2025 Kyushu Basho: Day 5 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2025 Kyushu Basho (spoilers).
We are now a third of the way in to the 2025 Kyushu basho. And, it’s around this time, that I like to let myself start speculating. After last night, we have a pretty expected pack of leaders (with one big… or is that small… exception).
Scroll down for last night’s results and the state of play. I’ve also got videos and my analysis.
Enjoy!
Bonus gif today is Tobi getting ready for action.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Asakoryu (4-1) def. Sadanoumi (1-4) by kotenage (armlock throw)
Daiseizan (4-1) def. Shonannoumi (2-3) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
Ryuden (4-1) def. Chiyoshoma (2-3) by uwatedashinage (pulling over arm throw)*
Mitakeumi (2-3) def. Oshoumi (1-4) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Nishikifuji (4-1) def. Gonoyama (2-3) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Tokihayate (4-1) def. Tomokaze (0-5) by oshidashi
Roga (3-2) def. Shishi (1-4) by uwatenage (over arm throw)
Fujinokawa (5-0) def. Kotoshoho (3-2) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)*
Daieisho (3-2) def. Kinbozan (1-4) by hatakikomi
Ichiyamamoto (3-2) def. Tobizaru (2-3) by oshitaoshi (frontal push down)
Midorifuji (2-3) def. Churanoumi (3-2) by yorikiri (frontal force out)*
Onokatsu (2-3) def. Abi (2-3) by yorikiri
Yoshinofuji (4-1) def. Shodai (1-4) by yorikiri*
Atamifuji (4-1) def. Oshoma (3-2) by oshidashi
Kirishima (2-3) def. Tamawashi (3-2) by hatakikomi
Hakuoho (2-3) def. Takanosho (0-5) by oshidashi
Takayasu (4-1) def. Oho (2-3) by oshidashi*
Wakatakakage (1-4) def. Aonishiki (4-1) by okuritaoshi (rear push down)*
Ura (3-2) def. Kotozakura (2-3) by yorikiri
Hoshoryu (4-1) def. Hiradoumi (2-3) by hatakikomi*
Onosato (5-0) def. Wakamotoharu (1-4) by yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
Y1e Onosato, M12e Fujinokawa: 5-0
Y1wYO Hoshoryu, S1e Aonishiki, K1w Takayasu, M5e Yoshinofuji, M6e Atamifuji, four others: 4-1
Analysis
Onosato just keeps Onosato’ing this month. This is starting to feel like one of those tournaments where I need to make sure I don’t sound too blasé about his greatness. I need to remember that every win of his is history in the making and we’re lucky to see it.
Last night Onosato dispatched of Wakamotoharu without too much trouble. He got his favourite right arm inside position early, thus denying Wakamotoharu from getting his favourite left arm inside position. From there, he just put him over the line like he was moving furniture around his apartment.
Onosato is now 5-0. This is the fourth time in his career he’s started 5-0. In those prior tournament he won two titles and finished runner-up.
Hoshoryu won last night. He beat his friend, ichimon (stable group) mate and tachimochi (sword bearer) Hiradoumi. Hiradoumi hit him hard off the tachiai, but Hoshoryu switched stances so hard that that was enough to send Hiradoumi to the ground. You could see Hoshoryu’s fondness for his opponent with his consoling pat on the back.
Aonishiki did not get to 5-0 last night. That’s because Wakatakakage hit him with a lightning quick henka. Wakatakakage probably did this because he couldn’t stomach the idea of being in an 0-5 hole to start the tournament. This also says a little about how much he fancied his chances against Aonishiki in the match.
Takayasu is on 4-1. He’s looked very spry, and powerful, over the first five days. Last night he lit up Oho with thrusts and was mobile enough to catch the younger man as he tried to circle away.
Yoshinofuji is also at 4-1. He showed very good sumo in his win over Shodai. Shodai was able to get the youngster on the straw, but Yoshinofuji summoned up a great deal of strength to halt the charge and then showed his quickness as he hopped towards centre. That gave him an angle to force Shodai out. Very impressive stuff from the man in his third ever top division tournament.
Fujinokawa is in his third top division tournament, too. And he’s 5-0! The Goose got right in Kotoshoho’s face last night and powered him over the line with thrusts to the chest.
Atamifuji is 4-1 and seems to be rebounding from his rough outing in September. He, again, showed improved oshi-zumo (pushing/thrusting). This time he used it to beat slap-down specialist Oshoma.
Day six brings two more match-ups our yokozuna should win. Hoshoryu has Wakamotoharu. He’s got a commanding 17-4 over him. Though, Wakamotoharu did win in July.
Onosato has Hiradoumi. He’s 5-2 against him and has won the last four.
Aonishiki will look to get back on track when he faces Ura. This will be their first ever bout. Ura scored a good win over Kotozakura last night.
Fujinokawa’s perfect start will be tested by Mitakeumi. He’s 2-0 against the former ozeki.
Should be fun!
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Thanks as ever! And—dooood, Fuji is NOTHING like a “goose.” 🤗🤫🤗