Haru 2025

Haru 2025: Day Two

Andy Haru 2025 , ,

Haru Basho Day Two begins. News from the infirmary, Nishikifuji is kyujo, Ryuden will get the default win. We will see some Juryo visitors from tomorrow.

Hoshoryu and Kotozakura certainly got off on the wrong foot on Day One. We will see today how well they recover. Elsewhere in the Dorji clan family tree, Tenrose picked up his first win of his career today. Will his cousin follow that up with a win today?

Yesterday, Sadanoumi lost to the rare technique of okurihikiotoshi. Tachiai reader, Joboryu, checked out the wealth of kimarite videos at the NHK World website and saw that, coincidentally, Sadanoumi features in the video about okurihikiotoshi. NHK World does have a great deal of explainer videos, in English, including the kimarite videos and the Sumopedia. If you ever run across a term you’re not familiar with, chances are it is explained there.

Speaking of videos, the NHK videos are here: Juryo Part I & Part II, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Mitakeumi (1-1) defeated Tokihayate (1-1). Tokihayate tried to draw Mitakeumi to the bales and then throw him over. Mitakeumi went along for the ride to the edge but kept his balance and gently forced Tokihayate out. Yorikiri. Tokihayate will face Tamashoho, visiting from Juryo, tomorrow.

Kotoshoho (2-0) defeated Shirokuma (0-2). Kotoshoho pivoted as the two neared the edge and twisted Shirokuma down. Sukuinage. Shirokuma will face Mitakeumi.

Asakoryu (2-0) defeated Aonishiki (0-2). Asakoryu went for the slap-down win three times. On the third attempt, he caught Aoinishiki out and Aonishiki stumbled forward toward the edge. Asakoryu was quick to follow up and blast Aonishiki from behind. Okuridashi. Asakoryu will face Kotoshoho tomorrow.

Churanoumi (2-0) defeated Sadanoumi (0-2). These two jumped early, twice. Sadanoumi nearly forced Churanoumi out but Churanoumi recovered, drove Sadanoumi through the ring and walked him over the edge. Yorikiri. Sadanoumi will face Aonishiki.

Ryuden (2-0) fusen win over Nishikifuji (0-2).

Shishi (1-1) defeated Takarafuji (1-1). Takarafuji got a firm right hand over-arm grip of Shishi’s belt. But Shishi countered with his lefthand inside, dragged Takarafuji across to the opposite edge and roughly dropped him along the bales. Shitatenage. Takarafuji will fight Ryuden and Shishi will face Churanoumi.

Onokatsu (2-0) defeated Midorifuji (1-1). Onokatsu successfully worked his way inside on Midorifuji and forced him to the edge. Midorifuji tried a kubinage but his foot went out as he tried to brace his lower body and gain leverage. Andrew noticed the two gold stripes at the front of Midorifuji’s new mawashi. Some may think it’s an indicator of rank, like stripes like on a karate or judo belt. Nope, they’re the mark of the maker. Herouth found an awesome video with Nakagawa-san and posted it in her excellent “splainer” article about mawashi. A great read. Feel free to go there, now. I will wait. Aside from the video, there is so much information that you’re sure to discover something new there that you didn’t know. Yorikiri.

Meisei (1-1) defeated Shonnanoumi (0-2). Welcome back. I told you that was a great article, didn’t I? Bookmark it. You’ll be back. Shonannoumi lured Meisei to the edge and tried a pull but Meisei was in perfect position and kept hammering Shonannoumi with tsuppari, shoving him over the bales. Oshidashi. Meisei will face Onokatsu.

Hakuoho (2-0) defeated Nishikigi (0-2). Hakuoho got a great blast out of the tachiai and forced Nishikigi back. Nishikigi tried a pull but Hakuoho was in great position and shoved him out. Yorikiri. Nishikigi will take on Midorifuji.

Endo (2-0) defeated Atamifuji (1-1). Atamifuji charged forward and Endo pulled, slapping Atamifuji down on the edge before he clumsily tumbled backward into the crowd for some fansa. Gunbai Atamifuji. Video showed Endo’s foot stayed in, on the top of the bales, so a quick mono-ii resulted in a reversal. Katasukashi. Endo will face Shonannoumi on Day Three.

Tamawashi (1-1) defeated Oshoma (0-2). Oshoma tried a pull but Tamawashi was wise and shoved Oshoma out. Oshidashi. Oshoma will face Atamifuji tomorrow. Tamawashi will take on Hakuoho. That could be a good one.

Halftime

Shodai (1-1) defeated Hiradoumi (1-1). Hiradoumi pulled and Shodai tumbled to the clay…but the overcaffeinated Hiradoumi had stepped out before Shodai fell. So, Shodai picked up the Oshidashi win.

