Shishi claimed his first yusho in Juryo with a win over Tomokaze. The jun-yusho, runner-up, is Aonishiki after he beat Nabatame and Ryuden lost to Tohakuryu. With Kayo’s loss to Hakuyozan, we’re looking at, at least, five probable Makuuchi promotions: Sadanoumi, Shishi, Ryuden, Aonishiki and Asakoryu. This would be Aonishiki’s debut in the top division while all four of the rest make their quick returns after one-basho drops.
We have our bi-monthly proof of life via Twitter of Miyagino-oyakata as he presents the Kyokai’s selections for special prizes alongside Otowayama-oyakata. Oho claimed an unconditional Technique Prize and Kinbozan was awarded an unconditional Fighting Spirit prize. Additional Fighting Spirit prizes for Kirishima, Takerufuji, and Tamawashi are conditional on today’s action and they must win their bouts. Outstanding Performance prizes are conditional on Kinbozan or Oho winning the yusho.
＜千秋楽の様子＞
— 日本相撲協会公式 (@sumokyokai) January 26, 2025
三賞が決定しました！
・殊勲賞#金峰山※優勝した場合（初）#王鵬※優勝した場合（初）
・敢闘賞#金峰山（2）#霧島※今日勝てば（2）#尊富士※今日勝てば（2）#玉鷲※今日勝てば（2）
・技能賞#王鵬（初）#sumo #相撲 #一月場所 #初場所 pic.twitter.com/evcBVsqmVs
Your NHK videos are available here: Juryo Part I & Part II, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.
Aside from the sansho, the big prize is on the line today. Kinbozan will fight Oho for the yusho.
Makuuchi Action
Kotoshoho (5-10) defeated Tamawashi (9-6). Today’s top division action began with a consequential bout. Kotoshoho was likely fighting to stay in the division while Tamawashi fought for a special prize. Solid tachiai. Tamawashi charged forward and Kotoshoho pulled, slapping Tamawashi down. Hatakikomi.
Nishikigi (8-7) defeated Oshoma (8-7). After briefly trading tsuppari, Nishikigi lodged his forearm in Oshoma’s chin. Oshoma dug in for a belt grip and Nishikigi allowed Oshoma a morozashi. Oshoma pressed Nishikigi to the edge but Nishikigi planted his left foot in the tawara. Nishikigi then pulled to his left and brought Oshoma down. Kotenage.
Tokihayate (7-8) defeated Takarafuji (5-10). Takarafuji pulled Tokihayate’s right arm up and off his belt but Tokihayate pressed forward. Takarafuji tried to pull but had no room and was far too high to make any aggressive counter. Tokihayate pressed the Takarabune out. Did Tokihayate do enough to stay in Makuuchi? Yorikiri.
Tamashoho (6-9) defeated Mitakeumi (2-13). Mitakeumi pressed ahead, into the torrent of Tamashoho’s tsuppari. At the edge, Tamashoho jumped right and Mitakeumi bumbled forward a step but slammed on the brakes at the edge. Tamashoho came back quickly and shoved Mitakeumi from behind to force Mitakeumi out. Okuridashi.
Hakuoho (10-5) defeated Takayasu (8-7). Hakuoho jumped the gun. The pair reset. Takayasu hit Hakuoho with force and quickly drove Hakuoho back to the bales. With one arm under Takayasu’s left shoulder, Hakuoho pivoted along the bales and tried a throw but Takayasu resisted. This gave Hakuoho an opportunity, though, to bring action a step closer to center. When Hakuoho worked both arms inside and under Takayasu’s shoulders, he was able to gain the upper hand and drive Takayasu off the dohyo. Yorikiri.
