Day 12 in Tokyo. Asanoyama and Kotozakura are kyujo. Kotoeiho and Churanoumi will receive default wins. I also wanted to bring up the kyujo of Yumenofuji now that more information has been made available.
On Day 10, Yumenofuji fought Tsurubayashi and suffered a hard fall as both men crashed from the dohyo. He was not moving and was removed from the arena by a stretcher. Terunofuji was there, pictured with Yumenofuji as he was wheeled away. News is that he’s had an MRI and been diagnosed with a concussion (no shit) and has been suffering from nausea and headaches. We’re definitely thankful it isn’t worse.
Down in Juryo, Enho lost another one. This time, he was initially awarded the pushout win but the call was overturned by the shimpan who decided he was dead while Hatsuyama was still in. NHK videos are here. Kazekeno (10-2) continues to hold onto his two-stroke lead over Kazuma (8-3).
Makuuchi Action
Kyokukaiyu (7-5 Juryo) defeated Tamawashi (2-10). After the tachiai, Kyokukaiyu shifted left and drove forward from Tamawashi’s side. He quickly plowed through the dohyo and forced Tamwashi over the edge. I think Tamawashi just punched his ticket to Juryo. If so, an era ends. Yorikiri.
Mitakeumi (7-5) defeated Shishi (3-9). Mitakeumi let Shishi fumble around for a little bit before he hooked his right arm under Shishi’s left and pressed forward, forcing Shishi back and over the edge. Shishi isn’t safe from the drop. Yorikiri.
Ryuden (5-7) defeated Tokihayate (4-8). Ryuden got his left hand uwate and Tokihayate was toast. Ryuden needs to win out to be absolutely safe but could conceivably avoid the drop with two more wins. But it will be tight. Yorikiri.
Ura (9-3) defeated Fujiryoga (8-4). Ura hooked his right arm in Fujiryoga’s left, pivoted, and toppled Fujiryoga. Sukuinage.
Kotoeiho (10-2) defaut win over Asanoyama (7-5).
Roga (7-5) defeated Nishikifuji (3-9). Roga grabbed Nishikifuji with his left hand uwate and drove forward, forcing Nishikifuji out, easily. Yorikiri.
Oshoma (6-6) defeated Wakanosho (6-6). Oshoma’s tsuppari was too strong for Wakanosho. Wakanosho made initial progress to force Oshoma to the edge. Oshoma seemed to use the edge for leverage and powered forward, knocking Wakanosho clear over the edge. Oshidashi.
Asahakuryu (4-8) defeated Oshoumi (3-9). Migi-yotsu. Asahakuryu was too strong for Oshoumi and pressed forward, forcing Oshoumi over the edge and likely into Juryo. Yorikiri.
Chiyoshoma (5-7) defeated Kinbozan (5-7). Motoki with the Big D put a halt to the fight, judging Chiyoshoma jumped early. Matta. On the second attempt Chiyoshoma reached back and grabbed Kinbozan’s mawashi way back by the thong, drove forward and forced Kinbozan out. Both men tumbled down the dohyo. Out of nowhere, Motoki pulled out a packet of almonds. “Want some of D’s nuts?” Watashikomi.
Shodai (6-6) defeated Abi (4-8). Abi laid into Shodai with tsuppari and nodowa, forcing him back. Shodai slipped left and pulled Abi down at the edge. Tsukiotoshi.
Halftime
Oho (6-6) defeated Hakunofuji (8-4). Hidari yotsu. Oho used his right hand uwate to press Hakunofuji back to the edge. At the edge, Oho pivoted and dragged Hakunofuji down by that right hand. Hakunofuji seemed to hurt his left ankle and was slow to get up. He limped slowly up the hanamichi. Uwatenage.
Yoshinofuji (9-3) defeated Tobizaru (9-3). Yoshinofuji caught the monkey, contained him, and pushed him clear off the dohyo. Oshidashi.
Hiradoumi (5-7) defeated Ichiyamamoto (5-7). Ichiyamamoto pivoted and tried to pull Hiradoumi down but it was Hiradoumi who pulled Ichiyamamoto down with help from a tug on his belt. Shitatenage.
Fujinokawa (6-6) defeated Daieisho (5-7). Fujinokawa blitzed Daieisho and blasted him from the ring as Daieisho pulled. Oshidashi.
Takanosho (5-7) defeated Wakamotoharu (3-9). Wakamotoharu pulled but got lost half way to the edge. Takanosho showed him the way to the exit and ushered him over the edge.
Sanyaku
Wakatakakage (9-3) defeated Gonoyama (8-4). Wakatakakage pulled after the tachiai and Gonoyama fell forward. Someone had done their homework. Tsukiotoshi.
