Promotion/Demotion and Yusho Discussion Nagoya 2025

[Asashosakari 20,131]

After my ill-advised attempt to off-load the lower-division yusho race discussion to a separate thread last time, I'm trying something else. This is the usual promotion/demotion thread for the basho, just starting up a few days earlier than before; feel free to use it for all its regular purposes even if I'm only going to be in here for the lower divisions.

130 makushita-and-under rikishi stood at 2-0 after Day 4. One of them was active in juryo for his third appearance and won, while one in jonokuchi faced a 1-1 opponent and lost, producing 65 rikishi at 3-0 (results).

Makushita (14)
3-0 Ms2e Ishizaki (Takasago)
3-0 Ms3e Asahakuryu (Takasago)
3-0 Ms10w Kamito (Tatsunami)
3-0 Ms14w Nagamura (Kise)
3-0 Ms18e Yoshii (Tokitsukaze)
3-0 Ms21e Seihakuho (Isegahama)
3-0 Ms27w Gyotoku (Tamanoi)
3-0 Ms30e Wakamiyabi (Futagoyama)
3-0 Ms33w Shimazuumi (Hanaregoma)
3-0 Ms39e Hinataryu (Musashigawa)
3-0 Ms40w Yago (Oshiogawa)
3-0 Ms48e Nihonyanagi (Onomatsu)
3-0 Ms53w Naya (Otake)
3-0 Ms54e Ikarigata (Isenoumi)

Sandanme (21)
3-0 Sd1w Daishinkai (Otake)
3-0 Sd3w Kaigo (Asakayama)
3-0 Sd6w Kawamura (Naruto)
3-0 Sd12w Kotodaigo (Sadogatake)
3-0 Sd15e Mineyaiba (Shikoroyama)
3-0 Sd18w Murayama (Naruto)
3-0 Sd24e Gyokuozan (Naruto)
3-0 Sd26w Mukaida (Naruto)
3-0 Sd30w Anhibiki (Ajigawa)
3-0 Sd37w Kazeeidai (Oshiogawa)
3-0 Sd42w Kobayashi (Kasugano)
3-0 Sd46w Fujiazuma (Tamanoi)
3-0 Sd49e Seigo (Shikoroyama)
3-0 Sd52e Tochinobori (Kasugano)
3-0 Sd59e Suyama (Kise)
3-0 Sd61w Kenshin (Sakaigawa)
3-0 Sd67w Suzunofuji (Isegahama)
3-0 Sd70e Okinohama (Hakkaku)
3-0 Sd73e Yurikisho (Tokiwayama)
3-0 Sd80e Yumenofuji (Isegahama)
3-0 Sd80w Shoran (Hanaregoma)

Jonidan (24)
3-0 Jd4w Higonomaru (Kise)
3-0 Jd5e Kazuma (Kise)
3-0 Jd14w Onokura (Isegahama)
3-0 Jd19w Asahabataki (Takasago)
3-0 Jd25e Kyokutaiga (Oshima)
3-0 Jd29e Sekizuka (Tagonoura)
3-0 Jd33e Hikarumusashi (Musashigawa)
3-0 Jd33w Shoketsu (Shibatayama)
3-0 Jd39e Seiyu (Hidenoyama)
3-0 Jd44w Shibuya (Nishonoseki)
3-0 Jd47w Sekimoto (Onomatsu)
3-0 Jd50w Minorufuji (Isegahama)
3-0 Jd57w Tatsuosho (Tatsunami)
3-0 Jd60w Hidano (Arashio)
3-0 Jd66w Matsuda (Sakaigawa)
3-0 Jd70w Kazunofuji (Isegahama)
3-0 Jd74w Fukushoryu (Minato)
3-0 Jd76w Kazekodai (Oshiogawa)
3-0 Jd80w Tsukioka (Futagoyama)
3-0 Jd85w Ojiyama (Tagonoura)
3-0 Jd89e Chiyofuku (Kokonoe)
3-0 Jd93e Daitensho (Oitekaze)
3-0 Jd98w Gonowaka (Takekuma)
3-0 Jd102w Wakaonehara (Nishiiwa)

