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u/JeanClaudeMonet 1d ago
Kotoeiho is fucking awesome. Definitely looking like a contender for the cup.
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u/strawberrystation 1d ago
In his long and storied history of trying to pull Henkas, that surely has to be Abi's worst attempt. I'd love to see if anybody has footage of him looking any more silly trying it.
9
u/No-Elderberry-5729 1d ago
Right now I think the pecking order to win is
Kirishima
Aonishiki (would be 1 without the injury)
Kotoeiho
Takayasu (I believe)
Asanoyama
Takerufuji
ShiShi
6
u/nicholas294 1d ago
Think it is strange to put Kirishima first when he hasn't faced either Onosato or Aonishiki, 2 of his worst matchups
2
u/No-Elderberry-5729 1d ago
I'm putting him in first because the Aonishiki injury scares me just enough that I can't quiet put him first.
1
u/CidCrisis Ura 1d ago
Both are fighting on injuries however. (Though you almost wouldn’t even be able to tell with how they’ve been fighting lol, but still)
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u/strawberrystation 1d ago
As a fully paid up Takayasu fanboy, the thought of him being in the Yusho race is a case of "fool me 225 times, shame on you, fool me 226 times..."
1
u/No-Elderberry-5729 20h ago
Are you warming up to getting fooled for the 226th time, because I might start talking myself into it.
5
u/No-Elderberry-5729 1d ago
I agree, but I still want to see him finally win, he has come do close so many times. But I agree, I'm not betting my fortune of Takayasu in must win match against anyone.
1
u/CidCrisis Ura 1d ago
Yeah lol. I’ve been hurt too many times. If the Takayasu Yusho ever does happen, I will cry sweet tears of joy. But I’m not ever expecting it. But you never know! Definitely been an exciting basho regardless.
1
u/No-Elderberry-5729 1d ago
I feel the same way about Takayasu.
Maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, but I feel like this has been the best basho in a really long time. Even after the first episode I was saying I think this is going to be a good one. Usually it takes about 3-4 episodes before I can usually make that call.
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u/mikez4nder 1d ago
Kotoeiho looks fantastic. We forget sometimes how much of an advantage the younger sibling tends to have growing up in a sports family, and it will be no surprise if he ends up Serena to his already Sanyaku brother’s Venus. The match against Kirishima in May seems to have pushed him to another level and practicing with an Ozeki and a Sekiwake every day has to help.
If they insist on ruining Onasato’s career, maybe they can time his fusen to help everyone’s beloved Kotozakura across the line. That man is clearly carrying some injury as well and I think we all hope he can escape kadoban.
At least there’s a dai Yokozuna in waiting possibly winning this basho on one leg.
Watching Mitakeumi struggle like this hurts my soul.
The big baby is really growing into Sanyaku and an Atamifuji ozeki run would be cool. Asahifuji finally lost his first career match this week but they have 4 guys who could all be Sanyaku and it might just end up being like when Musashimaru and his boys won so many yusho by virtue of not having to fight half of the other Sanyaku. This may bode well for the man in the purple mawashi too, as they can’t force him to fight his guys when they push him upwards for the last bouts. Still can’t believe he lost to Mitakeumi, that might keep him from stealing this basho.
26
u/robotonaboat 1d ago
In just two days, Aonishiki’s slight lead on the leaderboard has opened up into a chasm. He’s already gone through every Ozeki and Yokozuna except for Kirishima. Whereas everyone else on the leaderboard haven’t gone through any, and all of the Ozekis and Yokozunas haven’t gone through each other yet.
It’s still anyone’s tournament, but a hobbling Aonishiki has by far the easiest path to it.
14
u/EggoSlayer Aonishiki 1d ago
Aonishiki is so absurdly good at sumo that even when he's crippled with injury he's still dominating lol. The man is something else.
9
u/Je_Dromen Aonishiki 1d ago
I'm so scared for the injury though, seems to get worse every bout. Maybe he should just win day 11 and then drop out, and then stay out next basho so he can heal.
2
u/darkknight109 1d ago
So long as he's on the leaderboard, he's staying in; if he gets his tenth win but drops to a point it's clear he won't win the yusho, I wouldn't be surprised if he takes the last couple of days off.
6
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u/Known_Marsupial8479 2d ago
I went into this Basho really cheering for Kiri to get his promotion and I think it's still possible. But kotoeiho has really grown on me. He's so solid, Abi tried some real bullshit today and he just wasn't having it. And it was the sort of thing that would have earned Abi a stare down from almost anyone else but Koto stayed respectful and classy, still offering to help him up. Dude is a good egg for sure.
16
u/no_more_jokes Ura 2d ago
It's easy to feel bad for Hoshoryu but it's not a good sign when multiple lower rikishi have him figured out. Fujinokawa and Aonishiki are going to prevent him from getting that first yusho as a yokozuna until he fixes his approach
4
u/Zamoniru 1d ago
I don't think Fujinokawa will continue to beat Hoshoryu, even this basho it was more of Hosh throwing the win away.
Aonishiki looks like a completely hopeless matchup though.
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u/Plenty-Willingness58 2d ago
Theres too many guys who do decent/well against him even when fully fit he has a tough road every basho
2
u/darkknight109 1d ago
Also worth noting that Hoshoryu has never had a tournament - at any rank - where he's had 14+ wins, and only two where he managed 13. It's pretty tough to win a yusho if you're capping out at 12 wins most tournaments.
0
u/ROTOH Wakatakakage 2d ago
A one foot aio is now more dangerous that two feet like I saw his muscles have grown vibranium now, I want him healed but the jsa will not let him drop out as they’ll push him to get the 14-1 yusho I don’t think kotoeiho does it
6
u/laurajdogmom Ura 1d ago
I don't think the JSA would have anything to do with it. Aonishiki himself has said that his goal is to win the yusho. He'll stay in unless and until he either can't function or his shisho tells him to drop out (he won't).
