I'm rushing off to have lunch with my sister, so I'll be brief. About Kirishima's splendid Day 8 victory vs Aonishiki, Hochi Sports writes: OZEKI AONISHIKI FAILS TO SECURE A WIN What? Where's Kirishima? Anyway, more about Aonishiki: He was thrown by Kirishima in a match of excellent sumo ...

Guess who's coming to the honbasho tonight (Jan 18), Nakabi Sunday? His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako (perhaps with their daughter Princess Aiko) who haven't attended a sumo tournament in six years, that's who. It's not easy being the Emperor or family ...

Look what they did to my Golden Boy. In his first bout versus the hot with two consecutive big wins (Kotozakura & Tamwashi) HAKUNOFUJI, HOSHORYU suffered a cut on his right forehead about which in his dressing room he muttered, "It hurts and worse yet, my hair got thinner." Reporters liked that.

Hoshoryu is sumo's Joe Cool--for now. Without breaking a sweat, the yokozuna swiftly knocked down the strong but inconsistent Takanosho to remain at one loss off the leader M12 Abi. The Golden Boy says he's concentrating well which he believes allows his body to react more naturally. ...

It's not just us. 私たちは盗まれた！(We was robbed!) is heard throughout the streets of Japan.

Day 5. Yokozuna Onosato survived a scare from a forceful Takanosho who lifted and rushed the yokozuna from the tachiai to the tawara's edge. Onosato managed to hold his ground just before being thrown out of the ring, and pushed his opponent down to the clay. In his dressing room, he conceded, ...

On Day 5, only one san'yaku man remains unbeaten. Sekiwake Kirishima at 4-0 is flawless after clinching a tightly contested battle vs Komusubi Wakamotoharu. Fans of the former ozeki have kept the faith for nearly three years for the return of Kirishima's confidence. That day just might be now.

For defeating both Hoshoryu and Onosato on Days 3 and 4, M1 Yoshinofuji takes home ¥6.66 Million in Kensho Prize Money. That's about $42,000 US. Not too shabby, no?

Hakkaku is being especially tough on Ozeki Kotozakura, and he doesn't mince words on Zakura's failures in his match vs Ichiyamamoto on Day 4. “What the hell was he doing?," Hakkaku exclaimed upon leaving the Association's executive room where he watched the bout. "He needs to cut the belt ...

After forgettable performances on Days 1 and 2 of Hatsu, Yoshinofuji electrified everything and person in sumo by defeating Yokozuna Onosato in a stunning match that came with the cream of his second kinboshi from Onosato, and his second kinboshi of the tournament itself.

Did Onosato receive special accommodation in his first bout with Ura? Here's the story: In their initial match, Ura attacked Onosato and followed up with an ashitori (leg grab), knocking the yokozuna off his feet and onto his hands. Replays show both of Onosato's hands on the clay ...

"I've dreamed of this moment all my life," said Yoshinofuji about standing victorious among purple cushions flying around him--a fantasy actualized on Day 3 by his defeat of Yokozuna Hoshoryu. Originally a Hakuko recruit who, like all Hakuho disciples, was forced-absorbed by Isegahama-beya,

Former ozeki and the only rikishi to have returned to the top division twice after falling twice to the third division--Asanoyama claimed his first Makuuchi-division victory in 545 days by defeating M17 Hatsuyama on Day 2. "Employing power and getting the deed done quickly, ...

Ozeki Aonishiki will be tested in his Day 2 match versus his nemesis, M1 Yoshinofuji who holds a 3-0 record over the mighty Ukrainian. Since their first match last summer when they were in the Makushita, Aonishiki has succumbed to Yoshinofuji in three straight tournaments.

Onosato blew Ichiyamamoto and nearly all doubts away, but it must be pointed out-- his left shoulder and arm were not tested in the match. The fact remains that in 2.3 seconds he overpowered Ichiyamamoto and forced him to retreat. Referee Kokonoe commented, ...

Looking sharp with his strong sumo,Yokozuna Hoshoryu defeated Komusubi Wakamotoharu for a Day 1 start toward his first tournament victory as he also quelled rumors of a torn meniscus. It was an especially good win for Hoshoryu who relinquished a kinboshi to Wakamotoharu on Day 6 in November.

Ozeki Kotozakura began the New Year's Tournament with a cool win, quickly taking out Yoshinofuji--one of sumo's emerging talents--by okuridashi (rear push out). The ozeki skipped practice on the 8th and visited the hospital to check on his knee which raised concerns about ...

