GRAND SUMO: Day 1 of the May 2025 Tournament – GRAND SUMO Highlights
Hello and thank you for joining us on Grand Sumo Highlights. It’s opening day of the May tournament at the Ryoko Kukan in Tokyo. Yokosa Hosyu seeks to bounce back from his bittersweet Yokosa debut in Osaka last Basho. And the hot button topic this meet is if March champ can connect for back-to-back titles and mark the fastest ever rise to Yokoza in his first golden opportunity. Unfortunately, Cotto Sho is out of action from day one after pulling his right thigh muscle earlier this month. All 15 days of this Natsubasha show is set to see a full house. Let’s get to the action. We kick off day one with top division newcomer Tochai who got promoted after his 96 performance in the second highest Jurro division last contest. He takes on veteran Mitaki who got relegated to Jurro with just six wins here in March. Double hand attack by the man in blue and pulling is toti goes straight down and it’s a victory for the shiny makuai picks up his first Makunoi win on opening day. Happy happy win for the man in blue. Double hand attack and pulling. Winning by slap down. Great pressure at the Tati. How do you feel picking up your first top division victory? I’m happy. I was able to apply the pressure in the initial charge. What kind of simo do you want to show this tournament? I want to continue and stay on the offensive. Next up, we have Tamaso, eight and seven in the Jurro division last tournament versus Asakuru 6 and N. Both hit the scales well under the average weight of Makunoji. Fast and Furious double hand inside position for Asakoru. And that’s all she wrote. Kamasho has no answer whatsoever. Asakoru goes to one zero right away. Double hand inside. A Yodiki victory. It’s now Nishkigi. Three wins, 12 losses in March against Shaan Nomi 4 in 11. Nishkigi has taken command in their past four meetings. He luckily managed to keep his top division status this time despite double-digit losses in March. Shaanomi also finished last Bashu in double-digit loss territory looking to regroup. Rather slow tachi right hand in for Nishkigi. Same for the man in blue Shaani. Both dead center looking to get something started. Nishkigi can’t get that right hand in deep, but he uses his left hand well and takes back Shai. It’s a Yodiki victory for Nishkigi. So Nishkigi kicks off the journey on a positive note. Here’s a match we’re featuring in the first half. It’s duden six and n last bash show going against shinyaku kao n and six down in the jury division in March. Kaio is a typical pusher thruster. He wants to prevent Uden from catching him by keeping a good distance. Uden strives to mark a kachoshi in the top division for the first time since September. In a little lower is the man in gold. He slips to the side. It’s a merry goaround. A left hand in deep for Kyle. He goes for a pulling action, but Nudan stays in the game. Back in the center, Nudan wants to get an inside position and he does. Kaio throws in the towel. Kaio running out of gas and Duden proving his superiority over the rookie and he earns his first win in May. Checking the replay. Slipping to the left is Kaio after that initial charge. He tries to get that left hand grip, but it’s immediately taken out by Duden. Nudan shows great perseverance and he sets it up for an inside position and Kaio loses steam. Next up are Roga 11 and four down in Jurio versus Sadanomi 8 and seven. Veteran Satani is spotless against his opponent, coming out on top in all their three matches so far. Roga is back in Makanoji for the first time in two tournaments. In lower is Tanobi, but he can’t get a frontal grip. Right hand in deep, left hand frontal grip for Roga. And Roga gets the job done. Loa stays in much lower than Southernomi and wins by Yorikiri frontal forsa. Moving to Tokiate 10 and five versus Takosho 3 and 12. Tokihay is now at his careerhigh rank of Magasha 13. Powerful left hand strike, but look at Koki Hayate retaliating with his shoves and wins by Oshidashi. Quick recovery by Tokiate. Starting the Natsubasho in perfect fashion. It’s Atami Fuji 6 and N versus Shishi with a mirror record of 9 and six in March. They both knocked on the doors of Grand Sumo in 2020. Their first encounter on top division soil in March went this man’s way. Atami Fuji Shishi from Ukraine looking to kick off May. Look at Atami Fuji right hand in. Shishi can’t get an outside grip. Shishi in trouble. And look at Atami Fuji winning by Yuri Kitty frontal forsa. Great pressure by the man in red. Atami Fuji attains victory number one. The Yodi victory. We go to Endo 7 and 8 fighting Shai 6 and N. Shai leads their long history 11-9. But it was Endo who triumphed in their last three clashes. Shoddai is desperate to mark his first Kachoshi in four tournaments just like Endo. Good hit by Endo. Shai taken back. Left hand in. This may favor Endo, but Endo once he gets that right hand Miami to grip and hops in the driver’s seat. Yodi, the crowd loving the battle between the veterans. Endo produces his first win with that Yodiki frontal force out. It’s now me 9 and six versus Midori Fuji with the same record in March. Me is slightly ahead in their series 6 to4. He dispatched his swift foe by Yodikitti in March. Midori Fuji broke a three