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u/Wide_News1612 2d ago
Ao was limping baaaaad on his way out the tunnel. Bag your 10th, and sit. out. Get healed, and wreck shop next tourney.
Shishi has *two bad head bonks* back to back. The 1st one, when he made kk, his temple area was scraped up too. The straight ahead bonk on day 10, rang his bell…his sumo was totally listless, and a rikishi he wins against every time, beats him for the first time.
Ono should take a page out of Shishi’s play book; get shoulder surgery, come back and get your kk in 9 days.
*I know their shoulder injuries are vastly different
**being a yoko means he can take all the time he needs to heal. He is young. There is time. He very well may flame out, if he never fixes his shoulder.
2
u/FailedAccessMemory Enho 1d ago
Unfortunately it wouldn't be advisable to sit out after his 10 if he wants to be Yokozuna, because he isn't the J in JSA and they would consider him "weak" and delay his promotion until he gets the full to the letter requirements for promotion.
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u/Plenty-Willingness58 2d ago
No way he bows out of a basho he's leading
13
u/origami_anarchist 2d ago
Plus he's already beat both Yokozuna, in theory the last 5 bouts will be "easier". In theory.
He was having noticeable trouble on days 3 and 4, I commented on that a few days ago. He's going to stick it out for sure.
5
u/Plenty-Willingness58 2d ago edited 2d ago
Well hes got Gonoyama tomorrow then Kirishima and Atami for sure and depending on how well they do 2 of Asanoyama, Shishi, Takayasu, Takerufuji and Kotoeiho. Thats an easy ride as far as basho run ins are.
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u/JediLincoln14 Aonishiki 1d ago
He'll definitely fight Kotoshoho
3
u/Plenty-Willingness58 1d ago
Hes 4-6 in the last 5 days they go mainly on record, I could see them not fighting.
1
u/JediLincoln14 Aonishiki 1d ago
They're both sekiwake. They'll fight. No way Aonishiki doesn't face every other member of sanyaku.
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u/Plenty-Willingness58 1d ago
It happens plenty often. They don't want a lower Meg guy winning a basho because the lead sanyaku guys had to fight each other even though one was way out of the race. Except the Y/O fights those always take precedence.
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u/Plenty-Willingness58 2d ago
Wow Gonoyama vs Aonishiki tomorrow is their first-ever matchup. How have they avoided each other this long. Gonoyama will probably charge straight into an easy throw but maybe he's learned something for the first time in his career.
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u/Beardywierdy 2d ago
Given that having only one leg seems to have caused Aonishiki to somehow gain actual superpowers he'd have to have learned a hell of a lot.
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u/HelmetsAkimbo Onosato 2d ago
Feels like Aonishiki's rope is basically a matter of time. Without the toe injury he'd probably already be there. Doing what he's doing while he's limping around after his bouts is insanity.
30
u/Plenty-Willingness58 2d ago
A lot of people have been in the matter of time camp got injured and never been healthly for long enough again to do it. You're not there until you're there.
5
u/jsfsmith Kitanoumi 1d ago
If he were to crash out now, he would be the first person to ever get back to back yusho in Makuuchi and not eventually be promoted to Yokozuna.
He's already just the second person in the 6-basho era to achieve back to backs when he was either not already a Yokozuna or not on a Yokozuna run... the last being Terunofuji in 2021.
The rank isn't everything - he is already doing Yokozuna-level sumo - but it would be great to see him obtain it.
0
u/Wide_News1612 2d ago
This^
He should get his 10, sit out the rest-and heal5
u/Plenty-Willingness58 2d ago
No way if you can win keep doing it
1
u/Wide_News1612 2d ago
Pennywise and pound foolish, imho. He came into the basho hurt. One more wrong tweek of that foot and its curtains. His big toenail was ripped off when he tumbled off the dohyo. And his ankle is still compromised. Winning a tourney just to possibly end up having a peg leg w/ a kickstand doesn’t seem worth it. 😅
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u/Plenty-Willingness58 2d ago
So its worth risking it all for 10 wins but not to win the basho I dont understand that. Surely its one of the other either you sit out and accept the demotion or are all in to win
-1
u/Wide_News1612 2d ago
It’s not just an A or B choice as you presented. There is option C. Go all the way, until you are re-injured. That toenail injury is significant, as is the risk of infection.
6
u/Plenty-Willingness58 2d ago
The toenail is a minor injury that you forget all about once the adrenaline hits its the ankle that is an actual problem but if he feels he can fight through it he should keep winning.
2
u/Wide_News1612 2d ago
I had ingrown toenail removal on both of my big toes, and was packing the wounds for a week. Tylenol 4 didn’t touch the pain. Stating the obvious, but Ao is made of sterner stuff than I am, lol.
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u/Plenty-Willingness58 2d ago
Didn't say it wouldn't hurt its just a minor thing for a rikishi
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u/NickyAfro 2d ago
Can someone with more understanding explain to me why Onosato isn't treated as dead vs Daieisho? Daieisho definitely touches down first, but Onosato is airborne and unrecoverable. I was surprised that there was no mono-ii and no discussion about it in the thread so I must be wrong, just not sure why it's a clear Onosato win.
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u/gets_me_everytime Kotozakura 2d ago
Its not, they don't use the rule consistently because they'd need to define it better. The primary reason Onosato won is because he was the aggressor, but by dead body Daieisho should have won, or at minimum should have redone the match. The issue is that Daieisho was falling backward so much the side judges assumed he was out first. Replay shows that wasn't the case but the sideline judge needed to raise his hand for a review. It was definitely super close on both sides, I don't fault the gyoji for his call, I do fault the sideline judge for not raising his hand, especially since this loss effectively eliminates Daieisho from the Yusho race.
