Aki 2025: Day Six

Andy Aki 2025, Aki Basho ,

Mita visits the top division today so we will find out below whether he stays undefeated, with Kotokuzan. The top guys are doing very well and Hoshoryu leads the top division with his undefeated record.

Your NHK videos are here.

Makuuchi Action

Shishi (4-2) defeated Ryuden (4-2). Shishi wrapped up Ryuden’s right arm, pivoted to the left and drove Ryuden over the edge. Yorikiri.

Mita (Juryo 6-0) defeated Shonannoumi (3-3). Mita visited from Juryo today. Shonannoumi hit Mita with strong tsuppari, pivoted and drove Mita quickly to the edge. Shonannoumi then pulled and Mita plowed into him, forcing him over the edge. Oshidashi.

Hitoshi (2-4) defeated Sadanoumi (3-3). Hitoshi powered into Sadanoumi with tsuppari, driving him through the dohyo. Just when Sadanoumi got to the tawara to resist, Hitoshi unleashed his pull and slapped Sadanoumi down. Hatakikomi.

Asakoryu (2-4) defeated Nishikigi (0-6). Nishikigi held Asakoryu’s left arm high so Asakoryu could not get a hold of Nishikigi’s belt. Asakoryu pulled and twisted, throwing Nishikigi to the ground. Sukuinage.

Tomokaze (5-1) defeated Meisei (2-4). Tomokaze battered Meisei with tsuppari, driving to the edge. Meisei resisted well to avoid the slapdown the first time but Tomokaze caught him on the second attempt. Hatakikomi.

Tobizaru defeated Tokihayate. The two men traded tsuppari and shoves. Tobizaru then latched onto Tokihayate’s belt with his right arm outside. Tobizaru quickly pulled and dragged Tokihayate down with a beautiful overarm throw. Uwatenage.

Mitakeumi (3-3) defeated Daieisho (1-5). Daieisho hit Mitakeumi repeatedly with his tsuppari and pushed Mitakeumi to the edge before attempting a pull and slapdown. Mitakeumi stuck with him and countered with his own shoves before two settled into a lean. When the two gathered their breath they went at it again before settling into another lean. Mitakeumi eventually shoved an exhausted Daieisho to the ground. Oshitaoshi.

Churanoumi (5-1) defeated Midorifuji (2-4). Churanoumi slammed into Midorifuji and drove him to the edge. Midorifuji tried the old fisherman’s throw at the edge but Churanoumi crushed him out. I held my breath as Midorifuji fell out head first…but then he bounced right back up. Yoritaoshi.

Shodai (5-1) defeated Fujiinokawa (2-4). Once Fujinokawa drove his weight into Shodai, Shodai grabbed his left arm and pulled him down. Tsukiotoshi.

Roga (4-2) defeated Kinbozan (1-5). Kinbozan shoved Roga back but Roga resisted at the bales and got his left hand outside and right hand inside. Kinbozan latched on to Roga’s belt and the two grappled. As Kinbozan advanced, Roga found some stability at the tawara and rolled to his right, pulling Kinbozan down with the left over arm throw. Uwatenage.

Ura (5-1) defeated Onokatsu (3-3). As Onokatsu drove Ura across the ring, Ura hooked his left arm inside Onokatu’s shoulder, pivoted, and threw Onokatsu down. Sukuinage.

Halftime

Takanosho (5-1) defeated Kotoshoho (2-4). Takanosho pivoted after the tachiai and used Kotoshoho’s momentum to shove Kotoshoho over the edge. Oshitaoshi.

Oshoma (3-3) defeated Ichiyamamoto (2-4). Oshoma shoved Ichiyamamoto back to the edge before pulling and slapping Oshoma down. Ichiyamamoto stumbled forward and out of the ring. Hatakikomi.

Wakamotoharu (5-1) defeated Kusano (2-4). Wakamotoharu got his left hand inside and drove Kusano backward immediately and crushed him over the edge. Yoritaoshi.

