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Grand Sumo 2025 January Tournament Day14

Shishi Moves One Step Closer to the Championship

Shishi faced Kotoeiho in a crucial bout between championship contenders. The match featured a fierce battle of tactics, as Kotoeiho aimed for moro-zashi (a double inside grip), while Shishi focused on thoroughly blocking it. At one point, Kotoeiho managed to insert his left hand and attempted to Makikae his right hand for a full moro-zashi. However, Shishi skillfully used his left hand to neutralize the attempt.

When Kotoeiho, now in a tight position, broke away and withdrew his left hand, Shishi quickly capitalized. He inserted his right hand and, with a swift scooping motion, lifted Kotoeiho’s left arm high, leaving him vulnerable. Shishi then secured the victory with a yori-kiri (frontal force-out).

Although Shishi is often seen as a power-focused rikishi, this match demonstrated his ability to execute precise and technical sumo. If he wins tomorrow, he will clinch the championship.


Aonishiki Showed Steady Sumo

Shirokuma is not an opponent you want to allow into a gappuri-yotsu (tight chest-to-chest grip) position. Aonishiki demonstrated his usual style of sumo, bending his knees firmly, lowering his center of gravity, and maintaining a strong forward-leaning posture as he advanced.

He successfully prevented Shirokuma from grabbing the mawashi (belt)  and stayed close to his opponent, avoiding any risk of a counter tsuki-otoshi (thrust-down) at the tawara (edge of the ring). His finishing moves, ensuring the win without leaving any openings, were particularly impressive.


Nabatame Defeats Higher-Ranked Opponent to Stay in the Yusho Race

Juryo #14 Nabatame defeated Ryuden(two-time Juryo champion , former komusubi-ranked wrestler) with an oshi-taoshi (frontal push down), keeping his hopes alive in the championship race.

While Ryuden appeared to have the better tachi-ai (initial charge), Nabatame skillfully executed a kappajiki (a move where he forcefully pushed Ryuden’s side inward with his hand), breaking Ryuden’s balance and following through to secure the win.

Ryuden seemed eager to grab his opponent, but instead of closing the gap and engaging in a tight grip, he merely extended his hands in an attempt to grab the mawashi (belt). This misstep worked in Nabatame’s favor, highlighting the strength and precision of his tsuki-oshi (thrusting and pushing) attack.


Oho Secures Comeback Victory to Stay in the Yusho Race

Right after the tachi-ai (initial charge), Oho pushed Takanosho back aggressively. However, Takanosho countered by securing a shallow migi-zashi (right inside position) and drove Oho to the edge of the dohyo (ring). Just as it seemed Takanosho would seal the victory, Oho executed a last-second tsuki-otoshi (thrust-down) to claim the win.

Oho’s initial forward pressure at the tachi-ai gave him an advantage, as it created space behind him when he was countered. Additionally, Takanosho’s migi-zashi  was too shallow, which worked in Oho’s favor. If Takanosho had managed to insert his right arm deeply under Oho’s armpit, up to his own shoulder, he might have won the match.


Kinbozan Demonstrates Determination in Pursuit of the Yusho

Kirishima, riding a 10-match winning streak, displayed excellent sumo in this bout. He skillfully deflected Kinbozan’s morote (double-handed thrust) from below and quickly secured a left uwate (overhand grip). Kirishima then positioned his head under Kinbozan’s chin and grabbed a strong grip on the mawashi with his left hand.

At this point, if Kirishima had tightened his left elbow further inward and pulled the mawashi closer while restricting the movement of Kinbozan’s right hand, he might have created a winning opportunity. It seemed Kirishima wanted to destabilize Kinbozan’s stance, but the soto-gake (outer leg trip) appeared unnecessary. If he chose to execute the soto-gake, following it "immediately" with a left uwate-nage (overarm throw) might have been a better choice. Too late.

That said, as in Kinbozan’s match against Takerufuji,  his sheer determination led him to a remarkable comeback victory.


Hoshoryu Dominates Takerufuji

In terms of spirit, strategy, and speed, Hoshoryu outclassed Takerufuji in every aspect. He stopped Takerufuji’s forward momentum with a hari-zashi (slap and arm insertion), quickly secured a moro-zashi (double inside grip), and pulled both sides of the mawashi (belt) tightly to execute an overwhelming yori-kiri (frontal force-out). It was an aggressive and commanding performance.

That said, Takerufuji’s tachi-ai (initial charge) lacked sharpness today. Had he executed a better tachi-ai, it’s questionable whether Hoshoryu’s hari-zashi would have been as effective.

Hoshoryu kept his hopes alive for both Yokozuna promotion and the championship.



Written by 小柳公寿


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