2023 May Grand Sumo Tournament
(May 14 to 28 Ryogoku Kokugikan)

WINNER: TERUNOFUJI
Outstanding Performance Award:
Meisei
Outstanding Technique Award: Kiribayama, Wakamotoharu
Fighting Spirit Award: None

Final day
Asanoyama drove out Tsurugiho for his 12th win. Abi forced out Ura to secure a majority win. Ura finished with a majority loss. Former ozekis faced eachother. Mitakeumi pushed out Shodai for his 9th win. Shodai finished with a majority loss. Daieisho forced Wakamotoharu out of the ring. Both finished 10-5. Hoshoryu picked up Kiribayama then forced him down. It's Hoshoryu's 11th win. But Kiribayama already with 10 wins is expected to be promoted to ozeki for the next tourney. Terunofuji pushed out Takakeisho to win his 14th bout.

14th day
Ohho hooked his leg around Hokuseiho's and tripped him to win his 10th bout. Asanoyama forced down Shodai for his 11th win. Hoshoryu threw Tsurugisho for his 10th win. Wakamotoharu and the ozeki fiercely slapped eachother. In the end Wakamotoharu forced Takakeisho out the ring to win his 10th bout. Terunofuji struggled against Kiribayama in a bout which lasted for over a minute. The yokozuna held on to Kiribayama's loosening belt and forced him out. With this win, Terunofuji clinched the Emperor's Cup for this 8th time.

13th day
Wakamotoharu threw Tsurugiho. Both are 9-4. Mitakeumi forced down Daieiho to secure a majority win. Kiribayama hooked his leg around Hokuseho and forced him down to win his 11th win. Takakeisho forced Meisei out to clinch a majority win and also his rank of ozeki. Asanoyama faced Terunofuji. The yokozuna threw the former ozeki with his right for his 12 win. Asanoyama succumbed to his 3rd loss.

12th day
Tsurugisho drove out Hiradoumi for his 9th win. Meisei was pushed down by Abi succumbing to his 4th loss. Takayasu was did not show any aggressiveness easily forced out by Midorifuji. Shodai drove out Konbozan. Daieisho pushed and pushed to drive out Asanoyama. He secured a majority win. Asanoyama succumbed to his 2nd loss. Kiribayama drove out Takakeisho for his 10th win. Terunofuji was pushed but managed to drive down Wakamotoharu to win his 11th bout. The yokozuna is the sole leader.

11th day
Tsurugisho secured a majority win by driving out Mitakeumi. Asanoyama forced Meisei down for his 10th win. Takayasu was back. He faced Abi and forced him down for his first win. Kiribayama drove out Hiradoumi for his 8th win. Wakamotoharu on the verge of the ring, reversed his position to defeat Hokuseiho. Both are 8-3. Takakeisho foced Daieisho to fall on his belly. Terunofuji forced Hoshoryu out for his 10th win.

10th day
Asanoyama thrust Hiradoumi from behind fo his 9th win. In a competitive bout Hokuseiho threw Meise with his left to secure a majority win. Abi forced out Shodai for his 5th win. Kiribayama threw Wakamotoharu for his 8th win. Daieisho earned his 7th win automatically as Kotoshoho pulled out. Hoshoryu had a slow start but managed to push out Nishikifuji. Takakeisho was weak. He was easily pushed out by Kinbozan. The ozeki succumbed to his 4th loss. Terunofuji struggled against Kotonowaka but in the end drove him out to win his 9th bout.

9th day
Asanoyama forced Ryuden on his knee to secure a majority win. Wakamotoharu forced Homasho on his hands to win. Deieisho attacked Kiribayama. But Kiribayama thrust him down. Nishikigi forced out Takakeisho. It's the ozeki's 3rd loss. Meisei fought hard against Terunofuji and walked the yokozuna out the ring.

8th day
Asanoyama lost his first bout to Hokuseiryu's throw. Meisei did too to Hiradoumi's powerful attacks. Daieisho lost his 2nd bout to Midorifuji's thrust. Hoshoryu threw Kotonowaka for his 6th win. Kiribayama forced down Ura for his 6th win. Wakamotoharu lost his 2nd bout to Nishikigi's throw. Takakeisho thrust out Shodai to win his 6th bout. Terunofuji drove out Kotoshoho to secure a majority win.

