Takakeisho

Winter 2025 News Update #1

Andy Jungyo (巡業), Sumo Topics , , ,

Andy and the family return home, fat and happy from Thanksgiving with the relatives. Our return was timed perfectly so I hope to be able to write a brief post tomorrow about the Winter Tour, which is about to get under way. But before it kicks off there are a couple of items to note.

Ex-Takakeisho to Inherit Heya

Hat tip to Justin for catching this news. The Sumo Association announced that Minatogawa-oyakata will inherit Tokiwayama-beya, effective January 26. The current master will turn 65 at the beginning of March, so the January tournament will be his last as master, before retiring. The heya will be renamed Minatogawa-beya and all of the wrestlers, one of the hair-dressers and one seiwanin will stay with the heya, though other staff will transfer to other stables.

January 26 is the day after Hatsubasho 2026. So, this upcoming tournament will be Takanosho’s last fighting under the Tokiwayama banner. When the Spring tournament comes around in Osaka, he would be fighting in Minatogawa-beya. I presume the heya lodgings will change at some point and the guys will move to another location in the Tokyo area, owned by Takakeisho. The current location (pictured) is in Maenocho, next to the Tokiwadai neighborhood, and close to Tokiwadai station. The kanji for Tokiwadai is 常盤台. I’ll provide an update when I find out more details.

Winter Tour Kyujo List

The Winter Tour is set to kick off on November 30 and will run for 22 straight days at 22 different locations. The path winds around Kyushu and then back toward home in the Tokyo region. It looks like there will be no Okinawa stop this year. Instead, the tour terminates in Saitama on the 21st. That might give the guys time to spend the holidays at home and be ready for action on January 11.

It comes as no surprise that Yokozuna Onosato tops the list of kyujo. He will be absent due to his Day 13 injury against Aonishiki and will be joined in the infirmary by a number of sekitori. This will include Takayasu, Hakuoho, Wakatakakage, Ura, Roga, Meisei, Hitoshi, Kotoeiho and Mita. We hope all of these guys make good use of the time to recouperate and prepare for next year.

Aki Basho Retirement Announcements

Andy Retirement , ,

The Kokugikan Barber Shop will be busy in 2025. Aki Basho 2024 has become a real turning point for professional sumo. We have been discussing a “changing of the guard,” and three popular wrestlers have decided to call it a career. When Takakeisho announced his retirement mid-basho, it was rather apparent that others would follow.

On Tuesday, we learned that two more sekitori would trade in their mawashi for blue jackets and become elders in the Japan Sumo Association: Myogiryu and Aoiyama. Fans of oshi-tsuki are losing three top Pusher-Thrusters in one fell swoop. These announcements come just before the Kyokai will make the Kyushu banzuke and announce Juryo promotions.

Takakeisho

Takakeisho, the former Ozeki, retired in the middle of the tournament after going kyujo. His injuries were too great, and he had lost the ability to compete at this high level. His childhood dream was always to become Yokozuna, so it was very hard to let it go and call it a career when he was so tantalizingly close to achieving it. Demotion plus kyujo meant he would be chasing the dream from the rank-and-file in Kyushu and the goal was slipping farther from his grasp.

He had started his career as Sato back it 2014 in Takanohana-beya. Starting in maezumo, he rose up the ranks relatively quickly, securing three yusho in Jonokuchi, Jonidan and Juryo on his way to his Makuuchi debut in 2017. His rise was well timed as the stable was ensnared in the Harumafuji, Takanoiwa, Takanofuji, and Takagenji scandals.

His career and his success, along with stablemate Takanosho, likely served as a bouy for current Tokiwayama-oyakata during those difficult times as he took the reigns from Takanohana. There may have been storm clouds all around but T-Rex was on the straight-and-narrow, and will serve the Kyokai well. Takakeisho will remain with the Kyokai as Minatogawa-oyakata.

Myogiryu

Myogiryu (Sakaigawa-beya) was a successful amateur wrestler from the prolific Saitama Sakae High School who then joined the sumo powerhouse Nihon Sports Science University (NittaiDai). His career earned him a Makushita debut and he rose quickly to Juryo in 2010, but was injured in his debut tournament.

He fell back to Sandanme as he recovered but rose into Makuuchi where he established himself as a regular and a favorite. He was regularly in sanyaku during his prime, topping out at the rank of Sekiwake. His six kinboshi and six technique prizes help to pad his resume and monthly bonus check. The knee injury continued to plague him and forced him to drop out of this latest tournament. He will become Furiwake-oyakata.

