Tag: wrestling

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 7-the first Promotion Day-of the January 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Hakuoho (M15) beat Tamashoho (M16)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Tokihayate (M17)
Kagayaki (M16) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Nishikifuji (M17) beat Shonannoumi (M13)
Onokatsu (M12) beat Kitanowaka (M15)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Nishikigi (M12)
Takerufuji (M11) beat Oshoma (M9)
Churanoumi (M9) beat Midorifuji (M11)
Takarafuji (M8) beat Meisei (M10)
Takayasu (M6) beat Mitakeumi (M7)
Chiyoshoma (M5) beat Roga (M8) by default/withdrawal
Hiradoumi (M5) beat Endo (M7)
Ura (M4) beat Ichiyamamoto (M6)
Tobizaru (M2) beat Shodai (M4)
Kirishima (M1) beat Wakatakakage (K)
Takanosho (M1) beat Abi (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Onosato (O) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Oho (M3)
Kotozakura (O) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Leader: Chiyoshoma, Kinbozan (7-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Roga (M8). Right hamstring. Status uncertain. Will be demoted unless he returns tomorrow and wins out because he is now the equivalent of 0-7. Demotion to Juryo is a possibility. Chiyoshoma got the fusen as a result.
Of note: Is this finally the big moment for Oho? Expectations have always been sky-high for him as the grandson of legendary Yokozuna Taiho (fun fact: Who may be Oho’s brother, also a grandson of Taiho, is Japanese pro wrestler Yukio Naya in the DDT promotion), and he’s had his moments but generally has struggled at the upper ranks. He may finally be putting it all together after just missing out on Sanyaku after September despite taking his first loss today against Hoshoryu. Chiyoshoma got a free pass today to continue his best-ever start. Kotozakura also got another needed win as he tries to salvage a winning record with his Yokozuna hopes dashed, improving to 2-5. He can still get to a respectable 10 wins he he wins out. The other surprise leader is Kinbocan following demotion to Juryo due to injuries while Takerufuji is among a group right behind at 6-1.
Yokozuna Watch: Hoshoryu remains in contention after handing Oho his first loss today, sitting in a group of 4 at 6-1. He has Shodai tomorrow, who is currently 2-5.

Juryo:
Kiryuko (J12) beat Daishoho (J14)
Miyagi (Ms4) beat Hatsuyama (J13)
Nabatame (J14) beat Daiamami (J11)
Kotoeiho (J13) beat Hakuyozan (J10)
Wakaikari (J13) beat Shimazuumi (J10)
Tohakuryu (J11) beat Fujiseiun (J8)
Tochitaikai (J7) beat Tomokaze (J6)
Hidenoumi (J6) beat Oshoumi (J9)
Aonishiki (J5) beat Daiseizan (J9)
Mitoryu (J8) beat Shonannoumi (J5)
Asakoryu (J2) beat Ryuden (J3)
Shiden (J2) beat Tsurugisho (J3)
Shishi (J4) beat Kayo (J1)
Sadanoumi (J1) beat Shirokuma (J4)
Leader: Shishi, Aonishiki, Wakaikari (6-1)
Of note: It’s getting interesting with 2 Ukranians sharing the lead. That could make for quite the showdown when/if it happens between Shishi, trying to get back to the top tier after demotion last time out, and fast-rising Aonishiki who is on pact to reach the top tier in what would be only his 9th career tournament as his career so far is off to a blazing 54-10 start and he won the championship in his first 2 tournaments (Jonokuchi & Jonidan). November was by far his worst tournament to date and the only time so far he’s lost more than one match in a tournament, although he finished a still-impressive 10-5 in his Juryo debut. After just hanging on to Juryo after a losing record last time out, Wakaikari has nearly matched his November win total with a 6-1 start to share the lead.

