Knockout tournament Juryo results

[Moti Dichne]

The Juryo yusho was won by Koutokuzan. He defeated Kotoeihou in the first round, Mita in the second round, and Kazekenou in the semifinals to advance to the final. In the final, he faced Asahakuryuu, who won the Juryo yusho in September. Both men share the first name "Taro," and the "Taro Showdown" was won by Koutokuzan by oshidashi. After the bout, Koutokuzan said with a smile, "It was great. I'll do my best to compete in Makuuchi  next year." Koutokuzan, who reached his highest rank of  Maegashira  16W in March 2023, was makekoshi, then demoted in May, then later dropped to Makushita and spent 13 bashos at Makushita 15 and higher, with the possibility of returning to sekitori status in one tournament. Since getting promoted back to Juryo  after  Natsu basho, he has had a streak of kachikoshi  in two consecutive tournaments, with a record of 10 wins and 5 losses in the Nagoya tournament and 8-7 (starting off with a 6-0 record) in Aki. He is true to his word, and this victory suggests he might be promoted back to Makuuchi next year. [Takada Bunta]