Tag: wrestling

Sumo-January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 9 Results (1/16/23) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

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.

BREAKING: All-Japan Wrestler Punished For Rule Violations

Breaking news: All-Japan wrestler Hokuto Omori has been punished by the promotion for compliance violations pertaining to sake/alcohol. Omori is docked 30% pay for 3 months and cannot drink alcohol or be present in such areas during that time. Both sanctions are in effect until March 31. Tokyo Sports has also picked up the story.

More as it becomes available.

DEVELOPING: First NJPW KOPW Stip Set

Voting has concluded for the stip in the first KOPW 2023 Title match, and New Japan has just announced the results on their English website: With 60.7% of just under 30,000 votes worldwide between the NJPW English and Japanese Twitter accounts, challenger Great-O-Khan’s stip won so it’s an MMA Rules match. AND per a suggestion from champion Shingo Takagi, his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship shot coming up later is on the line too. Takagi had proposed a 30 Count match, where a cumulative 30 count on pinfall attempts was required to win.

The match will happen next Sunday at THE NEW BEGINNING in Nagoya.

Dragon Gate 1/15/23 Results

Dragon Gate continued the Open The New Year Gate 2023 tour today with a house show that was a hometown event for Makoka Kikuta.

Today’s event was held at Kanazawa Ryutsu Kaikan in Ishikawa and can be watched on demand on DRAGONGATE NETWORK.

The announced paid attendance was 259.

Match 1: Kota minoura, BxB Hulk & Minorita beat Kzy, BIGBOSS Shimizu & Jason Lee. Minoura pinned Lee after R-301.

Match 2: Kagetora beat H-Y-O by DQ. Z-Brats interference.

Match 3: Masaaki Mochizuki, Susumu Mochizuki, Mochizuki Junior & Yasushi Kanda beat Ho Ho Lun, Ryu Fuda, Kaito Nagano &Yoshiki Kato. Kanda pinned Fuda after a diving elbow drop.

Match 4: Strong Machine J & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI beat Dragon Kid & Genki Horiguchi. J pinned Horiguchi after Diamond Frame.

Match 6: Ben-K beat Takashi Yoshida.

Main Event: Madoka Kikuta, Yuki Yoshioka & Dragon Dia beat Shun Skywalker, KAI & ISHIN. Kikuta pinned KAI after a rolling lariat.

The next event is Saturday at Kobe Sambo Hall in Kobe. Live streaming on DRAGONGATE NETWORK will begin at 1 AM PT/4 AM ET.

Sumo-January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 8 Results (1/15/23) (Halfway Point) (Top 2 Tiers)

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.

Pro Wrestling NOAH 1/15/23 Results

Pro Wrestling NOAH continued the never-ending SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour today with a house show that served as the final event before a huge weekend ahead on Yokohama. The event also featured a big pre-event autograph session for fans.

Today’s event was held at Fujisan Messe in Shizuoka and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE Wednesday. There was no live broadcast, although the 7th match did stream live on Instagram.

The announced paid attendance was 380, a full house/near sellout.

Match 1: Atsushi Kotoge beat Yasutaka Yano.

Match 2: Masa Kitamiya & Yoshiki Inamura beat Mohammed Yone & Akitoshi Saito. Kitamiya pinned Saito after Saito Suplex.

Match 3: Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. & YO-HEY beat Manabu Soya & Tadasuke. YO-HEY pinned Tadasuke after a dropkick.

Match 4: Timothy Thatcher beat Seiki Yoshioka by submission.

Match 5: Junta Miyawaki & Alejandro beat Yoshinari Ogawa & NOSAWA Rongai by DQ. NOSAWA DQ’d. Weapon use.

Match 6: Takashi Sugiura beat Daiki Inaba.

Match 7: Jack Morris & Jake Lee beat Kaito Kiyomiya & Shuhei Taniguchi. Lee pinned Taniguchi after Giant Killing.

Main Event: Kenoh, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Hajime Ohara, Shuji Kondo & Hi69 beat Satoshi Kojima, Naomichi Marufuji, Ninja Mack, AMAKUSA & Dante Leon. Ohara beat Leon with Mui Bien Clutch.

