The banzuke meeting was held today, and while most of the results will be kept under wraps for a few weeks, the promotions to Juryo have been announced, so that the lucky rikishi can get ready for their new sekitori status. As expected, promoted are the yusho winner, Ms8 Oshoma (7-0), along with Ms2e Hokuseiho (5-2), Ms1w Nishikawa (4-3) and Ms3e Chiyosakae (5-2). All but Hokuseiho are reaching Juryo for the first time; Hokuseiho was promoted last July, sat out Aki due to the virus, and got injured in his first and only Juryo bout in November. He returned in January and posted three straight 5-2 scores to earn re-promotion.
Oshoma and Nishikawa are rising stars, while Chiyosakae is a 31-year-old 13-year veteran tasting salaried life for the first time. Nishikawa apparently gets a new shikona, Gonoyama.
The corresponding demotions are not announced, but we can infer that they are Shohozan, Chiyoarashi, Daishomaru and Takakento. Missing out on promotion despite winning records in the Ms1-Ms5 promotion zone are Ms4w Kinbozan (5-2), Ms4e Roga (4-3) and Ms5w Kamito (4-3). They will get to try again from higher ranks in July.
Shohozan is likely to retire at this point I would guess. If not before the start of the next Basho, likely if he doesn’t regain Juryo. It’s painful to watch mighty Rikishi fall like this….
On the flipside, Shohozan’s 38 years old and to a lot of people (me included) he already looked toasted back in mid-2015 when he followed up on an entirely unexpected 1-14 in makuuchi with back-to-back MK in juryo while not showing any visible signs of injury, just a massive unexplained drop in powrr. That he not only bounced back to top division form but got another seven years out of his body afterwards has probably been the second-most surprising development in sumo that I’ve been around for (first is Terunofuji’s revival, of course). I would hope he’s at peace with his career at this point.
Pleased that Chiyosakae is going up. It’s nice seeing those decade-long grinders finally get to the salaried ranks, even though the stay may be short. I wonder if “former juryo” is an indication of a moderately successful sumo career- something where, upon retirement, the wrestler can be like “hey, I made it” and look back proudly.
Why do guys get to 30 without reaching Juryo? Very tough life and no money. Or does the heya in
practice pay the oldtimers for doing odd jobs?
A steady makushita-ranker is receiving 165,000 ¥ (about 1300 $US / 1200 € ) per basho as a living allowance from the Association, plus small cash rewards based on his tournament results, while not having any significant costs of living he has to cover on his own. In addition in a stable as successful and popular as Kokonoe-beya, he’s probably receiving some patronage from supporters of the heya, either directly or by serving as assistant to a sekitori and benefiting from that guy’s supporters. (Doesn’t necessarily have to be monetary in nature.)
Chiyosakae specifically also seems to have avoided suffering any major injuries in his career, so he’s had a better outlook / hope for a late career breakout than most, I’d imagine. Of course many others with similar career profiles don’t make it, such as Miyagino-beya’s Hokaho or Sakaigawa-beya’s Shosei, so it’s still a gamble.
Thanks for the explanation.
I too had similar doubt.
Can you give any insight regarding, after sumo life of lower ranked rikishis.
Does the sumo association support them with other jobs?
As they spend most of their life in beya, I am not sure they will be prepared for other jobs. And for lower rank rikishi it is difficult to become oyokata or coach.
There’s no one answer because the circumstances of each rikishi and also each of their stables is different, and is normally driven by their background and support structure.
Many retiring lower rankers go into community work (occasionally even in a local government office), or use a degree they earned before or during their sumo career to move into a totally different profession. Often, prominent supporters may help find work for a retiring rikishi in their own company or in another company. Sometimes, those supporters might even help bankroll a new restaurant (such as a chanko shop for someone who made chanko in the heya) for the rikishi to work in or help to run. Our friend John Gunning over at the Japan Times did an article at some point in the last couple of years before the pandemic about the rise of sumo tours where lower division rikishi (such as Musashikuni) who have retired can travel and put on sumo shows in places like America as part of cultural events. And of course some other rikishi return to school or to their own family’s business.
Thank you!!
I was wondering about this for along time.
Very nice and detailed explanation.
Thanks; very clear and helpful. A tough life, but many have i worse.
Did you guys see Hokuseiho’s comments about being back in Juryo? Here’s a translation:
“Big Poppa Hokuseiho is your hook up and the next Yokozuna! Holler if you hear me!”
Love this guy’s confidence.
lol- is this for real??
Thank you to all of you for your comments. Iksumo: please forgive my ignorance but are you an ex-rikishi? You seem to know sooooo much and I always amazed by your prognostications, observations, etc. Just wondering. Thank you!
Shhh no one can know that the former Hakuho writes for Tachiai!
Seriously though, thank you for the kind words, that’s very flattering, but I am just a fan with a strong interest in the mechanics of the sport. The only rikishi I might have any chance against on the dohyo is the former Hattorizakura/Shonanzakura.
Your Secret is Safe with Me!
Seriously though, you deserve the compliment! Thank you!