March 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament, Day 9 (Monday 18 March 2024)

(Looking for a different day? Try the master list!)

Compiled from: JSA's postings for makuuchi, juryo, makushita, sandanme, jonidan and jonokuchi; JSA's absence list, JSA's tournament leader list, JSA's tournament champions list and JSA's Day 9 program in Japanese.

There are 156 bouts listed on the schedule today. It's an odd-numbered day which means the east side is first to get called.

Check the appendices at the end of the schedule for more useful information!

What our fave toriteki are doing today

If you want a toriteki (non-salaried rikishi from divisions 3 to 6) added to this watch list, get in touch!

Appearing on day 9: Aonishiki, Asakiryu, Asanowaka, Baraki, Chikureisen, Chiyomaru, Chiyooga, Dainichido, Fujiseiun, Furanshisu, Hayashiryu, Hogasho, Ito, Kaihiryu, Kaiseijo, Kamito, Kanzaki, Kazekeno, Kazeyuki, Kenho, Kirimaru, Kiryuko, Kitadaichi, Koki, Kokuryunami, Maikeru, Miyagi, Moriurara, Nabatame, Najima, Obara, Onokatsu, Otani, Rinko, Satonofuji, Sawayaka, Shoketsu, Shunrai, Taranami, Tochimaru, Tsukubayama, Wakatakamoto, Yago, Yuki, Yukiamami, Yuma

Having a rest on day 9: Agora, Akenonami, Amakaze, Arise, Asasorai, Asonoyama, Dewanojo, Hagane, Hananoumi, Hokuyozan, Ikazuchido, Kawamura, Kazeeidai, Kazuto, Kitanosho, Kokiryu, Kotokuzan, Kototebakari, Kyokutaisei, Mineyaiba, Mogamizakura, Nakashima, Nikko, Sazanami, Shoran, Shunkaku, Souga, Suyama, Taiga, Tanji, Tatsuosho, Toshunryu, Urutora, Wakaikari, Yamato, Yoshii

Kyujo on day 9: Enho, Kakuho, Kiho, Raiho, Satsumao, Terutsuyoshi

Note: Each division also has its own mini-report for who's on the schedule and who's kyujo!

Kyujo rikishi

The following rikishi are kyujo on day 9: Chikuba, Daiyusho, Enho, Gonoumi, Hokaho, Kakuho, Katsunishiki, Kazunofuji, Kiho, Kotofuno, Kotohanashiro, Kotokiho, Kotomunakata, Kototaiki, Matsuzawa, Minorufuji, Mishima, Nishikikuni, Oginohama, Oki, Raiho, Sadanojo, Satsumao, Shimazuumi, Shirokuma, Shosei, Takakento, Terunofuji, Terutsuyoshi, Tochikamiyama, Tochimusashi, Toramusashi, Tsurugisho, Tsuyasato, Wakaikki, Wakayamanaka, Yurikisho

Salary promotions and demotions

Kotonowaka was promoted to ozeki shortly after the January tournament. We wish our shin-ozeki all the best!

Wakatakakage, Hakuoho, Tsushimanada and Kitaharima are all back in juryo as of March 2024.

Retirements

Omoto, Itadaki, Rao, Mitozakura, Maenofuji, Hatachijo, Takeazuma, Kosei, Asanotosa, Shinzan, Agazumazakura, Okuyama, Miyakogawa, Izumigawa, Hoshi and Chiyoarashi all retired either during or after the January tournament. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours!

Itadaki will be taking the elder name Gochisousama. (Not really. Credit to EmperorTeapot for that joke!)

Hokuseiho ("Tree") has been booted out of sumo for violent hazing so we won't be seeing him again.

Absences

Hidenoumi had a short absence on day 4 but came back on day 4. Shimazuumi went absent from day 4. Kinbozan went absent from day 5 with a cervical sprain but came back on day 8. Tsurugisho went absent after a nasty knee injury on day 4. Terunofuji is absent from day 7 with his recurring back injury. Shirokuma went absent from day 8 with a suspected back injury (source).

Referee Kimura Akijiro went absent from day 6.

