2025 Aki Basho: Day 5 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2025 Aki Basho (spoilers).
We had another great day of sumo at the 2025 aki basho yesterday. And, at five days in, I think we’re finally at a point where we can start picturing what might be ahead of us. Personally, I really like the look of it.
This was, for me, the best day yet when it came to action on the dohyo. We had some very competitive matches and a lot of crowd surfing.
Scroll down to see how everyone did and watch some of the best matches. You’ll also find my analysis.
Bonus gif today is Shishi firing himself up.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Hitoshi (1-4) def. Nishikigi (0-5) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Tomokaze (4-1) def. Nishikifuji (3-2) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Shishi (3-2) def. Tobizaru (3-2) by yorikiri (frontal force out)*
Ryuden (4-1) def. Asakoryu (1-4) by uwatenage (over arm throw)
Shonannoumi (3-2) def. Sadanoumi (3-2) by uwatenage*
Mitakeumi (2-3) def. Meisei (2-3) by oshidashi
Roga (3-2) def. Tokihayate (2-3) by yorikiri
Churanoumi (4-1) def. Daieisho (1-4) by okuridashi (rear push out)
Fujinokawa (2-3) def. Midorifuji (2-3) by yorikiri*
Shodai (4-1) def. Kinbozan (1-4) by yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)*
Takanosho (4-1) def. Oshoma (2-3) by yorikiri
Ura (4-1) def. Kusano (2-3) by hikiotoshi (hand pull down)*
Ichiyamamoto (2-3) def. Kotoshoho (2-3) by yorikiri
Wakamotoharu (4-1) def. Onokatsu (3-2) by yorikiri*
Hiradoumi (4-1) def. Hakuoho (2-3) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)*
Tamawashi (2-3) def. Takayasu (0-5) by oshidashi
Aonishiki (3-2) def. Kirishima (4-1) by okuridashi*
Wakatakakage (3-2) def. Abi (0-5) by oshidashi*
Kotozakura (4-1) def. Gonoyama (0-5) by oshidashi*
Hoshoryu (5-0) def. Atamifuji (1-4) by yorikiri*
Onosato (4-1) def. Oho (2-3) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
Y1wYO Hoshoryu: 5-0
Y1e Onosato, O1e Kotozakura, S1w Kirishima, eight others: 4-1
Analysis
The 74th yokozuna is putting on a show this month. Hoshoryu now stands atop the leaderboard with a swift and powerful win over Atamifuji.
Hoshoryu got the win doing the same routine he did back in January (to earn his rope). He hit Atamifuji, hard, off the tachiai with the nodowa (throat thrust). He then backed him up with a moroto-tsuki (double handed thrust) before swimming his right arm under to get migi-yotsu (right arm inside, left arm outside position) and complete the force out.
Hoshoryu has now defeated two of his personal boogeymen during this very impressive start to the basho. He’s fighting like a yokozuna. And I think we can thank his quick start for that. This year he’s often found himself behind the 8-ball after losing some silly matches in the opening three days. He’s looked very focused this month, though. And that focus has seemed to outweigh whatever ailments he’s suffering (as indicated by all the cupping marks on his back).
He has a lot of momentum now and that must be a welcome change for him. From this position we’re likely to see his best sumo, which is a real sight for a sore eyes.
Onosato watched Hoshoryu win and then had to face Oho, someone he lost to in July. He wouldn’t get backed up by Oho’s thrusts this time, though. Onosato braced well for the nodowa and used good footwork to circle away from the pressure. That, plus a good push down on the neck was enough to push Oho off his feet.
Onosato joined Kotozakura with a 4-1 record last night. The lone ozeki is looking very good in this first week. He was spry on his feet, again, last night. He avoided being dragged out of position by Gonoyama and got the win with a strong thrust.
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Kirishima failed to join Hoshoryu with a 5-0 record. He was pegged back to 4-1 by Aonishiki. That’s now two losses out of two for Kirishima against the Ukrainian.
Kirishima showed a good gameplan in this bout. He pinned Aonishiki’s arms to prevent a uchimuso (thigh propping twist down) and kept his lead leg back to avoid the sotogake (outside leg trip). His solid defense was undone by an offensive mistake, though. He went for a makki-kae (switch from outside position to inside position) with his right arm, looking for moro-zashi (double inside position). Aonishiki saw the move coming, though, and used the short window of time before Kirishima got the underhook to open his body and get around the back for the okuridashi.
The makki-kae is a risky move because of that window of time you create where you don’t have a firm grip on someone’s arm. Kirishima likely wasn’t expecting the young Aonishiki to read the move and react so quickly to it. Lesson learned, perhaps?
Wakatakakage is now eight wins away from an ozeki promotion. That’s thanks to him spearing Abi into the front row.
Wakatakakage’s brother has quietly gone 4-1 in this first week. Wakamotoharu had a mirror match with Onokatsu on Day 5. Both these men rely, heavily, on the hidari-yotsu (left arm inside, right arm outside). This bout was a fascinating battle over who could lock in that hold first. Onokatsu got the inside position early and did well to fight off Wakamotoharu’s left arm. Wakamotoharu responded excellently, though, breaking the grip on his belt and then engaging in harite (palm striking) to open up his chance to lock in the hidari-yotsu — fully with both hands on the belt. Once he had it, Onokatsu was powerless to prevent the force out.
Hakuoho and Hiradoumi had an exciting bout. These two hit like trucks and when they come together you can hear their heads smashing against each other. Hakuoho drew first blood in that collision, pushing Hiradoumi back to the tawara (straw bales). Hiradoumi showed a lot of strength to push off the boundary and then turn the tables on Hakuoho. Hiradoumi has also quietly gotten himself to 4-1.
Ura (who is also 4-1) had another fun bout last night. He took Kusano’s best shot and then pulled the rug out from under him.
And finally, Midorifuji and Fujinokawa had an important small man match (these guys really need to make it count when they fight someone their own size). In the last basho Fujinokawa embarrassed Midorifuji by lifting him up by the belt and carrying him over the line. This time Fujinokawa easily forced Midorifuji out, showing that he might be the strongest of all the smallies.
Tomorrow’s glamour matches are Hoshoryu vs. Oho and Onosato vs. Atamifuji.
Oho has the slight advantage in the head-to-head stats, going 7-4 against Hoshoryu. Hoshoryu has been settling scores in this tournament, though.
Onosato owns Atamifuji in their match-up. He’s won all five of their past meetings.
Kotozakura and Hiradoumi face-off tomorrow. Kotozakura is 7-1 against the Baby Battle Pug. Kirishima will look to rebound against Tamawashi. He has a commanding 12-3 record against his countryman and elder.
See ya tomorrow!
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What a great basho so far. There were so many great matches on day 5. And it's awesome to see Hoshoryu off to such a fine start.
I want to see more and more of Hoshoryu’s Yokosumo👍🙋🏻♀️