Guess Ura's Aite - November 2025 edition

[Bunbukuchagama]

11 hours ago, Sakura said:

With Kotozakura now mathematically out of the Yusho race they could split Onosato-Kotozakura up. Aonishiki-Hoshoryu ought to still happen and the rest of sanyaku is not genki.

They could have split Hoshoryu-Kotozakura just as well. 

[Bunbukuchagama]

Sure, let's ignore the records all the way.

14. Hiradoumi

[Reonito]

22 minutes ago, Bunbukuchagama said:

It feels like we are dealing with a very lazy committee now; they have a pre-planned (and entirely rank-based) template for the whole basho and try to adjust it as little of possible no matter what.

To be fair, pulling up lower maegashira on the outskirts of a yusho race to fight the very top guys seems (at least to me) like a recent thing during a period of historical weakness in the top ranks. For example, see whom Kyokushuza and Roho fought in a similar situation over 20 years ago. Facing an M5 is actually toward the upper end of day 13 opponents for 9-3 lower maegashira, though of course this list would have to be looked at manually to see how far behind the leader each was.

[Bunbukuchagama]

5 minutes ago, Reonito said:

To be fair, pulling up lower maegashira on the outskirts of a yusho race to fight the very top guys seems (at least to me) like a recent thing during a period of historical weakness in the top ranks. For example, see whom Kyokushuza and Roho fought in a similar situation over 20 years ago. Facing an M5 is actually toward the upper end of day 13 opponents for 9-3 lower maegashira, though of course this list would have to be looked at manually to see how far behind the leader each was.

But this is not just a random 9-3 low Maegashira, it's one that is just a single win behind the leaders. This should make a difference. 

If Onosato was 12-0 now, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

[Reonito]

Just now, Bunbukuchagama said:

But this is not just a random 9-3 low Maegashira, it's one that is just a single win behind the leaders. This should make a difference. 

If Onosato was 12-0 now, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

That's what I mean by my last sentence, but in the 2004 example, those two guys went to 10-3, behind 11-2 Kaio, and then fought M6, M7, M6, and M12 opponents on days 14 and 15. They never fought anybody above M5 despite being one win behind a sole leader with two days to go. That wasn't cherry-picked; I just clicked on a basho where someone with a 9-3 record from M12 or lower faced a similar opponent to Tokihayate's on day 13.

[Bunbukuchagama]

Just now, Reonito said:

That's what I mean by my last sentence, but in the 2004 example, those two guys went to 10-3, behind 11-2 Kaio, and then fought M6, M7, M6, and M12 opponents on days 14 and 15. They never fought anybody above M5 despite being one win behind a sole leader with two days to go. That wasn't cherry-picked; I just clicked on a basho where someone with a 9-3 record from M12 or lower faced a similar opponent to Tokihayate's on day 13.

Well, they might be thinking "Tokihayate yusho? LOL!" and will probably be proven right, but strange things happen occasionally - and make them look foolish when they do.

[Jakusotsu]

With the train splitting into five different directions, the Kyokai didn't waste its chance for the first strike.

Jakusotsu (S1w) 12-2
Jejima (M2w) 12-2
Sumo Spiffy (Ye) 12-2
Bunbukuchagama (Oe) 12-2
Oshirokita (S1e) 12-2
Fashiriteta (S2e) 12-2
Profomisakari (M1e) 12-2
Ryoshishokunin (M2e) 11-2-1
shimodahito (Ke) 11-3
Kachikoshi (Kw) 10-4
Athenayama (bg) 9-5
The Kyokai (M3e) 1-13
Gurowake (YOw) 0-0-14
Andonishiki (M1w) kosho

Ura's aites: 1. Tamawashi, 2. Oshoma, 3. Yoshinofuji, 4. Oho, 5. Kotozakura, 6. Aonishiki, 7. Onosato, 8. Hoshoryu, 9. Wakamotoharu, 10. Takanosho, 11. Takayasu, 12. Wakatakakage, 13. Hakuoho, 14. Tobizaru

[Jakusotsu]

Day 15 - Daieisho

[Jakusotsu]

8 hours ago, Bunbukuchagama said:

Well, they might be thinking "Tokihayate yusho? LOL!" and will probably be proven right, but strange things happen occasionally - and make them look foolish when they do.

The only thing looking foolish now is to break up the schedule for some Tokihayate.

[shimodahito]

15.atamifuji

[Jejima]

15 - Midorifuji

[Athenayama]

Day 15 : Atamifuji

[Sumo Spiffy]

15. Fujinokawa

[Fashiritētā]

15.Atamifuji 

[Profomisakari]

Day 15 Atamifuji

[Ryoshishokunin]

15. Churanoumi

[Reonito]

16 hours ago, Bunbukuchagama said:

Well, they might be thinking "Tokihayate yusho? LOL!"

This time that was the correct take (though he fought well).

[Oshirokita]

15. Kotoshoho

 

[Bunbukuchagama]

15. Churanoumi

[Jakusotsu]

Submitted by @Kachikoshi at 11:09 am per email:

Quote

I’m once again having trouble accessing the forum. I pick Atamifuji for day 15.

Six players still in contention for the yusho - can't remember it ever being that close!

[Jakusotsu]

Final results:

Six contenders for the yusho with six different picks, but the Kyokai blew a raspberry again. This weird yusho is a small consolation for a brainfart on day 11.

