GRAND SUMO: Day 13 of the July 2025 Tournament – GRAND SUMO Highlights
[Music] [Music] Hello once again. Welcome to Grand Sumo Highlights, day 13 of the Nagoya tournament from the magnificent new IG Arena. What a tournament we have. And this man Aishki today will be taking on Ichi Yamamoto. The other co-leader Kotto Shoo, he’s in the final bout of the day, the Msubino Ichiban with Yokouna, Onosato. What a great leaderboard we have. The two men I mentioned on top, followed by Onoato, Ichi Yamamoto, Atami Fuji, and Kusano with three losses. This tournament is up for grabs. It’s anyone’s. The crowd are enjoying the sumo. They’re experiencing hot weather. Let’s hope today it’s some hot sumo. We kick off with Jurio man Tamaso, the brother-in-law of Tamawashi, taking on Shishi, the Mashida 17. Well, you never know what you’re going to get with this guy. He’s five and seven. Still has a chance for Kachi Koshi in Jurio. Unfortunately, Shishi, he’s going back to Jurio. A losing record at 4 and eight. A leaping hanker to the side to the rear goes Thomas Sho starts slapping away tries to grab tries a big roundhouse right that doesn’t work leaves himself open and Shishi wins. So a Makio Koshi for Tamasho and Shishi. Well, he’s got the same score on Maki Koshi. 5-8 after 13 days. Rookie Koto Ajo takes on Asa Cordu. They’re both four and eight. The rookie will be going back to Jurio. He’s gained some experience. Asaku is okay. He’s at Magus at 12, but he’d like some wins to finish off in hard and fast. Left hand grabbing attempt by Asakoru. Now he gets a thrusting attack going. Gets to the throat. Slaps in. Now there the middle of the dojo. Keeping him away is Cotto Ajo. Right hand inside by Asakodu. He’s got throwing ability. Tries a Kotonag. That doesn’t work. Now the left hand deep for Asa. Left hand deep also for Cotto Ajo. He wants the right hand inside. Who’s got the best throwing ability if it gets to this? Or is it going to be a Yori Kitty? No, it’s a throwing technique and it goes the way of Asaku. He wins by the underarm throw. He picks up his fifth win. drops Cotto Ajo to four and nine. Well, this bout had a little bit of everything. Forearm blast there by Cotto Ajo. Didn’t quite work. Good attack by Asakoru and good fending off here. Almost slapped down there Cotto, but he keeps his feet. Now a pushing and thrusting in an oske battle between the two of them. Right hand in for both from this position. There’s the cotton. That doesn’t work. And now it becomes left hand in after the spin round. Showing each other their backs. So neither man with a preferred grip. He sets it up for a prop throwdown and wins. Now Kaio and Toki Hayate. They’ve met once before. Kaio was the winner. Well, this man with a poor two and 10 takes on five and seven Tokihite. So, still a chance to get Kachi Koshi. Slapping and pushing attack. A retreat straight away by Kaio. And that’s an easy win for Tokihayate. Oshidashi and he picks up win number six. So, he has to win the remaining two days, but he has the opportunity. Two and 11 now. He’s definitely going back to mid Jurio with that record. [Music] [Applause] Mitakumi and Roger. Mitakumi has secured Katsukoshi 8 and four, but he has lost the last two. He wants to finish off strong. He’s got a slight edge against Roger. Two to one. Roger. Well, he wants to fight big here. He’s going for Kachikoshi. Seven and five. Left hand shallow attempt. Almost slapped down there as Roger Mitakuni gets the right hand in deep. Left hand outside for Roger. He likes this position on a quick pivot and a pivot on the heel by Mitakumi. Almost a Hini, but he wins by a Watanag. He got the outside grip. when he was doing most of the work with the inside. That’s a fine piece of sumo from the former Ozeki to pick up win number nine, denying Roger his kachi koshi today. This was clever. Now thinking he’s going to use the right hand inside. No grip with the left. He goes to grab the right strongly. Now he gets the left in. Grabs the wrist. Then he grabs the outside and he pulls the throw. Wonderful. Now Shai and Chio going for Kachikoshi. Something he hasn’t had for quite a while since last year. So seven and five. Chama very disappointing. One