Tag: sumo

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Chiyomaru (M16) beat Mitoryu (M15)
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Atamifuji (J3)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Azumaryu (M14)
Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Hiradoumi (M10) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Aoiyama (M10)
Endo (M9) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Myogiryu (M6) beat Takanosho (M9)
Onosho (M8) beat Hokutofuji (M6)
Nishikigi (M5) beat Oho (M8)
Ura (M7) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Midorifuji (M3) beat Abi (M3)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Mitakeumi (M2) beat Meisei (K)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Daieisho (M1)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Ryuden (M5)
Shodai (S) beat Kiribayama (K)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Leader: Takakeisho (8-1)
Of note: The most immediate concern is Hoshoryu, who appeared to suffer a leg/foot injury and was notably limping after his loss. If he has to withdraw and misses more than 1 day, his Ozeki hopes are over for now (he is at 6-3 and must finish with at least 11 to meet the criteria) and he’ll have to start over. Wakatakakage has kept his Ozeki hopes alive this time but still needs to finish 6-0. On the flip side, Oho becomes the first demotion after an unlikely 1-8 start so far, opposite of what he’s done so far while Kotonowaka seems to be shaking off the Shin Komusubi struggles-he’s now 4-1 after an 0-4 start to improve to 4-5. January Champion Abi is falling out of contention as he has dropped to 5-4 after a fast start. As for Takakeisho, if he can manage at least 5 more wins Yokozuna should be in reach for March. 4 more for 12 total may be enough too if it results in a championship or another runner-up finish. He showed no ill effects from another bloody nose suffered in a physical match yesterday and had an easy victory today. At worst he will maintain his Ozeki standing with another winning record.
Key matches tomorrow: Takakeisho-Meisei, Onosho-NIshikifuji, Kotoshoho-Ura

Juryo:
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Tokushoryu (Ms2)
Terutsuyoshi (J10) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Gonoyama (J10) beat Kaisho (J13)
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Hidenoumi (J9)
Roga (J9) beat Takakento (J12)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Chiyosakae (J11) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Shimazuumi (J11) beat Chiyonokuni (J7)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Daishoho (J6) beat Oshoma (J3)
Churanoumi (J6) beat Daiamami (J2)
Kotokuzan (J5) beat Hokuseiho (J2)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Bushozan (J1)
Akua (J1) beat Enho (J4)
Leader: Asanoyama (9-0)
Of note: 6 to go for the former Ozeki as Asanoyama ran his opening win streak to 9, every win he gets now will move him further up the rankings. Kinbozan became the second to clinch promotion this time around with his 8th win, staying one off the pace. Although already demoted, Akua got his first win today, not a popular one because he handed Enho a 4th straight loss-he is now 4-5 after a hot 4-1 start. Also on the verge of demotion is Daiamami after a 7th straight loss and, for the second straight time, Tochimusashi. After winning the Juryo championship in his debut in September, he is now 2-7. Last time he maintained his rank despite a 7-8 November.
Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Tohakuryu, Kinbozan-Oshoma. It should be noted the last couple tournaments 11 wins was either enough for the championship or one off the pace and resulted in a roughly 9-10 spot jump in the rankings, so with a win tomorrow Asanoyama is looking at a move up to, at worst, J5 in March. If he can get to a minimum of 13, the top tier is in reach but I still think it’s a longshot and 15-0 would still only get him to perhaps J1 but we’ll see what happens.

