Day 1 Recap

Day One of Natsu 2025 brought one big upset in Oho’s victory over Kotozakura, while otherwise having the pre-basho favorites win. That isn’t to say it was neat and orderly. Even Oho could have lost to Kotozakura a few times in their match, but he kept his head and his footwork well. Hoshoryu and Onosato both won convincingly over Wakatakakage and Wakamotoharu respectively. That was about the most normal thing on Day One.

The day began with Mitakeumi returning from Juryo to a Makuuchi bout in his first match as a Juryo wrestler in a decade. Instead of showing his veteran wiles, he got easily pushed aside by Tochitaikai. A little later Ryuden was moved around the dohyo by debutant Kayo, but somehow still won the match with a yorikiri. Tokihayate plain overwhelmed former Sanyaku man Takanosho. Atamifuji easily handled Shishi after a nervous false start. Aonishiki, last basho’s remarkable debutant, learned he needs to figure out how to deal with the strength of someone as big as Kinbozan.

That was just in the first half of the day’s matches. In the second half, Hakuoho sent Tobizaru down and over in a manner that showed he was always nervous what Tobizaru might pull out. Oshoma and Chiyoshoma decided to both move sideways in a weird looking match. Ichiyamamoto and Takerufuji then each won in back-to-back matches by keeping their feet as their opponents fell down nearly onto them. Kirishima took everything Gonoyama could muster, and then sent him over and down with enough force to make Gonoyama stay among the crowd for a second. Daieisho and Abi shoved each other in a match both like, but with an approach that seemed to never get either man in their best form.

You could take that large set of interesting matches on Day One as a sign or you can chalk it up to Day One giving only a limited view on rikishi’s basho. Kotozakura (or Wakatakakage or Wakamotoharu or Aonishiki or even Kayo or someone) could reel off ten wins starting tomorrow. The Day One loss will be quickly forgotten. Or the one-loss rikishi could never recover from their opening defeat.

Certainly, Hoshoryu and Onosato are in a prime position now. They already have the one-win advantage on Kotozakura, after all. It is also just one win, and two more weeks of sumo mean plenty of things could happen. Day One of Natsu was at least exciting, which will hopefully continue. The sekitori appear to be going for it this time, with lots of rikishi needing to prove something. Consider this a great opening for the basho.

Notable Maneuvers

Hatakikomi. Ichiyamamoto didn’t just slap Ura down, but sent the Pink Prince of Technique to the clay while also managing to keep his feet just in. They had a mono-ii, because his dance on the tawara was so incredible they really needed the close in focus in slow motion to be sure. He stayed in, and it was spectacular.

Match of the Day

09 Maegashira #1 West Oho versus 03 Ozeki West Kotozakura

These two grandsons of Yokozuna showed their sumo skills on Day One. Kotozakura got the slightly better tachiai, sending Oho back although Oho used pushing to block Kotozakura’s attempts at a grip. They regrouped and settled into an uncomfortable looking stalemate, with Kotozakura getting his left under Oho’s right and Oho getting his left deep on Kotozakura’s mawashi. Neither was in control. Then Kotozakura changed grips, gathered his momentum, and sent Oho reeling to the tawara. Instead of going backwards, though, Oho reversed himself, grabbed Kotozakura’s right arm, and won with the under-shoulder swing down, katasukashi.

Day 2 Recap

Day Two of Natsu was a day of interesting if not necessarily good sumo. The first two matches were a little odd. Tamashoho and Tochitaikai barely touched before Tamashoho went down, and then Juryo visitor Kusano picked up Asakoryu and easily deposited him on the outside. From there, the matches had a surfeit of slapdowns, sideways shoves, and rikishi not necessarily having their footing.

This was a trend in the headline matches, too. Onosato redirected a charging Takayasu to repeat his playoff victory. Kotozakura was sent back by Abi, but he managed to make the pusher-thruster collapse before going out. Hoshoryu overpowered Wakamotoharu, but only after a very tense staredown that added drama. None of those are necessarily going to make highlight reels at the end of a career, but they are each a win that helps the favorites keep pace.

Even the lower-ranked possible contenders had odd matches. Onokatsu worked hard against Kinbozan for a win, but never looked good just determined. Hakuoho mostly was successful at keeping Oshoma at an arm’s length. Takerufuji easily read that Ura was going for a leg pick, but that meant he had to just on Ura from an odd angle until he won. Again, that was not pretty sumo, but each of those wrestlers got the necessary win.

The second day of a basho provides one more data point for each rikishi in the tournament, but we’re still light on the ground with information that shows who is a yusho contender. A dozen rikishi are still undefeated, since it is just a couple of matches. Yet there are also enough rikishi with previous success, the requisite talent, and two wins to see that lots of great possiblities for a yusho race.

The favorites are still the Yokozuna and the Ozeki on Yokozuna watch. Hoshoryu appears locked in, which is bad news for other rikishi and possibly the shimpan at ringside. Onosato read Takayasu perfectly on Day Two, meaning his head is probably in the right spot. The Hoshoryu-Onosato match is penciled for the final match of the final day as long as they keep winning. There is no reason to wonder if that will happen, but lots of rikishi are looking good so far.

Notable Maneuvers

Hatakikomi. The slap down is often a defensive maneuver, done in a panic as a rikishi goes backwards. Sometimes, it’s a show of dominance, and today Onosato showed Takayasu he knew what was up by sending the veteran down hard as Takayasu moved forward.

