Tag: wrestling

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14-the penultimate day-of the September 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Nishikifuji (M17) beat Tokiahayate (J2)
Hokutofuji (M13) beat Ryuden (M14)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Takarafuji (M13)
Roga (M10) beat Kinbozan (M12)
Onokatsu (M14) beat Ichiyamamoto (M9)
Oshoma (M9) beat Kitanowaka (M16)
Kagayaki (M11) beat Endo (M8)
Midorifuji (M8) beat Bushozan (M12)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Wakamotoharu (M3) beat Kotoshoho (M4)
Atamifuji (M2) beat Ura (M5)
Nishikigi (M13) beat Oho (M2)
Takanosho (M1) beat Meisei (M6)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Shonannoumi (M5)
Wakatakakage (M7) beat Daieisho (K)
Shodai (M4) beat Hiradoumi (K)
Kirishima (S) beat Takayasu (M15)
Kotozakura (O) beat Abi (S)
Onosato (S) beat Hoshoryu (O). ONOSATO YUSHO!!! His second top tier championship! Both in the last 3 tournaments. And…Onosato Ozeki? It could be official as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday. Now the last question left-will he finish 14-1 or 13-2? We’ll find out tomorrow when he faces Abi.
Of note: RARE KIMARITE ALERT!!! Due to a judges’ reversal, Tobizaru beat Shonannoumi with a technique I’d never seen before-sokubiotoshi, head chop down. Elsewhere, while he’s now out of title contention there are worries that Takayasu suffered yet another injury in his loss today, possibly knee or leg as he went down awkwardly when the match ended. Let’s hope not. Hokutofuji came back today after missing 3 days with a knee issue and will still have a chance at promotion on the final day. At worst now a loss should mean maintaining his current rank.
With the championship settled, it’s all over but the shouting and the celebrating tomorrow, but Hoshoryu must win to maintain his full Ozeki rank as he is only 7-7. However it won’t be easy because tomorrow is the Ozeki Showdown against Kotozakura, who also struggled the second week but protected his rank today with his 8th win. Shishi will be the Juryo man up again tomorrow, likely needing a win to have a chance to move up to the top tier in November. This time he has a more favorable matchup in Kinbozan (his first appearance a couple days ago was against Takarafuji).

Juryo:
Oshoumi (J14) beat Daishomaru (Ms5)
Aonishiki (Ms4) beat Aoiyama (J13)
Nabatame (Ms4) beat Kiryuko (J12)
Kayo (J14) beat Takerufuji (J11)
Hakuyozan (J8) beat Tsurugisho (J7)
Daoshoho (J9) beat Shiden (J6)
Daiamami (J5) beat Daiseizan (J12)
Hakuoho (J5) beat Tomokaze (J11)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Shimanoumi (J4)
Tamashoho (J3) beat Hidenoumi (J6)
Shishi (J2) beat Fujiseiun (J10)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Chiyoshoma (J1). TAKERUFUJI JURYO YUSHO!!! 5th career championship and 2nd Juryo. So now the question will be will 13-2 or 12-3 be enough for a top tier return in November? If 13-2 I’d say yes. If 12-3, toss-up but will depend on other results and the Isegahama pull.
Of note: I think this is truly the end for Aoiyama. Now 5-9, demotion out of Juryo seems all but certain after losing to Makushita man Aonishiki, the next hot prospect from Ukraine who, after today’s win, finishes 6-1 and has a chance to reach Juryo in November. 3 Makushita men with promotion chances at 3-3 are up tomorrow: Wakaikari at Ms2 to face Oshoumi (who will be demoted back to Makushita), Kototebakari at Ms5 (4-2, already promoted, could be the finale for Aoiyama), and Tochitaikai at Ms1 (must beat Kiryuko to be promoted to Juryo).

