Tag: sumo

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again at the start of 2021, but he wound up getting a freebie for his first victory because scheduled opponent Oki had withdrawn.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.

This is coming from a YouTube video I just saw so I can’t yet verify its accuracy (maybe we’ll know more next week when NHK World Japan does their regular Grand Sumo Preview special for the upcoming tournament), but it’s huge if true: July champion Ichinojo is OUT of the January tournament AND Isegahama, chief judge of sumo and stablemaster of Isegahama Beya, may be either demoted or removed from the sumo ranking board. That also would be huge for the banzuke and especially his wrestlers (pretty much anybody with “Fuji” at the end of their name). And one lower tier wrestler at the stable has been forced to retire over bullying allegations (it should be noted this stable boasts, among others, current Yokozuna Terunofuji).

Ichinojo’s issues seem to stem from poor conduct and missing training often, likely due to excessive drinking, and reportedly struck his stablemaster’s (Minato) wife once as she tried to escort Ichinojo home from a bar (and Ichinojo, the Mongolian who is the biggest top-tier wrestler at well over 450 pounds, and closer to 475, probably outweighed her by at least 350 pounds so that’s very scary). But this supposedly happened over 5 years ago so it’s “old news”. But this charge was reduced to breaking Covid rules (that’s what got former Ozeki Asanoyama suspended for a year, and November champion Abi suspended for 6 months). Minato (stablemaster of Minato Beya) is docked 20% pay for the next 3 months.

As for Isegahama Beya, a younger wrestler claimed he was beaten and had boiling chanko (stew) water poured on him, and those claims were found to be true. One of the guilty parties has retired, the other is out the next 2 tournaments. We may know who when the Nihon Sumo Kyokai updates the “Absent Rikishi Info” page on their website as the start of the tournament nears at the end of next week. Stablemaster Isegahama, the chief judge often seen prominently at sumo tournaments and as part of the awards ceremony, will likely be gone from that role completely and not seen at all.

The source of this news is the YouTube video below:

As their late Christmas Day gift to their fans outside Japan, the Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) has announced the Banzuke (rankings) for the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament. Click below for a look at how the top 2 tiers shape up:

Continue reading “Sumo-January 2023 Banzuke Announced”

The Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) posted an announcement from the Board of Directors on their Japanese website announcing the approval of establishment os a new stable, Ajigawa Beya. Formed and led by Ryuji Ajigawa, the former rikishi Amanishiki, he is transferring from Isegahama Beya (which includes current Yokozuna Terunofuji) but is not taking any members with him. The stable will be based in Koto Ward in Tokyo and will be in a temporary location until moving to a permanent location in July.

Ajigawa, 44, reached a highest rank of Sekiwake during his sumo career as Aminishiki, earning a total of 12 Special Prizes in the top tier.

In other news, the Board also approved qualification for Tetduya Ochiai, 19, to possibly make his pro debut in the Makushita division rather than Sandanme or lower. Ochiai graduated high school in March and won the All-Japan Individual Championship in September. He currently works at Miyagino Beya, now owned & operated by former Yokozuna Hakuho.

The Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) has announced a new retirement following the November 2022 Tournament: It received and accepted a retirement request from Yutakayama, making him the second rikishi to retire this month along with Chiyotairyu, who retired after Day 7.

Yutakayama, real name Ryota Oyanagi, was ranked at Juryo 4 in November and went 5-10 in what will be his final tournament. His highest ranking was Maegashira 1 and he won 2 championships in his career (1 Makushita, 1 Sandanme) along with 1 Fighting Spirit Prize in the top tier. He debuted in March 2016 and had a career record of 277-281-10 (win-loss-absent) and 165-215-10 in the top tier. This will leave his beya, Tokitsukaze, with just one rikishi in the top 2 tiers for now (Shodai, who will be demoted from Ozeki for the January tournament).

Here are the quick results from the Final Day of the November 2022 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:

Continue reading “Sumo-November 2022 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 15 Results (11/27/22)(Final Day) (Top 2 Tiers)”

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14-the penultimate day-of the November 2022 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwaka, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Okinoumi (M13) beat Chiyoshoma (M10)
Takanosho (M9) beat Azumaryu (M14)
Kotoshoho (M11) beat Myogiryu (M7(
Nishilkigi (M6) beat Ichiyamamoto (M14)
Hiradoumi (M14) beat Nishikifuji (M5)
Wakamotoharu (M4) beat Kotoeko (M12)
Sadanoumi (M4) beat Tochinoshin (M8)
Ura (M3) beat Terutsuyoshi (M16)
Midorifuji (M3) beat Endo (M7)
Ichinojo (M2) beat Atamifuji (M15)
Takayasu (M1) beat Kagayaki (M15)
Meisei (M2) beat Kotonowaka (M1)
Tamawashi (K) beat Takarafuji (M8)
Ryuden (M8) beat Daieisho (K)
Tobizaru (K) beat Aoiyama (M10)
Onosho (M11) beat Kiribayama (K)
Wakatakakagbe (S) beat Hokutofuji (M5)
Abi (M9) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Oho (M13)
Shodai (O) beat Mitakeumi (S)
Leader; Takayasu (12-2)
Key Final Day Matches: Takayasu-Abi, Takakeisho-Wakatakakage. The championship race is simple-if Takayasu beats Abi, Takayasu is the champion for the first time in his career. If Abi wins, there will be a rematch at the end of the day for the championship. But if Abi wins and Takakeisho also wins, there would be a 3-way playoff and the Ozeki could have increased chances of Yokozuna consideration by taking the title, at worst he can get there by winning in January.
Of note: In the midst of his worst career performance, Terutsuyoshi could join a dubious group of rikishi who went 0-15 in the top tier if he loses tomorrow. It would be only the 5th time it’s ever happened and odds are very heavily against Terutsuyoshi, because his final opponent is Ichinojo, who has nearly 200 pounds on Terutsuyoshi.

