Year: 2025

Kyushu 2025: Shonichi

Andy Kyushu 2025, Kyushu Basho , ,

Kyushu basho is here!

Meisei is kyujo. Hitoshi will visit from Juryo and fight Asakoryu.

NHK has changed things up on their website with this new NHK One restructuring. A lot of the old links don’t work anymore and some of the links point to warnings that the content is intended for people in Japan. However, those of us outside of Japan are not left completely in the lurch. Your NHK videos are here for Makuuchi.

If you don’t go into epileptic fits from the flashing error at the top of the page, scroll down to see the videos. You’ll see the top half of the image for the first video. In the middle, there’s this phrase: 続きを読む. Click that and the rest of the videos will come into view.

Makuuchi Action

Asakoryu defeated Hitoshi. Hitoshi made good first contact and drove forward into Asakoryu’s side of the dohyo. However, he chose to put his hands behind Asakoryu’s head and pull. Asakoryu kept his footing and pressed forward. When Hitoshi tried to stop his momentum at the tawara, Asakoryu thrust Hitoshi out. Tsukidashi.

Chiyoshoma defeated Sadanoumi. Chiyoshoma quickly got a left-hand inside grip. His subtle twist meant Sadanoumi had to stretch to reach his belt. As Sadanoumi reached forward, Chiyoshoma twisted and rotated to his left while he yanked hard on Sadanoumi’s belt, throwing him to the ground. Shitatedashinage.

Oshoumi defeated Shonannoumi. Oshoumi quickly wrapped up Shonannoumi with a left hand inside and right-hand outside. Shonannoumi backed away to his right but Oshoumi was ready for it and drove forward, ushering Shonannoumi out. Oshoumi wins his on his debut! Yorikiri.

Tokihayate defeated Nishikifuji. It was Nishikifuji’s turn to try a pull and Tokihayate made him pay. Tokihayate tried to get both hands inside. Nishikifuji locked up Tokihayate’s left arm in his right armpit, trying a kotenage as he wrenched Tokihayate forward. Tokihayate adjusted well and forced Nishikifuji out. Yorikiri.

Ryuden defeated Mitakeumi. Mitakeumi tried some tsuppari but did not make much headway as Ryuden tried to press straight ahead. So, he decided to try to grab Ryuden’s arm and pull. This put Mitakeumi’s heels at the tawara. Ryuden kept up the pressure, overpowered Mitakeumi and shoved him over the bales. Oshidashi.

Gonoyama defeated Tomokaze. Our first real tsuppari brawl. Tomokaze’s upper body seemed to get too far forward of his feet. Tomokaze lost his footing and fell to the ground. Hikiotoshi.

Fujinokawa defeated Roga. Fujinokawa blitzed Roga at the tachiai, got both arms inside quickly and charged ahead. As Roga backed toward the bales, he twisted to his left to try a last second throw. But Fujinokawa had him securely wrapped up and slammed Roga to the ground outside the dohyo. Solid NFL-style tackle. Don’t just hit, wrap him up and drive him to the ground. Yoritaoshi.

Daieisho defeated Shishi. Our first false start as Shishi slow-rolled Daieisho and an eager Daieisho jumped first. Daieisho did not allow Shishi inside to get a belt grip so Shishi had to rely on thrusts and parries. Daieisho had his own thrusts and forced Shishi to the edge. Daieisho then pulled and cycled around the ring in reverse as Shishi stumbled forward. Daieisho grabbed Shishi’s belt and shoved him to the ground from behind. Okuritaoshi.

Tobizaru defeated Kotoshoho. Tobizaru got some space behind his slaps and shifts of direction. With Kotoshoho only a few feet from the ring’s edge, Tobizaru pulled and slapped Kotoshoho down to the ground as the flying monkey took flight, leaping backward into the crowd. Hatakikomi.

Kinbozan defeated Midorifuji. Midorifuji got a quick morozashi and had the upper-hand from a great low position. Kinbozan needed to break that so he tried to settle the action at the center of the ring to buy some time. Usually for a makikae, we see guys pull backward to work their arm inside for a grip. From Kinbozan’s position with his chin on top of Midorifuji’s head, he seemed to shove Midorifuji down with his chin in order to squeeze that right hand inside and break Midorifuji’s hold. Midorifuji wanted the double-inside grip back but Kinbozan fought hard with his right to prevent Midorifuji from getting that left hand inside. As Kinbozan continued to keep Midorifuji’s left hand contained, Kinbozan dragged Midorifuji to the edge with his own left-hand overarm grip. With a heave, Kinbozan threw Midorifuji into a heap. Uwatenage.

Abi defeated Ichiyamamoto. Ichiyamamoto started out with some tsuppari, head down. Abi quickly put his right hand behind Ichiyamamoto’s head and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Halftime

Churanoumi defeated Onokatsu. Churanoumi got his left hand inside and pressed Onokatsu back. Onokatsu released his grip to try to get a new one. Churanoumi chugged forward so Onokatsu tried to shift away. Churanoumi pursued well and drove Onokatsu back and over the edge. Yorikiri.