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage, including the final matches, championship ceremony and champion’s interview with Onosato, tomorrow beginning at 12:30 AM PT/3:30 AM ET. Dpeending on when the requisite meetings are held, Tuesday or Wednesday is the earliest we could see Onosato promoted to Ozeki. That would mean 3 Ozeki for November and Onosato could have a chance at Yokozuna promotion for January 2025 if he can win the tournament or finish in a playoff. Don’t count on Terunofuji being back but we’ll see.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13-Championship Day-of the September 2024 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):
Takarafuji (M13) beat Shirokuma (M16) by default/withdrawak)
Onokatsu (M14) beat Tamashoho (J3)
Ryuden (M14) beat Bushozan (M12)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Kinbozan (M12)
Midorifuji (M8) beat Kagayaki (M11)
Endo (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M17)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Kitanowaka (M16)
Wakatakakage (M7) beat Oshoma (M9)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Roga (M10)
Meisei (M6) beat Tamawashi (M10)
Ichiyamamoto (M9) beat Shonannoumi (M5)
Wakamotoharu (M3) beat Oho (M2)
Mitakeumi (M3) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Ura (M5) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Shodai (M4) beat Takanosho (M1)
Nishikigi (M13) beat Hiradoumi (K)
Daieisho (K) beat Takayasu (M10)
Abi (S) beat Kotoshoho (M4)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Kirishima (S)
Onosato (S) beat Kotozakura (O)
Leader: Onosato (12-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Shirokuma (M16). Ankle. Tournament over. Out 3 weeks. Will be demoted back to Juryo.
RE-ENTRY: Hokutofuji (M13). Will return tomorrow. Missed 3 days due to re-aggravating an old injury. Will be the equivalent of 6-7 so still a chance for promotion by winning his last 2 matches.
RETIREMENT: Takakeisho (S). Retired today. Was rumored to be happening if he didn’t earn re-promotion to Ozeki and that bid ended early due to injury (he would have needed at least 10 wins this time). The former long-time Ozeki ends his career with 4 Emperor’s Cups, 8 total championships, 7 Special Prizes, 3 Kinboshi (Gold Star Victories as a Maegashira over a Yokozuna) and a record of 441-254-117, 353-219-117 in the top tier. He was 0-2 this tournament before withdrawing on Day 3 so his final official record for September will be 0-3-11. He came so very close to becoming Yokozuna on multiple occasions but usually those chances were done in by injuries. No word yet on if he will be able to cash in elder stock and become an oyakata.
Of note: It could end tomorrow. Onosato can win his second championship tomorrow and now worst case is potentially up to a 4-way playoff (it can’t be 5-way despite 4 tied at 10-3 because two of them-Kirishima & Takayasu-face off tomorrow). The others, Wakatakakage & Nishikigi, face other opponents. Onosato faces Hoshoryu and wins the title with a win. But more importantly now…Onosato Ozeki? Today made 33 wins over the last 3 tournaments-the unofficial magic number-and he has a championship with potentially a second one.

Juryo:
Asakoryu (J6) beat Fujiseiun (J10)
Kiryuko (J9) beat Mitoryu (J7) by default/withdrawal
Kayo (J14) beat Tsurugisho (J7)
Shiden (J7) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Hidenoumi (J6) beat Hakuyozan (J8)
Hakuoho (J5) beat Oshoumi (J14)
Aoiyama (J13) beat Daiamami (J5)
Shimanoumi (J4) beat Daiseizan (J12)
Takerufuji (J11) beat Shishi (J2)
Tokihayate (J2) beat Daishoho (J9)
Chiyoshoma (J1) beat Tomokaze (J11)
Leader: Takerufuji (12-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Mitoryu (J7). Knee & thigh. Tournament over. Out 3 weeks.
Of note: Worst-case now is a playoff but it’s Takerufuji’s to lose. He won but so did Chiyoshoma so the gap remains 2 with 2 days left. Takerufuji potentially denied Shishi promotion to the top tier in November as he drops to 7-6 while Tokihayate will have a chance to return to the top tier with 9 wins now. At the bottom, Oshoumi will be demoted back to Makushita while Aoiyama is staying alive for now at 5-8, but still needs to win his last two.

Makushita:
Hatsuyama (Ms16) beat Asakoki (Ms55). HATSUYAMA MAKUSHITA YUSHO!!! First career championship. He will have a chance at promotion to Juryo in November for the first time. If he makes it then it will have taken him just over 2 1/2 years.

Sandanme:
Kawazoe (Sd51) beat Kiyonoumi (Sd24). KAWAZOE SANDANME YUSHO!!! First career championship for the former “human slinky” and Hakuho prospect toughing it out at Isegahama. Should be promoted back to Makushita.

Jonidan:
Daiyusho (Jd57) beat Oatari (Jd42)
Shimizuumi (Jd5) beat Imamura (Jd40). PLAYOFF!!! It will be Daiyusho vs. Shimizuumi for the championship on the Final Day. Daiyusho is going for his first career championship, Shimizuumi his second in 2 career tournaments.

