Asashosakari

I've decided to hijack my own video threads in order to amalgamate all the lower-division yusho race content, rather than having the videos here and the discussion (if any) in the Promotion/Demotion thread after it goes up. Starting off with the situation after round three / Day 6 (no videos for this, but here are the results): Makushita (14) 3-0 Ms3e Otsuji (Takadagawa) 3-0 Ms8e Nishinoryu (Sakaigawa) 3-0 Ms12e Takakento (Tokiwayama) 3-0 Ms16w Gojinyu (Takekuma) 3-0 Ms22w Kazenoumi (Oshiogawa) 3-0 Ms24e Tenshoho (Isegahama) 3-0 Ms28e Goshima (Fujishima) 3-0 Ms33e Daikosho (Oitekaze) 3-0 Ms39w Fukuzaki (Fujishima) 3-0 Ms41e Chiyooga (Kokonoe) 3-0 Ms45e Ikarigata (Isenoumi) 3-0 Ms51w Yago (Oshiogawa) 3-0 Ms53e Kototsubasa (Sadogatake) 3-0 Ms60TD Gyotoku (Tamanoi) Sandanme (20) 3-0 Sd3w Kiyota (Dewanoumi) 3-0 Sd5e Chiyodaigo (Kokonoe) 3-0 Sd9w Nihonyanagi (Onomatsu) 3-0 Sd12w Kaishin (Tagonoura) 3-0 Sd16w Hatooka (Kise) 3-0 Sd21e Yonezawaryu (Sakaigawa) 3-0 Sd24e Araoyama (Onomatsu) 3-0 Sd31w Kojikara (Tagonoura) 3-0 Sd32w Kanpuzan (Nakamura) 3-0 Sd39e Fujiizumi (Nishikido) 3-0 Sd42w Takabayama (Onoe) 3-0 Sd45w Kotohaguro (Sadogatake) 3-0 Sd50e Okinohama (Hakkaku) 3-0 Sd56e Asashinjo (Takasago) 3-0 Sd60e Kotodairyu (Sadogatake) 3-0 Sd63w Kyokumizuno (Oshima) 3-0 Sd65e Kiyonoyama (Dewanoumi) 3-0 Sd69e Kuwae (Futagoyama) 3-0 Sd76e Gonosho (Takekuma) 3-0 Sd79e Yamenosato (Nishiiwa) Jonidan (25) 3-0 Jd4w Ryuseiyama (Dewanoumi) 3-0 Jd11e Ayanofuji (Isegahama) 3-0 Jd12w Tosashimizu (Tokitsukaze) 3-0 Jd14e Nagata (Dewanoumi) 3-0 Jd21e Mineyaiba (Shikoroyama) 3-0 Jd24w Kobayashi (Kasugano) 3-0 Jd26e Ryubumaru (Musashigawa) 3-0 Jd33w Daishimatsu (Onomatsu) 3-0 Jd38w Yukiamami (Tatsunami) 3-0 Jd40w Kanryu (Arashio) 3-0 Jd44w Takano (Kise) 3-0 Jd50e Kosei (Hidenoyama) 3-0 Jd54e Zuitenryu (Sakaigawa) 3-0 Jd57e Kayatoiwa (Minato) 3-0 Jd61e Tenrosei (Shikoroyama) 3-0 Jd67e Asashorei (Takasago) 3-0 Jd71w Dewanosora (Dewanoumi) 3-0 Jd74e Matsugi (Tagonoura) 3-0 Jd80e Nishikio (Nishikido) 3-0 Jd84e Tokio (Isenoumi) 3-0 Jd85e Boshuyama (Sakaigawa) 3-0 Jd91e Kyokuhayate (Oshima) 3-0 Jd98e Masarufuji (Isegahama) 3-0 Jd101w Satsumasho (Oitekaze) 3-0 Jd105w Tsuyasato (Minato) Jonokuchi (5) 3-0 Jk7e Kazuma (Kise) 3-0 Jk11e Uchima (Nishonoseki) 3-0 Jk16e Kazeoka (Oshiogawa) 3-0 Jk16w Ikazuchishu (Ikazuchi) 3-0 Jk17w Ikazuchiarata (Ikazuchi) For those not scoring at home, that's 64 unbeaten rikishi at this stage of the tournament, which in theory could have played right down to four 7-0 rikishi. The torikumi rarely works out that neatly, of course, and in this case it started off with Otsuji taking a scheduled turn up in juryo despite his 3-0 record, leaving lowest-ranked Ikazuchiarata to face a 2-1 opponent. So, it was going to be either 31, 32 or 33 rikishi in the next update after round four. Other than that: No necessary deviations, all rikishi were paired with an opponent ranked right next to them in the list.

