Results of former sekitori in the lower divisions

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Day 12 - Results

new KK: Kiryuko, Hitoshi, Takakento, Yuma, Kitaharima

new MK: Tsushimanada, Nionoumi

16 wins against just 7 losses in what has been the best round of the tournament for the ex-sekitori. The highlight match was the promotion zone battle between Kiryuko and Kotokuzan on Day 11, won by the former. Meanwhile, the same day brought the end of Kazekeno's yusho hopes and almost certainly also his promotion run. Kiryuko is now assured at least second place in the promotion queue and with two juryo rikishi demotable (veteran pair Onosho and Chiyomaru), his return to the paid ranks should be all but certain.

Day 10 KK'ers Tochimaru, Fujiazuma and Asashiyu marched on to win #5, and will have an opportunity to earn big 6-1 promotions for the next banzuke. A quartet of rikishi joined Kiryuko in clinching kachikoshi this time, and I'm personally breathing a sigh of relief that Kitaharima did not continue to nosedive following his back-to-back 1-6 scores. The same sadly can't be said for Tsushimanada, makekoshi for the fifth straight time. (The first two were respectable 7-8's in juryo, since then it's all been downhill with 1-14 and 2-5.)

Akua, Tenshoho, Asagyokusei and Dairaido avoided MK and now enter make-or-break final matches, alongside Kotokuzan and Yoshiazuma (down from 3-0 to 3-3, uh-oh).

And finally, Enho's third attempt at a zensho record in his comeback remains intact after a defeat of talented rookie Noda. Two of the six unbeaten sandanme rikishi were taken out by makushita and jonidan opponents, so it's just Enho and his next opponent who are left to decide the yusho; he'll have to contend against Fujitoshi who was in the top 15 ranks of makushita as recently as four months ago, before he withdrew halfway through Nagoya basho and missed Aki entirely.

Kiryuko will have his final match of the basho up in juryo. Kotokuzan likely will as well, but could also be paired up with another 3-3 (Miyagi) who is being held for possible juryo needs. Akua has been assigned a makushita opponent and will face 21-year-old talent Yoshii with KK and MK on the line.

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Kyushu 2024 Results

Ms1e

Asanoyama

Takasago

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms2e

Kiryuko

Tatsunami

4-2

O

X

–

–

X

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

Ms3w

Kaisho

Asakayama

2-4

–

O

X

–

X

–

X

–

X

–

O

–

Ms4e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

3-3

–

O

O

–

X

–

X

O

–

–

X

–

Ms5e

Akua

Tatsunami

3-3

X

–

O

–

–

X

O

–

X

–

O

–

Ms6e

Kazekeno

Oshiogawa

5-1

O

–

–

O

O

–

–

O

O

–

X

–

Ms9e

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

0-6

–

X

X

–

–

X

–

X

X

–

X

–

Ms9w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms12e

Hitoshi

Oitekaze

4-2

O

–

–

X

X

–

O

–

–

O

–

O

Ms12w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

3-3

X

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

–

O

–

O

Ms13w

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms14w

Takakento

Tokiwayama

4-2

–

X

O

–

–

O

–

O

–

X

–

O

Ms20e

Tochimaru

Kasugano

5-1

–

O

–

X

–

O

O

–

–

O

O

–

Ms21w

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

2-4

X

–

–

O

–

X

X

–

O

–

X

–

Ms22w

Yuma

Onomatsu

4-2

O

–

O

–

–

O

X

–

X

–

–

O

Ms27e

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

4-2

–

X

O

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

–

X

Ms29w

Kawazoe

Isegahama

1-0-5

–

O

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms30e

Asanowaka

Takasago

2-4

–

X

X

–

–

X

–

O

–

X

O

–

Ms40e

Kyokutaisei

Oshima

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms42e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

2-4

X

–

–

O

X

–

O

–

X

–

–

X

Ms42w

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

4-2

–

O

X

–

O

–

–

X

O

–

O

–

Ms46e

Asagyokusei

Takasago

3-3

–

O

X

–

–

X

O

–

X

–

O

–

Ms60w

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

5-1

X

–

–

O

O

–

O

–

O

–

–

O

Sd3w

Asashiyu

Takasago

5-1

O

–

–

O

X

–

–

O

O

–

–

O

Sd11w

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

2-4

–

O

–

X

X

–

–

X

–

X

O

–

Sd39w

Yago

Oshiogawa

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Sd55e

Dairaido

Takadagawa

3-3

O

–

–

X

–

X

X

–

–

O

–

O

Sd56w

Enho

Isegahama

6-0

–

O

–

O

O

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

Jd4e

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

3-3

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

X

–

X

–

X

 

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Day 15 - Results

Apologies for the delay - I wanted to wait for potential information about the many kyujo ex-sekitori, and then got sidetracked.

new KK: Kotokuzan, Akua, Tenshoho

new MK: Asagyokusei, Dairaido, Yoshiazuma

Totals: 14 KK, 10 MK, 5 kyujo, 90-72-41

A crucial Day 14 win for Kotokuzan who unexpectedly was paired up with another 3-3 makushita rikishi, Miyagi, even though the juryo demotion race was not yet decided at the time. Kotokuzan's kachikoshi was not quite enough to earn promotion back to the paid ranks in the end, but he'll be no lower than Ms2e on the next banzuke and have an excellent chance to do it then. Akua's last minute KK should also see him move up to Ms2w, while Kiryuko completed his Kyushu campaign in style with another victory after his return to sekitori status was already assured. Fellow top 5 ranker Kaisho ended things with a loss to finish at 2-5, and will likely fall far enough that even 5 wins in January might not guarantee an immediate return to the promotion zone.

BTW, Akua is set to become the first rikishi in 3+ years to rank between Ms1 and Ms5 for five straight tournaments. In addition to him and Kotokuzan, the next top 5 will feature Kazekeno, whose basho ended on a bit of down note with two losses after his yusho-chasing 5-0 start, and probably also Hitoshi who went nearly the other way with four straight wins from 1-2.

Three different final scores for the trio of injury returnees in the middle of makushita. Tochimaru streaked to a 6-1 finish and just might have also got himself into promotable territory for January, while Takakento finished 4-3 and Tochimusashi ended on a 5-2 record. On the other hand we'll be seeing big drops for Daishomaru - consolation win on Day 13 to finish 1-6, albeit against an opponent from more than 30 ranks lower - and Tsushimanada, 2-5 for a combined scoreline of 5-24 across his last three tournaments. Also not going well at all is Amakaze with his third straight 2-5 record. In better news: Kitaharima arrested his recent 1-6, 1-6 descent with a 5-2 performance.

Barring inter-basho retirements, the next edition will have an additional ex-sekitori on the list, with Kiryujo departing and Onosho and Chiyomaru coming down from juryo. The movements between makushita and sandanme will balance each other: Asashiyu is set to return to the third division after his 5-2 record, while kyujo Kyokutaisei is set to drop.

Speaking of which: Again no zensho record for Enho, and his loss in the yusho decider with Fujitoshi ensured that he'll indeed have to spend another tournament in sandanme. Nothing to worry about for now, though; it's just hard to be that one out of 128 rikishi who gets to finish 7-0. Meanwhile, Yoshiazuma unfortunately demonstrated that it can even be difficult to be that one out of two rikishi who finishes kachikoshi, as he completed the turnaround from 3-0 to 3-4. Fellow super-veteran Dairaido also dropped to makekoshi at the end.

So, to close things out: As already alluded there has been no definitive information about any of the kyujo rikishi, including Kawazoe after his puzzling departure at 1-0. Reports have indicated that Asanoyama is likely aiming for a March comeback; we'll see if any of the others are ready for action in January.