and 11. They’ve met eight times. Chama won the last time they met. Big slam by Chio Shoma, but a big slam by Shai takes Chio straight out. Kachi Koshi. Yay. Long time between drinks for Shai, but he gets it today. And one and 12 is Chio. Big body slam. And wearing the brunt of it was Chio offering very little from that good charge from Shai. Stepping up as Satani and Hiddeni. They haven’t met in the top division since 2016. They have met in Jurio since the brother of Toby Zadu. Slamming bodies, moving forward well. And very easily in the end, Sadumi picks up his third win. And that’s basically 1 and 12 for Hidden Umi. He set out for a couple of days, so that’ll bring a little bit of a smile to his face. Well, I mentioned Tobiaru. His brother just fought and lost unfortunately, but Toby Zaru is cuer. He wrenched that elbow in his loss to Asakoru yesterday. only his second career cujo chirumi he’s quite happy he doesn’t have to work for it he gets kachi koshi just by stepping up and acknowledging the faceno eight and five the manga hit a 13 midori and gonoyama midoriuji has kachikoshi see he started couple of weeks before the tournament trying to shake off an inside leg saltis cellulitis but now he’s firing in the second week. Goryama going for Kachikoshi big slam Goryama into Midori Fuji. He wants the inside. He does get the right. He will try Katasashi but it doesn’t work. Goryama’s all over him and wins with a big thrust. Ski Tawushi the frontal thrust down win. Goroyama for Kachi Koshi and Midori Fuji drops to eight and five. Well, Goroyama knew what Midori Fuji wanted to do. He just didn’t let him do it. The big touch eye as always from Goroyama trying to get the right hand inside is Midori Fuji. He does and here he tries the kataskashi. Doesn’t work because he’s in too tight. Goroyama and a big thrust and down. Well, another Kujo announcement. Takuji who injured his right bicep a few days ago has decided no go no more. So he’s out of the tournament. His third career cujo and rookie Fujinoa gets a Kachikoshi with a Feno win. Well, well done. He will take it. How do you feel about getting a winning record on top division debut? Well, I’m happy. That was my goal. You said the top division feels different. Still feel that way? Well, there are still a few days left, but it’s fulfilling to compete here. What’s been going well? I’m moving well and just going all out. Two more wins could mean a special prize. How do you feel about that? Well, I’ll just stay focused and aim to win both. Now on the dojo, and Hiadoomi have only met once before. Hiadoomi was the winner. He’s six and six. The only man in the top division with a six and six record after 12 days. Five and seven. Onatsu trying to get that grip inside, but he ends up using a slapping attack and he wins by Hataki Ki. So, Hiroi moves to seven and six and it’s a Maki Koshi for the Mashida three onu. I think we’re expecting a better performance from him, but he did have a tough first week. [Applause] On the dojo, Takanosho and Abi, they’ve met 10 times. Abby has won eight of them. Takonosho already Kachikoshi 8 and four and he wants to keep Abby away. Abby going for Kachikoshi today. Two arm thrust as always, but now fending is Abby. That’s a little unusual. Using the oske on the elbow of Takosho. Takeno moves forward. Abby goes to the throat, sets it up, and wow. Well, I I’m suggesting that was his plan right from the start. He wins by Hiko toshi. He just kept him away. Kept him away. All the weight is leaning forward. Then he just pulls on the arm and down goes Takanosho. Kachi Koshi for Abby. Oho and Kim Boszan. Kim Boszan in his 300th career bout today. They’ve met four times and Oho has won three of them. But he has a losing record as does Kim Bosan. Three and nine. Oho four and eight. They’re both pusher thrusters. Fast away as Oho gets some thrusting going, moves Kiman back and out. Oh, she so win number five for Oh, the Mashita 2. Double digits in losses for the Mashida 3, Kim Bosan. Three and 10. frontal push out. [Applause] This one’s a first time meeting. Haku Oho takes on Wakamoto. Haku Oho going for Kachi Koshi. Seven and five. Wakamoto already a Maki Koshi. He’s four and eight. Been