On January 11, 2026, Day One of the Hatsu Basho, Asanoyama will make history by being the only rikishi to have fallen from sumo's top rank (Makunouchi) to its third lowest (Sandanme), and made it back to the top -- TWICE. Entering Hatsu at age 31 and ranked at M16, the former ozeki...

Jan. 8. Don't kill the messenger--blame Sponichi Sports that reports of Hoshroyu being absent from practice today due to a flareup from an old knee injury. Tatsunami Oyakata confirmed that his yokozuna's left knee is swollen and accumulating fluid. There is currently no official talk ... (1/2)

1/7/26. Onosato visited Sadogatake Beya for his final pre-tournament practice, taking on host Kotozakura for 17 bouts, losing 10. Slow off the tachiai and unable to fully use his left arm have raised concerns of his fitness. Said his oyakata, “His form is broken but he'll fix that and be fine."

January 5. The pre-tournament Yokozuna Deliberation Council Soken painted (maybe just in watercolor, but no less) a different picture than what Yokozuna Onosato or Ozeki Aonishiki envisioned. Despite Onosato's self-assured prediction of 2026 being a banner year for him in which he would win at ...

One should never assume...but I assume Onosato's shoulder has healed for he's relying on it and on the rest of his body to accomplish his goal of winning four or more tournaments in 2026. As he reminds Kyodo News, "I pledged at my yokozuna promotion ceremony to attain ...

Things are looking good for Tagonoura Oyakata who, at the stable's mochi-pounding event, announced his marriage to Chiaki-san whom he met three years ago at the stable's Nagoya training camp. The 49-year-old Taganoura has slimmed down considerably, looks years younger, and is obviously ...

Kotozakura looks back on his disappointing year as "a learning experience" in which he identifies the major problem as himself. In looking ahead to a comeback in 2026, he tells Hochi Sports, "In order to rebound and succeed, I know what it is I have to do--and that is to face my own sumo."

"Nothing is permanent except for change," a lesson I learned not from a philosopher but from following sumo in 2025. Looking back at the rankings of January 2025, Terunofuji was our sole yokozuna with three ozeki-- Kotozakura, Hoshoryu and Onosato right behind him. Many fans were dubious ...

On December 27, Enho sweated it out in morning practice at Isegahama-beya in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, preparing for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament (beginning January 11). Of the ten remaining wrestlers from Miyagino-beya, nine have been issued new shikona from Isegahama Oyakata with only Enho ...

This is the least joyful message to send on Christmas, but it will be brief (as I rush to join my family)--so in short: Sumo has a new scandal--specifically at Kise beya which has not been a stranger to notoriety. Unnamed rikishi (A) became furious upon discovering money missing ...

Dec. 23. Onosato appears--and looks very well standing with his fellow yokozuna at the Japan Sumo Association's Commemorative Ceremony for the 100th Anniversary of its Foundation. You'll remember that Hoshoryu participated in the Yokozuna Gonin-gakari (yokozuna takes on five challengers) ...

To further expunge any remaining vestiges of Hakuho, and to fully integrate Miyagino rikishi into Isegahama men, Terunofuji has created new shikona(s) incorporating the stable's traditional "fuji" character, which is a derivative of its founder, Asahifuji. Hakuoho is now Hakunofuji (1/3)

Dec. 22. The 22-day Winter Jungyo is (finally) over, and the rikishi are on their way home for the holidays--which for Hoshoryu focuses on rest with the aim to restore him to peak condition. With Onosato out, Hoshoryu has been pulling double-duty both on and off the dohyo, ...

Unlike Donald Trump, Ozeki Aonishiki doesn't rate his last year's job performance as an "A+ + + + , but a far more unpretentious "75" notwithstanding his fastest ever promotion to ozeki (by modern sumo standards). He explains his strict self-evaluation as, "I only won once in six tournaments ...

I love this--and even more, the brilliant and delightful child who composed and illustrated it. 💗

The outspoken and always candid ex-Sekiwake Takatoriki gives his opinion on the state of sumo's yokozunae, Hoshoryu and Onosato--but not before taking a dig at NHK announcer, former Komusubi Mainoumi. "From the announcer's booth, Mainoumi spoke about Onosato's shoulder injury that forced him...

