Newly minted yokozuna Hoshoryu suffered another upset loss Thursday at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, succumbing to a force out against rank-and-file opponent Chiyoshoma.
The Mongolian grand champion squandered a chance to grab a share of the lead after the joint overnight leaders, No. 9 maegashira Endo and No. 12 maegashira Onokatsu (4-1), took their first losses on Day 5 at Edion Arena Osaka.
Yokozuna Hoshoryu (R) reacts after losing to Chiyoshoma on Day 5 of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Edion Arena Osaka on March 13, 2025. (Kyodo)
Hoshoryu (3-2), who lost the first bout of his yokozuna debut tournament, was unprepared for Mongolian-born No. 2 maegashira Chiyoshoma (3-2) slipping to the side at the opening charge and leveraging a belt grip to usher the top-ranked wrestler out.
“I’m very happy obviously,” Chiyoshoma said. “I didn’t want to do an out-and-out ‘henka’ sidestep. I just wanted to get an outside grip and then I’d have a chance.”
Demotion-threatened “kadoban” ozeki Kotozakura (2-3) continued his poor start to the 15-day meet with a loss to No. 3 maegashira Takanosho (2-3).
Needing at least eight wins to remain at the second-highest rank, the grandson of former yokozuna Kotozakura went for a slap down but could not complete the winning move, enabling former sekiwake Takanosho to rally back for a push out.
“I almost got slapped down but regained my balance and was able to move forward,” Takanosho said. “I was facing an ozeki, so I had to be careful, but I feel like I have a chance if I do my own sumo.”
Ozeki Onosato (4-1) barely broke a sweat as he pushed out No. 3 maegashira Tobizaru (1-4) to join six other wrestlers on the top rung of the leaderboard.
With an eye to ozeki promotion down the road, sekiwake Daieisho improved to 3-2 by thrusting down No. 1 maegashira Wakamotoharu (3-2).
Sekiwake Oho (2-3), beaten by Hoshoryu in a three-way championship playoff in January, picked up his second win as a member of the three “sanyaku” ranks below yokozuna by pushing out komusubi Abi (3-2).
Related coverage:
Sumo: Onosato, Abi beaten as high-rankers endure slow starts in Osaka
Sumo: New yokozuna Hoshoryu edges Wakamotoharu for back-to-back win
Sumo: Hoshoryu outmuscles Wakatakakage for first win as yokozuna
AloJapan.com