The next event is ABEMA PRESENTS GREAT MUTA FINAL BYE-BYE, the final career appearance by Keiji Muto’s masked/face painted alter-ego, on 1/22 at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama. All Elite Wresting participation is featured as Darby Allin makes his Japan debut and Sting returns to Japan one last time. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE in English only will begin at 1 AM ET/Saturday at 10 PM PT. The event is also available as a PPV on FITE. The promotion also will participate in New Japan Pro Wrestling’s WRESTLE KINGDOM 17 in YOKOHAMA Saturday. That event will be available as a PPV only on New Japan World beginning at 3 AM ET/midnight PT then will be available to all subscribers on New Japan World and WRESTLE UNIVERSE in English only one week later.

After the event, the promotion announced that Kinya Okada, who has been out several months due to injury, will return on 2/5.

All-Japan 1/15/22 Results

All-Japan continued their current tour today with a house show representing the final build before a big event next weekend.

Today’s event was held at 2AW Square in Chiba and will be available on demand on AJPW.TV later today. There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 158.

Match 1: Black Menso-re & Kaji Tomato vs. Takuro Niki & Oji Shiba went to a 10 minute time limit draw.

Match 2: Ryuki Honda & Yusuke Kodama beat Ryo Inoue & Yuma Anzai. Honda pinned Inoue after Final Vent.

Match 3: Naruki Doi beat Dan Tamura.

Match 4: Shuji Ishikawa, Takao Omori & Yoshitatsu beat Suwama, Jun & Rei Saito. Yoshitatsu pinned Jun Saito after Cockroach Driver 2022.

Match 5: Hokuto Omori beat Hikaru Sato.

Main Event: Yuma & Atsuki Aoyagi & Naoya Nomura beat Kento Miyahara, Kotaro Suzuki & Rising Hayato. Yuma Aoyagi pinned Hayato after THE FOOL.

The next event is 1/22 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo with 3 scheduled title matches. Live streaming on AJPW.TV will begin Saturday at 9:30 PM ET/6:30 PM PT.

Dragon Gate 1/14/23 Results

Dragon Gate reached the halfway point of the Open The New Year Gate 2023 Tour today as they keep up a constant pace of events to start the year.

Today’s event was held at Act City Hamamatsu in Shizuoka and can be watched on demand on DRAGONGATE NETWORK.

The announced paid attendance was 261.

Match 1: Kzy, BIGBOSS Shimizu & Strong Machine J beat Shachihoko BOY, Kagetora & Kaito Nagano. J pinned Nagano with a German suplex hold.

Match 2: Ryu Fuda vs. Mochizuki Jr. went to a Double KO.

Match 3: Match 3: KAI beat Yoshiki Kato.

Match 4: Masaaki Mochizuki, Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda beat Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi & Shuji Kondo. Susumu Mochizuki pinned Horiguchi after Yokosuka Cutter.

Match 5: Yuki Yoshioka & Madoka Kikuta beat JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI & Jason Lee. Kikuta pinned KAMEI after Deformed Driver.

Main Event: Kota Minoura, Ben-K & BxB Hulk beat Shun Skywalker, ISHIN & H-Y-O. Ben-K pinned H-Y-O after a spear.

The next event is tomorrow at Kanazawa Ryutsu Kaitan in Ishikawa. There will be no live broadcast.

Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling Futari-wa Princess Max Heart Tournament 3 Results (1/14/23)

Tokyo Joshi Pro begins the 3rd Futari-wa Princess Max Heart Tournament today with opening round matches. This is a tag team tournament coming back for the second straight year in the winter as a lead-in to GRAND PRINCESS in March, featuring almost the entire TJPW roster participating. Of the 10 teams many are established to some extent and have been featured before but there are some new faces as well as notable names missing-in particular one top team absent this time is Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki. Sakazaki is in the USA for the next month, presumably for a return to All Elite Wrestling, and won’t be back until March and thus being the privileged, snobby brat she is Mizuki refused to participate without Sakazaki. Also sitting out the tournament is Pom Harajuku, who has opted to be a cheerleader for her friends Yuki Aino & Raku. New rookies Wakana Uehara & HIMAWARI, who just debuted, also will not participate. The assumption seems to be that despite a mild concussion a couple weeks ago, Miyu Yamashita will be competing and teaming with Maki Itoh-there have been no indications Yamashita is out. The eventual tournament winners will probably get a shot at NEW Princess Tag Team Champions Heidi Howitzer & Max The Impaler at GRAND PRINCESS ’23, I’m personally hoping Yuki Arai & Saki Akai claim the tournament and can win the belts back. The defending tournament champion team is Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe.