Juryo:
Oshoma (J12) beat Enho (J11)
Chiyosakae (J10) beat Kotokuzan (J8)
Gonoyama (J14) beat Kinbozan (J7)
Daiamami (J9) beat Hokuseiho (J6)
Akua (J5) beat Tokushoryu (J12)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Chiyonokuni (J5)
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Hidenoumi (J4)
Shimazuumi (J13) beat Yutakayama (J4)
Tsurugisho (J3) beat Kaisho (J10)
Mitoryu (J3) beat Roga (J13)
Tochimusashi (J7) beat Churanoumi (J2)
Takakento (J11) beat Bushozan (J2)
Kitanowaka (J6) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Chiyomaru (J1) beat Daishoho (J9)
Leader: Oshoma (11-3)
Key Final Day Matches: Oshoma-Daiamami, Hokuseiho-Kotokuzan, Akua-Gonoyama, Tsurugisho-Roga. If Oshoma wins, he is the Juryo champion. If Daiamami wins, there is the potential for a 5-way playoff if the other 3 10-4 rikishi win. Regardless of how many do win, there will be a playoff if Daiamami wins.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13 of the November 2022 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Okinuomi (M13) beat Onosho (M11)
Chiyoshoma (M10) beat Terutsuyoshi (M16)
Aoiyama (M10) beat Atamifuji (M15)
Abi (M9) beat Kagayaki (M15)
Tochinoshin (M8) beat Ichiyamamoto (M14)
Myogiryu (M7) beat Kotoeko (M12)
Hiradoumi (M16) beat Endo (M7)
Ryuden (M6) beat Azumaryu (M14)
Nishikigi (M6) beat Kotoshoho (M11)
Ura (M3) beat Takarafuji (M8)
Takanoso (M9) beat Ichinojo (M2)
Kotonowaka (M1) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Takayasu (M1) beat Oho (M13)
Wakamotoharu (M4) beat Daieisho (S)
Sadanoumi (M4) beat Tobizaru (K)
Meisei (M2) beat Kiribayama (K)
Mitakeumi (S) beat Hokutofuji (M5)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Nishikifuji (M5)
Tamawashi (K) beat Shodai (O). DEMOTION!
Takakeisho (O) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Leader: Takayasu (11-2)
You read above right-that’s loss #8 meaning Shodai will be demoted from Ozeki after the tournament. He will be in the same situation as Mitakeumi, meaning he gets one chance at promotion back to Ozeki if he gets at least 10 wins in January. There will be only one Ozeki-Takakeisho, who got his 10th win today-in January.
Key matches tomorrow: Takayasu-Kagayaki, Abi-Hoshoryu, Takakeisho-Oho. Because all except Kagayaki are 10-3 and one behind him, Takayasu cannot clinch the championship tomorrow, but a win means worst-case is a loss Sunday would force a tiebreaker match for the championship. There could possibly be a 3-way tie or more for the title.

Juryo:
Shonannoumi (Ms1) beat Gonoyama (J14)
Shimazuumi (J13) beat Shiden (Ms1)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Takakento (J11)
Kinbozan (J7) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Hokuseiho (J6) beat Daishoho (J9)
Daiamami (J9) beat Chiyonokuni (J5)
Roga (J13) beat Akua (J5)
Yutakayama (J4) beat Tokushoryu (J12)
Hidenoumi (J4) beat Kaisho (J10)
Enho (J11) beat Mitoryu (J3)
Oshoma (J12) beat Tsurugisho (J3)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Bushozan (J2)
Chiyosakae (J10) beat Churanoumi (J2)
Chiyomaru (J1) beat Kotokuzan (J8)
Tohakuryu (J1) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Leader: Oshoma, Hokuseiho (10-3)
Key matches tomorrow: Enho-Oshoma, Hokuseiho-Daiamami. If Oshoma & Hokuseiho both win. they are potentially setting up a rematch playoff for the championship (they met on Day 9, Hokuseiho won). If just one wins, the victor only needs to win their final match. If both lose, there is potential for a 6-YES, SIX!-way tie and quite the potential playoff scenario on the final day as as many as 6 could be 10-4.