UPDATE: Hoshoryu has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 10. His quest to earn promotion to Ozeki this tournament is over. If he misses more than 4 of the 6 days remaining he will also likely be demoted, meaning he would have to start over by getting back to Sekiwake then getting the 30+ wins or 2 championships over 3 consecutive tournaments. This means Kiribayma will get a free victory today.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the halfway point of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Hokuseiho (J2) beat Mitoryu (M15)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Chiyomaru (M16)
Takarafuji (M16) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Chiyoshoma (M11)
Azumaryu (M14) beat Aoiyama (M10)
Hiradoumi (M10) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Takanosho (M9)
Ura (M7) beat Endo (M9)
Hokutofuji (M6) beat Oho (M8)
Ryuden (M5) beat Myogiryu (M6)
Nishikigi (M5) beat Onosho (M8)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Meisei (K) beat Daieisho (M1)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Kiribayama (K) beat Abi (M3)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Shodai (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Takakeisho (O) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Leader: Kotoshoho, Takakeisho (7-1)
Of note: It’s over again for Shodai. No promotion back to Ozeki as he can’t get to 10 wins now so he must start from the beginning again, meaning stay at Sekiwake long enough to get 30+ wins over 3 consecutive tournaments, all with winning records. Hoshoyu now needs at least 5 wins the rest of the way to get to Ozeki consideration although today he picked up what some called a cheap win because of the HENKA! sidestep and rear push out. But when it works, it works. Wakatakakage also won to keep his Ozeki hopes alive but he must win all 7 of his remaining matches. Meanwhile, at the top, 5 were narrowed down to 2 and, more significantly, the Yokozuna hope remains alive for Takakeisho, after one bloody nose courtesy of a physical match against Nishikifuji he remains co-leader and a championship may be enough along with potentially another runner-up finish. 6 are still right behind at 6-2.
Key matches tomorrow: Kotoshoho-Hiradoumi, Takakeisho-Sadanoumi. If Kotoshoho wins, that’s a promotion. If Takakeisho wins, he is assured of maintaining his Ozeki ranking.

Juryo:
Tomokaze (Ms2) beat Kaisho (J13)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Chiyosakae (J11)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Gonoyama (J10)
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10)
Roga (J9) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Hidenoumi (J9) beat Shimazuumi (J11)
Takakento (J12) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Tochimusashi (J7) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Daishoho (J6) beat Atamifuji (J3)
Oshoma (J3) beat Churanoumi (J6)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Daiamami (J2)
Kotokuzan (J5) beat Akua (J1)
Bushozan (J1) beat Enho (J4)
Leader: Asanoyama (8-0)
Of note: In an exciting match in which both seemed on the verge of going down every second, Asanoyama prevailed against a game Gonoyama and the former Ozeki remains unbeaten and clinches promotion, moving one step closer to a return to the top tier. Meanwhile, the Kazakhstan native Kinbozan continues his eventual climb to the top tier, remaining one win off the pace and closing in on another promotion-4 more wins may be enough this time to get him to Makuuchi in March. Meanwhile, the first demotion has also been handed out as after going unbeaten almost the entire first week last time, Akua is now 0-8 and won’t be moving back up.
Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Kitanowaka (3-5), Kinbozan-Bushozan

Lower tier notes:
At the halfway point, 8 in the Makushita have promotions and are tied for the lead at 4-0, including Ochiai in his debut tournament at Ms15. In the Sandanme, 10 are tied at 4-0 as the field thins out more due to 5 new withdrawals for Day 9. In the Jonidan, a group of 12 promoted and tied at 4-0 includes November Jonokuchi Champion Takerufuji, going for his second championship in just 2 career tournaments and who will almost certainly be a Sandanme man in March. Finally, the Jonokuchi is down to 2 at 4-0: Nishikinoryu, who dropped down from the Sandanme after missing the last 2 tournaments, and Okano, a 17-year-old rikishi in his debut tournament.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 7 of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Bushozan (J1) beat Takarafuji (J16)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Mitoryu (M15)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Chiyomaru (M16)
Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Aoiyama (M10) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Endo (M9)
Takanosho (M9) beat Azumaryu (M14)
Onosho (M9) beat Hiradoumi (M10)
Oho (M8) beat Myogiryu (M6)
Ura (M7) beat Nishikigi (M5)
Hokutofuji (M6) beat Ryuden (M5)
Daieisho (M1) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Kiribayama (K) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Meisei (K) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Abi (M3)
Nishikifuji (M4) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Shodai (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Leader: 5 at 6-1
Of note: The margin for error for Shodai to return to Ozeki in March is now gone. To get back he needs 10 wins this time, meaning Shodai now must go 8-0 because he is 2-5 after today. Otherwise he has to get back to Sekiwake and put together 3 consecutive winning campaigns with 30+ total wins or win a tournament or two. Same for Watakakakage to have any chance at Ozeki-he needs 11 wins and that’s all he can get now at 3-4.
It was also announced that just-retired Okinoumi would become Kimigohama (sp?) Oyakata and remain active in sumo, working towards becoming a coach or stablemaster and training future rikishi.
Key matches tomorrow: Kotoshoho-Chiyomaru, Aoiyama-Azumaryu, Onosho-Nishikigi, Daieisho-Meisei, Takakeisho-Nishikifuji. All 5 co-leaders could be 7-1 at the halfway point.

