Here are the quick results from today’s Day 1-Opening Day-of the July 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya, being held for the first time at the brand new IG Arena (Aichi International Arena) which is replacing the now-closed Aichi Prefectural Gym:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (top tier):
Shishi (M17) beat Kotoeiho (M17)
Mitakeumi (M16) beat Kayo (M16)
Kotoshoho (M15) beat Hidenoumi (M15)
Kusano (M14) beat Fujinokawa (M14)
Shodai (M13) beat Churanoumi (M13)
Midorifuji (M12) beat Asakoryu (M12)
Takanosho (M11) beat Tokihayate (M11)
Roga (M10) beat Atamifuji (M10)
Ura (M9) beat Chiyoshoma (M9)
Ichiyamamoto (M8) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Gonoyama (M6) beat Tobizaru (M7)
Takerufuji (M6) beat Meisei (M5)
Tamawashi (M4) beat Hiradoumi (M5)
Kinbozan (M3) beat Hakuoho (M4)
Abi (M2) beat ONokatsu (M3)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Oho (M2)
Kirishima (S) beat Wakamotoharu (M1)
Aonishiki (M1) beat Kotozakura (O)
Onosato (Y) beat Oshoma (K)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Takayasu (K)
WITHDRAWALS (Pre-Tournament): Daieisho (S), Endo (M7). Daieisho-torn calf. Will miss the entire tournament. This is the first time, excluding 2 coronavirus-related days missed, he’s had to withdraw in his entire career,which spans 13 1/2 years. If those 2 absent days were expunged, his consecutive match streak to begin his career ends at 1071 and his top tier consecutive match streak ends at 803. It’s also expected he will lose his title as, excluding Yokozuna, the longest-tenured wrestler ranked at or above M4 since achieving that rank. He hasn’t been below that rank since January 2019. Also means his latest and maybe final career Ozeki bid is over as he is into his 30s. Endo-knee surgery. Will also miss the entire tournament and possibly is done for the year, but may be back in November. That could see him demoted to Makushita for the first time since May 2013-his second career tournament (he debuted at Ms10). That may also explain the concerns about his conditions post-match in the last 2 tournaments where he has clearly been affected by something.
Of note: The first tournament with 2 Yokozuna since 2021 started as expected, with both Onosato & Hoshoryu winning easily. Tomorrow Onosato must defend against his first kinboshi opportunity as a Yokozuna, and it’s not going to be easy as it’s against Aonishiki, who gets his first career chance at a Gold Star Victory. Hoshoryu is in a likewise situation but his opponent is Wakamotoharu.
Juryo:
Miyanokaze (J14) beat Kyokukaiyu (Ms1)
Kotokuzan (J14) beat Daiamami (J13)
Hatsuyama (J13) beat Otsuji (J12)
Mita (J11) beat Shimanoumi (J12)
Shiden (J11) beat Mitoryu (J10)
Nishikifuji (J9) beat Tsurugisho (J9)
Fujiseiun (J8) beat Kazekeno (J8)
Kagayaki (J7) beat Takaraduji (J7)
Hitoshi (J6) beat Daiseizan (J6)
Tohakuryu (J5) beat Hakuyozan (J5)
Tochitaikai (J4) beat Shirokuma (J4)
Tamashoho (J3) beat Oshoumi (J3)
Tomokaze (J2) beat Shonannoumi (J2)
Ryuden (J1) beat Nishikigi (J1)
WITHDRAWAL (Pre-Tournament): Nabatame (J10). Left knee. Status uncertain, YouTube English news source Chris Sumo says out at least the first 2 days, however in a YouTube video his stablemaster Futagoyama noted he will have surgery. When that does happen he will be out at least 4 tournaments. That would mean 6-9 months. If he doesn’t compete this time he will be demoted from Juryo and the expectation is that absence will see him demoted to the Sandanme.
Lower-tier notes: Congratulations to Jonokuchi wrestler Tosoumi, real name Sosuke Imakawa, who in his career debut became the answer to a future trivia question by becoming the first rikishi to win a match in the new IG Arena during a tournament (Jonokuchi matches are always the first of each day). Elsewhere, Asanoyama won his first Makushita match at Ms1 so he is 3 wins from promotion back to Juryo, but Enho lost his first match which all but ends his Juryo return chances for September as he probably had to go 7-0 and win the championship.