Sumo: Ozeki Onosato marches on with 11th win, Hoshoryu 2 wins back
KYODO NEWS - 4 minutes ago - 19:24 | Sports, All, Japan
Ozeki Onosato has taken another step toward yokozuna promotion with his 11th straight win at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday when grand champion Hoshoryu became his closest rival as the only wrestler with two defeats.
Onosato had a tricky bout to navigate at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena as an in-form komusubi Wakatakakage (8-3) retreated initially but drove forward with courage, putting his head on the ozeki's chest while holding a left underarm belt hold at the same time.
But Onosato made the most of his bigger frame to stand his ground while grabbing the right overarm belt hold firmly, and despite Wakatakakage's attempted throw at the edge, the ozeki leaned his body toward his opponent to ruthlessly crush him out.
The Spring meet winner in March, Onosato can secure promotion to the exalted rank by winning back-to-back Emperor's Cups this month or posting a result deemed as good.
Hoshoryu (9-2) just about overcame up-and-coming No. 7 maegashira Hakuoho (8-3), who showed little fear in driving straight at the yokozuna and had the grand champion trying to scramble his way out along the edge.
But Hakuoho lost his balance as he tried to apply a decisive push and inadvertently collapsed backward to miss out on a famous win as Hoshoryu breathed a sigh of relief.
No. 9 maegashira Aonishiki (8-3) joined Hakuoho in falling behind in the title race after the Ukrainian tested Kotozakura (7-4) throughout in his first encounter with an ozeki but was narrowly beaten to suffer back-to-back defeats.
Aonishiki bullishly charged forward and forced the ozeki back to the edge, but Kotozakura showed good balance to withstand left underarm throw attempts and floored Aonishiki a fraction early instead with an armlock throw.
Two sekiwake both prevailed to secure winning records at 8-3 as Daieisho slapped down No. 4 maegashira Takerufuji (4-7) and Kirishima did the same to No. 4 maegashira Ichiyamamoto (4-7). No. 6 maegashira Oshoma and No. 17 maegashira Asakoryu also got their eighth wins.
Related coverage:
Sumo: Onosato improves to 10-0, moves 2 wins ahead in title race
Sumo: Onosato stays perfect as Hakuoho, Aonishiki keep up pressure
Sumo: Onosato beats Hiradoumi, takes outright lead on Day 8
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kyodo News
3 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Football: Makeshift Japan fall late to Australia for 1st q'fiers loss
KYODO NEWS - 12 minutes ago - 23:33 | Sports, All, Japan Already-qualified Japan fell to a late 1-0 defeat away to Australia on Thursday in the Asian final-round qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, their first loss of the campaign. A makeshift Samurai Blue side were stunned in the 90th minute when Aziz Behich drilled a shot inside the right-hand post at Perth Stadium off a Riley McGree cutback from the right byline, all but sealing Australia's automatic qualification as Group C runners-up. "It ended up being an extremely frustrating and disappointing result," Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu said. "Many players with little experience were in action, but they have made the best preparation possible, showing zeal from training." With Japan having become in March the first non-host nation to qualify, Moriyasu opted to call up a raft of new faces for their two dead rubbers this month, and Hiroki Sekine, Yu Hirakawa and Kota Tawaratsumida all made their Japan debuts in Western Australia. While Yuito Suzuki and captain Daichi Kamada enjoyed a strong first half in attacking midfield, right wing-back Hirakawa had the best chances of the half for a dominant Japan as two long-range drives late on off both feet threatened the Australian goal. The 64th-minute introductions of Keito Nakamura and Takefusa Kubo added spark to the visitors' attack, with Kubo seeing a shot off his weaker right foot sail narrowly wide in the 80th minute. But Tony Popovic's men did not settle for a point and grabbed a precious opportunity to take all three points, which all but secured their place in the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States next summer. Japan will wrap up their qualifying at home to Indonesia on Tuesday in Suita, Osaka Prefecture. "Whoever gets picked, Japan always play to win. We wanted to continue our unbeaten run, but you cannot turn back the clock," Moriyasu said. "We'll ready ourselves the best we can to round things off with a win." Related coverage: Football: Nadeshiko Japan suffer back-to-back defeats against Brazil FOCUS: As women's football grows in Europe, Japan aims to follow suit Japanese footballer in Australia arrested in betting scandal
Kyodo News
6 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Football: Nadeshiko Japan suffer back-to-back defeats against Brazil