Match of the Day

01 Yokozuna East Hoshoryu versus 08 Maegashira #1 East Wakamotoharu

This match began with an intense staredown where neither man wanted to get proceedings started. Hoshoryu is a recently promoted Yokozuna who is still trying to prove he earned the honor. There could be a vulnerability there. After they got up and went back, Hoshoryu and Wakamotoharu both started hard. And then Hoshoryu grabbed hold and forced Wakamotoharu out with power. That was Yokozuna sumo and a warning shot to other rikishi.

Day 3 Recap

Hoshoryu’s loss is the big story of the Day. Oho picks up the kinboshi, while also moving to 3-0 himself. Oho beating Hoshoryu isn’t a shocker, because he is now 6-4 over the Yokozuna for their careers. Oho also is in his best fighting form. Yet Hoshoryu also should not be losing to Maegashira too often, plus he never really got into this match. The loss is an issue on paper, but being easily yanked aside and down isn’t great for the Yokozuna.

Kotozakura also lost, unable to handle moving backwards once Wakatakakage engaged on the belt. The Ozeki is likely still a little injured, and if he can’t compete in the yusho race, that will change lots of how this basho proceeds. He will almost certainly stick around unless he seriously injures himself. Just lower the expectation to “Can he scrape through for 8 wins?” instead of “Can he win another yusho?”

The real beneficiary for the losses from Hoshoryu and Kotozakura is, of course, Onosato. Onosato moved another step closer to Yokozuna promotion with some Yokozuna sumo. Abi came at full force with his signature sumo, which resulted in Onosato’s chin getting pushed back into the air. Despite staring at the ceiling, Onosato moved his arms up to block and positively overwhelm Abi for the rear push out.

Onosato is joined at 3-0 by Daieisho, Oho, Takerufuji, Hakuoho, Endo, and Nishikigi. The last two are veterans who struggled in March, but have been focused again this basho. This trend shouldn’t continue. The other are all legitimate yusho contenders. Onosato isn’t the only one looking for a promotion, as Daieisho is still on the hook for a possible Ozeki promotion if he gets 13. Oho, Takerufuji, and Hakuoho are relatively young stars who are looking to become regular contenders.

Things will begin to change as early as Day Four, when Onosato and Oho face each other. That’s how sumo basho are supposed to work. It’s a grinder, and no one can expect to have an easy path for even a few days. There will be fewer undefeated rikishi each day. That also means being 2-1 like Hoshoryu isn’t out of it. The Yokozuna is still guaranteed to face Onosato, Daieisho, Oho, and Takerufuji. Hoshoryu’s loss was bad on Day Three, but it’s one day and things can shift with each match.

Notable Maneuvers

Hatakikomi, I guess. Oho beat old rival and Yokozuna Hoshoryu by grabbing his arm and pulling hard as Hoss got over his skis. Somehow the exact way Hoshoryu went down and how they engaged, that became a slap down for some reason.

Match of the Day

26 Maegashira #10 East Meisei versus 23 Maegashira #8 West Kinbozan

Neither Meisei nor Kinbozan were necessarily fighting like they were going to emerge in the yusho race, but that made this match have an air of desperation even if it’s only Day Three. Kinbozan made Meisei move backwards, which wasn’t too surprising, and then Meisei recovered which also wasn’t a shocker. Then they sort of engaged as Meisei flailed at an increasingly frustrated Kinbozan. Meisei at one point grabbed Kinbozan’s arm and pulled in a way that suggested both might fall over. Eventually, Kinbozan couldn’t keep himself together as Meisei awkwardly pushed and held on his arms. This wild one ended in the basic yorikiri of all things.

Day 4 Recap

Hoshoryu losing to Oho on the back of a nice move by Oho was one thing, but Hoshoryu losing because Abi sensed his balance was off and pulled is another. It wasn’t even good Abi-zumo. Hoshoryu just couldn’t get himself set. That’s two kinboshi in two days, plus the Yokozuna is looking bad. The talk about “Was Hoshoryu’s promotion too soon?” is only going to get louder.

Of course, there might be another Yokozuna by July. Onosato took Oho’s best shot and just pushed him straight back. It’s hard to say what Oho could have done better, since he delivered a blow right to Onosato’s chest. Onosato is just too big, too powerful, and too focused to be beat with solid sumo. It may take something spectacular, although Onosato has also lost at least two matches in each basho of his sekitori career. Someone could put a loss on him. Or he’s hit a new level and everyone else should be worried.

He isn’t the only 4-0 rikishi, but the ranks of the undefeated got thinned. Oho lost to Onosato, which isn’t bad for him but is a loss. Takerufuji also lost, simply because Wakatakakage was just plain faster off the tachiai. That means the 4-0 group contains Onosato (possible Yokozuna promotion), Daieisho (possible Ozeki promotion), Hakuoho (rising star), Endo (veteran who seemed past it), and Nishikigi (veteran who seemed like he was headed straight to Juryo.) Endo won a weird match where he fought more than he needed to, since the gyoji missed Shishi stepping out very early. Nishikigi won against a Juryo visitor with a remarkable throw at the edge as he was nearly out.

While Onosato, Daieisho, and Hakuoho are in the pole positions overall and seem capable of staying in the yusho race, nothing is guaranteed. Takerufuji looked good until he was a step slower than Wakatakakage. It doesn’t take much to lose a sumo match, and that means everything matters. Aonishiki, Atamifuji, and Roga are all 3-1 lower-ranked Maegashira who have the potential to keep winning. Kirishima and Wakatakakage are former yusho winners who are 3-1 and will face all the top-rankers.