Jakusotsu (S1w) 12-3
Jejima (M2w) 12-3
Sumo Spiffy (Ye) 12-3
Bunbukuchagama (Oe) 12-3
Oshirokita (S1e) 12-3
Fashiriteta (S2e) 12-3
Profomisakari (M1e) 12-3
Ryoshishokunin (M2e) 11-3-1
shimodahito (Ke) 11-4
Kachikoshi (Kw) 10-5
Athenayama (bg) 9-6
The Kyokai (M3e) 2-13
Gurowake (YOw) 0-0-15
Andonishiki (M1w) kosho

Ura's aites: 1. Tamawashi, 2. Oshoma, 3. Yoshinofuji, 4. Oho, 5. Kotozakura, 6. Aonishiki, 7. Onosato, 8. Hoshoryu, 9. Wakamotoharu, 10. Takanosho, 11. Takayasu, 12. Wakatakakage, 13. Hakuoho, 14. Tobizaru, 15. Kirishima

Yusho:
Jakusotsu (S1w) 12-3 

Jun-Yusho:
Jejima (M2w) 12-3
Sumo Spiffy (Ye) 12-3
Bunbukuchagama (Oe) 12-3
Oshirokita (S1e) 12-3
Fashiriteta (S2e) 12-3
Profomisakari (M1e) 12-3

Shukunsho:
Sumo Spiffy (Ye)    12
Bunbukuchagama (Oe)    12
Oshirokita (S1e)    12
Fashiriteta (S2e)    12
Profomisakari (M1e)    12
Jakusotsu (S1w)    10
Jejima (M2w)    10
Ryoshishokunin (M2e)    9
shimodahito (Ke)    8
Kachikoshi (Kw)    8
Athenayama (bg)    8

Kantosho:
Jakusotsu (S1w)    2
Jejima (M2w)    2
Sumo Spiffy (Ye)    3
Bunbukuchagama (Oe)    3
Oshirokita (S1e)    3
Fashiriteta (S2e)    3
shimodahito (Ke)    3
Kachikoshi (Kw)    3
Profomisakari (M1e)    3
Ryoshishokunin (M2e)    3

Ginosho:
Jakusotsu (S1w)    2
Jejima (M2w)    2

Toldusho:
Sumo Spiffy (Ye)    5
Jakusotsu (S1w)    5
Jejima (M2w)    2
Ryoshishokunin (M2e)    1

 

[Jejima]

Thank you Jakusotsu! 

Banzuke results for November 2025
Sumo Spiffy (Y1E 12-3 )           Y
                                                     YO  Gurowake (YO 0-0-15)
Bunbukuchagama (O1E 12-3 )  O   
Oshirokita (S1E 12-3 )                 S1  Jakusotsu (S1W 12-3 )                 
Fashiriteta (S2E 12-3 )                  S2
shimodahito (K1E 11-4)              K1   Kachikoshi (K1W 10-5)                                            
Profomisakari (M1E 12-3 )       M1 Andonishiki (M1W Kosho)
Ryoshishokunin (M2E 11-3-1)    M2 Jejima (M2E 12-3 )
The Kyokai (M3E 2-13)              M3

Banzuke-gai
Athenayama (bg 8-7)

KK line: 12-3
OQ line: 15-0

Yusho: Jakusotsu (S1W 12-3)    
Jun-Yusho: Sumo Spiffy (Y1E 12-3), Bunbukuchagama (O1E 12-3), Oshirokita (S1E 12-3), Fashiriteta (S2E 12-3), Profomisakari (M1E 12-3), Jejima (M2W 12-3)

Shukunsho: Not awarded
Kantosho: Jakusotsu, Jejima 
Ginosho: Jakusotsu, Jejima
Toldusho: Jakusotsu, Sumo Spiffy

[Jejima]

New Banzuke for January 2026
Sumo Spiffy (Y1E 12-3)           Y  Gurowake (YO 0-0-15)
Bunbukuchagama (O1E 12-3)  O   Oshirokita (S1E 12-3)
Jakusotsu (S1W 12-3)                 S1  Fashiriteta (S2E 12-3)
Profomisakari (M1E 12-3)          K1   Jejima (M2E 12-3) 
shimodahito (K1E 11-4)             M1 Andonishiki (M1W Kosho)
Kachikoshi (K1W 10-5)              M2 Ryoshishokunin (M2E 11-3-1)
The Kyokai (M3E 2-13)              M3  Athenayama (bg 8-7)

Comments:
Sumo Spiffy's should be congratulated for his jun-yusho.

Gurowake's continued absence remains very worrying. We would like to know his future plans. 

Bunbukuchagama will be considered for promotion to Yokozuna with at least a jun-yusho in January.

Oshirokita has been promoted to Ozeki, following his Jun-yusho.  

Jakusotsu will be considered for promotion to Ozeki with at least a jun-yusho in January.

Fashiriteta will be considered for promotion to Ozeki with a yusho in January.

@Gurowake

[Gurowake]

1 hour ago, Jejima said:

Gurowake's continued absence remains very worrying. We would like to know his future plans. 

I thought it was clear that I wasn't planning on playing any more.  Plans can change, but I'm not really interested right now.  I don't really care what you do to me on the banzuke.

[Jejima]

12 hours ago, Gurowake said:

I thought it was clear that I wasn't planning on playing any more.  Plans can change, but I'm not really interested right now.  I don't really care what you do to me on the banzuke.

Thank you for the clarification. Not playing any more implies Intai, I think.