Day 8 Highlights An even longer list than usual...it's not like I set out to include 27 matches, there was just so much noteworthy sumo on this day. The first two matches feature Shikimori Tomosaburo's unfortunate misadventures in his official debut in ranked competition; I decided to feature the first bout in full because, y'know, debut. Jk20e Kido (2-1) Sumiyoshi Jk21e mono-ii Jk18e Asahirai (1-2) Yamauchi Jk20w mono-ii Jk1e Yamada (2-1) Katsunonishiki Jd104w Jd91w Daishoheki (2-1) Sawayaka Jd89w the jikan-mae Jd84w Gokishin (0-3) Daitensho Jd77w Jd64w Urutora (1-2) Shishimaru Jd61w I counted 1890 degrees Jd59e Hamada (1-2) Bakukoshin Jd60w Jd57e Kayatoiwa (3-0) Tenrosei Jd61e [kimarite: ashitori] Jd45w Ideno (1-2) Maniwayama Jd42w Jd23e Minorufuji (2-1) Ikazuchiarashi Jd25e Jd19e Asatenmai (2-1) Okada Jd22e Jd17e Sekimoto (0-3) Kikuryuho Jd13w From the gyoji messing up the start to great sumo to a mage pull mono-ii, this bout had everything. Jd1w Harimao (2-1) Kyokutaiga Sd80w nice back-and-forth bout! Sd74e Fujiso (2-1) Taranami Sd75e Sd43e Tokazan (1-2) Mukaida Sd41w mono-ii Sd32w Kanpuzan (3-0) Kojikara Sd31w Sd29e Kinotsukasa (2-1) Akitoba Sd30e brief but wild Sd26e Kiyonohana (1-2) Kenshin Sd28e Sd18e Kototaiko (2-1) Daihisho Sd20e Sd16e Suyama (1-2) Ryuji Sd19e [kimarite: harimanage] mono-ii Ms60TD Hanaoka (2-1) Tochiseiryu Ms59w Ms48e Yoshiyasu (2-1) Ryusei Ms49w Ms41e Chiyooga (3-0) Ikarigata Ms45e Ms40e Shunrai (1-2) Tokitenran Ms42w Ms33w Yoshii (2-1) Toshunryu Ms30w dameoshi, rikishi/gyoji/shimpan pile-up and mono-ii, oh my Ms13e Nobehara (1-2) Kaiseijo Ms15w [kimarite: kimetaoshi] Ms8e Nishinoryu (3-0) Takakento Ms12e

Day 7 Highlights Jk25w Usagifuji (2-1) Kototerao Jk21w mono-ii Jk11w Yamagishi (1-2) Wakajin Jk10w great match between the two rookies! Jd104e Azumanami (2-1) Wakaarata Jd103w they called it "oshidashi"... Jd39e Genbumaru (1-2) Hakuyo Jd37w mono-ii Jd27e Hokutoshin (0-3) Fubu Jd19w Jd8w Kototaiga (1-2) Shoketsu Jd7w Sd78e Mihamaumi (2-1) Taniguchi Sd73w Sd59w Kaiyuma (2-1) Tokinohira Sd56w slowmode shimpan bowling Sd48e Sachinofuji (1-2) Hakuomaru Sd51w a very nice size mismatch battle Sd47e Kamitani (2-1) Agora Sd48w [kimarite: kimetaoshi] Sd34e Chiyonokatsu (2-1) Kitanosho Sd35w [kimarite: utchari] Sd31e Uzumasa (0-3) Ryuma Sd24w Sd11e Taiyo (1-2) Gohakuun Sd13w Sd8e Kazeeidai (1-2) Marusho Sd9e Ms59e Gyokuozan (0-3) Kirinryu Ms60w brief but chaotic Ms38e Oyamada (2-1) Osanai Ms42e one for the yotsu lovers Ms32e Daishoryu (0-3) Kotodaishin Ms39e an involuntarily artistic finish Ms25e Oyamatoumi (0-3) Aratakayama Ms29w a rare coast-to-coast oshidashi Ms5e Kyokukaiyu (2-1) Kotokuzan Ms4w a match with a heartwarming aftermath

New: none Returning: Otsuji - Ms3e 7-0 Y, Takadagawa-beya, Hyogo, 21 years old, 2nd promotion, back after one basho Kotokuzan - Ms4w 5-2, Arashio-beya, Kanagawa, 31 years old, 3rd promotion, back after 13 basho former maegashira No Kyokukaiyu!

Somebody has to buck the trend with Takayasu...I'm hoping he'll drop at least past the two M1's: Hoshoryu (Ye 12-3) Y Onosato (14-1 Y) Kotozakura (Oe 8-7) O --- Daieisho (Se 10-5) S1 Kirishima (Sw 11-4) --- S2 Wakatakakage (Kw 12-3) Oshoma (M6e 10-5) K Aonishiki (M9e 11-4) Wakamotoharu (M1e 7-8) M1 Oho (M1w 7-8) Abi (M2e 7-8) M2 Takayasu (Ke 6-9) Onokatsu (M8e 10-5) M3 Kinbozan (M8w 10-5) Hakuoho (M7e 8-7) M4 Tamawashi (M3e 6-9) Hiradoumi (M3w 6-9) M5 Takerufuji (M4e 6-9) Meisei (M10e 9-6) M6 Tobizaru (M6w 7-8) Endo (M11e 9-6) M7 Sadanoumi (M13w 10-5) Ichiyamamoto (M4w 5-10) M8 Gonoyama (M2w 4-11) Ura (M5e 5-10) M9 Atamifuji (M12e 8-7) Roga (M14w 9-6) M10 Takanosho (M12w 8-7) Chiyoshoma (M5w 4-11) M11 Tokihayate (M13e 8-7) Asakoryu (M17w 10-5) M12 Midorifuji (M9w 6-9) Kusano (J1w 13-2 Y) M13 Shodai (M10w 6-9) Churanoumi (M7w 4-11) M14 Wakaikari (J5w 12-3) Kotoshoho (M14e 6-4-5) M15 Hidenoumi (J2e 9-6) Kayo (M16e 7-8) M16 Mitakeumi (J1e 8-7) Shishi (M11w 4-11) M17 Kotoeiho (J7w 11-4) I did in fact have Nishikigi in the last spot originally, but that was a submission shortly after senshuraku, and I ended up reconsidering it a couple of weeks ago and resubmitted with Kotoeiho. I'll be very mad if my original hunch turns out correct. No other changes in the second attempt; not because I couldn't think of any, but rather because even that original submission had gone through about three revisions already, and I'd vowed to not revisit any of it. (Even the Kotoeiho/Nishikigi change was, "ugh, I guess I have to...")