Hakuoho (3-3) defeated Abi (0-6). Abi tried to pivot and pull immediately but Hakuoho was all over him and shoved Abi out. Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Aonishiki (4-2) defeated Takayasu (0-6). Aonishiki weathered Takayasu’s torrent of tsuppari. Aonishiki forced his way inside and grabbed Takayasu’s belt with his left hand inside. Anonishiki then bulled his way into Takayasu and forced him over the edge. Yorikiri.

Wakatakakage (4-2) defeated Gonoyaama (0-6). Gonoyama charged forward so Wakatakakage shifted right and pushed Gonoyama out. Tsukiotoshi.

Tamawashi (3-3) defeated Kirishima (4-2). After a few early attempts to get inside, Kirishima pulled and Tamawashi just chased him out of the ring. Tsukidashi.

Kotozakura (5-1) defeated Hiradoumi (4-2). Hiradoumi blasted Kotozakura back but Kotozakura kept Hiradoumi from latching on to his belt. Kotozakura grabbed Hiradoumi’s right arm and pulled him down with a kotenage.

Onosato (5-1) defeated Atamifuji (1-5). Onosato drove straight into Atamifuji and drove him back and out. Yorikiri.

Hoshoryu (6-0) defeated Oho (2-4). Hoshoryu overpowered Oho, drove him to the edge and threw him. Shitatenage.

Wrap-up

For Abi, that sixth loss was more along the lines of a Nishikigi loss. He must be having elbow problems because there was no tsuppari, just his immediate pull.

Hoshoryu and Onosato continue to look impressive and Kotozakura continues to give heartburn with his passive, reactive sumo at the edge.

Aki 2025: Day Five

Andy Aki 2025, Aki Basho ,

Day Five begins in Tokyo. Make sure to catch Leonid’s Makushita updates. A number of former sekitori are in the hunt for the yusho. The Enho/Ikarigata matchup was today. Sadly, for Enho fans, he wasn’t able to get much offense going today. Ikarigata was all over him with tsuppari and then when Enho tried to counter, Ikarigata immediately slapped him down.

Meanwhile, Mita and Kōtokuzan lead in Juryo at 5-0. Mita thrust Kotoeiho down as punishment for a little henka at the start of the bout. Kotokuzan thrust out Tamashoho Kōtokuzan will fight Tohakuryu on Day 6. Mita will visit Makuuchi and fight Shonannoumi. Asanoyama is one loss back, so he might still be a factor in this race next week.

Your NHK videos are here. Pro-tip, for slo-mo you can watch these in half speed and three-quarter speed. You will thank me later. In the meantime, let’s turn to the top division.

Makuuchi Action

Hitoshi (1-4) defeated Nishikigi (0-5). Nishikigi got decent penetration on the tachiai but Hitoshi quickly backed him up with strong shoulder slams. Hitoshi picked up his first win. Oshidashi.

Tomokaze (4-1) defeated Nishikifuji (3-2). Tomokaze pressed Nishikifuji toward the bales before pulling and executing a slapdown. Hatakikomi.

Shishi (3-2) defeated Tobizaru (3-2). After some rather ineffective tsuppari from this pair, Shishi ducked inside and got his left hand wrapped in Tobizaru’s belt. Leading with his forehead, Shishi then bodied Tobizaru off the dohyo. Yorikiri.

Ryuden (4-1) defeated Asakoryu (1-4). Asakoryu established his left hand inside and tried to pull Ryuden over. Ryuden kept his balance, though and used that right hand outside to force Asakoryu to the edge. Both men tried to topple the other. Rotating to his left, Ryuden pulled back toward center and hauled Asakoryu down with that right hand. Uwatenage.

Shonannoumi (3-2) defeated Sadanoumi (3-2). Sadanoumi seemed to get lost a few times today as he bounced around the ring. Shonannoumi nearly tripped him up. Shonannoumi eventually got his right hand on Sadanoumi’s belt, rotated and used his left hand on Sadanoumi to shove him to the ground. Uwatenage.

Mitakeumi (2-3) defeated Meisei (2-3). Mitakeumi’s ottsuke kept Meisei from getting his right hand inside. Meisei tried to pull but Mitakeumi was all over him and shoved him over the edge. Oshidashi.