Start at 9:05AM

Jonokuchi 序ノ口 (Division 6)

Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for jonokuchi

Coming up: Kirimaru, Moriurara

Shimpan are Tatekawa (sekiwake Tosanoumi), Hanaregoma* (sekiwake Tamanoshima), Futagoyama* (ozeki Miyabiyama), Ajigawa* (sekiwake Aminishiki), Hidenoyama (ozeki Kotoshogiku)

Yobidashi is Akitaka (Ajigawa stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kazenosuke (Oshiogawa stable)

Jonidan 序二段 (Division 5)

Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for jonidan

Coming up: Baraki, Chikureisen, Chiyooga, Hayashiryu, Kaihiryu, Kazeyuki, Kenho, Kokuryunami, Najima, Satonofuji, Sawayaka, Taranami, Tochimaru, Tsukubayama, Yukiamami

Gyoji is Shikimori Kisaburo (Tokitsukaze stable)

Gyoji is Shikimori Komei (Naruto stable)

Gyoji is Kimura Shunta (Shikoroyama stable)

Gyoji is Kimura Ryunosuke (Kokonoe stable)

Shimpan shift change

Shimpan are Urakaze (maegashira #1 Shikishima), Takenawa (sekiwake Tochinonada), Oshima* (sekiwake Kyokutenho), Takasago* (sekiwake Asasekiryu), Nishonoseki* (the 72nd yokozuna Kisenosato)

Gyoji is Kimura Keitaro (Musashigawa stable)

Gyoji is Kimura Katsunosuke (Oshima stable)

Sandanme 三段目 (Division 4)

Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for sandanme

Coming up: Aonishiki, Asakiryu, Dainichido, Furanshisu, Hogasho, Ito, Koki, Rinko, Shoketsu, Yuki

Gyoji is Kimura Narimasa (Irumagawa)

Gyoji is Shikimori Kainosuke (Isenoumi stable)

Shimpan shift change

Shimpan are Onaruto (ozeki Dejima), Edagawa (maegashira #1 Aogiyama), Asahiyama* (sekiwake Kotonishiki), Tanigawa (sekiwake Hokutoriki), Naruto* (ozeki Kotooshu)

Gyoji is Shikimori Tatsunosuke (Takadagawa stable)

Gyoji is Shikimori Seisuke (Miyagino stable)

Gyoji is Kimura Sakuranosuke (Shikihide stable)

Gyoji is Shikimori Seiichiro (Isegahama stable)

Gyoji is Kimura Kintaro (Nishikido stable)

Gyoji is Kimura Kazuma (Nishiiwa stable)

Presentation of new rikishi

Makushita 幕下 (Division 3)

Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for makushita

Coming up: Asanowaka, Fujiseiun, Kaiseijo, Kamito, Kanzaki, Kazekeno, Kiryuko, Maikeru, Miyagi, Obara, Otani, Shunrai, Wakatakamoto, Yago

Shimpan shift change

Shimpan are Kataonami* (sekiwake Tamakasuga), Tamagaki (komusubi Tomonohana), Azumazeki (komusubi Takamisakari), Tokitsukaze* (maegashira #1 Tosayutaka), Ikazuchi* (komusubi Kakizoe)

Gyoji is Shikimori Kinosuke (Sadogatake stable)

Gyoji is Shikimori Tomokazu (Oshima stable)

Gyoji is Kimura Ennosuke (Nishonoseki stable)

Yobidashi is Soichi (Yamahibiki stable); Gyoji is Kimura Satoshi (Takasago stable)

Yobidashi is Yohei (Dewanoumi stable)

Yobidashi is Keisuke (Shibatayama stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kazuki (Arashio stable)

Yobidashi is Fujio (Isegahama stable)

Yobidashi is Shigetaro (Kokonoe stable); Gyoji is Kimura Hideaki (Tokiwayama stable)

Yobidashi is Tasuke (Yamahibiki stable)

Yobidashi is Satoru (Hanaregoma stable); Gyoji is Kimura Kozaburo (Hakkaku stable)

Juryo dohyo-iri at 2:15PM

Makushita Joi 幕下上位 (Division 3)

Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for makushita

Coming up: Chiyomaru, Kitadaichi, Nabatame, Onokatsu, Yuma

Shimpan are Sadogatake* (sekiwake Kotonowaka) facing away on mic, Urakaze (maegashira #1 Shikishima), Oshima* (sekiwake Kyokutenho), Takasago* (sekiwake Asasekiryu), Nishonoseki* (the 72nd yokozuna Kisenosato)

Yobidashi is Masao (Nishiiwa stable); Gyoji is Kimura Zennosuke (Kasugano stable)

Yobidashi is Rokuro (Nishonoseki stable); Gyoji is Kimura Chishu (Dewanoumi stable)

Yobidashi is Hiroyuki (Nishiiwa stable); Gyoji is Kimura KANKURO (Yamahibiki stable)

Juryo 十両 (Division 2)

Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for juryo

Yobidashi is Matsuo (Hanaregoma stable); Gyoji is Kimura Kichijiro (Shibatayama stable)

Yobidashi is Kunio (Takasago stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Shinnosuke (Hanaregoma stable)

Yobidashi is Mitsuaki (Tagonoura stable); Gyoji is Kimura Yukihiro (Tamanoi stable)

Yobidashi is Rikinojo (Takasago stable); Gyoji is Kimura Mitsunosuke (Takadagawa stable)

Yobidashi is Koji (Asakayama stable); Gyoji is Kimura Takao (Tagonoura stable)

Yobidashi is Teruki (Isegahama stable); Gyoji is Kimura Asanosuke (Takasago stable)

Intermission at 3:40PM: Makuuchi dohyo-iri and yokozuna dohyo-iri.

Makuuchi 幕内 (Division 1)

Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for makuuchi

Shimpan are Asakayama* (ozeki Kaio) facing away on mic, Onaruto (ozeki Dejima), Asahiyama* (sekiwake Kotonishiki), Tanigawa (sekiwake Hokutoriki), Naruto* (ozeki Kotooshu)

Yobidashi is Daikichi (Hakkaku stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kiichiro (Oitekaze stable)

Yobidashi is Kotoyoshi (Sadogatake stable); Gyoji is ❤️ Kimura Yonosuke ❤️ (Hakkaku stable)

Yobidashi is Kotozo (Sadogatake stable); Gyoji is Kimura Ginjiro (Shibatayama stable)

Yobidashi is Ryuji (Miyagino stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kindayu (Hanaregoma stable)

Yobidashi is Akira (Oshima stable); Gyoji is Kimura Motoki (Minato stable)

Yobidashi is Kokichi (Oshima stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kandayu (Miyagino stable)

Shimpan shift change

Shimpan are Kumegawa (komusubi Kotoinazuma) facing away on mic, Kataonami* (sekiwake Tamakasuga), Azumazeki (komusubi Takamisakari), Tokitsukaze* (maegashira #1 Tosayutaka), Ikazuchi* (komusubi Kakizoe)

Yobidashi is Goro (Otake stable); Gyoji is Kimura Hisanosuke (Oshima stable)

Yobidashi is Shigeo (Kokonoe stable); Gyoji is Kimura Konosuke (Kokonoe stable)

Yobidashi is Shiro (Otake stable); Gyoji is Kimura Shotaro (Kasugano stable)

Yobidashi is Katsuyuki (Shibatayama stable); Gyoji is Kimura Yodo (Kokonoe stable)

Yobidashi is Jiro (Kasugano stable); Gyoji is Kimura Shonosuke (Takadagawa stable)

Bow-twirling with Yuki

Appendices

General knowledge

Wikipedia has a list of winning techniques like oshidashi, yorikiri, etc and a sumo glossary, the heaviest grand sumo competitors ever, and an English-language page for just about every sekitori there is or was.

SumoDB has the entire banzuke in both Japanese and English. SumoDB also contains information about historical results and head to head matchups.

Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) links: current rankings Japanese/English; yobidashi (ushers & attendants) Japanese/English; gyoji (referees) Japanese/English; oyakata (coaches) Japanese/English; heya (training stables) Japanese/English. NSK homepage in English; retirees - Japanese only but only requires hiragana knowledge

Fred Pinkerton's promotion/demotion charts show who's moving where in top division.

