Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the Halfway Point-of the May 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (top tier):
Tamashoho (M17) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Roga (M14) beat Tochitaikai (M18)
Kayo (M16) beat Tokihayate (M13)
Asakoryu (M17) beat Sadanoumi (M13)
Shonannoumi (M15) beat Atamifuji (M12)
Endo (M11) beat Ryufen (M15)
Kotoshoho (M14) beat Shishi (M11)
Shodai (M10) beat Takanosho (M12)
Meisei (M10) beat Hakuoho (M7)
Oshoma (M6) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Aonishiki (M9) beat Tobizaru (M6)
Onokatsu (M8) beat Ura (M5)
Kinbozan (M8) beat Chiyoshoma (M5)
Ichiyamamoto (M4) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Gonoyama (M2)
Abi (M2) beat Takayasu (M6)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Oho (M1)
Daieisho (S) beat Kirishima (S)
Onosato (O) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Kotozakura (O) beat Tamawashi (M3)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Takerufuji (M4)
Leader: Onosato (8-0)
Yokozuna Watch: Halfway there…besides being the first to clinch a winning record and protect his Ozeki rank, Onosato remains in top form and is potentially one week from promotion if he keeps this up. Also of note-this ensures he continues his streak of having a winning record in every career tournament so far. He still has the toughest matches to come though, with Hoshoryu likely on the final day. As for Hoshoryu, he had a streaky first week with 2 wins to start then 2 straight losses and kinboshi handed out, but has won his last 4 and is 6-2 going into the second half. Onosato has Ura tomorrow while the kinboshi chances continue with Hoshoryu facing Ichiyamamoto, who goes for 2 straight Gold Star Victories against the Yokozuna.
Ozeki Watch: After 2 straight losses took away his margin for error, Daieisho bounced back today with a must-have win and is currently 6-2, but probably must win his last 7 for any real chance at promotion. Note the “magic number” of 33 wins is not mandatory for promotion, it’s happened with as few as 29 over the 3 tournament span.
Of note: Also props to Kayo as following an 0-4 start to his top tier debut, he has gained confidence since snapping that skid and has now won 4 straight to get back to 4-4. Hakuoho took his first loss today and is now in 2nd at 7-1 along with Aonishiki & Wakatakakage. On the flip side, Midorifuji is the first demotion this time as he is the first and only 0-8 as the katasukashi hasn’t been there. And there will be no championship aspirations for Takayasu after his playoff loss last time as he’s now fighting just to avoid demotion at 2-6. More bad luck/performances than back concerns. And despite his losing record, Iron Man Tamawashi has now moved into #4 all-time on the list of most consecutive top tier matches. If he manages to stay in the top tier, he can reach #3 (1430) in September and #2 (1440) in November. The record? 1470, which he could reach in 2026. To get to the all-time match record he needs another 2+ years (1891, he is now at 1697 so after this tournament he would be at 1705 and with 15 matches per tournament in the top 2 tiers that means he’d need 13 more tournaments).
Juryo:
Mitoryu (J12) beat Ishizaki (Ms4)
Kazekeno (J11) beat Daiamami (J13)
Miyanokaze (J13) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Mudoho (J14) beat Hatsuyama (J10)
Ohsoumi (J9) beat Mita (J12)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Tsurugisho (J9)
Shiden (J8) beat Nabatame (J12)
Kotoeiho (J7) beat Hakuyozan (J4)
Takarafuji (J3) beat Tomokaze (J7)
Daiseizan (J6) beat Shirokuma (J3)
Hitoshi (J6) beat Hidenoumi (J2)
NIshikifuji (J5) beat Fujiseiun (J2)
Mitakeumi (J1) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Kusano (J1) beat Wakaikari (J5)
Leader: Kusano (7-1)
Of note: After missing it by one win last time, Kusano is now one win from the top tier. After losing his first match this time, he now has won 7 straight to get one from promotion. The ranks below thinned out a little today with now just 2 at 6-2 and one win back, Oshoumi & Tohakuryu. Also of note-at 1361 and counting, Takarafuji now has moved up to #3 on the list of current active streaks of consecutive matches without missing a day, he has NEVER missed a day in his career. If he finishes the tournament he should pass Yoshiazuma, currently in the Jonidan, for #2 (Yoshiazuma has missed 8 days in his career but they were all expunged due to being forCovid-19 protocols-a long time ago he competed in the top tier for 3 tournaments). Yoshiazuma is at 1364.
Lower tier notes: No Juryo in July for Enho as his streak of 6-1 tournaments in his comeback effort ends with a second loss today, and 5-2 at Ms10 won’t earn promotion (he currently is 2-2). Same for Asanoyama who is 3-1 farther down. They’ll try now and set up for September promotions. The Makushita now has 8 at 4-0 after Promotion Day, with Otsuji among them and in position for a Juryo return after demotion following his debut effort in March. The Sandanme has 10 at 4-0, the Jonidan has 12 at 4-0 while the Jonokuchi has 2 at 4-0.