Nagoya 2025: Day Twelve

Andy Nagoya 2025, Nagoya Basho , ,

NHK videos for Day 12 are here: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Tomokaze (7-5) defeated Hidenoumi (1-9-2). Hidenoumi resisted Tomokaze’s nodowa and charged forward but Tomokaze slapped him down. Gunbai Hidenoumi? Mono-ii. Asanosuke just pointed the wrong way. Hatakikomi.

Midorifuji (8-4) defeated Shishi (4-8). Shishi physically dominated Midorifuji, holding him at arm’s length and then slapping him down. Gunbai Shishi. Mono-ii? Judges ruled there was a hair-pull on the slapdown. Hansoku.

Takanosho (8-4) defeated Kotoeiho (4-8). Jesus. Takanosho obliterated Kotoeiho at the tachiai and steamrolled through Kotoeiho’s face, standing him up, driving him back and forcing Kotoeiho to flop backwards roughly on his butt. Brutal. I did not know Takanosho was capable of such destruction. Oshitaoshi.

Fujinokawa (7-5) defeated Tokihayate (5-7). Fujinokawa got a solid hold of Tokihayate’s belt and while Tokiyahate tried to fumble around for a hold of Fujinokawa, Fujinokawa pivoted and pulled Tokihayate down with a powerful uwatenage.

Atamifuji (9-3) defeated Mitakeumi (8-4). Mitakeumi hit Atamifuji hard at the tachiai but Atamifuji charged forward and shoved Mitakeumi from the ring, unphased by Mitakeumi’s shift in direction. Tsukidashi.

Chiyoshoma (1-11) defeated Kayo (2-10). Kayo almost slapped Chiyoshoma down at the tachiai. However, Chiyoshoma kept his balance and pursued Kayo, reached back and got a solid right-hand grip of Kayo’s belt, and then threw him down. Uwatenage.

Churanoumi (7-5) defeated Sadanoumi (2-10). Churanoumi hit Sadanoumi head on at the tachiai but shifted to his right and hit Sadanoumi from the side, shoving him out of the ring. Okuridashi.

Asakoryu (4-8) defeated Tobizaru (3-9). Asakoryu tried to get his right arm inside but he couldn’t reach deep enough to get at Tobizaru’s belt. Finding no success there, Asakoryu released with his right but bore down and trapped Tobizaru’s right arm with his left shoulder. Pulling with the arm bar hold, Asakoryu dragged Tobizaru from the ring. Tobizaru was slow to get up. Kotenage.

Shodai (7-5) defeated Takerufuji (5-7). Takerufuji hit Shodai hard but he was too far forward. Shodai shifted to his right and slapped Takerufuji down. Tsukiotoshi.

Gonoyama (7-5) defeated Roga (7-5). Gonoyama charged forward and forced Roga out. Yorikiri.

Halftime

Ura (8-4) defeated Meisei (3-9). Meisei did his best Kayo impression, retreating from Ura and trying to slap him down, once, twice…and then he slipped on the third try, helped by Ura’s own slapdown. Ura clinched his first kachi-koshi after a streak of four make-koshi. Hatakikomi.

Hakuoho (7-5) defeated Onokatsu (5-7). Hakuoho buried his head in Onokatsu’s chest and plowed through as Onokatsu tried a slapdown. Oshidashi.

Abi (7-5) defeated Oho (4-8). With his back to the bales, Abi shoved Oho to the left and pounced as Oho showed his back. Once behind, Abi shoved Oho out with ease. Okuridashi.

Aonishiki (10-2) defeated Tamawashi (8-4). I love how most wrestlers have these amazingly bright colored towels while Tamawashi seems to have swiped an old, drab white bath towel from a Holiday Inn back in 2003. After a flurry of tsuppari, Aonishiki got low and forced himself inside. Aonishiki got his left hand inside and pulled Tamawashi down with a shitatenage.

Wakamotoharu (3-9) defeated Kinbozan (4-8). Kinbozan henka. Wakamotoharu resisted the slapdown and wrapped Kinbozan up with the right arm. As Kinbozan seemed to try to go for a headlock, Wakamotoharu slipped around back and then drove Kinbozan out from behind. Okuridashi.

Sanyaku

Hiradoumi (6-6) defeated Oshoma(2-10). Hiradoumi got his right hand inside early but Oshoma used his ottsuke to block Hiradoumi’s left hand. But he could not block Hiradoumi forever. Once Hiradoumi got that left hand inside to join the right, he drove Oshoma back to the edge. Oshoma dug in at the bales but Hiradoumi could taste victory and crushed Oshoma over the bales. Yoritaoshi.

