It’s a day later than it usually would be, but the Japan Sumo Association has just announced the Banzuke (rankings) for the May 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. Here are the rankings for the top 2 tiers and other notes:
Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Terunifuji
Ozeki-Hoshoryu, Kotozakura, Kirishima, Takakeisho
Sekiwake-Wakamotoharu, Abi
Komusubi-Asanoyama, Onosato
Maegashira 1-Atamifuji, Daieisho
Maegashira 2-Hiradoumi, Gonoyama
Maegashira 3-Takayasu, Tobizaru
Maegashira 4-Oho, Ura
Maegashira 5-Onosho, Meisei
Maegashira 6-Takerufuji (March Champion), Midorifuji
Maegashira 7-Nishikigi, Mitakeumi
Maegashira 8-Takanosho, Kotoshoho
Maegashira 9-Tamawashi, Shodai
Maegashira 10-Shonannoumi, Kinbozan
Maegashira 11-Sadanoumi, Hokutofuji
Maegashira 12-Ichiyamamoto, Nishikifuji
Maegashira 13-Mitoryu (March Juryo Champion), Churanoumi
Maegashira 14-Ryuden, Oshoma
Maegashira 15-Tokihayate, Roga
Maegashira 16-Tomokaze, Takarafuji
Maegashira 17-Tsurugisho
Early notes: Asanoyama may be an early withdrawal due to an ankle injury suffered last week on the tour, which is expected to keep him out 3 weeks. If that holds, that would mean he could miss most of the first week (roughly 4-5 days). Kotozakura is now a “Kaimei”rikishi, one who has undergone a shikona or name change as he will no longer be Kotonowaka going forward, inheriting his grandfather’s ring name as expected. There have been rampant rumors this will be the final tournament for Terunofuji before retirement due to continued injury & health issues, so perhaps the Yokozuna’s last chance to get to his stated goal of 10 top tier championships. Kirishima is in kadoban status, meaning he must win at least 8 matches or he will be demoted from Ozeki. Onosato makes his Sanyaku debut after back-to-back runner-up finishes while March champion Takerufuji makes not quite as big a jump as I expected, going from M17 up to M6.
Newcomers/returners are Mitoryu after winning the Juryo in March, Oshoma finally breaking through to the top tier, Takarafuji back up after one tournament and Tomokaze also returns.
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Daiamami, Myogiryu
Juryo 2-Bushozan, Daishoho
Juryo 3-Endo, Chiyoshoma
Juryo 4-Tohakuryu, Asakoryu
Juryo 5-Kagayaki, Kitanowaka
Juryo 6-Shirokuma, Wakatakakage
Juryo 7-Shishi, Shimazuumi
Juryo 8-Hidenoumi, Hakuoho
Juryo 9-Chiyosakae, Tamashoho
Juryo 10-Shiden, Hakuyozan
Juryo 11-Shimanoumi, Aoiyama
Juryo 12-Onokatsu, Tsushimanada
Juryo 13-Oshoumi, Chiyomaru
Juryo 14-Tochitaikai, Kazekeno (March Makushita Champion)
Notes: Tochitaikai is another name change for this tournament, formerly being Tsukahara. The big story here are the top-tier demotions from last time, including longtime mainttays Myogiryu & Endo. Shimazuumi also was demoted after finishing March the equivalent of 0-15 due to injury. Shirokuma was also demoted for the first time in his career due in part to missing 2 days, while both Wakatakakage & Hakuoho take small steps closer to the top tier. March Makushita Champion Kazekeno is also Shin-Juryo this time along with ONokatsu.
Lower tier notes:
Np epic salt throws for the first time in a long time as Akua was demoted to Makushita 1, unless he’s up in Juryo for a day. Kotoeko was demoted out of the top 2 tiers for the first time in almost 15 years, 2 injury-riddled tournaments dropping him to Makushita 11. The Sandanme has the new-normal 90 ranks again and of note is Kiho has changed his name back to his prior name Kawazoe, which he changed under ex-Hakuho as he got close to Juryo but has plunged due to injuries. The Jonidan expanded back to up 100 ranks plus one at 101 and fan favorite Enho held on to a ranking there at Jonidan 100, but it’s not yet known if he’ll begin his comeback as he tries to reach Juryo one more time in his career to qualify for elder stock. Finally, the Jonokuchi has 20 ranks with 39 wrestlers total.
The May Tournamend runs May 12-26. For the first week of the tournament I will not be able to post daily results as I will be traveling with no internet.