Yusho Race
Three men are still in the race on the final day: Wakatakakage and Takayasu, both 12-2, and Kotonowaka (11-3). A win by one of the leaders would give him the yusho if combined with a loss by the other; any other outcome sends them to a playoff, which could be joined by Kotonowaka if he wins and both leaders lose.
Ozeki
O2w Mitakeumi has his 10 wins in his debut at the rank. O1e Shodai (8-6) and O1w Takakeisho (8-6) have cleared kadoban, so all three Ozeki will be fighting at Natsu with a clear slate.
Sekiwake
S1e Wakatakakage (12-2) will continue at his current rank (and aim higher). S1w Abi (7-7) needs to beat Takayasu on senshuraku to hold rank, but can fall no lower than Komusubi.
Komusubi
K1e Takanosho (4-10) will be fighting in the maegashira ranks in May. K1w Hoshoryu (7-7) needs to beat Kotonowaka on senshuraku to out avoid joining him.
So we’ll have either one or two open san’yaku slots, one of which could be at Sekiwake. The contenders are M7e Takayasu (12-2), M2e Ichinojo (9-5), M6w Kotonowaka (11-3), M4e Kiribayama (9-5), M2w Tamawashi (7-7), and M1e Daieisho (7-7), who must win but would jump to the head of the queue with a kachi-koshi by virtue of his status as the top maegashira. Depending on how the final day plays out, extra Komusubi slots may be in play. I’ll try to sort out how this is likely to shake out in my wrap-up post tomorrow or Monday.
Makuuchi/Juryo Exchanges
Going down for certain: Akua.
Needs a win and banzuke luck to stay up: Kagayaki.
Need one win for safety: Ichiyamamoto, Chiyonokuni, Chiyomaru, Kotokuzan. Everyone else should be safe.
Coming up: Oho, Azumaryu.
Chance of promotion: Midorifuji, Hidenoumi, Mitoryu. I don’t think Ryuden or Kitanowaka would go up even with wins, regardless of how the incumbents perform.
“So we’ll have either one or two open san’uaku” Y and U are right next to each other. Great analysis as always!
I still wonder how long they’ll make Ryuden pay for his sins before thinking about a jump up….
He should end up near the top of juryo, with the exact rank dependent on how tomorrow’s bout go, so a good performance in May should see him in Makuuchi in July.
Kotonowaka is in Jūryō?!? :)
Darn it, I wish the shikona had more variety 🤦♂️
it is very possible that in the near future we will have 4 ozeki again…wakataka has proven that his sumo is not 1 dimensional or a flash in the pan…great technique and will love to watch him rise in rank…at least 12 wins this basho..only needs 21 more over the next two…which he would do with a minimum 10 win and 11 win over the next two…great times for sumo! and i’ve never EVER routed for gerbil…but i am on day 15….
ma boule de cristal…
Ke Hoshoryu
Kw Daieisho
M1e Takayasu
M1w Ichinojo
M2e Kiribayama
M2w Kotonowaka
M3e Hokutofuji
M3w Endo
M4e Tamawashi
M4w Onosho
M5e Tobizaru
M5w Wakamotoharu
M6e Takanosho
M6w Takarafuji
M7e Ura
M7w Shimanoumi
M8e Kotoeko
M8w Terutsuyoshi
M9e Kotoshoho
M9w Tochinoshin
M10e Nishikigi
M10w Aoiyama
M11e Myogiryu
M11w Okinoumi
M12e Chiyoshoma
M12w Sadanoumi
M13e Chiyotairyu
M13w Meisei
M14e Ishiura
M14w Yutakayama
M15e Ichiyamamoto
M15w Oho
M16e Azumaryu
M16w Midorifuji
M17e Kotokuzan
M17w Kagayaki
J1e Chiyomaru
J1w Chiyonokuni
J2e Hidenoumi
J2w Mitoryu
J3e Ryuden
J3w Tsurugisho
J4e Kitanowaka
J4w Daishoho
J5e Tohakuryu
J5w Akua
J6e Daiamami
J6w Nishikifuji
J7e Enho
J7w Yago
J8e Tokushoryu
J8w Asanowaka
J9e Kaisho
J9w Kaisei
J10e Shimazuumi
J10w Bushozan
J11e Hiradoumi
J11w Shohozan
J12e Daishomaru
J12w Atamifuji
J13e Chiyoarashi
J13w Tochimaru
J14e Chiyonoumi
J14w Takakento