Hatsu 2025 discussion (results)

[Akinomaki]

Kinbozan was visibly nervous all the way - he shouldn't have ignored the traditional rule to avoid saying one wants the yusho when it is in reach - only before the basho

[I am the Yokozuna]

So, they would discuss it at the Yokozuna Deliberation Committee in the following days, so there is a chance. 

I think in Hoshyoryu's favor it could be the fact that he did a lot of yorikiri sumo, and for me at least, a yokozuna is someone who does a belt sumo. Three wins on a final day without looking troubled is also a very good factor in his favor. Despite the three losses it was a pretty solid basho for the Nephew. 

[Terunoshoryu]

Say Gambare! to the 74. Yokozuna  Hoshoryu Tomokatsu

seems like Sumo can’t be without a powerful Mongolian Yokozuna on the top. May the reign continue as far as usual..

Edited January 26 by Terunoshoryu

[Akinomaki]

It wasn't good for Ishiba's back to hand over the 40kg cup - the yobidashi supported most of the weight, but it still looked a bit too much for the Prime Minister

[Akinomaki]

4 minutes ago, I am the Yokozuna said:

So, they would discuss it at the Yokozuna Deliberation Committee in the following days, so there is a chance. 

More than just a chance, Hakkaku started the process by asking the YDC to discuss it: 99% sure now

[Kaninoyama]

I remember many of the members several years ago laughing at the prospect of Hoshoryu becoming a yokozuna.

While some of us saw it coming from miles away. 

Edited January 26 by Kaninoyama

[I am the Yokozuna]

So good sumo and always attacking and those three losses are something that have happened were the reasons as far as I heard to deliberate it. 

[Akinomaki]

If an ozeki on official yokozuna run gets a decent yusho (= not just 11-4), there is no way to deny him the promotion. Official reason: his strong sumo the last days

[Katooshu]

7 minutes ago, Kaninoyama said:

I remember many of the members several years ago laughing at the prospect of Hoshoryu becoming a yokozuna.

While some of us saw it coming from miles away. 

Interesting, my perception of sumo fandom is that he has been one of the most heavily hyped and highly rated for several years now. Before he even reached ozeki I saw numerous predictions that he'd reach the highest rank. If anything, I'd say he's slightly behind the timeline that many fans predicted for him (e.g. post below). 

Edited January 26 by Katooshu

[Godango]

Took longer than I thought but I am stoked Hoshoryu has (barring the extraordinary) finally come through!

I'd have been happier with a stronger showing than 13-2 J/12-3 Y but the precedent is there and it's absolutely valid.

Hopefully I snare tickets to Nagoya this year and I get to see his Dohyo-iri relatively fresh with my own eyes!

Almost as good a day as a Takayasu yusho would be. Very happy day in the Godango household. 

Edited January 26 by Godango

[Katooshu]

3 minutes ago, Akinomaki said:

If an ozeki on official yokozuna run gets a decent yusho (= not just 11-4), there is no way to deny him the promotion. Official reason: his strong sumo the last days

Is this what has been officially said, or your assumption of what will be given? 

[Kaninoyama]

8 minutes ago, Katooshu said:

Interesting, my perception of sumo fandom is that he has been one of the most heavily hyped and highly rated for several years now. Before he even reached ozeki I saw numerous predictions that he'd reach the highest rank. 

More recently, perhaps, and as I said, he also had his supporters. But early on after he reached Makuuchi, there were also quite a few detractors even while his performances told a different story. 

In any case, never been a big fan, but you can't deny his ability. Whether it comes now or later, he'll get there eventually and will likely be a strong and deserving Yokozuna. 

I just hope he follows the model of Kakuryu and Terunofuji rather than that of his uncle and Hakuho. 

 

Edited January 26 by Kaninoyama

[Katooshu]

Fair enough, I'd guess I'd say my perception varies and that he seemed more in favour than what I'd consider a divisive or doubted rikishi to be.

[Benihana]

Kyodo News apparently saying promotion is confirmed.

EDIT:

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/d24d66cd5706-urgent-sumo-hoshoryu-set-for-yokozuna-promotion-after-winning-new-year-meet.html

EDIT 2: A bit too much excitement on my side.

Edited January 26 by Benihana

[Akinomaki]

13 minutes ago, Katooshu said:

Is this what has been officially said, or your assumption of what will be given? 

NHK mentioned it as part of the comment by the NSK top as to why the promotion process has been started, this is not yet the official reason for the promotion itself, that will be in the YDC comment

[Akinomaki]

11 minutes ago, Benihana said:

Kyodo News apparently saying promotion is confirmed.

Confirmed is only the start of the promotion process, confirmed it is after the YDC decides

[Benihana]

Kiryuko is the flag bearer for the parade.

[Leoben]

12-3 is not exactly a strong yusho... But dropping those 3 relatively early and then going on a winning streak to close it out with 3 wins in a single day is impressive. Honestly I have no idea what will happen. I'd be overjoyed if they promote him but would also understand if they say he needs one more.

[Tigerboy1966]

Daieisho, Kirishima and Oho have all recorded scores which could be the start of an ozeki run. And if Kotozakura doesn't improve drastically in March we are going to have an ozeki deficit come May.

[Benihana]

29 minutes ago, Akinomaki said:

Confirmed is only the start of the promotion process, confirmed it is after the YDC decides

Ok, then it's only confirmation for discussion (my bad for the wrong interpretation), which will happen tomorrow. I doubt they will deny.

[hakutorizakura]

So the kyokai trolled everyone by saying that they would hand out 7 prizes, but only gave 3 in the end 

[Kishinoyama]

On 19/01/2025 at 04:54, Kishinoyama said:

If you lose to Shodai you’re not getting the rope this time. 

This did not age well. It looks like I was wrong and I am very happy about that! 

My man Nishikigi got his eight wins today. Better late than never!

How can you not love Hiradoumi? He has become a favorite of mine. A small guy (for sumo) but I don't think I have ever seen him do a henka.  

I am also happy for Takerufuji and Hakuoho both getting 10 wins. Getting closer to the joi.  

[RabidJohn]

I won't pretend I'm not on record as saying this is the outcome I'd have preferred not to see, but I'm not going to be churlish about it. Hatsu 25 turned out to be a great basho.

Commiserations to Kinbozan. He made them work very hard to stop him. Now I want him to show us it wasn't a fluke.

Congratulations to Oho for finally getting the kind of result his pedigree suggests he should be capable of. He's improved greatly over the last few basho, so definitely not a fluke.

Congratulations also to Hoshoryu on yusho no. 2. Decisively beating three rikishi on the trot (2/3 of whom were at the top of their game) leaves a great impression, as did seeing how much it meant to him. Evidently I'm not just an old git but a soft one at that.

They told him to win and he did. It may end up resulting in the easiest yokozuna promotion in decades, but it won't be the easiest ever.
And let's be real: 'easiest' is relative. I don't kid myself that anything about becoming a rikishi at the top end of the ozumo pyramid is easy.

[sumochuck]

Anxious to see what happens in the next few days. Very impressed at Hoshoryu's intensity and focus today, not to mention doing it in three bouts in a row with all the pressure (the yusho, potential Yokozuna promotion) mounting on him. I now enter my post-basho blues slumber. 

[Koorifuu]

I might or might've not waken my wife up in celebration.