Sumo News Update 2024.06.02

Andy Akiseyama, Ishiura (石浦), promotion, Stables (Heya) , ,

Natsu Basho ended last weekend. We have to wait until July for the next tournament. Once we get the Juryo promotions, we’re Gone Till November July, right? Well, the Kyokai’s usual board meeting had a full agenda so we have had a bunch of sumo-related news this week.

Juryo Promotions Announced

We will have three promotions from Makushita to Juryo for Nagoya. Kayo and Nabatame earned their first sekitori promotions and Fujiseiun will return to Juryo for the first time since he fell out of the division in September.

Kayo is one of Nakamura-oyakata’s recruits from Nippon Sports Science University, aka Nittaidai. The university has developed a number of top sumo wrestlers, including sekitori stablemates* Onosato and Shirokuma, as well as up-and-comers like Onokatsu and veterans like Myogiryu. Kayo earned a sandanme tsukedashi but has spent much of the last two years in Makushita. A spot in the massive playoff at Aki last year seems to have lit a spark under him and he has been on the radar for promotion to Juryo since.

Nabatame started his sumo career after high school, just before the pandemic hit. He was definitely one of our highlighted up-and-comers during those quiet tournaments. I have quietly been following his rise since he featured in one of the early maezumo cohorts that I followed during the pandemic. (How many of you remember Taiyo and his maezumo henka? One of the PowerBall goals of Tachiai is to have the resources to cover each division and better profiles of the younguns in maezumo, along with deeper features about the fascinating cultural tangents I find myself learning about.) But I would bring back that maezumo coverage in a heartbeat. Nice to re-read those articles and catch myself back up on his entry to the sport. Nabatame has since been grinding it out in Makushita, slowly but steadily climbing to the top of the division. We are happy to see that he has finally earned his promotion to sekitori.

Fujiseiun returns to the Juryo ranks after an injury forced him to drop after just a single tournament fighting in Juryo (his second tournament was kyujo). It is always hard to see these up-and-comers hit major obstacles. He had hit the scene and steamrolled through the lower divisions in 2021, winning his first 21 bouts and claiming two of the three yusho, only losing the Jonidan yusho in a playoff to his peer, Osanai. So it is great to see that he will don his kesho mawashi yet again.

While we are talking about these banzuke placements for July, I should also note here that two Makushita tsukedashi were approved by the Kyokai. Ishizaki Ryoma (23) and Kawabuchi Kazuma (22) will begin their professional sumo careers this summer. Ishizaki will join his older brother, Asakoryu, at Takasago-beya having claimed third place at last year’s National Sumo Championships. Kawabuchi claimed the adult division yusho at a separate athletic tournament last year and he joins Kise-beya.

Nakamura Beya Opens

The little asterisk there in Kayo’s promotion report had to do with his sekitori stablemates because they are not his stablemates any longer. Mid-week, Kayo celebrated his promotion to Juryo with photo-ops and press conferences joined by Kisenosato. However, during this week’s board meeting the Kyokai approved Nakamura’s independence bid, setting June 1 for when Nakamura would split away from Nishonoseki. So, by the end of the week Kayo was moving into new digs at his new heya with his new master — without Onosato and Shirokuma.

I believe the new stable is at the location vacated by Michinoku-beya, just on the other side of the tracks from Kokugikan in Ryokoku. Nakamura-oyakata (ex-Yoshikaze) is now a stable master in his own right. There is a great new website, nakamurabeya.jp, with details of the occupants: eight wrestlers, the Yobidashi Rokuro, and hairdresser Tokokasumi. There is also a great little personalized note from Yoshikaze about each of them.

Mini-Jungyo Sumo Events

I will get to the retirement events in a moment but I thought June was going to be pretty chill, event-wise. The Kyokai has decided to participate in two more promotional events in June.

The first will be a PR event for the Kyusho Basho next Sunday, June 9 in Fukuoka. Four top-division wrestlers will be there. Top billing goes to Hiradoumi (his rise has been quite something). Ura, Shodai, and Sadanoumi will also be there. Shodai and Sadanoumi are both from Kumamoto.

