Yubinhaad

Great effort from Yamada, but just not quite enough to overcome Kyonosato's defiant resistance.

Ahead of Day 7, one rikishi returns after a few days out (as reported above, but half a dozen others head to the sidelines. Returning: Jk6w Kikuchi (withdrew Day 3) Withdrawing: Ms58e Asagyokusei (fusenpai Day 6) Sd1e Taiga (fusenpai Day 5) - Arashio-oyakata (former Maegashira Sokokurai) reported today that he was unable to train before the basho due to illness. Sd29w Shinhakuho (fusenpai Day 5) Sd72w Tappa - Otake-beya reports an ankle injury. Jd52w Shotaimu (fusenpai Day 6) - fan reports suggest he has a high fever due to cellulitis. Jk19e Higohikari

And in the lower divisions, one rikishi begins his basho but three others have to withdraw, ahead of Day 5: Entering: Sd30e Karino Withdrawing: Ms53w Chiyonoo (fusenpai Day 3) - tweaked his left hamstring in asageiko the other day, expected to return at some point. Ms56w Sadanohikari Sd57w Nakashima (fusenpai Day 4) - suffered a knee injury in his first bout.

All names, ranks and heya correct as of the 2016 Hatsu banzuke. Tate and Sanyaku yobidashi. Makuuchi yobidashi. Juryo yobidashi. Makushita & Sandanme yobidashi. Jonidan & Jonokuchi yobidashi.

I didn't notice yesterday as I was paying attention to the rikishi, but watching today's session I saw that the clipboards are now being wielded by a different pair of wakaimonogashira, Zenshinyama on the East side and Tochinofuji on the West. Previous organisers Iyozakura and Fukunosato will both reach retirement age next year.

Not quite. The 34th Inosuke was promoted for 2006 Hatsu, and then reached mandatory retirement a month later. His immediate successor was promoted for 2006 Haru and also had only one basho as Inosuke, but he was younger and so was promoted to Shonosuke. The 14th Inosuke was promoted for 1925 Hatsu, but sadly he died in December 1924, so his tenure was limited to the banzuke and not the basho.

Jonokuchi Torikumi for Day 3, January 2025 Bout East West 1 Higohikari (Jk19e) 0-0 Wakasasaki (Jk18w) 0-1 Battle of the losing streaks tomorrow. Wakasasaki still seeks the first win of his career, with 26 losses (plus 1 fusenpai) so far. Higohikari has lost his last 29 bouts (plus 1 fusenpai) with many interruptions recently, not counting five more in maezumo. He last tasted victory in 2022 Kyushu.

Five rikishi withdraw ahead of Day 3: Ms10w Kurohimeyama (fusenpai Day 1) - had surgery on an arm injury, apparently suffered in his final bout of the Kyushu basho. Ms11e Kamito (fusenpai Day 2) - in hospital being treated for symptoms of pneumonia. Sd23e Kawabuchi (fusenpai Day 2) Jd65e Matsuzawa (fusenpai Day 2) Jk6w Kikuchi It was reported today that he suffered a mild cerebral infarction in October, and had to rest and take medication.

Jonidan rikishi Daigozakura has a totally bald head now, perhaps a case of alopecia like Taikomaru from some years back.

Ms21e Tanji

In addition to the two tate-gyoji changes, one other name change has come to light - newly-promoted Makuuchi gyoji Kimura Takao is now Kimura Shozaburo (木村 庄三郎). He is the 11th gyoji to assume that historic name, and the first since 2012, when the 10th Shozaburo was promoted to 39th Shikimori Inosuke (later becoming the 37th Kimura Shonosuke). Spoke too soon - Akitaka is now Katsuki (勝希).

Four shikona changes on this banzuke, two each in Jonidan and Jonokuchi. In Fujishima-beya, Tsuru is now Fujinoshin, not the same kanji as Jinmaku-oyakata's active shikona (富士乃真). Two changes out of Kokonoe-beya, where Chiyotaisei and Chiyorozan have switched to using their given name in their shikona. Chiyotaisei is now Chiyoshiryu, but he keeps one of the old kanji for his new given name of Takara. Chiyorozan is now Chiyoryusei, with the new given name Ken. Finally, a minor change for Nishikido-beya's Katsunishiki, who simply adds 'no' in the middle. Jd17w Tsuru > Fujinoshin (藤ノ進, ふじのしん) Jd21w Chiyotaisei Shiryu > Chiyoshiryu Takara (千代紫龍　聖, ちよしりゅう　たから) Jk8e Katsunishiki > Katsunonishiki (葛の錦, かつのにしき) Jk10w Chiyorozan Ryusei > Chiyoryusei Ken (千代琉聖　健, ちよりゅうせい　けん) Three other rikishi change only the given name of their shikona: Sd47w Dewanojo Shota > Yoshihide (芳秀, よしひで) Jd11e Saidaiji Kohei > Kazunori (一憲, かずのり) Jd26w Chiyotaiko Shinobu > Inazuma (稲妻, いなづま) The gyoji and tokoyama promotions listed here have taken effect with this banzuke. No name change at this stage for yobidashi Akitaka following his move to Oshima-beya.

