Sumo

New Year Basho: Terunofuji Bounces Back from Opening-Day Loss with Hard-Fought Win over Takanosho

The Mongolian yokozuna proved he can go the distance in a longer New Year Basho bout that tested his stamina at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

by
Jim Armstrong
January 13, 2025

Grand champion Terunofuji bounced back from his opening-day loss with a hard-fought victory over Takanosho on Monday, January 13 at the New Year Basho.

Looking to avoid a second straight loss, Terunofuji got a left-hand outside grip on the belt of Takanosho and used a frontal force-out to improve to 1-1 in the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

Top maegashira Takanosho gave it his best shot and had the yokozuna on the ropes at one point but couldn't finish his opponent off and fell to 0-2.

Mongolian yokozuna Terunofuji missed the last two tournaments of 2024 after winning his 10th title in July and is determined to quash calls for his retirement with a strong showing in the New Year Basho.

The fact that he was able to withstand a counterattack by a strong opponent in a lengthy bout is an encouraging sign for the 33-year-old Terunofuji.

New Year Basho Upset: Abi Manhandles Kotozakura

In the day's biggest upset, komusubi Abi deployed his powerful arm thrusts to the neck to send yokozuna promotion hopeful Kotozakura backpedaling out of the ring to give both grapplers a 1-1 record.

"I went in with the attitude of a challenger and gave it my best," Abi said.

He added, "I was able to stay focused and that is why I was able to succeed."

Ozeki Kotozakura, who won the previous tournament in November 2024, couldn't establish any attack whatsoever. He will look to bounce back quickly in Tuesday's bout against Tobizaru.

Ozeki Onosato recovered from a Day 1 defeat when he fought off a foot-sweep attempt by Kirishima (0-2) and shoved the top maegashira out to improve to 1-1.

It was the 100th career victory for Onosato, who won two Emperor's Cup titles last year and is looking for more silverware in 2025.

Hoshoryu Conquers Tobizaru

Ozeki Hoshoryu, who is also bidding for promotion to grand champion, got a right-handed grip on the belt of Tobizaru and sent sumo's Flying Monkey toppling off the raised ring.

Hoshoryu improved to 2-0 while No 2 maegashira Tobizaru fell to 1-1.

No 3 maegashira Oho got a left-arm lock on Wakatakakage at the face-off before shoving out the komusubi to improve to 2-0.

Wakatakakage, who upset Terunofuji on the opening day, couldn't fend off Oho's ferocious thrusts and dropped to 1-1.

No 3 maegashira Gonoyama picked up his first win when he got a left-handed inside grip on Wakamotoharu (1-1) and used a superb thrust-down technique to send the sekiwake sprawling to the dirt surface.

Sekiwake Daieisho relied on his trademark arm thrusts to the neck at the face-off to knock Atamifuji off balance before shoving the No 2 maegashira into the first row of seats.

Daieisho moved to 2-0 while Atamifuji dropped to 0-2.

Further down the ranks, 2024 Spring Grand Sumo Tournament winner Takerufuji shifted to his side after the face-off and shoved out fellow rank-and-filer Meisei (0-2) from behind to move to 2-0.

Veteran Tamawashi, a 10th-ranked maegashira, unleashed a fierce thrusting attack to shove out winless No 9 maegashira Churanoumi and move to 2-0.