Tag: wrestling

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14 of the November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Daiamami (J4) beat Tohakuryu (M15)
Oho (M12) beat Churanoumi (M15)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Roga (M16)
Nishikifuji (M16) beat Hiradoumi (M11)
Myogiryu (M9) beat Kitanowaka (M17)
Tsurugisho (M13) beat Mitakeumi (M9)
Takarafuji (M13) beat Endo (M8)
Hokuseiho (M7) beat Tomokaze (M14)
Takayasu (M3) beat Kinbozan (M7)
Tamawashi (M12) beat Meisei (M2)
Asanoyama (M1) beat Shodai (M2)
Ura (M1) beat Gonoyama (M4)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Abi (K)
Hokutofuji (K) beat Onosho (M5)
Kotonowaka (S) beat Shonannoumi (M6)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Nishikigi (M4)
Daieisho (S) beat Takakeisho (O)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Kirishima (O) beat Atamifuji (M8)
Leader: Kirishima (12-2)
Of note: It’s not over yet but we’re going to have another Yokozuna Watch in January. Here’s how tomorrow will go: If both Atamifuji & Kirishima win, both lose,, Atamifuji loses (Kotonowaka) or Kirishima wins (Takakeisho), Kisishima is the champion for the second time this year. If Atamifuji wins and Kirishima loses, there will be a playoff rematch and Atamifuji gets a second chance for the second time in a row. Will this be the time after that heartbreaking playoff loss to Takakeisho in September for Atamifuji or will this be the start of Yokozuna for Kirishima? Either way, Kirishima is halfway there because he’ll either win or have a win total equivalent to the championship, although the former is more ideal. At the pace he’s on, Atamifuji isn’t far off. This will be his 3rd straight 11-win effort and should put him on the edge of Sanyaku. I think he’ll be at M1 in January, but if he gets the second chance and wins the championship I’ll move him up to Komusubi. But by this time next year he’s an Ozeki candidate as long as he stays healthy. At the bottom we’re now looking at a minimum of 4 demotions (Kitanowaka, Roga, Nishikifuji, Tohakuryu).

Juryo:
Tochimusashi (Ms3) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Chiyomaru (J8) beat Daishoho (J7)
Tamashoho (J7) beat Yuma (J13)
Shimanoumi (J12) beat Chiyoshoma (J6)
Onosato (J5) beat Asakoryu (J13)
Shishi (J5) beat Takakento (J9)
Mitoryu (J4) beat Tenshoho (J10)
Kagayaki (J3) beat Akua (J10)
Oshoma (J3) beat Hitoshi (J11)
Bushozan (J2) beat Takahashi (J9)
Shimazuumi (J2) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Tokihayate (J8) beat Aoiyama (J1)
Kotoshoho (J1) beat Shiden (J12)
Leader: Kotoshoho, Onosato (11-3)
Of note: The co-leaders already met on Day 8 (Kotoshoho won) so they will only meet again if a playoff is needed, and it may well be. Onosato is up first and gets Mitoryu while Kotoshoho faces Asakoryu. If both win or both lose, there will be a playoff. If one loses and the other wins, the winner is the champion. A win probably promotes Onosato to the top tier in January, a championship definitely will, it’s gonna be 50-50 with a loss. Ultimately it may depend on Aoiyama, who must win tomorrow for promotion (Takahashi in the final match). Shimazuumi should be promoted as well with 9 wins, but a 10th win makes it definite. The way top-tier demotions look right now, I think all 3-all 4 if Aoiyama wins-are going up.
As usual on the final day, a handful of Makushita men will be up for Juryo matches, led by Takerufuji who at 5-1 from Ms1 will make his de facto Juryo debut before being promoted in January. Also up will be Kitadaichi, 3-3 at Ms3 and going for promotion, and former Juryo champion Tochimusashi (Kanno), who made dubious history as the first Juryo winner to be demoted to Makushita before reaching the top tier after doing so. Makushita September Champion Hitoshi is going back down after a tough 2-12 so far debut, as is Chiyosakae. Yuma could be a toss-up if he loses tomorrow to finish 7-8. Even though he will be demoted after today, I think Hidenoumi is safe as he has managed 6 wins with missing 2 days due to injury. With 4 wins since returning after starting 0-8 (missing 4 days due to injury), Chiyomaru is safe too. Who won’t be coming back up this time is Wakatakakage-the former Sekiwake had a solid 5-2 effort in his return from injury at Ms6, but that’s not going to be enough. But another promotion effort in January should do it.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage, including the final matches & potential playoff rematch, awards presentation and champion’s interview with English translation, beginning tonight at 11:30 PM PT/2:30 AM ET. Who will second time be the charm for? Don’t miss it!

