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Here are the quick results from today’s Day 15-the Final Day-of the March 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (top tier):
Onokatsu (M12) beat Shirokuma (M17)
Midorifuji (M11) beat Mitakeumi (M17)
Kotoshoho (M16) beat Endo (M9)
Hakuoho (M9) beat Asakoryu (M16)
Ryuden (M14) beat Oshoma (M8)
Sadanoumi (M15) beat Atamifuji (M8)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Shishi (M13)
Shodai (M7) beat Nishikigi (M10)
Kinbozan (M5) beat Shonannoumi (M10)
Ichiyamamoto (M4) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Ura (M5) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Meisei (M11) beat Chiyoshoma (M2)
Gonoyama (M2) beat Takanosho (M3)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Takerufuji (M6)
Wakatakakage (M1) beat Hiradoumi (M6)
Takayasu (M4) beat Abi (K)
Kirishima (K) beat Tokihayate (M18)
Aonishiki (M15) beat Oho (S)
Churanoumi (M14) beat Daieisho (S)
Onosato (O) beat Kotozakura (O). PLAYOFF!!!
Playoff: Onosato beat Takayasu. ONOSATO YUSHO!!! The 3rd career Emperor’s Cup for Onosato!
CHAMPION: Onosato (12-3)
Of note: He did his part first despite a HENKA! by Abi, but…once again, SO CLOSE! And yet so painfully far away…NINTH runner-up finish in the top tier for Takayasu and still no championship for the former Ozeki. Happy for Onosato because now he’s on Yokozuna Watch in May but again gutted for Takayasu. But he made it through all 15 days healthy and when he’s in that state, he does very well at 35 and he’ll be back. He could be back in Sanyaku but it depends on space because while Abi & Oho will be demoted (the latter possibly to M1) Kirishima and both the Wakas clinched promotion so Kirishima will at least stay Komusubi while Wakamotoharu & Wakatakakage should move up again and Daieisho will stay Sekiwake. I think Takayasu gets back to Komusubi. As for Onosato, if he can repeat or improve on this in May we could be looking at two Yokozuna active for the first time in quite some time. With regards to Daieisho, his loss means his unofficial magic number for Ozeki Watch in May is 13, which would get him to the supposed win threshold for consideration for promotion. But his chances are better if he can win the championship. Another big question mark is are we maybe seeing the end of Mitakeumi? He could complete a dramatic fall from Ozeki to Juryo as he is in danger of demotion below the top tier for the first time in nearly 10 years-the last time he was below the top tier was September 2015. No double-digit finishes since Ozeki promotion either.
Elsewhere, it was a very happy birthday for Aonishiki, as the birthday boy finished his top tier rookie effort with a showcase win to end with 11, a runner-up finish AND his first Special Prize. Churanoumi also became the first rikishi from Okinawa to win a Special Prize as he earned FIghting Spirit with his win.

SPECIAL PRIZES:
Outstanding Performance (best record with most wins vs. Yokozuna & Ozeki): None. Largely because both Abi & Ichiyamamoto didn’t meet criteria
Fighting Spirit (most wins and best display of fighting spirit): Aonishiki, Churanoumi. Tokihayate would have won this with a victory
Technique (best display of technique): Takayasu