Kotoshoho (10-2) defeated Takayasu (8-4). Well-timed sidestep from Kotoshoho. After a brief exchange of thrusts at the tachiai, Kotoshoho slipped left – precisely when Takayasu chose to charge forward. Olé! Takayasu went charging off the dohyo and halfway down the hanamichi. The look on Kotoshoho’s face when he got away with it was hilarious, like he was stifling a laugh. “Holy shit; That worked!” Hatakikomi.

Wakatakakage (8-4) defeated Kusano (9-3). For all of Kusano’s early success this tournament he was rewarded with a prime-time bout today against Sekiwake, Wakatakakage. He gave it his all but Wakatakakage just overpowered him and drove Kusano completely off the dohyo. Admirable effort. Yoritaoshi.

Kotozakura (7-5) defeated Kirishima (8-4). Kirishima got his right hand inside. During a good lean fest, Kirishima tried several times to pull up and drive Kotozakura out. Kotozakura had his right hand inside and eventually switched his left hand grip to the inside giving him a fearsome morozashi. This turned the tables completely and Kotozakura rushed Kirishima off the dohyo. Yorikiri.

Onosato defeated Ichiyamamoto. Ichiyamamoto rushed forward but Onosato withdrew quicker and slapped Ichiyamamoto down. Ichiyamamoto fell to the clay as Onosato leapt into the crowd. Gunbai Ichiyamamoto. Mono-ii. Did Ichiyamamoto force Onosato out or did he fall first? The judges conference took a long time. Video review showed Ichiyamamoto’s right thigh coming down as Onosato’s foot left the tawara. “We can’t give the Yokozuna this cowardly win. Hinkaku is at stake. We order a rematch.” On the rematch, Onosato pulled AGAIN. This time, though, Ichiyamamoto charged forward in a more controlled manner but when he forced Onosato to the edge, he picked up his right hip to give a little extra shove. That was a huge mistake as it allowed Onosato to get behind him. Onosato blasted his way forward while Ichiyamamoto tried to regroup. Ichiyamamoto got himself righted at the bales but Onosato was too powerful and shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Wrap-up

What a disappointing bout to end the day. Who likes to see their Yokozuna adopt Kayo’s fighting strategy? Slam it in reverse and hope it ends well. Ugh. Well, the torikumi for tomorrow is not out yet. I’ll try to post this evening with a preview of the bouts. They will probably be up soon.

At the end of Day 12 we have Aonishiki and Kotoshoho at the top of the leaderboard with 10 wins and two losses. Onosato, Ichiyamamoto, Atamifuji and Kusano are just behind with three losses, each. Aonishiki versus Kotoshoho tomorrow, perhaps? Or Kotoshoho versus Onosato and Aonishiki versus Ichiyamamoto?

Surely tomorrow will have a better musubi-no-ichiban but this yusho race is rather wacky and unpredictable. And I thought we were going to have this grand period of tranquil dominance by Onosato. I guess not quite yet.

Nagoya Yusho Race: Day 11

lksumo Nagoya 2025

Leaders (9-2): M1e Aonishiki, M8w Ichiyamamoto, M14e Kusano, M15e Kotoshoho.

Chasers (8-3): Y1w Onosato, S1w Kirishima, K1w Takayasu, M4w Tamawashi, M10e Atamifuji, M16w Mitakeumi.

With Andy’s return, I don’t have to describe the bouts, as he’s already done his usual thorough and entertaining job. Takayasu fulfilled his role as a barrier, dropping Ichiyamamoto out of sole lead and into a group of four, all maegashira, including two very recent arrivals in the top division. As I expected, the schedulers are done messing around, and Ichiyamamoto will have to face the Yokozuna tomorrow, while rookie Kusano is pulled a long way up the torikumi and given his first-ever sanyaku matchup against Sekiwake Wakatakakage. Kotoshoho takes his turn against Takayasu, Aonishiki will have his first date with Tamawashi, Kirishima fights Ozeki Kotozakura (6-5), who needs two more wins to avoid kadoban, and Atamifuji and Mitakeumi face off for the opportunity to stay in the race. With none of the four leaders matched up head-to-head, we could end tomorrow with all of them still in the lead and two wins clear of all but one or two chasers, or with as many as nine men tied at 9-3. This is one of the more competitive, intriguing and exciting yusho races we’ve seen in a while, and I look forward to tracking it as it approaches its conclusion. In another day or two, I will also take my first look at the projected sanyaku turnover and the likely Makuuchi-Juryo exchanges.

