GRAND SUMO: Day 14 of the July 2025 Tournament – GRAND SUMO Highlights
Hello and thank you for joining us on Grand Sumo Highlights. It’s day 14 of the July tournament at the Aigi Arena in Nagagoya, Central Japan. The crowded leaderboard has been seeing contenders drop out gradually in the past few days. Now we only have Mayagashida rank and filers virtually remaining in the mix for the Emperor Cup. All four of them including front runners Aonishki and Koto are eyeing to seal their very first championship. Unfortunately, Udra is sidelined from day 14 after injuring his right knee. Well, two more days remaining in this exciting Nagua Basho. Let’s get right into the action. We begin with Nishigi fighting from the second highest Jurio division with a 76 record there facing top tier rookieto who’s struggling with four wins, nine losses. Kotojo is desperate to escape a four bout losing streak to prevent going into double-digit losses. Nishki looking for a win number eight. Right hand inside, left hand inside for Cotojo. Kotojo controlling the match from start to finish. Kotojo looking confident today scores his fifth victory. He snaps his four bout losing streak with that oshidashi victory. Now it’s Hideenomi one win, 10 losses, and two days sidelined versus Kao 2 and 11. Both are dreading a huge fall down the rankings to Jurio in September. Hidenomi was the victor down in Jurio when they last clashed in March. Kaio is on a three bout losing streak just like his opponent. uses that right hand well to strike into Hideomi. Hideomi losing balance and is on all fours. Kao on the offensive. Mr. Gold improves to three wins, 11 losses, and puts an end to his three losing streak. We have Mitakeomi 9 and four fighting Chiranoi 8 and five. These 32 year olds have locked horns six times and split the series right in the middle 3 to three. Mitakeomi has one win to go until his first double-digit record in over three years. Chiranomi received a freebie on day 13. Nice and low. Mitakomi taking back Chiranomi. Chiranomi recovers right away, slips to the right and says bye-bye. Mitakeumi is out. Shiranomi wins by Oshidashi frontal push out. The man from Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan prevails. He moves up to nine wins, five losses, extending his winning streak to four. Checking the replay. Right hand attack. Nice pushing maneuvers by Mitakomi, the former Ozaki on the left. Chidanomi is taken to the edge but shifts right away and wins. Next up, it’s Fujino Kawa eight and five versus Takanosho with the same record. Both aim to leave Nagua with double-digit victories by taking their bouts today and tomorrow. Fujinoa earned a default win yesterday for a Kachkoshi in his top division debut. Takanosa strives to notch backto back wins from here. Now moving around well. He slips to the left and takes down the man in red by hand pull down. No marks win number nine and extends his winning streak to three. A great debut tournament in the top division for the man in blue. Fujinoa shoots into Kakanosho. Kakanosho trying to break his balance, but Fujinoa holds his ground. He thrusts away and then goes for that pulling attempt to Tokihayat six and seven fighting Shishi five and eight. Both are 28 years old. Made their Makunochi promotions last year. It’s one a piece in their rivalry here. Tokiat is hot and cold in the second half. Shishi escorted out jurro man Tamaso yesterday by Yorikiri. trying to get an inside position. He can’t get his favorite left hand in. A right hand in for Shishi from Ukraine and Shishi gets the job done. So that’s a Makoshi losing record for Toki Hayate. Shishi improves to six wins, eight losses despite his losing record. He wins by Yorikiri. Moving to Loga 7 and six fighting Shodai 8 and five. Shoddai has come out on top in both their matches so far, but they haven’t met in over a year. Shai out muscled Chio yesterday by Oshidashi and achieved his first winning record since last September. Loga eager to reach that allimportant win number eight. Roga can’t find that left hand outside grip. He allows Shai that left hand outside grip instead. And look at that beautiful Watag Shai boasts his superiority in the Mawashi over Roga and goes to nine wins, five losses. Former Oziki extends his winning streak to three. Right hand in. No grip on the mashi for Shoddai, but he has that solid grip with the left hand outside. Does a good job of breaking his balance and wins. Unfortunately, Uda has decided to withdraw from action after hurting his knees in his match with Wakatak yesterday. And Midori Fuji is handed his ninth victory in Nagagoya by default. We go to Chio 1 and 12 fighting Asakori 5 and 8. Chio drove out his opponent by Yodiki when they first battled it out in Makunoji last November. Tio is hoping for this Basha to wrap up quickly but wants to finish on a positive note. And nice and low are both men. Asaku getting that left hand in. They separate. Chio slapping away with some nice. He now allows the left hand inside for Asakoru. Chosoma uses that right hand outside to trip Asakoru. But Asakori does a good job holding his ground. And now it’s Asakori’s turn with a nice Asakori tries over and over [Applause] breaking Chio’s balance little by little and executing that nag at the end. Asakodi bleeding a little from the nose, but no problem. He goes to six and eight, extending his winning streak to four. Nice sharp tachi. Attacks by Chio on the left. He uses