Author: Admin

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 of the September 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Asakoryu (M14) beat Shishi (M18)
Fujiseiun (J5) beat Sadanoumi (M14)
Ryuden (M17) beat Tokihayte (M13)
Meisei (M13) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Tomokaze (M16) beat Mitakeumi (M12)
Roga (M11) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Shodai (M11) beat Tobizaru (M15)
Churanoumi (M10) beat Hitoshi (M17)
Daieisho (M10) beat Ura (M8)
Oshoma (M7) beat Fujinokawa (M9)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Takanosho (M7)
Kusano (M6) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Onokatsu (M6)
Ichiyamamoto (M5) beat Gonoyama (M9)
Oho (M3) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Aonishiki (K) beat Abi (M1)
Hakuoho (M2) beat Takayasu (K)
Kirishima (S) beat Wakatakakge (S)
Kotozakura (O) beat Atamifuji (M3)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Onosato (Y) beat Wakamotoharu (M4)
Leader: Hoshoryu (9-0)
Of note: Both Yokozuna now have clinched winning records and that keeps Onosato’s perfect streak of no career losing records going. One more Kinboshi chance tomorrow as Kotoshoho faces Onosato and Wakamotoharu faces Hoshoryu, after that I expect both to face Sanyaku the rest of the way except for maybe Shodai. Elsewhere, Shodai also clinched promotion and remains a surprise second place as he seems back in his old Ozeki form this tournament. Kotozakura bounced back from a tough loss today to improve to 6-3 while Aonishiki remains in contention at 7-2. At the bottom, Nishikigi is all but heading back to Juryo at 1-8 unless he wins out.
Ozeki Watch: The margin of error is gone for Wakatakakage. At 5-4 after losing to Kirishima in the Sekiwake Showdown (Kirishima snapped a 4-loss skid), he probably has to win out now, meaning 7-0.

Juryo:
Nishinoryu (J14) beat Miyanokaze (J10)
Haluyozan (J10) beat Shiden (J14)
Taurugisho (J9) beat Kazekeno (J11)
Shirokuma (J9) beat Kyokukaiyu (J13)
Asasuiryu (J12) beat Kotokuzan (J8)
Asahakuryu (J11) beat Hatsuyama (J8)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Takarafuji (J12)
Asanoyama (J14) beat Tamashoho (J7)
Nishikifuji (J3) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Mita (J4) beat Chiyoshoma (J2)
Kotoeiho (J2) beat Tohakuryu (J6)
Oshoumi (J1) beat Kayo (J6)
Toxhitaikai (J1) beat Daiseizan (J5)
Leader: Mita (8-1)
Of note: As the first to clinch promotion this tournament Mita can now go for a second straight championship and potentially promotion to the top tier, I believe at least 2 more wins will be enough. Elsewhere, Oshoumi is now one win from promotion to the top tier at 7-2, and Nishikifuji is in contention for a top tier return with the same record. Fujiseiun, who is also 7-2, faces Nishikifuji tomorrow in a pitential eliminator while Mita faces Tohakuryu who is 2-7. Miyanokaze is the first demotion at 1-8 while Asahakuryu also remains in contention in his Juryo debut, he is also in the 7-2 group.

