2025 Aki Basho: Day 11 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2025 Aki Basho (spoilers).
We are into the business end of this basho. By now it’s no secret (or spoiler) that it’s looking like this is going to come down to our two yokozuna (pinch, me!). Hoshoryu and Onosato have looked incredible this month. So maybe all those malcontent’s in the JSA could just… shut up, now?
Last night Hoshoryu was tested by Kirishima and Onosato met Kotoshoho. They aren’t the only wrestlers with a mathematical chance of winning this cup, though. Kotozakura, Aonishiki, Takanosho, Shodai and Ryuden were, at the start of play yesterday, still in this thing.
Scroll down to see what the leadership race looks like after last night’s match-ups. Down there you’ll find some great videos and my analysis, too.
Today’s bonus gif is fan fave Fujinokawa (who needs a nickname, btw).
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Hitoshi (5-6) def. Daiseizan (4-7) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Shishi (7-4) def. Sadanoumi (4-7) by kotenage (armlock throw)
Shonannoumi (6-5) def. Meisei (3-8) by kotenage
Mitakeumi (5-6) def. Asakoryu (5-6) by yorikiri
Churanoumi (7-4) def. Tobizaru (7-4) by oshidashi
Tokihayate (5-6) def. Midorifuji (4-7) by yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)*
Kinbozan (5-6) def. Nishikigi (1-10) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Tomokaze (7-4) def. Ura (7-4) by hatakikomi
Oshoma (7-4) def. Roga (5-6) by oshidashi
Takanosho (9-2) def. Ryuden (8-3) by hatakikomi*
Daieisho (5-6) def. Onokatsu (5-6) by okuridashi (rear push out)
Fujinokawa (4-7) def. Ichiyamamoto (3-8) by sukuinage (beltless arm throw)*
Kusano (6-5) def. Hiradoumi (6-5) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)*
Oho (7-4) def. Hakuoho (6-5) by hatakikomi*
Abi (2-9) def. Atamifuji (2-9) by oshidashi
Tamawashi (4-7) def. Gonoyama (0-11) by oshitaoshi (frontal push down)
Shodai (9-2) def. Aonishiki (8-3) by yoritoashi*
Kotoshoho (3-8) def. Wakatakakage (5-6) by yorikiri
Kotozakura (8-3) def. Wakamotoharu (6-5) by uwatenage (over arm throw)*
Hoshoryu (11-0) def. Kirishima (5-6) by uwatenage*
Onosato (10-1) def. Takayasu (3-8) by tsukidashi*
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
Y1wYO Hoshoryu: 11-0
Y1e Onosato: 10-1
M7e Takanosho, M11e Shodai: 9-2
O1e Kotozakura, K1w Aonishiki, M17e Ryuden: 8-3
Analysis
Right now this tournament is Hoshoryu’s to lose. Last night he moved to 11-0 with a win over his fierce, albeit friendly, rival Kirishima.
In this bout Kirishima tried to use the tsuridashi (frontal lift out) move on Hoshoryu (revenge, perhaps, for when Hoshoryu lifted Kirishima out like a toddler a few tournaments ago). Hoshoryu was having none of it, though. He hooked the leg and got back on two feet before going for the tsuridashi himself. He then, smartly, opted to turn Kirishima over and bundle him out to the side.
Hoshoryu’s ‘firm grip’ on this tournament would be a ‘stranglehold’ if not for the performances of Onosato.
Onosato remained in the hunt with a win over Takayasu, keeping him just one win behind Hoshoryu. Takayasu, a mentor to Onosato, was able to get the yokozuna to the straw, but Onosato was able to put on the breaks and then come back with the winning thrust out (and flourish, as he is want to do).
This is sumo, so anything can happen. But it feels like the stars are aligning for a yokozuna vs. yokozuna match for the title on senshuraku (last day of the tournament).
