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New Japan 5/21/25 Results

New Japan continued the Best Of The Super Junior Tournament today with the 6th day of Block A.

Today’s event was held at G Messe Gunma in Gunma and can be watched on demand on New Japan World.

The announced paid attendance was 842.

Match 1: Daiki Nagai & Nick Wayne beat Gedo & Taiji Ishimori. Wayne pinned Gedo after a double stunner.

Match 2: Katsuya Murashima, Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Yoh beat Masatora Yasuda, Shoma Kato, MAO & El Desperado. Murahsima beat Yasuda with a Boston Crab.

Match 3: Yota Tsuji & Titan beat Hartley Jackson & Robbie Eagles. Tsuji pinned Jackson after Gene Blaster.

Match 4: Yujiro Takahashi, Sho & SANADA beat Toru Yano, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kevin Knight by DQ. Yano DQ’d.

Best Of The Super Junior Block A:
Match 5: Hiromu Takahashi beat Ninja Mack.
Match 6: Yoshinobu Kanemaru beat Kosei Fujita.
Match 7: Clark Connors beat KUSHIDA.
Match 8: Francesco Akira beat Dragon Dia.
Main Event: Master Wato beat Robbie X.

Standings:
Block A:
1-Wato, 4-2, 8 pts
2-KUSHIDA, 3-3, 6 pts
3-Dia, 3-3, 6 pts
4-Takhaashi, 3-3, 6 pts
5-Fujita, 3-3, 6 pts
6-Akira, 3-3, 6 pts
7-Connors, 3-3, 6 pts
8-X, 3-3, 6 pts
9-Kanemaru, 3-3, 6 pts
10-Mack, 2-4, 4 pts

Block B:
1-Wayne, 4-1, 8 pts
2-Desperado, 3-2, 6 pts
3-Taguchi, 3-2, 6 pts
4-Titan, 3-2, 4 pts
5-Yoh, 2-3, 4 pts
6-Knight, 2-3, 4 pts
7-Eagles, 2-3, 4 pts
8-Ishimori, 2-3, 4 pts
9-Sho, 2-3, 4 pts
10-MAO, 2–3, 4 pts

The top 2 in each block advance to the Semifinals. Everyone is still in it although Wato & Wayne lead.

The next event is Thursday at Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka with Block B. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 2 AM PT/5 AM ET.

Sumo-May 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 10 Results (5/21/25) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 10 of the May 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kotoshoho (M14) beat Tochitaikai (M18)
Tokihayate (M15) beat Shonannounmi (M17)
Sadanoumi (M13) beat Tamashoho (M17)
Atamifuji (M12) beat Ryuden (M15)
Takanosho (M12) beat Asakoryu (M17)
Shishi (M11) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Onokatsu (M8) beat Kayo (M16)
Roga (M14) beat Kinbozan (M6)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Endo (M11)
Oshoma (M6) beat Shodai (M10)
Meisei (M10) beat Tobizaru (M6)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Chiyoshoma (M5)
Takerufuji (M4) beat Tamawashi (M3)
Abi (M2) beat Wakamotoharu (M1)
Gonoyama (M2) beat Oho (M1)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Takayasu (K)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Aonishiki (M9)
Daieisho (S) beat Hakuoho (M7)
Onosato (O) beat IChiyamamoto (M4)
Kirishima (S) beat Kotozakura (O)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Ura (M5)
Leader: Onosato (10-0)
Yokozuna Watch: It’s still Onosato’s to lose as the toughest part of the tournament approaches. He can’t clinch tomorrow but he can all but do so over the next 2 days.
Of note: Onosato’s lead is now 2 over a group of 4 that includes Hoshoryu, who has clinched his first winning record as a Yokozuna with 6 straight wins. That group will shrink tomorrow as Onosato faces Wakatakakage and Hoshoryu faces Hakuoho, who gets his first kinboshi chance now that Terunofuji is retired. The other one in the group, Aonishiki, takes on Kotozakura.

