Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14-the penultimate day-of the May 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (top tier):
Roga (M14) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Sadanoumi (M13) beat Kotoshoho (M14)
Tokihayate (M13) beat Endo (M11)
Shishi (M11) beat Tamashoho (M17)
Meisei (M10) beat Kayo (M16)
Shodai (M10) beat Tochitaikai (M18)
Aonishiki (M9) beat Atamifuji (M12)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Ryuden (M15)
Asakoryu (M17) beat Onokatsu (M8)
Kinbozan (M8) beat Takanosho (M12)
Ura (M5) beat Tamawashi (M3)
Tobizaru (M6) beat Abi (M2)
Ichiyamamoto (M4) beat Gonoyama (M2)
Oshoma (M6) beat Wakamotoharu (M1)
Oho (M1) beat Takerufuji (M4)
Takayasu (K) beat Chiyoshoma (M5)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Kirishima (S) beat Hakuoho (M7)
Onosato (O) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Kotozakura (O)
Leader: Onosato (14-0)
Of note: It’s on! The final obstacle to 15-0 for Onosato will be the biggest-Hoshoryu. The Yokozuna is perhaps the last step on the road to promotion for the Yokozuna-to-be. Over the past year (5 tournaments) the series is 3-2 Hoshoryu and he’s won the last 2. Onosato won the 2 before that but one was a fusen (default/withdrawal) so it’s really 3-1 Hoshoryu.
Elsewhere, it was another day with a rare non-winning technique ending as Takayasu beat Chiyoshoma by fumidashi, rear step out, as Chiyoshoma inadvertently stepped outside the ring without being pushed or forced out.
Juryo:
Daiamami (J13) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Hitoshi (J6) beat Mudoho (J14)
Daiseizan (J6) beat Tsurugisho (J9)
Oshoumi (J9) beat NIshikifuji (J5)
Wakaikari (J5) beat Miyanokaze (J13)
Mitoryu (J12) beat Hakuyozan (J4)
Nabatame (J12) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Takarafuji (J3)
Hatsuyama (J10) beat Shirokuma (J3)
Kotoeiho (J7) beat Hidenoumi (J2)
Shiden (J8) beat Fujiseiun (J2)
Mitakeumi (J1) beat Tomokaze (J7)
Kusano (J1) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Leader: Kusano (12-2)
Of note: Since both Kusano & Wakaikari won today, the final day scenarios are simple: If Kusano wins or Wakaikari loses, or if both win or both lose, Kusano is the champion again. If Kusano loses and Wakaikari wins, there will be a playoff rematch between them (Kusano beat Wakaikari earlier this tournament). If Wakaikari wins his match tomorrow he’ll have a chance at promotion to the top tier even without winning the championship, if he does force a playoff and win the championship promotion is probably certain. Wakaikari first faces Daiamami then Kusano face Tsurugisho, both are 7-7 and will need a win for promotion (Daiamami could be demoted to Makushita with a loss).
RETIREMENT: Satonofuji (Jd100). Retired after his final match today. While he never got close to the top 2 tiers in a nearly 30-year career (his highest rank was Ms55 and he was primarily a resident of the Jonidan), he holds the perhaps-untouchable record of most career closing/bow-twirling ceremonies performed at 636 according to Nikkan Sports. He did it for 5 Yokozuna at Ajigawa Beya which then became Isegahama Beya, most recently for now-retired Terunofuji. It seems the impending retirement of the current Isegahama (reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65 just before the July Tournament) was the main factor in his retirement decision. He will leave sumo and work in the food & beverage industry in Tokyo. Satonofuji, real name Hisashi Matsuoka, finishes his career with a record of 570-627-21 (win-loss-absent) in 175 tournaments as an in-ring and behind-the-scenes tentpole of Isegahama Beya, with a 2-5 record in this tournament.
UPDATE: The only active wrestler older than Satonofuji-but not by much-has also called it quits. Sawaisamu, also 48, retired after his Final Day match. Having been active for roughly 33 years, he retires with a record of 406-860-24 and never got higher than the Jonidan. He was Jonokuchi 24 this time, at the very bottom of the rankings, and finished 1-6. In fact, his last winning effort was in July 2017.He does hood the record for most tournaments competed in with 135. He will work as a cook at a nursing home in Chiba Prefecture.
UPDATE 2: Here are who will be the Special Prize winners:
Outstanding Performance: Nobody (the only one who could have won it this time-Oho-does not qualify because he will be demoted due to losing record. The only other one who could have won it-Kirishima-can’t because he’s Sekiwake)
Fighting Spirit: Sadanoumi, Aonishiki (if he wins his last match which is vs. Sadanoumi), Asakoryu (if he wins his last match, which is vs. Endo)
Technique: Kirishima, Wakatakakage