Since tomorrow is Day 8, NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE English-language coverage of the top tier’s final matches of the day beginning at 12:10 AM PT/3:10 AM ET. The network is available on participating cable/satellite providers but can also be watched worldwide FOR FREE online and on mobile/tablet/smart TV apps. No email or login/registration is required.

Juryo:
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Ishizaki (Ms1)
Takakento (J12) beat Kaisho (J13)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Shimazuumi (J11)
Chiyosakae (J11) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10)
Gonoyama (J10) beat Hakuyozan (J14)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Hidenoumi (J9)
Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Roga (J9)
Daishoho (J6) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Kotokuzan (J5)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Kitanowaka (J6)
Churanoumi (J6) beat Enho (J4)
Oshoma (J3) beat Daiamami (J2)
Hokuseiho (J2) beat Atamifuji (J3)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Akua (J1)
Leader: Asanoyama (7-0)
Of note: There may be no stopping the former Ozeki at this point-the sole unbeaten is now just one win away from another promotion and the real question is can he go 15-0? Roga, who was tied with Asanoyama a couple days ago at the top, is fading and now has lost 2 straight but isn’t out of it. Kinbozan now has a real chance to become the first rikishi from Kazakhstan to make it to the top tier, sitting 6-1 now and one off the pace. Tohakuryu is also tied for second at 6-1. Who is out of it and won’t be returning to the top tier this time around is Akua, now at 0-7. And don’t look now but Terutsuyoshi is on another skid, 3 straight since his record-snapping win and is 1-6. Makushita may be calling along with a temporary end to his epic salt throws. Also at the same mark is September champion Tochimusashi, having lost 5 straight and hasn’t been the same since his Juryo debut title.
Tomorrow is the halfway point, which has Asanoyama scheduled to face Gonoyama (5-2), while Tomokaze is the Makushita man of the day. He’s at Ms2 and will face Kaisho, but a loss means Tomokaze will stay in Makushita as he’d be 1-4 and that means demotion. At the top, Tohakuryu faces Chiyonokuni (5-2) while Kinbozan has the proverbial trap match in Daiamami (2-5). In the final match, Akua will be the first demotion at 0-8 if he loses to Kotokuzan, who is 1-6.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 6 of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Chiyomaru (M16) beat Akua (J1)
Azumaryu (M14) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Takarafuji (M16) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Ichiyamamoto (M14)
Mitoryu (M15) beat Okinoumi (M12) by default/withdrawal
Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Takanosho (M9) by foul/DQ…HANSOKU! Takanosho originally won but got caught for pulling the topknot of his opponent, which is illegal regardless of if it’s intentional or not. Judges conference (Mono-ii) was held and the decision was reversed.
Endo (M9) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Onosho (M9) beat Aoiyama (M10)
Hiradoumi (M10) beat Oho (M8)
Myogiryu (M6) beat Hokutofuji (M6)
Ryuden (M5) beat NIshikigi (M5)
Ura (M7) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Mitakeumi (M2) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Daieisho (M1) beat Kiribayama (K)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Meisei (K)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Tamawashi (M2)
Shodai (S) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Takayasu (S) by default/withdrawal
Midorifuji (M3) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Abi (M3)
Leader: EIGHT (!) at 5-1
WITHDRAWALS: Takayasu (S), Okinoumi (M12). Takayasu out due to a right shin bone injury (but has also been bothered by a neck injury suffered in the November 2022 playoff), Okinoumi unspecified but believed to be a leg injury but he has now RETIRED.

Juryo:
Tamashoho (Ms1) beat Hakuyozan (J14)
Takakento (J12) beat Chiyosakae (J11)
Shimazuumi (J11) beat Tsuhsimanada (J14)
Gonoyama (J10) beat Shonannoumi (J13)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Roga (J9)
Kaisho (J13) beat Hidenoumi (J9)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10)
Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Churanoumi (J5)
Daishoho (J6) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Kotokuzan (J5) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Enho (J4)
Hokuseiho (J2) beat Oshoma (J3)
Atamifuji (J3) beat Daiamami (J2)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Bushozan (J1)
Leader: Asanoyama (6-0)
Of note: Asanoyama-Roga lived up to the billing. Great match with the former Ozeki pulling it out to stay unbeaten and the sole leader. 2 wins to a 5th straight promotion. Tomorrow’s scheduled opponent is Shimazuumi (4-2). Ishizaki, a popular “muscle boy” at Makushita 1, is tomorrow’s Makushita man in Juryo, he’s 1-2 and gets Tsushimanada (3-3). Bushozan gets his Juryo man turn in the top tier and will face Takarafuji.

