Natsu 2025: Day Seven Highlights

Andy Natsu 2025, Natsu Basho ,

As a bit of a preview for Nagoya, NHK showed some video from inside the new IG Arena. It should be ready for action for the July tournament. It looks nice and is much bigger than the old sweat box next door. Having been to the Nagoya tournament, I encourage folks to go. The castle is right there and I am a fan of the Toyota Museum.

No new kyujo. Kusano is making another charge in Juryo at 6-1, tied with Tohakuryu from the bottom half of the division. Those two won’t be paired off until later next week if they keep their streaks alive.

Today’s NHK videos: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I & Part II. Let’s get to it.

Makuuchi Action

Kayo (3-4) defeated Tochitaikai (3-4). Tochitaikai nearly had this. He tried to slap Kayo down and then got in behind Kayo. But Kayo grabbed Tochitaikai’s left arm and dragged him to the edge. Kayo then shoved Tochitaikai out from behind. Okuridashi.

Shonannoumi (2-5) defeated Tamashoho (2-5). The larger Shonannoumi used his size well, shrugged off Tamashoho’s patty-cake tsuppari and shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Roga (5-2) defeated Ryuden (4-3). Marathon yotsu battle here. Roga wore down Ryuden and eventually used his morozashi, double-inside belt grip, to force Ryuden over the edge. Yorikiri.

Sadanoumi (5-2) defeated Nishikigi (5-2). Nishikigi pressed Sadanoumi to the edge where Sadanoumi pulled out Nishikigi’s trick from Day One. Beautiful. Amiuchi.

Tokihayate (3-4) defeated Asakoryu (5-2). Tokihayate was the aggressor from the beginning here. He twisted and yanked on Asakoryu’s left shoulder and dragged him around the ring until Asakoryu went down. Kotenage.

Atamifuji (5-2) defeated Kotoshoho (1-1-5). Patient and persistent gaburi yotsu from Atamifuji. Kotoshoho started with a henka and slapdown attempt but Atamifuji’s footwork today was excellent and he did not fall for the henka. Atamifuji then wrapped up Kotoshoho and worked him to the edge with the hip-thrusting action. Kotoshoho tried to turn the tables at the edge and escaped along the edge to Atamifuji’s left. But Atamifuji pursued and shoved Kotoshoho out. Yorikiri.

Meisei (4-3) defeated Shodai (2-5). Meisei locked up and steamrolled Shodai while Shodai was still trying to find a belt grip that he liked. Yorikiri.

Takanosho (4-3) defeated Midorifuji (0-7). Takanosho dominated Midorifuji with tsuppari and did not allow him anywhere near his shoulder. Solid, persistent tsuppari drove Midorifuji from the fighting surface. Midorifuji needs to find some wins, soon. Oshidashi.

Aonishiki (6-1) defeated Endo (4-3). Aonishiki started with tsuppari and Endo wrapped him up on the belt to try to stop the assault. Aonishiki took his right hand, shoved it into Endo’s face and drove him through the dohyo and into the lap of a fan. The fan laughed, gave a thumbs up, and seemed absolutely thrilled to be a part of the action. “恥ずかしい！” Oshidashi.

Kinbozan (5-2) defeated Shishi (1-6). Kinbozan shoved Shishi straight back and out. One wonders if Shishi is injured. Tsukidashi.

Oshoma (4-3) defeated Churanoumi (1-6). Oshoma dragged Churanoumi by his shoulder to the edge and shoved Churanoumi out to finish him off. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Chiyoshoma (2-5) defeated Onokatsu (3-4). Chiyoshoma was all over Onokatsu like white on rice. Tsuppari, then grabbed Onokatsu by the right arm and belt, pulled him forward to the bales where he crushed him down to the ground. Yoritaoshi.

Ura (2-5) defeated Tobizaru (4-3). Ura secured a right-hand inside belt grip and dragged Tobizaru, helping him down with the left hand. Shitatedashinage.

Hakuoho (7-0) defeated Ichiyamamoto (3-4). Hakuoho absorbed Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari and backed to the tawara. At the edge he put his head down and bulldozed Ichiyamamoto, shoving him out of the ring. Oshidashi.

Wakamotoharu (2-5) defeated Tamawashi (2-5). Wakamotoharu took a bruising nodowa from Tamawashi but used his left hand inside to drive Tamawashi back and out of the ring. Yorikiri.

Sanyaku

Takayasu (2-5) defeated Oho (3-4). Beautiful throw from Takayasu to finish Oho. Takayasu got a hold of Oho’s belt with the right hand outside, stepped back and threw Oho to the ground. Oho seemed to cradle his left arm as he walked down the hanamichi. Uwatenage.

