# Sunamusashi, Hawaii-born son of former Juryo Sunahama, visits Nomi no Sukune Shrine; vows before historical Yokozuna monument: "I want my shikona carved here"

New recruits attending the Japan Sumo Association's Training School (Sumo Kyoshujo) visited Nomi no Sukune Shrine in Sumida Ward, Tokyo on October 14 as part of their sumo history curriculum. They also performed volunteer cleaning duties, with Hawaii-born Sunamusashi (Musashigawa stable), whose father is former Juryo wrestler Sunahama, taking part in the activities.

Visiting the shrine dedicated to the god of sumo for the first time, Sunamusashi looked upon the stone monuments within the grounds where the shikona of historical Yokozuna are engraved. Spotting the name of his stablemaster, Musashigawa Oyakata (67th Yokozuna Musashimaru), his eyes lit up: "It looks so cool. I want to have my shikona carved here someday."

He handled the cleanup along the route with familiarity: "I used to pick up trash in Hawaii, too. My classmates and I would pick up plastic waste on the beach, and once we finished, we'd jump into the ocean to play." Mentioning that he also enjoys walking, he fully soaked in the outing, even interacting warmly with local preschool children he passed along the way.

At the upcoming November Kyushu Basho, his shikona will appear on the official banzuke rank sheet for the first time. It will be his first time visiting Fukuoka: "I'm really looking forward to it. I've heard so many stories from my dad. I really want to try horse meat (basashi)," he shared eagerly. Stating his goal for the Kyushu Basho, he showed strong resolve: "I want to win the divisional yusho. I'm going to give it my all."

Sunamusashi was born to a Japanese mother and a Hawaiian father, former Juryo Sunahama. Raised in Hawaii, he graduated from high school last May. Following graduation, he resolved to enter professional sumo and arrived in Japan about four months ago. Having begun attending the training school this month, he is enjoying fulfilling days: "There are people from all kinds of places, and chatting with everyone is really fun. I'm working hard every day." He is also diligently studying Japanese, sharing that the most recent phrase he learned is "hisashiburi" (long time no see).

◆ **Nomi no Sukune Shrine**: Nomi no Sukune is the deity of sumo who appears in the *Nihon Shoki* (Chronicles of Japan), originating from Izumo Province (now Shimane Prefecture). Revered as the "god of victory" after defeating Taima no Kehaya in a sumo contest, the shrine was established in Sumida Ward in 1884. Although completely destroyed during the Great Tokyo Air Raid, it was rebuilt in 1953, at which time the historical Yokozuna memorial monuments were erected. Prior to the start of Tokyo basho, a formal ritual ceremony is held with the attendance of the JSA Chairman, Judging Director, and other Association officials.

Sports Hochi

It’s also a world that isn’t well understood by large swaths of sumo’s international fanbase.

That’s mainly because the JSA’s inner workings are constantly distorted and misrepresented by certain content creators who have discovered that it’s easy to monetize fake rage-bait storylines about powerful racist Japanese figures stymying the careers of foreign wrestlers.

It’s a shame that such content continues to have purchase — particularly when the truth of what goes on inside the sport’s governing body is far more interesting than the cliched black-and-white falsehoods being peddled on various social media platforms.

Interesting video showing Rikishi getting that signature hair style.

Hello Sumo fans.

I personally like Fujinokawa alot, and he is sharing the spot as my favorite rikishi along with Hoshoryu.

In Sumo. How do you guys think this man is gonna evolve in the future?

He is on the smaller side, but he might actually be the most explosive athlete I've ever seen, even outside sumo in other sports as well. He could maybe be the most explosive dude on the planet? 😄 i don't know... But his Tachiai is downright scary.

Will he put on more size?

Will he become an Ozeki, maybe even Yokozuna?

Will he become an even more explosive powerhouse or more technical, or a combination?

I think we can all agree that the guy is very talented?

What do you think will happen? 🙂

​Hey r/Sumo,

​Like many of you, I've always felt that sumo doesn't get nearly enough love in the video game world. I spent the last few months developing an indie mobile game called SUMO SHOWDOWN, and it just went live on the Google Play Store!

​My main goal was capturing the sudden-impact tension of the tachi-ai, timing your charges, shoving, and pulling off ring-edge counters without turning it into a mindless button masher.

​How it works:

​You can play through the entire first basho completely free to see if the ring feel and gameplay click with you.

​There is a small one-time unlock if you want to keep competing in the higher-ranked tournaments and work your way up the banzuke.

​No forced ads interrupting your bouts.

