Year: 2024

Sumo Returning to London in 2025

Josh K Breaking News ,
Sumo in London
Will the Millennium Bridge hold the weight of a champion?

Breaking news has surfaced today from Inside Sport: Japan by way of a flurry of social media posts announcing that the Sumo Association will be resuming its international tours in 2025.

Among others, ISJ has dropped a couple of posts on Facebook referencing a much larger announcement on December 4 where full details will be revealed of a Kyokai exhibition trip to London next October.

The trip will apparently be the Kyokai’s first official tour of any kind since 2013, according to ISJ, when the organisation took a lot of heavy cargo to Jakarta, and the first ‘koen’ cultural exhibition since its last trip to Last Vegas in 2005. This will mark its second such trip to the UK’s capital overall.

We’ll be looking forward to the revelation of further details on the 4th.

The resumption obviously marks a much debated talking point among international sumo fans: namely, in light of the success or at least the interest in recent unofficial international promotional tours such as Sumo & Sushi and others, whether the NSK would strike out again and make an official super-jumbo journey to international markets in order to spread the culture around sumo and promote the sport.

Obviously, we’ve seen the growing interest from international markets here on Tachiai in recent years, and will be watching to see whether this is a one-off or the first step towards a more consistent run of events, should the Kyokai be successful.

Thank you to ISJ for breaking this news, and feel free to sound off in the comments: is London the right destination? Could we see the Kyokai coming back to an American destination in Hawaii or the mainland in the future, or other east Asian markets?

Two Juryo Promotions Confirmed

Andy promotion, Retirement ,

As Leonid postulated, Hatsuyama (Tamanoi) and Kiryuko (Tatsunami) were promoted to Juryo. Hatsuyama will make his debut while Kiryuko will have his second attempt competing as sekitori. Kotokuzan’s narrow 4-3 record was not good enough to earn promotion from Ms4 but he will move closer to the promised land and have a good chance at promotion in January. Makuuchi veterans Chiyomaru and Onosho will likely slide into Makushita in January.

There is also news of eight retirements after the Kyushu tournament. Three men from Sandanme retired: Hayanami, Kotoozutsu, and Chiyoresshi. Two men from Jonidan retired: Daishosei and Kotoryusei. Jonokuchi wrestler Daishiyama as well as Nishikiori and Kokiryu, who had fallen off the banzuke, also retired. Unfortunately, I have not seen any news of Kawazoe since his early win and subsequent kyujo announcement. We will bring an update as soon as we have one.

Banzuke Musings for Hatsu 2025

lksumo Aki Basho 2022

Yokozuna Runs

Kyushu champion Kotozakura (14-1) is unquestionably a candidate for promotion to the highest rank in January. A second consecutive yusho should seal the deal under almost any imaginable circumstances. A sufficiently strong runner-up performance with a minimum of 12 wins could also do the traick. The runner-up, Hoshoryu (13-2), must win at Hatsu to be promoted, and it’ll probably take a yusho with at least 13 wins.

Ozeki Runs

It is conceivable that Wakamotoharu, with 11 wins at M3 in September and 10 at Komusubi in Kyushu could get promoted with a sufficiently dominant performance in January, but given that 11 wins is his career high, I am not holding my breath.

Sanyaku

There’s little suspense here. Our two Sekiwake will be S1w Daieisho (8-7) and K1e Wakamotoharu (10-5). The two Komusubi slots will go to M3e Abi (11-4) and M2e Wakatakakage (10-5). M6e Takanosho (11-4) is next in line, but it seems highly unlikely that he would force open an extra slot.

Makuuchi <-> Juryo

A lot was on the line on the final day. Bushozan and Shishi were already set to go down, Ryuden lost to join them on the Juryo barge, and a win by Asakoryu was too little, too late to save him given the results in the second division. Sadanoumi and Tokihayate both lost, creating the potential for six exchanges. Five spots are spoken for by Kinbozan, Hakuoho, Kitanowaka, Kagayaki, and Tamashoho, who all won on the final day. Tsurugisho lost, however, tanking his promotion chances. The sixth-best promotion claim belongs to J6w Shiden (10-5), but this will probably not be enough to push down Tokihayate, giving the latter a lucky escape.