At its yearly ceremony, the Japan Professional Sports Association named Ozeki AONISHIKI as its "Newcomer of the Year"--an award only twice before given to sumo wrestlers, specifically KOTOOSHU and ICHINOJO. Unable to attend the ceremony due to being on the winter jungyo tour, Aonishiki offered...

Aonishiki received a hero's welcome at the Higashiosaka, Osaka Jungyo where he thrilled fans as their Osaka-Kansai-Region ozeki. In the three years since an 18-year-old Danylo Yavhusyshyn fled Ukraine and was taken-in and cared-for by the family of Arata Yamanaka--the then captain of ...

"Everyone is invited," says Hakuho to his "16th Annual Hakuho Cup" -- the celebrated and controversial yokozuna's student and amateur sumo tournament--which will be held on two days, February 7 and 8, at its new venue, the Toyota Tokyo Arena (Koto Ward, Tokyo).

Why you should see a tournament in person. Asanoyama is cute--okay, maybe better-- handsome and very appealing. This is clear when seeing him via TV. But, just look what seeing him in person does to these demure Japanese girls. (1/4) "Here he comes. Thought to myself: Look pleasantly blasé. "

There's always an argument about compelling our top rikishi to participate in the Jungyo instead of allowing them solid rest post-basho. But, in terms of building the confidence in a young boy, nothing comes close to what Ichiyamamoto gave him--at the Jungyo. Watch the video: x.com/flower_sumo/...

Juryo 1 Fujiseiun, on his first jungyo tour, had a banner day in Kakogawa (Hyogo) today (Dec 11)--first, by defeating former ozeki Kirishima in two consecutive bouts, and then with being selected by Yokozuna Hoshoryu for butsukari. Especially pleased about his winning bouts versus Kirishima ...

Mitakeumi and Shodai put on a good show--feigning to struggle--with local sumo students who bravely mount the dohyo to take on, not just one, but two former ozeki. (1/5)

No sooner than he receives notice of making the Guinness Book of Records, does TAMAWASHI submit a medical certificate stating lumbar spine disease and lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica). As a result, the 41-year-old has withdrawn from the winter tour--brining the number of absent rikishi to 12.

Asanoyama was 27 when he lost his ozeki rank, and 28 when he initiated his quest to reclaim it, which at the time seemed a good bet. Then came a series of injuries that sidelined and weakened him as they depleted him, too, of his youthful twenties. Now 31 and expected to be promoted to Makuuchi...

Tamawashi has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for The Most Consecutive Sumo Bouts -- setting a record for his incredible endurance having fought 1748 consecutive matches since his debut in 2004. Upon being told of the news, the Iron Man thought for a second ...

ENDO--now Kitajin Oyakata--visited his home prefecture of Ishikawa to encourage the tens of thousands who are still struggling to rebuild their lives after the devastation of the Noto Peninsula earthquake of 2024. Of all prefectures, Ishikawa was hit the hardest ...

The Oita Prefecture Provincial Tournament (Dec 5) was especially entertaining, not only from the jungyo's customary events-- but from unexpected bonuses, such as the personality-plus duo of best friends, Wakamotoharu and Abi (neither of whom are from Oita) signing autographs on ...

Abi will always be ... Abi. From the Miyazaki Jungyo today, December 4. Scroll for the story in pictures.

Things could not have gone better for Nagasaki-native Hiradoumi at the Sasebo Jungyo in Nagasaki, beginning with being called-out by Hoshoryu after the yokozuna had sufficiently warmed-up and was primed from dominating and hurtling Gonoyama off the dohyo, but --miracle of hometown miracles-- ...

Former Yokozuna Hakuho, whose Hakuho Dayan Sumo & Sports Company's theme is "Uniting the World Through Sumo," always knew the concept would be pointless without the inclusion of women and girls in the sport. Therefore, with pride and pleasure, the yokozuna announced today (Dec. 1) that the 2026...

Hakuho's on a roll, specifically on the JR Rikuuto Line in Miyagi-ken where he's been named "Osaki City's Treasure Ambassador." Along the way, the yokozuna met many locals who insisted he stop and try the prefecture's meat and chestnut dumplings, which he did, and proclaimed "saiko!"--awesome.

The winter Jungyo has begun with the fans in Isahaya, Nagasaki Prefecture being the first to show jubilation and support for our "new born ozeki" Aonishiki. And, it's all on Aonishiki to demonstrate the prowess and advanced skill of the ozeki, as senior ozeki Kotozakura is not taking matches. ...