Hi all, sorry it's rather delayed but here at last are the kimarite statistics for the final basho of 2024. Oshidashi is on an eight-basho run as the most common kimarite, though this time the margin was the smallest of that run so far thanks to yorikiri surpassing 26% for the first time since 2021 Nagoya. It's still relatively uncommon for those two kimarite to account for more than half of the torikumi in a basho (44 out of 142 basho in the current kimarite era), although this basho's combined percentage of 53.31% is the third-highest of those. Kimarite from kettei-sen bouts are not included in the statistics. Kimarite Makuuchi Juryo Makushita Sandanme Jonidan Jonokuchi Total Percentage Abisetaoshi 0 1 1 0 1 0 3 0.14% Amiuchi 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0.09% Ashitori 0 0 0 1 4 0 5 0.23% Chongake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Fumidashi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Fusen (default) 2 4 0 1 3 2 12 0.54% Gasshohineri 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Hansoku (foul) 0 2 0 1 0 0 3 0.14% Harimanage 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Hatakikomi 22 18 43 38 54 3 178 8.07% Hikiotoshi 13 3 12 17 15 0 60 2.72% Hikkake 0 1 1 1 1 0 4 0.18% Ipponzeoi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Isamiashi 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 0.14% Izori 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0.05% Kainahineri 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Kakenage 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 0.18% Kakezori 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Katasukashi 6 2 1 7 2 0 18 0.82% Kawazugake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Kekaeshi 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0.05% Ketaguri 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Kimedashi 1 0 0 2 5 0 8 0.36% Kimetaoshi 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0.09% Kirikaeshi 0 1 0 2 2 0 5 0.23% Komatasukui 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Koshikudake 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.05% Koshinage 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Kotehineri 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Kotenage 4 0 11 9 13 2 39 1.77% Kozumatori 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Kubihineri 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0.05% Kubinage 0 0 4 2 1 0 7 0.32% Makiotoshi 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0.05% Mitokorozeme 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Nichonage 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Nimaigeri 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Okuridashi 7 4 14 24 19 3 71 3.22% Okurigake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Okurihikiotoshi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Okurinage 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0.05% Okuritaoshi 0 0 2 4 1 0 7 0.32% Okuritsuridashi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Okuritsuriotoshi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Omata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Osakate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Oshidashi 90 53 102 164 171 21 601 27.24% Oshitaoshi 18 5 4 24 25 2 78 3.54% Sabaori 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Sakatottari 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Shitatedashinage 2 2 4 0 0 0 8 0.36% Shitatehineri 0 1 3 1 1 0 6 0.27% Shitatenage 4 3 10 17 13 2 49 2.22% Shumokuzori 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Sokubiotoshi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Sotogake 0 0 5 1 1 0 7 0.32% Sotokomata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Sotomuso 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Sototasukizori 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Sukuinage 4 5 6 11 13 1 40 1.81% Susoharai 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Susotori 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Tasukizori 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Tokkurinage 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Tottari 1 0 1 1 2 0 5 0.23% Tsukaminage 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Tsukidashi 10 5 12 15 7 0 49 2.22% Tsukihiza 0 0 1 0 2 0 3 0.14% Tsukiotoshi 18 13 21 33 30 3 118 5.35% Tsukitaoshi 3 2 1 0 0 0 6 0.27% Tsukite 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Tsumatori 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Tsuridashi 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0.09% Tsuriotoshi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Tsutaezori 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Uchigake 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0.09% Uchimuso 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0.05% Ushiromotare 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Utchari 0 0 0 2 1 0 3 0.14% Uwatedashinage 0 3 4 8 4 2 21 0.95% Uwatehineri 2 1 0 0 1 0 4 0.18% Uwatenage 18 9 22 24 25 3 101 4.58% Waridashi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Watashikomi 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0.05% Yaguranage 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Yobimodoshi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% Yorikiri 75 62 89 151 174 24 575 26.07% Yoritaoshi 6 6 19 28 26 4 89 4.03% Zubuneri 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% There were 13,366 honwari torikumi this year, in which 66 kimarite were used (excluding fusen and hansoku). That's one fewer than last year, although we did see appearances from five kimarite which were unused last year - kawazugake, ketaguri, nimaigeri, sakatottari and tsutaezori. 21 kimarite were unused this year, most notably ipponzeoi which drew a blank for the first time since 1992. Difference from 2023 in brackets where relevant: Gasshohineri Ipponzeoi (-1) Kakezori Koshinage Kozumatori Mitokorozeme Nichonage (-3) Okurigake Okuritsuridashi Shumokuzori Sotokomata (-1) Sotomuso Sototasukizori Susotori Tasukizori Tsukaminage Tsumatori Tsuriotoshi (-2) Waridashi (-1) Yaguranage Yobimodoshi (-1)