Jonokuchi (6)
3-0 Jk3e Kyoda (Futagoyama)
3-0 Jk5e Asakawasumi (Takasago)
3-0 Jk6w Asarikimaru (Takasago)
3-0 Jk16w Naniwamusashi (Musashigawa)
3-0 Jk20e Buomaru (Musashigawa)
3-0 Jk21e Kaki (Oitekaze)

Takasago-beya has three rikishi within the top 5 makushita ranks and two of them have made it to 3-0, providing for some early torikumi complication. They will be facing the next two rikishi in line to decide who will remain unbeaten within the extended top 15 ranks promotion zone. Should that still be the Takasago duo, we'll be in for some interesting matches as it should only be getting easier for them with successively lower-ranked opponents. No other heya has multiple representation within the third division race. It's arguably too early to make any credible winner predictions here; the two Takasago guys are obviously worth attention just by virtue of their high ranking, but further down we have last basho's unexpectedly strong MsTd newcomer Gyotoku as well as returning ex-sekitori Shimazuumi, to name just two contenders that could be making an impact.

Sandanme could become difficult as well thanks to no less than four Naruto-beya rikishi who are all ranked very close to each other. The lowest two of them, Gyokuozan and Mukaida, already need to be scheduled out of order for the next round. Isegahama, Kasugano and Shikoroyama also have two rikishi apiece in this race, but only the Kasugano pair is ranked sufficiently close that they might pose an issue as early as round 5 on Day 9. In this division it's hard to look past Natsu's jonidan champion Mineyaiba as a favourite; he was competitive in high makushita before the injury that sent him down, a recent track record unmatched by anybody else.

The typically large jonidan competition is led by two Kise-beya rikishi in adjacent positions, but they're #36 and #37 in the overall order and so they should not actually be in line to face each other until round 6 if both get to 5-0. For former MsTd and last basho's jonokuchi winner Kazuma there should be little doubt about his ability to do that, but youngster Higonomaru poses some question marks; he has already been as high as Ms45, but a very rough 12 months since then have sent him all the way through sandanme on a combined score of 15-27 with just one KK record. The second-best contender is probably Tatsunami-beya's Tatsuosho, yet another makushita-quality rikishi who has to restart his career in jonidan after injury. The Kise-beya duo is joined in multiple representation by three rikishi from Isegahama and two from Tagonoura, but it's unlikely that these will create any torikumi effects.

Lastly, the jonokuchi division has decided to come up with a same-heya deal as well, two of them even: Both Takasago and Musashigawa have placed two rikishi into this small competition. However, only one of them looks likely to be a credible yusho candidate, so it shouldn't become an issue: Musashigawa's Buomaru, Kyoda and newcomer Kaki are clearly the contenders of note here, and they're all from different heya. You won't be surprised to hear that Buomaru and Kyoda are yet more rikishi who are coming back from an injury layoff.

The entire makushita bunch are in action on Day 7, the other divisions are seeing their respective matches split across both days.

Any comments or predictions, feel free to add your views. 

Edited July 18 by Asashosakari

[Oskanohana 341]

2 hours ago, Asashosakari said:

Sandanme could become difficult as well thanks to no less than four Naruto-beya rikishi who are all ranked very close to each other. The lowest two of them, Gyokuozan and Mukaida, already need to be scheduled out of order for the next round. Isegahama, Kasugano and Shikoroyama also have two rikishi apiece in this race, but only the Kasugano pair is ranked sufficiently close that they might pose an issue as early as round 5 on Day 9. In this division it's hard to look past Natsu's jonidan champion Mineyaiba as a favourite; he was competitive in high makushita before the injury that sent him down, a recent track record unmatched by anybody else.

I will throw veteran Kotodaigo's name out there in sandanme. Maybe it's more wishing for it than the crude reality due to his continuous injury woes, but he's a mid-makushita level rikishi with enough experience (he almost made it to juryo) and craftiness to beat anybody in the field.