Breaking sumo news-according to the Japanese version of Yahoo Sports, veteran rikishi Okinoumi, who withdrew from the January Tournament today on Day 6, will retire effective immediately. According to a translation of the article, the lingering effects of a leg injury suffered during the November 2022 Tournament is the reason. Okinoumi, ranked at Maegashira 12, was 0-5 coming into today.

Okinoumi (real name Ayumi Fukuoka), 37, debuted in March 2005 and reached a highest rank of Sekiwake during his career. He won one Makushita championship, 5 Special Prizes and 4 Kinboshi (Gold Star Victories, awarded when a Maegashira defeats a Yokozuna). His career record with today’s withdrawal leaves him with a 674-675-33 (win-loss-absent) record.

This will mark the second straight tournament with a retirement during the tournament, following Chiyotairyu in November 2022.

More as it becomes available. Today’s Day 6 results will be posted later tonight.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 5 of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Chiyomaru (M16)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Mitoryu (M15)
Azumaryu (M14) beat Okinoumi (M12)
Takarafuji (M16) beat Tochinoshin (M11) by default/withdrawal
Hiradoumi (M10) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Endo (M9) beat Chiyoshoma (M11)
Aoiyama (M10) beat Oho (M8)
Takanosho (M9) beat Ura (M7)
Ryuden (M5) beat Onosho (M8)
Sadanoumi (M4) beat Hokutofuji (M6)
NIshikigi (M5) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Midorifuji (M3) beat Myogiryu (M6). The winning technique, uchimuso, (watch NHK World Japan’s Day 5 replay for translation) is a very rare one that reportedly hasn’t been seen in nearly a decade!
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Kiribayama (K)
Meisei (K) beat Shodai (S)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Takayasu (S)
Daieisho (M1) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Abi (M3) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Tamawashi (M2)
WITHDRAWAL: Tochinoshin (M11). Dislocated shoulder. Expected to be out 2 weeks, which would mean the rest of the tournament. That puts the Georgian (country in Europe, not US state) in a dilemma-sit out and risk dropping to Juryo at the equivalent of 2-13, try to rush back to get some late wins to avoid that, or if it’s bad enough consider retirement? Tochinoshin is a former Ozeki and top-tier mainstay so if he was going to fall to Juryo at this point I’d imagine he’d pull a Kaisei and retire. He’s also 35, which in sumo is old and he has around 15 years of wear & tear on him. We’ll see. It does mean we’ll have a Juryo man each day in the top tier starting tomorrow, and on Day 6 it’s Akua, currently at Juryo 1 but 0-5 so far. Also watch Takarafuji as he suffered an apparent hand/finger injury on Day 4 but came back to get a free win today. Probably will try to fight through it as he is 4-1 and withdrawal means certain demotion to Juryo without 8 wins.
Leader: Abi, Aoiyama, Kotoshoho (5-0)
Key match tomorrow: Abi-Takakeisho. It’s the last bout of the day and while it’s still early, Takakeisho probably needs this one to stay in yusho and perhaps Yokozuna contention. It’s also a rematch of the November 2022 playoff that Abi won for his first top-tier championship.