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Kyushu 2024 Results

Age

Out

Last J

HiRk

Ms1e

Asanoyama

Takasago

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

30

1

2024.09

O

Ms2e

Kiryuko

Tatsunami

5-2

O

X

–

–

X

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

–

O

–

22

1

2024.09

J12

Ms3w

Kaisho

Asakayama

2-5

–

O

X

–

X

–

X

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

–

29

11

2023.01

J2

Ms4e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

4-3

–

O

O

–

X

–

X

O

–

–

X

–

–

O

–

30

10

2023.03

M16

Ms5e

Akua

Tatsunami

4-3

X

–

O

–

–

X

O

–

X

–

O

–

–

O

–

34

4

2024.03

M10

Ms6e

Kazekeno

Oshiogawa

5-2

O

–

–

O

O

–

–

O

O

–

X

–

–

X

–

25

3

2024.05

J14

Ms9e

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

1-6

–

X

X

–

–

X

–

X

X

–

X

–

O

–

–

33

15

2022.05

M5

Ms9w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

34

1

2024.09

J8

Ms12e

Hitoshi

Oitekaze

5-2

O

–

–

X

X

–

O

–

–

O

–

O

–

–

O

27

6

2023.11

J11

Ms12w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

4-3

X

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

22

5

2024.01

J10

Ms13w

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

33

17

2022.01

M14

Ms14w

Takakento

Tokiwayama

4-3

–

X

O

–

–

O

–

O

–

X

–

O

X

–

–

28

6

2023.11

J4

Ms20e

Tochimaru

Kasugano

6-1

–

O

–

X

–

O

O

–

–

O

O

–

–

–

O

32

13

2022.09

J11

Ms21w

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

2-5

X

–

–

O

–

X

X

–

O

–

X

–

–

–

X

31

2

2024.07

J9

Ms22w

Yuma

Onomatsu

5-2

O

–

O

–

–

O

X

–

X

–

–

O

–

O

–

26

5

2024.01

J13

Ms27e

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

5-2

–

X

O

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

–

X

–

–

O

25

5

2024.01

J7

Ms29w

Kawazoe

Isegahama

1-0-6

–

O

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

25

7

2023.09

J13

Ms30e

Asanowaka

Takasago

2-5

–

X

X

–

–

X

–

O

–

X

O

–

–

X

–

29

13

2022.09

J4

Ms40e

Kyokutaisei

Oshima

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

35

18

2021.11

M8

Ms42e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

3-4

X

–

–

O

X

–

O

–

X

–

–

X

–

–

O

37

67

2013.07

M16

Ms42w

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

5-2

–

O

X

–

O

–

–

X

O

–

O

–

–

O

–

38

4

2024.03

M15

Ms46e

Asagyokusei

Takasago

3-4

–

O

X

–

–

X

O

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

–

31

27

2020.03

J12

Ms60w

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

5-2

X

–

–

O

O

–

O

–

O

–

–

O

X

–

–

37

24

2020.11

M4

Sd3w

Asashiyu

Takasago

5-2

O

–

–

O

X

–

–

O

O

–

–

O

X

–

–

30

19

2021.09

J13

Sd11w

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

2-5

–

O

–

X

X

–

–

X

–

X

O

–

–

–

X

33

39

2018.03

M13

Sd39w

Yago

Oshiogawa

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

30

14

2022.07

M10

Sd55e

Dairaido

Takadagawa

3-4

O

–

–

X

–

X

X

–

–

O

–

O

–

X

–

44

108

2006.07

J2

Sd56w

Enho

Isegahama

6-1

–

O

–

O

O

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

X

–

–

30

9

2023.05

M4

Jd4e

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

3-4

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

X

–

X

–

X

–

X

–

47

60

2014.09

M12

 

Edited December 1, 2024 by Asashosakari

[Kaikitsune Makoto 209]

Is there any information why Asanowaka has become a weak rikishi?

He is not generating power and he was good. 

He is not good anymore. He is weak. Bizarre really. He is young too.

[Gernobono 467]

1 hour ago, Kaikitsune Makoto said:

Is there any information why Asanowaka has become a weak rikishi?

The "strong" Asanowaka is intai since 2005 

[Raishu 208]

7 hours ago, Kaikitsune Makoto said:

Is there any information why Asanowaka has become a weak rikishi?

He is not generating power and he was good. 

He is not good anymore. He is weak. Bizarre really. He is young too.

Long covid ... that's what many people assume. His results declined after he had to sit out that one basho due to a corona infection. 

No official statement regarding this as far as I remember. 

[Muhomatsu 246]

Saying the silent part out loud!  I think you can easily see a decline in power/speed/energy in quite a few wrestlers since their COVID infections.  And these are guys who "build their body" to be at a peak performance.  Imagine what is happening to the "average Joe" with multiple infections each year.  This will be a long-term crisis with implications on potential economic growth (less labor productivity and more illness/outages) and on country fiscal positions (more health care costs).  Large price to pay coming up.

[Yarimotsu 588]

8 hours ago, Muhomatsu said:

Large price to pay coming up.

Sure, but keeping up with legal investigations into the handling of the matter has me pretty damn sure it's for the exact opposite reasons.

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Hatsu 2025

Up: Kiryuko (straight return)
Down: Onosho (ending 10 years as sekitori), Chiyomaru (straight demotion after his latest return)

Onosho proceeded to retire after the Hatsu banzuke was created, as did Kyokutaisei, veteran of over five years in juryo plus four appearances in the top division. Depending on how you want to count, that means we have either 30 (one more than in Kyushu) or 28 ex-sekitori on the list.

As expected at the end of Kyushu, the top 5 promotion zone features Kazekeno, Kotokuzan, Akua and Hitoshi for this basho. Tochimaru, who had a borderline case, didn't quite make it in.

Kawazoe, who strangely withdrew from the last tournament after just one (successful) bout, is back in for this one and barely managed to hang on to a makushita position. Previously kyujo Chiyonoo and Yago are also back in action, while Asanoyama (out since Nagoya Day 5) and Chiyosakae (since Aki Day 4) continue to be sidelined.

Last sekitori appearance anniversaries: One year ago for Tenshoho, Tochimusashi and Yuma, two years for Kaisho, three for Chiyonoo.

Birthdays:

• December:
  • 16th: Nionoumi (38)
• January:
  • 11th: Tochimusashi (26)
  • 28th: Kaisho (30)
     

Rank	Shikona	Heya	Age	Out	Last J	HiRk	M#	J#	2024.07	2024.09	2024.11
Ms1w	Kazekeno	Oshiogawa	25	4	2024.05	J14		1	Ms1e 2-4-1	Ms14e 5-2	Ms6e 5-2
Ms2e	Kotokuzan	Arashio	30	11	2023.03	M16	2	8	Ms3e 3-4	Ms7e 4-3	Ms4e 4-3
Ms2w	Akua	Tatsunami	34	5	2024.03	M10	6	22	Ms5e 4-3	Ms2e 3-4	Ms5e 4-3
Ms3e	Onosho	Onomatsu	28	1	2024.11	K	42	16	M5e 0-4-11	J1w 1-4-10	J10e 2-11-2
Ms4w	Hitoshi	Oitekaze	27	7	2023.11	J11		1	Ms19w 6-1	Ms6e 3-4	Ms12e 5-2
Ms7e	Tochimaru	Kasugano	32	14	2022.09	J11		3	Ms56e 5-2	Ms36w 5-2	Ms20e 6-1
Ms7w	Tenshoho	Isegahama	22	6	2024.01	J10		3	Ms11w 2-5	Ms22w 5-2	Ms12w 4-3
Ms9w	Takakento	Tokiwayama	28	7	2023.11	J4		14	Ms44w 5-2	Ms27w 5-2	Ms14w 4-3
Ms10e	Chiyomaru	Kokonoe	33	1	2024.11	M5	31	33	Ms6e 4-3	Ms3w 5-2	J11w 1-14
Ms12e	Yuma	Onomatsu	26	6	2024.01	J13		3	Ms17e 5-2	Ms10w 2-5	Ms22w 5-2
Ms14w	Tochimusashi	Kasugano	25	6	2024.01	J7		5	Sd23w 6-1	Ms43w 5-2	Ms27e 5-2
Ms15w	Kaisho	Asakayama	29	12	2023.01	J2		12	Ms9w 4-3	Ms6w 4-3	Ms3w 2-5
Ms24w	Kitaharima	Yamahibiki	38	5	2024.03	M15	1	26	Ms2w 1-6	Ms20w 1-6	Ms42w 5-2
Ms34w	Daishomaru	Oitekaze	33	16	2022.05	M5	19	22	Ms8e 4-3	Ms5e 3-4	Ms9e 1-6
Ms36w	Fujiazuma	Tamanoi	37	25	2020.11	M4	17	21	Sd14w 5-2	Ms50e 3-4	Ms60w 5-2
Ms38w	Tsushimanada	Sakaigawa	31	3	2024.07	J9		8	J12w 1-14	Ms10e 2-5	Ms21w 2-5
Ms40w	Asashiyu	Takasago	30	20	2021.09	J13		1	Ms33e 2-5	Ms52e 3-4	Sd3w 5-2
Ms41w	Asanoyama	Takasago	30	2	2024.09	O	33	7	M12e 3-2-10	J3w 0-0-15	Ms1e 0-0-7
Ms48w	Asanowaka	Takasago	29	14	2022.09	J4		6	Ms15e 0-7	Ms50w 5-2	Ms30e 2-5
Ms49w	Chiyosakae	Kokonoe	34	2	2024.09	J8		13	J9w 5-10	J13w 0-4-11	Ms9w 0-0-7
Ms51e	Nionoumi	Yamahibiki	38	68	2013.07	M16	1	12	Sd15e 5-2	Ms51w 4-3	Ms42e 3-4
Ms53w	Chiyonoo	Kokonoe	33	18	2022.01	M14	4	39	Ms26w 4-3	Ms19w 4-3	Ms13w 0-0-7
Ms58e	Asagyokusei	Takasago	31	28	2020.03	J12		3	Ms59e 5-2	Ms37w 3-4	Ms46e 3-4
Ms60e	Kawazoe	Isegahama	25	8	2023.09	J13		2	Jd23w 6-1	Sd51w 7-0 Y	Ms29w 1-0-6
Sd4e	Enho	Isegahama	30	10	2023.05	M4	9	20	Jk13w 6-1	Jd31w 6-1	Sd56w 6-1
Sd20w	Kyokutaisei	Oshima	35	19	2021.11	M8	4	34	Ms19e 3-4	Ms26e 2-5	Ms40e 0-0-7
Sd39w	Amakaze	Oshiogawa	33	40	2018.03	M13	1	18	Ms38e 2-5	Ms59w 2-5	Sd11w 2-5
Sd71w	Dairaido	Takadagawa	44	109	2006.07	J2		6	Sd27e 3-4	Sd43e 3-4	Sd55e 3-4
Jd19w	Yago	Oshiogawa	30	15	2022.07	M10	4	20	Ms16e 0-0-7	Ms59e 0-0-7	Sd39w 0-0-7
Jd43w	Yoshiazuma	Tamanoi	47	61	2014.09	M12	3	18	Jd16w 3-4	Jd38w 5-2	Jd4e 3-4

 

Edited January 13 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Day 2 - Results

Not a great start with 12 wins and 14 losses, although Kazekeno added another victory in his Day 2 extra appearance in juryo to bring his personal record (if not the overall total) back to even.

