Sumo: Wakatakakage Defeats Kirishima in Playoff to Win the Summer Basho

Komusubi Wakatakakage suffered a Day 11 loss to ozeki Kirishima at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

Four days later, the Fukushima native avenged that loss at the most opportune time.

In the Summer Basho playoff, Wakatakakage claimed the Emperor's Cup by beating his Mongolian opponent, spoiling the ozeki's hopes of back-to-back titles. The 31-year-old ended the match with a well-executed frontal push-out (oshidashi).

On Sunday, May 24, Wakatakakage and Kirishima had identical 12-3 records after the final regulation bout concluded at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

That forced a playoff to determine the champion.

In the bonus match, Wakatakakage exhibited superior strength, shoving his 30-year-old opponent out of the dohyo.

As a result, the komusubi won the second grand sumo tournament title of his career, his first since the 2022 Spring Basho, when he competed as a sekiwake (the sport's third-highest rank).

"When I got injured, my family supported me, so I was really happy to get this championship in front of them," Wakatakakage was quoted as saying by Kyodo News on Sunday.

In 2023, Wakatakakage dropped to the third of sumo's six divisions, the makushita division, after a right knee injury (a torn anterior cruciate ligament) forced him to miss three tournaments.

Showcasing his sumo skills and his dedication to the sport, Wakatakakage worked his way back to the top division. He won the makushita division title in January 2024, then collected the second-tier juryo title two months later.

In July 2024, Wakatakakage had an impressive showing in his first tourney back in the makuuchi division, going 11-4 as an 11th-ranked maegashira.

Summer Basho — *Wakatakakage defeats 17th-ranked maegashira Fujiryoga in a Day 15 regulation bout. (©SANKEI)*

Wakatakakage, Kirishima Advance to the Sumo Playoff

Fujiryoga, a 17th-ranked maegashira, faced Wakatakakage in one of the last regulation bouts on Day 15.

The komusubi took care of business, securing the victory with an under-shoulder swingdown. Fujiryoga fell to 10-5.

After two more bouts, Kirishima, winner of the Spring Basho in March as a sekiwake, met No 11 maegashira Ura in the final regulation match.

Kirishima overpowered Ura (10-5), picking up the win via a frontal pushdown.

On the previous day, 22-year-old Hakunofuji, a 10th-ranked maegashira, recorded an upset win over Kirishima. Wakatakakage and Kirishima entered the last day as co-leaders.

After his playoff victory and his first title in 25 tournaments, which was the third-longest span between titles, Wakatakakage reflected on the 15-day sumo event and his overall success in it.

"I stepped onto the dohyo determined to concentrate on every single match and wrestle in my own style," he said, according to Sports Nippon. "I think that's what worked."

What was Wakatakakage's mindset entering the playoff?

"I wanted to wrestle well so I wouldn't have any regrets," he said, according to the sports publication.

Looking ahead, Wakatakakage is focused on improvement.

"My style is to attack from below," Wakatakakage was quoted as saying by Sports Nippon. "I want to keep refining that."

Sumo Tournament Notes

Yokozuna Hoshoryu and Onosato were both sidelined due to injuries, missing the entire tournament.

Injured Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki also didn't participate in the Summer Basho. Fellow ozeki Kotozakura sustained a back injury, forcing him to pull out of the tourney on Day 12.

Hakunofuji completed the Summer Basho with an 11-4 record. He was one of five grapplers who were one victory behind the co-leaders heading into the final day. The others with 10-4 marks after Day 14: second-ranked maegashira Yoshinofuji, No 13 maegashira Kotoeiho, Ura and Fujiryoga.

In a clash of young wrestlers, Yoshinofuji, 24, prevailed against 22-year-old Kotoeiho on the final day. With the win, Yoshinofuji improved to 11-4.

Appearing in just his second tournament in the top division, Kotoeiho (10-5) had a double-digit win total for the first time.

It was a disappointing tournament for the two top-ranked maegashira, Fujinokawa and Takanosho. Both men went 7-8.

Veteran Mongolian wrestler Tamawashi, competing as a 13th-ranked maegashira, finished with a 2-13 mark.

After an 11-win performance at the July 2025 tournament, Tamawashi has had five consecutive losing tourneys, raising speculation that the 41-year-old may decide to retire.

On June 13-14, the Japan Sumo Association will stage a sumo exhibition tour in Paris.