Natsu 2025 Day Twelve

We are moving closer and closer to the finale of the May sumo tournament

Public League Leaderboard

Scores from Fantasizr

Yusho Arasoi

12 Wins

02 Ozeki East Onosato

9 Wins

01 Yokozuna East Hoshoryu

04 Sekiwake East Daieisho

05 Sekiwake West Kirishima

07 Komusubi West Wakatakakage

41 Maegashira #17 West Asakoryu

Notable Maneuvers

Hatakikomi. From the jump, Onosato read that Hakuoho was charging too hard, and he easily slapped down the Maegashira. The tallest and heaviest man in the division doesn’t need those instincts and quickness, but he’s also got that trick in his bag.

Match of the Day

01 Yokozuna East Hoshoryu versus 05 Sekiwake West Kirishima

Hoshoryu knew he needed this one after Onosato’s win. Kirishima’s extremely thin yusho hopes required him to win, too. At the tachiai, they collided and both went for a grip. Kirishima demonstrated his grappling skills by getting the deeper mawashi grab. That didn’t immediately win him anything, because Hoshoryu also had a hold. Yet Kirishima always had the leverage, and Hoshoryu never found offense. The Yokozuna went back and out when he tried to change course for a critical loss.

Recap

Onosato has at least clinched a playoff for the Natsu basho. After winning his first 12, he has a three match lead with three to play. If he wins on Day Thirteen, he gets the Emperor’s Cup and a Yokozuna promotion. Even if he loses all three remaining bouts, the best any of the quintet on 9-3 can do is have extra sumo against Onosato. No one should relish the idea of facing Onosato twice in a basho. The way he has been fighting no one should count on him losing once, much less three in a row.

Onosato had it relatively easy on Day Twelve. Hakuoho’s over-eagerness allowed the Ozeki to swat aside the Isegahama-Miyagino man. Of course, he hasn’t really had a super challenging match. Almost no one has gotten any kind of offense going. Most rikishi have pushed on him to no avail. Instead, Onosato just absorbs a heavy blow and shoves back the other guy. Wakatakakage at least got a grip on Day Eleven. That’s about the best showing anyone has had.

Hoshoryu’s loss to Kirishima is what really set up Onosato’s simple end-of-tournament path. That can seem like a disappointment from Hoss. A Yokozuna probably should be going for 12 or more wins every time. Hoshoryu can still reach 12, though, just like everyone else at 9-3 right now. 12 wins has frequently been at least good enough for a playoff in recent years. It’s a sign of beating most comers, performing at the best frequently, and contending for the yusho. 12-3 is in sight for five rikishi.

And it might not matter much. An interesting development is that four of the five rikishi sitting three losses behind Onosato are Sanyaku men. Yokozuna Hoshoryu, Sekiwake pair Daieisho and Kirishima, and Komusubi Wakatakakage are all going to continue at their ranks next basho. Ozeki Kotozakura is also above .500. Only Takayasu has had a rough basho among the named ranks. The only outsider in the chase group is way outside, Maegashira #17 West Asakoryu.

Day Thirteen will see Onosato face fellow Ozeki Kotozakura. The Scion of Sadogatake could beat Onosato, especially seeing as how they have an even career matchup. Yet its also fair to say Onosato might have reached a new level of sumo. He turns 25 in June, so he is only entering his prime. He always had the bulk, power, speed, skill, and instinct to dominate. Onosato was missing the savvy and consistency to beat everyone every time over the course of a basho. He is on track to do that now, and it’s worth watching even if the yusho is settled early.