:Lower tier notes:
It’s the first half of Promotion Day in the lower tiers, where the leaders are 4-0 and thus clinch promotions for the next tournament. In the Makushita, 5 are currently tied at 4-0 with 4 more trying to join them tomorrow. In the Sandanme, 6 are tired at 4-0 with 8 more getting their chance tomorrow. In the Jonidan, 5 are tied at 4-0 after the first half while the Jonokuchi has one at 4-0 with another at 3-0. Also of note, Enho won his 3rd straight match today to go to 3-1 in the Sandanme and one win away from promotion, which should get him back to Makushita in March.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage in English FOR FREE tomorrow beginning at 12:10 AM PT/3:10 AM ET.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 6 of the January 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kitanowaka (M15) beat Tokihayate (M17)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Kagayaki (M16)
Tamashoho (M16) beat Shonannounmi (M13)
Nishikifuji (M17) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Onokatsu (M12) beat Hakuoho (M15)
Meisei (M10) beat Nishikigi (M12)
Takerufuji (M11) beat Churanoumi (M9)
Oshoma (M9) beat Midorifuji (M11)
Takaradufji (M8) beat Tamawashi (M10)
Takayasu (M6) beat Roga (M8)
Endo (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M6)
Chiyoshoma (M5) beat Mitakeumi (M7)
Hiradoumi (M5) beat Ura (M4)
Oho (M3) beat Tobizaru (M2)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Abi (K)
Takanosho (M1) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Kirishima (M1) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Atamifuji (M2) beat Kotozakura (O)
Onosato (O) beat Shodai (M4)
Leader: Oho, Chiyoshoma, Kinbozan (6-0)
Of note: Atamifuji-Kotozakura had a very rare rematch declared because of a judge’s error-one of the judges raised his hand to indicate Kotozakura had stepped out and the referee stopped the match as a result. Replays confirmed this was incorrect and TV showed a clearly embarrassed judge over the mistake. But the result didn’t change and Kotozakura is now an inexplicable 1-5 after his November championship. We also now know that Roga missed the first 4 days due to a right knee injury, which appears to still be affecting him.
Yokozuna Watch: Hoshoryu’s hopes remain alive after a win today, keeping him one win off the lead at 5-1.
Also of note: Terunofuji & stablemaster Isegahama held a retirement press conference earlier today, which was covered by the Japanese media. Videos of the presser can be found on YouTube. The Yokozuna will remain at the stable as a coach for now, cashing in his Yokozuna elder stock which now gives him 5 years to find a permanent position, which should be easy as he’s considered a candidate to replace Isegahama when he must retire this summer due to reaching the mandatory retirement age. For the time being he will keep his ring name.

Juryo:
Kusano (Ms3) beat Kiryuko (J12)
Daiamami (J11) beat Kotoeiho (J13)
Tohakuryu (J11) beat Daishoho (J14)
Nabatame (J14) beat Shimazuumi (J10)
Wakaikari (J13) beat Hakuyozan (J10)
Ohsoumi (J9) beat Hatsuyama (J12)
Tochitaikai (J7) beat Daiseizan (J9)
Hidenoumi (J6) beat Mitoryu (J8)
Fujiseiun (J8) beat Tomokaze (J6)
Shishi (J4) beat Shimanoumi (J5)
Aonishiki (J5) beat Shiden (J2)
Asakoryu (J2) beat Tsurugisho (J3)
Ryuden (J3) beat Sadanoumi (J10
Kayo (J1) beat Shirokuma (J4)
Leader: 6 at 5-1
Of note: The last unbeaten left, Hakuyozan, lost today which made for a logjam at the top. Among those is Oshoumi, who may well have been November champion if he didn’t miss a couple days near the end. Interestingly, at the bottom are 3 surprises at 0-6: Tsurugisho, Shimanoumi and Daishoho, the last of which seems headed for sure demotion to Makushita this time. Kusano, the first Makushita man up this tournament for a Juryo appearance, is now 3-1 and the top prospect who began his pro career at Ms60 is setting himself up for a chance to be promoted to Juryo in March.

Lower tier notes:
As Promotion Day begins tomorrow, the Makushita has 14 tied at 3-0 who will go for 4-0 and promotion over the next 2 days. In the smaller Sandanme, 20 are 3-0 including rookie Ikarigata, who is at Sd80 in his career debut. The Jonidan has 24 tied at 3-0 while the Jonokuchi has 3 sharing the lead at 3-0. And for those wondering about Enho, he is 2-1 in the Sandanme having lost his first match but winning his last 2.

