With 2 matches remaining, the picture is getting clearer:
Ozeki wins needed to avoid kadoban
Not an impressive performance by the Ozeki corps, to say the least! Mitakeumi and Takakeisho face off tomorrow; the loser joins Shodai as kadoban, while the winner has to win again on senshuraku to avoid making it a clean sweep.
- Mitakeumi: 2
- Shodai: will be kadoban in July
- Takakeisho: 2
Wins needed to stay in san’yaku
- Wakatakakage: will stay in san’yaku; needs one more win to stay Sekiwake
- Abi: will stay in san’yaku; needs one more win to stay Sekiwake
- Hoshoryu: 1
- Daieisho: will be at least Komusubi in July; could force an extra Sekiwake slot with 11 wins
Frontrunners for san’yaku promotion
At most one slot may open (if we don’t end up with 3 Sekiwake), unless one of the contenders’ record is deemed strong enough to force an extra slot to be created.
- Kiribayama
- Takanosho
Wins needed to stay in Makuuchi
- Ishiura: will be demoted
- Kotokuzan: will be demoted
- Kagayaki: will be demoted barring a miracle
- Azumaryu: 2
- Takarafuji: 1 (might be safe already)
Wins needed for promotion from Juryo
Three slots are open in Makuuchi, and one or two more could open.
- Tsurugisho: will be promoted
- Hidenoumi: will be promoted barring really bad luck
- Ryuden: 1 (might have done enough already)
- Chiyomaru: 1
- Several others: 2
Wins needed to stay in Juryo
Currently, there are 5 promotable records in Makushita, so there will in all likelihood be a logjam, unless the maximum possible 5 slots open.
- Shohozan: will be demoted
- Chiyoarashi: must win out; could be demoted anyway
- Daishomaru, Takakento, Kitanowaka: 2