JME coverage started at 2:30 this morning with the final three bouts of the Makushita yusho playoff. For those of you who couldn’t catch it live, remember JME will replay the action through the day on their dedicated sumo page.
Usually, JME coverage begins with the first bout of Makuuchi, though we occasionally see a Yokozuna dohyo-iri if the action is running a little behind. On senshuraku, JME coverage starts a half-hour early. It’s great to see these Playoffs live.
Asahifuji defeated Wakamiyabi in the Final with a henka, followed by solid migi-yotsu belt work to force Wakamiyabi out. Congratulations Asahifuji!
Next up came the four-way Juryo playoff. As Asashosakari had pointed out in the comments, I had missed the Asasuiryu vs Hatsuyama bout. Asasuiryu won it and earned his spot in the playoff. Shonannoumi lost to Tokihayate, setting the playoff into motion. Toshinofuji and Arashifuji also won their bouts to earn their spots.
The boys drew lots for the semi-final and Shonannoumi beat Asasuiryu, shifting to the side and then spinning Asasuiryu out. Toshinofuji hit Arashifuji with a solid tachiai. Arashifuji pulled but Toshinofuji stuck with him and ushered him out. Shonannoumi defeated Toshinofuji to claim the Juryo yusho. Toshinofuji’s loose mawashi still provided enough leverage for Shonannoumi when he grabbed Toshinofuji’s belt with both hands outside and spun Toshinofuji out over the edge.
Next up was the Yusho presentation ceremony for all of the lower divisions. Here, we saw that Tenshoyama had beaten Tochimusashi for the Sandanme title. Like most of the other playoffs, Abema TV posted video of the final fight on their Twitter feed (above). Day 13 action had already determined Hakugetsuro won Jonidan and Kakizoe won Jonokuchi. They picked up their certificates and the Makuuchi dohyo-iri promptly followed.
The special prize announcements went relatively as predicted. Aonishiki received the Technique prize and Atamifuji won the Fighting Spirit prize unconditionally. They shouldn’t need the added motivation for their yusho battle. However, the rest of the special prizes are dependent on victory. If Fujinokawa beats Fujiseiun, he will pick up his kachi-koshi and the Outstanding Performance Prize. Kotoeiho, Takayasu, Fujiryoga, Takerufuji, and Shishi are eligible for Fighting Spirit Prizes on the condition that they win their bouts.
Makuuchi Action
Kazuma (5-10) defeated Sadanoumi (5-10). Kazuma rather easily dispatched Sadanoumi. He lead with his head, so Sadanoumi pulled. Kazuma chased with excellent footwork and ushered Sadanoumi out. Oshidashi.
Kinbozan (9-6) defeated Mitakeumi (2-13). Mitakeumi missed grabbing Kinbozan’s belt with his left hand. Kinbozan had no problem forcing him back and out. Yorikiri.
Nishikifuji (10-5) defeated Chiyoshoma (5-10). Nishikifuji tried to get a hidari-yotsu belt grip but Chiyoshoma’s tsuppari and pull kept him from getting a solid grip. However, Nishikifuji moved forward and still shoved Chiyoshoma out. Oshidashi.
Asakoryu (9-6) defeated Fujiryoga (10-5). Fujiryoga charged forward to attack Asakoryu but Asakoryu shifted left along the tawara, got in behind the over-eager Fujiryoga, and pushed him out from behind. One could feel Fujiryoga’s disappointment as the camera followed him up the hanamichi. Okuridashi.
Roga (9-6) defeated Shishi (10-5). Excellent hidari-yotsu battle here. Shishi tried to topple Roga with a shitatenage but Roga kept his balance and used his uwate grip to push Shishi forward to the edge. Shishi attempted to re-engage but Roga crushed him over the bales. Yoritaoshi.
Asahakuryu (7-8) defeated Wakamotoharu (6-9). Asahakuryu out-WMH’d Wakamotoharu. Wakamotoharu drove forward behind tsuppari. Asahakuryu shifted left along the bales and drove forward into Wakamotoharu, forcing him out. Yorikiri.
Takayasu (11-4) defeated Asanoyama (9-6). After a lengthy migi-yotsu battle, Takayasu persevered and claimed his Fighting Spirit prize. Takayasu pulled hard with his uwatenage. Asanoyama did not go down but Takayasu followed up with tsuppari and shoved Asanoyama over the bales. Oshidashi.
Kotoeiho (11-4) defeated Takerufuji (10-5). Takerufuji pulled but Kotoeiho kept that right arm hooked under Takerufuji’s left shoulder and ran him out of the dohyo, throwing him three rows deep into the crowd below. Oshidashi.
Shodai (5-10) defeated Daiseizan (6-9). Shodai showed no signs of the injury I thought he had. He hit Daiseizan hard, got a morozashi as he hooked both arms up under Daiseizan’s shoulders, turned and forced Daiseizan out. Jerry Ziesmer’s voice: “Terminate. With extreme prejudice.” Yorikiri.