With four nice performances and a focus on Yokozuna promotion, Onosato feels like he could steamroll everybody. He still has eleven matches to actually do that, while fending off the variety of skilled veterans, fellow rising stars, and surprise contenders who are fighting in this basho. Hoshoryu may not be around, and Kotozakura has been struggling. Still, Onosato isn’t going to waltz through this.

Notable Maneuvers

Amiuchi. Nishikigi won with the “Fishermen’s Throw,” so called because the action resembles a fishermen tossing out a net. Of course, the fishermen usually isn’t going backwards before casting, and Fujiseiun is much, much heavier than a net. Impressive sumo from Nishikigi.

Match of the Day

24 Maegashira #9 East Aonishiki versus 26 Maegashira #10 East Meisei

Aonishiki is very, very good and young, meaning he will be something special but he’s also still figuring things out. Meisei went hard at the tachiai, and then went sideways. That did seem to throw Aonishiki off. But the Blonde Bomber willingly got into a slapfest with Meisei. That still meant he was going backwards against a veteran. Somehow, Aonishiki got a hold of Meisei and won with an uwatedashinage. (Pulling underarm throw.)

Day 5 Recap

Largely, the basho proceeded apace on Day Five. Hoshoryu got back to winning ways against Gonoyama, while only Endo lost among the undefeated rikishi coming in. That leaves four rikishi at 5-0, with a quintet behind them on one loss. Yokozuna Hoshoryu and Ozeki Kotozakura are off the pace, but both above .500 again. The situation hasn’t shifted greatly after Day Five’s matches.

The Day can still tell us plenty. First, Hoshoryu did beat Gonoyama, but looked like he is still struggling with something. Kotozakura was slightly more assured, but still not at his best. There is trouble among the Yokozuna and Ozeki. Yet the possibility of a Yokozuna promotion and Ozeki promotion are still alive. If the basho finishes with an Onosato yusho and Daieisho gets 13 wins, an unlikely scenario but still possible, we have dual promotions.

Onosato took a heavy blow from Tamawashi at the tachiai, then just casually pushed him backwards. The crowd’s noise was an “Ooooohhh—uh-aaaahhhhh,” a mark of how impressive Onosato looked. That wasn’t just Yokozuna sumo, but “How do we even try to win over this guy?” kinds of dominance. Daieisho just directed his tsuppari at Oho’s chest perfectly for a similarly easy win. He is dialed into his sumo, which means that even if you can predict the strategy a rikishi has to be on form to beat Daieisho. Those two certainly look best so far.

Hakuoho and Nishikigi round out the other undefeated rikishi. They aren’t as powerful-looking as the Sanyaku undefeated, but they’re doing well. Yet Endo’s loss to Takanosho shows how things can change. He joins Wakatakakage, Aonishiki, Roga, and Asakoryu at 4-1. Wakatakakage is in a spot to face Onosato and Daieisho. Hakuoho, Endo, and Aonishiki should be squaring off at some point as well, while the lower Maegashira on the leaderboard will also complete a round robin soon.

They are still circling on Day Six, however, and that should be a reminder that plenty of sumo is left. Everyone is still facing Banzuke-dictated opponents. If two leaders do see each other, that will be because they have to see everyone near them in the rankings. Onosato versus Hakuoho could be a great matchup, but Hakuoho needs to keep up his winning ways to see it. Same with Daieisho-Aonishiki or Wakatakakage-Roga. The goal for the next few days for all the leaders is just to keep it rolling.

Notable Maneuvers

Uchimuso. Or “inner thigh propping twist down.” Aonishiki succeeded at not letting Midorifuji go for his favorite katasukashi, but that made for an awkward match. Until they oddly engaged in dueling grip attempts. Then Aonishiki hit Midorifuji in the left leg and pulled on his right arm to get Midorifuji to the clay.

Match of the Day

07 Komusubi West Wakatakakage versus 05 Sekiwake West Kirishima

These two could be in the yusho race, but they had to face each other on Day Five. They matched each other with a yotsu-zumo approach at the tachiai, which Kirishima took advantage of. He even had Wakatakakage backed up to the tawara. Then Wakatakakage lifted his right arm. This did three things: it broke Kirishima’s left hand grip such as it was, it put Wakatakakage’s arm around Kirishima’s head, and it moved Kirishima sideways. That turned out to be a kubinage, or head-lock-throw, victory for Wakatakakage.

Day 6 Recap

The ranks of the undefeated was cut in half. Nishikigi was easily marched out in the day’s opening match by Asakoryu. Later in the Makuuchi slate, Daieisho got just sideways to Hiradoumi to lose to a very easy slapdown. Meanwhile, Onosato took Gonoyama’s best tachiai and then sent him backwards, and Hakuoho worked through Ura’s up-and-under attempts to get a yorikiri. The two are now the only rikishi remaining unbeaten.

Onosato is aiming for a Yokozuna promotion, and his sumo looks like Yokozuna sumo. Once again, he took a hard shove to the face, then easily won. Perhaps a message got around every sumo stable that Onosato would be bothered by a nodowa or other attack to the head. It looks like he can beat that, so rikishi need another approach. Onosato is so big, so strong, so powerful, so quick, and so gifted that there may not be a good approach other than going all out. Onosato could completely dominate anyone.