UPDATE: Once Day 15 got underway, it was announced that, for the second straight tournament, Atamifuji will win the Fighting Spirit Special Prize regardless of the final results. That may be the only Special Prize awarded again but we’ll see.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13-Championship Day 1-of the November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Kitanowaka (M17) beat Oshoma (J3)
Tohakuryu (M15) beat Oho (M12)
Tomokaze (M14) beat Hiradoumi (M11)
Churanoumi (M15) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Mitakeumi (M9) beat Tamawashi (M12)
Roga (M16) beat Myogiryu (M9)
Endo (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M16)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Ichiyamamoto (M14)
Tsurugisho (M13) beat NIshikigi (M4)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Hokuseiho (M7)
Atamifuji (M8) beat Takayasu (M3)
Takarafuji (M13) beat Meisei (M2)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Shodai (M2)
Ura (M1) beat Onosho (M5)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Hokutofuji (K)
Abi (K) beat Shonannoumi (M6)
Ryuden (M10) beat Kotonowaka (S)
Asanoyama (M1) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Kirishima (O) beat Daieisho (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Leader: Kirishima, Atamifuji (11-2)
Of note: The championship can’t be officially decided until the final day, but Kirishima-Atamifuji is the last match tomorrow. That means the winner only needs to win on the final day or have the loser lose again for the championship, but there could also very well be a playoff rematch. It will be the first ever meeting between the two. It’s also down to those two as it means anyone at 9-4 now can’t force a playoff. That includes Takakeisho so Yokozuna hopes are officially dead, and Ichiyamamoto who fell to a HENKA! by Midorifuji. But if Kirishima wins the championship, he goes on the radar in January and will have a chance at promotion if he goes back-to-back. Atamifuji will be looking for a second straight championship chance after losing to Takakeisho in a playoff in September. If he stays healthy, he could be in Ozeki contention by this time next year.
Ozeki Watch: Since he can’t win the championship now, Kotonowaka probably can’t be promoted. 30 wins will now be the best he can do. If he gets there, that starts him at 22 in January, meaning 11 again can do it. One more win should clinch a Special Prize though, likely Outstanding Performance as he did go 2-1 against Ozeki.

Juryo:
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Hitoshi (J11)
Tenshoho (J10) beat Hakuyozan (Ms1)
Takahashi (J9) beat Yuma (J13)
Tokihayate (J8) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Takakenoto (J9) beat Chiyomaru (J8)
Shiden (J12) beat Chiyoshoma (J6)
Asakoryu (J13) beat Mitoryu (J4)
Onosato (J5) beat Daiamami (J4)
Kagayaki (J3) beat Shishi (J5)
Shimazuumi (J2) beat Akua (J10)
Bushozan (J2) beat Tamashoho (J7)
Kotoshoho (J1) beat Daishoho (J7)
Aoiyama (J1) beat Shimanoumi (J12)
Leader: Kotoshoho, Onosato (10-3)
Of note: While 4 at 8-5 still have playoff hopes, reasonably it’s down to 4. And the top 4 all face off tomorrow as both Kotoshoho and Onosato face the two who are one win back. But if Asakoryu and Shiden both win, the 8-5s are back in it with wins and could force up to a 7-WAY PLAYOFF! It can’t be 8-way because two of the 8-5s, Bushozan & Takahashi, face each other tomorrow. Elsewhere, with his win today, Aoiyama now just needs to win 1 of his last 2 matches for promotion back to the top tier. With 8 wins and promotion clinched at J2, Shimazuumi also will have a chance at a top tier debut in January (I think he needs one more win to make it definite). Fellow J2 Bushozan is a toss-up now to return to the top tier as well with promotion secured, again he also probably needs one more win. And despite his loss today, 4 wins at Ms1 means Hakuyozan will be back in Juryo in January. At this point, Onosato is going to have a chance at the top tier regardless of what happens. One more win makes it likely, 2 wins and/or the championship makes it definite.

Makushita:
Satorufuji (Ms42) beat Kitaharima (Ms11). SATORUFUJI MAKUSHITA YUSHO! 2nd career championship (1st Makushita) in 5 career tournaments for the Isegahama prospect who is an impressive 30-5 to date. He’ll probably go up to Ms12 in January. Kitaharima probably gets denied a January Juryo return as a result.

Sandanme:
Daishoryu (Sd62) beat Nishida (Sd37). DAISHORYU SANDANME YUSHO! First career championship. Will almost certainly return to Makushita after being demoted after July (Absent in September).

Jonidan:
Dairinzan (Jd61) beat Kototaiga (Jd40). PLAYOFF!
Shiroma (Jd15) beat Higonoumi (Jd45)
That means Dairinzan vs. Shiroma on Day 15 Sunday for the championship.

