May 2024 Grand Sumo Tournament, Day 14 (Saturday 25 May 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 14 program in Japanese.

There are 117 bouts listed on the schedule today. It's an even-numbered day which means the west 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 14: Baraki, Ikazuchido, Kaihiryu, Kanzaki, Kawamura, Kazuto, Kitadaichi, Kitanosho, Kokiryu, Mineyaiba, Miyagi, Najima, Rinko, Shunkaku, Souga, Suyama, Tanji, Tsukubayama, Wakaikari, Yuma

Having a rest on day 14: Agora, Amakaze, Aonishiki, Asakiryu, Asanowaka, Asasorai, Asonoyama, Chiyooga, Dewanojo, Fujiseiun, Furanshisu, Hagane, Hananoumi, Hayashiryu, Hogasho, Hokuyozan, Kaiseijo, Kakuho, Kamito, Kawazoe, Kazeeidai, Kazeyuki, Kenho, Kiryuko, Koki, Kokuryunami, Kotokuzan, Kototebakari, Kyokutaisei, Maikeru, Mogamizakura, Moriurara, Nabatame, Nakashima, Nikko, Obara, Satonofuji, Sawayaka, Sazanami, Shoketsu, Shotaimu, Shunrai, Taiga, Taranami, Tatsuosho, Tochimaru, Toshunryu, Urutora, Wakatakamoto, Yago, Yoshii, Yukiamami

Kyujo on day 14: Arise, Enho, Raiho, Satsumao, Shoran, Yamato

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

Kyujo rikishi

The following 44 rikishi are kyujo on day 14: Arise, Asabenkei, Asanoyama, Chiyonoumi, Chiyorozan, Daikisho, Daishinkai, Daiyusho, Enho, Gonoumi, Higohikari, Hokaho, Hokutenkai, Kazunofuji, Kenyu, Kirishima, Komanokuni, Kotodaigo, Kotoegashira, Kotoeko, Kumanohana, Kyokumizuno, Makotofuji, Minorufuji, Mitoryu, Nishikiori, Oshoryu, Otani, Raiho, Satsumao, Senho, Shokeima, Shoran, Shosei, Sonoshun, Takakeisho, Takemaru, Takerufuji, Terunofuji, Tochimusashi, Toramusashi, Tsuru, Wakayamanaka, Yamato

Salary promotions and demotions

Congratulations to Tochitaikai (former Tsukahara), Onokatsu and Kazekeno for making it to juryo in May, and to fan favourite Chiyomaru for making it back to juryo.

Oshoma and Tokiyahate are debuting in makuuchi.

Retirements

Best of luck to recent retirees Akenonami, Yoshinofuji, Sakura, Kotokiho, Mogaminishiki, Kurokage, Kototaiki, Okinofuki, Tochikamiyama and Kairyu. Extra special best wishes to Dainichido, Chikureisen, Kirimaru and Yuki from Michinoku stable!

Kotoeko's retirement was announced on day 6 of the May tournament. He has taken the elder name Oguruma. Best of luck to you, samurai!

Absences

Takerufuji and Asanoyama both begin the tournament absent.

Kitanowaka and Shimazuumi both began the tournament absent but came back for day 4.

Terunofuji went out absent day 2 with rib damage and worsened knee damage.

Takakeisho also went out on day 2 with a reaggravated neck injury.

Takayasu went out on day 3 with a back injury from training, returning on day 9.

Kirishima went out on day 7 with a "cervical nerve root" injury.

Wakamotoharu also went out day 7 with a ligament injury on one of the toes in his right foot. He returned on day 11.

Hakuoho went out on day 8 with COVID.

Mitoryu went out on day 11 with arthritis and osteoarthritis in both knees.

Newbies

Kimura Yunosuke debuted as a referee on day 7.

Start at 11:05AM

Jonokuchi 序ノ口 (Division 6)

Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for jonokuchi

Shimpan are Tatekawa (sekiwake Tosanoumi), Hanaregoma* (sekiwake Tamanoshima), Azumazeki (komusubi Takamisakari), Ikazuchi* (komusubi Kakizoe), Ajigawa* (sekiwake Aminishiki)

Yobidashi is Akitaka (Ajigawa stable); Gyoji is Kimura Yunosuke (Tagonoura 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, Ikazuchido, Kaihiryu, Kokiryu, Najima, Shunkaku, Souga, Tsukubayama

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), Onogawa (maegashira #2 Kitataiki), Takasago* (sekiwake Asasekiryu), Nishonoseki* (the 72nd yokozuna Kisenosato)

Gyoji is Kimura Keitaro (Musashigawa stable)

Gyoji is Kimura Katsunosuke (Oshima stable)

Gyoji is Kimura Narimasa (Ikazuchi stable)

