Tag: wrestling

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 10 of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Azumaryu (M14) beat Daiamami (J2)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Mitoryu (M15)
Hiradoumi (M10) beat Ichiyamamoto (M14)
Endo (M9) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Taurugisho (M15) beat Oho (M8)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Ura (M7)
Hokutofuji (M6) beat Aoiyama (M10)
Myogiryu (M6) beat Chiyomaru (M16)
Nishikigi (M5) beat Takanosho (M9)
Onosho (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Abi (M3) beat Ryuden (M5)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Daieisho (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Mitakeumi (M2) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Kiribayama (K) beat Hoshoryu (S) by default/withdrawal
Sadanoumi (M4) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Shodai (S) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Takakeisho (O) beat Meisei (K)
Leader: Takakeisho (9-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Hoshoryu (S). Sprained ankle suffered yesterday. Will return tomorrow.
Of note: With Hoshoryu out today but back tomorrow, he still has a chance at Ozeki promotion in March but he must go 5-0 the rest of the way. Wakatakakage can’t make Ozeki again now as 10 wins is the best he can do and he needed at least 11. Could there be no Ozeki in March? If Takakeisho keeps winning that is possible as each win now moves him ever so closer to Yokozuna consideration. Elsewhere, Kotoshoho and Onosho clinched promotions today and remain one win off the lead. While Chiyomaru will be demoted to Juryo unless he maybe wins out as he took his 8th loss. Oho dropped to a shocking 1-9 today but compared to recent demotions one win and being at M8 is probably enough to keep him in the top tier but not a guarantee. I’d say he needs at least two more wins to be safe. Daiamami’s loss means he will remain a Juryo man in March.
Key matches tomorrow: Onosho-Kotoshoho, Takakeisho-Kotonowaka. The first could all but drop the loser out of yusho contention while Takakeisho needs to win to maintain the lead. Hoshoryu is scheduled to face Nishikifuji.

Juryo:
Takakento (J12) beat Chiyonoo (Ms3)
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Chiyosakae (J11)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Roga (J9)
Hidenoumi (J9) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Kaisho (J13)
Kitanowaka (J8) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10)
Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Gonoyama (J10)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Enho (J4) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Shinazuumi (J11) beat Atamifuji (J3)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Oshoma (J3)
Daishoho (J6) beat Hokuseiho (J2)
Akua (J1) beat Churanoumi (J6)
Bushozan (J1) beat Kotokuzan (J5)
Leader: Asanoyama (10-0)
Of note: 5 to go for the former Ozeki as Asanoyama is 2/3 of the way to a perfect tournament. At this point he would likely move up to J6 in March if he finished with 10 wins. Kinbozan at 9-1 is on the brink of reaching the top tier based on his performance so far-if he manages 1 more win, ideally at least 2 more, he may be there in March. On the flip side, Terutsuyoshi saw his win overturned on judge’s conference after a spectacular looking close call victory, but replays show it was the right call as his elbow touched down first so unfortunately that’s another demotion. He probably needs at least 3 more wins to stay in Juryo and continue his epic salt throws in March. Another big winner today was Shonannoumi, who clinched a winning record and promotion in his Juryo debut.
Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Daishoho, Kinbozan-Tohakuryu. Daishoho is now 8-2.

Lower tier notes: The Makushita has 4 remaining at 5-0 headed into the final 2 rounds, including newcomer Ochiai. As is common, tomorrow’s matches have the unbeatens face each other to set up the championship match for Day 13. The Sandanme is getting interesting as they have 5 at 5-0 but more because 3 of the 5 are from Sadogatake Beya. That means if at least 2 of those 3 win there is a potential of having to face each other in a playoff for the championship, the only scenario in which stablemates face each other in a tournament (they can face off in special touring events that feature informal exhibition matches-one between the last few tournaments saw an only-there exhibition between brothers Wakamotoharu & Wakatakakage). The Sandanme could still have 3 unbeatens going into the final day because of this and if that includes all 3 of the stablemates, odds of a playoff between them are high.
The Jonidan has 6 at 5-0. In Jonokuchi Okano is the only 5-0 left and is the sole leader.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Chiyomaru (M16) beat Mitoryu (M15)
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Atamifuji (J3)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Azumaryu (M14)
Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Takarafuji (M16)
Hiradoumi (M10) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Aoiyama (M10)
Endo (M9) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Myogiryu (M6) beat Takanosho (M9)
Onosho (M8) beat Hokutofuji (M6)
Nishikigi (M5) beat Oho (M8)
Ura (M7) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Midorifuji (M3) beat Abi (M3)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Mitakeumi (M2) beat Meisei (K)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Daieisho (M1)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Ryuden (M5)
Shodai (S) beat Kiribayama (K)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Leader: Takakeisho (8-1)
Of note: The most immediate concern is Hoshoryu, who appeared to suffer a leg/foot injury and was notably limping after his loss. If he has to withdraw and misses more than 1 day, his Ozeki hopes are over for now (he is at 6-3 and must finish with at least 11 to meet the criteria) and he’ll have to start over. Wakatakakage has kept his Ozeki hopes alive this time but still needs to finish 6-0. On the flip side, Oho becomes the first demotion after an unlikely 1-8 start so far, opposite of what he’s done so far while Kotonowaka seems to be shaking off the Shin Komusubi struggles-he’s now 4-1 after an 0-4 start to improve to 4-5. January Champion Abi is falling out of contention as he has dropped to 5-4 after a fast start. As for Takakeisho, if he can manage at least 5 more wins Yokozuna should be in reach for March. 4 more for 12 total may be enough too if it results in a championship or another runner-up finish. He showed no ill effects from another bloody nose suffered in a physical match yesterday and had an easy victory today. At worst he will maintain his Ozeki standing with another winning record.
Key matches tomorrow: Takakeisho-Meisei, Onosho-NIshikifuji, Kotoshoho-Ura

