Tag: wrestling

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 of the May 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makiuchi (top tier):
Asakoryu (M17) beat Roga (M14)
Kotoshoho (M15) beat Ryuden (M15)
Kayo (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M13)
Takanosho (M12) beat Tochitaikai (M18)
Endo (M11) beat Tamashoho (M17)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Kinbozan (M8) beat Atamifuji (M12)
Onokatsu (M8) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Tokihayate (M13) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Tobizaru (M6) beat Shishi (M11)
Oshoma (M6) beat Meisei (M10)
Chiyoshoma (M5) beat Shodai (M10)
Abi (M2) beat Gonoyama (M2)
Oho (M1) beat Tamawashi (M3)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Ura (M5) beat Takayasu (K)
Kirishima (S) beat Ichiyamamoto (M4)
Daieisho (S) beat Takerufuji (M4)
Kotozakura (O) beat Aonishiki (M9)
Onosato (O) beat Wakatakakage (K)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Hakuoho (M7)
Leader: Onosato (11-0)
Yokozuna Watch: At this point it’s safe to say the magic number for Onosato is 2. 13 wins would secure no worse than a runner-up finish and wins equivalent to the championship as that’s the most Hoshoryu can finish with (the Yokozuna is now alone in 2nd at 9-2 with 7 straight wins) so that would mean no worse than a playoff and, win or lose, that should mean promotion. Onosato faces Hakuoho tomorrow (who lost to Hoshoryu today). Hoshoryu has Kirishima (8-3).
Ozeki Watch: Daieisho has again protected his Sekiwake rank as he now is at 8 wins. Mathematically he is not out of championship contention yet so he still has a chance at promotion.
Of note: Tochitaikai will be demoted to make room for Kusano in July as 8 losses will end his top tier run for now while Asakoryu has clinched his first top-tier promotion in his 3rd try. Also RARE KIMARITE ALERT!!! Ura Ura! He did it AGAIN to Takayasu, beating him for the second time this year with a rare tsutaezori, under arm forward body drop. Don’t try to put Ura in a headlock because this is what happens! Also note that Hoshoryu beating Hakuoho was due to koshikudake, inadvertent collapse-considered a non-winning technique-as Hakuoho’s knee buckled and touched down on its own without any effort from Hoshoryu. Just one of those unfortunate “it happens” things and not an injury.

Juryo:
Kitanowaka (Ms1) beat Mita (J14)
Mitoryu (J12) beat Nabatame (J12)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Kazekeno (J11)
Oshoumi (J9) beat Mudoho (J14)
Daiamami (J13) beat Shiden (J8)
Kotoeiho (J7) beat Miyanokaze (J13)
Hatsuyama (J10) beat Nishikifuji (J5)
Tsurugisho (J9) beat Hakuyozan (J4)
Shirokuma (J3) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Takarafuji (J3)
Daiseizan (J6) beat Fujiseiun (J2)
Wakaikari (J5) beat Hidenoumi (J2)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Kusano (J1)
Mitakeumi (J1) beat Hitoshi (J6)
Leader: Kusano (9-2)
Of note: No consecutive 14-1s for Kusano as his 9-match winning streak ended today. Good news for the 5 others who won and clinched promotions because their 8-4 records now have them only one win behind. Elsewhere, Nishikifuji will continue his recent fall as demotion was clinched putting him farther away from the top tier, and while not demoted yet Takarafuji all but won’t return to the top tier in July as the best he can do is 8-7, which at J3 is a toss-up for moving up. With his win today to get to 3-3, Kitanowaka will return to Juryo in July if he wins his final Makushita match, but fellow Ms1 Akua (who Hoshoryu has chosen for closing ceremony duty this tournament as it normally is a Malushita man from the current Yokozuna’s stable-Tatsunami in this case) will not as he took demotion today.

