It’s Nakabi! This means that early in the day our debutants were decked out in kesho mawashi and introduced to the sumo world after completing maezumo. This ceremony is called the Shinjo-Shussehiro (新序出世披露), a presentation of new wrestlers to the bottom Jonidan division. Hikarumusashi, Musashimaru’s nephew and the newest American rikishi, was introduced alongside his stablemate, Uchiumi, and another of Asashoryu’s nephews, Tenrosei.

Another rikishi to watch from this class is Sunasaki who, along with Tenrosei, won his first three bouts. In the photo below, he is squating in the front row with Hikarumusashi on our left and Tenrosei on the right. These seven young men will compete in Osaka for the Jonokuchi yusho.

＜八日目の様子＞
新序出世披露が行われました。
三月場所より番付にしこ名が掲載されます。

前列右より
天狼星（錣山）、砂坂（高砂）、光武蔵（武蔵川）
後列右より
青木（伊勢ヶ濱）、内海（武蔵川）、安氣乃山（安治川）、朝河隅（高砂）#sumo #相撲 #一月場所 #初場所 pic.twitter.com/K0DXXABtH3

— 日本相撲協会公式 (@sumokyokai) January 19, 2025

Your NHK videos are here: Juryo Part I & Part II, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.

Shishi, Aonishiki, and Wakaikari continue to press for the Juryo yusho with one loss a piece. Oshoumi, Tochitaikai, Ryuden, and Asakoryu chase with two losses.

Makuuchi Action

Kayo (Juryo 4-4) defeated Nishikifuji (4-4). Kayo tipped Nishikifuji over the bales as he fell forward. Gunbai Kayo. Mono-ii. The judges determined both men fell out at the same time so they ordered a torinaoshi (rematch). On the rematch, Kayo tried a henka which was quickly caught out by Nishikfuji. However, Kayo spun and used his left hand under Nishikifuji’s armpit to shove Nishikifuji forward. Tsukiotoshi.

Tokihayate (4-4) defeated Kotoshoho (1-7). Kotoshoho spun Tokihayate to the bales but Tokihayate countered and drove forward, forcing Kotoshoho back to the opposite edge. Kotoshoho used the bales to stabilize himself and drove forward through the ring. He forced Tokihayate back to the edge and tried to pitch him over. But Tokihayate grabbed Kotoshoho’s belt and dragged him back toward the center of the ring and threw him with his right-hand outside belt grip. Uwatedashinage.

Hakuoho (5-3) defeated Nishikigi (4-4). Solid tachiai. Hakuoho quickly got both hands under Nishikigi’s armpits and drove Nishikigi back and over the bales. Yorikiri.

Onokatsu (5-3) defeated Kagayaki (2-6). Kagayaki charged forward early. Reset. At the initial clash, Kagayaki slammed his head into Onokatsu and drove him to the bales. Onokatsu’s left leg used the tawara for leverage and he drove Kagayaki back to the other side where he eventually forced Kagayaki over. Yorikiri.

Tamashoho (3-5) defeated Midorifuji (1-7). Tamashoho started with his tsuppari but Midorifuji reached inside and got a solid grip of Tamashoho’s mawashi. This forced Tamashoho into a grapple. Tamashoho picked Midorifuji up but could not move forward for the tsuridashi. charged forward and drove Midorifuji out. Yorikiri.

Takerufuji (7-1) defeated Kitanowaka (4-4). Kitanowaka’s right ankle buckled as Takerufuji drove into him at the bales and forced him over the edge. He was not able to put any weight on it to return to the ring and had to be wheeled away in the giant wheelchair. It was obvious he was in pain but it was not obvious whether it was rolled and a really bad sprain, or broken. We’ll follow up with news when we hear it. Oshitaoshi.

Kinbozan (8-0) defeated Tamawashi (6-2). This battle between two powerful pusher-thrusters was determined the only way it could be…by yorikiri. Both men traded tsuppari as the brawled around the ring. Kinbozan reached inside and locked up Tamawashi with a morozashi, double-inside belt grip, and quickly drove Tamawashi out. Yorikiri.

Shonannoumi (3-5) defeated Meisei (2-6). Meisei grabbed Shonannoumi’s belt and drove forward but Shonannoumi stopped at the edge, pivoted, and brought Meisei down. Kotenage.

Takayasu (5-3) defeated Oshoma (4-4). Takayasu drove Oshoma back to the bales. When Oshoma resisted, Takayasu pulled and slapped Oshoma down into the center of the ring. Oshoma had actually stepped out earlier at the bales. Oshidashi.

