Big day tomorrow - Onosato vs Aonishiki

Tomorrow is the final day for the September sumo tournament from Tokyo and it couldn't get any bigger.

Onosato (Yokozuna) and Aonishiki (Ozeki) are tied going into the final day so it will be one match, winner takes all.

It could have ended today and Onosato could have won the Emperor's Cup if one of two things had happened. If Onosato would have won his match against Kotozakura (Ozeki) he would have won the Cup, but he didn't, he got beat. Or if Aonishiki would have lost against Kirishima (Ozeki) Onosato would have won the Cup also, but Aonishiki beat Kirishima. 

Which means both of them go into tomorrows bout with 11-3 records. 

Who do I think will win? I'd like to see Onosato win but Aonishiki seems to have more fighting spirit so I can't say.

It will be a good one for sure.

Once you walk through the gate to begin your training there is no turning back

 

Kokoro

 

Training in the mist of the falls

It has been a long time since I've made a "training grounds" post.

This one caught my eye though. I can imagine initial training at the lower complex, then once you have reached black belt status you make your way up to the higher and smaller complex.

Aonishiki strikes again !

The Ukranian sumo wrestler won another exciting tournament last month marking his 3rd championship in sumo's highest division.

After performing poorly, mostly due to an injured foot, three tournaments ago, Aonishiki sat out two tournaments ago to heal. However he lost his Ozeki status and needed to get at least 10 victories in this tournament to regain that rank. 

Not only did he get the 10 wins but won the whole tournament. 

Here I have linked the highlight videos from the Sumo Primetime YouTube page for the three tournaments he has won. 

November 2025 tournament

January 2026 tournament

July 2026 tournament

Is Aonishiki my favorite wrestler? No, actually he is not. I would say Kotozakura, or Wakatakakage, or Hoshoryu might be my favorites.

But Aonishiki fights with spirit, and that is what they look for most in Japan so you have to respect him.

Can't wait for the September tournament.