Kirishima (5-2) defeated Abi (3-4). Kirishima worked his way behind Abi and shoved him out from behind. Okuridashi.

Wakatakakage (6-1) defeated Daieisho (5-2). Wakatakakage blocked Daieisho’s nodowa and then overpowered the Sekiwake, shoving him backward and thrusting him from the ring. Daieisho’s promotion hopes this tournament are fading, fading… Oshidashi.

Gonoyama (1-6) defeated Kotozakura (4-3). Gonoyama got low, slammed his mage right into Kotozakura’s chin. He wrapped up Kotozakura with a morozashi and drove him backward and out. It felt like Kotozakura was still trying to figure out what to do when he was standing outside the tawara. Yorikiri.

Onosato (7-0) defeated Takerufuji (3-4). Takerufuji drove into Onosato hard at the tachiai. Onosato backed to his right and slapped Takerufuji down. Hatakikomi.

Hoshoryu (5-2) defeated Hiradoumi (3-4). Hoshoryu enveloped Hiradoumi with both arms before pivoting to his right and yanking Hiradoumi down by his left arm. Kotenage.

Wrap-up

Tomorrow is Nakabi already. It’s been a fun tournament so far and Onosato is in the driver’s seat. Hakuoho is still undefeated and will probably be pulled up the banzuke next week if his streak continues. As it is, Hakuoho will face Meisei tomorrow. Onosato will take on Hiradoumi.

Kotozakura is fighting like Shodai. It’s hard to believe Shodai was Ozeki for two years, isn’t it? With this kind of sumo, it’s hard to imagine Kotozakura lasting that long. The Goth Lord actually won a title back during the pestilence. Hard to think of that now as he will try to pick up his third win against…checks notes…Takanosho. Unfortunately, Daieisho looks like he is going to come up short this tournament in his drive to move up. He will need to win out in order to hit that 33-win mark.

Makushita Round of 16, Natsu 2025

lksumo Aki Basho 2022

We last checked in on the third-division yusho race after 2 rounds of bouts, when we had a 32-man bracket (the 29 rikishi who went 2-0 in Makushita, supplemented with the top 3 undefeated Sandanmne wrestlers). The third round of bouts gave us fourteen 3-0 Makushita rikishi. Among the wrestlers we’ve been following, former sekitori Takakento, Tenshoho, and Yago made the cut, as did March Ms60TD debutants Goshima and Fukuzaki, May debutant Ms60TD Gyotoku, and January Sd80TD debutant Ikarigata (Wakaikari’s brother). Fan favorite Enho lasted one round longer than former Ozeki Asanoyama, but he was handed his first loss by Nishinoryu in an exciting bout that required a monoii to confirm the outcome. Neither Enho nor Asanoyama will be returning to Juryo in July, but both can improve their chances for September by adding as many wins as possible to their 2-1 records. Also falling to 2-1 were Mongolian prospect Kyokukaiyu and Ms60TD Hanaoka.

We should now have a 16-man bracket, but life is not always simple. The complication this time is that our top-ranked 3-0 contender, Ms3e Otsuji, is taking his turn in Juryo on Day 7, where he will face J12w Nabatame. The bracket below shows how the rest of the matchups should go, and four of them have indeed been scheduled for Day 7 (Gojinyu-Kazenoumi, Tenshoho-Goshima, Yago-Kototsubasa, and Gyotoku-Kiyota). But there are two possibilities for the quarterfinals, depending on the outcome of Otsuji’s bout. If he wins, he takes the top rung in the bracket, faces the winner of Nishinoryu-Takakento, and everything proceeds accordingly. If he loses, all the quarterfinal pairings have to shift down one rung (the winner of Nishinoryu-Takakento fights the winner of Gojinyu-Kazenoumi, etc.). This scenario has additional potential complications: if Goshima and Fukuzaki both win, the pairings will have to be shuffled to avoid a same-heya matchup between them. And if Gyotoku loses, we’ll be on track for only 3 quarterfinal bouts. We’ll know which timeline we’re in tomorrow, and I’ll update the quarterfinals and take a first look at the Juryo promotion picture on Day 8.

Natsu 2025: The Real Day Six Highlights

Andy Natsu 2025, Natsu Basho ,

No kyujo news to report today other than we will see Kotoshoho on the dohyo today, as reported yesterday. Onosato has been leading the charge early in this tournament but we saw solid action from the top guys yesterday. Let’s get to it, shall we?

Your NHK videos are here: Juryo, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Asakoryu (5-1) defeated Nishikigi (5-1). Maybe Nishikigi isn’t all healed. He did well to start but Asakoryu bulled him out of the ring. Oshidashi.