Juryo:
Kyokukaiyu (Ms5) beat Mudoho (J14)
Daiamami (J13) beat Mitoryu (J12)
Hatsuyama (J10) beat Miyanokaze (J13)
Ohsoumi (J9) beat Nabatame (J12)
Tsurugisho (J9) beat Kazekeno (J11)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Mita (J14) beat Shiden (J8)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Hakuyozan (J4)
Kotoeiho (J7) beat Takarafuji (J3)
Shirokuma (J3) beat Hitoshi (J6)
Hidenoumi (J2) beat Nishikifuji (J5)
Fujiseiun (J2) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Wakaikari (J5) beat Mitakeumi (J1)
Kusano (J1) beat Daiseizan (J6)
Leader: Kusano (9-1)
Of note: Once again it’s Kusano’s to lose as he now has a 2 win lead over 6, including Wakaikari with still a chance to reach the top tier if he finishes strong, and Mita who is a win away from promotion in his Juryo debut. Not heading back to the top tier now are Kagayaki & Nishikifuji, and maybe not Takarafuji who may be nearing the end due to rumors that he may have the Isegahama elder stock and thus he and not Terunofuji could take over the stable after this tournament when the current Isegahama must retire.

UPDATE: Interesting lower tier side note-Hochi Sports notes today that Tenrosei, currently ranked at Jonidan 61 and at 5-0 going into Day 11, is another nephew of former Yokozuna Asashoryu and thus a younger cousin of Hoshoryu. Tenrosei, 18, currently is based at Shikoroyama Beya (Hoshoryu is at Tatsunami) and is in his second career tournament with a 5-2 finish in his debut in March.

TJPW News: Impossible-to-fill Shoes Filled

At their spring tour event this past Saturday in Tokyo, Tokyo Joshi Pro made a noteworthy announcement at the start of the event: They have found someone to do the impossible-fill the shoes of departing ring announcer Sayuri Namba when she leaves the promotion next month. They introduced Rise Shirai as the new ring announcer-to-be, she will train over the next few weeks before taking over full-time once Namba departs next month, with her debut coming this Saturday. Also of note, Namba will reprise one of her prior roles as a ring card girl on 6/14 (what may be her farewell event) for a special rounds rules match between Kazuki Hirata & Hideki Sekine.

I certainly hope Shirai does well and will support her but let’s be honest, Namba is irreplaceable with all she has contributed to the growth of TJPW over the last 5+ years, much of that from just her natural personality & enthusiasm (and it doesn’t help she can speak decent English). She isn’t closing the door to an eventual return or maybe at least connecting when TJPW returns to North America (which next happens in July in Texas), so hopefully this won’t be goodbye and just a see you later.

Sumo-May 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 9 Results (5/19/2025) (Top 2 Tiers)