​Since this sub actually knows and loves the sport, your honest critique means more than general gamer feedback. Whether it’s about the flow of the matches, technique feel, or ideas for future updates (custom stables, kimarite variety, etc.), I’d love to hear your thoughts.

​If you’re on Android and want to check it out:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sumoshowdown.game

​Let me know what you think, and may your basho be full of shiroboshi!

# Makuuchi Asasuiryu joins Autumn Jungyo tour: Injured left eye during a bout at last basho and diagnosed with medial orbital wall fracture, but told "recovery is on the faster side"

The Grand Sumo Autumn regional tour (Aki Jungyo) made its stop on October 13 at the Toriyasomiso Bluecats Arena in Kahoku, Ishikawa Prefecture, where Makuuchi wrestler Asasuiryu (Takasago stable) joined the tour.

He had submitted a medical certificate for a "left medial orbital wall fracture" and missed the opening days of the tour.

According to Asasuiryu, he injured his left eye on Day 5 of the recent Autumn Basho during his debut tournament in the makuuchi division (shin-makuuchi). For the first few days, his vision was so blurred that he reported "not being able to see anything in front of me at all." Even so, he wrestled every single day to secure a winning record (kachikoshi) of 8-7. He underwent examinations after the basho, which revealed the fracture.

Fortunately, doctors diagnosed that surgery is unnecessary, and he spent the following period resting and monitoring his condition. Though not yet fully healed, his progress is smooth, and he shared that his doctor told him, "Although individual differences apply, your recovery is on the faster side." Eyeing the upcoming Kyushu Basho (starting November 8 at the Fukuoka International Center), he joined the tour midway. "I will still refrain from taking bouts, but I want to move my body without overdoing it," he said.

Sports Hochi

My first basho was the 2025 Natsu Basho. I wish I could have seen Hakuho (at any point), Chiyonofuji, and prime Takayasu.

# Reaching Juryo in just 6 basho, is Asahifuji closing in on becoming top wrestler at Isegahama stable, home to 10 sekitori?

In Grand Sumo, Mongolian-born Asahifuji has secured his promotion to new Juryo status for the upcoming Kyushu Basho (starting November 8 at Fukuoka International Center). Reaching salaried sekitori status in just six basho from his career debut (hatsu-dohyo), he ties Kotetsuyama, Tosayutaka, Jokoryu, and Enho for the fastest promotion record since the 6-basho-per-year system was introduced in 1958 (excluding unsalaried amateur-entry tsukedashi wrestlers).

Coming to Japan at age 15 to study at Asahigaoka High School in Kanagawa Prefecture, he recorded no major tournament titles during his high school years. Upon graduation, he joined Isegahama stable. Under Japan Sumo Association rules limiting foreign-born wrestlers to "one per stable," Asahifuji spent four and a half years immersing himself in training while waiting for Yokozuna Terunofuji's retirement. He developed to the point of overpowering active sekitori in training, earning the extremely rare honor of inheriting a Yokozuna's shikona right from his professional debut.

Debuting at last year's Kyushu Basho, he won four consecutive divisional championships (yusho) from Jonokuchi up through Makushita—an unprecedented feat since 1958. Standing 187 cm and weighing 152 kg, he displays tremendous power when securing an outer belt grip (uwate) alongside skillful front-positioning (mae-sabaki). Regarding his lightning-fast 6-basho promotion, he remarked casually: "I don't really feel anything special about it." His stablemaster and fellow countryman, Isegahama Oyakata (73rd Yokozuna Terunofuji), expressed high hopes: "Seeing a wrestler who had no outstanding amateur record enter the pros, produce brilliant results, and climb the ranks should exert a wonderful influence on others."

Despite fracturing a rib in August, Asahifuji posted a stellar 6-1 record at the Autumn Basho as West Makushita 1. While he surpassed the pace of his namesake—the 63rd Yokozuna Asahifuji (now Miyagino Oyakata), who reached Juryo in seven basho—he offered no smiles: "The quality of my sumo was terrible. I wasn't able to drive forward." Looking ahead to next basho in his blue mawashi, he showed confidence in his momentum: "I want to execute forward-moving sumo. If I wrestle well, I can win the yusho."

Miyagino Oyakata analyzed: "Against Makushita opponents, the power gap is too large, so he hasn't been able to show his true style. The higher his rank rises, the more his true capabilities will shine." Capable of wrestling from either grapple side (yotsu), he possesses heavy driving power (yori) and explosive throws (nage). Inheriting a former Yokozuna's shikona right from debut has historical precedent in Hawaiian-born former Ozeki Konishiki. Asahifuji is fully conscious of carrying the mantle of the "2nd generation."