Chiyoshoma (9-6) defeated Shonannoumi (8-7). A fiery bout. Chiyoshoma worked Shonannoumi to the edge but Shonannoumi used his height to extend forward from the bales and drive Chiyoshoma backwards as Chiyoshoma shifted his grip. Chyoshoma tried a quick throw but followed up with a headbutt to Shonannoumi’s chin and some forceful tsuppari. The bout shifted to an oshi-style brawl with Shonannoumi in retreat. Chiyoshoma landed a great right that shoved Shonannoumi over the bales. Oshidashi.
Hiradoumi (7-8) defeated Onokatsu (7-8). Hiradoumi drove into Onokatsu and forced him quickly from the dohyo. Yorikiri.
Nishikifuji (9-6) defeated Shodai (6-9). Shodai tried a pivot and slapdown but Nishikifuji kept his focus and his footing and forced Shodai over the bales. Yorikiri.
Gonoyama (8-7) defeated Midorifuji (7-8). Darwin Bout #1 of 2. Gonoyama chased Midorifuji for a full lap around the dohyo. Midorifuji tried desperately to get a slapdown or katasukashi, anything. But Gonoyama’s solid footwork and forceful tsuppari drove Midorifuji from the ring, eventually. Tsukidashi.
Atamifuji (5-10) defeated Churanoumi (4-11). Churanoumi dug in hard but Atamifuji drove forward with solid gaburi-yotsu and lifted Churanoumi over the bales to finish him off. Kimedashi.
Halftime
Tobizaru (7-8) defeated Meisei (6-9). This fight was fought in two phases. It began with an oshi-style brawl. Meisei backed himself to the ropes with his rope-a-dope style but Tobizaru was not falling for any slapdowns or misdirection. So, Meisei settled on driving Tobizaru back to center and wrapping him up for the second phase, a yotsu-style grapple. Meisei tried to pull but Tobizaru’s footwork was steady and he ran Meisei back and out. Oshidashi.
Kirishima (11-4) defeated Takerufuji (10-5). After the initial clash, Kirishima pulled and Takerufuji dove forward. Kirishima had stayed in just long enough. Gunbai Kirishima. No mono-ii. Kirishima got his second Kanto-sho. Hatakikomi.
Oho (12-3) defeated Kinbozan (12-3). As the two wrestlers mounted the dohyo, a big cheer rose from the crowd. Yes, there are other bouts to follow but this bout is why these folks were here. Initial clash and Kinbozan fired off immediately from those bazookas. Oho pulled and Andy shouted, “NOOOO!!” but Oho cleverly used the pull for position. He pivoted at the edge, forcing Kinbozan’s back to the bales. From here, Oho blasted volley after volley of tsuppari at Kinbozan. Oho finally finished him off with some gaburi-yotsu. Oshidashi? Okay. We will have a PLAYOFF!!!
Kagayaki (6-9) defeated Takanosho (6-9). After a brawl, the two paused to catch their breath at the center of the ring. Kagayaki waited for Takanosho to tire or make the first move. When Takanosho pulled, Kagayaki charged forward and forced him out. Oshidashi.
Sanyaku
Ichiyamamoto (8-7) defeated Wakatakakage (7-8). Darwin Bout #2 of 2. The idol versus the fan boy. How many fans get to strangle their idols? Wakatakakage opened with a pull. Ichiyamamoto followed and strangled him, both hands up in Wakatakakage’s neck. As Wakatakakage tried to press forward, Ichiyamamoto suddenly pulled and slapped WTK down. Hatakikomi.
Daieisho (11-4) defeated Abi (7-8). Push and Pull. Push and Pull. Neither pull worked so Daieisho went back to his roots and blasted into Abi’s shoulders, driving him back and out. Tsukidashi.
Kore Yori Sanyaku
Wakamotoharu (6-9) defeated Endo (6-9). What the hell is Endo doing up in the kore-yori-sanyaku? Oh, right…Wakamotoharu is 5-9 and not worthy of fighting Ozeki. Well, current ones, anyway. This has not been a good tournament for Arashio-beya. Hopefully Daiseizan did enough to maintain his status as sekitori. Both Wakamotoharu and Wakatakakage will fall from sanyaku into the rank-and-file. Back to the “action”…Endo did not want Wakamotoharu to get that right hand uwate grip and used his best ottsuke to keep WMH at bay. The two leaned into each other for a while. As Endo pulled, Wakamotoharu followed and sent Endo into the crowd for some fansa. Oshidashi.
