Makushita: We Have Our First Bracket

lksumo Aki Basho 2022

Welcome to the Makushita yusho race! The format will be familiar to fans of USA college basketball or other sports with single-elimination tournaments. At the start of the basho, the 120 or so third-division rikishi are paired up in rank order. The winners continue on in the yusho bracket. Each round unfolds over two days, with the 7-0 champion usually crowned on Day 13. Disallowed pairings of rikishi from the same heya and other complications can occasionally lead to a playoff, potentially letting one-loss rikishi back into the race. A 6-1 wrestler took the yusho 14 times in the 150 basho since the start of 2000. All 14 were playoffs, with 6 to 9 rikishi taking part. Four additional playoffs during this period paired 7-0 wrestlers.

After 4 days of action, two rounds have been completed, and we have 29 undefeated rikishi. They will be paired up in rank order for round 3, with most bouts already scheduled for Day 5 and a few projected to take place on Day 6. The bracket is below; it is filled out to 32 rikishi by the 3 highest-ranked undefeated Sandanme wrestlers.

There are quite a few notable names in the 2-0 group. Surprisingly, former Ozeki Asanoyama is not one of them after Toseiryu handed him his first loss since his latest comeback started. Also out is Kawazoe, who sadly looked to be severely injured in his Day 3 loss. His heya-mate and fan favorite Enho is still in the running for the 7-0 record that would elevate him to Juryo; he is not on the Day 5 fight card, but his next opponent should be Nishinoryu. Both March Ms60TD debutants, Goshima and Fukuzaki, are still undefeated, as are two of the three May debutants, Gyotoku and Hanaoka (the third Ms60TD, Uruyama, was handed his only loss so far by Hanaoka). We also have former sekitori Takakento, Tenshoho, Daishomaru, and Yago, as well as interesting prospects such as Matsui, Anosho, Tanji, Ikarigata and Ienoshima. I’ll be back with a report on who makes in to the round of 16 in a couple of days!

Natsu 2025: Day Four Highlights

Andy Natsu 2025, Natsu Basho , ,

No news from the infirmary today. No new kyujo and no one returning.

Hoshoryu suffered his first loss. Will Oho take advantage of this and make an early charge for the yusho? Onosato will surely have something to say about that. Can Kotozakura turn things around and start winning on a regular basis? If any rank-and-filers make a charge this tournament, it may be Nishikigi’s turn as he finally seems healthy and is ranked lower than usual. But overall, a lot of the new crop of young guns are doing well. Thankfully, Onosato and Daieisho seem to be holding things down in sanyaku. Let’s get to today’s action.

NHK Videos are here: Juryo; Makuuchi Part I and Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Asakoryu (3-1) defeated Kayo (0-4). Kayo moved forward today but Asakoryu played the positional game well. Asakoryu rotated toward the center of the ring, grabbed Kayo and forced him over the edge. Yorikiri.

Nishikigi (4-0) defeated Fujiseiun (1-3). Nishikigi is having a great start against these low rankers. He drew Fujiseiun toward the bales and then executed a beautiful throw by rotating his body and dragging Fujiseiun over his right shoulder. “I bet you thought you were winning.” Amiuchi.

Ryuden (2-2) defeated Tamashoho (1-3). Ryuden got a double inside grip and started to press Tamashoho toward the bales. Tamashoho had to lift up a bit to shift his grip and work his left hand inside Ryuden’s right.  Yorikiri.

Tochitaikai (3-1) defeated Shonannoumi (1-3). Shonannoumi tried to drive forward and shove Tochitaikai out but Tochitaikai did well to dance along the bales and push Shonannoumi down. Tsukiotoshi.

Sadanoumi (2-2) defeated Tokihayate (2-2). Sadanoumi got his powerful left hand inside, right hand outside grip and charged ahead. Yorikiri.

