Seki-Toto/Quad/Oracle banzuke for Haru 2024

[Asashosakari]

Seki-Toto (play):

The makuuchi division came in with a mean score of over 8 wins in January, even higher than the dreadful last two editions, but thankfully the zone of dominance was limited to the absolute top of the banzuke this time - the nine players ranked yokozuna to sekiwake averaged bang-on 10 (!) wins with all KKs. The other 33 players produced a much more palatable 7.6 wins and a 17 KK / 16 MK split, so the new rankings came together very easily for a change.

Norizo (Ye 10-5)            Y    Pandaazuma (Yw 8-7)
Kaito (O3e 13-2 Y)          O1   Susanoo (O2w 12-3)
Golynohana (O1e 10-5)       O2   ScreechingOwl (O1w 9-6)
Ganzohnesushi (O2e 8-7)     O3   Joaoiyama (Sw 11-4)
Unkonoyama (Se 9-6)         S    Flohru (M4e 11-4)
Metzinowaka (M6w 12-3)      K    Andoreasu (M1w 9-6)

Balon (M2w 8-7)             M1   Oskahanada (M7e 10-5)
Chelseayama (Ke 7-8)        M2   Frinkanohana (M5w 9-6)
Bill (Kw 7-8)               M3   Kotononami (M4w 8-7)
DeRosa (M1e 7-7-1)          M4   Konosato (M10e 10-5)
Kintamayama (M6e 8-7)       M5   Jakusotsu (M2e 7-8)
Gaanaag (M12w 11-4)         M6   Effinojo (M11e 10-5)
Athenayama (M8w 8-7)        M7   Kobashi (M9e 8-7)
Toonoryu (M3w 6-9)          M8   Kajiyanosho (M10w 8-7)
Chishafuwaku (M3e 5-10)     M9   Tomisakae (M15w 10-5)
Itchynotoe (M16e 9-6)       M10  Gansekiiwa (M14e 8-7)
Mariohana (M5e 4-11)        M11  Ketsukai (M11w 7-8)
GONZABUROW (M7w 5-9-1)      M12  Oortael (M8e 5-10)
Ahokaina (J2e 9-6)          M13  TochiYESshin (J3w 9-6)
Andonishiki (J4w 9-6)       M14  Terarno (J2w 8-7)
Hana-ichi (M14w 7-8)        M15  Gernobono (M15e 7-8)

Chijanofuji (M13w 6-9)      J1   Herritarooo (M12e 5-10)
Asapedroryu (M13e 5-10)     J2   Gawasukotto (M9w 3-12)
Sakura (J1w 6-9)            J3   Kashunowaka (J8w 8-7)
Onakaderu (J9e 8-7)         J4   Asashosakari (J3e 6-9)
Kitakachiyama (J11w 9-6)    J5   Kuroimori (J5w 7-8)
Kishikaisei (J10e 8-7)      J6   Kaiowaka (J4e 6-9)
BlackPinkMawashi (J10w 8-7) J7   Saruyama (J11e 8-7)
Takanorappa (J1e 4-5-6)     J8   Rowitoro (J8e 7-8)
Choshu-yuki (J6e 6-9)       J9   Chudorj (Ms2e 9-5-1)
Umigame (J6w 5-10)          J10  Fujisan (J5e 4-7-4)
Beeftank (Ms2w 8-7)         J11  Holleshoryu (J13e 7-8)
Tetsuba (J13w 7-8)          J12  Bunbukuchagama (J14e 7-8)
Ulishimaru (J7e 4-10-1)     J13  Getayukata (J12e 6-9)
Joputosu (Ms6e 8-7)         J14  Oyama (J14w 6-9)

Hisui (NR 9-6)              Ms1  Benihana (J9w 3-12)
Gusoyama (Ms5e 7-7-1)       Ms2  WAKATAKE (J12w 4-11)
Profomisakari (Ms3e 6-9)    Ms3  Papayasu (Ms6w 7-6-2)
Achiyama (Ms1e 4-11)        Ms4  Akishiki (Ms5w 6-9)
Anjoboshi (J7w 0-0-15)      Ms5  Hakunojo (Ms4w 5-10)
Dan Koloff (Ms7e 6-7-2)     Ms6  Unagiyutaka2 (Ms8w 5-7-3)
Hidenotora (Ms4e 2-0-13)    Ms7  Netsuzakura (Ms3w 1-2-12)
Waraukuri (Ms1w 0-0-15)     Ms8  Sherlockiama (Ms7w 2-1-12)
Nantonoyama (Ms9e kosho)    Ms9  BariiHachiBenson (Ms10e 3-3-9)

An update to the topic of new ozeki demotion rules that I brought up two months ago: After recognizing some conceptual problems with the idea I had outlined (e.g. 8-7, 8-7, MK would be a demotion, 8-7, MK, 8-7 would not be...), I've opted for a simpler solution:

Makekoshi = full demerit, 8-7 = half demerit, collecting two demerits in any form (including four straight 8-7's) = demotion.

