This is Nishikimaru who, at the start of his sumo career, weighed 169 kg., but now tips the scales at 220kg. His excessive fat made it impossible for nurses to draw his blood (too much fat to find a vein) at his sumo medical exam. I hate stories like this, and hate even more that gross obesity...

Whenever the camera zooms-in on the eastern side of the dohyo at the Kyushu tournament, a beautiful woman in kimono always appears--whose presence captivates viewers, not just in Japan, but throughout sumo fandom. Who is this exquisite woman in the same, dedicated, and very plum seat for the ...

Nice post-basho message from Tatsunami-beya. Thank you for your tremendous support and uplifting cheers throughout this tournament. Tatsunami-beya will strive to achieve even greater success next year. We sincerely appreciate your continued support!

Not at all a surprise but still a big thrill and cause for celebration--with more to come? In his championship interview, Aonishiki, himself, said he'd be thrilled with an ozeki promotion-- "But there is a higher status that I want to work toward. This is just the beginning."

If you thought the audience in Fukuoka was loud, distracting and sometimes plainly rude--you are not alone. In an announcement to the press, Tadamori Oshima, Chairman of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council, referred to the shouting and shrieking at the Kyushu Tournament, with the remonstration, ...

Hoshoryu admitted that he "failed" to bring his yokozuna-brand of sumo to his Day 14 match vs Aonishiki, but in his Day 15 championship playoff against the 21-year-old Ukrainian, he was a flop. Just as Aonishiki took down Kotozakura on Senshuraku using the same ushimuso he's employed three...

Breaking news: Onosato has withdrawn on Senshuraku. Reports his master Nishonoseki, the yokozuna injured his left shoulder in his match vs Aonishiki on Day 13, which caused his weak loss to Kotozakura on Day 14. Hoshoryu will now win by default as the yusho narrows down to him and Aonishiki.

Day 14 Kyushu. After his third of three losses to Aonishiki, Yokozuna Hoshoryu was infuriated. Brushing by and refusing to take questions from the waiting lot of reporters, he was heard to say, "I failed," at which point, his attendants took over. Having built momentum by winning 7-straight matches

These yokozunae are going to drive us to drink. On Day 14, both Hoshoryu and Onosato suffered awkward and, ultimately, devastating tachiai(s) which blew their respective chances to saunter into Day 15 as our outright leader. Ozeki Kotozakura's tachiai raised Onosato to a standing position ...

Once an all-around wrestler whose sumo has been reduced to mostly power/pushing techniques, ASANOYAMA, is winning again and is nearer (the first step in) his goal of returning to the Makunouchi. The former ozeki has faced and confronted significant setbacks due to a six basho suspension and ...

Hoshoryu showed patience in his victory vs Kotozakura on Day 13. “I focused on staying composed, watching my opponent, and wrestling without rushing. That was good,” said the yokozuna. Reamed yesterday by Chief Shimpan Kumegawa, Hoshoryu was praised by Chm Hakkaku who nodded, "He was calm today.”

Kyushu Day 13. M2 Kirishima Tetsuo earned his 9th tournament win and 5th consecutive victory vs Atamifuji--lifting the big Isegahama man up and out of the ring. The move reminded reporters of the tsuridashi (lift out) of his first master, Ozeki Kirishima Kazuo. The lean but muscular Kirishima I ...

Shades of The Uncle -- Hoshoryu's Dame-Oshi. Off the dohyo, Yokozuna Hoshoryu is clearly a nice guy with smiling eyes, but after being vigorously slapped around by strong man Takayasu--while in a contest for the yusho--he lost his yokozuna cool, which forced him to apologize to Chief ...

In his column for Hochi Sports, former ozeki and oyakata Kotozake writes, "They say, last four days of a basho can shift the world," which might be a premature axiom for Kyushu, for how much more aberrant can it be? As of Day 12, there are 3 wrestlers in 1st place (all with two losses)--Onosato,

Day 12 Shocker #2 Not to let young Yoshinofuji steal all the thunder, Yokozuna Onosato gave the audience something to talk about--that of him being pulled down on all fours by an out-of-form Takanosho from whom much was expected, but who at 3-8 had clearly disappointed. But not tonight.

Day 11 Shocker #1 What work for him yesterday did the trick again today. Still in the glow of defeating Onosato, Yoshinofuji gave a clinic in power pushing to take out Aonishiki. Succinctly summarized by Chief Shimpan Kokonoe, "He exposed Aonishiki's weakness of being vulnerable to oshizumo."

Yoshinofuji exploits Onosato's weakness to win his first kinboshi. Following a less-than stellar tachiai that rendered Yokozuna Onosato unable to secure his usual right inside grip and push with his left--he panicked and resorted to his dusty but not yet banished bad habit of pulling.