Asanoyama Watch: Coming back from his first loss, the former Ozeki easily beat Kamito in his final Makushita match to finish 6-1 for the second straight tournament. Asanoyama is now 19-2 with one championship since his return from a one-year suspension. Based on everything at higher ranks going on, the odds of going from Makushita 4 to a return to Juryo in January look good as only Shonannoumi and maybe Tamashoho will move up from Makushita to Juryo and there will be some demotions from Juryo (so of the 7 at or above his rank in Makushita only one or two will move up). His tournament is now complete. Tamashoho beat Mineyaiba today to win the Makushita Championship.
In the lower ranks, Asashiyu, who was demoted from Makushita after missing the last 4 tournaments following two appearance after demotion from Juryo, won the Jonidan championship and will move back to to the Sandanme as he tries to climb back up the ranks. As noted yesterday, Takerufuji won the Jonokuchi championship in his debut tournament, so that’s at least one title for Istgahama Beya, the home of Yokozuna Terunofuji. The Sandanme championship, however, will go to a playoff as Hitoshi & Kazuto are both 7-0. Hitoshi will go for his 3rd career championship (2 Jonidan Championships) while Kazuto goes for his first in just his 3rd career tournament (he went 6-1 in each of his first two tournaments).

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top-tier coverage tomorrow at 3:10 AM ET/12:10 AM PT and the final 90 minutes of the tournament Sunday at 2:30 AM ET/Saturday at 11:30 PM PT. I will try to do LIVE results for the final day’s matches.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the November 2022 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Onosho (M11) beat Kotoshoho (M11)
Aoiyama (M10) beat Terutsuyoshi (M16)
Chiyoshoma (M10) beat Atamifuji (M15)
Okinoumi (M13) beat Tochinoshin (M8)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Myogiryu (M7)
Azumaryu (M14) beat NIshikigi (M6)
Hiradoumi (M16) beat Hokutofuji (M5)
Takanosho (M9) beat Ura (M3)
Kotoeko (M12) beat Meisei (M2)
Takarafuji (M8) beat Ichinojo )M2)
Takayasu (M1) beat Ryuden (M6)
Kagayaki (M15) beat Kotonowaka (M1)
Wakamotoharu (M4) beat Tobizaru (K)
Endo (M7) beat Tamawashi (K)
Daieisho (K) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Oho (M13) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Abi (M9) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Mitakeumi (S) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Takakeisho (O) beat Nishikifuji (M5)
Kiribayama (K) beat Shodai (O)
Leader: Oho, Takayasu, Hoshoryu (10-2)
Key matches tomorrow: Oho-Takayasu, Hoshoryu-Takakeisho, Kagayaki-Abi. Oho-Takayasu is for a share of the lead, while Hoshoryu must beat the Ozeki to stay in a tie. The Kagayaki-Abi winner will stay one win back and still with a chance. Also watch Tamawashi-Shodai, if the September champion wins then Shodai will be demoted from Ozeki with 8 losses again.
Reminder: NHK World Japan will have LIVE coverage in English on the final 2 days. Day 14 coverage features 50 minutes of top-tier action beginning Saturday at 3:10 AM ET/12:10 AM PT. Final Day coverage features 90 minutes of action including the final matches with potentially the championship deciding match, post-tournament awards ceremony and champion’s interview with English translations beginning Sunday at 2:30 AM ET/Saturday at 11:30 PM PT. NHK World Japan is available on participating cable/satellite providers and is also available FOR FREE online and on mobile/tablet/smart TV apps. No signup/subscription is required. It can also be watched on YouTube but programming there is limited to hourly news updates and on demand clips.

Juryo:
Gonoyama (J14) beat Enho (J11)
Roga (J13) beat Kaisho (J10)
Daishoho (J9) beat Tokushoryu (J12)
Shimazuumi (J13) bat Shimanoumi (J9)
Kotokuzan (J8) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Oshoma (J12) beat Akua (J5)
Takakento (J11) beat Chiyonokuni (J5)
Chiyosakai (J10) beat Hidenoumi (J4)
Tsurugisho (J3) beat Yutakayama (J4)
Mitoryu (J3) beat Kinbozan (J7)
Daiamami (J9) beat Churanoumi (J8)
Bushozan (J2) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Hokuseiho (J6) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Chiyomaru (J1) beat Kitanowaka (J6)
Leader: Tsurugisho, Akua, Hokuseiho, Oshoma (9-3)
Key matches tomorrow: Tsurugisho-Oshoma, Hokuseiho-Daishoho, Akua-Roga. There are also multiple rikishi at 8-4 so it’s wide open going into the final days.

Asanoyama Watch: As expected, no match today. His final Makushita match should be tomorrow against Kamito, a Makushita 10 at 5-1. Based on what else is happening, a win and a second straight 6-1 tournament should get the former Ozeki from Makushita 4 back to Juryo. But as the Makushita men return to Juryo this weekend, there’s a slight chance of another appearance (no Juryo withdrawals, just guys that have a chance to get there, or who are being promoted there, getting another opportunity). Also tomorrow is the Makushita Championship match between Tamashoho & Mineyaiba, both 6-0. In the lower tiers, Takarefuji can clinch the Jonokuchi Championship tomorrow with a win in his final match. A loss to Oyamazakura (5-1) would mean a 3-way tie for the title to include the Kyokutaisei-Kokiryu winner.