The 2023 Grand Tournament of Sumo rolls on this weekend with the Haru Basho (Spring or March Tournament), taking place from March 12 to March 26 at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka.
Bloody Elbow is your home for all the news, highlights and updates as this year’s field of competitors face off for the first time in an attempt to hold or better their place on the banzuke (rankings document).
You can stream this tournament via NHK World, both live and on demand. This can be done on their website via your web browser or the NHK World app on Apple and Android products. The live shows happen around 4:10 a.m. ET. Highlights are often shown at 12:30 a.m and are then available on demand.
Banzuke (Pre-tournament rankings):
Haru Banzuke
| EAST | RANK | WEST |
|---|---|---|
| EAST | RANK | WEST |
| Terunofuji (MON) | YOKOZUNA | |
| OZEKI | Takakeeisho (JPN) | |
| Wakatakakage (JPN) | SEKIWAKE | Hoshoryu (MON) |
| Kiribayama (MON) | SEKIWAKE | |
| Wakamotoharu (JPN) | KOMUSUBI | Kotonowaka (JPN) |
| Daieisho (JPN) | KOMUSUBI | Tobizaru (JPN) |
| Tamawashi (MON) | #1 | Shodai (JPN) |
| Abi (JPN) | #2 | Ryuden (JPN) |
| Mitakeumi (JPN) | #3 | Nishikifuji (JPN) |
| Onosho (JPN) | #4 | Meisei (JPN) |
| Kotoshoho (JPN) | #5 | Midorifuji (JPN) |
| Endo (JPN) | #6 | Sadanoumi (JPN) |
| Hokutofuji (JPN) | #7 | Takayasu (JPN) |
| Ichiyamamoto (JPN) | #8 | Ura (JPN) |
| Aoiyama (BUL) | #9 | Hiradoumi (JPN) |
| Myogiryu (JPN) | #10 | Nishikigi (JPN) |
| Azumaryu (MON) | #11 | Takanosho (JPN) |
| Kagayaki (JPN) | #12 | Takarafuji (JPN) |
| Daishoho (MON) | #13 | Kotoeko (JPN) |
| Kinbozan (KAZ) | #14 | Bushozan (JPN) |
| Hokuseiho (JPN) | #15 | Oho (JPN) |
| Chiyoshoma (MON) | #16 | Tsurugisho (JPN) |
| Mitoryu (MON) | #17 |
Note: This article will only cover the results from the Makuuchi division. Results for all divisions can be found here.
Day 1
Full Results
- Asanoyama (J1, 1-0) def. Mitoryu (M17, 0-1) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
- Tsurugisho (M16, 1-0) def. Choyoshoma (M16, 0-1) via shitatedashinage (pulling underarm throw)
- Hokuseiho (M15, 1-0) def. Oho (M15, 0-1) via yorikiri*
- Kinbozan (M14, 1-0) def. Bushozan (M14, 0-1) via okuridashi (rear push out)
- Daishoho (M13, 1-0) def. Kotoeko (M13, 0-1) via yorikiri
- Takarafuji (M12, 1-0) def. Kagayaki (M12, 0-1) via oshidashi (frontal push out)*
- Takanosho (M11, 1-0) def. Azumaryu (M11, 0-1) via oshidashi
- Nishikifuji (M10, 1-0) def. Myogiryu (M10, 0-1) via oshidashi
- Aoiyama (M9, 1-0) def. Hiradoumi (M9, 0-1) via kotenage (arm lock throw)
- Ura (M8, 1-0) def. Ichyamamoto (M8, 0-1) via hatakikomi (slap down)*
- Takayasu (M7, 1-0) def. Hokutofuji (M7, 0-1) via oshidashi
- Endo (M6, 1-0) def. Sadanoumi (M6, 0-1) via oshidashi
- Midorifuji (M5, 1-0) def. Kotoshoho (M5, 0-1) via oshidashi
- Onosho (M4, 1-0) def. Meisei (M4, 0-1) via oshidashi
- Daieisho (K, 1-0) def. Nishikigi (M3, 0-1) via oshidashi
- Kotonowaka (K, 1-0) def. Mitakeumi (M3, 0-1) via yorikiri
- Wakamotoharu (K, 1-0) def. Ryuden (M3, 0-1) via yorikiri
- Kiribayama (S, 1-0) def. Abi (M2, 0-1) via oshidashi*
- Shodai (M1, 1-0) def. Hoshoryu (S, 0-1) via oshidashi*
- Tamawashi (M1, 1-0) def. Wakatakakage (S, 0-1) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)*
- Tobizaru (K, 1-0) def. Takakeisho (O, 0-1) via hatakikomi*
*Must see bouts!