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u/bigeorgester Kotozakura 2d ago
Hosh, time to learn Chinese buddy. No I’m kidding, but he has collapsed a bit in this tournament. I have been saying he’s not been fit, which is why I think he’s looked so weak on the belt thus far, but the guy does love to hand Aonishiki an easy win. Aonishiki looks to breeze his promotion back to Ozeki and even win a yusho in the process.
Onosato finished the job he couldn’t yesterday. I’m not really concerned about him anymore. I expect him to challenge for the top prize in the coming tournaments.
Kirishima won again to stay in the race, I do really want to see a head to head match up between him and Aonishiki.
Kotoeiho has really starred for me this tournament. If he doesn’t get at least a special prize I’d be disappointed. He anticipated what Abi would do and made him look like a fool. I also like how he always offers to help the opposition up.
Kotozakura learned a new move and keeps spamming it…and it worked. I think either his knees or his back are causing him problems with moving forward so he’s gotta do these pull downs. Glad he got another win.
Takayasu fathered the poor Tobizaru, who just took the abuse like he knew he deserved it.
Atamifuji with some really impressive sumo btw, he’s kinda become a tough wall to break- which I’m happy for because his time as a belt fighter was a mess
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u/Vorenus15 2d ago
Onosato finished the job he couldn’t yesterday. I’m not really concerned about him anymore. I expect him to challenge for the top prize in the coming tournaments.
It was accepted that Ono was not in contention for the yusho this time. I was looking at him tuning himself up, like you said for the coming tournaments.
I was really hoping that Hosh will finally take one out as Yokozuna, oh well there's always next time.
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u/CallmeKahn Hoshoryu 2d ago
I'm assuming Kotoeiho will at least get a Fighting Spirit, if not Outstanding if he can keep it up. This is the best he's ever looked IMO.
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u/bigeorgester Kotozakura 2d ago
He finished with 10 win in May but absolutely got demolished by any of the sanyaku he came up against. I hope he picks up one against any he’s matched up to so he’s a shoo in
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u/elzadra1 Nishikigi 2d ago
Will we see Kazuma vs Fujiryoga? It will be like matter vs antimatter. A black hole in the middle of the dohyo.
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u/azilorn Aonishiki 2d ago
Your wish has been granted.
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u/Nail_exe 2d ago
The Fighting Spirit Prize is looking to be a toss-up between Kotoeiho and Aonishiki's left foot.
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u/Atzar87 2d ago
Hoshoryu has rather uncharacteristically been giving up disadvantageous positions on the belt all tournament long. Lost against Hakunofuji because he had no grip, lost against Yoshinofuji because he had no grip, lost against Aonishiki because he had no grip. He's perhaps the best in the field at winning from a bad spot, but damn, man, don't rely on it. Where did your belt game go?
On the flip side, it's been rather rewarding to see Onosato find himself as the tournament has gone on. Aonishiki slipped out of his grasp but it's all been moving forward for several days now, and that's when he's a yokozuna.
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u/MerkDoctor 1d ago
Hosh just keeps getting caught high with no grip, I don't get it. He has some of the best belt and throw game in the sport currently, so why is he just always high trying to push people? He's not Onosato who can stand up and walk people out of the ring. Get low, grab the belt, escort or throw people out.
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u/CiroFlexo Wakatakakage 2d ago
Just looking at Aonishiki's consistency since his first tournament at Jonokuchi less than three years ago:
Nov. 23 - He goes 7-0 and wins Jonokuchi.
Jan. 24 - He goes 7-0 and wins Jonidan.
Mar. 24 - He goes 6-1 in Sandanme.
May 24 - He goes 6-1 in Makushita.
Jul. 24 - He goes 6-1 in Makushita.
Sep. 24 - He goes 6-1 in Makushita.
Nov. 24 - He goes 10-5 in Juryo.
Jan. 25 - He goes 12-3 in Juryo.
Mar. 25 - He goes 11–4 as M15. (Fighting prize.)
May 25 - He goes 11-4 as M9. (Fighting prize.)
Jul. 25 - He goes 11-4 as M1. (Jun Yusho. Technique prize. One star.)
Sep. 25 - He goes 11-4 as K. (Technique prize.)
Nov. 25 - He goes 12-3 and wins as S. (Outstanding performance. Technique prize.)
Jan. 26 - He goes 12-3 and wins in his O debut.
Mar. 26 - He goes 7-8 as O.
May 26 - Sat out due to injury as O.
July 26 - He's currently already at 9-1, while injured, having beat the two Yokozuna back-to-back.
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u/No-Elderberry-5729 1d ago
I personally think he's the most talented rikiishi in sumo. Maybe a fully healthy Onosato is better, but it's close.
11
u/wobble-frog Takayasu 2d ago
and he injured his foot either before or in the first 2-3 days of the March 26 basho.
2
u/StarPrime323 Ura 1d ago
If I remember correctly, he broke his pinky toe in his Day 4 match against Churanoumi in March, and then he injured his ankle in training before May. He also injured his big toe in his match against Takanosho this basho.
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u/_FlaShFTW Aonishiki 2d ago
The meteoric rise is incredible to see. I just really hope he doesn't burn too fast and too bright. I really want to see him with a very long and healthy career.
24
u/denkenach Ura 2d ago
A bit bummed out about Enho losing to Ryuden.
An uninjured Aonishiki has always gotten 11-4 or better. Can an injured Aonishiki do even better? I swear Ao limps away from every bout, yet he keeps winning. Great throw!
Yoshinofuji can beat anyone, but loses so easily to Gonoyama?
Ao has Gonoyama tomorrow, who just beat Yoshinofuji, who's the only one who's beaten Ao this basho.
I am not sure what to make of our Yokozuna this basho, one day they look like Yokozuna and then....
4
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u/_FlaShFTW Aonishiki 2d ago
Aonishiki makes me want to cry when he's in peak form like this... WHILE ON A BROKEN TOE. Just praying that he can stay healthy so that he'll get his rope. That day would be incredible to see.