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

Makuuchi (top tier):
Tamashoho (M17) beat Kayo (M16)
Asakoryu (M17) beat Ryuden (M15)
Kotoshoho (M14) beat NIshikigi (M16)
Sadanoumi (M13) beat Tochitaikai (M18)
Takanosho (M12) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Atamifuji (M12) beat Roga (M14)
Tokihayate (M13) beat Shishi (M11)
Onokatsu (M8) beat Endo (M11)
Meisei (M10) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Hakuoho (M7) beat Shodai (M10)
Tobizaru (M6) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Oshoma (M6) beat Kinbozan (M6)
Aonishiki (M9) beat Churanoumi (M5)
Gonoyama (M2) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Oho (M1)
Abi (M2) beat Wakatakakage (K)
Kirishima (S) beat Takerufuji (M4)
Tamawashi (M3) beat Daieisho (S)
Kotozakura (O) beat Takayasu (K)
Onosato (O) beat Ura (M5)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Ichiyamamoto (M4)
Leader: Onosato (9-0)
Yokozuna Watch: Still a long ways to go but it looks like Onosato’s promotion to lose. He’s still got 5 days until he’s expected to face Hoshoryu (final day), at this point I think 13 wins will clinch promotion no matter what as that’s the most the Yokozuna can finish with (Hoshoryu is now 7-2 with 5 straight wins).
Ozeki Watch: It’s probably over for Daieisho. A tough Sekiwake Showdown loss today to Kirishima puts him at 6-3, meaning he can only get to 32 wins. Remember 33 wins over 3 tournaments is not mandatory for promotion to Ozeki but now his only real hope is an Onosato collapse and a 12-3 championship.
Of note: NHK World Japan has been promoting a youth movement during this tournament in promos for their daily highlights program in English. It certainly has been just that with Onosato seemingly headed towards Yokozuna but right behind him are Hakuoho at 8-1 (although I’m a little worried seeing his right bicep taped up like it was today) and Aonishiki at 8-1, clearly having surpassed the demoted Shishi as the big Ukraine hope and perhaps the next Ozeki and even Yokozuna from Europe. He also has yet to have a losing tournament like Onosato and has won 8 straight after a Day 1 loss. Wakatakakage took a tough loss to Abi to fall to 2 back but not out of it at 7-2 with a critical match against Aonishiki tomorrow. And while it probably won’t get him into title contention, Kotozakura has bounced back from a shaky 1-2 start to improve to 6-3 after winning 5 of his last 6 and in position to protect his Ozeki rank again. He gets Kirishima tomorrow. Hoshoryu has yet another kinboxhi match tomorrow against Ura, who is trying to avoid demotion at 2-7. Today he got revenge against Ichiyamamoto, who earned a kinboshi against the Yokozuna in March.

Juryo:
Kazekeno (J11) beat Kotokuzan (Ms4)
Mita (J14) beat Hatsuyama (J10)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Mudoho (J14)
Tsurugisho (J9) beat Mitoryu (J12)
Daiamami (J13) beat Oshoumi (J9)
Miyanokaze (J13) beat Shiden (J8)
Kotoeiho (J7) beat Nabatame (J12)
Hakuyozan (J4) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Shirokuma (J3)
Takarafuji (J3) beat Daiseizan (J6)
Wakaikari (J5) beat Fujiseiun (J2)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Hidenoumi (J2)
Kusano (J1) beat Hitoshi (J6)
Mitakeumi (J1) beat Nishikifuji (J5)
Leader: Kusano (8-1)
Of note: And now it’s official-Kusano will debut in the top tier in July with promotion clinched today after just missing out this time. He’s the first in Juryo to clinch promotion and maintains his championship lead with now just Tohakuryu at 7-2 and a large group at 6-3. No demotions just yet although 3 are 2-7 and could be demoted tomorrow. Tomorrow has Kusano facing Daiseizan (5-4) while Tohakuryu has a more favorable match on paper against 2-7 and slumping (yet again) Shimanoumi).

Lower tier notes:
The Makushita is down to the final 4 at 5-0, so Day 11’s matches will set up Day 13’s Championship Day match. Among the 4 is Otsuji, who is in good position to return to Juryo following a demotion in his debut effort in March. The Sandanme has 5 at 5-0, meaning the potential for a playoff being needed is there. The Jonidan is interesting-6 are at 5-0 but both Shikoroyama and Sakaigawa Beya each have 2 co-leaders, raising the real possibility of a playoff between stablemates depending on how things play out. In the Jonokuchi, Kazuma is the sole leader at 5-0 as he makes a comeback from missing 4 straight tournaments following having to withdraw in his debut tournament, ruining what was a 4-1 effort at the time, a very tough break because he got the provisional Makushita 60 debut spot.