Tochimaru entered the tournament with the longest winning streak among ex-sekitori, having taken his last five matches of Kyushu, and for now he's keeping it alive with a victory over Tenshoho. Hitoshi had the second-longest run with four wins, but that's already over. Fellow promotion zoner Akua is also in an early hole, while Kotokuzan prevailed over Kazekeno head-to-head on shonichi.

Tsushimanada, who struggled badly in recent months (5-24 record since his last basho in juryo), looked pretty good to my eyes in his first bout, so here's hoping that he can finally rebound from his run of five straight losing records.

Enho and returning Yago are high up enough in their respective divisions to require only 4 wins for promotion to the next one, but they'll obviously aim for much more than that. Yago got off on the right foot, but Enho was quickly overwhelmed. Let's hope it was just a failed game plan much like his first match loss in his comeback basho back in July, not an indication that upper sandanme is in fact his current ceiling.

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Hatsu 2025 Results

Ms1w

Kazekeno

Oshiogawa

1-1

X

O

Ms2e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

1-0

O

–

Ms2w

Akua

Tatsunami

0-1

–

X

Ms3e

Onosho

Onomatsu

intai

Ms4w

Hitoshi

Oitekaze

0-1

X

–

Ms7e

Tochimaru

Kasugano

1-0

–

O

Ms7w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

0-1

–

X

Ms9w

Takakento

Tokiwayama

1-0

–

O

Ms10e

Chiyomaru

Kokonoe

1-0

O

–

Ms12e

Yuma

Onomatsu

0-1

X

–

Ms14w

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

1-0

O

–

Ms15w

Kaisho

Asakayama

1-0

–

O

Ms24w

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

1-0

O

–

Ms34w

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

0-1

X

–

Ms36w

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

0-1

X

–

Ms38w

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

1-0

O

–

Ms40w

Asashiyu

Takasago

1-0

–

O

Ms41w

Asanoyama

Takasago

kyujo

–

–

Ms48w

Asanowaka

Takasago

0-1

–

X

Ms49w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

kyujo

–

–

Ms51e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

0-1

–

X

Ms53w

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

0-1

–

X

Ms58e

Asagyokusei

Takasago

0-1

–

X

Ms60e

Kawazoe

Isegahama

1-0

–

O

Sd4e

Enho

Isegahama

0-1

–

X

Sd20w

Kyokutaisei

Oshima

intai

Sd39w

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

0-1

–

X

Sd71w

Dairaido

Takadagawa

0-1

X

–

Jd19w

Yago

Oshiogawa

1-0

O

–

Jd43w

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

1-0

O

–

 

Edited March 3 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Day 4 - Results

Another middling round with 14 wins and 12 losses, and it gets worse once you notice that the rikishi ranked in sandanme and jonidan went 5-0, which means the makushita denizens were distinctly below 50%. Akua was unfortunately responsible for two losses at once, first defeated by Hitoshi and then also in his Day 4 juryo visit. Kotokuzan didn't do any better up there the day before either, sadly. The latter is at least still well in the race for promotion, while Akua's back is already firmly against the wall. Hitoshi improved to 1-1 with that victory over Akua.

Just five makushita-ranked ex-sekitori remain part of the yusho race there at this (early) stage, with some names involved that probably weren't on many shortlists. Kawazoe isn't much of a surprise, Tochimaru can arguably never be ruled out, and Kaisho is at a comparatively low rank, but I'm not sure who would have expected Chiyomaru (albeit with a Day 1 fusensho) and Tsushimanada to be 2-0.

On the winless other end of the spectrum we've got Akua (as mentioned), Daishomaru, Fujiazuma, Asanowaka, Chiyonoo (presently kyujo) and Asagyokusei. For several of them it's not a result that's particularly out of the norm where they're currently ranked, but Asanowaka looks very weak again and Daishomaru also appears barely any stronger than he was in last basho's 1-6.

Yago looks rather rusty to my eyes down in jonidan, so I'm not convinced he'll just streak to 7-0, but he'll surely keep adding wins. Yoshiazuma is also 2-0, but he's actually at home where he's ranked and after last basho's 3-0 -> 3-4 I'm not gonna assume that a big tournament record is lurking just around the corner. Enho easily prevailed in his second match.

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Hatsu 2025 Results

Ms1w

Kazekeno

Oshiogawa

1-1

X

O

–

–

Ms2e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

1-1

O

–

X

–

Ms2w

Akua

Tatsunami

0-3

–

X

X

X

Ms3e

Onosho

Onomatsu

intai

Ms4w

Hitoshi

Oitekaze

1-1

X

–

O

–

Ms7e

Tochimaru

Kasugano

2-0

–

O

–

O

Ms7w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

1-1

–

X

–

O

Ms9w

Takakento

Tokiwayama

1-1

–

O

–

X

Ms10e

Chiyomaru

Kokonoe

2-0

O

–

O

–

Ms12e

Yuma

Onomatsu

1-1

X

–

O

–

Ms14w

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

1-1

O

–

X

–

Ms15w

Kaisho

Asakayama

2-0

–

O

O

–

Ms24w

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

1-1

O

–

–

X

Ms34w

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

0-2

X

–

X

–

Ms36w

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

0-2

X

–

X

–

Ms38w

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

2-0

O

–

–

O

Ms40w

Asashiyu

Takasago

1-1

–

O

–

X

Ms41w

Asanoyama

Takasago

kyujo

–

–

–

–

Ms48w

Asanowaka

Takasago

0-2

–

X

X

–

Ms49w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

kyujo

–

–

–

–

Ms51e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

1-1

–

X

O

–

Ms53w

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

0-2

–

X

X

–

Ms58e

Asagyokusei

Takasago

0-2

–

X

–

X

Ms60e

Kawazoe

Isegahama

2-0

–

O

–

O

Sd4e

Enho

Isegahama

1-1

–

X

O

–

Sd20w

Kyokutaisei

Oshima

intai

Sd39w

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

1-1

–

X

–

O

Sd71w

Dairaido

Takadagawa

1-1

X

–

–

O

Jd19w

Yago

Oshiogawa

2-0

O

–

O

–

Jd43w

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

2-0

O

–

O

–

 

Edited March 3 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Day 6 - Results

Distinctly average results once more with 13 wins and 11 losses. Tochimaru's cross-tournament winning streak finished at 7, ending his hopes for both the yusho and a promotion to salaried status. Chiyomaru also left both both races with his first kuroboshi, while lower-ranked trio Kaisho (Ms15w!), Tsushimanada and Kawazoe remained undefeated. In the even lower divisions it's only Yago who continues to fly the zensho flag now after Yoshiazuma had to relinquish his.

The promotion zone saw Kotokuzan and Hitoshi improve to 2-1, and with yokozuna Terunofuji's retirement the likelihood has increased that any kachikoshi might be good enough to go up to juryo. Top-ranked Kazekeno was unable to keep up the pace and finds himself 1-2 now. Among the winless rikishi only Daishomaru was able to arrest his slide. Asagyokusei was absent from his scheduled Day 6 match and has since officially joined Chiyonoo on the kyujo list.

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Hatsu 2025 Results

Ms1w

Kazekeno

Oshiogawa

1-2

X

O

–

–

X

–

Ms2e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

2-1

O

–

X

–

O

–

Ms2w

Akua

Tatsunami

0-3

–

X

X

X

–

–

Ms3e

Onosho

Onomatsu

intai

Ms4w

Hitoshi

Oitekaze

2-1

X

–

O

–

O

–

Ms7e

Tochimaru

Kasugano

2-1

–

O

–

O

–

X

Ms7w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

2-1

–

X

–

O

–

O

Ms9w

Takakento

Tokiwayama

2-1

–

O

–

X

–

O

Ms10e

Chiyomaru

Kokonoe

2-1

O

–

O

–

X

–

Ms12e

Yuma

Onomatsu

1-2

X

–

O

–

–

X

Ms14w

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

1-2

O

–

X

–

X

–

Ms15w

Kaisho

Asakayama

3-0

–

O

O

–

O

–

Ms24w

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

2-1

O

–

–

X

O

–

Ms34w

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

1-2

X

–

X

–

–

O

Ms36w

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

0-3

X

–

X

–

–

X

Ms38w

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

3-0

O

–

–

O

–

O

Ms40w

Asashiyu

Takasago

2-1

–

O

–

X

O

–

Ms41w

Asanoyama

Takasago

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms48w

Asanowaka

Takasago

0-3

–

X

X

–

X

–

Ms49w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms51e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

1-2

–

X

O

–

–

X

Ms53w

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

0-2-1

–

X

X

–

–

–

Ms58e

Asagyokusei

Takasago

0-3

–

X

–

X

–

X

Ms60e

Kawazoe

Isegahama

3-0

–

O

–

O

O

–

Sd4e

Enho

Isegahama

2-1

–

X

O

–

–

O

Sd20w

Kyokutaisei

Oshima

intai

Sd39w

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

1-2

–

X

–

O

X

–

Sd71w

Dairaido

Takadagawa

2-1

X

–

–

O

O

–

Jd19w

Yago

Oshiogawa

3-0

O

–

O

–

–

O

Jd43w

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

2-1

O

–

O

–

–

X

 

Edited March 3 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Day 8 - Results

new KK: Kaisho, Tsushimanada, Yago

new MK: Asanowaka, Chiyonoo (kyujo), Asagyokusei (kyujo)

That's more like it - 15 wins and just 9 losses, two of them unavoidable due to head-to-head action. Three of four zensho rikishi remained undefeated with Kaisho and surprise package Tsushimanada continuing to aim for the makushita yusho and Yago going well in jonidan, while Kawazoe fell off the pace. Just four ranks lower than Kawazoe it's also a 3-1 record for stablemate Enho now.