Don’t count out Shodai, though! He used his size and strength to force Aonishiki to fight straight-up last night. We’ve seen many wrestlers work hard to prevent Aonishiki from getting that leaned in freestyle wrestling-like stance/clinch. Aonishiki was able to out muscle Hakuoho on the previous day, from that more traditional chest-to-chest position. However, Shodai proved to much mass for him last night.
The crush out loss puts Aonishiki down to 7-3. He’s not totally out of the title picture, but it seems unlikely that Hoshoryu is going to lose three out of his remaining four matches.
Takanosho joined Shodai with a 9-2 record last night, after he beat Ryuden. Takanosho survived a slapdown attempt and then responded with his own to get the win. He and Shodai now have the chance to play spoiler over the next few days. Neither of them has faced a yokozuna yet in this tournament.
The loss put Ryuden at 8-3 and in the same situation as Aonishiki.
Kotozakura is also 8-3. He used his amazing yotsu (belt grappling) prowess to defeat Wakamotoharu. He was able to beat Wakamotoharu despite being forced to play hidari-yotsu (left arm inside, right arm outside). That’s Wakamotoharu’s favourite move and the opposite of what Kotozakura prefers.
This is the earliest Kotozakura has gotten to eight wins all year. In the previous tournaments, when he hit that mark, he took his foot off the gas — hoping to prevent further damage to his injured knee.
It will be interesting to see if Kotozakura goes into self-preservation mode for the remainder of this basho. If he’s feeling fit enough to compete and push for the yusho, that could potentially have a big effect on who wins this thing. A healthy Kotozakura is a massive threat to both Hoshoryu and Onosato and he’s due to meet them on likely Friday and Saturday.
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Wakatakakage’s ozeki run is well and truly over after last night. He looked like a shell of himself when he was beaten by Kotoshoho (who is just 3-8 in this tournament and appears to be fighting through injury).
Wakatakakage is now guaranteed to get under ten wins this tournament. That means his race to 33 wins is going to reset and, if we’re going to see him as an ozeki, it’s likely going to take him at least three more tournaments to get there.
Hakuoho and Oho had a great bout last night. Oho held his own against a strong yotsu game (something he’s failed to do for much of this tournament). Both men were able to bring themselves back from the brink in this match before Oho created enough space for the slap down.
It’s no secret now that Fujinokawa is must-see TV. He had a thrilling bout with Ichiyamamoto last night. And he got the win, too! That’s only his fourth win, but he’s been one of the most entertaining rikishi to watch (win or lose) this basho.
Tonight has some very tasty match-ups lined up.
Hoshoryu is going to fight Aonishiki for just the second time in his career. They fought in the May tournament, with Aonishiki managing to tap Hoshoryu on the knee and take him down during a mad whirling scene. Hoshoryu was fighting through injuries and anxieties in that tournament, so I think we can expect a better performance from him tonight.
If Hoshoryu beats Aonishiki that would mathematically eliminate the Ukrainian from title contention (along with anyone else with four losses).
Onosato has Kirishima tonight. He’s 7-0 in that match-up. If Kirishima could find a way to win, he would likely gift his countryman Hoshoryu the Emperor’s Cup.
Kotozakura and Takanosho meet tonight, too. The loser of that one is probably out of the title picture. Same goes for Shodai vs. Ryuden.
I have a feeling Hoshoryu and Onosato are going to come through those match-ups and set up that two-horse race for the cup.
We’ll see if I’m right tonight!
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Fujinokawa can be named Mighty Mouse (for how strong he is to try and pick up much bigger dudes off the ground) or Tasmanian Devil. And speaking of nicknames, I am glad Throwshoryu is back showing off his unique skills.
I have to think Wakatakakage's old knee injury is giving him trouble. He's got it taped up, and he is just not fighting like himself. He even looks disgusted with himself after every defeat.
But man, I am loving Shodai! I don't recall ever seeing him against Kotozakura, Kirishima, Horshoryu or Onosato, but he's bound to meet some of them in the coming days. Keep the fire, Shodai! If Kotoshoho could do it, you can too!