2025 Natsu Basho: Day 7 results and analysis
Watch out for these spoilers.
We are now seven days in to the 2025 summer tournament. And I’m really digging what we’re seeing. There’s only a small handful of guys who look as if they can compete for the cup this month, but the action on the dohyo has been really good.
On this day Atamifuji and Kotoshoho brought the house down, check that out when you get a chance. And Tobizaru vs. Ura was as wild and exciting as you’d expect.
Other key bouts you need to see are Daieisho vs. Wakatakakage, Kotozakura vs. Gonoyama, Onosato vs. Takerufuji and Hoshoryu vs. Hiradoumi.
You can watch those below, just scroll past the bonus gif. Down there you’ll also find complete top division results and my analysis.
Bonus gif today is this moment from Wakamotoharu vs. Kirishima on Day 6.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Kayo (3-4) def. Tochitaikai (3-4) via okuridashi (rear push out)
Shonannoumi (2-5) def. Tamashoho (2-5) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
Roga (5-2) def. Ryuden (4-3) via yorikiri (frontal force out)*
Sadanoumi (5-2) def. Nishikigi (5-2) via amiuchi (fisherman’s throw)*
Tokihayate (3-4) def. Asakoryu (5-2) via kotenage (armlock throw)*
Atamifuji (5-2) def. Kotoshoho (1-1-5) via yorikiri*
Meisei (4-3) def. Shodai (2-5) via yorikiri
Takanosho (4-3) def. Midorifuji (0-7) via oshidashi
Aonishiki (6-1) def. Endo (4-3) via oshidashi
Kinbozan (5-2) def. Shishi (1-6) via tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)
Oshoma (4-3) def. Churanoumi (1-6) via oshidashi
Chiyoshoma (2-5) def. Onokatsu (3-4) via yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)*
Ura (2-5) def. Tobizaru (4-3) via shitatedashinage (pulling under arm throw)*
Hakuoho (7-0) def. Ichiyamamoto (3-4) via oshidashi
Wakamotoharu (2-5) def. Tamawashi (2-5) via yorikiri
Takayasu (2-5) def. Oho (3-4) via uwatenage (over arm throw)*
Kirishima (5-2) def. Abi (3-4) via okuridashi (rear push out)
Wakatakakage (6-1) def. Daieisho (5-2) via oshidashi*
Gonoyama (1-6) def. Kotozakura (4-3) via yorikiri*
Onosato (7-0) def. Takerufuji (3-4) via hatakikomi (slap down)*
Hoshoryu (5-2) def. Hiradoumi (3-4) via kotenage*
*Must see bouts!
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Leaderboard
O1e Onosato, M7e Hakuoho: 7-0
K1w Wakatakakage, M9e Aonishiki: 6-1
Y1e Hoshoryu, S1e Daieisho, S1w Kirishima, six others: 5-2
Analysis
Hoshoryu got a signature win on Day 7. In locking up and throwing down Hiradoumi he looked about as composed and confident as we’ve seen in the last three months. The pessimistic view on that is that this was a very easy match-up for him. He’s now 8-0 against Hiradoumi. Hiradoumi is also in his ichimon (stable group) and serves as Hoshoryu’s tachimochi (sword bearer) during his dohyo-iri (ring blessing ceremony). I think Hoshoryu’s aura alone overwhelms poor Hiradoumi.
That gives Hoshoryu a 5-2 record. He’s won three straight since his back-to-back hiccups against Oho and Abi.
Hoshoryu is still trailing Onosato by two victories. Onosato met Takerufuji on Day 7 and he pulled off another brilliant hatakikomi (slap down) for the win.
Onosato beat Takerufuji with this move in their last bout. He would then go on to win his third yusho. I’ve been raving about Onosato’s improved hatakikomi all tournament long and this is another example of him using it perfectly, demonstrating incredible poise, timing and power.
The 24 year-old is still odds on favourite to win this tournament. He’s gotten to 7-0 while barely breaking a sweat.
Kotozakura suffered a big upset on Day 7. He lost to Gonoyama for the first time in his career. This was Gonoyama’s first win of the tournament.
Gonoyama got this win by denying Kotozakura his favourite grip off the tachiai. By making sure he wedged his left arm under Kotozakura’s right, he prevented Kotozakura getting his migi-yotsu (right arm inside, left arm outside grip). Gonoyama then had somewhat of a moro-zashi (double underhook), which he used to hoist Kotozakura’s arms high (away from his belt) and bundle him over the line. To pull this off Gonoyama had to take a little bit of power off of his tachiai and think more technically about where he wanted his arms to land. Hopefully this can be a turning point for him in this basho.
For Kotozakura this looks to be yet another tournament where he will be on the outside looking in on those competing for the cup. At 4-3 his mind is likely now on securing a winning record and avoiding being kadoban for the second time in his career.
Daieisho lost on Day 7, falling off the pace of Onosato. He’s now 5-2. The man who beat him, Wakatakakage, is 6-1. This bout proved that it’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. Wakatakakage met Daieisho in the middle, as Daieisho would prefer, withstood his pressure and then rushed him out the ring.
Our other tournament leaders are Hakuoho and Aonishiki. Both of whom are just 21 years-old. The future’s bright in sumo, people!
Hakuoho stayed perfect with a win over Ichiyamamoto. In this bout Hakuoho was able to brace against Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari (rapid palm striking) and then gather him up for the push out. Hakuoho has looked sturdy in this competition. He’s beaten some solid veterans so far (Tobizaru, Ura and now Ichiyamamoto), but he’s due for some tougher tests once the match-making shifts next week.
Aonishiki got through Endo on Day 7. Endo showed some veteran grit and savvy, but Aonishiki was just too strong. Endo, again, crumpled in a heap when he was forced to eject off the dohyo. He’s been fighting on one leg since the middle of the previous tournament. The fact this hasn’t healed, and seems to be causing just as much bother as it did in March, makes me think surgery could be in Endo’s near future.
Kirishima is lurking behind the leaders. He got to 5-2 with a comfortable win over Abi. Kirishima used hand-fighting to deflect Abi’s opening thrust and then bat his hands away to force him off balance for the eventual push out.
It has no bearings on the outcome of this tournament, but Ura vs. Tobizaru is a match-up that we always need to pay attention to. The two most creative and unpredictable rikishi in the sport put on another barn-burner. In this match-up, Tobizaru typically wins when the fight happens at range and Ura typically wins when there is a clinch. In this bout Ura got the clinch and was able to summon up enough strength to pull back from Tobizaru and yank him around and down by the belt. Both men looked exhausted after that one.
Tomorrow we’ve got Hoshoryu vs. Takerufuji. Hoshoryu is 2-0 in that match-up, having thrown Takerufuji on his head twice with lightning fast reactive throws. Onosato will have Hiradoumi to deal with. He’s 3-2 against Hiradoumi. Hiradoumi shows a lot more fighting spirit in that match-up than he does against Hoshoryu.
We’ve also got Hakuoho vs. Meisei, Oho vs. Wakatakakage and the first ever meeting of Aonishiki vs. Tobizaru (that one should be a lot of fun).
See you then!
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Papa Bear Takayasu looks to be having an off month, but Wakatakakage is right in the running. Ura vs Tobizaru was the match of the day! Onosato looks unstoppable. And I have to say I love Kayo's yellow mawashi.
Only been watching sumo since January of last year and now there's no going back! If I had to pick only one sport to watch the rest of my life it'd definitely be sumo. 15 awesome days every 2 months? Sign me up!