UPDATE: Roga has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 7. Right knee. Unless he returns on Day 8 this guarantees demotion as he is the equivalent of 0-6. Chiyoshoma will get the fusen as a result and remain at least a co-leader at 7-0.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 5 of the January 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo, and one that saw a seismic shift in the sumo landscape:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Sadanoumi (J1) beat Tokihayate (M17)
Kitanowaka (M15) beat Tamashoho (M16)
Kagayaki (M16) beat Hakuoho (M15)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Nishikifuji (M17)
NIshikigi (M12) beat Onokatsu (M12)
Takerufuji (M11) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Shonannoumi (M13) beat Midorifuji (M11)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Meisei (M10)
Oshoma (M9) beat Churanoumi (M9)
Takarafuji (M8) beat Mitakeumi (M7)
Endo (M7) beat Roga (M8)
CHiyoshoma (M5) beat Takayasu (M6)
Ichiyamamoto (M6) beat Hiradoumi (M5)
Tobizaru (M2) beat Ura (M4)
Kirishima (M1) beat Takanosho (M1)
Daieisho (S) beat Wakatakakage (K)
Abi (K) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Shodai (M4) beat Kotozakura (O)
Oho (M3) beat Onosato (O)
Atamifuji (M2) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Gonoyama (M3) beat Terunofuji (Y) by default/withdrawal
Leader: Oho, Chiyoshoma, Tamawashi, Kinbozan (5-0)
WITHDRAWAL which soon became RETIREMENT: Terunofuji (Y). Unspecified as to why withdrawal but…it’s over. The 73rd Yokozuna has called it a career. A press conference will be held tomorrow (today Japan time) but it appears the major factor was health-chronic lower back & knee pain and diabetes. He will cash in his Yokozuna elder stock, retain his ring name and became an oyakata at Isegahama Beya. The question mark now is whether or not he’ll take over the stable this summer when the current Isegahama must step down due to turning 65 this summer, which is the mandatory retirement age in sumo, and it’s no secret he is undoubtedly the most powerful stablemaster in sumo despite Hakkaku being the director of the Japan Sumo Associasion. Nobody seems to have more influrnce. That means, for the first time in some time, there will be no Yokozuna active in grand sumo. His final match was yesterday’s loss to Tobizaru. For today, Gonoyama got the fusen as a result.
RE-ENTRY: Roga (M8). Returned today. Missed the first 4 days for unknown reasons.
Yokozuna Watch: It’s over for Kotozakura. The January champion has now stunningly lost 4 straight to fall to 1-4, and there is virtually no way a championship with 11-4, even consecutively, will earn him promotion. All hopes for now rest with Hoshoryu, who is 4-1 but took his first loss today. Onosato likely won’t get back into contention this time either at now 2-3.

Juryo:
Kotoeiho (J13) beat Daishoho (J14)
Nabatame (J14) beat Wakaikari (J13)
Kiryuko (J12) beat Daiamami (J11)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Hatsuyama (J12)
Oshoumi (J9) beat Tohakuryu (J11)
Mitoryu (J8) beat Shimazuumi (J10)
Tomokaze (J6) beat Daiseizan (J9)
Tochitaikai (J6) beat Hidenoumi (J6)
Aonishiki (J5) beat Fujiseiun (J8)
Shirokuma (J4) beat Shimanoumi (J5)
Shishi (J4) beat Asakoryu (J2)
Ryuden (J3) beat Shiden (J2)
Kayo (J1) beat Tsurugisho (J3)
Leader: Hakuyozan (5-0)

Massive breaking news from sumo-after his withdrawal today ahead of Day 5 of the January Grand Sumo Tournament (results later, I could not post Days 3-4 results due to a scheduled medical procedure), the scenario Hakkaku feared most has come true…no active Yokozuna. Terunofuji has RETIRED effective immediately. He was 2-2 this tournament after a loss to Tobizaru yesterday, the third kinboshi (Gold Star Victory, when a Maegashira beats a Yokozuna) for The Flying Monkey. According to reliable YouTube English language source Chris Sumo, he will cash on his Yokozuna elder stock and remain at Isegahama Beya, presumably in line to take over when the current stablemaster must retire this summer due to reaching the mandatory retirement age (65). I think the only way he doesn’t take over is if Miyagino-former Yokozuna Hakuho-gets the spot but that seems extremely unlikely given the current elders’ great dialiking of the greatest Yokozuna ever (akin to why everyone outside of New York baseball hates the Yankees-they always seem to win). Because of the withdrawal today, Gonoyama got the fusen as a result, but no Kinboshi.

More as it becomes available.

