Hoshoryu

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.

Haru 2025: Day Two

Andy Haru 2025 , ,

Haru Basho Day Two begins. News from the infirmary, Nishikifuji is kyujo, Ryuden will get the default win. We will see some Juryo visitors from tomorrow.

Hoshoryu and Kotozakura certainly got off on the wrong foot on Day One. We will see today how well they recover. Elsewhere in the Dorji clan family tree, Tenrose picked up his first win of his career today. Will his cousin follow that up with a win today?

Yesterday, Sadanoumi lost to the rare technique of okurihikiotoshi. Tachiai reader, Joboryu, checked out the wealth of kimarite videos at the NHK World website and saw that, coincidentally, Sadanoumi features in the video about okurihikiotoshi. NHK World does have a great deal of explainer videos, in English, including the kimarite videos and the Sumopedia. If you ever run across a term you’re not familiar with, chances are it is explained there.

Speaking of videos, the NHK videos are here: Juryo Part I & Part II, Makuuchi Part I & Part II.

Makuuchi Action

Mitakeumi (1-1) defeated Tokihayate (1-1). Tokihayate tried to draw Mitakeumi to the bales and then throw him over. Mitakeumi went along for the ride to the edge but kept his balance and gently forced Tokihayate out. Yorikiri. Tokihayate will face Tamashoho, visiting from Juryo, tomorrow.

Kotoshoho (2-0) defeated Shirokuma (0-2). Kotoshoho pivoted as the two neared the edge and twisted Shirokuma down. Sukuinage. Shirokuma will face Mitakeumi.

Asakoryu (2-0) defeated Aonishiki (0-2). Asakoryu went for the slap-down win three times. On the third attempt, he caught Aoinishiki out and Aonishiki stumbled forward toward the edge. Asakoryu was quick to follow up and blast Aonishiki from behind. Okuridashi. Asakoryu will face Kotoshoho tomorrow.

Churanoumi (2-0) defeated Sadanoumi (0-2). These two jumped early, twice. Sadanoumi nearly forced Churanoumi out but Churanoumi recovered, drove Sadanoumi through the ring and walked him over the edge. Yorikiri. Sadanoumi will face Aonishiki.

Ryuden (2-0) fusen win over Nishikifuji (0-2).

Shishi (1-1) defeated Takarafuji (1-1). Takarafuji got a firm right hand over-arm grip of Shishi’s belt. But Shishi countered with his lefthand inside, dragged Takarafuji across to the opposite edge and roughly dropped him along the bales. Shitatenage. Takarafuji will fight Ryuden and Shishi will face Churanoumi.

Onokatsu (2-0) defeated Midorifuji (1-1). Onokatsu successfully worked his way inside on Midorifuji and forced him to the edge. Midorifuji tried a kubinage but his foot went out as he tried to brace his lower body and gain leverage. Andrew noticed the two gold stripes at the front of Midorifuji’s new mawashi. Some may think it’s an indicator of rank, like stripes like on a karate or judo belt. Nope, they’re the mark of the maker. Herouth found an awesome video with Nakagawa-san and posted it in her excellent “splainer” article about mawashi. A great read. Feel free to go there, now. I will wait. Aside from the video, there is so much information that you’re sure to discover something new there that you didn’t know. Yorikiri.

Meisei (1-1) defeated Shonnanoumi (0-2). Welcome back. I told you that was a great article, didn’t I? Bookmark it. You’ll be back. Shonannoumi lured Meisei to the edge and tried a pull but Meisei was in perfect position and kept hammering Shonannoumi with tsuppari, shoving him over the bales. Oshidashi. Meisei will face Onokatsu.

Hakuoho (2-0) defeated Nishikigi (0-2). Hakuoho got a great blast out of the tachiai and forced Nishikigi back. Nishikigi tried a pull but Hakuoho was in great position and shoved him out. Yorikiri. Nishikigi will take on Midorifuji.

Endo (2-0) defeated Atamifuji (1-1). Atamifuji charged forward and Endo pulled, slapping Atamifuji down on the edge before he clumsily tumbled backward into the crowd for some fansa. Gunbai Atamifuji. Video showed Endo’s foot stayed in, on the top of the bales, so a quick mono-ii resulted in a reversal. Katasukashi. Endo will face Shonannoumi on Day Three.