Today’s event will be held at Otemachi Mitsui Hall in Tokyo and can be watched LIVE on WRESTLE UNIVERSE. There will be no commentary. The event is a legit advance sellout-only 50% capacity so vocal cheering probably will be allowed. For the tournament there are 2 1st round matches and one 2nd round match today (it’s single-elimination but the bracket setup is odd because there are 10 teams participating). With 6 matches and probably no time limit for the tournament matches I anticipate the event’s running time being around 2 hours.

Today’s lineup:
Shoko Nakajima vs. Wakana Uehara
Mizuki vs. Hyper Misao & Pom Harajuku in a 3-way
Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & HIMAWARI vs. Suzume, Arisu Endo & Kaya Toribami
Futari-wa Princess Max Heart Tournament Round 1:
Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu vs. Moka Miyamoto & Juria Nagano
Saki Akai & Yuki Arai vs. Yuki Aino & Raku
Futari-wa Princess Max Heart Tournament Quarterfinals: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh vs. Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta

Refresh this page occasionally for the latest results.

Updates below will begin at midnight ET/9 PM PT.

11:30 PM ET UPDATE: The live stream has started. Updates will begin in about 30 minutes when we go to the venue.

11:55 PM ET UPDATE: Live updates begin now…
We are LIVE from Otemachi Mitsui Hall in Tokyo, Japan. There is no commentary.

The paid attendance will be announced after the event but it is a legit advance sellout. With only 50% capacity because vocal cheering is allowed it’s probably going to be between 250-300.

The matches begin at 12:10 AM ET. The match order listed above is today’s official match order. No time limit for the tournament matches. Looks like hard-camera only setup today.

Match 1: Shoko Nakajima vs. Wakana Uehara. 15 minute time limit
Result: Shoko Nakajima beat Wakana Uehara

Match 2: Mizuki vs. Hyper Misao & Pom Harajuku in a 3-way. 20 minute time limit
Result: Hyper Misao beat Mizuki & Pom Harajuku in a 3-way by pinning Harajuku.

Match 3: Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & HIMAWARI vs. Suzume, Arisu Endo & Kaya Toribami. 20 minute time limit
Result: Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & HIMAWARI beat Suzume, Arisu Endo & Kaya Toribami. Watanabe pinned Toribami after Teardrop. And that’s career V1 for HIMAWARI!

Match 4: Futari-wa Princess Max Heart Tournament Round 1: Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu vs. Moka Miyamoto & Juria Nagano. No time limit (side note: Miyamoto recently unveiled a new look and changed her outfit up. I really like it)
Result: Moka Miyamoto & Juria Nagano beat Yuki kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu. Nagano pinned Kiryu after a spinning head kick. As a result, Miyamoto & Nagano advance to the Quarterfinals and will face Suzume & Arisu Endo.

Match 5: Futari-wa Princess Max Heart Tournament Round 1: Saki Akai & Yuki Arai vs. Yuki Aino & Raku. No time limit
Result: Saki Akai & Yuki Arai beat Yuki Aino & Raku. Akai beat Raku with an arm triangle choke. As a result, AA Eye Candy advances to the Quarterfinals and will face Miu Watanabe & Rika Tatsumi. One step closer!

Main Event: Futari-wa Princess Max Heart Tournament Quarterfinals: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh vs. Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta. No time limit
Result: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh beat Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta. Yamashita pinned Kakuta after Skull Kick. As a result, Yamashita & Itoh advance to the Semifinals and will face the 1/19 Miyamoto/Nagano-Suzume/Endo winner.

The event was a little shorter than anticipated, the total running time was 1 hour 45 minutes.

