And that’s a wrap.
The 2024 Aki Basho is over and we have our winner, officially now.
Scroll down for all the results, some great videos and my analysis covering the last day of the tournament.
Bonus gif today is Kimura Shonosuke (Imaoka Hideki) who has now retired from his duties as head gyoji. He did a great job of maintaining his stoicism during his last ever bout (Hoshoryu vs. Kotozakura). But once he was off the dohyo he showed us how he really felt.
SPOILERS BELOW
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Results
Shishi (9-6) def. Kinbozan (4-11) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
Onokatsu (7-8) def. Sadanoumi (7-8) via yorikiri*
Kitanowaka (6-9) def. Roga (8-7) via uwatenage (over arm throw)*
Ryuden (8-7) def. Tamawashi (7-8) via hatakikomi (slap down)*
Oshoma (10-5) def. Bushozan (4-11) via okuridashi (rear push out)
Nishikifuji (8-7) def. Ichiyamamoto (7-8) via tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)*
Hokutofuji (8-5-2) def. Midorifuji (7-8) via oshitaoshi (frontal push down)*
Takarafuji (10-5) def. Endo (8-7) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
Churanoumi (10-5) def. Nishikigi (11-4) via oshidashi*
Wakatakakage (12-3) def. Takayasu (10-5) via oshidashi*
Kagayaki (3-12) def. Gonoyama (6-9) via oshidashi
Wakamotoharu (11-4) def. Ura (9-6) via oshidashi
Oho (9-6) def. Shodai (10-5) via yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)*
Atamifuji (7-8) def. Shonannoumi (3-12) via yorikiri after mono-ii (judges’ review)
Meisei (5-10) def. Tobizaru (5-10) via oshidashi*
Kotoshoho (7-8) def. Takanosho (4-11) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
Hiradoumi (7-8) def. Mitakeumi (4-11) via yorikiri
Kirishima (12-3) def. Daieisho (8-7) via tsukidashi
Abi (5-10) def. Onosato (13-2) via hikiotoshi (hand pull down)*
Hoshoryu (8-7) def. Kotozakura (8-7) via oshidashi*
*Must see bouts!
Winners
Makuuchi: S1w Onosato (13-2)
Shukun-sho (Outstanding Performance Prize): M7e Wakatakakage (12-3)
Kanto-sho (Fighting Spirit Prize): S1w Onosato (13-2), M13w Nishikigi (11-4)
Gino-sho (Technique Prize): S1w Onosato (13-2
Juryo: J11w Takerufuji (13-2)
Makushita: M16e Hatsuyama (7-0)
Sandanme: S51w Kawazoe (7-0)
Jonidan: Jo5w Shimizuumi (7-0)
Jonokuchi: Jk15e Goseizan (7-0)
Analysis
Onosato had nothing to lose or gain this day, having earned his second ever top division championship with his win over Hoshoryu yesterday. This day he just needed to fight Abi before he could get his hair touched up and get to lift the Emperor’s Cup.
Now, you didn’t expect Abi to roll over for him, did you?
The Troll King reminded us all that Onosato was human, by scoring an unceremonious hikiotoshi (hand pull down) on the young champ. To do so he smashed his palm into Onosato’s throat off the tachiai and then pulled back to let Onosato fall forwards, onto the ground. The win did little for Abi, as he finished with a paltry 5-10 record and will lose his sekiwake rank as a result.
Kirishima and Wakatakakge finished closest to Onosato. On the Final Day they picked up wins to go 12-3.
Kirishima beat Daieisho without much trouble. He usually plays matador to a charging Daeisiho, but this time he decided to go forwards and thrust him out.
Wakatakakage beat Takayasu, who is clearly fighting hurt (again). He was able to push and force Takayasu back and eventually bounced him off the ring. Takayasu took some time getting back to his feet.
One of the more meaningful bouts of the day was Kotozakura vs. Hoshoryu. Hoshoryu won the bout and rescued a kachi-koshi for himself. Both ozeki finish the tournament with 8-7 now. This has to go down as a massive missed opportunity for both of them to challenge for a cup while Terunofuji is not around.
In this bout Hoshoryu attempted the same kirikaeshi (twisting backward knee trip) he beat Kirishima with. Only this time he attacked with the move, instead of using it as part of a defensive action. Kotozakura was able to save himself from falling backwards, though. After he regained his balance, Hoshoryu managed to thrust him out. I think Kotozakura is having knee problems this tournament. He moved quite gingerly in reverse as Hoshoryu was forcing him back for the win.
We had a number of Darwin matches this day.
Hokutofuji (who returned from a two day absence yesterday) beat Midorifuji after a prolonged bout. Midorifuji seemed to crumple on one of his knees at the end of this one, but he looked OK as he was walking away.
Tamawashi failed to get kachi-koshi during his record breaking basho. He was pulled down by Ryuden.
And Nishikifuji got his eighth win with an aggressive showing against Ichiyamamoto.
Sadanoumi was looking for his eighth win, too. However, he was blocked and forced out by Onokatsu (who already had his make-koshi).
Meisei was just fighting for pride on the final day. But he did earn the hidden achievement of “push Tobizaru into the fourth row.”
OK, that’s it for your daily basho updates. Next up from me are report cards for all the makuuchi rikishi. I’ll also have a spotlight post focusing on Tamawashi’s technique (so we can figure out how he manages to keep going at 40-years-old).
Onosato scooped the most real special prizes. He got a Fighting Spirit and a Technque Prize (Kirishima should be mad at that). Wakatakakage and Nishikigi received Outstanding Performance prizes.
Takerufuji won juryo with an impressive 13-2. He’ll likely be back to makuuchi in November. Hatsuyama of Tamanoi heya (Tohakuryu) won makushita with 7-0. Kawazoe, formerly of Miyagino and now of Isegahama, won sandanme with 7-0. Shimizuumi from Sakaigawa heya (Hiradoumi, Sadanoumi) won the jonidan. 19-year-old Goseizan from Takekuma heya (Gonoyama) won jonokuchi.
Thank you to everyone who checked out Sumo Stomp! during the tournament. And a special thanks to those who pay for their subscription. Those paid subscriptions are what permit me to dedicate time to covering sumo. Otherwise I would have to focus just on my other paying gigs.
Take care everyone. Please don’t hesitate to message me if you have any sumo questions or feedback on the blog.
Hi Tim, thanks for the great reporting again this basho! It was a fun one.
Loved this basho! And also the hidden achievement of “push Tobizaru into the fourth row.” Lol