2025 Kyushu Basho: Day 8 results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2025 Kyushu Basho (spoilers).
Another late edition of Sumo Stomp! this evening. That’s because today required coming from the ‘rents, along with Mini Sumo Stomp! But have no fear, below are your results from Day 8 of the Kyushu basho. There’s also videos and my analysis.
If you want to hear more from me, you can check out the Level Change podcast below. I recorded this on Friday and it has a rather long recap of the aki basho in there, too. As always, thanks to Steph for having me on.
Today’s bonus gif features these fans of Adam Devine, I mean Ura.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Chiyoshoma (5-3) def. Oshoumi (1-7) by hatakikomi (slap down)
Nishikifuji (6-2) def. Sadanoumi (2-6) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Hatsuyama (6-2) def. Ryuden (4-4) by hatakikomi
Tokihayate (6-2) def. Asakoryu (5-3) by okuridashi (rear push out)
Mitakeumi (4-4) def. Shonannoumi (2-6) by oshidashi
Tomokaze (2-6) def. Fujinokawa (6-2) by hatakikomi
Gonoyama (5-3) def. Roga (5-4) by oshidashi
Midorifuji (3-5) def. Shishi (2-6) by uwatedashinage (pulling overarm throw*
Kotoshoho (5-3) def. Churanoumi (4-4) by oshidashi
Abi (3-5) def. Daieisho (5-3) by oshidashi*
Tobizaru (4-4) def. Atamifuji (5-3) by sukuinage (beltless arm throw)*
Ichiyamamoto (4-4) def. Onokatsu (3-5) by oshidashi
Kinbozan (3-5) def. Shodai (3-5) by yorikiri
Wakamotoharu (4-4) def. Yoshinofuji (6-2) by oshitaoshi (frontal push down)*
Wakatakakage (3-5) def. Oshoma (3-5) by yorikiri
Takanosho (2-6) def. Kirishima (4-4) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)
Takayasu (5-3) def. Hakuoho (3-5) by tsukidashi
Aonishiki (7-1) def. Oho (3-5) by watashikomi (thigh grabbing push down)*
Kotozakura (3-5) def. Hiradoumi (2-6) by sukuinage*
Onosato (8-0) def. Tamawashi (4-4) by hatakikomi*
Hoshoryu (6-2) def. Ura (3-5) by ashitori (leg pick)*
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
Y1e Onosato: 8-0
S1e Aonishiki: 7-1
Y1wYO Hoshoryu, M5e Yoshinofuji, M12e Fujinokawa, M14w Tokihayate, M15e Nishikifuji: 6-2
Analysis
Our tournament leader is still undefeated after eight matches. That’s despite Iron Man doing his best to upset and defeat Thanos-ato. Tamawashi has given both yokozuna hell on back-to-back nights now. Last night he got his nodowa (throat thrust) locked in tight and almost got Onosato out over the line. The yokozuna was able to resist, though, and then move around Tamawashi so he could land his trusty hatakikomi.
Onosato is looking tremendous in this tournament. I like that he’s not breezing through a lot of these matches. Some of them have been really tough. I think a lot of guys are now realizing that, if they don’t go for broke against Onosato, they might as well not bother showing up. I think it’s very impressive that, despite the resistance he is getting this tournament, he’s remained perfect and not buckled under that pressure.
What a blessing it is to watch such a special athlete right now, while he’s still years away from his prime.
Hoshoryu is still hanging in there in Kyushu. Hew improved to 6-2 last night. I think, based on Onosato’s form, being two wins behind him gives you a slim chance of catching him. However, it feels impossible that he will lose three bouts over the next seven days.
Hoshoryu stayed within striking distance of his rival by beating Ura. Ura went in hard off the tachiai, but Hoshoryu quickly snapped him up. With Hoshoryu on his belt, Ura was unable to do the battering ram technique he tried on Onosato. Instead, Hoshoryu was able to hound him around the ring and then yeet him, thanks to a leg pick.
Speaking of getting yeeted…
Yoshinofuji’s chances of surprising Onosato took a hit last night due to Wakamotoharu. Wakamotoharu was able to show that Yoshinofuji’s yotsu-zumo has room for improvement. He was able to get inside and under the young man and then drive him around the ring before dumping him out.
Fujinokawa also took a loss last night. The River Bandit (kawa means river, you know?) was slapped down by the struggling Piano Man, Tomokaze.
Aonishiki won last night. He’s now 7-1. With that, and his amazing prowess, he’s a legitimate threat to Onosato’s cup chances this month. He took on Oho last night and got him down with a nifty watashikomi. This is revenge for September. In that tournament Oho gave Aonishiki a real beat down (maybe one of the worst in Aonishiki’s young career).
Speaking of beat downs… (last one of those, I promise).
Takayasu went E. Honda on Hakuoho’s face. He looked like he was practising his tegata form on this one (shout out to tegatastore.com, by the way, for all your tegata needs).
Takayasu has been more of a pusher/thruster, lately. I think he’s been looking at what’s kept Tamawashi so injury free and competitive for so long.
And finally, Kotozakura got his customary win over Hiradoumi last night. He looked good while going up on one foot while driving Hiradoumi to the dirt. Hiradoumi, one of the Kyushu locals here, is now just 2-6.
Tonight brings us Onosato vs. Oshoma. On paper, that seems like a pretty easy win for the tournament leader. He’s 3-0 against the Mongolian slap down artist.
Hoshoryu has Yoshinofuji. That should be interesting. They’ve never met before. Hoshoryu is very good at sending young yotsu guys for a ride, though.
Aonishiki will meet Hiradoumi. They’ve only fought once, with Aonishiki winning.
The match-makers have also put Fujinokawa and Tokihayate together tonight. They are both on 6-2 and this will likely eliminate one of them from making a run at Onosato.
See you the in the morning!
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Wow, Takayasu's slaps! And his face! And my man Midorifuji had a good win over Shishi. A great basho. Onosato's to lose, but Aonishiki is there to take advantage.