If you have demerits tallied, any record of 9-6 or better will eliminate one point; if you were at 1.5, you'll still have 0.5 to clean up afterwards. In other words: 8-7, MK, 12-3, MK, 8-7 = demotion. That's four below-average records in five, so I consider it reasonable. For the avoidance of doubt, if you manage to get demoted with the maximum possible 2.5 demerits (as opposed to a "normal" 2-point demotion) and you come back up immediately, you'll start your new ozeki stint with 0.5, too.

Additional rule change Hatsu 2025: A demoted ozeki who returns to the rank immediately will retain 0.5 demerits for his new stint if the return was earned with a 10-5 score. 11-4 and better will result in a completely clean slate. This starting point determination is made independent of any possible "excess" 0.5 demerits from the demotion itself (as described in the preceding paragraph), which will be added on top if applicable.

This accounting will be waived if the makuuchi scores happen to go so high in a basho that the full scoring adjustment kicks in. Ozeki records of 9-6 -> 8-7 will be treated as a proper kachikoshi (and clear a demerit if applicable), while 8-7 -> 7-8 will net a full demerit.

As I had announced my intention to introduce changes before Hatsu basho, the new rule is applicable to the results of that tournament and thus in effect with this new banzuke, which means that Ganzohnesushi is now at 0.5 demerits.

I'm still mulling over how to exactly set the yokozuna intai guidelines now, but the general principle of counting 8-7's as equivalent to half a makekoshi will apply there, too.

Edit: The corresponding yokozuna guidelines were announced for Nagoya 2024.

Edited January 26, 2025 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari]

Seki-Quadrumvirate (play):

A basho with pretty average scoring, not that you could tell from the results of the ozeki squad, where Norizo and Ganzohnesushi are now at risk of demotion in Haru. Kaito had been the winner in Kyushu and was on tsunatori, but alas...

Jakusotsu (O2e 8-7)         O1   Kaito (O1e 7-8)
Golynohana (O3e 7-8)        O2   Norizo (O1w 6-9)
Ganzohnesushi (O2w 6-9)     O3   -
Kobashi (S2w 8-7)           S    Susanoo (M1e 10-5)
Kitakachiyama (Ke 8-7)      K1   chishafuwaku (Kw 8-7)
ScreechingOwl (M5w 11-4 Y)  K2   GONZABUROW (M1w 9-6)

Andrasoyama (S1e 7-8)       M1   Oskahanada (S1w 7-8)
joaoiyama (S2e 7-8)         M2   Kintamayama (M4e 8-7)
Unkonoyama (M6e 8-7)        M3   Konosato (M2e 7-8)
Gansekiiwa (M6w 8-7)        M4   Flohru (M2w 7-8)
Pandaazuma (M9w 9-6)        M5   Kashunowaka (M7w 8-7)
Kishikaisei (M4w 7-8)       M6   Athenayama (M9e 8-7)
Kaiowaka (M3e 6-9)          M7   Kotononami (M3w 6-9)
Sakura (M12e 9-6)           M8   Andoreasu (M10w 8-7)
Oortael (M7e 7-8)           M9   Bill (M5e 6-9)
Kuroimori (M8e 7-8)         M10  Frinkanohana (M15e 9-6)
Choshu-yuki (M13e 8-6-1)    M11  Chocshoporyu (M10e 7-7-1)
DeRosa (M14w 8-7)           M12  Balon (J1e 9-6)
Asashosakari (M12w 7-8)     M13  Ketsukai (M8w 5-10)
Mariohana (M11w 6-9)        M14  Kamibaka (J6w 9-6)
Asapedroryu (M14e 6-9)      M15  Hakase (J5w 8-7)
Getayukata (M11e 4-11)      M16  -

Kajiyanosho (M15w 6-9)      J1   Jejima (M13w 5-10)
Terarno (M16e 6-9)          J2   Achiyama (J10w 9-6)
Fujisan (J2w 7-4-4)         J3   Kyodaitimu (J3e 7-8)
BlackPinkMawashi (J3w 7-8)  J4   Andonishiki (J1w 6-9)
Papayasu (J11e 8-7)         J5   TochiYESshin (J4e 6-9)
Gernobono (J2e 5-10)        J6   Hakushin (J4w 6-9)
Metzinowaka (J5e 6-9)       J7   reeeen (J9e 7-8)
Bunbukuchagama (J14w 8-7)   J8   Hironoumi (J7w 6-6-3)
Beeftank (Ms1w 8-7)         J9   Sukubidubidu (J6e 5-8-2)
Oyama (J8w 6-9)             J10  Saruyama (Ms2w 8-7)
Unagiyutaka (Ms7e 9-3-3)    J11  Chankoyama (Ms4w 8-7)
Gusoyama (J13w 7-7-1)       J12  Hogashi (Ms5w 8-7)
Holleshoryu (J11w 6-9)      J13  Ruziklao (J9w 5-8-2)
Chibiyama (J12e 6-8-1)      J14  Kasamatsuri (J12w 6-9)