Sumo-May 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 8 Results (Halfway Point) (5/18/25) (Top 2 Tiers)

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

Makuuchi (top tier):
Tamashoho (M17) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Roga (M14) beat Tochitaikai (M18)
Kayo (M16) beat Tokihayate (M13)
Asakoryu (M17) beat Sadanoumi (M13)
Shonannoumi (M15) beat Atamifuji (M12)
Endo (M11) beat Ryufen (M15)
Kotoshoho (M14) beat Shishi (M11)
Shodai (M10) beat Takanosho (M12)
Meisei (M10) beat Hakuoho (M7)
Oshoma (M6) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Aonishiki (M9) beat Tobizaru (M6)
Onokatsu (M8) beat Ura (M5)
Kinbozan (M8) beat Chiyoshoma (M5)
Ichiyamamoto (M4) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Gonoyama (M2)
Abi (M2) beat Takayasu (M6)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Oho (M1)
Daieisho (S) beat Kirishima (S)
Onosato (O) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Kotozakura (O) beat Tamawashi (M3)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Takerufuji (M4)
Leader: Onosato (8-0)
Yokozuna Watch: Halfway there…besides being the first to clinch a winning record and protect his Ozeki rank, Onosato remains in top form and is potentially one week from promotion if he keeps this up. Also of note-this ensures he continues his streak of having a winning record in every career tournament so far. He still has the toughest matches to come though, with Hoshoryu likely on the final day. As for Hoshoryu, he had a streaky first week with 2 wins to start then 2 straight losses and kinboshi handed out, but has won his last 4 and is 6-2 going into the second half. Onosato has Ura tomorrow while the kinboshi chances continue with Hoshoryu facing Ichiyamamoto, who goes for 2 straight Gold Star Victories against the Yokozuna.
Ozeki Watch: After 2 straight losses took away his margin for error, Daieisho bounced back today with a must-have win and is currently 6-2, but probably must win his last 7 for any real chance at promotion. Note the “magic number” of 33 wins is not mandatory for promotion, it’s happened with as few as 29 over the 3 tournament span.
Of note: Also props to Kayo as following an 0-4 start to his top tier debut, he has gained confidence since snapping that skid and has now won 4 straight to get back to 4-4. Hakuoho took his first loss today and is now in 2nd at 7-1 along with Aonishiki & Wakatakakage. On the flip side, Midorifuji is the first demotion this time as he is the first and only 0-8 as the katasukashi hasn’t been there. And there will be no championship aspirations for Takayasu after his playoff loss last time as he’s now fighting just to avoid demotion at 2-6. More bad luck/performances than back concerns. And despite his losing record, Iron Man Tamawashi has now moved into #4 all-time on the list of most consecutive top tier matches. If he manages to stay in the top tier, he can reach #3 (1430) in September and #2 (1440) in November. The record? 1470, which he could reach in 2026. To get to the all-time match record he needs another 2+ years (1891, he is now at 1697 so after this tournament he would be at 1705 and with 15 matches per tournament in the top 2 tiers that means he’d need 13 more tournaments).

Juryo:
Mitoryu (J12) beat Ishizaki (Ms4)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Daiamami (J13)
Miyanokaze (J13) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Mudoho (J14) beat Hatsuyama (J10)
Ohsoumi (J9) beat Mita (J12)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Tsurugisho (J9)
Shiden (J8) beat Nabatame (J12)
Kotoeiho (J7) beat Hakuyozan (J4)
Takarafuji (J3) beat Tomokaze (J7)
Daiseizan (J6) beat Shirokuma (J3)
Hitoshi (J6) beat Hidenoumi (J2)
NIshikifuji (J5) beat Fujiseiun (J2)
Mitakeumi (J1) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Kusano (J1) beat Wakaikari (J5)
Leader: Kusano (7-1)
Of note: After missing it by one win last time, Kusano is now one win from the top tier. After losing his first match this time, he now has won 7 straight to get one from promotion. The ranks below thinned out a little today with now just 2 at 6-2 and one win back, Oshoumi & Tohakuryu. Also of note-at 1361 and counting, Takarafuji now has moved up to #3 on the list of current active streaks of consecutive matches without missing a day, he has NEVER missed a day in his career. If he finishes the tournament he should pass Yoshiazuma, currently in the Jonidan, for #2 (Yoshiazuma has missed 8 days in his career but they were all expunged due to being forCovid-19 protocols-a long time ago he competed in the top tier for 3 tournaments). Yoshiazuma is at 1364.

