Sumo: Onosato beats Hiradoumi, takes outright lead on Day 8

Mainichi
May 18, 2025


Ozeki Onosato, facing camera, beats Hiradoumi to take the outright lead on Day 8 of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo on May 18, 2025. (Kyodo photo

TOKYO -- Ozeki Onosato took another step toward back-to-back championships and yokozuna promotion Sunday as he blew away No. 3 maegashira Hiradoumi and moved into the outright lead at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

The 24-year-old star advanced to a perfect 8-0 after his fellow overnight leader, No. 7 maegashira Hakuoho, dropped off the pace on Day 8 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena.

March champion Onosato pushed Hiradoumi (3-5) straight out from the jump to maintain his streak of winning records in every 15-day grand tournament since debuting in the elite makuuchi division in January last year.

Beaten by No. 10 maegashira Meisei (5-3), the 21-year-old Hakuoho now shares the second rung of the leaderboard with komusubi Wakatakakage and No. 9 maegashira Aonishiki at 7-1.

Lone yokozuna Hoshoryu remained two wins back, as one of five men with 6-2 records, after taking care of No. 4 maegashira Takerufuji (3-5).

The Mongolian grand champion evaded a slap-down attempt and executed an arm lock throw at the edge in a fast and furious battle with the March 2024 Emperor's Cup winner.

Ozeki Kotozakura improved to 5-3 by forcing out No. 3 maegashira Tamawashi (2-6), while promotion-seeking Daieisho (6-2) kept alive his slim hopes of reaching ozeki as he snapped a two-bout losing streak by thrusting out fellow sekiwake Kirishima (5-3).

Former sekiwake Wakatakakage crushed out No. 1 maegashira Oho (3-5) to keep pace with 21-year-old Ukrainian prospect Aonishiki, who continued to impress with a rear push out against No. 6 maegashira Tobizaru (4-4).