Roga (3-2) defeated Tokihayate (2-3). Roga quickly corralled Tokihayate with his right hand inside and forced Tokihayate back and over the bales. Yorikiri.

Churanoumi (4-1) defeated Daieisho (1-4). Daieisho’s balance issues have compounded. He was on the defensive for most of this bout. He cycled away from Churanoumi’s head butts and thrusts. Daieisho seemed to press forward a step and immediately got too far ahead of himself, stumbling by as Churanoumi pulled him forward. Churanoumi then shoo-ed him out of the ring from behind. Okuridashi.

Fujinokawa (2-3) defeated Midorifuji (2-3). Well then. Maybe this is what others have seen in Fujinokawa? Fujinokawa blitzed Midorifuji immediately at the tachiai and locked him up in a bear-hug, both hands around Midorifuji’s trunk. Fujinokawa then quickly drove Midorifuji to the bales. Midorifuji struggled to attempt any counter attack but tried to brace himself at the edge and twist. Fujinokawa wasn’t having any of it and forced him over the bales. Yorikiri.

Shodai (4-1) defeated Kinbozan (1-4). Kinbozan got a left hand outside grip and tried to heave Shodai over the bales. Shodai countered by plowing headlong into Kinbozan and knocking him backwards. Both men fell off the dohyo. Gunbai Shodai. Kinbozan had landed on his butt before Shodai fell into him and both men rolled onto the former Takamisakari, ringside. Yoritaoshi.

Takanosho (4-1) defeated Oshoma (2-3). Good tachiai. Oshoma got some penetration into Takanosho’s side of the ring so he pulled and tried to slap Takanosho down. But Takanosho kept his balance and forced Oshoma over the bales. Yorikiri.

Halftime

Ura (4-1) defeated Kusano (2-3). Well-timed pull from Ura. Kusano was trying real hard to make some sort of forward progress. Once Kusano put his weight too far forward, Ura pulled and Kusano launched forward, falling off the dohyo. Hikiotoshi.

Ichiyamamoto (2-3) defeated Kotoshoho (2-3). Ichiyamamoto took on Kotoshoho on the belt and overpowered Nagoya’s yusho winner. Ichiyamamoto latched on with his right hand inside, left-hand outside and relentlessly pressured Kotoshoho until he stepped out. Ichiyamamoto was utterly committed to fighting on the belt today. A good ole fashioned yorikiri.

Wakamotoharu (4-1) defeated Onokatsu (3-2). Wakamotoharu hit Onokatsu well at the tachiai but Onokatsu slowed things down by holding WMH’s left hand at bay. Wakamotoharu pulled away to extract his left hand. Onokatsu pounced and the two brawled with slaps and thrusts. Once Wakamotoharu saw an opportunity to get inside, he grabbed Onokatsu with his left hand inside and right hand outside grip. Grip secured, he was able to press forward and force Onokatsu out. Yorikiri.

Hiradoumi (4-1) defeated Hakuoho (2-3). Hakuoho bulled into Hiradoumi, forcing him to the edge. He pulled but when he tried to slap Hiradoumi down, Hiradoumi was out of reach. When Hakuoho reached the far edge, Hiradoumi jumped on him and kept up the assault until Hakuoho was thrust out. Tsukidashi.

Sanyaku

Tamawashi (2-3) defeated Takayasu. Tamawashi went for the jugular and hit Takayasu with a nodowa at the tachiai, then followed up with another. Takayasu did not like that and turned away. Tamawashi followed and continued to lash out at Takayasu until he stepped over the bales. Oshidashi.

Aonishiki (3-2) defeated Kirishima (4-1). Started with a brawl before Kirishima latched in with his left hand inside. As Kirishima changed up his grip with his right hand to bring it inside, Aonishiki snapped and spun Kirishima. Once Aonishiki was behind Kirishima, he ran Kirishima out from the back. Absolutely beautiful. Excellent timing. Okuridashi.

Wakatakakage (3-2) defeated Abi (0-5). Abi tried to pull and slap Wakatakakage down but Wakatakakage kept his balance and drove Abi off the dohyo. Did I say earlier this basho that Abi was looking good? I think I did. His 0-5 more competitive than Nishikigi’s 0-5. Oshidashi.