With his signature speed, Yokozuna Hoshoryu defeated M5 Yoshinofuji with a rare "okurinage"--send-out throw-- which occurs only 0.06% of the time. The rare kimarite, in which the attacker circles behind his aite and uses one of several possible hand positions to throw down his opponent ...

The Kyodo News writes, "Yokozuna Hoshoryu showed no mercy on his new opponent Yoshinofuji," who was facing a yokozuna for his first time. Equal at the tachiai but taking complete charge thereafter, the Yokozuna got behind the his young aite and threw him down. How exhilarating for Yoshinofuji.

Sekiwake Aonishiki attained his kachikoshi last night (Day 9) to remain one match behind Yokozuna Onosato who, not unlike the young Ukrainian, is in the best condition of his career. Securing his kachikoshi by defeating Hiradoumi, Aonishiki shrugged, "I've still a long way to go." ...

Don't forget about Churanoumi. The savvy and very determined wrestler from Okinawa --a fun and mostly winning rikishi to watch--is audibly not as celebrated as his fellow Kyushuans--Shodai, Hiradoumi, Sadanoumi, and the returning Meisei. "Well, Okinawa is far from Fukuoka," Churanoumi says with ...

If you want to know if a veteran rikishi still has it--it's in his cheeks. Former Ozeki Kotokaze writes gloriously about sumo's most senior rikishi-- Iron Man Tamawashi--who, at 41, has battled two yokozuna in Kyushu--coming up a mere half-step short of defeating the onerous Onosato.

Onosato is on a heater. A full day after Nakabi-- he's flawless and has never looked better. But for a slight scare on Tamawashi's 41st birthday, the yokozuna hasn't come close to even being bothered. No doubt, he'll collect another white star tonight versus Oshoma. L: Tamawashi, R: Hiradoumi

Sumo phenom, Yoshinofuji, was plowing through Week One, but hit a skid on Nakabi where the intensity escalates-- specifically in yotsu specialist Wakamotoharu. A blistering tachiai by Yoshinofuji was countered with a left arm thrust and force back which Wakamotoharu followed with his favorite ...

Shohei Ohtani won his fourth National League MVP award, which wasn't much of a suprise, but what was, was the kiss from the Dodger superstar. When his name was announced, Shohei leaned to kiss his wife, Mamiko, when his dog, Decoy, made a surprise move and got the big smooch instead.

On Day 8, Nakabi-- Yokozuna Onosato stands alone undefeated with three chasers M12 Fujinokawa (20), Sekiwake Aonishiki (21), and M5 Yoshinofuji (24) at one loss. NHK will broadcase LIVE and in ENGLISH the second half of the Makuuchi tonight from 12:10 am to 1:10 am Pacific Standard Time.

After suffering a consequential and embarrassing Day 6 loss by henka, Yokozuna Hoshoryu was counseled by his Tatsunami master who, as per usual, diagnosed Hosh's problem as performance anxiety. "You're too tight," critiqued Tatsunami. "Relax. Go out there and enjoy your sumo. ...

Day 7 Kyushu. Tamawashi was put to the stamina test in an electifying thrust-and-slugfest versus Yokozuna Hoshoryu. The old warhorse attacked fearlessly notwithstanding the rank of his opponent, but after squaring off with the yokozuna, was ultimately held down and pushed out. ...

Like his brother before him (on Day 5 vs Aoinishiki), Wakamotoharu knew he lacked the power, speed, and arsenal to defeat Yokozuna Hoshoryu --but he wanted to win-- so, like his brother before him, he pulled a henka that knocked Hoshoryu back to two losses behind his counterpart Onosato. ...

Hoshoryu's usual sword bearer is Hiradoumi, but on Day 5, the Kyushu native was also Hosh's opponent, so a call was made to Otowayama Oyakata with the message of, "The Yokozuna would like Kirishima to serve as his tachimochi today." Explained Hoshoryu, "I asked for Kirishima because ...

Aonishiki learns a harsh lesson. Even good guys will throw a henka. Aonishiki's perfect roll was thwarted by a henka from his Day 5 opponent, the ailing and admired Wakatakakage. With his eyes looking down and not on his opponent, Aonishiki was ripe for it and Wakatakakage capitalized.

My guess is that many people consider Ryuden a sort of forgettable rikishi, but because he is from Yamanashi--as is my family--I always notice him, and haved noticed, too, that he's a very good, but never great (or exciting) wrestler. ... Photo: A handsome, younger Ryuden.