Atamifuji defeated Shodai. Atamifuji stayed low and chugged forward quickly, forcing Shodai out. Shodai was trying to squeeze both of his hands inside for a hold of Atamifuji but it was completely futile from his position. Like rent, Shodai’s body was “too damn high!” Oshidashi.

Yoshinofuji defeated Oshoma. The artist formerly known as Kusano shoved Oshoma back with powerful tsuppari. With Oshoma battling to survive on the edge, Yoshinofuji wrapped him up with both arms inside and drove Oshoma over the edge. Yorikiri.

Ura defeated Tamawashi. Ura stood Tamawashi up and overpowered him, driving him back and over the edge. Oshidashi.

Sanyaku

Hiradoumi defeated Takanosho. Takanosho slapped Hiradoumi to force Hiradoumi back a few steps. But then Takanosho pulled. Hiradoumi saw his opening and took it, driving Takanosho back and out of the ring. Oshidashi.

Oho defeated Wakamotoharu. Wakamotoharu tried to wrap Oho up quickly and got his right hand inside. As he tried to get his left-hand grip, Oho seized on Wakamotoharu’s right shoulder. He then pulled and cycled clockwise, staying just inside the edge of the dohyo and dragging Wakamotoharu down. Katasukashi.

Aonishiki defeated Kirishima. We got a great brawl here as both men slapped each other silly. First Kirishima forced Aonishiki back a few steps then Aonishiki reversed course and charged forward. While the arms were flying, Aonishiki managed to seize Kirishima’s left elbow and pulled him forward. This spun Kirishima around so his back was to Aonishiki. “Be gentle, kind sir.” Kirishima immediately let up because he was completely prone. Aonishiki gently shoved him over the bales from behind. Okuridashi.

Kotozakura defeated Wakatakakage. Kotozakura got his right hand inside Wakatakakage’s left shoulder and rotated a little to his left. With that firm right hand inside and a little help from his left arm wrapped around WTK’s right arm, Kotozakura charged forward and forced Wakatakakage over the edge. This was a quick, dominant win for the injury-plagued Ozeki. Yorikiri.

Hakuoho defeated Hoshoryu. Shonichi Kinboshi! Hakuoho blitzed the Yokozuna, driving him back. Hoshoryu desperately tried to escape, grabbing at Hakuoho’s belt and pulling him forward to the ground as he flew from the ring. No mono-ii. From the multiple replays, it was close. Hakuoho’s leg does come down but Hoshoryu’s foot had just left the surface of the dohyo. Yoritaoshi.

Onosato defeated Takayasu. Shoulder blast tachiai, Takayasu tried to shift left and pull Onosato’s head down. Onosato adjusted well, hopped forward, keeping his trunk centered above his feet. Takayasu tried again to pull but Onosato was too powerful and ushered Papa Bear over the bales. Yorikiri.

Wrap-up

Well. Hoshoryu got off on the wrong foot today, losing on Day One. On the other hand, Onosato just looks dominant and made a solid step forward to claiming another title. Aonishiki’s beautiful tactical win against Kirishima instantly puts him into the conversation as one of the few rikishi who might be able to challenge Onosato. Hakuoho will have his shot first, though. Hakuoho will fight Onosato tomorrow with another kinboshi on the line.

Takanosho steps up to fight Hoshoryu in the musubi-no-ichiban. Ozeki Kotozakura will fight Kirishima. Wakatakakage will try to recover against Oho. Aonishiki will fight Wakamotoharu and Takayasu will take on Hiradoumi.

Oh, it’s so nice to have sumo back. The London basho seems ages ago. Kotozakura and his father instantly became a meme as they were captured on camera in what appeared to be a very serious conversation at the senshuraku party. Kotozakura was kyujo to end Aki and missed the London trip.

It’s only Shonichi but it looks like they made a tough, but correct call to hold him out and focus on recovery. Hopefully he will stay solid this basho. Might he be able to mount a credible yusho run? I doubt he has entered many title conversations but he was able to put up nine wins in Aki with that big, meaningful win over Hoshoryu on Day 13.

Kyushu Day One Preview

Andy Kyushu 2025, Kyushu Basho , , ,

Once again, the Dohyo Matsuri will be streamed live on the Sumo Association’s YouTube channel at 8pm Eastern. For those new to the sport, this is the consecration ceremony, based on Japan’s Shinto roots. The kami are beckoned to the dohyo to watch after the action on the dohyo. Let’s hope there will be a safe tournament!

Action will begin on Sunday morning, Japan time with the Jonokuchi bouts. The Top Division action will start later in the afternoon, around 4pm until 6. The schedule of the first two days of sekitori bouts has been published.

In Sanyaku, we will have Komusubi Takanosho open things up against Hiradoumi, Wakamotoharu will fight Sekiwake Oho and Shin-Sekiwake will face Kirishima. Ozeki Kotozakura will mount the dohyo and fight Wakatakakage in a big test of the Ozeki’s fitness. Then Hoshoryu will fight Hakuoho before Onosato caps off the day against Takayasu.