retreating too much in this tournament. Can’t say that about this man. It’s pretty much all forward sumo for him. [Music] Big hit. Left hand deep by Hakuo. But that allows Wakamoto his favorite grip. Left hand in, right hand out. He can normally dictate from this position. This is not Hakuo’s strength. Wakamoto moves forward and wins Yodi Kitty. So denying Hakuo Kachikushi today lifts his own score to five and eight. Nine times out of 10, if he gets the left hand in, right hand out, he’s hard to beat. And today, he moved forward straight away. Left hand in. Ako is more of a pusher thruster. He can work the body in the moashi, but that’s not his go-to. And once Wakamoto Deagashida one got his favorite grip, it was just a case of maintaining that position and moving forward and wins at the edge. Now the first of our highlight bouts of the day. Al Nishki and Ichi Yamamoto 10 and two 9 and three almost 10 years in age difference. Masha one masha eight big bout [Music] extended arm he doesn’t quite get the thrusting going now he does it Ichiamamoto in lower is Aishki he gets in really tight and wins yacht kitty whoa the migos one who’s setting the world al light in this tournament goes to 11 and two. Ichi Yamamoto. He drops to 9 and four. A first time meeting goes the way of the excitement machine. A Nishki wins by Yuri Kitty. But it’s the way he did it. He came in much lower, got the deep grip, and out goes Ichyamoto. disappointing for him because he’s had a good tournament but today staying calm poised is the Mashidita one it drops him to nine and four with Yamamoto Tamawashi and Takayasu they’re both eight and four they both have Kachikoshi this is all about pride and who finishes with is a strong number. They met 40 times. Takayyasu’s won 21 of them. But Tamashi has shown real power this tournament. Slamming his Takayasu moving forward with strength, sliding across the Dojo Tamashi. Oshi Dashi win number nine. Takayasu drops to 8 and five. So 41 times now. Almost an even rivalry 20-2. And today it’s Tamawashi taking care of the Kasubi. Big power sumo. The veteran does it again. Paul Sharma and Messi both with losing records. The Shin Komasubi 2 and 10 may three and nine. Can Meay get a belated birthday gift today? His birthday yesterday. They met three times. O Sha’s won two of them. Bang pulling attempt by me tries to get in and under keeps him away. Oman not moving the feet much. Just keeping me in front of him and eventually wins by slap down at Taki Ki and getting up gingerely the right knee. Let’s hope that’s not too bad. We don’t want to know the withdrawal. Third win for Osha. They’re both three and 10. [Applause] the oh so popular ura. Both men have kachi koshi. It’s ura and waka tag. They met 10 times and this man’s won nine of them. He’s a difficult man to fight. UA constant movement in very low as the case is often the case with Ura inside briefly. Waka Tag keeps up the pressure. Oshihi did not let Ura escape and let’s hope he’s okay. He’s already got the bad knees that he’s had for many years now. for the man that went through surgery to recover for sumo. But today a little jarred. It’s happened to him before. I mean, obviously the more it happens, the worse it is, but he normally shakes it off. And he’s telling everyone he’s okay. They’ve got the new wheelchair if they want to use it. He came in low. Getting to the right is Wakataga Kag with the Huzawi under the armpit. awkward position, but he recovers. As Ura retreats, he takes him down. Kusano and Kishima, the rookie is in the Yusha race and he takes on the Seekwake. They meet for the first time. Not a lot of difference between the two in height and weight. It’s just experience. Masha 14. Aiwake. Hard and fast both men trying Mahazuoshi. There’s a thrusting attack from Koshima. Thrusting at Kasano who now gets the left hand outside grip. This is not the favorite grip for Kushima. Kasano right hand inside, left hand out. He can work from here. A leg trip attempt but it works. Stoake. Kusano wins. Upset. The Masha 14 beats the Siwake and that put a dent in his chase to the rank of gaining again Ozeki and Kusano wins. So he’s still in the Yusha race 10 and three. Kirishima