Aki 2025 discussions (results)

[Akinomaki]

The 2nd fanclub ticket lottery applications start on Thursday, accessible for 1-month makuuchi course members, for the general public on Ticket Ozumo on the 30th and general sales start and end on Aug. 9th 10h JST https://sumo.pia.jp/sumo09.jsp

https://www.sumo.or.jp/Admission/ticket/Sep/handling/631/

Edited September 14, 2025 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki]

It will be difficult now for foreigners who don't live in Japan to get tickets at the sumo.pia site. The NSK introduced a phone check for each application for a ticket. So far one could register some unrelated number, now there has to be someone who confirms the buy. I just got an e-mail with the announcement.

Edited July 30, 2025 by Akinomaki

[Bunbukuchagama]

13 minutes ago, Akinomaki said:

It will be difficult now for foreigners who don't live in Japan to get tickets at the sumo.pia site. The NSK introduced a phone check for each application for a ticket. So far one could register some unrelated number, now there has to be someone who confirms the buy. I just got an e-mail with the announcement.

"Don't visit our country". 

[Yarimotsu]

1 hour ago, Akinomaki said:

It will be difficult now for foreigners who don't live in Japan to get tickets at the sumo.pia site. The NSK introduced a phone check for each application for a ticket. So far one could register some unrelated number, now there has to be someone who confirms the buy. I just got an e-mail with the announcement.

I used the fanclub route before and am concerned about the phone number announcement. I can't remember if the pia website was the only option for that - do you know if it is still possible to buy tickets? Getting a Japanese phone number isn't exactly possible.

[Morning]

There are some fishy services that let you make use of a Japanese phone number for confirmation purposes but they basically blast the codes out for everyone on the Internet not just you. Otherwise, yeah, the Japanese phone number thing is a bane aside from the three levels of club exclusive ticket roulettes.

[Jakusotsu]

I guess that's not primarily targeting the foreign fans but the scammers' nuisance. Quite ironic that the foreigners now only have the scammers to rely on.

Edited July 31, 2025 by Jakusotsu

[Yarimotsu]

1 hour ago, Morning said:

There are some fishy services that let you make use of a Japanese phone number for confirmation purposes but they basically blast the codes out for everyone on the Internet not just you. Otherwise, yeah, the Japanese phone number thing is a bane aside from the three levels of club exclusive ticket roulettes.

I have tried these before out of frustration but didn't manage to even find one that works. I was told that in many cases these use numbers reserved for VoIP and the ticket sites decide to block those too.

[Akinomaki]

12 hours ago, Yarimotsu said:

I used the fanclub route before and am concerned about the phone number announcement. I can't remember if the pia website was the only option for that - do you know if it is still possible to buy tickets? Getting a Japanese phone number isn't exactly possible.

The fanclub has a page for the makuuchi course that opens a page on sumo.pia, this is the only route. I will have to ask someone in Japan to become a member for a month and do the application for me, when I want to buy a ticket next time. The name of that person will be on the ticket(s), which might be some obstacle as well, but should be no problem.

Edit: actually I can do that all still by myself and only have that person confirm it on the phone. 

Edited July 31, 2025 by Akinomaki

[krindel]

Won't an eSIM of some sort work for the phone code? Those are generally not super difficult to get from abroad. 

[Akinomaki]

I hadn't checked the new security rules yet, this is so far based on the simple notification that there will be some authentication check for each ticket application.

http://sumo.pia.jp/guide/security.jsp

It looks like one has to call from the registered phone, a number that is displayed at the time of the buy. The check is done at a new registration and change of registered phone number and a ticket buy, if it hadn't been done before - this contradicts the email notice and would mean only once is enough. Since at the start of sales, there is no time for this, one can do it before. If I get it confirmed, I can go on buying like before.

I'll check this in detail later. The phone number I registered no longer exists and I need to change it. But another feature is, only one member on sumo.pia per phone number, so far I had multiple accounts with that number. This seems to be the main reason for the authentication check, restriction to one buying person/account per household (the registered phone number has to be a fixed phone or a 050 IP service number connected to it) - the number of tickets one can apply for at once for the basho has been reduced as well. 

