GRAND SUMO: Day 4 of the May 2025 Tournament – GRAND SUMO Highlights
[Music] [Music] Welcome back to the May tournament. This is day four. Yokozuna Hosi lost for the first time yesterday. He does not want to give up Kim Bosshi on back-to-back days. He is facing Migashira 2 Abi. We enter today’s action with seven men undefeated all at 3 and 0. Another sunny warm day in Tokyo as fans fill in the kukan. We begin with Kaio and Asakoru. Newcomer Kyle versus returnee Asakoru. Asakoru, the bodybuilder of Grand Sumo. Kaio has yet to win as a Makuchi. They ram into each other. Asakoru, even though he’s smaller, has the leverage advantage and he takes out Kaio. Kaio still winless while Asakoru improves to three and one with that Yodi Kiri. He’s in search of his first Kachikoshi in the top division. Up next, it’s Judo 2 man Fuji Seun against veteran Nishiki. Nishikigi has already matched the number of wins he had in the entire March tournament with three. Fujiun 27 years old at a careerhind rank. Off they go. Fujiun pushing back Nishiki. But Nishikigi, thanks to his very heavy lower body, able to hold his ground at the edge and win by a rare technique, amiuchi, which translates into English as the fisherman’s throw. And when you get a look at this throw by Nishikigi at the edge, it kind of looks like a fisherman’s throw with a net. a rare Kimarite. Next up are Lien and Tama Sho. They are fighting for the very first time in any division. Tamos Shoho has yet to prove he has staying power in Makunuchi while Duden is in search of his first Kachi Koshi this year in the top division. Coming in low is Tamas Shoho. But Uden seems to be out musling Tama Shoho. Now Duden has a really strong grip. Tamas Shoho trying to break that grip. Tama Shoho continues to squirm around but Newen presses on to Tama Sho and wins by Yori force out. It took a while but Nuden evens his record at two and two with that force out victory. Thomas Shoho one and three. Newen at Mashita 15 this tournament on the dohillo. Now it’s rookie Toi against Shaan Noi. It’s their first meeting in Makunuchi, but they’re not strangers. They have fought six times in Makushta between 2020 and 2022. Off they go. Toi Taikai moving back. Sha Nanomi. But Shaanomi grabs the arms of Tochi Tai. Shaanomi pressing forward but he has a bit too much forward lean and Tochi Taiikai is able to escape with his third victory. Sha Nanowi has a hard time moving forward. And today he has a hard time maintaining his balance. Toi Taikai doing very well for a newcomer. Three and one with that oshi for once. Shanooi shows some deashi and he has to taikai backpedaling. But Tochi Tai is able to escape at the edge. Here are Toki Hayate and Sadani. They have mirror records. Toki Hayate at 2 and one. Sadumi 1 and two. Sadomi turned 38 years old on day one. Toki Hayate freshed off his first Kachikoshi in the top division. Off they go. Sonomi with a strong grip. You can’t tell that Sonomi is 38 years old. With that kind of energy displayed, he wins by Yori. Both men are now two and two. [Applause] These two, Nikki Roga and Takanosho have the same record, two and one. This is Takosho’s 500th Makunuchi match. Roga has recovered from a right hamstring injury. Hard hit at the tachi and Roa is able to absorb Takosho’s initial hit. seems a bit dazed, but he does pick up the win. Roga with a Hataki Ki slap down. He’s up to three and one on the dojo. Now it’s undefeated Endo versus winless Shishi. A lot of fans of Endo in the crowd. In addition to his perfect record, Endo is also fighting in his 10,000th career match. Shishi, meantime, struggling at Magida 11. Hitting and shifting is Endo, but Shishi fends him off. Endo jumps to the side again. Now Endo gets an inside position and goes with the Tupatari, the thrusting. Shishi trying desperately to get a grip. Now he gets a grip of Endo’s moashi and he picks up the win. But wait, the Shimpan raises his hand. Did something happen midway through that match? Let’s look at Shishi’s right foot. Oh no, he stepped out. So it’s a win for Endo. The Goji gave the goodbye to Shishi. However, we had a mono to talk about Shi stepping out during the bout. Therefore, we overturn the goji’s call and the winner is Endo. So, frustration for Shi. He stepped out and suffers his fourth straight loss. Endo continues to be undefeated. Here are Atami Fuji and Shai. Both are at two and one. It’s a contrast in personalities. Shodai laidback Fuji excitable. They have the same record though. Soft Tati as Atami Fuji moves forward and he makes quick work out of Shdai. Not much energy from Shoddai today