That doesn’t mean Hakuoho doesn’t have a yusho chance. In his first ever meeting with Ura, Hakuoho made sure the Pink Prince of Technique never got his tricks going. He displayed immense maturity for a young rikishi, while also exhibiting that he is as strong as anyone once locked in. Getting moved back by Hakuoho is a recipe to step out in a matter of seconds. There is an additional thing to watch for Hakuoho over the next few days. Maegashira #7 is a strange spot, because his schedule could get tougher. He gets Maegashira #4 West Ichiyamamoto on Day Seven, and it’s the highest ranked rikishi he’s seen so far.

The quintet at 5-1 also still has the chance to make hay in the yusho race of course, but Onosato’s standard is clearly high and Hakuoho is a win ahead as well. Nishikigi and Asakoryu are the surprise lower-Maegashira, and they get a few more shots at lower Maegashira. Daieisho and Wakatakakage are high-ranked former yusho winners. Daieisho even still has a shot at getting 13 wins and an Ozeki promotion.

Then there’s Aonishiki. No one should expect a just-turned 22 year old to be in a yusho race in his second Makuuchi basho. Yet he keeps impressing with every day. On Day Six, he not only survived a Shodai throw attempt, but used it to throw Shodai himself. This is an incredibly talented young sumotori who will be making hay in the top division for awhile. Yet the challenge in this Natsu basho is that he is still behind the Yokozuna candidate Onosato and another good young rikishi with talent in Hakuoho. The standards will be high this basho, and it’s being set by youth.

Notable Maneuvers

Sotogake. Kirishima was seemingly handling Wakamotoharu, but he wasn’t getting that crucial final push and Wakamotoharu is a scrapper. So Kirishima decided to finish the job by looping his right leg around Wakamotoharu’s left for an outside leg trip.

Match of the Day

14 Maegashira #4 East Takerufuji versus 03 Ozeki West Kotozakura

Takerufuji went right at Kotozakura, which seemed to trouble the Ozeki. There was a way in which this one looked like the matches where Kotozakura can’t do anything. He was getting too upright and not going forward. Then as he does, he found his feet, causing trouble for Takerufuji. That left Takerufuji going for a throw, and that sent both men reeling. That still seemed like Takerufuji would win, but the Ozeki grabbed his thigh as they were falling. Takerufuji’s calf hit just before Kotozakura’s elbow.

Day 7 Recap

Onosato and Hakuoho remained undefeated. Onosato once again blocked a hard tachiai, then redirected his match. Against Takerufuji on Day Seven, he was able to feel the momentum go sideways and slap his sometime rival down instead of work a yorikiri or oshidashi. It was still a victory. Hakuoho received a good opening tsuppari from Ichiyamamoto, but he could go straight to Ichiyamamoto’s chest under the flailing arms. Hakuoho then had a simple oshidashi.

The shift really happened just below the leaders. Daieisho, Nishikigi, and Asakoryu all picked up a second loss to back away from the one-loss group just behind the leaders. Nishikigi and Asakoryu were surprise successes through the first week. Yet Daieisho was fighting for a possible Ozeki chance, and now he needs to win out from here. That is a very tough shot indeed, especially since he’s got the majority of Sanyaku still to face.

There are now, in fact, just two 6-1 rikishi, Wakatakakage and Aonishiki. Wakatakakage was the one to knock Daieisho back, and he actually won fairly easily. Wakatakakage had a nice, simple tachiai that didn’t give Daieisho a shot. Aonishiki needed a little more effort to beat Endo, who worked to stop the Ukrainian getting a mawashi grip. That worked, but Aonishiki managed to push on Endo and shove him out very hard at the edge. No one should want to meet either Wakatakakage or Aonishiki now.

The 5-2 list is nine rikishi long, which means that thirteen rikishi are within two losses of the leaders. That’s a lot of sumotori who could make a theoretical chance. The best chance may belong to Hoshoryu, who is both the lone Yokozuna and looked quite good against Hiradoumi. The fact he will face Onosato is less impactful since he needs two losses from the Ozeki to have a yusho shot. Also, the 5-2 group includes high-ranking former yusho winners in Daieisho and Kirishima. Climbing out of this pile will be tough.

This is especially true because of the performance of Onosato and Hakuoho. If they go 5-3 over the remaining eight days, that’s a comedown from their first week performance. It also would require anyone else being 13-2 to get a yusho. And everyone on one loss or two losses needs both Onosato and Hakuoho to falter to have the chance. This is already shaping up to be a strong yusho, no matter who wins it.

Notable Maneuvers

Amiuchi. The second fisherman’s throw of the basho was hit by Sadanoumi on Nishikigi—who hit the first one on Fujiseiun on Day Four.

Match of the Day

16 Maegashira #5 East Ura versus 19 Maegashira #6 West Tobizaru

Ura and Tobizaru are two of the more inventive rikishi, and so it was very odd that they both landed on relatively straight ahead mawashi grips. Then they had a small stalemate, which was even more surprising. Of course, that was going to be undone with something spectacular. (Unlike, say, the 3 minute slog between Roga and Ryuden that was long, but less than thrilling.) Ura went backwards to pull, Tobizaru tried to slip his arms in, and then Ura moved sideways. Ura got the uwatedashinage (pulling overarm throw) and sent Tobizaru down to a body full of dirt.

Day 8 Recap

Onosato is now the lone remaining undefeated sekitori in this basho. His eighth win, an absurdly easy push out against a game Hiradoumi, also guarantees him a kachi-koshi and the avoidance of kadoban status. He’s fighting for more with a Yokozuna promotion on the line, but he’s fighting like a Yokozuna. What Hiradoumi should have done is a strange conversation. Pushing seems to do nothing to the Nishonoseki man this tournament, and grabbing his belt is a challenge few can manage. He’s maybe too good to do anything typical right now.