Makushita Yusho and Promotion Races, Day 11

lksumo Nagoya 2025

And then there were two. In the first semifinal bout Ikarigata was energetic in his early attacks, but Yago calmly withstood them, reversed the field, and crushed down his younger opponent. The former maegashira will face Asahakuryu Day 13 for all the marbles after the latter dealt impressive newcomer Gyotoku only his second career loss, outmuscling him in a back-and-forth yotsu battle.

In the promotion zone, Ms2w Mudoho (2-4) fell to Inami and is now out of the running. Ms3e Asahakuryu (6-0) should be a lock to go up even if he loses to Yago. Ms1e Kyokukaiyu (4-2) and Ms2e Ishizaki (5-1) are right behind him, though former Ozeki Ms1w Asanoyama (4-2) could leapfrog both in the promotion queue if he wins his final bout and the other two both lose theirs. Ms3w Kitanowaka (4-2) lost to Kamito and can finish no better than 5th in the promotion queue; he can be passed for that spot by Ms5e Nishinoryu (4-2) depending on the outcomes of their final bouts. So we have four strong promotion cases, plus two more potential ones. In Juryo, winless injury victims Nabatame and Mitoryu will be going down for certain. Four others are in danger: by the numbers, Daiamami, Otsuji, and Shimanoumi must win out, while Miyanokaze needs 3 more wins. Expect to see a series of potential exchange bouts over the final three days.

There is no relevant Makushita action tomorrow, so the next update should be on Day 13.

Nagoya 2025: Day Eleven

Andy Nagoya 2025, Nagoya Basho , ,

Let me give a huge, “Thank You!” to Leonid for stepping in with coverage while I was out. I had hoped to provide a few days of updates from France but that obviously did not happen. He did a great job of covering for me.

Things certainly look a bit different here today from when I left on Day 5. Daiseizan leads in Juryo and…checks notes…Ichiyamamoto is our sole leader in Makuuchi. “What did you do?” I feel like a resident who returns home to find they do not recognize the place. After stepping in the front door, I lean back outside to double check the street number on the front door. “Am I in the right place?”

Picking up as I usually do, with kyujo news, on Day Eleven we see that Nishikifuji has gone kyujo. Hidenoumi has been back for a few days, pulling out a metaphorical umbrella to help steady his fall down the banzuke. He did get one win yesterday but as gingerly as he walks up and down the steps to the dohyo, I am not hopeful for many more.

While I try to find my bearings and a new place to put my luggage, let’s turn to today’s action.

Your NHK videos for Day 11 are here: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I and Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Oshoumi (6-4) defeated Kayo (2-8). Kayo immediately put things in reverse. Oshoumi tripped him up. One more loss and Kayo is on the barge to Juryo. I would say he is pre-booked, checked-in and ready to board. Sotogake.

Kusano (9-2) defeated Mitakeumi (8-3). Kusano pivoted and threw Mitakeumi and Mitakeumi chugged toward the bales. Beautiful uwatenage.

Midorifuji (7-4) defeated Hidenoumi (1-8-2). Midorifuji hit Hidenoumi hard at the tachiai and bulldozed him from the ring. Yorikiri.

Tokihayate (5-6) defeated Kotoeiho (4-7). Kotoeiho charged forward aggressively but Tokihayate was able to pivot and used his left-hand inside to throw Kotoeiho into a pile outside the dohyo. Sukuinage.

Kotoshoho (9-2) defeated Takanosho (7-4). Kotoshoho blitzed Takanosho at the tachiai and chugged forward, ushering Takanosho over the bales. Yorikiri.

Atamifuji (8-3) defeated Shodai (6-5). Shodai stepped left to get a good hold of Atamifuji’s belt. He got his right hand inside but made no forward progress. It was Atamifuji who was able to charge forward and drive forward ushering Shodai over the edge, avoiding Shodai’s impotent attempt at a throw. Yorikiri.

Shishi (4-7) defeated Chiyoshoma (0-11). Chiyoshoma wrapped himself around Shishi, driving toward the bales and desperately charging toward the edge. Shishi squatted slightly to get low, pivoted, and threw Chiyoshoma with a sudden beltless throw at the bales. The way he slipped from Chiyoshoma’s grip there made it seem he had been greased up with some of the finest French butter. Sukuinage.

Ura (7-4) defeated Fujinokawa (6-5). Both men slammed into each other, over and over after the tachiai, like rutting goats. Ura pivoted left and pulled Fujinokawa forward, then followed up with a shove to propel Fujinokawa off the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Asakoryu (3-8) defeated Sadanoumi (2-9). Henka! Sadanoumi charged past Air Asakoryu, slamming on the brakes as he reached the edge. Asakoryu pursued and blasted Sadanoumi off the dohyo and into the couple sitting on the far right of the front row. Okuridashi.