Roga (3-1) defeated Takanosho (2-2). Roga pulled quickly after the tachiai and slid toward his left, slapping Takanosho to the ground. This is what I was talking about yesterday with Oho and Endo. Endo pulled back straight but Oho rotated to stay in the center. Roga stayed safely in bounds by rotating well to his left and forcing Takanosho to over extend. Hatakikomi.

Endo (4-0) defeated Shishi (0-4). Endo performed a beautiful disappearing act at the edge, leaping to his right as Shishi stumbled past. The gyoji did not see that Shishi’s right foot had gone over the bales and touched out, so the wrestlers kept going. Shishi eventually forced Endo over the bales. Gunbai Shishi. The head shimpan raised his hand and called a mono-ii to reverse the call. Hatakikomi.

Atamifuji (3-1) defeated Shodai (2-2). Shodai must have thought he could pull off Nishikigi’s throw but Atamifuji was having none of it. Atamifuji pressed forward and forced Shodai over the edge. Yorikiri.

Aonishiki defeated Meisei. The two wrestlers engaged in a great brawl with powerful tsuppari. Meisei shifted left and bumped Aonishiki, forcing the Ukrainian to stumble forward, perilously close to the bales. As Meisei pursued, Aonishiki seized his belt with his right hand and spun Meisei down to the ground. Beautifuji move. Uwatedashinage.

Kinbozan (2-2) defeated Midorifuji (0-4). Midorifuji with a bit of a henka at the tachiai but Kinbozan adjusted well. Midorifuji attempted his signature katasukashi but Kinbozan slipped his grip. Kinbozan kept up his own thrusting attack with excellent footwork and shoved Midorifuji into the crowd. Tsukidashi.

Hakuoho (4-0) defeated Onokatsu (2-2). Hakuoho acquired a moro-zashi, double inside belt grip, and pressed Onokatsu straight back and out. Yorikiri.

Halftime

Tobizaru (3-1) defeated Churanoumi (1-3). Churanoumi engaged Tobizaru in his preferred shoulder-thrusting attack. The two repeatedly backed up and pounded into each other. As Churanoumi charged forward, Tobizaru backed to his right and slapped Churanoumi down. Hatakikomi.

Oshoma (2-2) defeated Ura (0-4). Oshoma kept his hands at the back of Ura’s head and on his shoulders. After a brief oshi tussle, Ura settled at the center of the ring. Oshoma pressed down hard and slapped Ura down. Ura rolled with a flourish, as is his wont. Hatakikomi.

Ichiyamamoto (2-2) defeated Chiyoshoma (0-4). Ichiyamamoto sumo, the extended version. Chiyoshoma did what he could to stay in bounds and try to pull Ichiyamamoto down. But Ichiyamamoto maintained excellent ring presence and footwork, eventually working Chiyoshoma back to the edge and over. I’m not sure why Chiyoshoma did not try to engage on the belt. Ichiyamamoto seemed game and tried to grab for Chiyoshoma’s belt halfway through their battle. Chiyoshoma was of one mind, retreat. It did not go well. Yoritaoshi.

Tamawashi (2-2) defeated Gonoyama (0-4). Tamawashi finished Gonoyama with a slapdown after a great brawl. Gonoyama seemed to have little energy in the tank at the end. Hatakikomi.

Sanyaku

Wakatakakage (3-1) defeated Takerufuji (3-1). Takerufuji locked in on Wakatakakage with a left hand over arm grip. But he was fixated on moving backward and slapping WTK down. WTK pressed his way inside, got a morozashi, and used Takerufuji’s momentum to drive him back and out. Yorikiri.

Daieisho (4-0) defeated Takayasu (1-3). Unfazed by Takayasu’s shoulder blasts and tsuppari, Daieisho pressed forward and shoved Takayasu back and out. Oshidashi.

Kirishima (3-1) defeated Hiradoumi (2-2). After a strong initial charge, Hiradoumi pulled. Kirishima went with the momentum shift and bulldozed Hiradoumi, chasing him through the ring and blasting him over the edge, into the crowd. Oshidashi.