Ranks, names and heya correct as of the 2023 Hatsu banzuke. Tate and Sanyaku gyoji. Makuuchi gyoji. Juryo gyoji Makushita & Sandanme gyoji Jonidan & Jonokuchi gyoji

37 Showa Survivors participated in this basho, 36 on the banzuke and Higohikari showed up in maezumo as well (um, yay?). And it was a pretty good way to end the year, with the veterans chalking up a combined 132 wins and 144 losses, 16 kachi-koshi and 19 make-koshi. Of our sekitori trio, Takarafuji and Tamawashi both managed 8-7 kachi-koshi, the latter becoming only the 4th rikishi in the modern era to do so as a 40-year-old. However, Sadanoumi could muster only 4 wins and is vulnerable to Juryo demotion on the next banzuke. As a minor trivia note, this was his 34th basho holding a double-digit Maegashira rank, breaking the previous record set by Asanowaka. Besides fighting the 1,000th bout of his career, 43-year-old Asatenmai compiled a 6-1 kachi-koshi at the top of Jonidan. Fighting in Jonokuchi for only the third time, Satonofuji at least kept up his 100% kachi-koshi record there, and ends a six-basho make-koshi streak as a result. Tenichi - 1,300th career bout, Day 11. Hienriki - 1,100th career bout, Day 12. Asatenmai - 1,000th career bout, Day 5. Hitachigo - 800th career bout, Day 2. Also 400th career loss, Day 10. Moriurara - 600th career loss, Day 8. Takarafuji - 600th Makuuchi loss, Day 10. Full results for 2024 Kyushu in banzuke order:

It was announced today that Saito the younger has been granted Sandanme Tsukedashi status when he joins ozumo, although it's not specified when that will be. He's the first high-schooler to receive that, and it will be another ten ranks higher than before, as the Kyokai also announced that Sandanme will be cut to 80 ranks from the Hatsu basho banzuke onwards. https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202411280000788.html

One rikishi returns to the basho ahead of the last round of lower division action: Jd6e Honma (fusenpai Day 6, withdrew Day 7) Assuming they aren't retiring, these three rikishi will fall off the banzuke: Jk5w Kyokutaizan Jk11w Kaitoma Jk13w Daishiyama

In that case, he has succeeded.

Or so I thought - Bushozan returns from Day 12, when he will fight Hokutofuji.

In the lower divisions ahead of Day 11, a familiar face joins the fray but two other rikishi have to withdraw. Entering: Jk9w Sadanojo Withdrawing: Sd34e Okinohama (fusenpai Day 10) Jk14w Wakasasaki (fusenpai Day 10) The cause of Bushozan's kyujo has finally been announced as a case of hand, foot and mouth disease, which have caused him extensive skin rashes and severe pain. No return to the basho, obviously.

One withdrawal ahead of Day 9: Jd29w Miyafuji I only noticed today that Kamito's kyujo has unusually been declared to be as of Day 7 even though he withdrew with the Day 5 crowd. Side effect of his third bout having been scheduled for Day 4 already. In another unusual twist, Kamito isn't on the kyujo list at all any more and fought and won today against Daishomaru!

Nikkan reports M17w Bushozan is kyujo from Day 7. He won his last bout to end a 15-bout losing streak going back to the Aki basho. His Day 7 opponent Tamashoho, visiting from Juryo, will collect the fusensho.

In the lower divisions ahead of Day 7, two more rikishi begin their basho, but as Yamanashi noted above, one has withdrawn. Entering: Sd38w Hakuomaru Jd25e Yamenosato Withdrawing: Jd6e Honma (fusenpai Day 6)

Ahead of Day 5, three rikishi join the basho along with Kikuchi who missed his opening bout - my guess is cold and flu season (and/or COVID) has arrived and will account for some of these kind of short-term kyujo. Two other rikishi have to withdraw. Entering/Returning: Sd45w Takashoki Jd5e Goseizan Jd27w Tochigidake Jk7e Kikuchi (fusenpai Day 1, withdrew Day 3) Withdrawing: Ms3e Kamito (fusenpai Day 4) - hobbled away favouring his right leg after losing on Day 3. Jd67e Chiyorozan (fusenpai Day 3) - as mentioned above, a probable left knee injury during his bout on Day 2.

A quartet of withdrawals ahead of Day 3: Ms29w Kawazoe - nothing obviously wrong after a straightforward win today, so this kyujo is a mystery for now. Sd6e Kyoda - looked like a right leg injury as he dropped from the dohyo in his loss today. Jd58w Yumenofuji (fusenpai Day 1) Jk7e Kikuchi (fusenpai Day 1) I don't expect to see Jd67e Chiyorozan appear for his Day 3 bout. His knees are already well-wrapped, today something popped in the left one while he was on the defensive against Watatani, and eventually left the arena in the wheelchair.