GRAND SUMO: Day 4 of the November 2025 Tournament - GRAND SUMO Highlights

Key Concepts

• Sumo Tournament: A multi-day competition in professional sumo wrestling.
• Day Four: The specific day of the tournament being summarized.
• Undefeated Wrestlers: Wrestlers with no losses after a certain number of days.
• Rikishi: A sumo wrestler.
• Bout: A single match between two rikishi.
• Makuchi: The top division of sumo wrestling.
• Judo: A lower division in sumo wrestling.
• Mayashira: Ranks below the Sanyaku (Komusubi, Sekiwake, Ozeki) and Yokozuna.
• Yokozuna: The highest rank in sumo.
• Ozeki: The second highest rank.
• Sekiwake: The third highest rank.
• Komusubi: The fourth highest rank.
• Kimarite: Winning techniques in sumo.
• Tachi: The initial charge or clash between two rikishi.
• Dashi: Momentum or forward drive.
• Makoshi: A winning record (more wins than losses) in a tournament.
• Koshi: A losing record (more losses than wins) in a tournament.
• Yori Taoshi: Frontal crush out.
• Komaasukui: Over thigh scooping body drop.
• Uate Dashi Nag: Pulling over arm throw.
• Oshidashi: Push out.
• Hataki Ki: Slap down.
• Sto Gake: Outside leg trip.
• Okuridashi: Rear push out.
• Yodori: Force out.
• Kubi Hinedi: Head twisting throw.

Day Four of the November Tournament: Fukuoka Kokai Center

This summary details the matches and key events of day four of the November sumo tournament held at the Fukuoka Kokai Center. Four wrestlers remain undefeated after three days: Sekiwake Aishki, Yokozuna Onos, and Mayashira Fujinoa and Asakoru.

Undefeated Leaders and Early Matches

• Oshoi vs. Judio Asa Hakuru:

  • Record: Both wrestlers were 1-2 entering the bout. They had split two previous matches in Makusha and Judo.
  • Match: After an initial lock-up and a slap attempt by Asa Hakuru, Oshoi surged forward. However, Asa Hakuru pivoted and won by Yori Taoshi (frontal crush out).
  • Outcome: Asa Hakuru evens his record at 2-2. Oshoi struggles in his Makuchi debut.

• Nishiki Fuji vs. Chio Shoma:

  • Record: Both were 2-1. Chio Shoma is 5 years older than Nishiki Fuji. They had five wins apiece in their combined Judo and Makuchi bouts.
  • Match: Chio Shoma secured an early right-hand outside grip, while Nishiki Fuji used a left-hand inside grip. Nishiki Fuji moved forward and executed a Komaasukui (over thigh scooping body drop) to trip Chio Shoma.
  • Outcome: Nishiki Fuji looks strong in his return to the top division.

• Asakoru vs. Shaan Umi:

  • Record: Asakoru was one of the four co-leaders.
  • Match: This was a "big versus small" match, with Shaan Umi being 61 kg heavier. Shaan Umi rarely uses his size to press forward. Asakoru attacked straight on, but Shaan Umi countered with a Uate Dashi Nag (pulling over arm throw).
  • Outcome: This was Asakoru's first loss, bringing his record to 3-1. Shaan Umi, despite lacking significant "dashi" (momentum), demonstrated a good counterattack.

• Sadano Umi vs. Toki Hayate:

  • Record: Sadano Umi (38 years old) was 1-3. Toki Hayate was 2-1.
  • Match: Sadano Umi surged forward, but Toki Hayate executed a skillful escape at the edge of the ring, winning by a beltless arm throw.
  • Outcome: Toki Hayate moves to 3-1. Sadano Umi is 1-3.

• Gonoyama vs. Mitakeumi:

  • Record: Both were 1-2. Mitakeumi secured his first win the previous day. Gonoyama had lost his last two matches.
  • Match: Gonoyama immediately moved forward and dominated Mitakeumi, winning by Oshidashi (push out), his preferred technique.
  • Outcome: Gonoyama secures a win.

• Duden vs. Tommo Kaz:

  • Record: Duden was 2-1. Tommo Kaz was winless. Duden is one of six Makuchi wrestlers celebrating birthdays in November.
  • Match: Tommo Kaz had a good start, but Duden secured a firm right-hand outside grip and continued to push forward, flattening Tommo Kaz. Tommo Kaz's right knee was a factor.
  • Outcome: Duden wins by Yodori Tawoshi (frontal crush out), improving to 3-1. Tommo Kaz remains winless.

Impressive Performances and Upsets

• Shishi vs. Fujinoa:

  • Record: Fujinoa was 3-0 for the first time in his third Makuchi Basho. Shishi was 49 kg heavier.
  • Match: Fujinoa, known for defeating larger opponents, had a fast start and "destroyed" Shishi with an impressive Tachi (initial clash).
  • Outcome: Fujinoa continues his perfect start to the tournament. The 120 kg wrestler demonstrated quickness and leverage.

• Roga vs. Cotto Sho:

  • Record: Both were 2-1. Roga had two straight 7-8 records. Cotto Sho had a significant drop from 13-2 to 3-12 in September.
  • Match: Cotto Sho blasted back, and Roga ran out of room. Cotto Sho won by Yori Kitty (force out).
  • Outcome: Cotto Sho improves to 3-1. Roga is 2-2.

• Midori Fuji vs. Dao:

  • Record: Both had a 1-2 record. Dao is a former Sekiwake.
  • Match: Dao's thrusting rhythm looked good as he won by Hataki Ki (slap down). Midori Fuji stepped to the side, leading to his defeat.
  • Outcome: Dao secures a win.