[Reonito 1,747]

Two other notable bouts in the makushita promotion zone tomorrow:

	Ms1e Kyokukaiyu 1-2	0-1	Ms4w Dewanoryu 1-2
	Ms3w Kitanowaka 2-1	0-1	Ms1w Asanoyama 2-1

[Tigerboy1966 1,615]

Maku'uchi wins away from "by the numbers" safety after day 7:

1 win: Tobizaru, Sadanoumi, Roga, Takanosho, Midorifuji, Fujinokawa, MItakeumi

2 wins: Tokihayate, Shodai, Kotoshoho

3 wins: Endo (injured), Asakoryu, Churanoumi

4 wins: Chiyoshoma

5 wins: Kotoeiho, Shishi

6 wins: none

7 wins: Hidenoumi, Kayo

Already gone: no-one yet

[Tigerboy1966 1,615]

Juryo wins away from promotion (or promotability?) after day 7:

Already achieved: none

1 win: none

2 wins: none

3 wins: Shonannoumi

4 wins: Ryuden

5 wins: Nishikigi, Tomokaze, Oshoumi, Tamashoho, Daiseizan

6 wins: Nishikifuji

7 wins: Tochitaikai, Tohakuryu, Hitoshi, Kagayaki

8 wins: Hakuyozan, Takarafuji, Mita

[Reonito 1,747]

7 hours ago, Tigerboy1966 said:

Maku'uchi wins away from "by the numbers" safety after day 7:

I haven't fired up the ole' spreadsheet yet.

[Tigerboy1966 1,615]

Juryo wins away from promotion (or promotability?) after day 8:

Already achieved: none

1 win: none

2 wins: none

3 wins: Ryuden, Shonannoumi

4 wins: Nishikigi, Tomokaze, Oshoumi, Daiseizan

5 wins: Tamashoho, Nishikifuji

6 wins: Tochitaikai,

7 wins: Tohakuryu, Hitoshi, Kagayaki, Mita

[Tigerboy1966 1,615]

Maku'uchi wins away from "by the numbers" safety after day 8:

1 win: Sadanoumi, Fujinokawa, Kotoshoho, Mitakeumi

2 wins: Tokihayate, Churanoumi, Shodai

3 wins: Endo (injured), Asakoryu

4 wins: Chiyoshoma

5 wins: Kotoeiho, Shishi

6 wins: Kayo

7 wins: Hidenoumi

Already demotable: none so far

Edited July 20 by Tigerboy1966
correction

[Tigerboy1966 1,615]

13 hours ago, Reonito said:

20 hours ago, Tigerboy1966 said:

Maku'uchi wins away from "by the numbers" safety after day 7:

I haven't fired up the ole' spreadsheet yet.

Well you always do the in-depth analysis, which takes more time: I just do a quick snapshot.

[Asashosakari 20,131]

(Sorry, the corresponding videos won't be coming until tomorrow.)

Day 7/8 Results

Videos

Makushita (14 > 7)
3-1 Ms2e Ishizaki (Takasago)
4-0 Ms3e Asahakuryu (Takasago)
4-0 Ms10w Kamito (Tatsunami)
3-1 Ms14w Nagamura (Kise)
3-1 Ms18e Yoshii (Tokitsukaze)
4-0 Ms21e Seihakuho (Isegahama)
4-0 Ms27w Gyotoku (Tamanoi)
3-1 Ms30e Wakamiyabi (Futagoyama)
3-1 Ms33w Shimazuumi (Hanaregoma)
4-0 Ms39e Hinataryu (Musashigawa)
4-0 Ms40w Yago (Oshiogawa)
3-1 Ms48e Nihonyanagi (Onomatsu)
3-1 Ms53w Naya (Otake)
4-0 Ms54e Ikarigata (Isenoumi)

