Aki 2025 discussions (results)

[just_some_guy 308]

Kotokuzan's usual facial expression has always looked "surprised" to me in the past. This basho, his look of perpetual surprise is gone and he's 5-0. Coincidence? 

[Hankegami 598]

Good day 5, everyone! My usual remarks:

First of all, I am glad that my "adopt a rikishi" dear ones are taking up a few wins down in lower Makuuchi. Shishi has got an important win against an unremarkable Tobizaru. The Monkey is 3-2 but he lost to, huh, Tomokaze and Shishi himself. He didn't look impressive overall. I guess it's another case of healing-on-the-dohyo medical receipt. The other major holder of this recognition, Mitakeumi, also managed to get his win. Yay.

Going a bit up, Shodai appears somewhat on fire this Aki. Last time he went 4-1 was on 2024.09 (a coincidence?), when he posted a 10-5 from M4e. Perhaps it's a good sign. Or perhaps he's going to take a nap soon (2024.03, 4-1 > 8-7). Kusano is having an unremarkable basho instead. His bull-like strength is still there, but it's nowhere as efficacious as two months ago.

Now, Aonishiki. I'm the only one who got Yokozuna sumo vibes from his bout against Kirishima? Calm, controlled, waiting for an opening. Very different from, let's say, just lumbering over like too many heavyset rikishi do. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying he's Yokozuna level. Just that he showed a major peak today. Too bad for Kirishima, though. I only hope he's bouncing back tomorrow - last basho he began losing big after his day 5 loss to Aonishiki himself. I'm also happy for Wakatakakage, who keeps stacking up wins for his Ozeki run. I'm rooting for you, WakaBro3.

This brings me to a St.James Infirmary Blues corner. WTK opponent, Abi, is nowhere as Abi as he should be. His arms are clearly functioning barely. Ichiyamamoto is probably also suffering from discomfort in his arms, but in his case he's apparently using more and more yotsu to make up (his kimarite list includes 39 wins by yorikiri - 25% - but 12 [30%] in the last two years in a career spanning 8 years). Takayasu is also obviously hurt (not an uncommon occurrence for him - basically happens every odd basho), not to mention Daieisho. I imagine these three in particular are still in for to save their spot somehow.

Finally, the big guys are doing good. Kotozakura, Hoshoryu and Onosato are performing magnificently. I said that already, but KZK is the most aggressive I ever seen him.

A final thought about the arasoi. Hoshoryu is now sole leader at 5-0, passing with full marks Wakanohana III's recommendation to stay either 4-1 or 5-0 to have an actual chance to win the Cup. The Nephew did the same (getting even to 6-0 before getting his first loss) in 2024.11, when he got his best result ever by the numbers (13-2J), but also in 2023.11 (10-5). Funnily enough, Hoshoryu never performed very well in Aki - so this is an absolute novelty for him. The 4-1 runner-up group is stacked, but there are plenty of outstanding competitors. Onosato and Kotozakura above all, but also Kirishima despite his loss today. Wakamotoharu is somewhat a surprise to be found here - his sumo appears just the usual, but it's a good sign seeing him doing this good. I hope he gets a good result eventually. Of course, it's too soon for advancing conclusions, but I like how things are shaping up. A lot of much-hyped names are on a good spot and we can hope for a competitive tournament.

[hakutorizakura 688]

2 hours ago, The Fat Cyclist said:

Shishi today launched a couple of the weakest harite attempts I have ever seen. Perhaps someone should let him know that they are supposed to hurt your opponent

I remember one bout in which young Takakeisho (or was he still Sato that time) delivered a roundhouse slap to his opponent. The sound was glorious.

[Andreas21 219]

I'd like to mention under-the-radar Hiradoumi as well. This is the best Hiradoumi I've seen so far. Eager he was right from the beginning, and speedy. What he previously lacked was some power and decent, smart Sumo technique. But that has changed gradually. If he continues in this track, the results will follow.

[Tigerboy1966 1,625]

2 hours ago, Andreas21 said:

I'd like to mention under-the-radar Hiradoumi

Nobody is going to beat Hiradoumi for sheer fire and Fighting Spirit. He is just getting stronger and he is going to be around at the upper end of maku'uchi for a long time. The other day against Atamifuji I was thinking "No, no, no... don't get into a strength matchup with a man who has 50kgs on you"... but he bloody well won it.

[Reonito 1,773]

On 15/09/2025 at 14:31, Oskanohana said:

On the 2nd to last bout of makushita, I think the announcers made a mistake. They said Shimanoumi was fighting and they guy looked like him, but I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that the impostor wasn't wearing a red mawashi. I didn't see Shimanoumi in juryo though, so maybe he's been awarded a kosho, despite that system being over for 20 years. He deserves it.

0-3 at Ms4w, presumably well on track for promotion.

[Reonito 1,773]

1 hour ago, Tigerboy1966 said:

Nobody is going to beat Hiradoumi for sheer fire and Fighting Spirit. He is just getting stronger and he is going to be around at the upper end of maku'uchi for a long time. The other day against Atamifuji I was thinking "No, no, no... don't get into a strength matchup with a man who has 50kgs on you"... but he bloody well won it.

