With the post-tournament rankings meeting concluded, here are the final standings and post-event news from the July 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament:
First, here is the final Hoshitori, or tournament records based on the tournament rankings for the top 2 tiers, records are in win-loss-absent format, for ranking purposes absent is treated as a loss:
Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Hoshoryu (1-4-10), Onosato (11-4)
Ozeki-Kotozakura (8-7)
Sekiwake-Daieisho (Absent), Kirishima (8-7), Wakatakakage (10-5)
Komusubi-Oshoma (3-12), Takayasu (10-5)
Maegashira 1-Aonishiki (11-4), Wakamotoharu (6-9)
Maegashira 2-Oho (7-8), Abi (9-6)
Maegashira 3-Onokatsui (6-9), Kinbozan (4-11)
Maegashira 4-Hakuoho (8-7), Tamawashi (11-4)
Maegashira 5-Hiradoumi (8-7), Meisei (3-12)
Maegashira 6-Takerufuji (5-8-2), Gonoyama (9-6)
Maegashira 7-Tobizaru (3-10-2), Endo (Absent)
Maegashira 8-Sadanoumi (4-11), Ichiyamamoto (9-6)
Maegashira 9-Ura (8-6-1), Chiyoshoma (1-14)
Maegashira 10-Atamifuji (11-4), Roga (7-8)
Maegashira 11-Takanosho (9-6), Tokihayate (6-9)
Maegashira 12-Midorifuji (9-6), Asakoryu (6-9)
Maegashira 13-Churanoumi (9-6), Shodai (9-6)
Maegashira 14-Kusano (11-4), Fujinokawa (10-5)
Maegashira 15-Kotoshoho (13-2, Tournament Champion), Hidenoumi (2-11-2)
Maegashira 16-Kayo (4-11), Mitakeumi (10-5)
Maegashira 17-Kotoeiho (6-9). Shishi (7-8)
Notes: Kotoshoho started 3-0 then lost 2 straight to fall to 3-2 but then won his last 10 to take his first Empteror’s Cup. He’ll go up to near the top of the Maegashira rankings in September, with a chance to surpass his career high rank of M3. It certainly didn’t hurt him that Ichiyamamoto, the dominant surprise in the first week-plus with a 9-1 start, then epic collapsed by losing his last 5. Runner-up Aonishiki will make his Sanyaku debut in September, the question is at Sekiwake or Komusubi because Takayasu has a chance at promotion with 10 wins while Daieisho’s latest Ozeki bid ended along with his iron man streak to begin his career due to injury. He’s out for September too so his record for time spent at or above M4 by a non-Yokozuna will also be over. The real Iron Man Tamawashi defied age again to manage 11 wins and being in contention until the final days, which could be rewarded with a Sanyaku return. Kusano’s top tier debut also saw him in title contention until the final day and he’ll make a nice move up the rankings alongside fellow rookie Fujinokawa, who managed 10 wins and a Special Prize. Wakatakakage is now back on Ozeki watch with 22 wins in Sanyaku the last 2 tournaments, so the unofficial magic number for promotion contention is 11. The likely demotions to Juryo are Shishi (toss-up), Hidenoumi, Kayo, Kotieiho and maybe Chiyoshoma & Endo. Tobizaru, Meisei and Sadanoumi are safe but at risk of demotion in September. Daieisho & Endo are almost certainly out for September while for now Takerufuji should be considered questionable, his current injury will keep him out until September 1. Also sounds like Chiyoshoma’s poor performance is in part due to still recovering from recent back surgery.
As for the Yokozuna & Ozeki, Hoshoryu had to withdraw again due to a toe injury, which will keep him out another 2-3 weeks. Onosato started well but struggled down the stretch, finishing 11-4 and thus no 3-peat and all 4 of his losses were kinboshi-conceding, which did not go over well with elders. Kotozakura protected his Ozeki rank again, but that’s 3 straight 8-7 efforts which is disappointing for an Ozeki.
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Nishikigi (8-7), Ryuden (8-7)
Juryo 2-Shonannoumi (10-5), Tomokaze (9-6)
Juryo 3-Oshoumi (8-7), Tamashoho (6-9)
Juryo 4-Tochitaikai (7-8), Shirokuma (5-10)
Juryo 5-Tohakuryu (7-8), Hakuyozan (4-11)
Juryo 6-Hitoshi (10-5), Daiseizan (10-5)
Juryo 7-Kagyaaki (9-6), Takarafuji (4-11)
Juryo 8-Kazekeno (5-10), Fujiseiun (9-6)
Juryo 9-Nishikifuji (10-3-2), Tsurugisho (7-8)
Juryo 10-Mitoryu (0-5-10), Nabatame (Absent)
Juryo 11-Shiden (6-9), Mita (11-4, Tournament Champion)
Juryo 12-Shimanoumi (3-12), Otsuji (4-11)
Juryo 13-Hatsuyama (10-5), Daiamami (6-9)
Juryo 14-Kotokuzan (10-5), Miyanokaze (8-7)
Notes: Mita probably won’t make it to the top tier with the championship, but expect him to be in position for promotion with a winning record in September. Nishikigi, Ryuden and Shonannoumi are headed back up to the top tier while Tomokaze has a chance to join them, Hitoshi & Daiseizan may be in the J1 slots if Mita isn’t (he’s J2 at worst). Had Nishikifuji not had to miss 3 days late for reasons I never found out, he may have won the championship and been returning to the top tier as well. At the bottom, Shimanoumi & Otsuji will be demoted along with Mitoryu & Nabatame, maybe Daiamami too. Miyanokaze secured his second-chance promotion at the end.
The Shin-Juryo and Sai-Juryo rikishi for September have been announced, and a big group makes up for nobody in the former this time…and there’s history because for the first time in over 45 years, 3 come from the same stable. The new debuts are Kyokukaiyu, Ishizaki, Asahakuryu (the Makushita Champion) and Nishinoryu while, as expected, Asanoyama is Sai-Juryo, finally making it back after his latest injury-fueled demotions. Ishizaki, Asahakuryu & Asanoyama are all from Takasago Beya and Ishizaki is already Kaimei as when his promotion was announced he also got a new shikona (ring name) and will be Asasuiryu. He is the real-life younger brother of Asakoryu, who was also Ishizaki before reaching Juryo.
The first batch of retirements were also announced, this time all are Jonidan or Jonokuchi with several rookies calling it quits after just one or two tournaments. There also was one unranked wrestler retiring. For now it sounds like Takarafuji will soldier on despite nearing losing salary as I still expect him to hang on until potentially being able to take over Isegahama Beya in January if Ternofuji/now-Isegahama does indeed leave then to open his own stable. There also will be a stablemaster change soon at Otake Beya as the current Otake must retire soon due to turning 65 (the mandatory retirement age in sumo). There are rumors though whoever takes over could just be keeping the seat warm for Oho when he eventually retires, as the stable originally was founded by Yokozuna Taiho, Oho’s real-life grandfather.