Up in the promotion zone everybody remains in the race for now. Akua avoided makekoshi but obviously still has the hardest job at 1-3. Kazekeno improved to 2-2 and Hitoshi dispatched fellow ex-sekitori Tochimaru to move up to 3-1. Only Kotokuzan was unable to join the winner's circle but a 2-2 record still gives him a decent shot at earning a return to juryo after almost two years.

Just outside the top 5 ranks we find matching 3-1 scores for Takakento and Chiyomaru after victories today. With retirements by Terunofuji and Onosho opening up slots and Bushozan potentially falling directly past Ms5 they might be just one win away from securing a top 5 placement for Haru basho already.

Last not least I'll mention that Dairaido has dropped to 2-2 and, being less than 10 ranks away from the bottom of sandanme after the recent shrinkage of the division, he will definitely require kachikoshi to avoid his first appearance in jonidan since 2016. (Which only came about due to three tournaments missed through injury; on the merits he hasn't been to jonidan since 1997.)

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Hatsu 2025 Results

Ms1w

Kazekeno

Oshiogawa

2-2

X

O

–

–

X

–

O

–

Ms2e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

2-2

O

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

Ms2w

Akua

Tatsunami

1-3

–

X

X

X

–

–

O

–

Ms3e

Onosho

Onomatsu

intai

Ms4w

Hitoshi

Oitekaze

3-1

X

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

Ms7e

Tochimaru

Kasugano

2-2

–

O

–

O

–

X

X

–

Ms7w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

2-2

–

X

–

O

–

O

–

X

Ms9w

Takakento

Tokiwayama

3-1

–

O

–

X

–

O

–

O

Ms10e

Chiyomaru

Kokonoe

3-1

O

–

O

–

X

–

–

O

Ms12e

Yuma

Onomatsu

2-2

X

–

O

–

–

X

–

O

Ms14w

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

2-2

O

–

X

–

X

–

–

O

Ms15w

Kaisho

Asakayama

4-0

–

O

O

–

O

–

–

O

Ms24w

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

3-1

O

–

–

X

O

–

O

–

Ms34w

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

1-3

X

–

X

–

–

O

X

–

Ms36w

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

1-3

X

–

X

–

–

X

O

–

Ms38w

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

4-0

O

–

–

O

–

O

–

O

Ms40w

Asashiyu

Takasago

3-1

–

O

–

X

O

–

–

O

Ms41w

Asanoyama

Takasago

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms48w

Asanowaka

Takasago

0-4

–

X

X

–

X

–

–

X

Ms49w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms51e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

2-2

–

X

O

–

–

X

O

–

Ms53w

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

0-2-2

–

X

X

–

–

–

–

–

Ms58e

Asagyokusei

Takasago

0-3-1

–

X

–

X

–

X

–

–

Ms60e

Kawazoe

Isegahama

3-1

–

O

–

O

O

–

X

–

Sd4e

Enho

Isegahama

3-1

–

X

O

–

–

O

O

–

Sd20w

Kyokutaisei

Oshima

intai

Sd39w

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

1-3

–

X

–

O

X

–

X

–

Sd71w

Dairaido

Takadagawa

2-2

X

–

–

O

O

–

X

–

Jd19w

Yago

Oshiogawa

4-0

O

–

O

–

–

O

–

O

Jd43w

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

2-2

O

–

O

–

–

X

–

X

 

Edited March 3 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Day 10 - Results

new KK: Hitoshi, Takakento, Kitaharima, Asashiyu, Kawazoe, Enho

new MK: Fujiazuma

Another excellent round with 17 wins and 8 losses, two of them head-to-head (Tochimaru over Yuma and Daishomaru over Fujiazuma). Kaisho's quest for a return to juryo from the lowest possible rank was unfortunately ended by newcomer Ishizaki - he's facing Tsushimanada next, who did manage to protect his unbeaten record, albeit only after surviving a mono-ii and subsequent torinaoshi. Yago is likewise 5-0 in jonidan but will now meet by far his toughest challenge so far against recent low makushita competitor Raiho.

Hitoshi enjoyed a great pair of days on the dohyo, first defeating makushita top-ranked prospect Wakanosho for his kachikoshi and then tacking on another win up in juryo. He's not that close to securing the promotion yet - as many as 7 rikishi might still finish ahead of him - but he has built up an excellent base that could already be enough if the other contenders' results go his way, and almost definitely will be sufficient if he finishes 6-1.

Also in the promotion zone: Akua held off makekoshi again but still needs more at 2-3, Kotokuzan improved to 3-2, and Kazekeno continued to alternate losses and wins to find himself 2-3 now. Akua and Kazekeno will be meeting on Day 11 so one of them will definitely fall out of contention. Three rikishi - Tochimaru, Tenshoho and Takakento - were successful just below the zone, and Takakento's kachikoshi record could already be enough to secure a spot in the top 5 ranks for March. Chiyomaru fell short of that for now.

Further down the Miyagino/Isegahama duo of Kawazoe and Enho managed to pick up their kachikoshi, but they will surely have their sights set on finishing 6-1 to earn a big boost up the rankings. Conversely it's a 1-4 record for Fujiazuma and another trip to sandanme might beckon if he doesn't find at least one more win (and he may need two). Asanowaka arrested his slide and finally isn't winless anymore. All three sandanme/jonidan dwellers not named Enho or Yago stand at 2-3.

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Hatsu 2025 Results

Ms1w

Kazekeno

Oshiogawa

2-3

X

O

–

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

Ms2e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

3-2

O

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

O

–

Ms2w

Akua

Tatsunami

2-3

–

X

X

X

–

–

O

–

O

–

Ms3e

Onosho

Onomatsu

intai

Ms4w

Hitoshi

Oitekaze

5-1

X

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

O

O

Ms7e

Tochimaru

Kasugano

3-2

–

O

–

O

–

X

X

–

–

O

Ms7w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

3-2

–

X

–

O

–

O

–

X

–

O

Ms9w

Takakento

Tokiwayama

4-1

–

O

–

X

–

O

–

O

O

–

Ms10e

Chiyomaru

Kokonoe

3-2

O

–

O

–

X

–

–

O

X

–

Ms12e

Yuma

Onomatsu

2-3

X

–

O

–

–

X

–

O

–

X

Ms14w

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

2-3

O

–

X

–

X

–

–

O

X

–

Ms15w

Kaisho

Asakayama

4-1

–

O

O

–

O

–

–

O

X

–

Ms24w

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

4-1

O

–

–

X

O

–

O

–

O

–

Ms34w

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

2-3

X

–

X

–

–

O

X

–

–

O

Ms36w

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

1-4

X

–

X

–

–

X

O

–

–

X

Ms38w

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

5-0

O

–

–

O

–

O

–

O

O

–

Ms40w

Asashiyu

Takasago

4-1

–

O

–

X

O

–

–

O

O

–

Ms41w

Asanoyama

Takasago

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms48w

Asanowaka

Takasago

1-4

–

X

X

–

X

–

–

X

O

–

Ms49w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms51e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

3-2

–

X

O

–

–

X

O

–

–

O

Ms53w

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

0-2-3

–

X

X

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms58e

Asagyokusei

Takasago

0-3-2

–

X

–

X

–

X

–

–

–

–

Ms60e

Kawazoe

Isegahama

4-1

–

O

–

O

O

–

X

–

O

–

Sd4e

Enho

Isegahama

4-1

–

X

O

–

–

O

O

–

O

–

Sd20w

Kyokutaisei

Oshima

intai

Sd39w

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

2-3

–

X

–

O

X

–

X

–

O

–

Sd71w

Dairaido

Takadagawa

2-3

X

–

–

O

O

–

X

–

X

–

Jd19w

Yago

Oshiogawa

5-0

O

–

O

–

–

O

–

O

O

–

Jd43w

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

2-3

O

–

O

–

–

X

–

X

X

–

 

Edited March 3 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Day 12 - Results

new KK: Kazekeno, Tochimaru, Tenshoho, Nionoumi

new MK: Akua, Yuma, Amakaze

Good results keep rolling in, this time with 15 wins against 9 losses. (Head to head: Kazekeno over Akua, Tochimaru over Chiyomaru, Kaisho over Takakento.) The top news was Yago moving on to 6-0 against Raiho and into the jonidan yusho decider. Tsushimanada was unfortunately overmatched against Ishizaki, dropping him to 5-1. Quite a few others joined him at that record with victories, though, namely Kaisho, Kitaharima and Asashiyu, the latter two both posting 5+ wins for the second straight tournament.

Tochimaru and Tenshoho's newly clinched kachikoshi should see them return to the top 5 promotion zone for Haru. Tenshoho was last ranked there in March last year, Tochimaru fell straight past the zone when he dropped out of juryo after Aki 2022.

