Huge, late developing news from the infirmary is that Onosato is kyujo. He was wincing in pain after yesterday’s loss. Sounds like a dislocated shoulder. That hands Hoshoryu the default victory. Aonishiki has to win his bout to earn the right to contest the yusho against Hoshoryu. Sometimes the sumo kami are as cruel as the golf gods.
Just to add insult to injury, early Makuuchi bout coverage was pre-empted by coverage of the Keio/Waseda rugby game where my Keio boys got absolutely thrashed. When I was an English teacher in Hiyoshi, some of my students played rugby for Keio HS. Some of their kids might have played in today’s game.
Entering today’s action, the Association announced the Special Prize winners. Aonishiki and Yoshinofuji were awarded Technique prizes. Other Special Prizes came with conditions. Kirishima and Ichiyamamoto could each win Fighting Spirit prizes if they win today. Kirishima will face Ura and Ichiyamamoto will face Wakamotoharu. Aonishiki was also given a chance to win an Outstanding Performance Prize if he wins the yusho.
Fujiryoga defeated Hatsuyama to win the Juryo yusho in his debut. Asanoyama won his bout against Kitanowaka to finish 12-3. Leonid will have a better idea of who earned promotion as well as who has to be demoted. There seem to be a lot of demotion candidates and promotion candidates, without enough folks to take their places.
NHK videos of senshuraku action are here. This includes the first six bouts which we missed in the Live coverage.
Makuuchi Action
Asakoryu (8-7) defeated Kotoeiho (9-6). Uwatenage.
Oshoumi (7-8) defeated Fujiseiun (8-7). Okuridashi.
Shishi (6-9) defeated Meisei (1-5-9). Oshitaoshi.
Chiyoshoma (10-5) defeated Kotoshoho (7-8). Uwatenage.
Daieisho (10-5) defeated Tokihayate (9-6). Oshidashi.
Nishikifuji defeated Tobizaru (6-9) Oshidashi.
Tomokaze (7-8) defeated Midorifuji (6-9). Tomokaze slapped Midorifuji down. Hatakikomi.
Kinbozan (6-8) defeated Sadanoumi (4-10). Sadanoumi pulled on Kinbozan’s right arm but Kinbozan spun and slapped Sadanoumi down. Hatakikomi.
Gonoyama (9-6) defeated Abi (5-10). Gonoyama assaulted Abi with tsuppari. Gonoyama thrust hard into Abi’s right shoulder, turning Abi around. Abi was just able to get righted but had no way to counter as Gonoyama shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Churanoumi (8-7) defeated Ryuden (7-8). Darwin bout. Churanoumi earned his kachi-koshi by getting a good belt grip and twisting Ryuden down. Shitatehineri.
Onokatsu (7-8) defeated Shonannoumi (3-12). Onokatsu was able to overpower Shonannoumi along the edge and walked him out. Yorikiri.
Atamifuji (8-7) defeated Mitakeumi (7-8). Our second, and last Darwin bout of the evening. Mitakeumi tried a pull but Atamifuji didn’t fall for it. Atamifuji drove Mitakeumi back and over the bales. Oshidashi.
Halftime
Tamawashi (7-8) defeated Fujinokawa (9-6). Tamawashi’s tsuppari was to powerful for Fujinokawa and Tamawashi thrust him out. Fujinokawa spent most of the bout running away. With the win, Tamawashi passed Takanohana for the 10th most makuuchi victories, at 702. Oshidashi.
Oshoma (4-11) defeated Hiradoumi (4-11). Hiradoumi got a migi-sashi and drove forward. However, Oshoma slapped him down as he leapt into the air. Gunbai Oshoma. Mono-ii. After a review, Hiradoumi’s body was determined to have touched first, confirming the gyoji’s call. I’m not going to say anything about Aonishiki/Onosato here. I’ll let dead bodies lie. Tsukiotoshi.
Ichiyamamoto (11-4) defeated Wakamotoharu (8-7). Ichiyamamoto came out swinging for Wakamotoharu’s throat. He thrust Wakamotoharu’s left shoulder as Wakamotoharu tried to throw a slap, forcing Wakamotoharu to stumble forward and off the dohyo. Ichiyamamoto won his second Fighting Spirit prize. Okuritaoshi.