Edited July 31, 2025 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki]

The gomenfuda for the basho was put in place today

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and the detailed schedule around the basho was announced, from banzuke publication next Monday till the 100 year basho with ancient sumo on Oct. 7th, as day 2 of the Aki jungyo, which starts with the Meiji shrine tournament, the days before that the danpatsushiki of Takakeisho and Myogiryu. The day before the dohyo matsuri a dohyo-iri by Onosato at the kokugikan's NomiNo-Sukune shrine, where his name is engraved then at the yokozuna stone

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2025/08/27/kiji/20250827s00005000252000c.html

[Kintamayama]

The Kokugikan Museum will feature the 73rd  Yokozuna Terunofuji, starting from Day 1, September 14th. The special exhibition will introduce his journey from his debut as a rikishi to his promotion to Ozeki, his repeated absences and comeback through unyielding efforts, and his rise to Yokozuna status. Valuable materials will also be on display, including the three-piece decorative kesho-mawashi used in the Yokozuna dohyo-iri ceremonies, dyed kimonos, and championship plaques. Additionally, an exhibition entitled "The World of Traditional Grand Sumo" will be held at the same time, in conjunction with the "Centennial Tournament - Traditional and Modern Grand Sumo" to be held on October 7th.

Edited August 29, 2025 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama]

Kyujo - Takerufuji and Juryo Endou.

[Akinomaki]

On 27/08/2025 at 22:51, Akinomaki said:

The day before the dohyo matsuri a dohyo-iri by Onosato at the kokugikan's NomiNo-Sukune shrine, where his name is engraved then at the yokozuna stone

fits into 3 threads, new yokozuna Onosato, ceremonial dohyo-iri - I pick this, because I first mentioned it here - at the start, the new name on the stone is shown

[Akinomaki]

Onosato-Aonishiki to begin the basho and end the first day - I go for a win by Aonishiki, but not for the basho: I think he'll struggle to get 10 wins as new sanyaku, no runner-up, no sansho. Same struggle for Hoshoryu. For Onosato the runner-up, because I think someone nobody could think of gets the basho again - I'll root for Kusano though. No newcomer sansho for Hitoshi. 

[Andreas21]

I go for Daieisho-Onosato in a 12-3 playoff for the Yusho. All the young hopefuls (Aonishiki,Kusano,Hakuoho,Fujinowaka,Atamifuji) are at the rank of their ability and consolidate with decent but not extraordinary results. I root for Wakatakakage's Ozeki run at 11-4.

[RabidJohn]

I could almost root against Wakatakakage's run because I really like him and don't want to see him cursed, but I expect that cluster of young hopefuls in the joi will save me any concerns.

Form would suggest Onosato's return to dominance, but that was before the opposition changed.

[Kintamayama]

Aonishiki yusho, Wakatakakage Ozeki, Takayasu, Kirishima and Houshouryuu will not finish the basho. Kotozakura and Oonosato double digit wins.

Edited September 12, 2025 by Kintamayama

[Fashiritētā]

Onosato Yusho, Aonishiki-JunYusho, Daieisho-JunYusho, Kotozakura-Kadoban , Hoshoryu-withdrawl before day 10 , Kirishima-JunYusho , Wakatakakage-11 wins promotion to Ozeki

Edited September 12, 2025 by Fashiritētā

[Jakusotsu]

So you're suggesting that four rikishi will get at least 12 wins? The last time that happened was over six years ago.

[Kishinoyama]

I also think that Hoshoryu will not make it the full 15 days. Too many pre-basho injuries. 

[The Fat Cyclist]

Onosato Yusho, Kirishima-JunYusho, Aonishiki-1 win off JunYusho, Kotozakura-Kadoban, Hoshoryu-withdrawl before day 6 , Wakatakakage-10 wins 

But what do I know

Edited September 12, 2025 by The Fat Cyclist
added ,

[Bunbukuchagama]

2 hours ago, Kishinoyama said:

I also think that Hoshoryu will not make it the full 15 days. Too many pre-basho injuries. 

If you are right, he should just retire. 

[Bunbukuchagama]

7 hours ago, Andreas21 said:

I go for Daieisho-Onosato in a 12-3 playoff for the Yusho.

I don't think Daieisho is fully healthy. 

[Akinomaki]

Dohyo matsuri live stream