Kotozakura (4-1) defeated Gonoyama (0-5). Gonoyama pulled and nearly caught Kotonowaka off balance with a slapdown. Kotozakura regained control, however, and shoved Gonoyama over the bales. Oshidashi.

Hoshoryu (5-0) defeated Atamifuji (1-4). Hoshoryu thrusted out at Atamifuji’s head at the tachiai. He then reached in with the right hand and got Atamifuji’s belt with left hand outside. From there, Hoshoryu steamrolled Atamifuji and forced him back and out. Yorikiri.

Onosato (4-1) defeated Oho (2-3). Oho hit out at Onosato’s head but his weight was too far forward. Onosato brought his right arm down on Oho’s back and thrust him down to the clay. Tsukiotoshi.

Wrap-up

The Aonishiki/Kirishima bout is worth watching a number of times. We often see guys get in trouble when they change their hold on their opponent’s belt. That makikae can be troublesome. But I feel that guys usually get caught out on the backward motion, when they pull away from their opponent. It creates some separation and the opponent can fill that void, moving forward. That gives the attacker momentum, just as you are pulling away.

This time, however, Kirishima got caught when he reached forward. It was as if his right shoulder on the outside had been holding Aonishiki at bay. Once Kirishima’s arm went to the inside, Aonishiki shifted left and used his left hand belt grip to pull Kirishima farther forward and got in behind. That was a great move.

Hoshoryu is our sole leader at 5-0 and Onosato leads the pack of guys one loss behind. They will trade opponents tomorrow, so Hoshoryu fights Oho in the musubi-no-ichiban while Onosato fights Atamifuji. Both Kotozakura and Hiradoumi are in that group of 4-1 chasers and they will square off tomorrow. Meanwhile, Kirishima will fight Tamawashi, Wakatakakage will fight Gonoyama, and Takayasu will fight Aonishiki.

First look at the Aki Makushita yusho race

lksumo Nagoya 2025

The first two rounds of bouts, unfolding over the first four days, have whittled down the field to 29 undefeated rikishi. Scroll down to see the list. I don’t see any same-heya conflicts for round 3, so the contenders should be paired up in rank order on days 5 and 6, with the odd man out, Ms59w Aratakayama, facing the highest-ranked undefeated Sandanme rikishi, Sd2e Oyamatoumi.

The undefeated bracket includes former maegashira Enho, Yago, Bushozan, Shimazuumi and Kitanowaka, as well as interesting prospects such as March Ms60TD debutant Goshima, Fujinokawa’s brother Ikarigata, and Hoshoryu’s cousin Tenrosei. I hope to keep tabs on the race here after each round of bouts is completed.

Aki 2025: Day Four

Andy Aki 2025, Aki Basho

The juryo contest is now down to three* undefeated men at 4-0, Mita, Kotokuzan and Asahakuryu. *Thank you for the correction, Tomas.

Day Four NHK videos are here.

Makuuchi Action

Tomokaze (3-1) defeated Hitoshi (0-4). Tomokaze pulled and slapped Hitoshi down quickly. Hatakikomi.

Chiyoshoma (2-2) defeated Nishikigi (0-4). Yorikiri.

Tobizaru (3-1) defeated Ryuden (3-1). Tobizaru wrapped up Ryuden with a right hand inside grip. He pressed Ryuden up and back for an old-fashioned, yotsu win. Yorikiri.

Shonannoumi (2-2) defeated Shishi (2-2). Slow henka from Shishi. Shonannoumi turned around, grabbed Shishi’s belt and forced him out. Yorikiri.

Meisei (2-2) defeated Asakoryu (1-3). Solid tachiai and Meisei forced Asakoryu back to the bales. Asakoryu pivoted and foced the action back to center. The two scrapped for a little bit before settling into a yotsu-style grapple. Meisei used his hold to work Asakoryu to the edge. Asakoryu resisted again but Meisei crushed him at the bales. Yoritaoshi.

Sadanoumi (3-1) defeated Tokihayate (2-2). Sadanoumi grabbed Tokihayate with both arms outside. He lifted up and then crushed Tokihayate at the bales. Yoritaoshi.