Onosato (4-0) defeated Oho (3-1). All of that stuff about Oho moving forward…forget it. Onosato brought his overwhelming power and forced Oho into a rethink. At the edge, Oho tried to pull but Onosato’s footwork was on point and he shoved Oho out. Oshidashi.

Kotozakura (2-2) defeated Wakamotoharu (0-4). Kotozakura’s initial backward step elicited a loud cry in our household, “What the hell are you doing?!?!” Half a world away, Kotozakura immediately realized he had done wrong, stopped, and pressed forward, driving Wakamotoharu out. The power of television. Yorikiri.

Abi defeated Hoshoryu. “Purple Rain, Purple Rain.” Abi-zumo. An strong initial shove followed by a pull and the Yokozuna fell hard into the dirt. Hikiotoshi.

Wrap-up

OK. The bouts you have to watch from the NHK videos are Nishikigi’s throw and Aonishiki’s escape. You will not be disappointed. Then, watch the Hoshoryu bout and you WILL be disappointed. This is literally Abi’s thing. READ THE BRIEF. Onosato and Kotozakura took care of their business but Hoshoryu couldn’t handle his today. Plain and simple.

Come back tomorrow for Hoshoryu versus winless Gonoyama! No? Don’t want to watch that? OK. I don’t blame you. That’s not exactly getting me eager for my 3am wake up call. Onosato versus Tamawashi will be fun, though. Will Oho be able to bounce back against Daieisho? If he couldn’t put a stop to Onosato’s rope run, maybe he can create a setback for Daieisho’s Ozeki hopes. There is a lot at stake in this tournament. I’m already looking forward to how this unfolds.

Natsu 2025, Day Three Highlights

Andy Natsu 2025 ,

I’m back! Thank you, Leonid, for the Makushita updates while I was away. I am eager to see this yusho contest, especially with Asanoyama and Enho both mounting comebacks from the division. Enho needs just one more tournament in juryo to earn his kabu (if I’m getting my kabu math correct). As I think I’d mentioned in the comments, though, I’m not very eager for an Enho/Asanoyama bout. As we will see today, there are a lot of smaller rikishi in the top division nowadays but they’ve all got rather more aggressive styles than Enho, particularly after Enho’s scary neck injury.

To briefly explain my own kyujo for the first couple of days, it’s certainly nothing exciting. Our clan had journeyed up to New Jersey to say our final goodbyes to my grandmother who passed back in December at 96. She was a pretty awesome woman and is missed.

As for the wrestlers’ kyujo, we have Kotoshoho out from Day One while Wakanosho was added to the list for today’s action. That’s definitely a bummer for the youngster and will not be good for his hopes of keeping that sekitori status. As others noted in the comments, Hokutofuji and Wakatakamoto’s absences are rather ominous. I will keep my eyes and ears out for any official news.

Twelve new recruits in Maezumo which started up today. The NHK coverage featured a young Brazilian while former Kaisei was today’s sideline correspondent. He will have a long way to go, though, from the looks of things but good luck. Everyone has to get their start somewhere.

The big story, though, is obviously Onosato and his rope run. He will face Abi today and Abi is certainly one of those wild cards who can pull out an upset. Will he do it today?

Our Three Days of videos to catch up on. Shonichi Juryo; and Makuuchi Part I and Part II. Day Two Juryo; Makuuchi Part I and Part II. Lastly, today’s Day Three Juryo; Makuuchi Part I and Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Asakoryu (2-1) defeated Tochitaikai (2-1). Not a henka, but Asakoryu shifted to his left and rotated while shoving Tochitaikai back. Tochitaikai tried to slap Asakoryu down at the edge but Asakoryu maintained stable footing and forced Tochitaikai out. Oshidashi.

Tamashoho (1-2) defeated Hidenoumi (1-2). Tamashoho wrapped up Hidenoumi with his left hand outside then followed up with a right-hand inside. I was a bit surprised by the head on strength from Tamashoho as he drove the larger Hidenoumi to the edge. Hidenoumi tried to get a morozashi but Tamashoho used his right hand ottsuke effectively to defend while forcing Hidenoumi back and over the bales. Yorikiri.