Oshoma (7-8) defeated Onokatsu (4-11). Oshoma’s tsuppari was too powerful for Onokatsu. He shoved Onokatsu back to the bales and then grabbed him to keep him from falling off. (Always a popular gesture.) Oshidashi.
Halftime
Abi (7-8) defeated Ura (5-10). Textbook Abi-zumo. Abi layed into Ura with tsuppari. He tried one pull which forced Ura to stumble forward. Abi followed up with thrusts, driving Ura out. Tsukidashi.
Ichiyamamoto (6-9) defeated Tobizaru (5-10). Textbook Abi-zumo. Rinse and repeat here, though Ichiyamamoto’s initial thrusts were more nodowa than tsuppari. So, I guess that makes it Ichiyama-zumo rather than Abi-zumo. Similar strategy, same effect today. Tsukidashi.
Gonoyama defeated Hiradoumi. Gonoyama blitzed Hiradoumi and trust him out with strong tsuppari. It was kind of like Gonoyama did his best Hiradoumi impression at the tachiai. Oshidashi.
Churanoumi defeated Takanosho. Takanosho hit Churanoumi with his nodowa. Churanoumi tried to get that left hand inside, regardless. Takanosho slapped Churanoumi to keep him away. Churanoumi spun back, grabbed Takanosho’s right arm and pulled him forward. Hikkake.
Fujinokawa (8-7) defeated Fujiseiun (7-8). Fujiseiun did not have a chance. Fujinokawa came in hot and drilled Fujiseiun in the chin with his tachiai. Fujinokawa wrapped up Fujiseiun and forced him back over the bales. Yorikiri.
Sanyaku
Hakunofuji (9-6) defeated Oho (2-13). Hakunofuji got a morozashi quickly and drove Oho to the edge. Oho resisted and tried an uwatenage but Hakunofuji stablized himself with his hold of Oho’s belt. He then shoved Oho down. Yoritaoshi.
Daieisho (10-5) defeated Yoshinofuji (6-9). Textbook Daieisho-zumo. He brawled with Yoshinofuji, meeting thrust with thrust. Finally, he shifted left and thrust Yoshinofuji down. Both Komusubi will vacate their offices. Tsukiotoshi.
Kore-yori Sanyaku
Arrows — Atamifuji (12-3) defeated Aonishiki (12-3). Atamifuji pushed out with his right hand to block Aonishiki’s left hand. Aonishiki pulled but Atamifuji was ready and shoved Aonishiki off the dohyo. We will have another play-off! Oshidashi.
Bow String — Kirishima (12-3) defeated Kotohachinana (??-??). Kirishima got a left hand uwate and pulled Koto87 forward to the edge and forced him out. Kirishima has a spot in the playoff. Yorikiri.
Bow — Onosato defeated Kotoshoho. Migi-yotsu. Onosato grabbed Kotoshoho. Kotoshoho reversed along the edge, trying to topple the Yokozuna with a sukuinage, but Onosato shoved him down. Oshitaoshi.
Playoff (決定巴戦)
First man to two consecutive wins, wins the title. The three men drew lots. First up, Atamifuji versus Kirishima.
Atamifuji defeated Kirishima. Atamifuji enveloped Kirishima and forced him back to the edge quickly, trying to get a kimedashi, double outside grip. At the bales, Kirishima resisted and Atamifuji shoved him over the bales. Next up, Aonishiki.
Aonishiki defeated Atamifuji. This time, Aonishiki landed his left hand grip. He used it to force Atamifuji back to the edge and out. That means Kirishima is back!
Aonishiki defeated Kirishima. Aonishiki again got his left hand grip. As Kirishima tried to figure out what to do, Aonishiki wrapped his left foot around Kirishima’s right and shoved forward. On replay, as they cycled around, you can see Aonishiki was waiting for Kirishima’s leg to drift to far forward. Aonishiki Yusho!
There seemed to be some confusion as to whether Aonishiki was supposed to go down and get his hair redone, again, before the presentation ceremony. But, well, that’s it for sumo action in Nagoya, July 2026. NHK News starts 20 minutes late with the lead story that Aonishiki claimed his third title. Congratulations, Aonishiki!
That’s not it for sumo coverage from Nagoya, though. We will hear about Juryo promotions early this week and I’ll bring that news to you. I’ll also aim for weekly Jungyo updates.
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Well that was a thrilling end! I like all three rikishi in the play-off, so would have been happy whoever won, but I am quietly glad that the young Ukranian got the yusho AND his Ozeki position back. At one point I thought they were just going to go straight to the news on the hour and leave us all hanging, but they didn’t.
Mighty Mouse Fujinokawa (Murray Johnson’s “excitment machine”) did well too, kachi-koshi, thankfully! Takerufuji, Asakoryu, and Kotoeiho – all good. A shame for Yoshinofuji not to get his kachi-koshi, I feel for him, but next time, hopefully.
Great tournament all round; all the drama, all the upsets, all the highs and lows.