Jonokuchi:
Aonishiki (Jk14) beat Hatachijo (Jd96). AONISHIKI JONOKUCHI YUSHO! First championship in his debut tournament for the rikishi from Ukraine (interestingly he is not a stablemate of Shishi, not right now anyway), and it avoids what would have been a 3-way playoff if he lost as both other Jonokuchi wrestlers who were 5-1 won today, both also in Jonidan.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage, including the important Kirishima-Atamifuji match, tomorrow beginning at 12:10 AM PT/3:10 AM ET. The network is available on participating cable/satellite providers and FREE WORLDWIDE on their website and mobile/tablet/smart TV apps with no account/signup needed and no restrictions.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka::
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Tohakuryu (M15) beat Shimazuumi (J2)
Tamawashi (M12) beat Oho (M12)
Tsurugisho (M13) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Hiradoumi (M11) beat Churanounmi (M15)
Takarafuji (M13) beat Myogiryu (M9)
Endo (M8) beat Kitanowaka (M17)
Hokuseiho (M7) beat Roga (M16)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Mitakeumi (M9)
Shonannoumi (M6) beat Tomokaze (M14)
Onosho (M5) beat Nishikifuji (M16)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Nishikigi (M4)
Takayasu (M3) beat Ryuden (M10)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Ura (M1) beat Shodai (M2)
Abi (K) beat Meisei (M2)
Hokutofuji (K) beat Asanoyama (M1)
Daieisho (S) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Kirishima (O) beat Kotonowaka (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Atamifuji (M8) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Leader: Kirishima, Atamifuji (10-2)
Of note: Although he won’t make Yokozuna now, Takakeisho has at least protected his Ozeki rank as all 3 now have 8+ wins, so all good going into January. But the Sanyaku Shakeup is coming because Wakamotoharu will be demoted from Sekiwake after taking his 8th loss today. This is only his second demotion since reaching the top tier at the start of 2022, which demonstrates how incredibly consistent he has been performance-wise, and snaps a run of 7 straight winning records. He did start 3-2 but has been in a 1-6 slump since, a lot of it’s just bad luck/results and not a lack of effort. Kitanowaka and Roga will both be demoted to Juryo after today as well with 8 & 9 losses, respectively. Kotonowaka & Ichiyamamoto are each one back and still in it, but need a little help. Which could happen tomorrow. Among higher-ranked wrestlers, I wouldn’t call Takarafuji safe is he loses out, but given the supposed Isegahama pull in the rankings, he’ll probably stick around. But he will lose Nishikifuji, who couldn’t stave off demotion again today and took his 8th loss and is going down to Juryo again after 9 straight tournaments in the top tier (he came up after winning the Juryo Championship in May 2022). Unfortunately good happenings outside the dohyo this year, including getting married and having his first children (twins) have not translated to good luck in the dohyo. Shimazuumi came up short in his bid to earn promotion today and will try again tomorrow in Juryo.
Ozeki Watch: While today’s loss means he can’t hit the unofficial mark of 33 wins, Kotonowaka still has a chance at promotion if he wins out, especially if he wins the tournament and finishes with 32 wins. Going 2-1 against the current Ozeki this time should help his cause.
Key matches tomorrow: Atamifuji-Takayasu, Daieisho-Kirishima. Both are tough matches for the co-leaders. Kotonowaka faces Ryuden while Ichiyamamoto has Midorifuji.
Oshoma will be the Juryo Man up tomorrow, he will now be demoted at 4-8 as he remains in a long rut of not being able to break through the upper ranks of Juryo into the top tier (he was J4 for an unprecedented 4 straight tournaments despite one 8-7 and 2 7-8 efforts and was stuck at J3 or J4 this entire year, dating back to his winning the Juryo Championship here last year).

Juryo:
Oshoumi (Ms2) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Takahashi (J9) beat Shimanoumi (M12)
Chiyomaru (J8) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Tokihayate (J8) beat Akua (J10)
Asakoryu (J13) beat Chiyoshoma (J6)
Shishi (J5) beat Tenshoho (J10)
Daiamami (J4) beat Yuma (J13)
Mitoryu (J4) beat Shiden (J12)
Hitoshi (J11) beat Kagayaki (J3)
Onosato (J5) beat Oshoma (J3)
Bushozan (J2) beat Takakento (J9)
Daishoho (J7) beat Aoiyama (J1)
Kotoshoho (J1) beat Tamashoho (J7)
Leader: Kotoshoho, Onosato (9-3)
Of note: Hitoshi’s nightmare is over for now has he snapped a 8-match losing streak that will send the September Makushita Champion back down. Takakento is also a demotion candidate now at 2-9, but this win means despite being equal to 3-9 Chiyomaru is probably safe despite injury absences. With his win as the Makushita Man in his likely final match, Oshoumi earned a 4th win and a promotion, possibly to Juryo in January. If he does, that will mean a Juryo debut as his Ms2 ranking right now is a career best. At the top, Onosato now has a chance at promotion tot he top tier depending on how he finishes. If he wins out, championship or not, I believe he gets there, but yes if he is champion.

Lower tier notes: Tomorrow is the traditional Championship Day. The Makushita Championship match will be tomorrow (Kitaharima vs. Satorufuji), along with the Sandanme Championship match (Nishida vs. Daishoryu). The Jonidan Championship may or may not be decided, depending on what happens: First up, if Dairinzan wins his last match tomorrow, a playoff Sunday is guaranteed against the Shiroma-Higonoumi winner after that. But if Dairinzan loses tomorrow, Shiroma-Higonoumi is for the championship (Dairinzan’s match is up first). The Jonokuchi leader, Aonishiki, is in Jonidan tomorrow and will win the Jonokuchi Championship with a win. If Aonishiki loses, he still is champion if both Ginseizan and Kyokushori (5-1) lose. But if either wins and Aonishiki loses, there will be a playoff and both winning would mean a 3-way playoff.