Natsu 2025 Day Four

The Natsu basho keeps going, with surprises and interesting matches galore.

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Scores from Fantasizr

Notable Maneuvers

Amiuchi. Nishikigi won with the “Fishermen’s Throw,” so called because the action resembles a fishermen tossing out a net. Of course, the fishermen usually isn’t going backwards before casting, and Fujiseiun is much, much heavier than a net. Impressive sumo from Nishikigi.

Match of the Day

24 Maegashira #9 East Aonishiki versus 26 Maegashira #10 East Meisei

Aonishiki is very, very good and young, meaning he will be something special but he’s also still figuring things out. Meisei went hard at the tachiai, and then went sideways. That did seem to throw Aonishiki off. But the Blonde Bomber willingly got into a slapfest with Meisei. That still meant he was going backwards against a veteran. Somehow, Aonishiki got a hold of Meisei and won with an uwatedashinage. (Pulling underarm throw.)

Recap

Hoshoryu losing to Oho on the back of a nice move by Oho was one thing, but Hoshoryu losing because Abi sensed his balance was off and pulled is another. It wasn’t even good Abi-zumo. Hoshoryu just couldn’t get himself set. That’s two kinboshi in two days, plus the Yokozuna is looking bad. The talk about “Was Hoshoryu’s promotion too soon?” is only going to get louder.

Of course, there might be another Yokozuna by July. Onosato took Oho’s best shot and just pushed him straight back. It’s hard to say what Oho could have done better, since he delivered a blow right to Onosato’s chest. Onosato is just too big, too powerful, and too focused to be beat with solid sumo. It may take something spectacular, although Onosato has also lost at least two matches in each basho of his sekitori career. Someone could put a loss on him. Or he’s hit a new level and everyone else should be worried.

He isn’t the only 4-0 rikishi, but the ranks of the undefeated got thinned. Oho lost to Onosato, which isn’t bad for him but is a loss. Takerufuji also lost, simply because Wakatakakage was just plain faster off the tachiai. That means the 4-0 group contains Onosato (possible Yokozuna promotion), Daieisho (possible Ozeki promotion), Hakuoho (rising star), Endo (veteran who seemed past it), and Nishikigi (veteran who seemed like he was headed straight to Juryo.) Endo won a weird match where he fought more than he needed to, since the gyoji missed Shishi stepping out very early. Nishikigi won against a Juryo visitor with a remarkable throw at the edge as he was nearly out.

While Onosato, Daieisho, and Hakuoho are in the pole positions overall and seem capable of staying in the yusho race, nothing is guaranteed. Takerufuji looked good until he was a step slower than Wakatakakage. It doesn’t take much to lose a sumo match, and that means everything matters. Aonishiki, Atamifuji, and Roga are all 3-1 lower-ranked Maegashira who have the potential to keep winning. Kirishima and Wakatakakage are former yusho winners who are 3-1 and will face all the top-rankers.

With four nice performances and a focus on Yokozuna promotion, Onosato feels like he could steamroll everybody. He still has eleven matches to actually do that, while fending off the variety of skilled veterans, fellow rising stars, and surprise contenders who are fighting in this basho. Hoshoryu may not be around, and Kotozakura has been struggling. Still, Onosato isn’t going to waltz through this.