Nikkan has more information about the location which, contrary to what might have been suspected based on the out-of-the-blue nature of his departure from Michinoku, is not just a temporary one: The three-storey building previously housed Sumida ward facilities, but having seen reduced use over time and the ward government apparently unwilling to refurbish the aging building, it was sold to a real estate company instead. The company proceeded to renovate it with sumo stable requirements in mind, but without a tenant at hand when they started - Nikkan's writer calls it "unprecedented" for new heya premises to be built that aren't made to order by the shisho who intends to set up there. (I agree that it's a rather odd way of doing real estate business. It's Sumida and all, but still...) Anyway, when Kakuryu became aware of it he jumped on the opportunity and took out the lease for the location. "Perfect" is the newly-minted Otowayama-oyakata's impression of his heya's facilities, so this appears to have worked out well for everyone involved. While some frills still have to be added (no kanban board yet...), the place is completely ready for use and Kakuryu plus family had already moved in. The two active deshi he's bringing along from Michinoku-beya followed on Wednesday when the decision became official, rookie Shirasaka will join soon as well. "I'd like to eventually coach about 20 deshi here, and bring up yokozuna and ozeki. I want to give back to sumo that way", the shisho explained. Keiko will be starting in earnest after New Year's Day, until then just light training while everybody gets settled in.

Day 6 Highlights Jk13e Yamanobe (1-1) Satomatsunaga Jk14w Jd93e Sachinoyama (0-2) Kumanishiki Jd99w a very hard-fought match Jd82e Fujinoteru (1-1) Wakaonehara Jd83w Jd62e Hikarumusashi (1-1) Oatari Jd63w Jd55w Togyokuko (1-1) Najima Jd54w somersault leads into confusion Jd26e Ryubumaru (2-0) Ikazuchihayate Jd30e [kimarite: abisetaoshi] Jd9e Takasu (0-2) Shinseido Jd6w Sd76e Gonosho (2-0) Taniguchi Sd73w Sd57e Ryutsukasa (1-1) Nishikinoryu Sd54w Sd46e Suzunofuji (0-2) (0-1-1) Oginosho Sd46w Sd47e Kamitani (2-0) Kotohaguro Sd45w [kimarite: hansoku] mono-ii Sd32e Rinko (0-2) Kotetsu Sd36e Sd26w Kotakiyama (1-1) Yamato Sd25w mono-ii Sd7e Shimizuumi (1-1) Marusho Sd9e mono-ii Sd3e Hokutoryu (0-2) Furuta Sd5w Ms49e Asagyokusei (1-1) Kotokenryu Ms48w incoming for Tatekawa...ouch Ms42w Tokitenran (0-2) Noda Ms40w Ms28e Goshima (2-0) Toshunryu Ms30w an extremely wild bout Ms27e Asashiyu (0-2) Aratakayama Ms29w Ms8e Nishinoryu (2-0) Enho Ms10w mono-ii Ms9w Hamayutaka (0-2) Tochimusashi Ms5w after the hurdles, now the sprint Somehow I ended up picking each match that happened right before the first three shimpan changes. Hanaregoma had to make extra-sure that he was actually seen as calling for a mono-ii after Shimizuumi - Marusho, not just getting up to leave.

Day 5 Highlights Jk25e Terui (1-1) (1-0) Usagifuji Jk25w Jk20e Kido (1-1) Mitsurufuji Jk18w [kimarite: utchari] mono-ii Jk15e Umeyama (1-1) Hokutonada Jk17e Jk12e Asarikimaru (1-1) Imada Jk12w [kimarite: kubinage] arguably in combo with a kakenage Jd78e Fujinotani (2-0) Nishikio Jd80e mono-ii Jd74e Matsugi (2-0) Chiyotaiko Jd74w Jd38e Anzakura (0-2) Hakuyo Jd37w Jd15e Tamatensho (1-1) Musubiyama Jd16w Sd52e Kyokushori (1-1) Senshoho Sd53e Sd40e Kotoegashira (1-1) Mukaida Sd41w a classic double armlock vs morozashi stalemate Sd24w Ryuma (0-2) Kiyonohana Sd26e Ms56w Dewataikai (1-1) Akiyoshi Ms55w [kimarite: kakenage] Ms38e Oyamada (1-1) Shunrai Ms40e [kimarite: zubuneri] Ms29e Haruyama (1-1) Mikazuchiyama Ms30e nice see-saw battle Ms19w Matsui (2-0) Gojinyu Ms16w Ms2e Oshoryu (0-2) Dewanoryu Ms2w Ms1e Kitanowaka (1-1) Akua Ms1w [kimarite: kakenage]