Secondly, the Kyokai will also participate in a Sports Expo at the Dolphins Arena in Nagoya on June 16. Next year, the Arena is slated to be replaced by a new IG Arena. (Oh, God, please tell me there’s air conditioning.) In celebration of the new, refrigerated digs the Kyokai will host a crossover event with the Dolphins basketball team. Aside from the hoopsters, Onosato, Tobizaru, Midorifuji, Atamifuji, and Abi will participate.

So, if you are in Fukuoka or Nagoya this month, you have a chance to pop by and meet some of your favorite sumo wrestlers — or even Shodai.

Ishiura Danpatsushiki

On Saturday, June 1, the Kokugikan hosted Ishiura’s retirement and name change event, since he carries on as a coach, Magaki-oyakata, in the Association. Hakuoho made waves by singing the jinku (traditional folk singing) portion and Enho closed things with the bow-twirling ceremony.

Takerufuji, mounted the dohyo and faced off against Meisei in one of the exhibition bouts. Usually these exhibition events are not big news makers on the dohyo but the fact that Takerufuji was healthy enough to participate in the feature bouts is a good sign for July.

Given the closure of Miyagino-beya, Hakuho was robbed of the privilege of taking the final cut of Ishiura’s topknot but he did get to use the scissors and take a snip. Isegahama-oyakata got the honor of taking the final cut.

Akiseyama Danpatsushiki

And on Sunday, June 2, the Kokugikan opened its doors again for Akiseyama’s retirement ceremony. The Kise-beya affair celebrated the big man’s career and shared stories of his camaraderie with fellow wrestlers. In particular they shared a story involving Goeido.

Though Goeido entered the sumo world a few years earlier than Akiseyama, the former Ozeki was actually Akiseyama’s junior schoolmate while they attended Saitama Sakae high school. Goeido went straight into a sumo career while Akiseyama attended Nihon Daigaku. Goeido had given Akiseyama some encouragement when Akiseyama had been thinking of retirement. Akiseyama took the encouragement to heart and earned another promotion to Juryo.

Looking Ahead

I will keep an eye on the sumo news, as always, but I anticipate my next post will be next weekend after Chiyonokuni’s retirement ceremony and the Fukuoka PR event.

New Juryo for Nagoya

lksumo Aki Basho 2022

After the banzuke meeting, held earlier today, the Juryo promotions were announced. As expected, there are three. Two are making their sekitori debuts: Kayo (Ms1w, 5-2) from Nishonoseki-beya, and Nabatame (Ms2w, 5-2) from Futagoyama-beya. Returning to Juryo after an injury-related demotion is the third-division champion, Fujiseiun (Ms11e, 7-0) from Fujishima-beya. With limited openings in Juryo, four rikishi who had winning records in the Ms1-Ms5 promotion zone missed out, led by Ms3e Kiryuko (5-2), whose rank and record would normally guarantee promotion.

While the corresponding demotions are not announced, we can infer that they are J13w Chiyomaru (4-11), J13e Oshoumi (5-10), and J14w Kazekeno (7-8). Fan favorite Chiyomaru was a sekitori for over a decade before falling to Makushita in March and mounting an immediate comeback that sadly lasted only one basho. Oshoumi’s first stint in Juryo ends after 3 basho, while Kazekeno’s sekitori debut after his Makushita yusho in March was even more short-lived.

Looking Ahead to the Nagoya Banzuke

lksumo Aki Basho 2022

Congratulations to Onosato for what we hope is the first of many yusho! Now that the bouts are over and all the hardware has been handed out, let’s take our customary preliminary look at how the results are likely to reshuffle the rankings.