Lower tier notes: As expected, the Makushita narrowed the leaders down to 4 at 5-0, setting up the likely Day 11 matches to get to the Championship match on Day 13. Kitanowaka & Shimazuumi both are 5-0 along with Daiyusho and Aratakayama. Enho won his 5th match today to improve to 3-2, needing one more win for promotion. In the Sandanme, 5 are at 5-0 meaning there is a chance of a playoff. In the Jonidan, 6 remain at 5-0 making for higher playoff chances and in the Jonokuchi 2 remain at 5-0, leaving the possibility of either a playoff or a 6-1 champion.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the Halfway Point-of the September 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Ryuden (M17) beat Tomokaze (M16)
Nishikigi (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M14)
Asamoryu (M14) beat Tochitaikai (J5)
Shishi (M18) beat Meisei (M13)
Hitoshi (M17) beat Tokihayate (M13)
Shonannoumi (M15) beat Mitakeumi (M12)
Tobizaru (M15) beat Roga (M11)
Shodai (M11) beat Ura (M8)
Takanosho (M7) beat Churanoumi (M10)
Oshoma (M7) beat Daieisho (M10)
Onokatsu (M6) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Kusano (M6) beat Fujinokawa (M9)
Kinbozan (M8) beat Ichiyamamoto (M5)
Hakuoho (M2) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Oho (M2) beat Abi (M1)
Aonishiki (K) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Atamifuji (M3)
Wakamotoharu (M4) beat Kirishima (S)
Takayasu (K) beat Kotozakura (O)
Onosato (Y) beat Hiradoumi (M4)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Leader: Hoshoryu (8-0)
Of note: Gonoyama gave Hoshoryu an early scare but the Yokozuna calmly came back to send his opponent to demotion and be the first to go 8-0 and maintain the lead over 3 at 7-1 including Onosato, with Takanosho & Shodai also at 7-1. Abi was also demoted today after dropping to 0-8. Despite injury rumors Takayasu impressively disposed of Kotozakura with a pulling under arm throw to drop the Ozeki to 5-3. Kirishima has possibly fallen out of contention with no 4 straight losses. Kotoshoho is struggling at 2-6 in his post-championship effort but gets a big bounce back opportunity tomorrow when he goes for a Kinboshi against Hoshoryu while Onosato gets Wakamotoharu. Also continued props to Hitoshi who, after an 0-4 start to his top tier debut, has now pulled to even at 4-4 with 4 straight wins.
Ozeki Watch: A tough one for Wakatakakage against big Atamifuji but an important win as he is now 5-3 at the halfway point, likely needing 6 more wins for promotion contention but maybe 5 could do it. A great win today because his father, a former sumo wrestler himself, was in the crowd.

Juryo:
Takarafuji (J12) beat Nishinoryu (J14)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Kyokukaiyu (J13)
Shirokuma 9J9) beat Asanoyama (J13)
Shiden (J14) beat Tsurugisho (J9)
Hatsuyama (J8) beat Asasuiryu (J12)
Kotokuzan (J8) beat Asahakuryu (J11)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Tamashoho (J7)
Hidenoumi ((J7) beat Miyanokaze (J10)
NIshikifuji (J3) beat Kayo (J6)
Kotoeiho (J2) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Chiyoshoma (J2) beat Tohakuryu (J6)
Fujiseiun (J5) beat Daiseizan (J1)
Oshoumi (J1) beat Mita (J4)
Leader: Mita, Kotokuzan (7-1)
Of note: No promotion for Mita today as his first loss drops him into a tie with Kotokuzan for the lead and keeps several who lost today, including Asanoyama, in it at 6-2. Also no demotions yet but Tsurugisho & Miyanokaze are in danger at 1-7 after losses today. Fujiseiun, in the group at 6-2, will be in the top tier tomorrow.

Lower tier notes: With Promotion Day now in the books, the Makushita has 8 remaining at 4-0, which pretty much sets up a bracket-style elimination format to the championship. Former top tier wrestlers Shimazuumi & Bushozan are among the leaders and, at Ms20, Shimazuumi may have a chance at promotion back to Juryo if he can win the championship. In the Sandanme, 9 are 4-0 which raises the potential of a playoff being needed on the final day. The Jonidan has 13 at 4-0 while the Jonokuchi has 3 at 4-0.