Jonokuchi:
Goseizan (Jk15) beat Tsuru (Jk3). GOSEIZAN JONOKUCHI YUSHO!!! First career championship in debut tournament. Avoided a playoff because Aoifuji won in Jonidan and would have had a second chance at 6-1 if Goseizan lose.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top-tier coverage tomorrow, with potentially the championship deciding matches, beginning at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET.

UPDATE: Takakeisho does have elder stock for Minatogawa and will cash it in, likely becoming an assistant coach and perhaps eventually forming his own stable. It’s believed the Tokiwayama stock, or at least the front runner to replace their current stablemaster, currently is held by stablemate Takanosho.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the September 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Takarafuji (M15) beat Shishi (J2)
Nishikifuji (M17) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Onokatsu (M14)
Roga (M10) beat Shirokuma (M16)
Ichiyamamoto (M9) beat Kitanowaka (M16)
Misorifuji (M8) beat Ryuden (M14)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Bushozan (M12)
Meisei (M6) beat Kagayaki (M11)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Oshoma (M9)
Ura (M5) beat Endo (M8)
Shonannoumi (M5) beat Kinbozan (M12)
Kotoshoho (M4) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Oho (M2) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Wakamotoharu (M3) beat Takanosho (M1)
Shodai (M4) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Daieisho (K) beat Nishikigi (M13)
Takayasu (M15) beat Hiradoumi (K)
Wakatakakage (M7) beat Onosato (S)
Kirishima (S) beat Kotozakura (O)
Abi (S) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Leader: Onosato (11-1)
Of note: No 15-0 here either. And now the lead is down to one so Onosato can’t clinch the championship tomorrow against Kotozakura, who still needs a win to secure a winning record. Kirishima, now back in it and with a solid 10 wins, has Hosboryu who is struggling at 6-6 (granted the Ozeki fell to a HENKA! from a clearly desperate Abi who will be demoted from Sekiwake and possibly Sanyaku at 3-9) Takayasu, back in form at 10-2 and with that elusive first championship still within reach, faces Daieisho. Wakatakakge still has a chance as well for what wiuld be his second Emperor’s Cup. Despite a loss today, Nishikigi also still is in it at 9-3. At the bottom, Onokatsu & Shirokuma will be demoted in their first top tier efforts, the latter possibly back to Juryo if he can’t get 3 more wins. The thinking is that Kagayaki will also be demoted to Juryo, at least if he keeps losing as he is now 1-11.

Juryo:
Chiyomaru (Ms3) beat Oshoumi (J14)
Apiyama (J13) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Asakoryu (J8) beat Daiseizan (J12)
Hakuyozan (J8) beat Kayo (J14)
Mitoryu (J7) beat Tomokaze (J11)
Kiryuko (J12) beat Hidenoumi (J6)
Fujiseiun (J10) beat Daiamami (J5)
Shimanoumi (J4) beat Daishoho (J9)
Tamashoho (J3) beat Hakuoho (J5)
Tokihayate (J2) beat Shiden (J6)
Takerufuji (J11) beat Chiyoshoma (J1)
Leader: Takerufuji (11-1)
RE-ENTRY: Tsurugisho (J7). Will return tomorrow. Missed 2 days for unknown reasons. Will be the equivalent of 5-7 so he can still save promotion by winning his last 3 matches.
Of note: It’s all but over now. Takerufuji can clinch the championship-and a potential top tier return-tomorrow if he wins and Chiyoshoma loses. Either happening (but not both) means worst-case is a playoff. Takerufuji faces Shishi tomorrow, the latter needing one more win for promotion and possibly to the top tier but those hopes faded slightly with a loss today in the top tier. Chiyoshoma faces Tomokaze.