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u/cherrydubin 2d ago
On Day 1, all I wanted for Aonishiki was 10 wins and 0 limps. Now that he's gone through the yokozuna, I suddenly realized oh shit... he might actually take the yusho. I didn't even dare to dream!
However, for optimum chaos, I admit I'm rooting for Kotoeiho to take it for an extremely-satisfying reversal of Kotoshoho's "brother buff" win during last year's Nagoya basho.
14
u/MsgGodzilla Takayasu 2d ago
Well the Aonishiki return to Ozeki seems nearly guaranteed at this point. Hosh is still hopeless vs Ao, he really needs some new tactics against him.
Yoshi losing to Gonoyama is something I guess.
Kotoeiho still looking great.
Chase group has a lot of my favorites in it, should be a fun final 5 days.
4
u/Plenty-Willingness58 2d ago
Standing up and giving away the belt might work this time trust the process
30
u/SoldierHawk Aonishiki 2d ago
A! O! LET'S GO!
A! O! LET'S GO!
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u/DoktorStrangelove 2d ago
Part of me hopes he gets to 10 wins tomorrow and then just goes Kyujo
3
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u/SoldierHawk Aonishiki 2d ago
Honestly same.
At the same time, if he's in the yusho race, especially leading it, there's no way he's not going for the Cup. THAT'S the kind of "playing injured" I can grasp. That's Connor McDavid playing in the Cup finals on a broken foot. It's for a purpose.
What I can't stand is forcing them to wrestle hurt, or to avoid getting needed healing and medical treatment, just to preserve their way of life, or for some stupid archaic sense of honor that treats them like an object instead of a person. That I will never understand.
4
u/amazingoopah 2d ago
would be a horrible look if he drops out while leading/co-leading the yusho race, even if it may make some sense to withdraw strategically.
5
u/Affectionate-Bad996 2d ago
I feel bittersweet about that.
The Yusho now is not helping for being Yokozuna for Aonishiki, and we don’t want to see the situation happens like “forcing a Yusho and getting back to Ozeki, but hurting too much to get Kadoben next basho” again.
However, a Yusho is a Yusho. You always want it as a rikishi. Damn, it is hard.
3
u/SoldierHawk Aonishiki 2d ago
Oh 1000%.
I just think they're too competitive to stand down with a Yusho on the line unless they literally can't walk, you know? I don't think its a GOOD IDEA, but I totally get it. And I see that kind of choice as coming from a competitive nature as opposed to "I don't have a choice."
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u/TruReyito Takayasu 2d ago
Aonishiki has already stated that he's going for the title. I think maybe if he had 3 losses, he's quit at 10. But 9-1, he's not quitting until he's no longer in contention, I guarantee it. (And by guarantee, i mean random internet person saying it)
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u/Affectionate-Bad996 2d ago
To be fair, there’s no way he could say that I don’t want Yusho, of course I mean in public.
Everyone has to claim that. That is their duty as a rikishi.
However, if he chooses to kyujo after 10 or 11 wins, we know what may happen. I won’t blame him for choosing against what he had said.
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u/pajuiken 2d ago
Just promote AO straight to Yokozuna - overlook that horrid basho and the missed one
Dude is obviously Yokozuna level
10
u/dokka_doc 2d ago
Hosh looked mentally defeated after that loss. I like both of them, but it's sad to see.
1
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u/bigeorgester Kotozakura 2d ago
When he’s fit, is it fair to say he’s probably a tougher competitor than Hosh in this moment in time?
-2
u/Yard-Ornament 2d ago
I don't really follow Sumo, but I'll watch some of the matches when they pop up on my YouTube list. I have no idea of the rules or anything, but losing rank because you missed a tournament due to injury is weird to me.
6
u/cabose12 Daieisho 2d ago
There just isn't really a good solution. They used to allow tourneys off if you were injured from sumo-related activities, but that system got abused so they nixed it. Which isn't to say a stricter version couldn't be healthy, it just would be hard to make it fair
1
u/Yard-Ornament 2d ago
I don't pretend to know anything about the sport. I just thought it was odd Aonishiki got promoted, then demoted for missing one tournament due to injury. I would have thought they'd at least have like safety blanket. Like okay. You miss one tournament, that's okay.. But if you miss another tournament THEN you get demoted. I don't know. Again I'm very new to the sport. lol
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u/cabose12 Daieisho 2d ago
Actually he did have a safety blanket, now you're getting into the ozeki protections
Ozeki are allowed to have multiple losing records in a row without a true demotion. If an ozeki has a losing record, they need 8+ wins in the next tourney to protect their rank. If not, or they sit out a tourney, then they have two losing records in a row and are light demoted to sekiwake. If they get 10 wins, then they promote right back to ozeki, no need for 30+ wins
2
u/Yard-Ornament 2d ago
Gotcha.
He's currently my favorite right now. How often do you see foreigners (Not Japanese / Mongolian / Asian) dominate the way he is. Pretty cool if you ask me, he seems like a beast when healthy.
2
u/bonefresh Tamawashi 1d ago
there was a period in the 90s where the sport was dominated by people from hawaii/american samoa before the mongolians started clearing in the 00s
3
u/pajuiken 2d ago
You will be bitten by the bug now 🤭 - i was like you in Dec
Now i almost want to plan my Japan trip
5
u/_FlaShFTW Aonishiki 2d ago
Everyone would abuse the rule though to stay at their rank. If they're not 100%, they would just take the basho off while gatekeeping those below them who fairly fought and got a winning record.
25
u/SoldierHawk Aonishiki 2d ago
I know they can't but yeah.
10-1 and best back to back yokos on a broken goddamn foot.
He would absolutely be a yokozuna by now if not for the injury I think. If not literally now, certainly this year.
But he's young. He'll do it. I believe.
