Sumo: Onosato improves to 10-0, moves 2 wins ahead in title race

KYODO
May 21, 2025

Ozeki Onosato advanced to a perfect 10-0 and moved two wins clear in the title race Tuesday at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament with an easy victory over No. 4 maegashira Ichiyamamoto.

The 24-year-old powerhouse received a big boost in his quest for back-to-back championships and promotion to yokozuna after his nearest rivals coming into Day 10, rank-and-file youngsters Hakuoho and Aonishiki, both dropped to 8-2.

Current sole yokozuna Hoshoryu, meanwhile, improved to 8-2, but ozeki Kotozakura struggled to find consistency as he dropped to 6-4 at Ryogoku Kokugikan arena.

Onosato (L) wins against Ichiyamamoto on Day 10 of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo on May 20, 2025. (Kyodo)

Having won their only previous meeting in the top division, Onosato was never in doubt against Ichiyamamoto (4-6), driving him to the edge and pushing him down after the maegashira half-heartedly tried an evasive maneuver.

Hoshoryu used a rear push out to dispatch agile No. 5 maegashira Ura (2-8), sending him over the edge after an unsuccessful slap-down attempt at the opening charge. The yokozuna moved onto the second rung of the leaderboard alongside Hakuoho, Aonishiki and komusubi Wakatakakage.

Former sekiwake Wakatakakage (8-2) clinched his winning record by defeating exciting young Ukrainian prospect Aonishiki in one of the day's highlight bouts.

Yokozuna Hoshoryu (R) beats Ura on Day 10 of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo on May 20, 2025. (Kyodo)

Exhibiting similar styles, but with a gulf in experience between them, the pair grappled furiously before Wakatakakage toppled 21-year-old No. 9 maegashira Aonishiki with an under-shoulder swing down.

"Whoever I face, I'm just concentrating on doing my own sumo," Wakatakakage said.

Sekiwake Daieisho (7-3) overwhelmed No. 7 maegashira Hakuoho by sticking to his strengths and unleashing a decisive thrusting attack straight from the jump.

Kotozakura was once again unable to overcome one of his bogey opponents, current sekiwake and former ozeki Kirishima (7-3), who improved to 13-4 in their head-to-head rivalry with a force out.

Daieisho (R) defeats Hakuoho on Day 10 of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo on May 20, 2025. (Kyodo)