As could have been suspected from the fact that this publication doesn't actually appear to cover sumo to any meaningful degree and from how utterly substance-free the article was, it turns out that the "retirement age up?" claim didn't actually originate with them, but much more likely from this Daily Shincho article dated online to one day prior (and out in print even earlier, I presume): https://www.dailyshincho.jp/article/2025/06170603/?all=1 Much longer but pushes all the tired narratives that we've come to not love, including the idea that Takanohana was "expected" to become chairman after Kitanoumi's death if not for those meddling kids that unscrupulous Hakkaku (that's certainly not how I remember any of the contemporary coverage), and that some - obviously delusional - people likewise expected Hakuho to lead some sort of anti-Hakkaku alliance; never mind that he was a newbie oyakata who arguably started his career from below zero in the reputation game, and with even less internal support than Takanohana had. And of course they also couldn't go without the familiar "the penalties levied against Hakuho post-Hokuseiho amounted to Kyokai-sanctioned bullying" canard. Will Daily Shincho ever say anything negative about Hokuseiho's Hakuho-sanctioned bullying? The article goes on to insinuate that it's more or less Hakkaku's fault that the board of directors is currently full of people who weren't even ozeki on the dohyo (without making any attempt to explain why anyone should believe that that's a bad thing in itself), clearly wanting to have readers draw the conclusion that he's somehow personally responsible in particular for all the high-profile yokozuna implosions of the last couple of decades, guys who "should" have challenged him for the chairman post over the last few years. I guess Shincho's target audience is expected to not understand that the Kyokai chairmanship isn't that sort of constantly contested position anyway (none of the board positions, really) and that it's customary for anyone elected to end up serving to the age limit unchallenged, barring scandal or premature death. Lastly, it grudgingly gives Hakkaku credit for sumo's current popularity boom, but not without ending that section with "some say he's just been lucky". Some who? Apparently no one that can be named. At that point the article has arguably devolved into the same no-substance junk as the other one. Anyway, even though it leads the headline, the retirement age topic doesn't actually come up until the very end of the article, and substance-wise it boils down simply to "Apparently a proposal to increase the retirement age has been floated internally." That's it. Nothing about whether this is in any way likely, or if it's even still on the agenda at this time at all. Alleged details of the proposal do follow, namely not just making 70 the standard mandatory retirement age but also keeping the sanyo system up to age 75 (!), but Shincho's writer didn't actually dare to put his own name to any of that, instead attributing it to a "veteran sumo journalist". That same anonymous and quite possibly entirely fictitious journalist is also cited for large other parts of the article, including the "Takanohana true believer" stuff from the start, so you be the judge how credible that is. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that this retirement age extension is supposedly part of Hakkaku further shoring up the continued viability of his regime...if you're now wondering, "why would anyone need to support Hakkaku for that when any 6 board members could just vote it in", you've reached the same point that I have in questioning this entire "Hakkaku dictatorship" narrative.

Day 4 Highlights Jk23e Hashimoto (0-1) (0-0) Usagifuji Jk25w Should Kimura Yunosuke have let the jikanmae start go? Jd104w Katsunonishiki (1-0) Wakaarata Jd103w confused rikishi #1 Jd99w Kumanishiki (0-1) Takatairiku Jd97w confused rikishi #2 Jd80e Nishikio (1-0) Asaazuma Jd78w an unusual version of a common kimarite Jd77e Shoryu (1-0) Fujinotani Jd78e [kimarite: isamiashi] mono-ii Jd68w Hishuyama (0-1) Urutora Jd64w [kimarite: ashitori] Jd58e Daisho (1-0) Hamada Jd59e Jd54e Zuitenryu (1-0) Najima Jd54w not kakenage? Jd50e Kosei (1-0) Biganzan Jd50w Jd35e Shotaimu (1-0) Tochihayate Jd36e [kimarite: abisetaoshi] Jd14e Nagata (1-0) Tamatensho Jd15e Jd9w Chiyotaiyo (1-0) Kototaiga Jd8w mono-ii Sd80w Kyokutaiga (1-0) Dairaido Sd79w big miss by the gyoji Sd71e Musashiumi (0-1) Ginseizan Sd72w Sd49w Oshozan (0-1) Agora Sd48w Sd39e Fujiizumi (1-0) Hokutosakae Sd39w mono-ii Sd4e Daikisho (1-0) Chiyodaigo Sd5e mono-ii Ms45e Ikarigata (1-0) Goseizan Ms46e Ms37e Fujitoshi (1-0) Oyamada Ms38e mono-ii Ms30e Mikazuchiyama (0-1) Aratakayama Ms29w Ms22w Kazenoumi (1-0) Kamito Ms20w Ms15e Toseiryu (1-0) Asanoyama Ms14w

