Sumo

Spring Basho: Oho Upsets Onosato to Knock the Ozeki Out of the Lead on Day 13

The result left veteran grappler Takayasu as the sole leader of the 15-day Spring Basho in Osaka. Onosato is 10-3, one win off the pace.

by
Jim Armstrong
March 21, 2025

Sekiwake Oho upset ozeki Onosato on Friday, March 21 to leave veteran Takayasu as the sole leader with just two days remaining in the Spring Basho.

In the day's final bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Oho deployed a series of rapid arm thrusts to the upper body to send Onosato out and over the edge.

Oho improved to 5-8 while Onosato dropped to 10-3, one win back of Takayasu.

Fourth-ranked maegashira Takayasu also used a barrage of arm thrusts to the upper body to send Wakamotoharu over the edge and improve to 11-2.

The 35-year-old Takayasu is bidding for his first Emperor's Cup

Top maegashira Wakamotoharu couldn't produce a counterattack and dropped to 7-6.

Daieisho Raises Record to 9-4 at Spring Basho

In other major bouts at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, veteran sekiwake Daieisho slapped down makuuchi debutant Aonishiki of Ukraine to give both men a record of 9-4.

It's been a strong debut for rank-and-filer Aonishiki but he was unable to mount any counterattack in his first encounter with a sanyaku wrestler.

Ozeki Kotozakura swatted down Takerufuji to wrap up the winning record he needs to maintain his status while knocking the sixth-ranked maegashira out of the title chase.

It was the third straight win for Kotozakura, who improved to 8-5, while 2024 March basho winner Takerufuji dropped to 9-4.

*Hoshoryu (left), seen tussling with Wakamotoharu at the Kyushu Basho in November 2024. (KYODO)*

Yokozuna Hoshoryu Sidelined with Injuries

Newly promoted grand champion Hoshoryu pulled out of the tournament on Tuesday, March 18 after suffering a right elbow injury and neck sprain.

The 25-year-old Mongolian had lost four of his first nine bouts and finished with a disappointing 5-5 record.

Hoshoryu became the first yokozuna to withdraw from his debut at sumo's highest rank since Futahaguro in September 1986.

"I didn't want him to continue putting in sub-par performances," his stablemaster Tatsunami said, according to Kyodo News. "I need him to get a good result in the summer tournament [in May]."

Hoshoryu lost on the opening day to komusubi Abi and also lost to Chiyoshoma, Takayasu and Ichiyamamoto before forfeiting his Day 10 bout to Ura.

The three kinboshi he gave to rank-and-file wrestlers was the highest number for a modern yokozuna debut.

Hoshoryu was promoted to yokozuna in January after winning the New Year Basho following a three-way playoff with Oho and Kinbozan.

Churanoumi Tops Tamawashi

In other bouts on Day 13, No 14 maegashira Churanoumi quashed ironman Tamawashi's title hopes with a push-out win that left both wrestlers with a 9-4 record.

Veteran Tamawashi, a 40-year-old No 7 maegashira, was bidding for his third makuuchi division title but dropped out of contention with the loss.

Top maegashira Wakatakakage secured a winning record when he toppled Ura to improve to 8-5. The fifth-ranked maegashira, an Osaka native, lost his footing and dropped to 5-8.