Injuries (recent and chronic) are plaguing Wakatakakage. Fans and true believers of Wakatakakage are scratching their heads wondering, "Where has his fighting spirit and determined sumo gone?" At 0-4 in Kyushu, the youngest Onami brother looks and is wrestling poorly which has some predicting ...

Hoshoryu's best friend, J2 Asahakuryu, is making progress on the Yokozuna's order to, "Hurry up, Jamin, and join us in the Makunouchi." Yesterday, on Day 4 of Kyushu, Asahakuryu took another step in satisfying his pal's command with his first appearance in the Makunouni as the Juryo visitor.

Former Ozeki Miyabiyama, Futagoyama Oyakata, has shaved his head in solidarity with his disciple Mita who, on Day 2, sustained a serious right knee anterior cruciate ligament injury. When Futagoyama reported for shimpan duty, his startled fellow judges asked, "What have you done to yourself?"

Bear sightings reported in Fukuoka. Immortal Ozeki Takayasu prepares for his Day 4 match versus sapien Wakamotoharu.

Barely out of his teens, Fujinokawa is making an impact with fans and opponents alike as he goes all out, moving heaven and earth if need be, in every one of his matches. The recipient of the Kanto-Sho in Nagoya of this year, Fujinokawa is one of only four rikishi with spotless records ...

Mita doesn't want to be the next Endo who, early in his pro sumo life, declined surgery on his injured knees which compromised his auspicious career. Says Futagoyama Oyakata, "We'll watch for the swelling to subside, but surgery is also being considered. He also suffers pain in his left knee."

Wild bear sightings in Fukuoka.

There's an update on J3 Mita who was unable to stand after damaging his knee from a backward force down by J4 Kagayaki on Day 2. He's been diagnosed with a right knee anterior cruciate injury that will require three months of convalescence. @crazycatlady1612.bsky.social, @blackcatdad.bsky.social

Day 2. My fave, Wakamotoharu brought a real dogfight to Aonishiki. Unlike others, Motoharu did not succumb to Aonishiki's (2) uchimuso attempts and took the match to the tawara's edge. Had Wakamotoharu won, it would have been by utchari, but the gumbai went to the new Sekiwake by yoritaochi.

After his Day 2 and FIRST victory of Kyushu, Hoshoryu explained how he blasted-out of the ring the much-touted Takanosho in the short time of 1.6 seconds. "I concentrated," he told reporters in his dressing room. Concentration was clearly missing in the yokozuna's Day 1 loss to Hakuoho, as ...

Day 2 Kyushu. Rising star, Juryo 3 MITA's, right knee was injured after it becamed jammed from the pressure of an abisetaoshi (backward body drop) by Kagayaki. Unable to stand, Mita sat pensively on the dohyo and waited to be carried off by stretcher. He was taken by private car to the hospital.

Shonichi's major upset was M1 Hakuoho's stunning defeat of hot Yokozuna Hoshoryu. Hakuoho (22) made a name for himself in his Makuuchi debut in Nagoya '23 by competing for the yusho but losing decisively to Sekiwake Hoshoryu. Fans were touched by witnessing a young Hakuoho failing to suppress..

NHK's broadcast of the Kyushu Tournament was interrupted at 5:03 PM (Japan time) by the report of a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Miyagi and Iwate prefectures. Coverage of the honbasho was derailed with a frozen screen that barred the transmission of all san'yaku and yokozuna matches.

It's 10:30 a.m. in Fukuoka--and there still is not one kensho-kin (encouragement/prize money) for the sixth match of the day-- Fujinokawa vs Gonoyama. Nagatanien, Mizuho Financial Group, Pokemon--SOMEBODY! please pony up or it's going to look pretty sad.

Shonichi promises to be exciting. Just look at these last four matches. There are concerns for 35-year-old Takayasu whose back, even from his own admission, is touch-and-go. Onosato has defeated the Papa Bear in their last four matches, but Takayasu is still one of sumo's best in-ring fighters.

Our Kyushu honbasho begins Sunday (for us in California--tonight!). Not to persuade you and certainly not to encourage betting (for money, that is) but ... Hoshoryu went to the temple and made an offering. He then shook the box to draw a numbered stick and found its corresponding paper fortune ...

Apologies for not reporting this yesterday. MEISEI will be kyujo on Shonichi and throughout the 1st week of Kyushu--at least. He underwent spinal surgery (lumbar disc herniation) on October 17 and is hoping to return to competition by Week 2--as a last ditch effort to stave off a Juryo demotion.

The Kyushu honbasho begins THIS Sunday November 9. Unbelievable. NHK will broadcast LIVE and in English, three days of matches (beginning with the middle maegashira bouts), November 9, 22 and 23; 5:10 p.m. Japan-time. Click to watch the latest Grand Sumo Preview: www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...