Latest news with #Sumo


Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
54 Useful Things That Are Under $25
A TikTok viral sunset lamp because it kinda looks like a James Turrell wall sculpture, and the best part is that it only costs about $15. While Kendall Jenner dropped $750,000 on one for her home, 😳 you can add the same vibe to your living room, office, or bedroom for super cheap! An Angry Orange stain remover if your carpet has some lingering smells, and you've gotten used to them — but you don't have to live with that. This can help your pet's accidents go from that harsh ammonia odor to a delightful citrus scent, thanks to the orange oil! Your home will smell so good, you'll wonder if someone stocked your kitchen with Sumo oranges. A ball launcher that lets you throw farther and faster without breaking a sweat as you play fetch with your doggo. It'll keep your hands slobber-free and allows you to pick up the ball without bending or touching any suspect tennis balls. It's a must-have for high-energy pups and tired human arms. An "After Coffee" notepad for list-makers, meal planners, and anyone who needs a little structure with their caffeine. With a super-cute design and a clean, efficient layout, this notepad features three simple sections to help organize your day: top space for your must-do priorities, a middle section for "later" tasks, and room to jot down plans for tomorrow if you run out of time. A digital luggage scale that'll squash *any* anxiety that your bag is too heavy. Now you don't have to worry about forking over more money (for that big overweight bag fee) or ripping open your suitcase in front of everyone — with this, you can avoid both! A false eyelash applicator aka a game changer for anyone who struggles with lash glue, wobbly placement, or fear of poking themselves in the eye. It'll make applying, adjusting, and removing false lashes way easier and more precise. Whether you're a lash newbie or a seasoned glam icon, this multitasking tweezer will help you get dramatic-looking lashes without any drama as you put them on. A FURemover Broom that picks up hair like a "magnet" so your carpet, tile, and wood floors can go back to being hair-free. You'll be shocked at how *much* this thing easily rakes up from your carpets and rugs — because trust me when I say there *is* deeply buried hair. It's just hiding! A microwave pasta cooker because the last thing you want to do after a long day is wait for water to then wait for your pasta to then wash a colander... This makes getting dinner on the table so easy breezy you'll wonder where it's been all your life. An emergency stain rescue spray, your go-to for spills, splatters, and all the unexpected messes life throws at your carpets, rugs, and upholstery. This powerful, fast-acting formula lifts even the toughest, set-in stains like wine, coffee, mud, and pet accidents with ease. Just spray, blot, and wash as usual — no scrubbing, no stress. A soundproofing strip if you work from home, have roommates, or sleep lightly and want a little extra quiet. You can stick these onto your doors and windows and cut them to be the perfect length, so when someone's banging pots and pans in the kitchen, you won't be rolling your eyes (as much). An auto-shutoff outlet so you don't have that "I turned off my curling iron, right? ... RIGHT?" moment again. This will shut it off for you within 30 minutes (just in case you didn't), so getting your hair styled for the day doesn't mean worrying about your house going up in flames. A magnetic ironing pad if you want a space-saving, travel-friendly option that instantly turns any flat surface into an ironing station. Made from high-quality quilted polyester-cotton fabric, it can handle high heat (up to 300°F) and features heavy-duty magnets in each corner to securely grip metal surfaces like your washer or dryer. It fits most machines perfectly and rolls up or folds flat for easy storage. If you hate dragging out a bulky ironing board, this mat makes wrinkle-busting quick, convenient, and just as satisfying. A dishwasher-safe herb mincer, roller, and slicer for anyone who loves cooking with fresh herbs but hates the prep. This clever tools combines an herb stripper, mincer, and slicer all in one palm-sized design. Two built-in strippers make destemming rosemary and thyme a breeze, while four sharp blades roll effortlessly to mince your herbs. When you're done, just detach it for a quick clean. A rechargeable electric lighter with an extra-long neck to light things without an open flame. Forget