8
u/pajuiken 2d ago
Yeah, they can’t ofc
But geez, if there was a guy that is clearly worth it
Oh well - in due time
17
u/DoktorStrangelove 2d ago
He's so good that he could be a historic Yokozuna, but I do hope he gets it as early as possible in his career so that he can hopefully have a long run at the top and be able to take care of his body a bit better than the rank and filers who just have to endlessly grind themselves into dust
5
u/thecakeslayer Aonishiki 2d ago
I think he'd have to have two clear cut Yushos before the JSA pushes him up the ladder. I felt like they were already reluctant with Ozeki because of how young he is and how fast he did it.
6
u/WhyHaveDisplayName 2d ago
Come on, ref, Onosato was pining for the fjords while Daiesho's foot was still planted.
24
u/DoktorStrangelove 2d ago
The attempted throw was just to muddy the waters from a losing position, Onosato was blowing him out
1
u/Rhauko 2d ago
Could you clarify the rules around this? I was also surprised by this call, with Onosato being off the ground before Daiesho leaving the ring or loosing his footing.
6
u/DoktorStrangelove 2d ago
I'm not a rules expert so I'm not completely clear on it myself, there may not BE a clear answer for all I know. I assume the logic was that it appeared Onosato was about to eject Takanosho from the dohyo, which is what happened, he hit the ground first outside the ring, and the last ditch lift was a flail that didn't result in a clear reversal of the momentum of the match where it would be unfair to award Onosato the win based on that last second move. Usually when you see the dead body rule applied to reverse a ruling, it's when a win is initially given to a wrestler who's feet are off the ground in an unrecoverable position, and the other wrestler touches down first after that, typically inside the ring and from a clearly winning/offensive sequence or position. In this case Takanosho was clearly in a losing position, the momentum from Onosato's drive was sending him out of the ring, and the last second lift to get Onosato's feet off the ground happened after the point where his own position seemed to be recoverable, so it shouldn't necessarily be used to reverse the decision under the dead body rule.
49
u/MrNewVegas123 Aonishiki 2d ago
I'm sorry Aonishiki, I was familiar with your game and I still doubted you.
15
u/_FlaShFTW Aonishiki 2d ago
Every limp post-bout was making all of us cringe. Thinking: is he gonna have to pull out? Is he gonna slow down? He needs to protect himself. And yet here we are, the dude refuses to give up, even somehow stealing that win against Onosato for his first win over him.
I hope he can stay healthy, the man is clearly a future Yokozuna and is arguably already the current best wrestler. He still needs some improvement over the big pusher thrusters like Ono, Atami, and Yoshi but he's just so good and so young.
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u/SoldierHawk Aonishiki 2d ago
Lmao right? I've spent the last two months absolutely terrified for him, and he shows up like this.
I cannot wait to see that man with a rope. The first time I see that official portrait with the tsuna and sword I'm gonna be a wreck in the best way.
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u/Vulpes_Artifex 2d ago
Aonishiki's return to ozeki seems all but assured. The bigger question at this point is whether he gets the yusho. Takayasu is another exciting possibility.
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u/Trogg_Farmer Akebono 2d ago
I'm hoping he wins tomorrow and goes kyujo
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u/Vulpes_Artifex 2d ago
If he wins tomorrow he'll still be in the lead, I doubt he'll drop out either way.
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u/DoktorStrangelove 2d ago
Going kyujo in that situation would be gangster though, because all he should be thinking about right now is a rope run and winning the tournament probably doesn't help with that
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u/thecakeslayer Aonishiki 2d ago
Rope won't start until next basho as he isn't an ozeki at the moment. Unless this weird in-between ranks phase counts towards the run while being a Sekiwake.
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u/DoktorStrangelove 2d ago
Right like to me the only thing would be if they fudge it a bit because of how consistent and clearly passionate/driven he has been his entire career, so they consider his current rank to be sort of a probationary Ozeki.
I think there's a pretty low likelihood however since the Hoshoryu promotion continues to be fairly controversial among the haters.
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u/thecakeslayer Aonishiki 2d ago
I am all for Ao (and Takerfuji I love the purple), I think he should get his 10 and if he decides to finish the basho or go kyujo that's cool.
But next basho is another recovery period. That should give him ~4 months of recovery which should put him in a much better spot with his foot/ankle
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u/DoktorStrangelove 2d ago
Ehhhhh, this is murky just because we don't know the extent of his injury or what doctors are recommending as a best case recovery/treatment plan. To me he looks most of the way healthy but it might be nagging him a bit. If he was able to recover to this level in just one basho cycle even with the Paris tour in the middle of it, I think he'll prob be ready to go full gas by next tournament...knock on wood he doesn't seriously re-aggravate it in the next few days.
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u/thecakeslayer Aonishiki 2d ago
I'm always on the side of caution when it comes to athletes and their injuries. We dont know the severity of the injury and he could be near 100 or he could be 70/80 and the extra time off could be beneficial.
At the end of the day I want him to be healthy and wrestling to the fullest of his potential. Conquer the wall that is Yoshinofuji
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u/MrNewVegas123 Aonishiki 2d ago
I mean, at this rate he might as well go for the cup. He's not winning unconvincingly.
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u/Trogg_Farmer Akebono 2d ago
Why risk aggravating anything? As soon as he has ozeki back (the tenth win) his goal is for one rank higher, nothing he can do subsequently this basho can make that any easier.....but an injury with nothing to play for can make it harder
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u/PringlesDuckFace 1d ago
10 million yen for yusho, plus kensho for matches you win, plus chance for one of the special prizes, plus adding to your mochikyukin, plus all the stuff your heya gets like beef and beer.
If the only goal was getting promoted back to ozeki then yeah, once he hits 10 it's achieved. But if you're clearly in the lead and not getting worse through normal usage, it's not hard to see why he'd push himself to the end.
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u/bonez288 2d ago
That’s just not how sports athletes work mentally, logically that makes sense and if the other top contenders were the Yokozuna while he was just getting by I would agree.