UPDATE: Shirokuma has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 13. Right ankle. He was noticeably limping after his loss today. Tournament over. Out at least 3 weeks. Guarantees demotion back to Juryo for the July champion. Takarafuji will get the fusen tomorrow. Mitoryu is also out of Juryo. Right knee injury and right thigh contusion. Tournament over. Out about 3 weeks. Will finish the equivalent of 6-9 and be demoted but stay in Juryo. Kiryuko gets the fusen tomorrow, which will keep his faint hopes of staying in Juryo alive despite being 4-9.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 10 of the September 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Shirokuma (M16) beat Onokatsu (M14)
Kitanowaka (M16) beat Kinbozan (M12)
Takarafuji (M13) beat Bushozan (M12)
Nishikifuji (M17) beat Kagayaki (M11)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Hokutofuji (M13) by default/withdrawal
Ichiyamamoto (M9) beat Ryuden (M14)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Midorifuji (M8)
Takayasu (M15) beat Endo (M8)
Roga (M10) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Nishikigi (M13) beat Wakatakakage (M7)
Oshoma (M9) beat Meisei (M6)
Shodai (M4) beat Gonoyama (M6)
Wakamotoharu (M3) beat Shonannoumi (M5)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Oho (M2) beat Takanosho (M1)
Atamifuji (M2) beat Hiradoumi (K)
Kirishima (S) beat Abi (S)
Onosato (S) beat Kotoshoho (M4)
Ura (M5) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Daieisho (K) beat Kotozakura (O)
Leader: Onosato (11-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Hokutofuji (M13). Right knee (re-aggravated old injury). Status uncertain. Would finish the equivalent of 6-9 if he can’t return as he was 6-4 going into today. Tamawashi got the fusen as a result.
Of note: Onosato is all but certain to be promoted to Ozeki now. He’s still 2 wins ahead and is now at 32 wins and a championship over the last 3 tournaments and possibly now a second championship. Another title would certainly help with going for Yokozuna, plus no Terunofuji in November is a safe bet. Kirishima, Nishikigi and Takayasu are 2 back. Kotozakura will now have to try again for that elusive first title as he is now 4 back with only 4 matches left. There are rumors Hoshoryu is dealing with a hip injury, which may partly explain his struggles at only 6-5.
Onosato has Wakatakakage tomorrow while Kirishima faces Kotozakura and Takayasu gets Hiradoumi, so tomorrow Onosato can all but clinch the championship (a win plus losses by Kirishima and Takayasu mean worst-case would be a playoff).

Juryo:
Oshoumi (J14) beat Kiryuko (J12)
Kayo (J14) beat Fujiseiun (J10)
Daiseizan (J12) beat Daishoho (J9)
Haluyozan (J8) beat Aoiyama (J13)
Tomokaze (J11) beat Asakoryu (J8)
Takerufuji (J11) beat Ahimazuumi (J4) by default/withdrawal
Shimanoumi (J4) beat Tsurugisho (J7) by default/withdrawal
Mitoryu (J7) beat Tamashoho (J3)
Shishi (J2) beat Shiden (J6)
Tokihayate (J2) beat Hakuoho (J5)
Hidenoumi (J6) beat Chiyoshoma (J1)
Leader: Takerufuji (10-1)
WITHDRAWALS: Shimazuumi (J4), Tsurugisho (J7). Unknown for both. Statuses uncertain. Important today because one of the fusen went to Takerufuji. Shimanoumi got the other. Shimazuumi was 6-4 coming in, Tsurugisho was 5-5.
Of note: A potentially big free win for Takerufuji today as Chiyoshoma took a loss, especially important because they face off tomorrow. A Takerufuji win would mean a 2-win lead with just 3 days left. Elsewhere, it may now be the end for Aoiyama. Demotion is coming after an 8th loss today. His only hope of staying in Juryo is to win his last 4 and get to 7-8, maybe 3 wins for 6-9. Kayo clinched promotion and will stay in Juryo but Kiryuko likely will be demoted to Makushita. With a top tier withdrawal again, Shishi will be the Juryo man in the top tier tomorrow with a chance at promotion if he can beat Takarafuji. Chiyomaru, who has a chance at promotion from Makushita, faces Oshoumi tomorrow needing a win to have a chance to return to Juryo. It will also depend on how Tochitaikai and Wakaikari fare in their last match as Ms1 & Ms2 respectively. Both are 3-3 so the former is Juryo-bound with a win. It also will depend on Aonishiki at Ms4, who is 5-1 with one match left.

Lower tier notes: Most of the championship matches are now set. Enho will not be among them as he lost today and is 5-1 in Jonidan. The Makushita championship match Friday will be Hatauyama vs. Asakoki. If Hatsuyama wins, he will have a chance at promotion to Juryo from Ms16. Asakoki is Ms55 and would be in line to jump up to around Ms25 if he wins. The Sandanme championship will be Kiyonoumi vs. Kawazoe with both likely promoted to Makushita regardless. The Jonidan may need a playoff because there are 3 at 6-0. In the Jonokuchi, Goseizan beat Aoifuji today and now only needs to win his last match to be champion. If he loses, a playoff is possible.