KYODO NEWS - Jun 3, 2025 - 14:41 | Sports, All Japan went down 2-1 against Brazil in A women's football international friendly on Monday, ending their two-game series away to the South Americans with two defeats. Nadeshiko Japan fell to a 3-1 loss on Friday for their first defeat under new Danish manager Nils Nielsen and the world's fifth-ranked nation were beaten again by their eighth-ranked opponents at Cicero de Souza Marques Stadium in Sao Paulo. Manaka Matsukubo, one of six changes for Japan's starting XI, hit the post on a one-on-one with goalkeeper Lorena in the 28th minute before Kiko Seike, who scored a late consolation in their previous game, sent her shot wide after skipping past the keeper three minutes later. Despite a hint of offside, Seike gave Japan the lead a minute into the second half as she side-footed home Aoba Fujino's low cross delivered with the outside of her foot. Defender Rion Ishikawa turned the ball into her own net in the 54th minute, however, allowing Brazil to draw level after keeper Ayaka Yamashita completely missed the ball from a corner. Seike hit the post minutes later before Brazil hit Japan on a counter for the 79th-minute winner as substitute Jhonson dinked her shot past Yamashita. Related coverage: Football: Nadeshiko Japan drop opener of friendly series in Brazil Japanese footballer in Australia arrested in betting scandal Football: Wataru Endo lifts trophy as Liverpool celebrate title with fans
Kyodo News
17 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Baseball: Hideki Matsui pays final respects to Nagashima at private viewing
KYODO NEWS - 15 hours ago - 18:04 | Sports, All Former Yomiuri Giant and New York Yankee Hideki Matsui visited the home of Shigeo Nagashima on Wednesday to offer condolences following his former manager's death a day earlier. The 50-year-old Matsui had joined Yomiuri after Nagashima -- affectionately called "Mr. Giants," "Mr. Pro Baseball," or oftentimes just "Mister" -- secured negotiating rights to the slugger in the 1992 draft, soon after returning to management. "The biggest thing is gratitude. Without getting to meet him, baseball player Hideki Matsui would have spent a totally different baseball career," Matsui, who had last met Nagashima in early January, said being given the opportunity to see him in repose at his home. "He drew me at the draft. He taught me precious things through his practice swings." Matsui, who currently resides in the United States, flew back to Japan and made the visit early Wednesday morning, staying at the home for over two hours. "I spent the time recalling many memories. I felt as if his mind was still there and he would open his eyes at any moment," said Matsui, who developed into one of the most feared sluggers in Japan under Nagashima's enthusiastic guidance. A charismatic figure, Nagashima rose to stardom during Japan's era of rapid economic growth, helping Yomiuri win nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965. He was the CL batting champion six times, the home run king twice and the RBI leader and the CL MVP five times each. As Giants manager, he won five pennants, including two Japan Series titles, over 15 seasons spanning two stints before leaving the role in 2001. Matsui, nicknamed "Godzilla," won the CL MVP three times and hit 332 home runs for Yomiuri, claiming the CL pennant three times under Nagashima in 1994, 1996 and 2000 and the Japan Series twice in 1994 and 2000. "We've shared many moments, and I feel I'm a really fortunate person," Matsui said. He joined the Yankees in 2003 and had 175 homers over 10 seasons in the majors, becoming the first Japanese player to win the World Series MVP in 2009 when he hit three homers. Nagashima and Matsui both received the People's Honor Award in 2013, bestowed by then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for outstanding achievements in sports, entertainment and other fields. "We made a promise when he was alive," Matsui said without giving away any details. "I want to fulfill that promise." On Tuesday, MLB offered its condolences on X, saying, "We are saddened by the passing of Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima," alongside a photo and a summary of his career achievements. Former Seattle Mariner and U.S. Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki told Kyodo News that Nagashima's impact is unrivaled. "The reason why people above a certain age wanted to become a baseball player was because of Mr. Nagashima's performance, which was always cool," he said. "His service in letting people know about baseball is immeasurable." "More than anything, he had a dignity nobody could imitate." Related coverage: Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima dead at 89 Tributes to Nagashima pour in from Japanese sports world