Quick analysis
This tournament was all about ozeki Takakeisho and finishes day one with a loss to Tobizaru via slap down. Tobizaru rode out Takakeisho’s thrusting attack and used the ozeki’s momentum against him for the hatakikomi. A shocking start for the man who was hoping this basho would be where he finally earns the rank of yokozuna. Another upset was Shodai dispatching of Hoshoryu (who might be carrying an injury from January). Hakuho protege Hokuseiho got welcomed to the top division with a stiff arm to the throat from Oho, but he rallied and earned his first win. Bout of the day for me is Tamawashi’s win over Wakatakakakge. The ageless wonder started off with his patented attacks to the throat, but the athletic sekiwake was able to get around those and almost sent Tamawashi charging out of the ring. However, Tamawashi showed deft footwork to stay in, strength to withstand the ensuing rush and then craftiness to turn Wakatakakakge and send him out, just before he himself fell off the ring.
Day 2
Full Results
- Chiyoshoma (M16, 1-1) def. Mitoryu (M17, 0-2) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
- Tsurugisho (M16, 2-0) def. Tohakuryu (J1, 1-1) via yorikiri
- Kinbozan (M14, 2-0) def. Oho (M15, 0-2) via tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)
- Hokuseiho (M15, 2-0) def. Bushozan (M14, 0-2) via yorikiri
- Kotoeko (M13, 1-1) def. Kagayaki (M12, 0-2) via yorikiri*
- Daishoho (M13, 2-0) def. Takarafuji (M12, 1-1) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
- Takanosho (M11, 2-0) def. Myogiryu (M10, 0-2) via oshidashi
- Nishikifuji (M10, 2-0) def. Azumaryu (M11, 0-2) via oshidashi
- Hiradoumi (M9, 1-1) def. Ichiyamamoto (M8, 0-2) via oshidashi*
- Ura (M8, 2-0) def. Aoiyama (M9, 1-1) via oshidashi
- Takayasu (M7, 2-0) def. Endo (M6, 1-1) via hikiotoshi (hand pull down)
- Sadanoumi (M6, 1-1) def. Onosho (M4, 1-1) via hatakikomi (slap down)
- Meisei (M4, 1-1) def. Kotoshoho (M5, 0-2) via yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)
- Wakamotoharu (K, 2-0) def. Nishikigi (M3, 0-2) via yorikiri*
- Tobizaru (K, 2-0) def. Mitakeumi (M3, 0-2) via yorikiri
- Kotonowaka (K, 2-0) def. Ryuden (M2, 0-2) via katasukashi (under shoulder swing down)
- Daiesho (K, 2-0) def. Wakatakakage (S, 0-2) via oshidashi
- Shodai (M1, 2-0) def. Kiribayama (S, 1-1) via oshitaoshi (frontal push down)*
- Abi (M2, 1-1) def. Hoshoryu (S, 0-2) via hikiotoshi
- Takakeisho (O, 1-1) def. Tamawashi (M1, 1-1) via oshidashi
*Must see bouts.