Gyoji is Shikimori Kainosuke (Isenoumi stable)

Sandanme 三段目 (Division 4)

Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for sandanme

Coming up: Kawamura, Kitanosho, Suyama

Gyoji is Shikimori Tatsunosuke (Takadagawa stable)

Gyoji is Shikimori Seisuke (Isegahama stable)

Shimpan shift change

Shimpan are Tamagaki (komusubi Tomonohana), Futagoyama* (ozeki Miyabiyama), Tanigawa (sekiwake Hokutoriki), Tokitsukaze* (maegashira #1 Tosayutaka), Hidenoyama (ozeki Kotoshogiku)

Gyoji is Kimura Sakuranosuke (Shikihide stable)

Gyoji is Shikimori Seiichiro (Isegahama stable)

Gyoji is Kimura Kintaro (Nishikido stable)

Gyoji is Kimura Kazuma (Nishiiwa stable)

Gyoji is Shikimori Kinosuke (Sadogatake stable)

Gyoji is Shikimori Tomokazu (Oshima stable)

Gyoji is Kimura Ennosuke (Nishonoseki stable)

Makushita 幕下 (Division 3)

Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for makushita

Coming up: Kanzaki, Kazuto, Rinko, Tanji

Yobidashi is Soichi (Yamahibiki stable)

Shimpan shift change

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

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)

Gyoji is Kimura Hideaki (Tokiwayama stable)

Yobidashi is Shigetaro (Kokonoe stable)

Yobidashi is Tasuke (Yamahibiki stable); Gyoji is Kimura Kozaburo (Hakkaku stable)

Yobidashi is Satoru (Hanaregoma stable); Gyoji is Kimura Zennosuke (Kasugano stable)

Yobidashi is Masao (Nishiiwa stable); Gyoji is Kimura Chishu (Dewanoumi 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: Kitadaichi, Mineyaiba, Miyagi, Wakaikari, Yuma

Shimpan are Kumegawa (komusubi Kotoinazuma) facing away on mic, Takenawa (sekiwake Tochinonada), Onogawa (maegashira #2 Kitataiki), Takasago* (sekiwake Asasekiryu), Nishonoseki* (the 72nd yokozuna Kisenosato)

Yobidashi is Rokuro (Nishonoseki stable); Gyoji is Kimura KANKURO (Yamahibiki stable)

Yobidashi is Hiroyuki (Nishiiwa stable); Gyoji is Kimura Kichijiro (Shibatayama stable)

Juryo 十両 (Division 2)

Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for juryo

Yobidashi is Matsuo (Hanaregoma stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Shinnosuke (Hanaregoma stable)

Yobidashi is Kunio (Takasago stable); Gyoji is Kimura Yukihiro (Tamanoi stable)

Yobidashi is Mitsuaki (Tagonoura stable); Gyoji is Kimura Mitsunosuke (Takadagawa stable)

Yobidashi is Rikinojo (Takasago stable); Gyoji is Kimura Takao (Tagonoura stable)

Yobidashi is Koji (Asakayama stable); Gyoji is Kimura Asanosuke (Takasago stable)

Yobidashi is Teruki (Isegahama stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kiichiro (Oitekaze stable)

Yobidashi is Daikichi (Hakkaku stable); Gyoji is ❤️ Kimura Yonosuke ❤️ (Hakkaku stable)

Intermission at 3:40PM: Makuuchi dohyo-iri

Makuuchi 幕内 (Division 1)

Official JSA fixtures, results and winning techniques for makuuchi

Shimpan are Takadagawa* (sekiwake Akinoshima) facing away on mic, Futagoyama* (ozeki Miyabiyama), Tanigawa (sekiwake Hokutoriki), Tokitsukaze* (maegashira #1 Tosayutaka), Hidenoyama (ozeki Kotoshogiku)

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

Yobidashi is Kotozo (Sadogatake stable); Gyoji is Shikimori Kindayu (Hanaregoma stable)

Yobidashi is Ryuji (Isegahama stable); Gyoji is Kimura Akijiro (Kasugano stable)

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

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

Shimpan shift change

Shimpan are Kokonoe* (ozeki Chiyotaikai) facing away on mic, Onaruto (ozeki Dejima), Edagawa (maegashira #1 Aogiyama), Asahiyama* (sekiwake Kotonishiki), Naruto* (ozeki Kotooshu)

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 Asanowaka

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; countdown until Onokuni reaches mandatory retirement age

And finally a list of amateur sumo events around Japan (in Japanese).

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

New ringside judge (shimpan) for May 2024 is Takekuma. You may know him better as former ozeki Goeido. Welcome to our new shimp!

Oshima and Kataonami are both absent from the ringside. Oshima-oyakata, we already miss you!

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. This month's senior shimps are:

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: