Sanyaku
The title race has been narrowed to our top two Ozeki, Kotozakura and Hoshoryu, both 12-1. They will face off on Sunday with the yusho on the line. The champion will be on a Yokozuna run in January; the runner-up might be as well, especially if he reaches 13 wins. Sekiwake Daieisho moved to 7-6, guaranteeing him a place in the named ranks. Fellow Sekiwake Kirishima fell to 6-7; he must win out to retain his rank, and needs one more win to limit his drop to Komusubi. East Komusubi Wakamotoharu (8-5) has defended his rank and is in pole position for a Sekiwake slot if one of the incumbents falters. His West counterpart, Shodai, is already make-koshi and will drop back into the maegashira ranks. Abi currently leads the race for the open slot, with Wakatakakage not far behind and Takanosho still in the running.
Makuuchi <-> Juryo
We now have four rikishi with demotable records in the top division: Bushozan, Shishi, Asakoryu, and Ryuden. The trio of Nishikifuji, Sadanoumi, and Tokihayate still needs a win apiece for mathematical safety, but they’re probably okay given the thin ranks of promotion candidates. Kinbozan and Kitanowaka are assured of quick returns to the top division. Hakuoho and Tsurugisho can join them in Makuuchi with one more win apiece, while Kagayaki and Tamashoho need to win out and hope for favorable results elsewhere.
Juryo <-> Makushita
No change from yesterday. Chiyomaru and Onosho will drop out of the sekitori ranks, to be replaced by Hatsuyama and Kiryuko. Additional exchanges are possible but unlikely, especially given how the Day 14 bouts have been set up.
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Poor Chiyomaru… poor Onosho! Sumo’s babies are falling thick and fast.
Seeing a rope run from either one of those charming lads up at ōzeki would be fantastic, and obviously we’re going to get one. I’m a diehard Hoshoryu fan so I’m rooting for that, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Kotozakura waddling up to yokozuna. I love that this basho has been their yusho to fight for rather than Onosato’s, considering all the hype he’s been getting. And they deserve it, too.
Poor old Shodai, too. No one (except Hiradoumi) deserves san’yaku more than him.
Poor Chiyomaru… poor Onosho! Sumo’s babies are falling thick and fast.
Seeing a rope run from either one of those charming lads up at ōzeki would be fantastic, and obviously we’re going to get one. I’m a diehard Hoshoryu fan so I’m rooting for that, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Kotozakura waddling up to yokozuna. I love that this basho has been their yusho to fight for rather than Onosato’s, considering all the hype he’s been getting. And they deserve it, too.
Poor old Shodai, too. No one (except Hiradoumi) deserves san’yaku more than him.
What scores does Abi or Wakatakakage (the one that doesn’t get Shodai’s place) need to get to force a place at the Sanyaku?
There have been recent misses from M2 with 10 wins and from M3 with 11, so each probably needs to win out, and we don’t have enough precedents to say for certain if even that would be enough…
The tag “Aki Basho 2022” should be corrected.
No idea how that gets generated, maybe Andy knows how to fix
I like this kind of scenario evaluation as well, but we might be spoilt. The lack of well performing rikishi both at the top of Juryo and Makushita makes this less exciting. Asakoryu seems to be on a run to force his demotion though.