Kyushu Basho outlook: Churanoumi tipped for san'yaku debut and Kitanowaka set for the top division as sumo turns to November

The Aki Basho is barely over, and sumo fans are already studying the next banzuke. After Onosato won his sixth Emperor's Cup in Tokyo on 27 September, attention moves to the Kyushu Basho. The final tournament of the year runs from 8 to 22 November at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center, the smallest of sumo's four venues at about 4,800 seats.

The official Kyushu rankings will not be published until shortly before the tournament. Early projections from the long-running English-language site Tachiai still give a good idea of where things are heading.

The top: little change expected

• Yokozuna: Onosato, the Aki champion at 12-3, is projected at East, with Hoshoryu at West. Hoshoryu withdrew from the Aki Basho.
• Ozeki: Aonishiki, Kotozakura and Kirishima. Aonishiki took the title race to the final day before losing to Onosato. Kirishima picked up enough wins to avoid kadoban status, the ozeki danger zone.

Aonishiki's story is worth following. The Ukrainian regained his ozeki rank after winning the July Nagoya Basho. Combat Press noted that a yokozuna promotion would make him the first European-born grand champion.

Sekiwake and komusubi: the interesting part

Fujinokawa was the breakout wrestler in Tokyo. The 21-year-old sekiwake went 11-4, beat Asanoyama on day 14 and won the Fighting Spirit Prize outright. Tachiai says there is "no clear rule" on whether he or fellow sekiwake Atamifuji, who finished 8-7, should be ranked higher.

Atamifuji's 8-7 keeps his rank, but a day-14 loss to Roga badly hurt any ozeki hopes this time, Sumo Stomp noted.

At komusubi, Tachiai projects:

• Churanoumi: a first san'yaku appearance.
• Yoshinofuji: likely to join him after securing his eighth win on day 14.

Komusubi Hakunofuji and veteran Daieisho both went 5-10 and are expected to drop into the maegashira ranks.

Asanoyama's comeback continues

Former ozeki Asanoyama was in contention until the final weekend and is projected at Maegashira 1 East. That puts him in a strong position to return to san'yaku in January.

Movement between the divisions

Lower down, several wrestlers are expected to move up or down:

• Likely promotions to makuuchi: Kitanowaka, who won the juryo title in a three-way playoff against Kagayaki and Kayo, plus Dewanoryu and veteran Tamawashi.
• Likely demotions: Wakanosho and Wakatakakage (both absent), Shonannoumi (3-12) and Shodai (3-12). Shodai has been in the top division since January 2016.
• Makushita to juryo: highly rated prospect Asahifuji is expected to reach sekitori status in five tournaments, which Tachiai says would tie the record.

The tournament also brought some sadder news. Former Maegashira 10 Yago, who had fallen to sandanme, announced his retirement during the Aki Basho. Tachiai says injuries, especially knee problems, had held back his career. Takanosho withdrew on day 13 with a foot or ankle injury.

Watching from Malaysia

Japan is one hour ahead of Malaysia, so the top-division bouts, which run late in the afternoon in Fukuoka, finish around early evening Malaysian time. NHK World's daily highlight shows are an easy way to keep up.

Key takeaways

• The Kyushu Basho runs from 8 to 22 November at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
• Onosato and Hoshoryu are projected to stay as yokozuna, with Aonishiki, Kotozakura and Kirishima at ozeki.
• Churanoumi is tipped for his san'yaku debut at komusubi, and Fujinokawa's 11-4 makes him the sekiwake to watch.
• Juryo champion Kitanowaka is among those expected to move up to the top division.

FAQ

When is the official Kyushu banzuke released? The Japan Sumo Association publishes it shortly before the tournament. Everything above is a projection until then.

Who won the Aki Basho? Yokozuna Onosato, with a 12-3 record. It was his sixth top-division title.

Who won the Fighting Spirit Prize? Fujinokawa won it outright. Several others were in line for it depending on their final-day results.

Sources: Tachiai, Hakkeyoi, Combat Press, Sumo Stomp