Here are the quick results from today’s Day 15-the Final Day-of the May 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusuvi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi
Makuuchi )top tier):
Roga (M14) beat Kotoshoho (M14)
Atamifuji (M12) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Toachitaikai (M18) beat Shishi (M11)
Endo (M11) beat Asakoryu (M17)
Shodai (M10) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Tamashoho (M17)
Aonishiki (M9) beat Sadanoumi (M13)
Kinbozan (M8) beat Kayo (M16)
Onokatsu (M8) beat Meisei (M10)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Ryuden (M15)
Tokihayate (M13) beat Hakuoho (M7)
Ura (M5) beat Takanosho (M12)
Tamawashi (M3) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Takerufuji (M4) beat Gonoyama (M2)
Oshoma (M6) beat Abi (M2)
Oho (M1) beat Chiyoshoma (M5)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Ichiyamamoto (M4)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Tobizaru (M6)
Takayasu (K) beat Kirishima (S)
Daieisho (S) beat Kotozakura (O)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Onosato (O)
CHAMPION: Onosato (14-1)
Of note: No zensho yusho. That was the only question of the day-could Onosato beat Hoshoryu and finish 15-0? Hoshoryu said no and beat Onosato for the 3rd straight time. So Onosato finishes 14-1 with his 4th Emperor’s Cup, 2nd straight and expected promotion to Yokozuna in a few days. Now the real question I’m asking: Can he be the next Hakuho, if not greater? Hakuho won a record 45 championships in his career. Onosato already has 4 in only 9 top tier tournaments and 13 career. Let’s say he stays healthy for the next 15 years…he would be 40 by then (Hakuho retired at roughly 38) but that would put him on a pace for 40-44 titles total. He could have a chance. Elsewhere, despite protecting his rank as the likely only Ozeki Kotozakura lost his last 3 to finish a disappointing 8-7. Kirishima will go in July with a chance at an Ozeki return but he’s almost certainly going to need a championship as otherwise his unofficial magic number for promotion contention will be 14, and Wakatakakage will also be in promotion contention as he should return to Sekiwake but would also need a championship for promotion hopes. Daieisho remains in Ozeki contention but again will need a championship or, like Kirishima, at least 14 wins. At the bottom, demotions to Juryo will include Tamashoho, Tochitaikai, maybe Nishikigi and maybe Shonannoumi & Ryuden among others. Despite missing the first 5 days I think a 6-4 finish will be enough to keep Kotoshoho in the top tier despite 3 straight losses at the end.
SPECIAL PRIZES:
Outstanding performance (winning record with most wins vs. Yokozuna & Ozeki): None (the likely winner, Oho, was not eligible due to demotion)
Fighting Spirit (most wins with best display of fighting spirit among lower ranks): Sadanoumi, Aonishiki (2nd straight time) (Asakoryu would’ve have won it had he won his last match)
Technique (most wins with best display of technique): Kirishima, Wakatakakage (6th time)
Juryo:
Kotokuzan (Ms4) beat Miyanokaze (J13)
Hatsuyama (J10) beat Ishizaki (Ms4)
Nabatame (J12) beat Daiseizan (J6)
Hitoshi (J6) beat Mitoryu (J12)
Wakaikari (J5) beat Daiamami (J13)
Nishikifuji (J5) beat Mudoho (J14)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Shimanoumi (J5)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Hakuyozan (J4)
Kotoeiho (J7) beat Shirokuma (J3)
Takarafuji (J3) beat Shiden (J9)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Fujiseiun (J2)
Kusano (J1) beat Tsurugisho (J9). KUSANO JURYO YUSHO!!! 2nd straight championship
Oshoumi (J9) beat Mitakeumi (J1)
CHAMPION: Kusano (13-2)
Of note: With 2 straight Juryo titles Kusano is now emphatically headed to the top tier, the question is how high will his starting rank be. With 13 wins I’m guessing he’ll slot in at M12. Despite today’s loss Mitakeumi will return to the top tier as well with 8 wins, and Wakaikari has a chance at promotion after a 12-3 runner-up effort. Elsewhere, if this is the end of the road for Takarafuji amidst rumors he may retire and cash in his elder stock to potentially take over Isegahama Beya, he finishes with a win but would stay in Juryo should he continue and try to extend his career streak of 1368 matches without missing a day. At the bottom, Miyanokaze will be demoted to Makushita after his debut tournament as will Mudoho (a brother of Oho), while Daiamami is a toss-up.
Jonidan:
Playoff: Mineyaiba (Jd61) beat Tenrosei (Jd21). MINEYAIBA JONIDAN YUSHO!!!1st career championship. An emotional and very rare circumstances playoff because both are from the same stable (Shikorouama Beya).
Lower tier notes: Otsuji is the only guaranteed Makushita promotion as the champion from Ms3 and will return to Juryo in July. Kotokuzan, who went 5-2 at Ms4, will have a chance at a Juryo return for the first time since March 2023 (he’s been as high as M16). Enho will be demoted after a 3-4 finish, done in by 4 straight losses after a 2-1 start, so a potential Juryo return now probably won’t happen until at least November if it does. Asanoyama went 6-1 at Ms14 so a September promotion is possible.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS:
Makuuchi-Onosato (4th Emperor’s Cup, 4th career)
Juryo Kusano (2nd career, 2nd Juryo)
Makushita-Otsuji (1st career)
Sandanme-Hatooka (4th career, 1st Sandanme)
Jonidan-Mineyaiba (1st career)
Jonokuchi-Kazuma (1st career)
The next tournament is 7/13-7/27 at the hew IG Arena in Nagoya, which has been built as a replacement for the Aichi Prefectural Gym (aka Dolphins Arena). Advance tickets are now on sale. The Banzuke will be announced on June 30. As for Onosato being promoted to Yokozuna? It could happen as soon as Wednesday (Tuesday night US time).
UPDATE: A late result of note from Makushita today…Chiyotora beat Yuma by foul/judges’ reversal…HANSOKU!!! Although Yuma initially won he grabbed the opponent’s hair/topknot in the process, which is illegal in sumo. Thus Yuma was DQ’d and the results overturned.
Also, earlier tonight (Monday morning Japan time) a post-tournament press conference with Onosato was held at Nishinoseki Stable. Some Japanese news channels broadcast this live including NTV/Nippon Television Network, which also streamed it live FOR FREE on YouTube as part of their 24/7 live news streaming. You can watch it on demand below in Japanese:
UPDATE 2: While it is non-binding, the Yokozuna Deliberation Council approved the promotion at their meeting today. In a record 6 minutes.
UPDATE 3: Some poorly-timed unfortunate news: Nikkan Sports reports an unnamed referee is under investigation for embezzlement for stealing-and reportedly gambling away-tens of millions of yen set aside in a reserve fund of the Wrestlers’ Association that is used for supporting children affected by the devastating 2011 earthquake in Japan. How much exactly is now known but tens of millions of yen, if true, would be hundreds of thousands-or maybe millions-in US dollars. Punishment is expected in June and could be quite severe (expulsion from the association alone would probably be best case).
UPDATE 4: Per NHK’s weekday “7 News” Japanese-language news broadcast, Onosato will be promoted Wednesday (Tuesday night US time) barring the absolute unexpected. He will become The 75th Yokozuna in history.