Tamawashi (1-1) defeated Oshoma (0-2). Oshoma tried a pull but Tamawashi was wise and shoved Oshoma out. Oshidashi. Oshoma will face Atamifuji tomorrow. Tamawashi will take on Hakuoho. That could be a good one.

Halftime

Shodai (1-1) defeated Hiradoumi (1-1). Hiradoumi pulled and Shodai tumbled to the clay…but the overcaffeinated Hiradoumi had stepped out before Shodai fell. So, Shodai picked up the Oshidashi win.

Takerufuji (2-0) defeated Kinbozan (0-2). Kinbozan tried for a quick henka and slapdown but did not henka enough. Takerufuji was in great position and chased Kinbozan out. Oshidashi. Takerufuji will fight Hiradoumi and Kinbozan will try to recover against Shodai.

Takayasu (2-0) defeated Ura (1-1). Takayasu pounded away at Ura with a steady torrent of tsuppari. Ura found no openings for an attack, so when Takayasu stepped to the side, Ura rolled to the exits. Hatakikomi.

Ichiyamamoto (1-1) defeated Takanosho (0-2). Ichiyamamoto settled into a grapple but churned his legs and drove Takanosho to the edge. Yorikiri. Ichiyamamoto will face Takayasu tomorrow; Takanosho gets Ura.

Sanyaku

Abi (2-0) defeated Tobizaru (0-2). Abi’s first slapdown attempt was a dud. But eventually Tobizaru charged forward at the wrong time and Abi slipped to the left, letting Tobizaru fly down into the crowd. Tsukiotoshi.

Daieisho (1-1) defeated Chiyoshoma (1-1). Daieisho’s thrusts were too much for Chiyoshoma. Chiyoshoma had no chance to get inside and get a belt grip against that. Tsukidashi.

Wakamotoharu (2-0) defeated Oho (0-2). Oho was smart enough not to fall for Wakamotoharu’s trap at the edge. But Wakamotoharu was not going to fall for Oho’s backwards-business, either. So, Oho grabbed at Wakamotoharu and tried to tip him over but Wakamotoharu latched on and twisted Oho all the way down. Sukuinage.

Onosato (2-0) defeated Kirishima (1-1). Steady Onosato maintained his balance as Kirishima grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the edge. Onosato worked his arm free then thrust Kirishima into the crowd. Oshidashi.

Kotozakura (1-1) defeated Gonoyama (1-1). Kotozakura moved forward well today. He wrapped up Gonoyama, worked him to the edge when Gonoyama tried an ill-conceived pull, then forced him out. Yorikiri.

Hoshoryu (1-1) defeated Wakatakakage (0-2). Wakatakakage tried to draw Hoshoryu to the bales and Hoshoryu obliged but Hoshoryu wrapped up Wakatakage firmly and drove him off the dohyo and into the crowd. Yorikiri.

Wrap-up.

The three men who featured in Hatsu’s playoff have combined for one win over these first two days. Hoshoryu and Kotozakura turned things around and along side steady Onosato, all three champions picked up white stars today.

Hoshoryu will face Wakamotoharu tomorrow while Onosato will take on Gonoyama and Kotozakura fights Abi. Abi has definitely been having an excellent start to this tournament and is hitting Kotozakura at a time when the Ozeki appears vulnerable. Yes, Kotozakura moved forward today but I wonder if that was due to Gonoyama’s pull. Abi has shown excellent, powerful forward moving sumo as well as his deft, lateral moves. Anything but backwards and he could be an early favorite this tournament.

Further down the torikumi, we’ve got Daieisho against Wakatakakage, Oho versus Tobizaru, and Kirishima against Chiyoshoma. One of those names does not seem to fit along with the others, does it? Chiyoshoma showed he can be a danger on the belt, though. Kirishima is not known to keep his opponents at bay with tsuppari but he may want to try that tomorrow. Nevertheless, Kirishima has won their last four bouts. Is Chiyoshoma heading for a deep makekoshi?

Haru Basho 2025: Preview

Andy Haru 2025, Hoshoryu ,

SUMO IS BACK!