Kirishima (11-4) defeated Ura (8-7). Ura’s pull attempt ceded position but allowed him to brace along the edge. Kirishima pursued and tried to shove him out. Ura slipped right to escape but stumbled and rolled out. Kirishima won his third Fighting Spirit prize. Oshitaoshi.
Wakatakakage (7-8) defeated Roga (8-7). Hazu-oshi start with both guys thrusting into each other. Wakatakakage backed to the right and tried to slap Roga down. Roga caught his footing and tried to re-engage but WTK was in hot-pursuit and shoved Roga out. Oshidashi.
Hakuoho (6-9) defeated Shodai (4-11). Hakuoho hit Shodai hard at the tachiai, rocking Shodai back. Hakuoho pressed quickly and forced Shodai out. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Hoshoryu (12-3) default win over Onosato (11-4). If there’s an absence in the final scheduled bout, they shuffle it a few bouts early so the action doesn’t end with a fusen. This meant neither Yokozuna were present for the kore-yori-sanyaku which is a cool ceremony before the final three bouts on senshuraku.
Takayasu (8-7) defeated Yoshinofuji (9-6). The bout started with a brawl, tsuppari flying. Yoshinofuji tried to settle into a grapple with a left-hand inside grip. Takayasu’s left-hand grip seemed more secure and he drove forward as Yoshinofuji tried to pull. Takayasu threw Yoshinofuji off the dohyo. Takayasu won the arrows and saves a spot in sanyaku. He might even move up to Sekiwake? Oshitaoshi.
Oho (7-8) defeated Takanosho (5-10). Oho used good tsuppari and footwork to earn position at the center of the ring and force Takanosho to the edge. Takanosho tried a pull and wanted to escape to his left but Oho shoved him out. Oho got the bow strings. Oshidashi.
A consequence of shifting the musubi-no-ichiban was that Kotozakura/Aonishiki suddenly was musubi-no-ichiban and had a ton of kensho. The yobidashi would walk around the ring, step down, and grab another set of banners to display. I don’t know why but the guy with the One Cup Ozeki banner always seems to be a couple of steps slower than everyone else. Anyway, the winner will get a bigger pay day than they were expecting. Will that make Kotozakura fight harder for the win?
Aonishiki (12-3) defeated Kotozakura (8-7). Solid tachiai and the two men settled into a grapple. Kotozakura had a left-hand uwate while Aonishiki had his right-hand inside. Kotohachinana’s right knee was within range of Aonishiki’s left hand so Aonishiki swept the knee and forced the Ozeki forward. (Hat tip to jbipes for the brilliant nickname.) What a way to force a playoff. Uchimuso!
Playoff
Aonishiki defeated Hoshoryu! Aonishiki did it again! Aonishiki Yusho!!!! Hoshoryu pulled after trading tsuppari. Aonishiki sprung forward and wrapped up Hoshoryu from behind, dragging him to the deck. What the hell was that?
Wrap-up
Well, Aonishiki broke his string of 11-wins by picking up #12 against Kotozakura. He claimed an Outstanding Performance Prize for the mantle, next to the yusho. This will be absolutely heart-breaking for Hoshoryu. He missed out on his first yusho as Yokozuna and gets beaten again by the Sekiwake.
And even better, Aonishiki has earned promotion to Ozeki. We’ll bring more of the official announcement when it comes before Thanksgiving, hopefully grab some tai from the butcher to celebrate…or at least some taiyaki from the freezer.
Time to revisit an old post about the Japanese phrase, “aikuchi ga warui” and “aikuchi ga ii.” Aonishiki certainly has Hoshoryu’s number, so we should say, “aikuchi ga ii” when we talk about Aonishiki’s record against Hoshoryu. He does very well facing Hoshoryu, doesn’t he?
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Slava Ukraina, Heroyam slava. Congrats to the new Ozeki. Aonishiki what a run.
Rediscovering sumo with aonishiki
kinda like when steph curry changed the nba with his own playstyle
Both my boys in the final, so all good!! Congratulations to Aonishiki, what an achievement for this young man. Hopefully a future Ozeki in January, and possibly Yokozuna in due course?