Shodai (3-1) defeated Roga (2-2). Despite his high position, Shodai dragged Roga down with his left-hand over arm grip. He released his right hand inside, pivoted and threw Roga. Uwatenage.

Churanoumi (3-1) defeated Mitakeumi (1-3). Mitakeumi demonstrated great strength to force Churanoumi to the edge but Churanoumi braced himself at the tawara and worked his way back to center. Mitakeumi tried to drive forward again but Churanoumi again worked back to center. Mitakeumi’s belt was a bit loose so the gyoji paused the action to fix it. Upon resuming, Churanoumi chugged forward and forced Mitakeumi out. Yorikiri.

Midorifuji (2-2) defeated Daieisho (1-3). Midorifuji used his lower positioning to get inside Daieisho. As Daieisho tried to pull, Midorifuji drove forward and forced him out. Yorikiri day continues.

Fujinokawa (1-3) defeated Kinbozan (1-3). Kinbozan tried to pull Fujinokawa down but Fujinokawa fought back hard. Fujinokawa hit Kinbozan from the side and knocked Kinbozan off balance. Terrible footwork from Kinbozan. Tsukitaoshi.

Takanosho (3-1) defeated Ura (3-1). Takanosho kept Ura in front of him and hit him with a flurry of tsuppari. Ura pulled and Takanosho gladly shoved Ura over the bales. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Kusano (2-2) defeated Oshoma (2-2). Oshoma tried to pull but Kusano didn’t fall for it. Instead he drove Oshoma to the bales and over. Oshidashi.

Onokatsu (3-1) defeated Kotoshoho (2-2). After a long belt tussle, Onokatsu drove Kotoshoho to the bales and over. Yorikiri.

Wakamotoharu (3-1) defeated Ichiyamamoto (1-3). Ichiyamamoto drove Wakamotoharu back to the edge with a strong nodowa. Wakamotoharu slipped to his right and Ichiyamamoto fell forward. Tsukiotoshi.

Hiradoumi (3-1) defeated Atamifuji (1-3). Hiradoumi charged hard and forced Atamifuji to the bales. Atamifuji escaped twice but Hiradoumi kept up the pressure and forced Atamifuji to step out. Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Oho (2-2) defeated Aonishiki (2-2). Oho spectacularly took Aonishiki off his feet with an arm bar. Aonishiki tried to use his left arm grip to throw Oho but Oho worked his right arm under Aonishiki’s left shoulder and pressed him forward until Aonishiki lost his footing. Kotenage.

Wakatakakage (2-2) defeated Takayasu (0-4). Wakatakakage locked up Takayasu with a right hand inside, left-hand outside. Takayasu tried to yank on Wakatakakage’s right shoulder but Wakatakakage patiently worked Takayasu back to the edge and out. Yorikiri.

Kirishima (4-0) defeated Gonoyama (0-4). Kirishima reached over Gonoyama’s back with his left hand and yanked hard, rolling Gonoyama to the ground. Uwatedashinage.

Kotozakura (3-1) defeated Tamawashi (1-3). After a solid tachiai, Kotozakura slipped to his left and Tamawashi charged hard into the second row of spectators. Tsukiotoshi.

Hakuoho (2-2) defeated Onosato (3-1). Onosato had looked so dominant this tournament but Hakuoho took him on toe-to-toe. As Onosato drove Hakuoho to the edge, Hakuoho pivoted and rotated, pulling Onosato out of the ring. What a move! Kinboshi. Tsukiotoshi.

Hoshoryu (4-0) defeated Abi (0-4). It was Abi’s turn to sidestep at the tachiai. He shifted left but Hoshoryu caught it and quickly shoved Abi out. Oshidashi.

Wrap-up

Hakuoho mixed things up today with his great performance against Onosato. Onosato seemed to lose patience and Hakuoho capitalized. Onosato will face Oho tomorrow. Hoshoryu will fight Atamifuji. Kotozakura is matched up against Gonoyama while Abi will fight Wakatakakage. Aonishiki will fight Kirishima and Takayasu will fight Tamawashi.