7th day
Asanoyama was in total control to drive out Ichiyamato. Mitakeumi forced out Takanosho for his 5th win. Meisei drove down Sadanoumi to keep his record clean. Endo withdrew from the tourney. Hoshoryu who was supposed to face him earned a win. It's the 2nd time this tourney he won without fighting. Shodai forced Kiribayama out the ring. The former ozeki won his 3rd bout. It's Kiribayama's 2nd loss. Wakamotoharu pushed out Nishikifuji for his 6th win. Daieisho pushed out Kotonowaka for his 6th win. Takakeisho gave powerful thrusts to defeat Ura for his 5th win. Terunofuji threw Kinbouzan from Kazahstan with his right.

6th day
Asanoyama drove out Mitoryu. Kiribayama threw Tobizaru for his 5th win. Wakamotoharu fell forward in his bout against Abi to face his first loss. Daieisho pushed forward and forced out Hoshoryu. It's his 5th win. Takakeisho pushed out Nishikifuji. Terunofuji threw Nishikigi.

5th day
Meisei threw Nishikigi with his left to win again. Wakamotoharu took hold of Midorifuji's belt and shoved him out. Daieisho appeared to be in control, but in the end Abi at the verge of the ring forced him down. It's Daieisho's first loss. Shodai lost to Hoshoryu's throw. Takakeisho threw Tobizaru. Terunofuji drove out Ura to keep his record clean.

4th day
Asanoyama pushed out Ohho for his 4th win. Kiribayama and Nishikifuji had to redo their bout. In the end, Kiribayama forced down Nishikifuji. Meisei drove out Hokutofuji for his 4th win. Wakamotoharu pushed out Kotonowaka to earn his 4th win. Takakeisho thrust down Endo for his 2nd win. Terunofuji had Tobizaru's arm under his and forced him out.

3rd day
Asanoyama and Kotoeiko's bout was so close, critics could not tell who won. But the refrees decided Kotoeiko was no longer in action when Asanoyama appeared to have left the ring.So Asanoyama won his 3rd bout. Mitakeumi pushed out Tamawashi for his 2nd win. Hoshoryu lost to Tobizaru for his first loss. Wakamotoharu forced Shodai down. Daieisho shoved and shoved to force oyut Nishikigi for his 3rd win. Takakeisho managed to push out Midorifuji. Terunofuji forced Endo out to keep his record clean.

2nd day
Asanoyama easily drove out Myogiryu. Mitakeumi had to redo the bout against Hokutofuji. In a competitive 2nd fight, the former ozeki drove down Hakutofuji to win his first bout. Shodai also had to redo his bout against Nishikifuji. The former ozeki driving Nishikifuji out. Kiribayama pushed out Endo. Wakamotoharu drove down Tobizaru. Hoshoryu fought his first bout, since his opponent did not fight the previous day. He forced down Midorifuji. Takakeisho was drivin out by Kotonowaka. Terunofuji forced Abi to fall on his knees.

First day
Former ozeki Asanoyama was back in the makuuchi division for the first time since 2021. He quickly defeated Chiyoshoma for his first win. Meisei drove out Mitakeumi from behind. Ura drove down Nishikigi. Kotonowaka forced down Tobizaru. Wakamotoharu threw Endo with his right to win. Hoshoryu did not have to fight to earn his first win as Takayasu suddenly pulled out from the tourney. Last tourney champion Kiribayama managed to thrust down Midorifuji. Takakeisho shift position slightly and forced out Abi. Terunofuji was back to fight for the first time in 8 months. He was pushed by Shodai but on the verge of the ring, gave a big shove to forced Shodai out the ring.

Pre Tourney highlights
Ichiojo retires
30 year old Mongolian born who was once called a Mongolian monster announced he was quitting sumo on May 4. The official reason for his retirement is due to damage of his rear. But Shukan Bunshun says, it's due to his drinking problem and his unwillingness to practice.

Former ozeki makes it back to makuuchi
Asanoyama who lost his ranking in 2021 for violating COVID-19 rules returns to the makuuchi division.


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