Additionally, today was the traditional introduction of new wrestlers who will debut in the next tournament. Just 1 today, he will have the ring name Fukoki from Oshiogawa Beya and begin his pro career in the November Tournament.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 7-the first half of Promotion Day-of the September 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Shishi (M18) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Shonannoumi (M15) beat Tomokaze (M16)
Tobizaru (M15) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Hitoshi (M17) beat Asakoryu (M14)
Ryuden (M17) beat Sadanoumi (M14)
Tokihayate (M13) beat Churanoumi (M10)
Daieisho (M10) beat Meisei (M13)
Fujinokawa (M9) beat Roga (M11)
Shodai (M11) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Kinbozan (M8) beat Mitakeumi (M12)
Onokatsu (M6) beat Oshoma (M7)
Ura (M8) beat Ichiyamamoto (M5)
Kusano (M6 beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Takanosho (M7) beat Wakamotoharu (M4)
Atamifuji (M3) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Takayasu (K) beat Abi (M1)
Hakuoho (M2) beat Kirishima (S)
Aonishiki (K) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Oho (M2) beat Kotozakura (O)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Hiradoumi (M4)
Onosato (Y) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Leader: Hoshoryu (7-0)
Of note: Solid wins again for both Yokozuna, Hiradoumi kept hoping for a Mono-ii as he thought his loss to Hoahoryu was much closer at the edge than it really was. TV replays clearly showed Hoshoryu stayed in longer on the throw/push down attempt so it would have made no difference. This is now Hoshoryu’s best-ever start to a tournament in the top tier and he keeps his lead over 4 at 6-1. Onosato remained one off the pace entering the second half and they’re still on track for a potential winner-take-all Yokozuna Showdown on the final day. They each have one or two more Kinboshi chance days left before they shirt into Sanyaku ahead of standings driving remainign matches, tomorrow Hiradoumi tries again for a Gold Star Victory against Onosato while Gonoyama looks to avoid demotion against Hoshoryu. Gonoyama had success against both in the past but hasn’t beaten either in over a year now (July 2024). And his only win to date against a Yokozuna at all didn’t really count because it was a fusen.
At the bottom, Nishikigi looks headed to demotion back to Juryo as he is 0-7 amidst injury issues, while Hitoshi has now seemingly found his footing in the top tier with 3 straight wins after an 0-4 start.
Elsewhere, despite a big win over Kirishima there are worries about Hakuoho and if he suffered an arm/elbow injury today, he clearly was favoring his right arm afterwards.
Ozeki Watch: Aonishiki is a tough out for anyone and was today for Wakatakakage. He’s now 4-3 and can probably only afford one more loss and still have a chance at promotion.

Juryo:
Asahakuryu (J11) beat Nishinoryu (J14)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Asasuiryu (J13)
Shiden (J14) beat Miyanokaze (J10)
Asanoyama (J13) beat Hakuyozan (J10)
Kyokukaiyu (J13) beat Kotokuzan (J14)
Takarafuji (J12) beat Hatsuyama (J8)
Tsurugisho (J9) beat Hidenoumi (J7)
Tamashoho (J7) beat Shirokuma (J9)
Nishikifuji (J3) beat Tohakuryu (J6)
Chiyoshoma (J2) beat Kayo (J6)
Fujiseiun (J5) beat Kotoeiho (J2)
Tochitaikai (J5) beat Oshoumi (J1)
Mita (J4) beat Daiseizan (J1)
Leader: Mita (7-0)
Of note: Mita continues his potential march to the top tier, while it depends partly on what happens in the higher ranks I think 3 more wins will do it. Kotokuzan took his first loss today to fall into a tie with a Takasago pair-Asahakuryu and Asanoyama-at 6-1. The other newcomers are hanging in there with Asasuiryu now at 4-3 and Kyokukaiyu at 3-4.

Lower tier notes: In the lower tiers today is the first half of what I call Promotion Day, when the leaders after today will be 4-0 and thus clinch winning records and promotions in the next tournament. The Maushita has 4 at 4-0 so far and, among them at Ms1, Kitanowaka has clinched promotion and will return to Juryo in November. Enho lost to internet favorite Sazanami (a former Makushita Champion who has gained popularity for appearances on the “Sumo Prime Time” YouTube channel alongside coach Kabutoyama and NHK World Japan personality Hiroshi “Hiro” Morita, who hosts the channel) and is now 2-2. In the Sandanme, 5 have clinched promotion so far. The Jonidan has 11 with promotions so far and in the Jonokuchi Daishisho is the first and only 4-0 so far with 3 at 3-0.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage in English FOR FREE tomorrow beginning at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET.