basho makoshi streak in March. Nice hit and pull by me and down goes Midori Fuji. Midori Puji wanted to use his agility over Meay here, but Meay after the Tati slips to the right and takes him down by Hatakcomi. Slap down. Me advances to 1 Z. Turning to Aishki 11 and four versus Kiman 6 and N. Ukrainian Aishki competes in his personal high rank of Masha nine after a spectacular outing in his Makunoi debut last bash show. His foe here Kimzan is from Kazakhstan. Anishki going in low but look at the double hand attack by the Kazak. Kim Bzan has no problem with Anishki and gets the job done. A walk in the park for Kim Bozan who shuts down the upandcomer. It’s Ono Katu 10 and five against Chiranomi 11 and4. Both just had their birthdays this past week. On Kata turned 25 while Chiranomi 32. Chidanomi walked away with his first special prize, the fighting spirit prize in March. Onata stacked up double digit victories for the first time in the top division last contest. Good touchi by Onoata. Left hand in for Chidanomi. That’s taken away. Chidanomi wants to go in for the kill. But look at the retaliation by Onoatu. On taken high for an instant, but he pulls looking to break Chanomi’s balance. Chanomi still stays in the game. Good resilience by both men. On cut at the end shoves him back with both hands. The two showing all they have and thrilling the crowd. On Noatsu shows great perseverance and delivers victory number one. At the end he wins by oshidashi. It’s Hakuho 9 and6 versus Tobaru 6 and N. Hakuho took care of his tricky customer in both their encounters this year. He says he boosts his confidence after beating Yokosa Hoyu in practice during the spring provincial tour. Kobizad is not fighting in the upper Mayasha ranks for the first time in nearly three years. in lower left hand in deep for Tobaru. Good job by Tobisaru moving his hips not allowing Hakuo that outside grip. Hakuo wants to get his favorite left hand inside on the mawashi. Now he gets it taken away. Another challenge by Hakuho looking to solidify that left hand inside stance. Toby Zaru looking to get rid of that grip. Who will make the next action? Tobaru looking for that Kotag. But as he went for that arm lock throw, Hakuoho advances and takes him down by Yori. Frontal crush out. Hakuo shows good patience. and kicks off the turn in a positive fashion. Yori win for Hakuoi. Left hand in for both men. Nothing on the mawashi. Look at Tobis’s hip movement doesn’t allow Hakoho to get a solid grip, but once he goes for that Kotag Hakoho ends it. Let’s go to Oshoma 9 and six and Shioshoma 6 and9 in March. It’s a Mongolian face to face taking place for the first time in Makunoji. Oshama showed great recovery in March with a six bout winning spree in the second half. Shooting in is Chio, but he loses balance right away as O slips to the right and seizes back. It’s Oshoma winning by Okuridashi rear push out. Oshoma breaks Chio’s balance effectively and goes to 1 and zero. We now have Uda 7 and 8 fighting Ichyama also seven and eight. Uda has been taking the driver’s seat in all their five battles in the top tier. He’s struggling with a 78 record in back-to- back tournaments. Moto achieved his very first Kimoshi in March by defeating Hoyu. Double hand attack by the man on the right. Moto wants to keep Uda right in front of him and not let him inside his kitchen. Uda looking to dive in. UA retaliates and look at that right at the edge. A very close call, but the Goombai goes to Ichiyamoto as Uda went down. Ichiyamoto’s right foot also went out. There’s a mono judges conference and after the meeting we’ve decided did stay in the ring at the edge and the Goombai holds. So the winner as the goji pointed to it is I Yamamoto winning by Hataki slap down at the edge. It’s Tak Fuji nine and six going up against Hiadomi with the same record in Osaka. These ferocious pusher thrusters clash for the first time last contest. Takuji stayed in the usual race just before heading into the home stretch but hit the deck four days straight from day 12. Adomi connected for his first kachoshi in four contests. Nice tachi by both men. Taker Fuji a little high but with the ropes behind him. Hakeu Fuji shows his resilient side and thrusts down Hiraomi. This is another close call and there is another Monoy. The judges check who went down first. The Goombai went to Taker Fuji and we have confirmed that Hiadi did go down first. So the Goombai holds. Taku Fuji is the winner. So the man in purple starts the May contest with a W. Next here are the Rikishi in the upper echelon and their results for the March tournament. Horriu pulled out mid basho due to his right elbow injury and others. Onoto was the March champion with 12 wins, three losses. Koto Zakura just barely escaping Kadoban status. Alliwake Kusubi picking up winning records. Now let’s go to Takayasu, the runnerup of the March tournament, 12 and three, fighting Kusubi returne Tamawashi the iron man 10 and five in March. These veterans have been fighting on the professional stage for over two decades and this is their 40th match in Makunoi. Kakayasu leads the series over Kamawashi 21-8. Slipping to the left is Kamawashi. Kakayasu trying to stay in contention, but the Tupati attacks by Tamawashi are just so powerful