Juryo:
Mita (Ms4) beat Otsuji (J14)
Tsurugisho (J11) beat Tohakuryu (J9)
Daiamami (Ms2) beat Hokutofuji (J8) by default/withdrawal
Kazekeno (J13) beat Kotoeiho (J7)
Mitoryu (J6) beat Hatsuyama (J13)
Kusano (J14) beat Fujiseiun (J5)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Nabatame (J5)
Hidenoumi (J6) beat Oshoumi (J4)
Shiden (J4) beat Hitoshi (J12)
Tochitaikai (J3) beat Shimanoumi (J10)
Roga (J3) beat Wakaikari (J9)
Daiseizen (J10) beat Kayo (J2)
Wakanosho (J11) beat Kagayaki (J1)
Hakuyozan (J8) beat Tamashoho (J1)
CHAMPION: Kusano (14-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Hokutofuji (J8). Knee. Injured during Day 14 match. Rumors are he will be demoted to Makushita after a 3-12 finish for the first time in about a decade so this could be career-threatening. Daiamami got the fusen as a result, plus a potential promotion back to Juryo.
Of note: After his absolute domination and winning by 3 wins over the field, the only question now for Kusano is whether or not he makes the top tier in May. Based on numbers, it’s a definite toss-up. At least 3 from the top tier will or may be demoted and Roga will be promoted back up (11-4 at J3), Tamashoho is going up (8-7 at J1), Kayo is a maybe (9-6 at J2). So at best he does, at worst he’s J1. Here’s how close it would have been without Kusano-Roga’s 11-4 would have won it and only one other wrestler-Hidenoumi-even managed 10 wins. Elsewhere, the only sure thing is Otsuji and Kiryuko (mid-tournament withdrawal, finished essentially 2-13 at J12) will be demoted while Hokutofuji is a possibility-that would be the first time in 9 years should it happen.
Miyagi will be promoted to Juryo from Makushita while Mita has a chance as does champion Oshoryu (but it’s a big jump from Ms28 so it will come down to a spot being available as Daiamami has a return chance along with Mudoho, although both were only 4-3. Akua also has a chance after 6-1 at Ms6).

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS:
Makuuchi: Onosato (O). 3rd career top tier championship
Juryo: Kusano (J14). 1st career championship
Makushita: Oshoryu (Ms28). 4th career championship, 1st Makushita
Sandanme: Asanoyama (Sd21). 5th career championship, 2nd Sandanme
Jonidan: Daikisho (Jd4). 2nd career championship, 1st Jonidan, 2nd consecutive
Jonokuchi: Chiyotenfu (Jk7). 1st career championship

The next tournament is 5/11-5/25 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. The Banzuke will be announced on 4/28. We’ll get early ranking news/hints and more later this week.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14-the penultimate day-of the March 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Onokatsu (M12) beat Ryuden (M14)
Midorifuji (M11) beat Sadanoumi (M15)
Meisei (M11) beat Mitakeumi (M17)
Nishikigi (M10) beat Shirokuma (M17)
Shonannoumi (M10) beat Asakoryu (M16)
Shishi (M13) beat Endo (M9)
Shodai (M7) beat Kotoshoho (M16)
Tokihayate (M18) beat TamawashI (M7)
Aonishiki (M15) beat Takerufuji (M6)
Churanoumi (M14) beat Takayasu (M4)
Hakuoho (M9) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Gonoyama (M2) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Chiyoshoma (M2) beat Takanosho (M3)
Oshoma (M8) beat Wakatakakage (M1)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Atamifuji (M8)
Kirishima (K) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Ura (M5) beat Abi (K)
Oho (S) beat Ichiyamamoto (M4)
Onosato (O) beat Daieisho (S)
Hiradoumi (M6) beat Kotozakura (O)
Leader: Takayasu, Onosato (11-3)
Of note: Oh no…that was my first reaction when Takayasu lost. The match just went too long and he couldn’t finish. Not again…he could have clinched the championship if all went well but now he must beat the always-tricky Abi tomorrow AND Onosato must lose in the Ozeki Showdown against Kotozakura to be champion. If both win, there will be a playoff. If Onosato wins and Takayasu loses, Onosato wins his third championship. But if both lose, there not only will be a playoff, it could be up to a 5-way playoff because that means Aonishiki, Churanoumi and Tokihayate all can get in with wins….and none face each other. Also, if Onosato wins then no matter what happens he’ll likely be on Yokozuna watch and have a chance at pomotion after May if he can win the championship. As for who the 10-4 trio face, Tokihayate is first and has Kirishima, who needs a win to stay in Sanyaku (7-7). Aonishiki has Oho, who is in a likewise situation despite demotion from Sekiwake coming (6-8). Churanoumi faces Daieisho (9-5), looking to make his chances for Ozeki promotion after May slightly better. Right now, the unofficial magic number for Daieisho in May will be 13-a win lowers it to 12, but he also can get there with a championship.