Onosato (10-5) defeated Ura (7-8). Ura opted for the non-tachiai. I’m not sure if that was a henka attempt but it got caught out quickly as Onosato plowed forward and to the left a bit. That was his tenth win and the easiest stack of kensho he has yet received. We need to remember that this is a poor showing for him because he was a non-factor in the yusho. Bad Onosato, bad. Take that stack back to your castle and think about what you have done. Tsukidashi.
All of the lower division titles were decided “in regulation.” We know there will be a top-division playoff. Will Hoshoryu join?
Hoshoryu (12-3) defeated Kotozakura (5-10). Kotozakura withstood Hoshoryu’s nodowa and pressed into The Nephew, locking on with a left-hand uwate. Hoshoryu tried to throw Kotozakura but Kotozakura kept his balance. However, Kotozakura could not pressure Hoshoryu. When Hoshoryu locked on with a morozashi, Kotozakura was toast. Kotozakura resisted as well as he could but Hoshoryu drove forward and forced Kotozakura off the dohyo. Hoshoryu secured his position in the playoff AND keeps those Yokozuna promotion hopes alive. Yorikiri.
PLAY OFF
With three contenders, the goal is pretty simple: win two bouts in a row. Draw lots to see who fights first and we exchange fighters until someone wins two consecutive bouts.
Bout #1: Hoshoryu defeated Kinbozan. Hoshoryu blitzed Kinbozan but Kinbozan also managed a solid grip. They both tried to throw the other. Hoshoryu was too powerful and when Kinbozan let up at the edge, the Ozeki thrust him into the crowd.
Bout #2: Hoshoryu defeated Oho. Oho resisted at the bales and brought the action back to center. Hoshoryu tried a pull and nearly slapped Oho down but Oho stayed up and even dodged Hoshoryu’s leg sweep. But as Oho backed away, Hoshoryu chased and drove Oho into the ground.
Hoshoryu Yusho.
Thank you, everyone, for reading and enjoying this tournament with me. Hoshoryu’s title opens the door to a new Yokozuna promotion. It is not a certainty and we will update on the any promotion. The new banzuke will be decided early this week, so we will definitely have promotion news (yay or nay) before then. We will also learn who gets promoted to Juryo and keep you apprized of any more big retirements.
There is no Jungyo between now and Osaka. The Kyokai has posted the Spring tour schedule, as shared by Asashosakari in the comments (English version). I’m sure the Kyokai would like to have a Yokozuna available for some of those events to perform Dohyo-iri, in particular at Ise and Yasukuni. Those events may be enough to tip the scales in Hoshoryu’s favor. I’d love to be a fly on the wall while they deliberate.
In February, the Kokugikan will host a number of events, so keep your eyes peeled for news on those. Tokushoryu’s retirement ceremony is on the first. That will be followed by the NHK’s fundraiser sumo event on the 8th and the FujiTV Tournament on the 9th.
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One thing to remember about any athlete performing in front of judges: how you finish is far, far more important than how you start. Hoshoryu’s last loss was on Day 9 and he completed an 8 match winning streak of dominant, no doubt wins including two straight playoff wins and a yusho. The other important factor, which I haven’t seen anyone mention is that Hoshoryu is young and he is healthy. No bad knees, neck injury, or blown out pectoral muscles. If the YDC votes to make him a Yokozuna there is a solid chance he’ll stick around for more than two years. I also suspect that making Hoshoryu a Yokozuna will cause him to work harder to improve because of his responsibilities and respect to the rank. We saw the changes in Terunofuji when he was promoted and I’m convinced something similar will happen with Hoshoryu.
