Latest news with #Ichiyamamoto
Japan Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Kotoshoho's shock first Emperor's Cup could reinvigorate his career
In last week's column, I wondered whether the tournament-leading Ichiyamamoto could keep his hot streak going and become the 12th first-time champion to be crowned since January 2020. With five straight losses from day 11, the answer to that question was conclusively in the negative, but sumo did get a first-time winner in the form of Kotoshoho — a veteran whose triumph was perhaps even more surprising than Ichiyamamoto's would have been. The 25-year-old had come into the Nagoya meet on the back of four losing records in five tournaments, with his sole kachikoshi an 8-7 finish eked out on the final day of the March basho. A similar outcome looked to be on the cards once again one-third of the way through the just-completed tournament, as Kotoshoho won just three of five fights against some of the lowest-ranked men in the top division. At that stage, no one could have predicted that the Sadogatake stable veteran would go on a 10-bout winning streak for the first time in his career, taking down both the tournament's hottest wrestler (Aonishiki) and sumo's biggest star (yokozuna Onosato) on his way to claiming the Emperor's Cup. Perhaps not since Clark Kent last took off his glasses has someone looked so strikingly similar while performing at a completely different level. In addition to his wins over Onosato and Aonishiki, Kotoshoho also defeated Kusano — the only other man with a shot at the Emperor's Cup — as the tournament headed into its final day. Those victories, as well as wins over former ōzeki pair Kirishima and Takayasu, ought to nullify any complaints about Kotoshoho's title run being devalued due to a much easier schedule over the first 11 days. Of course, given pre-tournament hopes for a first championship-deciding showdown between yokozuna in five years, the Emperor's Cup going to a low-ranked maegashira once again will be a letdown for some, but there is a possibility that this victory will reinvigorate Kotoshoho's career and lead to him reaching greater heights. It shouldn't be forgotten that four years ago, Kotoshoho was ranked higher than stablemate Kotonowaka (current ōzeki Kotozakura) and seemed to have just as much, if not more, potential. In January of 2021, Kotoshoho was at a career-high rank of maegashira 3, having followed up a jūryō division title win with three straight winning records from his top-tier debut. At the time I said the then-21-year-old had been 'nothing but impressive since making his top-division debut' and added that while 'he isn't yet a finished product and inexperience still shows in some of his bouts, all the ingredients are there for a long and successful career.' That obviously hasn't been the case since, as the intervening years have been a rollercoaster of demotions to jūryō, occasional double-digit winning records and a lot of tournaments with a 7-7 record heading into the final day. Various reasons for Kotoshoho treading water have been posited over the past four years but none fully explain why it's taken him so long to capitalize on his obvious potential. The hope for Sadogatake stable supporters now will be that this month's victory kickstarts a return to form for Kotoshoho, and possibly even reignites the yokozuna promotion hopes of stablemate Kotozakura. An improved Kotoshoho could indeed help both men get back on track, as having to face a tough, high-level opponent every single morning in practice can only be good for the ozeki. As the American football cliche goes, 'iron sharpens iron.' Kotoshoho (right) seals his Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament championship by defeating Aonishiki by tsukiotoshi on Sunday. | JIJI Kotoshoho's victory in Nagoya came at the expense of fairytale endings for new rising talents Aonishiki and Kusano. The former man's journey to the higher reaches of professional sumo, which includes fleeing his native Ukraine following the Russian invasion, is unlike any other. Given all Aonishiki has been through in his young life to date, and the way in which he has acclimatized to Japanese culture and the language, it's fair to say the 21-year-old would have been most neutral fans' preferred winner last Sunday. Nerves seemed to play a part in the final day showdown against Kotoshoho, though, with Aonishiki not quite as sharp at the initial charge as he had been for most of the previous two weeks. That is more than understandable given his youth, but Aonishiki fans probably needn't worry as the Ajigawa stable man appears to be on an inevitable path to greater heights. All five tournaments after reaching the salaried ranks have ended with double-digit wins for the Vinnytsia Oblast native, and it's been three straight 11-4 finishes since debuting in the top tier in March. Aonishiki is certain to be promoted to the sanyaku slot that he arguably should have been given for this meet, and it may not be long before Kusano joins him there. Kotoshoho's defeat of Aonishiki as Kusano sat ringside dashed the latter's hopes of a playoff for the title. That almost certainly upset his concentration and contributed to the subsequent loss to Takayasu, but double-digit wins and coming so close to glory in his top division debut marked an outstanding effort by the former collegian. Kusano has been on an incredible run of his own since reaching the paid ranks in March and, like Aonishiki, continues to make predictions of him hitting a career wall look foolish with each passing tournament. Kotoshoho may have grabbed glory in Nagoya, but the two men who missed out should be back in contention the next time out.