Thank you Andy and the Tachiai team for all the great round-ups and insights, and thanks everyone else for your opinions and observations which really add to the whole yusho experience.
Karen, stroopwaffel – yes, I have them hot over coffee, they’re better that way, imo. A habit I picked up when I moved here, but I have to limit myself to one or two a week, and not one with every coffee! The coffee house I tend to frequent makes their own, which is double yum!
September seems a long time away but it will be here before we know it. I’m quietly going to have another go at guessing the banzuke, sorry, scientifically working out the banzuke….but just for my own edification!
’til next time.
Geez, Aonishiki looked in so much pain after his battle with Kirishima. The guy has guts. Hats off to him.
Once again Andy and Tachiai made this tournament seem even better than it was. Tall order, because this was a very enjoyable tournament. For Sumo fans anyway. There are several rikishi who haven’t enjoyed it one bit. Congratulations to Aonishiki, who if injuries allow will be our next Yokozuna, maybe by next year. Saying “if injuries allow” in Grand Sumo though, pretty much applies to every wrestler working for a promotion. Wait… I forgot about Kirishima. Are we ready for four Yokozuna?
If injuries allow…
Just occurred to me that Aonishiki or Kirishima could easily be the next Yokozuna to win a yusho. Hoshoryu and Onosato should think about how that would feel.
What a sensurak!! We got play-offs in 3 lower divs. (including 7men chaos at makushita) this afternoon. But they were just appetizers what’s coming.
Atamifuji looked invincible when he beat AO. I thought he’s gonna get the yusho out right. But AO’s coming back was epic, with a bad ankle.
It was a long sensurak, but action packed and breathtaking day, which capped the memorable basho.
Thanks again Andy and the Tachiai team for great coverage.
My question would be… since Kirishima has now been in back-to-back playoffs for the yushō at Ōzeki, would that be enough to promote him to Yokozuna? I know the general standard is either back-to-back yushō, or two in a three-bashō span, or an equivalent performance…
Yusho was as sekiwake, so does not count. Then ozeki to be promoted has to win two back to back yusho or equivalent. And equivalent isnt 12-3 jun-yusho, it should be 13-2 at minumum, or better, at most occasions.
They might have an out in that his 12-3 in May was without fighting either Yokozonas nor his fellow Ozekis. I mean sure, you can only fight who is available, but still…
What an incredibly exciting finale. I can’t recall watching a three-way playoff before. I’m exhausted just from watching.
Asanoyama vs Takayasu: 2 minutes and 7 seconds (per announcer-guy). I can’t figure out why the bout wasn’t stopped, though, with that extremely loose mawashi. Another couple of inches and they’d be tripping on it…and Takayasu was handicapped by the lack of a stable gripping point.
I’m with Betty as I, too, like all three rikishi in the playoff. Atamifuji beats Aonishiki in the Day 15 match but then Aonishiki turns the tables in the playoff.
Those three men must be completely spent. So exciting.
Shodai! Well! He can show a bit of spunk on the odd occasion.
Onosato: At least he managed 9 wins.
Thank you, Andy, for the great coverage, and to all who provide commentary and your thoughts. I always learn a lot on Tachiai…including how to prepare fish ($220! I’m still in shock).
Nothing better on a rainy Sunday after a Friday funeral to have a sumo basho senshuraku. It was a good one, all 15 days long.
Aonishiki did it again, in spite of injury! Sure the Ukrainian is an extraordinary fighter, and he deserves well having three yusho under his belt now and returning to Ozeki! But I‘m afraid to say he doesn‘t make my heart sing, and he‘s not the person to make everything groovy. I still tried to empathize with him at his second yusho ceremony, but I’ve given up now, because it was all so business again. Not a single spark of joy. Congratulations to him as well!
Kirishima had it in his hands to win this basho, but his foot stepped out while fluidly reacting to Aonishiki‘s sotogake. I don‘t know what he had planned for Atamifuji, and I could‘t make it out when they were fighting. But I know he will try again and be a real Ozeki for Aki basho, too. With the b2b jun-yusho in his akeni there will be no interruption to his endeavor.
The makushita and juryo playoffs were really exciting! Well done Wakamiyabi, Asahifuji‘s henka attempt didn‘t decide the bout immediately.
I was rooting for Asasuiryu as ever, but… the nerves again! I never trusted Shonannoumi a yusho, but here we are. Strong performance!
Thank you again, dear Andy, for keeping up with the basho, it‘s always great to read your summaries and enjoy your esprit! Greetings to Tachiai-team in the backgrounds, and many thanks for everyone‘s comments, remarks and talks! See you in September!
One of the best tournaments in a long time! Real competition! What would it be if yokozunas were also in good shape? I wonder how Aonishiki would fare against Hakuho? Is Aonishiki known in Ukraine?
Can somebody explain the Kotohachinana joke to me? My very basic Japanese tells me that could mean Koto-8-9, but why? And why the (??-??) ?
Nevermind, Koto-8-7, of course. Now I get it. It’s also written just a few words after that. Sorry!
hachi = 8
nana = 7