See yesterday’s post for the state of the Makushita yusho and promotion races going into Day 9.

After nine days, we are left with 4 undefeated 5-0 wrestlers who will battle it out for the title. The favorite among the final eight, Ms3w Chiyomaru, got upset by Ms16e Hatsuyama, and the semifinal bouts, which will take place on Day 11, are as follows:

• Ms16e Hatsuyama vs. Ms28w Kyokukaiyu
• Ms42w Mudoho vs. Ms55w Asakoki

The first bout matches two prospects. Hatsuyama debuted as a Sandanme tsukedashi back in March 2022 and has now spent two years in Makushita, getting as high as Ms4. The awkwardly named Kyokukaiyu has to be the remaining favorite—he debuted in January, and his record so far is 29-4, with a Sandanme yusho in May. I guess Mudoho, Oho’s younger brother, is also still a prospect at 22; he’s been toiling in the third division for four years. Rounding out the semifinalists is 33-year-old Asakoki, who’s been fighting in the lower divisions since 2009, including 51 basho in Makushita, with a career-high rank of Ms11.

Of the ten rikishi in the Ms1-Ms5 promotion zone, eight are still mathematically in the running for a Juryo slot, though the odds are slim for Ms5e Daishomaru (2-3) even if he wins out. Top-ranked Ms1e Tochitaikai (2-3) will return to Juryo with two more wins, but will be eliminated from consideration with another loss. The current promotion queue for the other six stands roughly as follows: Ms3w Chiyomaru (4-1), Ms2w Wakaikari (3-2), Ms4w Aonishiki (4-1), Ms4e Nabatame (3-2), Ms3e Dewanoryu (2-3), and Ms5w Kototebakari (3-2). None are in action on Day 10, so come back after the Day 11 bouts for the next update on the yusho and promotion races!