Shonannoumi (1-2) defeated Kayo (0-3). Kayo tried to pull Shonannoumi’s arms and force him down. Shonannoumi used the forward momentum to his advantage and just drove Kayo back and out. Oshidashi.

Nishikigi (3-0) defeated Ryuden (1-2). Nishikigi with a solid, dominant win today. Nishikigi locked up Ryuden with a left hand inside, right hand outside. Yorikiri.

Tokihayate (2-1) defeated Roga (2-1). Tokihayate blitzed Roga with both hands inside. He blocked Roga from getting a hold and forced Roga up and back. Yorikiri.

Takanosho (2-1) defeated Sadanoumi (1-2). Takanosho dominated Sadanoumi once he started going forward. After an initial step backward, Takanosho saw the light and chugged forward, blasting Sadanoumi back and out. Oshidashi.

Endo (3-0) defeated Atamifuji (2-1). Endo pulled Atamifuji forward to the edge while Atamifuji charged forward, forcing Endo off the dohyo. Endo fell backward off the dohyo, hard. Gunbai Atamifuji. Mono-ii. Atamifuji’s hand came down first so the gyoji’s call was overturned. Endo was given the win. Katasukashi.

Shodai (2-1) defeated Shishi (0-3). Shodai charged forward briefly before he shifted into reverse. The slapdown did not work so Shodai shifted right. As he did so, Shishi stumbled forward and Shodai finished Shishi off, shoving him down to the clay. Tsukiotoshi.

Meisei (2-1) defeated Kinbozan (1-2). Kinbozan will be frustrated with this loss. Kinbozan forced Meisei to the edge with overwhelming size and strength. But Meisei escaped along the dohyo long enough to tire Kinbozan. Meisei then grabbed Kinbozan’s arm and pulled him to the edge. Kinbozan resisted and resettled in the center. Kinbozan was totally gassed and Meisei drove forward and forced Kinbozan back and out. Yorikiri.

Aonishiki (2-1) defeated Onokatsu (2-1). Aonishiki stayed low and after an initial flurry of tsuppari from Onokatsu, Aonishiki locked on to the front of Onokatsu’s belt with his left hand. “Get it off! Get it off!” As if a radioactive spider had interrupted his picnic, Onokatsu retreated and tried to bat Aonishiki away. Aonishiki pursued well and locked on with his right hand and drove Onokatsu out. Yorikiri.

Churanoumi (1-2) defeated Midorifuji (0-3). Churanoumi kept Midorifuji from getting inside with an overwhelming forward attack. Midorifuji tried to escape but Churanoumi wrapped him up with both arms inside, forced him back and out. Okuridashi.

Halftime

Oshoma shoved hard to keep Tobizaru back. Tobizaru got his right hand on Oshoma and pulled him back. Both men hurdled off the dohyo. Gunbai Oshoma. Mono-ii. Both guys were determined to fall out at the same time. The Shimpan ordered a Torinaoshi rematch. In the rematch, Tobizaru avoided Oshoma’s slapdown attacks and forced Oshoma out. Oshidashi.

News Break

Hakuoho (3-0) defeated Chiyoshoma (0-3) Chiyoshoma got a strong grip and yanked Hakuoho around the dohyo. Hakuoho kept his balance, pivoted, and eventually powered Chiyoshoma backwards and over the edge. Yorikiri.

Takerufuji (3-0) defeated Ichiyamamoto (1-2). Takerufuji’s immediate, powerful forward attack negated Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari and he forced Ichiyamamoto out quickly. Oshidashi.

Hiradoumi (2-1) defeated Ura (0-3). A bit of a brawl to start but Hiradoumi launched inside driving Ura back and . Ura tried to rotate but Hiradoumi forced him out and both men tumbled from the dohyo. Gunbai Hiradoumi. No mono-ii. Yoritaoshi.

