GRAND SUMO: Day 2 of the July 2025 Tournament – GRAND SUMO Highlights
[Music] [Music] Welcome to Grand Sumo Highlights. This is day two of the July tournament at a new arena with a new Yokozuna Ono Sato. He’ll be in the final match today against young Ukrainian Aishki. [Applause] There’s a look inside the brand new IG Arena. We start today’s action with Kaio and Cotto Ajo. [Music] The rookie, the younger brother of Koto Sho. Here’s Kaio. Despite a Mak Koshi in his debut in May, he stays at the exact same rank. Off they go. Cotto moving forward and he picks up his first win in the top division. Always a big moment for a newcomer. a Yori Kitty force out. He has to be happy about that. And we’ll hear from him shortly. [Applause] Here’s a second look. Kaio actually got off to a faster start at the Tachi, but Cotojo responds. I knew my opponent would be moving, so I’m glad I was able to stay on the offensive and push through. How do you want this tournament to go? It’s my top division debut. So, I want to go all out, fight with everything I’ve got. Up next, Kotojo’s brother, Cotto Shoo, against Shishi, reportedly nursing a sore hamstring. Shishi fortunate to still be able to call himself a Makui with a 4 and1 record at Mashida 11 in May. They get off to a fast start controlling the action. Cotto with a strong grip on the moashi of Shishi. Shishi is out. So it’s a Yori Kitty. The two brothers winning by the same technique. Four outto 2 and 0. [Applause] On the dojo next are Mitakei and Hideeni. Edenomi. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen him 21 tournaments. His last time in the top division was January 2022. A soft tati from the two veterans. Neither man with a strong moashi grip with a hazuhi. Henumi trying to lift up the upper body of back and forth they go. Now they come to a standill at the center of the doho. So who will make the first move? Hideenomi moves forward. They separate. Now it’s Mitakomi who pins Hideenomi and takes him over the edge. And Oshidashi push out by the former Ozeni. He’s up to two and0. Our [Applause] first highlight match of the day pits rookie, highly touted rookie Kusano versus veteran Chudano Umei. This is just his eighth tournament as a professional. Chudano Umi had a 4 and11 record. in three of his last four tournaments. [Music] Look at Kusano. Speed and power and he makes quick work of Chudano Umi. A second straight win for the newcomer. He has a promising future. Yikitti force out. Here’s another look. You can tell why he has so much potential, a fantastic amateur career, and he’s doing well as a pro. Rookie Fujinoa against veteran Shai. [Music] This is the former Waka who has changed his name. First time meeting of course. Fast start by Fujinoa, but Shodai much bigger wrapping up the upper body of Fujinoa. Fujinoa trying to break that grip but to no avail. Shai calmly wins by Yori Kitty force out. [Music] Shai and Mashida 13 this tournament [Applause] having little trouble defeating the newcomer Shai much bigger much heavier than Fujinoa and he takes his time uses his size advantage to easily defeat the rookie. Here’s Takosho and Midori Fuji. It’s the pushing attack of Takanosho versus the maneuvering of Midori Fuji. Both won on opening day. Hitting and shifting is Midori Fuji, but Takosho keeps Midori Fuji right in front of him. And a second leap by Midori Fuji. is what gets him the victory. A Hataki Ki slapdown by that man. He’s up to two and0. Up next, Asaku and Toki Hayate. Two lighter, smaller digi. So, this should be a finesse battle. Both lost on day one. Quick start at the Tati as you would expect. It’s an upper body battle at the moment. [Music] Asaku using that inside left hand grip for a beautiful nag underarm throw. That was a move with pizzazz. Asaku evens his record at one and one. Here are Uda and Atami Fuji. Atami Fuji appeared sluggish on day one. Udaf with a flexible body and a crowd favorite. Uda coming in lower than Atami Fuji. But Atami Fuji uses his bigger body to crush