the days of almost (or actually) burning yourself with matches — this reaches those *deep* candles so easily. Once you charge it, it's ready to be used over and over again! A moisture meter so you can check and know for *sure* whether your green-leafed babies are getting the right amount of water. If you struggle to keep plants alive, this can be a convenient reminder that you did, in fact, forget to water them this morning — or over-watered them in a panic last night. A mug warmer to eliminate the need to go back and forth from the microwave every 15 minutes to heat up your drink. Reviewers say that it heats up quickly and recommend using a flat-bottomed mug so you get a steamin' hot cup of joe even faster! Dishwasher-cleaning tablets because they clean what you can't reach easily (or at all), like your machine's tub, racks, pump and valve, and drain. If you've got funky odors coming out of your dishwasher, it's time to toss one of these in, run a cycle, and witness that yucky smell poof out of existence! A motion-activated toilet night-light if your midnight bathroom trips have you shuffling like a mummy to dodge obstacles in the dark — 'cause me too. This helps you avoid blinding lights while taking care of business so you can get back to catching Z's. Essence's Lash Princess mascara so you can instantly lengthen and volumize your lashes with its cone-shaped fiber brush that doesn't leave you with annoying clumps or globs. It's also super affordable, so this may be your new go-to! A set of cable clips with an adhesive bottom so your floor-ridden charging cords can be within arm's reach and stay that way. You can place these on your nightstand, desk, and any other place you regularly charge your devices! The Pink Stuff — the alchemy in this stuff is next-level because it can make grease, permanent marker, grime, pen, rust, and crayons disappear on stoves, kitchen floors, jewelry, bathtubs, grills, wood, glass shower doors, AND MORE. It has 155,000 5-star reviews for a reason... just sayin'. An acupressure anti-nausea wristband for the easily nauseous or occasional barfer on planes who needs a helping hand. This is designed to hit an acupressure point that can help reduce nausea and even motion sickness. So the next time you're doomscrolling during your annual road trip, you won't need to tell the driver to make an emergency pull-over. A dryer vent cleaning kit to quickly suck out all of the dryer lint that's built up — it could *actually* cause a fire if you're not careful. Instead of calling (and waiting for) a professional to do it for you, just attach this to your vacuum and get to it — the flexible hose is over 2.6 feet long to reach deeeep into the machine. A pair of wireless sleep headphones — a thin, super soft headband for when you want to play white noise or music as you count sheep. It can last up to 10 hours, which means you can get a full night's rest without it dying! A set of easy-to-clean silicone stove-counter gap covers because there's space between your counter and stove, and you want that transition to be *seamless* — I feel you. Not only will it connect your appliance with the rest of your kitchen, but it will also prevent any crumbs or other gross stuff from building up in those DEEP abysses. An LED neck reading light so you can read past your bedtime with your very own spotlight without waking up your partner or squinting at pages like you're decoding an ancient scroll. This hands free light has three color modes (yellow, warm white, and cool white) *and* dimmable brightness settings on each side, meaning you can customize your ~glow~ for reading, crocheting, late-night journaling, or even fixing that one random drawer. BTW, it would be perfect for redeye flights, too! Light-dimming stickers if the glare from your alarm clock, TV, and more is bugging the heck out of you. Simply peel and stick these on to dim light by 50%–80%, and your problem is solved! An anti-blister balm you can apply to the back of your heel before wearing around your new cute shoes for the day. It leaves a non-greasy barrier between your skin and your shoe, so you can avoid whipping out the Neosporin and Band-Aid combo. A frozen herb keeper and grater aka the ~herbsicle~ that saves your leftover herbs and elevates your meals with a sprinkle of fresh flavor. Instead of tossing unused cilantro, parsley, or basil, just pack them into this, twist the handle to compress, and freeze. When you're ready to use them, pop off the cap and slice or grate the herbs straight into your dish using the built-in grater (which tucks neatly into the handle for easy storage). A weekly, bleach-free shower spray because it's a shower spray that'll eliminate the need to scrub — say what?! It helps rid your shower of soap scum, calcium buildup, and hardware stains, no matter how long they've been there. Just spray it, wait 12 hours, and rinse. Reviewers say you'll see excellent results! A lid organizer so you can transform your Tupperware drawer into a neat freak's paradise. No more digging around a bottomless pit of lids by guessing which plastic top will actually keep today's lunch airtight. A set of seat gap fillers if you loathe cleaning that weird, hard-to-reach area in your car. McDonald's fries, loose change, and other mystery tidbits have met their match. Some Sheet Keepers, a clever little invention your linen closet has been begging for. These stretchy bands wrap around your folded sheet sets (fitted, flat, pillowcase, and all) so you're not playing "which pillowcase goes with???" every time laundry day rolls around. It keeps everything neat, bundled, and easy to find. A detangling SoCozy leave-in conditioner spray for kids that'll help protect and repair damaged hair. This conditioner's gentle formula with activated charcoal, vitamin B5, and sunflower seed extract provides gentle and nourishing care. Combine this product with a detangling hairbrush, and the bird's nest on top of your child's head will be conquered in no time. A durable plastic clear toy blocker because despite your ~pawfect~ throw, toys always end up underneath furniture and other dusty, crumb-ridden areas when playing with your pet. You can install these to avoid that frustration and cut them to fit any space perfectly — plus, they can be removed without leaving behind any residue, washed, and stuck back in place without losing their stickiness or causing damage. An easily washable drip catcher since that pool of water is always an extra thing to clean up after doing the dishes. Instead of grabbing a paper towel, this absorbent mat will soak up any splattering water droplets right away! A super absorbent microfiber Swiffer mop pad you can pop in the washing machine right after cleaning up dirt, dust, and debris with it. Your kitchen floors will ✨shine✨ *and* you'll save a couple of bucks 'cause you won't have to buy the disposable sheets anymore — aka fewer things to get at Target! A set of resistance bands that'll have your glutes screaming in the best way possible. This includes three fabric bands with increasing levels of resistance, so whether you're just starting or deep in your Pilates era, you've got options. They don't roll, snap, or dig into your skin *and* they come with a cute little carry bag so you can take your booty-building journey anywhere. A 3-in-1 egg separator to make cooking with eggs clean, quick, and mess-free. This clever tool separates egg yolks from whites effortlessly by catching the yolk while the whites flow through. Whether you're baking soufflés or whipping up perfect meringues, this separator will help make sure that nothing but egg whites is entering your mixing bowl. The Thaw Claw for the times you get home and realize you never took your frozen, brick-like meat out of the freezer for dinner tonight. Instead of using a genie in a bottle (Uber Eats) to make you a magnificent meal, attach this to the bottom of your sink and it'll thaw your food in under half an hour! A beauty spatula designed to rescue every last bit of your favorite beauty products — 'cause wasting good serum (and money) is never the move. With its flexible 8-inch handle, this can reach deep into tall or awkwardly-shaped bottles, bend to scoop product, and scrape along the sides easily. Now you won't have to dip your fingers into bottles or waste expensive creams! A clip-on strainer that eliminates the need for a colander altogether — meaning one less thing taking up space in your cabinet! Now you can keep your pasta in the pot (like you always wanted) and mix in your sauce a little bit faster. Bonus: it's good for washing fruit, too! A door draft stopper, a simple yet effective way to boost your home's energy efficiency while keeping things cozy. Designed with a dual-layer seal, it prevents cool air from escaping in the summer and blocks out cold drafts in the winter. It easily sticks to doors and is perfect for uneven door gaps, basements, and garages. An exfoliating scrub mitt that'll leave you shocked with how much dead skin comes off your body. Not only will you feel squeaky clean stepping out of the shower, but your skin will feel so