Juryo:
Asanoyama (J12) beat Kaisho (J13)
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Takakento (J12)
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Shimazuumi (J12)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10)
Chiyosakae (J11) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Gonoyama (J10)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Daishoho (J6)
Roga (J9) beat Churanoumi (J6)
Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Kotokuzan (J5)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Enho (J4) beat Daiamami (J2)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Hokuseiho (J2)
Oshoma (J3) beat Bushozan (J1)
Atamifuji (J3) beat Akua (J1)
Leader: Asanoyama, Roga (5-0)
Of note: Although there were a couple of scares when it looked like he might go down, Asanoyama pulled out another win somehow and that’s his 4th straight 5-0 start. Only at the 1/3 mark but in the last 2 tournaments his 6th match of 7 resulted in his first and only loss. It’s not too early to begin wondering if he can go 15-0, although it almost certainly would not get him back to the top tier from J12. I think he projects to be between J2-J5 should he manage at least 12 wins, recent history suggests winning the championship with that win total or more would vault him up to J3, putting the top tier within reach for May. The Russian Roga continues to have his best tournament to date and looks to be a strong contender. Starting tomorrow we’ll see a Makushita man each day as a Juryo man goes to the top tier. Tomorrow it’ll be November Makushita Champion Tamashoho, who sits at Makushita 1 and is 2-1 so far. He gets to come up to face Hakuyozan.
Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Roga, Kinbozan-Enho. There still will be 9 days left but the winner of the 5-0 matchup will undoubtedly be the yusho favorite as the only unbeaten. A playoff rematch would not be a surprise. The winner of the second match will stay one off the pace. Fan favorite Enho took the sound advice of stablemaster Miyagino, the former Yokozuna Hakuho, and has put on about 11-12 pounds of extra weight for this tournament and it’s had a positive impact on his results so far. He’s still the smallest man in Juryo at roughly 231 pounds, and the only man in the top 2 tiers that may be smaller (but not by very much) is Midorifuji. At this pace Enho could finally make his long-awaited return to the top tier (his career best rank is Maegashira 2).

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 4 of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Mitoryu (M15) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Azumaryu (M14) beat Chiyomaru (M16)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Okinoumi (M12)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Tochinoshin (M11)
Aoiyama (M10) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Hiradoumi (M10) beat Chiyoshoma (M11)
Onosho (M8) beat Endo (M9)
Takanosho (M9) beat Oho (M8)
Ryuden (M5) beat Ura (M7)
Nishikifuji (M4) beat Myogiryu (M6)
Nishikigi (M5) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Hokutofuji (M6) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Kiribayama (K) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Meisei (K)
Takayasu (S) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Tamawashi (M2)
Daieisho (M1) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Abi (M3) beat Shodai (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Leader: Hoshoryu, Abi, Onosho, Aoiyama, Kotoshoho (4-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Tochinoshin (M11) is OUT heading into Day 5. Left elbow or shoulder injury, which he was favoring after his loss. This means Takarafuji, who seemed to injure his finger in his loss today, will get a free victory as long as he doesn’t withdraw. If Tochinoshin can’t return, he will finish with the equivalent of a 2-13 record, which could drop the Georgian & former Ozeki down to Juryo.

Juryo:
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Takakento (J12)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Kaisho (J13) beat Chiyosakae (J11)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Shimazuumi (J11)
Terutsuyoshi (J10) beat Hiradoumi (J9)
Gonoyama (J10) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Roga (J9) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Churanoumi (J6)
Daishoho (J6) beat Chiyonokuni (J7)
Enho (J4) beat Kotokuzan (J5)
Hokuseiho (J2) beat Kinbozan (J5)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Daiamami (J2)
Oshoma (J3) beat Akua (J1)
Bushozan (J1) beat Atamifuji (J3)
Leader: Asanoyama, Roga (4-0)
Of note: Another relatively easy win for Asanoyama as the former Ozeki is off to a 4th straight 4-0 start. In the lower tiers that’s a promotion but we’re not even 1/3 of the way through Juryo although that does put him halfway to promotion and getting closer to the top tier. I don’t think 15-0 will be enough but who knows. Also, the long nightmare for Terutsuyoshi is over as he stopped his 19-match losing streak dating back to September 2022. Among those struggling still is Akua, back on the verge of the top tier but 0-4, and Shimanoumi, who is in “here we go again” mode out of the gate with another weak start also 0-4.
Asanoyama is up first on Day 5 and will face Kaisho. Roga has Churanoumi. And unless there is another top-tier withdrawal, we’ll start seeing a Juryo man in the top tier each day beginning on Day 6 which would also mean a top-ranking Makushita man appearing in Juryo.