The Named Ranks

Terunofuji will remain the sole Yokozuna; Tachiai wishes him as complete a recovery as possible, with the hope that he can fully participate in the Nagoya basho. The result of the final Natsu bout means that O1e Hoshoryu (10-5) will switch positions with O1w Kotozakura (11-4). O2e Takakeisho (0-2-13) will be kadoban, requiring 8 wins in July to save his rank. And O2w Kirishima (1-6-8) suffered his second losing record in a row, which means that he’ll fall to Sekiwake, with one shot to regain the Ozeki rank with double-digit wins in Nagoya. S1w Abi (10-5) successfully defended his rank with his best san’yaku performance to date, and we’ll have 3 Sekiwake for the first time since November by virtue of our champion forcing a promotion from Komusubi with his 12 wins. That means that two Komusubi slots are open; M1w Daieisho (11-4) is a lock for one, while the second is a close call between M2e Hiradoumi (9-6) and M5w Meisei (10-5). Rank-record combination and schedule strength favor Hiradoumi, so he should make his san’yaku debut, unless Meisei’s prior san’yaku experience wins out. Whichever of them isn’t Komusubi is a lock for the top maegashira slot.

What of Ozeki runs, you ask? Officially, the NSK said that Onosato’s run just started, as his 11 wins at M5w in March came at too low a rank to count. Unofficially, they’d probably have to promote him in July with either a yusho or 13+ wins, though anything less would likely mean waiting for September. Abi posted double-digits in san’yaku, so he’s on a run as well (his 9 wins at Komusubi last time mean that mathematically, he could reach the 33 over 3 threshold with 14 wins in Nagoya). And Daieisho’s 11 wins from M1w, while they aren’t officially a start of anything, could serve as a foundation given sufficiently strong performances in July and September. And before anyone asks, no, Kotozakura’s 11-4 jun-yusho is not the start of a tsuna run!

Filling out the Joi

So, M1e is taken care of, and its current occupant, Atamifuji (7-8), who came thisclose to a san’yaku debut, can slide over to M1w. What do we do from there? The next winning record belongs to [checks notes] M7w Mitakeumi (8-7). I expect him to get a very generous promotion. There’s also demoted Sekiwake Wakamotoharu (4-8-3), whose fall could be very gentle indeed. Likewise, the rikishi with losing records between the ranks of M2 and M5 may find themselves treated very leniently.

Division Exchanges

There are 5 rikishi in Juryo who posted records that warrant promotion: the yusho winner and former Sekiwake J6w Wakatakakage (14-1), J3e Endo (12-3), who’ll be making an immediate return after only his 3rd career basho in the second division, J3w Chiyoshoma, who returns after a 4-basho Juryo stint, J5e Kagayaki (11-4), who likewise was last in Makuuchi in September, and J2e Bushozan (9-6), who’s recently been a classic elevator rikishi (too good for Juryo, not good enough for Makuuchi).

Conveniently, 5 top-division incumbents warrant a trip to Juryo. Sadly, one of them is the March champion M6e Takerufuji, whose ankle injury did not heal in time for May. The others are M17e Tsurugisho (3-12), M16e Tomokaze (2-13), M13e Mitoryu (2-9-4) and newcomer M15e Tokihayate (6-9), who lost a de facto demotion playoff to M15w Roga (7-8) on the final day. Two rikishi are on the bubble, but I don’t think they’ll exchange M12w Nishikifuji (5-10) and runner-up J12e Onokatsu (13-2), though one more loss on the part of the former or one more win on the part of the latter might have done it.

Finally, we come to the Makushita-Juryo exchanges, and here things did not work out so neatly. Two rikishi were slated for demotion before the final day: J13w Chiyomaru (4-11) and J13e Oshoumi (5-10). Their places were spoken for by Ms1w Kayo (5-2), who’ll be making his sekitori debut in Nagoya, and yusho winner Ms11e Fujiseiun (7-0), returning to Juryo after an injury-related drop. Two additional incumbents were on the bubble going into Day 15, and they were paired with two promotion hopefuls in direct exchange bouts. Ms2w Nabatame (5-2) earned his Juryo debut by prevailing over just-promoted J14w Kazekeno (7-8), who will have to fight his way back up from Makushita. Ms1e Akua, who entered the day at 3-3, false-started 3 times against J8w Hakuoho (5-6-4), making contact each time and once delivering a slap and driving the Juryo man off the dohyo. After these shenanigans, I was very happy to see Hakuoho counter Akua’s latest kakenage attempt by driving him into the ground with a sukuinage, thereby reaching safety and keeping Akua in the third division.