UPDATE: It’s now official. Nikkan Sports has also confirmed the report. Reasons cites for withdrawal and now retirement were the usual for him-chronic lower back & knee pain and diabetes. An official retirement press conference will be held in the near future. Terunofuji, real name Seizan Suginomori, retires as The 73rd Yokozuna with a career record of (including tomorrow) 523-275-232 (win-loss-absent), 366-207-198 in the top tier, 10 Emperor’s Cups, 13 total championships and 9 Special Prizes and is considered a Dai-Yokozuna (Great Yokozuna), a distinction given to those who win at least 10 top-tier championships. He first debuted as Wakamisho in the now-closed Magaki Beya run by Wakanohana, then when it closed in the early-mid 2010s he transferred to Isegahama Beya and chamged bus name to Terunofuji. He reached Ozeki before prolonged injury absences saw him demoted all the way to Jonidan before storming back up the ranks and, following a final day loss in Hakuho’s final career match (Hakuho finished 15-0 in his final tournament, Terunofuji was runner-up at 14-1), was promoted to Grand Champion. Ironically, they’ll be likely working with each other now for a while until when/if Hakuho might get his Miyagino Beya back in a year or so.

UPDATE 2: His Yokozuna elder stock is good for 5 years so he must find an open position by this lime in 2030 to remain on the Association as more than a coach as he will be now. That should not be an issue, again the unanswered question is whether or not he’ll become the next Isegahama this summer.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 1-Opening Day-of the January 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Tokihayate (M17) beat Nishikifuji (M17)
Tamashoho (M16) beat Kagayaki (M16)
Hakuoho (M15) beat Kitanowaka (M15)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Onokatsu (M12) beat Shonannoumi (M13)
Takerufuji (M11) beat NIshikigi (M12)
Midorifuji (M11) beat Meisei (M10)
Tamawashi (M10) beat Oshoma (M9)
Churanoumi (M9) beat Takarafuji (M8)
Mitakeumi (M7) beat Endo (M7)
Ichiyamamoto (M6) beat Takayasu (M6)
Chiyoshoma (M5) beat Hiradoumi (M5)
Ura (M4) beat Shodai (M4)
Oho (M3) beat Abi (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Atamifuji (M2)
Tobizaru (M2) beat Onosato (O)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Kirishima (M1)
Kotozakura (O) beat Takanosho (M1)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Terunofuji (Y)
WITHDRAWALS (Pre-Tournament): Roga (M8), Hokutofuji (M14). Unspecified injuries for both. Roga-status uncertain. Hokutofuji-will not compete due to surgery and will probably be demoted to Juryo.
Of note: 2 upsets on day 1 starting with Tobizaru quickly flattening Onosato and Wakatakakage catching Terunofuji with bad footwork for an under shoulder swing down. Reportedly Terunofuji’s goal is 10+ wins, which supposedly will keep the Yokozuna Deliberation Council from recommending retirement actions until July, when Terunofuji will probably retire anyway after the current Isegahama must retire due to turning 65 (mandatory retirement age in sumo), opening up that valuable elder stock and stablemaster position. It’s early and no injury/health concerns here but still it’s not a good start. He has Takanosho tomorrow. Tobizaru has Hoshoryu tomorrow so another upset would put the Flying Monkey halfway to a potential Outstanding Performance Prize if he can finish with a winning record. Kotozakura, the leading Yokozuna contender after his first championship in November, has Abi tomorrow.

Juryo:
Wakanosho (Ms1) beat Daishoho (J14)
Kotoeiho (J13) beat Nabatame (J14)
Wakaikari (J12) beat Hatsuyama (J12)
Tohakuryu (J11) beat Kiryuko (J12)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Daiamami (J11)
Oshoumi (J9) beat Shimazuumi (J10)
Mitoryu (J8) beat Daiseizan (J9)
Fujirsiun (J8) beat Toachitaikai (J7)
Hidenoumi (J6) beat Tomokaze (J6)
Aonishiki (J5) beat Shimanoumi (J5)
Shishi (J4) beat Shirokuma (J4)
Ryuden (J3) beat Tsurugisho (J3)
Asakoryu (J2) beat Shiden (J2)
Sadanoumi (J1) beat Kayo (J1)
WITHDRAWAL (Pre-Tournament): Bushozan (J7). Unknown. Status uncertain.

Lower tier notes: No match for Enho in the Sandanme today, he’ll begin his 2025 tomorrow.