Other bouts that will draw a bit of interest will be Ura versus Tamawashi, Yoshinofuji (ex-Kusano) will fight his first bout with the new shikona against Oshoma. Shodai will fight Atamifuji and Abi will take on Ichiyamamoto. A few months ago we were looking at Daieisho as an Ozeki candidate but he will fight Shishi tomorrow as he hopes to turn things around.

Be prepared to see Endo (Kitajin) and Takarafuji (Kiriyama) in new navy blue jackets. They will likely have security duties and we might see them assemble at the close of the day to help usher folks out of the arena. Sunday Morning at 1am, NHK Premium will have its Dosukoi program on Shitatenage and then Makuuchi action begins at 2am Eastern. Again, that’s a subscription service through NHK Premium. In the US and Canada it’s available with JME. For free, at 3:10am NHK World will stream action live via its website. That usually catches the second half of action, which will include the Sanyaku. The NHK Preview Show is available here.

Endo Retires

Andy Endo (遠藤), Retirement, Sumo Topics ,

News out of Oitekaze beya that Endo will retire. Though the Sumo Association has not made the official announcement, multiple media reports are confirming the decision citing sources close to the wrestler, including Nikkan Sports, Mainichi, Chunichi, Sports Hochi. I would still have held out for the official announcement but for the confirmed news that Kitajin-oyakata retired on 10/26. This was significant news because the kabu is owned by Endo and needed to be vacated so Endo could assume the name.

When the Kyushu banzuke was revealed yesterday, former Komusubi Endo had fallen from the sekitori ranks into Makushita. I anticipate the official announcement in a few hours but I will be at another family event so I wanted to get this out there. Frankly, we knew this day was coming several months ago when Endo underwent surgery on both knees. It is the end of an era.

Endo helped lead a resurgence in popularity for the sport after its nadir during the yaocho scandal of 2011. Here, we see Bruce taking a snap at one of the famous cutouts at Kokugikan. Endo was a successful rikishi at Nihon University and earned privileged debut at the rank of Ms10, like Mitakeumi and Onosato.

By virtue of that head start, Endo rose into the top division after only three tournaments, including a yusho in Juryo. He quickly rose to the Maegashira 1 rank in March 2014, his seventh professional tournament. However, injuries piled up and he wouldn’t reach Komusubi until 2018. In all, he claimed seven kinboshi in his career, including two against Hakuho.

Due to his popularity, he featured in TV commercials for sponsors like Nagatanien. He’s got that deep, gavelly voice that the ladies swoon for, amirite? Anyway, you can’t really tell because he never gets that many lines. He was rather notorious for seemingly giving the shortest answers to interview questions.

I am sure that all eight of his Shibaraku-kumadori inspired kesho mawashi will be on display at his retirement ceremony. The kabuki-themed image will likely be familiar for many of you. Unfortunately, the Instagram images that I featured in that article are gone but you may recognize this design It’s a brand of Nagatanien ochazuke toppings; a play on the word for “in a little while”. You can see it on his yukata in this ad and on Bruce’s picture, above. He actually has eight of these, each of a different color.

This takes me back to when I was first starting the blog back in 2014. I was consuming sumo any way I could. Thankfully these Araibira videos are still up. He had been chased from YouTube to Vimeo. (The struggle never ends but at least there is a lot more content out there now, including legit sources from the Sumo Association, the stables themselves, and even a bit from NHK and Abema.)

But, I digress. That year, Endo still had a zambara hair-style because it was too short for a top-knot. Above, we see him against Kotooshu — now Naruto-oyakata. We might think of that bout as Kotooshu handing over his role as the “ladies man” to the heart-throb of the new generation. And another video with a beautiful escape against his rival, Osunaarashi.

Good luck, Endo, in your second career! We are eager to see you churn out another generation of rikishi.

Kyushu 2025 Banzuke Released

Andy Banzuke, Banzuke (番付), Kyushu 2025, Kyushu Basho ,

The Kyushu Banzuke was released. A few days ago, I posted this summary to give a bit more information about this all-important ranking sheet and explain what you see there. Here it is in Japanese, and English from the Sumo Association website.

Leonid’s banzuke prediction worked out pretty well. On my first glance, he got everything right down to Fujinokawa. Wow. I’d be doing burnouts if my banzuke looked like that. I’ll let him break it down in more detail.

Kusano has changed his shikona to Yoshinofuji (義ノ富士). Aonishiki is shin-Sekiwake. Oho returns to the rank. Takanosho returns to Komusubi. Former Ozeki Asanoyama has moved on up to Juryo 4, much closer to a return to the top division. Injured ENDO has fallen from the salaried ranks at Makushita 3 East. ENHO has climbed up to Makushita 17 West.

Oitekaze-beya’s Kaki has jumped up to Sandanme 31 East. Watch this 190cm youngster. He’s won the Jonokuchi and Jonidan titles. American Hikarumusashi, aka Musashigawa’s nephew Daniel, slipped to Sandanme 73 after a tough 2-5 result at Aki. We’ll pay close attention to maezumo as well this tournament as we might get the debut of Isegahama’s big prospect, Battsetseg Ochirsaihan.