Skip to main content

Grand Sumo 2025 May Tournament Day15 (Final)

 Hoshoryu Shows Yokozuna Pride, Hands Onosato His Only Loss of the Tournament

Hoshoryu demonstrated the pride and dignity expected of a yokozuna, handing Onosato his only defeat this tournament.  The head-to-head record now stands at five wins for Hoshoryu and two for Onosato (with one of Onosato’s wins being by default), clearly favoring Hoshoryu.
However, the content of their bouts tells a different story.  In nearly every match, it has been Onosato who dictated the pace and gained the upper hand, only to be ultimately brought down by one of Hoshoryu’s well-executed throwing techniques.  This pattern played out once again in today’s bout. Hoshoryu’s uwate-hineri (overarm twist-down) was expertly timed and executed, but it must be said that Onosato’s center of gravity was too high, and his ottsuke (press up on the outside of opponent’s elbow from below, as if twisting and lifting it) from the left lacked its usual sharpness.
Throughout this tournament, Onosato has displayed overwhelming strength and shown he has more than enough potential to succeed at the yokozuna rank.  Yet there remain clear areas for improvement.  But that, in itself, is part of his appeal—the untapped potential, and the prospect of watching him continue to evolve as he overcomes these challenges.  Let’s enjoy the journey of his growth.

Wakatakakage has claimed the Gino-sho (Technique Prize) for the sixth time in his career. 
His tachiai (initial charge) is marked by precise angles and sharp footwork. With his elbows and armpits tucked in, his entries come cleanly from underneath, whether he's pushing or going for an inside grip.
Not only amateur wrestlers but also professional rikishi look to Wakatakakage’s sumo for technical inspiration.
In the past, even with his great technique, he would sometimes be overpowered by physically stronger opponents.  Recently, however, that vulnerability has all but disappeared.
With 12 wins this tournament, he has taken an important first step toward ozeki promotion.

Aonishiki clinched the Kantō-shō (Fighting Spirit Prize) by winning his bout under the condition of “winning today to qualify.” 

Personally, I felt he deserved both the Fighting Spirit and Ginō-shō (Technique Prize) outright, without conditions.  However, perhaps the stipulation was added because he failed to score a win against any sanyaku (komusubi, sekiwake, ozeki) opponents.
One of the secrets behind Aonishiki’s strength is something that may be more apparent to Japanese : he speaks Japanese exceptionally well.  Because of this, he’s able to fully understand advice from his oyakata (stablemaster) and senior wrestlers, and he can communicate without stress or misunderstanding.  This linguistic ability no doubt plays a role in his rapid progress in the ring.


Japanese version of this article here.

https://kimitoshikoyanagi.blogspot.com/2025/05/7_25.html

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Grand Sumo 2026 January Tournament Day 2

Yoshinofuji vs Aonishiki I felt that Yoshinofuji attacked effectively, but the key to Aonishiki’s victory was the speed of his decision-making and his ability to switch tactics instantly.  Minatogawa-oyakata (former Ozeki Takakeisho), commenting on the NHK broadcast, pointed out that Yoshinofuji’s downfall was that “he failed to knock Aonishiki back at the tachi-ai (initial charge),” adding that Yoshinofuji wanted to create distance by thrusting his opponent away rather than continuing to push forward. Indeed, had he managed to keep Aonishiki at arm’s length, Aonishiki would not have been able to execute his techniques. That said, when Aonishiki briefly touched the dohyo (ring) with his left hand at the end, I couldn’t help thinking that if it had been Takanohana (the 65th yokozuna) or Wakanohana (the 66th yokozuna), they would have gone down face-first without hesitation.  Wakatakakage vs Takayasu Wakatakakage defeated Takayasu with a kata-sukashi (shoulder swing-down). At th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Grand Sumo 2026 January Tournament Day 1 ~ The Rikishi I Paid More Attention to Than Aonishiki

 At last, the opening day of the 2026 January Tournament (Hatsu basho) has arrived.  How will the newly promoted Ozeki Aonishiki fare?  What about Onosato, returning after an absence?  And how will former Ozeki Asanoyama perform after regaining his place in the makuuchi division? As always, this tournament offers plenty of highlights for sumo fans.  However, for me, the single most intriguing bout of the day was in the jonokuchi division (the lowest division on the banzuke).  I have never looked forward to jonokuchi bouts this much before a tournament, nor have I ever been this excited watching a jonokuchi match.　 In sumo, jonokuchi refers to the lowest rank on the banzuke (the official ranking list of rikishi).  The bout in question was Asahifuji versus Tenshoyama . Both of them are newcomers. If any overseas sumo fans already knew these two, they would truly qualify as hardcore connoisseurs. Please take a look at this astonishing bout. This is a matc...
Post a Comment
Read more

Grand Sumo 2026 January Tournament Day 7

 KirishimaーYoshinofuji The bout between these two rikishi—both of whom have been showing excellent form this tournament—lived up fully to expectations. At the tachi-ai (initial charge), Yoshinofuji clearly had the better hit, but Kirishima succeeded in getting moro-zashi (double inside grips). From there, Kirishima’s right kaina-no-kaeshi (inside arm turn-back) was effective, and his movement to cut off Yoshinofuji’s right uwate (outside grip) was particularly impressive (0:39-40 in the video).  Kirishima is a rikishi with undeniable ability, yet when he is carrying even a minor injury, it tends to show very clearly in his results. Judging by his performances in the previous tournament and this one, however, he appears to be in good condition. Although the bout could easily have turned into a one-sided affair, Yoshinofuji showed admirable resilience and fought on stubbornly. HoshoryuーHakunofuji In the first bout, Hoshoryu’s tachi-ai (initial charge) was not good. His body came...
Post a Comment
Read more