2025 Hatsu Basho: Day 12 results, replays and analysis
Spoilers abound!
We are deep into the business end of this basho. And we have an exciting race for the cup. Unless you’re a week behind, you know that Kinbozan is our surprise leader this tournament. Today he was pitted against Hoshoryu, who is depserate to make up ground and provide a slim case for yokozuna promotion.
That’s your must-see bout of the day. Other important matches include Kirishima vs. Oho, Takerufuji vs. Kotozakura and Chiyoshoma vs. Onosato.
Tamawashi vs. Hakuoho, Wakatakakage vs. Gonoyama and Oshoma vs. Shonannoumi were three of the most exciting bouts, though.
Scroll down for videos of all the pivotal match-ups, along with my results and highlights.
Bonus gif is an oldie but a goodie of that boy Hakuoho.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Results
Nishikigi (6-6) def. Tokihataye (5-7) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
Tamawashi (7-5) def. Hakuoho (7-5) via uwatenage (over arm throw)*
Nishikifuji (7-5) def. Meisei (4-8) via hatakikomi (slap down)
Kagayaki (4-8) def. Churanoumi (4-8) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
Oshoma (6-6) def. Shonannoumi (6-6) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)*
Takarafuji (5-7) def. Tamashoho (4-8) via oshidashi
Midorifuji (5-7) def. Endo (6-6) via oshidashi
Kotoshoho (3-9) def. Mitakeumi (2-10) via yorikiri
Onokatsu (7-5) def. Ichiyamamoto (6-6) via yorikiri*
Atamifuji (3-9) def. Takayasu (7-5) via okuridashi (rear push out)
Takanosho (5-7) def. Tobizaru (5-7) via oshidashi
Kirishima (9-3) def. Oho (9-3) via okurinage (rear throw down)*
Shodai (6-6) def. Abi (7-5) via oshidashi*
Wakatakakage (6-6) def. Gonoyama (6-6) via yorikiri*
Wakamotoharu (4-8) def. Hiradoumi (6-6) via hatakikomi*
Daieisho (8-4) def. Ura (6-6) via tsukitoashi (frontal thrust down)
Hoshoryu (9-3) def. Kinbozan (10-2) via hatakikomi*
Takerufuji (9-3) def. Kotozakura (5-7) via tsukiotoshi*
Onosato (8-4) def. Chiyoshoma (8-4) via yorikiri*
*Must see bouts
Leaderboard
M14w Kinbozan: 10-2
O1w Hoshoryu, M1w Kirishima, M3w Oho, M11w Takerufuji: 9-3
Analysis
Well that was anti-climactic. The showdown between Hoshoryu and Kinbozan was over quickly, with the tournament leader over leaning off the tachiai and then touching down in about two seconds.
Here’s that micro match for you:
Kinbozan got a good hit in off the tachiai, turning Hoshoryu’s head with a stiff thrust.
Was this hit too good, though? The impact of that thrust seemed to push Hoshoryu into a side-on position, leaving nothing but air in front of Kinbozan.
I think Kinbozan panicked at this point. He then tried to get contact with Hoshoryu as quickly as possible. But to do so he stooped and leaned very low and far, into Hoshoryu’s waist.
It didn’t take much of a push to force Kinbozan to touch down.
This sequence has me thinking that nerves might be starting to get to Kinbozan. This loss brought him down to 10-2, just one win ahead of Hoshoryu and three others. He has to be perfect for the rest of this tournament to bring home his first championship.
Can he do it folks?
Wait… That’s Kirishima’s music!!!!
Don’t look now, but the Misty Island might have a shot at winning this thing. Kirishima beat Oho on Day 12 to take his record to 9-3 and to tie Hoshoryu, Oho and Takerufuji. Kirishima has now won nine bouts in a row after losing to Hoshoryu, Onosato and Teurnofuji to open the tournament.
He showed some Misty Mountain Horse form in his win over Oho.
Kirishima’s thrusting was on point against Oho. He landed some big blows to disrupt the larger Oho. He then pulled off a fantastic side-step to belt-grab combo that put him behind Oho and right on the back knot of his mawashi. With that grip he was able to ride Oho to the edge of the dohyo. Oho fought back commendably on the boundary, but Kirishima didn’t panic. He switched his grip and evoked his judo training for a big throw.
Takerufuji joined Hoshoryu, Kirishima and Oho, as the only wrestlers with a realistic shot of catching Kinbozan, by beating Kotozakura.
This was another bout where Kotozakura didn’t look like his usual self. He got the position he wanted on Takerufuji off the tachiai and was able to get the Tanimal’s heels to the straw. However, once there Takerufuji was able to out-muscle Kotozakura and shove him off to the side and onto the ground. Takerufuji is strong, but I don’t think anyone could move a healthy Kotozakura around like that.
Chiyoshoma was more or less eliminated from title contention on Day 12 after he lost to Onosato. Chiyoshoma reached his limit a few days ago once the match-making shifted. He’s lost his last three.
Wakamotoharu gave poor Hiradoumi a henka on Day 12. I have no problems with the henka, but I think this was pretty Bush League from Wakamotoharu. He didn’t do this to try and save his record (he was already 3-8 at this point) and his lower ranked and smaller opponent was still fighting for his kachi-koshi.
Wakamotoharu was 0-4 against Hiradoumi prior to this. I guess he just really wanted to get his first win over him.
We had some history in juryo on Day 12. Ukrainians Shishi and Aoinishki clashed for the first time in their careers. Both came into the bout on 10-1 records, leading the second division.
And it was the bigger Shishi that would get the win this day (though, both seem destined for makuuchi promotion in March). I hope they split a pitcher of beer and some perogies after this one.
Tomorrow is a very big day in the top division.
The pressure is on for Kinbozan. He needs to get past a banged up Kotozakura to keep his lead over the wolf pack that is nipping at his heels.
To keep pace Hoshoryu will need to beat Onosato. He’s beaten Onosato in all but one of their meetings. He scored a last ditch tottari (armbar throw) on him in November.
Takerufuji has a tough draw tomorrow. He’ll meet the Troll Spoiler King Abi. Abi thrives on ruining other wrestlers’ tournaments. It’s very possible he adds Takerufuji to his list of victims. The Tanimal will need to be on #HenkaWatch to avoid that.
Oho has Ura on Day 12. He has a very poor 1-7 record against the Peach Put ‘em Up Prince. However, Oho is very much trending up in this tournament.
And finally Kirishima has drawn Takayasu (who is flying under-the-radar with a decent 7-5 record). Kirishima is 8-7 against Takayasu and won five of the last six meetings.
I’ll let you know what happens tomorrow.