Juryo:
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Tokushoryu (Ms2)
Terutsuyoshi (J10) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Gonoyama (J10) beat Kaisho (J13)
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Hidenoumi (J9)
Roga (J9) beat Takakento (J12)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Chiyosakae (J11) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Shimazuumi (J11) beat Chiyonokuni (J7)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Daishoho (J6) beat Oshoma (J3)
Churanoumi (J6) beat Daiamami (J2)
Kotokuzan (J5) beat Hokuseiho (J2)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Bushozan (J1)
Akua (J1) beat Enho (J4)
Leader: Asanoyama (9-0)
Of note: 6 to go for the former Ozeki as Asanoyama ran his opening win streak to 9, every win he gets now will move him further up the rankings. Kinbozan became the second to clinch promotion this time around with his 8th win, staying one off the pace. Although already demoted, Akua got his first win today, not a popular one because he handed Enho a 4th straight loss-he is now 4-5 after a hot 4-1 start. Also on the verge of demotion is Daiamami after a 7th straight loss and, for the second straight time, Tochimusashi. After winning the Juryo championship in his debut in September, he is now 2-7. Last time he maintained his rank despite a 7-8 November.
Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Tohakuryu, Kinbozan-Oshoma. It should be noted the last couple tournaments 11 wins was either enough for the championship or one off the pace and resulted in a roughly 9-10 spot jump in the rankings, so with a win tomorrow Asanoyama is looking at a move up to, at worst, J5 in March. If he can get to a minimum of 13, the top tier is in reach but I still think it’s a longshot and 15-0 would still only get him to perhaps J1 but we’ll see what happens.

UPDATE: Hoshoryu has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 10. His quest to earn promotion to Ozeki this tournament is over. If he misses more than 4 of the 6 days remaining he will also likely be demoted, meaning he would have to start over by getting back to Sekiwake then getting the 30+ wins or 2 championships over 3 consecutive tournaments. This means Kiribayma will get a free victory today.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the halfway point of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Hokuseiho (J2) beat Mitoryu (M15)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Chiyomaru (M16)
Takarafuji (M16) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Chiyoshoma (M11)
Azumaryu (M14) beat Aoiyama (M10)
Hiradoumi (M10) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Takanosho (M9)
Ura (M7) beat Endo (M9)
Hokutofuji (M6) beat Oho (M8)
Ryuden (M5) beat Myogiryu (M6)
Nishikigi (M5) beat Onosho (M8)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Meisei (K) beat Daieisho (M1)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Kiribayama (K) beat Abi (M3)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Shodai (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Takakeisho (O) beat Nishikifuji (M4)
Leader: Kotoshoho, Takakeisho (7-1)
Of note: It’s over again for Shodai. No promotion back to Ozeki as he can’t get to 10 wins now so he must start from the beginning again, meaning stay at Sekiwake long enough to get 30+ wins over 3 consecutive tournaments, all with winning records. Hoshoyu now needs at least 5 wins the rest of the way to get to Ozeki consideration although today he picked up what some called a cheap win because of the HENKA! sidestep and rear push out. But when it works, it works. Wakatakakage also won to keep his Ozeki hopes alive but he must win all 7 of his remaining matches. Meanwhile, at the top, 5 were narrowed down to 2 and, more significantly, the Yokozuna hope remains alive for Takakeisho, after one bloody nose courtesy of a physical match against Nishikifuji he remains co-leader and a championship may be enough along with potentially another runner-up finish. 6 are still right behind at 6-2.
Key matches tomorrow: Kotoshoho-Hiradoumi, Takakeisho-Sadanoumi. If Kotoshoho wins, that’s a promotion. If Takakeisho wins, he is assured of maintaining his Ozeki ranking.

Juryo:
Tomokaze (Ms2) beat Kaisho (J13)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Chiyosakae (J11)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Gonoyama (J10)
Hakuyozan (J14) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10)
Roga (J9) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Hidenoumi (J9) beat Shimazuumi (J11)
Takakento (J12) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Tochimusashi (J7) beat Kitanowaka (J8)
Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Daishoho (J6) beat Atamifuji (J3)
Oshoma (J3) beat Churanoumi (J6)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Daiamami (J2)
Kotokuzan (J5) beat Akua (J1)
Bushozan (J1) beat Enho (J4)
Leader: Asanoyama (8-0)
Of note: In an exciting match in which both seemed on the verge of going down every second, Asanoyama prevailed against a game Gonoyama and the former Ozeki remains unbeaten and clinches promotion, moving one step closer to a return to the top tier. Meanwhile, the Kazakhstan native Kinbozan continues his eventual climb to the top tier, remaining one win off the pace and closing in on another promotion-4 more wins may be enough this time to get him to Makuuchi in March. Meanwhile, the first demotion has also been handed out as after going unbeaten almost the entire first week last time, Akua is now 0-8 and won’t be moving back up.
Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Kitanowaka (3-5), Kinbozan-Bushozan

Lower tier notes:
At the halfway point, 8 in the Makushita have promotions and are tied for the lead at 4-0, including Ochiai in his debut tournament at Ms15. In the Sandanme, 10 are tied at 4-0 as the field thins out more due to 5 new withdrawals for Day 9. In the Jonidan, a group of 12 promoted and tied at 4-0 includes November Jonokuchi Champion Takerufuji, going for his second championship in just 2 career tournaments and who will almost certainly be a Sandanme man in March. Finally, the Jonokuchi is down to 2 at 4-0: Nishikinoryu, who dropped down from the Sandanme after missing the last 2 tournaments, and Okano, a 17-year-old rikishi in his debut tournament.