
WITHDRAWAL: Azumaryu (J14). Left knee injury suffered in yesterday’s loss. Status uncertain. If done for the tournament or more than a week, his long slow demotion out of the top 2 tiers this last year-plus after his first and only promotion in the top tier is now complete (I believe that was his last winning record). Shiden got the free win as a result.

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

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Kitanowaka (M17) beat Nishikifuji (M16)
Churanoumi (M15) beat Roga (M16)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Tohakuryu (M15)
Tsurugisho (M13) beat Tomokaze (M14)
Tamawashi (M12) beat Takarafuji (M13)
Oho (M12) beat Hiradoumi (M11)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Kotoeko (M10)
Ryuden (M10) beat Mitakeumi (M9)
Atamifuji (M8) beat Myogiryu (M9)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Endo (M9)
Hokuseiho (M7) beat Takanosho (M6)
Shonannoumi (M6) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Onosho (M5) beat Nishikigi (M4)
Abi (K) beat Gonoyama (M4)
Kotonowaka (S) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Takayasu (M3) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Daieisho (S) beat Meisei (M2)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Shodai (M2)
Kirishima (O) beat Ura (M1)
Takakeisho (O) beat Hokutofuji (K)
WITHDRAWAL (Pre-Tournament): Terunofuji (Y), Asanoyama (M1). Terunofuji-Back/hip (herniated disc). Out the entire tournament. 3rd straight absent. His 2023 will finish with only one tournament he lasted the full 15 days in, but that was his May Championship. He either wins the championship or doesn’t finish. Will return in January per stablemaster Isegahama. Still no real pressure from the Yokozuna Deliberation Committee to possibly retire as he did join the October tour for a while, but he’s never going to truly be 100% again between his knees, back and other health issues (namely diabetes). Asanoyama-Torn left calf muscle suffered late in the tour. Questionable to return during the tournament. Will attempt to return if able to., especially because he is motivated by coming just short of his stated goal of making it back to Sanyaku by the end of this year. Just a win or two short.
On a side note, YouTube source Chris Sumo reported before the tournament that if Kotonowaka ever gets promoted to Ozeki, he will change his ring name to Kotozakura. The son of stablemaster Sadogatake needs to win the tournament to have any chance of promotion this time (mathematically he could also become eligible with at least, I think, 13 wins).

Juryo:
Hakuyozan (Ms1) beat Azumaryu (J14)
Shiden (J12) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
SHimanoumi (J12) beat Asakoryu (J13)
Yuma (J13) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Tenshoho (J10) beat Hitoshi (J11)
Akua (J10) beat Takakento (J9)
Tokihayate (J7) beat Takahashi (J9)
Tamashoho (J7) beat Chiyomaru (J8)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Daishoho (J7)
Onosato (J5) beat Shishi (J5)
Mitoryu (J4) beat Daiamami (J4)
Kagayaki (J3) beat Oshoma (J3)
Bushozan (J2) beat Shimazuumi (J2)
Aoiyama (J1) beat Kotoshoho (J1)
WITHDRAWAL (Pre-Tournament): Hakuoho (J8). Shoulder. Not a surprise as it was announced after July he would have surgery for a separated shoulder and be out the rest of the year. Will return in January barring a setback. Will be demoted to Makushita but should be high enough to have a chance to return to Juryo in March. If what happened this time to Wakatakakage in September is a comparison, and it’s a good one as I believe he was J7, look for Hakuoko to wind up around Makushita 7 or 8 and need one-maybe two-tournaments to get back up.

Lower tier notes: Former Sekiwake and Emperor’s Cup winner Wakatakakage, demoted to Makushita 6 and losing his salary for the first time in a long time, returned for this tournament following knee surgery and recovery. This was on the best-case end of the timeframe for return, which initially was 6 months to 1 year (it’s right about at 6 months). He lost his first match to Kayo, meaning he will need to win out and finish 6-1 to have any reasonable chance to return to Juryo in January (at least if 6-1 wins the tournament again, which is unusual). Also debuting today was Onokatsu, the final wrestler to earn the Makushita 15 debut ranking for pre-pro accomplishments (there were recent rule changes to do away with that following Hakuoho debuting at that rank). He lost his first match so it’s safe to say he won’t match Hakuoho’s now-never-to-be-matched record of making it to Juryo in just one tournament after debuting. Among the notable withdrawals are Kiho (Ms2), just demoted from Juryo after 2 straight tournament at the equivalent of 6-9 (dealt with injuries in both) and Fujiseiun, who just a couple tournaments ago was in Juryo but will now be demoted to the Sandanme after pulling out from Ms46. Former top tier wrestler Enho, now at Sandanme 22, is also out as he continues to try and return from a major back injury. He recently returned to training under former Yokozuna Hakuho, his stablemaster (Miyagino). He’ll almost certainly drop to Jonidan in January, I would call him doubtful for that tournament right now.

It’s that exciting time again-now that we’re just under 2 weeks away from the next tournament, the Japan Sumo Association has just announced the Banzuke (rankings) for the November 2023 Tournament in Fukuoka. Click below to see the rankings for the top 2 tiers and other notes:

Continue reading “Sumo-November 2023 Banzuke Announced”

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.

Here is the Hoshitori-the final standings based on the Banzuke (rankings)-for the September 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament (Records are in Win-Lose-Absent format):

Continue reading “Sumo-September 2023 Tournament Final Standings (Updated)”

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.

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.

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.

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.