In a thrilling display of skill and determination at the Grand Sumo Spring Tournament, ozeki Kotoshogiku of the Sadogatake stable marked a crucial turning point on March 19, 2025. He secured his sixth victory by decisively pushing out komusubi Osho from the Otake stable, bringing his record to 6 wins against 5 losses. This significant win brings Kotoshogiku closer to avoiding demotion from his prestigious rank.
Kotoshogiku opened the match with an aggressive left-side attack that left Osho struggling to respond. Kotoshogiku effectively showed signs of his former strength after a rough patch earlier in the tournament. Since day six, he had run off three consecutive victories, but setbacks on the ninth and tenth days had cast doubt on his prospects. Reflecting on this win, he stated, "Kotoshogiku pushed Osho out and improved his record to 6 wins and 5 losses," as reported by Sports Hochi.
As cameras captured Kotoshogiku's commanding performance, the stakes remained radiant for his future in the tournament. He needs to notch two more wins in the upcoming days to firmly secure his place as an ozeki and stave off potential demotion. He is aware of the uphill battle remaining in the tournament but remains committed: “With four days left, I’ll have to give it my all,” he said, embodying the resolute spirit characteristic of sumo wrestlers.
In a more surprising turn of events, Takayasu, who had only suffered one loss previously, faced a crushing defeat against komusubi Kirishima. This unexpected outcome was a blow to Takayasu’s aspirations as he stumbled and lost balance during the bout, leading to an easy push-out by Kirishima. "Takayasu's balance faltered, leading to his defeat against Kirishima," Sports Hochi reported. With this loss, Takayasu joins a tense competition with three other wrestlers now competing for the lead with two losses each.
Meanwhile, the performance of ozeki Daikokuji and maegashira Takarafuji set the stage for a highly anticipated face-off on March 20. Both competitors emerged victorious from their matches, fueling excitement for their upcoming clash. Historical context adds depth to their rivalry; in a previous encounter at last year’s Kyushu tournament, Daikokuji successfully handled a powerful attack from Takarafuji, leveraging his own strength to secure the win. As they prepare to face off once more, it remains to be seen whether Daikokuji can replicate his prior success, especially against Takarafuji’s speed-driven techniques.
“Daikokuji and Takarafuji are now set for a highly anticipated match on the 12th day,” said Sports Hochi, bringing viewers’ attention back to the shifting landscape among the top wrestlers. With their established rivalry and different fighting strategies, the bout promises to be an electrifying clash.
Aside from the upcoming Daikokuji-Takarafuji bout, Takayasu will also take on komusubi Osho, a match that won’t be without challenges. Takayasu must focus on disrupting Osho’s signature thrust-and-push style, leveraging a grappling strategy that could mitigate Osho's strengths. Time will tell if he can rebound from his recent loss to revitalize his standing.
The Grand Sumo Spring Tournament continues to unfold in exhilarating fashion. Day 11 saw a mixture of victories and defeats that not only redefined individual narratives but also set the stage for a gripping finale. With Kotoshogiku rebounding and Takayasu regrouping, fans will certainly be on the edge of their seats as the tournament reaches its conclusion.