Juryo <-> Makushita

Chiyomaru and Onosho will drop out of the sekitori ranks, to be replaced by Hatsuyama and Kiryuko. A loss by Daishoho leaves open the possibility that he could be exchanged with Kotokuzan. As usual, we’ll learn about the promotions to Juryo in a couple of days, while the rest of the banzuke won’t drop until December 23. I should have a full prediction post closer to its release. In the meantime, let me know what you think in the comments.

Kyushu 2024, Senshuraku

Andy Kyushu 2024, Kyushu Basho ,

In the early action, Nishikikuni won the Jonidan playoff and Kinbozan defeated Aonishiki to win the Juryo yusho. We will certainly see Kinbozan back in the top division next tournament. Meanwhile, Aonishiki had one heck of a debut tournament, finishing 10-5. He will jump up the banzuke. Hakuoho also finished on 10-5 and should make his much awaited return to the top division. Oshomi even came back today, beat Hidenoumi and earned his 10th win, too.

NHK Video Links: Juryo Part I and Part II, Makuuchi Part I and Part II

Special Prize Announcement

We received our Bi-monthly proof of life from the Kyokai. “Yes, we have your champion. He is here and he is alive.” And we put him to work today to show you the special prizes.

Since the Twitter embeds seem to be broken (shocker), here’s a screenshot. Abi earned the Outstanding Performance Prize, unconditionally. Takanosho must beat Wakatakakage today to earn the Fighting Spirit Prize. Wakatakakage, however, earned his own unconditional Technique Prize.

Makuuchi Action

Bushozan (3-8-4) defeated Ryuden (4-11). Bushozan pressed forward into Ryuden and faced little resistance. He tried a slapdown but Ryuden did not fall for it. So, Bushozan charged ahead and shoved Ryuden out. Oshidashi.

Asakoryu (6-9) defeated Meisei (8-7). Meisei spent the first part of this bout trying to hold Asakoryu at arm’s length. Eventually, Meisei charged forward and Asakoryu slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Takerufuji (10-5) defeated Tamawashi (8-7). Tamawashi charged forward into Takerufuji. This allowed Takerufuji to wrap up Tamawashi. Once he did, he spun the Iron Man around, putting him close to the bales. Tamawashi resisted so Takerufuji pulled and thrust the old man down.Tsukiotoshi.

Shishi (5-10) defeated Takarafuji (8-7). Takarafuji made a mistake by reaching in and grabbing Shishi’s belt. Shishi immediately worked his right hand inside, pulling Takarafuji’s left off. Shishi kept pressing forward and forced Takarafuji back and out. Yorikiri.

Ichiyamamoto (8-7) defeated Sadanoumi (4-11). Ichiyamamoto used his tsuppari effectively, shoved Sadanoumi back and forced him down at the bales. Not a good tournament for Sadanoumi. Tsukitaoshi.

Hokutofuji (7-8) defeated Takayasu (8-7). Hokutofuji pressed Takayasu back to the bales with his hazu-oshi. When Takayasu reached the bales, Hokutofuji pulled and thrust Takayasu down to the ground. An exasperated Takayasu seemed upset with himself that he fell for that. Tsukiotoshi.

Midorifuji (7-8) defeated Onokatsu (9-6). Onokatsu did well to force Midorifuji back. Midorifuji used the bales to brace and make his own charge forward. Midorifuji spun Onokatsu around and Onokatsu lost his ring presence for a moment, a fatal mistake. He thought he was further away from the bales so when Midorifuji pressed forward, Onokatsu slid backwards, right over the bales and out. It seemed like Onokatsu had wanted the brace against the bales but was closer than he thought. Yorikiri.

Roga (7-8) defeated Tokihayate (6-9). Roga wrapped up Tokihayate and dispatched him rather easily. Roga charged forward and walked Tokihayate over the bales. Yorikiri.

Endo (7-8) defeated Nishikifuji (6-9). Endo weathered Nishikifuji’s tsuppari and earned himself a lefthand inside belt grip. That settled Nishikifuji’s tsuppari attack. Endo charged forward and forced Nishikifuji over the bales, in spite of Nishikifuji’s super loose belt. Yorikiri.