In the lower tiers, there is one return from injury as Obara, a pre-tournament withdrawal at Sandanme 22, is back today for Day 5 after 2 missed matches.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 3 of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Takarafuji (M16) beat Azumaryu (M14)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Chiyomaru (M16)
Mitoryu (M15) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Tochinoshin (M11) beat Okinoumi (M12)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Chiyoshoma (M11)
Endo (M9) beat Hiradoumi (M10)
Aoiyama (M10) beat Takanosho (M9)
Ura (M7) beat Oho (M8)
Onosho (M8) beat Myogiryu (M6)
Sadanoumi (M4) beat Ryuden (M5)
Hokutofuji (M6) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Nishikigi (M5) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Kiribayama (K) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Abi (M3) beat Meisei (K)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Mikakeumi (M2)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Shodai (S) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Takayasu (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Daieisho (M1)
Leader: 7 at 3-0
Of note: Shodai picked up his first win today, meaning he now needs to go 9-3 or better the rest of the way to get 10 wins and return to Ozeki. On the flip side, after 2 runner-up finishes the last 2 tournaments Takayasu is already out of it at 0-3. A lot of the reason is a neck injury suffered in the November playoff against Abi when he seemed to possibly suffer a concussion, but also an ankle injury now. He may not make it thorugh all 15 days. Hoshoryu is among the group at 3-0 and now should be just 8 wins away from reaching Ozeki, but if he can finish with more than 11 that will help. He has a big early match tomorrow against fellow 3-0 Tamawashi. Also in the 3-0 group is November Champion Abi, who has Shodai tomorrow.

Juryo:
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Kaisho (J13)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Hakuyozan (J14)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Takakento (J12)
Shimazuumi (J11) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10)
Gonoyama (J10) beat Chiyosakae (J11)
Hidenoumi (J0) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Roga (J9) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Churanoumi (J6) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Daishoho (J6) beat Kotokuzan (J5)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Chiyonokuni (J7)
Enho (J4) beat Oshoma (J3)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Atamifuji (J3)
Bushozan (J1) beat Daiamami (J2)
Hokuseiho (J2) beat Akua (J1)
Leader: Kinbozan, Roga, Shimazuumi, Asanoyama (3-0)
Of note: Another relatively easy win for the former Ozeki as Asanoyama is off to his 4th straight 3-0 start since returning from a 1 year suspension, but this time he has 12 matches to go instead of 4. Tomorrow’s opponent is Tsushimanada. Interesting to note there are 3 different countries represented at the top-Japan (Asanoyama, Shimazuumi), Kazakhstan (Kinbozan) and Russia (Roga). On the flip side. that’s now 19 straight losses for Terutsuyoshi. He’ll try to avoid making it 20 tomorrow against Hidenoumi.

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

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Chiyomaru (M16)
Takarafuji (M16) beat Ichiyamamoto (M14)
Azumaryu (M15) beat Mitoryu (M15)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Okinoumi (M12)
Aoiyama (M10) beat Chiyoshoma (M11)
Hiradoumi (M10) beat Tochinoshin (M11)
Onosho (M8) beat Takanosho (M9)
Endo (M9) beat Oho (M8)
Ura (M7) beat Hokutofuji (M6)
Nishikigi (M5) beat Myogiryu (M6)
Nishikifuji (M4) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Midorifuji (M3) beat Ryuden (M5)
Abi (M3) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Meisei (K)
Mitakeumi (M2) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Daieisho (M1) beat Shodai (S)
Kiribayama (K) beat Takayasu (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Takakeisho (O)

Juryo:
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Shonannoumi (J13)
Kaisho (J13) beat Hakuyozan (J14)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Chiyosakae (J11)
Shimazuumi (J11) beat Takakento (J12)
Roga (J9) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10)
Hidenoumi (J9) beat Gonoyama (J10)
Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Tochimusashi (J7) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Daishoho (J6)
Churanoumi (J6) beat Kotokuzan (J5)
Enho (J4) beat Atamifuji (J3)
Oshoma (J3) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Daiamami (J2) beat Akua (J1)
Hokuseiho (J2) beat Bushozan (J1)
Notes: In his second Juryo match, Asanoyama had a much easier time winning today than he did yesterday, pretty much walking over Chiyosakae. The former Ozeki is 2-0 and will try to go 3-0 tomorrow against Hakuyozan On the flip side, that’s now 18 straight losses for Terutsuyoshi, who hasn’t won since Day 14 of the September 2022 Tournament.