Sandanme (21 > 10)
4-0 Sd1w Daishinkai (Otake)
3-1 Sd3w Kaigo (Asakayama)
3-1 Sd6w Kawamura (Naruto)
4-0 Sd12w Kotodaigo (Sadogatake)
4-0 Sd15e Mineyaiba (Shikoroyama)
3-1 Sd18w Murayama (Naruto)
3-1 Sd24e Gyokuozan (Naruto)
3-1 Sd26w Mukaida (Naruto)
4-0 Sd30w Anhibiki (Ajigawa)
4-0 Sd37w Kazeeidai (Oshiogawa)
4-0 Sd42w Kobayashi (Kasugano)
3-1 Sd46w Fujiazuma (Tamanoi)
3-1 Sd49e Seigo (Shikoroyama)
4-0 Sd52e Tochinobori (Kasugano)
4-0 Sd59e Suyama (Kise)
3-1 Sd61w Kenshin (Sakaigawa)
4-0 Sd67w Suzunofuji (Isegahama)
3-1 Sd70e Okinohama (Hakkaku)
4-0 Sd73e Yurikisho (Tokiwayama)
3-1 Sd80e Yumenofuji (Isegahama)
3-1 Sd80w Shoran (Hanaregoma)

Jonidan (24 > 12)
4-0 Jd4w Higonomaru (Kise)
4-0 Jd5e Kazuma (Kise)
3-1 Jd14w Onokura (Isegahama)
4-0 Jd19w Asahabataki (Takasago)
3-1 Jd25e Kyokutaiga (Oshima)
3-1 Jd29e Sekizuka (Tagonoura)
4-0 Jd33e Hikarumusashi (Musashigawa)
3-1 Jd33w Shoketsu (Shibatayama)
4-0 Jd39e Seiyu (Hidenoyama)
3-1 Jd44w Shibuya (Nishonoseki)
4-0 Jd47w Sekimoto (Onomatsu)
3-1 Jd50w Minorufuji (Isegahama)
4-0 Jd57w Tatsuosho (Tatsunami)
3-1 Jd60w Hidano (Arashio)
4-0 Jd66w Matsuda (Sakaigawa)
4-0 Jd70w Kazunofuji (Isegahama)
3-1 Jd74w Fukushoryu (Minato)
3-1 Jd76w Kazekodai (Oshiogawa)
4-0 Jd80w Tsukioka (Futagoyama)
4-0 Jd85w Ojiyama (Tagonoura)
3-1 Jd89e Chiyofuku (Kokonoe)
3-1 Jd93e Daitensho (Oitekaze)
4-0 Jd98w Gonowaka (Takekuma)
3-1 Jd102w Wakaonehara (Nishiiwa)

Jonokuchi (6 > 4)
4-0 Jk3e Kyoda (Futagoyama)
3-1 Jk5e Asakawasumi (Takasago)
4-0 Jk6w Asarikimaru (Takasago)
4-0 Jk16w Naniwamusashi (Musashigawa)
3-1 Jk20e Buomaru (Musashigawa)
4-0 Jk21e Kaki (Oitekaze)

List without the defeated rikishi:

 

Makushita (7)
4-0 Ms3e Asahakuryu (Takasago)
4-0 Ms10w Kamito (Tatsunami)
4-0 Ms21e Seihakuho (Isegahama)
4-0 Ms27w Gyotoku (Tamanoi)
4-0 Ms39e Hinataryu (Musashigawa)
4-0 Ms40w Yago (Oshiogawa)
4-0 Ms54e Ikarigata (Isenoumi)

Sandanme (10)
4-0 Sd1w Daishinkai (Otake)
4-0 Sd12w Kotodaigo (Sadogatake)
4-0 Sd15e Mineyaiba (Shikoroyama)
4-0 Sd30w Anhibiki (Ajigawa)
4-0 Sd37w Kazeeidai (Oshiogawa)
4-0 Sd42w Kobayashi (Kasugano)
4-0 Sd52e Tochinobori (Kasugano)
4-0 Sd59e Suyama (Kise)
4-0 Sd67w Suzunofuji (Isegahama)
4-0 Sd73e Yurikisho (Tokiwayama)

Jonidan (12)
4-0 Jd4w Higonomaru (Kise)
4-0 Jd5e Kazuma (Kise)
4-0 Jd19w Asahabataki (Takasago)
4-0 Jd33e Hikarumusashi (Musashigawa)
4-0 Jd39e Seiyu (Hidenoyama)
4-0 Jd47w Sekimoto (Onomatsu)
4-0 Jd57w Tatsuosho (Tatsunami)
4-0 Jd66w Matsuda (Sakaigawa)
4-0 Jd70w Kazunofuji (Isegahama)
4-0 Jd80w Tsukioka (Futagoyama)
4-0 Jd85w Ojiyama (Tagonoura)
4-0 Jd98w Gonowaka (Takekuma)

