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Grand Sumo 2025 March Tournament Day14 ~ Onosato and Takayasu Are Tied with 3 Losses.

Today, Takayasu, who has returned to the top of the yusho race, faced Churanoumi, who has been performing well this basho. Churanoumi usually aims for the left mae-mitsu (frontal grip) at the tachiai, but considering the strength of Takayasu’s initial charge, I thought Churanoumi wouldn’t be able to secure that grip. So, I was watching the match expecting Takayasu to win, but…

The flow of the match after the tachiai went as I had predicted, but Churanoumi countered Takayasu’s thrusts by blocking from below and using hazu-oshi (pushing up with hands under opponent's armpits). As a result, Takayasu ended up slipping his right arm inside. That’s where the momentum shifted. Takayasu’s usual style would have been to secure the left inside grip, settle down, and then restart his attack.
Churanoumi might just win the Gino-sho (Technique Prize) tomorrow.

Onosato’s high stance at the tachiai and his large target area seem to make it easier for Daieisho to push him around, which is why Onosato has struggled in their past encounters.  Yesterday, Onosato was also completely overwhelmed by Oho’s tsuki-oshi attack, leaving him with no chance to counter.
The initial impact at the tachiai was powerful, with both Rikishi colliding hard. The first clash slightly favored Daieisho, but Onosato’s second and third charges were as if he was venting his frustration from the previous day’s defeat—intense and relentless.
At one point, Onosato attempted to get migi-zashi (right-hand inside position), but it didn’t work. In hindsight, abandoning that attempt and choosing to move forward aggressively turned out to be the right decision.
This is precisely what Hakuho meant by ""Kata wo motte Kata ni kodawarazu"(“have a style, but shouldn't be too tied to it.”)

I have previously introduced Aonishiki in my blog as a promising rikishi with a bright future, but I did not expect him to perform this well in his debut makuuchi tournament.
My analysis was that Aonishiki’s tachiai tends to stop his opponent rather than forcefully drive them backward, lacking the sharpness and power needed to push forward. Additionally, I felt that he was still somewhat lacking in overall power.
Given these factors, I had predicted that Aonishiki would be unable to withstand Takerufuji’s sharp tachiai and would be pushed out of the dohyo in a single move.
My prediction was off.  Takerufuji was slow at the tachiai and failed to put pressure on his opponent. Aonishiki placed his hands down first and waited for his opponent’s shikiri (preparation). By the time Takerufuji’s hands touched the dohyo, Aonishiki was already in motion.
Takerufuji’s usual style is to quickly get underneath his opponent’s chest from below, stay tight, and drive forward. However, Aonishiki’s low, forward-leaning stance prevented that from happening. As a result, Takerufuji instinctively pulled back, which was exactly what Aonishiki had anticipated.
Aonishiki is likely to receive the kanto-sho (Fighting Spirit Prize) tomorrow, and there’s even a chance he might also take home the gino-sho(Technique Prize ).

An 11-4 record is too low for a championship, so I’m hoping both Takayasu and Onosato win tomorrow and force a playoff for the title.

As for Tokihayate, if he manages to beat Kirishima tomorrow, he might secure the kanto-sho (Fighting Spirit Prize).


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