Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the Halfway Point-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):
Aonishiki (M15) beat Shirokuma (M17)
Sadanoumi (M15) beat Shiden (J4)
Churanoumi (M14) beat Mitakeumi (M17)
Shishi (M13) beat Kotoshoho (M16)
Asakoryu (M16) beat Onokatsu (M12)
Midorifuji (M11) beat Tokihayate (M18)
Meisei (M11) beat Ryuden (M14)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Nishikigi (M10)
Atamifuji (M8) beat Shonannoumi (M10)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Shodai (M7)
Hiradoumi (M6) beat Endo (M9)
Takerufuji (M6) beat Oshoma (M8)
Kinbozan (M5) beat Hakuoho (M9)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Gonoyama (M2)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Chiyoshoma (M2)
Wakatakakage (M1) beat Abi (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Takanosho (M3)
Oho (S) beat Ura (M5)
Onosato (O) beat Ichiyamamoto (M4)
Kotozakura (O) beat Kirishima (K)
Takayasu (M4) beat Hoshoryu (Y). KINBOSHI!!! The 6th career Gold Star Victory for Takayasu!
Leader: Onosato, Takayasu, Churanoumi (7-1)
Of note: The so-called Stormy Spring Basho is again living up to its moniker. No promotions or demotions yet but some surprises at the top, namely Churanoumi tied with Onosato looking to get into Yokozuna contention again and Takayasu going for his first Emperor’s Cup in his 20-year career, it’s seemingly the only accolade eluding the former Ozeki. Hoshoryu fell to 5-3 after today’s loss but isn’t out of it yet, while Kotozakura is also at 5-3, needing at least 3 more wins to maintain his Ozeki rank in May. 3 are at 6-2 including Iron Man Tamawashi going for his 3rd championship.
Tough matches for some of the co-leaders tomorrow as Takayasu has Kotozakura while Onosato faces Abi, who already has 2 wins over Yokozuna & Ozeki this tournament. Churanoumi gets Tokihayate. Hoshoryu’s opponent tomorrow is Ichiyamamoto, going for his first career Kinboshi.
Juryo:
Hitoshi (J12) beat Mudoho (Ms3)
Kusano (J14) beat Daiseizan (J10)
Shimanoumi (J10) beat Otsuji (J14)
Wakanosho (J11) beat Wakaikari (J9)
Tohakuryu (J9) beat Kazekeno (J13)
Tsurugisho (J11) beat Hokutofuji (J8)
Hakuyozan (J8) beat Hatsuyama (J13)
Fujiseiun (J5) beat Kotoeiho (J7)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Roga (J3)
Hidenoumi (J6) beat Kayo (J2)
Tamashoho (J1) beat Mitoryu (J6)
Tochitaikai (J3) beat Kagayaki (J1)
Leader: Kusano (8-0)
RE-ENTRY: Nabatame (J5). Will return tomorrow. He missed the last 5 days due to a left knee injury. Will be the equivalent of 1-7 so he must win all his remaining matches to avoid demotion, but at least 2 more wins should keep him in Juryo. He’ll be in the top tier tomorrow to face Aonishiki.
Of note: Kusano is the first to clinch a promotion this tournament and will stay in both Juryo and the lead, after today’s results it’s now just a resurgent Shimanoumi one back after Roga lost to fall 2 off the pace.
Lower tier notes: Asanoyama clinched promotion in the Sandanme today with a win to move into a group at 4-0, if he can win any more matches he’ll be promoted back to Makushita in May. No match for Enho today in Makushita after clinching another promotion yesterday. He’s among 8 in Makushita who clinched promotions and share the lead at 4-0. That group currently includes 3 Isegahama men which raises the potential of one or more having to face each other in a playoff for the title, and there are 2 Fujishima newcomers also in that group. In the Sandanme, Asanoyama is in a group of 8 at 4-0 also including former top tier man Yago and former Juryo man Chiyosakae, with the firmer going for a second straight championship after starting his post-injury comeback attempt with a Jonidan title in January. The Jonidan has 12 tied at 4-0 while the Jonokuchi has 3 at 4-0.
There’s also been a reported retirement-while not yet confirmed by the Japan Sumo Association, reliable YouTube English news source Chris Sumo says Taiga has called it quits and retired. He was a pre-tournament withdrawal and it’s being reported he quit due to lack of passion/motivation for sumo even though he’s only 22. He withdrew midway through January and was the equivalent of 0-7 and, if this is indeed it, never got above the bottom half of Makushita in his career, with a high rank of Ms32. His career record will be 133-121-33 (win-loss-absent, assuming the last 2 matches are recorded as absent depending on when retirement becomes official, if not then it’ll be 31) in 7 years.
