Grand Sumo 2025 January Tournament Day9

Hoshoryu Loses—Yokozuna Hopes Fade

Hoshoryu, now in a position where he cannot afford another loss in his quest for Yokozuna promotion, faced Hiradoumi in a crucial match. Up until now, Hoshoryu had never lost to Hiradoumi. However, in this pivotal moment, he suffered a painful defeat.

Perhaps due to nerves, Hoshoryu’s footwork was off. His feet didn’t split front-to-back properly but instead became parallel, leaving him vulnerable. As a result, with just a slap to his hands, he lost his balance and fell forward.

Kinbōzan Maintains Perfect Record with Sheer Determination

Kinbōzan, who has been in excellent form this tournament, faced off against another strong contender, Takerufuji. The two were teammates during their university days, and according to Kinbōzan, they had an intense rivalry characterized by "bachi-bachi" (a Japanese onomatopoeia for sparks flying or fierce practice sessions). However, this marked their first-ever meeting in professional sumo.

Before the match, many fans likely anticipated the following scenarios: if Kinbōzan were to win, it would be through relentless thrusting attacks, similar to how Tamawashi defeated Takerufuji, forcing him to retreat straight back under pressure. On the other hand, if Takerufuji were to win, it would involve him maneuvering past the thrusts and closing the distance to secure his preferred grip.

As the bout began, Kinbōzan, true to expectations, launched a thrusting attack. However, Takerufuji sidestepped, so Kinbōzan chose to Yotsu-zumo. This style of sumo favored Takerufuji, who skillfully scooped with his right hand and secured a moro-zashi (double inside grip) by sliding his left hand into position. At this moment, I thought, "As expected, Takerufuji is a master technician. This is his victory." Kinbōzan himself admitted after the match that he thought, "It’s over," at that point.

But what followed was a stunning reversal at the edge of the ring. Kinbōzan executed a determined kotenage (Arm lock throw), snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. This win wasn’t just about technique or strength—it was the embodiment of sheer determination.

Written by 小柳公寿

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