Churanoumi (8-4) default win over Kotozakura (3-9).
Atamifuji(6-6) defeated Fujiseiun (5-7). Fujiseiun drove forward and forced Atamifuji back to the edge. Atamifuji twisted and thrust Fujiseiun down while stepping out. Gunbai Fujiseiun. Mono-ii. After video review, the shimpan decided on a rematch. In the rematch, Atamifuji dominated and forced Fujiseiun back and out. Yorikiri.
Kirishima (10-2) defeated Kotoshoho (7-5). The pair traded slapdown attempts. Kirishima’s was effective. Hatakikomi.
Wrap-Up
Yusho Race:
- Two-Losses: Kirishima, Kotoeiho
- Three-Losses: Wakatakakage, Yoshinofuji, Ura, Tobizaru
Beginning on Day 13, the bout announcements get delayed as match-makers try to figure out the best pairings for the days ahead. So, we do not have tomorrow’s torikumi yet. One thing’s for sure, there will be no Ozeki battle on senshuraku. Kirishima’s only remaining sanyaku opponent is Atamifuji.
I wonder if the Kyokai will pair him with two rank-and-filers (Churanoumi and Fujiseiun?) for Days 13 & 14, then hold out for the Atamifuji bout on senshuraku. They might even shove Kotoeiho up there now and try to put an end to his yusho hopes quickly.
Tune in tomorrow to see where this hot mess takes us next.
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I didn’t pay much attention to pre basho chatter but has there been any Kirishima Yokozuna talk at all, assuming he gets his second in a row? I assume not given his last Yusho was from Sekiwake, and I think winning in this depleted field isn’t going to change many minds
At the beginning of this ever-shrinking tournament our English play by play dudes were saying the Yokozuna might await Kirishima in July if he wins this weekend. Don’t think they explored Kirishima going 15-0 here so I’m left to guess no, not even then. I’m totally ill-equipped to guess about this hypothetical stuff but I seem to do a lot of it regardless.
Sounds like some people are putting the cart before the horse.
I’ve not seen anything, likely for the reasons you mentioned. He’d need to win here (not guaranteed) plus Nagoya with likely a full slate of top guys. I’m not even going to think about it until he has an Ozeki yusho in his pocket and is on Day 10 of a second consecutive yusho run.
Its not impossible for Tamawashi to survive, but getting quite unlikely even if makes an improbable recovery, unfortunately. I think he needs one more win to get ahead of Kisenosato, though – let’s see how that goes..
I hope he survives because I want to see ihm at the Paris tournament :)
I love the subtle brag. Report back on your experience! It sounds like it will be fun.
He’ll be in Paris if he’s fit to travel. They don’t release the updated banzuke until after the Paris event so everyone in makuuchi now will be offered seats on the plane, though the way things are going it’ll be more like a medical evacuation flight.
When the Paris tournament is the may banzuke is still the one, that counts. So he will be stiil makuuchi. If he is not hurt anymore, you will see him there.
I should have read the thread out first before posting. One so eagerly wants to show his knowledge. Feels a bit foolish now.
LOL. I’ve done it 1000 times.
it looks like it’s Kirishima‘s Basho to win. All he has to do is overcome the tub of Chanko Nabi known as Atamifugi. Talks of Yokozuna promotion are extremely premature.I think back to when Kirishima was being talked about for Yokozuna promotion several years ago, then he got air-mailed out of the Dohyo, four rows deep into the crowd by Teronofugi. It took him a couple years to recover from that both physically and psychologically. I’d rather wait a year or more to see a true Yokozuna ascend rather than over-promote another Ozeki that receives the receives promotion simply because they were available not because they are ready to fight like a true Yokozuna.
If he wins this basho and the next one too, he will become yokozuna without any discussion.
Only if he won one basho and had a jun or even a yusho doten in the other the promotion would be uncertain.
I’m waiting for my pet pig to sprout wings and fly to freedom.
LOL. I think back to two months ago when everyone was talking about Yokozuna Aonishiki. Now there’s just a painful hole in my soul.
Yes, almost every lead up to forth coming bashos, the media hype talk is of a repeat performance to promotion possibility of so and so wrestler, to within sanyaku level, especially to Ozeki or Yokozuna. As we know, winning a Yusho is incredibly difficult, to repeat it two or three times in a row, nearly impossible for majority of rikishi, without even factoring in the injury possibilities. That’s what makes watching exciting for me, it’s like a horse race, anything can happen!
Kotoeiho versus Kirishima tomorrow. Your last thought was indeed the correct one Andy.
I guess the JSA don’t want either a Maegashira #13 or #15 to win the Emperor’s Cup? Still, both Kotoeiho and Tobizaru will see an improvement in their rank next basho.
Kotozakura – a spent force?