out Uda it appears. But hold on. They get up and the goji points is Goombai to Uda. So apparently Atami Fuji stepped out before he crushed out Uda. So it’s a katasukashi under shoulder swing down. Let’s take a look at the feet of Atami Fuji as he was running out Uda. He steps out. So Uda using his flexibility to take Atami Fuji over the edge. Here are Chio. Chio has had a poor record in the past two tournaments. Meanwhile, Roga has been solid. stretching out his arms are Chio. He gets an inside grip. Now they lock up at the center of the doho. Dogga using that right hand outside grip for anat dashag pulling over arm throw. Beautifully done by Dogga. Chio looked to have the stronger Tati, but Roga had the better finish. He’s up to 2 and 0. Here are Toby Zadu and Ichi Yamamoto. Ichi Yamamoto, a pusher thruster by nature. He’s been developing his grappling skills. Tobisado’s reactive style hasn’t been working. He has three straight. Mak Koshi Tupati battle to start and Ichyamoto moves forward and shoves out Toby Zadu. And Oshidashi win for Ichyamoto. He’s up to 2 and 0 and Toby Zaru 0 and2 [Music] going to his brand new butter Ichyamoto on the dojo now. Sadumi and Gyama. Sadumi 38 years old but still has a dream of making or matching his dad at Kusubi. The Kong kids at the Tati Gyama with a nice rhythm to his and he wins by thrust down. looking good today was Gonoyama with that skiumi 0 and2 Gonoyama 2 and 0. He hasn’t had a winning tournament since January, but off to a good start in Nagoya. Very nice rhythm to the thrusting attack of Gonoyama. Sadumi on his heels throughout this match. Here are Hiro Umi and Takeru Fuji. It’s been a struggle for these two men. Takered Fuji six and nine in May. Hi umi has had a mak koshi in four of his last five boso crisp tachi from taeduji in particular and he dominates hi umi there’s the takeruji we’re used to seeing with his powerful pushing attack he wins by oshidashi and has a 2 and 0 record. Strong tati from Tedu Fuji and he pushes around Hira Umei dominating that match. Here are me and Tamawashi. Tamawashi now in fourth place all time for consecutive Makuchi appearances. May with back-to- back nine and six records in ma March and May. [Music] Strong tachi by Tamawashi but me getting an inside position gets to the rear. The goji points his gumbai to me may but you saw the judge raise his hand. We will have a monoi. Did me go down that right foot? Flipped over before Tamashi stepped out. The goji favored me. But there was a question about Tamawashi’s foot remaining in the ring. It was confirmed that Meay’s right foot turned over. So, we reverse the decision. The winner is Tamawashi. So, Tamawashi improves to 2 and 0 with that reversal. It’s a Tsukio Toshi thrust down win for the Iron Man. [Applause] Here’s Osh and Hakuo bothi at a careerhigh in rank. O a new kosubi 21-year-old Hakuo at Migashida 4. Nice start by Hakuo. He has a double inside grip and he dominates Ooma. Very well done by young Hakuo. A Yori Tawoshi frontal crush out. He evens his record at one and one. [Applause] Here’s Kim Bzan and Takayasu. Kim Bzan has matured as a fighter. No longer just about raw power. Takayasu stays at Kosubi in this July tournament despite a six and nine in May. Kim Boszan extends his long arms, but maybe a bit too much extension as Takayasu drops him with a Tokyo toshi thrust down. So a veteran move by Takayasu. Takayasu parrying the long arms of Kim Bzan for the victory. A bit overextended was Kim Bzan. Here are Abby and Kirishima. Two very different Niki who are evenly matched. Abby with three straight Makoshi coming into this tournament. Kirishima with a slight 9 to8 edge headto head. Hitting and shifting a bit was Kirishima and he makes quick work of Abby. Aby’s slump continues as Kirishima has an easy time winning that match. And Nag overarm throw. He’s up to 2 and0. Using that left hand grip is Kirishima for the Uate Nagu. On the dojo now it’s Waka Taka Kag and Onoatu. Onatsu has never beaten Waka Taka