Lower tier notes: No Juryo in July for Enho as his streak of 6-1 tournaments in his comeback effort ends with a second loss today, and 5-2 at Ms10 won’t earn promotion (he currently is 2-2). Same for Asanoyama who is 3-1 farther down. They’ll try now and set up for September promotions. The Makushita now has 8 at 4-0 after Promotion Day, with Otsuji among them and in position for a Juryo return after demotion following his debut effort in March. The Sandanme has 10 at 4-0, the Jonidan has 12 at 4-0 while the Jonokuchi has 2 at 4-0.

All-Japan 5/18/25 Results (Updated 5/19/25)

All-Japan wrapped up the 2025 Champions Carnival Tournament today with the Finals.

Today’s event was held at Ota City General Gym in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on AJPW.TV. This was also a Samurai! TV broadcast in Japan.

The announced paid attendance was 2280.

Pre-show match: Taishin Nagao beat Shouta Kofuji. First career single win for Nagao.

Match 1: Champions Carnival Semifinals: Kento Miyahara beat Ryuki Honda.

Match 2: Champions Carnival Semifinals: Rei Saito beat Hideki Suzuki by KO.

Match 3: Kengo Mashimo, Madoka Kikuta, Shuji Kondo & Seigo Tachibana beat Davey Boy Smith Jr., Ren Ayabe, Atsuki Aoyagi & Ryo Inoue. Kikuta pinned Inoue after a rolling lariat.

Match 4: Fuminori Abe 10th Anniversary Match-Hokuto Omoro, Kumaarashi & Takashi Yoshida beat All-Japan 6-Man Tag Team Champions Fuminori Abe, Yuma Aoyagi & Hikaru Sato to win the titles. Omori, Kumaarashi & Yoshida become the 11th All-Japan 6-Man Tag Team Champions. Onori pinned Aoyagi after Narcissist Press,

Match 5: Shotaro Ashino, Xyon & Dan Tamura beat Jun Saito, Naruki Doi & Senor Saito. Xyon pinned Senor Saito after Xyon Spear.

Match 6: All-Asia Tag Team Champions Rising Hayato & Yuma Anzai beat Mike D. Vecchio & Aigle Blanc to retain the titles.. Hayato pinned Blanc after Sid Vicious. V6 for the champs. Next up: The Aoyagis.

Match 7: Seiki Yoshioka beat All-Japan World Junior Heavyweight Champion MUSASHI to win the title. Yoshioka becomes the 71st All-Japan World Junior Heavyweight Champion. Next up: Tamura.

Main Event: Champions Carnival Finals: Rei Saito beat Kento Miyahara to win the tournament. As a result, Saito gets the next Triple Crown shot against…none other than his brother, Jun Saito. Which means one thing is certain coming out of it besides me being happy either way…DOOM!!! If they have their way, that match will happen at the next event on 6/1. Also I’m happy to see Rei Saito’s beard/goatee returning after he went clean-shaven the last couple months.

The next event is 6/1 at Sendai Sun Plaza in Sendai to start the Super Power Series 2025 Tour. Live streaming on AJPW.TV will begin on 5/31 at 10 PM PT/1 AM ET. The event will also be taped for broadcast on GAORA SPORTS in Japan at a later date.