Up in the current promotion zone we saw Kazekeno asked to pull double duty for the second time this basho (after Days 1/2). On Day 11 he sent Akua to makekoshi to avail himself of a KK opportunity, which came up in juryo the next day and ended in an emphatic victory over Kiryuko. With the kachikoshi in hand his return to juryo should be all but certain. Akua will of course not be going up now, and he will have to aim for a third win and hope that it'll be enough to keep him within the top 5 for next time. Kotokuzan was defeated by fellow zoner and top prospect Kusano, and will now enter the final round at 3-3; he's going against embattled Shimazuumi (J10e 2-10) on Day 13. Hitoshi's promotion case remains somewhat unclear. It has already been decided that he, too, will face a juryo opponent in his final bout, but day and opponent are still up in the air.

KK or MK in makushita are also still on the line for Chiyomaru (after a loss), and for Tochimusashi and Daishomaru (after wins). Dairaido and Yoshiazuma also improved to even records further down, while Amakaze fell to MK for the fourth straight basho.

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Hatsu 2025 Results

Ms1w

Kazekeno

Oshiogawa

4-3

X

O

–

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

O

O

Ms2e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

3-3

O

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

Ms2w

Akua

Tatsunami

2-4

–

X

X

X

–

–

O

–

O

–

X

–

Ms3e

Onosho

Onomatsu

intai

Ms4w

Hitoshi

Oitekaze

5-1

X

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

O

O

–

–

Ms7e

Tochimaru

Kasugano

4-2

–

O

–

O

–

X

X

–

–

O

–

O

Ms7w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

4-2

–

X

–

O

–

O

–

X

–

O

–

O

Ms9w

Takakento

Tokiwayama

4-2

–

O

–

X

–

O

–

O

O

–

–

X

Ms10e

Chiyomaru

Kokonoe

3-3

O

–

O

–

X

–

–

O

X

–

–

X

Ms12e

Yuma

Onomatsu

2-4

X

–

O

–

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

X

Ms14w

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

3-3

O

–

X

–

X

–

–

O

X

–

–

O

Ms15w

Kaisho

Asakayama

5-1

–

O

O

–

O

–

–

O

X

–

–

O

Ms24w

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

5-1

O

–

–

X

O

–

O

–

O

–

–

O

Ms34w

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

3-3

X

–

X

–

–

O

X

–

–

O

O

–

Ms36w

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

2-4

X

–

X

–

–

X

O

–

–

X

–

O

Ms38w

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

5-1

O

–

–

O

–

O

–

O

O

–

X

–

Ms40w

Asashiyu

Takasago

5-1

–

O

–

X

O

–

–

O

O

–

–

O

Ms41w

Asanoyama

Takasago

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms48w

Asanowaka

Takasago

1-5

–

X

X

–

X

–

–

X

O

–

X

–

Ms49w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms51e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

4-2

–

X

O

–

–

X

O

–

–

O

–

O

Ms53w

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

0-2-4

–

X

X

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms58e

Asagyokusei

Takasago

0-3-3

–

X

–

X

–

X

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms60e

Kawazoe

Isegahama

4-2

–

O

–

O

O

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

Sd4e

Enho

Isegahama

5-1

–

X

O

–

–

O

O

–

O

–

O

–

Sd20w

Kyokutaisei

Oshima

intai

Sd39w

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

2-4

–

X

–

O

X

–

X

–

O

–

–

X

Sd71w

Dairaido

Takadagawa

3-3

X

–

–

O

O

–

X

–

X

–

O

–

Jd19w

Yago

Oshiogawa

6-0

O

–

O

–

–

O

–

O

O

–

O

–

Jd43w

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

3-3

O

–

O

–

–

X

–

X

X

–

–

O

 

Edited March 3 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Time to finish things up here...

Day 15 - Results

new KK: Tochimusashi, Dairaido

new MK: Kotokuzan, Chiyomaru, Daishomaru, Yoshiazuma

Pretty average results by our former sekitori to close out Hatsu basho with 12 wins and 11 losses. As can be seen above, the 3-3's underperformed that average, which was particularly bad news for Kotokuzan - the loss to Shimazuumi up in juryo on Day 13 made him miss out on what would have been a definite promotion back to the paid ranks. Shimazuumi for his part proceeded to lose to another ex-sekitori on the following day, so he's headed down to makushita for Haru basho while victorious Hitoshi ensured his return to salaried status, joining Kazekeno whose ticket was already punched on Day 12.

Akua was already out of the running but tacked on a third win, and with matching 3-4 records from Ms2 both he and Kotokuzan just might hang on to the top five ranks for Haru for another potential promotion opportunity (albeit far enough down that they'll likely need 5 or even 6 wins). Another 3-4 final record was produced by Chiyomaru, courtesy of three straight losses from 3-1. It's his first makushita MK since Haru 2013, and although he doesn't look done-done yet, the road back to juryo will certainly be a much longer and tougher one now than it was after his previous two demotions last year.

A sixpack of rikishi entered the final round with 5-1 records, and four of them achieved the coveted sixth win which should give them a significant boost up the rankings. For Hitoshi it even means a return to juryo as mentioned. Tsushimanada can celebrate a major return to form and might even find himself straight back in the Ms top 15 ranks, while Asashiyu will probably not quite get there but should still be at his highest rank in more than a year. Last not least it's also finally makushita time for Enho after his fourth straight 6-1 on the comeback trail. The next tournament should give us our first serious indication about his potential for a return to sekitoridom; everything so far was just a mandatory prelude to the real task he has to undertake.

Kaisho and Kitaharima are the duo that missed on the sixth win. For veteran Kitaharima it's still the successful continuation of a less-than-certain revival (reminder: he went 1-6, 1-6 before a 5-2 in November), but Kaisho just might have missed out on a position in the top 5 due to the loss. Still, he should be well-placed just outside the zone and have a good shot at getting in there for May.

Another pair of former sekitori also ended Hatsu basho 5-2: Tochimaru was ranked roundabout where Kaisho should be next time, and he is now certain to be in the top 5 mix for Haru basho, battling for a return to paid status for the first time in almost three years. Kawazoe is still quite a way from that, and for him it arguably has to count as a small disappointment that he only posted 5 wins from the bottom of makushita.

Tochimaru's last victory came against Takakento, who thus ended up with a record of 4-3 and has likely missed out on the Haru top 5 after all as things finished looking rather crowded up there.

Dairaido clinched kachikoshi at the last minute, his first in four tournaments, and barely avoided a trip to the jonidan division with that. (See Day 8 update for additional historical info.) Rapidly heading towards jonidan, unfortunately, is Amakaze who posted his fourth consecutive 2-5 score in Hatsu basho. He had already dropped more than 60 ranks on the previous three and will likely lose another 20+ with this one.

And finally I would be remiss if I didn't mention Yago securing the jonidan title. He had a few matches in the course of the tournament that looked reasonably tough for him in his rather ring-rusty state, but the yusho decider against Sekimoto (a 19-year-old first-year rikishi) was not one of them.

Four former sekitori ended the tournament on the sidelines - Asanoyama and Chiyosakae were kyujo all the way through as expected, Asagyokusei had dropped out after three straight losses, and Yuma was forced to withdraw ahead of the final round. Chiyonoo, who had been absent since Day 5, somewhat surprisingly turned up again on Day 13 and even collected his sole win of the basho.

All in all the list is saying goodbye to four rikishi at this time - two via intai and two more who are headed back to juryo. They will be promptly replaced by four new names for Haru, as Bushozan, Shimazuumi, Daiamami and Daishoho are all set to fall out of the juryo division.

