Yokozuna Hoshoryu dropped to 5-3 at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday with a loss to bogey opponent Takayasu.
Fighting as a No. 4 maegashira, 35-year-old former ozeki Takayasu maintained a share of the lead at 7-1 as he pushed down Hoshoryu for his 10th win in 12 top-division bouts against the nephew of Mongolian former yokozuna Asashoryu.
The newly promoted grand champion was quick off the mark but got into trouble after surrendering a belt grip to the burly veteran in the final bout of Day 8 at Edion Arena Osaka.
Takayasu (facing camera) battles yokozuna Hoshoryu on Day 8 of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Edion Arena Osaka on March 16, 2025. (Kyodo)
“My body was moving well,” said Takayasu, who shares the top rung of the leaderboard with ozeki Onosato and No. 14 maegashira Churanoumi. “It feels good to win. I’ll just continue taking the tournament day-by-day, as that’s all I can do.”
Onosato ensured his place among the leaders by slapping down No. 4 maegashira Ichiyamamoto (4-4).
The rank-and-file wrestler was quick out of the blocks and drove Onosato back toward the straw bales, but the ozeki kept his feet inside long enough to execute the winning move on the retreat.
Onosato (L) defeats Ichiyamamoto on Day 8 of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Edion Arena Osaka on March 16, 2025. (Kyodo)
Demotion-threatened “kadoban” ozeki Kotozakura (5-3) continued his progress toward a winning record for the 15-day tournament with a hard-fought victory over komusubi Kirishima (4-4).
The pair went chest-to-chest in a physical battle that ended with a crush out by Kotozakura, who needs three more wins to secure his place at the second-highest rank.
Okinawa native Churanoumi advanced to the brink of a winning record for the meet when he slapped down former ozeki Mitakeumi (4-4), fighting as a No. 17 maegashira.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Yokozuna Hoshoryu beats Takanosho, improves to 5-2 in Osaka
Sumo: Onosato keeps share of lead, Hoshoryu back on win column
Sumo: Chiyoshoma stuns yokozuna Hoshoryu on Day 5 in Osaka
AloJapan.com