Aoiyama

Aoiyama (Kasugano-beya), one of the few wrestlers from Europe (Bulgaria), was always a big hit with foreign sumo fans. Like Takakeisho and Myogiryu, Aoiyama was known for his oshi-zumo. When that V-Twin was fired up, opponents would get battered or slapped to the ground with no mercy granted. He rose quickly through the ranks, winning yusho in Jonokuchi, Jonidan, and Makushita.

Aoiyama blasted his way into the top division at Kyushu in 2011, taking 11 wins and going home with a special prize. He had been a Top Division mainstay until injuries really took their toll earlier this year. His peak rank was Sekiwake. Hat tip to reader, Checkit, for reminding me to include his future plans. He will take on the elder name, Iwatomo.

More to come?

Kabu-watch is in full swing. I will bring you more retirement news as soon as I hear it. With all of these announcements, I will update you with news on when the ceremonies will be. They won’t happen before  2025, that’s for sure. These guys need time to promote the events.

Aki 2024: Shonichi Highlights

Andy Aki 2024 , , , , ,

In Juryo, Takerufuji took care of business today. He completely overpowered Daiseizan and handed him a loss in his debut. Our other debutant, Kiryuko, fell victim to an Aoiyama slapdown. Hakuoho got his tournament off on the right foot with a powerful yorikiri win over Daiamami. Shishi got the better of Tamashoho at the edge.

As usual, NHK has all of the videos here. Juryo Part I and Part II as well as Makuuchi Part I and Part II. As usual, I’m catching all of the action LIVE on JME.tv. And as usual, JME also provides a special sumo channel that allows you to watch their entire Makuuchi division coverage four times each day.

Makuuchi action

Chiyoshoma defeated Nishikifuji. Nishikifuji drove forward but Chiyoshoma was able to shift to the side and pull him down at the edge. A particularly rough-looking Katasukashi.

Shirokuma defeated Kitanowaka. Shirokuma chased Kitanowaka, drove him to the edge and ushered him out. Kitanowaka locked on with a left-hand grip at the tachiai. He immediately began pulling and circled around the dohyo. Shirokuma pressed forward and forced Kitanowaka back to the edge. Kitanowaka tried to resist at the bales but Shirokuma drove him out. Yorikiri. Makuuchi win #1.

Shirokuma will fight Nishikifuji tomorrow. Kitanowaka will face Onosho, who will be our visitor from Juryo. That just doesn’t seem right.

Takayasu defeated Takarafuji. Takayasu aimed high at the initial charge, going for headshot after headshot. Takarafuji realized this battering was unsustainable and tried knocking Takayasu’s arms away but the shots kept coming. Takarafuji backed away and as he got to the edge he slipped to the side and tried to get at the back of Takayasu’s belt. Takayasu recovered, shifted, and slapped Takarafuji down. Hatakikomi.

Ryuden defeated Onokatsu. Onokatsu did not read the brief. Ryuden locked on with his left-hand inside and right arm outside, drove forward and forced Onokatsu out. Yorikiri.

Ryuden will fight Takayasu on Day Two while Onokatsu will square up against Takarafuji.

Hokutofuji defeated Nishikigi. Ow. Hokutofuji planted his right arm in Nishikigi’s neck, left arm inside and drove forward. Yorikiri.

Bushozan defeated Kinbozan. Kinbozan seemed to have the power advantage and pressed forward with a fierce oshi attack. Bushozan circled backward for a bit. He then grabbed Kinbozan’s right arm and tried to rip it off. While doing so, he shifted to the center of the ring, gaining a superior position. He then battered Kinbozan with tsuppari and shoved him out. Oshidashi.

Bushozan will face Hokutofuji and Nishikigi will face Kinbozan.

Sadanoumi defeated Kagayaki. Sadanoumi got both his arms inside. With a few gaburi-yotsu bunny-hops, Sadanoumi arrested Kagayaki’s advance and forced the shinkansen into reverse. Sadanoumi kept up the pressure, forced Kagayaki back along the rails to the edge and over. Yorikiri.

Roga defeated Tamawashi. Roga locked on with his left hand at the front of Tamawashi’s belt. Unperturbed, Tamawashi pressed forward and forced Roga to the edge. Roga resisted so Tamawashi tried a slapdown. Roga maintained his balance and shifted his grip to the right-hand. He then pulled Tamawashi forward and rolled him into the crowd. Shitatedashinage.