Juryo:
Kazekeno (J13) beat Ishizaki (Ms1)
Miyagi (Ms1) beat Hokutofuji (J11)
Hatsuyama (J13) beat Tomokaze (J7)
Otsuji (J14) beat Kotoeiho (J7)
Kusano (J14) beat Hidenoumi (J6)
Nabatame (J5) beat Mitoryu (J6)
Fujiseiun (J5) beat Shimanoumi (J10)
Daiseizan (J10) beat Shiden (J4)
Oshoumi (J4) beat Tohakuryu (J9)
Roga (J3) beat Hitoshi (J12)
Tochitaikai (J3) beat Wakanosho (J11)
Kayo (J2) beat Hakuyozan (J8)
Wakaikari (J9) beat Tamashoho (J1)
Tsurugisho (J11) beat Kagayaki (J1)
Leader: Kusano (13-1)
Of note: I think Kusano will be promoted to the top tier if he wins tomorrow to finish his championship-winning effort at 14-1. Right now it’s a toss-up but he will have a chance with 13-2 even if he loses. Not helping is Roga likely taking away a spot as he’s almost certainly headed back to the top tier with 10 wins now and Kayo will have a chance with 9 so far. Kusano will go for 14-1 against Fujiseiun, who is 9-5. Elsewhere, I also believe that despite missing several days with injuries, both Oshoumi & Nabatame saved their Juryo spots with wins today. Miyagi clinched promotion to Juryo in May today but Ishizaki, the younger brother of Asakoryu (formerly Ishizaki), missed out and gets demoted instead. A mixed bag for the promotion chances for Makushita Champion Oshoryu, who sees one potential opening taken away. It sounds like it may come down to what Daiamami and Mita do tomorrow in Juryo (both are 3-3) and Akua in Makushita tomorrow (5-1 at Ms6). At worst he’s going to be looking at perhaps Ms3.

Lower tier notes: Lost in the shuffle yesterday was news that Enho won his final Makushita match so that’s a 5th straight 6-1 result in his comeback effort. It won’t get him back to Juryo in May but it puts a July return within reach. We’ll see how things shake out tomorrow but if I had to guess where he’ll be next time, I’ll put him somewhere between Ms7 & Ms11.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage tomorrow FOR FREE, including the final matches, potential playoff if necessary, awards ceremony & champion’s interview, beginning at 12:30 AM PT/3:30 AM ET.

UPDATE: In Juryo Hokutofuji has WITHDRAWN ahead of the final day. Right knee. This is leading to expectations of demotion to Makushita after finishing 3-12. Daiamami gets the fusen as a result.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13-Championship Day in the lower tiers-of the March 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kotoshoho (M16) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Tokihayate (M18) beat Meisei (M11)
Midorifuji (M11) beat Asakoryu (M16)
Shonannoumi (M10) beat Shirokuma (M17)
Mitakeumi (M17) beat Nishikigi (M10)
Sadanoumi (M15) beat Endo (M9)
Hakuoho (M9) beat Shishi (M13)
Oshoma (M8) beat Onokatsu (M12)
Ryuden (M14) beat Atamifuji (M8)
Churanoumi (M14) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Shodai (M7)
Hiradoumi (M6) beat Chiyoshoma (M2)
Gonoyama (M2) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Takayasu (M4) beat Wakamotoharu (M1)
Wakatakakage (M1) beat Ura (M5)
Abi (K) beat Takanosho (M3)
Kirishima (K) beat Ichiyamamoto (M4)
Daieisho (S) beat Aonishiki (M15)
Kotozakura (O) beat Takerufuji (M6)
Oho (S) beat Onosato (O)
Leader: Takayasu (12-2)
Of note: It’s time to hold our collective breath again…can Takayasu FINALLY seal the deal this time? If he can beat Churanoumi tomorrow and Onosato loses to Daieisho, at long last Takayasu will be champion. But if not there could either be a playoff on the final day or Onosato can steal his 3rd championship away and make it NINE runner-ups for Takayasu. Elsewhere, an important win for Kotozakura as with 8 he is now out of kadoban status and will again be a full Ozeki in May, so the last 2 days are a chance to build momentum and maybe get back to 10 wins. Those currently at 9-4 still have a chance to force a playoff if both Takayasu & Onosato lose tomorrow, but their ranks will thin considerably tomorrow as most will face off. Takayasu regardless stands a good chance to return to Sanyaku in May, but that depends on what happens above him (we know Oho will be demoted from Sekiwake, Daieisho will stay there and Wakatakakage should be promoted to at least Komusubi so it likely depends on what happens with Wakamotoharu & Abi as well as Kirishima, the latter two will be demoted from Komusubi with another loss). Elsewhere, Shirokuma is likely being demoted back to Juryo with 8 losses now unless he wins his last two. Daieisho has set himself up for another run at Ozeki promotion in May, if he can get to 11 wins again by winning his last two (including Onosato tomorrow) the unofficial win threshold requirement will be within reasonable reach. Right now he would need 12+ wins or a championship. If he wins his last two it could go down to 11.