Kag. Waka Takag not the biggest but with a wealth of technique. Coming in hard is Waka Takag. He has a left hand grip. On Katu better show some offense otherwise he will be beaten by Wakata Takag again. Waka Taka Kag with an inside position and he uses that for the Yodi Kitty. He is so good at defeating larger opponents and that’s why he’s ranked at Seekiank. Waka Taka Kag improves to 2 and 0 with that force out. [Applause] Here’s the lone Oi Zakura against Oho. It’s been a struggle lately for Cotto Zakura. After his hatsu in November, he hasn’t looked great this entire year. Oho has also been having a hard time lately. Inside position by Oho. moving back. Kotto Zakura. Koto Zakura a bit upright. Now he locks up with Oho. Will the momentum shift right here? Koto Zakura seems to now have the stronger grip with the left hand outside. [Applause] Both men come to a standill. Oho not in a position where you would expect a strong offensive move. Instead, it’s Cotto Zakura who seems to have the better grip with that left hand outside, right hand inside. [Applause] This match well over one minute. So, who’s going to make a move? It’s Cotto Zakura who moves forward and he finishes off. Oh, it took a while, but the Ozeki winning by Yodi Kitty fours out. He comes back from an opening day loss. [Applause] Initially Oho had the better angle of attack and he moves back Koto Zakura but he can’t finish off the Ozaki. They paw at each other, then they lock up. And at this point, it looked to be Cotto Zakura’s advantage with that left hand outside grip. Oho giving up ground and Cotto Zakura is the winner by Yori Kitty Force out. He’s at one and one. Oho and two. Here’s Hoo and Waka Moto Hadu. Some might find this surprising. Hodu has dominated Waka Moto Hadu 13-2. [Applause] Wakamoto Hadu at Magashid One. Hitting and shifting is Wakamoto Hanu. But Honu appeared ready for that. [Applause] An upper body battle. Wakamoto Hadu with a slight left hand inside grip, but it’s not a strong grip. [Applause] Makikai attempt by backfires as Wakamoto has the upset. It’s his second career Kimoshi. Amayashid defeats a Yokouna. All Hosyu can do is shake his head. It’s a Yori Kitty victory for Waka Moto Haru. A rare victory against Hoo. This man winning by force out [Applause] and he stumbles off to Dolio. Wakamoto looking a bit exhausted after that match. But he can rejoice in his second career Kimoshi. That only goes to a rank and file Mayashida who upsets a Yoko Zuna. Once again, Wakamoto came into this match with a 2 and13 record against Hoo. But the this was a key moment when Hoyu attempted that Maki Kai Wakamoto Hadu surged forward for the Yorikitti. You just beat a Yokozuna. How do you feel? I think I was able to put together a good bout. I knew facing him headon would be tough because he’s so fast. So I aim to attack from the side. I’m glad I managed to push him out. You got a left hand inside grip. What was going through your mind? I tried to stay calm. I didn’t have the grip at first, so I stayed patient. Then when the yokuza tried to change grips, I saw my chance and went for it. Our final match of the day is the second bout of the day. Shinyokuna onto versuski. It’s the first time meeting and a Kimoshi opportunity for the young Ukrainian. Even though their backgrounds are much different, they began their professional careers just four months apart in 2023. Both men won on opening day. Sato one-way traffic as he doesn’t give a nishki any chance to get a moashi grip. A surprisingly one-sided match there as Onosato improves to two and 0. [Applause] Anishki’s game is based on staying low and getting an inside position and he can do neither as Ono Santo pushes him straight back. Oshidashi for the Shinyokuzuna. So that wraps up day two action. Please join us every day from the new home of the Nagoya Tournament. Thanks for watching Grand Sumo Highlights.
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Day 2 upper division bouts from the July 2025 GRAND SUMO Tournament.