Ozeki Onosato regained a share of the lead Saturday at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament by defeating sekiwake Daieisho after overnight leader Takayasu lost his battle with fellow rank-and-file wrestler Churanoumi.
The results leave Onosato and No. 4 maegashira Takayasu tied at 11-3 heading into the final day of the 15-day competition at Edion Arena Osaka, with lower-ranked maegashira Churanoumi, Aonishiki and Tokihayate one win back at 10-4.
Ozeki Onosato (R) defeats sekiwake Daieisho on the 14th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Edion Arena Osaka on March 22, 2025. (Kyodo)
Onosato gave pusher-thruster Daieisho (9-5) a taste of his own medicine in the penultimate contest on Day 14, absorbing his opening charge, then shoving him back over the straw bales with a series of upper-body blows.
Takayasu came off second-best in a protracted pushing-and-thrusting battle with No. 14 maegashira Churanoumi, who eventually forced out the 35-year-old former ozeki after a thwarted attempt at taking his belt.
No. 15 maegashira Aonishiki, a top-division debutant from Ukraine who turns 21 on Sunday, continued his impressive tournament as he forced out last year’s Spring champion, No. 6 maegashira Takerufuji (9-5), eliminating him from contention.
Having secured his first winning record as a member of the elite makuuchi division earlier in the tournament, No. 18 maegashira Tokihayate continued his unexpected title bid by thrusting down veteran No. 7 maegashira Tamawashi (9-5).
Churanoumi (R) defeats Takayasu on the 14th day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Edion Arena Osaka on March 22, 2025. (Kyodo)
Ozeki Kotozakura (8-6), who escaped demotion-threatened “kadoban” status by clinching a winning record the previous day, was forced out by No. 6 maegashira Hiradoumi (9-5).
Onosato is set to fight Kotozakura, while Takayasu will take on komusubi Abi (6-8) on the final day in Osaka, where the tournament has taken place without a yokozuna following the injury withdrawal of newly promoted Hoshoryu.
Aonishiki will battle sekiwake Oho (6-8), Churanoumi will take on Daieisho, while Tokihayate faces komusubi Kirishima (7-7), who is aiming to stay among the three “sanyaku” ranks below yokozuna.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Takayasu on verge of 1st Emperor’s Cup after Onosato loss
Sumo: Onosato beats Takerufuji, moves into 2-way lead with Takayasu
Sumo: Takayasu beats Onosato for lead after yokozuna Hoshoryu exits
AloJapan.com