Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 of the March 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (top tier):
Shirokuma (M17) beat Asakoryu (M16)
Tokihayate (M18) beat Ryuden (M14)
Onokatsu (M12) beat Mitakeumi (M17)
Kotoshoho (M16) beat Meisei (M11)
Shonannoumi (M15) beat Sadanoumi (M10)
Aonishiki (M15) beat Hakuoho (M9)
Oshoma (M8) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Atamifuji (M8) beat Shishi (M13)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Midorifuji (M11)
Endo (M9) beat Shodai (M7)
Takerufuji (M6) beat Churanoumi (M14)
Hiradoumi (M6) beat Nishikigi (M11)
Chiyoshoma (M2) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Takanosho (M3)
Gonoyama (M2) beat Abi (K)
Kirishima (K) beat Takayasu (M4)
Daieisho (S) beat Ichiyamamoto (M4)
Kotozakura (O) beat Oho (S)
Onosato (O) beat Ura (M5)
Leader: Onosato, Takayasu, Takerufuji (9-2)
Of note: Days like today may be the only reason Takayasu will never be a Yokozuna-a tough loss today cost him the lead and puts him in jeopardy of being runner-up and just losing the championship…for the NONTH time on his top tier career. He very well could’ve had 8 CHAMPIONSHIPS ALREADY! His kryptonite-Kirishima-may have just denied him a 9th. That’s now 5 straight times Kirishima has beaten Takayasu. Onosato is also setting up for potentially another Yokozuna bid in May-if he can win out and finish 13-2 or maybe 12-3 the watch is on. Takerufuji won this tournament last year in bis top tier debut and a strong finish could propel him into Sanyaku in May. But one of these two may not happen because Onosato & Takerufuji face off tomorrow. Takayasu has Oho, who is 4-7 and one loss from demotion from Sekiwake in his first effort there. And 3 are still in it at 8-3 including Tanawashi as the Iron Man pursues a 3rd Emperor’s Cup and first at 40. I think we also have to wonder if we’re seeing the potential end of Mitakeumi-he is now one loss from completing a stunning fall from Ozeki in 2022 to Juryo for the first time since 2015. To just stay in the top tier he’a got to win out mow. Elsewhere there are continued health/injury concerns about Endo-it was thought maybe he suffered a potential concussion earlier in the tournament and today he seemed to take an awkward step after winning and possibly suffered a knee injury.
Juryo:
Kusano (J14) beat Tsurugisho (J11)
Daiseizan (J10) beat Kazekeno (J13)
Tohakuryu (J9) beat Otsuji (J14)
Shimanoumi (J10) beat Wakaikari (J9)
Hitoshi (J12) beat Hakuyozan (J8)
Hatsuyama (J13) beat Hokutofuji (J8)
Wakanosho (J11) beat Mitoryu (J6)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Shiden (J2)
Fujiseiun (J5) beat Tochitaikai (J3)
Roga (H3) beat Kotoeiho (J7)
Kayo (J2) beat Nabatame (J5)
Hidenoumi (J6) beat Kagayaki (J1)
Tamashoho (J1) beat Oshoumi (J4)
Leader: Kusano (11-0)
Of note: It could all be over tomorrow. If Hitoshi, Shimanoumi & Hidenoumi all lose and Kusano beats Roga, Kusano is the champion and the question becomes can he go 15-0 and if that happens jump to the top tier? If anyone else wins and Kusano wins, they can only force a playoff. Roga is out with a loss but at least has clinched promotion and will have a chance to return to the top tier in May. Elsewhere, Otsuji will be the first demotion back to Makushita as he now has 8 losses at J14. Likewise, no top tier return for Kagayaki as he clinched demotion today with 8 losses
Lower tier notes: The Makushita Championship is set for Friday, it will be Oshoryu vs. Kawazoe. If Oshoryu wins, he will have an outside chance at Juryo promotion as he is at Ms29. Kawazoe is Ms39, likely too low for a Juryo return. No match for Enho today, he will go for 5-1 tomorrow. In the Sandanme, it will be more complicated-the final 2 are Asanoyama and Asagyokusei, but they’re stablemates (Takasago Beya). That means they’ll face other opponents and if one wins and the other loses, the winner is the champion. If both win, they will face each other in a rare playoff between stablemates. If both lose, there also will be a playoff in some form. The Jonidan has 3 at 6-0 so whether they will need a playoff depends on the scheduled matches. The Jonokuchi has one left at 6-0 so if he wins his last match he is the champion. If he loses, a playoff may happen.