The shrew!

[Oskanohana 361]

If you haven't seen it, I recommend you to take a look if you can (maybe @Asashosakari will highlight the bout on his lower division thread) at Dewataikai vs Tochimaru in mid makushita today. Dewataikai challenged for the title of fastest gunslinger in the east, that Choo-Choo train Tochimaru has held for a long time. I won't spoil the result.

Takarafuji's interview after his win today against "young" newcomer Asahakuryu:

15 minutes ago, Reonito said:

0-3 at Ms4w, presumably well on track for promotion.

"Look at the skill, look at the moves!" (paraphrasing DoA) (I bet nobody gets this reference here )

[Kishinoyama 623]

2 hours ago, Reonito said:

0-3 at Ms4w, presumably well on track for promotion.

A 3-4 will get the job done for sure. A 2-5 might even be an acceptable score. 

[Sumo Spiffy 661]

3 hours ago, Oskanohana said:

If you haven't seen it, I recommend you to take a look if you can (maybe @Asashosakari will highlight the bout on his lower division thread) at Dewataikai vs Tochimaru in mid makushita today. Dewataikai challenged for the title of fastest gunslinger in the east, that Choo-Choo train Tochimaru has held for a long time. I won't spoil the result.

Boom!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ic1LoJ7f3hI

[Sumo Spiffy 661]

5 hours ago, Tigerboy1966 said:

Nobody is going to beat Hiradoumi for sheer fire and Fighting Spirit. He is just getting stronger and he is going to be around at the upper end of maku'uchi for a long time. The other day against Atamifuji I was thinking "No, no, no... don't get into a strength matchup with a man who has 50kgs on you"... but he bloody well won it.

Hiradoumi dominates that matchup all-time. Atami came back around and looked like he would catch up, but Hiradoumi's gotten back on track. Whatever the reason, Atami has huge problems with him.

[Yarimotsu 637]

I'm just about ready to call Aonishiki's record since debut the best debut ever, and comparing his rise to similar cases I'd say surefire Ozeki and likely Yokozuna.

[Jakusotsu 6,387]

23 minutes ago, Yarimotsu said:

I'm just about ready to call Aonishiki's record since debut the best debut ever, and comparing his rise to similar cases I'd say surefire Ozeki and likely Yokozuna.

You're late to the party but still welcome.

[dingo 1,476]

Well, if he gets double digits this basho then ozeki seems achievable after Hatsu basho. 

[Bunbukuchagama 964]

Apparently, Tanji forgot he had a bout scheduled for today. He was at the heya all day, and when he realised he had to go to Kokugikan, it was already too late.

[shantan123 23]

14 minutes ago, Bunbukuchagama said:

Apparently, Tanji forgot he had a bout scheduled for today. He was at the heya all day, and when he realised he had to go to Kokugikan, it was already too late.

Lol no way 

[Bunbukuchagama 964]

Just now, shantan123 said:

Lol no way 

Forgetting the effort and losing the battle Tanji of the shogunate was in the Arashio room during the work time "It's unprecedented" - Grand Sumo : Nikkan Sports

[Chiyozakura 163]

13 minutes ago, Bunbukuchagama said:

Apparently, Tanji forgot he had a bout scheduled for today. He was at the heya all day, and when he realised he had to go to Kokugikan, it was already too late.

Really? Where do you have that info from? I have read of guys forgetting their mawashi or missing the bus, but forgetting they have a match scheduled? Winner of that siuation is Chiyotora who got his second straight fusensho. Three out of his last five wins have come by fusensho.

[Bunbukuchagama 964]

Just now, Chiyozakura said:

Where do you have that info from?

See above.

 

[Akinomaki 41,734]

2 hours ago, dingo said:

Well, if he gets double digits this basho then ozeki seems achievable after Hatsu basho. 

10 wins this time and a 13-2 yusho in Kyushu should make Aonishiki ozeki within the year - and would fulfill my initial prediction about him

[Bunbukuchagama 964]

18 minutes ago, Akinomaki said:

10 wins this time and a 13-2 yusho in Kyushu should make Aonishiki ozeki within the year - and would fulfill my initial prediction about him

10 wins will likely keep him at Komusubi which will prevent him from completing this Ozeki run.

[Akinomaki 41,734]

Day 3 Hiradoumi was at the yokozuna dohyo-iri with the wrong kesho mawashi - Hoshoryu had changed the set this day, but Hiradoumi still had the one from day 1&2, Hoshoryu's tsukebito made the mistake and was too late to fix it

not a set

o o

proper set

o o

[Jakusotsu 6,387]

1 hour ago, Bunbukuchagama said:

10 wins will likely keep him at Komusubi which will prevent him from completing this Ozeki run.

They won't do that even to him.

[Bunbukuchagama 964]

1 minute ago, Jakusotsu said:

They won't do that even to him.

11 wins is the standard for creating an extra S slot. And they are not going to apologize to him by changing it.

[Jakusotsu 6,387]

38 minutes ago, Bunbukuchagama said:

11 wins is the standard for creating an extra S slot. And they are not going to apologize to him by changing it.

But there has never been an Ozeki promoted from Komusubi in the "modern" era, and there's no denying he's on a serious run.