Lower tier notes: The Makushita Championship is set for Friday and will be Otsuji vs. Fukuzaki. This guarantees Otsuji will return to Juryo in July from Ms3. Fukuzaki is at Ms39 so no promotion to Juryo even if he wins. Enho is 2-3 and needs to win both his remaining matches or he will be deleted. Asanoyama is 4-1 and has clinched promotion so he will have a chance at a Juryo return in September. The Sandanme Championship match will be Hatooka vs. Kotohaguro. The Jonidan has 3 left at 6-0 and may need a playoff, and 2 of the 3 are Shikoroyama Beya wrestlers so that will impact final matches (Tenrosei-Hoshoryu’s younger cousin-and Mineyaiba, they will not face each other unless it’s in a playoff). In the Jonokuchi, Kazuma is the only 6-0 and should only need to win his final match for the championship, but that will depend in part on tomorrow’s results.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 10 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):
Kotoshoho (M14) beat Tochitaikai (M18)
Tokihayate (M15) beat Shonannounmi (M17)
Sadanoumi (M13) beat Tamashoho (M17)
Atamifuji (M12) beat Ryuden (M15)
Takanosho (M12) beat Asakoryu (M17)
Shishi (M11) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Onokatsu (M8) beat Kayo (M16)
Roga (M14) beat Kinbozan (M6)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Endo (M11)
Oshoma (M6) beat Shodai (M10)
Meisei (M10) beat Tobizaru (M6)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Chiyoshoma (M5)
Takerufuji (M4) beat Tamawashi (M3)
Abi (M2) beat Wakamotoharu (M1)
Gonoyama (M2) beat Oho (M1)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Takayasu (K)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Aonishiki (M9)
Daieisho (S) beat Hakuoho (M7)
Onosato (O) beat IChiyamamoto (M4)
Kirishima (S) beat Kotozakura (O)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Ura (M5)
Leader: Onosato (10-0)
Yokozuna Watch: It’s still Onosato’s to lose as the toughest part of the tournament approaches. He can’t clinch tomorrow but he can all but do so over the next 2 days.
Of note: Onosato’s lead is now 2 over a group of 4 that includes Hoshoryu, who has clinched his first winning record as a Yokozuna with 6 straight wins. That group will shrink tomorrow as Onosato faces Wakatakakage and Hoshoryu faces Hakuoho, who gets his first kinboshi chance now that Terunofuji is retired. The other one in the group, Aonishiki, takes on Kotozakura.

Juryo:
Kyokukaiyu (Ms5) beat Mudoho (J14)
Daiamami (J13) beat Mitoryu (J12)
Hatsuyama (J10) beat Miyanokaze (J13)
Ohsoumi (J9) beat Nabatame (J12)
Tsurugisho (J9) beat Kazekeno (J11)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Mita (J14) beat Shiden (J8)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Hakuyozan (J4)
Kotoeiho (J7) beat Takarafuji (J3)
Shirokuma (J3) beat Hitoshi (J6)
Hidenoumi (J2) beat Nishikifuji (J5)
Fujiseiun (J2) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Wakaikari (J5) beat Mitakeumi (J1)
Kusano (J1) beat Daiseizan (J6)
Leader: Kusano (9-1)
Of note: Once again it’s Kusano’s to lose as he now has a 2 win lead over 6, including Wakaikari with still a chance to reach the top tier if he finishes strong, and Mita who is a win away from promotion in his Juryo debut. Not heading back to the top tier now are Kagayaki & Nishikifuji, and maybe not Takarafuji who may be nearing the end due to rumors that he may have the Isegahama elder stock and thus he and not Terunofuji could take over the stable after this tournament when the current Isegahama must retire.