Kazekeno lost to Asasuiryu to become indeed (10-2), but Kazuma defeated Daiseizan, so he’s with (9-3) only one loss behind. Go, Kazuma, go!
Asanoyama fell on his bad knee yesterday at the end of the Tobizaru bout. I hope he will recover quickly and join the Paris tour. Would he once again do the journey upwards from lower divisions? Probably not.
Nikkan Sports write that he even hoped to come back to the basho and end it with a kachikoshi. I don’t know how realistic that is, but he probably won’t miss Paris.
Ah. Thank you for the correction. I’ll try to get that updated today.
Wakamotoharu: It looked like he just quit and allowed himself to be pushed out. I wonder if he thought he’d stepped out?
Atamifuji bout: I think the do-over was the correct call. I’m sure the focus was on his toe; did it touch outside. Slow motion after slow motion didn’t appear to show a mark but I sure couldn’t figure it out. I doubt a piece of paper could have slid in there, either.
Asanoyama: Oh no! Only one more win needed, too.
Ura! I love that guy. :) Always entertaining.
Wakamotoharu has been THE disappointment of the last four bashos and it’s a crowded field. He’s been way, way off his previous level without an obvious injury issue reported anywhere.
This sure is fun, y’all. Seriously, just watching Ura and Tobizaru has kept me in such a good mood all day long that my family wonders what’s up.
As of today, five juryo results would be promotable.
If that stayed so, Oshoumi and Tamawashi would be doomed already, while Ryuden would probably need three wins, Shishi and Tokihayate two, Wakanosho and even Nishikifuji one to be completely safe.
I do not think we will see Tamawashi in juryo. I think he will caĺl it quit and become oyakata.
If he goes intai, which would make me truly very sad, I’d rather see him wildly successful in some crafty pursuit, like to become the Cake Boss of Japan, or fabric designer of yukata fabrics.
Cake Boss would be a great name for a chain of bakeries! If Tamawashi became a fabric designer he should consult with Shikimori Kandayu, who just this year has debuted two sets of hitatare which he designed for himself.
However, I think Tamawashi would be best placed as a coach, because his experience would be very useful in helping young rikishi, especially to separate work and play. Tamawashi’s various hobbies help him relax, to better recover after matches and bashos. There’s a kabu just made available via a retirement. I hope he snags it! That way he can keep going for another 24 years! Long live Tamawashi!
Long live Tamawashi, cheers!
That would be brilliant.
Sports Hochi:
„Although this tournament marked his 100th consecutive basho in Makuuchi, his current record makes a relegation to Juryo for the next basho unavoidable. He calmly accepted the result, saying, ‘I guess I’m going down.’ He continued, looking forward, ‘But I want to keep going as long as I can. If I drop to Juryo, I will work hard to get back up. The remaining three bouts are important. I haven’t given up. As long as I still have this feeling of frustration, I’ll be fine,’ said the 41-year-old iron man.“
Thanks Herbern for this, so encouraging to know how he feels in the moment after day 12! I love his fighting spirit, he is so so inspiring!
I’m inclined to agree. My only equivocation is whether the records mean enough to him where he might see if he can get healthy enough to go for them.
But what happened to D’s nuts?
Forgive me if this is already aired but given all the injuries these days and even recent years would it perhaps be a good move to reduce the number of tournaments per year to say four? Two in Tokyo, two elsewhere on a rotating basis? As a relative newcomer to sumo it seems to me insane to ask these guys to fight every two months plus train plus do outreach work plus whatever else. I’m not surprised they are falling like flies. We might get more quality, excitement and well-being, rather than overexposure and harm. Richyaado
Yes, many have suggested something similar. Did you know that the “outreach work” consists of regional tours 4x a year? Moving to a different city each day for 2-4 weeks. That means that after all but two basho, the upper division wresters have almost zero time to rest (or to properly train, for that matter…) Add to all that the harsh way absences are treated for the banzuke – yes, they are basically grinding the wrestlers down systematically.
Thank you for your comment! We seem to be in violent agreement, as a colleague once noted to me. Yep, I was at the December 2025 Jungyo outreach event, and great fun it was. The two rikishi demonstrating what NOT to do in sumo were top class comedians, I felt, right from when one fell flat on his face on first entering the dohyo to their exit when they chucked huge handfuls of salt over the spectators. Will the burden ever become lighter? Maybe only when there are too many injuries and absences. Or maybe not, even then.
You’re definitely not alone in wanting to limit the tournaments.
I wonder what it will take?!
Imperial decree. It’s a Catch-22. The Association, the heya, and wrestlers need money. Sitting at home doesn’t bring in money. Tournaments and tours sustain the sport. Yeah, they’re risky for injury but it is a combat sport.