soft and smooth, too. Reviewers say this also helps prevent ingrown hairs and reduces keratosis pilaris. A weighted bottle cleaner your emotional support water bottle needed like... yesterday. Just drop it in, shake it around, and boom — it scrubs every inch of the inside without you having to jam your hand in there or use suspect brushes. It's weighted, so it sinks to the bottom and actually cleans, and the rubber around the weight makes it safe for all your fave bottles (yes, even your expensive Stanley). An EZ Off jar opener to make struggling with jars of pasta sauce, salsa, peanut butter, or even stubborn Talenti gelato a thing of the past. No more turning jar-opening into a team sport or breaking a sweat trying to twist one off. This hidden little gadget pops lids open with way less wrist strain, takes up zero drawer space, and stays totally out of sight. It's your kitchen's best-kept secret for battling sealed-tight lids. A milk frother so you can make your hot or iced latte so thick and frothy you'll feel like you're sipping on an overpriced one from a trendy coffee shop. This is not only cheaper than the Nespresso Aeroccino, but it's smaller and easier to clean up, too. A double-sided electronics cleaning brush with a soft, retractable brush for gently sweeping dust off keyboards, camera lenses, and screens *and* a silicone wiper that digs into crevices to grab crumbs and gunk hiding in your laptop, phone ports, or AirPods case. Your tech will now look ✨pristine. ✨ A pair of horizontal glasses, the ultimate lazy genius invention for anyone who wants to read or watch TV while lying completely flat. These quirky 90° angle glasses use mirrors to let you see you forward while your head stays back, meaning you'll be less likely to strain your neck as you chill in bed. A wine stain-removing spray because we've all been there — one sip of Pinot turns into a little too much fun, and next thing you know, red wine is everywhere. No worries! This stain remover has your back. Just spray it on, blot, rinse, and watch the stain disappear. Now, you can keep the good vibes going without stressing over spills. A silicone microwave popper that'll help you make your delicious movie snack at home within minutes. It's collapsible, requires no oil, and evenly distributes hot air so every kernel gets *popped*. It's dishwasher safe so it's super easy to clean and it's BPA free, too! An angled pen with a curved barrel designed specifically for lefties. This ballpoint beauty lets you actually see what you're writing without twisting your wrist or causing a bunch of smudging. The grips feel comfy and the quick-dry ink keeps your notes looking nice and clean. Bed bands to keep your fitted sheet perfectly tucked 'cause it's soooo annoying when it pops up when you're dead asleep. Now you won't have to readjust that one corner up against the wall every morning... Just flip up the corner of your mattress, attach one end of the band to your fitted sheet, stretch it diagonally and clasp it to the opposite side. Repeat that four times and then admire your handiwork! A bracelet helper tool to make attaching your lobster clasp accessory super easy. It'll finally end the daily struggle of clasping a bracelet with one hand while swearing under your breath. It holds one end of your bracelet securely so you can fasten the clasp like the solo style icon you are. No roommates, no partners, and no third arm required. 🙏


Kyodo News
4 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Sumo: Kotoshoho beats Aonishiki to claim maiden Emperor's Cup
NAGOYA - Dark horse Kotoshoho overpowered fellow championship contender Aonishiki to win the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with a 13-2 record on Sunday. No. 15 maegashira Kotoshoho came into the 15th and final day leading young Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki and top-division debutant Kusano by one bout, with the Emperor's Cup guaranteed to go to a first-time winner from among the rank and file at the new IG Arena. Determined to avoid a loss that would force him into a championship-deciding playoff, Kotoshoho opened with a solid shoulder blast and thrusted Aonishiki (11-4) to the clay as the No. 1 maegashira attempted to get inside for a belt grip. The 25-year-old Chiba Prefecture native, who earned Fighting Spirit and Outstanding Achievement awards, said he tried not to "think too much" heading into the decisive match against Aonishiki. "After the initial charge my body just moved naturally," said Kotoshoho, who started thinking about the title "about two days ago" with his win against new yokozuna Onosato. Kotoshoho, who made his top-tier makuuchi division debut in Nagoya in 2020, came close to winning the title in January 2023 but lost a winner-takes-all battle against ozeki Takakeisho on the last day. "I learned from my previous experience not to be too nervous and just try to do my best," said Kotoshoho, who added the top-tier debut for his younger brother Kotoeiho this month gave him "motivation." Aonishiki's loss marked a disappointing end to an otherwise stellar meet for the 21-year-old, who came to Japan in April 2022 to escape the war raging in his home country. Sumo's new European star took home a Technique Prize, continuing his streak of a special award in each of his three top-division tournaments. The dynamic grappler reached 11 wins in each of those meets. Kotoshoho's victory also ended No. 14 maegashira Kusano's hopes of becoming the first wrestler to win the Emperor's Cup in his top-division debut since Takerufuji in March 2024. A day after knocking Aonishiki off the top rung of the leaderboard, former university sumo star Kusano (11-4) came off second-best in a thrusting battle with veteran komusubi Takayasu (10-5). The 24-year-old from Kumamoto Prefecture collected Fighting Spirit and Technique prizes as consolation. New yokozuna Onosato forced out ozeki Kotozakura to wrap up his debut tournament as a grand champion at 11-4. After a powerful opening collision, the four-time Emperor's Cup winner shifted Kotozakura over the straw bales and consigned him to another lackluster 8-7 finish. Onosato became the only yokozuna competing in Nagoya following the early withdrawal of Hoshoryu, who pulled out with a damaged big toe after going 1-3 over the first four days. Wakatakakage (10-5) put himself in contention to earn ozeki promotion at the next meet by forcing out fellow sekiwake Kirishima (8-7), who lost his last five bouts. No. 10 maegashira Atamifuji, who was knocked out of the title race a day earlier, finished at 11-4 with a force out of No. 13 maegashira Churanoumi (9-6). Veteran No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi (11-4) forced out komusubi Oshoma (3-12) and earned his third Outstanding Performance Prize, becoming the oldest recipient of the award at 40 years and eight months old.


The Mainichi
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Sumo: Kotoshoho beats Aonishiki to claim maiden Emperor's Cup
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Dark horse Kotoshoho overpowered fellow championship contender Aonishiki to win the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with a 13-2 record on Sunday. No. 15 maegashira Kotoshoho came into the 15th and final day leading young Ukrainian sensation Aonishiki and top-division debutant Kusano by one bout, with the Emperor's Cup guaranteed to go to a first-time winner from among the rank and file at the new IG Arena. Determined to avoid a loss that would force him into a championship-deciding playoff, Kotoshoho opened with a solid shoulder blast and thrusted Aonishiki (11-4) to the clay as the No. 1 maegashira attempted to get inside for a belt grip. The 25-year-old Chiba Prefecture native, who earned Fighting Spirit and Outstanding Achievement awards, said he tried not to "think too much" heading into the decisive match against Aonishiki. "After the initial charge my body just moved naturally," said Kotoshoho, who started thinking about the title "about two days ago" with his win against new yokozuna Onosato. Kotoshoho, who made his top-tier makuuchi division debut in Nagoya in 2020, came close to winning the title in January 2023 but lost a winner-takes-all battle against ozeki Takakeisho on the last day. "I learned from my previous experience not to be too nervous and just try to do my best," said Kotoshoho, who added the top-tier debut for his younger brother Kotoeiho this month gave him "motivation." Aonishiki's loss marked a disappointing end to an otherwise stellar meet for the 21-year-old, who came to Japan in April 2022 to escape the war raging in his home country. Sumo's new European star took home a Technique Prize, continuing his streak of a special award in each of his three top-division tournaments. The dynamic grappler reached 11 wins in each of those meets. Kotoshoho's victory also ended No. 14 maegashira Kusano's hopes of becoming the first wrestler to win the Emperor's Cup in his top-division debut since Takerufuji in March 2024. A day after knocking Aonishiki off the top rung of the leaderboard, former university