seemed to be in a good position. Used good Huzzawi and thrusting. But once he got the left hand outside, right hand in, Kasano used it to his advantage to take the seiwake back and then applied the outside leg trip, the stoake to bring him down. He looked like the Seekwake Kusano. He’s a touch of class. Big win once again. Different angle. Down he goes. Zakura. Atami Fuji. Kotto Zakura going for Kachi Koshi. Atami Fuji’s been a bit of a a sneaky sneaky little rival for most of his opponents. He’s in the Yusho race and he kind of crept up behind everybody without you noticing. He’s 9 and three. But the rivalry heavily favoring Kottoaka 7 to one. saving grace. The Tammy Fuji won the last time they met. Big hit. Solid inside position. Left hand outside grip of Tammy Fuji. Moves the Ozeki back to the edge. He’s using the good to stomach and out he goes. Upset another one. He lost day one and two. Then on day eight and now he has 10 wins. 10 and three denying Kot Zakura. Here’s Kachikoshi. He drops to seven and six. They’re not Ozeki numbers. Wow, this leaderboard amazing. The second time he’s beaten him, but two in a row. He won in January. Fair to say the last 12 months, the Atami Fuji Sumo has been well less than stellar. for this tournament. He’s just moved forward. He gets a solid left hand outside grip. Kazakura tries to shake it off. Takes him to the edge. Good forward movement by Atami Fuji. So the young man wins and wins big. Cult zakuru we’re thinking okay he’s found a bit of form in the last few days but today a fair bit of confidence with Atami Fuji to go for win number 10 and get it against the ozi or you thinking against the ozi just happy I got the win so what’s helped you rack up wins this tournament I just focused on doing my job. Two bouts left. I’ll just give it my all. You’re now one win behind the leader. How do you see the race? Well, I’m just trying my best on the sidelines. I want to fight hard the last two days. We made it to the final bout here on day 13. Kotto Shoo Mashir of 15 takes on the Yokozuna Ono. They’ve met twice before and Onos has won them both. Kotto did beat Onos in a playoff in Jurio to win the Jurio Yusha. That’s a different story. Onos has given up three Kimoshi. Kotto is 10 and two coming into the day. Onosado wins. He stays in the US race. Kotto wins. It’ll be huge. Big hit. Right hand inside by Kotto. Now moving forward with the left hand outside. Grip. Cotto. Upset. Kimoshi number four. Oh no has given up at his debut and that is unfortunately a record not one you want and Kotto Shoo the lowest ranked Mashida to win a Kimoshi Mashida 15 previously Mashida 12 the Zabaton are flying it’s a nice payday with a Keno prize money for Kotto Shoo who goes to 11 and two takes on Osato out of the Yusho race as he falls to nine and four. Unbelievable sumo. Left hand didn’t look particularly solid, but it’s just the way he maneuvered the Yokazuna. Left hand shallow, right hand in, not doing much. And the Yokazuna is off balance to the edge and out. A day of upsets. You got your first Kimbashi. How do you feel? Well, I’m happy the Okazuna went for the right inside grip and you pulled the left moashi. How was the bout? I just focused on the initial charge and trusted my body to move from there. And what about the final throw? How did that come about? Well, my body just moved on its own. Well, you’re leading the title race. Two days left. How do you feel about that? Still two bouts to go. I’ll focus on tomorrow’s bout first. Well, there we have it. The leaderboard. Aishki Kotto lead the way. Atami Fuji Kusano. They’re all rank and filers. The leader at the top two. The followers are still in the Yusho race. Reminder to you, Grand Sumo Live. Japan has coverage day 14, July 26 from 5:10 p.m. Japan time. Don’t miss the 50 minutes of live action of Grand Sumo Live. A reminder, tomorrow we have the exciting batch at Anishki Kusano. Kotto Shoo Kirishima Atami Fuji fights Takayyasu. Great bounce to look forward to. So come back tomorrow and join us for more Grand Sumo highlights. Wow, what a tournament.
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Day 13 upper division bouts from the July 2025 GRAND SUMO Tournament.