Your Japanese word of the day is “Oi.” (甥) That means, “nephew.” Keep that in mind, there will be a quiz.

A battalion of sumo wrestlers has congregated in Osaka and will soon mount the newly reconstructed, freshly consecrated dohyo. Our new tategyoji was on the ball last go round. Let’s keep it going.

Last year, Terunofuji lost his opener to Nishikigi and was kyujo by the end of week one. This time around, Terunofuji has stepped aside and joined Hakuho as an elder in Isegahama stable. A new era is upon us and all eyes will be on Hoshoryu as shin-Yokozuna. Nephew of Asashoryu, we all wonder what direction his career will take from here. Fans in the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium will be treated to a dohyo-iri and a likely fire-cracker bout as Hoshoryu faces Abi.

Hoshoryu is not the only story here. Hatsu basho was an unmitigated disaster for Ozeki Kotozakura. Going into the tournament, he was the favorite for the rope. He finished the tournament kadoban and will need to win eight here to save his rank. Kotozakura will take on Wakamotoharu in his first bout of this critical spring campaign. Meanwhile, Onosato is obviously still here. Though the hype machine has quieted a bit and he was a non-factor in the Hatsu yusho contest, he still managed to put together a respectable 10-win basho. He will face Wakatakakage.

Haru 2025 Banzuke
Haru 2025 Banzuke

Oho leapfrogged his way into a Sekiwake slot and will face Chiyoshoma, a wrestler whom I think gained more fans and respect in January. He is likely out of his depth at Maegashira 2, however. We would not be surprised if he unleashes one or two henka along the way. Kinbozan will open his basho against grizzled former Ozeki, Takayasu. (Edit. No, he won’t. Kinbozan will face Hiradoumi. I have no idea what I was looking at.)

Ichiyamamoto is actually at his highest rank and will fight Ura. But as our eyes skim down the banzuke, the returns of young-guns Shishi and Asakoryu (who are both at their highest rank) are overshadowed a bit by the top division debut of Aonishiki.

Aminishiki’s top recruit has flown up the banzuke since claiming two consecutive lower division titles. Makushita was not even a speed bump as he sailed through with three consecutive 6-1 results. Double-digit wins in Juryo at Kyushu and Hatsu have propelled the young lad into prime time. His first fight will be Churanoumi. That’s going to be a brawl. Churanoumi is at a lower rank than he should be after a pair of disasterous tournaments. If he is healthy, he could end up fighting joi-ranked wrestlers in Week Two. Expect sparks, that’s for sure.

OK, do you remember your Japanese word of the day? No? Come on, this one was EASY. OI! (甥) For those of you who get to tune in early on Abema for the lower-division bouts, Hikarumusashi will make his debut. He is the second nephew of Musashimaru to enter the sumo world. His brother, Musashikuni, retired just before the pandemic. Hikarumusashi’s career starts tonight aganst Kaitoma! Another second nephew, Tenrose, will likely start his career tomorrow. Tenrose is the cousin of Hoshoryu and another nephew of Asashoryu. Good luck guys!

Yokozuna Hoshoryu

Andy Haru Basho, Hoshoryu, Juryo (十両) , ,

The Banzuke Committee met today, along with an ad hoc meeting of the Association’s Board of Directors to approve Hoshoryu as the 74th Yokozuna. After his Championship run, the Shimpan Department recommended his promotion which was seconded by the Yokozuna Deliberation Council.

This all happened today because the Banzuke Committee are drawing up the ranking sheet for Haru Basho, which will begin March 9 in Osaka. Hoshoryu will be listed at the top.

Along with the announcement of Hoshoryu’s promotion, we also received official word of promotions to Juryo. These promotions are in line with Leonid’s predictions from the other day.

Wakanosho (Tokiwayama), Kusano (Isegahama), and Otsuji (Takadagawa) earn sekitori status for the first time. I’m a little surprised that there aren’t any new shikona for the latter two, who continue to use their real surnames.

Joining them are Kazekeno (Oshiogawa) and Hitoshi, who return to the division. Hitoshi likely replaces an Oitekaze stablemate, as Daiamami and Daishoho dip back into the part-timers.