Takanorappa (J13e 6-3-6)    Ms1  Furanohana (Ms2e 7-6-2)
KonyaGaYamada (J10e 4-11)   Ms2  Profomisakari (Ms1e 6-9)
Tetsuba (J14e 5-10)         Ms3  Netsuzakura (J8e 2-0-13)
Nantonoyama (Ms4e 6-9)      Ms4  Anjoboshi (J7e 0-0-15)
WAKATAKE (Ms6w 6-8-1)       Ms5  Rowitoro (Ms3w 4-9-2)
Hakunojo (Ms8e 6-9)         Ms6  Doreikishi (Ms5e 4-11)
Joputosu (Ms7w 5-10)        Ms7  Hidenotora (Ms3e 2-0-13)
itchynotoe (Ms6e 3-12)      Ms8  bariihachibenson (Ms8w 2-4-9)
Waraukuri (Ms9e kosho)      Ms9  -

[Asashosakari]

Seki-Oracle (play):

A tournament with a very competitive lower makuuchi led to larger than usual demotions for those who went MK in the joi.

Andoreasu moves up to ozeki based on this run:

2023.07 M4w 12-3 (3rd-5th place)
2023.09 K1e 9-6 (4th-7th place)
2023.11 S2e 8-7 (11th-14th place)
2024.01 S1w 12-3 J (2nd place)

This wouldn't have got the nod with just the last three results (and obviously didn't get it with the first three after Kyushu either), but all four scores together pushed it across the line.

Oskahanada (Ye 10-5)        Y    -
Golynohana (O1w 9-6)        O1   Kaito (O2w 6-9)
chishafuwaku (O1e 5-10)     O2   Andoreasu (S1w 12-3)
Asashosakari (S1e 8-7)      S    ScreechingOwl (K1e 8-7)
joaoiyama (M2w 10-5)        K1   Pitinosato (M8e 11-4 Y)
Susanoo (M4w 10-5)          K2   Flohru (M1e 8-7)

Kitakachiyama (M6e 10-5)    M1   Kishikaisei (M2e 8-7)
DeRosa (M7w 10-5)           M2   Beeftank (M3e 8-7)
Ganzohnesushi (S2e 7-8)     M3   GONZABUROW (K1w 7-8)
Balon (M5w 8-7)             M4   Choshu-yuki (M6w 8-7)
Kotononami (M9w 9-6)        M5   Unkonoyama (M10w 9-6)
Athenayama (K2w 5-10)       M6   TochiYESshin (M8w 8-7)
itchynotoe (M11e 9-6)       M7   Gansekiiwa (M4e 6-9)
Torafujii (M1w 4-11)        M8   Kobashi (M12w 9-6)
Frinkanohana (M7e 7-8)      M9   Konosato (M13w 9-6)
Bill (M5e 5-10)             M10  Norizo (M16e 9-6)
Shatsume (J2w 13-2)         M11  Oshirokita (M3w 2-13)
Mariohana (M11w 7-8)        M12  Kirinoumi (M10e 6-9)
Pandaazuma (J5e 13-2)       M13  Sukubidubidu (J3w 11-4)
Bunbukuchagama (M13e 6-9)   M14  Tetsuba (M9e 4-11)
Saruyama (M12e 5-10)        M15  Papayasu (J5w 11-4)
Andrasoyama (J1w 9-6)       M16  -

BlackPinkMawashi (M16w 7-8) J1   Oortael (M14w 6-9)
Metzinowaka (J8e 11-4)      J2   Yarimotsu (J2e kosho)
Wamahada (M14e 4-11)        J3   Joputosu (J6e 8-7)
Sakura (M15e 4-11)          J4   Andonishiki (J13e 11-4)
Ruziklao (J3e 7-8)          J5   Kajiyanosho (NR 11-4)
Kaiowaka (M15w 3-12)        J6   Holleshoryu (J4w 7-8)
Hakase (J1e 5-10)           J7   Takanorappa (J6w kosho)
Terarno (J10e 8-7)          J8   Profomisakari (J4e 6-9)
Waraukuri (J9e kosho)       J9   Gusoyama (J7w 5-10)
Fujisan (J8w 4-11)          J10  Kasamatsuri (J10w kosho)
Doreikishi (J13w 5-10)      J11  Hakunojo (J12e 4-11)
Anjoboshi (J7e 0-0-15)      J12  WAKATAKE (J12w kosho)
Mmikasazuma2 (NR 3-12)      J13  Netsuzakura (J9w 0-0-15)
Kamibaka (J11e 0-0-15)      J14  bariihachibenson (J11w 0-15)

reeeen (J14w 0-15)          Ms1  -

[Ganzohnesushi]

1 hour ago, Asashosakari said:

Seki-Oracle (play):

A tournament with a very competitive lower makuuchi led to larger than usual demotions for those who went MK in the joi.

...

Ganzohnesushi (S2e 7-8)     M3  

That was really much larger than expected  

Ganzohnesushi