Jonokuchi (4)
4-0 Jk3e Kyoda (Futagoyama)
4-0 Jk6w Asarikimaru (Takasago)
4-0 Jk16w Naniwamusashi (Musashigawa)
4-0 Jk21e Kaki (Oitekaze)

Round 4 ended up taking care of most of the same-heya issues. The remaining contenders for a 7-0 in the top 15 makushita ranks are Asahakuryu and Kamito after the latter prevailed over Asahakuryu's stablemate Ishizaki. Only one rikishi with previous sekitori experience is left standing in any of the races and it is Yago in makushita, after that same division saw Shimazuumi eliminated while Fujiazuma also fell in sandanme.

All four yusho candidates from Naruto-beya were dismissed from the sandanme race, a truly rough outcome. Kasugano-beya is the only heya left standing with two representatives, and as mentioned after Day 6 they're nominally in positions that would have to face each other in the next round, so they've both been placed against the next-lower contenders.

Both cross-divisional matches (Sd vs Jd and Jd vs Jk) were won by the lower-ranked participants; round 5 will even see three of them. Kise-beya's Higonomaru was one of those winners and continues to lead the jonidan division alongside heyamate Kazuma. No other stable has more than one rikishi in that race now.

Jonokuchi's four leaders now all hail from different stables as well, after a pair of Takasago vs Musashigawa matchups somewhat surprisingly didn't end up with two wins for ex-Musashimaru's guys; I can't say I expected Asarikimaru to defeat Buomaru. Oddly enough Buomaru continues to figure into the yusho races for round 5 anyway as he has been selected as the 3-1 opponent for lowest-ranked Kaki (still the odd man out as the 33rd undefeated rikishi); that's a fairly surprising torikumi as the schedulers normally go for a larger difference in rank when two rikishi on different records are paired up.

With the right winners in tomorrow's schedule, we could get to a very clean state of 4 / 4 / 6 / 2 zensho rikishi in the respective four divisions, but obviously much messier outcomes are also possible.

Edited July 22 by Asashosakari

[Tigerboy1966 1,615]

Juryo wins away from promotion (or promotability?) after day 9:

Already achieved: none

1 win: none

2 wins: none

3 wins: Nishikigi, Ryuden, Shonannoumi, Oshoumi

4 wins: Tomokaze, Daiseizan, Nishikifuji

5 wins: Tamashoho

6 wins: Tochitaikai, Hitoshi, Kagayaki, Mita

[Tigerboy1966 1,615]

Maku'uchi wins away from "by the numbers" safety after day 9:

1 win: Sadanoumi, Tokihayate, Churanoumi, Shodai

2 wins: none

3 wins: Endo (injured), Asakoryu

4 wins: Chiyoshoma, Kotoeiho

5 wins: Shishi

6 wins: Kayo

Already demotable: Hidenoumi

[Tigerboy1966 1,615]

A long way to ago, but if we assume a 50% strike rate over the last six days we would have six demotables and only four promotables. It looks like it might be another occasion where we have some lucky survivors.

[Reonito 1,747]

Makushita promotion queue: 3e Asahakuryu (5-0), 2e Ishizaki (4-1), 1e Kyokukaiyu (3-2), 1w Asanoyama (3-2), 3w Kitanowaka (4-1), 2w Mudoho (2-3), 5e Nishinoryu (3-2).

I'm not bolding anyone yet, as even 5 wins from Ms3e is not a guarantee, and 4 from Ms2e even less so. The first 5 could all end up with really strong promotion cases. Ishizaki and Kitanowaka have met already, as have Kyokukaiyu and Asanoyama.

Juryo demotion queue: 10w Nabatame (0-0-9), 10e Mitoryu (0-5-4), 12w Otsuji (1-8), 12e Shimanoumi (2-7), 13w Daiamami (3-6), several others including, surprisingly, 4w Shirokuma (1-8).