Lower tier notes: In the Makushita, a rare new Debut at Makushita 15 was scheduled for today as Ochiai, a new wrestler from Miyagino Beya (former Yokozuna Hakuho), was to be in action as the 3rd Ms15 debut since I began closely following sumo again at the start of 2021, but he wound up getting a freebie for his first victory because scheduled opponent Oki had withdrawn. His next chance for his “real” Debut will probably come on Day 4.
The last 2 Ms15 debuts were Kawazoe in September, who turned into a literal “human slinky” in his debut match against Asanoyama as he displayed almost inhuman flexibility in a loss, but gained a lot of fans for his efforts and has climbed up to Makushita 7 in his 3rd tournament, and Oshoma in November 2021 who is now at Juryo 3 and won the Juryo Championship in November. He’s reached the door to the top tier in just 8 tournaments and has just one losing record so far (technically 2 but the second was because of a withdrawal in July due to coronavirus protocols, he was 5-3 at the time and was recorded as finishing 5-3-7, the equivalent of 5-10 for rankings purposes but due to the circumstances he was not demoted).

Here are the quick results from the Opening Day of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Takarafuji (M16) beat Chiyomaru (M16)
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Mitoryu (M15)
Azumaryu (M14) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Ichiyamamoto (M14)
Tochinoshin (M11) beat Chiyoshoma (M11)
Aoiyama (M10) beat Hiradoumi (M10)
Takanosho (M9) beat Endo (M9)
Onosho (M8) beat Oho (M8)
Myogiryu (M6) beat Ura (M7)
Hokutofui (M6) beat Nishikigi (M5)
Ryuden (M5) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Midorifuji (M3) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Abi (M3) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Kiribayama (K)
Mitakwumi (M2) beat Shodai (S)
Daieisho (M1) beat Takayasu (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Meisei (K)
Takakeisho (O) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
WITHDRAWALS: Terunofuji (Y), Ichinojo (M7). Terunofuji is out a second straight tournament due to recovery from double knee surgery after the September Tournament, it may have been aggravated during training recently. The hope is he’s ready for March, if not there may start to be more pressure on him to return soon or consider retiring (while Yokuzuna can never be demoted, they can be pressured or forced to retire due to consistent poor performance or extended absences). Ichinojo is suspended the entire tournament for what is being called coronavirus protocol violations, but it’s really more due to bad conduct in public since his July 2022 Championship.
Of note: Shodai must get at least 10 wins to return to Ozeki in March, otherwise the process starts over from the beginning. Wakatakakage & Hoshoryu can get into Ozeki promotion consideration if one or both finishes with at least 11 wins. Some people online think Takayasu can get back to Ozeki with the same, but in reality the only way that’s going to happen here is a Championship. Takakeisho can solidify his Yokozuna case with a runner-up finish again or at least 12 wins, while a Championship would probably seal it.

Juryo:
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Kaisho (J13)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Takakento (J12)
Shimazuumi (J11) beat Chiyosakae (J11)
Gonoyama (J10) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10)
Roga (J9) beat Hidenoumi (J9)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Daishoho (J6) beat Churanoumi (J6)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Kotokuzan (J5)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Enho (J4)
Atamifuji (J3) beat Oshoma (J3)
Daiamami (J2) beat Hokuseiho (J2)
Bushozan (J1) beat Akua (J1)
Of note: It wasn’t easy, but the former Ozeki Asanoyama pulled out the victory in his Juryo return in his 4th tournament back after a one year suspension. At J12 there is no chance he returns to the top tier after this tournament, even if he goes 15-0. He’s scheduled to face Chiyosakae tomorrow on Day 2. On the other end, that’s 17 straight losses for Terutsuyoshi, who still can’t find his form outside of his standard epic salt throws pre-match, which are numbered because they don’t get to do all that in Makushita or below.

Lower-tier notes: Former top tier mainstay Ishiura is once again a pre-tournament withdrawal due to injuries. He was in the Sandanme this time around at Sandanme 30. He was among a number of pre-tournament withdrawals in the lower 4 tiers. This is his 5th straight missed tournament and could well drop him down to Jonidan if he can return in March, if ever.
Once again there are only 90 ranks in the Sandanme as the days of the traditional 100 may be over. There are 102 in the Jonidan and 16 (31 wrestlers total) in the Jonokuchi although 7 are already withdrawals and may not be making their debuts this time.

Finally, it was announced that on January 28, just under a week after the tournament concludes, the official retirement ceremony for the former Yokozuna Hakuho will be held, including the symbolic cutting off of his topknot. After retiring last year, Hakuho became Oyakata Makagi and now is the owner/master of Miyagino Beya and thus has taken the name Miyagino.