Ryuden (4-2) defeated Tochitaikai (3-3). Tochitaikai tried a quick slapdown but Ryuden was ready and forced Tochitaikai to the edge. Tochitaikai tried to get back inside by circling around the bales and changing direction but Ryuden was patient and worked him over the bales. This is a positional game. Oshidashi.

Kayo (2-4) defeated Roga (4-2). As Roga fought inside for a left hand belt grip, Kayo backed away and rotated, shoving Roga’s right shoulder with his left hand. Kayo pulled out his Uno Reverse on the edge and finished Roga off with a shove. Oshidashi.

Tamashoho (2-4) defeated Tokihayate (2-4). Tokihayate got a morozashi late but couldn’t turn the tables as Tamashoho crushed him out of the ring. Yoritaoshi.

Sadanoumi (4-2) defeated Shonannoumi (1-5). Shonannoumi started plugging away with his tsuppari. Sadanoumi Junior grabbed his right arm and yanked hard. Shonannoumi pulled away but Sadanoumi pursued and forced him off the dohyo. “This is my house.” Yorikiri.

Kotoshoho (1-0-5) defeated Takanosho (3-3). Kotoshoho pulled and slapped Takanosho down after an opening flurry of tsuppari. I am always happy to see someone come off kyujo and win their first bout. It’s like, “maybe this guy actually took enough time to heal.” Hatakikomi.

Atamifuji (4-2) defeated Meisei (3-3). Atamifuji wrapped up Meisei’s arms and drove toward the bales. When Meisei resisted, Atamifuji pulled him down into the center of the ring. Kotenage.

Aonishiki (5-1) defeated Shodai (2-4). Shodai lured Aonishiki to the edge where he tried to pull Aonishiki over. Aonishiki somehow maintained his footing on one leg and then chased Shodai across the ring and threw him out from behind. Okurinage.

Shishi (1-5) defeated Midorifuji (0-6). Shishi wrapped up Midorifuji and forced him over the bales. Yorikiri.

Kinbozan (4-2) defeated Endo (4-2). Endo tried a quick slapdown. Kinbozan stepped forward but recovered and then shoved Endo off the dohyo. Endo again slow to return to the dohyo. That man has had his bell rung too many times. Tsukidashi.

Halftime

Oshoma (3-3) defeated Onokatsu (3-3). Oshoma used his tsuppari to keep Onokatsu away from his belt. He patiently circled, testing. Then he attempted a slapdown. Onokatsu stumbled forward but stayed upright. Oshoma was able to get in behind Onokatsu, wrap him up and usher him out from behind. Okuridashi.

Hakuoho (6-0) defeated Ura (1-5). Both men started with a left hand inside. Hakuoho wrapped up Ura’s right arm. Ura then pressed Hakuoho about the shoulders. Ura tried a slapdown but Hakuoho was ready and used the momentum to charge forward into Ura and press him to the bales. Hakuoho kept up the pressure and forced Ura out. Hakuoho’s patience won this. Yorikiri.

Chiyoshoma (1-5) defeated Churanoumi (1-5). Churanoumi was ready for Chiyoshoma’s henka. However, Chiyoshoma grabbed Churanoumi’s belt and beat him, straight up, on the belt, driving him over the edge. Yorikiri.

Tobizaru (4-2) defeated Ichiyamamoto (3-3). Ichiyamamoto launched into his tsuppari attack. Tobizaru pulled and timed his slapdown perfectly. Hatakikomi.

Abi (3-3) defeated Oho (3-3). Oho batted Abi’s arms and shoved him to the side but Abi recovered well and re-engaged. He then executed his patented slapdown and drove Oho into the clay. Hatakikomi.

Sanyaku

Wakatakakage (5-1) defeated Takayasu (1-5). Takayasu started with kachiage, forearm to the head but did not connect well. Takayasu laid into WTK with tsuppari and Wakatakakage retaliated with a slapdown. This forced Takayasu to stumble forward, and just like Oshoma did earlier, Wakatakakage came in from behind to finish Takayasu off. Okuridashi.

Hiradoumi (3-3) defeated Daieisho (5-1). Hiradoumi hit Daieisho firmly at the tachiai then immediately shifted slightly to the left and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Kirishima (4-2) defeated Wakamotoharu (1-5). Kirishima wrapped up Wakamotoharu and as he drove forward to the bales, Kirishima kicked Wakamotoharu’s right leg from the outside with his left leg. Sotogake.