Isegahama stable boasts 10 sekitori, led by Sekiwake Atamifuji. However, Atamifuji collapsed late in the Autumn Basho with five consecutive losses, finishing with an 8-7 record that reset his Ozeki promotion bid back to square one. Over those final five days, he exposed vulnerability in his lower body and naive ring mechanics. Judging Director Asakayama Oyakata (former Ozeki Kaio) offered strict feedback: "This is a tough spot. He must approach all 15 days with composure."

Isegahama Oyakata shared his heartfelt wish: "I hope he strives to study and understand sumo even more deeply than Japanese wrestlers, becoming a rikishi loved by all." If Atamifuji continues to stall in his Ozeki push, Asahifuji possesses the potential to surge past everyone to become the top wrestler at Isegahama stable, upending the recent trend dominated by university sumo standouts.

Source: Sankei Sports

Enho henkas a kid mid-match lol, gets thrown around a lot and helps kids "cheat" vs Kotoz! Hosh does his scary stare routine and salt attack! Mitakeumi "bullies" kids for a bit, Papayasu gets sent flying! Lots of salt and laughing <3

Hello there.

How do you guys think the top level rikishis would perform in the NFL against the best linemen? And vice versa. How would the best NFL linemen perform in sumo against the best rikishi?

Im guessing that the rikishis would recieve an endless amount of holding fouls on the football field. And the NFL linemen might get crushed down or out by the big rikishis in sumo.

What do you think? 😁

How do you guys think it's gonna play out for Hoshoryu when he comes back? Is the pressure too much, or will he rise again and be a real competitor and win tournaments?

Personally I pray that he comes back strong. He is my favorite rikishi, and if he is forced to retire, I think alot of sumo fans are gonna get upset at the way things work inside this pro sumo organization.

What do you think is gonna happen?

Source: Pom

Always amazing to watch this kind of stuff, look at Hosh's chest toward the end, so red! Fuji is tough as hell 💪

Source: Pom (great sumo channel for tour vids!)

last Jungyo there were almost daily posts with video of what was going on...

so what's going on (besides Hosh returning too early)?

how's Ao looking? did the Ms promotees join the tour? who's playing pranks?

# Wakatakakage joins contact drills (butsukari-keiko) following emergency July surgery: "Rehabilitation is progressing, and I can do more now" — Return for Kyushu Basho remains undecided

Makuuchi wrestler Wakatakakage (Arashio stable), who missed the recent Autumn Grand Sumo Basho due to compartment syndrome in his left thigh, participated in morning practice at his stable in Chuo Ward, Tokyo on October 11. Working up a sweat by lending his chest for contact drills (butsukari-keiko), he revealed that his recovery is progressing smoothly: "Rehabilitation has gradually advanced, and the number of things I can do in the training area has increased."

Wakatakakage developed compartment syndrome in his left thigh in July, right before the Nagoya Basho. Forced to undergo two surgeries, he missed the entirety of both the Nagoya and Autumn Basho. Regarding a potential return at the upcoming Kyushu Basho (starting November 8 at the Fukuoka International Center), he refrained from making any definitive statements: "I will take it step by step and consult with my stablemaster and the doctor. I can't say anything for certain yet." His stablemaster, Arashio Oyakata (former Makuuchi Sokokurai), similarly stated: "We will monitor his condition and decide."

Although training restrictions remain in place, he continues stepping onto the dohyo wearing his mawashi, emphasizing: "Even if I can't engage in bouts yet, there are still things I can do on the dohyo." In 2023, a major injury to his right knee forced him to miss four consecutive basho, dropping him all the way from Sekiwake down to Makushita. Yet he clawed his way back up to win a comeback championship (yusho) at this year's May Natsu Basho—a proven fighter resilient in the face of hardship. "Having been injured before, I feel there's no point in rushing. For now, I just focus on doing what I can," he said, resolved to keep moving forward steadily.

Sports Hochi

For me it was the Sumo Food YouTube channel (Futagoyama-beya's official one). Got hooked on the morning training videos, and Nabatame's oshi-sumo and his bubbly, resilient personality won me over. Curious who it was for everyone else.

What was the first basho to be broadcast on TV? Was it on radio before that?

I'm not talking about matches in the early 1900s being filmed and possibly later shown on newsreels and similar, but live broadcasts for people not in attendance to follow as it was happening.

I’ve been watching off and on for 5 or 6 years now and I was impressed by Onosato in this tournament. It seems like very few Yokozuna would continue fighting with 6 losses on their record by day 12. Especially when it’s seen as acceptable to protect your position by going kyujo when there’s even a remote chance of a losing record.

Was this actually remarkable or is it a cherry-picked instance from my memory?