In other news, it was announced earlier today on social media that the current Oyama, the former Hokutofuji before he retired earlier this year, will have his retirement & haircutting ceremony next year on 5/30. Also, Mitoryu held a press conference today after retiring yesterday. He will be leaving sumo (eligible for elder stock but likely no spots available) and will have a haircutting & retirement ceremony in February. He will stay in Japan and seek employment outside of sumo.

UPDATE: Despite a confirmed arm injury, Hakuoho is IN for tomorrow’s Day 8 per stablemaster Isegahama (the former Terunofuji).

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 6 of the September 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:

Makuuchi (top tier):
Shishi (M18) beat Ryuden (M17)
Mita (J4) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Hitoshi (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M14)
Asakoryu (M14) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Tomokaze (M16) beat Meisei (M13)
Tobizaru (M15) beat Tokihayate (M13)
Mitakeumi (M12) beat Daieisho (M15)
Churanoumi (M10) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Shodai (M11) beat Fujinokawa (M9)
Roga (M11) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Ura (M8) beat Onokatsu (M6)
Takanosho (M7) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Oshoma (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M5)
Wakamotoharu (M4) beat Kusano (M6)
Hakuoho (M2) beat Abi (M1)
Aonishiki (K) beat Takayasu (K)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Tamawashi (M1) beat Kirishima (S)
Kotozakura (O) beat Hiradoumi (M4)
Onosato (Y) beat Atamifuji (M3)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Oho (M2)
Leader: Hoshoryu (6-0)
Of note: Still so far so good for the Yokozuna with Hoshoryu at 6-0 and Onosato at 5-1 and Kotozakura also a strong 5-1, beyond that the upper ranks are headed for a shakeup. Aonishiki is coming back after a sow start and is 4-2 but almost everyone else is struggling Kirishima has now lost 2 straight and may be falling out of contention and, even worse, we may have to worry about Takayasu and the back again. It seems to be affecting him the last couple days and may explain his 0-6 start. At the bottom, Mita was the Juryo man up today and could be back up in November as he is now 6-0 and almost halfway to a second straight Juryo championship.
Tomorrow Hoshoryu has a tougher Kinboshi chance in Hiradoumi (4-2) while Onosato has Gonoyama, a potential trap despite the latter being 0-6.
Ozeki Watch-Wakatakakage now has 3 straight wins to improve to 4-2, meaning the unofficial magic number is now 7.

Juryo:
Asanoyama (J13) beat Takarafuji (J12)
Shiden (J14) beat Kazekeno (J11)
Nishinoryu (J14) beat Haluyozan (J10)
Miyabokaze (J10) beat Kyokukaiyu (J13)
Asahakuryu (J11) beat Shirokuma (J9)
Asasuiryu (J12) beat Tsurugisho (J9)
Hatsuyama (J8) beat Kayo (J6)
Kotokuzan (J8) beat Tohakuryu (J6)
Tochitaikai (J5) beat Hidenoumi (J7)
Fujiseiun (J5) beat Tamashoho (J7)
Kotoeiho (J2) beat Chiyoshoma (J2)
Nishikifuji (J3) beat Daiseizan (J1)
Oshoumi (J1) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Leader: Mita, Kotokuzan (6-0)

Lower tier notes: A very bizarre situation in Malushita today as Chiyotora got a fusen over Tanji but not because of injury or suspension, the usual absent reasons. Nikkan Sports reports he overslept and missed his match. That’s a first for me. He and stablemaster Arashio (who happened to be on commentary for NHK at the time) both apologized to stablemaster Takadagawa, the head of the referees department. Tanji is now 1-2 after this loss.