If you like mono-ii, this one's your day. Day 3 Highlights Jk21w Kototerao (0-1) Ryugi Jk19w Jk20e Kido (1-0) Ikazuchiarata Jk17w mono-ii Jd79e Ibuki (0-1) Daitensho Jd77w great see-saw battle! Jd55e Tsukioka (0-1) Datenoumi Jd56e Jd42e Tamanotora (0-1) Mikinosato Jd44e big lift! Jd37w Hakuyo (0-1) Yoshiazuma Jd36w mono-ii Jd32e Hidano (0-1) Fujiyuho Jd33e Jd3w Arise (0-1) Kukio Jd2w mono-ii Jd1e Sekizuka (0-1) Reonmaru Jd2e it's not over until shobu ari... Sd65e Kiyonoyama (1-0) Asanojo Sd66e [kimarite: kirikaeshi] Sd57e Ryutsukasa (0-1) Kiyonoumi Sd57w filing this hand touchdown under "opponent was shinitai"... Sd32e Rinko (0-1) Chiyonokatsu Sd34e short but energetic Sd26e Kiyonohana (0-1) Daishoki Sd27w Sd19e Ryuji (0-1) Hamanoumi Sd20w [kimarite: sotogake] Sd11w Tenei (1-0) Denuma Sd10w a messy big-boy fight Ms60w Kirinryu (0-1) Kawamura Ms58w mono-ii Ms42e Osanai (0-1) Tokitenran Ms42w mono-ii Ms34e Mishima (0-1) Higonoumi Ms34w [kimarite: sokubiotoshi] Ms31w Daiyusho (1-0) Toshunryu Ms30w [kimarite: hikkake] Ms21e Kazuto (1-0) Anosho Ms23e Ms12w Tendozan (0-1) Hananoumi Ms11w mono-ii Ms1e Kitanowaka (0-1) Dewanoryu Ms2w mono-ii

Tochimaru's bout resulted in injury (description here), although he was able to leave the dohyo under his own power, and I thought the bout deserved inclusion as a highlight regardless of that. Day 2 Highlights Jk25e Terui (0-0) Higohikari Jk24w Higohikari's first win in 34 bouts, 39 including maezumo Jd83e Kaiso (0-0) Wakaonehara Jd83w Jd79e Ibuki (0-0) Asaazuma Jd78w [kimarite: uwatehineri] Jd75e Miyafuji (0-0) Chiyotaiko Jd74w Jd73e Daishisho (0-0) Matsuzawa Jd72w no, over there Jd50e Kosei (0-0) Teraosho Jd49w [kimarite: ashitori] Jd37e Kato (0-0) Hakuyo Jd37w [kimarite: kubinage] Jd35e Shotaimu (0-0) Akinishiki Jd35w Jd29e Anryukai (0-0) Fujimusashi Jd29w mono-ii Jd20e Yumenofuji (0-0) Shoran Jd20w [kimarite: uchigake] mono-ii Jd6e Tsukubayama (0-0) Chiyotenfu Jd5w mono-ii Sd65e Kiyonoyama (0-0) Daigoyama Sd64w Sd61e Sakabayashi (0-0) Dewanojo Sd60w Sd43e Tokazan (0-0) Takabayama Sd42w Sd32e Rinko (0-0) Kanpuzan Sd32w pretty wild - mono-ii Sd26e Kiyonohana (0-0) Kotakiyama Sd26w [kimarite: kimetaoshi] Sd7e Shimizuumi (0-0) Asakiryu Sd7w Ms49e Asagyokusei (0-0) Ryusei Ms49w a spectacular kubinage but - mono-ii Ms45e Ikarigata (0-0) Bushozan Ms45w Ms20e Nagamura (0-0) Kamito Ms20w Ms8e Nishinoryu (0-0) Tochimaru Ms7w

And now finally some random highlight selections. Two notes up front: I'm removing tsukitaoshi from the list of "rare" kimarite that I include no matter what. It fulfilled my arbitrary criteria of an average under 5 appearances per basho when I started half a year ago, but after Haru basho had already blown way past that number, so did Natsu. Many tsukitaoshi matches weren't all that interesting on their overall merits anyway so it won't be a big loss, and any that do look noteworthy will of course still be included, just not with their kimarite being highlighted. The other change is that I'm going to note matches that went to mono-ii in the bout descriptions. You'll still have to watch for the actual outcome of the mono-ii, though. Day 1 Highlights Jd84e Tokio (0-0) Gokishin Jd84w mono-ii Jd55e Tsukioka (0-0) Najima Jd54w Jd49e Takatsukasa (0-0) Kaihakusho Jd48w this clever finish is underrated by its kimarite sukuinage Jd45e Asasorai (0-0) Takano Jd44w [kimarite: uwatehineri] Jd36e Tochihayate (0-0) Yoshiazuma Jd36w mono-ii Jd34e Keiga (0-0) Sunasaka Jd34w Sd34e Chiyonokatsu (0-0) Koki Sd33w Sd27e Chiyoyamato (0-0) Daishoki Sd27w Sd23e Soma (0-0) Rakanji Sd23w mono-ii Sd11e Taiyo (0-0) Tenei Sd11w henka leads to a short but wild bout Sd5e Chiyodaigo (0-0) Furuta Sd5w Ms52e Tokunomusashi (0-0) Wakamiyabi Ms52w Ms46e Goseizan (0-0) Shuji Ms46w Ms40e Shunrai (0-0) Fukuzaki Ms39w Ms34e Mishima (0-0) Yoshii Ms33w Ms31e Tosamidori (0-0) Daiyusho Ms31w Ms30e Mikazuchiyama (0-0) Toshunryu Ms30w Natsu basho, the hurdling competition Ms27w Tanji (0-0) Tsushimanada Ms26w five seconds of pure craziness Ms17e Kitaharima (0-0) Okaryu Ms17w Ms2e Oshoryu (0-0) Akua Ms1w