that left hand to try to control Asakoru from getting inside, but then they separate. Asakori gets that left hand in. Right hand outside. Single strand for Chio. He goes in for a hurling maneuver, but then in turn it’s Asaaku with a nice underarm throw. Good pivot breaking Chio’s balance to snatch the victory. Let’s go to Tamashi 9 and4 versus Ichyamoto with the same record. Tamashi holds a 4 to3 advantage in their pushing battles, butchyamoto thrusted the Iron Man out when they last faced off in November. Tamashi is one victory away from his first double-digit tournament since March and his second as a 40-year-old. Nice hit byamoto, but thrusting away. Nice pushes by both men. Right hand inside position for Tamashi. A rare move. It’s a Yodi Kitty victory for the 40-year-old Iron Man. These two usually end up in a pushing thrusting battle, but today it’s Tamawashi winning by Yodi Kitty. So, the Iron Man attains another double-digit record since turning 40. He goes to 10 and fouramoto 9 and five. Taking another look. Nice nota throat thrusts by Tamawashi. Nice Hazoshi. And then he slips in that right hand deep and carries out Ichyamoto. It’s Kimbo on three wins, 10 losses, and Uno five and eight. These collegiate sumo stars have gone head-to-head twice, both of which went the way of Mongolian Onoatu. Kazak Kimozan strives to pick up another win or two to prevent a further drop down the Bans in September. On Kata has backto-back losses. Now shifting to the left is Kim Bzan. Kim Bzan going for the kill. Good recovery by Uno. thrusting away almost losing balance but left hand inside now a right hand inside position for no good recovery and driving back the Kazaku shows excellent resiliency and improves to six wins eight losses. What a comeback by Uno. You see Kim Bzan slipping to the left right after the tati startled but Onoku stays in contention. Kim Bzan wants to finish him off here but thrusting away is Uno and then eventually getting an inside position on the mawashi. Right hand in and then Kim Bosan throws in the towel. We go to Gonoyama 8 and5 versus Oho with a mirror record of five and eight. Both these furious pusher thrusters competed for the prestigious Saitama Sakai High School sumo team. Gonoyama is spotless against his junior combatant 4 nothing. rockets into Oho, but Oh rallies back and then hits that slap down. A quick hit and pull maneuver by Oho, taking down his senior from high school. Oho marks his sixth victory. [Applause] Victory for Oho. Goyama shoots in a little lower than Oho, but Oho blocks that from the left and then gets his thrusts going. Koyama can’t hold his ground after Oho’s thrusts and then a hatakcomi slapdown. Good timing by Oho. Next, Abby 8 and five takes on Hakuho 7 and six. Hakuho overpowered Abby by Oshidashi in their first head-to-head which took place in Naguya two years ago. Hakuoho is focused on securing his kachoshi here to attain a winning record in four straight tournaments. Abi delivered his kachkoshi yesterday. Slap in the face by Abi taking that right hand outside position, but Hakuo shows his resiliency and Hakuo takes the match moving up to eight wins, six losses. So that’s a Kachkoshi. More wins than losses for Hakuo in this July tournament. Great reaction by Hakuo. Abby initiates with a slap from the left. He circles to the right. Gets that right hand outside grip. He wants to make good use of that. But the man in black, Hakuoho, holds his ground, gets that left hand in his favorite, and shoves him out. Here’s our first highlight bout of day 14 between Kano. 10 wins, three losses going against co-leader Aishki 11 and two. These upandcomers have stirred up the championship race with their unbelievable performances. Ukrainian Aishki will take a huge step toward grabbing his first Empress Cup by beating the raging rookie. Aishki is the Mayash one trailblazer who’s becoming untouchable with seven wins in a row from day seven. Kasano wowed the crowd yesterday with an impeccable stoake outside leg trip to take down Sikiag Kirishima. He’s also eyeing the Emperor’s Cup. Anishki goes with a double hand attack. He allows that inside position. Gets that right hand in his favorite and takes down Aishki. Sano completely taking the wind out of Aishki’s sails. He now lines up with the Ukrainian at 11 wins, three losses. Outstanding sumo backto- back for leading Kirishima yesterday and a front runner Aishki here. Aishki has that left hand outside grip but that’s taken out as Kanano makes the move at the edge. Thrusting away. Anishki stays low as usual. Has that right hand in, left hand outside, but he’s already stepped out with the right foot when Kasano takes him out. So, it’s a Yikitti victory for Kasano. Looking very confident. Aishki now at three losses lined up with Kano. Next we go to Wakamo 5 and eight fighting me three and 10. They entered professional sumo in 2011 but clashed for the first time in November 2022. This man Wakamoto has never hit the deck against his foe in all eight meetings. Me slapping away after the tachi. Wakamoto can’t catch me. Good footwork by me, but not budging is Wakamotaru. Now Wakamoaru also circles around the dojo. He breaks his balance but takes down Meay. Excellent thrusting action by Wakamoto to win by Skawoshi frontal thrust down. So Meay falls to 11 losses this tournament. Wakamoto improves to six and eight extending his winning streak to four. Shifting a little bit to the left is Meay