Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusuvbi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (top tier):
Bushozan (J5) beat Chiranoumi (M13)
Kitanowaka (M14) beat Ichiyamamoto (M11)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Daiamami (M16)
Shodai (M10) beat Ryuden (M13)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Roga (M16)
Endo (M16) beat Kotoshoho (M9)
Onosho (M8) beat Mitakeumi (M10)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Myogiryu (M15)
Nishikifuji (M14) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Shonannoumi (M12) beat Tobizaru (M4)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Oho (M3)
Ura (M1) beat Meisei (M2)
Asanoyama (M1) beat Takanosho (M3)
Abi (K) beat Takayasu (M8)
Atamifuji (M2) beat Nishikigi (K)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Daieisho (S)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Takakeisho (O)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Takerufuji (M17)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Kirishima (O)
Kotonowaka (O) beat Onosato (M5)
Leader: Takerufuji (11-1)
Of note: No perfecto. Hoshoryu finally figured Takerufuji out enough to hand the rookie his first loss. There are now 4 still with a chance to catch him at 9-3 but that will narrow tomorrow after a match between two of them-Gonoyama & Hoshoryu. Kotonowaka is also 9-3 and faces Takakeisho, trying to send the Ozeki to a 4th straight loss as he still needs just one more win to avoid demotion. Also at risk of demotion is Daieisho, now 5-7 and set to perhaps lose his Sekiwake rank after a year at the 3rtd-highest rank, and it doesn’t help that he’s got Onosato.
This all means that if Takerufuji wins tomorrow (Wakamotoharu), there is a chance he can clinch the championship on Day 14 if Kotonowaka & Onosato lose, it would depend on the Gonoyama-Hoshoryu winner.
Juryo:
Hakuoho (J13) beat Tsushimanada (J12)
Aoiyama (J11) beat Oshoumi (J11)
Tamashoho (J9) beat Kotoeko (J12)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Wakatakakage (J10)
Shishi (J8) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Akua (J13)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Kitaharima (J14)
Oshoma (J4) beat Daishoho (J7)
Tomokaze (J3) beat Chiyoshoma (J6)
Hakuyozan (J2) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Shimanoumi (J9)
Shiden (J10) beat Tokihayate (J1)
Takarafuji (J1) beat Shirokuma (J5)
Leader: Mitoryu, Daishoho, Asakoryu (9-3)
Of note: Still a 3-way tie, but a new face as Wakatakakage was beaten by Asakoryu to fall one back. Based on tomorrow’s matches it could go down to the last day and several others are still in it, but tomorrow’s Wakatakakage-Oshoma loser is probably out. What’s also going to come down to the wire is any potential promotions to the top tier except Mitoryu at J2, who should be headed back up in May. Both J1s (Takarafuji & Tokihayate) are 6-6 and Tohakuryu will be demoted from J2. This might finally opent he door for Oshoma to get past J3 into the top tier if he cam win out, or at least go 2-1. On the other side, Kotoeko is definitely demoted to Makushita and despite a win today, Aoiyama isn’t sage yet at 5-7at J11 with Kagayaki next.
Lower tier notes:
Tomorrow is Championship Day! The Makushita Championship is Kazekeno’s to lose. If he beats Onokatsu tomorrow, he is the champion as the only 7-0. If he loses, there will be AT LEAST a 7-way playoff. because there are at least 14 at 5-1 and aside from Onokatsu 12 face each other then one has a Sandanme man. The Sandanme has 3 left at 6-0, and could be interesting because 2 of the 3 are from Kise Beya, meaning if both win their matches they will have a playoff against each other for the championship. Higonomaru is up first against a Jonidan man, then stablemate Nagamura faces fellow unbeaten Aonishiki. If Higonomaru loses, the latter match is for the championship. If Higonomaru wins, there will be a playoff. Should Aonishiki be champion, that’s 3 titles in his first 3 career tournaments. The Jonidan also has 3 at 6-0, to be settled like this: First will be Tochimaru vs. Taranami. Whoever wins then must wait for Ryuo to face Higonomaru in the Sandanme. If Ryuo loses, the earlier winner is the champion. If Ryuo wins, there will be a playoff. In the Jonokuchi, sole leader Chiyooga at 6-0 just needs to beat his Jonidan opponent tomorrow to be champion. If he loses, there will be a playoff.