Once again it's Daily Sports with the earliest intai list coverage. 11 rikishi in total have left the sumo world in this basho cycle, including Hokutofuji (now Oyama-oyakata) and the late Wakatozakura. The other 9 retirements confirmed today are: Hokutomaru (Hakkaku) Hayatefuji (Isegahama) Ryusei (Isenoumi) Raiho (Isegahama) Masuminato (Onomatsu) Kaitoma (Asakayama) Ono (Isegahama) Satonofuji (Isegahama) Thread Sawaisamu (Shikihide) Thread The retirements by Satonofuji and Sawaisamu mean that the second- and third-oldest active rikishi have left at once. Raiho and Ono were Miyagino recruits, although the latter only did his maezumo as part of the temporarily dissolved stable and had all ranked appearances as a member of Isegahama. I had come to think that Ryusei was never leaving. Most of us had pegged him as likely to retire when his father, ex-Tagaryu, was shutting down Kagamiyama-beya (which only consisted of Ryusei, already 35 years old, and a kyujo Kagamio at the end), but he proceeded to stay for another four years afterwards. Hokutomaru's retirement is rather puzzling at first glance. I hope we hear some details of what prompted him to leave at age 25 and pretty close to juryo.

What a nonsense article.

Cancelled.

Kaishoryu's shikona history currently lists hiragana replacements for a kanji he used from Haru 2004 to Natsu 2006 (that's straight from the Kyokai site which also had it that way). According to ja.wiki, the unusual kanji used was 將. Did they not even print that in the yearbooks? Heya A-Z also just has the kana version.

Pulling some recent updates together: This has finally been reflected on the duties list today; the simple oyakata overview already had it by the 9th (always strange when the two pages diverge). But the page date has immediately become June 16 courtesy of this follow-up move: Hakuho had been the only oyakata assigned there since Otowayama joined the shimpan department in February, so they had to bring in a replacement. No other changes since the May 15 updates.

With an initial short list of 7, I got 5. I considered Meisei but then I remembered that big juryo playoff that featured him and two other Tatsunami guys, which seemed too recent an event. That still left one mistake, namely Tobizaru instead of Kirishima...mistaken assumptions about which guy had come up when, I just remembered correctly that neither had been demoted since then.

About what exactly?

The person responsible for naming that club could teach even Hakuho a thing or two.

Projected movements between the lower divisions: Promotions from sandanme MsTd x3 7-0 x1 Sd16w 6-1 x5 Sd4e, Sd12w, Sd28w, Sd39e, Sd45w 5-2 x9 Sd5e, Sd6w, Sd9w, Sd13e, Sd14w, Sd20e, Sd21e, Sd22w, Sd25e 4-3 x5 Sd4w, Sd5w, Sd7e, Sd8w, Sd10w -------- x23 (summary) Likely demotions from makushita intai x4 Ms3w, Ms10e, Ms37w, Ms49w 0-0-7 x3 Ms60e, Ms43e, Ms32w 0-7 x1 Ms47w 1-6 x3 Ms54w, Ms40e, Ms39e 2-5 x7 Ms59e, Ms57w, Ms56e, Ms51e, Ms46w, Ms45w, Ms44e, (Ms34e) 3-4 x5 Ms60w, Ms58w, Ms55e, Ms53w, Ms52e, (Ms50e, Ms49e, Ms48e) -------- x23 Actually even two more promoted rikishi than they needed to make room for after Haru basho, which resulted in some record-setting demotions, but the many intai and 0-0-7's ensure that such extreme measures won't be hitting the active competitors this time around. I would be shocked if my projection isn't correct