Takerufuji (2-0) defeated Kinbozan (0-2). Kinbozan tried for a quick henka and slapdown but did not henka enough. Takerufuji was in great position and chased Kinbozan out. Oshidashi. Takerufuji will fight Hiradoumi and Kinbozan will try to recover against Shodai.

Takayasu (2-0) defeated Ura (1-1). Takayasu pounded away at Ura with a steady torrent of tsuppari. Ura found no openings for an attack, so when Takayasu stepped to the side, Ura rolled to the exits. Hatakikomi.

Ichiyamamoto (1-1) defeated Takanosho (0-2). Ichiyamamoto settled into a grapple but churned his legs and drove Takanosho to the edge. Yorikiri. Ichiyamamoto will face Takayasu tomorrow; Takanosho gets Ura.

Sanyaku

Abi (2-0) defeated Tobizaru (0-2). Abi’s first slapdown attempt was a dud. But eventually Tobizaru charged forward at the wrong time and Abi slipped to the left, letting Tobizaru fly down into the crowd. Tsukiotoshi.

Daieisho (1-1) defeated Chiyoshoma (1-1). Daieisho’s thrusts were too much for Chiyoshoma. Chiyoshoma had no chance to get inside and get a belt grip against that. Tsukidashi.

Wakamotoharu (2-0) defeated Oho (0-2). Oho was smart enough not to fall for Wakamotoharu’s trap at the edge. But Wakamotoharu was not going to fall for Oho’s backwards-business, either. So, Oho grabbed at Wakamotoharu and tried to tip him over but Wakamotoharu latched on and twisted Oho all the way down. Sukuinage.

Onosato (2-0) defeated Kirishima (1-1). Steady Onosato maintained his balance as Kirishima grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the edge. Onosato worked his arm free then thrust Kirishima into the crowd. Oshidashi.

Kotozakura (1-1) defeated Gonoyama (1-1). Kotozakura moved forward well today. He wrapped up Gonoyama, worked him to the edge when Gonoyama tried an ill-conceived pull, then forced him out. Yorikiri.

Hoshoryu (1-1) defeated Wakatakakage (0-2). Wakatakakage tried to draw Hoshoryu to the bales and Hoshoryu obliged but Hoshoryu wrapped up Wakatakage firmly and drove him off the dohyo and into the crowd. Yorikiri.

Wrap-up.

The three men who featured in Hatsu’s playoff have combined for one win over these first two days. Hoshoryu and Kotozakura turned things around and along side steady Onosato, all three champions picked up white stars today.

Hoshoryu will face Wakamotoharu tomorrow while Onosato will take on Gonoyama and Kotozakura fights Abi. Abi has definitely been having an excellent start to this tournament and is hitting Kotozakura at a time when the Ozeki appears vulnerable. Yes, Kotozakura moved forward today but I wonder if that was due to Gonoyama’s pull. Abi has shown excellent, powerful forward moving sumo as well as his deft, lateral moves. Anything but backwards and he could be an early favorite this tournament.

Further down the torikumi, we’ve got Daieisho against Wakatakakage, Oho versus Tobizaru, and Kirishima against Chiyoshoma. One of those names does not seem to fit along with the others, does it? Chiyoshoma showed he can be a danger on the belt, though. Kirishima is not known to keep his opponents at bay with tsuppari but he may want to try that tomorrow. Nevertheless, Kirishima has won their last four bouts. Is Chiyoshoma heading for a deep makekoshi?

Haru 2025: Shonichi

Andy Haru 2025

Our news starts today with Bout #2 down in Jonokuchi where young Hikarumusashi, nephew of Musashigawa-oyakata, got his career started with a win over Kaitoma. Congratulations! Overwhelming forward power. We will see more of that later. Thanks to Lulit over on Twitter for the clip below.

No one is kyujo in the top division to start this tournament. Kitanowaka is kyujo in Juryo. Your NHK videos are here: Juryo Part I and Part II, Makuuchi Part I and Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Tokihayate defeated Shirokuma. Power sumo from the pint-sized Tokihayate as he wrapped up Shirokumi with both hands inside, right hand firmly on Shirokuma’s belt and left arm hugging his trunk. Tokihayate charged forward and slammed Shirokuma onto his back outside the ring. Well, then. That’s a result. Shirokuma needs to go back to the drawing board. Yoritaoshi.

Kotoshoho defeated Mitakeumi. Mitakeumi chugged forward but Kotoshoho lazily pivoted and swung Mitakeumi down by his left shoulder. Kotenage.

Asakoryu defeated Sadanoumi. Asakoryu successfully kept Sadanoumi off his belt with his oshi-defense. Asakoryu released Sadanoumi, allowing Sadanoumi’s legs to charge forward. Like in the cartoons, Sadanoumi’s lower half got ahead of his upper half. Asakoryu then shoved Sadanoumi down for a simple but entertaining, okurihikiotoshi.

