"That's why we do sumo! Is the thickness of the cash envelope real?" Japanese archipelago in uproar as 198kg giant is toppled, securing a "cash avalanche" with a smile while holding the money.

*This content was translated by AI.

In the top division "Makuuchi," equivalent to Japan's first league, Maegashira Asanoyama, ranked in the middle tier, defeated Sekiwake Atamifuji, an elite top-tier wrestler, to secure his 10th victory and continue his championship contention. After the win, he was seen clutching a thick bundle of prize money, drawing intense attention from fans.

Japan's "Abema Times" reported on the 25th that "in the 13th-day match of the September tournament held at Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan, Asanoyama defeated Atamifuji with a push-out (yorikiri)."

Immediately after the tachi-ai (match start), Asanoyama charged head-on, quickly grabbing his opponent's front mawashi to gain the upper hand. Atamifuji, weighing 198kg, attempted a counterattack by swaying his body left and right, but Asanoyama pushed him back with all his might, delivering a dominant victory reminiscent of his prime. This brought Asanoyama to 10 wins (3 losses), while Atamifuji, who had been aiming for promotion to Ozeki (), the second-highest rank, suffered his fifth loss.

Immediately after the win, the massive bundle of prize money handed to Asanoyama by the referee also drew attention. In sumo, when companies sponsor matches featuring popular wrestlers by offering prize money, the winner takes all the cash. This tournament featured 141 companies placing a total of 3,895 prize bets, with large allocations going to popular wrestlers Onosato (399 prizes) and Atamifuji (213 prizes).

Asanoyama took full possession of the enormous prize money placed on Atamifuji, and media outlets reported that fans were visibly shaken twice upon seeing the thick envelope of prize money, exclaiming, "It's too big," and "It could be worth my annual salary."

Meanwhile, due to other major match results on this day, the Makuuchi championship race has entered a highly competitive phase. In sumo, wrestlers compete once daily over 15 days, and the wrestler with the fewest losses (most wins) is crowned champion.

Yokozuna Onosato, who had been leading the standings, suffered his second loss (11 wins) after being defeated by Ozeki Kirishima via a throw-down (shitate-nage), missing an early championship clinch. Meanwhile, Ozeki Aonishiki defeated Ozeki Kotozakura with a shoulder throw (katasukashi), maintaining his record at 3 losses (10 wins). Currently, Onosato remains in sole first place with just two losses, while Aonishiki and Asanoyama trail closely behind with three losses each, one match behind.

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*This content was translated by AI.