July 23, 2023 News and Notes

• Sekiwake Hoshoryu will be the only full Ozeki in September.  He won the July sumo tournament in a playoff over Hokotufuji.
• That win, along with the fact his 12-3 record gives him 33 wins in the last 3 tournaments as a Sekiwake, makes the promotion to sumo's second-highest rank a formality.
• Good thing, too:  Kirishima, with his injury, went 6-9 in this tournament, so he's kadoban.
• And Takakeisho never wrestled in the tournament, so he is as well!
• Other prominent results:
• Kotonowaka (11-4) will promote to Sekiwake.  Abi will demote from Komusubi, perhaps as far to Maegashira 3.
• Asanoyama was able to claw out an 8-7 through his injury, so his run slows, but does not reverse.
• The other two Sekiwake, Daiesho and Wakamotoharu, both went 9-6, insufficient for Ozeki consideration.
• Hakuoho, from the lowest rank in Maegashira, nearly won the tournament himself at 11-4 and will move well into the middle-Maegashira ranks.
• Tobizaru and Nishikigi will probably both promote to Komusubi.  Hokotufuji COULD (12-3 at Maegashira 9 does carry the math!), but will probably get only to Maegashira 1.
• Brian Harman put The Open Championship away on Saturday, held his line on Sunday and won by six strokes to become Golfer of the Year in the year's final Grand Slam.