Of course, Onosato is the lone remaining undefeated sekitori because he stayed good and Hakuoho lost. The loss by the Miyagino/Isegahama man is a perfect demonstration that past performance doesn’t guarantee future results. Meisei got him just enough off to do something. For many rikishi, that’s all it takes. Meisei won fairly impressively, sending Hakuoho to the clay with an excellent maneuver. That does not mean in any way that Hakuoho is on a downswing. He had a less-than-perfect match.

Hakuoho is joined on one loss by Wakatakakage and Aonishiki, who both did look impressive in their bouts. Wakatakakage performed his just-faster-than-you tachiai he is so good at to give no space whatsoever to Oho. Aonishiki faced Tobizaru for the first time and did a remarkable job at what anyone must do with Tobizaru. He kept him contained. When the Flying Monkey got spun around, the Blonde Bomber pushed him out from behind.

The two-loss group does contain contenders who could pierce the bubble of the leading quartet. Hoshoryu leads this group, and Hoss has once again looked like a Yokozuna over the last few days. His throws have a power and speed which prove tough to fight. Daieisho is also in this group, and his chances at Ozeki-dom are not quite gone. He needs to win out, which is a long shot but not an impossibility. Kinbozan, Roga, and Asakoryu are less likely to threaten the leaders, but they have 6 wins and are looking good so they have the chance.

The issue is that everyone has to catch Onosato. Things can change, as demonstrated by Nishikigi and Kayo. Nishikigi was undefeated through five days, but has now lost three straight. Kayo was winless after four days, but is now even. The one requirement for things to change at the top of the Yusho Arasoi is that two rikishi need to move past each other. Hakuoho or Wakatakakage or Aonishiki or Daieisho or perhaps especially Hoshoryu could win out. Yet everyone needs Onosato to drop a match or two and he looks like he’s not going to.

Notable Maneuvers

Kotenage. Meisei has been up-and-down, and he was flailing against Hakuoho. Yet that meant the match went round and round. In the chaos, Meisei grabbed Hakuoho’s arm at the edge and sent him over and down with an arm-lock throw.

Match of the Day

01 Yokozuna East Hoshoryu versus 14 Maegashira #4 East Takerufuji

This was a fairly short match with a ton of things happening. The match started, as with most Hoshoryu matches, with a tense stare down. Then Takerufuji went in the air from the start, doing the shoulder-hit and jump that Abi has often used to get behind a rikishi. Hoshoryu read him dead to rights, although that’s still awkward to recover from. Hoshoryu caught him, but they were moving sideways. The Yokozuna clamped Takerufuji’s arm and flipped him completely over with a kotenage. That was all in the span of about three seconds or so.

Day 9 Recap

Onosato continues his dominance of the Natsu basho. Ura at least seemed to do something different with the up-and-under move to get a belt grip. The result was the same as everyone taking it right to Onosato. The Yokozuna hopeful was hardly bothered, pushed hard at Ura, and got an easy win. It was slightly more exciting because Ura was spinning around for something as he went out. Once again, Onosato not only won but looked incredible doing it.

The action on Day Nine happened just below Onosato on the leaderboard. Wakatakakage succumbed to Abi’s post-30 veteran awareness that makes him very good at pull downs and slaps. A second loss puts him further away from Onosato, and it didn’t look good. Still, a loss like that to Abi isn’t shameful or anything. There’s just a high standard this basho.

Contributing to the difficulty of staying in this basho are Hakuoho and Aonishiki. Hakuoho got his eighth win on Day Nine against Shodai despite a bandaged right arm. He didn’t look too hurt while fighting, but he was carrying it like he had an invisible sling as he went back after the match. It’s worth watching as the basho moves along. Aonishiki once again saw a tricky veteran in Chiyoshoma, and he proved he can manage an odd match where he should be uncomfortable. The Blonde Bomber took Chiyoshoma defensive slaps and sideways moving in stride to still get into the middle of Chiyoshoma for a simple win.

The two-loss group besides Wakatakakage represents different ends of the Banzuke. Asakoryu continued his impressive basho by sending Ryuden over with a nice throw. It feels like his bubble should bust soon, but he’s one win from kachi-koshi and could have ten wins even if he collapses over the second week. Meanwhile, at the top of the Banzuke, Yokozuna Hoshoryu looms. He beat Ichiyamamoto for the first time in his career on Day Nine with ease. While he needs two losses from Onosato, he can also inflict one of those.

Theoretically, the nine rikishi at 6-3 are in this yusho race, but they need to not only win out but have Onosato lose three times and have the 8-1 and 7-2 rikishi fall apart. Weird things can happen in sumo. In this basho, Midorifuji has already started 0-9, while Kotoshoho missed the first five days but has a 3-1 competitive record. Yet the standard Onosato, and to a lesser degree Hakuoho and Aonishiki, has set is too high for anything but a miracle. There’s plenty of sumo left, but Onosato is already on 9 Wins and has barely broken a sweat. That matters.

Notable Maneuvers

Hikiotoshi. Wakatakakage did not allow Abi to unleash his full tsuppari attack, but he also never got into Abi. Abi read it, shifted slightly sideways, and got a nice hand pull down win to give Wakatakakage a second loss.

Match of the Day

14 Maegashira #4 East Takerufuji versus 05 Sekiwake West Kirishima

This one was strange early, because Takerufuji seemed on edge. He had a weird pull back before they could start, accompanied by all the apologetic nodding you would expect. That didn’t get anything out of his system, though, and Takerufuji somehow had a hard and awkward tachiai. He was flying forward, so Kirishima could get his arms around him. As they struggled, Kirishima got the headlock and went for a kubinage. The headlock throw worked to send Takerufuji over, but Kirishima was going with him. The gyoji pointed to Kirishima, but there was a mono-ii. The shimpan looked at whether Kirishima’s elbow hit before Takerufuji touched clay. It was extremely close, but they upheld Kirishima’s win possibly because Takerufuji was staring up as they were both falling and in no position to win.

Day 10 Recap

Aonishiki and Hakuoho lost in back-to-back matches to Sanyaku opponents in Komusubi Wakatakakage and Sekiwake Daieisho respectively. Neither are by any means bad losses, but they were both crucially second losses. That put Aonishiki and Hakuoho level with Wakatakakage at 8-2, giving Onosato space even if he lost to Ichiyamamoto. He didn’t need it, as the Yokozuna hopeful easily sent Ichiyamamoto flying off the dohyo.

The real pressure was then on Hoshoryu, who needed to beat Ura to stay at 2 losses and have any shout at a yusho. He pulled it off, even though Ura really wanted to go up-and-under on Hoshoryu. Hoss read it and pushed on him for the rear push out win. It was that kind of day, full of rear shoves, slap downs, and weirdly effective pulls. It was not a day of magnificent sumo, but wins are wins. Hoshoryu’s win means he is the fourth member of the 8-2 group, who are the only ones with a real chance of unseating Onosato.

A two-win advantage after Day Ten isn’t a guaranteed yusho, but overcoming three requires Onosato to drop at least three bouts while also having a 7-3 rikishi win out and all four 8-2 rikishi to stumble in some fashion. The math gets difficult. It’s not that Daieisho or Kirishima couldn’t win out. Or even Oshoma or Meisei or Atamifuji or someone else. They just also need a ton of luck, especially when it comes to Onosato.

Onosato’s path is fairly obvious. He has five matches and five remaining Sanyaku opponents—Wakatakakage, Kirishima, Daieisho, Kotozakura, and Hoshoryu. He gets Wakatakakage on Day Eleven. Perhaps Kotozakura could be removed from the slate if he loses a few more times. That may also rely on Aonishiki and Hakuoho rebounding and needing to face a fellow yusho candidate. They get Kotozakura and Hoshoryu respectively on Day Eleven, so the challenges are starting.

Onosato is likely to drop one match, simply because Zensho Yusho are so rare. Wakatakakage and Hoshoryu also each get direct shots to pull Onosato back. This yusho race is by no means over. Yet if they both beat Onosato and win out, they will only set up a playoff scenario. (Hoshoryu beat Wakatakakage on Day One, so they can both still land at 13-2.) Onosato’s high odds of winning this yusho are because of what he has already done. Two-thirds of the way through the Natsu 2025 Basho, Onosato is undefeated with a two-win advantage while looking strong in each match. Appreciate his skill and dominance, even if the outcome gets a little boring.

Notable Maneuvers

Oshitaoshi. Onosato once again took a hard tachiai and sent his opponent back. Today, Ichiyamamoto was able to move around after Onosato’s counter-attack, which meant Onosato had to shove him out impressively hard to win.

Match of the Day

24 Maegashira #9 East Aonishiki versus 07 Komusubi West Wakatakakage

Aonishiki saw a huge jump in his strength of schedule on Day Ten by facing Komusubi and former yusho winner Wakatakakage. At the tachiai, he looked like he belonged, getting inside on Wakatakakage and starting a slapfest that was aiming for a grip. Aonishiki actually came out on top, heading towards a crucial yorikiri win. Instead, Wakatakakage lifted his left leg at the tawara, spun sideways, and used that to win by under-shoulder-swing-down. Aonishiki is already very good and will be sensational. Right now, he can be beaten by veteran guile.

Day 11 Recap

To Wakatakakage’s credit, Onosato probably had his most difficult match on Day Eleven. The Komusubi actually latched on for a mawashi grip, which made Onosato move sideways. The ending was familiar, though, as Onosato kept his feet wide, turned the momentum of the match, and sent Wakatakakage hard over the edge with a close shove. Onosato sits at 11 Wins, 0 losses, and moving that little bit nearer to his Yokozuna promotion.

In fact, Onosato’s Day Eleven win was more impactful than previous wins, because he knocked Wakatakakage back to 8-3. Aonishiki’s loss to Kotozakura was after a great effort where one of the best defensive sekitori threw him while going backwards. That’s cold comfort to also being 3 losses behind Onosato with four days remaining. Similarly, Hakuoho fell from the ranks of the 2-loss men by, well, falling against Hoshoryu. He, too, is now requiring a miracle.

Hoshoryu is the only rikishi with any kind of realistic chance at catching Onosato now. He is the only one at 9-2, and Hoshoryu-Onosato has been penciled in for the final day since the end of the last basho. Hoshoryu can hand Onosato one of his potential losses. He would still need to have someone else beat Onosato, which looks increasingly unlikely. The final match will not matter as long as Onosato wins his next three.

There are 7 rikishi on 8-3, which theoretically means they have a mathematical chance. They all need to 1) win out, 2) have Onosato go 1-3 or worse, and 3) have Hoshoryu go 2-2 or worse. It can happen, but the circumstances are so extreme that no one should expect it. Daieisho and Kirishima seemingly have the best shot, since they still need to both face Hoshoryu and Onosato. If Hoshoryu, Daieisho, and Kirishima all beat Onosato, then that more likely sets up a possible playoff rather than an outright yusho.

Onosato also doesn’t look like he will drop three matches, even against some of the best rikishi. He gets another 8-3 wrestler in Hakuoho on Day Twelve. This means at least one Sanyaku rikishi will not face Onosato. Oddly, bet on fellow Ozeki Kotozakura as the man on the outside. Hakuoho has been good, although he’s on a 3 match losing streak. Daieisho and Kirishima absolutely could put dirt on anyone, and Hoshoryu has had Onosato’s number. Onosato also seems to have reached a new level, combining his power and skill with a focus to take whatever anyone can get. If he doesn’t win this basho, something wild has happened.

Notable Maneuvers

Koshikudake. Or “inadvertent collapse.” Technically, this is a “Non-technique.” Hoshoryu was putting pressure on Hakuoho, but both men were dancing around. As the Yokozuna reloaded, Hakuoho completely lost his feet and went sideways and down.

Match of the Day

06 Komusubi East Takayasu versus 16 Maegashira #5 East Ura

Both rikishi came into this one at 2-8, which showed in their desperation. Still made it exciting. Takayasu wanted to keep Ura at arm’s length, which meant Ura was doing his odd slapping technique that seems like its more an effort to go for a mawashi grip. That grip never came, but we did see both men’s struggles this basho. Takayasu couldn’t get power, while Ura wasn’t bendy enough to use his tricks. Finally, Takayasu got in and had Ura in a strange reverse headlock. That should have ended things somehow, but Ura did Ura things. The Pink Prince of Technique busted out a tsutaezori, the “under-arm forward body drop.” That involved spinning his head to be against Takayasu’s side, bending his back, and dropping the Old Bear to the clay. The last one to use this rare kimarite was Ura, against Takayasu, in January.

Day 12 Recap

Onosato has at least clinched a playoff for the Natsu basho. After winning his first 12, he has a three match lead with three to play. If he wins on Day Thirteen, he gets the Emperor’s Cup and a Yokozuna promotion. Even if he loses all three remaining bouts, the best any of the quintet on 9-3 can do is have extra sumo against Onosato. No one should relish the idea of facing Onosato twice in a basho. The way he has been fighting no one should count on him losing once, much less three in a row.

Onosato had it relatively easy on Day Twelve. Hakuoho’s over-eagerness allowed the Ozeki to swat aside the Isegahama-Miyagino man. Of course, he hasn’t really had a super challenging match. Almost no one has gotten any kind of offense going. Most rikishi have pushed on him to no avail. Instead, Onosato just absorbs a heavy blow and shoves back the other guy. Wakatakakage at least got a grip on Day Eleven. That’s about the best showing anyone has had.

Hoshoryu’s loss to Kirishima is what really set up Onosato’s simple end-of-tournament path. That can seem like a disappointment from Hoss. A Yokozuna probably should be going for 12 or more wins every time. Hoshoryu can still reach 12, though, just like everyone else at 9-3 right now. 12 wins has frequently been at least good enough for a playoff in recent years. It’s a sign of beating most comers, performing at the best frequently, and contending for the yusho. 12-3 is in sight for five rikishi.

And it might not matter much. An interesting development is that four of the five rikishi sitting three losses behind Onosato are Sanyaku men. Yokozuna Hoshoryu, Sekiwake pair Daieisho and Kirishima, and Komusubi Wakatakakage are all going to continue at their ranks next basho. Ozeki Kotozakura is also above .500. Only Takayasu has had a rough basho among the named ranks. The only outsider in the chase group is way outside, Maegashira #17 West Asakoryu.

Day Thirteen will see Onosato face fellow Ozeki Kotozakura. The Scion of Sadogatake could beat Onosato, especially seeing as how they have an even career matchup. Yet its also fair to say Onosato might have reached a new level of sumo. He turns 25 in June, so he is only entering his prime. He always had the bulk, power, speed, skill, and instinct to dominate. Onosato was missing the savvy and consistency to beat everyone every time over the course of a basho. He is on track to do that now, and it’s worth watching even if the yusho is settled early.

Notable Maneuvers

Hatakikomi. From the jump, Onosato read that Hakuoho was charging too hard, and he easily slapped down the Maegashira. The tallest and heaviest man in the division doesn’t need those instincts and quickness, but he’s also got that trick in his bag.

Match of the Day

01 Yokozuna East Hoshoryu versus 05 Sekiwake West Kirishima

Hoshoryu knew he needed this one after Onosato’s win. Kirishima’s extremely thin yusho hopes required him to win, too. At the tachiai, they collided and both went for a grip. Kirishima demonstrated his grappling skills by getting the deeper mawashi grab. That didn’t immediately win him anything, because Hoshoryu also had a hold. Yet Kirishima always had the leverage, and Hoshoryu never found offense. The Yokozuna went back and out when he tried to change course for a critical loss.

Day 13 Recap

Onosato won. Not just against Kotozakura, but he won the yusho with his thirteenth straight victory. He will be the 75th Yokozuna, although nothing will be fully official until after the basho is over. There’s also no debate. He won the yusho last time and he already has 13 wins and no mathematical chance of losing the Emperor’s Cup. In 13 career basho since turning pro, Onosato will take sumo’s top rank in fewer tournaments than anyone else in sumo’s modern history.