Tamawashi will tie the record for consecutive bouts at 1,630 tomorrow, when he faces Sadanoumi. The Iron Man has fought every bout since his debut in March 2004. I was living in Japan and teaching at NOVA in Hiyoshi when he first climbed onto the dohyo. I didn’t even know my wife back then and I think I was still living in Hodogaya. She and I have two kids now, one is in high school. And the Jade Eagle has been chugging away the entire time. That’s absolutely incredible.

Kagayaki will face Roga. Nothing special about that.

Ichiyamamoto defeated Oshoma. Ichiyamamoto-zumo. Tsuppari to get Oshoma moving backwards. Then plant his head in his chest and drive forward to finish him off. Not sure what Oshoma wanted to do here today but he ended up in a shinpan’s lap. Oshidashi.

Endo defeated Midorifuji. Katasukashi-boy tried his thing and nearly caught Endo. But Endo kept his balance and resisted two great pull-down attempts. He pressed Midorifuji to the edge and slapped him down. Hatakikomi.

Endo will take on Ichiyamamoto. (Henka, anyone?) Oshoma will face Midorifuji.

Churanoumi defeated Wakatakakage. Well, that was impressive. This was a wild bout with slapdown attempts, pulldown attempts, oshi-, yotsu- galore. Churanoumi was able to lock up Wakatakakage with both arms around his trunk. He drove forward and forced Wakatakakage to step out. Oshidashi.

Halftime

Meisei defeated Gonoyama. Another wild, exciting bout from these two. Oshi-yotsu, everything. I enjoy watching these kind of bouts because we hear so much about, “my brand of sumo.” And these bouts seem to be like a big, old grocery store with all brands on the shelves. However, it’s a nightmare to describe and give a quality play-by-play, blow-by-blow account. In the end, Gonoyama cornered Meisei at the edge. As he put his head down to charge forward, Meisei jumped to the side and slapped Gonoyama down. Hatakikomi.

Meisei gets Wakatakakage while Gonoyama fights Churanoumi on Day Two.

Ura defeated Shonannoumi. Shonannoumi lost his way here. He reverted to pulling sumo. He tried several slapdowns but Ura was more than happy to charge forward and force him out. Oshidashi.

Shodai defeated Kotoshoho. As Shodai pressed forward at the tachiai, Kotoshoho’s right leg seemed to slide a bit farther out that he was expecting. He fell forward as Shodai pressed him down. Easy day one win for Shodai. Tsukiotoshi.

Our Bout of the Day on Day Two will be Shodai versus Ura while Kotoshoho will dust himself off and take on Shonannoumi.

Sanyaku

Wakamotoharu defeated Daieisho. Wakamotoharu weathered Daieisho’s forceful nodowa attack and resisted at the bales. Instead of keeping up the attack, Daieisho shifted into reverse and tried a slapdown. Wakamotoharu was probably very happy to be relieved of the pressure. He chased Daieisho across the ring and forced him out. Oshidashi.

Mitakeumi defeated Takakeisho. Takakeisho tried his tsuppari. When that yielded nothing, he put his head down and charged into Mitakeumi. Mitakeumi just pressed forward into the Sekiwake, drove him back and out. Yorikiri.

Kirishima defeated Oho. Oho stumbled backwards. WTF was he doing. FORWARD, YOUNG MAN!!! When Kirishima started connecting with his slaps, Oho put the truck in reverse and tried for a slapdown. When he reached the bales, his foot slipped over the top and he stepped out. Grrrrr…. You’ve got the potential but MOVE FORWARD! Oshidashi.

Takakeisho will fight Oho tomorrow. Both men will try to regroup from their disappointing displays on Shonichi. Takakeisho should be able to get a wily win from this if his head is in the game.

Onosato defeated Atamifuji. Onosato was focused on trying to keep Atamifuji’s right hand away. He pressed forward and drove Atamifuji to the edge. Atamifuji resisted and bulled forward as Onosato pulled. Atamifuji fell forward while Onosato tumbled out. Gunbai Onosato. Mono-ii. Video replay confirmed that Onosato brought Atamifuji down before he fell out, Shotaro’s eagle eye in the background, observing everything. Onosato’s foot was still on the top of the tawara when Atamifuji’s hands touched. Hatakikomi.

Atamifuji will fight Kirishima on Day Two. Should be an interesting and lively bout.

Tobizaru defeated Abi. Henka. Tobizaru batted Abi’s arms away and brought him down in a heap. Uwatenage? OK…

Tobizaru will probably have a bigger challenge against Onosato tomorrow. Abi will face Mitakeumi and will probably NOT get henka’d.