5/19/25 UPDATE: It’s now official. Saitos face off for the Triple Crown on 6/1. Yoshioka-Tamura is also official for that date. In fact, most if not all the 6/1 card is official, here is what else was announced:
All-Japan World Tag Team Champions Kento Miyahara & Yuma Aoyagi vs. Shotaro Ashino & Xyon for the titles
Hokuto Omori, Kumaarashi & TBA (billed as XXL) vs. Ryuki Honda, Yuma Anzai & Ren Ayabe
Atsuki Aoyagi, Fuminori Abe & Seigo Tachibana vs. MUSASHI, Rising Hayato & Ryo Inoue
Taishin Nagao vs. Hideki Suzuki
Jack Kennedy & Aizawa No. 1 vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Kuroshio TOKYO Japan

Dragon Gate News: Regarding BIGBOSS Shimizu Absence

Dragon Gate posted a news announcement regarding the recent absence of BIGBOSS Shimizu-having been out most of this year for potential disciplinary reasons, it was announced today he will remain out at his request and will probably remain out most of, if not the rest of the year. He will be back at some point and the promotion will announce when

Pro Wrestling NOAH 5/18/25 Results (Updated)

Pro Wrestling NOAH’s monthly STAR NAVIGATION 2025 Tour event for this month just finished up. I joined the event in progress but did not do live results due to illness and recovering from my recent trip to Japan plus watching on about a 45-minute tape delay. Here are the quick results.

Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE in Japanese and English. The live broadcast was English only outside Japan due to ABEMA exclusives. You can also watch the first 3 matches FOR FREE on YouTube.

The announced paid attendance was 1562, a legit advance sellout. Standing room only tickets were sold today.

Match 1: Mohammed Yone & Shuhei Taniguchi beat Shuji Kondo & Daiki Odashima. Yone pinned Odashima after Kinniku Muscle Buster.

Match 2: Atsushi Kotoge & Hajime Ohara beat Alejandro & Kai Fujimura. Kotoge pinned Fujimura after Kill Switch.

Match 3: Naomichi Marufuji, Takashi Sugiura & Masa Kitamiya beat Tetsuya Endo, Daga & Owadasan. Sugiura pinned Owadasan after Olympic Yosen Slam. During the match, Endo turned on and defected from Team 2000X.

Match 4: Dragon Bane & Alpha Wolf beat HAYATA. Yuto Kikuchi, Eita & Super Crazy and AMAKUSA & Junta Miyawaki in a 4-way when Wolf pinned Kikuchi.

Match 5: Daiki Inaba Return Match: Kenoh, KENTA & Ulka Sasaki beat Manabu Soya, Saxon Huxley & Daiki Inaba. Kenoh beat Inaba with Kenoh Special.

Match 6: GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion YO-HEY beat Tadasuke to retain the title. V1 for YO-HEY. Next up: Miyawaki.

Main Event: GHC Heavyweight Champion OZAWA beat Kaito Kiyomiya to retain the title. V5 for OZAWA. As a result, Kiyomiya may now have to join Team 2000X. Next up: Endo & Sugiura in a 3-way.

More news/fallout when it becomes available.

The next event is Friday at Aizuwakamatsu City Cultural Center in Fukushima. There will be no live broadcast.

UPDATE: The post-event news/fallout:

It’s now official-OZAWA next defends in aforementioned 3-way. That match will happen on 6/3 at Korakuen as will YO-HEY vs. Miyawaki and an Atsushi Kotoge 20th Anniversary match of Kotoge vs. Super Delfin.

Announced for 5/31 at Shinjuku Face is GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Kenoh & Ulka Sasaki vs. some combination of Manabu Soya, Saxon Huxley & Daiki Inaba for the titles.

Announced for 5/24 at Yokohama Radiant Hall in Yokohama is GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Dragon Bane & Alpha Wolf vs. HAYATA & Yuto Kikuchi for the titles.