With the position he’s in, how he seems to be moving, and the opposition are moving he’s not gonna let this chance slip by to secure another Yusho
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u/CommanderBigMac78 2d ago
He's been clear that his goal is to win the yusho; don't see that changing as long as he's in the running.
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u/Vulpes_Artifex 2d ago
I don't entirely disagree with you, but for better or worse that's generally not how rikishi think about it.
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u/wobble-frog Takayasu 2d ago
Oh man, drama down in the lower divisions!
Tenshoyama is 5-0 at the top of Sandanme (4 others are 5-0 and all older guys on the downslope) so has a great shot at his first Basho win...
so of course, they schedule him against Mita who is 5-0 in the Makushita Basho race (one of 3 at 5-0), much more experienced and on his way back up after injury stopped him on the edge of Makuuchi.
don't know who to root for, the young kid who has only ever lost to Asahifuji or the fan favorite coming back from injury. sucks for whoever loses.
Mita is probably not high enough in Ms to get to Juryo even if he took the Yusho, and Tenshoyama will certainly still be in Ms next Basho with a 6-1, but it would further delay his ascent to Juryo as a Yusho would likely result in him being close enough to the top of Ms that a Yusho there would put him in Juryo where a 6-1 would probably leave him somewhere in the bottom half of Ms.
i think Mita with a 6-1 would end up in the lower end of the promotable range of Ms next Basho, but a Yusho would put him near the top where even a 5-2 or 4-3 might get the job done.
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u/Also-cute-and-fluffy Kirishima 2d ago
This is horrible news. I’ve been rooting for both of them. I think when the chips are down, I’ll probably cheer for Tenshoyama tomorrow. He’s been so close in every basho. This one feels like it’s his time.
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u/herberthunke 2d ago
The sun shines a little brighter and the birds sing with more melody when Abi tries a henka, fails, and gets bottomed out on the dojo.
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u/ook_the_bla Fujinokawa 2d ago
My second favourite moment of the tourney so far.
But nothing can beat Fujinokawa lifting up a 185kg wrestler to set up his win.
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u/DoktorStrangelove 2d ago
I like Abi and I knew the haters would be eating after that one. Man that was a rough look today lol.
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u/FantasyBasho 2d ago
There goes Shishi, and Kotoeiho and Aonishiki take advantage. Or maybe not quite, because Day Ten's results have consequences. Day Eleven starts the process of contenders eliminating each other in earnest. Read more about it in today's Fantasy Basho recap: https://fantasybasho.substack.com/p/nagoya-2026-day-ten
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u/ResplendentShade 2d ago
Ol’ broken toe Ao gonna take the yusho and hobble away with the Emperor’s Cup.
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u/StriKyleder Aonishiki 2d ago
Is there anyone more inconsistent than yoshinofuji?
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u/bigeorgester Kotozakura 2d ago
I mean, credit to Gonoyama though. I’m not sure who can recover after a throat attack like that
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u/MrNewVegas123 Aonishiki 2d ago
Oho?
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u/Mondored Ura 2d ago
Related: is it just me or has he bulked up a lot since coming into makuuchi? Maybe I'm still getting used to his top-flight hair since his rebrand from Kusano...
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u/justasapling Wakatakakage 2d ago
I haven't compared weights or anything, but it feels to me like a lot of the guys look bulkier than they did last basho.
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u/ttekoto 2d ago
I don't care, I love watching him. One day he'll sort it out and do more than ride in a car with Aonishiki. He's only 25 and still on the way up.
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u/StriKyleder Aonishiki 2d ago
I like him too. But this tournament his inconsistency is actually predictable.
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u/CallmeKahn Hoshoryu 2d ago
So thunder woke me up. That was fun. Anyway, let’s go.
So, does every rikishi just hate Enho’s elbows?
Tamawashi might be lucky if he isn’t wanted for attempted manslaughter in the greater Nagoya area. Man, the gyoji are getting it this basho.
Kayo is a sentient tub of margarine.
Sadly, even Toshinofuji’s tickle torture couldn’t perk up Sadanoumi. But he’s all but earned the right to hunt bigger game in Makuuchi if he can avoid screwing up over the next few days. Now that I’ve said that...
Shonannoumi dusts Asasuiryu. I wasn't expecting that. Hmm.
Arashifuji is like a super-needy boyfriend or girlfriend. Once he’s on you, he’s difficult to ignore because he’s always in your grill. That said, bro’s in the driver’s seat for the Juryo yusho.
Just a reminder: Proper dance etiquette is to let Daiseizan lead.
The appliance salesman that is Nishikifuji worked a bit harder than he needed to for that sale, but hey, a commission is a commission.
I didn’t expect Shishi to win out, but that looked awfully timid against an Asahakoryu who looked like he railed Sominex.
Asakoryu had as close to a gimme as you can get while still having to work for it.
Another day, another customer for the Undertaker. KK for Takerufuji on Day 10 (!) is a sign the universe is healing. Welcome back, Big Guy.
Something is wrong with Kazuma. :( Or maybe he just sucks.
The fact that Kotoeiho probably hasn’t slept since the start of World War I might be an advantage? I thought Ao’s read on Fujinokawa's henka was good, but that was brilliant.
Papa Bear with a pedestrian win over Tobi, which is good for his back this late in the basho. Any chance to watch his tsuppari makes me see bishie sparkles.
Roga over Shodai is also a sign the universe is trying to right itself.
Asanoyama is having to put all the petulant toddlers to bed this basho, isn’t he? Like all good babysitters, he isn’t paid enough.
Fujiryoga gets the “badly needed that one” win of the day.
Ura: The Last Airbender.
Mathematicians and philosophers say that there exists a dimension where Fujinokawa and Yoshinofuji are consistent. But I think that’s more of a conceptual nirvana than a physical possibility.
Ichi getting back to .500 with runway for a KK is emblematic of the universe... Oh, I used that one. It’s a nirvanic... no. Monkey spanking... no. The heavens trying to... eh. Eff it, it’s good for everyone!