When you look at his back story too, he really is/has something special.
The best moment for me was when he was walking down the hanimuchi and his assistant met him, and burst into tears with the emotion of it all. Aonishiki wiped his eyes, but had himself under tight control. His joy only leaked out once or twice, and very quietly.
Oh Hosh, no pulling. It rarely works, and today you ended up on your hands and knees at the feet of your victor. You’ve got the skills, and I’ve seen you demonstrate patience and stealth, sadly, they were not in evidence today. Keep the faith, you’ll get there again.
Well done Aonishiki on two special prizes and Kirishima on his special prize as well.
An exciting time to be watching sumo.
Thanks again to the Tachiai team for all their contributions, seen and unseen, and all contributors for their engaging, insightful, and occasionally controversial contributions.
Have a good holiday period and January will be upon us before we know it!
Good comment, as usual, Betty, but why, why no congrats for my darling Ichiyamamoto?
He‘s always so friendly, lively and good spirited that it’s a joy.
I hope there will be a special prize interview with him in the highlights!
Thanks herbern!
Oh I have been quietly impressed with Ichiyamamoto this tournament in particular (we’ll just forget September), he’s really expanding his sumo skills. I’d love him to be more consistent, between him and Takanosho, up down up down. He is smiley and good-spirited isn’t he?
My apologies, I thought I was going on a bit too much, as the list of “well done’s” would have been even longer! I have a LONG list in my head.
Well done Ichiyamamoto and in fact well done to all rikishi, win or lose, who put their hearts and souls out there on the dohyo!
Yokozuna is definitely possible. In the modern six-basho era, only six men have been under the age of 22 when they were promoted to Ozeki. All six became Yokozuna, and five of those are legends who won more that 20 Emperor’s Cups. Aonishiki is 21 and won’t be 22 until the day after the March 2026 basho ends. With promotion expected, he will join an illustrious group. Of course anything can happen, injuries especially, but his prospects are bright.
hanamichi. Sorry, autocorrect on phone (though what it’s autocorrecting too I do not know!
I hate it when that happens…. DOH!
Even with the walkover of all walkovers Hoshoryu just can’t figure Aonishiki out. If he were a rank and filer that would be one thing, but this kid is on a similar trajectory to Onosato. And if Onosato’s injury is serious enough to impact the next basho, it’s very possible we could have three yokozuna early next year.
What a basho! What a time to be a sumo fan! For anyone still upset over the Onosato match the other day and wanting to pack it in, just know from today’s results that these things do work themselves out. The sumo gods will not be trifled with.
What was the playoff kimarite? I missed it in the broadcast, and it’s not here as of now. Okuritaoshi? Okurinage? (icing for Aonishiki’s ginosho)
Anyway, Aonishiki, wow.
Btw, did Takakeisho run over an old gypsy woman or something?
Okuri-nage.. simillar to okuridashi in the sense that once you get the rear, it is usually over. Same as his victory against Kirishima. He is very fast getting the rear mawashi, maybe from his wrestling experience?
Thanks
Yes, that was my first thought, he ducked under Hosoryu’s arm with lightning speed heading for his back and I instantly thought, “that’s the wrestler in him”
Couldn’t hear the announcement over the roar of the crowd, I looked through the kimarite and it looked to me to be Okuritsuridashi (rear push down) more than Okurinage (rear pull down). But I’m not an expert with kimarite.
It’s an okurinage on the Sumo Association website. I was looking for it before I posted but they didn’t have it listed then…at least I couldn’t find it. It’s on their site now, though.
That was a good book, wasn’t it?
I think Hoshoryu will find a way to beat Aonishiki and he will do it between now and January. It’s got to be the number one thing on his mind. Might be the only thing on his mind. Also, I think Kotozakura is pulling out of his slump. Yeah Aonishiki beat him, but it was a much closer matter than with Hoshoryu. Also he beat Onosato and might have taken him out of the tournament. We have two Yokozuna now and also two Ozeki. Quoting Steinbeck, “Once more, the world was spinning in greased grooves.”
I think he will be on the phone to his uncle (maybe the other way round, then he will have some red ears) and even the GOAT I should think. Maybe he will even book a training session with uncle, who is still able to teach him one or two tricks.