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Hatsu 2025 Results

Age

Out

Last J

HiRk

Ms1w

Kazekeno

Oshiogawa

4-3

X

O

–

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

O

O

–

–

–

25

4

2024.05

J14

Ms2e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

3-4

O

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

X

–

–

30

11

2023.03

M16

Ms2w

Akua

Tatsunami

3-4

–

X

X

X

–

–

O

–

O

–

X

–

O

–

–

34

5

2024.03

M10

Ms3e

Onosho

Onomatsu

intai

28

1

2024.11

K

Ms4w

Hitoshi

Oitekaze

6-1

X

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

O

O

–

–

–

O

–

27

7

2023.11

J11

Ms7e

Tochimaru

Kasugano

5-2

–

O

–

O

–

X

X

–

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

32

14

2022.09

J11

Ms7w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

4-3

–

X

–

O

–

O

–

X

–

O

–

O

–

–

X

22

6

2024.01

J10

Ms9w

Takakento

Tokiwayama

4-3

–

O

–

X

–

O

–

O

O

–

–

X

–

X

–

28

7

2023.11

J4

Ms10e

Chiyomaru

Kokonoe

3-4

O

–

O

–

X

–

–

O

X

–

–

X

X

–

–

33

1

2024.11

M5

Ms12e

Yuma

Onomatsu

2-4-1

X

–

O

–

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

X

–

–

–

26

6

2024.01

J13

Ms14w

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

4-3

O

–

X

–

X

–

–

O

X

–

–

O

–

O

–

26

6

2024.01

J7

Ms15w

Kaisho

Asakayama

5-2

–

O

O

–

O

–

–

O

X

–

–

O

–

–

X

29

12

2023.01

J2

Ms24w

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

5-2

O

–

–

X

O

–

O

–

O

–

–

O

–

X

–

38

5

2024.03

M15

Ms34w

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

3-4

X

–

X

–

–

O

X

–

–

O

O

–

X

–

–

33

16

2022.05

M5

Ms36w

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

3-4

X

–

X

–

–

X

O

–

–

X

–

O

–

O

–

37

25

2020.11

M4

Ms38w

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

6-1

O

–

–

O

–

O

–

O

O

–

X

–

–

–

O

31

3

2024.07

J9

Ms40w

Asashiyu

Takasago

6-1

–

O

–

X

O

–

–

O

O

–

–

O

–

–

O

30

20

2021.09

J13

Ms41w

Asanoyama

Takasago

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

30

2

2024.09

O

Ms48w

Asanowaka

Takasago

1-6

–

X

X

–

X

–

–

X

O

–

X

–

–

X

–

29

14

2022.09

J4

Ms49w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

34

2

2024.09

J8

Ms51e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

4-3

–

X

O

–

–

X

O

–

–

O

–

O

X

–

–

38

68

2013.07

M16

Ms53w

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

1-2-4

–

X

X

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

O

–

–

33

18

2022.01

M14

Ms58e

Asagyokusei

Takasago

0-3-4

–

X

–

X

–

X

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

31

28

2020.03

J12

Ms60e

Kawazoe

Isegahama

5-2

–

O

–

O

O

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

–

–

O

25

8

2023.09

J13

Sd4e

Enho

Isegahama

6-1

–

X

O

–

–

O

O

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

–

30

10

2023.05

M4

Sd20w

Kyokutaisei

Oshima

intai

35

19

2021.11

M8

Sd39w

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

2-5

–

X

–

O

X

–

X

–

O

–

–

X

–

–

X

33

40

2018.03

M13

Sd71w

Dairaido

Takadagawa

4-3

X

–

–

O

O

–

X

–

X

–

O

–

–

O

–

44

109

2006.07

J2

Jd19w

Yago

Oshiogawa

7-0 Y

O

–

O

–

–

O

–

O

O

–

O

–

O

–

–

30

15

2022.07

M10

Jd43w

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

3-4

O

–

O

–

–

X

–

X

X

–

–

O

–

X

–

47

61

2014.09

M12

 

Edited March 3 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Haru 2025

Up: Kazekeno (after 4 basho), Hitoshi (after 7 basho)
Out: Onosho and Kyokutaisei, both intai before Hatsu but only now off the banzuke
Down: Bushozan (after 4 years), Shimazuumi (after 3 years), Daiamami (after 8 years), Daishoho (after 4 years)

Daishoho is the only one who had experienced demotion to makushita before, the other three were sekitori ever since they debuted in the paid ranks. Four rikishi with top division experience dropping at once is pretty rare and last happened after Hatsu 2018, that time as part of a 7-rikishi demotion, though.

The juryo division sees three newcomers this basho (Wakanosho, Kusano and Otsuji), which would normally mean that three additional ex-sekitori are being created, but with yokozuna Terunofuji retiring as a sekitori it's just 4 down against 2 up. Add in Onosho and Kyokutaisei leaving the rankings, and we're entering Haru basho with 30 former sekitori on the banzuke, same as in Hatsu.

My makushita top 5 projection turned out less than accurate, to the benefit of Bushozan (rather lucky to drop only 11.5 ranks on his 0-0-15) and the detriment of Kotokuzan and Akua who were sent to Ms6. Bushozan is joined in the immediate promotion zone by fellow demotees Daiamami and Shimazuumi, as well as Tochimaru (6 straight scores of 5-2 or better) and Tenshoho.

Last sekitori appearance anniversaries: One year ago for both Akua and Kitaharima, two years for Kotokuzan, five for Asagyokusei, and seven for Amakaze.

Birthdays:

• February:
  • 10th: Takakento (29)
• March:
  • 1st: Asanoyama (31)
  • 11th: Kotokuzan (31)
     

Rank	Shikona	Heya	Age	Out	Last J	HiRk	M#	J#	2024.09	2024.11	2025.01
Ms2e	Daiamami	Oitekaze	32	1	2025.01	M11	12	36	J5e 4-11	J9e 6-9	J11e 4-11
Ms2w	Tochimaru	Kasugano	32	15	2022.09	J11		3	Ms36w 5-2	Ms20e 6-1	Ms7e 5-2
Ms3e	Shimazuumi	Hanaregoma	28	1	2025.01	M12	2	16	J4w 6-5-4	J5e 5-10	J10e 3-12
Ms5e	Bushozan	Fujishima	29	1	2025.01	M12	6	18	M12e 4-11	M17w 3-8-4	J7w 0-0-15
Ms5w	Tenshoho	Isegahama	22	7	2024.01	J10		3	Ms22w 5-2	Ms12w 4-3	Ms7w 4-3
Ms6e	Kotokuzan	Arashio	30	12	2023.03	M16	2	8	Ms7e 4-3	Ms4e 4-3	Ms2e 3-4
Ms6w	Akua	Tatsunami	34	6	2024.03	M10	6	22	Ms2e 3-4	Ms5e 4-3	Ms2w 3-4
Ms7e	Takakento	Tokiwayama	29	8	2023.11	J4		14	Ms27w 5-2	Ms14w 4-3	Ms9w 4-3
Ms7w	Daishoho	Oitekaze	30	1	2025.01	M9	9	31	J9e 6-9	J9w 4-11	J14w 1-14
Ms8w	Kaisho	Asakayama	30	13	2023.01	J2		12	Ms6w 4-3	Ms3w 2-5	Ms15w 5-2
Ms9w	Tochimusashi	Kasugano	26	7	2024.01	J7		5	Ms43w 5-2	Ms27e 5-2	Ms14w 4-3
Ms11e	Kitaharima	Yamahibiki	38	6	2024.03	M15	1	26	Ms20w 1-6	Ms42w 5-2	Ms24w 5-2
Ms14e	Tsushimanada	Sakaigawa	31	4	2024.07	J9		8	Ms10e 2-5	Ms21w 2-5	Ms38w 6-1
Ms15e	Asashiyu	Takasago	30	21	2021.09	J13		1	Ms52e 3-4	Sd3w 5-2	Ms40w 6-1
Ms16e	Chiyomaru	Kokonoe	33	2	2024.11	M5	31	33	Ms3w 5-2	J11w 1-14	Ms10e 3-4
Ms27w	Yuma	Onomatsu	26	7	2024.01	J13		3	Ms10w 2-5	Ms22w 5-2	Ms12e 2-4-1
Ms30w	Enho	Isegahama	30	11	2023.05	M4	9	20	Jd31w 6-1	Sd56w 6-1	Sd4e 6-1
Ms39e	Kawazoe	Isegahama	25	9	2023.09	J13		2	Sd51w 7-0 Y	Ms29w 1-0-6	Ms60e 5-2
Ms41e	Nionoumi	Yamahibiki	38	69	2013.07	M16	1	12	Ms51w 4-3	Ms42e 3-4	Ms51e 4-3
Ms43w	Daishomaru	Oitekaze	33	17	2022.05	M5	19	22	Ms5e 3-4	Ms9e 1-6	Ms34w 3-4
Ms46e	Fujiazuma	Tamanoi	37	26	2020.11	M4	17	21	Ms50e 3-4	Ms60w 5-2	Ms36w 3-4
Sd10w	Asanowaka	Takasago	29	15	2022.09	J4		6	Ms50w 5-2	Ms30e 2-5	Ms48w 1-6
Sd12e	Chiyonoo	Kokonoe	33	19	2022.01	M14	4	39	Ms19w 4-3	Ms13w 0-0-7	Ms53w 1-2-4
Sd12w	Yago	Oshiogawa	30	16	2022.07	M10	4	20	Ms59e 0-0-7	Sd39w 0-0-7	Jd19w 7-0 Y
Sd21w	Asanoyama	Takasago	31	3	2024.09	O	33	7	J3w 0-0-15	Ms1e 0-0-7	Ms41w 0-0-7
Sd29w	Chiyosakae	Kokonoe	34	3	2024.09	J8		13	J13w 0-4-11	Ms9w 0-0-7	Ms49w 0-0-7
Sd33w	Asagyokusei	Takasago	31	29	2020.03	J12		3	Ms37w 3-4	Ms46e 3-4	Ms58e 0-3-4
Sd52e	Dairaido	Takadagawa	44	110	2006.07	J2		6	Sd43e 3-4	Sd55e 3-4	Sd71w 4-3
Sd65e	Amakaze	Oshiogawa	33	41	2018.03	M13	1	18	Ms59w 2-5	Sd11w 2-5	Sd39w 2-5
Jd64w	Yoshiazuma	Tamanoi	47	62	2014.09	M12	3	18	Jd38w 5-2	Jd4e 3-4	Jd43w 3-4

 

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Time flies...

Haru basho started with three former sekitori on the sidelines, all of them in the upper quarter of the makushita division. Bushozan had already missed the January tournament, Shimazuumi finished that one but without looking all that seaworthy (he hasn't in at least a year, really), and Tsushimanada became an unexpected third absence. I wonder what Shimazuumi's plans are now that his salary is gone at last - call it quits? Rehab his significant leg injuries properly and attempt to start all over? Either thing would arguably be preferable to "show up next time without much improvement and become mired in makushita forever". He's still only 28.

Day 2 - Results

A very good start was had by our former sekitori with excellent 17 wins against just 10 losses, and that included no less than four head-to-head matchups. Nevertheless, the trio for whom it counts the most - those in the Ms top 5 ranks - only produced one victory courtesy of Tochimaru. He was joined by four more winners down to Ms15 who successfully took the first hurdle towards a possible 7-0 promotion.