The Mainichi
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Sumo: Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki moves closer to maiden title
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Rising Ukrainian star Aonishiki continued to thrill fans at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday as he held onto a share of the lead heading into the final weekend. The 21-year-old No. 1 maegashira is tied at 11-2 with fellow rank-and-file grappler Kotoshoho after outmaneuvering title contender Ichiyamamoto on Day 13 at IG Arena. Aonishiki stayed low in the face of a strong opening charge from No. 8 maegashira Ichiyamamoto and used a left-hand inside grip to secure victory by force out. "I was able to do my style of sumo," said Aonishiki, who has claimed a succession of high-profile victims in Nagoya. "I'm glad I could persevere and get inside my opponent's defense." A former youth sumo competitor in Ukraine, Aonishiki came to Japan in April 2022 to escape the war raging in his home country against Russia. He is potentially two days away from clinching his first Emperor's Cup in just his third top-division tournament and 12th overall. If he succeeds, he will become the fifth-youngest maiden makuuchi division champion at 21 years and four months, coming in just behind all-time great Hakuho at 21 years and two months. The 182-centimeter, 138-kilogram youngster has earned plaudits for his dynamic wrestling from both fans and sumo insiders, including chief referee Kokonoe after the win against Ichiyamamoto. "Every aspect was good," said Kokonoe, formerly ozeki Chiyotaikai. "He's a little samurai from Ukraine, isn't he."
Kyodo News
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Sumo: Onosato survives against Ichiyamamoto, stays 1 win off pace
NAGOYA - New yokozuna Onosato stayed one win off the pace at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament following a lucky escape against joint overnight leader Ichiyamamoto on Thursday. The 25-year-old grand champion won a rematch with the No. 8 maegashira after the ringside officials could not determine a clear winner in the day's final scheduled bout, which was initially awarded to Ichiyamamoto. The result saw Onosato (9-3) finish Day 12 at IG Arena alongside Ichiyamamoto and two other wrestlers on the second rung of the leaderboard, as the four-man leading pack was whittled down to young Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki and No. 15 maegashira Kotoshoho at 10-2. Having failed to beat Onosato in two previous attempts, Ichiyamamoto appeared to find success with a push out after the yokozuna opted for a badly judged pull. But replays showed the maegashira's leg hitting the clay as his top-ranked opponent flew off the dohyo, prompting the judges to convene in the middle. After a long deliberation, the officials ordered a rematch, with Onosato once again ceding ground with a pull but ultimately winning by push out. No. 1 maegashira Aonishiki continued his stunning run at the 15-day tournament with victory over two-time Emperor's Cup winner Tamawashi (8-4). The 21-year-old European absorbed Tamawashi's initial thrusts before securing a belt grip and executing an underarm throw. The 25-year-old Kotoshoho, whose career-high ranking is No. 3 maegashira, kept his share of the lead by slapping down title-contending komusubi Takayasu (8-4), the winner of six of their eight past meetings. Top-division rookie Kusano (9-3) relinquished his share of the lead in a loss to sekiwake Wakatakakage (8-4). The former college star, fighting as a No. 14 maegashira, succumbed to a frontal crush out after a vigorous battle between the two athletic combatants. No. 10 maegashira Atamifuji (9-3) stayed one win back from the lead by thrusting out No. 16 maegashira Mitakeumi (8-4). Ozeki Kotozakura (7-5) closed to within one win of the eight needed to avoid demotion-threatened "kadoban" status in September with a force-out victory over sekiwake Kirishima (8-4) that dented the Mongolian-born grappler's title hopes.