here; Ms52e can't possibly be saved (the next candidates at all other scores are miles away), and demoting Ms50e 3-4 to save Ms44e 2-5 or Ms39e 1-6 would also be highly unusual. Shin-makushita for Nagoya [Videos] Furuta (Sd5w 4-3) Fujiizumi (Sd39e 6-1) One of the shorter lists of debutants ever, although these numbers are becoming increasingly hard to evaluate properly with the increased number of makushita tsukedashi starters that we're getting now. (They skew the numbers for two different tournaments, the one in which they make their pro debut and the hypothetical one that would have seen their makushita debut from a maezumo or SdTd start.) Promotions from jonidan MsTd x3 7-0 x2 Jd21e, Jd61e 6-1 x5 Jd4w, Jd24w, Jd31e, Jd33w, Jd45e 5-2 x12 Jd4e, Jd5e, Jd10w, Jd11e, Jd12w, Jd14e, Jd18e, Jd18w, Jd22e, Jd32w, Jd34e, Jd34w 4-3 x11 Jd3w, Jd5w, Jd8e, Jd9w, Jd10e, Jd11w, Jd15e, Jd17w, Jd19e, Jd20e, Jd20w -------- x33 (summary) Likely demotions from sandanme intai x5 Ms3w, Ms10e, Ms37w, Ms49w, Sd68w 0-0-7 x3 Sd77e, Sd74w, Sd33e 0-7 x1 Sd44w 1-6 x4 Sd71e, Sd65w, Sd58w, Sd41e, (Sd38w) 2-5 x9 Sd72w, Sd71w, Sd69w, Sd62e, Sd61e, Sd59w, Sd57e, Sd50w, Sd49w, (Sd48w, Sd46w, Sd44e) 3-4 x11 Sd80w, Sd78w, Sd77w, Sd75w, Sd73w, Sd72e, Sd68e, Sd67w, Sd66w, Sd64e, Sd61w, (Sd59e, Sd55w) -------- x33 Sd49w 2-5 or (much less likely IMHO) Sd41e 1-6 could conceivably be saved at the expense of Sd59e 3-4, and alternatively the 2-5 could also hang on with Sd38w 1-6 getting sent down instead. The above is what I consider the most probable solution, though. Shin-sandanme for Nagoya [Videos] Tamatensho (Jd15e 4-3) Yumenofuji (Jd20e 4-3) Okada (Jd22e 5-2) Sunasaka (Jd34w 5-2) Tenrosei (Jd61e 7-0 D) Jd/Jk split 212 Jd 50 Jk - 11 intai - 2 >Bg + 3 MsTd + 12 Mz ---- 264 = 132 ranks This will be the first time since 2010 that the number of ranked rikishi on the (printed) banzuke expands from May to July, albeit by just two. Likely to be in Jk Mz x12 Jk 0-7 x1 Jk23e Jk 1-6 x6 Jk24w, Jk23w, Jk6e, Jk3e, Jk2e, Jk1w [Jk24e is intai] Jk 2-5 x6 Jk25e, Jk15w, Jk11w, Jk5e, Jk3w, Jk2w Jk 3-5w x1 Jk9w Jk 3-4 x12 Jk25w, Jk21w, Jk20w, Jk19w, Jk18e, Jk17w, Jk17e, Jk13w, Jk13e, Jk12e, Jk4w, Jk4e Jd 0-0-7 x5 Jd90e, Jd85w, Jd81w, Jd63e, Jd43w Jd 0-7 x2 Jd89e, Jd57w Jd 1-6 x2 Jd95w, Jd87e, (Jd84w, Jd73w) Jd 2-5 x1 Jd104w, (Jd97w, Jd96e, Jd94w, Jd83w) [Jd100w is intai] Jd 3-4 x0 (Jd106w, Jd106e, Jd103e, Jd102w, Jd102e, Jd99w) ----------- x48 => 108 Jd, 24 Jk The last jonidan 0-0-7 and 0-7 are close enough to perhaps be spared, but I don't expect to see the same leniency that occurred on the Natsu banzuke. I'm not sure that it's possible to make the jonokuchi ranks any smaller. Jd87e 1-6 is arguably high enough to warrant a reprieve, but then we would need to save another rikishi as well, and the other Jd 1-6 and the one Jd 2-5 just don't deserve it IMHO, and I don't feel any makekoshi promotions from Jk to Jd are warranted either. As such, if they're going for a different cut it's probably more likely to see a larger jonokuchi with some more demotions from jonidan taking place. There's no shortage of candidates with the Jd84w 1-6, the next three 2-5's and the first five 3-4's. My personal second guess would probably be 106 Jd, 26 Jk (keeping jonidan at the size from Natsu) with Jd106w and Jd106e 3-4 as well as Jd97w and Jd96e 2-5 getting demoted additionally to the above.

