Before diving into Day Three, there is one quick kyujo news bulletin. After yesterday’s knee injury, Mita is kyujo. Media reports indicate three months out of action, and surgery to repair his ACL tear. Daiseizan picked up the walk-over win to stay undefeated. We hope Mita takes his time to heal properly and is able to do so without suffering a significant fall down the banzuke.

The Juryo competition has quickly narrowed to include Daiseizan, Shirokuma, and Makushita Tsukedashi prospect, Fujiryoga at 3-0. Fujiryoga will fight fellow Juryo debutant, Himukamaru tomorrow. Shirokuma will take on Kōtokuzan while Daiseizan will fight Fujiseiun. Former Ozeki Asanoyama picked up his first win of the tournament today.

I wonder how often someone makes their maezumo debut with a chonmage. It will make for an interesting and rare photo-op when they wear their borrowed kesho mawashi. https://t.co/ZuPeVBwwtQ

— 立ち合い (@tachiai_blog) November 11, 2025

Maezumo started today and that meant highly-touted Isegahama prospect, Asahifuji, mounted the dohyo to compete for the first time. Hopefully the video above will work. He is so hyped and tipped for greatness that he was given former master’s, and former Yokozuna’s, shikona. He quickly dispatched Tenshoyama with a straight-forward yotsu victory.

I’ve definitely noticed a quieter audience here in Kyushu. The Japanese fans seem to have been sufficiently admonished to pair back some of the pre-bout shouting and heckling. After the London basho, wrestlers like Ura noted how well behaved the fans were, in contrast to the rowdy Japan crowds.

Your NHK videos for Day 3 are here. Earlier bouts seemed to be delayed but they seem to have caught up. As I push the button to publish, only the Onosato bout was just published.

Makuuchi Action

Asakoryu (3-0) defeated Chiyoshoma (2-1). Asakoryu hit Chiyoshoma and drove him back quickly with forceful shoves to the upper body. Chiyoshoma glanced quickly behind him for a safe landing area before being shoved from the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Kotoeiho (Juryo 2-1) defeated Sadanoumi (1-2). stopped Sadanoumi’s forward movement at the bales, then was able to establish a solid migi-yotsu (right-hand inside, left-hand outside belt grip). From there he pulled up, twisted Sadanoumi closer to the bales on the right, and forced him over the tawara. Yorikiri.

Nishikifuji (2-1) defeated Oshoumi (1-2). Both men launched into a slap-fest at the tachiai. Nishikifuji won the advantage with a well-timed forward surge, leading with his head. He drove Oshoumi back to the edge, kept up the pressure, and shoved him over the boundary. Oshidashi.

Shonannoumi (1-2) defeated Tokihayate (2-1). Tokihayate challenged Shonannoumi, driving forward. But as the pair reached the edge of the fighting surface, Shonannoumi shifted right and slapped Tokihayate down. Hatakikomi.

Ryuden (2-1) defeated Gonoyama (1-2). Ryuden’s right-hand ottsuke worked effectively to keep Gonoyama from establishing his own left-hand inside grip. While Gonoyama struggled, Ryuden finally acquired a morozashi (double-inside grip) and guided Gonoyama backward over the tawara. Yorikiri.

Mitakeumi (1-2) defeated Tomokaze (0-3). Tomokaze’s left-hand ottsuke was not as effective as the blocking technique displayed by Ryuden in the prior bout. Mitakeumi chugged forward behind hazu-oshi shoves, and pushed Tomokaze off the dohyo.  Oshidashi.

Kotoshoho (2-1) defeated Shishi (1-2). Kotoshoho drove Shishi backward and quickly got Shishi off-balance to where Shishi’s foot stepped back over the bales. He tried to fight on but the mark in the janome was obvious. It looked like a kid had been digging around in the sand with a bulldozer. Yorikiri.

Fujinokawa (3-0) defeated Daieisho (1-2). Fujinokawa hit Daieisho with effective shoves but Daieisho followed up with his own patented thrusting brand of sumo. Fujinokawa took advantage of Daieisho’s known weakness, his balance. When Daieisho thrust forward behind powerful hazuoshi, Fujinokawa shoved Daieisho’s hands down, putting Daieisho off-balance and stumbling forward. Fujinokawa quickly shoved Daieisho out for the win. Oshidashi.

Roga (2-1) defeated Tobizaru (1-2). Tobizaru locked up Roga and drove forward. Tobizaru tried several times to trip Roga. The first attempt nearly worked but the final one allowed Roga to win crucial momentum and drive Tobizaru back. Off-balance, Roga used his right-hand grip to throw Tobizaru to the ground. Uwatenage.

Ichiyamamoto (2-1) defeated Kinbozan (1-2). Ichiyamamoto is getting very effective with his belt-work. Though this was an oshi-tsuki battle, Ichiyamamoto led with his head and subtly shifted to the side twice to try to gain access to Kinbozan’s belt. As Kinbozan rushed forward to force Ichiyamamoto over the bales, Ichiyamamoto slipped left, reached over Kinbozan’s back for his belt, and pulled Kinbozan forward. The Abi clone is quickly adding a dependable yotsu tool to his multi-faceted tool belt. Uwatenage.