With no additional openings, four rikishi who had winning records in the Ms1-Ms5 promotion zone will miss out. The hardest-done-by is Ms3e Kiryuko (5-2), whose rank and record would normally guarantee promotion. The Juryo promotions should be confirmed on Wednesday. The rest of the rankings will be out on July 1, and I’ll try to put up a Crystal Ball post before then. In the meantime, let me know what you think in the comments!

Natsu 2024: Senshuraku Highlights

Andy Natsu 2024, Natsu Basho

Glad to hear many of you like the idea of the somenuki yusho. That will give me something to do during June, after the big haircuts. Yesterday, I had posted Heat 2 and I was rather surprised at the outcome. I knew it would be tight but I expected Mitakeumi to claim this one, maybe with Shodai in second. I liked Tsurugisho’s simple kimono which featured his first name, Momotaro. But Shonannoumi’s tiger claimed the heat.

Don’t worry, after the first round heats, I will bring these onto the site directly for the final poll, rather than on Elmo’s “Free Spam, I mean, Free Speech” platform. It was a spur of the moment thing the other day but I can do this properly in the future.

Videos of the Makuuchi and Juryo Action are here. Makuuchi Part I & Part II, Juryo Part I & Part II.

That was a bit more important today since NHK allowed the Tokyo Derby to pre-empt the first several bouts of Makuuchi. I am sure folks fired up their VPNs and did not miss any action. Although, if you blinked at the wrong time, you would have missed Wakatakakage’s henka to secure the Juryo yusho.

Special Prize Announcements:

Fighting spirit prizes for Oshoma and Shonannoumi are conditional on each wrestler winning today. Onosato won the technique prize, unconditionally. He, Abi, and Daieisho are also contending for Outstanding Performance prizes, conditional upon winning the yusho. No prize consideration for the Ozeki. They’re expected to be in contention (and occasionally win these things…ahem!!!).

The Action

Roga (7-8) defeated Tokihayate (6-9). Roga just enveloped Tokihayate and drove him to the ground. Oshitaoshi.

Hokutofuji (7-8) defeated Takarafuji (9-6). Hokutofuji’s tsuppari was too much for Takarafuji today. Oshidashi.

Ryuden (10-5) defeated Sadanoumi (9-6). Positional victory for Ryuden as he worked Sadanoumi over the bales. Both had established solid belt grips and this is a great yotsu battle. But it is one where Ryuden’s footwork and strength won the day. Yorikiri.

Oshoma (10-5) defeated Kinbozan (8-7). Oshoma shoved a soft Kinbozan over the bales. Maybe Oshoma’s fighting spirit was enough for both of them today. Yorikiri.

Shodai (7-8) defeated Tomokaze (2-13). Tomokaze could barely put weight on his right leg. Easy win for Shodai as he pressed forward and shoved Tomokaze over the bales. Oshidashi

Ichiyamamoto (8-7) defeated Tamawashi (7-8). One of two Darwin bouts today. Tamawashi’s thrusts overpowered Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari but Ichiyamamoto slipped to his right as he reached the straw bales and the misdirection was enough to see Tamawashi flop to his belly. Tsukiotoshi.

Nishikigi (5-10) defeated Tsurugisho (3-12). The obvious outcome occurred. Tsurugisho will get some much needed rest and may be able to drink from the fountain of youth in Juryo. Results may vary, however. Myogiryu and Kotoeko were not as energized as Endo and Takarafuji have been. Yorikiri.

Meisei (10-5) defeated Shonannoumi (9-6). Meisei overpowered Shonannoumi and did not succumb to Shonannoumi’s kotenage attempt. Denied of his special prize, Shonannoumi walked into Meisei after the bell. Meisei seemed nonplussed. I would not be surprised if Meisei is waiting for Shonannoumi in the parking lot afterwards. Yorikiri.