As for Kinbozan and Oho, they’re going to get to sharpen their skills amongst several former Ozeki and other rikishi who are usually in and around Sanyaku on a regular basis. Facing that level of skill regularly will help them improve faster. Iron sharpens iron. I also suspect the same from Onosato and will think he will also be motivated to improve by Hoshoryu reaching Yokozuna before he did if that does happen.
Overall, this basho was fantastic. Thanks to Andy for keeping us up to date on results every day and providing the links to the NHK website. Now we all get to wait impatiently to find out what happens next!
My own belief is that a Yokozuna should not only be more impressive than hoshoryu was in these last two tournaments but also give us a glimpse that he could repeat those results constantly.
Making hoshoryu yokozuna now only for him to be close to kadoban on the next tournament, or lose to midorifuji or something similar, would only hurt the prestige of the rank itself. When Terunofuji got it there was no doubt, we knew if he was on top he wouldn’t be stopped. Hoshoryu doesn’t have that level of dominance over his peers and would be a weak as hell Yokozuna.
This doesn’t mean he won’t become one down the line but I just don’t think he deserves it right now and I think the exact same way about Kotosakura. I would rather not have a Yokozuna for a while until someone really deserves it. Pressure to promote wrestlers prematurely is what ends with shodai as ozeki.
Again, my opinion.
I think he was quite impressive, beating all the Sanyaku (except for Kotozakura, against whom there was that unlucky slippiotoshi) twice.
He never was kadoban (and he almost certainly won’t meet Midorifuji in the next basho), therefore I wouldn’t worry about him hurting the prestige of the rank.
Chances are good that he will rack up more wins as Yokozuna than Terunofuji did because he is healthy and probably won’t miss many basho.
I have to agree with you here with much a similar analysis. I think it’s easy to look back on Terunofuji’s reign with rose-colored glasses. Is Hoshoryu as dominant as Teru was when he was given the rank? Maybe not, but Hoshoryu is clearly in the ascendant and is younger (and therefore much likely to stay healthier) than Teru. Teru’s physical limitations were nothing to write off – but many people did. Many people argued (including Hakuho) that he would easily win 20 basho.
But those people (even Hakuho) were obviously wrong: anyone who was paying close attention could tell even back then that Teru’s knees were not terribly long for this world. I would also argue that long stretches of absence denigrate the rank every bit as much as an occasional kinboshi.
So to sum up, if the ultimate purpose of granting someone yokozuna status is to consider whether they will do the rank justice and wear it well, I don’t know that the downsides of promoting Hoshoryu to the rank are any more significant than the downsides which Teru brought with him as baggage when he was promoted.
The big difference here is teru was primores after winning a basho then going 14-0 and losing to the greatest of all time. Promotion to yokozuna was pretty much mandatory.
Hoshoryu lost a basho then needed a playoff vs kimbozan, so promotion is anything but mandatory. Terunofuji forced them to promote him and hoshoryu hasn’t done this.
This is why in my humble opinion, he won’t be promoted. But if he is, great for him.
What a finish! Darwin matches, conditional prizes and of course the 3 way playoff. The drama, that locker room scene was really something with the 3 yusho aspirants all within feet of each other. The look on Oho and Kinbozan’s faces when Hoshoryu won was really something to see. That may have been one of the coolest things I ever watched in sports. Oho really had a great tournament and its not without significance that Hoshoryu had to beat him twice to get his yusho as they have a lot of history between them. Seems likely that the Grandson and the Nephew are now going to be Sanyaku rivals for a long time to come. Kinbozan is older than both of his playoff foes, but he also looks to have gotten somethings figured out and is healthy, he has a chance to be one of the more effective oshi, tsuki wrestlers along with Daieisho, Abi, Takanosho, and old Tom. Maybe Gonoyama can also be part of that company of elite face thrusters, put Papayasu in that group when he’s right. We can ask Wakamotoharu about the efficacy of his nadowa and face slaps and he’d likely say that the big hairy guy can still bring it.
