The semifinals were held today. The undercard bout barely lasted a second. Fukai came in way too low at the tachiai, and Nobehara was happy to escort him the rest of the way down to the dohyo. In the headline bout, Enho withstood Tochimaru’s initial tsuppari barrage, used his lateral movement well, worked his way inside, and kept his feet as he drove his opponent off the dohyo and out of the yusho race. So it’ll be Ms11e Enho vs. Ms54e Nobehara for all the marbles on day 13. Enho, of course, is a longtime fan favorite who is trying to work his way back up to the sekitori ranks for the first time in almost two years following a neck injury that many thought was career-ending. One more win will send him to Juryo and give him 30 sekitori basho, which is a requirement for becoming an oyakata. His 23-year-old opponent entered ozumo in 2021, reaching a career-high rank of Ms13. Nobehara won their one prior meeting last May by hatakikomi.
Here are the updated standings in the promotion zone.
Tochimusashi paid a visit to Juryo only to be forcefully ejected from the promotion race by Kazuma. The promotion queue is roughly as follows: Enho with a win, Toshinofuji, Fukuzaki, Shimazuumi, Himukamaru, Takakento, Inami. The only relevant action tomorrow is Himukamaru’s visit to Juryo to fight J14e Hakuyozan, who at 5-6 is in danger of demotion. So come back on day 13, when we crown the champion, to see how the division exchange picture is shaping up.
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Iksumo, if Enho doesn’t prevail is there any likelihood of promotion to Juryo, or is he going to have to get at least another kachi koshi to regain his sekitori status? Thanks again for your coverage of the Makushita Yusho.
Zero chance without a 7-0. 6-1 should move him to Ms2 or Ms3, where a simple kachi-koshi can be enough.
I am really looking forward to this final. I think there will be a lot of cheers if Enho prevails.
For sure! Apparently he was favoring his left leg after his victory though 🤞🏻
I‘m really split for that final duel! Been totally in the ‚32 bouts then Enho!‘-fraction, and he so much deserves his chance for a kabu. But I‘m also hardcore Nobehara fan and want to see him dash up near promotion zone again. Anyway, it will be exciting!
Thanks again to Iksumo, Andy and Team Tachiai for all the insight and dedication to informing the Sumo fandom! You guys really make Ozumo more accessible to those of us who are less than fluent in Japanese.
What a day to watch the lower divisions —
Enho on the comeback in Makushita.
Looking at the Sandanme schedule for day 13 — There’s a possible 9-way playoff if Hananofuji (6-0) loses to Kakueizan (5-1). There are 7 other 5-1 matchups on the slate.
A Jonidan playoff is also possible, and one in Jonokuchi if the Isegahama stablemates both win or both lose.
In Sandanme there is also Tatsubayama at 6-0. Don’t know why he isn’t scheduled for today.
His tournament record at the JSA is 6-0-1, but there is no fusen loss listed yet. Any idea?
Tatsubayama is listed absent from day 13, but was obviously not scheduled for that day. So nobody missed a fusen win.
Day 14 he is also listed absent and not scheduled with a record of 6-0-1, while at SumoDB he is 6-0. Here’s hoping that the 1 at the JSA stands for a fusenpai and that he will fight on senshuraku; twice if he wins in regulation.
Tatsubayama’s basho is over at 6-0-1.
Without a fusen loss?
I‘m speculating: did he tell the committee that he was injured before he was scheduled for his next fight?
yes, this is not uncommon in lower divisions (and apparently ill rather than injured)
Makushita and under rikishi withdraw without giving up a fusenpai all the time, so yes. (Other cases this basho: Rakanji, Takaarashi, Miyafuji, Adachi, Aron.)
Thanks for your information. Still often learning new things about sumo. Via the Sumo Forum I‘ve now found out that there’s an „Absent Information“ at JSA. It consists not only of absences, but also of returns. Would it be possible that Tatsubayama returns for day 15 or has the window for this closed on day 13 (as I guess)?