Sanyaku

Takayasu (1-2) defeated Gonoyama (0-3). Gonoyama charged forward and forced Takayasu high, driving him to the bales. Takayasu found the bales and retreated along them. Gonoyama gave chase but as Takayasu retreated, Gonoyama lost his balance. Takayasu then pounced and shoved Gonoyama from behind. That was not good sumo but a win is a win for Takayasu. Okuridashi.

Kirishima (2-1) defeated Tamawashi (1-2). Kirishima weathered Tamawashi’s thrusting attack and locked his opponent up with a double-inside grip. From there, Kirishima ushered Tamawashi back and out. Yorikiri.

Daieisho (3-0) defeated Wakamotoharu (0-3). Wakamotoharu charged forward into Daieisho, forcing Daieisho back to the edge. Daieisho pivoted beautifully and shrugged Wakamotoharu off to the side. Tsukiotoshi.

Wakatakakage (2-1) defeated Kotozakura (1-2). The Ozeki looked like dead weight here. He could not get low and Wakatakakage took advantage. Wakatakakage latched on with his right hand inside, left hand outside and worked Kotozakura back to the edge. Kotozakura tried to rotate but Wakatakakage defended well and forced the Ozeki over the edge. Kotozakura seems bound for a hard fought kadoban at this point. Yorikiri.

Onosato (3-0) defeated Abi (0-3). Abi forced Onosato back with a great nodowa. Onosato used his left hand to bat Abi’s attacking right arm away, strongly. That forced Abi to the side and Onosato wrapped Abi up from behind and shoved him out. Okuridashi.

Mr. Donut is a kensho sponsor now. I wonder if they would be interested in a yusho prize. I think a heya would be appreciative of a year’s worth of donuts. That reminds me that my boss owes me a donut.

Oho (3-0) defeated Hoshoryu (2-1). A pusher-thruster bout as Oho moved forward and took it to the Yokozuna. Oho got his arms up on Hoshoryu’s shoulders, pivoted, and pulled Hoshoryu down. Hatakikomi.

Wrap-up

Well, I come back and Oho earns a kinboshi from Hoshoryu! That’s a result. Oho moved forward really well. The important thing, at least in my mind, is that he pivoted when he pulled. He didn’t really move backwards as he pulled but rather rotated and remained in the center of the ring. I feel if more guys did that, they would win more decisively. I would look at Endo’s pull down as an example of the opposite; he moved backward and nearly took himself out. Oho used to lose a lot of bouts moving backward like that. I am eager to see if he is finally turning that corner and making a push to be a sanyaku regular.

Onosato took another step forward to Yokozuna today as Kotozakura is off to another poor start. Daieisho, though, will be an interesting one to watch. He’s got his own dark horse promotion run going. A yusho would be spectacular.

Well, it’s great to be back. It’s great to have sumo and I look forward to the next 12 days of action.

Natsu Makushita Update, Day 2

lksumo Aki Basho 2022

After today’s action, 29 more rikishi joined the 1-0 yusho bracket. Like yesterday, I won’t cover all of them, but here are some results for those we’ve been following.

Promotion Zone

Ms1w Akua dropped to 1-1 after his visit to Juryo to take on Mita. Recording their first win were Ms3e Otsuji and Mongolian prospect Ms5e Kyokukaiyu.

Extended Promotion Zone

Ms10w Enho won, staying on course for a potential meeting with Ms14w Asanoyama. If both stay undefeated through their next two three bouts, they’re on course to meet on Day 7 or 8 9 (for the record, they’ve met 3 times, with Enho taking the first and Asanoyama the next two).

Other Yusho Contenders

In the first meeting between two of the three Makushita 60 tsukedashi debutants, Hanaoka bested Uruyama. March Ms60TD debutant Ms28e Goshima joined his heya-mate Ms39w Fukuzaki in the 1-0 group. One of the yusho hopes, Ms16e Kawazoe, lost today. Promising division newcomer Ms45e Ikarigata (Wakaikari’s little bro) won, as did former sekitori Yago and Tenshoho.