as he falls to two and two. Atami Fuji having no trouble winning by Yodi Kitty for South and he improves to three and one. Here’s Aonishki and Me. The two Dshi with the same two and one mark. Me accompanies stablemate Hodu during his Yokozuna Dohoidi. Aishki continues to impress in just his second top division turnney. Both men coming in very low. It’s a thrusting battle at the moment. Me steps to the side, but Aishki returns the favor. Both men showing excellent agility. And it’s Aishki with a clever Uate Dashi Nag pulling over arm throw right at the edge. Right when he looked like he would suffer his first loss, has that slick move. This was a fast-paced bout as me steps to his left. It’s a thrusting battle here and they may say looks like he has the advantage but he can’t finish off Anishki. Here’s Midori Fuji and Kim Bzan. A contrast in physiques. Kim Bzan with those long arms and powerful thrusts. Midori Fuji compact hitting and shifting is Midori Fuji but Kim Bzan keeps him right in front of him. Midori Fuji for the fourth straight day. Cannot execute any of his dynamic technique. Instead he is overpowered by his opponent. Uh Tsukidashi thrust out win for Kim Boza. He’s up to two and two. Midori Fuji winless 0 and4. Midori Fuji was trying his best to get a secure Mashi grip, but Kim Boszan kept Midori Fuji at arms length and eventually thrusts out Midori Fuji. Our first bout of the day is between Haku Oho and Ono Katsu. to see Hakuo 3 and 0. Good to see him without any taping. On Katu doing pretty well at two and one. They ram into each other. Hakuo with a strong Moroto Zashi double arm inside position. And the young man has another impressive victory. 4 and 0. Yikitti for Hakuo. He has a fierce tachi and he follows that follows it up smoothly with a double arm inside grip. Here’s Chidano Umei and Toby Zadu. Mirror records. Chudano Umi 1 and two, Toby Zadu 2 and one. It’s speed and agility from Tobadu versus size and weight from Chudanoi. Another soft ti. The guys not really ramming into each other. It’s a tupati battle at the moment. They’re bouncing off each other and Toby Zadaru catches Chudanoi with a bit too much extension and he slaps down Chudanoi. That’s a Hataki Ki and Tobizu is three and one. A fastm moving match in this Tupati battle and it’s Toby Zadu with a bit better balance than Chudano Umi up now. Uda and Oshoma currently one and two. Uda despite his winless record his popularity is just fine trying to get a low position is Uda fending it off going for the slap down. Uda stays on his feet. Now they come to a standstill at the center and then Oshoma sends Uda into a somersault and Uda loses for the fourth straight time. Oshama winning by Hataki Ki slapdown. He evens his record at two and two. You can see what Uda was trying to do. Trying to duck in there and get an inside position on OM, but OA wouldn’t let him get near his moashi. Instead, it’s Oshoma who keeps Uda at arms length and then eventually goes with the slap down. On the dojo now, it’s Chio and Ichi Yamamoto. Two struggling fighters. Gio winless while Ichyamamoto is one and two. [Music] Ichyamoto stretches out his arms to start this match and he’s pushing back Chio. Chio trying to stabilize with some sort of moashi grip. [Music] Went for a kicki was Chio. That didn’t work, but it seemed to get Ichiamoto a bit off balance. Now Ichyamoto has regained his composure. It’s an arm battle at the moment. Neither man with a mashi [Applause] grip. Kind of just leading on each other’s shoulders are the two digshi. So, who’s going to make the first move? Both men breathing hard. So, at this point, it becomes a stamina battle. Ichyamamoto moves forward. Chio responds. Ichiamoto moves forward again. And this time, Chio does not have the answer. He loses his footing and almost does the splits. The result is a frontal crushout win for Ichi Yamamoto. That’s a Yodi Taoshi in Japanese. Ichiamoto 2 and two. Chio 0 [Music] and4. Next up are Tamawashi and Goyama. Tamawashi now in sixth place all time for most career matches. Konoyama has a strong upper body but a rather shaky lower body. Should be a pushing battle. Off they go. A fast-paced match. Tamashi moves forward but Gonoyama responds. Konyama can’t finish off Tamawashi. Now they lock up. Both men stopping their pushing [Music] attack. Neither man known as a grappler. Konoyama trying to get started with his thrusting attack, but with a bit too much forward lean, Tamawashi is able to slap down Gonoyama Hataki Ki. So Tamawashi, the 40-year-old, evens his record at two and [Applause] two. This match had a little