Nagoya 2025 Day One
We have sumo again, and here's how the first day of the July tournament has gone.
Public League Leaderboard
Scores from Fantasizr
Notable Maneuvers
Sotogake. Upon colliding at the tachiai, Hoshoryu decisively and forcefully went for the leg trip on Takayasu. If Hoshoryu has full power-trips on the menu, it’s a bad sign for other rikishi.
Match of the Day
03 Ozeki East Kotozakura versus 09 Maegashira #1 East Aonishiki
The Ozeki was fully ready to watch for whatever the young Ukrainian could possibly try. From the jump, Kotozakura kept his base wide, and established the mawashi grip he likes while Aonishiki was awkwardly finding his way. Kotozakura’s caution didn’t lead to an immediate force out, but he had the position. Aonishiki could grab hold and move the larger Kotozakura. So he took his right, threw it at Kotozakura’s leg, and won with an impressive uchimuso (the inner thigh popping twist down.)
Recap
Both Yokozuna christened the new arena in Nagoya with victories, which should set the rest of Makuuchi on notice. Onosato had a false start against Oshoma, although some of that was on Oshoma’s obvious nerves. When the real match officially began, Oshoma was tentative as Onosato bulldozed him back easily. In the main event, Hoshoryu brushed aside Takayasu with a trip that looked painful for the former Ozeki. We have two yokozuna, they are both healthy, and they started the basho on form.
The entirety of Makuuchi provided excitement as well. In the very first match, Kotoeiho looked strong in his debut as he pushed back Shishi, but then Shishi cast him aside for the win. Kusano survived Fujinokawa in a battle of debutants by twisting him aside at the tawara. Roga threw aside Atamifuji. Ichiyamamoto unusually won on the belt against Sadanoumi. Takerufuji manhandled Meisei. Tamawashi had to carefully step aside at the edge to topple Hiradoumi. Abi decided to henka Onokatsu on Day One. That’s a heck of a standard to start from the Maegashira.
Sanyaku was pretty exciting, too. Wakatakakage took all that Oho could give him, redirected the match and won in vintage style. Kirishima then showed he was on a similar level as Wakatakakage by beating a game Wakamotoharu. Those two Sekiwake are on form while Daieisho is out. Both Yokozuna looked like their best selves. There was only one real upset at the top, but Kotozakura didn’t seem overwhelmed in his match against Aonishiki.
That is a credit to Aonishiki as much as an issue with Kotozakura. Aonishiki is 21, in his third top-division basho, and at his career-highest rank. This should be a recipe for the best Rikishi steamrolling him over the first week. If he is able to take a match with sumo’s rikishi with the best fundamentals and bust out a surprise kimarite, he could be prepared for this. Add him to the pile of rikishi to watch as the Yusho race develops.
Of course, the Yusho race has two more weeks before it’s done. Maybe someone like Hakuoho will only look helpless on Day One and recover. Perhaps Kusano takes his narrow escape as a launching pad to another excellent Makuuchi debut. Or it could be that Tamawashi has a post-40 Yusho run in him. Whoever steps up and performs, they’ll certainly need to be at a high level. Too many top-ranked rikishi were too good on Day One for there not to be a host of rikishi with good records.