Welcome to Cheeky Chanko: Your Hub for Sumo News
April 2025
Sumo fans, you’ve found your new home for all things sumo!
Like a sumo stew with all the best ingredients, Cheeky Chanko is a hearty serving of sumo news. Whether you follow the latest Grand Sumo tournaments, keep up with US Sumo competitions, or just love sumo culture, we’ve got you covered. Our blog brings you wrestler updates, banzuke breakdowns, sumo culture deep dives, trivia, and exclusive insights—all in one place.
At Cheeky Sumo, we’re more than just a news hub. We’re sumo superfans like you, which is why we also offer unique sumo merch to show off your fandom. (Yes, that means Hoshoryu socks!)
Don’t miss any of the action and have our blog posts emailed to you every month by becoming a subscriber! Subscribers also receive exclusive Cheek Peeks into upcoming Cheeky Sumo designs!
Ozeki Onosato wins the March Haru Basho in Osaka and receives the Emperor’s Cup.
Photo Credit: @SANKEI
Grand Sumo News: Onosato's Yokozuna Run Begins
The recent basho was nothing short of spectacular, with Onosato claiming the yusho! This marks his third top division championship, and places him firmly on the path to yokozuna. To achieve the coveted yokozuna rank, a wrestler must demonstrate consistent dominance and exceptional performance over multiple tournaments. Typically, this involves winning two consecutive yusho or achieving a similarly impressive record. Onosato's remarkable run, including three yusho, a runner-up finish, and a staggering eight special prizes in just eight top division tournaments (three Fighting Spirit, two Outstanding Performance, and three Technique), has solidified his status as a force to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, Takayasu, despite another runner-up finish (his 9th!), showcased his prowess by winning the Technique prize for the third time, bringing his total special prize count to an impressive 13.
OOoooooOOoooooo red mawashi. Credit: u/Starprime323
Next, Hoshoryu has changed his mawashi color! He has gone from the dark blue to a new red mawashi. I guess he felt he needed to shake things up!
Did you know what wrestlers can choose whatever mawashi color they want? There are ‘acceptable colors’ listed by the Japanese Sumo Association however, and if you do not use one of those colors the JSA sends you a sternly worded letter about it after every basho. Ura’s famous pink mawashi isn’t one of the ‘acceptable colors’ but I doubt Ura will be changing it any time soon!
In Juryo news, four wrestlers are being promoted from Makushita to the salaried ranks for the May Natsu Basho, three first timers and one who’s back!
Miyanokaze (formerly Miyagi) - Shin-Juryo
Mudoho - Shin-Juryo
Mita - Shin-Juryo
Daiamami - Sai-Juryo
US Sumo News: Action Heats Up Stateside!
The US sumo scene is buzzing with activity! The US Sumo National Championships were just held in Buda, TX this past weekend. Congratulations to all the medalists and participants!
There were some electrifying bouts! We highly recommend you check out the full stream with all the action from last Saturday at the Dark Circle YouTube channel. 2025 US Sumo National Championships (YouTube link)
Plus, you might see a logo you recoginize as one of the sponsors for the day!
Fine bunch of wrestlers! Credit: @darkcircle_sumo
Here are the Women’s and Men’s Heavyweight final bouts. Great Sumo!
Women’s Heavyweight Final
Men’s Heavyweight Final
Gold medal winners received some exclusive Cheeky Sumo swag and an invitation to the Sumo World Championships in Thailand in September! Awesome!
Coming up, the Rain City Open is being hosted by Rain City Sumo in Seattle, WA. It will take place on April 12, 2025, as part of the Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Culture Festival. With three guaranteed bouts and potential Cheeky Sumo swag sightings, it's an event you won't want to miss.
Finally, the Dallas Sumo Club's 3rd annual Rollertown Showdown will deliver two days of intense sumo action on April 25 and 26, 2025, featuring 15 bouts per wrestler!
Sumo Style: The Mighty Mawashi
The mawashi, the iconic belt worn by sumo wrestlers, is far more than just a piece of fabric. It's a symbol of tradition, strength, and cultural significance. Historically, the mawashi evolved from simple loincloths to the elaborate belts we see today. The color and style of a mawashi can indicate a wrestler's rank and status. For instance, sekitori (top 2 division) wrestlers wear silk mawashi for competition purposes, while the belts lower level wrestlers wear as well as practice mawashi are typically made of cotton. The sagari coming from the front of the mawashi are stiffened silk for top wrestlers, while lower level rikishi use soft cotton.
The mawashi's primary purpose is to provide a grip for opponents and to protect the wrestler's abdomen. However, it also serves as a canvas for self-expression, with top wrestlers choosing vibrant colors for their silk competition mawashi and garish kesho-mawashi. The kesho-mawashi is the ceremonial apron and belt worn by the top rikishi before official sumo matches. Usually given to the wrestlers by sponsors, kesho-mawashi are purely decorative and are known for their intricate embroidery and vibrant designs featuring family crests, sponsor logos, traditional Japanese motifs, or personal history and achievements.
Now its time for our Sumo Trivia!
How do you wash a mawashi? Answer in next month’s blog!
Till next month!
We're incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support we've received since our launch! This was our first basho live, and we couldn't be happier with the response. Thank you to everyone who's visited our site, followed us on social media, liked our posts, and made a purchase. We're committed to bringing you fresh designs, with plans to release two or more new items every basho. In the meantime, don’t forget to take a look at our current designs featuring Yokozuna Hoshoryu, Ura, Atamifuji, and our Classic Cheeky Sumo logo!