Tobizaru (9-6) defeated Shonannoumi (8-7). Tobizaru started this bout trying to stay arm’s length from Shonannoumi. Shonannoumi would push forward enough to pull and try a slapdown. Tobizaru defeated this attack every time so he gained confidence to move in closer to Shonannoumi. Tobizaru quickly put Shonannoumi into a headlock and tried to trip him, but that failed. Tobizaru steadily pressed in closer and eventually worked Shonannoumi to the edge and simply shoved him over the bales. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Atamifuji (8-7) defeated Mitakeumi (7-8). In our sole Darwin bout, Atamifuji grabbed Mitakeumi and used gaburi-zumo, the hip pumping action made famous by Kotoshogiku, to force Mitakeumi back and over the edge. Yorikiri.

Gonoyama (11-4) defeated Abi (11-4). Abi tried to pull, right after the tachiai. Fatal mistake as Gonoyama was ready, charged forward and chased Abi out. Oshidashi.

Chiyoshoma (11-4) defeated Ura (5-10). At the tachiai, Chiyoshoma tried to grab Ura’s belt but missed. As Ura charged ahead, Chiyoshoma grabbed Ura’s shoulder, and pulled Ura to the ground. Katasukashi.

Takanosho (11-4) defeated Wakatakakage (10-5). Wakatakakage tried to slap Takanosho down but Takanosho retaliated by slapping Wakatakakage down, winning the bout and the Fighting Spirit Prize. Hatakikomi.

Hiradoumi (4-11) defeated Churanoumi (4-11). Hiradoumi wrapped up Churanoumi and used a rather hyper-active gaburi-zumo technique to force Churanoumi over the edge. Yorikiri.

Oho (6-9) defeated Nishikigi (5-10). Oho charged forward but Nishikigi twisted and nearly pulled Oho down. Oho recovered and pulled but Nishikigi was ready and charged forward, forcing Oho to the bales. Oho put on the brakes and decided he needed to get aggressive. So, Oho slammed his way forward with a hefty headbutt and drove Nishikigi over the bales. Oshidashi.

Oshoma (4-11) defeated Shodai (4-11). Oshoma’s early pull and slapdown failed. But Oshoma was unafraid of Shodai. Why should he be, frankly? So, he pressed forward, gave Shodai a nodowa to start moving him back, and shoved Shodai over the bales. Oshidashi.

Kore Yori Sanyaku

Wakamotoharu (10-5) defeated Daieisho (8-7). Wakamotoharu met Daieisho head on but moved laterally, quickly and slapped Daieisho down. Tsukiotoshi.

Onosato (9-6) defeated Kirishima (6-9). Kirishima reached inside, grabbed at Onosato’s belt and spun the Ozeki around. Kirishima slapped Onosato but that only served to anger him. Onosato charged forward and shoved Kirishima out. Oshidashi.

Kotozakura (14-1) defeated Hoshoryu (13-2). Hoshoryu took his attack to Kotozakura. Nodowa, Nodowa. Hoshoryu shoved forward and saw an opening for Kotozakura’s belt. He reached over, seized Kotozakura’s belt and dragged him around. Kotozakura hopped around to maintain his balance. Kotozakura reacted almost reflexively, casually to slap Hoshoryu down with his right hand. Hatakikomi.

Wrap-up

Welp. It’s over. Kotozakura won his first yusho in spectacular fashion. He was certainly challenged by Hoshoryu. Hoshoryu likely tasted victory as he yanked Kotozakura around by his belt. The taste was fleeting however, and quickly replaced with a face full of dirt.

It was Kotozakura’s first yusho, so he was understandably unsure of where to go and what to do…but it felt like it was Hakkaku’s first yusho, too. Like he and the other oyakata forgot what to do and where to stand. We have to wait until January for more? Well, let’s let these guys dust themselves off, heal up, and get ready for Hatsu!

What of our other Ozeki? You know, Mr. Hype Machine turned Major Disappointment, Onosato. Well, I think the hype is still intact. He finished this, quote-unquote, “disappointing” tournament with a 9-6 record! He has yet to do worse than 9-6 in any tournament so far. Yeah, that’s not Ozeki Kachi-koshi and he lost to both of his peers, but shoot…the kid just got the rank. Let’s see what happens in January.

Add to that, we have Hoshoryu and Kotozakura with dominant performances, Takerufuji on the rise, Wakatakakage in sanyaku with Wakamotoharu. Hakuoho ready for his return…I think it’s fair to say the new era is upon us. I am very excited to see what happens.

Thanks to you all for enjoying this action with me. It was an awesome tournament, made even better since I got to share it with y’all.