Juryo:
Hakuyozan (J8) beat Kazekeno (J13)
Tomokaze (J11) beat Otsuji (J14)
Hidenoumi (J6) beat Wakaikari (J9)
Tohakuryu (J9) beat Mitoryu (J6)
Fujiseiun (J5) beat Hatsuyama (J13)
Hitoshi (J12) beat Nabatame (J5)
Wakanosho (J11) beat Oshoumi (J4)
Tsurugisho (J11) beat Shiden (J4)
Tochitaikai (J3) beat Daiseizan (J10)
Roga (J3) beat Shimanoumi (J10)
Kayo (J2) beat Kusano (J14)
Kagayaki (J1) beat Hokutofuji (J8)
Kotoeiho (J7) beat Tamashoho (J1)
Leader: Kusano (12-1)
Of note: The only question left after clinching the championship yesterday was if Kusano could go 15-0. No zensho yusho. Those hopes got literally Kayo’d today, along with perhaps Kusano’s best hopes of making his top tier debut in May. It could still happen with a 14-1 finish though plus that “famous’ Isegahama clout. Additionally there’s the fact that, at most, only 3 other wrestlers can even manage 11 wins this time but what does work against Kusano is that Tamashoho will be promoted to the top tier as he’s 8-5 at J1, so one potential spot is gone there. Kayo will have a chance at promotion as will Roga, but for now the slight edged may go to Roga at 9-4 from J3 while Kayo is 8-5 from J2 but that spoiler win today did clinch promotion so at worst he’ll be J1. Otherwise the big question is who may be demoted to Makushita-Otsuji will after today, slight chance Nabatame still gets demoted due to injury, I can’t call Hokutofuji safe yet (he’s 3-10), Mitoryu might survive with similar because he’s J6 where Hokutofuji is J8, Hatsuyama needs one more win to be safe at J13 (he’s 7-6 so that win would mean promotion).

Makushita:
Oshoryu (Ms28) beat Kawazoe (Ms39). OSHORYU MAKUSHITA YUSHO!!! 4th career championship and first Makushita championship. He will have a very slim chance of being promoted to Juryo for the first time in his career but it will depend on what happens above him. With regards to that, both Ms1 wrestlers are 3-3 so they’re promoted if they win their last match but demoted if they don’t, at Ms2 Daiamami is also 3-3 while Tochimaru will be demoted after a 2-5 finish and 5 straight losses. At Ms3 Mudoho is 4-2 and promoted while Shimazuumi was absent (injury) and at Ms4 Mita is also promoted at 4-2 while Nishinoryu will be demoted at 2-5. The only other lower ranked wrestler with a real chance to take a spot away is Akua, who is 5-1 at Ms5. So I think worst-case for Oshoryu is perhaps Ms3.

Sandanme:
Daishoryu (Sd6) beat Asagyokusei (Sd33)
Asanoyama (Sd21) beat Chiyooga (Sd1). ASANOYAMA SANDANME YUSHO!!! 5th career championship and second Sandanme championship. He will be promoted back to Makushita in May. Also averted what would have been an 8-way playoff had he lost.

Jonidan:
Souga (Jd59) beat Hienriki (Jd67)
Daikisho (Jd4) beat Okinohama (Jd32). DAIKISHO JONIDAN YUSHO!! 2nd career championship, first Jonidan championship and second championship in a row. He hasn’t lost since his return in January from missing 4+ tournaments due to injury and being demoted from Makushita. Will be promoted to Sandanme in May. Hienriki losing meant this match was for the championship and prevented what otherwise would have been a playoff because he was also 6-0 coming in.