Churanoumi defeated Aonishiki. This was a great, quick brawl. Aonishiki’s big mistake came when he decided to pull at the edge. Churanoumi’s head was already lowered so he charged forward underneath Aonishiki’s trunk and blasted him down into the sea of brown vests. “Welcome to the Big Leagues, kid.” Oshidashi.

Ryuden defeated Shishi. Shishi stole Ryuden’s twerk so, Ryuden got mad and stole Shishi’s win. Ryuden grabbed Shishi with that dangerous right hand over-arm belt grip but Shishi fought valiantly with his left hand inside. It looked like Shishi actually threw Ryuden but Ryuden pressed into Shishi, forcing Shishi to fall backwards first. No mono-ii. Yoritaoshi.

Onokatsu defeated Nishikifuji. Onokatsu lifted Nishikifuji up and put him down outside the ring. Tsuridashi.

Takarafuji defeated Meisei. Meisei pulled, and pulled but Takarafuji kept his footing and charged forward. When that didn’t work, Meisei started to brawl and move forward. At the edge, that’s when Takarafuji pulled and slapped Meisei down as he, himself, tumbled down the stairs. Gunbai Meisei. Mono-ii. This was a close one so the judges took a minute to figure it out. Meisei’s hand touched down first. The gyoji’s call was over-ruled based on the video evidence. Hatakikomi.

Midorifuji defeated Shonannoumi. Midorifuji’s vermillion shimekomi stunned Shonannoumi. Midorifuji shifted to his right and attacked Shonannoumi from the side, pressing into his left shoulder. As Shonannoumi turned and pressed forward, Midorifuji locked onto that left shoulder, rotated and swung Shonannoumi to the ground. Katasukashi.

Endo defeated Nishikigi. Endo pressed forward and wrapped up Nishikigi low with his right hand while holding him high with the left. Endo pulled back and rolled Nishikigi along the dirt. Uwatenage.

Hakuoho defeated Oshoma. Oshoma had the upper hand here and quickly forced Hakuoho to the bales. But Hakuoho got inside, and locked on with a morozashi. That morozashi was enough to force Oshoma back to center. Oshoma tried to wrest himself free but Hakuoho had a firm hold with both hands. Oshoma released with his left and tried to get it inside. Hakuoho charged forward and resisted Oshoma’s overarm throw, throwing Oshoma from the ring. Shitatenage.

Atamifuji defeated Tamawashi. Atamifuji tried to go inside and get a belt grip but Tamawashi’s tsuppari forced Atamifuji to switch to Plan B. Atamifuji charged forward with his own tsuppari, leading with head butts. He steadily forced Tamawashi backward and out. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Takerufuji defeated Shodai. Shodai started moving forward but Takerufuji used his right hand grip to pivot and drag Shodai to the edge and over. Yorikiri.

Hiradoumi defeated Kinbozan. Hiradoumi is not Takayasu. I have no idea why I thought Kinbozan was facing Takayasu today, but he clearly isn’t. Anyway, Kinbozan put Hiradoumi on the back foot early with powerful tsuppari. Then Kinbozan reached inside to get a belt grip… “That’s when everything changed.” Hiradoumi pulled and Kinbozan stumbled forward but not out. The change of direction clearly caught Kinbozan off guard so Hiradoumi used one more shift. He got Kinbozan’s back to the bales and then blasted him over the edge. Oshidashi.

Ura defeated Ichiyamamoto. Ichiyamamoto started out promisingly as his tsuppari worked Ura back to the edge. But then he pulled. Ura charged forward. Ichiyamamoto stopped his backward momentum and pressed forward but Ura shifted right. This made Ichiyamamoto stumble forward. Ura followed up quickly with a forceful shove and forced Ichiayamamoto out. Oshidashi.

Takayasu defeated Takanosho. Takayasu got his left hand grip but Takanosho pulled away. Lean-fest. We don’t seem to have many of these anymore. For two solid minutes these guys locked horns at the edge of the dohyo, Takayasu with the advantage of position to the center of the ring. Takanosho thankfully got as bored as we were and tried to end it with a quick slapdown. Takayasu would not go down and instead seized Takanosho’s belt and drove forward and out. Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Kirishima defeated Tobizaru. A quick oshi-bout. Tobizaru used his left arm to shove Kirishima back. First, Kirishima tried to use his right arm to combat Tobizaru’s attack but then quickly pivoted and shifted to the left. This caught Tobizaru off balance and Kirishima slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Chiyoshoma defeated Oho. Well then. Oho charged forward with Chiyoshoma’s left arm wrapped up. Chiyoshoma yanked his left arm away, pivoted, and used his right hand grip to throw the “Big, Bad Sekiwake” over the bales. So much for the cake walk. Uwatenage.