Asanoyama and Chiyosakae, who had both missed multiple tournaments, returned to the dohyo in winning fashion. Tochimusashi, Enho and Yago, earlier returnees from long injury absences, are attempting to keep their comeback KK streaks going and also started off victorious, while Takakento was unsuccessful.

Our sole jonidan representative Yoshiazuma opened with a win for the fifth straight basho, but it hasn't meant a lot in the previous four, three of which ended in makekoshi. Amakaze is very likely to drop to jonidan with any makekoshi - it would be his fifth in a row - but he also took off with a shiroboshi.

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Haru 2025 Results

Ms2e

Daiamami

Oitekaze

0-1

X

–

Ms2w

Tochimaru

Kasugano

1-0

–

O

Ms3e

Shimazuumi

Hanaregoma

kyujo

–

–

Ms5e

Bushozan

Fujishima

kyujo

–

–

Ms5w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

0-1

–

X

Ms6e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

1-0

–

O

Ms6w

Akua

Tatsunami

1-0

O

–

Ms7e

Takakento

Tokiwayama

0-1

X

–

Ms7w

Daishoho

Oitekaze

1-0

O

–

Ms8w

Kaisho

Asakayama

0-1

X

–

Ms9w

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

1-0

–

O

Ms11e

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

0-1

X

–

Ms14e

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

kyujo

–

–

Ms15e

Asashiyu

Takasago

0-1

–

X

Ms16e

Chiyomaru

Kokonoe

1-0

O

–

Ms27w

Yuma

Onomatsu

0-1

X

–

Ms30w

Enho

Isegahama

1-0

–

O

Ms39e

Kawazoe

Isegahama

1-0

–

O

Ms41e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

0-1

–

X

Ms43w

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

1-0

–

O

Ms46e

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

1-0

O

–

Sd10w

Asanowaka

Takasago

1-0

–

O

Sd12e

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

0-1

–

X

Sd12w

Yago

Oshiogawa

1-0

–

O

Sd21w

Asanoyama

Takasago

1-0

O

–

Sd29w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

1-0

–

O

Sd33w

Asagyokusei

Takasago

1-0

–

O

Sd52e

Dairaido

Takadagawa

0-1

X

–

Sd65e

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

1-0

–

O

Jd64w

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

1-0

O

–

 

Edited March 16 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Day 4 - Results

Kotokuzan and Akua narrowly missed out on spots in the immediate promotion zone, and even with two absences above them it's unlikely that their ranks are going to be treated as top 5-equivalent for promotion purposes. So while any kachikoshi is obviously valuable, for a direct promotion it's zensho or bust for them this basho. On Day 3 they took on each other - one of three ex-sekitori clashes in the single-digit Ms ranks - with Akua prevailing to keep his promotion hopes alive. He is joined undefeated by Kasugano-beya duo Tochimaru and Tochimusashi. Three more list members are 2-0 in lower makushita with Enho, Kawazoe and Daishomaru.

On the other hand it's an early 0-2 hole for Daiamami and Tenshoho in the promotion zone, and especially the latter may well already need to win out from his Ms5w position as a 4-3 is unlikely to be sufficient to earn a return to juryo. Kaisho and Asashiyu have also picked up two losses in the top 15 ranks, everybody else in makushita stands at 1-1.

Most ex-sekitori in sandanme and jonidan have started off with back-to-back wins. The sole exceptions are Chiyonoo at 0-2 in his first time back in sandanme since 2011, Dairaido also at 0-2 - does jonidan beckon this time after he narrowly avoided the demotion two months ago? - and Amakaze at 1-1.

All in all it was another good couple of days with 16 wins and 11 losses. Following the conclusion of Day 4 it was announced that Tsushimanada will be entering the competition in the next round.

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Haru 2025 Results

Ms2e

Daiamami

Oitekaze

0-2

X

–

X

–

Ms2w

Tochimaru

Kasugano

2-0

–

O

O

–

Ms3e

Shimazuumi

Hanaregoma

kyujo

–

–

–

–

Ms5e

Bushozan

Fujishima

kyujo

–

–

–

–

Ms5w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

0-2

–

X

–

X

Ms6e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

1-1

–

O

X

–

Ms6w

Akua

Tatsunami

2-0

O

–

O

–

Ms7e

Takakento

Tokiwayama

1-1

X

–

–

O

Ms7w

Daishoho

Oitekaze

1-1

O

–

–

X

Ms8w

Kaisho

Asakayama

0-2

X

–

X

–

Ms9w

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

2-0

–

O

–

O

Ms11e

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

1-1

X

–

O

–

Ms14e

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

0-0-2

–

–

–

–

Ms15e

Asashiyu

Takasago

0-2

–

X

X

–

Ms16e

Chiyomaru

Kokonoe

1-1

O

–

–

X

Ms27w

Yuma

Onomatsu

1-1

X

–

O

–

Ms30w

Enho

Isegahama

2-0

–

O

–

O

Ms39e

Kawazoe

Isegahama

2-0

–

O

–

O

Ms41e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

1-1

–

X

O

–

Ms43w

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

2-0

–

O

–

O

Ms46e

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

1-1

O

–

–

X

Sd10w

Asanowaka

Takasago

2-0

–

O

–

O

Sd12e

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

0-2

–

X

X

–

Sd12w

Yago

Oshiogawa

2-0

–

O

–

O

Sd21w

Asanoyama

Takasago

2-0

O

–

–

O

Sd29w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

2-0

–

O

–

O

Sd33w

Asagyokusei

Takasago

2-0

–

O

O

–

Sd52e

Dairaido

Takadagawa

0-2

X

–

X

–

Sd65e

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

1-1

–

O

–

X

Jd64w

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

2-0

O

–

O

–

 

Edited March 16 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Day 6 - Results

We continue with broadly positive results, this time 16 wins and 13 losses. What didn't go so well were the first two ex-sekitori guest appearances in juryo, with a loss first for Daiamami and then also for Tochimaru. The latter can still harbour reasonable hopes of a return to the paid ranks at 2-2, but Daiamami's back is firmly against the wall with 0-3. The third promotion zoner Tenshoho dropped to the same record and is very likely out of the running for this tournament, and with one more loss not just for this one.

Tochimaru's loss up in juryo was his second in as many days, as Day 5 had already brought him defeat against Akua in the match-up of the makushita division's two highest-ranked 2-0 rikishi. (One of two head-to-head meetings in this round.) Akua thus remained a contender in the yusho race, as did Enho, Kawazoe and Daishomaru further down, while Tochimusashi's hopes of yusho + promotion were ended.

Two more former sekitori besides already-mentioned Daiamami and Tenshoho remain winless for now: Kaisho, another unfortunate 0-3 in the high ranks of makushita, and Tsushimanada whose first bout of the basho didn't yield the result he was looking for. Last basho's sekitori Daishoho has picked up back-to-back losses following his opening day win, giving in to defeat rather feebly again.

Down in sandanme and jonidan, almost everyone who was 2-0 is now 3-0, the sole exception being Asanowaka. Dairaido and Amakaze picked up wins as they continue to try to avoid the trip to jonidan.

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Haru 2025 Results

Ms2e

Daiamami

Oitekaze

0-3

X

–

X

–

X

–

Ms2w

Tochimaru

Kasugano

2-2

–

O

O

–

X

X

Ms3e

Shimazuumi

Hanaregoma

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms5e

Bushozan

Fujishima

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms5w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

0-3

–

X

–

X

X

–

Ms6e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

2-1

–

O

X

–

–

O

Ms6w

Akua

Tatsunami

3-0

O

–

O

–

O

–

Ms7e

Takakento

Tokiwayama

1-2

X

–

–

O

–

X

Ms7w

Daishoho

Oitekaze

1-2

O

–

–

X

X

–

Ms8w

Kaisho

Asakayama

0-3

X

–

X

–

–

X

Ms9w

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

2-1

–

O

–

O

X

–

Ms11e

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

1-2

X

–

O

–

–

X

Ms14e

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

0-1-2

–

–

–

–

–

X

Ms15e

Asashiyu

Takasago

1-2

–

X

X

–

–

O

Ms16e

Chiyomaru

Kokonoe

2-1

O

–

–

X

–

O

Ms27w

Yuma

Onomatsu

1-2

X

–

O

–

–

X

Ms30w

Enho

Isegahama

3-0

–

O

–

O

O

–

Ms39e

Kawazoe

Isegahama

3-0

–

O

–

O

O

–

Ms41e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

1-2

–

X

O

–

X

–

Ms43w

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

3-0

–

O

–

O

–

O

Ms46e

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

2-1

O

–

–

X

–

O

Sd10w

Asanowaka

Takasago

2-1

–

O

–

O

X

–

Sd12e

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

1-2

–

X

X

–

–

O

Sd12w

Yago

Oshiogawa

3-0

–

O

–

O

O

–

Sd21w

Asanoyama

Takasago

3-0

O

–

–

O

O

–

Sd29w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

3-0

–

O

–

O

–

O

Sd33w

Asagyokusei

Takasago

3-0

–

O

O

–

–

O

Sd52e

Dairaido

Takadagawa

1-2

X

–

X

–

O

–

Sd65e

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

2-1

–

O

–

X

–

O

Jd64w

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

3-0

O

–

O

–

O

–

 

Edited March 16 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Day 8 - Results

new KK: Akua, Enho, Kawazoe, Yago, Asanoyama, Chiyosakae, Asagyokusei

new MK: Tenshoho, Tsushimanada

More middling results in round four - 13 wins, 14 losses. That tally included three head-to-heads, at very different ends of the standings. The yusho race saw a clash between Kawazoe and Daishomaru that was swiftly ended by the former, although he had to wait out a mono-ii to confirm that he didn't pull Daishomaru's mage in the process. The other two matches were fought for completely different stakes between our four winless ex-sekitori: Daishoho won the battle against Tenshoho in the short promotion zone to maintain at least a sliver of hope for a juryo return, while Kaisho prevailed over Tsushimanada in the extended zone.