News sources and blogs: Tachi-Ai sumo blog (in English); Japan Times sumo coverage (in English); Nikkan Sports sumo articles (in Japanese); Sponichi sumo articles (in Japanese); Chunichi sumo articles (in Japanese). Hochi.news sumo articles (in Japanese). Useful Japanese terms to search in the highlights page for: 休場 (kyujo, absence); コロナ (korona, COVID).

Japanese language resources: DeepL for translating entire articles; Jisho for looking up specific words and kanji; the 10ten extension for Firefox lets you mouse over particular Japanese text of interest on websites.

Curiosities: that time half a stable went AWOL because the stablemaster's wife was being too harsh on them; interview with a yobidashi

Videos

Miscellaneous

A comprehensive gallery featuring head shots and bios of rikishi, oyakata, gyoji, yobidashi and more (correct to the beginning of 2023). Pre-bout rituals explained; What do the gyoji say?

Sumo match announcements

  1. Yobidashi sings the names of the rikishi about to bout in turn, then rikishi ascend the dohyo
  2. Once rikishi are on the dohyo, gyoji hollers their names in turn while gesturing their way
  3. Announcer clearly announces each rikishi's starting side (nishi/higashi-gata rikishi), name, place of origin (-shusshin) and training stable (-beya) as they perform shikiri and throw salt
  4. Once timekeeper judge says to begin, gyoji commands rikishi into position, then officiates the match
  5. (optional) If the outcome is unclear or in dispute by a judge, a mono-ii is called and head judge reports on their findings; gyoji announces a rematch if that's what the judges want
  6. Gyoji announces winner's name turning to them and possibly giving them envelopes full of sponsor cash.
  7. Once winner is decided, announcer says who won and what the kimarite (deciding technique) was (technique de rikishi name no kachi) - this can be delayed by up to a few matches if the technique is hard to determine!

Understanding the judges' reports

Mono-ii reports are very formulaic! They're usually a couple of long run-on sentences that go something like this:

  1. Now we're going to explain our conference. Tadaima wa kyogi ni tsuite setsumei itashimasu or similar
  2. The gyoji pointed (one way or another), but.. Gyoji gunbai wa higashigata/nishigata/(rikishi name) arimashita ga..
  3. We had a conference about (something that affects the outcome of the match), the result of that conference was.. (???) mono-ii ga tsuki, kyougi shita kekka..
  4. (The findings of that discussion) (???)-te ori/orazu
  5. (The outcome of that discussion and the rightful winner of the bout if one was determined.)

Matters for discussion and findings may include a touchout (te ga dete ori/orazu..), a simultaneous landing for both rikishi (doutai or ryousha), or even a disqualification (hansoku).

Helpful words to listen out for to get the gist of the report:

Body parts

Actions and other stuff

Verdicts

The outcome can go three ways:

Who's that shimpan (ringside judge)?

Click the name of the shimpan to see what they look like. (You may need to middle-click it to open the link in a new window.) Thanks to the maintainer of this page for providing these images!

Shimpan groups

No new ringside judges to report this month!

Stablemasters have * after their name; everyone else is a coach.

Senior shimpan

Members of this senior group join up with other shimpan groups to act as head shimpan after the juryo ring entrance ceremony & intermission.

Substitute shimpan

Expect to see one or more of these folks subbing in if someone doesn't make their shift: Hatachiyama (komusubi Tochinohana), Minato* (maegashira 2 Minatofuji), Shiranui (komusubi Wakakoyu), Takadagawa (sekiwake Akinoshima)

Who's that off-schedule yobidashi

The official program only lists sekitori yobidashi from Soichi onwards. Even after their match-calling shifts, these youngsters work throughout the day as attendants.

There's a slightly outdated gallery of yobidashi headshots with bios at Heyaaz - it's missing Kumajiro because he debuted during 2023.

To help spot them, here's links to screencaps of the non-sekitori yobidashi in their order of appearance, including onscreen bios in Japanese: