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.