2025 Nagoya Basho: Final day results and analysis
Recapping all the top division action from Grand Sumo's 2025 Nagoya Basho (spoilers).
And we’re done…
The 2025 Nagoya basho has been a thrilling, and sometimes shocking, tournament. It’s also been a refreshing departure from the dominance of Onosato and sometimes Hoshoryu.
In this tournament we got to see the rank-and-filers shine. Heading into the final day only Kotoshoho, Aonishiki and Kusano stood a chance of winning the cup. There wasn’t much more to play for other than that.
Scroll down to find out who is the latest rikishi to lift the Emperor’s Cup.
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OK, enough of that. Please enjoy my results and analysis for the final day of the 2025 Nagoya basho.
Bonus gif today is the Peach Prince, just because.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Shishi (7-8) def. Asakoryu (6-9) by yorikiri (frontal force out)
Mitakeumi (10-5) def. Tokihayate (6-9) by oshidashi (frontal push out)
Takanosho (9-6) def. Shodai (9-6) by oshidashi*
Atamifuji (11-4) def. Churanoumi (9-6) by yorikiri
Kotoeiho (6-9) def. Chiyoshoma (1-14) by uwatenage (over arm throw)
Fujinokawa (10-5) def. Ichiyamamoto (9-6) by hatakikomi (slap down)*
Kayo (4-11) def. Meisei (3-12) by oshitaoshi (frontal push down)
Hiradoumi (8-7) def. Roga (7-8) by yoritoashi (frontal crush out)*
Kinbozan (4-11) def. Sadanoumi (4-11) by tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)
Hidenoumi (2-11-2) def. Onokatsu (6-9) by yorikiri
Abi (9-6) def. Midorifuji (9-6) by oshidashi
Oho (7-8) def. Hakuoho (8-7) by tsukidashi*
Gonoyama (9-6) def. Wakamotoharu by tsukidashi
Kotoshoho (13-2) def. Aonishiki (11-4) by tsukiotoshi (thrust down)*
Takayasu (10-5) def. Kusano (11-4) by tsukidashi*
Tamawashi (11-4) def. Oshoma (3-12) by yorikiri*
Wakatakakage (10-5) def. Kirishima (8-7) by yorikiri
Onosato (11-4) def. Kotozakura (8-7) by yorikiri
*Must see bouts!
Final Standings
Makuuchi Yusho: M15w Kotoshoho (13-2)
Shukun-sho (Outstanding Performance Prize): M4w Tamawashi (11-4), M15w Kotoshoho (13-2)
Kanto-sho (Fighting Spirit Prize): M14e Kusano (11-4), M14w Fujinokawa (10-5), M15w Kotoshoho (13-2)
Gino-sho (Technique Prize): M1e Aonishiki (11-4), M14e Kusano (11-4)
Juryo Yusho: J11w Mita (11-4)
Analysis
The 2025 Nagoya basho was spared a lot of drama on the final day thanks to Kotoshoho. He shut the door on a potential three-way play-off with a confident victory over Aonishiki to secure his very first top division championship.
In the bout itself, Kotoshoho got a great jump off the tachiai, advancing himself onto Aonishiki before the Ukrainian could make a step forwards. Off the tachiai Kotoshoho immediately went for an inside position with his left arm, perhaps to block Aonishiki from securing his preferred inside position with the right arm. From there Kotoshoho was able to slide Aonishiki back.
Kotoshoho then, brilliantly, used a dash of gaburi-yori (belly bumping) to sit Aonishiki up and make his body more upright than the lurching Aonishiki prefers.
Once he had Aonishiki more upright, Kotoshoho performed a makki-kae (switch from outside to inside arm position) with his left arm.
He then wrenched down with his left arm to make Aonishiki touch the dirt.
This all happened very quickly, but it was all thought out and perfectly executed by Kotoshoho.
The 26 year-old’s victory is the least sexy outcome for this tournament, with Aonishiki looking to win in just his third top division tournament and Kusano trying to win in his debut.
You can’t deny that Kotoshoho deserved this yusho, though. After going 3-2 to start the tournament he went on a 10-0 run which got extremely difficult for him towards the end, requiring him to beat Takayasu, Onosato and Kirishima before his senshuraku (final day) date with Aonishiki.
Throughout this run, Kotoshoho has fought great technically, managing to control his chaotic style and synergize his thrusting and belt grappling. But he’s also done all of this with a very cool demeanour. As the situation grew more intense, he rose to meet it and didn’t show any nerves in this final bout with Aonishiki.
In interviews after the fact Kotoshoho said his experience from January 2023, where he lost on the final day to his old highschool chum Takakeisho, steeled him for this title run.
This full circle moment, for me, makes Kotoshoho’s win feels quite special. I also believe that Kotoshoho is unlikely to repeat this feat, so I’m glad he got to lift this cup. Surely, Aonishiki and Kusano will have more opportunities to do so in the future.
As far as Aonishiki’s concerned, this loss to Kotoshoho could have the same affect as when Takakeisho threw Kotoshoho down to the dirt two years ago. I have a feeling Aonishiki won’t take as long to get his redemption, though.
Kotoshoho’s win took the wind out of Kusano’s sails. Had Kotoshoho lost, Kusano could have forced himself into a play-off with him and Aonishiki. With that possibility off the table he was instead fighting for a shukun-sho (outstanding performance prize) to go along with his already gauranteed gino-sho (technique prize) and kanto-sho (fighting spirit prize). Takayasu was standing in the way of that, though. And he did not let the young man get out of this tournament with a final day victory.