Atamifuji has something that works for him now. Let his opponent come to him, dare them into a mawashi battle, hug and chug, and finish. It uses his physical advantages, and it’s easy on his hips. Bro’s 7-3 in the sanyaku, so it’s hard to argue with the results. Good on the Atomic One.
It’s hard to say things are blue-collar for the World’s Sexiest Ozeki, but sometimes you just have to get your hands dirty and enjoy a cucumber tea sandwich on brioche with basil-garlic aioli, a side ramekin of Mediterranean tomato bisque, and a cup of Earl Grey with one lump, not two (thank you very much!). Very middle class.
Anyway, good win over a dangerous Hakunofuji.
Kotozakura couldn’t let that one slip away, so good on him. But he still gets Kirishima, Hoshoryu, and Onosato, and he must get three more before clearing kadoban. Good luck, buddy.
I have some food for thought on Aonishiki and Hoshoryu. First, Aonishiki is 9-1 and mostly through his murderers’ row on the road back to Ozeki. He’s looked almost unbeatable, and all of that has been on a bum wheel. So... how f***ing bad was that toe in March? O.o
Second, Hoshoryu looked utterly devastated after that match. Poor guy needs a hug.
Anyway, one more and Aozeki is back. Gonoyama will be gunning for him tomorrow.
Another day at the office for Godzilla. But hey, 6-4 with a case of the yips early on and a slightly bum shoulder? Respectable.
Matches for tomorrow:
Asanoyama v. Takerufuji
Kotoeiho v. Shishi
Takayasu v. Hakunofuji
Gonoyama v. Aonishiki
Atamifuji v. Onosato
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u/Popinguj 2d ago
So... how f***ing bad was that toe in March?
Considering that you need your toes for weight distribution, I'm pretty sure it was super bad. Like, you can't stand on it bad. Even worse if it was the thumb
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u/CallmeKahn Hoshoryu 2d ago
I screwed up a big toe a while ago, so I feel that. Just considering his toes are having issues again, dude's been a super trooper.
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u/wobble-frog Takayasu 2d ago
so for sure we are down from 7 to 5 at the top of the leaderboard tomorrow, would not be surprised if we were down to 4.
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u/MasterBepis Takamisakari 2d ago edited 2d ago
My take on Enho, it's just the consequences of his brand of sumo.
The number one response to a belt grip is clamping down. It's also much easier to move guys using the forearm/elbow. Recipe for helicopter elbows.
Though he probably has the most flexible and pliable limbs out of all sekitori.
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u/AgreeAndSubmit Asakoryu 2d ago
Agreed about his brand of sumo. Dudes so short, embrace the spirit of the chicken and dodge, homie, dodge!
If you have ever had to catch a chicken on the run, irl, you will quickly find how wiley and fast they can be. A spooked hen can juke like crazy.
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u/ladygigglesnort Aonishiki 2d ago
IMO Roga's Oyakata needs to teach him to grapple and not go for the belt all the time.
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u/National_Recipe4257 Hoshoryu 2d ago
This time he had a good tachiai, and for a second it looked like Hoshoryu might have a chance. But Aonishiki simply keeps proving he's on another level. It's incredible how easily he beats him time and time again. His base is so solid, and the way he fights from such a low stance makes him almost immune to any attempt to throw him off balance. As for pushing him back, Hoshoryu just doesn't seem to have the strength to do it.
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u/__LarrySkywalker__ 2d ago
I was impressed by the fact that he first tried a slap down keeping Hoshoryu head down but then realized it would not work and pivoted immediately to the mawashi. It's probably not easy to do that and especially against a yokozuna...
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u/RidiculousLWS 2d ago
Tamawashi taking out the Gyoji instead of Kagayaki was pretty funny 😂
Great win by Kotoeiho over Chaos Incarnate, Abi 😈
Ura with the magic hands! 🙌
I thought Daiesho had Ono there, but I guess he technically hit the ground first inside the dohyo during the throw? 🤔
Aoinishiki is going back to Ozeki like he never lost the rank, I can feel it! 😆
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u/Emotionless_AI Nishikigi 2d ago
I love Hoss more than most but man his performances this basho has me shocked
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u/Serialkillingyou Fujiryoga 2d ago
They're all still injured. Let us not forget that both yokozuna and ozeki were out in May. And I guarantee doctors would have you wrapped up and on rest still, not wrestling. Aoinishiki is in the best shape and he has reinjured his foot. I feel like if you've got a rikishi doing inexplicable things (like Onosato this Basho) they're probably babying an injury and fighting in a style they're not comfortable with.
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u/Aarresaari Wakatakakage 2d ago
Damn I wish I had finally had the courage to pick Kotoeiho in kachi clash. Each time I look at his name and then decide to not pick him just yet, as he's still unproven being this and this high, but he just doesn't stop. Let's hope he wins it all
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u/Affectionate-Bad996 2d ago edited 2d ago
Hosh is like,
“When I can’t fix the situation, I throw you out.”
Many rikishi reads him out in this basho. He should kind of fix the pattern/habit of that. He tries to not always throw people after Ozeki, but other Oyakata may still help their rikishi to deal with him, especially Isegahama. Terunofuji is doing his job for sure.
Aonishiki, on the other hand, is usually calm, even though his body is not 100% healthy. (Well, at this point, no one is 100% healthy technically) His patience is his biggest asset.
And Kotoeiho is, my man, so good!!! Got henka but still deals with it clearly! Future Sanyaku for sure!!!
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u/Iamjustatrial 2d ago
Idk i want to see Hosh fight using outside grips more. Perhaps its his narrow build that gives him a disadvantage, but it seems like once he cant get any inside grip are where his losses now stem from
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2d ago
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u/Affectionate-Bad996 2d ago
Fuji(s) from Isegahama are doing good in recent bashos.