The Mainichi
24-07-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Sumo: Onosato survives against Ichiyamamoto, stays 1 win off pace
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- New yokozuna Onosato stayed one win off the pace at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament following a lucky escape against joint overnight leader Ichiyamamoto on Thursday. The 25-year-old grand champion won a rematch with the No. 8 maegashira after the ringside officials could not determine a clear winner in the day's final scheduled bout, which was initially awarded to Ichiyamamoto. The result saw Onosato (9-3) finish Day 12 at IG Arena alongside Ichiyamamoto and two other wrestlers on the second rung of the leaderboard, as the four-man leading pack was whittled down to young Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki and No. 15 maegashira Kotoshoho at 10-2. Having failed to beat Onosato in two previous attempts, Ichiyamamoto appeared to find success with a push out after the yokozuna opted for a badly judged pull. But replays showed the maegashira's leg hitting the clay as his top-ranked opponent flew off the dohyo, prompting the judges to convene in the middle. After a long deliberation, the officials ordered a rematch, with Onosato once again ceding ground with a pull but ultimately winning by push out. No. 1 maegashira Aonishiki continued his stunning run at the 15-day tournament with victory over two-time Emperor's Cup winner Tamawashi (8-4). The 21-year-old European absorbed Tamawashi's initial thrusts before securing a belt grip and executing an underarm throw. The 25-year-old Kotoshoho, whose career-high ranking is No. 3 maegashira, kept his share of the lead by slapping down title-contending komusubi Takayasu (8-4), the winner of six of their eight past meetings. Top-division rookie Kusano (9-3) relinquished his share of the lead in a loss to sekiwake Wakatakakage (8-4). The former college star, fighting as a No. 14 maegashira, succumbed to a frontal crush out after a vigorous battle between the two athletic combatants. No. 10 maegashira Atamifuji (9-3) stayed one win back from the lead by thrusting out No. 16 maegashira Mitakeumi (8-4). Ozeki Kotozakura (7-5) closed to within one win of the eight needed to avoid demotion-threatened "kadoban" status in September with a force-out victory over sekiwake Kirishima (8-4) that dented the Mongolian-born grappler's title hopes.
Kyodo News
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Sumo: Ichiyamamoto falls into share of lead, Onosato stays in hunt
NAGOYA - Rank-and-filer Ichiyamamoto suffered his second loss of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at the hands of veteran komusubi Takayasu on Wednesday, dropping him into a four-way tie for the lead at 9-2. Grand champion Onosato, the lone yokozuna at Nagoya's new IG Arena after Hoshoryu's injury withdrawal, managed to beat Mongolian-born sekiwake Kirishima, leaving the two at 8-3 after Day 11 of the 15-day tournament. Onosato is bidding to win his yokozuna debut tournament after winning the previous two meets in March and May to raise his career top-division title count to four. No. 8 maegashira Ichiyamamoto is now tied for the lead with rising Ukrainian star Aonishiki, Kusano and Kotoshoho, fellow maegashira wrestlers who are ranked first, 14th and 15th. Former ozeki Takayasu (8-3) executed an underarm throw to win his hard-fought battle against Ichiyamamoto, a 31-year-old who is looking for his first championship in the elite makuuchi division. "Without giving up, I've been trying to improve my sumo, so I'm glad to have secured a winning record," Takayasu said. "I wanted to take the initiative (against Ichiyamamoto). He was tough and made me work hard for the win." Aonishiki continued his impressive run with a force-out victory over No. 2 maegashira Abi (6-5). Trailing behind at 8-3 are Onosato, Kirishima, Takayasu, No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi, No. 10 maegashira Atamifuji and No. 16 maegashira Mitakeumi. Struggling ozeki Kotozakura (6-5) picked up an important victory in his attempt to secure at least a winning record of 8-7, defeating 40-year-old iron man Tamawashi.