and Kakayasu has no response. That guy has fought the Yusho playoff with no sato in March, but he loses on day one here in May. It’s raging Gyama 7 and 8 fighting Kirishima 8 and seven. Pusher thruster Gonoyama holds a 4 to2 edge over the former Ozaki. Kirishima attained a kachoshi on the final day in March and is now back as a Seikiwake for the first time since November. Shooting out fast and furious as Goyama. But look at Kirishima holding his ground. He’s at the edge, but he looks really poised. Right hand in now. He reverses the field and takes back Gyama Kirishima. boasting his skills on the mawashi or belt and secures win number one showing his aggressive side a little bit here. He’s taken back first and Gyama couldn’t finish him off there. Golyama tries to break his balance, but great observation by Kirishima deflecting Golyama’s moves even at the edge. Then he gets that left hand outside grip, right hand in and goes in for the kill. Gyama’s center of gravity’s high and out he goes. Next up, Dao 9 and six versus Abi 6 and N in March. These 31-year-old pusher thrusters hail from Saitama Prefecture. The history in the top tier slightly favors this man Dao 15-2. Abby was relegated to the upper Magasha ranks for the first time in half a year. Slap in the face from the left by Abby, but Abby almost hits the dirt. He stays in once, but not a second time. Great recovery by Abby once, but Dio takes him down the second time. Atki Otoshi thrust down. Left hand slap by Abby and he continues to thrust away. He loses balance there. Dou continues his offensive. We now go to Oho 6 and N and Koto Zakura eight and seven. These throw breads have sumo in their blood. Oaki Koto Zakura owns a 6-2 advantage in their series. He barely escaped Kadoban in March with the just needed eight wins. Question is canoto zakura beat oho here and bring back his superb sumo he showed in November equal tachi initial chargetoakura wants to finish off oho circles around and recovers left hand inside not the stance the odigi wants oho and Koto zakura chest to chest Dead center. Kotto having difficulty getting that outside grip with the right. Oh, same for him. Left hand in. Both men not getting any grip with the outside. Zakura checking Oho’s breath, waiting for that opportunity. He allows Amayam to grip just for an instant. Zakura wants to use the Mashi. Well, he tries the Makai. Gets that right hand in. Double hand inside. But look at Ohho retaliating with that outside attack. Now circling around and hitting the Kataski is Oh. It’s an upset on opening day. Amazing reflexes. by the thoroughbred on the left. Oho causes an upset on day one and attains victory number one. Good hit by both men in the Tati. Left hand attack by Oho to start the brawl. A left hand inside position for both men. Koto Zakur is a Migi Yotsu fighter. Has trouble getting that outside grip. Now he goes for the Makikai and slides in that right. Gets both hands inside. But look at that double hand outside attack by Oho. Oho is taken back but uses that kataskashi effectively. You were able to hold your ground against the Ozaki. Yes, I was able to stay patient. You allowed that double hand inside grip. Well, my shoulder position was lower. That’s why I was able to persevere. You were a siki last bash show. This time a rank and filer. How do you feel? Well, I just want to make sure that I exert my brand of simo and continue to stay on the offensive. Now it’s Onoatoi 12 and3 the march champ fighting Wakamoto 9 and6 leads their past meetings 4-2 but he lost to Wakamoto Hararu by Oshidashi in the previous tournament. This is his golden opportunity to make his bump up to Grand Simo’s pinnacle Yokozuna. Can he beat Waka Moto here and start off on the right foot? Double hand attack by Onosato. Right hand in. It’s all On from start to finish. Haru fails to put dirt on Oi. Onosato again this tournament. So Onosato gets his vengeance over the technician and starts the Natsubashio in positive fashion. Double hand attack. by the man in blue. Right hand in his favorite position. Wakamoto Haru unable to respond. Onosa applies the pressure. Perfect attack. Day one comes to a close with returning soul Yokosa Hosyu who withdrew from action during the March contest and picked up only five victories in his Yokosa debut. He’s looking to channel that inner rage in this highlight bout against Waka Takag 9 and six in Osaka. Their rivalry 6-6 split right down the middle. Oo says he doesn’t want to disappoint fans anymore and his right elbow injury sustained earlier this year is gradually recovering. jump back into Kusubi status for the first time since January. Final bout. Great Tachi by Hoo. The Yokozuna overpowering the Komasubi. Great comeback for Lone Yokozuna. He goes to one and zero. approves whose boss with his dominant speedy sumo uses his right to take back Wakatak. Wagatag slips to the left but has no more real estate. Osho is just too fast and wins by Oshidashi. And that’s all for this broadcast of Grand Sumo Highlights. Thanks for watching and please join us again for more Doscoy action to come on day two. Well, wherever you are, do take care and go.
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Day 1 upper division bouts from the May 2025 GRAND SUMO Tournament.