Here are the quick results from today’s Day 1-Opening Day-of the March 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (top tier):
Tokihayate (M18) beat Shirokuma (M17)
Kotoshoho (M16) beat Mitakeumi (M17)
Asakoryu (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M15)
Churanoumi (M14) beat Aonishiki (M15)
Ryuden (M14) beat Shishi (M13)
Onokatsu (M12) beat Nishikifuji (M13)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Meisei (M11)
Midorifuji (M11) beat Sadanoumi (M10)
Endo (M9) beat Nishikigi (M10)
Hakuoho (M9) beat Oshoma (M8)
Atamifuji (M8) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Takerufuji (M6) beat Shodai (M7)
Hiradoumi (M6) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Ura (M5) beat Ichiyamamoto (M4)
Takayasu (M4) beat Takanosho (M3)
Kirishima (K) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Chiyoshoma (M2) beat Oho (S)
Gonoyama (M2) beat Daieisho (S)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Kotozakura (O)
Onosato (O) beat Wakatakakage (M1)
Abi (K) beat Hoshoryu (Y)
Of note: RARE KIMARITE ALERT!!! Asakoryu won with a rare technique today-Okurihikiotoshi, rear pull down. It happened when Sadanoumi lost his balance and nearly fell back on his rear to the ground but managed to make the save, but soon was unable to maintain his balance a second time and went down. As for the new Yokozuna, Hoshoryu’s unbeaten reign as Grand Champion barely lasted two seconds as Abi blasted him away, and Hoshoryu’s face showed it afterwards. But it’s only Day 1. There have also been rumors Hoshoryu was suffering from food poisoning last week and lost 10-11 pounds as a result. Kotozakura got off to a bad start, taking an opening day loss, meaning he now must go 8-6 or better the rest of the way or he will be demoted from Ozeki.
Tomorrow brings the first kinboshi chance of the Hoshoryu Yokozuna era when he faces Wakatakakage.
Also a late add: When Tamawashi has his match tomorrow, he will move into #5 on the all-time list for most career matches.
Juryo:
Kusano (J14) beat Miyagi (Ms1)
Kazekeno (J13) beat Otsuji (J14)
Hatsuyama (J13) beat Kiryuko )J12)
Hitoshi (J12) beat Wakanosho (J11)
Shimanoumi (J10) beat Tsurugisho (J11)
Daiseizan (J10) beat Tohakuryu (J9)
Hakuyozan (J8) beat Wakaikari (J9)
Kotoeiho (J7) beat Hokutofuji (J8)
Hidenoumi (J6) beat Tomokaze (J7)
Fujiseiun (J5) beat Mitoryu (J6)
Oshoumi (J4) beat Nabatame (J5)
Tochitaikai (J3) beat Shiden (J4)
Roga (J3) beat Kayo (J2)
Tamashoho (J1) beat Kagayaki (J1)
WITHDRAWAL (Pre-Tournament): Kitanowaka (J2). Unknown but possibly related to an injury that caused him to withdraw during the January tournament. Status uncertain. Since this happened before today’s matches were announced, no freebies and instead a Makushita man was brought up as a replacement.
Lower tier notes: No match today for Enho in his Makushita return as he’s now halfway back to Juryo. His first match will be tomorrow. In his second recent comeback attempt, Asanoyama won his return match in the Sandanme as he looks to be promoted back to Makushita in May. This time the comeback attempt is from an injury that caused him to be demoted from the top tier.
UPDATE: Nishikifuji has WITHDRAWN after Day 1. More details tomorrow. Ryuden will get the fusen on Day 2 as a result.