Takanosho defeated Hoshoryu. Well. Takanosho’s winning stretch continues. Hoshoryu, in retreat, tried to drag Takanosho down. Takanosho pressed forward and forced Hoshoryu off the dohyo. Oshidashi.

Hoshoryu will take on Daieisho in tomorrow’s final bout.

Kotozakura defeated Hiradoumi. Hiradoumi retreated to the edge, forcing Kotozakura to give chase. As Kotozakura engaged, Hiradoumi pounced and drove Kotozakura to the edge. However, Kotozakura wrapped up Hiradoumi, twisted, and brought him down. Tsukiotoshi.

Kotozakura will face Takanosho and Hiradoumi will fight Wakamotoharu.

Kototsubasa ended the day with the bow-twirling ceremony.

Wrap-up

Sumo is back! Fantastic action today, for the most part. Concerns for Takakeisho’s condition continue. I’m not sure what Hoshoryu had planned today but fighting in retreat and falling hard on his backside were likely not what he drew up on the whiteboard. As usual, he’ll be starting the yusho race from the back.

There are several electric fights in store for us tomorrow. I’ll be watching that Wakamotoharu/Hiradoumi bout with keen interest. Churanoumi and Bushozan, of all people, are making me stand up and take notice. Day One Flukes? Or can these guys put together solid shows here?

Nagoya 2024: Senshuraku Highlights

Andy Nagoya 2024, Nagoya Basho , ,

Juryo drama ended without need of a playoff. Hakuoho defeated Shishi with a beautiful utchari reversal on the edge. That meant that if Shirakuma won, he would take the yusho outright. If Tokihayate won, there would be a three-way playoff for the title. Shirakuma overpowered Tokihayate and walked him out. Yorikiri yusho.

So, all lower-division yusho decided in outright fashion. As we turn to the Top Division and the Psycho Yusho race (Andy, your puns are getting worse), we get our reminder that Miyagino-oyakata still exists. He and Otowayama present the sansho winners:

Does it help to post the links to the NHK videos, or y’all know where they are by now? This main page stays the same. Unfortunately, I’m still trying to figure out how to get working links to the individual videos. I want to link to those in the bout summaries but the direct links get blocked for some reason. Anyway, videos are here for the folks who do not want to scroll through Social Media craziness.

Makuuchi Action

Nishikifuji (6-9) defeated Chiyoshoma (5-5-5). Henka! Hisashiburi, ne… It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Chiyoshoma henka but Nishikifuji was prepared. It took a bit of patience but Nishikifuji corralled the bucking bronco, steadily worked him toward the edge and put him in his pen. Yorikiri.

Wakatakakage (11-4) defeated Hokutofuji (6-9). Hokutofuji pulled and pulled but Wakatakakage kept up the pressure and eventually put an end to Hokutofuji’s retreating ways by wrapping his leg up and driving him over the bales. Watashikomi.

Kagayaki (9-6) defeated Churanoumi (10-5). The Shinkansen glided forward along a circuitous path through the dohyo, guided along by the retreating Churanoumi. Churanoumi ran out of room to maneuver at the edge and Kagayaki brought him to the end of the line. Yorikiri.

Roga (9-6) defeated Nishikigi (5-10).When Nishikigi reached forward with his left hand, Roga rolled with the shift in motion and threw Nishikigi with a slick uwatenage.

Endo (10-5) defeated Midorifuji (8-7). Endo pressed ahead at the tachiai. Midorifuji tried a quick slaptdown at the edge but got run out. Oshidashi.

Shodai (9-6) defeated Bushozan (8-7). defeated Bushozan. Bushozan drove forward with his tsuppari and Shodai reversed to the edge. At the edge, Shodai slipped to his left and the fully extended Bushozan stumbled forward. Tsukiotoshi.

Ichiyamamoto (8-7) defeated Oshoma (7-8). I’m not sure what Oshoma was going to try to do at the edge but instead of moving laterally along the tawara, he turned a bit. Maybe he turned to run instead of just shuffling to the left. But Ichiyamamoto seized on that to get behind Oshoma. He quit his tsuppari and locked in on Oshoma’s belt to walk him out. Ichiyamamoto kachikoshi. Oshoma makekoshi. Okuridashi.

Ura (6-9) defeated Takarafuji (5-10). The pair had reached a bit of a stalemate in the center of the ring. Ura needed to try something. Takarafuji was using his left arm to keep Ura’s right arm away so Ura latched onto the arm with both arms. Takarafuji freaked out and tried to get away. Ura pursued with tsuppari and used Takarafuji’s momentum to drive him out. Oshidashi.