Quick analysis
Takakeisho came into day two with a point to prove and made short work of Tamawashi, quickly pushing him to the edge and out of the ring. He evened his record, but other upper ranked wrestlers continued to struggle. Hoshoryu dropped a bout to Abi, and didn’t look great doing so. Kiribayama was overwhelmed by Shodai (who has looked incredible since his demotion from the upper ranks) and Wakatakakage is still to notch a win after a loss to the surging Daiesho. Daiesho and the three other komosubi all went to 2-0 today. Kotonowaka has looked especially strong over the first two days. Wakamotoharu had a thrilling match with Nishikigi where both looked close to throwing the other down. My match of the day has to go to Hiradoumi (who I think is a Fighting Spirit contender) vs. Ichiyamamoto. They put on a fierce show with Hiradoumi narrowly avoiding a hatakikomi loss before scoring the fight winning push out.
Day 3
Full results
- Tsurugisho (M16, 3-0) def. Mitoryu (M17, 0-3) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
- Chiyoshoma (M16, 2-1) def. Tochinoshin (J2, 0-3) via yorikiri
- Bushozan (M14, 1-2) def. Oho (M15, 0-3) via oshidashi (frontal push out)*
- Hokuseiho (M15, 3-0) def. Kinbozan (M14, 2-1) via yorikiri
- Koteoko (M13, 2-1) def. Takarafuji (M12, 1-2) via yorikiri
- Daishoho (M13, 3-0) def. Kagayaki (M12, 0-3) via kimedashi (arm barring force out)
- Nishikifuji (M10, 3-0) def. Takanosho (M11, 2-1) via yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)
- Myogiryu (M10, 1-2) def. Azumaryu (M11, 0-3) via yorikiri
- Ura (M8, 3-0) def. Hiradoumi (M9, 1-2) via oshidashi*
- Aoiyama (M9, 2-1) def. Ichiyamamoto (M8, 0-3) via hatakikomi (slap down)
- Takayasu (M7, 3-0) def. Sadanoumi (M6, 1-2) via oshidashi
- Endo (M6, 2-1) def. Hokutofuji (M7, 0-3) via oshidashi
- Midorifuji (M5, 3-0) def. Meisei (M4, 1-2) via oshidashi*
- Onosho (M4, 2-1) def. Kotoshoho (M5, 0-3) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
- Mitakeumi (M3, 1-2) def. Wakamotoharu (K, 2-1) via yoritaoshi
- Tobizaru (K, 3-0) def. Nishikigi (M3, 0-3) via tsukiotoshi*
- Daiesho (K, 3-0) def Ryuden (M2, 0-3) via oshidashi
- Hoshoryu (S, 1-2) def. Kotonowaka (K, 2-1) via yorikiri*
- Abi (M2, 2-1) def. Wakatakakage (S, 0-3) via hatakikomi*
- Kiribayama (S, 2-1) def. Tamawashi (M1, 1-2) via sukuinage (beltless throw)
- Takakeisho (O, 2-1) def. Shodai (M1, 2-1) via oshidashi
*Must see bouts!
Quick analysis
Takakeisho built upon yesterday’s win on Day 3, with a quick win over the previously impressive looking Shodai. That moves the ozeki up to 2-1. A former ozeki, Takayasu, has looked extremely dominate so far, easily dispatching of Sadanoumi today. Takayasu is ranked maegashira 7 only because an injury-forced absence ruined his record in the last tournament. It’s clear that he’s a level above who he’s being matched up against in the middle of the banzuke. These kind of bouts might be just what he needs, though, as he creeps back to full fitness before taking on the big names of the division. Joining him at the top of the leader board with a 3-0 record are the recently promoted komusubi Daiesho and Tobizaru. Hoshoryu, a future yokozuna candidate to some, got his first win today, beating Kotonowaka (who had steam-rolled his first two opponents). Hoshoryu looked to take a more patient approach in this match, compared to his flop against Abi on Day 2. After getting in on Kotonowaka’s belt he was able to escape a yorikiri attempt and make an angle for a force out of his own (that’s my bout of the day). Kotonowaka’s stable-mate Kotoshoho, who was the championship runner-up and Fighting Spirit away winner in January, is struggling this month. He dropped to 0-3 after being face-planted by Onosho.
About the author: Tim Bissell is a writer, editor and deputy site manager for Bloody Elbow. He has covered combat sports since 2015. Tim covers news and events and has also written longform and investigative pieces. (full bio)