UPDATE: Interesting lower tier side note-Hochi Sports notes today that Tenrosei, currently ranked at Jonidan 61 and at 5-0 going into Day 11, is another nephew of former Yokozuna Asashoryu and thus a younger cousin of Hoshoryu. Tenrosei, 18, currently is based at Shikoroyama Beya (Hoshoryu is at Tatsunami) and is in his second career tournament with a 5-2 finish in his debut in March.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 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 Kayo (M16)
Asakoryu (M17) beat Ryuden (M15)
Kotoshoho (M14) beat NIshikigi (M16)
Sadanoumi (M13) beat Tochitaikai (M18)
Takanosho (M12) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Atamifuji (M12) beat Roga (M14)
Tokihayate (M13) beat Shishi (M11)
Onokatsu (M8) beat Endo (M11)
Meisei (M10) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Hakuoho (M7) beat Shodai (M10)
Tobizaru (M6) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Oshoma (M6) beat Kinbozan (M6)
Aonishiki (M9) beat Churanoumi (M5)
Gonoyama (M2) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Oho (M1)
Abi (M2) beat Wakatakakage (K)
Kirishima (S) beat Takerufuji (M4)
Tamawashi (M3) beat Daieisho (S)
Kotozakura (O) beat Takayasu (K)
Onosato (O) beat Ura (M5)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Ichiyamamoto (M4)
Leader: Onosato (9-0)
Yokozuna Watch: Still a long ways to go but it looks like Onosato’s promotion to lose. He’s still got 5 days until he’s expected to face Hoshoryu (final day), at this point I think 13 wins will clinch promotion no matter what as that’s the most the Yokozuna can finish with (Hoshoryu is now 7-2 with 5 straight wins).
Ozeki Watch: It’s probably over for Daieisho. A tough Sekiwake Showdown loss today to Kirishima puts him at 6-3, meaning he can only get to 32 wins. Remember 33 wins over 3 tournaments is not mandatory for promotion to Ozeki but now his only real hope is an Onosato collapse and a 12-3 championship.
Of note: NHK World Japan has been promoting a youth movement during this tournament in promos for their daily highlights program in English. It certainly has been just that with Onosato seemingly headed towards Yokozuna but right behind him are Hakuoho at 8-1 (although I’m a little worried seeing his right bicep taped up like it was today) and Aonishiki at 8-1, clearly having surpassed the demoted Shishi as the big Ukraine hope and perhaps the next Ozeki and even Yokozuna from Europe. He also has yet to have a losing tournament like Onosato and has won 8 straight after a Day 1 loss. Wakatakakage took a tough loss to Abi to fall to 2 back but not out of it at 7-2 with a critical match against Aonishiki tomorrow. And while it probably won’t get him into title contention, Kotozakura has bounced back from a shaky 1-2 start to improve to 6-3 after winning 5 of his last 6 and in position to protect his Ozeki rank again. He gets Kirishima tomorrow. Hoshoryu has yet another kinboxhi match tomorrow against Ura, who is trying to avoid demotion at 2-7. Today he got revenge against Ichiyamamoto, who earned a kinboshi against the Yokozuna in March.

Juryo:
Kazekeno (J11) beat Kotokuzan (Ms4)
Mita (J14) beat Hatsuyama (J10)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Mudoho (J14)
Tsurugisho (J9) beat Mitoryu (J12)
Daiamami (J13) beat Oshoumi (J9)
Miyanokaze (J13) beat Shiden (J8)
Kotoeiho (J7) beat Nabatame (J12)
Hakuyozan (J4) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Shirokuma (J3)
Takarafuji (J3) beat Daiseizan (J6)
Wakaikari (J5) beat Fujiseiun (J2)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Hidenoumi (J2)
Kusano (J1) beat Hitoshi (J6)
Mitakeumi (J1) beat Nishikifuji (J5)
Leader: Kusano (8-1)
Of note: And now it’s official-Kusano will debut in the top tier in July with promotion clinched today after just missing out this time. He’s the first in Juryo to clinch promotion and maintains his championship lead with now just Tohakuryu at 7-2 and a large group at 6-3. No demotions just yet although 3 are 2-7 and could be demoted tomorrow. Tomorrow has Kusano facing Daiseizan (5-4) while Tohakuryu has a more favorable match on paper against 2-7 and slumping (yet again) Shimanoumi).

Lower tier notes:
The Makushita is down to the final 4 at 5-0, so Day 11’s matches will set up Day 13’s Championship Day match. Among the 4 is Otsuji, who is in good position to return to Juryo following a demotion in his debut effort in March. The Sandanme has 5 at 5-0, meaning the potential for a playoff being needed is there. The Jonidan is interesting-6 are at 5-0 but both Shikoroyama and Sakaigawa Beya each have 2 co-leaders, raising the real possibility of a playoff between stablemates depending on how things play out. In the Jonokuchi, Kazuma is the sole leader at 5-0 as he makes a comeback from missing 4 straight tournaments following having to withdraw in his debut tournament, ruining what was a 4-1 effort at the time, a very tough break because he got the provisional Makushita 60 debut spot.

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.