and just rallying there after the Tachi. Wakamoto unable to lock him up and go chest to chest. Meay trying to break Wakamotaru’s balance. Wakamoto circles around to the left and now thrusts away at me in turn and wins. Let’s go to Savanomi 3 and 10 going against Oshoma with the same record. Oshama slapped down his veteran foe in both their encounters last year. These Dishi put a break on their long losing streaks yesterday to lessen the damage from their disastrous records. Oshoma trying to move back to veteran butomi staying in contention gets that left hand in right hand was high but the left hand was all he needed plus the speedomi uses his agility over the new kusubi O and goes up to four and 10 O trying to shove Sadanomi back. He goes for his usual pulling maneuvers after this. Sadenomi doesn’t budge, gets that inside position and wins by Oshidashi. Now to another critical clash between Takayas Kumusi 8 and five versus Atami Fuji 10 and three. Atami Fuji holds a 3 to1 edge over the veteran after winning by Okuri Dashi in January. Atami Fuji is on a roll with five consecutive victories and needs to win here to keep his chances high for a shot at the Emperor’s Cup. Takasa maintained his Saku position for September with a Kachkoshi on day 11. He now wants to stand as a wall against his rank and file opponent. Atami takes on Takas’s charge. Atamuji trying to get an inside position. Takayasu in trouble. Atamuji trying to finish him off but no. A right hand inside position for Takayasu. Takayasu really recovering well with that single strand of red Mashi. Takasu getting that right hand in. And look at that beautiful nagami rolls down and snaps his five. They winning streak and Takayasu moves up to nine and five shutting Atami Puji down. So, Atami Fuji drops to four losses. Good kachiag elbow blast by Takayasu. Not allowing Atami Fuji to get his favorite position, right hand inside. Instead, Atami Fuji wants to finish Takayas off here when Takayasu is high, but he gives him some space and Takayasu slides that right hand inside to take the upper hand. Not Takayasu’s favorite position, but he manages to stay in contention that way. Atami Fuji wants to extend and get that left hand outside grip. But as he was thinking hurls him by that nag. Amazing timing showing his frustration. And here’s our next highlight match featuring a front runner. Seek Kirishima eight and five goes against Koto 11 wins two losses at the top of the leaderboard. Now these two have only fought once after being promoted to the top division in 2020. Kirishima took that match by Yorshi frontal crush out. Joho continues to bring the unexpected after triumphing over Yokoa yesterday for his very first Kimoshi Gold Star and virtually kicking the new grand champ out of the Yusho race. Kirishima remained in the title race through day 10, but bit the dust three days in a row after that. Can Coto protect his two loss record going into final day in low is Kirishima snapping away is Koto and Koto switches gears gets that outside grip and wins by Nagto [Applause] shows superb reflexes handles the siki to become soul leader heading into day Show fans really excited. Goes inside, slaps away and then gets that right hand outside grip for that nag move and sends the sikiwake out over the straw bales. showing good reflexes there. Cotto Shoo 12 and two extends his winning streak to nine. It’s Hiadi 7 and six versus Koto Zakura with the same record. It’s a Kachkoshi battle here. Both looking to lock in their winning records for July. Ozaki Koto Zakura has an overwhelming lead in their history six to one. Idadoi has backto-back victories from day 12. [Music] Tries to get his favorite grip butto Zakura reacts right away. Takes him down by Bellous arm throw. So Koto Zakura goes to eight wins, six losses, securing his Kachikoshi winning record here in Nagagoya. [Applause] Zakura prevents Hiradomi from getting that frontal grip and then gets inside from the right to swing him. taking him to the clay by day 14 concludes with Yokoza 9 and4 fighting Siki Wak also 9 and four. The Yokoza Debutant is ahead in the series by just the neck 3-2. Onos beat his foe in all their clashes this year while Wakatag was the victor in their meetings last year. in nice and low as Wakataka gets circling to the left and no more real estate for the Seikki Ono showing powerful sumo here against Wakatak [Applause] and the Yokozuna notches his 10th victory. He doesn’t lose in back-to back days. Onosa regrouping well after that Kimoshi lost to Hoto Shoho on day 13. Today he outmuscles Wakatakag by Oshidashi frontal push out. Double hand attack by the Yokozuna. Wakatakage wants to grab him and get a hold of him but Onosato is right in front of him. So after 14 days of action, it’s Kottosho the sole leader with two losses and Aishki Kasano with three losses a piece. Aishki will go against Koto tomorrow against Takayasu. So there is that possibility of a three-way playoff on the final day. Be sure to tune in to Grand Simo live on Sunday the 27th for the final day of action in Naguya. It’ll be for 90 minutes. Do stay with us. [Music]
Watch more GRAND SUMO on NHK WORLD-JAPAN!
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/sumo/?cid=wohk-yt-2507-gsRecapDay14-hp
Learn more about GRAND SUMO here!
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/?cid=wohk-yt-2507-gsRecapDay14-hp
Day 14 upper division bouts from the July 2025 GRAND SUMO Tournament.