We know Nabatame is not returning any time soon, and I think it's too late for Mitoryu to save himself even if he reenters. By the numbers, Otsuji must win out, Shimanoumi needs 5 wins, and Daiamami 4, though recent history suggests they could get away with fewer wins unless the promotion cases are undeniable. I am not sure what happened to the May Makushita champ or to the polar bear.

[Fashiritētā 209]

As we all know , Shimanoumi win not get demoted, cough cough

[Reonito 1,747]

17 minutes ago, Fashiritētā said:

As we all know , Shimanoumi win not get demoted, cough cough

The torikumi makers are certainly trying their best, next up is Shirokuma, who at the time of scheduling was winless

[Fashiritētā 209]

4 minutes ago, Reonito said:

The torikumi makers are certainly trying their best, next up is Shirokuma, who at the time of scheduling was winless

Ahhh yes, heres a soft pitch, easy to hit/win.

[Reonito 1,747]

8 minutes ago, Fashiritētā said:

Ahhh yes, heres a soft pitch, easy to hit/win.

They'll need to come up with a couple more, he's already managed to hand Otsuji his only win. Guess who winless Mitoryu will face if he actually reenters.

[Fashiritētā 209]

Im gonna guess Mr. Forever Juryo

[Asashosakari 20,131]

7 hours ago, Reonito said:

The torikumi makers are certainly trying their best, next up is Shirokuma, who at the time of scheduling was winless

The juryo matches are made after the day's bouts have taken place.

[Tigerboy1966 1,615]

Juryo wins away from promotion (or promotability?) after day 10:

Already achieved: none

1 win: none

2 wins: Nishikigi

3 wins: Ryuden, Shonannoumi, Oshoumi, Daiseizan

4 wins: Tomokaze, Nishikifuji

5 wins: Tamashoho, Tochitaikai, Kagayaki

[Tigerboy1966 1,615]

Maku'uchi wins away from "by the numbers" safety after day 10:

1 win: Sadanoumi, Tokihayate, Churanoumi

2 wins: none

3 wins: Endo (injured), Asakoryu

4 wins: Chiyoshoma, Kotoeiho

5 wins: Kayo, Shishi

Already demotable: Hidenoumi

Edited July 22 by Tigerboy1966
correction

[Yubinhaad 11,927]

17 hours ago, Reonito said:

The torikumi makers are certainly trying their best, next up is Shirokuma, who at the time of scheduling was winless

I'm not sure what your complaint is, Shimanoumi has fought the same opponents as fellow J12 Otsuji, with the exception of same-heya Shiden. And OK, not the same Makushita visitor, but both promotion-seeking opponents.

Next up for Shimanoumi is co-leading Nishikifuji, while Otsuji gets Shirokuma. Are they trying to make things easy for him, too?

Edited July 22 by Yubinhaad

[Asashosakari 20,131]

The fan grudges against Shimanoumi are a bit overblown IMHO anyway, considering that we have come to find out that he was merely the first beneficiary of what's now the standard approach in treating juryo incumbents vis-a-vis makushita promotion candidates.

[Asashosakari 20,131]

A day late, but at least that means I don't have to speculate about the next torikumi...

Day 9 Results

Videos

Makushita (7 > 4)
5-0 Ms3e Asahakuryu (Takasago)
4-1 Ms10w Kamito (Tatsunami)
4-1 Ms21e Seihakuho (Isegahama)
5-0 Ms27w Gyotoku (Tamanoi)
4-1 Ms39e Hinataryu (Musashigawa)
5-0 Ms40w Yago (Oshiogawa)
5-0 Ms54e Ikarigata (Isenoumi)

Sandanme (10 > 5)
4-1 Sd1w Daishinkai (Otake)
4-1 Sd12w Kotodaigo (Sadogatake)
5-0 Sd15e Mineyaiba (Shikoroyama)
5-0 Sd30w Anhibiki (Ajigawa)
4-1 Sd37w Kazeeidai (Oshiogawa)
5-0 Sd42w Kobayashi (Kasugano)
5-0 Sd52e Tochinobori (Kasugano)
4-1 Sd59e Suyama (Kise)
4-1 Sd67w Suzunofuji (Isegahama)
5-0 Sd73e Yurikisho (Tokiwayama)