Roga (7-4) defeated Tobizaru (3-8). The best bout of the first half was this last bout. Tobizaru gets spicy with his leg trip as Roga stumbled but maintained his balance. Tobizaru tried to drive forward with both hands inside but Roga was determined and seemed to crush Tobizaru where he stood, driving him to the ground with both arms wrapped around him. Kotenage.

Halftime

Churanoumi (6-5) defeated Gonoyama (6-5). Churanoumi reached outside with his left hand and stepped to the left as Gonoyama pressed forward. This allowed Churanoumi to slip in behind Gonoyama and shove him out. Okuridashi.

Onokatsu (5-6) defeated Takerufuji (5-6). Takerufuji hit Onokatsu hard and drove him to the bales but Onokatsu resisted well. Takerufuji pulled but his knee buckled as he tried to force Onokatsu to change direction. Tsukihiza.

Oho (4-7) defeated Meisei (3-8). Oho hit Meisei with a flurry of blows and tried a slapdown. Meisei grabbed around with the right hand. Oho then pressed forward and drove Meisei into the ground outside the bales. Yoritaoshi.

Wakamotoharu (3-8) defeated Hiradoumi (5-6). A dizzying bout here as both men rotated. Wakamotoharu pulled and slapped Hiradoumi down before his momentum carried him off the dohyo. Hatakikomi.

Aonishiki (9-2) defeated Abi (6-5). Abi tried to slap Aonishiki down but Aonishiki’s excellent footwork allowed him to keep his balance and drive forward into Abi, launching Abi into the crowd. Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Takayasu (8-3) defeated Ichiyamamoto (9-2). Ichiyamamoto charged forward behind a hail of tsuppari but Takayasu got his right hand inside, pivoted, and threw Ichiyamamoto violently to the ground at the edge. Despite the loss, I liked what I saw from Ichiyamamoto. He used his tsuppari effectively to counter Takayasu’s own blasts. When he pulled, he did so quickly and briefly, paired with that important pivot. He won great position and did well to force Takayasu to the edge. But damn, what a throw from Takayasu. Northern Japan has had a spate of bear attacks lately. Here was one in the middle of Nagoya. Shitatenage.

Kinbozan (3-8) defeated Oshoma (2-9). Kinbozan got his right hand inside grip and when Oshoma charged ahead, Kinbozan twisted and hurled Oshoma to the ground with a powerful shitatenage.

Wakatakakage (7-4) defeated Hakuoho (6-5). Hakuoho tried to bull his way forward but Wakatakakage changed direction and pulled Hakuoho with a solid maemitsu. Wakatakakage’s shift allowed him to get Hakuoho off balance and in danger at the edge of the ring. Wakatakakage then pressed forward and forced Hakuoho out. Yorikiri.

Kotozakura (6-5) defeated Tamawashi (8-3). Tamawashi seemed to slip as he charged forward and Kotozakura picked up a fortunate pulldown victory. Hikiotoshi.

Onosato (8-3) defeated Kirishima (8-3). Kirishima resisted Onosato’s charge well by getting both hands inside. Kirishima hugged Onosato, pivoted and forced the Yokozuna to the edge. Kirishima really wanted that right hand belt grip to go with the left so he could pull up with more power. Onosato used his left hand ottsuke to keep pulling Kirishima’s hand off and he shuffled along the bales to the left, then pulled right. Finally, as he stepped forward with his left he broke Kirishima’s hold and Kirishima fell backward. Uwatehineri.

Wrap up

Well now, we still have a bit of a free-for-all at the top of the leaderboard. A group of four rank-and-filers are tied for the lead now with nine wins and two losses. With Ichiyamamoto’s loss, he is joined by Ajigawa-beya’s Ukrainian sensation, Aonishiki, Isegahama’s latest “one-to-watch,” Kusano, and Sadogatake’s #2 man, Kotoshoho.

Onosato escaped today and stays in the chase group, pulling Kirishima down with him. Takayasu, Tamawashi, Atamifuji and Mitakeumi round out the group with three wins. The rank-and-filers are being pulled up from tomorrow so we will whittle this group down through attrition.

Ichiyamamoto will face Onosato tomorrow and Kirishima will fight Kotozakura. Kusano will jump all the way from M14 to fight Sekiwake Wakatakakage, who will be eager to secure a kachi-koshi. Takayasu will fight Kotoshoho. Aonishiki has already fought everyone at the top of the banzuke so he will fight Tamawashi. Mitakeumi and Atamifuji will face off against each other with the winner likely jumping up to fight sanyaku opponents on Thursday.

I can’t say I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s bouts as I am more looking forward to some sleep. I will catch you all tomorrow after a few hours of staring at the back of my eyelids.