of everything. Some thrusting to start and then they lock up. Neither man known as Yotsuzumo Dikshi. But once they get restarted, Gonoyama tries to reestablish his pushing attack, but Tamawashi shows good balance and then drops Gonoyama. Here are Taku Fuji and Waka Tak. I’m looking forward to this bout between the two former usual winners. This should be very interesting because they have never fought before. Taku Fuji undefeated. Waka Takag two in one. Fast start. Takuji with the left hand outside grip. But Waka Tak shows his impressive skill set and says welcome to Syaku Sumo Takuji. Waka Taka Kag simply outclassing Taku Fuji Yori for Waka Taka Kag Waka Taka Kag more focused in his attack able to establish an inside position even though he’s lighter than Takad Fuji and he uses that for the victory. Here are Dou and Takayasu, two evenly matched upper rankers. Takayasu back in Sanaku for the first time since January 2023. One of the subplots of this B show is Daisho’s quest for Ozaki promotion. [Music] Hitting and shifting a bit. Coming in at an angle is Disho and Takayasu has no answer. Dao seemed to surprise Takayasu with that strong Tati and Takayasu was stuck on his heels throughout that brief match and Oshidashi win for Seiwake Dao. to keep his scorecard perfect. He’s now four and0. Excellent rhythm to the thrusting of Datio. This is his ideal way of fighting and he’s perfect so far. Here are Hirod Umi and Kirishima. Both are two and one. Kirishima’s back appears to be in better shape. He’s moving well. Hi Umi on the small side, but his strength is the real deal. Both men coming in very low. and Kirishima. Wow. He just destroys Hiad Umi with that pushing attack and Oshidashi for the seiwake and he’s up to three and one. It wasn’t that big a hit of the Tati, but the followup was amazing by Kirishima. He takes Hi umi straight back. Our second bout of the day. Two undefeated Ishi Onoto and Oho. They’re four months apart in age. Oho is older. Sumo’s prodigy Onoto versus Sumo’s royalty. The grandson of Taiho. Overall, OnoSato has a winning record versus Oho, but Oh has won the last two meetings. Something’s got to give here. [Music] Slamming into each other. Odo Sto immediately moves back. Oho. And oho cannot come up with a reply. I’m a bit surprised how one-sided that match was as Ono Sto has very little trouble pushing out Oho and he ends his losing streak to Oho. The Ozeki continues his undefeated streak with his dominating performance against Oho. I thought Oho would show some offense, but uh there was none to be seen. On to our next match between Wakamoto Hadu and Ozaki Koto Zakura. Two men off to less than ideal starts. Koto Zakura one and two. Wakamoto Haru winless. Fast start by Cotto Zakura, but Wakamoto is moving back the Ozaki. Wakamoto looks to have a pretty strong right hand outside grip, but Coto Zakura so much bigger and heavier. Cotto Zakura shows his Ozaki pride once he was able to dig in and hold his ground. He used his double ar inside grip along with his superior size to move back Wakamoto Hadu. The result is a Yorikiri win for Coto Zakura. A frontal force out. Initially, Wakamoto hadu with a strong attack using the Oske to block Cotto Zakura’s right arm, but then Koto Zakura raises the center of gravity of Wakamoto. Our next match is the final match on day four. Yoko Shu against my Abi. Abby is kind of Ho’s nemesis. That’s because Abby has beaten Hoyu three straight times. Big start by Obby. He goes with the pushing to start and the pulling to finish. It’s a Kimoshi for Abby. His fourth career gold star that only goes to Amayashida who defeats a Yokozuna. An amazing Hikioshi hand pulled down by Abby. We’re used to seeing Abby in the Sanyaku, but this tournament he’s fallen down to Mayashida and he takes advantage of that by defeating Horodu for the fourth straight time. So along with that fourth straight win against Horodu, he gets a Kimoshi. Abby stretching out his long arms at the Tati and then pulls Hoo forward. My body has been moving well since the first day, so I was able to dodge my opponent’s attack today. What about the initial charge? The Yokosa seemed hesitant at the Tachi. That allowed me to keep a distance from him and execute my move in the end. I will try to keep focusing on each match. So we end day four with an upset. Abby picks up his fourth career Kimoshi and Yoko Ho gives up a Kimoshi for the second straight day. Thanks for watching Grand Zumo Highlights. [Music]
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Day 4 upper division bouts from the May 2025 GRAND SUMO Tournament.