sumo star Kusano (11-4) came off second-best in a thrusting battle with veteran komusubi Takayasu (10-5). The 24-year-old from Kumamoto Prefecture collected Fighting Spirit and Technique prizes as consolation. New yokozuna Onosato forced out ozeki Kotozakura to wrap up his debut tournament as a grand champion at 11-4. After a powerful opening collision, the four-time Emperor's Cup winner shifted Kotozakura over the straw bales and consigned him to another lackluster 8-7 finish. Onosato became the only yokozuna competing in Nagoya following the early withdrawal of Hoshoryu, who pulled out with a damaged big toe after going 1-3 over the first four days. Wakatakakage (10-5) put himself in contention to earn ozeki promotion at the next meet by forcing out fellow sekiwake Kirishima (8-7), who lost his last five bouts. No. 10 maegashira Atamifuji, who was knocked out of the title race a day earlier, finished at 11-4 with a force out of No. 13 maegashira Churanoumi (9-6). Veteran No. 4 maegashira Tamawashi (11-4) forced out komusubi Oshoma (3-12) and earned his third Outstanding Performance Prize, becoming the oldest recipient of the award at 40 years and eight months old.


Japan Times
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Disappointing start to Nagoya tournament turns into fascinating final stretch
Ten days into the ongoing Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament and Ichiyamamoto — a 31-year-old journeyman who hasn't posted more than 8 wins in a basho since 2023 — stunningly led the race for the Emperor's Cup going into Wednesday's bouts. Coming off back-to-back losing records — with the most recent being a 5-10 outing in May — no one could have predicted such a hot start for the Chuo University graduate. The big question, of course, is whether or not Ichiyamamoto can keep his title charge going over the meet's final third, and become the 12th first-time champion to be crowned since January 2020. Given that he hasn't had to face any of the 16 highest-ranked men over the tournament's first ten days, the answer to that question is 'probably not.' Sumo's schedule makers will almost certainly ensure that if Ichiyamamoto is going to taste glory for the first time, he'll have to do it the hard way. And while he might have sole possession of first place at the two-third mark, a single-win lead over a chasing pack — including former ōzeki Kirishima, three-time champion Mitakeumi, ageless ironman Tamawashi along with rising stars Aonishiki and Kusano — isn't very secure. With newly crowned yokozuna Onosato also just one win further back, it's far more likely that the Emperor's Cup ends up claimed by one of his pursuers than by Ichiyamamoto himself. But even if he ultimately fails in his quest for silverware, Ichiyamamoto has been a bright spot in a tournament where fans' hopes for something not seen in years were almost immediately extinguished. Following Onosato's promotion to sumo's highest rank earlier this summer, everyone in the sport was looking forward to a first title showdown between yokozuna since March 2020. Those hopes were quickly dashed when Hoshoryu suffered three straight losses from the second day and had to withdraw from the tournament due to injury. It was an unfortunate turn of events that means the 26-year-old grand champion will now finish his first three basho as a yokozuna with a record of 18 wins, 12 losses and 15 absences. That's not what anyone involved in sumo wants to see, and the sooner Hoshoryu gets back into action and wins a first title as a yokozuna the better — not just for his own career and legacy, but the sport as a whole. On the other side of the banzuke, Onosato has, by his own lofty standards, not been having a great tournament either. Three losses in 10 bouts doesn't rule him out of title contention by any means, but the sport's biggest star will need to recapture the form shown over the past few months if he is to claim a third straight championship. But even should Onosato lose one or two more matches, it wouldn't be a cause for concern as the first tournament after promotion to yokozuna is notoriously difficult for wrestlers — particularly younger ones — to do well in. With both yokozuna far from their best, there is a bigger window of opportunity for the aforementioned pack currently chasing Ichiyamamoto. Aonishiki (left) beats Oshoma by oshidashi at IG Arena on Saturday. | JIJI Aonishiki's incredible rise continues unabated with the 21-year-old from Ukraine looking like one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the