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Down the stretch they come in the 2020 Hatsu Basho, and we've got a huge final day in prospect. Two great stories, one of which will have its happy ending. Let's look at the Makuuchi leaderboard.
Tokushoryu (M17) 13-1
Shodai (M4) 12-2
Takakeisho (O) 11-3
Hokutofuji (M2) 11-3
Ryuden (M8) 10-4
Yutakayama (M9) 10-4
Kiribayama (M17) 10-4
Asanoyama (S) 9-5
Kagayaki (M11) 9-5
Tochiozan (M16) 9-5
Endo (M1) 8-6
Enho (M5) 8-6
Onosho (M7) 8-6
Terutsuyoshi (M14) 8-6
- In bold are the two rikishi still in with a chance at the yusho. Tokushoryu defeated Shodai on day 14 to take the lead by himself, but Shodai should not lose hope as he can still be involved in a playoff. The scenarios are below, and it's pretty simple.
TOKUSHORYU YUSHO
- Tokushoryu defeats Takakeisho
OR
- Shodai loses to Mitakeumi (M2, 7-7)
PLAYOFF FOR YUSHO
- Takakeisho defeats Tokushoryu
AND
- Shodai defeats Mitakeumi
- Takakeisho is out of the running after a loss to Asanoyama on day 14. Had he won, he'd be in contention for a playoff by defeating Tokushoryu in the Musubi no Ichiban (main event) of day 15. As it is, Takakeisho can still have an impressive 12-3 record with a win. There is precedent for him to be promoted to Yokozuna if he can manage to go 14-1 or 15-0 in March. The most recent one to be promoted under this guise was Kisenosato, who went 12-3 in November 2016, following it up with a 14-1 score and a yusho in January 2017, which was enough to promote to Yokozuna.
- Enho has had some very exciting bouts, and has done well to earn kachi-koshi. His win over Abi on day 13 was a joy to behold. He'll remain one of the upper maegashira, but after a loss on day 14 to Daieisho, he also remains a rikishi who is yet to register a double-digit win yusho.
- Kadoban ozeki Goeido (5-9) will not keep his rank. He'll be sekiwake in March unless he decides to retire. If he sticks around, he will need 10 wins to regain ozeki rank.
- Sekiwake Takayasu (5-9) has failed to regain ozeki rank, and will be amongst the rank and file maegashira in March, maybe an M3 or M4.
- Down at the bottom, we're probably saying bye bye to Tsurugisho (M12, 5-9) & Kotoeko (M13, 2-12), maybe even Kotoshogiku (M13, 6-8) and/or Shimanoumi (M14, 6-8).
JURYO REPORT
Not much to report, Terunofuji has locked up the yusho, but suffered an unexpected loss on day 14 to Nishikigi in his bid to run the table. He can still finish 14-1 with a win on day 15, which could be enough to promote back to Makuuchi. Otherwise, he'll probably be a Juryo 1 for March. See below for potential promotion permutations.
As far as promotion goes, Nishikigi (J4, 10-4) has probably booked a ticket back. Daiamami (J6, 10-4) is in with a shout too. As are Daishoho (J5, 9-5) & Wakatakakage (J5, 9-5). Kotonowaka (J2, 7-7) and Hidenoumi (J2, 7-7) could also be promoted just by making kachi-koshi due to their higher rank. If any of those slip up, the door opens a little more for a potential Terunofuji promotion from J13, but he has to win to finish 14-1.
The final day of the 2020 Hatsu Basho has plenty of things to be decided. Who's going up? Who's going down? Who's taking home the Makuuchi yusho? Will Takakeisho get his 13 wins and give himself at least a chance of forcing a yokozuna promotion decision in March? We'll find out together. Join us tomorrow. Hakkeyoi!!!
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