2025 Aki Basho: Day 9 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2025 Aki Basho (spoilers).
We have turned the corner at the 2025 aki basho and we are now heading down the home stretch with just six days left to play before we crown out next top division champ.
Hoshoryu and Onosato have been the stories of this tournament, for all the right reasons (how nice is it to say that?!).
But it would be premature to announce this as a two horse race. Coming into Day 9 there were still some wrestlers who had the yokozuna at arm’s length.
Scroll down to see whether Hoshoryu and Onosato won again and whether or not the field is getting closer or further away from them.
The bonus gif today is one of the stars of the show (and a very anxious looking fan).
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Asakoryu (4-5) def. Shishi (6-3) by shitatenage (overarm throw)*
Fujiseun (7-2) def. Sadanoumi (3-6) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Ryuden (7-2) def. Tokihayate (3-6) by yorikiri
Meisei (3-6) def. Nishikigi (1-8) by yorikiri
Tomokaze (6-3) def. Mitakeumi (3-6) by yorikiri
Roga (5-4) def. Shonannoumi (5-4) by makiotoshi (twist down)*
Shodai (8-1) def. Tobizaru (6-3) by oshidashi (frontal push out)*
Churanoumi (6-3) def. Hitoshi (4-5) by oshidashi
Daieisho (3-6) def. Ura (6-3) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)
Oshoma (5-4) def. Fujinokawa (3-6) by oshidashi
Midorifuji (3-6) def. Takanosho (7-2) by yorikiri*
Kusano (5-4) def. Kinbozan (3-6) by yorikiri
Hiradoumi (5-4) def. Onokatsu (5-4) by oshidashi
Ichiyamamoto (3-6) def. Gonoyama (0-9) by oshidashi
Oho (5-4) def. Tamawashi (3-6) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Aonishiki (7-2) def. Abi (0-8) by oshidashi
Hakuoho (6-3) def. Takayasu (2-7) by yorikiri
Kirishima (5-4) def. Wakatakakage (5-4) by sukuinage (beltless arm throw)*
Kotozakura (6-3) def. Atamifuji (2-7) by katasukashi (under shoulder swing down)
Hoshoryu (9-0) def. Kotoshoho (2-7) by tsukiotoshi*
Onosato (8-1) def. Wakamotoharu (6-3) by yoritaoshi*
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
Y1wYO Hoshoryu: 9-0
Y1e Onosato, M11e Shodai: 8-1
K1w Aonishiki, M7e Takanosho, M17e Ryuden: 7-2
Analysis
Hoshoryu remains in the lead of the aki basho. And he used slick footwork to make that to case. Kotoshoho, who has been struggling to follow up on his shock yusho in July, gave Hoshoryu a bit of a scare in this bout. He was able to thrust Hoshoryu onto the straw and even get side-on position at one point. However, Hoshoryu was able to stay alive in those positions and then execute a perfect inashi (side-step) to send Kotoshoho past him and over the line.
This is some of the best movement we’ve seen from Hoshoryu this basho. When you look at his first nine days together, he’s shown wonderfully varied sumo. He’s won by seven different kimarite over those days. He might already be a shoe-in for a Technique Prize. I’m sure he’s got his eyes on a much loftier prize right now, though.
Onosato is continuing to put the pressure on Hoshoryu. He’s 8-1 after beating Wakamotoharu last night. Like Hoshoryu, Onosato had to come back from a very dangerous position in this fight. Early on, Wakamotoharu managed to get behind Onosato. Usually, if you see your opponent’s back you’re going to win. But Onosato showed off his tremendous speed and athleticism in spinning back to face Wakamotoharu before he got shoved in the back. Once he turned, Onosato got his right arm on the inside and powered Wakamotoharu over the line and onto the gyoji (referee).
Onosato has looked pretty unstoppable over the last few days. This might be helping to bring out Hoshoryu’s best sumo. Hoshoryu must know that any mistake at this point could be very hard to come back from, due to the form of his closest rival.
Kirishima and Wakatakakage put one of the best bouts of the tournament last night. There’s was a fascinating battle over the migi-yotsu (right arm inside, left arm outside position). Both men favour that hold. When you fight someone who likes the same position as you, the goal is to get your inside position (with a had on the belt - a sashite) and block theirs.
In this bout Kirishima got the right arm inside position first and then used ottsuke (forearm blocking) to keep Wakatakakage’s arm too high to touch his belt. Kirishima’s lock on Wakatakakage’s belt helped him defend an early force out attempt. There was a pause after that, with both men hand fighting and Kirishima continuing to block off Wakatakakage’s right hand from his belt. During that hand fighting, Wakatakakage was able to break Kirishima’s grip on his belt. Kirishima responded with a makki-kae (switch from outside to inside position) with his left hand. This resulted in both men being in hidari-yotsu (left arm inside, right arm outside).
Kirishima did the best with this less preferred hold, and tapped into some of his old judo senses, to circle away and pull off the arm throw.
The loss puts Wakatakakage on 5-4. Any loss from this point on probably costs him his ozeki promotion. Kirishima seemed especially sporting in defeat, giving Wakatakakage a tap on the back. This could be recognition over a hard fought bout and also a slight apology, with the former ozeki knowing how important this tournament is to Wakatakakage. Kirishima and Wakatakakage are in the same stable group and see each other often in cross stable practises.
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Kotozakura is still looking good this month. On the previous night it looked like he might have felt a pinch in his wrapped up knee. Last night he was able to get a quick katasukashi on Atamifuji to spare any more damage there.
This is the third time he’s gotten Atamifuji with this move. Atamifuji has lost over seven percent of his bouts by katasukashi. The average wrestler only gets caught with that around one percent of the time.
Shodai has been one of the surprises of the tournament. He beat Tobizaru to tie Onosato on a 8-1 record. Shodai was able to shove the banged up Tobizaru into the first row. The beloved Flying Monkey was slow to get up from that.
Takanosho fell off the pace a little. Yesterday I said he had an easy bout with Midorifuji tonight. Maybe Midorifuji reads this newsletter, though. He took Takanosho’s nodowa (throat thrust) off the tachiai, but still managed to get his head down and bundle the much bigger man over the straw.
Aonishiki is lurking behind the leaders with a 7-2 record. He beat Abi last night. Abi who is sporting some strapping on his right elbow is now 0-9 on the tournament.
Gonoyama is also 0-9. He was pushed out by Ichiyamamoto last night.
Tonight Hoshoryu’s perfect record will be tested by Wakamotoharu. Hoshoryu has a commanding 16-4 record against Wakamotoharu. However, Wakamotoharu was able to beat Hoshoryu (who may or may not have been injured) in the previous tournament.
Onosato will meet Kotoshoho. Kotoshoho beat Onosato during his yusho run in July. Kotoshoho looked great in that bout. However, Onosato might have been a little checked out at that point in the basho.
Other big bouts include Kotozakura vs. Kirishima, Wakatakakage vs. Hiradoumi and Hakuoho vs. Aonishiki.
Can’t wait!
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Oh man! I was expecting to see Wakamotoharu all pancaked like Judge Doom at in Who Framed Roger Rabbit😂
Asakoryu (4-5) def. Shishi (6-3) by shitatenage (overarm throw)* ... definitely the hidden gem of the day, and here's my hoping that both of these guys reach 8 wins.