Any news here on the technical side?

Time to temporarily revive the thread with some banzuke guesses... Juryo Kotoeiho (J7w 11-4) J1 Ryuden (M15e 5-10) Shonannoumi (M15w 5-10) J2 Tomokaze (J7e 10-5) Oshoumi (J9e 10-5) J3 Tamashoho (M17e 4-11) Tochitaikai (M18e 4-11) J4 Shirokuma (J3w 6-9) Tohakuryu (J10e 9-6) J5 Hakuyozan (J4e 6-9) Hitoshi (J6e 7-8) J6 Daiseizan (J6w 7-8) Kagayaki (J4w 6-9) J7 Kazekeno (J11e 9-6) Takarafuji (J3e 5-10) J8 Fujiseiun (J2w 4-11) Nishikifuji (J5e 5-10) J9 Tsurugisho (J9w 7-8) Mitoryu (J12e 8-7) J10 Nabatame (J12w 8-7) Shiden (J8w 6-9) J11 Mita (J14e 8-5-1) Otsuji (Ms3e 7-0 Y) J12 Shimanoumi (J8e 5-10) Hatsuyama (J10w 6-9) J13 Daiamami (J13w 7-8) Miyanokaze (J13e 6-9) J14 Kotokuzan (Ms4w 5-2) Some of the usual underdemotions that we've become accustomed to, but not nearly as extreme as some other recent rankings. I don't see any compelling reason to expect Otsuji higher than J12e, but maaaybe he sneaks in ahead of Mita. Makushita-joi Kyokukaiyu (Ms5e 5-2) Ms1 Ishizaki (Ms4e 4-3) Asahakuryu (Ms8w 5-2) Ms2 Asanoyama (Ms14w 6-1) Mudoho (J14w 5-10) Ms3 Kitanowaka (Ms1e 3-4) Satorufuji (Ms7e 4-3) Ms4 Takakento (Ms12e 5-2) Nishinoryu (Ms8e 4-3) Ms5 Dewanoryu (Ms2w 3-4) Inami (Ms9e 4-3) Ms6 Wakanosho (J11w 1-2-12) Akua (Ms1w 2-5) Ms7 Oshoryu (Ms2e 2-5) Gojinyu (Ms16w 5-2) Ms8 Hananoumi (Ms11w 4-3) Anosho (Ms23e 6-1) Ms9 Tochimusashi (Ms5w 3-4) Toseiryu (Ms15e 4-3) Ms10 Kamito (Ms20w 5-2) Kazuto (Ms21e 5-2) Ms11 Goshima (Ms28e 6-1) Kazenoumi (Ms22w 5-2) Ms12 Okaryu (Ms17w 4-3) Fujinoyama (Ms19e 4-3) Ms13 Matsui (Ms19w 4-3) Nagamura (Ms20e 4-3) Ms14 Hatooka (Sd16w 7-0 Y) Hamayutaka (Ms9w 3-4) Ms15 Fukuzaki (Ms39w 6-1) Enho (Ms10w 3-4) Ms16 Chiyomaru (Ms11e 3-4) Some very lucky rikishi in the top 5 ranks, especially at Ms2/3, but somebody has to fill those slots... I'd say the only serious question is whether they might have decided to be generous to Wakanosho at the expense of one of the last three guys that I have in. Great projected luck also for Akua and Oshoryu, comparable to what Tochimaru had last time (Ms2w 2-5 -> Ms7w; my guess had him at Ms9w and I had thought that was already lenient). Could be totally wrong; their 2-5 demotions have been rather difficult to make sense of in recent months. As you can see I don't expect Enho to hang on to a top 15 spot, although it's close. An almost identical situation last time ended up as: Ms15 Kaiseijo (Ms21w 4-3) Kawazoe (Ms39e 6-1) Ms16 Gojinyu (Ms10w 3-4) There's nobody available to force out both the 6-1 and the 3-4 this time, and I've decided to expect the same relative order for them with the 6-1 taking the last slot although that's higher than a Ms39w 6-1 can ordinarily expect to land. (But since Asashiyu went Ms40w -> Ms15e for March, I no longer trust my personal metrics or the long-term historical record.) For completeness, "nobody available" means that the next theoretical candidates at other scores are: Ms33e 5-2, Ms24e 4-3, Ms12w 2-5, Ms6e 1-6. I can't see any of these being in the conversation for Ms15w. Assuming the top 15 in/out decisions are accurate there are 12 rikishi moving into the extended promotion zone, at the expense of: Enho (Ms10w 3-4) Chiyomaru (Ms11e 3-4) Nobehara (Ms13e 3-4) Narutaki (Ms13w 3-4) Chiyotora (Ms14e 3-4) Tendozan (Ms12w 2-5) Kaiseijo (Ms15w 2-5) Daishoho (Ms6e 1-6) Tochimaru (Ms7w 0-2-5) Kiryuko (Ms6w 0-0-7) Hokutofuji (Ms3w 0-0-2 intai) Hokutomaru (Ms10e 0-0-7 intai)

Another thing that may be having an impact - but which will be tough to conclusively isolate because the individual numbers of matchups are getting very small at that level of granularity - is an increased focus on making the pairings "by formula" from Day 1 to 12. The last basho was a good example of that: Basho Day Rikishi 1 Kimarite Rikishi 2 Rank Shikona Result Rank Shikona Result 2025.05 1 Ms1e Kitanowaka 0-1 (3-4) oshidashi J14w Mudoho 1-0 (5-10) 2025.05 2 Ms1w Akua 1-1 (2-5) hikiotoshi J14e Mita 2-0 (8-5-2) 2025.05 3 Ms2e Oshoryu 0-2 (2-5) yorikiri J13w Daiamami 1-2 (7-8) 2025.05 6 Ms2w Dewanoryu 1-3 (3-4) yorikiri J13e Miyanokaze 2-4 (6-9) 2025.05 7 Ms3e Otsuji 4-0 (7-0) oshidashi J12w Nabatame 5-2 (8-7) 2025.05 8 Ms4e Ishizaki 3-2 (4-3) kotenage J12e Mitoryu 4-4 (8-7) 2025.05 9 Ms4w Kotokuzan 3-2 (5-2) okuridashi J11e Kazekeno 6-3 (9-6) 2025.05 10 Ms5e Kyokukaiyu 4-2 (5-2) yorikiri J14w Mudoho 5-5 (5-10) 2025.05 11 Ms1e Kitanowaka 3-3 (3-4) hikiotoshi J14e Mita 7-4 (8-5-2) 2025.05 12 Ms2w Dewanoryu 3-4 yorikiri J13w Daiamami 6-6 (7-8) The only skips were Ms3w on Day 8 (Hokutofuji kyujo/intai), Ms5w on Day 11 (Tochimusashi already MK at 1-4), and then Ms1w and Ms2e on Day 12 (Akua and Oshoryu also already MK), and on the juryo side J11w on Day 9 (Wakanosho kyujo by then). Other than that, strict pairings in order down to Ms5 and up to J11, and then just starting over again. That's a pretty common sight these days. (Although the Day 12 pairing may well have been just a coincidence as that was also a proper exchange-style matchup between Dewanoryu and Daiamami.) Before the last few years, they seemed to be using more discretion in selecting the rikishi on both sides, and some anecdotal evidence would be that the only cases of 0-3 Ms rikishi appearing in juryo on Day 7 were relatively recently, as were the only cases of 7-3 juryo rikishi being selected on Day 11. (And the 6-4's only go back to 2016, too.) Basically, the past approach was more geared towards treating all the pairings as "exchange bouts" between underperforming juryo rikishi and at least average performing makushita guys. Right now, the only exclusion rules being respected seem to be that the Ms rikishi can't be MK yet and the juryo rikishi not KK. That should be leading to matchups that are more favourable to the juryo side on average.