Onosho (7-8) defeated Nishikifuji (5-10). Poorly timed and executed pull from Nishikifuji. Onosho kept pace in pursuit and drove Nishikifuji over the bales. Yorikiri.

Halftime.

Oho (6-9) defeated Midorifuji (5-10). No pull from Oho today. Instead, Midorifuji attempted the slapdown but Oho kept his balance and finished Midorifuji off with a final thrust. Tsukidashi.

Tobizaru (6-9) defeated Churanoumi (8-7). Quick slapdown after the tachiai. Tobizaru caught Churanoumi on the arm and thrust him to the ground. Tsukiotoshi.

Takayasu (7-3-5) defeated Gonoyama (6-9). Takayasu absorbed Gonoyama’s attack and then waited him out in the center of the ring with a left-hand over-arm belt grip. Uwatedashinage.

Hiradoumi (9-6) defeated Mitakeumi (8-7). Mitakeumi hit Hiradoumi hard at the tachiai. I was a bit surprised by his forward progress. Hiradoumi quickly wrapped up his belt and from his low position was able to turn Mitakeumi and drive him back through the dohyo and over the bales. Yorikiri.

Daieisho (11-4) defeated Kotoshoho (8-7). Daieisho’s thrusting, brawling brand of sumo was on full display here. It was like he could smell yusho. Kotoshoho did his best and nearly got Daieisho with a bit of misdirection but Daieisho locked on and beat Kotoshoho down. Depending on the outcome of Onosato/Abi, Daieisho may have earned a spot in a playoff. Tsukiotoshi.

Takanosho (8-7) defeated Atamifuji (7-8). Our second Darwin bout. Takanosho punished Atamifuji for his uninspired pull attempt and earned his kachi-koshi. Atamifuji will need to retool if he hopes to crack sanyaku. Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Ura (7-8) defeated Wakamotoharu (4-8-3). Ura fought back, charged forward, and drove Wakamotoharu out. Yorikiri.

Onosato (12-3) defeated Abi (10-5) and won his first Top Division yusho. Abi came out blasting straight ahead with his tsuppari. Onosato had planned for this, however. He blasted Abi’s right shoulder as hard as he could from the left. This threw Abi off balance and Onosato followed up with blasts of his own. Abi fell from the dohyo and Onosato stood, victorious. Makuuchi Champion. Oshidashi.

Kotozakura (11-4) defeated Hoshoryu (10-5). Oh. You’re still here? It’s not over? Oh, that’s right, we have another bout left between the remaining Ozeki. At least there is a massive stack of cash awaiting the winner of this. Hoshoryu pressed forward into Kotozakura. Kotozakura released his left-hand belt grip and wrapped up Hoshoryu’s right arm, then dragged Hoshoryu down to the ground for an anti-climactic kotenage.

Wrap-up

Congratulations to Onosato on winning his first Top Division title! Onosato will lock up his Sekiwake promotion and may have kicked off his Ozeki run. Depending on how desperate the Kyokai is for a solid Ozeki, he might be two legs deep, already. Despite being M5 in Osaka, usually just outside the joi, he did face the sanyaku and even took down an Ozeki, two Sekiwake and a Komusubi on his way to a jun-yusho. With three Ozeki, though, I do not think the Kyokai will be chomping at the bit to promote too quickly. But two more double-digit performances and we could have a new Ozeki by Kyushu.

We will dive deeper into the implications and outcomes of Natsu soon. Along with his title, Onosato claimed two more special prizes. Oshoma also earned his Fighting Spirit prize.

Thank you to all Tachiai readers for riding this roller-coaster, yet again. June will be fairly quiet, event-wise. No Jungyo there are a few items to track early, including the retirement ceremonies for Ishiura (6/1), Akiseyama (6/2) and Chiyonokuni (6/8). I will also keep my eyes open for any reports from Isegahama Ichimon regarding updates to the status of Miyagino-beya and its hopeful re-opening. Fingers crossed!