2025 Kyushu Basho: Day 4 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2025 Kyushu Basho (spoilers).
Last night we were treated to some very fun sumo. Day 4 of the 2025 Kyushu basho had lots of exciting bouts and a few rare/interesting kimarite (finishing moves) in the top division. We had a komatasukui (barely), a sotogake, two uwatedashinage and a sukuinage.
Scroll on down to see who scored those and much more. I’ve got vids and analysis waiting for you, too.
Bonus gif today is the King of the Ring.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Asahakuryu (2-2) def. Oshoumi (1-3) by yoritoashi (frontal crush out)*
Nishikifuji (3-1) def. Chiyoshoma (2-2) by komatasukui (over thigh scooping body drop)*
Shonannoumi (2-2) def. Asakoryu (3-1) by uwatedashinage (pulling over arm throw)
Tokihayate (3-1) def. Sadanoumi (1-3) by sukuinage (beltless arm throw)*
Gonoyama (2-2) def. Mitakeumi (1-3) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Ryuden (3-1) def. Tomokaze (0-4) by yoritoashi
Fujinokawa (4-0) def. Shishi (1-3) by yorikiri (frontal force out)*
Kotoshoho (3-1) def. Roga (2-2) by yorikiri
Daieisho (2-2) def. Midorifuji (1-3) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Tobizaru (2-2) def. Kinbozan (1-3) by sotogake (outside leg trip)*
Churanoumi (3-1) def. Ichiyamamoto (2-2) by okuridashi (rear push out)
Atamifuji (3-1) def. Abi (2-2) by oshidashi*
Yoshinofuji (3-1) def. Onokatsu (2-2) by yorikiri
Oshoma (2-2) def. Shodai (1-3) by oshidashi
Tamawashi (3-1) def. Hiradoumi (2-2) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
Takayasu (3-1) def. Wakamotoharu (1-3) by oshidashi*
Aonishiki (4-0) def. Takanosho (0-4) by oshidashi*
Ura (2-2) def. Oho (2-2) by oshidashi*
Kotozakura (2-2) def. Hakuoho (1-3) by uwatedashinage
Onosato (4-0) def. Kirishima (1-3) by hatakikomi
Hoshoryu (3-1) def. Wakatakakage (0-4) by yorikiri
*Must see bouts!
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Analysis
Both yokozuna got wins last night.
Onosato’s came especially easy. He was up against Kirishima, a man he has now defeated in all nine of their bouts. Kirishima tried to brute force his way through Onosato. But the yoko showed us his twinkle toes as he deftly evaded the Misty Island and send him down with a slap.
When Onosato’s hatakikomi is on point, it’s usually a wrap for the competition.
What do you think? Is this another Onosato yusho or can someone cause an upset?
Despite how good Onosato looks, Hoshoryu is still in this thing.
He got a win over Wakatakakage last night. That dropped poor Wakatakakage down to 0-4. Hoshoryu henka’d Wakatakakage in their last bout. This time he fought him straight up. They wrestled over belt position, but neither could get a solid hold. Hoshoryu backed Wakatakakage up throughout all that and then seized on a little slip that forced Wakatakakage almost into the splits.
With how well he fights Onosato, Hoshoryu is always be in woth a shot if he’s just one win behind his closest rival.
Aonishiki stayed perfect last night. He took a hard shove from Takanosho and then used Takanosho’s favourite move, the nodowa (throat thrust), to move the veteran around and push him out. Takanosho, a surprise title contender in September, is now 0-4.
The only other wrestler on 4-0 is the Pitbull (I’m trying out nicknames for Fujinokawa). He chewed up Shishi last night. He slung the bigger man around with one arm and then threw him down for the win.
Ura and Oho had one of the matches of the day. Oho showcased his increased aggression by mashing Ura’s face with pushes and thrusts. Ura showed his underrated toughness, though. He stayed in the pocket taking punishment and then pulled off a beautiful head fake to make Oho miss and then create an angle for the push out.
Atamifuji got a big win last night, too. He beat Abi. This win is a collector’s item. It’s a very rare pure pushing/thrusting win for Atamifuji. In the past he’s seemed almost too shy to put his hand on someone’s face.
The ageless wonder Tamawashi got a good win last night. He’s 3-1 so far. He got that record by choke-slamming Hiradoumi.
And finally, there’s no video footage I can share, but last night also saw another dreaded appearance by the utchari (backward pivot throw). Oshoumi attempted one on juryo call-up Asahakuryu. He managed to elevate and throw out Asahakuryu, but he touched down first and thus lost by yoritaoshi. Wasn’t worth the risk young fella.
Tonight Onosato’s perfect start will be tested by Wakamotoharu. And Aonishiki will face Wakatakakage as he tries to get to 5-0 for the first time in his sekitori career. Hoshoryu has Hiradoumi tomorrow and Kotozakura (who looked good in beating Hakuoho last night) meets Ura.
And Kid Lightning, Fujinokawa, takes on recent yusho winner Kotoshoho.
Let’s see how many perfect records by tomorrow morning.
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Tamawashi casually tossing Hiradoumi was the high-point for me. Where the head goes, the body must follow.
This was an exciting day for kimarite. Also a correction, Tamawashi won with a kubihineri which is a kimarite that you don't see that often. I won't take any slander against the Iron Man! Lol. I liked he had no chill against Hiradoumi.