Jonidan (12 > 6)
4-1 Jd4w Higonomaru (Kise)
5-0 Jd5e Kazuma (Kise)
4-1 Jd19w Asahabataki (Takasago)
4-1 Jd33e Hikarumusashi (Musashigawa)
5-0 Jd39e Seiyu (Hidenoyama)
4-1 Jd47w Sekimoto (Onomatsu)
5-0 Jd57w Tatsuosho (Tatsunami)
5-0 Jd66w Matsuda (Sakaigawa)
4-1 Jd70w Kazunofuji (Isegahama)
5-0 Jd80w Tsukioka (Futagoyama)
4-1 Jd85w Ojiyama (Tagonoura)
5-0 Jd98w Gonowaka (Takekuma)

Jonokuchi (4 > 2)
4-1 Jk3e Kyoda (Futagoyama)
4-1 Jk6w Asarikimaru (Takasago)
5-0 Jk16w Naniwamusashi (Musashigawa)
5-0 Jk21e Kaki (Oitekaze)

List without the defeated rikishi:

Makushita (4)
5-0 Ms3e Asahakuryu (Takasago)
5-0 Ms27w Gyotoku (Tamanoi)
5-0 Ms40w Yago (Oshiogawa)
5-0 Ms54e Ikarigata (Isenoumi)

Sandanme (5)
5-0 Sd15e Mineyaiba (Shikoroyama)
5-0 Sd30w Anhibiki (Ajigawa)
5-0 Sd42w Kobayashi (Kasugano)
5-0 Sd52e Tochinobori (Kasugano)
5-0 Sd73e Yurikisho (Tokiwayama)

Jonidan (6)
5-0 Jd5e Kazuma (Kise)
5-0 Jd39e Seiyu (Hidenoyama)
5-0 Jd57w Tatsuosho (Tatsunami)
5-0 Jd66w Matsuda (Sakaigawa)
5-0 Jd80w Tsukioka (Futagoyama)
5-0 Jd98w Gonowaka (Takekuma)

Jonokuchi (2)
5-0 Jk16w Naniwamusashi (Musashigawa)
5-0 Jk21e Kaki (Oitekaze)

All three cross-divisional matches were won by the representatives of the higher division, and Yurikisho - Higonomaru was perhaps the competitive highlight of the day. (Suyama - Kobayashi was the other candidate for that honour.) Yurikisho's victory ensured an odd number of remaining yusho contenders for the sandanme division, while jonidan avoided that fate courtesy of Gonowaka's slightly surprising win over Kyoda; called hatakikomi but arguably pretty close to a katasukashi. Jonokuchi has two zensho rikishi anyway as Kaki had defeated 3-1 Buomaru.

Favourites Mineyaiba and Kazuma had easy wins, as did Tatsuosho, in a turnaround from the close call he survived in round 4.

Both Kasugano-beya rikishi are still standing, and in fact that's the only stable that now has multiple rikishi anywhere in the list, not merely within one division. There aren't enough opponents in sandanme to accommodate both Kobayashi and Tochinobori for round 6 (at least not without diverging from standard torikumi-making), and putting Tochinobori against Kazuma as the next in line was apparently also seen as a less-than-ideal option, so fan favourite Wakatakamoto (Sd40w 4-1) will be filling a guest spot against Tochinobori. That does have the advantage that the jonidan and jonokuchi divisions are able to play down their even numbers in straight-up fashion.

Up in makushita, round 6 will arguably see the early yusho decider between Asahakuryu and Gyotoku. I remain entirely unconvinced by Yago despite the fact that he's been opening every comeback tournament with a series of wins, and Ikarigata, for all the talent he undoubtedly has, is probably a bit out of his depth in a potential Day 13 decider against either contender from the upper half. As far as the round 5 bouts go, I would say that Gyotoku had the most convincing win; Asahakuryu resorted to a semi-henka against Kamito, perhaps understandable what with not only the yusho on the line for him, but also the long-awaited promotion to salaried status.