• Toby Zadu vs. Kim Bzan:

  • Record: Both had an identical 1-2 record. Kim Bzan had struggled since a playoff in January. Toby Zadu was a crowd favorite.
  • Match: Kim Bzan attempted a pull-down that failed. Toby Zadu secured a deep left-hand grip on Kim Bzan's "moashi" (lower leg) and executed a Sto Gake (outside leg trip) with his right foot, despite a right leg injury.
  • Outcome: Toby Zadu wins with a slick move.

• Chano Umei vs. Ichi Yamamoto:

  • Record: Both were 2-1. They first met in Makushta in March 2018.
  • Match: After a "soft tachi" and some grappling, Chano Umei got to the rear of Ichi Yamamoto and won by Okuridashi (rear push out).
  • Outcome: Chano Umei improves to 3-1.

• Atami Fuji vs. Abby:

  • Record: Both were 2-1. Abby led their head-to-head record 6-3.
  • Match: Atami Fuji had to evade Abby's long arms. Abby maintained pressure, but Atami Fuji secured an inside position and used his own thrusting to win by Oshidashi (push out).
  • Outcome: Atami Fuji absorbs hits and then launches his own attack, improving to 3-1.

• Yoshino Fuji vs. Ono Katsu:

  • Record: Wanukatu had back-to-back Koshi. Yoshino Fuji (formerly Kusano) is a Rikishi.
  • Match: Both came in low at the tachi. Yoshino Fuji stayed on his feet long enough to take Ono Katsu out of the ring by Yodori (force out).
  • Outcome: Yoshino Fuji improves to 3-1. Ono Katsu is down to 1-3.

• Shodai vs. Ooma:

  • Record: Both were 1-2. Ooma had dominated their series 5-1. Shodai (former Ozaki) turned 34 recently.
  • Match: Ooma dominated the initial clash, slamming into Shodai. After Shodai responded, they returned to the center. Ooma then launched a second wave of attack, winning by Oshidashi (push out).
  • Outcome: Ooma evens his record at 2-2. Shodai is down to 1-3.

• Hii Umi vs. Tamawashi:

  • Record: Both were 2-1. Tamawashi (born 1984) was turning 41. Hii Umi was born in 2000.
  • Match: In a "young versus old" match, Tamawashi defeated Hii Umi with a strong push down, followed by an unusual Kubi Hinedi (head twisting throw).
  • Outcome: Tamawashi improves to 3-1. Hii Umi is 2-2. This Kimarite (Kubi Hinedi) had not been seen in a few years.

• Wakamoto Haru vs. Takayasu:

  • Record: Takayasu was 2-1. Wakamoto Haru was 1-2. Takayasu had an 8-3 record against Wakamoto Haru.
  • Match: Wakamoto Haru had a slight advantage initially, staying low with a right-hand outside grip. Takayasu, in an upright position, managed to lift Wakamoto Haru's upper body, creating an opening to win by Oshidashi (push out).
  • Outcome: Takayasu showed patience, overcoming an awkward start to secure his third victory.

Top Rankers in Action

• Sekiwake Aishki vs. Kusubi Takosho:

  • Record: Aishki was undefeated. Takosho was 0-3. They had met once before, with Aishki winning.
  • Match: After a "tupati" (grappling) battle, Aishki attempted a foot sweep that didn't win but unbalanced Takosho. Aishki then followed up with a push out.
  • Outcome: Aishki secures his fourth straight win, holding onto a share of the lead. His freestyle wrestling background was evident.

• Uda vs. Oho:

  • Record: Oho's lineage includes legendary Yokozuna Taiho and his father Takati. Uda is known for exciting matches.
  • Match: Uda attempted to get an inside position from a low stance but was fended off. After separating, Uda quickly secured an inside position and used it for an impressive Oshidashi (push out).
  • Outcome: Uda delivered an exciting match for the Fukuoka crowd.

• Cotto Zakura vs. Haku oho:

  • Record: Both had a 1-2 record. Cotto Zakura was dealing with a problematic right knee.
  • Match: Haku oho exploded at the tachi and slammed into Cotto Zakura. However, Cotto Zakura calmly stepped to the right on his injured knee and won by Uattate Dashi Nag (pulling over arm throw).
  • Outcome: Cotto Zakura looked more stable than in previous days.

• Yokozuna Onos vs. Kirishima:

  • Record: Onos was undefeated. Kirishima had never beaten Onos (0-8 record). Kirishima was aiming for his first career win against a Yokozuna.
  • Match: Kirishima had a fast start but couldn't budge Onos at the tachi. Onos took a side step and won by Hataki Ki (slap down).
  • Outcome: Onos secures his fourth win of the tournament. Kirishima remains winless against Onos.

• Yokozuna Hoyu vs. Waka Taka Kag:

  • Record: Hoyu had won three straight after an opening day loss. Waka Taka Kag was winless and a former Yūshō winner.
  • Match: Both came in low and fast. Hoyu secured a right-hand under-shoulder grip, used it to prop up Waka Taka Kag, and made quick work of him.
  • Outcome: Hoyu delivers a strong performance, keeping Waka Taka Kag winless and extending his own winning streak to three.

Conclusion

Day four of the Fukuoka Kokai Center tournament saw continued action with several wrestlers maintaining undefeated streaks and others securing crucial wins. The top ranks, including Yokozuna Onos and Hoyu, demonstrated their dominance. The tournament promises an exciting conclusion.