Onosato hasn’t just won all his matches so far, he has been dominating everyone. Day Thirteen had a little more of a battle, because he didn’t instantly send Kotozakura backwards. That counts as making Onosato sweat this basho. In less than two weeks, the question about Onosato has gone from “Can he manage the pressure of Yokozuna promotion?” to “Can anyone possibly stop this guy?” He hasn’t just cleared the bar, but shot so far above it that we’ve changed his immediate possibilities. And he won’t turn 25 until after the basho.

Onosato’s pure dominance is in some ways masking the performance of other rikishi. Hoshoryu, Kirishima, and Wakatakakage are already on 10 wins, which is a good number with two days left. Remarkably, they all also could win out and land on 12 wins. Kirishima and Wakatakakage faced each other on Day Five. (Wakatakakage won by kubinage.) They also have already faced Hoshoryu. Wakatakakage lost on Day One, while Kirishima won on Day Twelve. 12 wins would set possible Ozeki promotions on the table for Kirishima and Wakatakakage.

Hoshoryu could end his basho by beating Kotozakura and Onosato, earn 12 wins, and still be well short of the yusho. That’s not terrible for a Yokozuna, and yet his future seems less bright. He’s got such a barrier now in Onosato that any chance he could dominate like his uncle Asashoryu looks impossible. Hoshoryu has shown he is a worthy Yokozuna this basho, after he struggled in his Yokozuna debut in March. He won’t win the yusho and could lose the jun-yusho, but he’s been good.

Besides Onosato zensho-yusho watch, there are a few things to settle in the final weekend. Nishikigi, Kayo, Shonannoumi, and Ryuden all still need to finish strong to avoid a Juryo demotion, while Tochitaikai and Tamashoho have secured it already. Takayasu’s struggles means one Sanyaku slot is open for July, and Wakamotoharu and Abi stand a chance to get it with two more wins. Just don’t think an Onosato zensho-yusho is boring. The last undefeated yusho was Terunofuji in November 2021. The last Yokozuna to earn the rope with a zensho basho was Harumafuji. Sit back and watch history happen live.

Notable Maneuvers

Match of the Day

This match was for all the marbles, and Onosato faced as tough a challenge as he has so far. That was true after the tachiai, as well. Kotozakura blew up Onosato’s initial offense, and got his hands under the Yokozuna-hopeful. Onosato then moved his hands inside, which didn’t get much of a grip but did push Kotozakura back. From there, Onosato didn’t need the mawashi to powerfully escort Kotozakura out of the dohyo. With that, Onosato won the yusho and secured his promotion to Yokozuna.

Day 14 Recap

While Onosato’s yusho clinching win on Day Thirteen made Day Fourteen feel like a formality, there was plenty of exciting sumo. Not the least of which was Onosato’s match against Daieisho. Daieisho not only began with a hard tachiai, but it slightly disrupted Onosato’s sumo in a way not seen this month. Onosato reversed the momentum by pulling, which then allowed him to regroup. Onosato pushed out Daieisho for his 14th win, keeping the chance of a zensho yusho alive.

In addition to Onosato’s undefeated hopes, lots of other rikishi are fighting for something. Yokozuna Hoshoryu would probably like to put a blemish on Onosato in their final match, just to prove he’s still a rival. Kirishima and Wakatakakage both could get 12 wins, and have probably both completed the first of a possible three-basho ozeki run. The overall excellence of Sanyaku likely means Wakatakakage remains at Komusubi in July, but he’s earned a Sekiwake promotion based on performance.

The dominance of Sanyaku has made for an odd promotion situation. Right now, no one between Maegashira #1 and Maegashira #5 has a winning record. Only Abi, at Maegashira #2, has a chance at a last day kachi-koshi. His final day opponent is not another 7-7 rikishi, but 9-5 Oshoma. View that as, essentially, a Sanyaku promotion playoff. If Oshoma wins, he will be the highest-ranked Maegashira with a winning record. In fact, there are no all 7-7 matches on Day Fifteen. That may advantage Abi, Tobizaru, Atamifuji, Tokihayate, and Kayo on the final day.

Kayo likely needs an 8th win to secure his place as a Maegashira after his top-division debut. He certainly doesn’t want to rely on Banzuke luck. Otherwise, Tochitaikai, Tamashoho, and Nishikigi have all probably guaranteed they will take the drop to Juryo. Kayo also gets 9-5 Kinbozan to try and prove he should stay, rather than another demotion candidate. His task is pretty tough.

One of the only other things to settle is who gets a special prize. Aonishiki seems like he is in line for a second prize in his second Makuuchi basho. Kirishima and Wakatakakage have also done so well, they may be in line for a prize as well. The only wild card may by Abi, who did get a kinboshi and could have a winning record. That usually equals a special prize. And don’t look past that final match. We get a Yokozuna versus an about-to-be Yokozuna with a zensho yusho on the line.

Notable Maneuvers

Fumidashi. Chiyoshoma started his match with Takayasu going sideways, and he couldn’t stop himself without stepping out even after they engaged. He lost by a non-technique, the inadvertent step out.

Match of the Day

24 Maegashira #9 East Aonishiki 10-4 versus 30 Maegashira #12 East Atamifuji

This one began with a solid tachiai that gave Atamifuji the better position and a right hand inside grip. That pushed Aonishiki back, but he set his feet and grabbed Atamifuji’s mawashi with his right under Atamifuji’s left. That shifted the match back to center, but Atamifuji reversed the momentum again. Aonishiki kept his feet wide, even while attempting some trips. Although Atamifuji kept fighting, Aonishiki worked him for the yorikiri and a 10th win.