Mitakeumi (7-8) defeated Kinbozan (4-11). Mitakeumi hit Kinbozan high with tsuppari, battering him about the face. Kinbozan pressed forward awkwardly through the tsuppari with his eyes closed. Mitakeumi slipped to the side, grabbed his belt and yanked him forward. Kinbozan fell forward. Uwatenage.

Wakamotoharu (6-9) defeated Ryuden (3-12). However terrible Wakamotoharu’s basho has been, it’s not been as terrible as Ryuden’s. Wakamotoharu locked on to Ryuden’s belt with his right hand. Ryuden tried to squeeze Wakamotoharu’s left arm to keep it away but failed. WMH latched on with both hands and drove Ryuden back and out. Yorikiri.

Halftime.

Atamifuji (7-8) defeated Sadanoumi (5-10). Head-to-head migi-yotsu bout here. Atamifuji was just too powerful and steadily worked Sadanoumi to the edge and then used some gaburi hip-pumping to work him over the tawara. Yorikiri.

Gonoyama (5-10) defeated Meisei (4-11). Solid oshi-zumo from Gonoyama today. He pressed forward and Meisei tried a couple of times to slip away but Gonoyama’s laser-guidance system was fully functional and locked on Meisei. At the bales, Meisei turned to slip away but Gonoyama grabbed him from behind and threw him down and out. Meisei may have tweaked his ankle as he was slow to get up and limped a bit walking down the hanamichi. Okuritaoshi.

Sanyaku

Hiradoumi (10-5) defeated Kotoshoho (8-7). As the two engaged at the center of the ring, Hiradoumi grabbed Kotoshoho’s left arm and yanked it with him as he rotated Kotoshoho clockwise. Hiradoumi won his first Technique Prize and probably bolstered the case with this slick win. Tottari.

Oho (9-6) defeated Daieisho (8-7). Daieisho slammed into Oho and drove him to the edge. Oho tried a slapdown and though it failed, Daieisho stumbled to the side. Oho rotated so that he could attack Daieisho from center and blasted him from the ring. Oshidashi.

Kirishima (8-7) defeated Tamawashi (7-8). Kirishima kachikoshi, Tamawashi makekoshi. Yorikiri.

Takanosho (12-3) defeated Onosato (9-5). Takanosho hit Onosato with that nodowa and drove him back. Onosato tried a slapdown but it failed and he fell out of the ring. Another sanyaku opponent down in Takanosho’s surprising run. Both men walk away with special prizes. Takanosho claims his third fighting spirit prize while Onosato was awarded his second Outstanding Performance prize. Takanosho has to win the whole thing to take home one of those.

Tobizaru (9-6) defeated Abi (8-7) and claimed the arrows. Abi tried to pull but Tobizaru rolled with it and drove Abi down and out. Abi fell a bit awkwardly at the edge and was slow to get up but seemed okay. Oshitaoshi.

Shonannoumi (7-8) defeated Takakeisho (5-10) OK, Power Hamster, how banged up are you? Let’s toss a big, makekoshi, beach bum at you and find out. Takakeisho charged straight ahead and Shonannoumi slipped right. Henka! Shonannoumi grabbed the back of the Ozeki’s belt and pulled him forward. Whatever happens in Takanosho’s yusho race, there will be a somber edge to Tokiwayama’s Senshuraku Party. Oof. Uwatenage.

Kotozakura (10-5) defeated Terunofuji (12-3)! We will have a PLAY-OFF! Terunofuji wrapped up Kotozakura’s arms, ready for an authoritative kimedashi. Kotozakura pulled, hard to extract his arms. This pulled the Yokozuna forward a bit. Kotozakura moved laterally and got at the Terunofuji’s belt. This pulled him forward and into the clay. Shocking. Uwatedashinage.

PLAY-OFF!!

Funny, all of the other yusho were decided outright. Only the top division needs Playoff.

Terunofuji defeated Takanosho. Takanosho nodowa. This did not have the same impact as yesterday. The Yokozuna withstood the attack and pressed forward. That gave him room for a pull but Takanosho did not go down. He took it to the Yokozuna. Terunofuji reached deep down into that well of strength to rotate and drive Takanosho to the edge. Yorikiri.

Terunofuji Yusho! Takanosho gave it everything. I wish he could bring home that yusho but he did a great job. His success should bring a bit of celebration to the senshuraku party.

I’m headed to Japan today and I hope to bring a few updates over the next two weeks from Kokugikan! I plan to update on the special prizes and other events come Wednesday or Thursday. But I’ll be seeing y’all soon!