Onosato (6-0) defeated Gonoyama (0-6). Gonoyama pushed Onosato’s chin up but Onosato chased him from the ring for his efforts. Oshidashi.

Kotozakura (4-2) defeated Takerufuji (3-3). Takerufuji started with gaburi-yotsu, pumping his way to the bales. Kotozakura resisted at the edge and Takerufuji was impatient, so Takerufuji pulled with his left and tried to force Kotozakura down with his right. Kotozakura fell forward but he fell onto Takerufuji, crushing the Isegahama heyagashira. Yoritaoshi.

Hoshoryu (4-2) defeated Tamawashi (2-4). Tamawashi shifted left at the tachiai and tried to shove Hoshoryu but Hoshoryu reacted well and rushed Tamawashi out. Oshidashi.

Wrap up

Onosato is cruising. He dispatched Gonoyama with ease today. He remains in the lead with Hakuoho. Nishikigi and Daieisho stumbled today, joining Wakatakakage, Aonishiki, and Asakoryu (?!) with one loss.

Aonishiki is setting himself up for a Technique Prize, if he can keep this up. He has been brilliant to watch. His recovery today and escape from Shodai’s throw was another highlight bout. Takayasu took time to get back onto the dohyo. I would not be surprised if kyujo is incoming. We thought Daieisho had solved his tendency to get out ahead of his feet but apparently not, Hiradoumi caught him out perfectly.

Hoshoryu will fight Hiradoumi tomorrow while Onosato faces Takerufuji. It’s Kotozakura turn to beat up on Gonoyama. Daieisho will battle Wakatakakage. Hakuoho will fight Ichiyamamoto, Aonishiki faces Endo. Asakoryu will take on Tokihayate and Nishikigi will fight Sadanoumi.

It’s funny to see Takakeisho ushering folks out of the stadium at the end of the tournament. Folks come up to him pretty excited to see him and he’s lost a ton of weight. You can imagine hearing this, “Yes, I look great. But you gotta go, lady. You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.” And Akua seems to be enjoying his bow-twirling duties. Thus ends another great day of sumo. I’ll catch you back here tomorrow.

Natsu 2025: Day Five Highlights

Andy Natsu 2025, Natsu Basho

Today, we received news that Hokutofuji has retired. He will remain with the Kyokai as a coach, Oyama-oyakata. Chiyootori has shifted to the Nishikijima kabu and Shotenro slides over to the vacant Dekiyama in the sumo world’s version of musical chairs. Other news from the infirmary, Kotoshoho will participate in the tournament from Day 6 and draws Takanosho in tomorrow’s matchup.

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

Makuuchi Action

Nishikigi (5-0) defeated Tochitaikai (3-2). Nishikigi continues to roll. Today he faced Tochitaikai and weathered the initial tsuppari attack from the shin-nyumaku. He brought his arms up to bat away Tochitaikai’s attack, then wrapped up his opponent’s belt and ran downhill, forcing Tochitaikai back and out. Yorikiri.

Kayo (1-4) defeated Takarafuji (2-3). Takarafuji pressured Kayo, driving him to the edge of the dohyo. Kayo retreated inside the bales and sunk the Takarabune with a slapdown. Hatakikomi.

Asakoryu (4-1) defeated Shonannoumi (1-4). Asakoryu got a left-hand inside grip on Shonannoumi’s belt and twisted, pulling Shonannoumi forward, just as Shonannoumi started to charge ahead. Shitatenage.

Roga (4-1) defeated Tamashoho (1-4). Roga had enough of Tamashoho’s tsuppari, charged forward, wrapping up his opponent in a bear hug and running him out of the ring. Yorikiri.

Ryuden (3-2) defeated Tokihayate (2-3). Ryuden reached down and seized the front of Tokihayate’s belt. Tokihayate reacted by pulling backward. Ryuden was like, “Okay,” and pressed forward, using Tokihayate’s momentum to drive him out. Yorikiri.

Sadanoumi (3-2) defeated Atamifuji (3-2). Sadanoumi demonstrated his power by wrapping up Atamifuji quickly with a left-hand outside, right hand inside. He charged forward and forced Atamifuji over the bales. Yorikiri.

Takanosho (3-2) defeated Endo (4-1). Thank you to the random sujo in the crowd for pointing out today is Endo’s 1001st bout in professional sumo. Takanosho spoiled the party, however, by handing Endo his first loss of the tournament. Endo reached forward with his right hand to get a hold of Takanosho’s belt. As he did so, he over extended a bit and Takanosho struck with his own attack. Takanosho shifted left and pressed Endo forward and down, getting in behind Endo. He then ran Endo out of the ring from behind. Okuridashi.