I don’t think they’re actually on speaking terms, and given his uncle’s apparent attitude to Hosh (e.g. providing advice to opponents of Hosh), I wouldn’t be surprised if Hosh just ignores him. Didn’t the uncle turn up, uninvited, to Hosh’s initial dohyo-iri ceremony in the Ishe Shrine?
Asashoryu was seated with the family as a VIP for Hosh’s debut ceremony, so I think he was invited and expected.
I did see videos on YouTube where they were sparring together. So when did they fall out which eachother Uncle and nephew.
Aonishiki remained on offense .. Hosh was too quick to move to his pull .. Hosh knows where he wants to get in the match .. Just not patent .. Hosh will have to remain on offense v Aonishiki until he finds an opportunity for one of his many moves .. Bravo Aonishiki! .. Sumo has gotten better ..
That top 3 rivalry could get very interesting. Aonishiki beats Hoshoryuu, Hoshoryu edges it against Onosato and Onosato usually beats Aonishiki.
Sumo’s rock-paper-scissors, hopefully with all three as Yokozuna in due time…
Golden age of sumo incoming. Imagine 10 years of these year just battling it out six times a year. Similar to what just ended in tennis with their big 3.
After the final bout, Aonishiki hurries towards the exit and as he hugs a shorter fellow (probably a stablemate) we see Hokutofuji in the background, staring at Aonishiki. There is the slightest smile on Hokutofuji’s face, barely visible. I’d like to think that he is happy for the boy. I am happy for the boy. Well done, Aonishiki. All safe, all well.
That hug in the tunnel said it all for me. I’m really glad they caught that moment on camera.
Melodrama all around. There is the family in Germany. There is the other (host) family in or near Kobe, the family of Arata Yamanaka. Imagine the flood of excitement on both sides. Then, there is the old soul called Danylo, calm and collected as usual. (I hope that time will not overturn the character assessment, which is only based on a total of a few hours of footage.)
One of the challenges of a new Ozeki are the commitments from the Association. Konishiki talked about how those commitments are a lot.
A very good point, I guess.
Just look at the relatively difficult start by Onosato.
YES!!!!! Nice try, referees – you couldn’t keep the hope of Europe down!
And thank you Andy for another great tourney’s coverage!
Congratulations to Aonishiki for winning Kyushu Basho and becoming Ozeki soon!
He took it very calm, only few signs of happiness. I think it‘s because he‘s rather introvert and doesn‘t easily connect to people. Yoshinofuji on the parade car, though, was full of joy for his fellow rikishi – and for his own well earned special prize. This time he did much better against Takayasu. Congrats to Kirishima and Ichiyamamoto, too!
Thank you Andy for enduring 15 days of action and writing them up for all of us readers around the world, with patience, wisdom, accuracy and so much sense of humour!
Happy to read everyone‘s impressions and opinions, it‘s always inspiring!
P.S.: I wish there wouldn‘t be politics mixed into this yusho. We are all individuals and can feel very different about things and persons.
It goes without telling that people do feel different.
But why should it be wrong to express those feelings?
U wrote „I know, his (Takayasu’s) fans are numerous. I for myself would rather prefer watching 18 henka, or pulls without pivots“. Although I don’t agree when it comes to the henka, I still think it’s okay that U said it.
Nice, thank you :)
It‘s mostly for JMotzi to find it OK, because it was an answer to him, who wrote he counted 18 blasts of Takayasu in a bout. Which is completely OK, too!
Actually that wasn‘t about politics. I really think it‘s important to leave them out of our sumo talk here at Tachiai.
Okay, let‘s get specific.
It’s okay for U to express the feeling that U don’t like Takayasu, but it’s not okay to be glad that an Ukrainian won, because U consider that as politics?
If that’s what U‘re saying then I can’t agree at all.
It‘s hardly possible to talk about Ukrainian without crossing the line to politics. Or is it? You decide. I don‘t want to talk about that here, and that‘s why I‘m not getting specific. Be free to agree or disagree. Of course you should be glad for whatever you want.
Well, as the russian raid on the Ukraine is the reason why Aonishiki has been in Japan at all, these „politics“ are highly relevant for sumo. Suppression seems an odd way of dealing with it to say the least.