Ichiyamamoto (5-3) defeated Churanoumi (3-5). Ichiyamamoto-zumo. Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari forced Churanoumi back and out. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Hiradoumi (4-4) defeated Mitakeumi (2-6). Hiradoumi used a right-hand inside, left-hand outside belt grip and steady gaburi-yori (hip-thrusting action) to force Mitakeumi over the bales. Yorikiri.

Takarafuji (4-4) defeated Chiyoshoma (7-1). Chiyoshoma drove forward, forcing Takarafuji back to the edge quickly. Takarafuji pulled on Chiyoshoma’s wrist at the edge, yanking Chiyoshoma out. How The Turn Tables, indeed. Tottari.

Ura (4-4) defeated Endo (3-5). Solid tachiai from Endo as he forced Ura back to the edge. Ura used the bales to resist and shoved Endo back to the center of the ring. Endo reached in with his left hand but Ura grabbed onto Endo’s arm and pulled him forward and off the dohyo. Tottari.

Gonoyama (5-3) defeated Atamifuji (2-6). Gonoyama’s oshi-game was on point while Atamifuji is probably still trying to figure out exactly what he wants to do with his life. Gonoyama just plugged forward and shoved Atamifuji over the bales. Maybe Atamifuji tried some pull at the edge but I don’t think even he knows what he was doing. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Abi (5-3) defeated Tobizaru (5-3). Abi tried pulling from the start. He did half a lap around the ring before deciding that wasn’t working. So, he changed direction and drove into Tobizaru with steady thrusts. This forced Tobizaru back and out. Oshidashi.

Kirishima (5-3) defeated Wakamotoharu (1-7). Kirishima yanked on Wakamotoharu’s belt and pulled him to the edge. At the edge he released and slipped to the side, trying for a slapdown. Wakamotoharu stumbled forward and Kirishima shoved him from behind to finish him off. Wakamotoharu is a barge, whose pilot has fallen into the river. Adrift. Okuridashi.

Daieisho (6-2) defeated Takanosho (2-6). Daieisho was careful today not to get caught too far forward. As Takanosho shifted and pulled, Daieisho kept his footing and steadily pursued. Eventually he worked Takanosho to the edge and forced him over. Yorikiri.

Kotozakura (3-5) defeated Oho (6-2). Oho seemed to give up on forward-moving sumo when Kotozakura offered resistance. Kotonowaka tried a pull so Oho tried a pull and they tried to out-react each other. Kotozakura reached inside for Oho’s belt and swung him around and down. Finally, some sort of offense! I think it’s pretty clear Kotozakura’s left knee is hurt pretty bad, though. I do not think he can put much weight on it. Uwatedashinage.

Onosato (5-3) defeated Wakatakakage (3-5). Both men had right-hand inside grips. Onosato’s belt was loose, so Wakatakakage did not get a whole lot of leverage from it. As they waltzed around the ring, Onosato used his left to try to force Wakatakage to give it up. But Wakatakakage was persistent, as if to say, “I’m never going to give you up, never going to let you down, never gonna run around and desert you.” Onosato never over-extended. He was patient. Onosato calmly drove forward and when he finally worked Wakatakakage to the edge, he pressed him over the bales. Yorikiri.

Shodai (3-5) defeated Hoshoryu (6-2). Hoshoryu shoved Shodai several times back toward the bales. As he neared the edge, Shodai thrust into Hoshoryu with power from his right, enough to stagger the Ozeki. Uh-oh. THAT Shodai showed up today. He shoved Hoshoryu again and pressed forward, forcing Hoshoryu to the opposite edge. Hoshoryu tried to slip to the right and pull Shodai forward, but Shodai moved laterally and shoved Hoshoryu again, blasting the Ozeki into Kototsubasa, ringside to do his yumitorishiki. Oshitaoshi.

Wrap-up

Well, Nakabi was rather devastating today. Chiyoshoma’s zensho yusho run is over. Kitanowaka’s whole tournament might be over. Oho’s dark horse run is over. Hoshoryu’s rope run is over. Kinbozan is our only undefeated top-division wrestler, with Takerufuji and Chiyoshoma in pursuit with one loss. Hoshoryu, Daieisho, and Oho will need help to get back into this yusho race.

Looking to tomorrow, Kinbozan will fight Takerufuji in what will surely be a highlight match since both men are performing well and ranked below their true potential. Both of these guys should be about ten ranks higher, if not for recent injuries. Chiyoshoma will fight Churanoumi. Hoshoryu will fight Hiradoumi and Daieisho will fight Onosato.

Kotozakura will take on Ura in a bout which I only mention because Kotozakura is Ozeki. The way Abi and Kirishima have been fighting, their match-up will be an interesting one, as well. I’m not sure if there will be enough kensho on Gonoyama to interest Shodai, but we will see.