Yeah I know real sumo wrestlers don’t celebrate after a victory like E. Honda does. But the Tokyo September Sumo tourney (Aki Honbasho) starts September 14, 2025! How can you not be HYPED!!! …I always get this wrong but I think that means that… ummmm… the top-tier Makuuchi matches will start round 3:30 am EST in the US on Sunday the 14th? Is that right?
Anyway the latest rankings list (banzuke) is out so you get to see how your fave sumotori were seeded! I’m hyped that Shishi just barely stayed in the top Juryo (correction: Makuuchi) league despite having a couple bad tourneys! Hopefully he’s recovered from his injury and will do awesomely!
OK, like last tourney I plan to post something at the beginning, middle, and end of the tourney, of course anyone else is welcome to post whenever they want. See you soon!
I was introduced to sumo last year and it’s now my favorite sport. Looking forward to the next tournament!
🎉🎉🎉
I know real sumo wrestlers don’t celebrate after a victory like E. Honda does
Yeah not unless they’re Asashoryu! (or occasionally Hakuho)
Who’s your secret low ranked rikishi who’s gonna put up wins this basho? I think Shishi might pull it off at the bottom of the banzuke.
Hmm… dunno, it’s always interesting to see how newcomers from Juryo do, but I think this time they’re all returnees. Kusano was a new promotion last tourney and did really well, let’s see how he does now at M6.
I’m mostly hoping that Takerufuji at M12 sits out if he’s still healing, and that Ura keeps performing well enough to stay in Makuuchi. As for Shishi, I think it all depends on how he’s doing injury-wise, he seems like a mid-Makuuchi kind of talent when he’s at his best, but I’ll still cheer for the guy even if he gets demoted.
At the top, the ongoing saga of Hoshoryu will be interesting to watch, as well as the performance of Onosato. Takayasu might have one last run in him. And it’ll be interesting to see if Aonishiki’s been “figured out” yet, and if so how he reacts. Plus how Kotoshoho follows up his performance from last tourney.
HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE
Yeah hopefully Hoshoryu can stay injury free so we can get a decent look at his rivalry with Onosato. And I agree that Kusano looks interesting, and similarly from the recent guys outta juryo Fujinokawa had a pretty solid showing last basho as well, also picking up a fighting spirit prize. As for Takayasu, it’d be great if he’s got something left, but I worry that last playoff in March was his last shot at a win after 20 years wrestling–hope springs eternal though :)
Looks like Takerufuji is out with a bicep tear, so he’ll be back to juryo next time (can’t find any English reporting on it yet though):
Glad to see Takerufuji is out. He can come back from demotion no problem, but a really bad injury that isn’t taken care of, that can be impossible to come back from.
