Onosato Defeats Takayasu in a Playoff to Win His 3rd Title at the Spring Basho

Ozeki Onosato shoved out veteran Takayasu in a winner-take-all playoff on Sunday March 23 to win his third Emperor's Cup on the final day of the Spring Basho.

Both grapplers won their bouts in regulation to improve to 12-3 and force the playoff where the 35-year-old Takayasu was bidding for his first Emperor's Cup against the 24-year-old Onosato.

In the extra bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, fourth-ranked maegashira Takayasu got a left-handed grip on the belt of Onosato after the face-off and attempted an arm throw at the edge of the ring.

But unable to pull off the throw of his larger opponent, Takayasu left himself exposed and all Onosato had to do was shove him out from behind to secure the title.

*Onosato (right) grapples with Takayasu in a playoff at the Spring Basho. (©SANKEI)*

Onosato was 10-5 and 9-6 in his two tournaments since being promoted to sumo's second-highest rank in September 2024. He said he was glad to finally put together a performance worthy of an ozeki.

"It's been a struggle," Onosato said. "Since I became ozeki, I haven't done that well so I am really happy with the 12-3 record in this tournament and winning the championship."

Takayasu beat Onosato on Day 10 of the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament and was 2-0 against the native of Ishikawa Prefecture going into the playoff.

"In the playoff, I was put under pressure by Onosato," said Takayasu. "But this was a fulfilling tournament for me. I'd like to thank all my fans for their support and I will continue fighting for a championship."

Onosato Pays Tribute to Ishikawa Prefecture

After winning the tournament, Onosato paid tribute to the people of his home prefecture who have been struggling to recover from an earthquake on New Year's Day in 2024 and record rainfall and floods in September of 2024.

"The struggle continues in Ishikawa [Prefecture] so I hope this win will bring a little joy to the people there," Onosato said.

In the last bout of regulation, Onosato used a bread-and-butter frontal force-out of fellow ozeki Kotozakura (8-7) to force a playoff with Takayasu.

Earlier, in his final regulation bout, Takayasu got a left-hand grip on the belt and used a pulling overarm throw to send komusubi Abi to the dirt surface and improve to 12-3.

Abi, who dropped to 6-9, dodged to his side at the face-off but veteran Takayasu, who has seen that strategy before, wasn't fazed and held his ground.

Aonishiki Finishes Spring Basho with an 11-4 Record

In other major bouts on the final day, Ukrainian Aonishiki closed out a very successful debut in the elite division with an impressive backward leg trip of Oho to finish at 11-4 and take home a Fighting Spirit Prize.

No 15 maegashira Aonishiki celebrated his 21st birthday on Sunday and will be moving up the ranks for the Summer Basho in May.

Oho, who advanced to a three-way playoff in the previous tournament with a strong 12-3 record, came up short of a winning mark this time and closed out at 6-9 in his sekiwake debut.

No 14 maegashira Churanoumi shoved out pusher-thruster Daieisho to finish with an impressive 11-4 record. Sekiwake Daieisho posted nine wins against six losses.

Sumo ironman Tamawashi finished with a very respectable 10-5 record when he shoved out Ukrainian rank-and-filer Shishi, who closed out at 9-6.

The 40-year-old Tamawashi, a No 7 maegashira, was in contention for the title up until back-to-back losses on Days 13 and 14 and will be moving up the ranks for the next tournament.

Brothers Wakamotoharu, Wakatakakage Wrap up Spring Basho with Victories

Top maegashira Wakamotoharu got both arms around Takerufuji and waltzed the No 6 maegashira out to finish with a 9-6 record that will likely see him move up to the sanyaku ranks for the next tournament.

Takerufuji, who won the March tournament a year ago in his elite division debut, dropped to 9-6.

Wakamotoharu's brother Wakatakakage, also a top maegashira, toppled sixth-ranked Hiradoumi to give both grapplers a 9-6 record.