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Grand Sumo 2025 May Tournament Day11

 The most anticipated bout for me today was Onosato vs. Wakatakakage.

It appeared that Onosato’s strategy was to use a morote-zuki (double-hand thrust) at the tachi-ai to lift Wakatakakage’s upper body and then secure a migi-zashi (right-hand inside grip).  However, Wakatakakage had a sharp tachi-ai of his own.  He managed to get his right hand inside first and, at the same time, used his left hand to grab Onosato’s right elbow, effectively neutralizing the thrusting arm.  He then continued to apply pressure with a strong ottsuke (frontal force-out using the forearm) from the left, denying Onosato the chance to get his right hand inside.   Wakatakakage eventually worked both arms in and gained moro-zashi (a double inside grip), steadily driving Onosato to the edge.

However, just as Wakatakakage attempted a shitatenage (underarm throw), Onosato closed the distance and countered with a yoritaoshi (frontal crush-out), toppling him.

In hindsight, in that final moment, perhaps Wakatakakage would have been better off grabbing the maemitsu (front of the mawashi) with his right hand and staying locked in, rather than going for the left-handed shitatenage.

Several oyakata (sumo elders) praised Onosato’s movement at the 37-second mark of the video, where he used his left hand to shift Wakatakakage’s head, disrupting his balance and rhythm. They described it as “a highly skilled maneuver.”


Aonishiki's First Bout Against an Ozeki

In his first-ever bout against an ozeki, Aonishiki stuck to his trademark style—driving forward from a low, forward-leaning posture—and managed to force Kotozakura into a straight pull, putting him on the back foot and creating an exciting moment in the bout.

Aonishiki came within one final push of finishing the match at the edge of the dohyo, but ultimately lacked the power to force out Kotozakura.  Had he secured the maemitsu (front mawashi grip) with his right hand immediately after attempting the first hidari-shitatenage (left underarm throw), I believe he could have pulled off the win.


Hoshoryu Narrowly Escapes Against Hakuoho

Hoshoryu secured a razor-thin victory over Hakuoho.   Just after the tachi-ai (initial charge), he pulled back in a straight line—an unwise move—which allowed Hakuoho to seize the momentum and drive him to the edge of the dohyō.   However, Hoshoryu managed to stay in by relying on his strong lower body, and ultimately took the win when Hakuoho lost his footing and went out on his own.

There was a moment when Hakuoho’s knee appeared to buckle inward.   If he doesn’t take care, it could lead to injury down the road.


Spotlight on Daieisho

Although Daieisho has already suffered three losses this tournament, I believe the quality of his sumo has been excellent.   In the past, his matches often followed a predictable pattern: charging straight forward with tsuki attacks (thrusts), his posture would become too upright, his center of gravity would rise, and he would lean into his opponent too early—leaving him vulnerable to hiki-waza (pull-down techniques) at the edge of the dohyo.

This basho, however, there has been a noticeable change.  After the initial charge, he now bends his knees and lowers his center of gravity before launching his second and third attacks. This allows him to reset and thrust upward from below, rather than simply pushing forward blindly.

With bouts against yokozuna and ozeki coming up, Daieisho is definitely someone to keep an eye on.


Ura Electrifies the Kokugikan with His Signature Technique, Tsutaezori


Ura brought the crowd at the Kokugikan to a frenzy by pulling off his signature tsutaezori (underarm backward body drop).  Takayasu tried to keep Ura out of his space with a flurry of tsuppari (rapid thrusts), while Ura persistently looked for an opening to slip inside.
It was a contest of patience—and Ura came out on top.   He managed to get his left arm inside for hidari-zashi, and after driving Takayasu to the edge of the dohyo, he twisted his head under Takayasu’s left armpit and executed the tsutaezori.
This is the second time—following the January basho—that Takayasu has fallen victim to the same technique. Even I could tell Ura was going for a backwards body drop, so the fact that Takayasu failed to react suggests he’s not in good form.




Japanese version of this article here.


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