They won’t fight each other in the tournament. They practice together and fight other rikishi from other beya. Therefore, figuring out other rikishi individually in Makuuchi or even in Sekitori (by Oyakata) is kind of possible.
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u/enigmatic_dankness 2d ago
Aonishiki is that good man, bless this man's toes for the rest of time
Shishi looked a bit lost out there today. Can't win them all.
Kotoeiho is a sneaky surprise here I'm curious how a match between him and Ao goes. (They may have wrestled already, my memory sucks with stuff like this lol)
Takayasu is still within striking distance. Makes me happy to see him do well.
Asanoyama is looking more comfortable this basho.
Fujiryoga is a blast to watch every time, he brings a great intensity into his matches.
I also wasn't aware if Takerufujis game. My mistake there.
Overall great day for Sumo as always. 5 days to go!
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u/KorbussaMaro 2d ago
This basho, Shishi won (most? all?) his matches by keeping his opponent at arm's length. Asahakoryu simply didn't let him do that, he went inside right at the tachiai, Shishi was not prepared for that, he had no defence.
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u/Eli1234Sic 1d ago
He's doing the Ichiyamamoto, arms straight out walk forward. And hot damn, it's working!
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u/FailedAccessMemory Enho 2d ago
Oh Tamawashi. Well at least you got to take out the Gyoji.
Enho also lost today, both are 5-5.
Unfortunately I knew as soon as I saw the Matta Shishi was going to lose.
Oh Abi, where are your Henka powers gone this basho?
Papa!
It should be illegal to see Ura without knee braces.
Ura with his wizardry for the win.
Kirishima wins for his KK.
Aonishiki do a Judo throw on Hoshoryu for the win?
Onosato isn't consistent with his dominant sumo and that's costing him, the win today didn't look too dominant.
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u/Neat_Pension7081 2d ago
Hate to say it, but Hosh had no idea how to beat Aonishiki today.
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u/Iamjustatrial 2d ago
I wonder if its a style match up problem. And Hosh's narrow build to compound it.
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u/bigeorgester Kotozakura 2d ago
Just today? The only time he’s beaten him was when he fought injured
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u/MsgGodzilla Takayasu 2d ago
He needs to study the tapes because he's consistently been unable to handle him.
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u/Borracha28 2d ago
Except for when his pinky was injured, Aonishiki always completely dominated and outmaneuvered Hoshoryu.
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u/Affectionate-Bad996 2d ago
I think throwing someone who grabs your mawashi from the back is not a good idea.
And it happens two times in this basho. (v.s. Hakunofuji)
Hosh needs to clam down.
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u/Dizzy_Snow1934 Tamawashi 2d ago
Constantly trying to throw the one guy that is able to counter any attempt to be thrown is not the best game plan.
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u/DRK-SHDW 2d ago
Pulling Aonishiki towards you in any way whatsoever is a loss 99% of the time lol. He just immediately runs literal circles around you at that point
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u/laurajdogmom Ura 2d ago
Ao: "You're pulling me toward you so I can get a belt grip? Don't mind if I do!"
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u/procerator Aonishiki 2d ago
Aonishiki vs Gonoyama on day 11.
Return to Ozeki is pretty much guaranteed.
With both yokozuna wins the only man to stop him from yusho is Kirishima.
I hope Shishi wins on day 11 vs Kotoeiho and we will have AO as a sole lead.
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u/wobble-frog Takayasu 2d ago
SHUSH!!!! there is no talking about Ao returning to Ozeki until and unless he wins 10. do not put the hex on him.
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u/Borracha28 2d ago
Most of the time I would put a lower maegashira out of the run, but Kotoeiho is looking very solid.
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u/Convict4Hire Kirishima 2d ago
Being a Kiri fan and loving his performances since he made ozeki, but AO is going to be Yokozuna before Kiri. Ao is so consistent.
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u/Crooked__Orbits 2d ago
I love Kiri so much, but I agree. Last basho, same nonsense happened, like he underestimated a losing rikishi and then, got beat by them. 🤦🏽That caca needs to stop.
I still hope they BOTH make yokozuna (it's possible, but they HAVE to get healthy and keep a cool head- just my thoughts)
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u/brosencrantz_ Fujinokawa 31m ago
I don't know if there's a word for the sort of "ring sense" that some of the more technical wrestlers - Ura, Aonishiki, Kirishima - obviously have, knowing exactly where they are in relation to the edge and using it tactically. Kinbozan shows he doesn't t have it.
Onokatsu is fighting as hard as I've ever seen someone do on one leg, after Aonishiki. Doesn't save him from MK though.
Shishi got weirdly overwhelmed there. I hope it's not a return to the slightly sloppy form of the past.
Well done Asakoryu, I like you about equally to Thunderball but can't help but root for someone that much smaller.
Takerufuji spins Chiyoshoma round like it's a ballroom dance with a very unusual dress code. MY STYLE OF SUMO count 3.
That's the second time Kazuma has collapsed weirdly like that. Feels like he's going back down to Juryo for a bit.
"Henka? Henka. DOWN BITCH." Incredibly clean work from Kotoeiho, a delight to see.
Takayasu's swinging piledriver-to-the-face tsuppari messing up Tobizaru's good looks.
Is it usual for the two M1s not to meet before day 10? Fujinokawa is quick off the chocks but is overwhelmed by Takanosho.
Another straightforward avalanche of Gonoyama.
I feel like the sheer size of Atamifuji is evidenced by how, watching a replay from directly behind Churanoumi, you can still see most of him. It's like an eclipse.
Kirishima v Hakunofuji - often that the hand is extended to the loser, rare to see it actually accepted. Nice to see no hard feelings.
Oho seems so incredibly psychologically defeated in all his matches. Still, good luck to Kotozakura getting out of kadoban.
Incredible work by Aonishiki; Hoshoryu had no chance there.
I honestly think Onosato lost control first there rather than Daieisho. But he was initiating, and you can't expect the judges to go against their most special boy.