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.