Anyhow, wow! So good to see Hoshoryu get the cup and a shot at the rope, he showed his good manners and gentle side hugging his stable mates and flashing that big smile after the win. His uncle has said that Hoshoryu is a very good boy, nothing like him, sometimes you can see it in his interactions with the other rikishi. I believe it, he seems like a really good kid with an amazing skill set. If he can stop the slippiotoshis and other self inflicted wounds he can live up to his potential.
Thanks again to Andy and all of the contributors and commentators, this was a great basho to enjoy with you all.
Looking forward to the Fuji T.V. Tournament, but I also want to give a special shout out to Mr. Consistency as he’s been under the radar a bit, Daieisho. He’s been a rock going back to 2021-22, another solid tournament from him and he may be able to finally get his Ozeki this year, I’d like to see it.
Sumo, Sumo, Sumo!
I am a long-time fan of Hoshoryu for his varied, skillful and elegant sumo, and I’m so happy for him. He seems like a really nice guy off the dohyo too. I agree that Yokozuna promotion can be a mixed blessing but he clearly wants it, and oddly enough the YDC hasn’t asked my opinion (yet) anyway. : D
There were 4 Yokozuna when I started watching sumo and I haven’t been around for a lot of rope runs, so I have a question for the more experienced folks here. Calling a meeting of the YDC after the basho finishes is a pretty strong signal, isn’t it? If they had decided against him already, they would’t have called the meeting. Raja seemed to think Hoshoryu had a good chance. Any sense of how much they are still debating?
Lots of good sumo this basho, great to see Kinbozan and Oho stepping up and Kirishima getting his mojo back. I hope Kotonowaka heals whatever ails him.
Thanks Andy and team Tachiai!
The YDC are independent, not former wrestlers, like oyakata. I’ve not heard indication of their opinions.
This tournament has been riveting! I happened to flip Seattle tv to NHK just before bed and saw Hoshoryu match against Oho. I didn’t know at that moment what had happened and how he’d won the basho, but quickly learned. I had a difficult time getting to sleep with the excitement of his win as I’m a fan of his from the moment I saw him. (I love the smaller wrestlers most.) This morning I watched the entire 15th round like I’d read the ending to a mystery first and knew how it would end, but that didn’t stop feeling the thrill of Hoshoryu’s bouts.
I have a couple questions. First, what do the basho winners get to keep from the collection of trophies, flags, proclamations, et cetera? Second, do the round patches on the back of the gyojis’ outer garment represent years of service?
Thanks Andy and the team for the daily breakdowns. I would’ve read this one last night before bed if it was up, however! Cheers.
About the trophies, the trophy stays with the sumo association but the wrestler gets a gift. One example is this gift from Hungary. https://tachiai.org/2024/11/23/yusho-prizes-the-herend-teacup/ There are gifts of beer, produce, crystal, gasoline, etc.
Wow, What a Basho!
I’m very happy that Hoshoryu was able to win it, and hope he can make Yokozuna! While I would love to see him promoted now, I don’t think that there can be any harm in waiting for another strong showing in March!
Now, does anyone know if there’s a way to watch the Fuji TV Tournament from the US?
Hoshoryu is far from my favorite; in fact, I don’t like him as he always manages to have one extra push or swagger…but there’s no question in my mind that he deserves to become a Yokozuna. He’s fearless, strong as hell, and quite the tactician. Personally, I think it’s a no-brainer to make him Yokozuna and have no doubt that he’ll be there for a long time.
Kotozakura: am surprised at his poor tournament but it must be due to injury.
I’m still not used to this up-down kadoban era (I know, I know, I oughta be by now as I’ve reconnected to sumo as of 5-6 years ago). As a kid I watched Taiho, Kashiwado and Sadanoyama as Yokozuna (seemingly forever) with Tamanoshima, Kitanofuji, Kotozakura and Kiyokuni as *Ozeki (seemingly forever). Hasegawa was the eternal Sekiwake. Yes, forever! Ha ha.