The N-1 VICTORY Tournament will return this year in September. The schedule was announced today with further details TBA. The schedule is as follows:
9/8-Korakuen
9/11-Okayama Convention Center, Okayama
9/13-Hiroshima Industrial Hall East Exhibition Hall, Hiroshima
9/14-Acros Fukuoka, Fukuoka
9/15-Kumamoto Castle Hall Civic Hall, Kumamoto
9/17-Osaka Prefectural Gym 2, Osaka
9/20-Act City Hamamatsu, Shizuoka
9/21-Light Cube Utsunomiya, Tochigi
9/23-Korakuen (Finals)

Sumo-May 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 5 Results (5/15/25) (Top 2 Tiers)

Joining in progress now that I am back from Japan, here are the quick results from today’s Day 5 of the May 2025 Grand Smo Tournament in Tokyo and some notes so far:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top tier):
Nishikigi (M16) beat Tochitaikai (M18)
Kayo (M16) beat Takarafuji (J3)
Asakoryu (M17) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Roga (M14) beat Tamashoho (M17)
Ryuden (M15) beat Tokihayate (M13)
Sadanoumi (M13) beat Atamifuji (M12)
Takanosho (M12) beat Endo (M11)
Meisei (M10) beat Shishi (M11)
Aonishiki (M9) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Kinbozan (M8) beat Shodai (M10)
Hakuoho (M7) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Onokatsu (M8) beat Tobizaru (M6)
Ura (M5) beat Chiyoshoma (M5)
Ichiyamamoto (M4) beat Oshoma (M6)
Abi (M2) beat Takerufuji (M4)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Takayasu (K)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Kirishima (S)
Daieisho (S) beat Oho (M1)
Kotozakura (O) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Onosato (O) beat Tamawashi (M3)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Gonoyama (M2)
Leader: 4 at 5-0
WITHDRAWAL (Pre-Tournament): Kotoshoho (M14). Right thigh muscle. Will return tomorrow (Day 6). Injury happened before the tournament but he was expected to enter at some point as it was considered minor. He will start in a 0-5 hole.
Of note: RARE KIMARITE ALERT!!! Aonishiki beat Midorifuji with what looked like the touch of death to the knee, actually a technique called uchimuso or inner thigh propping twist down. It looked like Aonishiki barely touched Midorifuji’s knee with his hand and that caused Midorifuji to go down. It’s the second straight day we’ve been treated to a rare technique as we yesterday had a win by amiuchi, the fisherman’s throw.
Yokozuna Watch: Onosato is 1/3 of the way there at 5-0 and among the 4 co-leaders. Of course the 2 straight championships doesn’t guarantee promotion as other factors are considered but it’s looking good.
Ozeki Watch: Daieisho is also among the 4 at 5-0 so he is doing what he needs to, probably needing at least 8 more for a chance at promotion.

Juryo:
Mudoho (J14) beat Daiamami (J13)
Mitoryu (J12) beat Mita (J14)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Miyanokaze (J13)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Nabatame (J12)
Tsurugisho (J9) beat Hatsuyama (J10)
Oshoumi (J9) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Hitoshi (J6) beat Shiden (J8)
Wakaikari (J7) beat Kotoeiho (J7)
Daiseizan (J6) beat Nishikifuji (J5)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Hidenoumi (J2) beat Shirokuma (J3)
Kusano (J1) beat Hakuyozan (J4)
Fujiseiun (J2) beat Mitakeumi (J1)
Leader: 5 at 4-1
WITHDRAWAL: Wakanosho (J11) on Day 3. Unknown. Status uncertain.

RETIREMENT: Hokutofuji (Ms3). The Japan Sumo Association announced he retired today. He has not competed this tournament due to injury. He does have elder stock and will cash it in to become Oyama oyakata. Hokutofuji, real name Daiki Nakamura (the same real name as Onosato), will finish with a career record of 424-368-40 (win-loss-absent) including 3 absent this tournament, 360-338-37 in the top tier, 3 championships (1 Juryo, 1 Sandanme, 1 Jonidan), 3 Special Prizes and 7 Kinboshi in just over 10 years with a highest rank of Komusubi.