RETIREMENT: Mitoryu (Ms7). Called it a career today and will hold a press conference tomorrow. He was absent this tournament due to injury. Originally from Mongolia, he retires with a career record of 332-332-42 (win-loss-absent), 27-44-4 in the top tier, 2 Juryo Championships and a career high rank of M13. His career spanned just over 8 years (debuted in May 2017). While he qualified for elder stock it’s not known if he had any. (UPDATE: He will not remain with the Japan Sumo Association or become a coach but will stay in Japan and seek non-sumo employment. A retirement ceremony is planned for early next year, possibly February)

Here ate the quick results from today’s Day 5 of the September 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Kokusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Hitoshi (M17) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Tomokaze (M16) beat Nishikifuji (J3)
Shishi (M18) beat Tobizaru (M15)
Ryuden (M17) beat Asakoryu (M14)
Shonannoumi (M15) beat Sadanoumi (M14)
Mitakeumi (M12) beat Meisei (M13)
Roga (M11) beat Tokihayate (M13)
Churanoumi (M10) beat Daieisho (M10)
Fujinokawa (M9) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Shodai (M11) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Takanosho (M7) beat Oshoma (M7)
Ura (M8) beat Kusano (M6)
Ichiyamamoto (M5) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Wakamotoharu (M4) beat Onokatsu (M6)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Hakuoho (M2)
Tamawashi (M1) beat Takayasu (K)
Aonishiki (K) beat Kirishima (S)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Abi (M1)
Kotozakura (O) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Atamifuji (M3)
Onosato (Y) beat Oho (M2)
Leader: Hoshoryu (5-0)
Of note: No Kinboshi handed out today as both Yokozuna won meaning Hoshoryu is now the only unbeaten left at this point with Onosato in a large group at 4-1, which also includes Kotozakura hopefully back in form. And at the bottom, congrats to Hitoshi for, amidst rumors he is being hindered by a knee/foot injury, getting his first career top tier win. Another role reversal for the Yokozuna tomorrow as Onosato faces Atamifuji and Hoshoryu gets Oho.
Ozeki Watch: Wakatakakage is now 3-2 after today’s win so the unofficial magic number is now 8. A badly struggling Gonoyama, who is 0-5, is tomorrow’s opponent.

Juryo:
Asanoyama (J13) beat Shiden (J14)
Asasuiryu (J12) beat Kyokukaiyu (J13)
Takarafuji (J12) beat Asahakuryu (J13)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Nishinoryu (J14)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Tsurugisho (J9)
Shirokuma (J9) beat Miyanokaze (J10)
Harsuyama (J8) beat Hidenoumi (J7)
Kotokuzan (J8) beat Tamashoho (J7)
Fujiseiun (J5) beat Kayo (J6)
Tochitaikai (J5) beat Tohakuryu (J6)
Mita (J4) beat Kotoeiho (J2)
Oshoumi (J1) beat Chiyoshoma (J2)
Daiseizan (J1) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Leader: Mita, Kotokuzan (5-0)
Of note: Asanoyama is now 4-1 at this point, so even with a 14-1 finish he probably won’t get back to the top tier in November but can set himself up for a good chance at a January return. If he wins the championship with that record maybe he will get promoted. Stablemate Asahakuryu took his first loss today to fall one off the pace at a still-solid 4-1 so far in his Juryo debut.

Lower tier notes: Enho lost his match today to fall to 2-1 and out of Makishita title contention, meaning no chance of promotion back to Juryo in November. He can still get up in January if he can finish 6-1 or 5-2 and move up the rankings enough. Among the Makushita co-leaders at 3-0 is Kitanowaka at Ms1, meaning one more win this tournament will see him promoted back to Juryo for the first time since March, although he was absent then due an injury that forced a January withdrawal and demotion from the top tier in his 4th attempt.