sport despite only having joined professional sumo two years ago. Just three tournaments into his top division career he is making a 2024 column — which was described at the time as far too optimistic — now look understated. Aonishiki is in the opposite situation to Ichiyamamoto. He has won eight of his first 10 bouts while facing only the highest ranked men in the sport. Everyone that he will be matched up with across the final five days will be of a lower rank. In theory that gives the former refugee, who fled to Japan to escape war in his home country, the inside track to the Emperor's Cup. The mental side of sumo is arguably the most important, however, and being in such a high pressure situation at such a young age will be testing. If Aonishiki can hold his nerve in the spotlight it will create another chapter in what is fast becoming one of sumo's most fascinating stories. In his favor is the fact that all the other main title challengers will have tougher run-ins and are likely to drop bouts to each other. Should Onosato not turn things around, it appears as if Kusano and Kirishima are the main barriers to an Aonishiki championship. Kusano, who is making his top division debut, is currently riding a four-month hot streak. The Nihon University graduate reached sumo's highest tier on the back of consecutive jūryō division titles — something that prompted Hiro Morita, longtime NHK announcer and face of the Japan Sumo Association's English-language YouTube channel, to predict an Emperor's Cup win for the rookie in Nagoya earlier this month. Given that, when Takerufuji managed that exact feat in March 2024 he became the first debutant to win the title in over a century, Morita's prediction seemed outlandish at the time. Ten days later that's not the case, and Kusano has a viable path to history over the next five days if he can keep his hot streak going. Kirishima, meanwhile, not only has legitimate hopes of claiming a third title but also an outside chance of making it back to ōzeki should he do so. With a perfect run-in for the veteran adding up to a combined 32 wins over three tournaments — it's a score that would appear to be slightly short of the oft-cited mark of 33. That's not an official guideline, however, and sumo has just one ōzeki currently. A third Emperor's Cup for a former ōzeki could swing things in Kirishima's favor. However things turn out, a tournament that started in a disappointing manner heads into the final stretch with a range of exciting possible outcomes.

Engadget
22-07-2025
- Business
- Engadget
Still Wakes the Deep developer The Chinese Room regains its independence
The Chinese Room, maker of Still Wakes the Deep , has bought back its independence. The studio will continue developing new franchises after splitting from the Sumo Group. The latter said earlier this year that it's pivoting away from original games and toward co-development work. Tencent bought the British studio Sumo for $1.27 billion in 2021. Game Developer reported that VC firm Hiro Capital facilitated the Chinese Room's independence deal. Studio head Ed Daly told the publication on Monday that the company is open to partnering with other developers moving forward. Unfortunately, the studio's good news is tainted with an all-too-familiar story. The studio confirmed to Game Developer that it will lay off an undisclosed number of employees as part of the split. "Following the divestment process, a number of roles were regrettably made redundant," a company spokesperson said. "The specifics are confidential, but the studio is currently 55 developers. This was a very difficult process as we sought a future for the studio outside of Sumo. No more layoffs are planned as the studio moves forward." The Chinese Room / Secret Mode The "modern horror classic" Still Wakes the Deep isn't all the studio is known for. The Chinese Room also made Little Orpheus , Everybody's Gone to the Rapture and the OG walking simulator, Dear Esther . The UK-based developer is also working on Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2 with Paradox Interactive. The long-delayed title is scheduled to launch in October. The Chinese Room is also developing two other unannounced titles. "This management buyout allows us to scratch the creative itch of continuing to work on new, original intellectual property but also to partner with other studios on other projects when they fit in with our vision," Daly told Game Developer . "This is what we are doing and we want to carry on doing it, so we're happy to carry on in this vein."