Jonokuchi:
Chiyotenfu (Jk7) beat Asasakurai (Jd98). CHIYOTENFU JONOKUCHI YUSHO!!! First career championship for the 9 year veteran.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage on Day 14 tomorrow at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET. It may start too late to include Takayasu potentially winning the championship but they would definitely show it on tape delay and also on the daily highlights program later that day (which shows every top tier match in its entirety).

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the March 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key/ M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kotoshoho (M16) beat Ryuden (M14)
Mitakeumi (M17) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Onokatsu (M12) beat Sadanoumi (M15)
Aonishiki (M15) beat Meisei (M11)
Tokohayate (M18) beat Shonannoumi (M10)
Endo (M9) beat Asakoryu (M16)
Oshoma (M8) beat Midorifuji (M11)
Shirokuma (M17) beat Shodai (M7)
Hiradoumi (M6) beat Hakuoho (M9)
Ura (M5) beat Atamifuji (M8)
Nishikigi (M10) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Ichiyamamoto (M4)
Chiyoshoma (M2) beat Gonoyama (M2)
Wakatakakage (M1) beat Takanosho (M3)
Shishi (M13) beat Wakamotoharu (M1)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Kirishima (K)
Abi (K) beat Churanoumi (M14)
Takayasu (M4) beat Oho (S)
Onosato (O) beat Takerufuji (M6)
Kotozakura (O) beat Daieisho (S)
Leader: Onosato, Takayasu (10-2)
Of note: Remember that since Onosato already beat Takayasu the only way they will face each other again this tournament is a playoff, and that could happen if they both keep winning. On paper Takayasu should have the easier path but Onosato may have a more favorable match tomorrow against the now-demoted Oho, whose first effort at Sekiwake will end after this tournament. Takayasu has Wakamotoharu tomorrow, who is going for promotion and another Sanyaku return. Aonishiki joins Takerufuji & Tamawashi one back at 9-3. Takerufuji has a big one tomorrow against Kotozakura-the Ozeki mow needs just one more win to protect his rank and avoid demotion.

Juryo:
Hatduyama (J13) beat Daiseizan (J10)
Kazekeno (J13) beat Shimanoumi (J10)
Wakaikari (J9) beat Hitoshi (J12)
Wakanosho (J11) beat Tohakuryu (J9)
Otsuji (J14) beat Hokutofuji (J8)
Tsurugisho (J11) beat Mitoryu (J6)
Hakuyozan (J8) beat Hidenoumi (J6)
Shiden (J4) beat Fujiseiun (J5)
Kusano (J14) beat Roga (J3). KUSANO JURYO YUSHO!!! 1st career championship
Tochitaikai (J3) beat Kotoeiho (J7)
Kayo (J2) beat Oshoumi (J4)
Tamashoho (J1) beat Nabatame (J5)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Kagayaki (J1)
Leader and CHAMPION: Kusano (12-0)
Of note: W-O-W. This is almost Prime Hakuho levels of dominance. Now Kusano can focus on trying to go 15-0 and a possible promotion all the way to the top tier in May. And the fact that every other result that needed to happen to make it possible happened! This also ties the record for fastest championship clinching in Juryo AND the 12 straight wins is a new Juryo record. The prior win streak record was held by The 33rd Yokozuna Musashiyama. Otherwise it’s all about promotions & demotions now. Kusano goes for 13-0 tomorrow against Kayo, who needs one more win for promotion. Tomokaze will be headed to the top tier in May as he clinched promotion today with his 8th win at J1.

Lower tier notes: Enho bounced back from his first Makushita loss with a win today, putting him at 5-1 so he will go for yet another 6-1 finish in his last match. That won’t get him to Juryo in May but should set him up for a much better chance at promotion for July. His last match of the tournament is scheduled for tomorrow. In the Sandanme, co-leaders Asanoyama & Asagyokusei have their last matches tomorrow, but not against each other due to being stablemates. If both win, they will face each other in a playoff on the final day. If one wins but one loses, the winner is the champion. If both lose, there will be a MASSIVE playoff-on paper based on tomorrow it could be at least a TEN-WAY playoff!