Takayasu went full grizzly bear on Kusano, lighting him up with thrusts. Kusano tried to respond in kind, but the pressure was too much for him. Takayasu got him to the straw and the young man eventually said “no mas” and stepped out.
There wasn’t a lot of drama on this day outside of those two matches. Wakatakakage did get his tenth win by beating a pretty checked out Kirishima. These ten wins help Wakatakakage moving forwards in his quest to become an ozeki.
The last match of the day was Onosato vs. Kotozakura and neither man looked that jazzed to be there. With nothing on the line, Onosato barged out Kotozakura. Both finished with winning records. Kotozakura will get to try and heal some more before September. Onosato will hope, when September rolls around, he can perform like his old self without the seeming distraction of fighting in his first ever yokozuna tournament.
Buying merch is another way you can support what I do at Sumo Stomp! To celebrate the Nagoya tournament, and the promotion of Onosato, my partner (ex-Bloody Elbow colleague Anton Tabuena) and I have made a special Onosato ‘flames’ shirt. This organic cotton t-shirt includes the words “Onosato” and “Yokozuna 75”.
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Tamawashi capped off another impressive tournament, getting double digit wins for the second time since turning 40. He bashed around the sorry Oshoma last night to earn a shukun-sho to add to his kinboshi. Oshoma slumped to 3-12 in his first ever san’yaku tournament.
Fujinokawa earned a kanto-sho by getting his tenth win of the tournament. He slapped down Ichiyamamoto. Ichiyamamoto finished 9-6. He never recovered from his loss to Takayasu on Day 11, when he was fighting to keep the lead in the tournament.
The only Darwin match last night was Hiradoumi vs. Roga. Hiradoumi got a big jump off the tachiai and speared Roga off the ring to walk away with the kachi-koshi (winning record).
In juryo Mita wrapped up the yusho with a Day 14 win over Daiseizen. He lost last night to Shonannoumi. Mita’s 11-4 yusho might not be enough to earn a promotion to makuuchi for September. That’s thanks to Nishikigi, Ryuden, Shonannoumi, Tomokaze and Oshoumi all getting winning records from higher rankings.
The 23 year-old Mita is a good prospect, out of Futagoyama heya, though. This was only his sixth basho and second in juryo.
Asahakuryu won in makushita, going 7-0. He’s 26 and has been in the third division since 2023. Former ozeki Asanoyama had an OK tournament in makushita. He went 5-3 to earn his way back to juryo. The popular Enho only managed 2-2-3 this time around.
And that’s the end of your daily updates for the 2025 Nagoya basho. I hope you’ve enjoyed the coverage and the tournament. Regardless if you are a paid or free subscriber, thank you so much for checking out Sumo Stomp! It’s been a pleasure writing for you. It’s also been a pleasure getting to chat with so many of you in the comments. In this tournament there was a marked increase in comments on these posts. I saw lots of familiar faces in there and some new ones, too. Thank you all so much for choosing Sumo Stomp! as a companion to your sumo viewing and as a place to chat about what is happening on the dohyo.
Next up from me… I guess I should recap my predictions post to see how well I did. I don’t think I did great, folks. After that, I’ll be doing my report cards for everyone in the top division. Those will be premium pieces, so if you want to read those, please consider subscribing.
In the meantime, take care, be kind and FIGHT WITH SPIRIT!
Tim
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I don't even remember your predictions, Tim, but as always your coverage has been great. I can't express how much better I enjoy this sport of ours, being able to come into this comment section and share enthusiasms with fellow fans. My takeaways, for what they're worth:
I've never been a Kotoshoho fan, but I'm genuinely glad for him today. He has come from the very depths of the Maegashira ranks and routed everybody who stood in his way. I daresay he even made the Blue Whirlwind, Aonishiki, look like the newbie he is. Who'd a-thunk it? Koto will have to show me more consistency before I believe he will score more Emperors Cups, but for today it is well deserved. His parents were in the stands! How great is that?
Did everybody see Butterball Kayo get a win by MOVING FORWARD?!? For two weeks I have been yelling at the TV for him to do that, and it seems he finally heard me. I guess he'll be going back down to juryo, but I hope to see him back up again soon. I can't explain why, but I just love the little tub of lard.
Always happy for Wakatakakage to win, even at the expense of Kirishima, whom I also love. Waka's had career setbacks, but here's hoping he completes his run to Ozeki.
Very happy to see Papa Bear Takayasu just bully Kusano out of the ring. Like Aonishiki, the kid will get his chance. For now the old bull rules.
And is that the same Asanoyama working his way back to juryo whose leg was so savagely broken last year? That looked like a career ender. I will cheer him on if/when he gets back to Maegashira, but dude, maybe consider another line of work!
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Tim, will you be alerting us to your interview next week on Steph's podcast? I'm really looking forward to hearing your wrap-up after you've had a few days to think about it. Just shoot out a little e-mail alert to us all.
There were a lot of special prizes given out in this surprising basho. I am happy both Kusano and Fujinokawa had strong debuts in makuuchi, and they were both a lot of fun to see. Kotoeiho was not as fortunate though, despite his brother's success, and I figure he goes back to juryo.