*Kiyokuni never did make Yokozuna. The other three did, of course.
Thanks so much, Andy, for all of your coverage. It was much appreciated. Also, thanks very much for each day including the links to the videos of the bouts. They have become the mainstay of my sumo viewing.
Tip of the hat to Oho. I really have admired his slow but steady progress up the ranks. Some fans became impatient with him, but he has been steadily learning and improving. Now it appears he is prepared to be a regular yusho contender.
Rather pointless question for insiders: On JSA’s official YouTube channel, there is a short (exactly 4 minutes) video to summarize the final phase of the final day. At around 2:40, we see Hoshoryu, still wearing mawashi and holding the cup, with a group of rikishi, all dressed in formal kimono –called “montsuki”, I guess. In that group, there are Kiryuko (standard-bearer), Sadanoumi, Churanoumi (?), Meisei, Gonoyama, Hiradoumi and Ura. Obviously, Kiryuko and Meisei are Hoshoryu’s stablemates. I wondered if there is a specific reason for the others to pose together or is it just a random, friendly gathering? Cheers.
The heya are organized into larger “Ichimon” and Kise-beya is a part of their Dewanoumi Ichimon and has a large number of sekitori. A list of kabu and their associated Ichimon is available at the SumoDB. http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Kabu.aspx I’m not sure if it is up-to-date but it’s always a good start.
Thank you. — Other than Hoshoryu’s immediate [Tatsunami] stablemates, in that group there are two from Kise (Churanoumi, Ura), two from Sakaigawa (Sadanoumi, Hiradoumi), one that started in Sakaigawa and later transferred to Takekuma (Gonoyama). Indeed, all of the mentioned stables are part of the Dewanoumi ichimon. These men might have a closer bond with each other, probably because of close cooperation on inter-stable training. (Recent status changes of the Tatsunami stable are a little complicated. Summary available in the Wikipedia article.)
Much as I would like to see Hoshoryu promoted to Yokozuna this time, it doesn’t feel like he has achieved “the equivalent” of winning two back to back tournaments.
Let’s wait for the YDC’s decision.
This is the first time since I started watching in late 2016 that there’s been any real suspense about which direction one of these ozeki/yokozuna promotion committees would go (unless there was some doubt about Kisenosato after one yusho; that was before I really knew what was going on). I have no basis for prediction, except to point out that a legit yokozuna will continue to deliver promotion-worthy results. What I mean is, if Hoshoryu deserves to get the tsuna, he’ll have other opportunities.
Thanks as always to Andy and the Tachiai team for the coverage and discussion!
Twice in a row Nishikigi has countered a moro-zashi with something other than a kimedashi. The only other rikishi I can recall doing that is Hakuho, against Okinoumi. (Both of Hakuho’s elbows were in bad shape allowing Okinoumi to get inside.)
Hoshoryu clearly deserved his yusho .. In his winning streak to close it out, it felt like he controlled the pace of each match + was one step ahead of all his opponents .. Very impressive for a rikishi who is not big enough to physically dominate each opponent .. Imagine trying to craft a winning strategy against him when he is fully in the moment ..
Oho is starting to look like he wants to take sumo seriously .. He was the rikishi who deserved to face Horshoryu in the final match ..
Would like to see if Kinbozan can deliver double digit wins when facing higher level competition from Day 1 .. He is powerful + has solid footwork, but imho has yet to show elite body control/hands ..
As noted above, Daieisho had another very good basho .. His effort + intensity are always present + in the moment .. Would like to see him rewarded for that ..
Hokuoho looked solid + settled on his style + stayed healthy .. Will be interesting if he can advance against the competition stacking up above him .. To my eyes Nishikifuji had his best basho ..
The transition from Teru-dominated sumo is an exciting era .. Lot of unfinished chapters .. Andy + this site make it a special experience for us sumo fans ..