Gonoyama defeated Daieisho. Daieisho plugged away with his tsuppari but Gonoyama stood his ground. Gonoyama got his left arm under Daieisho’s right armpit, lifted, and threw Daieisho to the side. That was impressive. Tsukiotoshi.

Wakamotoharu defeated Kotozakura. Kotozakura charged forward and worked Wakamotoharu to the bales but Wakamotoharu resisted. After the two settled for a moment, Wakamotoharu pulled up on the Ozeki and pressed forward, forcing Kotozakura back and out. “Ruh-Roh…” Yorikiri.

Onosato defeated Wakatakakage. Onosato charged forward as Wakatakakage pulled. At the edge, Wakatakakage shifted right and tried to pull Onosato over but Onosato shifted with Wakatakakage and threw him down onto his butt. Yay, an Ozeki doing Ozeki things. Kirikaeshi.

Abi defeated Hoshoryu. With all of those parties and press conferences, Hoshoryu did not have time to research Abi. You see, Abi has this new attack where he shoves people at the tachiai. “No, he doesn’t, Andy. That’s his thing. That’s what he’s been doing for years.” Apparently, I need sarcasm tags. Yes. That’s what he’s been doing for years and he just blasted our new Yokozuna straight back and into the laps of the geezers in brown vests. Everyone checks Twitter. Is Dorji going to say something? Tsukidashi.

Wrap-up

Kotozakura did not just lose, he still looked hurt and vulnerable. That left knee is doing him no favors. Yokozuna Hoshoryu might be a Yokozuna AND an Ozeki come May. For his own sins here against Abi, he might deserve it.

Haru Basho 2025: Preview

Andy Haru 2025, Hoshoryu ,

SUMO IS BACK!

Your Japanese word of the day is “Oi.” (甥) That means, “nephew.” Keep that in mind, there will be a quiz.

A battalion of sumo wrestlers has congregated in Osaka and will soon mount the newly reconstructed, freshly consecrated dohyo. Our new tategyoji was on the ball last go round. Let’s keep it going.

Last year, Terunofuji lost his opener to Nishikigi and was kyujo by the end of week one. This time around, Terunofuji has stepped aside and joined Hakuho as an elder in Isegahama stable. A new era is upon us and all eyes will be on Hoshoryu as shin-Yokozuna. Nephew of Asashoryu, we all wonder what direction his career will take from here. Fans in the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium will be treated to a dohyo-iri and a likely fire-cracker bout as Hoshoryu faces Abi.

Hoshoryu is not the only story here. Hatsu basho was an unmitigated disaster for Ozeki Kotozakura. Going into the tournament, he was the favorite for the rope. He finished the tournament kadoban and will need to win eight here to save his rank. Kotozakura will take on Wakamotoharu in his first bout of this critical spring campaign. Meanwhile, Onosato is obviously still here. Though the hype machine has quieted a bit and he was a non-factor in the Hatsu yusho contest, he still managed to put together a respectable 10-win basho. He will face Wakatakakage.

Haru 2025 Banzuke
Haru 2025 Banzuke

Oho leapfrogged his way into a Sekiwake slot and will face Chiyoshoma, a wrestler whom I think gained more fans and respect in January. He is likely out of his depth at Maegashira 2, however. We would not be surprised if he unleashes one or two henka along the way. Kinbozan will open his basho against grizzled former Ozeki, Takayasu. (Edit. No, he won’t. Kinbozan will face Hiradoumi. I have no idea what I was looking at.)

Ichiyamamoto is actually at his highest rank and will fight Ura. But as our eyes skim down the banzuke, the returns of young-guns Shishi and Asakoryu (who are both at their highest rank) are overshadowed a bit by the top division debut of Aonishiki.

Aminishiki’s top recruit has flown up the banzuke since claiming two consecutive lower division titles. Makushita was not even a speed bump as he sailed through with three consecutive 6-1 results. Double-digit wins in Juryo at Kyushu and Hatsu have propelled the young lad into prime time. His first fight will be Churanoumi. That’s going to be a brawl. Churanoumi is at a lower rank than he should be after a pair of disasterous tournaments. If he is healthy, he could end up fighting joi-ranked wrestlers in Week Two. Expect sparks, that’s for sure.

OK, do you remember your Japanese word of the day? No? Come on, this one was EASY. OI! (甥) For those of you who get to tune in early on Abema for the lower-division bouts, Hikarumusashi will make his debut. He is the second nephew of Musashimaru to enter the sumo world. His brother, Musashikuni, retired just before the pandemic. Hikarumusashi’s career starts tonight aganst Kaitoma! Another second nephew, Tenrose, will likely start his career tomorrow. Tenrose is the cousin of Hoshoryu and another nephew of Asashoryu. Good luck guys!