The next event is Thursday at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo with the remaining Quarterfinals: Miyamoto/Nagano-Suzume/Endo, Arai/Akai-Tatsumi/Watanabe and Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao vs. Neko Haruna & Kaya Toribami. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin at 2 AM PT/5 AM ET. Likely no vocal cheering as it’ll be full capacity.

UPDATE: The announced paid attendance was 310.

Sumo-January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 7 Results (1/14/23) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 7 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):
Bushozan (J1) beat Takarafuji (J16)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Mitoryu (M15)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Chiyomaru (M16)
Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Aoiyama (M10) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Kotoshoho (M13) beat Endo (M9)
Takanosho (M9) beat Azumaryu (M14)
Onosho (M9) beat Hiradoumi (M10)
Oho (M8) beat Myogiryu (M6)
Ura (M7) beat Nishikigi (M5)
Hokutofuji (M6) beat Ryuden (M5)
Daieisho (M1) beat Sadanoumi (M4)
Kiribayama (K) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Meisei (K) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Abi (M3)
Nishikifuji (M4) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Tamawashi (M2) beat Shodai (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Leader: 5 at 6-1
Of note: The margin for error for Shodai to return to Ozeki in March is now gone. To get back he needs 10 wins this time, meaning Shodai now must go 8-0 because he is 2-5 after today. Otherwise he has to get back to Sekiwake and put together 3 consecutive winning campaigns with 30+ total wins or win a tournament or two. Same for Watakakakage to have any chance at Ozeki-he needs 11 wins and that’s all he can get now at 3-4.
It was also announced that just-retired Okinoumi would become Kimigohama (sp?) Oyakata and remain active in sumo, working towards becoming a coach or stablemaster and training future rikishi.
Key matches tomorrow: Kotoshoho-Chiyomaru, Aoiyama-Azumaryu, Onosho-Nishikigi, Daieisho-Meisei, Takakeisho-Nishikifuji. All 5 co-leaders could be 7-1 at the halfway point.

Since tomorrow is Day 8, NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE English-language coverage of the top tier’s final matches of the day beginning at 12:10 AM PT/3:10 AM ET. The network is available on participating cable/satellite providers but can also be watched worldwide FOR FREE online and on mobile/tablet/smart TV apps. No email or login/registration is required.

Juryo:
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Ishizaki (Ms1)
Takakento (J12) beat Kaisho (J13)
Asanoyama (J12) beat Shimazuumi (J11)
Chiyosakae (J11) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10)
Gonoyama (J10) beat Hakuyozan (J14)
Shonannoumi (J13) beat Hidenoumi (J9)
Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Roga (J9)
Daishoho (J6) beat Tochimusashi (J7)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Kotokuzan (J5)
Kinbozan (J5) beat Kitanowaka (J6)
Churanoumi (J6) beat Enho (J4)
Oshoma (J3) beat Daiamami (J2)
Hokuseiho (J2) beat Atamifuji (J3)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Akua (J1)
Leader: Asanoyama (7-0)
Of note: There may be no stopping the former Ozeki at this point-the sole unbeaten is now just one win away from another promotion and the real question is can he go 15-0? Roga, who was tied with Asanoyama a couple days ago at the top, is fading and now has lost 2 straight but isn’t out of it. Kinbozan now has a real chance to become the first rikishi from Kazakhstan to make it to the top tier, sitting 6-1 now and one off the pace. Tohakuryu is also tied for second at 6-1. Who is out of it and won’t be returning to the top tier this time around is Akua, now at 0-7. And don’t look now but Terutsuyoshi is on another skid, 3 straight since his record-snapping win and is 1-6. Makushita may be calling along with a temporary end to his epic salt throws. Also at the same mark is September champion Tochimusashi, having lost 5 straight and hasn’t been the same since his Juryo debut title.
Tomorrow is the halfway point, which has Asanoyama scheduled to face Gonoyama (5-2), while Tomokaze is the Makushita man of the day. He’s at Ms2 and will face Kaisho, but a loss means Tomokaze will stay in Makushita as he’d be 1-4 and that means demotion. At the top, Tohakuryu faces Chiyonokuni (5-2) while Kinbozan has the proverbial trap match in Daiamami (2-5). In the final match, Akua will be the first demotion at 0-8 if he loses to Kotokuzan, who is 1-6.