They may be relevant for Sumo, Japan and the whole wide world, but you still won‘t have any discussion with me about it here at Tachiai.
No problem, it’s anyway just U who has a political agenda here.
It has obviously not occurred to U, but Gaza for instance has never been mentioned here, and Trump only because it seems that he is into sumo. U see: no politics here except for your crying out to avoid politics.
Please don‘t get personal.
We can close this thread here. Thank you.
Wow. What an emphatic finish. Aonishiki defeats Hoshoryu twice…and the last time was in an embarrassing fashion.
Lesser rikishi may have never recovered after the Onosato debacle…but Aonishiki carried on, impassive and cool as a cucumber.
With Asanoyama back in January, Takayasu doing well, Wakamotoharu and Kirishima performing to this fan’s expectations….I’m one happy guy.
Thanks to Andy for an excellent, entertaining, daily write-up. I learn something new about sumo every day.
Does anyone know why the Isegahama guys in particular were picked to take a photo with Aonishiki and the cup? And Yoshinofuji with him in the car? Is it just that he doesn’t have stablemates who could do it?
Ajigawa oyakata is former Sekiwake Aminishiki who did his sumo career in Isegahama. Probably that is the reason. All the stable mates of Aonishiki are in Jonokuchi – Makushita. Aonishiki probably practises a lot with Isegahama guys.
Thank you :)
In sumo organization, stables are grouped together. These stable groups are called ichimon. Naturally, wrestlers in the same ichimon might have common joint trainings and overall closer relations. Currently, Ajigawa (Aonishiki’s small stable) is in the Tatsunami ichimon with the following stables: Asahiyama, Asakayama, Oshima and Isegahama. In consequence, folks from Isegahama might pose with the cup or Yoshinofuji (special prize winner from Isegahama) might join the parade as standard bearer.
The organization of these ichimons is subject to change. The kabu (elder stock) lists in reference websites usually include information about current affairs of stables, ichimons. (Sometimes it’s confusing. For example, Hoshoryu’s stable, Tatsunami, is currently not in the Tatsunami ichimon but in the Dewanoumi ichimon.)
Really great final matches from Aonishiki! Well-earned promotion to Ozeki for January.
Now what’s really going to be interesting is what happens with promotions to / demotions from sanyaku, which was already going to be interesting… and likewise promotions to / demotions from Makuuchi. I think there will be some long faces in juryo.
What think ye? Does Takayasu hang on again to his komusubi slot at 7-8? It seems to me that Oho may have to stay at sekiwake west, and kirishima should leapfrog to sekiwake east (!?) I can’t imagine, though, Ichiyamamoto rising to komusubi east from M8… so does Wakamotoharu go there?
On the promotion question from Juryo, things will have to get ugly. I can see only three reasonable demotions from makuuchi (Shonannoumi, Sadanoumi, and Meisei)… so Fujiseun and Asahakuryu should pop up – and so too should Asanoyama… but this would mean Kotoeiho, Daiseizan have to cool their jets… and so too Hatsuyama who had a great basho… surely there’s not a fourth demotion from makuuchi coming, so I think we’re just going to have a lot of frustrated juryo guys going into January.
Since Takayasu finished 8-7 and not 7-8 everything is pretty much sorted. would indeed have been interesting had he lost. We will have Kirishima and Takayasu as Sekiwake and Oho and Wakamotoharu as Komusubi and I’m pretty sure also in this order, but I’m sure Iksumo will come up with a prediction soon. That is of course assuming that Aonishiki gets the Ozeki promotion. If for whatever reason that werent to happen, Wkamotoharu would be the guy out,
Bah! I had somehow jotted down an extra loss for Takayasu! Ouch. Ok, so yeah, that makes things a little less awkward. I think your projection, given Takayasu’s kachi-koshi, is correct.
Takayasu is 8-7 so he’s definitely staying.
I advise U to read Iksumo‘s „What’s at stake“ from yesterday. There U‘ll find the answers to your questions.
Is Oshoumi safe? Normally I would say yes but with so many very worthy Juryo candidates he may fall to banzuke luck. We will see, won’t we.