Midorifuji (1-2) defeated Abi (2-1). Speaking of Abi, his predictability was his undoing today. Midorifuji knew what to watch out for. With solid footwork, he stayed inside Abi’s effective tsuppari range and blocked what nodowa and slaps he could. Then he used his own sidesteps and pull-down attack to force Abi to stumble forward. Midorifuji followed up with shoves to bounce Abi from the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Atamifuji (2-1) defeated Onokatsu (1-2). Onokatsu got his left hand inside quickly but Atamifuji worked on breaking that hold with his right arm and simultaneously driving Onokatsu back with the left. Once Atamifuji landed a brutal nodowa, forcing Onokatsu’s head up and back, he drove forward and forced Onokatsu over the bales. Oshidashi.

Shodai (1-2) defeated Churanoumi (2-1). Churanoumi allowed Shodai inside and Shodai obliged by pressing forward. Churanoumi slipped left along the bales and nearly caught Shodai. But the elusive mod spun his way back into play and re-engaged. Churanoumi went on offense this time and drove Shodai back. As Shodai reached the bales, he slipped to his right and thrust Churanoumi down with his right arm in Churanoumi’s armpit. Tsukiotoshi.

Tamawashi (2-1) defeated Oshoma (1-2). Tamawashi pressed forward as Oshoma retreated around the ring and eventually shoved Oshoma out. Oshidashi.

Yoshinofuji (2-1) defeated Ura (1-2). Ura tried some last-second heroics but Yoshinofuji kept Ura in front of him to a sufficient degree to force Ura to land a split-second ahead…or did he? Yoshinofuji’s arm did touch the outer bales but it was close. No mono-ii. Perhaps it was called a kabaite, protective move to keep him from injury as he fell. What’s clear is Yoshinofuji was on offense, moving forward. Yoritaoshi.

Sanyaku

Wakamotoharu (1-2) defeated Takanosho (0-3). Takanosho chugged forward, forcing WMH’s heels to the edge. Wakamotoharu twisted and used his right hand in Takanosho’s armpit to drive him to the ground at the ring’s edge, perhaps inspired by Shodai’s prior escape. Tsukiotoshi.

Hiradoumi (2-1) defeated Oho (2-1). Hiradoumi chugged forward and Oho tried too hard to replicate his success from earlier in the tournament. Hiradoumi had locked on securely with his left-hand overarm grip and kept Oho in front. Yorikiri.

Aonishiki (3-0) defeated Hakuoho (1-2). Hakuoho got a morozashi and drove Aonishiki back. Aonishiki suddenly wrapped his left arm around Hakuoho’s next and twisted him down. Both men fell very close in time but gunbai was given to Aonishiki. Mono-ii. Video replay appeared to show Hakuoho’s shoulder hitting the tawara first. Gunbai confirmed. Aonishiki wins a close one in the pair’s fourth meeting. Aonishiki has Hakuoho’s number at this point, 4-0 in their head-to-head. Remember how Ichiyamamoto is developing that new yotsu tool? Aonishiki seems to have developed a Batman-like utility belt. It took a while to confirm the kimarite but it was a kubinage, or neck throw.

Takayasu (2-1) defeated Kotozakura (1-2). Takayasu did not appreciate Kotozakura’s left hand on his belt. Each time Kotozakura landed it, Takayasu would give a wiggle or physically pull Kotozakura’s hand away. Kotozakura seized an opportunity to grab Takayasu’s arm and pulled, nearly catching Takayasu with a kotenage. But Takayasu kept his balance and re-engaged, trying to keep Kotozakura’s left-arm at bay. Kotozakura briefly captured that left hand grip and pressed ahead to get his right hand on. As Kotozakura leaned forward, Takayasu struck with a brilliant move. He twisted counter-clockwise and pulled the Ozeki forward. Uchimuso.

Hoshoryu (2-1) defeated Kirishima (1-2). Hoshoryu struck out quickly, forcing Kirishima back and grabbing his belt with a right hand uwate. Kirishima somehow kept his balance so the Yokozuna shifted to grab Kirishima’s leg. The ashitori failed but Kirishima was rattled and just trying to survive. Hoshoryu pressed inside, wrapped up Kirishima’s trunk and ushered him, finally, over the bales. “I said, get out.” Humdrum yorikiri for a bout that was anything but. Great action. Yorikiri.

Onosato (3-0) defeated Wakatakakage (0-3). Wakatakakage tried to get his right hand inside but Onosato denied him. As Wakatakakage pivoted to regroup, Onosato rotated and pressed forward. Wakatakakage’s only remaining move was to find a soft place to land. Oshidashi.

Wrap-up

Onosato is looking great. His combination of technique and power were head-and-shoulders above former Ozeki candidate, Wakatakakage. The Yokozuna will trade opponents with Hoshoryu closing out the day against Wakatakakage in the musubi-no-ichiban. Onosato will fight Kirishima.

Kotozakura has no time to dally as he will fight Hakuoho tomorrow. Ura will fight Oho, undefeated Aonishiki will fight Takanosho and Takayasu will battle Wakamotoharu. Lower down the banzuke, Fujinokawa will fight Shishi and Asakoryu will fight Shonannoumi as both pint-size brawlers fight to maintain their perfect records.