Hooked on Sumo: Insights & Analysis 　(by 小柳公寿)

It was a turbulent day, with upsets seeing Ozeki Aonishiki and Kotozakura, as well as yokozuna Onosato, all suffer defeats. OhoーAonishiki Oho wrapped up and locked Aonishiki’s left sashite (inside grip) and overpowered him with sheer strength.　This was not the first time. At the September tournament last year, Oho similarly wrapped and locked Aonishiki’s left sashite and won with a kotenage (arm-lock throw). It was a kotenage that crushed him with raw power. Succumbing to raw power remains one of Aonishiki’s key challenges. Yoshinofuji ーOnosato Yoshinofuji defeated Onosato with an uwatenage (overarm throw), earning back-to-back kinboshi (Hiramaku defeats Yokozuna). I thought Yoshinofuji had good sequence from the tachi-ai (initial charge).  In his post-bout interview, he said, “During morning practice, I worked out a plan with my master, Isegahama-oyakata (former yokozuna Terunofuji): solidify the left, lift him from the right, stay tight against him, and try to get a left sashi.” ...

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...

 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...