Akua continues to be a prime candidate for promotion after his trademark kakenage worked for the second time this basho. Fellow Ms6 Kotokuzan, if there was any hope for him at all, is now almost definitely out of contention with his second loss. Tochimusashi improved his record to 3-1 and is making a good case for an appearance in the top 5 ranks next time. Considering the amount of space that looks to be freed up in there, 4 wins should be all it takes.

Joining Akua and Kawazoe in the yusho race is Enho, but the two Miyagino-Isegahama men will have their hands full in the next round against Fujishima's debuting tsukedashi duo Goshima and Fukuzaki. Akua will have to go against surprise package Nobehara from Futagoyama-beya. The sandanme race is a who's who of ex-sekitori, with the top 4 out of its 8 spots being taken up entirely by list members. Unsurprisingly that means that it won't stay that way, courtesy of Yago-Asanoyama and Chiyosakae-Asagyokusei matchups tomorrow and another one between the two winners on Day 11 (or maybe not...two Takasago guys are in that quartet). Nevertheless, whoever comes out on top here will be a major favourite for the title against the qualifier from the lower half of the division. (The four guys down there are an eclectic bunch variously aged 16, 19, 23 and 27.)

Elsewhere outside of makushita, Amakaze and Dairaido went back to losing, and Yoshiazuma's streak of wins also ended.

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Haru 2025 Results

Ms2e

Daiamami

Oitekaze

1-3

X

–

X

–

X

–

O

–

Ms2w

Tochimaru

Kasugano

2-2

–

O

O

–

X

X

–

–

Ms3e

Shimazuumi

Hanaregoma

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms5e

Bushozan

Fujishima

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms5w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

0-4

–

X

–

X

X

–

X

–

Ms6e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

2-2

–

O

X

–

–

O

–

X

Ms6w

Akua

Tatsunami

4-0

O

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

Ms7e

Takakento

Tokiwayama

1-3

X

–

–

O

–

X

X

–

Ms7w

Daishoho

Oitekaze

2-2

O

–

–

X

X

–

–

O

Ms8w

Kaisho

Asakayama

1-3

X

–

X

–

–

X

–

O

Ms9w

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

3-1

–

O

–

O

X

–

–

O

Ms11e

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

2-2

X

–

O

–

–

X

O

–

Ms14e

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

0-2-2

–

–

–

–

–

X

–

X

Ms15e

Asashiyu

Takasago

1-3

–

X

X

–

–

O

–

X

Ms16e

Chiyomaru

Kokonoe

2-2

O

–

–

X

–

O

X

–

Ms27w

Yuma

Onomatsu

1-3

X

–

O

–

–

X

X

–

Ms30w

Enho

Isegahama

4-0

–

O

–

O

O

–

O

–

Ms39e

Kawazoe

Isegahama

4-0

–

O

–

O

O

–

O

–

Ms41e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

1-3

–

X

O

–

X

–

X

–

Ms43w

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

3-1

–

O

–

O

–

O

X

–

Ms46e

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

2-2

O

–

–

X

–

O

X

–

Sd10w

Asanowaka

Takasago

2-2

–

O

–

O

X

–

–

X

Sd12e

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

2-2

–

X

X

–

–

O

–

O

Sd12w

Yago

Oshiogawa

4-0

–

O

–

O

O

–

O

–

Sd21w

Asanoyama

Takasago

4-0

O

–

–

O

O

–

–

O

Sd29w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

4-0

–

O

–

O

–

O

O

–

Sd33w

Asagyokusei

Takasago

4-0

–

O

O

–

–

O

–

O

Sd52e

Dairaido

Takadagawa

1-3

X

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

Sd65e

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

2-2

–

O

–

X

–

O

X

–

Jd64w

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

3-1

O

–

O

–

O

–

–

X

 

Edited Monday at 20:50 by Asashosakari

[Yamanashi 3,893]

Some 4-0s:

Akua sure has some higher-ranked helpers in his quest to get back to Juryo.

Enho may just make it to Sekitori after all.  30th basho coming up?

Good for Yago, but his knees will never get any better.

Asanoyama frankly needs a string of Yusho to get back to Makuuchi with anything left in the tank.

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Day 10 - Results

new KK: Tochimusashi

new MK: Takakento, Dairaido

No less than six head-to-heads featured on the Day 9/10 torikumi, including nearly all our sandanme-ranked rikishi being paired up. Two of those were part of the yusho race and saw Takasago duo Asanoyama and Asagyokusei move on to 5-0 at Yago and Chiyosakae's expense. Chiyonoo prevailed over Asanowaka in yet another bout that involved a former sekitori from Takasago-beya.

One division up we saw the end of Takakento's quest to return to the paid ranks with a string of kachikoshi records; Kaisho sent him to MK for the first time in six tournaments. Tochimusashi, also five honbasho into a comeback from injury, produced the round's only new KK to push for a spot in next basho's promotion zone. Three ranks up and just outside the top 5, Kotokuzan continued to alternate wins and losses (this time winning against Daishoho) and his 3-2 record affords him two chances to get back as well. The final ex-sekitori clash of the round saw the winless match-up of Tsushimanada and current top 5'er Tenshoho, won by the former. Tenshoho's two compatriots in the promotion zone are having wildly different tournaments to this point; they're both 2-3 now, but Daiamami has gone there from 0-3 and Tochimaru from 2-0.

The sandanme division yusho race wasn't the only one with represensation by our list. Two out of three undefeated makushita ex-sekitori marched on with Akua and Kawazoe, while Enho will be falling short of a zensho record in his fifth comeback basho as well.

Still more than half the list has yet to decide their KK/MK fate for the basho; round 6 opens with six 3-2's and ten 2-3's. Dairaido is not one of them after dropping to 1-4 and he's now veering dangerously close to a demotion to jonidan.

Rank

Shikona

Heya

Record

Haru 2025 Results

Ms2e

Daiamami

Oitekaze

2-3

X

–

X

–

X

–

O

–

O

–

Ms2w

Tochimaru

Kasugano

2-3

–

O

O

–

X

X

–

–

X

–

Ms3e

Shimazuumi

Hanaregoma

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms5e

Bushozan

Fujishima

kyujo

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Ms5w

Tenshoho

Isegahama

0-5

–

X

–

X

X

–

X

–

X

–

Ms6e

Kotokuzan

Arashio

3-2

–

O

X

–

–

O

–

X

O

–

Ms6w

Akua

Tatsunami

5-0

O

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

O

–

Ms7e

Takakento

Tokiwayama

1-4

X

–

–

O

–

X

X

–

–

X

Ms7w

Daishoho

Oitekaze

2-3

O

–

–

X

X

–

–

O

X

–

Ms8w

Kaisho

Asakayama

2-3

X

–

X

–

–

X

–

O

–

O

Ms9w

Tochimusashi

Kasugano

4-1

–

O

–

O

X

–

–

O

–

O

Ms11e

Kitaharima

Yamahibiki

2-3

X

–

O

–

–

X

O

–

–

X

Ms14e

Tsushimanada

Sakaigawa

1-2-2

–

–

–

–

–

X

–

X

O

–

Ms15e

Asashiyu

Takasago

2-3

–

X

X

–

–

O

–

X

O

–

Ms16e

Chiyomaru

Kokonoe

3-2

O

–

–

X

–

O

X

–

–

O

Ms27w

Yuma

Onomatsu

2-3

X

–

O

–

–

X

X

–

–

O

Ms30w

Enho

Isegahama

4-1

–

O

–

O

O

–

O

–

X

–

Ms39e

Kawazoe

Isegahama

5-0

–

O

–

O

O

–

O

–

O

–

Ms41e

Nionoumi

Yamahibiki

2-3

–

X

O

–

X

–

X

–

O

–

Ms43w

Daishomaru

Oitekaze

3-2

–

O

–

O

–

O

X

–

X

–

Ms46e

Fujiazuma

Tamanoi

2-3

O

–

–

X

–

O

X

–

–

X

Sd10w

Asanowaka

Takasago

2-3

–

O

–

O

X

–

–

X

X

–

Sd12e

Chiyonoo

Kokonoe

3-2

–

X

X

–

–

O

–

O

O

–

Sd12w

Yago

Oshiogawa

4-1

–

O

–

O

O

–

O

–

X

–

Sd21w

Asanoyama

Takasago

5-0

O

–

–

O

O

–

–

O

O

–

Sd29w

Chiyosakae

Kokonoe

4-1

–

O

–

O

–

O

O

–

X

–

Sd33w

Asagyokusei

Takasago

5-0

–

O

O

–

–

O

–

O

O

–

Sd52e

Dairaido

Takadagawa

1-4

X

–

X

–

O

–

X

–

–

X

Sd65e

Amakaze

Oshiogawa

3-2

–

O

–

X

–

O

X

–

–

O

Jd64w

Yoshiazuma

Tamanoi

3-2

O

–

O

–

O

–

–

X

X

–