Shock -containing Kinbozan Leading Hatsu Basho

The first Grand Sumo tournament of the year will end this weekend. After 10 days of fighting there is a handful of wrestlers with the chance to earn the first imperial cup of 2025.

This small group contains a number of surprising names that go for their first top division titles.

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Kinbozan out of nowhere!

Valentina Shevchenko’s favorite-Sumo wrestler Kinbozan heads the new year Basho with a 9-1 record (at this time of writing). Kinbozan, the only wrestler born in Kazakhstan, who has ever competed in Grand Sumo’s top division, is a surprise leader of the tournament. A victory for him would be a real shock for Sumo fans, very few of whom selected him to win this title before the tournament started.

Kinbozan started the tournament 9-0 before losing against the high -ranking high school on the 10th day. Kinbozen is classified Maegashira 14 (only three places from the bottom of the division). In the first week of a tournament, wrestler compete against opponents with similar ranking lists. In the second week of a tournament, the player shift shifts with wrestlers, to whom those are exposed to similar profit loss records.

It can be seen that a low wrestler achieved many victories from A in the first week of A Basho And then they start when the opponents become more difficult.

Kinbozan is classified low because it is promoted Jury (Second division). He was downgraded Jury in November according to consecutive 4-11 records. He won the Jury Championship in November, 12-3, and brought his promotion back Macuuchi.

Kinbozan has never won a top division title. The best he ever did in his eleven top division tournaments was an 11: 4 record. That was in his debut top division tournament in March 2023. This performance also earned him a battle spirit award.

Behind Kinbozan are Chiyoshoma, Oho and Takerufuji, all of which are deeper Maegashira Ranks. Chiyoshoma and Oho have never won top division titles. Takerufuji won the title in his debut tournament last year, a performance that has not been done for over 90 years.

Of these wrestlers, Oho is the highest rank and has hit the best opposition so far.

There are three elite levels behind these wrestlers Rikishi. This includes the Ozeki (One rank below Yokozuna) Hoshoryu and Onosato and the former Ozeki Kirishima.

Hoshoryu and Kotozakura fight

Hoshoryu and Kotozakura came with the chance to earn A Yokozuna Financial support. Kotozakura won the November tournament and beat Hoshoryu on the last day. The Japan Sumo Association said that a similar result in January could lead to both men being promoted Yokozuna.

At the beginning of this tournament Terunofuji, the 73rd and only current sports Yokozunaannounced his retirement from sport. At this point, Hoshoryu was one of the leaders of the tournament and probably seemed to realize his potential and dream of life to become one Yokozuna.

However, losses against Atamifuji, Shodai and Hiradoumi have bowed their chances. At this time of writing, however, he still has a shot to win the title and force a conversation about A Yokozuna Financial support.

Kotozakura, on the other hand, has no chance of winning the title or being promoted Yokozuna After this tournament. He is 4-6 after taking a five-defeat series. Kotozakura is now more concerned about securing A Kachi-Koshi (Win record) and prevent yourself from going Kadoban (literally ‘in a corner’). A Ozeki loses his rank when he gets during a loss record Kadoban.

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Onosato, who won two titles last year in his first year of Pro Sumo, started slowly this year, but has given himself a shot on this title after winning his last five fights.

The brothers Wakamotoharu and WakatakaKage have disappointing tournaments. After both were transported San’yaku For good performances in November, both are in danger that they will get Make-koshi (Defeat) this month. Wakamotoharu is currently 3-7 and WAKATAKAKAGE 5-5.

Kitanowaka had to withdraw from the tournament after broke his foot on the 8th day in a fight with Takerufuji. He joins Roga and Hokutofuji on the edge.

In the second division, the Ukrainian wrestlers are leading. Shihi and Aonishiki are bound to 9-1 records (together with Wakaikari).

Further sumo content at Combat Press

Combat Press will achieve the final results for the New Year’s tournament next week. If you want even more Sumo reporting, subscribe to my newsletter Sumo Stomp! This newsletter will provide daily updates, highlights and analyzes during the tournament.