Meisei (3-2) defeated Shishi (0-5). Shishi’s troubles continue as Meisei dispatched the Ukrainian quickly with a shove on Shishi’s left shoulder. Tsukiotoshi.

Aonishiki (4-1) defeated Midorifuji (0-5). What a beautiful finishing move from Aonishiki! He pulled with his left hand inside on Midorifuji’s belt while attacking Midorifuji’s left knee with his right hand. I had been screaming at the TV because Aonishiki’s left-hand outside grip allowed Midorifuji to try his katasukashi. Midorifuji tried to execute but Aonishiki shifted and tried his own slapdown. Then, Aonishiki shifted his left hand inside, down in front and said, “Chill, Andy. Watch this.” Absolutely beautiful uchimuso. Aminishiki must be chuffed to watch that one.

Kinbozan (3-2) defeated Shodai (2-3). Shodai countered Kinbozan’s tsuppari attack by pulling up on Kinbozan’s belt, driving him through the ring. At the edge, however, Kinbozan twisted and turned the tables on Shodai, forcing the Goth King over the tawara. Yorikiri.

Hakuoho (5-0) defeated Churanoumi (1-4). Hakuoho struggled to get a hold of or contain Churanoumi. But Churanoumi’s mistake was to pull. As soon as he did shifted backward, Hakuoho steamrolled and forced Churanoumi out. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Onokatsu defeated Tobizaru. Onokatsu got a solid hold of Tobizaru with a left-hand over-arm grip. Tobizaru’s own grip was unsettled as he kept shifting from the belt to holding Onokatsu’s trunk. While Tobizaru made up his mind, Onokatsu rotated and dragged Tobizaru to the edge. Some gaburi thrusts finished Tobizaru off. Yorikiri.

Ura (1-4) defeated Chiyoshoma (0-5). Chiyoshoma went for the belt today and Ura showed him the error of his ways. Ura locked on with his own belt grip and bowled Chiyoshoma over. Yorikiri.

Ichiyamamoto (3-2) defeated Oshoma (2-3). Ichiyamamoto pounded away at Oshoma and drove him over the bales. Oshidashi.

Abi (2-3) defeated Takerufuji (3-2). Abi blasted forward with forceful blasts to Takerufuji’s face. He then shoved Takerufuji down with a powerful thrust. Tsukiotoshi.

Sanyaku

Wakamotoharu (1-4) defeated Takayasu (1-4). I’m not sure if it was just bad timing or if Takayasu is broken. Either way, Takayasu tried to stand Wakamotoharu up at the tachiai. Wakamotoharu stayed low so Takayasu tried to reach over and grab at the back of Wakamotoharu’s belt. Takayasu failed to grab it, though, and Wakamotoharu bumrushed him and blasted him off the dohyo. All of this in the span of a few seconds. Oshidashi.

Wakatakakage (4-1) defeated Kirishima (3-2). Kirishima got a morozashi, double-inside grip and pressed forward. Wakatakakage reached up around Kirishima’s head with his right arm and twisted, pulling Kirishima down along the bales. Kubinage.

Daieisho (5-0) defeated Oho (3-2). Daieisho just plain overpowered Oho with his thrusts, driving the youngster back and out. Dominant. Tsukidashi.

Kotozakura (3-2) defeated Hiradoumi (2-3). Hiradoumi stayed low but Kotozakura pulled back and used his weight to press down, forcing Hiradoumi to eat clay. I’m sure it’s full of vitamins and minerals. Ouch. Hikiotoshi.

Onosato (5-0) defeated Tamawashi (2-3). Tamawashi attacked Onosato with a powerful nodowa but Onosato wrapped him up and chugged forward. More dominance. Love to see it at this rank. Yorikiri.

Hoshoryu (3-2) defeated Gonoyama (0-5). After a brief exchange of tsuppari, Gonoyama hit Hoshoryu with a nodowa. Hoshoryu worked his way inside and eventually contained Gonoyama with a firm left-hand overarm grip. He then rotated and pulled Gonoyama to the ground in the center of the ring. Uwatedashinage.

Wrap-up

Wins from Hoshoryu, Onosato, Kotozakura and Daieisho restore balance in the force. Today should be a good day. Hoshoryu will get his turn against Tamawashi tomorrow, though. You know the veteran will be taking his chance at a kinboshi seriously. Meanwhile, Takerufuji will face Kotozakura, Onosato will fight Gonoyama and Daieisho will take on Hiradoumi.

Further down the banzuke, Hakuoho is paired with Ura and Nishikigi will fight Asakoryu to kick off Day Six in the top division. Aonishiki will face Shodai.