Kinboshi Sumo

A new year, a new basho! The Big 3 Era begins with Aonishiki at Ozeki, challenging Yokozunas Hoshoryu and Onosato while Ozeki Kotozakura waits in the wings. Nick is back to discuss it all, pick dark horses and predict winners along with the 2026 edition of the "Yung-zeki Sweepstakes" ... who stands a chance of doing what Onosato and Aonishiki did in 2024 and 2025 and racing to Ozeki next?
0:00 Intro
0:50 Big 3 Era (Can Kotozakura challenge??)
7:42 Yung-zeki Sweepstakes
11:55 Takerufuji
13:30 Kotoshoho
11:47 Hiradoumi
16:26 Onokatsu
18:37 Oho
21:11 Yoshinofuji
24:12 Atamifuji
27:06 Hakunofuji (Hakuoho)
31:44 Fujiryoga
34:24 Dark Horse Picks and Yusho Predictions
42:48 Outro
Outro Music & Sound Effects: Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay
Artists: Exchanger, FunWithSound, oldedgar, and Mondschein90 [SFX] & syntheway [Outro Music]

Sean hops on to discuss 2025 year end awards: Heya of the Year, Narrative of the Year, and Burning Question of the Year. Goodbye to an amazing 2025 in sumo and hello 2026! Happy new year all!

Sean returns to talk Hollywood Sumo with a pair of Jean-Claude Van Damme classics in 1988's Bloodsport and 1994's Street Fighter: The Movie. Would sumo benefit from a "Drive to Survive" clone? (If the JSA would ever allow it.) Or would expanded interest exacerbate existing problems like the ticket crunch?
Gunning, John. The Japan Times. "When it comes to sumo in popular media, style reigns over substance." Published April 19, 2023. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2023/04/19/sumo/sumo-media-problems/ Accessed 12/21/2025.
Gunning, John. The Japan Times. "Can sumo avoid becoming another soulless corporate sport?" Published March 5, 2025. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/03/05/sumo/sumo-soulless-sport/ Accessed 12/21/2025.
Outro Music: Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

Goose from the Sunday Morning Sumo Show joined me to discuss his ground level view of the Sumo World Championships in Thailand this year and how international sumo federations can work to grow the sport locally (until hopefully we're all churning out Aonishikis like Ukraine).

Minatogawa (former Takakeisho) will be taking over his own stable after the January basho, which got Sean and I talking about what makes a good Oyakata vs what makes a good coach in other sports and which current rikishi we'd like to see leading stables. What do you think? Is there anyone you think is going to make a particularly good leader in sumo?

Aonishiki wins his first championship and a promotion to Ozeki! The two Yokozunas faulter with Onosato leaving injured on before the final day and Hoshoryu's record against the Ukrainian widening to 0-4. Big things keep on coming in the sumo world!

We're a week into the November basho and at least 2 clear contenders have revealed themselves after the first week. Fellow Yokozuna Hoshoryu is certainly lurking in the background but who do you think comes out of this and what do you think is the best outcome for sumo where you're at in your community?

A pair of dueling Yokozunas, a newly minted Aonishiki Sekiwake waiting in the wings, a bevvy of former sekiwakes all over the banzuke feasting on low rankers? Who will win November 2025, join us as we make some assuredly incorrect predictions!
0:00 Intro
0:49 News: Endo Retires
4:14 Sanyaku Talk: Aonishiki & Oho
10:29 Sanyaku Talk: Takayasu, Takanosho, Wakamotoharu
15:05 Joijin: Hakuoho & Kusano (Yoshinofuji)
19:19 Mid Maegashiras and Atamifuji
23:09 Dark Horse Picks
28:06 Favorites to Win
34:46 Outro
Email us! kinboshiproduction@gmail.com
If you want to help me save up for a new mic, we have a Patreon but honestly we're just happy you're here!
https://www.patreon.com/KinboshiSumo
Thanks for listening!

Apologies for the delayed drop but thank you for sticking with me as I got through some travel and related sickness. ANYWAY in the world of sumo the London Expo is done, sans Kotozakura. What does that mean for our Ozeki in November? Isegahama's next monster is about to debut and we may be witnessing the beginning of the end for the last generation of young up and comers (Kirishima and Wakatakakage) and even one of this generation (Takerufuji). What do you think? In honor of Halloween if you have some "treats" to counteract my negative "tricks" on these 3 I'm all ears and would love to hear them at:
kinboshiproduction@gmail.com
Otherwise thanks for listening!
If you wanna contribute to the "Rick needs a new mic and headset" fund you can check out our Patreon, but honestly we're happy you're here and sharing our show with friends who like sumo! Thank you!
patreon.com/kinboshisumo
Sound Effect by PostadordeMusica from Pixabay
Intro via wikimedia commons
Outro Music Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

Dueling Yokozunas Onosato and Hoshoryu! Heartbreak for Wakatakakage's Ozeki bid! The continued rise of Aonishiki! Nick and Rick are back to talk about the September Tournament that was and look forward what should be a stellar finale in November.
0:00 Intro
0:14 Yokozuna Battle: Hoshoryu and Onosato
8:14 Wakatakakage's Ozeki Dreams
12:27 Veteran Carousel Daieisho Kirishima Asanoyama Takayasu Abi
15:46 Aonishiki
26:21 Outro